Suddenly,
Just as she was about to touch the void's origin, it instantly bloomed with infinite brilliance, releasing unparalleled resistance in an attempt to reject Mei's control.
However,
This act was like an ant trying to shake a tree.
HUM—
Mei manifested her Primordial Daemon true form. Infinite images floated behind her. Apeiron, with an utterly crushing and domineering might, suppressed the void origin's resistance.
BOOM!
Abruptly,
A massive ripple washed through the void, propagating downstream along the timeline. Wherever it passed, infinite spacetime and dimensions collapsed.
Colossal power suppressed the Void World's timeline. Mei stood firm amidst the surging tide of void resistance, the spacetime behind her cracking section by section.
She extended one hand.
And grasped the void's origin, mere feet away, into her palm.
In an instant,
The Void World's timeline ceased from that moment. Then, starting from the end of the Void World's timeline, the infinite worldlines downstream began to spontaneously reverse and converge.
Each downstream worldline, containing infinite dimensions, automatically converged into individual main timestreams. Then, each main timestream converged into upstream branches, and finally, the branches continued to flow back upstream.
Converging into the foundation.
Until the very end,
All worldlines had converged. Only a single, steadfast main worldline remained in the void. This foundation carried all the power of the void, and in an instant, it reversed its flow, returning to the origin.
Completing the final convergence.
At this point,
The Void World's timeline no longer existed.
This also meant the disappearance of all things, all concepts.
Even the ultimate end of the Void World's timeline ceased to be.
Only true nothingness remained.
No more parallel worlds.
No more universes.
...
In the void,
The void's origin floated in Mei's hand. As she touched the origin, she understood: she had become the absolute Void Overlord. She could recreate the void using the origin, or arbitrarily turn everything into nothingness.
Controlling the void's origin was roughly equivalent to acquiring ownership of the origin. After recreating the void, she would have absolute control, akin to a supreme god.
Simultaneously, she transcended the void's constraints, eternally surpassing them.
Furthermore,
There was another surprise.
As the Void World's timeline was fully collected back into the origin, the faith marker marketplace, which permeated the entire Void, also converged and manifested its true form.
Within the origin, a faintly glowing speck of light could be seen—a conglomerate of countless concepts, the true form of the faith marker marketplace. Mei's consciousness touched the faith marker marketplace's true form.
Something unexpected happened.
[Ding!]
[Suitable user detected]
[Confirming suitable user]
[Granting permissions]
[Connecting to the faith marker network]
Following this was a deluge of information. Mei had never imagined that the faith marker marketplace was merely a terminal of the faith marker network.
The Tier 9 goods in the marketplace were indeed real and purchasable. Tier 10 goods were purely for display; their astronomical prices were clearly not intended for actual purchase.
But for Mei, the marketplace's value was no longer important. What was important was that every suitable user in the faith marker network was also a Void Overlord!
The activity level of the suitable users was astonishing. They didn't act at all like supreme rulers who wielded the highest authority over the void; they were as unpretentious as internet trolls.
[Faith Marker Network]
[Public Channel]
[Release the Hounds: Damn it, that useless old man and that scheming bastard are extorting me again. Do they really think this is their house? I haven't even had a chance to retaliate, and they're already critically ill, huh?!]
[I'm a Slippery Shovel: What are you spouting nonsense about? So what if that useless old man eats your rice? If you're so capable, take your grievances to Hyperdimensional Space! We don't get to choose which mission world we're assigned to, you motherfucker!]
[Dreaming of Passing: Yeah, we can't decide which mission world to go to. If you're so brave, go hassle my boss! And above, useless old man, I salute your entire family!]
[I'm a Slippery Shovel: Damn, that scheming bastard wants a fight, huh? Don't just talk, if you've got the guts, put your money where your mouth is! Believe it or not, I'm coming to your door right now!]
[Dreaming of Passing: Come on, who's afraid of who?!]
"..."
Very lively.
Unusually lively.
Half of the public channel consisted of Void Wanderers verbally sparring with Transcenders, while the other half featured non-Space suitable users verbally attacking Space faction suitable users.
Shouting and bickering.
Mei, accustomed to lurking, quickly understood the situation. According to the non-Space suitable users, they were peacefully enjoying stuff at home.
Suddenly, Space had "robbed" them.
Space not only tried to seize control of the void from the suitable users but also kept an eye on them, allowing their Grand Travelers to come and go, constantly provoking them.
Who could tolerate that?
But they couldn't genuinely confront Space, otherwise, Space would easily bring in their big guns. Ordinary suitable users really couldn't win.
The trouble was that they'd escalate from fighting the young to the old, then to the even older; it was unwinnable. That's why the suitable users were so boisterous online.
Hyperdimensional Space and Transcendent Space had always been arch-rivals. The Grand Travelers from both sides constantly bickered, unable to tolerate each other. Non-Space suitable users equally targeted all Space suitable users.
A suitable user implied a supreme controller of the void, one who, by their own power, controlled the void's origin and was at least a unique Tier 8.
The few existing beings of Hyperdimensional Space and Transcendent Space clearly hadn't touched all the void, so being a suitable user didn't automatically mean being a Space Grand Traveler.
The two weren't entirely equivalent.
Within the faith marker network, the number of non-Space suitable users was by no means fewer than the Space faction's suitable users; it even seemed slightly more.
With an exploratory mindset, Mei named herself "Deep Sea Submarine" and posted a question on the faith marker network.
[Deep Sea Submarine: So, can Space just do whatever they want?]
Immediately, someone responded to Mei's query.
[Champion of Death-Seeking Style Contest: Heh heh, of course not. You must be a newbie. Don't do it yourself; you can subtly annoy Space and the Grand Travelers. For example, make the Gaia consciousness maliciously target Grand Travelers on missions, as long as the influence doesn't exceed the current Space mission's grade limit...]
Understood!
Mei finally understood.
Why had she always felt targeted by the Gaia consciousness during missions? Now it all made sense! So that's what it was!
She had a good grasp of herself. In many mission worlds, she was practically demolishing the place. She was definitely the type of Grand Traveler most disliked by suitable users. Mei fell silent.
Before, there was Space's concealment.
Now.
If she encountered a Void Lord personally intervening in a Void Mission, even without help from Space, Mei could probably blow the opponent's head off.
Are Tier 9 and Tier 10 truly so impressive?
Do you even know what an Apeiron is?!
Unique grade?
I'll flatten all of you.
Considering the previous situation in the Earth Void, it was clear that not every Void had a controller. Those unclaimed Voids could probably be seized by anyone.
Mei read the Faith Marker Network content, noting that suitable users would eventually yell, "If you've got the guts, post your Coordinates; otherwise, shut up."
After observing for a while, she understood. The Faith Marker Network could transmit one's Void Coordinates. Through these, suitable users could instantly travel unlimited distances using the Faith Marker Network.
This was the so-called "real-life doorstep arrival."
Truly, "I'm coming right to your house."
Despite the bravado, no one was truly foolish enough to expose their Void Coordinates on the public channel; doing so would be seeking Death.
Some Space entity crawling over the Network was still considered lucky. They would usually just plant an eye in your home and wouldn't be too aggressive when contending for control of the Void. Other suitable users, however, were another story; they might actually kill you in minutes.
Don't let the online persona fool you. Each of these "internet trolls" on the Faith Marker Network was a Void Lord, a supreme rebel who had crawled out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
No one disliked controlling too much of the Void. They might call each other "useless old man" or "scheming bastard," but who didn't want to become the next Space-level entity?
After the Faith Marker Network connected to the Faith Marker Marketplace, it could directly switch to the network interface. Mei withdrew her attention.
She closed it.
Shifting her focus back to the Void's Origin, Mei's thoughts stirred. Infinite brilliance suddenly radiated from the Void. The vast river of time once again brought the concept of Time to the Void.
The main Worldline stretched from the Origin, directly to the end, constantly branching out like a tree, forming countless Parallel Spacetimes.
Each Spacetime signified the existence of a possibility.
Before long, the Void World's Timeline returned to its original state. All concepts and things reverted to their initial forms, as if nothing had ever happened.
The Void was too boring.
Mei still preferred a bit of excitement.
She retracted all her Aura and returned to the downstream Worldline, back to the Earth Universe. Because the Void World's Timeline needed to be maintained, Mei did not take the Void's Origin with her.
The five supreme beings were still shaken.
Regaining their senses, they immediately exchanged glances.
"Just now... what happened?"
"Who exactly was that newcomer?"
It was no exaggeration to say that Mei was the strongest person they had ever seen. That Power was so immense it was difficult to even contemplate resistance. But...
Why was the Void's Origin still there?
Could that person not control the Void's Origin?
The five supreme beings were filled with apprehension and doubt.
Even a wisp of her Aura could sweep them down to the Void World's Timeline's downstream. They couldn't imagine what realm Mei's power had reached.
If even someone that powerful couldn't control the Void's Origin, then they certainly couldn't.
"Perhaps..."
One of the supreme beings' expressions was uncertain as she speculated: "Perhaps that being has already taken control of the Void's Origin. The reason for not taking it away is likely for some specific cause?"
Regardless, one fact lay before them: the Void's Origin was no longer something they could covet. To misjudge their own Strength would lead to unimaginable consequences.
Realizing this, the supreme beings felt a mix of emotions. Countless years of rebellion and struggle had culminated in this anti-climactic end.
Though the Void's Origin lay there seemingly undefended, the supreme beings understood clearly: if the Origin was already controlled by that being, any who defiled it would surely die.
They knew Mei's power. It was a terrifying force that left one utterly devoid of hope.
Seeing Mei descend from the Void World's Timeline to the Earth Universe, the Star Spirit King's expression froze, bewildered. "Why did she return so quickly?"
Mei replied, "Things naturally returned."
"Huh?"
The Star Spirit King was even more confused. Did she succeed? Or fail?
Just as he was about to press for answers, a flash of blade light tore through Spacetime, ascending from downstream. The flowing time reflected the reddish-hued, blood-like lunar crimson blade.
A single strike, sharp enough to effortlessly cleave a Worldline, descended, carrying an intensely fierce blade intent. Star Silver had finally ascended to this point. Though silent, his objective was clear.
He and Mei were born in the same era. Star Silver, in later generations, had stepped into Tier 8. His ascent upstream would inevitably lead to another confrontation with Mei at this point in time.
This was unavoidable.
Though they knew each other, the path of rebellion was cruelly thus. The Star Spirit King and Origin were the same. Either he would cleave Mei's worldline, or Mei would defeat him.
The greatest tragedy lay here: Star Silver didn't even know that Mei had just taken control of the Void's Origin. His path of rebellion was destined to fail.
Mei also remained silent. There was no need for pleasantries. Star Silver was a true powerhouse of that kind. Even if he knew Mei had already taken control of the Void's Origin, an insurmountable existence, he would still unflinchingly strike.
Either live, or die.
Mei turned and stepped deeper into the cosmos, flicking her finger at the Void World's Timeline. A ripple of Aura surged, instantly and devastatingly erasing the blade light.
Then, the crimson blade shattered into countless fragments before Star Silver's eyes. His expression was one of astonishment, then calm acceptance. Subsequently, his form and spirit were utterly annihilated; he ceased to exist.
So it was. The disparity was that immense.
The Star Spirit King still wanted to ask questions, but Mei was gone. He had no choice but to suppress the doubts in his heart. It had to be said, Mei was becoming increasingly unfathomable.
Before, he could discern Mei possessed unique Tier 8 power. Now, she was completely incalculable; her rate of progress was truly terrifying.
"Did she succeed or not?"
The Star Spirit King murmured.
...
[Ding]
[Void Ruin marked]
[Proceed to explore?]
The faith marker network notification chimed.
Mei opened the faith marker network, slightly surprised. The appearance of a void ruin immediately livened up the suitable users, turning the interface into a festival.
[Release the Hounds: Alright, new map! Time to clear it!]
[I'm a Slippery Shovel: Useless old man, let's team up! Scheming bastard, get lost!]
[Dreaming of Passing: New map clearing, three needed, one missing! Useless old man, don't come!]
The familiar three names rapidly scrolled. These three seemed to do nothing all day but immerse themselves in the faith marker network, serving as representative figures for their respective factions.
She silently observed the screen, examining this new function. She quickly understood the situation: in short, it was ruin exploration.
How many voids truly existed remained an unanswered question. Perhaps infinite, perhaps finite; even the two great Spaces likely couldn't answer that.
New voids were constantly being discovered by the two great Spaces and then anchored. Similarly, some void origins were utterly shattered by high-level entities, leaving them beyond recovery or recreation.
The so-called void ruins referred to these shattered void origins. Within the fragmented void lingered the power of high-level entities, making them incredibly dangerous.
Yet, they were also highly valuable for exploration.
Once the faith marker network detected such a void ruin, it would send coordinate notifications to suitable users. These users could then use the coordinates to explore newly discovered void ruins.
Furthermore, to alleviate concerns, the faith marker network added an extra layer of assurance: it would directly suppress with its own inherent power, prohibiting suitable users from tracing back origins.
Only then could suitable users confidently enter the ruins for exploration. As for surviving once inside, that was entirely up to their own strength and irrelevant to the faith marker network.
This function was absolutely necessary because Mei herself had once done something similar.
"Void ruins..."
After a moment's thought, Mei decided to take a look.
She was very interested in void ruins and also wanted to see what level of power other Void Overlords possessed. She wanted to confirm if anyone else existed at her level.
She wanted to ascertain the strength of other hidden enemy forces in this dark forest. Regardless, she needed a general understanding of the infinite voids.
Also, how to advance to Tier 9 after Tier 8?
Mei had to find a path to a higher status. Forbidden Tier 8 was not her limit; she could become stronger and step into a higher echelon.
With a thought, Mei made her choice on the faith marker network.
[Proceed to explore]
At that moment, Mei's figure vanished. Through the faith marker network's coordinate teleportation function, she instantly traversed infinite distances, appearing in a shattered void.
The origin had been broken, which meant the worldline extending from the origin no longer existed. The concepts of time and space subsequently collapsed.
Countless fragments drifted in the void. Each fragment was once a part of some void, bearing countless universes and civilizations.
As the origin shattered and spacetime collapsed, everything froze in an instant. Countless civilizations were eternally suspended in that moment.
They hadn't been destroyed or died, but they possessed no life force. All people, events, and objects were like static statues in a museum, waiting to be observed.
In such spacetime, if one hadn't converged spacetime and all possibilities into their unique self, they wouldn't qualify to enter. Otherwise, they would become mere grave goods.
Tier 8.
That was the rigid entry requirement for void ruins.
"Brother, over here!"
"Damn it, I finally caught you, you little bastard! You're not getting away this time!"
"When did I ever run? Didn't get enough last time, huh? Come on then, who's afraid of whom is a grandson!"
Mei was relatively late. As soon as she entered the void ruin, she sensed many thoughts sweeping through the void—some chatting idly, some old rivals, all sorts of exchanges.
A brief sensation of these individuals' power levels allowed Mei to discern their fundamental nature. Most of these Void Overlords were Tier 8, with only a very few possessing deeper, stronger power.
Tier 9!
Tier 8 was known as the multi-dimensional tier, while Tier 9 was known as the void tier. Comparing the two, if a battle among a group of Tier 8s could lead to the destruction of a void, then a Tier 9 could instantly annihilate one.
Not only that.
Tier 9 could also locate other voids without external aid, traveling across infinite voids purely by their own power.
It was like the difference between Tier 7 and Tier 8.
Mei, however, didn't feel the difference was that significant. She had never, at Tier 8, felt the oppressive presence or power disparity when facing a Tier 9.
She was still only Tier 8, but when she was on the 100th floor of Endless Space, those Tier 10 beings all trembled and submitted at her sight.
Therefore, for Tier 9 beings, Mei had only three words of assessment.
"Can be defeated."
She roughly calculated that, among the high-ranking entities entering this void ruin, the proportion of Tier 9 was approximately one in a trillion, a rather exaggerated number.
Currently, there were fewer than ten Tier 9s in this ruin. Mei observed and unexpectedly found no one possessing Tier 10 power.
In summary, they were not as strong as the entities on the 100th floor of Endless Space.
Furthermore, there was a particularly interesting phenomenon: most Tier 8s possessed unique levels, yet not a single Tier 9 did.
Mei could guess the reason for this. The ultimate victor in rebelling against the void's origin was either a supreme Tier 8 who overpowered their peers or a Tier 9 who absolutely dominated all Tier 8s.
"Be careful, the void tide is coming!"
Suddenly, a terrifyingly powerful force emerged from the depths of the void ruin. Wherever it passed, all entities, whether Tier 8 or Tier 9, hurriedly scattered, fearing they couldn't escape in time.
This was the lingering power of the high-level entity that had destroyed this void.
Mei understood instantly.
"The residual power of a Tier 10 entity."
She felt no fear towards it. Then, another voice reached her.
"Friend, it's better to keep a distance; getting caught in it is dangerous."
Mei turned her head.
She saw a familiar face.
Breatly, from Hyperdimensional Space's Raitei Legion.
"Familiar face" was perhaps an overstatement; Mei's understanding of Breatly was limited to him being a high-ranking member of Hyperdimensional Space's Raitei Legion.
How high, she didn't know.
Mei had only met Breatly twice, when she was wholesaling equipment in Space.
This was their first encounter outside Hyperdimensional Space. Before Mei, Breatly's strength was unconcealed: a Tier 9.
A top-tier Tier 9 powerhouse.
Conversely, Breatly couldn't discern Mei's depth at all. She was profound, transcendent, and mysterious, yet didn't seem like a Tier 10 entity. Breatly had faced Tier 10s before, and the feeling Mei gave him was different.
He felt Mei should be a top-tier Tier 9, no weaker than himself, but not yet having stepped into Tier 10. This was the most likely possibility.
Mei was accustomed to being low-key and cautious. After all, it was her first time exploring the infinite voids. Being overly flamboyant carried high risks.
An Apeiron was powerful, but definitely not invincible. If Mei were truly invincible, she would at this moment possess the authority and abilities to transcend Hyperdimensional Space.
Clearly, she didn't possess such power yet.
Mei still couldn't see the full scope or true power of Hyperdimensional Space.
The void tide came quickly and left quickly. Ultimately, it didn't reach Mei's position. Breatly observed the turbulent power surging in the void, his expression profound.
"The lingering power of a Tier 10, huh..."
He no longer knew how many years he had been stuck at Tier 9, billions or trillions of years. It was a situation beyond numerical measurement.
Breatly yearned intensely to ascend to a higher level, which was why he chose to try his luck in the void ruins. He then smiled at Mei.
"It seems we're quite fated. To meet in such a vast void, the probability is almost infinitesimally close to zero."
Mei nodded.
"Roughly."
While waiting for the void tide to recede, the two conversed intermittently. Breatly asked Mei, "Do you remember how many years you've been stuck at Tier 9?"
"..."
Mei didn't answer.
No one would believe her if she did. The word "stuck" was completely alien to Mei. Far from being stuck, she had been on a rocket-like ascent without pause.
Also, she was still only Tier 8; she couldn't say how long she'd been stuck at Tier 9.
The void tide came and went silently. Only the universes within the shattered void, caught in its grasp, collapsed in an instant. Rich civilizations and boundless universes were rendered infinitesimally meaningless, becoming mere husks after the tide receded.
"This period of time is so long I don't remember it at all."
With a sigh, Breatly stepped into a fragment within the void, as if something had been left behind in the wreckage after the void tide receded.
At that moment, Mei's gaze, however, turned towards the depths of the shattered void, a forbidden zone filled with the power of the void tide, where no one dared to tread.
Just as a crowd flooded into the void ruin for exploration, suddenly, the void tide, having receded, returned again, sweeping in with even more astonishing momentum, like an endless ocean instantly devouring the world.
"DACTH!!!"
Vast.
Ancient.
Turbulent power swept across the void. A maddened roar erupted from the depths of the void tide. Even a wisp of its lingering aura sent shivers through the minds of Tier 8 and even Tier 9 beings, their faces etched with horror.
"DA... CTH!!!"
The void tide surged like a raging sea. An impossibly colossal hand emerged from its depths, instantly crushing countless void fragments, annihilating and destroying everything with overwhelming force.
Within its residual might, an incomprehensibly powerful force swept through. Tier 8 and Tier 9 beings were like ants, leaving no trace, utterly powerless to resist.
"How is this possible?!"
Everyone who had just been scrambling to explore the ruin now felt their souls chill, terrified. Those caught in its path could only despairingly embrace death.
Seeing this, Breatly's pupils contracted, horrified beyond measure.
"A Tier 10 entity's corpse?!!"
He never imagined that a Tier 10 entity's corpse lay dormant within this void ruin. However, by the time he realized this, it was too late.
BOOM!
The aura of the Tier 10 corpse swept through. Breatly was instantly annihilated, his existence, concepts, and the Root formed by them exposed, with nowhere to hide.
Just as Breatly's Root was about to be erased, a miraculous light bloomed from within the Root. The immense power to completely reverse despair and impossibility surged madly.
Then, using the Root as a foundation, it rapidly reconstructed Breatly's concepts, information, and individual existence: a power entirely comparable to that of the Tier 10 corpse.
This was Breatly's most crucial life-saving item, and his only Tier 10 item. He had painstakingly accumulated it within the Legion.
Yet, just like that, it was gone.
But at least his life was saved.
Breatly's face showed no discernible emotion. He had prepared this item precisely for emergencies, and now that it had served its purpose, he felt no regret.
After reviving, he decisively ended his ruin expedition, returning to his own void via the faith marker network, not daring to linger for another second.
Extremely swift and decisive.
The higher the level, the harder it was to be completely erased. Battles between same-tier beings above Tier 8, if not for exceptionally powerful items and equipment dictating the final outcome, often found it difficult to determine life or death.
The defeated, though not completely dead, were not truly alive either. Their existence, information, and root concepts were shattered and incomplete, leaving them in a semi-dead state.
This Tier 10 corpse was in such a situation.
"Damn it, run!"
"Hell, this is truly terrible luck!"
Suitable users who hadn't delved too deep into the void ruin were fortunate to save their lives, and they swore and grumbled as they chose to return to their own voids.
In this situation, further exploration was impossible.
Only Mei watched the depths of the void with some interest. While everyone else feared being a step too slow, she, conversely, stepped deeper into the ruin.
Those who saw her were astonished.
"Hey, turn back, you fool!"
"Don't seek death like that!"
But looking again, Mei's figure was gone.
The arm that had emerged from the depths of the void tide also retracted, seemingly falling silent once more. A Tier 9 fat man, seeing the ruin calm down again, his eyes flickered.
"The so-called seeking fortune in danger..."
Thinking this, he turned and, with closed eyes, re-entered the ruin.
At the deepest part of the ruin, a colossal and magnificent corpse floated there, surrounded by shattered armor and weapon fragments. The void tide, fluctuating unpredictably, was merely its breath.
The corpse opened its eyes, seeing a figure appear before it. Infinite killing intent instantly erupted, capable of destroying countless void powers, yet when released, it caused not a ripple.
"DAC..."
BOOM.
With a single glance from Mei, infinite power suppressed it, preventing the corpse from uttering another word.
Too noisy.