Did I Eat The Universe ?

Night fell, and a brief calm finally descended upon the outpost. Although last night's fierce battle had left indelible marks on everyone's heart, as the smoke of combat gradually cleared, Shuang Yue's yearning to understand the true essence of power grew even stronger. He knew that relying solely on instinctive counterattacks during battle wouldn't suffice for the even greater challenges ahead; only by truly comprehending the laws governing his Inner Universe and mastering the art of restraint could he prevent his power from spiraling out of control, transforming it into a steadfast shield to protect the Northern Frontier.

The first rays of dawn pierced through the cold mist, bathing the outpost walls in light. Accompanied by the chirping of birds and the busy sounds of villagers at work, the entire outpost seemed to awaken from a long, dark night. Though the repair work was nearly finished, every face showed traces of exhaustion mixed with determination. At that moment, Shuang Yue stepped out of his tent and strolled along the outpost wall. His mind replayed the breathtaking scenes of last night's battlefield—the relentless surge of enemy attacks, the radiant blue shield, and the astonishing counterattacks unleashed by the power of his Inner Universe. He understood that it wasn't merely a contest of physical strength and skill but also a battle of spirit and wisdom.

Finding a quiet corner, Shuang Yue paused and gazed at the gradually clearing mountain ridges in the distance, allowing himself to slip into deep contemplation. Slowly, he closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift back to those intense moments of combat, while also reflecting on everything he'd learned over these past days. Images flashed through his mind: the orderly rhythm of the enemy's coordinated assault; the moment when his "Devour and Rebound" technique reversed the enemy's energy into his own with the blue shield; and the seamless teamwork among his companions as they jointly repelled the invaders.

"Innate Universe capacity…" he murmured in his heart, his voice low and resolute. "Every time we absorb otherworldly energy, it's like challenging our own limits. Overindulgence not only risks causing this power to run amok but may even collapse the Inner Universe itself, reducing everything to ruin." He vividly recalled the warnings he'd read in ancient texts among the Forbidden Ruins—vague words imbued with profound wisdom. As the ancients said, power is a double-edged sword; only by exercising restraint can it truly become a tool to safeguard the world rather than a harbinger of endless calamity.

Recalling that moment on the battlefield, Shuang Yue's heart was filled with both anger and resignation. He knew that, although the tidal wave of dark silhouettes under Desolation's command had exhibited tremendous destructive force, it was only the tip of the iceberg. The true threat still lurked in the unseen darkness behind them. All of this required him to face it calmly and to seek the principles that would enable him to overcome his enemies. Every fierce battle, every collision of energy, silently taught him that only through continuous self-reflection and breakthroughs could his inner strength be perfected—allowing him to reverse fate at critical moments.

For a long while, Shuang Yue sat in silence, a cascade of questions swirling in his mind: How can I control this power more precisely? How can I maintain the stability of my Inner Universe while absorbing otherworldly energy? What exact principles govern this process? He replayed last night's battle in his mind, meticulously analyzing the subtle interplay between each surge of energy and the operation of the underlying laws. What appeared random was, in fact, governed by an exquisitely precise pattern—and if he could grasp that pattern, he could control the capacity of energy absorption accurately and avoid overloading.

As his meditation deepened, Shuang Yue's mind gradually settled. He remembered the confusion and fear he'd felt when he first awakened his Inner Universe—when the entire world seemed to hurl unknown challenges at him, and he absorbed energy blindly without truly understanding the need for restraint. Now, after this life-and-death struggle, he finally realized that power isn't merely a tool for attack; it's a force that must be nurtured with care. Only through relentless learning and practice could he transform this power into a true weapon for defending his homeland.

Slowly, Shuang Yue opened his eyes and gazed at the rising sun. A profound sense of determination and hope welled up within him. He understood that the road ahead would still be fraught with thorns and danger, but as long as he firmly adhered to the principles of restraint in his Inner Universe, every absorption would serve as an enhancement rather than a step toward destruction. This realization would become the solid foundation for his future victory over Desolation's schemes and for safeguarding the Northern Frontier.

That morning, Shuang Yue silently returned to the outpost, yet he resolved to carve out some time to escape the bustle and retreat to a secluded spot for deep cultivation and introspection. He made his way to a small hill behind the outpost, far from the crowd, where only the gentle morning light and a soft breeze accompanied him. Standing atop the hill, he looked down upon the outpost—the rebuilding defenses and the busy villagers instilled in him a rare sense of stability and resilience.

At that moment, he closed his eyes and entered deep meditation. In his mind's eye, he saw the workings of his Inner Universe: countless stars dancing within, energy flowing like a surging river, each absorption subtly adjusting the balance of the entire system. The blue light flickered in his consciousness, reminding him that only with perfect moderation could this power achieve its maximum potential and become the shield that protects all.

During this meditative process, Shuang Yue continuously recalled the hardships of recent battles and the strenuous efforts to repair the outpost. He remembered clearly that, in the heat of combat, every time he employed the "Devour and Rebound" technique, the enemy's assault was instantaneously reversed—and the blue shield was a testament to his successful regulation of his Inner Universe. Yet, he also recalled several moments when, at the peak of energy release, he sensed an inexplicable instability—a prelude to his Inner Universe reaching its capacity limit. This reinforced his belief that restraint and control were the keys to winning all future battles.

In his mind, Shuang Yue repeatedly pondered, "If I can confine each instance of energy absorption within the optimal range, my Inner Universe will continuously strengthen and eventually achieve a qualitative leap; but if I give in to greed, it'll lead to my own destruction." He realized deep within that this was much like the growth of every living creature in nature: excessive growth only leads to fragility and collapse, while moderation and regulation make life resilient and enduring.

As his meditation deepened, a complete vision slowly emerged in his mind: his Inner Universe appeared like a finely tuned machine, every energy unit playing its unique role, all maintained by strict regulation and stable operational laws. The ancient runes, shattered stone tablets, and softly glowing ancient jade he'd seen among the Forbidden Ruins were like keys, guiding him on how to master this power more effectively. The capacity of the Inner Universe wasn't infinite—it was a finite and delicate resource; only by understanding its limits and rules could he avoid reaching a dangerous critical point and ensure that this power was used for good.

Quietly, Shuang Yue vowed, "In the future, I'll exercise an even more rigorous approach in using this power. Every time I absorb energy, I must calculate its capacity precisely; every time I employ it, I must seek breakthroughs through restraint. Only by doing so can I face Desolation's greater schemes without being consumed by this power—instead, I'll make it a steadfast barrier to protect our home."

Slowly emerging from his meditation, Shuang Yue opened his eyes, a trace of deep thought still lingering on his brow. He knew that this self-reflection wasn't an isolated endpoint but a crucial step in laying a solid foundation for future battles. Back at the outpost, he recorded the insights from his meditation in his notebook and later shared them in depth with Ray and Yun Che. Together, the three of them repeatedly discussed and analyzed every detail from the battles, striving to distill even more refined methods for applying the laws of their Inner Universe. They all agreed that only by strictly controlling their inner power within safe limits could they ensure that, when the enemy struck again, they wouldn't fall into a greater crisis due to unchecked greed.

That day, though tension still hung over the outpost, every eye burned with a spark of hope. The villagers, looking upon the sturdy, repaired walls and the gradual restoration of order, wore expressions of renewed confidence and expectation. Meanwhile, Shuang Yue, Ray, and Yun Che, united in their shared beliefs, drew strength from one another as they prepared to face even greater challenges from the otherworld.