Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 485

Chapter 485: Fate V
Aiden’s breath came slow and steady as he stared into the vast, unseen force beyond reality itself. His victory over the Regulator was absolute, but it had triggered something far greater—an awareness beyond the system itself.

It was subtle at first. A ripple in the space around him, a faint, almost imperceptible distortion. Then, like a silent storm rolling in from the abyss, a presence began to emerge.

It was not a voice. It was not a form.

It was simply existence itself acknowledging him.

[UNKNOWN ENTITY DETECTED]

[WARNING: SYSTEM BREACH EXCEEDS DESIGNATED THRESHOLD]

[RESPONSE PROTOCOL: INQUIRY]

Aiden felt the weight of its attention press upon him like an ocean threatening to drown a single droplet of water. This was no mere guardian or enforcer. This was the very essence of order across the infinite planes of existence.

And it had finally taken notice of the anomaly that was Aiden.

“State your designation.”

The command was not spoken, yet it echoed within him. A mere suggestion of defiance felt like resisting gravity itself. This was not something he could fight head-on.

Aiden smirked, despite the immeasurable force bearing down on him.

“Aiden. Just Aiden.”

There was a moment of silence. The vast presence did not waver, nor did it show any sign of emotion. It simply continued to observe.

“Designation acknowledged. Your existence has diverged from predetermined paths.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow. So even this thing had its own preordained designs?

“Your actions have destabilized a fundamental Regulator.”

Aiden’s smirk widened. So it really was watching.

“And?”

“Correction is required. However…”

For the first time, the crushing pressure lessened.

“You have forced an outcome beyond all pre-existing resolutions.”

Aiden felt something shift.

The entity wasn’t simply reacting—it was processing. Adapting.

“We have observed many anomalies. You are different.”

Aiden exhaled, flexing his fingers as golden energy flickered along his palm. “And what does that mean for me?”

The presence did not hesitate.

“You are a Variable.”

Aiden frowned. “A variable?”

“A factor unaccounted for. A deviation from the established laws.

An entity outside the design.

An existence that should not be, yet is.”

There was a pause. Then, the presence continued.

“We do not erase Variables. We observe them.”

That… was unexpected.

Aiden had prepared himself for another battle, a conflict beyond anything he had ever faced. But instead, this force chose to watch.

“Your existence will no longer be interfered with. Continue as you are.”

Then, as quickly as it had come—

It withdrew.

The overwhelming presence vanished, leaving behind only silence. The space around Aiden felt lighter, though he knew that did not mean he was free.

It was watching now.

He had escaped the grasp of the system, overpowered the Regulator, and forced a being beyond comprehension to acknowledge him.

[Status Updated: The Observer is Watching.]

Aiden sighed, cracking his neck.

“Well… that’s not ominous at all.”

For now, he had won.

But he had the distinct feeling that this was only the beginning.

Aiden took a deep breath, his spirit sense scanning the surrounding void. The entity had disappeared, but its presence still lingered, like an echo in the fabric of existence itself.

[The Observer is Watching.]

The words in his status flickered ominously, carrying an unseen weight. He had forced something beyond the System to acknowledge him, but he wasn’t naïve enough to believe that was the end of it.

This changes everything…

Aiden closed his eyes, focusing on the energy coursing through him. His body still carried the lingering traces of his battle—both physical and metaphysical. The Regulator was gone, but the scars remained.

His sight, or rather the lack of it, reminded him of his current reality. Spirit sense replaced his vision, painting the world in a different hue. He had adapted, but he knew it wasn’t enough.

I need to reach the Divine Realm.

His injuries, the laws that bound him, and even the unknown forces observing him—it all pointed to a singular conclusion. He was too weak in the grand scheme of things.

A wry chuckle escaped him. I’ve been thinking that a lot lately.

He turned his attention inward. The Divine Serpent Blood Essence Bead, the Million Soul Emperor Physique, the Energy Ruler Fox, and the authorities he had unlocked—each of them was a stepping stone.

But they were still incomplete.

“Tsk. I need more.”

The words left his lips before he could stop them. Greedy? Maybe. But this world—no, this existence—didn’t favor those who hesitated.

If he wanted to find Shelly and Serina.

If he wanted to reach the Divine Realm.

If he wanted to remain himself, instead of a piece in some cosmic game—

He needed power.

Aiden’s focus sharpened. The next step was clear.

Find the next opportunity. Secure more strength. And prepare for whatever was coming.

Because if the Observer was watching—

Then he damn well needed to be ready when it decided to act.

Aiden exhaled slowly, centering himself. The battlefield was behind him, the Observer’s gaze had faded, but the weight of everything remained. He was running out of time.

He activated his Spatial Compass, its shimmering patterns guiding him towards the nearest stable rift. A path forward. His mind raced through the possibilities.

Burning Shore is compromised. Too many eyes. I need somewhere isolated. Somewhere I can grow without interruption.

Then he remembered.

The Abyssal Ruins.

A forsaken place, buried deep within a collapsing plane—its energies twisted and unstable. No sane cultivator willingly ventured there.

But Aiden wasn’t just a cultivator.

He had the Reaper Scythe.

He had Energy Ruler at his disposal.

And he had the Lord of Information, Akashic Authority whispering fragments of forgotten knowledge into his mind.

Ruins that devour Qi. Shadows that linger even after death. A sealed fate waiting to be broken…

Aiden’s lips curled into a smirk. Sounds perfect.

Without hesitation, he activated Pathfinder’s Step, his form dissolving into streaks of golden light and abyssal shadow. The world blurred, distances folding under his will.

And then—

He arrived.

—𝘛𝘏𝘙𝘜𝘔—

The pressure hit him instantly. The Abyssal Ruins were alive in a way that defied logic. The very air seemed to seethe with something ancient, something hungry.