Did I Eat The Universe ?

Though the Northern Stronghold had secured a fleeting stability after several hard-fought battles, just as the alliance's core committee was established and its rules began to take root, Shuang Yue, immersed in deep meditation, suddenly detected an unusually potent dark aura. It pierced through him like an icy dagger aimed at his heart—an alien energy fluctuation, distinct from anything he had encountered before: frigid, ferocious, and laced with destructive intent. His eyes snapped open, alarm bells ringing in his mind—Ji Mie was stirring in the shadows, poised to fracture the alliance from within and shatter the fragile strength they had only just begun to build.

At that moment, a scout clad in a black robe, Liu Ying, burst into the command center, sweat beading on his forehead. His voice was urgent yet hushed: "Lord Shuang Yue, our intelligence reports that Ji Mie has dispatched an elite squad to infiltrate the alliance's borders, sowing chaos along the eastern and western fronts. Surveillance indicates they're moving with caution and precision, clearly biding their time for a decisive strike!" Shuang Yue's brow furrowed as he clutched the ancient jade in his hand, his tone icy: "This is precisely what we dreaded. Ji Mie's schemes won't falter just because we've united. He'll exploit any crack to divide us. Liu Ying, document this intelligence and keep tracking their movements. We cannot let internal rifts drag us down."

Inside the meeting room, hushed murmurs rippled among the representatives, the air growing thick with tension. Xuan Wen, Xuan Bing, and the others bore grim expressions, for the credibility of this report signaled an unprecedented dual threat—external and internal—to the alliance. Shuang Yue knew the battles ahead would test not only their resistance against otherworldly foes but also the very unity holding them together.

He promptly summoned the core committee for an urgent meeting to devise countermeasures. The room was dimly lit, the atmosphere heavy, worry etched into every face. Shuang Yue spoke with gravity: "Per Liu Ying's report, Ji Mie has positioned ambush forces along the eastern and western fronts, aiming to exploit our internal divisions and throw us into chaos within days. We must reinforce our border defenses immediately and tighten our internal monitoring systems. Not a single detail can be overlooked." Gesturing to an ancient tome and the latest energy data, he continued: "Restraint over the Inner Cosmos is our greatest asset, but it demands that every member adheres strictly to the rules. Should anyone falter, Ji Mie's plot will succeed, and our strength will crumble entirely."

Xuan Bing spoke first: "We need to enhance real-time monitoring of each unit's energy data and set stricter limits. If anyone overloads their Inner Cosmos, emergency protocols must kick in at once. Only then can we neutralize internal threats before the enemy strikes."

Xuan Wen nodded in agreement: "We should also deploy more scouts—especially operatives like Liu Ying—to ensure timely updates from every border. Ji Mie's tactics extend beyond brute force; he thrives on sowing discord within. Early detection and swift adjustments are key to preserving this hard-won alliance."

The discussion was fierce yet practical, with every voice contributing insight. Under Shuang Yue's leadership, they forged a preliminary but solid plan: form a core monitoring team with representatives from all regions and draft a detailed "Devourers' Code" to regulate Inner Cosmos energy absorption and release. Simultaneously, all units would bolster border patrols, track enemy movements in real time, and block Ji Mie's forces from breaching the core zones. These steps not only laid a foundation for the looming all-out war but also guided the alliance from chaos toward stability.

As the meeting adjourned, the committee members dispersed to their posts, leaving Shuang Yue alone in the room. He stared at the screens brimming with records and data, his heart heavy with both concern and determination. Ji Mie's threat, he realized, was far more intricate than anticipated. He had to stay vigilant, ensuring every internal measure was enforced, lest division become Ji Mie's deadliest weapon.

Just then, an urgent horn blared outside the Northern Stronghold. Energy monitoring data revealed a fresh surge of fluctuations near the distant otherworldly rift—Ji Mie's ambush forces were massing, gearing up for a fiercer assault. Shuang Yue ordered all units to high alert and demanded real-time energy reports. Stepping onto the stronghold's high wall, he gazed again at the darkness-tainted horizon, his mind racing. Each battle, each debate, only deepened his resolve: only through unity and disciplined use of Inner Cosmos power could they withstand the relentless darkness and chaos. Ji Mie's schemes lurked everywhere, and they had to face the coming decisive clash with ironclad defenses and razor-sharp strategies.

Within the stronghold, technicians scrambled to adjust temporary energy feedback systems and monitoring devices. With Xuan Wen and Xuan Bing's aid, they meticulously analyzed each dataset, relaying it to Shuang Yue through encrypted channels. The readings showed a sharp escalation in otherworldly energy fluctuations—a linchpin in Ji Mie's plan. Shuang Yue's chest tightened; this battle wasn't just about repelling a sudden attack but about thwarting Ji Mie's deeper scheme to destabilize the world's order with alien energy.

As dawn's first light pierced the night, a fleeting calm settled over the Northern Stronghold. Yet Shuang Yue and the core members knew this respite was but the eye of the storm—future conflicts would grow more brutal and unpredictable. Standing atop the wall, he gazed at the brightening horizon and silently vowed: "As long as we hold fast to restraint and wisdom, keeping every absorption within its optimal range, we will find the light that belongs to the Devourers amid this endless darkness." His words echoed in the chill wind, infusing the alliance with unyielding conviction.

This crisis, sparked by the otherworldly rift, was both a trial and a chance. Though the alliance's initial stand was fraught with strain, every Devourer felt the true might of restraint and cooperation. Shuang Yue, Long Ze, Yan Ji, Xuan Wen, Xuan Bing, and countless others showcased their unique strengths, their synergy taming the alien energy until it was safely reversed and sealed.

As dawn's glow dispelled the cold night, the stronghold's energy data confirmed the rift's fluctuations had fallen to a manageable level, boosting frontline morale after the grueling defense. Scars and damage lingered inside and out, but every face shone with resolve and hope. This battle proved the immense power of unity and underscored the vital need to restrain Inner Cosmos energy.

Back in the stronghold's meeting room, Shuang Yue and the committee reviewed the rift crisis. Each strategy and energy feedback became a cornerstone for stricter future regulations. Xuan Wen suggested merging ancient rune techniques with modern monitoring to craft a more advanced defense system, while Xuan Bing proposed multilayered protective grids around the stronghold to diffuse otherworldly energy. These talks cemented a truth: only restrained use of Inner Cosmos power could ensure the alliance's survival.

As the meeting closed, Shuang Yue returned to the high wall, watching the rising sun. He murmured, "This breakthrough isn't just a shift in how we wield power—it's a bedrock for the Devourers' Alliance's future." Ji Mie's plots and alien incursions would persist, but with unity and adherence to restraint and wisdom, they could forge a glorious path in this turbulent world.

Every Devourer in the Northern Stronghold drew precious lessons from this arduous defense. Each energy absorption and counterstrike amassed vital data for battles ahead. As readings confirmed the alien energy had stabilized within safe bounds, a brief calm returned—but it was merely a prelude to the next great clash.

Reflecting on this intense journey, Shuang Yue grasped a profound truth: only by wielding the boundless Inner Cosmos with restraint and wisdom could they reshape their fate. For the looming decisive battle, he and his allies stood ready to transform the strength honed in this crisis into an unbreakable shield for their homeland. Every Devourer found their role in this war, each energy clash a testament to unity's power. On the wall, gazing at the morning light, Shuang Yue whispered, "No matter the trials ahead, we'll walk this path together, toward the radiant dawn that belongs to the Devourers."

After sealing the rift, the Northern Stronghold not only stabilized but also embedded the ethos of restrained, wise power use deep within the Devourers' Alliance. Future battles would bring challenges, but every scar and precise energy tweak from this fight would be their greatest strength against Ji Mie's schemes and the world's defense.