The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 1966: The first Alpha–Omega Node

"Tenth Empyrean World."

Cain uttered those words slowly, each syllable charged with a killing intent unlike anything he had shown before. His eyes glowed with a fire that was red and resolute, burning with the essence of pure determination. Now, by sheer chance—without even actively searching for it—he had found it. At last, he had learned the name of the home of his enemies.

From this point forward, it was no longer a question of vague speculation but a matter of pursuit. All he needed now was to locate it, to grow strong enough, and then to lead his legion into that world. And once he stood upon its soil, he would kill everything in his path. If necessary, he would destroy the entire world itself, erasing it from existence!

The burning slaughter intent echoing through Cain’s being surged like a tide, filling every fiber of his existence. Yet before it could completely overwhelm him, the Ancestor’s projection continued to speak, pulling his focus back.

"Luck was what brought this coffin to me," the voice intoned, heavy with solemnity, "so I will share this luck with those worthy of it. If you have reached this point, it means your understanding of life and death is worthy of awe and admiration. Therefore, you have been granted access to the Coffin of Life and Death."

Cain’s gaze shifted once more to the black coffin. His expression grew solemn, his intent sharpening. He no longer allowed his thoughts of carnage and bloodshed to cloud his mind. That could wait. For now, the coffin demanded his full attention.

"This Coffin of Life and Death has two functions," the Ancestor’s voice continued. "First, it nurtures body, soul, and will with the forces of life and death—forces refined to the absolute limit of the Third Realm. Yet more important, at least to me, was its second gift: the power to cast off corruption, despair, and stagnation. Here, my bloodline and I purified ourselves of inner darkness, reaching a state of mind pure and flawless, one capable of driving the will to the highest level of the universe."

As the figure spoke, Cain could feel the reverence and gravity in his tone. Even though it was only a projection, the respect the Ancestor showed toward the coffin was profound. The weight of his words revealed just how much he valued it.

"Since you have obtained the grade of Serpent of Infinity," the voice concluded, "you may remain within the coffin for a full cycle. Nine months—during which you will be cleansed and refined."

With those final words, the Ancestor’s face faded into nothingness, leaving Cain alone before the Coffin of Life and Death.

"A cycle... nine months? Is the coffin aligned with the gestation of human life?" The thought crossed Cain’s mind unbidden. But almost immediately, he shook his head. No—it had to be a coincidence.

He steadied his breathing, drawing in a deep, deliberate breath as his gaze hardened. Then, without hesitation, Cain stepped forward, entering the coffin and allowing the crystalline liquid within to cover his body.

The moment he was submerged, he felt it.

A state of clarity and relaxation unlike anything else in the world. The worries, the crushing weight, the endless stress that came with fighting for the fate of an entire universe—all of it began to dissolve. His mind and soul slipped into peace, so pure and so radiant it felt like bliss incarnate.

It was a sensation so profound that Cain could have easily surrendered to it, lost himself in its embrace forever. But after several hours, his mind, sharpened by discipline and willpower, returned to focus. It was then that he felt it—the flowing currents of life and death moving through his body, refining it, strengthening it, making it greater than ever before.

His flesh and bones grew tougher, his soul became more resilient, and his very potential and talent surged higher. Yet even as he reveled in this refinement, Cain’s mind sparked with inspiration.

Sinking deeper into the coffin, he assumed a meditative stance within the liquid. Slowly, he began to revolve the Eclipse Monolith Inheritance.

Cain had not yet mastered the Proto Laws of Life and Death, and so he could not generate such forces on his own. But here, within this coffin, he had no need. The liquid itself carried those powers—hundreds of times purer and more potent than anything he could summon alone. They would serve as his training ground, and with them, his progress would be astonishing.

With unwavering focus, Cain guided the flow of energy.

The life force moved clockwise, coursing through his fascia, skin, and blood. In contrast, the death force flowed counter-clockwise, threading through his bones, marrow, and soul. The dual currents intertwined within him, opposite yet complementary.

It did not take long before they began to overlap, forming nodes of profound power. Cain immediately tempered those nodes with the might of his Rank 12 Depravita Astral Supremacy Star, stabilizing them.

Less than an hour passed before the first sign appeared: right between Cain’s collarbones, a black heavenly body surrounded by streams of white flames manifested, faint at first, then slowly growing brighter. Its form resembled an eclipse, radiating a mysterious power that seemed to contain the very secrets of life and death.

It was the birth of an Alpha–Omega Node—the core of the Eclipse Monolith Inheritance, the phenomenon that would grant Cain an indestructible body.

Excitement surged within him. His heart raced, his spirit soared, but his mind remained steady. With relentless dedication, he poured himself fully into the task, refining and stabilizing the node, making it stronger, more permanent.

Under ordinary circumstances, this process would have demanded grueling focus and left him in a state of near-constant strain. Yet the waters of the coffin changed everything. They cleansed his mind and soul continuously, dissolving tension and washing away fatigue. For the first time in his life, what should have been arduous cultivation felt almost effortless—no different than a walk through a tranquil park.

Hours turned into days. Days stretched into weeks.

Cain immersed himself fully in cultivation, his smile wide and unshakable. His body grew stronger, his soul purer, and his inheritance blossomed with every passing moment. It was a period of growth unmatched by anything he had ever known.

But despite the bliss, despite the peace, Cain never truly let down his guard. He was who he was, and vigilance was ingrained into his very being. The [A.I. Chip Module] remained active, scanning tirelessly, its power sweeping across the environment without pause.

And yet, even with the Absolute Lifeform System’s incredible might, it failed to detect the hidden enemy that was even approaching him.