Did I Eat The Universe ?

In a tranquil valley, as the first light of dawn broke, Shuangyue left behind the stillness, his mind still resonating with the ancient laws he had comprehended in the stone chamber the day before. The stars within his inner cosmos had begun to stabilize, yet the nascent, immense power within him made one thing clear: the path of a Devourer was far from a solitary journey of cultivation—it was a road fraught with unknown storms and trials.

Shuangyue walked slowly along the winding mountain path, his ears catching faint whispers carried on the wind. At times, the sound resembled a drumbeat stirring his heart; at others, it was like a soft murmur in the breeze. He couldn't help but think of the legendary "Will of the Heavenly Dao" rumored to speak in such tones. Though he had yet to encounter the Heavenly Dao, a powerful premonition stirred within him: a greater tempest was surely on its way.

Lost in thought, his reverie was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps. Shuangyue turned sharply, alert, and saw a group of young Devourer disciples rushing down the path ahead. Clad in simple robes, their faces burned with fervor and envy. They were clearly novices from a nearby minor sect. Having heard tales of Shuangyue's inner cosmos awakening its might, they had come to challenge him, hoping to make a name for themselves among the Devourers.

"Look! That's the so-called rising star, Shuangyue!" one disciple whispered excitedly, his voice laced with provocation. The leader, a brash youth, stepped forward with a swagger, his tone dripping with disdain. "If you dare call yourself strong here, let's see what you're really made of!"

Shuangyue's brow furrowed slightly. He was accustomed to solitude, but this sudden trial reminded him that he was still far from invincible. Rather than confront the group head-on, he slipped into a nearby thicket, observing their movements silently. The wind rustled through the leaves, whispering of the impermanence and trials of the world.

Soon, the young Devourers gathered in a clearing, their expressions solemn as they prepared for a "Trial Skirmish." With a shout, the leader charged forward like a bolt of lightning, dark energy erupting from his hand. In an instant, a frenzied vortex of devouring power spiraled from his palm, directed at his sparring opponent.

Watching this, Shuangyue mused inwardly: This minor skirmish may seem trivial, but it's a vital test of my inner cosmos's stability. Stepping out from his hiding spot, he exhaled softly and murmured, "Inner cosmos, law of stability, shield me." His eyes narrowed as the newborn universe within him began to adjust to his will.

The fight erupted swiftly. The young disciples unleashed their devouring techniques, sparks flying between them, though most of their attacks were raw and unrefined. Shuangyue stood aside, observing with a calm detachment tinged with mild disdain. As the battle intensified, several disciples fell, consumed by their opponents' power, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

Suddenly, the leader's gaze snapped to Shuangyue, his voice brimming with defiance. "Rising star, you've got some nerve just standing there watching! If you won't fight, let's see if you're truly worthy of 'devouring the myriad realms'!"

Shuangyue offered a faint smile, unhurried in his response. With a gentle lift of his hand, a soft yet resolute light burst from his palm, forming a barrier that effortlessly dissipated the barrage of energy hurled by the encircling disciples.

"You… how did you do that?" the leader stammered, his eyes flashing with a mix of fear and awe.

Shuangyue's voice was low but firm. "The inner cosmos thrives on a foundation of stable laws. Only by mastering yourself can you speak of devouring and evolving." His gaze swept the group, and the once-arrogant disciples faltered, retreating reluctantly.

This brief trial not only reaffirmed Shuangyue's grasp of his inner cosmos's potential but also taught the disciples a lesson: true Devourers didn't rely on recklessness—they required both composure and wisdom.

As the skirmish ended, the disciples bowed their heads in grudging respect. Though reluctant, they knew the man they'd faced today was no mere novice riding the wave of newfound power. Shuangyue nodded silently, but his mind churned with a pressing question: How can I expand my inner cosmos through devouring without losing control to instability? It was a puzzle he urgently needed to solve.

At dusk, as the sun's fading rays bathed the valley in gold, Shuangyue sat alone on a cliff's edge, gazing at the dimming horizon, his thoughts a tangled web. He recalled every detail of the day—the skirmish in the woods, the disciples' zealous yet naive cries, and the gentle, unwavering force that had neutralized their attacks at the critical moment.

"Perhaps my inner cosmos still needs refinement…" he murmured, his eyes resolute yet shadowed with faint concern.

The mountain breeze brushed past, whispering of challenges yet to come. Shuangyue knew today's trial was but a fleeting gust in the gathering storm—a greater tempest loomed ahead.

He rose slowly, resolve hardening within him. He would seize every moment henceforth to explore and comprehend, striving to master the boundless power of his inner cosmos.

As night fell and the stars ignited the sky, Shuangyue stood on the cliff, gazing at the vast river of constellations. His heart swelled with determination and hope. Tomorrow would mark the start of another trial, and he would meet it with a renewed self, ready to face the storm of fate.