Emperor of the Source

The viral analysis post spread across the Andromeda Galaxy with unstoppable momentum, forcing even the most ignorant cultivators to confront the deeper reality of what was unfolding. What had initially appeared to be a simple conflict between sects was now understood as a fragile ignition point for something far more catastrophic. The clarity provided by that analysis did not calm the galaxy; instead, it unsettled it even further.

Adrian observed the shifting tides through his UNI-OS interface, watching notification after notification cascade across the networks. Each post carried a different perspective, yet they all circled the same conclusion: the Andromeda Galaxy stood on the precipice of something unprecedented.

Many lesser minor sects observed the situation with growing unease, their leaders hoping that the coming storm would pass without dragging them into its destructive path. Even among the other upper minor sects within the Andromeda Galaxy, similar sentiments prevailed. Most of them possessed only a single Peak Rule Stage cultivator, a fragile pillar of strength that could not withstand the pressure of a large-scale war. Compared to the four dominant sects, their power was insignificant, and if the situation escalated, they would be the first to suffer the consequences. Some even found themselves silently wishing for the rapid and effortless destruction of the Crimson Vital Sect, not out of hostility, but out of fear that a prolonged conflict would destabilize everything and pull them into a war they could not survive.

Adrian closed the interface, his expression unchanged. He felt no anger toward these sects praying for his downfall. In a universe governed by raw strength, the weak could only pray that the storms of the strong passed them by. It was a miserable way to exist and exactly the cycle he intended to break.

As the majority of the galaxy was in a confused state, one of the four strongest powers chose to act.

The Thousand Veils Sect made its move.

Within the headquarters of the Thousand Veils Sect, Elder Kaevryn stood respectfully before his sect leader. His voice carried both caution and uncertainty as he asked, "Sect Leader, how are we going to respond to this situation?"

Nightshade stood silently near a vast window, his gaze fixed upon the distant stars that stretched endlessly across the void. The light from distant nebulae bathed his profile in shifting hues of violet and amber. For a brief moment, he did not respond, as though weighing not just the present situation, but the unseen variables hidden beneath it.

Then, without turning, Nightshade spoke, "The galaxy does not know what we know. They do not understand what kind of anomaly exists within the Crimson Vital Sect. Announce that they are our ally. If the Ashen Vortex Sect dares to mobilize its full military, then it will have to face us first."

Kaevryn's expression tightened slightly. "Do we truly need to escalate this far? If we take this step, we are no longer dealing with a contained conflict. This will become a galactic war."

Nightshade finally turned, his gaze settling on Kaevryn. "Kaevryn, you have not seen what I have seen," he said quietly. "If you had, you would never even consider antagonizing him. Do not question this decision. Follow the order. I know what is best for our sect."

The weight of those words left no room for argument. Kaevryn bowed deeply, suppressing his doubts as he accepted the command. "Understood, Sect Leader."

As Kaevryn departed, Nightshade returned his gaze to the stars. His hand rested against the cold surface of the window, fingers splayed as though trying to grasp something just beyond reach. That moment during the trial, when Adrian's white-grey eyes had met his, still lingered in his mind like an echo that refused to fade.

He had glimpsed something that day. Something older than authority. Older than domains. Older, perhaps, than the rules themselves.

…

The announcement spread across the galaxy with explosive speed, igniting a new wave of confusion and speculation among cultivators and analysts alike. Many struggled to understand why the Thousand Veils Sect would take such a decisive stance, openly aligning itself with a rising sect that, by all conventional metrics, should have been at a disadvantage. The sheer scale of the reaction seemed disproportionate, prompting countless theories to emerge across the forums.

Some analysts proposed that this was not a reaction, but an opportunity. The seeds of conflict had already been planted earlier, particularly during the incident involving the willforce recovery artifact. Although that situation had temporarily stabilized due to the limited accessibility of that technology, the underlying tension had never truly dissipated. The desire for dominance among the sects had already been ignited, and all that was required was a suitable trigger. From this perspective, the Thousand Veils Sect had simply seized the moment, using the current conflict as a justification to initiate a larger struggle for supremacy.

While the galaxy speculated, within the headquarters of the Ashen Vortex Sect, the atmosphere had turned significantly heavier.

Ignis stood before the projection displaying the announcement, his expression darkening as his aura fluctuated with restrained fury.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"That bastard Nightshade…" he muttered, his voice carrying a sharp edge of anger.

Nearby, Pyros and Asteria observed the same projection, both fully aware that this development had drastically altered the situation. Pyros's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly whilst Asteria's eyes narrowed, tracking the text with cold precision. When Pyros had originally devised his plan, he had anticipated that the Thousand Veils Sect would act opportunistically, stepping in only after the Ashen Vortex Sect had weakened itself through conflict. What he had not expected was such a direct and immediate intervention.

Asteria spoke first, her tone sharp and analytical. "We have already declared that any party rejecting our mediation will face our full military force. If we act on that now, we will be entering a large-scale war from the very beginning."

Pyros said, "I'm sure the Thousand Veils Sect is doing this to show their dominance. While we tried to act as mediators, they want to oppose us and stand against us."

Ignis's eyes burned with intensity as he responded, "If they want a war this badly… then we will give them one."

Asteria's reaction was immediate, a faint, almost eager edge entering her voice. "So we have finally reached this point… no more negotiations, no more schemes."

Her lips curved slightly, not quite a smile but something close. She had always preferred direct confrontation over political maneuvering.

But Pyros shook his head, his calm demeanor unbroken, "Wait."

Both Ignis and Asteria turned toward him.

"Morwenna and Balthazar are still out there. We cannot make reckless decisions now. If we engage Nightshade directly at this stage, the others will simply wait and benefit from our losses."

Asteria narrowed her eyes slightly. "Then what choice do we have? If we withdraw from this, our reputation will collapse even further. It will potentially look like we stepped back because of the Thousand Veils Sect, and it would only bring us more damage and, in turn, raise the reputation of the Thousand Veils Sect."

Her voice carried a bitter edge. Every option seemed to lead toward some form of defeat.

All attention shifted toward Pyros. He remained still, his mind working rapidly, assembling the fragmented possibilities into a single, coherent path forward. After several moments, he finally spoke.

"We cannot step back. That much is unavoidable. But if we are going to step into it, then we must ensure that no one else remains outside it. Morwenna and Balthazar cannot be allowed to sit back and benefit while we bear the cost. If this is going to become a major war, then it must be one from the very beginning… not something where others profit from our losses."

Asteria narrowed her eyes slightly. "And how do you plan to force that?"

Pyros met her gaze directly. "Supremacy."

The word alone was enough to change the atmosphere of the entire chamber.

"We issue a Supremacy Declaration."

For a moment, even Ignis did not respond.

A Supremacy Declaration was not merely a political move or a strategic decision. It was an ancient tradition dating back to the earliest eras of the universe, a declaration that a sect intended to rise above all others and establish itself as the sole dominant power of an entire galaxy. Such a declaration did not affect only a few factions; it encompassed every sect, every empire, and every cultivator within that galaxy. If successful, the declaring sect would effectively claim ownership over the entire galaxy, reducing all others to subsidiary forces under its authority.

Because of its magnitude, such a declaration was only made when a sect was absolutely confident in its ability to dominate the entire galaxy.

Pyros continued, his tone steady and unwavering. "The Thousand Veils Sect is acting in a roundabout way to get its supremacy. We will just tear open everything. The moment we declare supremacy, this conflict ceases to be about mediation, reputation, or even the Crimson Vital Sect. It becomes a war for absolute dominance."

Asteria spoke slowly, her mind already tracing the consequences. "If we declare supremacy… then the Grave-Sky Sect and the Ironbound Path Sect will have no choice but to act. They cannot allow us to rise unchecked."

"Exactly," Pyros replied. "Right now, they are waiting, observing, hoping that we weaken ourselves first. But if we force the issue now, they lose that advantage. They will be dragged into the conflict immediately."

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Ignis's face. "So if we are falling into a pit… we drag the entire galaxy down with us," he said, a hint of satisfaction entering his voice. "I like that."

"Yes," Pyros confirmed. "No one remains a spectator. No one benefits without risk."

With a slight movement of his hand, a projection appeared before them, already prepared in advance. The holographic text shimmered in the air, each word carefully chosen.

Asteria glanced at it briefly, a faint smile forming. "Of course, you already drafted it."

Pyros did not respond to the remark. Instead, he spoke, outlining the message.

"The Ashen Vortex Sect initially sought to mediate peace, but the galaxy continues to be destabilized by warmongers such as the Crimson Vital Sect and the Thousand Veils Sect. Therefore, we will no longer tolerate fragmented authority within the Andromeda Galaxy. We will unify it under a single banner. All sects are to acknowledge our authority or prepare for eradication. Those who oppose us will be treated as enemies and considered as warmongers. Those who submit will be granted protection under our rule."

The announcement was twisted in a way that framed the Ashen Vortex Sect as only needing peace, but the actions of others forced it to declare supremacy to unite the galaxy under a single banner.

Ignis stepped forward without hesitation. "Send it."

Pyros activated his UNI-OS, finalizing the transmission.

For a brief moment, the galaxy remained silent. Then everything changed.

…

Across the Andromeda Galaxy, every network, every forum, and every communication channel lit up simultaneously. The Supremacy Declaration was not a localized event; it was a galaxy-wide phenomenon. The UNI-OS itself amplified the announcement, broadcasting it across every accessible layer of communication.

Adrian was in the Crimson Vital Sect's headquarters while his UNI-OS interface suddenly flooded with notifications. The sheer volume forced the system to temporarily pause, reorganizing the incoming data into manageable streams.

He opened the primary alert.

› SUPREMACY DECLARATION - ASHEN VORTEX SECT

The words appeared stark and absolute against the interface's background. Adrian read through the entire message, his expression unchanging. Around him, the ambient sounds faded into insignificance as his mind processed the implications.

This was no longer a conflict between sects. This was a declaration of galactic conquest.

In that single moment, the scale of the conflict escalated irreversibly.

And with this, every sect was dragged into the war!