CHAPTER 323: FOR ALL TO BECOME MASTERS OF UNIVERSES IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE

"Now this is interesting... hehehe, I originally thought that after becoming an Aeon, I’d quickly grow bored from knowing too much."

"But I didn’t expect there to be endless universes of all sizes beyond our own."

The Aeon of Elation, Sparkle, couldn’t help but laugh happily, her gaze fixed on the Creation Red Dragon as she clapped her hands.

"Not only that, but above the Aeons there are actually so many powerful existences. All these endless universes were created by beings like that～that’s just too outrageous."

As one who governed a great universe and became its cornerstone, the instant she stepped outside the universe, her mind was filled with much information regarding the great world of Teyvat.

Their universe, known as the Star Rail Universe, was one of many great universes.

Within the entire Teyvat Great World, the universes were ranked. Those in the first sequence, like theirs, were single-universe level great universes, revolving around the main universe in an orderly manner.

Universes too were divided into tiers: those ranked in the first sequence were all single-universe level great universes. The second sequence contained universes with mass from cosmic structure level to weak single-universe. The third sequence contained those from galactic level to supergalactic.

Anything below galactic mass wasn’t included in the sequence, and was instead classified as small universes. Below nebular mass, they were simply called plane worlds.

"Sisters, I’m heading off to the main universe now, hehe. How could I, Sparkle, be absent from something this entertaining～"

"Along the way I’ll check out how amusing those small universes are."

"See you later～"

With that, Sparkle transformed into a stream of aurora light, flying straight toward the main universe.

"Robin, are you going to the main universe?" Firefly asked, turning to the girl beside her.

"All of this is unknown to us. I’m a little worried."

Robin smiled: "I think it shouldn’t be dangerous. If it were, that outsider called Beidou wouldn’t be here as a merchant. And the fact that she can do business means peace."

"But, I don’t plan to visit other universes for now. If another universe’s Aeon harbors malice toward ours, at least I’ll be here to defend it."

Firefly blinked and smiled: "House-sitting, then?" As she spoke, she glanced at the Astral Express, which had already broken through the universe’s barrier and laid down its silver tracks leading toward other universes.

"The Astral Express has already set off. I can feel it—when the Express reaches another universe, that conductor Himeko will become an Aeon."

"Besides, my friends have already departed, so I should go too."

Robin nodded: "Don’t worry. I’ll watch over our universe."

They had long since become close friends over these years.

And with the former Aeons all gone, with no trace of them remaining aside from the existence of Paths themselves, Robin was understandably uneasy.

Firefly then turned into a streak of light and vanished before her, her presence completely disappearing from the universe.

Now, she was the only Aeon left within their entire universe.

Meanwhile, in the main universe, the divine collectives had already fully grasped the changes to the cosmos. They realized the main universe had ascended to super single-universe, and the entire Teyvat Great World had advanced into an internal multiverse.

No matter how slow their response, the upper echelons always had single-universe level beings. Even though holders of Pseudo Star Map Creations had so far only reached weak single-universe, that was still single-universe tier, enough to perceive both macro and micro changes directly.

Information flowed downward rapidly. Within a short time, even the lowest True God-level units of the pantheons had received the news.

Yet the shock was unexpectedly mild. Only the greater gods at Primordial God level and above were struck into confusion and fanaticism.

This was mainly because gods below Primordial God, even up to Supreme God, had no direct perception of such macro-level changes beyond their scope. They simply couldn’t feel it.

After all, at most they could only influence galaxy clusters within their own universes, or some small universes and planes outside the main universe. Beyond that, they had no reach, and naturally felt little.

So, life continued as usual. Even though the main universe’s primary Rules had become Laws, they felt nothing. What they could sense was only the conceptual framework of Rules themselves.

The Principles could only be grasped by existences above Primordial God level.

After all, only beings capable of creating spatiotemporal small universes could touch upon philosophical concepts.

...

Main Universe, Supreme Divine Domain.

Here, the changes were not too great—at most, only the edges had expanded somewhat.

Although the size and mass of the main universe had expanded tens of thousands of times, the strength of the great pantheons’ powerhouses had not grown much, nor had they received feedback.

Once one reached single-universe level, strength was no longer something gained from feedback—it depended entirely on one’s own understanding of Teyvat itself, or of Truth, Laws, and philosophical concepts.

If one’s comprehension was profound enough, even magic could be sublimated into an attack capable of unleashing a Big Bang...

Indeed, at this point, the Teyvat Universe had already reached a state where any system could be elevated to break through the limits of the universe itself. The true upper limit of systems was infinitely open.

Even ultimate Magic Gods from the world of A Certain Magical Index could appear.

The Ouroboros, already at super single-universe, was now capable of truly transcending the universe itself into infinite possibilities.

At this moment, after all the divine collectives had understood the changes to the Teyvat Great World, each convened its highest councils to begin adjusting their pantheons and universes accordingly.

Mere adjustments to universal order or pantheon order no longer required Noah, the Heavenly Principle, to summon them.

Only the planning of multiversal order warranted such convocations.

By then, only beings at single-universe level and above could be summoned—those who had not reached that level did not even have the qualification to step through the gates of the divine assemblies.

...

Fontaine Divine Domain, Palais Mermonia.

Now weak single-universe, Furina and Focalors sat atop the highest point upon the twin divine thrones.

Having mastered a Pseudo Star Map Creation: Avesta, and become the Lord of the Zoroastrian faith, the Hydro Dragon King, Neuvillette, stood beside Focalors with staff in hand, like a steward.

He too had now reached weak single-universe, though overall his strength was slightly inferior to Furina’s.

At his side was also his divine seat, though he was accustomed to his stance as Chief Justice, and so disdained to sit.

Although a weak single-universe, when deploying the Pseudo Star Map Creation, he was only slightly weaker than an Abyssal Monarch—roughly equivalent to weak single-universe plus cosmology, the standard measure of single-universe. In other words, equivalent to two universes in combat strength.

At this moment, only Primary Gods and above of the Fontaine Pantheon were attending the divine assembly. There were far too many True Gods, so they were not permitted entry.

Dong, dong...

"Silence—"

Neuvillette tapped his staff lightly on the ground, speaking calmly.

"Within the Fontaine Pantheon’s domain, neither the Endless Planes nor the spatiotemporal small universes have undergone any changes."

"The size of the main universe has expanded tens of thousands of times, its mass as well. This means that the task of pioneering the universe has now become far more difficult."

"More importantly, the main universe is now in an open state, allowing free passage in and out of it."

"This means that outside the main universe, there are endless universes of all sizes waiting for us to pioneer."

"Although you may not feel it directly, at present the main universe has advanced to super single-universe. The Dimensional Gap has already expanded by who knows how many times—even I cannot glimpse its extent."

"Even the universes surrounding the main universe, large and small, have become countless."

At this point, Neuvillette’s tone grew more solemn.

"Of course, there’s no need for everyone to disrupt the pace of development. After all, such a great undertaking cannot be accomplished in tens of thousands of years—it only requires us to proceed step by step."

As soon as Neuvillette finished speaking, the assembly hall burst into heated discussion.

"Hiss... I never expected our Teyvat to ascend again, with even the main universe reaching super single-universe. What a pity I’m only a high-level God-King—my perception covers at most a few dozen galaxies, beyond that I felt nothing."

"Same here. At most I only sensed space grow slightly denser in mass."

"Shouldn’t the point be that after this ascension, we no longer need to worry about merit?"

"Heavens, did you hit your head? Our world has always been ascending—there are endless places to earn merit. Even before ascension, the thirteen great pantheons hadn’t even developed half of the Endless Planes."

"That’s right. I myself was assigned as God-King over small universe No. 268’s divine realm. The planes I left marked there already exceed ten thousand, not to mention Fontaine’s divine realms alone long ago surpassed a thousand."

"So you’re saying it’s not much different from before?"

"There is still a difference. Merit is only the foundation. Beyond the rank of Supreme God, advancement relies more on one’s own comprehension of Teyvat’s various Laws."

"Yes, without proper comprehension, even if one breaks through as a God-King, that’s the end of the road—unless some greater god is willing to divide authority to you."

"Heh... if a greater god divides authority to you, that isn’t your own strength, only borrowed. And borrowed power—can that truly be counted as yours?"

...

Furina sighed as she watched the assembly descend into noisy debate.

Fontaine’s divine assemblies were relatively harmonious, lacking the many restrictions and formalities of Liyue or Inazuma.

Although the gods were disciplined, their discussions could at times leave her feeling helpless. And since she was no tyrant who forbade them from speaking, she merely gestured subtly toward Neuvillette.

Neuvillette understood, tapping his staff against the floor as he declared sternly:

"Silence—"

A voice and pressure from the universe itself instantly descended over the entire hall.

As the holder of a Pseudo Star Map Creation, and master of a primordial universe, he naturally counted as a Lord of the Universe, carrying universe-level pressure.

In the next instant, the assembly fell silent. The proud shoulders of all gods slumped slightly, while the high ranks of each pantheon felt their very souls tremble.

Most of them had already reached Primordial God level, with only a few remaining at Supreme God.

Ahura Mazda, the Primordial God of Good within the Zoroastrian pantheon, shuddered inwardly: "As expected of Lord Neuvillette—he has grown so much stronger again."

Yet even as he worshipped Neuvillette, his heart was conflicted.

Hundreds of years ago, not a single one of their Zoroastrian gods could pass the trial of the Pseudo Star Map Creation. Even he had completed less than sixty percent.

Though Lord Neuvillette himself did not succeed smoothly—enduring eleven years under the scourging of the Human Principle before completion—still, he had succeeded.

Ahura Mazda himself hadn’t even lasted a year.

Thus when Neuvillette gained the Pseudo Star Map Creation unique to their Zoroastrian faith, none opposed it. For they themselves had failed.

Thanks to Lord Neuvillette fully unlocking the Pseudo Star Map Creation, their pantheon had gained access to the road toward the Primordial, allowing him too to recently ascend to Primordial.

"Hm... Lord Neuvillette, Chief Justice, has taken yet another step forward. The growth of the pantheon’s leader is far too rapid."

Artosh, God of War and himself already a Primordial God, stood by the doorway of the hall. The surrounding guards were all winged beings of the Flügel at God-King level. Among them, the eighteen-winged had reached Supreme God rank.

The Flügel was Fontaine’s true Special Patrol, tasked with supervising and rectifying order within the pantheon, as well as apprehending wicked gods and demon lords alike.

"Hehe... after all, he is the leader of a pantheon～ I remember a few hundred years ago, before Neuvillette obtained the Pseudo Star Map Creation, you even sparred with him. I was the one presiding, and before thirty rounds you were already pinned face-first into the dirt."

Tet appeared beside Artosh, sitting cross-legged in the void, her adorable face full of laughter.

"God of Games... if not for the fact that I cannot defeat you, I would let my spear of war teach you just how detestable it is to expose someone’s past so casually." Artosh replied coldly.

As the supreme judge of the Gift Games, she too had now reached the level of pantheon leader—perhaps even stronger in certain respects.

For she did not belong to any pantheon at all, remaining independent and neutral.

But all pantheons knew that the God of Games had a wicked personality, always exposing embarrassing moments and making gods look foolish.

Her irritating nature was no less than that of Holou, the God of Doubt, who harassed others with endless questions.

"Aiya～ but we’ve been friends for so many years, haven’t we? I’m off～" With that, Tet darted away in a flash.

Furina pressed a hand to her forehead, a few black lines appearing as she watched Tet vanish as suddenly as she had appeared. Ever since Tet became the supreme judge of the Gift Games, she had grown increasingly unrestrained, exposing secrets everywhere and making many greater gods flush red with shame. No one knew where she had picked up such habits.

"Ahem..."

Seeing the gods now quiet, Furina slowly rose from her throne. Spreading her arms wide, she spoke:

"Gods of the Fontaine Pantheon, perhaps to you it may seem that the ascension of the world has little impact on your own plans."

"But there is a crucial point you have not yet realized."

"Think carefully—consider the rules of pioneering the Endless Planes and spatiotemporal small universes."

"Whoever pioneers them gains authority over them."

"This means that the countless universes outside the main universe follow the same principle."

"Those are the authorities of small universes. And among them are no shortage of large universes with cosmic structure-level to weak single-universe mass."

"In other words—becoming a Lord of the Universe is not impossible."

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