Chapter 1551: Path (II)

A solemn light appeared in Cain’s eyes as he absorbed the Sky Sovereign’s words. He could sense, more clearly than ever, how crucial this moment was. The decision regarding his Path was not merely important—it was absolute. One misstep would send him spiraling down a course he could never undo.

“How exactly do I forge my Path?” Cain’s voice held a measured calm, but underneath, a hunger for certainty burned. By asking this question, he had pushed aside all other thoughts, focusing solely on the Sky Sovereign. Even the energy flooding his Soul Dimension seemed to still in anticipation, as though the realm itself waited on that answer.

The Sky Sovereign assumed an equally solemn expression, reflecting the gravity of the subject matter. His gaze locked on Cain, and an echo of past experiences lingered in his ancient eyes.

“You have already started. Your Path is forged through your Concepts.” He paused momentarily, ensuring Cain’s attention was fully his.

“During your battle with Marlin, I saw that you’ve mastered five Concepts—Gluttony, Life, Power, Sundering, and Rage. Whether learned via instinct, training, or absorption, you’ve raised them all to the level of Mind Over Soul. They’ve defined your actions, shaping the way you confront challenges. They form the foundation of your Path.”

A stern, almost fierce light appeared in the Sky Sovereign’s gaze, making it plain his following words could not be disregarded and would have an immense weight on Cain’s future.

“Trying to learn other Concepts—simply because you think they’ll make your Path stronger—is a grave mistake. Whatever led you here must remain your core. Don’t second-guess the choices you’ve made. I’ve seen many talented practitioners waste their Ego Eternal Path of Power by chasing new Concepts, believing they could create a superior Path.”

A flicker of cold sweat passed through Cain’s body. In the instant the Sky Sovereign had declared that Concepts were key, a portion of Cain’s mind had considered searching for stronger Concepts. Perhaps something more esoteric. Something that would ensure a perfect synergy or could add a broader aspect to his power, helping to cover some weaknesses.

Yet, from the Sky Sovereign’s caution, it was clear that, unlike Laws—which cultivators often layered or diversified—Concepts demanded a different philosophy. Amassing a random collection of them would likely be self-defeating.

Seeing he had driven home his point, the Sky Sovereign continued.

“Of course, learning new Concepts after you’ve solidified your Path isn’t wrong. Think of it like adding pieces to a house—if they fit seamlessly, they can enhance the whole. So, you’re not doomed to remain limited forever. But for now, you should work with what you already possess.”

Cain nodded. Everything felt much clearer. He resolved not to waste time searching for new Concepts. Instead, he would anchor himself in those who had accompanied him on this journey—Gluttony, Life, Power, Sundering, and Rage. Each of them, in their own ways, had led him to monumental feats.

“Now, the specifics of developing your Path split into two focal points: the Concept Core and the Ego Core.” The Sky Sovereign paused, studying Cain’s expression before pressing on.

“The Concept Core refers to the synergy among your existing Concepts. You don’t need to train or use them constantly; you just have to feel their power and discover how they can operate as a singular force.”

Cain silently digested those words, picturing his five Concepts. He recognized traces of synergy already: the consumption nature of Gluttony paired intriguingly with the renewal of Life; the unrelenting nature of Rage fueling the impetus for Sundering; and all of it anchored by a sense of raw Power. Yet, he also acknowledged the difficulty of merging them into one cohesive tapestry.

The Sky Sovereign then addressed the other half. “Now, the Ego Core can be easy or unbearably hard.”

A complicated expression flitted across his spectral face. It seemed clear that the Sky Covering was not the one that had an easy time achieving that step of their cultivation.

“It refers to your ultimate goal—the thing you seek above all else. Not a half-formed notion of who you are or what you want, but the drive that carries you forward when everything else collapses. It needs to be cohesive and absolute. No doubts allowed.”

Hearing that, Cain could not resist frowning. A simple answer like “power” felt too shallow. He had garnered might and skill throughout his entire cultivation path, and while it was essential, it hadn’t formed the heart of his being. Another plausible reason was “protecting my people,” but even that didn’t quite capture the entirety of his ambition.

The Sky Sovereign evidently recognized Cain’s uncertainty. The phantom let out a soft sigh. “It appears you’ll wrestle with this, too. My advice on the Ego Core is to avoid overthinking it. Keep the question at the forefront of your mind, and eventually, the answer will present itself. Meanwhile, focus on the Concept Core, since it truly demands your effort—believe me, it will be a lot of training.”

A flash of annoyance crossed the Sky Sovereign’s face, hinting at his personal experiences in forging synergy between multiple Concepts. “It’s like solving a Rubik’s cube—except the cube fights back. You must hunt for the correct synergy, ensuring every facet connects with the others. Concepts are so unique, so broad, that aligning them into a single cohesive flow can be maddening.”

With a shake of his head—perhaps dispelling some memory of frustration—the Sky Sovereign drew a long breath to settle himself, then regained a calmer tone.

“Anyway, your willpower and potential are already established. You just need to heal your Alter-Ego, and you’ll be set on that front. Once you conquer both the Ego Core and the Concept Core, you can step into Mind and Body as One—the Third Realm of Cultivation in your Ego Eternal Path of Power.”

A faint yet meaningful look passed across his features.

“And since one of your Concepts is Life, I’m sure you can assist in my rebirth by that time.”