Against The True Gods

'It's a flaw in my technique.'

The technique Caine had used in this battle was called [Star Ring Circle]. In essence, it allowed him to summon and fully utilize the power of his stars through his rings, which served as specialized conduits.

The technique drew upon his stars and amplified his abilities in ways that defied the ordinary limits of qi manipulation.

Though Caine hadn't relied on many overt fire abilities during the fight, the mere presence of his Fire Star had suppressed most of Toseh's powers. The star enhanced his physical abilities, granting him superior strength and speed.

Most importantly, it allowed him to wield True Fire Qi with unparalleled ease, a feat that was otherwise beyond the reach of most cultivators.

The second step of the [Star Ring Circle] technique let him tap into the Wills of the Beast Progenitors associated with the element he desired. This infusion of primal power not only strengthened his body but also made his control over the element absolute, bending it to his whims as though he were a force of nature itself.

It was a technique he had created only moments ago, yet it was already terrifying in its potential.

But it had a flaw. The second step of the technique connected him too deeply with the primal instincts of the Beast Progenitors. It stirred something ancient and wild within his heart, dragging suppressed emotions to the surface and making it difficult to maintain his rationality. The raw, unfiltered essence of the beasts clawed at his mind, pushing him toward a frenzy of violence.

The fact that Elura's words had shaken him only exacerbated the issue. Her questions had struck a chord, unearthing feelings he had tried to bury. His emotions, already volatile, had surged uncontrollably, feeding into the primal power of the technique.

'I'll fix it later.'

Caine exhaled a slow, measured breath, then reopened his eyes. The [Star Ring Circle] technique faded, his rings withdrawing, and his aura gradually settled. The raging storm within him ebbed, replaced by a hollow stillness. His gaze fell on Toseh's lifeless body, the once-mighty warrior reduced to a broken husk.

Such a proud, formidable foe—reduced to ashes of his former glory. Caine sighed deeply. He raised a hand and summoned a gentle wave of fire that enveloped Toseh's corpse. The flames consumed the body, leaving nothing but ash. Caine couldn't bring himself to turn Toseh into a summon. It felt wrong, a final insult to a warrior who had fought with everything he had.

The least he could do was grant Toseh the dignity of rest.

The soft wind of the trial grounds caught the ashes, carrying them away into the vast sky.

They drifted and swirled, disappearing into the distance.

Suddenly, a pillar of milky white qi descended from the heavens, wrapping itself around Caine in a warm embrace. The sensation was strange, familiar in a way that tugged at the edges of his memory. He felt as though he were back in his mother's womb, nurtured by her blood qi, safe and secure.

Elura's voice echoed in his mind, urgent and calm. "You're being blessed by the World Will Eye. Quick, sit cross-legged. I'll guide you."

Without hesitation, Caine folded his legs and closed his eyes. His breath slowed, his mind opening to the flood of energy washing over him.

"The path you're walking is called the True Defiant Forgery," Elura explained. Her voice was steady, each word clear and precise. "It begins with the Qi Comprehension stage, where you understand qi's fundamental function—being a vessel. Once you grasp this, you gain the ability to manipulate any and all qis. That's how you were able to wield True Fire Qi in your previous form."

Caine listened, absorbing the information like a parched man drinking water. The knowledge filled the gaps in his understanding, clarifying concepts that had always felt just out of reach.

"After that comes the Intent Grasping stage," Elura continued. "This stage extends the Qi Comprehension stage to its limits. Once you understand that qi is a vessel, you learn to comprehend what it contains—intent. In this stage, you can tap into the true force and power of any qi by accessing its intent. You can forge and read intents, and you can also see the true shape of the world through the strings of intent that bind everything together."

As Elura spoke, Caine felt his stars tremble, the connections between them strengthening and expanding. The web of energy within him grew more intricate, more refined.

"Then comes a stage that diverges into two paths," Elura said. "The Will Blossoming stage or the True Will Forging stage. The Will Blossoming stage can only be reached through countless years of experience and near-godlike understanding. It allows you to impose your Will on the world and disturb the natural flow of intents."

She paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "The True Will Forging stage, however, is a different beast entirely. In this stage, you don't merely disturb the flow of nature—you mold and shape it to your whim. A Will Blossoming practitioner can influence nature. But you? The world listens to you. You don't force it; it obeys, like a loyal vassal to its king."

Caine's mind buzzed with clarity. He could feel his understanding deepening, the pieces of his power fitting together with a satisfying click.

"And then there are the fourth and fifth stages," Elura said. "The Essence Creation stage, where you forge an Essence True Will, and the Quintessence Reckoning stage, where you give birth to a Quintessential True Will."

She paused again, her voice growing softer.

"The final stage of this path is the Dao Heart Bloom stage. But for now, we'll leave that aside. Now that you know what lies ahead, let's backtrack."

"To solidify yourself in the first two stages, no test was required. But from the True Will Forging stage onward, a test is necessary. You must face and accept yourself. These trials will be essential for entering the higher stages."

Elura's tone grew somber. "Due to the nature of the True Defiant Forgery path, this is as much as I can tell you. You must light the path ahead yourself. But if you've made it this far without guidance, I trust you'll figure it out."

She hesitated before speaking again. "I apologize for the long explanation, but it leads to this—the Blessing. The blessing you're receiving now is plunging your mind into the perfect state to grasp the secrets of your path and ascend. This is your chance."

"Don't miss it. This path may one day determine your life and death."

Elura's presence faded, leaving Caine alone in the quiet embrace of the blessing. He didn't notice her absence. The moment she stopped speaking, his mind exploded with ideas, revelations blooming like a thousand stars.
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The force of his thoughts was almost overwhelming, a torrent of insight and clarity.

'True Defiant Forgery path… I see. I see. I see.'

He repeated the words, each repetition deepening his understanding. If he had reached this point with no guidance, no direction—then what heights could he achieve now, with his gifts unsealed and his path illuminated?

He smiled faintly, a sense of boundless potential swelling within him.

The answer was clear.

He had no limit.