After stabilizing his condition and successfully breaking through to the second stage of Stellar Beast Core cultivation, Emery wasted no time.

He sent a message to his master.

The reply came almost instantly.

A single command.

A summons.

Without hesitation, Emery logged into the Cosmic Palace, his consciousness drawn into that boundless realm of cosmic authority—and he stood once again within the domain of his master.

The residence of the Stellar Beast Emperor.

The supreme figure remained seated upon his throne, much of his form hidden beneath drifting shadows.

Under his gaze—

Emery felt small.

Yet he did not falter.

Celestial Cloud, Typhon’s grandfather advanced. His green-scaled draconic form radiated calm authority, his aura steady and oppressive.

Without words, the test began.

Emery immediately unleashed his Primal Transformation, his aura surging outward with renewed strength. Compared to before, his control was noticeably refined.

He closed the distance immediately, engaging in close combat. He pressed the offensive, chaining strikes together with increasing precision, forcing the Qilin Supreme to respond.

Celestial Cloud met him calmly.

Every blow was intercepted, redirected, or neutralized with minimal effort.

With a sudden retreating step, Emery took out the divine sword and unleashed his Star-Rendering Cleaves.

The first arc tore through the air, sharp and controlled, followed immediately by a second, then a third.

Celestial Cloud responded in kind.

Each cleave was met with measured counters, deflected with minimal motion. Even so, the repeated use of the technique revealed Emery’s growth. His control over the blade art was far more stable, his energy usage more efficient, and his execution increasingly refined with each strike.

For a time, he managed to maintain both offense and defense, transitioning between close combat and ranged techniques with fluidity. His movements were sharper, his reactions faster—his overall prowess had clearly advanced.

Still, Emery understood.

Celestial Cloud was holding back.

Then, just as Emery prepared to press forward once more, a voice descended from the throne.

"That is enough."

The words instantly stilled the battlefield.

The Stellar Beast Emperor had spoken.

"I was concerned about your attempt to walk a dual path," he said calmly. "But seeing your progress... I am satisfied."

The discussion that followed was precise and thorough.

This was the third time his master had personally guided him, and Emery treated every word with the utmost seriousness.

The Stellar Beast Emperor pointed out subtle flaws in the way Emery absorbed and circulated primal energy. While his application in combat had been effective, there were inefficiencies beneath the surface. Emery listened carefully, committing each observation to memory, knowing that such guidance was invaluable.

Then, the Emperor’s attention shifted.

His gaze lingered slightly.

"Your recovery... was faster than expected."

The words were calm, but carried weight.

The Emperor explained that for half-blood cultivators, recovery from a failed breakthrough was notoriously slow. The integration of cosmic energy into the physical body required time—far more than ordinary cultivators. Even under optimal conditions, with access to the best resources and techniques, such recovery would typically take twenty years.

Yet Emery—

had done it in seven.

The implication was clear.

His dual cultivation path, once seen as risky and uncertain, had proven itself to be the correct choice.

A quiet sense of affirmation settled within Emery.

With a subtle flick of his hand, the Stellar Beast Emperor summoned two items into the air.

"You have done well. These are your rewards."

Emery was surprised.

The two items hovered silently before him.

The first immediately drew his attention.

It was massive—nearly two meters in length. Dark. Solid.

At first glance, it resembled a blade, but upon closer inspection, Emery realized it had no edge. It was not meant to cut.

It was a ruler.

An edgeless weapon forged from dense, unknown stone, its surface matte and unadorned, yet faint currents of suppressed energy flowed within it. It carried no outward brilliance, no decorative markings—only a quiet, overwhelming presence.

It felt ancient.

Heavy.

When it drifted toward him, Emery reached out and grasped it.

The moment his hand closed around it his expression shifted. The weight was immense, Far beyond ordinary weapons.

Even with his current physique, he was forced to channel primal energy into his arm just to lift it properly. The strain traveled through his muscles, grounding him instantly, forcing him to stabilize his stance.

This was no ordinary artifact.

Before Emery could voice his thoughts, the Stellar Beast Emperor spoke in a calm, measured tone, making its purpose clear.

"You will train with this weapon."

Emery’s gaze remained fixed on it, his senses probing the dense weight and restrained power within. It was a Tier 7 artifact—low grade, yet still worth billions of spirit stones. However, its true value did not lie in its price.

It suited him.

Unlike Excalibur, which emphasized precision and refinement, this weapon demanded raw strength and unwavering control. Its immense weight forced his body to adjust with every movement, compelling him to channel his primal energy more efficiently. It resonated naturally with his Primal Transformation. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

This was not a weapon meant to enhance him.

It was meant to temper him.

"The Gravestone Ruler," the Beast Emperor added.

The name lingered in Emery’s mind.

A fitting name.

Emery then turned his attention to the second item.

The small stone box appeared. Carefully, he opened it, and the contents revealed themselves without resistance.

Four materials rose gently into the air.

They were crystal cores.

Each one differed in size, shape, and color—one burned with a deep crimson glow, its surface flickering like contained flame; another shimmered in pale azure, cool and tranquil; the third pulsed faintly with a deep violet hue, its energy rhythmic and alive; and the last radiated a restrained golden brilliance, stable and refined. Despite their differences, all four emitted the unmistakable aura of top-grade beast cores, their energy pure, dense, and perfectly preserved.

Emery’s gaze sharpened as recognition settled in.

There were exactly four of them.

The precise number he needed to complete the second stage of his Star Beast Refinement Art.

It was only then that he truly understood.

His master had been observing him far more closely than he had realized. From the heavy training weapon tailored to his primal path to the exact four cores required for his next breakthrough.

Every choice reflected careful intention.

A quiet weight settled in Emery’s chest.

The expectation behind the gift, the silent guidance, felt strangely familiar.

For a brief moment, the image of his late master Xion surfaced in his mind.

The same quiet support.

Emotion stirred within him, fleeting but undeniable. Then, as always, he steadied himself. Lowering his head slightly, he spoke with sincerity.

"Thank you, Master."

The Stellar Beast Emperor spoke again.

This time, his voice did not travel through the air but resonated directly within Emery’s mind, calm yet absolute.

"Train well... be prepared... A calamity is coming."

Emery understood immediately.

The calamity the Beast Emperor spoke of could only be the infested scourge—the parasitic force from another realm.

His expression hardened. This was not a distant warning. It was inevitable.

After all, he had already been warned once before—by his own future self.

The Emperor’s voice echoed again, steady and composed.

"Now... you may ask your question."

The supreme figure before him had seen through his intentions. Stepping forward, he gathered his thoughts and spoke with respect.

"Master, I have a question regarding the Law of Origin."

What followed was brief in time, yet profound in depth.

When the exchange finally came to an end, Emery withdrew from the Cosmic Palace, his consciousness returning to his inner domain.

Before him stood the Star Devouring Beast, A faint smile appeared on his lips. There was no hesitation in his gaze. Only anticipation.