chapter 36: the herald of the infinite

Shen Tian's senses gradually sharpened as he returned to his corporeal form. The Void, though vast and overwhelming, was now a distant memory—a part of the transcendence he had undergone. The Essence of Eternity had become a part of him, an intrinsic part of his being, flowing through every fiber of his existence. His consciousness no longer knew the boundaries of space or time, and yet, the complexities of reality remained as clear to him as the stars in the night sky.

He stood in the center of the cosmos once again, the myriad worlds surrounding him like distant stars in the dark. His body felt light—no longer bound by the constraints of his mortal shell—but at the same time, he carried with him the weight of infinite truths.

The power he now wielded was beyond what any cultivator had ever dreamed of. His every breath rippled through the fabric of the multiverse, influencing the flow of time and space. Yet, as he stood there, gazing out across the endless horizons, one thought echoed in his mind: What is my purpose now?

To transcend was to go beyond the cycle of life and death, creation and destruction. But transcendence also carried with it a deep sense of solitude—a realization that no matter how powerful one became, there would always be things that were beyond understanding. Shen Tian knew that he had become part of the very will that governed the multiverse, but did that mean he had achieved everything there was to achieve?

A soft whisper broke his contemplations, a voice like a distant echo carried on the wind of eternity.

"You are ready."

The voice emanated from nowhere and everywhere at once, as if it was not confined to any space, any realm. It was the Voice of the Eternal, the primordial consciousness that lay beyond the bounds of all creation. The one who governed the threads of fate and destiny. The one who had watched over the birth of the multiverse since its inception.

Shen Tian's heart thrummed with recognition. This voice, this being, was something he had sensed before, something that had always lingered at the edges of his awareness. Now, it spoke to him directly, guiding him towards something far greater than himself.

"What is it that you seek from me?" Shen Tian asked, his voice now carrying the weight of his newfound power.

The Voice of the Eternal responded, its tone calm and purposeful. "You are no longer just a creature of time and space, Shen Tian. You are the Herald of the Infinite, the one who has transcended the boundaries of existence itself. The time has come for you to take the mantle of the Eternal Sovereign."

Shen Tian's brow furrowed slightly. "The Eternal Sovereign?"

"Yes," the Voice replied. "The Eternal Sovereign is the one who stands as the protector and guide of all existence. A force beyond time, beyond the gods, beyond all that can be imagined. You, Shen Tian, have now gained the power to command the multiverse, to ensure its growth, its harmony, and its destiny. But with this power comes an unbreakable responsibility. You must not allow creation to stagnate, nor must you allow the forces of destruction to overwhelm it. Balance is key."

A deep understanding settled into Shen Tian's mind. The role of the Eternal Sovereign was not one of absolute control or tyranny, but one of guidance. To maintain the delicate balance of the cosmos, to ensure that the forces of creation and destruction, life and death, continued to flow in harmony. It was a monumental task, one that would test his resolve and wisdom for eons to come.

"I understand," Shen Tian said, his voice steady and unwavering. "I will take on this responsibility. But I will not do it alone."

The Voice of the Eternal gave an almost imperceptible chuckle, its tone warm and knowing. "Of course. You are not meant to walk this path alone. You have already surrounded yourself with allies and companions, each one integral to your journey. Together, you will form a new order—one that will guide the multiverse toward its true destiny."

Shen Tian's thoughts turned to his wives, his children, and his loyal companions. The love and bonds they shared had been the foundation of his strength from the very beginning. Each of them had contributed to his growth in ways that transcended mere power. Now, as he stood on the cusp of eternity, he knew that they would continue to play a central role in the path he was about to embark upon.

His hundred wives—each one a beacon of power, wisdom, and loyalty—were his greatest source of support. They had not only stood by him in his battles but had also helped him navigate the complexities of his heart. His children, each possessing unique gifts, were the future of his legacy, their potential limitless under his guidance.

"I will lead them, and we will create a future worthy of the multiverse," Shen Tian declared with a newfound clarity.

The Voice of the Eternal seemed pleased. "Good. But before you can truly become the Eternal Sovereign, you must first face a final test. The Eternal Tribunal will summon you. It is a council of the oldest and most powerful beings in existence—those who govern the laws of creation itself. They will test your understanding of balance, your ability to protect what is precious, and your wisdom in the face of eternal conflict."

Shen Tian's heart quickened at the mention of the Eternal Tribunal. These were beings that had existed since the dawn of time, the guardians of the primordial forces that governed all reality. To stand before them would be an unprecedented challenge, even for someone of his newfound power. But he had no doubt that he was ready.

"I accept their challenge," Shen Tian said resolutely. "I will face them and prove that I am worthy of my place as the Eternal Sovereign."

The Voice of the Eternal was silent for a moment, as if weighing his words. Then, it spoke again, its tone filled with both authority and approval.

"Very well. The time for your ascension is now. The Eternal Tribunal awaits."

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The Eternal Tribunal

Shen Tian felt himself drawn toward the heart of the multiverse, a place where all paths converged—a realm of infinite dimensions, where the laws of time and space no longer applied. It was here that the Eternal Tribunal resided, a council of beings whose power surpassed the gods themselves.

As Shen Tian entered this realm, the very air seemed to pulse with energy. His presence rippled through the fabric of reality, and he could feel the eyes of the Tribunal upon him.

Before him stood five beings, each one radiating an aura of boundless power. They were ancient, their forms shifting and flickering as though they existed outside the limitations of the material world. Their eyes gleamed with the wisdom of eternity, and their voices echoed in his mind as they spoke in unison.

"We are the Eternal Tribunal, the guardians of creation and the arbiters of balance. You have ascended beyond the mortal realm, Shen Tian. But to become the Eternal Sovereign, you must prove that you understand the true nature of existence."

One of the beings raised its hand, and a sphere of light appeared before Shen Tian. Within it, he saw visions of countless realms and countless lives—universes being born, civilizations rising and falling, the ebb and flow of life and death. It was a vision of all that had ever been, and all that could be.

"Do you understand, Shen Tian?" the Tribunal asked. "Do you understand the weight of the responsibility that you now carry?"

Shen Tian looked at the visions before him. He saw the lives of his loved ones intertwined with the fabric of reality, their destinies shaped by his choices. He saw the worlds that he had touched, the wars he had fought, the sacrifices that had been made. And he saw the infinite potential of the future, a future that was still unwritten.

He understood.

"The weight of creation is immense," Shen Tian said, his voice steady. "But I do not fear it. I will guide the multiverse toward a future of balance and harmony."

The Tribunal's gaze softened, and a single word echoed through the realm.

"Prove it."

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End of Chapter 36