Defiance of the Fall

That was the best solution they’d come up with while traversing the Everfrost Isles . To form a bridge between the environment and yourself , allowing you to draw on its power even when you didn’t have a natural affinity . This wasn’t something new or groundbreaking . Catheya wasn’t an expert on the subject , but she’d heard it was a popular method , and she had two ways to accomplish this .

The first was through using items , such as formations . She already had some experience in that regard , engraving simple arrays onto icicles she formed . Of course , it was only a small interest on her part and mostly geared toward Lich Arts . But she possessed talent in the subject and could pick up the required techniques . The Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization could even alleviate one of the biggest drawbacks of Formation Masters : the large energy expenditure .

The second option was to work towards forming a domain . Catheya always had one of the greatest Dao affinities of her generation in Clan Sharva’Zi , and her various encounters and opportunities pushed those even further . Yet , she hadn’t formed intent , a domain , or something like his techniques .

This was an intentional choice on her part . Her cultivation path had been in flux since the Twilight Ocean , where various opportunities opened new doors for her . She was also unsure what role she saw herself taking—being more of a supportive caster and group leader or being an outright mage combatant . As such , she’d remained reluctant to transform her understanding of Dao since it was hard to undo something like that .

However , now that she’d attained Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization , it was time for her to pick a direction . Forming a Dao domain now seemed superior to intent or technique . It was also a much simpler solution than working with formations since it didn’t force you to rely on equipment .

The problem was that this solution was extremely difficult . Harmonization internalizes outside Dao to elevate your own , while domains externalize one’s Dao to enforce it onto the world around you . They were essentially opposing theories . Practicing both could be considered a paradox . Yet it was possible , and Catheya believed she had already taken the first steps in this direction .

Both domain and formations were great options that would not just create synergy with the Earthly and Heavenly Harmonization , but also directly improve her strength . She could even pick both to create an incredibly powerful cultivation system where all fed into each other . However , it was probably better to focus on one or the other before Ultom , mastering one aspect over having middling accomplishments in two .

Either way , she finally found her path forward , and Zac’s heart sang from seeing the unadulterated joy in Catheya’s eyes . Even then , their discussion weighed heavily in the back of his mind . He’d so grandly proclaimed they’d make their own fate , but you needed power for that . Power they didn’t have , even if everything went perfectly in the Perennial Vastness and beyond .

Thankfully , he’d already found a solution : the Hollow Court . The problems that had kept them both up at night could be solved with one word from the Primo . Not even the Supremacies of the Abyssal Shores would dare have any differing opinion if he put his foot down .

It was an easy trade . A treasure for freedom . He just needed to survive snatching it .

70

UNION

Remember , if you want me to lean on you , you better be strong enough . -

With that , Catheya sashayed away , her swaying hips creating a hypnotizing dance that brought back some soul-stirring memories from the past month . Zac only snapped out of the trance as Catheya turned a corner after throwing him a final wink .

Vixen , - Zac muttered with a smile as he turned to his own storefront .

Zac had some ideas about why Catheya acted the way she did , apart from being in a good mood after breaking through . He’d have to be a fool to stop her . Their time inside the Perennial Vastness was limited , so why not enjoy it? They could be dead tomorrow , and there was no point in leaving behind any regrets . And they hadn’t only fooled around . They took some extra time , sure , but both accomplished their goals .

There was only one missing piece to the Omnitool now , though there was no immediate urgency for him to fetch it . The hammer could withstand the Dao-filled environment for over three hours already , which was more than enough to continue working on adding a second Cosmic Cycle to an F-grade tool .

The past year had proven that Cosmic Forge] was not only the key to creating a working Core Formation Method . It was the key to passing through Hegemony .