How does one make two entirely unrelated universes devour each other?
This was the simplest question Ye Cheng currently faced.
If a universe possessed its own consciousness—what people call the "Will of Heaven"—then it might naturally devour other, weaker universes. But the issue was that the Douluo Universe clearly lacked such awareness. Of course, if it did have a will of its own, Ye Cheng would probably be the one panicking instead.
"If… I were to fully complete the persona of the Abyssal Overlord, could I then replace the will of the heavens with my own and forcibly compel the Douluo Universe to devour the other?" Ye Cheng pondered this idea but ultimately felt it was too unlikely. After all, the laws governing both universes were fundamentally different, and such a fusion would definitely lead to rejection and chaos. Even if the Douluo Universe succeeded in devouring the other, it would likely suffer great losses itself.
Unless he underwent a "Dao Fusion"—completely integrating himself with the Douluo Universe to become its Will of Heaven, its true god.
By granting consciousness to a previously unconscious universe and personally intervening to regulate and weave its laws, he might be able to flawlessly absorb the fundamental laws of other universes and thus strengthen his own.
But doing so would permanently bind him to the Douluo Continent. Should a stronger world invade in the future, he wouldn't even have the option to flee. More importantly, he'd lose his freedom. Roaming freely across the multiverse would become a distant dream.
"In any case, let's try cracking open a 'tiny hole' in the outer shells of both universes first and let their inner realms make contact. Let's see what kind of reaction it sparks… If it works, then things will be much easier."
As soon as the thought formed, Ye Cheng acted on it.
With a single mental command, he aligned the two universes—each already pierced with a "tiny hole"—allowing their cores to come into contact.
In an instant—
As he expected, both universes' laws fell into chaotic disarray. The terrifying backlash from mutual repulsion frightened him so much that he immediately forced them apart to prevent further contact.
Only then did the turbulent Douluo Universe gradually regain stability.
Yet, from that brief contact, Ye Cheng had a new insight. Forcing one universe to devour the other would always result in violent resistance. But what if he opted for fusion instead?
What if he took a more harmonious approach, slowly guiding the laws of both universes to interact—gradually adapting to each other's presence… and ultimately blending into one unified system? This would minimize resistance!
And wouldn't that still count as a form of devouring?
Once the two universes fused, the result would undoubtedly be more powerful. Given that the Douluo Universe was ten times the size of the unknown universe, it would naturally take the dominant role in this fusion.
In the end, this wasn't much different from his original plan.
Whether devouring or fusing, both were merely means to expand a world's power. As long as the initiative remained in his hands, he didn't care what form the process took.
So, how could the laws of both worlds begin to interact?
Ye Cheng had already found the answer: through the living beings of each universe!
By fostering exchange between their civilizations—say, between a technological world and a cultivation world—and allowing each to absorb elements of the other, fusion would begin naturally. For instance, blending cultivation with technology… wasn't that a form of fusion in itself?
As people from both sides came into contact and absorbed aspects of each other's cultures, they would in turn influence and adapt to each other's universal laws… slowly, imperceptibly, leading to full integration.
"Alright. That's what I'll do!"
Having made his decision, Ye Cheng began preparing to investigate the unknown universe.
Once he had a clear understanding, he would create a temporary passage between the two universes.
Through that passage, beings from both universes could travel to each other's worlds and initiate cultural exchange.
This would cause their respective laws to seep into one another. By the time they reconnected, both universes would already contain fragments of each other's laws due to the shared experiences of their inhabitants. The rejection reaction would be minimal—or possibly even nonexistent.
At that point, the fusion of the two universes would be as natural as water flowing into a river.
Ye Cheng then projected his consciousness into the unknown universe and quickly located the most beloved and central life-bearing planet among its many celestial bodies.
He focused his consciousness on this planet and began scanning the civilization it hosted. Soon, he had gathered a general overview.
—From the dawn of civilization, humanity on this planet had observed strange and wondrous phenomena in the natural world—lightning and thunder, storms and disasters. Unable to resist these overwhelming forces, they concluded that gods must dwell above the heavens, and spirits below the earth.
Thus, the belief in gods and immortals was born.
Countless humans prayed fervently to the deities of their own imagination, offering incense and worship, seeking blessings or pleading their woes.
Since ancient times, death was inevitable for all. But the fear of death and the legend of an underworld ruled by Yama only deepened people's dread. As a result, the dream of eternal life was born.
Though humanity was physically weaker than other creatures, their wisdom was unmatched. Driven by the desire for immortality, generation after generation of talented individuals dedicated their lives to research and experimentation.
Though true immortality had yet to be achieved, some cultivators had grasped fragments of cosmic truth, gaining extraordinary powers. With mystical treasures and arcane artifacts, they could wield thunder and shake the heavens.
Some legendary elders were even rumored to have lived for thousands of years without perishing. Believing in the possibility of becoming immortals, more and more people took to the path of cultivation.
The Divine Continent was vast and boundless.
Among it, the Central Plains were the most fertile and prosperous, with nine-tenths of the population residing there.
The eastern, western, southern, and northern wildernesses, however, were filled with treacherous terrain, ferocious beasts, and venomous miasma. These lands were home to barbaric tribes who lived primitively, and thus remained largely unexplored.
It was said that remnants of ancient prehistoric species still survived in secluded mountains and valleys, living for tens of thousands of years—though no one had ever actually seen them.
Today, cultivators were as numerous as carp in the river. Due to the continent's sheer vastness and the many talented individuals it harbored, countless cultivation methods and paths had emerged—each vastly different from the others.
Although immortality remained elusive, sects began forming, dividing into orthodoxy and heresy. Conflicts, intrigue, and battles became commonplace.
As the dream of immortality grew ever distant, the power obtained through cultivation became the new goal for many.
In this era, righteous forces flourished while evil ones retreated. The Central Plains, rich in natural resources and human vitality, were firmly held by the orthodox sects.
Among them, the "Azure Cloud Sect," "Tianyin Temple," and "Burning Fragrance Valley" were known as the Three Great Pillars…
"I never expected… it would be this world!"
After reading through the information of the planet, Ye Cheng's expression suddenly grew colorful and complex.
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