Did I Eat The Universe ?

The Northern Stronghold had just settled into a fleeting calm after its reconstruction, yet beneath this land of ice and frost, a crisis was silently brewing. Shortly after the core committee was established and the alliance reached its initial consensus, a violent tremor suddenly rocked the ground outside the stronghold, as if the earth itself were shuddering. The energy monitoring station within the stronghold sounded urgent alarms, revealing that a nearby otherworldly rift had rapidly expanded, unleashing an unprecedented surge of otherworldly energy. This surge not only devoured the surrounding lifeforms without mercy but also signaled that Oblivion's schemes had escalated to a more perilous stage.

Shuang Yue swiftly summoned all guards and alliance members, ascending to the highest vantage point of the stronghold to assess the situation. In the distance, a vast rift stretched across the mountain range, its edges swarming with emerging otherworldly creatures—grotesque beings shrouded in eerie blue and dark energies, advancing toward the stronghold with alarming speed. Across the frozen plains encircling the stronghold, countless lifeforms vanished silently into the rift's grasp, while an ominous energy permeated the sky.

With a piercing gaze and a stern expression, Shuang Yue issued his command: "All units, prepare for defense! This rift crisis is the alliance's first true trial. Everyone must strictly follow the principles of Inner Cosmos restraint, allocating power with precision. Do not let fear lead to reckless energy use, or the consequences will be catastrophic!"

As the order echoed throughout the stronghold, every defense unit sprang into action. Under Shuang Yue's leadership, the guards reinforced the walls and erected temporary energy barriers, while elite Devourers from the alliance dashed to scout the rift's perimeter. At the stronghold's edge, the ice began to melt under the influence of otherworldly energy, exposing a red-and-black terrain that resembled bloodstains on a battlefield. From the rift, an unending tide of otherworldly creatures poured forth, their numbers far exceeding all expectations. The roars of beasts and the sound of wings battering the ice blended into a deadly rhythm of war.

Shuang Yue led the core forces to the front lines, resolute in halting the spread of the otherworldly energy. Clad in his battle robe and gripping an ancient jade, he channeled his Inner Cosmos, blue light swirling within him and forming a solid shield guided by his will. At that moment, the otherworldly creatures surged forward in relentless waves. Their assault was ferocious, a fusion of dark and blue energies that seemed poised to swallow the entire stronghold whole.

On the battlefield, Shuang Yue remained calm and composed, skillfully wielding the laws of his Inner Cosmos. He repeatedly employed the "Devouring Reversal" technique, absorbing the oncoming otherworldly energy and transforming it into his own defensive strength. The blue light shield in his grasp shimmered with steadfast brilliance, each energy collision reverberating like a muted roar from the heavens. Meanwhile, the stronghold's defenders worked in unison, laying traps and erecting energy barriers along the walls and defensive lines. Some younger Devourers, guided by Shuang Yue and the core team, unleashed their unique abilities, such as "Lightning Devour," which allowed them to absorb faint traces of otherworldly energy in an instant and convert it into beams of light arrows that pierced through the enemy ranks.

The battle raged on, the rift's energy growing increasingly volatile. Blood mingled with snow on the battlefield, while fragments of ice and sparks of energy danced in the frigid wind. Amid the chaos, Shuang Yue felt the strain of his Inner Cosmos nearing its limits; the blue light shield flickered faintly, a sign that his power was approaching its breaking point. He quickly steadied his breathing, diving deep into his Inner Cosmos. Using the "Inner Cosmos Capacity Control" skill, he precisely calculated every ounce of absorbed energy, channeling the mounting pressure into a more resilient defensive force through internal cycles. In that instant, the blue light shield blazed anew, reflecting the enemy's onslaught and throwing the otherworldly creatures into disarray.

The front lines gradually stabilized with this counterstrike. Many otherworldly creatures were shredded and dissipated by the shield's retaliation, though the enemy showed no signs of full retreat. Shuang Yue knew this was merely the first wave; greater crises loomed ahead. He promptly ordered all units to heighten their monitoring of Inner Cosmos energy, ensuring levels remained within safe bounds at all times, and to report every instance of energy absorption to the core command center.

The battle stretched on for hours, with the otherworldly energy at the stronghold's edge fluctuating wildly, as if time and space themselves were unraveling. Each act of absorption triggered a fierce backlash, but under Shuang Yue's steady guidance, everyone maintained sharp vigilance and precise coordination. The thunderous din, the cracking of ice, and the roars of otherworldly beasts wove into a heart-pounding symphony of war. This rift crisis marked the alliance's first real test against an otherworldly invasion.

At the front, Shuang Yue rotated the core team to ensure each warrior could wield their Inner Cosmos at peak efficiency. Meanwhile, technicians within the stronghold tirelessly adjusted the temporary energy monitoring stations to maintain accurate readings and employed rune techniques from ancient texts to construct additional energy barriers. These barriers, like transparent walls, not only blocked otherworldly energy but also redirected its force back toward the enemy.

As time wore on, the situation inside and outside the stronghold slowly stabilized, though danger and uncertainty lingered. From his perch on the wall, Shuang Yue studied the ever-shifting energy readings, his mind racing. He understood that this rift crisis was not merely a localized skirmish but a profound trial for the entire alliance. Only by strictly regulating and stabilizing the use of Inner Cosmos power could they hope to triumph in future, larger invasions.

As the first rays of dawn pierced the icy northern sky, the battle at the front lines gradually subsided. Though the otherworldly creatures' assault persisted, the stronghold had held its most vital defenses thanks to Shuang Yue and his comrades' valiant efforts. Every warrior now grasped that restraint and wisdom were the cornerstones of wielding Inner Cosmos power; each act of absorption demanded exact calculation, lest unchecked energy unleash a torrent of destruction.

In the aftermath, the stronghold bore the scars of battle, yet a steadfast belief in the future burned in every heart. Shuang Yue gathered the core members in a makeshift command room to review the previous day's combat data and energy monitoring reports. In a grave tone, he said, "This rift crisis has exposed the dangers of pushing the Inner Cosmos to its limits. It has also proven that only by strictly controlling our absorption can we unlock the true power to protect our homeland when it matters most. Every battle tests our restraint and wisdom. Moving forward, we must build on this lesson, refining our code to ensure every Devourer can safeguard themselves and our shared home in times of crisis."

Under Shuang Yue's direction, the core members engaged in deep discussions, devising a series of new energy monitoring and regulation protocols. They also resolved to erect additional temporary energy barriers around the stronghold, prepared to respond swiftly should otherworldly energy surge again. Though these deliberations were meticulous, each measure was carefully debated, forming a system that blended scientific precision with ancient wisdom. All recognized that only by achieving an optimal balance of power through restraint could the alliance withstand the dual threats of Oblivion and otherworldly forces.

As the work settled, Shuang Yue stood on a high platform within the stronghold, gazing once more at the dawning North. Despite the injuries sustained and the lingering scars, courage and hope filled the air. Yet each wound served as a reminder that the path ahead remained fraught with challenges. In a low voice, he said, "Today's battle is just the beginning. Restraint and wisdom in our Inner Cosmos are our only safeguards. As long as we hold to this belief, we will surely claim true victory in the fires of future wars." His words reverberated in the cold wind, carrying an unshakable strength that uplifted every Devourer's spirit.

This rift crisis not only revealed the limits of Inner Cosmos power to every defender of the Northern Stronghold but also taught all alliance members that only through restrained use of power could they truly alter the fate of their land. As dawn broke, a resolute strength—forged through life-and-death trials—permeated the stronghold, poised to become the alliance's greatest asset in facing the conspiracies and battles yet to come.