“Ask then. Before reincarnating, I traversed through chaosworlds upon chaosworlds, exploring the four corners of the boundless universe, entering the gates of Daoism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Demons. There is very little that I cannot answer.” Aina awaited Heifeng Jiansui’s questioning with these words.

“Let me begin then. That Four Path Swallowing Dao is a secret technique, not a Dao you are cultivating. Then what is your true Principle Dao?” Hearing this, Aina seemed shocked.

Heifeng Jiansui realized this fact the moment after she used that technique. Something like cultivating all four of them together was impossible; it was impossible to have faith in four religious systems together.

“So you saw through it. Well then, I won’t be able of hiding it from you for too long anyway, I suppose. My true Principle Dao of Soul has reached the Universal Constance realm.” Looking at Heifeng Jiansui, she continued.

“The boundless universe has four systems of faith: Daoism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Demons. The smaller religions and faithless atheistic sectors are grouped under Demons as well. The four faith systems form differing natural law systems, calling them Dao, Dharma, Sutra and Ways and dividing the universe into four sectors. Under the dominion of these four faith systems, countless Chaosworlds are born with a Worldcore formulating its own principles. For example, as our Nineorigin Chaosworld is a part of the Daoism Sector, it is governed by the Heavenly Dao. Within a Chaosworld, there are three levels of Dao: Supreme, Grand and ordinary. The Nine Steps of cultivation are decided by the dormant World Will of the Chaosworld as well.

However, as the Heavenly Dao differs from chaosworld to chaosworld, it is difficult to transfer the comprehension from one universe into another. Even constants like ‘water is wet’ and ‘fire is hot’ may be turned over.

To surpass the Heavenly Dao of the Chaosworld and the nine ranks of cultivation, to enter the Three Steps of Immortality, you have to gain insight to Chaotic Dao. In different Chaosworlds and in the void of space, only the Chaotic Dao are useful. But the first three ranks of cultivation generally don’t have the power to step out into the void, and thus can only comprehend the inherent Chaotic Dao that were formed within the Chaosworld. Only apex Perpetual Emperors and Chaos Sovereigns who have completely comprehended a Chaotic Dao have these qualifications.” After explaining all this, she took some time to catch her breath.

“But of course, the Chaotic Dao comprehended in the Daoism Sector will fall apart in the territory of the Buddhism Sector. As for a Universal Constance Principle Dao, it ranks above Chaotic Dao and will not have its power fall, remaining unrivalled across the boundless universe.” Saying this, Aina finished her explanation.

Hearing this, Heifeng Jiansui already had alarm bells ringing through his mind. He had turned Aina into a retainer with the power of the Heavenly Dao of the Chaosworld. Hearing that she had the ability to ignore it was disconcerting.

But he temporarily did not expose this thought. Instead, he continued, “So how did you achieve this realm of Universal Constance from the Chaotic realm? Did you traverse the universe and enter the four religions to comprehend it? Is the Soul Dao related to the power of faith?”

Aina smiled at this. “You guessed correctly.”

Hefeng Jiansui thought for a bit before asking, “And did you have to reincarnate to escape the retribution of the Four Religions to escape their retribution after they found out your schemes?”

Aina’s smile lessened a bit, “Correct again.”

“…Did you make any preparation before reincarnating? What is the chance of a couple of Chaotic Emperors arriving and sending this Chaosworld to the void while disposing of you?” Heifeng Jiansui was internally panicking.

“Of course I made preparations… It is impossible for them to track down my soul, I severed all karma before reincarnating.” Hearing Aina’s confident reply, Heifeng Jiansui could only trust the power of her soul that had reached the realm of Universal Constance.

“…This realm of Universal Constance, is it restricted to a few Dao or is it possible to reach this realm with all Dao? Is insight into such a Dao a prerequisite to entering a cultivation realm higher than Chaos Sovereign?” Until now, Heifeng Jiansui had assumed Chaos Sovereign as the apex.

“After I found out of the Universal Constance realm of laws, I assumed that there must be a higher realm above Chaos Sovereign… But I never found any information of this through the countless years. It seems that Chaos Sovereign is the apex.” Aina reluctantly said this.

“But my Universal Constance realm Soul Dao caused my Sea of Consciousness and Spiritual Energy to break through a new realm. Ancient records call this realm ‘Spiritsource’. Body, Soul and Qi… it is possible to achieve the realm of Universal Constance through these three, triggering an ultimate transformation. But it is only possible to enter Universal Constance in one Dao. At least, this is all I gleaned from the records of boundless years before.” Saying this, Aina stopped her explanation, and Heifeng Jiansui fell into thought.

“…Is that so.” Heifeng Jiansui asked a few more questions. The four religions, the boundless chaosworlds, the infinite void… Aina carefully answered him at all points.

Perennial Lord, Immortal King, Perpetual Emperor … these ranks were for the topmost cultivators of the Chaosworlds in the Daoism Sector. Other sectors had rankings that differed a lot. The energies they cultivated were different as well, like the Hinduism sector’s ‘Gods’ refining divine power of faith.

However, Chaos Sovereigns were constant in one matter… they stood across the universe at the absolute apex!

Heifeng Jiansui came to know about the apex figures of the universe from Aina. The figures that comprehended the realm of Universal Constance were few, but Aina dutifully told him about them.

In the end, their conversation came to an end. Heifeng Jiansui now knew many things about the entirety of the boundless universe.

+++

Heifeng Jiansui silently thought of his new learning, while Aina waited for him. The most important point was Aina’s Universal Constance realm Soul Dao. It was basically impossible for him to shackle her since she had gained insight into it.

Heifeng Jiansui’s contract would only bind her until she entered Perennial Lord. Trying to keep her from entering that realm of cultivation was impossible.

Kill her and exterminate her soul from Samsara? She’ll reincarnate in another Chaosworld and return for revenge.

Control her soul? Universal Constance Soul Dao, impossible to control.

Control or seal her body or qi? Her Soul Dao would transform them, making it impossible.

Control her emotions by inculcating a feeling of desire or love? Forget about it, who would use such tactics against a Soul Dao cultivator whose strongest point was self control?

There were also the mysterious memories that were sealed within her that would only awaken when she broke through to Chaos Sovereign. They would certainly be trump cards that would make acting against her difficult.

Heifeng Jiansui couldn’t help but regret his rash decision of forcibly binding her as a retainer! Before entering Perennial Lord, her use was limited. After entering Perennial Lord, she would turn on him!

Heifeng Jiansui’s only trump card was the World Spirit, Nineorigin. She had the power of a Chaosworld after all.

Even so, Nineorigin wasn’t truly capable of bringing out the might of a Chaos Sovereign and Aina’s Universal Constance Soul Dao would allow to her to leapfrog in battles. Heifeng Jiansui was battling Immortal Sovereigns as a half-step Perennial Lord so wouldn’t Aina be capable of even more?

So, Heifeng Jiansui had to treat her well. Not bad enough that she would hold resentment yet he couldn’t treat her like an ancestor either. Rather than that, treating her like a right-hand subordinate, like a general would be a better option. Exploring various ancient ruins, facing life and death together, inculcating a sense of camaraderie…