Free Web NovelChapter 206: Chapter 206: The Dao Discussion & The Millisecond Glance
AN: I tried a new writing style, so you might find some romance dialogue cringe. Even i felt cringe i had to remove some of them, Enjoy.
The Apex Class had gathered in a secluded pocket dimension suspended high above the academy grounds, a vast and solemn expanse where the very fabric of space seemed to breathe with latent power. Towering ethereal pillars of condensed qi rose like ancient sentinels into an endless starry void, while swirling currents of ambient energy drifted lazily through the air like living mist. Seventy of the academy’s brightest geniuses stood assembled—top talents from the current year and several from those above them—each one a prodigy in their own right. Yet even here, among the elite, an undercurrent of tension hummed beneath the surface. They had been summoned for a rare Dao Discussion with one of the humanity’s Supreme.
The air grew heavier, charged with anticipation. Then, without warning or flourish, the atmosphere itself tore open like silk. Supreme Void-Walker stepped through the rift.
He was a tall, imposing figure draped in robes that seemed woven from fragments of the night sky itself—deep blacks and shifting silvers that swallowed light. His presence commanded the dimension. A master who had pushed the Rules of Space, Void, Time, and countless elemental laws to their utmost limits, Void-Walker’s true strength lay not merely in raw comprehension, but in the terrifying efficiency with which he wielded them. Space and Void were his true domains; everything else served as extensions of that core mastery.
Without a single word of greeting, he released his Universal-level spiritual pressure.
BOOM.
It descended like an invisible mountain range collapsing upon them. The seventy geniuses gasped as one. Knees buckled. Backs bent. Sweat poured down faces twisted in strain. The pressure was not mere force—it was the crushing weight of perfected Rules, pressing against their meridians, souls, and wills. Breathing became a desperate struggle. Several older students trembled violently, teeth clenched so hard their jaws ached, while younger ones nearly collapsed outright.
Yet in the heart of that storm, two figures stood untouched.
Runar remained perfectly relaxed, hands clasped casually behind his back, his posture as effortless as if he were enjoying a gentle breeze. The overwhelming aura washed over him harmlessly, repelled by the perfect harmony of his Rule-light body, Quasar soul, and Universal Seed dantian. More than that, his comprehension of a true Principle rendered him utterly immune to mere Rule-level suppression.
Beside him, Celestia stood equally serene. Her awakened physique resonated naturally with the very Rules Void-Walker commanded—Void and Space flowed through her veins like second nature, neutralizing the pressure before it could touch her.
Void-Walker’s sharp gaze locked onto Runar instantly. From the boy’s eyes emanated a faint but unmistakable Principle-level aura—cold, profound, and impossibly deep. The Supreme’s heart skipped a beat.
’Impossible...’
His mind raced. No cultivator could bypass the Rule stage and step directly into a Principle. Not without some heaven-defying fortune or innate ability. ’An eye technique, then,’ he concluded, though even that explanation felt insufficient. A complete freak. Void-Walker mentally filed the boy away for later. ’That guy’ would have to handle this anomaly.
His attention shifted to Celestia. A sweep of his universal spiritual sense confirmed what he already suspected—her physique was intimately tied to his own domains. A rare, genuine smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
’At last... a suitable disciple.’
With a casual wave of his hand, Void-Walker addressed the rest of the class. "The sixty-eight of you—descend and bathe in the ambient Rule energy here. Use this opportunity well. It will accelerate your cultivation significantly. You two come up."
The students bowed gratefully and descended into the lower reaches of the dimension, where thick clouds of golden and silver energy awaited them. Soon, only Runar and Celestia remained floating high above with the Supreme.
Void-Walker studied Runar with open curiosity. "Those eyes of yours... What exactly are they?"
Runar flashed a teasing, almost playful smile that seemed entirely out of place under the weight of a Supreme’s scrutiny. "Oh? Would you like to experience them for yourself, Supreme One?"
Void-Walker crossed his arms, confidence radiating from every line of his body. His Universal realm defenses were ironclad. "Very well. Show me."
Runar’s smile widened slightly. He nodded once.
Then, for a single, fleeting millisecond, he truly opened his eyes and looked directly at Void-Walker.
In that infinitesimal fragment of time, the Supreme’s entire being became an open book. Runar saw everything—the intricate tapestry of his soul, the flawless weaving of his Rules, the hard-earned techniques refined over countless years, fragments of memories, experiences, even the man’s strangely ordinary favorite food. But Runar focused only on what mattered: the Rules and their masterful application.
Spatial folds layered upon one another with impossible precision. The absolute, devouring emptiness of the Void. Lifetimes of insight poured into Runar’s consciousness in a blazing torrent.
His comprehension surged.
Void Rule: 20% → 21% → 28% → 30%...
Space Rule: climbing rapidly...
Time Rule: accelerating... freewebnøvel.coɱ
Elemental Rules: all advancing in unison.
It peaked between fifty and fifty-three percent before Void-Walker’s smile vanished. The Supreme’s instincts screamed. All his defenses slammed into place at full power, his soul and Rules blurring into an impenetrable haze as killing intent flickered in his eyes.
Runar immediately closed his eyes, respecting the boundary. He could have pushed further—shattered those defenses like paper—but chose not to.
Void-Walker’s heart hammered against his ribs. Cold sweat prickled along his spine. ’What the hell was that?!’ For that brief instant, he had felt utterly exposed, as if his soul had been laid bare before the entire universe. His hands trembled faintly before he forced them still.
Runar laughed softly, the sound light and unconcerned. "You did say you wanted to experience it."
The Supreme’s voice came out tight, laced with lingering shock and a hint of anger. "Never. Again. In your life. Do you understand me, boy?"
Runar nodded, still chuckling. "Okay, okay. Message received."
A heavy silence stretched between them as Void-Walker regained his composure. Slowly, realization dawned.
’That eye... it is tied to a true Principle.’ A rare, genuine warmth entered his thoughts. ’This universe is about to birth a multiversal being. I can finally breathe easier.’ He made a mental note to report this and arrange discreet protection.
Clearing his throat, Void-Walker shifted the topic. "Enough of that. Let us begin the true discussion. We will speak of the Dao."
---
Down below, the other students had no idea what had just occurred in that single heartbeat above them.
Void-Walker began with the fundamentals for the newer Apex students. "Some of you are still navigating the Law Realm. Let us start there." His voice carried clearly through the entire dimension, rich with hard-won wisdom. He explained the nature of Laws—the building blocks of reality—then transitioned seamlessly into Rules, the higher, more profound expressions of those Laws. He answered every question patiently, no matter how basic or intricate, guiding all seventy geniuses with the care of a true master.
Later, he drew Runar into a private, far deeper exchange. The two of them delved into concepts that skirted the very edges of universal truth. Their words resonated with such profundity that Rule Rhymes began to manifest physically—glowing motes of golden light intertwined with void-black essence. They drifted through the dimension like luminous snowflakes, sinking into the students below and granting them unprecedented clarity.
Celestia listened quietly to the conversation between Runar and Void-Walker. They are diving so deep, she thought with admiration and love. My fiancé is truly amazing. I’m so lucky to be by his side. The Rule Rhymes also helped her greatly.
The other geniuses stared upward in awe, whispering among themselves.
"Is Runar’s comprehension of Rules truly at that level...?"
Yet they quickly refocused. The manifested Rhymes made their own cultivation breakthroughs feel almost effortless.
The discussion stretched on for months within the accelerated timeflow of the pocket dimension. Runar’s grasp of the Rules solidified and deepened dramatically. Even Void-Walker benefited greatly—his application of Space and Void grew sharper, bringing him noticeably closer to touching a Principle himself.
They never spoke the word "Principle" out loud, but both understood the deeper meaning. Celestia stayed close to Runar the whole time, feeling proud and happy.
---
When the session finally concluded, Void-Walker asked Runar and Celestia to remain behind as the others departed, glowing with satisfaction.
He turned to Runar with grave seriousness. "Listen well. Keep those eyes of yours closed as much as possible. They are connected to a Principle. If other universal beings—especially from rival races—learn of them, they will stop at nothing to carve them out. Principles are the gateway to the multiversal realm. The Hidden Factions, ancient Universal entities, and alien spies... they all hunt anomalies like you. Be extremely careful."
Runar nodded solemnly. He could defend against Rules, but true Universal attacks were another matter entirely.
Void-Walker then looked at Celestia, his expression softening. "I am occupied with pressing matters for now, but when I return, I will formally accept you as my disciple."
Celestia’s wasn’t even tempted by the offer. ’A Supreme wants to teach me... Why would I want you old man to teach me when I have my Runar. ’ But before she could reply, Runar stepped forward smoothly. "No need to trouble yourself, Supreme. I am more than capable of teaching her. I will reach your level in a few months at most—perhaps only a few weeks. She is mine to guide."
Celestia smiled softly inside. ’He is so possessive... and I love it,’ she thought with joy. She knew how deeply they loved each other
Void-Walker let out a light scoff, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Tch. Possessive brat. Fine. She is yours." He produced two glowing tokens, each pulsing with powerful spatial fluctuations, and handed one to each of them. "If you face danger you cannot handle before reaching the Universal realm, crush these. They will summon the nearest Supreme to your aid."
Runar and Celestia bowed deeply. "Thank you, Supreme."
As they turned toward the exit, Runar paused and glanced back one final time.
"The void has a beginning too," he said softly, "not just an end."
The words struck Void-Walker like a thunderbolt. His eyes widened. His body froze mid-motion as profound insight exploded within his mind. The dimension’s ambient energy surged violently around him—golden and void-black lights whipping into a storm of enlightenment. He sank instantly into a deep state of epiphany, aura flaring wildly.
Runar smiled gently. "Looks like the human race will soon have its own multiversal being."
Before leaving, he called out softly, "Gaia."
The Will of the Humanity AI manifested in a radiant humanoid form of pure, gentle light. Runar spoke with quiet authority. "Please seal the dimension completely. Ensure no one disturbs him."
Gaia nodded, her voice calm and resonant. "I had already planned to do so. And a Supreme is already on the way to stand guard."
Runar nodded in approval. With Celestia at his side, he stepped through the entrance and left the sealed void behind—leaving Supreme Void-Walker lost in a transformative storm of insight.
