The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2618: The Collapsing Lightning Emperor and Zero Mint

“Raise, Caeloryx.”

The moment those words left Zarak’s mouth, the saber’s power surged to an entirely new level. Its aura exploded outward, filling the Scarlet Throne with a pressure so immense that even the rivers and mountains trembled in response. The blade itself began to change. The deep blue-black metal dissolved into flowing streams of azure liquid before solidifying once more, constantly reshaping between water and steel.

The saber expanded in size, its edge growing longer and more jagged as mysterious patterns spread across its surface. Those shifting marks moved endlessly, impossible to predict even for an Alpha Omega Overgod. At the same time, a translucent azure dragon emerged from the hilt, coiling around Zarak’s arm and shoulder before fusing with him completely.

Cain’s eyes widened.

“What did you do?”

Even though he was the creator of this Path of Power, what Zarak had just unleashed exceeded every expectation. Cain had never imagined such a transformation could occur.

Zarak remained silent for several moments. The sudden flood of power coursing through him was overwhelming, and countless streams of knowledge were pouring directly into his soul from the weapon itself. He needed time to adapt.

As he gazed at the saber, he no longer saw a mere weapon forged from a Chimera Will. What rested in his grip was alive. It was an entity bound to his existence, one capable of granting him access to powers far beyond anything he should possess at his current cultivation level.

The aura radiating from Zarak climbed higher and higher until it finally stabilized at a terrifying level.

He had crossed beyond the Peak ArchDeity Rank.

He now stood at the threshold of the Half-Step Alpha Omega Overgod Realm.

Only after stabilizing the immense force surging through his body did Zarak turn toward Cain and speak in a solemn voice.

“I was able to connect with the Chimera Will and help it overcome the chaos created by countless fused wills. In exchange, Caeloryx granted me his name, allowing him to unleash his true power.”

Cain’s pupils contracted before a wave of enlightenment surged through his mind.

“That is the Power of Chaos…”

Everything suddenly became clear.

From the very beginning, Cain had poured every aspect of his existence into the creation of this Path of Power. His mastery over souls and will had been essential, but one force had always stood at the center of everything: the Power of Chaos.

It was the force that allowed incompatible wills to merge into a single vessel without collapsing.

It was also the force that had influenced Zarak for decades as he fought beside the Scarlet King.

Of course, Zarak himself could not wield the Power of Chaos. That was impossible. Yet his soul had been shaped by prolonged exposure to it. Through that influence, combined with his extraordinary wisdom and willpower, he had managed to resonate with the Chimera Will rather than suppress it.

Instead of domination, he had achieved understanding.

And in return, the Chimera Will had acknowledged him.

It had given him its true name.

“Amazing!”

Cain could not stop himself from shouting in excitement.

This result surpassed even his greatest expectations.

Not only did this new Path of Power strengthen every aspect of a warrior—body, soul, energy, and will—while continuously evolving toward the limits of the Third Realm, but it also possessed the potential to awaken unique abilities similar to those granted by Ancestor Drops.

Granted, the powers awakened through the Chimera Will were nowhere near the level of abilities like Quietus or Emptiness. Yet this was only the beginning.

Who could say what this path might evolve into in the future?

And the best part was that it blended perfectly with every other cultivation path. It imposed no restrictions whatsoever. Instead, it enhanced them all.

As long as the Scarlet Throne continued to absorb souls and energy, there would theoretically be no limit to the growth of the Chimera Wills or the number that could be forged.

Everything was progressing perfectly.

Now only one final step remained.

Cain waved his hand, summoning the scarlet gate he had forged earlier. The tiny construct radiated golden and crimson light as it floated before him.

The moment Zarak sensed the solemnity in Cain’s gaze, he returned Caeloryx to the Evolved Scarlet Star and focused himself completely.

Then he nodded.

Without hesitation, Cain thrust the scarlet gate into Zarak’s chest.

A wave of agony immediately spread through the ArchDeity’s body as the construct fused directly into his heart and soul. Crimson and golden energy spread across his flesh like countless veins, linking his existence directly to the Scarlet Throne itself.

The process felt as though his body were being torn apart and reforged simultaneously.

Fortunately, the pain lasted only a few moments.

Zarak released a long breath as sweat dripped from his forehead. Then a smile appeared on his face as he felt the new connection forming within him.

He could now sense the Scarlet Throne no matter the distance separating them.

More importantly, he could summon the power of the Chimera Will even outside the throne.

“Try to internalize and systematize the process you used to connect with the Chimera Will,” Cain said seriously. “Understand how you helped it gain a name and how you awakened its true power. The others will need that knowledge.”

Cain himself had not fully understood what had occurred. He had created the foundation of the path, but Zarak had taken it a step further through instinct and insight.

That meant it would fall upon Zarak to guide future users.

The Godslayer Human gave a solemn nod before sitting in a meditative position in the air. His consciousness immediately began replaying every detail of the experience.

Cain watched quietly, a faint smile appearing on his face.

“You made the right choice choosing him first.”

Apex’s voice echoed through Cain’s mind.

The Scarlet King nodded silently in agreement.

Unfortunately, there was no time to linger in pride or admiration. There was still far too much work to do.

Cain glanced toward the endless scarlet realm and released a slow sigh.

“I am still not strong enough to engrave the laws and cosmic principles of this Path of Power directly into the fabric of the universe. Until then, I will have to personally guide every warrior through the process.”

There was no point dwelling on limitations.

The moment that thought crossed his mind, Cain vanished from the Scarlet Throne and began gathering more people.

The first warriors he brought into the throne were not necessarily the strongest members of the alliance, but they were the people he understood best—the companions who had followed him since Aether.

Because Cain knew their natures, wills, and core egos intimately, guiding their Chimera Wills would be far easier.

It did not take long before two familiar figures appeared inside the Scarlet Throne.

The Collapsing Lightning Emperor.

And Zero Mint.

The two men had stood beside Cain since his youth, becoming his right and left hands during the war to reclaim control of Aether’s Godslayer Humankind Empire. They had fought alongside him through countless battles and remained his most trusted allies during the final clash against Dark Sky.

Cain knew them almost as well as he knew himself.

Thanks to their immense efforts, as well as the prestige they earned as companions of the Scarlet King since his earliest rise, the duo had gained access to countless treasures and guidance from powerful masters. Their Astral Rebirth Paths of Power had already reached the Middle ArchDeity Rank, only one step away from the Late Stage.

As for their Ego Eternal Paths of Power, years spent beside Cain had continuously nurtured their wills and egos. Simply existing near the Scarlet King’s overwhelming presence had tempered their spirits again and again, allowing both men to reach the Late ArchDeity Rank already.

That level of cultivation made them extraordinarily powerful.

Yet they were no longer the central figures of the battlefield they once had been.

The rise of Alpha Omega Overgods and the terrifying scale of the war had pushed even mighty ArchDeities into supporting roles. But now, for the first time in ages, they could sense an opportunity to change that.

To rise once more to the peak of the battlefield.

They could feel it in their bones.

Of course, the higher one climbed, the greater the danger became. Yet that was precisely where they felt most alive.

There was no hesitation.

No fear.

Only determination burned within the eyes of the two warriors as they gazed at Cain and prepared to begin the process.

The Scarlet King nodded solemnly as he saw their resolve.

With a wave of his hand, he summoned their Scarlet Stars from the heavens. Then he carefully extracted fragments of their souls, nurturing them with vast amounts of psychic power before beginning the fusion process.

Everything moved far more smoothly now. Cain had already gained tremendous experience through his previous experiments, allowing him to complete the procedure quickly and flawlessly.

Once the Evolved Scarlet Stars stabilized, Cain placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

Now came the next step.

It was time for them to choose the first Will Beast—the foundation of their future Chimera Wills.