"Look there, Great One," the Adjudicator said, pointing at the Ultimate Barrier of Ruination.
Aengus followed his gaze, his expression turning solemn.
"The shield that has protected us from the unknown for eons is showing signs of cracking. And some kind of ominous aura is already seeping through, affecting the Creation. Multiple worlds have already been targeted by the corruption. They have all turned into red, decaying planets, their essence crumbling away."
As the Adjudicator spoke, visions appeared like projections before Aengus, showing the devastation.
The cracks were incredibly small, almost microscopic, yet the damage they caused was really immense.
It was a matter of grave concern.
If nothing was done, eventually, everything would collapse.
And to repair the Ultimate Shield of the Omniverse, no ordinary power would be enough.
Because it was forged from pure, potent Ruination Energy at its source.
In his previous reincarnations nothing had happened this sort of thing. It was something newâa Deviation.
However, the Solution for this problem do exist.
To fix this, Aengus would need to obtain his Ruination Source Power.
So he turned to the Adjudicator, the keeper of balance.
"The only way to fix this... You know what I need, right?" Aengus asked.
The Adjudicator dispelled the projections and nodded respectfully.
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"Yes, I am aware, Great One. That is why I called you. I know a place where you might find the Ruination Source Power."
"Okay, then why waste time? Lead me there," Aengus said casually, though his eyes scanned everythingâincluding the Adjudicatorâseeking any hint of deception or betrayal.
"You donât need to suspect me, Great One. I can feel your penetrating gaze," the Adjudicator remarked nonchalantly.
Cough!
Aengus cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed.
"Anyway...â
He coughed lightly before motioning for the Adjudicator to lead the way.
With a swift motion of the Adjudicatorâs sleeves, they vanished and reappeared in an empty void.
All around them, an infinite number of realities were arranged like an enormous bookshelf, each section holding countless mirrored glass slates. Every glass slate was a reality unto itself.
It felt as if they could shatter the fragile-looking mirrors with just a touch, but Aengus knew better. Even with his galaxy-level power, he wouldnât be able to leave so much as a scratch on them.
"The last I observed, it was hiding in one of these realities, Great One. I will send you through each of themâlet me know when you find it. That is, I will come to pick you up, because these realities can be dangerous if one of them breaks," the Adjudicator said, correcting himself.
"Proceed..." Aengus agreed without hesitation, as he too could sense the Source Power nearby.
With a mere gesture of the Adjudicatorâs sleeve, Aengus was instantly teleportedâappearing in a vast world filled with greenery and untouched nature.
"Manas, quick, use your Universal power to search for it," Aengus instructed urgently.
"Search complete. Itâs not here, Master," Manas replied in her matured heavenly voice.
Aengus couldnât find anything either. He scanned through the past, present, and future across the vast universe, stretching his sight as far as possibleâyet, there was no trace of the Ruination Source Power.
However, Aengus could sense the prying eyes of the Adjudicator.
"Youâre taking a great gamble, Master. You know he isnât real, right?" Manasâ worried voice echoed in his mind.
Aengus sighed.
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"I know... But to trace back the Source Power quickly, I have to use that imposterâs help. Once I get my hands on my Source, he wonât be a concern. Trust me," Aengus reassured.
The first time Aengus laid eyes on the Adjudicator, his divine vision revealed the truth about the being before him. The Adjudicator had tried to conceal it, of course, but he couldnât deceive the Eyes of Qargathâeyes that could see through his entire existence down to the tiniest essence.
It was true that the real Adjudicator had been watching over him through Black and White, ensuring his safe reincarnation. But at some point, something had changed. The true Adjudicator had been replacedâor more precisely, he had been corrupted by another entity.
Just like what had happened with Aria.
Perhaps that unknown entity was already near the Omniverse, slowly revealing its fangs.
"I hope it goes as you planned. Your power level has increased to Firmament 8, Master. You will reach Universal-level power very soon," Manas informed.
Aengus nodded internally, maintaining his composure as he signaled the Adjudicator to transport him from this reality.
He was no foolâcunning and opportunistic, he would use his enemyâs strength to locate his Source Power. Otherwise, finding it alone could take months, or even years, given the slow pace of his current strength recovery.
Suddenly, his surroundings shifted.
He found himself standing in the middle of a bustling street. Humans walked past him, dressed in ancient robes. Some wore disciple garments, akin to martial artists from a sect.
He quickly realizedâthis was a universe where Martial and Immortal Cultivation thrived, a world where power was pursued relentlessly.
But he didnât linger.
Aengus soared into the sky, his figure vanishing in an instant as he began scanning the universe at extreme speed.
He observed countless worlds, stars, and galaxies, searching for any sign of the Ruination Source Power.
The strongest cultivators in this realmâthose who had lived for millenniaâbarely caught a glimpse of flashing lights in the distant skies. Yet, despite their immense lifespans and profound insights, they had no clue what they had just witnessed.
"Great Ancestor, what are you looking at? Do you wish to defy the heavens once again?"
"No⌠something beyond that," the old man replied, his ancient gaze filled with longing, as if he wished to unravel a profound secret hidden within their realm.
Meanwhile, after thoroughly surveying the Cultivation Realm, Aengus finally paused.
"Itâs not here," he muttered in disappointment.
And just like thatâhis surroundings shifted once more.
This time, he appeared on a grand battlefield where humans engaged in fierce battles, not alone, but alongside with their powerful beast companions.
Aengus quickly realizedâhe was now in a Summonersâ Realm, a universe where strength was cultivated not only through personal power but through the taming and training of mystical beasts.
"Whoosh!"
Without wasting time, he moved again.
His figure flickered across the Summoners realm at unimaginable speed, scouring every nook and cranny.