Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 249

Chapter 249: Less time, More Power

As Aiden flew towards the perfect cultivation spot, another question nagged at him.

‘Nexus, how long will it take for me to reach the highest level in this Immortal Realm?’ he asked while soaring through the air.

[Considering you’re currently at the lower level of the Immortal King realm, you still need to break through to the peak of that realm, then advance into Immortal Emperor, followed by Immortal Ancestor. After that, you’ll need to reach the Saint Realm, and from there to Saint Lord, Saint King, and finally—]

“Okay, enough,” Aiden interrupted, rubbing his temples.

He sighed, then asked, “What do you think is the highest level of power in this city?”

[Based on my scans, the strongest I’ve detected is at the Saint level,] Nexus replied, her voice calm.

“So, I need to reach Saint level to stand a chance here. Great,” Aiden thought, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. “How much time do you think it would take for me to reach that level?” he asked, knowing full well the answer might be not what he would like.

[Roughly 50 years at the minimum,] Nexus replied.

“Yeah, and by that time, the kids would already be grown or worse… dead,” Aiden said, frustration lacing his voice. “Is there any faster way?” he asked, continuing his flight toward the cultivation spot.

[There are several methods,] Nexus responded. [For example, you could find another nest of Skyfire and cultivate there, like last time. It only took you three years to advance from the Immortal Foundation Realm to Immortal King while using the Timeless Fire.]

“Hmm, that does sound like a good idea. But how many years would it take in a similar environment?” Aiden asked, his mind racing with possibilities.

[That depends on the grade of the Skyfire,] Nexus explained. [Your Timeless Fire was top-tier since it was tied to time manipulation, and it still took three years. I can’t predict how long it would take with other types.]

Aiden sighed in frustration, then asked, “What other options do I have?”

[One is to master the time shard and create a Time Dilation Zone around yourself. That would speed up your cultivation process,] Nexus suggested.

“Ah, yes. I can do that,” Aiden nodded. The time manipulation method seemed like the most reliable option so far.

[There’s one more method, and it’s actually easier compared to the others. You could obtain the Authority of Dimensions,] Nexus added.

“Would that help me?” Aiden asked, looking ahead at the ancient-looking tree standing in the middle of the grasslands, which was his destination.

[Yes, it would. The Authority of Dimensions can help you create any dimension you need for cultivation, including ones with altered time flow,] Nexus said.

Aiden nodded thoughtfully. As he approached the massive tree, it became clear that it wasn’t just a normal tree. From the outside, it appeared ancient and ordinary, but it was, in fact, a secret realm—a hidden dimension filled with treasures that even the most knowledgeable cultivators hadn’t discovered. This place was perfect for Aiden to cultivate to his heart’s content, undisturbed.

He landed softly at the base of the tree, determined to make full use of this realm. Time and dimensions—these would be his keys to breaking through the limits of the Immortal Realm faster than anyone anticipated.

Aiden stepped into the shadow of the massive tree, his eyes scanning its towering branches that stretched far into the sky. Though it appeared ancient and serene from the outside, he knew this was no ordinary tree. The subtle hum of energy beneath its bark, the faint ripples in space around it—this was a gateway to an untouched, hidden realm.

He placed his hand against the rough bark, feeling the pulse of life within it. “Time to make the most of this,” he muttered to himself. As soon as his palm touched the surface, the bark shimmered and parted, revealing a glowing portal. Without hesitation, Aiden stepped through, leaving the grassy fields behind.

Inside, the scenery changed dramatically. The air felt dense with the raw essence of time and space. Vast stretches of ancient forests and glowing rivers lined the horizon, while unfamiliar constellations shimmered above, as though the realm existed outside the normal flow of time, suspended in its own dimension. A serene energy filled the area, making it clear why this hidden place was ideal for cultivation.

“Alright, first step: mastering the shard,” Aiden muttered to himself as he pulled out the time shard, his eyes focused intently on it. He began to attune himself to its power, slowly unraveling its mysteries and learning how to harness its intricate abilities.

Time passed as Aiden delved deeper into the shard’s essence, exploring every aspect of its power. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and before he realized it, two entire years had flown by.

“Dammit, it took me over two years just to master it,” Aiden grumbled, shaking his head. He was unaware that if anyone had seen the speed of his progress, they’d be baffled—and likely terrified—wondering if his mind worked on some impossible level.

Aiden stood up, the time shard now fully integrated into his being. The subtle hum of time and space danced around him, barely perceptible but brimming with potential. His mastery over the shard had given him a deeper understanding of time itself—how to manipulate it, bend it, and even slow it down within a controlled environment.

He stretched his body, feeling the surge of power coursing through him, the quiet essence of the realm amplifying his energy. “Two years… well spent,” Aiden muttered to himself. Though it felt like an eternity within his time-dilated bubble, he knew that in the outside world, far less time had passed. That alone reassured him, but the realization of how much time cultivation took still left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

Aiden looked around the secret realm once more. “Now that the shard is mastered, it’s time to push my cultivation further.” His goal remained clear: break into the next level of power—Immortal Emperor—and eventually reach the Saint Realm. He had to be ready to face the Red Hand and whoever else stood in his way.

He sat back down, crossing his legs in meditation. With the time shard under his control, Aiden could manipulate his Time Dilation Zone even more efficiently now. His personal cultivation speed would be exponentially increased. Closing his eyes, he began drawing in the dense immortal energy of the realm, channeling it into his body, focusing on refining his foundation.

As the minutes turned into days, and days into months, Aiden’s aura grew stronger, sharper, his presence becoming more commanding. He could feel the invisible barrier between Immortal King and Immortal Emperor growing thinner, and with each surge of energy, it was just within reach.

[You’re close,] Nexus’s voice echoed in his mind, calm yet filled with a hint of excitement. [Soon, you’ll break through.]

Aiden’s eyes remained closed, but a small smirk played on his lips. “Soon isn’t fast enough,” he murmured, pushing his cultivation even harder. His body, now accustomed to the intense flow of energy, absorbed the essence of the realm like a sponge. Every breath, every pulse, brought him closer to the peak.

[Still, its near] Nexus shrugged and said.

Aiden nodded, maintaining his focus as he continued cultivating. The energies flowed through him steadily, each cycle pushing him closer to his goal. Suddenly, he felt it—the barrier between Immortal King and Immortal Emperor. His aura sharpened as he concentrated all his energy, preparing for the breakthrough.

With a deep breath, Aiden began to forcefully push against the barrier. The pressure mounted, but he held steady, channeling the raw power he’d accumulated. Then, in a flash, the barrier shattered. A massive flood of energy surged toward him, filling every corner of his being. His cultivation realm began shifting, ascending toward the Immortal Emperor stage.

Sensing the flood of energy and the strain on his body, Aiden quickly grabbed the mashed-up mixture of rare Immortal herbs that Myne and Nexus had prepared specifically for him. Without hesitation, he gulped them down, feeling the immediate effect as his body absorbed the medicinal essence, stabilizing his breakthrough. The energy intensified, but with the help of the herbs, Aiden’s body adapted quickly, absorbing the flood without losing control.

His aura surged dramatically as his realm solidified, the power of an Immortal Emperor now coursing through his veins.

“Immortal Emperor Realm, Lower level. How long did it take me to reach this point?” Aiden inquired.

[If you’re referring to real-world time, it took 4 months.] Nexus responded.

“And what about the actual time spent in the cultivation realm?” Aiden asked again.

[It took 5 years.] Nexus replied.

“Hmm, time well spent. Now, let’s move to a new location,” Aiden said, stepping out of the secret realm. Having exhausted all the resources there, he activated his Pathfinder authority once more and began searching for another perfect, unused secret realm.