Rumble.
The crushing weight of spacetime intensified.
From on high, the Tianyu Race patriarch stared coldly at Lin Yuan, continuing to press down his right hand.
Everything from their appearance to action had taken place in a flash. Even if the Milky Way Star Lord tried to self-destruct this avatar, he wouldn't have enough time. Self-destruction requires at least a moment, and the instant he decided to do it, that palm would have already subdued him.
Yet—
In the eyes of the ten-plus Rank Twelves watching, the Star Lord—who looked dazed just a moment before—merely took a half-step backward.
That single step felt like the distance of an entire universe, causing the patriarch's descending palm to hit empty space.
The fierce ripples in spacetime—enough to wipe out an Eleven-level being—abruptly grew silent a few meters from Lin Yuan.
"What…?"
The Tianyu patriarch froze in astonishment. A Rank Twelve strike had just missed.
He had contemplated multiple scenarios: perhaps Lin Yuan would rely on some Human "ancestral weapon" to endure the blow. Although that was unlikely—those top-level weapons wouldn't be handed to an avatar. On super-large battlefields, only the mightiest Rank Elevens carried "ancestral weapons," and they were all under the watchful eyes of the Rank Twelve Strongest Ones.
But missing altogether?
He couldn't comprehend it. Plainly, this was a direct confrontation on the plane of rules. Brute-forcing the blow might have come from external resources, but contending with him at the rule level signified that the Milky Way Star Lord's rule comprehension wasn't one bit inferior to his.
All around, the other Rank Twelves stared grimly. At this point, they realized that in terms of rule comprehension, the Milky Way Star Lord had indeed reached Rank Twelve. Possibly not only reached their level, but even surpassed it.
Otherwise, how could an Eleven-level being casually evade an Strongest One's blow without some extreme artifact or technique?
This meant their vow to come here and crush him had become a joke. If Lin Yuan's rule comprehension was on a level that high, even if his lifeform tier was still Eleven—he simply wouldn't be subdued. Because if it came down to it, he had the ability to self-destruct this avatar before they could fully restrain him.
And employing that drop of bizarre blood required a total suppression—his mind forcibly silenced. Now it was basically impossible.
Lin Yuan wasn't stupid. The moment he sensed he was about to be completely overpowered, he would self-destruct.
In that instant, all ten-some Rank Twelves fell into an odd hush, including the Tianyu patriarch.
"Since you've come, it would be impolite not to reciprocate," Lin Yuan said, smiling gently.
"Have a taste of my punch."
He moved forward a step and unleashed a punch containing Seventh Stage spacetime power. Wherever it passed, spacetime itself caved in, directed at the Tianyu patriarch, who was momentarily still in a daze.
"Not good!"
Facing it head-on, the patriarch's expression shifted. He sensed that, while the raw destructive level of this punch wasn't especially high, its manipulated spacetime rules were boundless. A direct hit, even for a Rank Twelve, wouldn't be pleasant.
Just as he was about to respond, he looked into Lin Yuan's eyes: they were unfathomably deep, like an endless abyss.
Soul Attack Secret Art—Abyssal Eyes.
This was Lin Yuan's chosen reward upon clearing the seventh level of the Devil Jade Tower as an Eleven-level being: a rare secret art targeting one's mind. Right now, Lin Yuan's mental will exceeded 40 million points, the equivalent of a peak Path-Clearing being. With that, the Abyssal Eyes could momentarily daze even a Rank Twelve Strongest One, whose powerful life foundation normally offered high resistance.
Wham!
Lin Yuan's punch did not literally connect with the patriarch's body, but all that surging spacetime force poured into him.
"You—!"
Breaking free from the Abyssal Eyes with some effort, the patriarch felt his energy in disarray, even his inner universe trembling. He stumbled back seven or eight steps before stabilizing.
His gaze toward Lin Yuan turned more solemn than ever.
In that fleeting moment, Lin Yuan had displayed two methods powerful enough to threaten a Rank Twelve Strongest One:
A direct mind-attack secret art that snared the Tianyu patriarch's consciousness for several breaths.
An ordinary strike that channeled monstrous spacetime force.
Yes, the patriarch had not taken Lin Yuan seriously. Even after the Star Lord showed rule comprehension beyond that of the Rank Twelves, he still hadn't adjusted his attitude. Because rule comprehension is one thing, destructive power is another. With a Rank Twelve's hundred-thousand-light-year inner world, how could an Eleven-level being's strike possibly break through?
Yet that soul attack, combined with Lin Yuan's punch, truly shocked him.
"What!"
"Was that punch from the Milky Way Star Lord?"
"How is this possible?"
The other ten-plus Rank Twelves were equally stunned. They were still caught up in how insane Lin Yuan's rule comprehension was, yet now they saw that the blow he landed actually forced the patriarch back by seven or eight steps. In other words, it carried near–Rank Twelve might.
"Shame… Right now, I'm just a Primordial Soul. If my real body were the one throwing this punch, the patriarch would at least be injured," Lin Yuan thought with a sigh.
Compared to his true body, the Yang Primordial Soul was too limited. The real body's inner world extended eleven light-years; this Primordial Soul's was just over one light-year. By bridging that gap through Seventh Stage spacetime comprehension—and a hint of external chaos rule—he could fully release "a thousand percent" of his force. Otherwise, the Tianyu patriarch wouldn't have budged.
From a distance, Xuanyuan Strongest One, still hastening to the scene, was dumbfounded. He knew Lin Yuan's real body remained in the Mysterious Emperor Secret Realm, meaning what confronted the alien Strongest Ones was just an avatar.
An avatar—relying on no external Rank Twelve artifact—managed to knock back a Rank Twelve by seven or eight steps?
What did that imply?
Lin Yuan was still only Rank Eleven, with a massive gulf in life level and inner world volume compared to a Rank Twelve. Yet, purely through his own power, he had unleashed a Rank Twelve-level strike?
"Even with unbelievably high rule comprehension—Sixth Stage spacetime peak, or even Seventh Stage—he's still bound by an Eleven-level life foundation. How could he shake a Rank Twelve Strongest One?"
Xia Qin the Strongest One was likewise incredulous. He didn't doubt Lin Yuan, but the spectacle should have been impossible under normal logic.
…
Within the Calamity Race Territory, in its deepest unknown region, a plain wooden hut stood. A Calamity Race Strongest One sat out front, observing the scene of more than ten Rank Twelves cornering Lin Yuan near the spacetime black hole. As the universe's most mysterious race—and one of two to possess peak Path-Clearing power—they had the means to view what was happening in that place.
"Incredible," murmured the Calamity Race Strongest One outside the hut, having witnessed Lin Yuan's single punch that forced back the Tianyu patriarch. The blow contained fearsome rule fluctuations.
"A single avatar's punch has reached near–Rank Twelve might?"
A voice from inside the hut spoke in a shaken tone. The implications were too great. They could see Lin Yuan hadn't used any external treasure, which made it all the more astonishing.
"It seems that fleeting gaze that spied on us a while ago must have come from the Milky Way Star Lord," the Calamity Race Strongest One continued.
Although he didn't know precisely how Lin Yuan unleashed such a blow, the spacetime rules involved—especially their interplay—were beyond his understanding. Putting two and two together, it confirmed that the observer who had peered at this domain earlier was indeed Lin Yuan.
"Our Calamity Race has existed through epoch after epoch, seeing countless 'geniuses.' We've even encountered those who reached peak Path-Clearing right before a cosmic collapse. But this Milky Way Star Lord…" The Strongest One outside the hut spoke softly, full of awe.
Most races believed the Calamity Race originated in the previous epoch. In truth, their history extended far beyond that. Through epoch after epoch, with each cosmic collapse wiping out every record, only traces from the last epoch carried forward. Yet the Calamity Race's two founders had witnessed too many so-called geniuses. Next to Lin Yuan, though?
No comparison.
Those "geniuses" who ascended to peak Path-Clearing before cosmic destruction were nothing next to the Milky Way Star Lord.
"Good thing you refused to join those Rank Twelves in besieging him," came the voice from within the hut.
Given what the Milky Way Star Lord just displayed, even if the two Calamity Race founders personally acted, they couldn't do much. At best, they could destroy that one avatar. But the Star Lord's real body still existed. Even without reaching Rank Twelve, he'd used one avatar to produce a near–Rank Twelve blow. Once he truly crossed into Rank Twelve…
Who in the universe could stand against him then?
No one would.
..."I knew then that the Milky Way Star Lord was hiding his power," said the Calamity Race Strongest One outside the cabin.
Hence he withdrew from the campaign against the Milky Way Star Lord, secretly dispatching a clan member to warn him.
"Indeed, across these many epochs, your instincts have always been on point," responded the Strongest One inside the cabin.
Since confronting him in battle was futile, any Rank Twelve who joined might face retribution once the Milky Way Star Lord ascended to Rank Twelve. Even though the Calamity Race could fend off an ordinary peak Path-Clearing genius, it would still be a nuisance. They'd have to keep their heads down for a very long time.
All across the universe, many Rank Eleven beings also sensed the commotion.
"That… That's a Rank Twelve-level battle?"
"Which Rank Twelves are fighting?"
"Wow… When was the last time Rank Twelves truly fought each other?"
These Eleven-level beings were amazed. They couldn't see the details, but the ripples of time and space from the confrontation told them both sides were Rank Twelve. Most of them were shocked, but if their own race boasted a Rank Twelve, they weren't particularly frightened.
However, those from the somewhat weaker major powers were uneasy and trembling.
A Rank Twelve clash, even a minor shockwave, could destroy vast star domains or hidden domains. If their clan happened to be in the wrong place, it might mean extinction.
Since the universe's birth, how many races had perished due to Rank Twelve warfare?
In that massive conflict after countless treasures fell from beyond the cosmos, the Rank Twelves had fought so fiercely that life across the universe was almost wiped out.
That event gave Humanity the chance to rise.
Now, a sudden Rank Twelve fight caused many Eleven-level beings to panic.
…
Back at the spacetime black hole, the Tianyu Patriarch wore an ugly expression.
Having been punched back by the Milky Way Star Lord shocked the other Rank Twelves, forcing them to reevaluate the Milky Way Star Lord's strength, but it was humiliating for him personally.
Yes, the Milky Way Star Lord did possess an offensive capacity on the Rank Twelve threshold, but he was still an Eleven-level lifeform. Meanwhile, he—the patriarch—was an exalted Rank Twelve Strongest One. Being knocked back by such a being? Unheard of.
After this day, whenever people brought up the Milky Way Star Lord, they'd remember how he forced the Tianyu Patriarch back. He'd be a permanent footnote.
"Excellent!"
"Milky Way Star Lord, you've truly enraged me now," the patriarch said, letting his aura surge while retracting his mind-will. Lin Yuan's mental attacks, while tricky, would be far less threatening if he were guarded. At least he wouldn't be completely immobilized.
From that quick exchange, the patriarch was convinced of one thing: while the Milky Way Star Lord's offense reached "Rank Twelve threshold," it stayed at that lower boundary. He himself had been Rank Twelve for over a trillion years, stabilizing that realm. If he went all-out, the Milky Way Star Lord likely wouldn't hold up.
Certainly, the entire group's plan—killing or otherwise crippling the Milky Way Star Lord—had totally failed. But the patriarch felt he had to restore some face.
Even if he couldn't kill the real Milky Way Star Lord, at least he could destroy this avatar. That would soften the shame.
He didn't care if that forever incited the Milky Way Star Lord's vengeance. By attacking him in the first place, they were already sworn enemies. So he might as well go big.
"The Tianyu Patriarch's about to blow his top."
"Yes. If I were forced back like that, I'd react similarly."
The other alien Rank Twelves watched calmly, unsurprised at his fury. Anyone in his position would be mad.
"This fiasco has become unbelievably embarrassing."
"No matter what, we at least have to eliminate the Milky Way Star Lord's avatar."
"Let the Tianyu patriarch do it. Meanwhile, we'll stall Humanity's nine Strongest."
The alien Rank Twelves exchanged a few words. Their goal had shifted from a total kill on the Milky Way Star Lord or sabotaging his ascension to simply destroying this avatar.
Rumble…
In the next instant, Humanity's nine Strongest Ones arrived.
"Xuanyuan, you people sure got lucky with that monstrous Milky Way Star Lord,"
"But we're killing that avatar of his regardless, so step aside."
"Yeah, just an avatar after all."
Multiple alien Rank Twelves blocked Humanity's nine Strongest Ones. Both sides stalled each other.
"Hmph."
Xuanyuan Strongest One disdained more talk, attacking at once.
In a flash, dozens of Rank Twelve Strongest Ones fell into a massive brawl around the spacetime black hole, fracturing an area spanning tens or hundreds of thousands of light-years.
"Milky Way Star Lord, die!"
The Tianyu Patriarch's aura boiled. This time, he took Lin Yuan fully seriously, unleashing the advantage of his colossal life level and absolute power.
Lin Yuan easily dodged, throwing another punch. The patriarch didn't budge this time, and not even the Abyssal Eyes could fully trap his mind. He only partially slowed.
Hence, while that secret art hindered the patriarch's full strength, with Lin Yuan still being Eleven-level, he couldn't land a decisive blow.
"It's just a Primordial Soul. Still too weak," Lin Yuan thought with a sigh.
In terms of rule comprehension and mental will, he surpassed the patriarch. But the gap in life essence remained insurmountable.
Sure, he couldn't genuinely injure the patriarch. On the other hand, the patriarch couldn't touch him either.
Seventh Stage spacetime gave Lin Yuan an inherent advantage of elusiveness, even though this was just an avatar—his Primordial Soul.
This was why, though he knew the aliens were plotting against him, Lin Yuan still sent numerous incarnations traveling the universe. He simply wouldn't get pinned down.
"…I can't even land a hit on him."
After multiple attempts, the Tianyu Patriarch realized a grim truth: all his attacks missed. Meanwhile, the Milky Way Star Lord's attacks couldn't penetrate his defense, leaving them at a stalemate. But continuing would prove useless.
He was a dignified Rank Twelve, tangling with an Eleven-level avatar. If he couldn't seal the deal quickly, it was humiliating.
"Enough," the patriarch muttered, taking a deep breath. Fighting longer would only make him look worse.
"Let's leave."
He turned, preparing to vanish.
He didn't care about the other Rank Twelves locked in battle with Humanity. His only goal now was to save face. It was pointless to remain.
"You want to leave?"
Sensing the patriarch's intent, Lin Yuan made his move.
Suddenly, from another direction, another figure arrived—Lin Yuan's Yin Primordial Soul.
One step, and the Yin Primordial Soul merged with the Yang Primordial Soul.
Yin and Yang were originally Lin Yuan's Tai Chi Primordial Soul, split due to the peculiarities of his Martial Arts path.
Separating them lowered his power slightly but let him handle multiple tasks at once. Now they reunited into the Tai Chi Primordial Soul.
Lin Yuan's aura silently soared, his inner world expanding to a five-light-year diameter.
In theory, the Tai Chi Primordial Soul's combat strength equals that of Lin Yuan's true body. But his real body had enjoyed far more resources, especially two infusions of primordial chaos outside the universe, so it reached a staggering eleven-light-year scale.
"Slash."
Not only did the newly arrived Yin Primordial Soul fuse with the Yang to become the Tai Chi Primordial Soul, but it also carried multiple Rank Twelve weapons. In combination, the Tai Chi Primordial Soul's might reached unprecedented heights.
Buzz—
A silver-white war blade tore through time and space, slashing the Tianyu Patriarch.
"What…?" The patriarch's face changed abruptly. Even through his defensive battle armor, that slash opened hairline cracks in his flesh, soul, and inner universe. The hairline fractures healed almost instantly, yet the second slash followed an instant later.
In the space of a breath, hundreds of slashes rained down on the patriarch. Those hairline cracks tore open, then resealed, over and over.
"This is bad…"
He felt his situation deteriorate. Hundreds of cuts were bearable, but thousands? Tens of thousands? If he were facing another Rank Twelve, he wouldn't fear trading blows. But with Lin Yuan, he hadn't even landed a single hit. He was effectively a punching bag.
After all, you can't "trade injuries" if you can't hit your opponent.
He exhaled roughly, glancing darkly at Lin Yuan one more time, and let his form blur until vanishing.
…
In the vast river of time, on the shore, the Tianyu Patriarch reappeared.
A key hallmark of a Rank Twelve lifeform was escaping time's current, able to stand on the bank. Thus, to block the Milky Way Star Lord's assault, the simplest method was stepping outside the battlefield, so to speak. The Milky Way Star Lord's strikes, however strong, wouldn't affect the bank itself—like a figure inside a painting unable to harm someone outside the painting.
"Milky Way Star Lord!"
He spat each word. For an Eleven-level being to force him—an Strongest One—to retreat into the time-river's boundary was unprecedented humiliation.
"A total war. I must start a total war. There's no way I'll let that Milky Way Star Lord ascend smoothly."
He stared at the calm flow of time, making his decision. He couldn't prevent the Milky Way Star Lord's breakthrough, but by launching a comprehensive war on Humanity, he might unsettle the Milky Way Star Lord's mental state during that final step. Anyway, the enmity was set. Why not go all-in?
Thus resolved, the Tianyu Patriarch prepared to exit via the time-river boundary, heading to his clan's territory to consult with other Strongest Ones—and possibly rally other apex races.
Suddenly, the once placid river's surface rippled gently.
Then, a slender, powerful right hand emerged from within the current without warning, clutched the patriarch's ankle, and in his moment of shock, pulled him down.
...