As the Earth Star world reflected in Muria's eyes, everything shifted. He began to perceive it from a higher perspective, seeing the world in a completely new way—revealing itself as a network of thousands of intertwined laws and principles. This, he realized, was Earth Star's true gift to him, a gift far more valuable than mere primal power. The moment he grasped the primal power separated from Earth Star, every rule and law composing the world laid itself bare before him.
Muria eagerly absorbed this view, understanding now why epics could rival, or even surpass, gods. Gods have access to the laws of the world, allowing them to tap into the sea of primal power and utilize the derivative force known as divine power. Epics, however, must directly observe and comprehend the world's laws to contend with and overpower gods. While gods become integrated within a world, granting them proximity to its rules, epics gain this insight through primal power, allowing them to perceive a greater number of laws than a god could fathom.
Gods, limited by their domains, can only view a fraction of a world's laws. In contrast, while an epic can glimpse the full array of laws, the time to absorb them is short, and how much one grasps depends entirely on individual capacity.
In the span of a few breaths, Muria's vision of Earth Star, composed of laws, reverted to its former state. Yet, his perspective was now different. Having briefly glimpsed the world's structure, he could faintly trace some of its law patterns.
Opening his hand, Muria held the drop of primal power he had separated from Earth Star. It appeared unchanged, yet he knew he could no longer use it to view Earth Star's laws again; a single drop of primal power grants only one opportunity for such insight.
This is why epics cannot rely on external power to achieve their status; it is something they must attain independently. Possessing and mastering primal power is merely a prerequisite for becoming an epic. What truly differentiates an epic from a legendary being is witnessing the entirety of a world's laws firsthand, something achievable only by either saving or destroying a world oneself.
Primal power obtained from another epic's gift does not confer the same status. Although it could enhance one's body to god-like strength, surpassing gods in raw power, this would not bestow any mastery of laws, leaving such beings vulnerable to manipulation by true epics or gods.
Epics, upon reaching a certain threshold, gain the ability to create worlds. Destruction is merely one facet of their power; creation is where their true strength lies, for creation is always more challenging than destruction.
Muria took a deep breath, letting the primal power merge into his hand. His power and physique, which had been stagnant for a century at their peak, began to transform from within. There were no dramatic signs, nor did his aura intensify further. The lightning and flames around him, however, became noticeably more animated.
"An epic," Muria murmured, extending his hand to manifest a thick, golden lightning bolt that coiled around his arm like a snake, pulsating with life. As he watched, the lightning transformed into a lifelike golden serpent, glistening with vivid detail.
The serpent raised its head to meet Muria's gaze, and, as if displaying genuine fear, lowered its head, signaling submission and trust. However, Muria frowned, sensing a lack of perfection in this creation. In an instant, the serpent shattered into fragments of electric arcs.
Yet, the arcs did not dissipate. Instead, they reformed into a flock of golden sparrows, numbering over a hundred, chirping and fluttering in a chaotic frenzy, like birds truly trapped in a confined space.
Still dissatisfied, Muria willed the sparrows to collide and reform into a single lightning bolt, which then compressed into a flickering flame with explosive, lightning-like qualities. Muria flicked this lightning-flame away, and it began orbiting him as though it sought to return to its origin. However, Muria did not allow it to rejoin his body, observing it closely instead.
Realizing it could not return, the flame absorbed energy from the void, gradually growing and transforming. It assumed a humanoid form, developing a head and limbs. With rudimentary awareness, the flame-creature scanned its surroundings, and upon noticing Muria, instinctively moved toward him.
"A hallmark of the epic—The Body of All Beings!" Muria smiled at the elemental lifeform derived from his power, a sign of his ascension to epic status. Unlike legendary beings, epics possess vitality and a profound spirit, enabling them to create an entire race if they desire.
This unique ability is called "The Body of All Beings," allowing an epic to easily create a multitude of beings from their own power, blood, or even a strand of hair. Just as Muria had done now, separating a sliver of his power to create an elemental lifeform. He could create as many of these beings as he wished, though it would be a waste of time and strength.
"Now I'll be a prized asset to every world, whether I live or die!" Muria clenched his fist, feeling the transformation in his essence.
At this point, Muria could become a god in any world he chose, as each world would welcome him with open arms. Even a deceased epic's remains would be valued, as the "Body of All Beings" of an epic can nurture life, shaping mountains, rivers, and landscapes.
"But my Body of All Beings is still too weak." Muria sighed as he held the fledgling elemental, aware of its limitations.
Creating blood-based life was complex compared to elemental life. His initial attempts—a giant serpent and a flock of sparrows—required his constant energy to maintain; without it, they couldn't sustain themselves.
Though this realization frustrated him, he wasn't surprised. He had only just crossed the threshold from legendary to epic. For now, his "Body of All Beings" could only create the most rudimentary elemental life.
Looking at the small, instinct-driven elemental being, Muria disintegrated it, reabsorbing its essence. While an epic's "Body of All Beings" can theoretically create infinite followers, no epic would waste energy and vitality on a large-scale creation of minions.
"I need more primal power to understand the laws and strengthen my Body of All Beings!" Now at the first stage of epic status, known as the Fusion of Sources, Muria's eyes gleamed with ambition.
The "Fusion of Sources" stage precisely describes an epic's primary goal: continually gathering primal power from various worlds, comprehending their laws, and integrating them. When an epic has assimilated enough primal power, they can enter the second stage, "World Creation," where they can begin attempting to create a world.
To create a world independently, however, one must understand countless laws and possess the resources to sustain the effort. Creating worlds is not a feat for the destitute.
"It's time to acquire my next source of primal power." Having completed his transformation, Muria glanced down at the weakened world beneath him, then turned and departed without a second thought.
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