A thousand years later...
"It's done..."
After countless strands of causality of power and tireless hours of deduction, Maximus finally completed the Tier 10 chapter of the Origin Manual.
Gazing at the crystallized amalgamation of knowledge in his mind, which detailed the origin of laws, Maximus felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
Though it took less time than creating the Tier 9 chapter of the Origin manual, the work and effort involved were incomparable.
It was like comparing a practice sketch to a masterpiece.
The Tier 10 chapter was the final chapter of the Origin— the life and soul of the Origin Manual.
Since it was a foundational manual, it could only be used from Tier 1 to Tier 10.
All the nourishment he had accumulated during this foundational stage would fuel his journey through the river of law to the ocean of law and finally to the Overlord Realm.
Thus, no matter how much sacrifice or effort was needed, Maximus was willing to bear it wholeheartedly.
"It's time to advance!"
Having finished inspecting the Tier 10 chapter of the Origin manual, Maximus began planning for his advancement.
The Etherium Realm was immediately ruled out.
His advancement to the Tier 10 realm was far beyond that of his wives and children.
The Etherium Realm, a mere Tier 10 dimension, could not withstand it.
Turning his thoughts to the void, Maximus had an idea.
For someone advancing from Tier 10 to Tier 11, it was necessary to be near the source pool of a river of law.
This source pool allowed one to be more adept and laced with the particular river of law during the advancement.
Advancing next to a source pool would allow one to directly possess a mastery of at least 1% to the river of law depending on their talent and foundation.
If Maximus could advance to Tier 10 realm beside the source pool of the River of Knowledge, it would greatly benefit him in the future.
Using the Seal of Truth, Maximus quickly deduced the location of the source pool of the River of Knowledge.
However, after a while, a frown appeared on his face.
"Interference barrier? Could it be hidden by the Dimensional Alliance?"
Answering his question, the Seal of Truth vibrated, confirming his suspicion.
"What the—" he muttered, cursing under his breath while smiling wryly.
According to his deduction, all the rivers of law in the Aeon Plane were either monopolized by the Dimensional Alliance or the Devourers.
Anyone wishing to advance beside a source pool of a river of law had to pay a steep price.
Maximus had no issue with the payment.
With his net worth, a few billion origin coins were nothing.
What he couldn't accept was being monitored in such a place.
His foundational manual was not simple.
Maximus suspected that the three Overlords of the Dimensional Alliance might interfere if they saw his power.
"You're too trusting, Sister. You let me hold your hand without a second thought."
"Why not? As your sister, why would I doubt you?" Iris shot back.
Smiling, Maximus held her hand and transferred pure essence of law from his unique physique.
As minutes, hours, days, and months passed, a realization dawned on Iris.
"This...! The Dimensional Source?" Iris quickly recognized the peculiarity of Maximus's energy.
Using her power, she tried to absorb all the energy from Maximus's body, but there was no reaction.
Recalling ancient texts she had once read, she was now certain that Maximus possessed the key to the Overlord Realm— the Dimensional Source.
"Relax, Sister. It might cause wrinkles," Maximus teased.
"You brat! You're still in the mood to joke about this?"
"Why not? Sister's beauty is more important than strength," Maximus said with a grin.
"Hmph! You're knowledgeable, but the Dimensional Source? No wonder I felt something different about you," Iris remarked, studying him intently.
"Sister, don't~ I still want to keep our innocent relationship!"
"You! What are you thinking? Be serious!" Iris said, slapping his shoulder in frustration.
"Ahem, I just wanted to calm my sister down," Maximus replied wryly.
He didn't mind who knew about his physique.
The three Overlords were aware of it, as were his wives, children, and grandchildren. Adding Iris to the list didn't matter.
What he couldn't let others know was the uniqueness of the Origin Manual.
Limit-breaking— a conceptual ability that transcended the Aeon Plane— was known only to Maximus.
All his family members who used the Origin Manual knew it was powerful and gave them a solid foundation, but none were aware that it could break and rewrite the rules of the Aeon Plane.
Maximus even had to lock this transcendent conceptual ability to keep it from being spread.
Such an ability was too heaven-defying and might even cause chaos that may destroy the Aeon Plane.
Once Iris calmed down, Maximus hugged her arm and asked again for a Tier 12 dimensional protection barrier.
"What do you need it for? It's so expensive..." Iris muttered helplessly.
"Others may notice the uniqueness of my physique and besiege me, sparking another war in the Aeon Plane," Maximus said, recalling the tragic fate of his predecessor, who had possessed the Dimensional Source.
"I only want to be with you, Sister Iris, not deal with those rough old men~"
Feeling charmed by his words and realizing she had exclusive access to a higher path, Iris fell into deep thought.
"Alright, fine. I'll set up a Tier 12 dimensional protection barrier for you! But in exchange, you have to visit me more often!" Iris declared.
After discovering Maximus's unique physique, Iris's attitude didn't change.
Their relationship had transcended mere acquaintance, relying purely on the instinct of the body.
Iris now regarded Maximus as her little brother, a companion in her otherwise lonely world.
Advancing to a higher realm was a dream of hers, but she cherished more the experiences and people she encountered along the way— especially this funny and endearing junior, who brought color to her dull existence.
"Thank you, Sister Iris! You're the best."
"Enough with the flattery. Let's go. I'll take you to the source pool of the River of Knowledge..."