Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2868 - 2869: The Truth Behind Cosmic Realms

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The Heavenly Being Stage consisted of accepting oneʼs fate while embodying oneʼs madness to overcome it. It meant knowing what awaited you, acknowledging it as inevitable, and yet daring to defy it all the same. Each stage forged a Heavenly Circle that absorbed oneʼs Madness across Four Stages.

For someone like Kireina, who embodied Madness itself, this seed of turmoil was extraordinarily potent. Her prior achievement of the Fifth Stage in the Manifestation of the Heart Path proved more than sufficient.

This realm demanded no effort from her. It had been complete from the very beginning.

Her Heavenly Circle absorbed her madness and radiated it outward like a halo. This Madness fused with her Will to both accept Fate and walk alongside it.

The Third Stage of the Grazing Heaven Philosophy completed instantly as well. Kireina grasped the Heavenly Power within it, fully absorbed the Formula, and reached the Peak of Heavenly Being in mere seconds.

”I see. As a fellow Heart Path cultivator, your Madness spills everywhere,” Wasp sighed. ”I cannot imagine what you endured in those memories of your past life, young lady. But I acknowledge that your Pain surpasses even mine.”

”It is not something I want anyone to acknowledge. It is simply tragic,” Kireina whispered, tears tracing down her cheeks as immense Divine Power surged through her body and soul. ”Still, it feels good to skip this realm thanks to the efforts I already accumulated.”

”It was much the same for me,” Wasp nodded. ”Now, at the Heavenly Stage, you are ready to ascend further to the Four World Axis. But first, advance your Earth Path Method to match this realm. Our constant battles and training should have prepared you.”

”Just like before, then...” Kireina closed her eyes and unleashed her Inner Channels, letting Ki, Soul, and even Fate Energy erupt within her.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

After a full day of agonizing cultivation, Kireinaʼs Earth Path Method aligned with Heavenly Being. Her entire body evolved as every cell transformed.

”Wow...!”

Having already mastered her Human Form, Kireina now attained her Beast Form, becoming a gigantic black butterfly with shimmering purple wings and large red eyes.

”Ah... I understand.”

Wasp gazed at her in quiet admiration. As an insect himself, he appreciated her beauty more deeply than most could.

Kireina disliked the giant insect shape, however, and swiftly returned to her Fairy form.

At this Dual Cultivation of Heaven and Earth Stage, Kireinaʼs physical body now held the power to overturn continents and cleave the sky with her fists.

Since she had achieved Heavenly Being twice, her true strength far exceeded that, reaching the beginner stages of Four World Axis.

The power felt overwhelming. Soul Flames and Heavenly Essence intertwined around her body and soul, surging to form her Heavenly Circle. Her Nascent Soul matured rapidly, growing from its fetal form to full adulthood through the Four Stages she had bypassed.

It felt like having a second—no, a third—body. Her true physical form, her Human-like Nascent Soul, and her Beast-like Nascent Soul.

Kireina could sense it clearly. She had become vastly more powerful.

Even without considering her Heart Path Cultivation, she had previously stood at the Peak of Star Devourer, touching Nebula Assimilator.

Now she had reached the peak of Nebula Assimilator and stepped into Black Hole Forger.

In the Cosmic Ranks, she would normally need to absorb a Black Hole next.

But she realized such requirements were meaningless. They stemmed from methods designed for Cosmic Beasts, which Gods had merely imitated.

Cultivation was the true path to power.

Cosmic Beasts devoured Planets, Stars, Nebulas, Black Holes, and Galaxies to grow larger and stronger.

Yet that was not the ultimate way, at least not until reaching Star Shattering.

She also understood that Cosmic Energy was simply the Essence of Heaven and Earth condensed to its purest form, though incredibly chaotic.

It was powerful and had elevated this world to greater heights, but it was not essential. Like Noah and others, she had discovered how to generate her own Cosmic Energy without assimilating celestial bodies.

By channeling the Swift Wind Cicada Method, Kireina drew upon the power of Heaven, gathering Storms and Thunder around her to form a radiant pair of exquisite wings.

”I am in awe...” Wasp murmured. ”In less than two months, you have accomplished what others might need hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years to achieve.”

”Hm...” Kireina sank deep into thought. Each Stage had unveiled more truths about existence and even her own origins. ”Now that I have reached this point, the Four World Axis comes next, correct?”

”Yes,” Wasp confirmed. ”For that, I can offer two Methods. The Four Stations Cicada Molting Method, or the Four Cursed Abyssal Spider Eyes Method. The first draws power from the Stations to forge the axes. The second harnesses Curses and Madness. It is faster, but it risks consuming you instead.”

”Axes...” Kireina repeated softly. ”What exactly are they?”

”World Axes are accumulations of Blessings,” Wasp explained. ”You must obtain them either by stealing an Elemental Axis from another cultivator at this Stage or by seizing Lifespan from mortals.”

”...!” Kireinaʼs mind turned to her Cosmic Realm, home to billions of mortals.

”The Methods from my Legacy will ease that process. I also have a Spirit Sol Connection Stone prepared. You can descend your Consciousness into the World to grant Blessings to people in the Physical Realm and Spirit Domains,” he continued. ”In exchange, they will offer lifespan. It takes a very long time, so your cultivation may pause here. We can focus on other training instead.”

”No. I believe I can do it quickly,” Kireina smiled faintly.

”...What?” Waspʼs eyebrows twitched in disbelief. ”Kireina, you have already reached an absurd level of Cultivation! How could you possibly— Ah!”

His eyes widened as Kireina grasped the Stone and channeled its power toward her Cosmic Realm.

Drawing upon the Blessings she had already bestowed as a Goddess upon billions, Kireina gently claimed a small portion of Lifespan.

She targeted powerful Gods with vast lifespans, taking only fifty years from each.

In mere seconds, ten thousand years of lifespan accumulated. Without a Method, however, she could not yet guide it properly.

”Can you teach me both methods?” Kireina asked calmly.

A Heaven-defying talent.

At last, Wasp truly began to comprehend the immense greatness within Kireina.

”...Very well,” he nodded, inwardly awed, and handed her the two scrolls.

Kireina absorbed their knowledge in a single day and pressed forward.

Both the Four Stations Cicada Molting Method and the Four Cursed Abyssal Spider Eyes Method were profound and beautiful.

The first allowed her to embody her Soul as a Cicada that molted with each station.

The First Axis, Autumn: the Cicada hatches from its egg and feeds beneath the soil.

The Second Axis, Winter: the Cicada grows, then enters dormancy and insulation.

The Third Axis, Spring: the Cicada emerges and undergoes beautiful metamorphosis.

The Fourth Axis, Summer: the Cicada sings, mates, and dies.

This Insectoid Path Cultivation Method of the Four Axes embodied the Cicadaʼs brief yet radiant life, bound to the Four Stations. It was simple to understand, embody, and gradually form.

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