During this month, Lu Yin rolled a four on his die and spent nearly a year in his Timestop Space. He spent that time meditating on the Fifth Mainland. When he emerged and rolled his die for a second round, he was surprised when he failed to roll Timestop even once out of the four rolls.
After ten days, he rolled the die again, and when he got Timestop on his first roll, he immediately continued his meditation session.
The scenery around him changed as Lu Yin returned to the real world. Only a second had passed while he had spent nearly a year in his Timestop Space.
Already, he had spent nearly two years meditating on the Fifth Mainland.
The Wordless Heavenly Book floated in front of him as Lu Yin began to recite the Origin Progenitor’s Sutra. After all, the Origin Sutra was what had triggered the tribulation that eventually became this inner world. In the past, Lu Yin had not thought much about that connection, but he was trying to explore all possible avenues.
As he recited the Origin Sutra, the Wordless Heavenly Book started to emit a faint light, and various voices began to ring out around Lu Yin.
"You little brat! Hand the money over, or else I'll kill you!"
"Don't! I want to cultivate! This is all the star energy I have left."
"Get lost..."
"Master, look, it’s Dao Monarch Lu’s statue."
"Come and show some respect. If not for Dao Monarch Lu, who knows what the Fifth Mainland would be like?"
"Alright..."
"Grandmother, I don't want to cultivate anymore."
"Why not, child?"
"Little Ke’s family bought an energy converter, and now they have the strength of a Hunter. How long will I have to cultivate for to reach that level? There aren’t any wars now, so it doesn’t matter if I don’t cultivate. Let’s just buy an energy converter."
"Nonsense! You know that cultivation is fundamental."
"But there aren’t any enemies now. I'd rather enjoy myself."
"You fool! If war erupts again, everyone who doesn’t cultivate will be completely useless. Even if our family is wiped out, if you cultivate, there will still come a day when you can rise back up. Little Ke’s family lacks foresight, but can our family afford to do that? The peace that Dao Monarch Lu achieved was not easily obtained, and it’s not something for you to squander. Kneel before the Dao Monarch’s statue and apologize..."
Lu Yin’s eyes snapped back open, complex motions flitting across his eyes. The universe was a busy place that was filled with countless creatures, each with their own lives. Cultivation carried certain harsh realities with it, while peace brought its own discomforts. God’s Domain was a prime example of this. If the day ever came when the Divine Maiden was unable to hold back Di Qiong, God’s Domain would be absolutely and completely destroyed.
A person could never allow themselves to stop walking the path that they had chosen, even if that path became twisted and winding.
Was humanity at peace? Of course not, but there were certain details that could not be shared, which meant that an alternative path to war needed to be offered.
A few days later, the Heavens Sect released an announcement, declaring that the Sixverse Tournament would soon be held. There would be separate categories for the various cultivation levels that matched the Sentinel, Melder, Limiteer, Explorer, Cruiser, Hunter, Enlighter, and Envoy realms. There would be combat tournaments for each category so that the strongest within a given realm could be determined. The winners would be allowed to join the Heavens Sect and cultivate there while receiving focused training and resources provided by the Sixverse Association. This was to prepare for the looming war.
The announcement caused the entire Sixverse Association to erupt.
As soon as any information regarding the First Scourge was leaked, Aeternus had sealed off the First Scourge and hunkered down. This isolationist policy had led most of the Sixverse Association to feel relaxed and at ease. The forthcoming tournament rekindled a fiery enthusiasm in countless hearts.
Who did not want to leave a mark of their own in history?
This tournament would be held for each cultivation level, including even Sentinels. This would give many people an opportunity to rise high.
At that moment, countless people from across the Sixverse Association decided that they would shine in the tournament.
Lu Yin closed his eyes while reciting the Origin Progenitor's Sutra. Once again, he heard the voices of the busy universe start to speak.
"I want to compete! I want to be the best!"
"Little brat, do you really think that you can win?"
"Father, if I win, there’s no limit to what I’ll be able to accomplish in the future. What could anyone possibly want what the winner won’t have?"
"That’s true, hahaha. Go for it, son. Your father will support you. I’ll steal whatever you need..."
"Master, I’m sure to win! I have no peers among Limiteers!"
"Hehe, your master will do everything possible to help you. When you win the tournament and meet Dao Monarch Lu, say hello to him for me."
"Yes, Master..."
"My son, you must excel and make our Fifth Mainland proud."
"For this Sixverse Tournament, our Fifth Mainland must win in each category! We cannot disgrace Dao Monarch Lu..."