Did I Eat The Universe ?

The reconstruction of the Northern Stronghold was nearing its end. Within its walls, Shuang Yue and his comrades had kindled a spark of hope across the North, and upon that foundation, they resolved to hold the Devourers' Assembly. The meeting was to be held at an ancient, neutral ruin—a site that had once witnessed the brilliance of the Devourer civilization, and now, amidst its crumbling walls and weathered stone pillars, echoed with the weight of history. The sky still hung low, and the cold wind brushed against the mottled columns as if silently recounting past lessons. On this day, Devourers from the East Sea, the Southern Region, the Western Frontier, and even farther regions began to arrive—some brimming with passion, others with skepticism—all gathering together.

Before the assembly began, Shuang Yue stood in the center of the ancient square, surveying the crowd with a steady, profound gaze. Slowly, he spoke, "Fellow Devourers, we've come together today not only to face the ever-escalating crisis of otherworldly invasions but also to seek a way to overcome our trials together. Unrestrained power'll only lead to self-destruction; it's only through disciplined and wise use of the Inner Cosmos that we can truly protect our homes and change the fate of this turbulent world." His tone was calm, yet every word carried tremendous weight, stirring within each warrior an infinite hope for the future.

However, the atmosphere wasn't entirely harmonious. Some Devourers expressed doubt—arguing that an alliance would only constrain individual freedom, clinging to the solitary path of "devouring for supremacy." Others feared that if the alliance failed to properly manage the power of the Inner Cosmos, excessive absorption would lead to uncontrollable force, ultimately resulting in self-destruction. In the meeting room, voices clashed and debates erupted. One Devourer shouted, "The way of a Devourer is to walk alone! How can we depend on others?" Another passionately countered, "Only by uniting can we resist the conspiracy of Oblivion; if we remain divided, the world'll have long since fallen!"

Shuang Yue listened intently to the various opinions, remaining calm in the face of heated arguments. Instead of rushing to respond, he allowed the room to settle into a brief silence. After a moment, he retrieved an ancient scroll from his cloak and, pointing to the passage that described the discipline of the Inner Cosmos, said, "Fellow Devourers, this scroll records the profound understanding our ancestors had regarding the use of power. They warned that each act of energy absorption exerts pressure on the Inner Cosmos; only when this pressure is kept within safe limits can our strength grow steadily. Conversely, excessive devouring'll trigger the collapse of the Inner Cosmos." His voice, low yet piercing, continued, "Today, we stand here to learn from this history—to establish a strict code of conduct for Devourers, so that every warrior may grow through discipline rather than blindly pursue power and march toward self-destruction."

At his words, a hush fell over the room, followed by scattered nods and murmurs of agreement. Many Devourers who'd once preferred solitude now seemed moved, though some still wore expressions of lingering doubt. Just then, a Devourer clad in a dark robe stepped forward and challenged Shuang Yue's vision. He loudly questioned, "What makes you believe an alliance can change our destiny? Every Devourer has his own path—how can we confine our endless hunger within rigid rules?"

Shuang Yue's eyes sharpened as he replied calmly, "I don't seek to bind anyone's freedom but rather to enable us to confront a greater darkness together. The alliance isn't a limitation—it's our opportunity to unite and compensate for our individual weaknesses. Unrestrained power only leads to ruin. Only by all of us adhering to this code can we safeguard our lives in the fires of battle and ultimately reshape our fate."

Thus, while the tone of the assembly began to settle with Shuang Yue's words, subtle divisions still lingered. Some nodded in silent accord, while others remained skeptical and resistant. Just as it appeared the meeting might proceed to its next phase, a fierce debate broke out once more, plunging the room into a tumult of voices. This debate was more than a mere clash of ideas—it was a microcosm of the longstanding division among Devourers regarding the pursuit of individual power versus the strength of collective action.