An endless expanse of silver light, resembling a silver cosmic vacuum—the Astral Realm.
Countless streams of light flowed through the barely perceptible veins of the Astral Realm, with innumerable beings using it as a transit point, employing teleportation spells to move between different planes.
A majestic, ethereal silver dragon of time appeared within, and in an instant, it became solid.
In the vast, boundless Astral Realm, Garon fully stretched his enormous form, like a world in the shape of a silver dragon, each of his scales resembling a continent capable of sustaining trillions of beings. His presence was faintly visible from an incredibly long distance.
However, this vast form, unimaginable to most creatures, was not the most prominent feature in the Astral Realm. Standing before Garon was the Nine-Faced Dragon God, whose size eclipsed even Garon's, with features constantly shifting to display every dragon kind, a gentle smile barely visible on its face as it quietly observed the newly arrived silver dragon.
Gazing at the silver dragon, the Nine-Faced Dragon God noted Garon's growing aura with a slightly gratified smile.
Raising a dragon claw, the Nine-Faced Dragon God pointed into the void of the Astral Realm.
"Garon, look closely."
Following the direction of the Nine-Faced Dragon God's claw, Garon turned his gaze and focused.
In his sight was the infinite, serene, and beautiful expanse of the Astral Realm. Against the backdrop of the silver cosmic-like scene, countless points, specks, streams, and lines of light intertwined, appearing and disappearing, flickering endlessly. Occasionally, five-colored or seven-colored radiance would blend with the space, directly imprinted on the plane's crystal wall.
To the naked eye, nothing seemed different here.
It was just the usual, unchanging landscape of the Astral Realm.
However, Garon's platinum dragon eyes narrowed slightly, becoming more cautious.
His eyes glowed faintly as he pierced through the surface, analyzing the essence, and 'saw' the innumerable, endless chains of rules.
At the location pointed out by the Nine-Faced Dragon God, seemingly the central point of the Astral Realm in terms of rules, countless chains of rules extended outward, infinitely elongating in all directions, like a net covering the entire Astral Realm, filling every corner.
At the very center was the 'Astral Core,' an invisible, intangible point where endless rules converged, unseen by the naked eye.
"The so-called Astral Core is the convergence point of all the rules of the Astral Plane, not a physical core."
"To become the king of the Astral Plane, one must at least be able to control the Astral Core, just like my control over the Eternal Hall of Heroes."
Garon pondered silently.
The Eternal Hall of Heroes was originally the Eternal Palace and the Hall of Heroes.
The Hall of Heroes could be considered the 'core' of the Heroic Domain, the convergence point of the domain's rules. The God of Strength and Courage had once established his divine kingdom at the location of the Hall of Heroes, hoping to influence and control the Heroic Domain from its core, but he had never succeeded.
Ordinary mid-level gods typically do not gain the attention of a plane's consciousness.
Even if they were at the core of a plane, they couldn't achieve their desired outcome.
Later, Garon acquired the Crown of Heroes, becoming the Lord of Heroes and the King of the Heroic Domain. After integrating the Dragon Court into the Heroic Domain, he moved the 'Heroic Core' to the Dragon Court, merging it with his Eternal Palace, forming the current Eternal Hall of Heroes.
A plane's core is not fixed because it is a core; it becomes a core because the rules converge there.
It is not immovable; it can be relocated.
"The Astral Core is here, and you've seen it."
"By touching the Astral Core, you can communicate with the Astral Consciousness. Whether you gain its recognition or forcibly subdue it depends on you."
The Nine-Faced Dragon God said.
Around the Astral Core, chains of rules exhibited a peculiar, cyclic, ever-changing hue, with dragon scale-like runes covering them.
They were controlled by the Nine-Faced Dragon God, firmly locking the Astral Core in place, preventing it from shifting.
Meanwhile, confronting the Astral rules to forcibly lock the Astral Core imposed a certain burden on the Nine-Faced Dragon God.
Every plane possesses unimaginable power, especially the stronger ones.
The Astral Realm is undoubtedly a powerful plane.
"Thank you, Great God, for guarding me."
Garon expressed his gratitude to the Nine-Faced Dragon God.
As the King of the Heroic Domain, Garon had extensive experience in dealing with plane consciousness.
With a thought, Garon's enormous body moved near the Astral Core, slowly extending a massive silver claw that covered the sky.
He exhaled a storm-like breath, clearing his mind and closing his eyes slightly.
The claw enveloped the Astral Core.
The moment they made contact.
The entire world seemed to pause.
The omnipresent silver light in the Astral Realm gradually dimmed, and the Nine-Faced Dragon God 'disappeared.'
Floating islands, astral pools, veins, crystal walls... everything vanished.
Darkness and emptiness spread like a tide, covering everything.
It was as if he had arrived at the primordial age before the creation by the Prime Deity.
Only Garon's will—a serene-faced silver dragon—floated in the infinite void, his platinum eyes shining brightly, reflecting the surroundings, motionless.
"...An infinitely vast consciousness world composed of spirit, the Astral Consciousness is far more powerful than the Heroic Domain's consciousness."
Garon thought as he found himself pulled into the consciousness world.
The silver dragon shook his head, turning his gaze to observe his surroundings.
Simultaneously, Garon felt a sense of being watched.
"Astral Consciousness, I know you're observing me."
"Show yourself, don't hide. I am here for you."
The silver dragon said calmly, his tone steady.
Suddenly.
A grand, immense will rose, like an eye the size of a celestial body, or a silver sun composed of endless light points.
It radiated pure silver light, dispelling much of the darkness in the consciousness world, illuminating the silver dragon's body, making each scale shine brightly.
Garon looked at the manifestation of the Astral Consciousness, his eyes gleaming.
At the same time, the silver light flickered in a unique rhythm, conveying a clear response from the Astral Consciousness.
"Garon Aurelian, the Time Dragon who traverses worlds and dimensions."
"You say you have come for me."
"What exactly do you seek from me? What can I offer you? And what can you offer me?"
The light flickered as if the 'silver eye' blinked gently.
In the brief contact, based on the Astral Consciousness's response, Garon confirmed that it was far more mature than the Heroic Domain's consciousness.
When communicating with the Heroic Domain's consciousness, its response was a vague intention, unable to provide clear feedback through mental waves. Garon had to analyze and determine the Heroic Domain's intentions himself, often making mistakes before fully understanding.
But the Astral Consciousness was different.
It was vast and mature, capable of smooth, normal communication. In its response, Garon even sensed emotional fluctuations, unlike the mechanical, rational responses of the Heroic Domain's consciousness.
The Astral Consciousness might be the second most powerful plane consciousness, just below the Abyss. Subduing it forcibly would be extremely challenging, Garon mused silently.
Plane consciousness cannot fully represent the plane itself.
Without a plane king, the full power of the plane's rules cannot be effectively wielded. However, the plane's consciousness alone can still influence the plane to some extent, showcasing its power.
The silver dragon shifted into a more comfortable resting position, staring at the manifestation of the Astral Consciousness, and spoke directly, "I want to become the King of the Astral Realm, the ruler of this plane."
The Astral Consciousness remained silent for a few seconds.
"Frankly speaking, I need an Astral King to help me manage the Astral Realm."
It said.
Plane consciousness and the plane king complement each other, helping one another. If the consciousness has the ability and conditions, it would seek or create a plane king. For example, the Beastlord of the Beastlands or the Sub-God King of Mount Celestia. Without the Beastlord, the war between the dragon gods and giant gods would have caused even more destruction to the Beastlands.
After a pause, the Astral Consciousness continued, "However, you are not the Astral King I desire because I am not confident in controlling you."
It wanted a controllable puppet-like Astral King, not one with independent will and sufficient power that would struggle against it.
Its intention was clear.
To this, the silver dragon shook his head and said, "Astral Consciousness, you are mistaken."
Under the light of the other, the silver dragon continued calmly, "I want to be the Astral King, not to control the Astral Realm. I have no interest in the Astral Realm itself."
"Oh?"
The Astral Consciousness responded with surprise, "If not the Astral Realm, what is your purpose?"
A complete plane holds a higher status than most gods, as gods reside within planes, and their divine realms cannot compare to a complete plane.
Becoming the plane king is a significant leap for most gods.
Even many powerful gods would crave such a position.
Garon extended a claw, gently tracing a meandering, steady river.
"Naturally, to encompass and cover the Astral River of Time."
"Astral King? No
, my aim is far above merely the title of a plane's king."
Having a plane's full power could surpass many gods, but it wasn't Garon's primary goal; he had greater ambitions.
"...The River of Time."
The Astral Consciousness fell silent.
"This place, to me, is just a small pond."
"Don't think I would place great importance or desire on the title of Astral King. This is merely a small piece of my grand vision."
The silver dragon said calmly.
"I am determined to become the Astral King. It would be best with your recognition and assistance."
"But if not, it is still acceptable."
"You are the Astral Consciousness; you know all the information flowing within the Astral Realm. You understand my identity and the current ruling entities of the multiverse."
"You have no choice."
After a pause, the silver dragon's teeth gleamed as he spoke, "When a plane's consciousness fades, after a long time, a new consciousness will eventually emerge."
"A plane's consciousness, that is you, is not eternal."
The Astral Realm is crucial to the great ring multiverse; its loss would be a significant blow.
The Astral Consciousness is important, but not as crucial as the Astral Realm itself.
Because it is not unique, it is replaceable.
The Astral Consciousness fluctuated, saying, "You are right, but if I fight to the death, I can make the Pantheon pay an unbearable price."
Hearing this response, the silver dragon chuckled.
"Just to be clear, I bear no malice towards you."
Raising his chin, Garon said, "On the contrary, my becoming the Astral King has immense benefits for you."
"A plane's consciousness is not eternal, but if you help me progress on my path more easily, my eternity becomes your eternity. If I remain, so do you."
The Astral Consciousness remained silent, seemingly contemplating.
The silver dragon, half-smiling, said, "Moreover, there is no better candidate for the Astral King than me, right?"
"The time in the Astral Realm is eternally frozen, but how long can this last?"
"The River of Time always flows naturally, relentless. Eventually, the time in the Astral Realm will start flowing again, and when it does, the infinite entities within, whether beings or matter, will turn to dust."
When Garon first arrived in the Astral Realm, he marveled at its unique temporal state.
Time does not flow in the Astral Realm; all beings within are immortal. However, once they leave the Astral Realm and reach other outer planes, they are instantly eroded by all accumulated time, causing severe consequences.
Whether this state is a miraculous natural reaction or deliberately created by ancient beings is unclear, but Garon understood that time does not remain frozen naturally forever, even in a small area.
When time in the Astral Realm resumes, it will face catastrophic destruction.
It might be in the distant future, or it might be imminent.
Garon said quietly, "I can make the Astral River of Time flow now, letting the years crush everything in the Astral Realm, including you, the Astral Consciousness."
"But I can also keep the Astral River of Time eternally frozen, ensuring your eternal existence."
After speaking, Garon remained silent, calmly observing the Astral Consciousness.
It grew even more silent, its light almost solid, ceasing to flicker.
In the vast consciousness world, the silver dragon and the eye-like Astral Consciousness stood opposed.
Time passed, perhaps ten seconds, perhaps a hundred years.
Eventually, the Astral Consciousness's silver light flickered, and light particles scattered.
"I will assist you in your grand vision, helping you control the River of Time."
"In return, you must ensure the continuation of the Astral Realm and my existence."
Unless absolutely necessary, a plane's consciousness wouldn't harm its plane and would consider its growth and prosperity, as the plane is equivalent to its body.
The silver dragon nodded, "Agreed."
"I promise you, as long as I exist, the Astral Realm and you will eternally remain."
The Astral Consciousness asked, "How can I be sure of your promise?"
Garon smiled slightly, "You can choose to believe me."
Apart from that, Garon did not intend to offer the Astral Consciousness other choices. It needed to recognize who the superior was.
"It seems I have no better options."
The Astral Consciousness responded unemotionally.
"Indeed."
Garon affirmed.
Buzz!
Silver eyes closed, darkness dissipated... Silver light, astral veins, color pools, the majestic Nine-Faced Dragon God... The silver dragon opened his eyes, and everything reappeared in his vision.
"How did it go?"
The Nine-Faced Dragon God asked gently, looking at the silver dragon.
"If the Astral Consciousness doesn't accept you, I have other ways to make you the Astral King. Although more troublesome, it can be done."
He added.
Before Garon could inform the Nine-Faced Dragon God, a point of silver light suddenly blossomed from the Astral Core.
Both the Nine-Faced Dragon God and the silver dragon looked at the silver light.
First, it was a light point, then gradually grew brighter, radiant, attracting the silver light and veins of the Astral Realm to converge around it.
Light intertwined, veins wove together.
Gradually, a staff appeared before Garon.
It had a silver-white shaft, straight and smooth, engraved with countless light points resembling the stars, continuously flowing, scattering, and gathering, forming a scene similar to the Astral Realm. Its head was an irregular prism, located at the core of the Astral rules, another form of the Astral Core.
Pure and vast spiritual energy flowed within the staff, bursting with endless chains of rules.
It was closely connected to the Astral Realm.
"The Astral Staff."
Seeing it, Garon understood its essence and gave it a fitting name.
Similar to the Crown of Heroes, the Astral Staff represented the weapon of the Astral King.
Garon extended his claw, and the Astral Staff obediently flew over, landing in his scaled claw.
"Congratulations on becoming the first Astral King."
The Nine-Faced Dragon God smiled.
"Thanks to your assistance."
Garon expressed his gratitude again.
"Securing recognition is mainly due to the impressive powers of the Astral King. You need to further understand and control it."
The Nine-Faced Dragon God nodded gently, and after a brief exchange, left the Astral Realm.
"The powers of the Astral King."
The silver dragon murmured, quietly observing the silver light flowing from the Astral Staff.
Shortly after, Garon lifted his eyes, and the Astral Staff transformed into a pattern, embedding into a dragon scale on the back of his claw, disappearing.
Garon looked around the Astral Realm.
The omnipresent silver light remained beautiful, but now it felt closer.
With a thought.
Buzz... Indigo, crimson, white, black, and orange lights replaced the silver astral light. They converged, merging into a colorful pool.
Moreover, the normally chaotic colorful pools were now orderly in Garon's presence, precisely reaching any plane Garon wished to visit.
The Astral Realm is the transit point for many teleportation spells, allowing visits to any plane.
"Unfortunately, with my time teleportation, the Astral teleportation's usefulness is limited."
Garon thought for a moment, then hooked his claw.
With a flash of silver light, a Hunter Spider appeared.
Its eyes were confused, unable to see the full form of the majestic silver dragon, mistaking it for an unknown silver barrier.
Before the Hunter Spider understood the situation, it instantly returned to its nest, scratching its head in confusion.
"...There is no concept of space in the Astral Realm. Using will and spirit to move, I can control 'space' at will as the Astral King."
"The Celestial Emperor's Central Heaven would be ineffective against me here."
Garon tested moving things within the Astral Realm repeatedly, confirming this.
The River of Time outside flowed steadily.
In the vast Astral Realm, the newly crowned Astral King, the silver dragon, tirelessly experimented with the powers of the Astral King, enjoying the process.
"There are countless powers available in the Astral Realm... Even outside the Astral Realm, the Astral Staff can be a powerful weapon, especially with significant spiritual abilities."
Garon murmured.
After roughly understanding the powers of the Astral King, his excitement gradually faded.
He prepared to execute his plan—to control the River of Time efficiently as the Astral King with the cooperation of the Astral Realm.
However, just as he cleared his mind and prepared to start.
A message from the Abyss, from the Beast Prince, interrupted him.
"Garon Aurelian, the Anti-King Alliance needs your assistance."
In the Abyss, a war between demon princes, demon lords, and powerful evil gods erupted.
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