The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2006: Expansion of the Scarlet Path

Divine Sea’s choice was driven by greed and self-interest, but Cain did not find that surprising. It was not wrong, nor was it anything new for the Scarlet King. Many who had joined him when he first spread the Scarlet Path throughout the Everstrife Empyrean World had done so for exactly those reasons—self-preservation, ambition, lust for power.

Pation had once stood in that group, following only out of personal desire, yet with time, he had been assimilated fully into the Path. Now he was willing to place her life on the line to defend it.

Cain understood this truth well. Motives mattered less than results. Selfishness could be tempered, greed could be redirected. What was important was loyalty in action. The Flow showed him clearly that Divine Sea was not lying; she truly wished to align with him. That sincerity was one step forward, a large one.

At last, a wide smile touched Cain’s lips. He nodded, then rose from his throne. His aura surged, the pressure of a sovereign pressing down like the weight of a world. His eyes fixed on Divine Sea, sharp and unyielding.

The woman inhaled deeply, steadying her resolve, then bent one knee and lowered her head. Her voice carried clearly across the chamber.

"Hail the Scarlet King."

Cain gave a small nod at her display of subordination, then gestured for her to rise. Behind him, the Scarlet Throne manifested in all its brilliance, radiating crimson light that seemed to pierce into her soul.

"Imprint upon your Scarlet Leviathan the full knowledge of your Path," Cain commanded, his voice resonant. "I will use it to find the core you need to unlock the true potential of your Alter-Ego... and awaken Resurrecion."

Divine Sea’s eyes lit with shock and hope. When Cain had first approached her with the offer to become a Core Member, he had promised to help her take the final step into Resurrection. After his ascension, part of her had feared that promise would be forgotten, or that he would withhold it as leverage. Yet here he was, granting it openly.

Without hesitation, she focused on the immense Scarlet Leviathan within her Soul Dimension. She imprinted it with the entirety of her Path—every insight, every struggle, every resonance of her cultivation—and then cast it into the Scarlet Throne. Instantly, the throne flared to life, transforming the Leviathan into a Scarlet Star.

The effect was immediate. Waves of spirit force and psychic power surged into her soul and Alter-Ego, accelerating the growth of her Eternal Path of Power at a terrifying speed. Yet she did not lose herself in the intoxicating thrill of growth. Her gaze remained on Cain, who now looked at her with solemn eyes.

"You are part of the Scarlet Path now," Cain said gravely. "As I told you, I will help you grow stronger and stronger. But in return, I expect everything you have to give—especially when it comes to our war."

Divine Sea was no naive girl. She knew there was no such thing as a free meal in this world. Cain had already proven his generosity, and she understood the weight behind his words. She bowed her head once more.

"I am ready to follow your commands."

Cain’s smile returned, faint but sharp. He nodded.

"Your first mission is simple but crucial. You and your forces will help with the assimilation of the Scarlet Path’s ideology throughout your domains. You will also assist my runemasters to the best of your ability in expanding the Scarlet Intercontinental Formation."

She did not need a lengthy explanation. Divine Sea had already sensed the network of runic lines stretching from Everlife to ShadowCradle Continent and to the Endlesslight Continent. It was obvious that Cain’s formation would now reach into her territory. As part of the Path, she accepted the command without hesitation.

"I will begin as soon as I return to my Heaven."

"Perfect," Cain replied. "Focus also on nurturing your Alter-Ego. If it is not powerful enough, then even if I find the core of your Path, you will not withstand the burden of Resurrecion."

As he spoke, a thoughtful expression came over him. With a wave of his hand, two objects appeared: a twisted, blood-stained tree that pulsed with strange vitality, and a dark crystalline core radiating crushing gravity. The aura they released made the entire throne room tremble.

Divine Sea’s eyes widened. She needed no explanation to recognize their value. These were Archdeity-level treasures, potent enough to be considered core resources of the highest grade. Cain had acquired them from his victories—spoils stolen from Divine Calamity and Dionisio.

"Infuse these into your Inner Universe," Cain instructed. "They will temper your foundation and nurture the Laws of Blood and Gravity within you."

Her voice trembled with a mix of excitement and reverence as she bowed. "Scarlet King..." She accepted the treasures with both hands, then turned and departed swiftly, her mind already ablaze with plans for how to fulfill her mission.

Cain watched her leave, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. She had chosen to join of her own accord, which saved him the trouble of coercion. More importantly, the Scarlet Path would now spread across her domains much faster, making it easier for Ao to expand his consciousness into those continents.

With her matter settled, Cain turned back to his true task. In the next moment, his figure vanished from the throne room and reappeared above the Samsara Module. He could have brought Divine Sea with him, offering her sacrifices to the flame, but that was not the path he intended to take.

He had already decided: sacrifices would be focused on himself, Leonidas, Amon, and Bael. Those three did not follow him merely for greed or temporary power. They believed in him. They believed in his vision. Instead of creating many average powerhouses, Cain would forge a trident. He would help the trio obtain Pseudo-Immortal Bodies.

Without wasting further time, Cain descended into the Sacrificial Ground. With a single wave of his hand, he summoned forth the seven monoliths, Dionisio’s bound figure, and the corpses of the Prime Deities of RainbowSky Heaven. The Samsara Flame loved corruption and sin; it would devour these offerings with delight.

Cain’s smile widened, his eyes burning with fierce anticipation.

"Seven deadly sins, bound into stone and in the flesh and soul of an ArchDeity and several Prima Deity. I wonder what I will obtain from this."