Cultivating in Honkai!

Chapter 433: An Author’s Cliffhanger

The Void Refinement Realm entails the comprehension of the Dao. This goes on until the Dao Integration Realm. Only then would they be able to completely master the Dao they have treaded on, whether it be a unique Dao they have created or a Dao they have inherited.There are some Void Refinement Realm prodigies exempt from this rule, however. They could, under certain circumstances, become infinitely closer to the Dao Integration Realm. All they needed to do was to comprehend a that encompasses their understanding towards their Dao. The cultivation techniques uniformly called it ‘Heaven Venerated Dao Encompassing Descent’.

Shi Tian preferred to call it ‘Venerated Dao’. The move attached to him was none other than the small universe. It is the culmination of his understanding of All Creation–that its meaning is to things with his own hands. That was more than enough to qualify as a ‘Venerated Dao’.

However…

‘It felt restricting.’

His feelings told him that it wasn’t complete. There is a major flaw he had overlooked. Something that needs to be fixed, lest he wouldn’t progress further. That missing puzzle piece seemed elusive until now.

‘Destruction…’

The small universe had long been deeply connected to Shi Tian. It is an exclusive ‘ability’ of his—an innate power carved deeply into his soul. Destroying it would affect him largely. Shi Tian hasn’t thought of self-destructing it as it would affect his timeline. Recovery alone takes time, not to mention his breakthrough to the pinnacle of the Void Refinement Realm. 

Now, he was trapped inside this strange space with no way out. Speculating its origins brought him nothing. All he could do was to ‘accomplish’ the purpose behind this space’s creation.

‘Three worlds’ fusion… will end in destruction.’

Shi Tian’s most likely speculation was the fusion of three worlds. It is the final tribulation that will serve . It could play out in endless ways, but it will all end the same. It will destroy these worlds, their stories, and most importantly, Shi Tian. It will prove him wrong… even if it was only for once. It will turn into the most hideous crack to his Dao Heart, of all his beliefs.

Some might be able to run away from such a matter. They could abandon their worlds without hesitation to find that glimmer of hope.

Even if he could turn back time, he could never erase his failure. The fact he had once allowed his beloved and all the things he protected to suffer would become his own undoing. To him, failure meant extinction. No matter how he spins it off, he wouldn’t be able to deny it.

Then again, he would have to face the combined might of three worlds’ destruction first. It would also spell extinction, spelling an end to his immortal cultivation journey.

‘This space is telling me something, or rather…’ He thought as he placed the last bits of his small universe into the World-Grinding Millstone. ‘Someone.’

Needless to say, only his future projections possess power far beyond his understanding. They weren’t exempted towards the established rules, however. They couldn’t greatly affect the past. Transmitting a single sentence leaves them exhausted. The signal light given to him by his future projection when Amphoreus appeared was also subjected to it. He surmised it was a future projection of his—one who stepped into the Dao Integration Realm.

As for the creator of this strange space…

‘Tribulation Transcendence Realm.’

…it was a who had reached the Tribulation Transcendence Realm.

His power was so strong it could affect reality up to this scale. Despite being a mere 'possibility' he tangibly affected the present by constructing the space Shi Tian was currently in. He could grant him infinite spiritual qi and experiment with his powers wantonly.

Nonetheless, he was subjected to restrictions enough to nerf his power to death. That was the sole downside of affecting . Every cause has its effect, and his has to bear this cost. Out of his full power, he could only exert a fraction. Still, this fraction was more than enough to grant the present Shi Tian an opportunity.

Gradually, Shi Tian’s thoughts disappeared. Only a chilling calmness remained inside his pale golden pupils. He no longer hesitated and rotated the millstone.

As soon as damage appeared in his small universe, Shi Tian’s soul was damaged. Bright golden blood spilled out of his eyes and ears. He didn’t care towards any of this and kept on spinning the millstone. 

More and more cracks appeared in his small universe. Its sky began to fall like glass fragments. The speed of their fall was as slow as a feather’s. They turned into motes of golden light as soon as they touched the ground.

Then came the destruction of the earth and seas. The bodies of water which Hysilens claimed her home was reduced into mere specks of light. Shi Tian’s calmness wavered at this moment. The anguish he felt was small, but it gave him a grim reminder.

If this world ends in destruction, it won’t just be Hysilens’ homeland that would wound up to dust. Kiana’s smiles, Seele’s undying devotion, Sirin’s incomparable dependence, Veliona’s thorny protection, Bronya’s outwitting, Sin Mal’s blind faith…

There was also the Imperator whose iron heart learned else. That her purpose of being a chess player wasn’t merely to rule nor to satisfy her ambitions. Shi Tian taught her something different.

So many people whom he holds dear… would be gone.

‘’

The tendency suppressed by the others’ care flared up right at this moment. Shi Tian’s eyes held a trace of ruthlessness aimed towards himself. He didn’t hesitate to drive a knife straight to his heart right at this moment!

A deafening supernova erupted from the millstone. The World-Grinding Millstone and the Small Universe, both of his Venerated Daos, erupted in an unprecedented destruction. The supernova held countless lights, its spectrum reaching nigh-infinity. It wasn’t an apocalyptic sight, but a beautiful one.

The rift turned blurry before merging with the colorful light curtain. Every inch of this space was covered in its film-like texture. Shi Tian’s current condition contrasted this sight. Golden blood spilled in all seven of his orifices. He let out several weak coughs, gurgling up bits of golden blood and jade-like tissues. The luster in his eyes dimmed greatly. His consciousness was on the verge of collapsing; his soul heavily damaged.

Before he could even witness the prowess of his Venerated Daos’ self-destruction…

‘...accept… ending…’

….he fell into a deep slumber.