The Destroyer Supreme fell silent.
The reason they knew Lance wielded Destruction Power was twofold. First, Lance had unleashed it within the Virtual Universe for all to see. Second, while the martial techniques and skills of the Destruction Type were free, they were only visible to those who already possessed Destruction Power; they were completely hidden from everyone else.
This was why they never harbored the slightest doubt as to whether Lance had truly mastered it.
And now, Lance had even awakened the ultimate talents of the Primordial Kin and the Desolates: the Primordial Sovereign Physique and the formidable Undying God-Body.
The combination of these abilities conjured a specific figure in the Destroyer Supreme’s mind.
“Is it really you? Could your soul have finally returned through reincarnation?”
The Destroyer Supreme was consumed by a wave of intense emotion.
As he murmured those words, God-Emperor Extinction’s expression shifted drastically.
“What? Reincarnation? Are you certain? Didn't he perish while erecting the Heaven-Sealing Formation, fighting thirty Sky Demon Supreme Divinities until his divine soul and very existence were utterly obliterated? How could reincarnation even be possible?”
Extinction’s face was a mask of pure disbelief.
The man his teacher referred to was none other than the Supreme Deity of Death, who had fought alongside the Destroyer Supreme countless aeons ago to seal away the Celestial Fiends.
The Supreme Deity of Death had once simultaneously cultivated the two supreme elements of Destruction and Death. Originally, he could have used both to ascend as the Supreme Divinity of both domains.
However, the laws of the universe dictated that only one Supreme Divinity could exist for any given element. Consequently, he had relinquished that opportunity to his disciple—the man who was now the Destroyer Supreme.
Unfortunately, shortly after the Destroyer Supreme ascended to his high station, the Celestial Fiends invaded.
In the end, under the leadership of the Supreme Deity of Death, the Celestial Fiends were sealed away.
This sacrifice gave the Primordial Universe a chance to breathe.
Tragically, the Supreme Deity of Death fell during that final cataclysmic battle. In that engagement alone, he had slaughtered over thirty Supreme Divinities of the Celestial Fiends, including their own version of a Destroyer Supreme.
Such combat prowess was nothing short of terrifying.
Whenever the current strongest being in the universe, the Destroyer Supreme, thought of his teacher’s power, his heart swelled with pride—yet he also felt the gap between them was as vast as a celestial chasm.
The reason he suspected Lance was his teacher’s reincarnation was because the Supreme Deity of Death had possessed the Undying God-Body, the power of Destruction, and the Primordial Sovereign Physique.
Furthermore, those who possessed the Undying God-Body could, upon pushing the physique to its absolute limit, transform it into the Power of Death.
These factors could not possibly be a mere coincidence.
Moreover, the Primordial Kin was his teacher's own race. Long ago, the Human Race consisted of only two branches: the Primordial Kin and the Desolates.
Naturally, both shared the same ancestor.
However, when the Sky Demons invaded, the Primordial Kin—being the more powerful of the two—fought on the front lines. In the end, every single one of them perished in battle.
After all, even their strongest warrior, the Supreme Deity of Death, had fallen.
Later, the Destroyer Supreme used the flesh and blood of certain Primordial Kin powerhouses, combined them with the original genetic markers, and utilized Machina technology to eventually recreate the modern Primordial Kin.
And this creation was a Primordial Kin of pure, untainted bloodline!
Thus, the Destroyer Supreme was seventy percent certain that Lance was the reincarnation of the Supreme Deity of Death.
“It is true that his divine soul was completely wiped out back then. However, he had pushed the Undying God-Body to its ultimate limit. That physique possesses a secret ability known to no one else: once perfected, the user can be resurrected directly through the memories people hold of him."
“Logically, he should have returned long ago. Even though the universe’s memory of him has faded, my own memory of him has never vanished."
“It seems his death was simply too absolute, delaying his reincarnation until now."
“Furthermore, his strength is recovering at an incredible rate. Such speed is fundamentally impossible for a normal cultivator.”
The Destroyer Supreme trembled with excitement. His aged body slowly stood up, clearly intending to go and meet Lance in person.
From his perspective, Lance’s terrifying cultivation speed—which was actually fueled by the System—was undeniable proof that he was simply reclaiming his former power.
The thought sent a jolt of adrenaline through him.
It meant that even if he himself were to pass away, the universe would be safe.
“If that truly is the case, he likely has no memory of you yet. Given how fast he is growing, it won't be long before his past memories awaken on their own."
“Perhaps we should just wait for the day his memory returns naturally. We can provide whatever assistance is necessary in the meantime."
“If you go now, you might not live to see the day his memories resurface!”
Seeing his teacher preparing to leave, Extinction grew frantic.
If the Destroyer Supreme left this sanctum, the rate at which his longevity withered would increase a hundredfold.
His life, already flickering like a candle in a gale, would vanish in an instant.
The Destroyer Supreme would perish before his old master ever regained his memories.
"Without anyone to protect him, it will be even more impossible for the Grandmaster to return to his peak!"
The Supreme God of Ruin froze in his tracks the moment those words left his disciple's mouth. A flash of helplessness crossed his eyes.
"You're right. We'll do as you suggested." The Supreme God of Ruin let out a long, weary sigh. Then, a faint smile played on his lips.
"It just so happens that the Universal Genius Competition is about to begin. Come to think of it, the Genius Trials were actually created by my Mentor back in the day. It was through those very trials that I became his disciple! To think that I'm now watching my Mentor’s reincarnation participate in the same trials... Fate truly has a cruel sense of humor."
His words left God-Emperor Extinction feeling a pang of bitterness. His Master had spent his entire life protecting the universe, only to end up facing death like this. Fortunately, he might get to see his own Mentor one last time before the end.
"Wait... according to Master, the Grandmaster was unfathomably powerful in his past life. If he regains his full strength, could he have the power to heal Master?"
God-Emperor Extinction’s eyes suddenly lit up as the possibility took root in his mind.
"Master," he said solemnly, "I request to serve as the chief examiner for this Universal Genius Competition. That way, I might be able to monitor the Grandmaster’s progress!"
"Very well. I’ll leave it to you, then." The Supreme God of Ruin knew exactly what his disciple was thinking, but he didn't call him out. Instead, he gave a slight nod. "I'll handle the notifications for the Virtual Universe and the other Supreme Deities."
Without a moment's hesitation, God-Emperor Extinction turned and shattered the void, vanishing instantly.
Once again, the lonely Temple of Destruction fell back into its customary silence.
Ding! Congratulations! Your CON and Soul attributes have successfully reached 10 quadrillion! Your realm has been upgraded to the Galactic Realm!
High atop the Infinite Resurrection Arena within a first-tier Domain Lord territory of the Virtual Universe, a notification rang out. Lance had successfully broken through to the Galactic Realm.
Ding! Congratulations! Your cultivation has broken through to the 10th Stage of the Galactic Realm! You have unlocked the next ten stages of the Undying God-Body!
Lance closed his eyes the moment he heard the prompt, focusing on the changes occurring within his body.
Boom!
A violent torrent of power surged through his limbs and bones like a flash flood. Every single cell in his body began dividing at a terrifying speed. His cellular activity and life force skyrocketed in an instant. Soon, both his cellular and soul activity had increased over a hundredfold.
Ding! Congratulations! The Undying God-Body has reached its absolute limit. Even if your Divine Soul and physical body are completely annihilated, you can now be resurrected through the memories of others! Soul and physical body recovery speeds have been increased by 100x!
Another prompt echoed in his mind. Lance’s pupils contracted slightly.
His "shattering degree" had reached the max level, meaning he could truly return from nothingness. His soul's status had also upgraded to Level 10. In other words, the Eternal Soul Protocol had reached its limit, granting a staggering 1000x boost to his soul power. To go any further, he would have to break the protocol's fundamental limits.
Then there was the recovery speed. With another hundredfold increase, his Berserk Absorption efficiency had multiplied several times over. By his calculations, his cultivation speed was now 400 times faster than before.
Lance smirked as he looked over the data. He really didn't have to fear death anymore. Unless someone could completely erase every memory of his existence from the universe. But according to the system, not a single soul in this universe was capable of such a feat.
Indeed, it was impossible. Even when a thousand Supreme Deities of the Celestial Fiends worked together to erase the Supreme Deity of Death, the Supreme God of Ruin still managed to keep his memories. A single Supreme Deity—or even a thousand—couldn't wipe away every trace of Lance's existence. After all, the Supreme God of Ruin knew who he was now.
"God damn, finally. It’s finally mastered," Lance muttered, so moved he was nearly on the verge of tears. "No more living in fear. I really am unkillable now!"
Since the day he transmigrated, he had been walking on eggshells. Even with the Undying God-Body, he hadn't dared to expose himself because it wasn't fully mastered. But those days were over.
Even sealing him would be a nightmare for his enemies. If he were ever trapped, he could simply commit suicide, undergoing total destruction. He would then instantly resurrect near anyone who held a memory of him. This was true immortality.
Hum!
Suddenly, something shifted. Lance felt an incredibly profound power erupt from his flesh and soul. This energy rushed toward his Consciousness Hub with blistering speed. The blood-red power condensed into a sphere of light, expanding until it rivaled the size of his Destruction Power sphere.
Ding! Congratulations! The Undying God-Body has been developed to its limit, triggering a special hidden effect. You have awakened one of the Eight Supreme Elements: The Power of Death!
Lance's pupils dilated in shock. "Holy sht! The Undying God-Body can actually awaken the Power of Death?!"
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