Digestion of the origin, breakthrough in the Dao realm

The Shadow Shuttle dragged its battered hull like a lone wolf returning from a bloodbath, silently sailing into the hidden shipyard of Nidao Fortress.

The airlock opened, and Nightmare stepped out first. His expression was calm, but the dark golden reverse patterns deep within his eyes flowed more clearly than before. His aura was as deep as the sea, yet carried a terrifying, extremely restrained fluctuation, as if a whirlpool capable of devouring stars was brewing beneath a calm sea surface.

Stone Firm, Iron Edge, and Sand Shadow had long been waiting here with their men. Seeing Nightmare return safely and noting that although most of the Nidao Guards behind him were injured, none were lost, they all breathed a sigh of relief. However, when their gazes met Nightmare's eyes, which seemed capable of piercing through the Void Realm, their hearts involuntarily shivered.

The aura on Lord... seems to have changed again, becoming more terrifying and even harder to fathom.

"Lord!" The three stepped forward to salute.

"How is the fortress's defense? Have there been any anomalies?" Nightmare asked while walking, his pace unceasing as he headed straight for the deepest, most heavily guarded seclusion chamber in the fortress.

"Reporting to Lord, everything is normal. The Vanguard Battalion has expanded the security perimeter as planned, and no large-scale fleet movements from the Tianyan Alliance have been detected." Stone Firm reported quickly. "The fortress's defense system has been fully repaired and reinforced, and the 'Nidao Annihilation Cannon' prototype has been calibrated and is ready for use at any time."

"Very good." Nightmare nodded, having arrived at the thick alloy door of the seclusion chamber. "I am going into seclusion for an indefinite period. All matters of the fortress are to be handled by the three of you, with Blood Fang assisting. The principle remains unchanged: those who submit shall flourish, and those who resist shall perish. If the Tianyan Alliance attacks, do not hesitate; counterattack with full force and use the Annihilation Cannon."

He paused and added, "During my seclusion, unless it is a matter of life and death, do not disturb me."

"Yes! We understand!" The three replied solemnly.

Nightmare said no more, pushed open the chamber door, and stepped inside. The heavy door closed silently behind him, and several layers of powerful Restrictions rose, completely isolating the inside from the outside.

The chamber was spacious and simple, with only a dark golden cushion in the center. Located deep within the planet's core and guided by Formations, the concentration of Grandmist Spiritual Qi (though impure) was extremely high and had been preliminarily purified by Reverse Dao Power, barely sufficient for a High Sovereign to Cultivate.

Nightmare sat cross-legged, took a deep breath, and slowly closed his eyes.

The next moment, he no longer suppressed the terrifying power within his body that was like a boiling sea of stars!

The massive Origin devoured from the High Sovereign Elder Zichen, mixed with the impure energy of Elder Silver Star, Golden Yan Protector, and many Tianyan Alliance elites, erupted within his body like an ignited ammunition depot!

The Origin of the High Sovereign Realm, in terms of purity, contained Law fragments, and insights into the deep-level rules of the Hongmeng Universe, is far beyond what a Middle Sovereign can compare to. The "Tianyan Star Dao" cultivated by Elder Zichen points directly to the high-level Laws of stellar motion and the evolution of the Heavenly Dao. For Nightmare, this power is both a supreme tonic and a severe test.

"Reverse Path General Outline, Command Ten Thousand Laws, Refine!"

Nightmare silently recited the fundamental Mind-Cultivation Technique of the Dao Reversal Origin. The dark golden reverse pattern between his brows shone brilliantly, acting like a needle to calm the sea, suppressing the surging torrent of energy throughout his body!

Chaos Demonic Flame surged from every inch of his skin and every acupuncture point. It was no longer burning outward but collapsing and condensing inward, forming a miniature, high-speed rotating dark golden whirlpool located at the core of his Dantian Qi Sea. This whirlpool was the manifestation of his Dao Reversal Origin—the Chaos Return-to-Void Core!

Elder Zichen's purple-golden stellar Origin, upon contacting the Chaos Return-to-Void Core, was like ice encountering a scorching sun; it was rapidly decomposed, purified, disrupted, and assimilated! The "Tianyan Star Dao" Law fragments contained within were forcibly stripped and analyzed by the Reverse Dao Power. Useful parts (such as the precise manipulation of the Power of the Stars, and energy-to-space conversion) were absorbed and fused, while useless parts or those conflicting with the Reverse Path (such as that rigid sense of "Heavenly Dao evolution" order) were directly crushed and annihilated!

The process was violent and painful. The backlash of the High Origin and the conflict of Laws made his Meridians feel as if they were being pierced by billions of steel needles, and his Divine Soul felt as if it were being thrown into a stellar furnace to be burned. However, his will was as firm as an eternal rock, and his Divine Soul became even more condensed and brilliant amidst the pain.

Time lost its meaning amidst the pain and transformation of absolute focus.

Outside the chamber, Stone Firm and the others faithfully executed Nightmare's orders. Nidao Fortress operated like a precision war gear. Under Blood Fang's leadership, the Vanguard Battalion continued to sweep the Desolate Star Sector with iron-blooded means, uprooting several small factions that were originally wavering or still making small moves in the dark. All resisters were executed, and their resources were incorporated into the fortress's treasury. The fortress's defense system was continuously fine-tuned and tested day and night, especially the prototype weapon named "Nidao Annihilation Cannon," whose core energy came from the devoured and refined Origin of Tianyan Alliance Cultivators. Its power was terrifying, capable of posing a fatal threat to a High Sovereign.

Throughout the fortress, everyone could feel an invisible, awe-inspiring, and faintly exciting atmosphere permeating the air. They knew their Lord was in seclusion, pushing for a higher Realm. Once successful...

On this day, Sand Shadow received a piece of intelligence transmitted back by Blood Fang through a secret channel: on the edge of the Desolate Star Sector, near the "Fragmented Star Turbulence Zone," two small-scale Tianyan Alliance reconnaissance fleets were discovered. They seemed to be searching for something, acting cautiously, and soon retreated.

"It seems the Tianyan Alliance has detected the fall of Elder Zichen, but has not yet determined the specific location, or... they are gathering stronger forces." Sand Shadow handed the intelligence to Stone Firm and Iron Edge.

"Strengthen reconnaissance and stealth in all directions, especially the shipping lanes leading to the core Star Domain." Stone Firm said in a deep voice. "The fortress is entering a Level 2 combat readiness state. We will wait for Lord to come out of seclusion before making a decision."

They did not know that the transformation inside the chamber was nearing its end.

Within Nightmare's body, the violent torrent of energy had gradually calmed down. More than 90% of Elder Zichen's High Origin had been devoured by the Chaos Return-to-Void Core! What remained was the purest, most core wisp of the "star dao seed" and vast Law insights.

At this moment, the Chaos Return-to-Void Core was no longer just a whirlpool. At its center, a point of absolute darkness, extremely condensed and seemingly capable of devouring all light, was forming. In the deepest part of that darkness, a dark golden singularity, pregnant with destruction and rebirth, flickered. The volume of the entire Return-to-Void Core had not increased; instead, it had become more solid and restrained, but its efficiency in inhaling, converting, and annihilating energy had increased by more than tenfold!

That tough membrane hindering his promotion to the High Sovereign Realm, after absorbing massive amounts of High Origin and Law insights, was already covered in cracks.

"Break!"

Nightmare gave a low shout in his heart, transforming the last wisp of the "star dao seed" and all his insights, along with the massive Reverse Dao Power he had accumulated, into an invisible, intangible sword containing the will to destroy all Laws, and stabbed it fiercely at that membrane!

Hum—!!!

There was no earth-shattering sound, only a grand vibration originating from the essence of life and the root of the Divine Soul!

The membrane shattered in response!

In an instant, Nightmare's Divine Soul seemed to break free from invisible shackles, rising and expanding infinitely! His perception was no longer limited to the chamber, the fortress, or even the Desolate Star Sector! Wherever his will reached, he could "see" every floating meteorite in the entire Star Sector, every energy turbulence, and could even vaguely perceive the blurry energy outlines of other Star Domains in the distance! This was a qualitative leap, a fundamental improvement in the level of life and its compatibility with the Universe!

At the same time, the Chaos Return-to-Void Core within his body suddenly collapsed to the extreme, then expanded violently! A brand new, more vast, more profound, and more domineering Origin power, like the first ray of light (darkness) at the beginning of the Universe, erupted from within his body, sweeping through his limbs and bones, cleansing all his acupuncture points!

High Hongmeng Dominator Realm—Early Stage!

Success!

Inside the chamber, there was no wind, yet things moved. The Chaos Demonic Flame burning around Nightmare was no longer pure dark gold; a deep pitch-black flickered at the heart of the flame, and the tail of the flame trailed with fine specks of starlight. The flame itself seemed to possess life and will, silently distorting and burning the surrounding space, causing light to bend and dim.

He slowly opened his eyes.

In his eyes, the pupils were gone, replaced by two slowly rotating, deep whirlpools containing pitch-black singularities and dark golden starlight. Wherever his gaze landed, the walls and Restrictions of the chamber seemed to become transparent, and he could directly "see" their energy structures and weak points.

With a slight thought, a wisp of new Chaos Demonic Flame flickered from his fingertip.

Sizzle!

A star-core alloy plate in front of him, used for testing and capable of withstanding a full-force blow from a Middle Sovereign Late Stage, silently developed a thumb-sized hole. The edges were as smooth as a mirror, with no traces of melting, as if that small piece of matter had been directly "erased" from the Universe. Moreover, the disruption and devouring power contained in the Demonic Flame seemed to have a stronger targeting and restraint against the stellar Origin of the Tianyan Alliance.

"The power... is completely different." Nightmare whispered to himself, feeling the vast, seemingly inexhaustible power surging within his body. This was a sense of control—a deeper level of control over his own power, the surrounding energy, and even the more fundamental rules of the Universe.

He did not come out of seclusion immediately but continued to sit cross-legged, consolidating this new Realm, adapting to the surging power, and simultaneously organizing the complex Law insights brought by devouring Elder Zichen, integrating them truly into his own Reverse Path system.

Three more days passed.

The chamber door opened silently.

Nightmare stepped out slowly. He was still dressed in black, his aura even more restrained than before his seclusion, almost like a Mortal. But the moment Stone Firm, Iron Edge, and Sand Shadow saw him, they felt as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on their hearts, and they subconsciously held their breath. This was the instinctive awe brought about by the difference in life levels.

"Lord!" The three quickly bowed, their voices filled with excitement and undisguisable shock. They knew, Lord... had succeeded!

"Hmm." Nightmare nodded slightly. "How was the situation during my seclusion?"

Sand Shadow immediately stepped forward and concisely reported the intelligence transmitted back by Blood Fang and the fortress's combat readiness.

After listening, Nightmare's expression remained unchanged. "The Tianyan Alliance is probing and gathering forces. They lost a High Elder and will not let it rest." He looked at Stone Firm. "Are there any factions in the Desolate Star Sector that are disobedient or colluding with the outside world?"

Stone Firm said solemnly, "Reporting to Lord, the Vanguard Battalion of Blood Fang reports that the obvious unstable factors in the Star Sector have been basically cleared, but there are still a few scattered remnants hiding in secret corners, and... two exile gathering points located at the junction of the Star Sector and the 'Ash Corridor,' whose attitudes are ambiguous, and seem to have dealings with some forces outside the Star Sector."

"Ambiguous?" A cold arc curled at the corner of Nightmare's mouth. "I don't need ambiguity. Order Blood Fang to launch a 'Great Star Sector Sweep' immediately. Anyone who does not explicitly express submission, or who has even a hint of suspicion, regardless of where they are hiding or who is behind them, is to be executed; leave no one alive. I want this Desolate Star Sector to have only one voice and one will from now on."

"Yes!" Stone Firm replied solemnly.

"Iron Edge, you are fully responsible for the fortress's defense and the operation of the 'Nidao Annihilation Cannon.' Sand Shadow, continue to extend your intelligence network outward, focusing on investigating the subsequent movements of the Tianyan Alliance, as well as... all information about the 'Primordial Dao Palace'." Nightmare issued orders one after another, his thinking clear.

"Subordinates obey!" Iron Edge and Sand Shadow replied in unison.

Once the orders were given, the entire Nidao Fortress and the Desolate Star Sector under its control immediately began to operate efficiently like the most precise killing machine.

Blood Fang received the order with excitement and trembling. He knew this was an excellent Opportunity to show his value and loyalty to his new master, as well as a great chance to eliminate potential threats and consolidate his own position. Leading the reorganized, murderous Nidao Vanguard Battalion, and guided by old pirates familiar with the Star Sector's terrain, he combed through the Star Domains like a comb.

Those Tianyan Alliance remnants hiding deep in abandoned mines or lurking in the eyes of energy storms were pulled out one by one and crushed in desperate resistance. The two exile gathering points at the junction tried to muddle through by claiming neutrality and paying "protection fees," but under Nightmare's iron order of "never tolerate ambiguity," Blood Fang did not hesitate and launched a fierce surprise attack. Although there were a few tough hands at the Middle Sovereign Early Stage in the gathering points, they quickly collapsed under the siege of the Vanguard Battalion and the ruthless attacks of Blood Fang, a Middle Sovereign Middle Stage leader. All those who tried to resist or flee were executed, their Divine Souls destroyed. Only a very few who decisively knelt and surrendered before the attack began, and were willing to offer their Divine Soul imprints, survived and were dispersed into the lowest ranks of the Vanguard Battalion.

Bloodshed and death became the only main melody in the Desolate Star Sector during this time. Nightmare's fierce reputation and iron fist, along with each merciless sweep, were deeply branded into the depths of the Souls of every survivor in this Star Sector. Fear became the most effective tool of rule.

A few days later, the entire Desolate Star Sector was completely "clean."

All factions, regardless of size, whether willing or not, had clearly expressed their submission to Nidao Fortress and obedience to Nightmare's rule. Any gathering point of any scale had garrison troops or observers from the Vanguard Battalion. The energy flow and ship traffic within the Star Sector were all under control.

On this day, Nightmare stood at the top of the highest observation tower of Nidao Fortress, his Divine Sense like the invisible eye of a monarch, slowly sweeping over the gray Star Domain that he had completely controlled. He could clearly perceive the energy reactions at every important node in the Star Sector, the location of every patrol team, and could even vaguely capture the fear and awe deeply hidden in the hearts of those who had submitted.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying the supreme majesty and cold will of a High Sovereign. Using his own Divine Sense as a medium, like the voice of the Heavenly Dao, it rang clearly in every corner of the Desolate Star Sector and deep within the Divine Soul of every Cultivator:

"The remnants of the Tianyan Alliance have been cleared, and the Star Sector is settled."

"From today on, the Desolate Star Sector is under my, Nightmare's, jurisdiction."

"Those who submit to me can enjoy protection, can be rewarded according to their merit, and will have opportunities for resources and Cultivation Techniques."

"Those who resist me, no matter where they hide or what they rely on, will be executed, their Divine Souls destroyed, and they will never be reincarnated!"

The voice dissipated, and the Star Sector was silent for a moment. Then, countless fluctuations of Divine Thought, some fearful, some awe-filled, some fanatical, rose from all parts of the Star Sector, like subjects worshipping a monarch.

Nightmare withdrew his Divine Sense and cast his gaze on the star chart, landing on that distant area marked as the "Dao Origin Star Sea," where the "Primordial Dao Palace" was suspected to be hidden.

The Desolate Star Sector had become a solid rear base.

Next, it was time to go to that ancient ruin to search for an Opportunity to advance further, or even surpass the High Sovereign.

His journey had never stopped.