Focalors looked at Ruan Mei helplessly. If she herself could surpass the world, wouldn't that mean she was stronger than the Heavenly Principles? In that case, whether the Authority was separated or not would hardly matter.
"I can't raise the strength of your soul beyond the upper limit of this world in a short time," Ruan Mei said, her hands folded gracefully before her abdomen as she gently shook her head. "But achieving a temporary, opportunistic transcendence is still possible."
Rapidly boosting someone's power beyond a planet's upper limit might be something only an Aeon could accomplish. For now, she had no such means.
However, temporarily elevating someone beyond the planet's limit—just long enough to extract the Authority—was not a problem.
"As long as the Authority can be separated, that's enough. Ms. Ruan Mei, what should we do next?" Nolan asked with clear delight when he saw that Ruan Mei didn't seem troubled.
Focalors also looked at Ruan Mei with curiosity.
Indeed, within her own understanding and abilities, the only way to separate the Authority was through self-sacrifice. But Ruan Mei came from beyond Teyvat.
That world was far broader—perhaps there truly were other methods.
"I once cultivated a planetary lifeform, one even larger than this world. Its soul should surpass the upper limit of this world," Ruan Mei explained.
"If it transfers a portion of its world origin to you, it should be able to temporarily elevate you beyond this world's upper limit.
"However, once that power is returned, your soul's strength will rapidly decline, and you'll likely be weakened for a period of time."
World origin was a special kind of power, similar in nature to world authority. As long as the world itself permitted it, anyone could make use of it.
So long as it remained within the world, it could be used freely. But if it were taken away beyond the world's bounds, the world itself would suffer damage.
Except for those dearly favored by a world, most beings would never be granted world origin.
It was much like how this world favored elemental life, granting the beings known as Elemental Dragon Kings authority over the world.
"I see," Nolan said, turning to Focalors. "A weakened soul isn't a big problem. Come rest in my space for a few days and you should recover."
His Wonderland Space had extremely powerful effects on strengthening the soul. Recently, even Kitsune Saiguu's soul had almost fully recovered.
In just a few more days, a complete return to normal wouldn't be an issue.
That said—being able to cultivate an entire planet, even turning it into a living being—was that really something achievable by power merely comparable to an Emanator?
Like Phantylia, whom he had met before—she was a genuine Emanator, yet he couldn't sense anything close to such an inconceivable ability from her.
Truly worthy of the title: the universe's top-tier genius, the foremost expert in the field of life.
Nolan felt that no matter how strong he became, without understanding the knowledge of the life domain, he would never be able to cultivate life.
This was the power of knowledge—something brute combat strength alone could never achieve.
"Alright, let's do it this way," Focalors said with a light nod. She was well aware of Nolan's portable space and agreed to the plan.
She wasn't afraid even of sacrificing herself—what was a bit of soul weakness in comparison?
"Very well. Please wait a moment while I communicate with it," Ruan Mei said, closing her eyes to contact the planetary lifeform somewhere in the depths of the cosmos.
Not long after, she opened her eyes again.
All lifeforms cultivated by Ruan Mei regarded her as their creator and would never refuse any request from her.
To receive the creator's attention at all was cause enough for that planetary lifeform to rejoice.
Ruan Mei extended her fair index finger and tapped Focalors lightly on the forehead. A faint green planetary sigil appeared.
"This is a mark for long-distance reception of world origin," Ruan Mei said as she turned to Nolan. "Let's go to your space—things might get a bit noisy next."
"Alright."
Nolan understood that Ruan Mei was referring to the Void Star Sea. He swiftly opened a spatial rift.
The group stepped into the Void Star Sea. The All-Devouring Narwhal was no longer there—only a vast, empty starry void remained.
"Do you feel it?" Ruan Mei asked, looking at Focalors.
"Yes. A stream of energy is flowing out from the mark," Focalors nodded, the white tips of her hair at her forehead swaying lightly.
Nolan also sensed Focalors's aura rapidly growing stronger and instinctively opened his golden Eye of Judgment:
[Level: 113 → 114 → 120…]
Focalors's level shot up from 113 to 120 almost instantly, and it was still climbing rapidly.
"Stay focused. When you can clearly sense that portion of world authority, use the power of the world origin to separate it," Ruan Mei reminded her.
"…Alright."
Focalors was already feeling uncomfortable, as if she were stuffed to the brim yet still being forced to eat more.
130… 135… 140… 142…
When Nolan saw Focalors's level nearing that of an Emanator, it finally stopped at level 142.
Gritting her teeth, she struggled to guide the power that did not belong to her, forcibly separating a water-blue sphere of light from her soul.
At that very moment, her level plummeted rapidly.
The overwhelming aura abruptly collapsed inward, and the pale green mark on her forehead gradually faded. Focalors didn't even have time to care about the light sphere—
Her snow-white legs gave way, and she slumped down, unable to even stand, bracing herself with her right hand as she gasped for breath.
"Are you alright?" Nolan quickly crouched down, concern clear in his voice.
"Hah… I—I'm fine. Just need to rest for a bit," Focalors shook her head.
"Your soul is still too weak. Bearing energy beyond the limit for a short time is bound to cause some damage," Ruan Mei said calmly.
"Later, I'll prepare some restorative potions for you. You won't be left with any aftereffects."
Ruan Mei held the separated world authority in her hand, sensing it for a moment, then casually handed it over to Nolan.
Nolan took it as well and felt the abundant circulation of water-element energy and the rules governing its evolution.
Even without fusing with it, simply keeping it nearby for long-term contemplation would make comprehending Authority of Hydro an extremely simple matter.
As expected of the world's Hydro Authority—how often did one get the chance to directly hold and study a world authority like this?
Nolan felt this was a rare opportunity. Once they returned to the Wonderland Space, he planned to let everyone gain some insight into this world's Hydro Authority as well.
After all, Focalors would need a few days to recover anyway.
He also needed to inform the other girls in Fontaine, letting them know he had found a solution to the issue of Fontainians being dissolved by Primordial Sea Water. Building goodwill would take a bit of time, too.
Of course, he still had to discuss things with Neuvillette and see whether he was willing to help—this was the most important step.
If Neuvillette refused, the problem couldn't be solved at all.
Nolan felt the odds of refusal were quite low. What Hydro Dragon could turn down a complete Dragon Sovereign Authority?
Moreover, Neuvillette had served as Fontaine's Chief Justice for centuries and had long since developed feelings for its people. He wouldn't refuse such a small favor.
(End of Chapter)
(End of Volume 7: Court of Fontaine)
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