Where was the weakness?
Alex saw a small weak point hidden within the flow of energy. It was not obvious at first glance, but with the complete knowledge in his mind, Alex saw it as clearly as a black dot on white paper.
The weak point was where the Stone of Immortality was leaking a small amount of vitality every hundred years.
He stood before the nine massive pillars for a while before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. His energy surged, flowing into his arms and gathering at his palms. The air around him grew heavy. Even the space seemed to tremble slightly.
Alex's figure blurred, and in the next moment, he appeared right at the weak point on one of the pillars. His right hand pressed forward, sending a thin thread of energy into the exact spot where the vitality was escaping.
A faint cracking sound echoed. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt
The energy from the seals reacted instantly. It pushed back against Alex, like a wild beast trying to protect its cage. But Alex had already prepared for this. He twisted his energy in a special pattern he had learned from the information in his mind.
With each twist, the energy barrier inside the seal became weaker.
Not long after that, a hairline fracture spread along the pillar.
Alex's eyes gleamed. He poured in more force, using the knowledge of the seals' construction to push the damage further.
The fracture spread faster now, running across the surface of the pillar like lightning. The golden glow of the seal flickered intensely, and then, with a final surge of energy, the pillar exploded into golden fragments before dissolving into dust.
But this was just the beginning.
Without the first pillar, the balance of the Nine Great Heaven Seals was destroyed completely. Energy rushed wildly through the formation, and the other eight pillars began to shake violently.
Alex didn't wait. He moved like a shadow, appearing in front of the next pillar's weak point. His palm slammed forward.
Golden light burst out, and another pillar shattered.
One by one, Alex struck each pillar's hidden weakness. His movements were precise, without the slightest hesitation. It was as if he had rehearsed this countless times.
Finally, the ninth pillar shattered completely on its own. The moment it fell, the Nine Great Heaven Seals collapsed entirely. The ground trembled, and the river above flashed with strange lights.
At the same time, the Stone of Immortality was fully exposed, no longer suppressed by any seal.
The moment the Stone of Immortality was completely exposed, a wave of rich vitality burst out. This vitality was so dense that it almost transformed the entire river into liquid life force. However, before that could happen, the Stone of Immortality flashed with a white light and instantly retracted every bit of vitality back into itself.
The Stone of Vitality was about the size of an ostrich egg, its surface pure white and adorned with flowing golden patterns that shimmered like living veins of light, giving it an otherworldly beauty.
[Treasure: Stone of Immortality.
Ability: Infinite Vitality, ???, ???, ???, ...
Details: Along with the birth of the universe, four supreme treasures were also born. These four supreme treasures are all four stones of different colors. The Stone of Immortality is one of the four supreme treasures, possessing the power to affect life and manipulate vitality on a foundational level. It is capable of granting eternal life, healing even the gravest of wounds, and reviving the withered and dead. More than just a source of life, its presence alone nourishes all things around it, causing barren lands to flourish and bringing extinct flora back from oblivion.
Note: Before acknowledging a master, the Stone of Immortality will let a person comprehend a sub-technique that could manipulate "vitality" to some extent. The one to successfully comprehend the sub-technique will be acknowledged as the Stone of Immortality's master.
P.S.- Obtain all four supreme stones and become the master of the universe!]
Replicating the Stone of Immortality is simply impossible with Alex's current level of Soul Force, so he didn't bother to try.
Extending his hand, Alex grasped the Stone of Immortality. The instant he touched it, a cool sensation surged into his body through his palm. A wave of comfort spread through his chest, and he felt dense vitality coursing through every pore. It was as if his very pores were blooming, overflowing with joy, each one singing with life.
Alex heaved a sigh of relief and tried to communicate it, only to fail.
When he asked the Heavenly Spirit Stone, it explained that among the four Supreme Stones, only it possessed the ability to communicate with others. The remaining three stones, while having intelligence, existed in a state of silent awareness. They were able to perceive and comprehend everything yet were unable to express themselves or engage in direct conversation.
Nodding his head, Alex stored the Stone of Immortality inside his Personal Space. He had not asked for the sub-technique from any of the three stones yet, for he knew those techniques were not something he could comprehend at his current level.
It is not that he lacked confidence; it's just his instinct telling him that his current level of cultivation is far from sufficient to comprehend the sub-techniques given by the three Supreme Stones.
Moreover, now that he knew there were Astral Seas, Galaxies, Galactic Empires, and even greater existences beyond them… Alex didn't know what to think. Mainly after reading the postscript, which told him to obtain all four supreme stones to become the master of the universe.
What is it like to become the master of the universe?
How vast is the universe?
Alex couldn't even imagine.
Yet obtaining the four supreme stones could let him become the master of the universe. This was something so grand, so inconceivable, that it felt more like a dream beyond the reach of cultivators like him.
Also, Alex had a vague feeling that obtaining all four Supreme Stones would not directly make him the master of the universe. In fact, it'll only be the first step.