We have some time . -
Zac stepped through the gate , appearing on the teleportation square in his Draugr form . He couldn’t even remember the chill of the Everfrost Isles , only the heat . Catheya had always been passionate , but she had really gone all-out the past month . They’d spent two extra weeks inside the Red Zone , and he hadn’t even noticed .
I need to enter seclusion , - Catheya hummed to the side .
Ah? - Zac said , dragged out of his dreamlike state .
Will you be okay on your own? - Catheya asked with a smile that spoke volumes .
Maybe one more mission? - Zac ventured , his blood stirring at the thought .
Catheya playfully fiddled with his fingers as she leaned closer , but Zac froze when he only got a small peck . - Next time . -
Zac inwardly grumbled , but she needed to do this . Catheya had grasped a great opportunity , and it was time for her to figure out how to make the most of it . To think she’d suddenly learn the elusive ability of Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization . It was much rarer than intent or technique and generally considered impossible to train . Attaining harmonization was considered a matter of talent and fate , like stumbling onto a lucky opportunity .
The ability was quite impressive . Catheya had become one with the world when she entered that state . More importantly , it allowed her to draw upon a small part of the environment’s power , augmenting her strength while saving on energy consumption . Even when just having grasped the new ability , Catheya’s skills had gotten around 10% stronger . Given enough time , that number was sure to increase .
It was a free boost akin to having a second Cultivation Manual , but it wasn’t without limitations . The biggest problem with Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization was that it wasn’t always useful . In Catheya’s case , she could only really draw upon the skill when the Heavens and Earth were aligned to her path . In other words , an icy and deathly environment . The better the match , the more power she could extract from her surroundings . In contrast , the effect was almost negligible in environments not aligned with her Dao .
But what if you could turn the world around you into an image of your Dao?
That was the best solution they’d come up with while traversing the Everfrost Isles . To form a bridge between the environment and yourself , allowing you to draw on its power even when you didn’t have a natural affinity . This wasn’t something new or groundbreaking . Catheya wasn’t an expert on the subject , but she’d heard it was a popular method , and she had two ways to accomplish this .
The first was through using items , such as formations . She already had some experience in that regard , engraving simple arrays onto icicles she formed . Of course , it was only a small interest on her part and mostly geared toward Lich Arts . But she possessed talent in the subject and could pick up the required techniques . The Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization could even alleviate one of the biggest drawbacks of Formation Masters : the large energy expenditure .
The second option was to work towards forming a domain . Catheya always had one of the greatest Dao affinities of her generation in Clan Sharva’Zi , and her various encounters and opportunities pushed those even further . Yet , she hadn’t formed intent , a domain , or something like his techniques .
This was an intentional choice on her part . Her cultivation path had been in flux since the Twilight Ocean , where various opportunities opened new doors for her . She was also unsure what role she saw herself taking—being more of a supportive caster and group leader or being an outright mage combatant . As such , she’d remained reluctant to transform her understanding of Dao since it was hard to undo something like that .
However , now that she’d attained Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization , it was time for her to pick a direction . Forming a Dao domain now seemed superior to intent or technique . It was also a much simpler solution than working with formations since it didn’t force you to rely on equipment .
The problem was that this solution was extremely difficult . Harmonization internalizes outside Dao to elevate your own , while domains externalize one’s Dao to enforce it onto the world around you . They were essentially opposing theories . Practicing both could be considered a paradox . Yet it was possible , and Catheya believed she had already taken the first steps in this direction .
Both domain and formations were great options that would not just create synergy with the Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization , but also directly improve her strength . She could even pick both to create an incredibly powerful cultivation system where all fed into each other . However , it was probably better to focus on one or the other before Ultom , mastering one aspect over having middling accomplishments in two .
Either way , she finally found her path forward , and Zac’s heart sang from seeing the unadulterated joy in Catheya’s eyes . Even then , their discussion weighed heavily in the back of his mind . He’d so grandly proclaimed they’d make their own fate , but you needed power for that . Power they didn’t have , even if everything went perfectly in the Perennial Vastness and beyond .
Thankfully , he’d already found a solution : the Hollow Court . The problems that had kept them both up at night could be solved with one word from the Primo . Not even the Supremacies of the Abyssal Shores would dare have any differing opinion if he put his foot down .
It was an easy trade . A treasure for freedom . He just needed to survive snatching it .
70
UNION
Remember , if you want me to lean on you , you better be strong enough . -
With that , Catheya sashayed away , her swaying hips creating a hypnotizing dance that brought back some soul-stirring memories from the past month . Zac only snapped out of the trance as Catheya turned a corner after throwing him a final wink .
Vixen , - Zac muttered with a smile as he turned to his own storefront .
Zac had some ideas about why Catheya acted the way she did , apart from being in a good mood after breaking through . He’d have to be a fool to stop her . Their time inside the Perennial Vastness was limited , so why not enjoy it? They could be dead tomorrow , and there was no point in leaving behind any regrets . And they hadn’t only fooled around . They took some extra time , sure , but both accomplished their goals .
There was only one missing piece to the Omnitool now , though there was no immediate urgency for him to fetch it . The hammer could withstand the Dao-filled environment for over three hours already , which was more than enough to continue working on adding a second Cosmic Cycle to an F-grade tool .
The past year had proven that Cosmic Forge] was not only the key to creating a working Core Formation Method . It was the key to passing through Hegemony .
The prospect of forming a High-quality Cosmic Core right out the gate felt increasingly distant the more details he added to his plan . The glossed-over sections from when he first put together the step-by-step method hid hard-to-solve issues when put under a magnifying glass . At the same time , he didn’t have any Cultivation Manual that would refine his core , leaving him with no choice but to add more treasures in the future to push it from Middle to Peak-quality .
His Cosmic Core needed to be ready for that .
Today , he could add twenty-eight layers to his practice axes , just six short of a second Cosmic Cycle . But those axes had maxed out their potential . There was no way they’d ever manage to withstand completing the cycle . As for adding a third and a fourth? Forget about it .
The same thing could be said for his Cosmic Core . It wasn’t enough for him to form a Middle-quality Cosmic Core . He needed to do it in a way where he ended up with a stable product whose potential wasn’t exhausted . If not , he would be in serious trouble . Hegemony wasn’t like the E-grade . The stage couldn’t be brute forced , even if you had pills and treasures at your beck and call .