As Maximus tempted the River of Knowledge with pure Origin energy, its illusory form began to morph around him, eager to absorb the energy.
However, when it tried, it met a barrier Maximus had set up.
"Why do you need such energy..." Maximus pondered.
Fortunately, although the River of Knowledge only had an instinct, it quickly provided insight into why it needed such energy.
Pure Origin was second only to the power of causality.
Containing all the origin of laws and the most primitive energy of the Aeon Plane, everything that sought to evolve desired a piece of it.
Such a pure origin energy was like water for everything to function and grow.
"So this is why the powerhouses were scrambling for the Dimensional Source Physique," he thought.
It wasn't just about having an endless supply of energy but about controlling a unique, untainted source.
Like the holder of the last pure water in a polluted world, no power could resist the urge to possess him.
As insights about Pure Origin reached his mind, an advancement path for the River of Knowledge appeared beside it.
"I see—energy! If I can't rely on my knowledge, I could use the brute force of energy!"
To master anything in this world, one needed either skill and talent or an overwhelming amount of energy to try again and again.
Feeling endless energy flow into him, Maximus let go, allowing the River of Knowledge to absorb it to its heart's content.
As it flowed, though his knowledge remained blank, the River of Knowledge began to sublimate, aligning closer to his energy frequency.
---
Soon, as hundreds and thousands of years passed, those who walked the path of knowledge began to notice some subtle differences.
"The River of Knowledge is transforming..."
Though they couldn't yet pinpoint the change, the river of knowledge seemed to be evolving.
Suddenly, as if struck by revelation, their eyes widened with delight.
"A being is about to master the path of knowledge!"
Instead of jealousy or gloom at the prospect of someone surpassing them, they felt unprecedented joy.
The forbidden path of knowledge was one with no end in sight.
Despite this, as scholars and seekers who longed to pry into the secrets of the Aeon Plane, they remain stubborn and still proceed to such a path.
Even if they became mediocre or got stuck in place, they refused to back down.
Yet, seeing their friends become masters of the river of law, rule dimensions, flaunt their power, and live as they pleased, even their iron resolve began to waver.
Their thirst for knowledge began to wane, yearning for an exit.
Instead of knowledge, they began to desire a life of debauchery filled with freedom and life.
Lost in hope and misery, they finally saw a savior emerge.
Feeling the River of Knowledge transformed into a complete path, they hastily severed their connection to it, attempting to create their streams of law.
Although their paths would be narrow, as long as they could move forward, it was worth it.
Yet, as they tried to separate the streams of alchemy, arrays, arcane, and other common path, they felt stuck, as though someone had already claimed ownership of them.
"This is impossible!"
While it might not directly benefit them, having access to the Aeon Plane's unlimited energy was still essential.
Maybe they could even produce a few more Overlords before the crisis.
Calming down, they began to discuss their follow-up plan.
Though the crisis of the Aeon Plane wouldn't arrive for the coming thousand epochs, for beings of their power level, it was still a short time.
"Shall we accelerate the plan?"
"It's indeed the time."
"Hmm, inform those three—it's time to accelerate the development of the Aeon Plane. Even if it exhausts the Aeon Plane's potential, it's better than perishing..."
---
Meanwhile, the Lord of Truth, hidden in the void, trembled as he felt the change in the River of Knowledge.
"How is this possible? The River of Knowledge has been conquered?!"
The Ocean of Truth was merely a stream of knowledge he had separated from the source trillions of epochs ago.
With talent and countless sacrifices, he nurtured this stream to form its origin and grow into an ocean.
Countless dimensions, creatures, and powerful beings had to fall for him to achieve his current position, ultimately making him the most wanted devourer in existence.
Even the Overlords occasionally hunted him because of this.
Fortunately, despite the grueling and time-consuming process, it succeeded.
Thinking of the one who had conquered what he could not, he couldn't help but feel both jealousy and admiration.
He could only imagine the talent and potential of the individual who had overcome this forbidden path.
"I wonder who it is..." the Lord of Truth muttered, attempting to deduce an answer using his Ocean of Truth.
Unfortunately, Maximus was protected by the River of Knowledge, blocking all information breaches.
The only reason the three Overlords knew it was him was because they knew that Maximus was treading the path of the River of Knowledge.
With an Origin-grade ultimate physique, the Dimensional Source, it was only a matter of time before Maximus conquered this forbidden path.
Receiving no answer, the Lord of Truth frowned.
"After all, it was only a stream. Even if it became an ocean, its power remains inferior to the source..."
The River of Knowledge possessed the power of omniscience, while he held only the power of truth.
"Should I—"
Just as the Lord of Truth considered devouring the River of Knowledge, his instincts suddenly warned him.
"NO! Dangerous!"
The Lord of Truth possessed an Origin-grade ultimate physique, Primordial Intuition.
This physique allowed him to sense any danger threatening him.
Although it had no offensive capabilities, it had saved him countless times.
From perilous experiments to hunts by the Dimensional Alliance and ambushes by the Overlords, he had become an unkillable cockroach, surviving even the most powerful opponents.
Realizing he couldn't afford to challenge the new master of the River of Knowledge, he diverted his thinking.
"If force isn't an option... then what about cooperation?"