The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order - Chapter 1701

Chapter 1701: New Proto-Law
As Cain analyzed and assimilated everything that Black Sand had left behind—his soul, his comprehension, and his Inner Universe—his eyes glowed with a gleam of barely contained glee and rising excitement.

“He wasn’t just a master of the Law of Earth… he was also highly proficient in the Law of Life.”

The realization sent a thrill through Cain’s body. The Law of Life was a high-tier cosmic law, a universal force on par with the Laws of Time and Space.

While Cain had already reached Extreme Law Embodiment in the Law of Life—thanks to absorbing Marlin’s comprehension—he was still far from deciphering the Chaos Before the Law, a necessary precursor to forming a Proto-Law.

But now, with the boost he had acquired from Black Sand’s soul, he was closer than ever.

Cain didn’t let his thoughts spiral. With iron focus, he dove deeper into Black Sand’s memories—and what he discovered next sent another surge of excitement through his chest.

Black Sand’s understanding of the underworld was immense. He didn’t just know how to survive in the Endlessdeath Continent’s shadows—he knew every significant organization, every hidden alliance, every rogue cultivator network that slithered beneath the surface.

Cain’s eyes lit up with predatory hunger, his aura leaking waves of silent intent.

“This knowledge is priceless,” he murmured, voice low and dangerous.

After taking a deep breath, Cain summoned a clone of Jarkal, forged from concentrated psychic power, and placed it within the cultivation abode atop the Volcano Tree. Then, without making a sound, he vanished—teleporting into the Second Layer of the [Samsara Arsenal Module].

Inhaling deeply, Cain let the Soul Enlightenment Mist fill his lungs and mind. It sharpened his consciousness and expanded his perception, perfectly preparing him for what came next.

As much as Cain was eager to continue harvesting enemies and power, he understood the need for caution. It would be unwise to draw more attention so soon after killing Black Sand.

“The initial momentum of the war is dying down,” he thought to himself, settling into a lotus position. “A prolonged stalemate is about to take hold. There’s no need to rush.”

With that understanding, Cain began his cultivation anew, focusing on extracting every last drop of knowledge and power from Black Sand’s remains.

Three full weeks passed.

During that time, Cain didn’t leave the Second Layer even once. And yet, every third day, his reports reached Zoro on time, crafted with more than enough accuracy and intelligence to satisfy the man’s needs.

Finally, as the month of isolation neared its end, Cain opened his eyes.

They glowed with a cosmic majesty, reflecting worlds unseen.

Though his physical body remained seated in the [Samsara Arsenal Module], what Cain saw in his mind’s eye was something entirely different: a massive landmass, filled with mountains of stone and towering monoliths. They pulsed with the essence of time, as if they had stood for eternity, evolving with the world, adapting to the rhythms of creation.

This was the visual manifestation of Cain’s comprehension of the Law of Earth.

Taking another breath, Cain pushed his soul and mind to their absolute limits. With immense effort, he began stripping the Law of Earth down, breaking it apart, shedding its structure, and peeling away everything that wasn’t core essence.

Hours passed in a timeless trance.

Then, finally, floating within the core of his mind, he saw it: a glowing brown orb, compact and radiant. Its essence surpassed even the beauty of the vast earthscape from before. It was the Chaos Seed of the Law of Earth—its most primal and raw form.

Cain already knew what kind of Proto-Law he would forge from it.

“Earth not as a weapon,” Cain thought, “but as a fortress. It embodies the ancient truth that earth endures all things—storms, war, time, and decay. This is not simply resilience—it is the essence of being unshatterable.”

Channeling his will, Cain imprinted that ideal into the orb.

The Chaos Seed responded.

It began to shift, mutate, and take form—becoming something new, something greater.

Proto-Law of Unshattered Stone.

A massive wave of Essence Origin burst from Cain’s Inner World, rising into the sky and forming a crystallized manifestation of the new law. Once completed, the orb exploded in a gentle but powerful shockwave, nurturing the sky and land with an unbreakable essence.

Cain’s eyes lit up with fierce satisfaction. A wide grin spread across his face as he felt his power rise yet again.

“My second Proto-Law…” he said aloud. “Most Prima Deities spend their entire lives with just one. And I already have two.”

He chuckled quietly to himself.

“Others take hundreds of thousands of years to reach the required understanding,” came Apex’s voice, echoing in Cain’s mind. “Of course… you’re faster if you just steal what they spent a lifetime building.”

Cain’s smile remained.

“The cultivation world is brutal,” he replied. “To rise, you must conquer. I just do it more thoroughly.”

“That’s the truth,” Apex replied, tone unreadable.

With the new Proto-Law secured, Cain exhaled deeply, stood up, and exited the [Samsara Arsenal Module]. Back in the real world, he returned to the Volcano Tree, resumed his identity as Jarkal, and then slipped away once more—this time with a more active objective in mind.

His goal was simple: capture operatives from underworld organizations and harvest any evil treasures they might possess.

Unfortunately, just as he was about to begin gathering materials to enhance the Samsara Flame’s sacrifice, Cain received a telepathic message.

“We’ll be making our move in forty-eight hours. Submit your report at least five hours before deployment.”

Cain scowled as he heard Zoro’s voice.

His expression darkened with irritation, but he knew there was nothing he could do to delay.

“Understood, Lord Zoro,” he replied smoothly, his voice calm despite his rising annoyance.

As Cain, he wasn’t technically bound to participate in the upcoming incursion. But as Jarkal, he was a recognized Prima Deity within the ranks of Divine Sea Heaven. His presence on the battlefield was mandatory. Any absence would raise suspicion.