Did I Eat The Universe ?

In the darkness before dawn, the Northern Frontier stronghold was shrouded in an atmosphere of tension and oppression. The previous night, during the strategy meeting before the counterattack, Shuang Yue, Ray, and Yun Che had unanimously decided, along with the key members of the stronghold, that they must fortify their defenses to the utmost to face the impending enemy assault. They all understood that, although Ji Mie's ambushes had been repelled one after another, the enemy was still lurking in the shadows, waiting for the most vulnerable moment to launch a fatal attack.

That morning, every corner of the stronghold bustled with final preparations. A makeshift energy monitoring station had begun operating, and the data indicated that the fluctuations of interdimensional energy had reached a critical threshold—one misstep could cause the Inner Cosmos to overload.

As daylight gradually illuminated the sky, the banners atop the stronghold's high walls fluttered in the wind, reflecting the determined faces of the villagers and defenders. Standing atop the walls, Shuang Yue gazed into the distance at the gray, desolate Northern Frontier and silently vowed:

"As long as we strictly adhere to the principle of restraint within the Inner Cosmos, every ounce of energy we absorb will become a pillar of our defense—never a harbinger of our downfall."

His words seemed to echo in the frigid wind, instilling firm confidence in everyone's hearts.

Suddenly, a series of urgent warhorns echoed from the distant mountains, followed by a piercing roar that shattered the morning tranquility. The energy monitoring station inside the stronghold immediately detected a sharp rise in interdimensional energy. At the same time, dark figures began emerging from the cliffs, forests, and icy crevices—an enemy horde charging toward the stronghold at an alarming speed.

Shuang Yue's eyes turned sharp as he immediately commanded, "Everyone, prepare for battle! Remember—restraint is our greatest weapon. Keep your Inner Cosmos energy within controlled limits!"

With his order, the entire stronghold was instantly placed on high alert. The villagers and defenders swiftly took their positions, and the temporary fortifications were reinforced. Ray, leading a group of young volunteers, moved swiftly around the perimeter, setting up ambush points and enhancing defenses with makeshift traps and torches. Meanwhile, Yun Che rushed to inspect every energy monitoring device, ensuring all data remained accurate. He also distributed simple emergency medical supplies to the wounded.

Before long, the first wave of enemy forces crashed upon them like a relentless tide. The chilling wind carried the presence of devourers—shadowy soldiers imbued with interdimensional energy. Their assault was swift and disciplined, each attack akin to a black hole seeking to tear open a breach in the stronghold's defenses.

Without hesitation, Shuang Yue drew his sword. Standing atop the wall, his form was agile yet unwavering. Channeling his Inner Cosmos, he formed a radiant blue energy shield in his hands—an impenetrable guardian barrier that neutralized the first wave of attacks with absolute force.

Amid the enemy ranks, a shadow commander clad in dark armor strode forward with a chilling smirk. Every movement of his arms unleashed powerful waves of devouring energy, seeking to consume the stronghold in its entirety.

Seeing this, Shuang Yue took a deep breath and swiftly executed the Devouring Reversal technique. The radiant blue shield expanded dramatically, reversing the incoming energy surge and absorbing multiple devastating attacks in an instant. For a brief moment, the battlefield seemed frozen in time—the enemy's assault shattered against the blue radiance, and some shadow soldiers even lost control, their forms dissipating into fragmented darkness.

Meanwhile, Ray relied on his swift footwork to weave through the battlefield. With a precise sidestep, he leaped and struck—a blade of ice-blue light slicing cleanly through an enemy attempting to flank the stronghold. Each of his movements was razor-sharp, exploiting the enemy's vulnerabilities with flawless precision. His relentless offensive threw the enemy into disarray, forcing some shadows to retreat in search of new attack angles.

On another part of the battlefield, Yun Che remained focused on defensive spells. Chanting ancient incantations under his breath, he rapidly maneuvered enchanted stones, forming layers of protective barriers to intercept stray fragments of interdimensional energy. Though his actions were slower than those of the direct combatants, each spell cast bought the stronghold precious moments to retaliate. Inspired by his efforts, the villagers and defenders worked in perfect synchronization, nullifying every incoming attack with coordinated efficiency.

The battle raged for nearly half an hour. While the enemy's initial onslaught had been repelled, Shuang Yue knew all too well that this was merely the beginning.

At that moment, the energy monitoring station outside the stronghold issued a blaring alarm. The data revealed that the enemy forces had amassed an even greater surge of power, preparing for a decisive strike.

Shuang Yue immediately commanded, "Hold your positions—no one lets their guard down! Remember, our strength lies in restraint and wisdom. Control every ounce of energy you absorb—never overreach!"

Hearing his words, every defender tightened their stance, readying themselves for the next wave. The shadow army surged forward once more—stronger, fiercer, as if the entire Northern Frontier had joined in this battle.

Shuang Yue, Ray, and Yun Che led the stronghold's forces, standing firm against the overwhelming tide. Atop the wall, Shuang Yue's eyes blazed with unwavering resolve. The blue shield in his hands pulsed with the rhythm of his Inner Cosmos, constantly shifting in shape and intensity to counter each incoming attack.

The battle continued into midday. The once-pristine snowfields before the stronghold were now stained crimson. The battlefield was littered with shattered walls and frozen debris—a grim testament to the brutality of war.

Yet, despite their relentless aggression, the enemy forces began to falter. Their once-disciplined formations grew chaotic, and their momentum wavered under the persistent retaliation. Some shadows, unable to withstand the repelling force of the blue shield, scattered and retreated.

Finally, after countless waves of unyielding defense, the enemy's offensive crumbled under exhaustion and disarray. A temporary silence settled over the stronghold—only the howling wind and distant, low warhorns remained, serving as a grim reminder that this was merely the first battle, not the end.

As the dust settled, Shuang Yue, Ray, and Yun Che stood atop the stronghold walls, gazing upon the war-torn field below.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Ray murmured, "Today's battle taught me the true power of restraint and wisdom. If we can master the precise control of our energy absorption, we can transform it into an impenetrable shield. But if we succumb to greed… we'll bring about our own destruction."

His words were both a reflection of the day's hard-earned lessons and a solemn warning for the future.

Yun Che spoke softly, "I once lost myself in the temptation of unchecked power… and paid a terrible price. Today's battle proved again that we must keep our Inner Cosmos within safe limits. No matter how strong we are, if we lose control… we'll only invite greater catastrophe." His eyes gleamed with both determination and regret, as if every surge of energy on the battlefield had reminded him of past mistakes.

Shuang Yue watched as the last of the enemy forces disappeared beyond the horizon. In a quiet voice, he said, "We've learned much from this battle. The power of the Inner Cosmos is both our greatest weapon… and our greatest weakness. Moving forward, we must be more vigilant—not only against external enemies but also in mastering our own restraint. Only then can we truly defend this frontier and reshape our fate."

As the first light of dusk painted the sky, the stronghold, though scarred, stood firm. The battle had left its mark, but within every survivor's heart, a new flame of hope and resolve had been ignited.

Yet, as the day ended, one truth remained clear—this war was far from over. Ji Mie's schemes and the forces of the otherworld wouldn't cease. With every challenge ahead, they'd need even greater wisdom, precision, and restraint to survive.