Chapter 126

Takumi couldn't wait to return to Sky Island.

Istaru flew over in the form of an elf, her eyes widening as she looked at the 'virtual force' light orb and the three 'rings' in Takumi's hand. "Wow! Master, isn't this the abyss power source of the alien traveler? And those rings... they're made from his corpse, right? Are you planning to control the 'Void World Power System'?"

As the most intellectual among the Four Shadows, she immediately understood what her master intended. It was well known that even Fanes had once attempted to control the "Void World Force System," but lacked the right constitution to wield the "Void World Force." Additionally, the force was harmful to the Teyvat Continent, and thus it had been completely sealed away in the half-broken red moon in the red sky.

Asmodeus stood quietly by, simply watching as Takumi sat on the throne without uttering a word. Esdeath, meanwhile, was still curled up on the throne, sleeping and recovering her strength. Takumi had played with her too hard previously, and while the demons like Istaru and Asmod could continue indefinitely, Esdeath needed rest.

"Yes, I must master the 'Void World Power System'. If I don't, Yuanyue Sky will grow stronger as it swallows more and more worlds. Eventually, it will spiral out of my control, becoming a threat akin to Tartarus. I won't allow that," Takumi said as he pressed the 'Virtual Realm Power Source' orb against his chest, slowly pushing it in.

"Ugh... hissing... it's... so disgusting!" Takumi groaned.

The moment the 'virtual world power source' entered Takumi's body, the power filled every part of him. A jet-black air with hints of purple began emanating from beneath his skin. Almost instantly, he felt as if he had transformed into the 'Konjaku Shuang' from the Star Iron World.

The malice from the "darkest world" swept through him, accompanied by unintelligible murmurs that seemed to gnaw at his consciousness, trying to replace his very being. The system's antivirus mode activated in response.

"Beep! Abnormal energy intrusion detected. System activating antivirus mode," the system announced.

"Pause!" Takumi said quickly. "System, analyze the composition of the 'virtual world power source'."

"Beep! Parsing in progress... Parsing complete. The core component of the 'Virtual World Power Source' is the dark side of the world, the opposite of the world, the shadow of the world, and the reflection of the world."

Takumi frowned. "What does that mean? I know every word, but I don't understand when you put them together."

"Beep! Reorganizing language based on host's knowledge reserves. The 'Virtual World Force' belongs to the dark power of the world. If the world is compared to a person, then the 'Virtual World Force' is the combination of a person's shadow and dark inner thoughts. It is similar to the 'Reverse Kabbalah Tree' in the host's memory, but not quite the same. It might be closer to 'all the evil in this world' from the Moon World in the host's memory, but still not identical."

Takumi nodded. "Got it. In short, it's the sum of all the world's darkness, right?"

"Beep! Correct."

"System, I want to control the intensity of the virtual force. Suppress this energy," Takumi commanded.

"Beep! Suppressing the intensity of the 'Virtual World Force'."

Takumi felt the overwhelming power within him begin to weaken, gradually subsiding until it reached a level that he could manage. The grotesque state of 'Konjak Shuang' also began to recover quickly. Istaru, observing all of this, was speechless.

The powers that even Fanes couldn't handle, powers that had led to his demise, were being slowly harnessed by her master. He was adapting to them with startling ease, turning these dark energies to his own advantage.

Istaru's expression shifted as a thought occurred to her. With the master growing stronger, her pain might also increase if he wanted to play with her again. She had barely been able to bear it before, having transformed into an elf to escape. Perhaps she needed to find a way for the master to accept more companions...

Takumi was oblivious to Istaru's thoughts, fully focused on adapting to the 'Virtual World Force'. He felt his body slowly accommodating the power, integrating it into his very essence.

When the 'light world force' within him encountered the 'virtual world force', the two forces immediately began to clash, annihilating and consuming each other in an endless cycle. They were like maggots clinging to the bones, constantly opposing each other.

Takumi now understood how Fanes had perished. Once the 'Virtual World Power Source' entered the body, there were only two possible outcomes: either you controlled it, or it devoured you. There was no middle ground.

It was the sum of all the world's darkness, constantly replenished by negative energy and dark concepts. No matter how strong Fanes had been, he couldn't withstand such a force eternally eating away at him.

But Takumi was different. As a being from Blue Star, his body operated under the laws of pure 'physical physics'. Given enough time, he could adapt to any energy because the laws of physics did not inherently conflict with mystical laws. Physics was inherently inclusive, allowing Takumi to master everything that Fanes had left behind without reservation.

After three days of alternation between sun and moon, Takumi, who had been resting on the throne with his eyes closed, slowly opened them. His golden eyes turned dark purple, shifting from supreme majesty to dark and profound mystery. His soul was reflected in his gaze.

He had finally mastered the 'Virtual World Power'. He slowly closed his eyes again, then reopened them. His eyes had returned to their original golden color.

"Finally, the 'Light Realm Force' and the 'Virtual Realm Force' have reached equilibrium," he said, raising his hand. Golden light and black-purple light appeared simultaneously, forming the shape of a small tree without leaves—the 'light world force' embodied as the 'Kabbalah Tree of Life'. The 'virtual world force' clung to its roots, appearing as an inverted, shadowy counterpart—an 'Inverted Tree'.

This was not Kabbalah, but rather the state of two opposing yet mutually reinforcing forces.

The moment Takumi took control of the 'Virtual World Power', the red moon—which had broken into the red sky—began to shake. Spatial ripples spread outwards from the red moon, disturbing the Golden King Beasts and golden creatures that patrolled nearby, scattering them like flies.