Noah was somewhat taken aback.
He was all of Teyvat—everything was himself. Saying that he was Teyvat itself was no exaggeration.
He distinctly sensed a powerful Principle, not inferior to a Truth, touch the edge of the Dimensional Gap and attempt to breach the cosmic barrier and enter inside.
This kind of Principle, he had sensed before—originating from the Imaginary Tree.
Things like the Ouroboros and Kabbalah were known as foundational cosmic constructs and were called Truths. When a Law ascended beyond its original form, it naturally became what was called a Principle.
Within the Tree and Sea, Truths and Principles shared the same tier. Only beyond the Tree and Sea would Principles be considered half a tier lower than Truths.
"The Principle of Elation? What's going on here? Could a Principle from the Imaginary Tree have fallen into the Dimensional Realm and then rushed over to my side?"
Noah quickly projected his vision beyond the barrier of the Dimensional Gap, overlaying the full scope of the Teyvat Universe in his mind.
A Principle from the Imaginary Tree falling into Teyvat was unlikely under the will of the Tree and Sea.
Even if the Great Will of the Tree and Sea were foolish, it would still understand that it could not assimilate the Teyvat Universe. Without any benefit to gain, there was little reason to offer itself up like meat to an eagle.
As Noah pondered, his sight reached the region of the Principle of Elation—and he instantly flinched at the familiar voice in his ear.
"Aha? Why is it that guy? An Aeon from the Star Rail Universe actually left their universe and came here…"
Noah's lips twitched as he stared at the little clown trying to drill a hole through the cosmic barrier outside the universe by unleashing the Principle of Elation.
He instantly felt as if he had been utterly screwed.
All this time, it had always been he, the Heavenly Principle, who bullied others. Since when did someone else come knocking to bully him?
How long had it been since Teyvat ascended to a Great Universe? At most, not even ten thousand years—and someone was already showing up to cause trouble? Unacceptable!
Judging from the situation, Aha must've noticed Teyvat the moment changes occurred in the Tree and Sea.
After all, the distance between Teyvat and the Star Rail Universe spanned quadrillions of light years—vast enough to line up tens of thousands of great universes end-to-end.
Even for someone as strong as Noah, a super single-universe entity, it would take at least a year to traverse that distance, let alone Aha.
It was definitely the case that Aha had climbed up the Imaginary Tree, spotted Teyvat, and immediately set out.
Given what Noah knew about Aha—encountering a great universe not part of the Imaginary Tree was the ultimate amusement. How could he resist? He must've rushed over without a second thought.
...
"Ahahahaha~ Finally made it~"
"How incredible, how incredible! This universe is so strong, it's the strongest Aha has ever seen."
"It even has a cosmic barrier! It's at least a thousand—no, ten thousand—no, at least a hundred thousand times stronger than that boring rock's cosmic crystal wall!"
A humanoid shadow composed of countless clown masks and game props shifted forms continuously as it attempted to drill through the cosmic barrier.
The strength of Teyvat's cosmic barrier was directly tied to the mass of the entire Teyvat Universe.
Teyvat's barrier could block attacks at the strong single-universe level—ordinary single-universe attacks couldn't even shake it.
Only super single-universe entities could crack it.
Of course, this applied to direct attacks on the universe.
If one had no hostile intent and simply wished to slip into Teyvat, then beings below the Supreme God level could pass through freely.
The Great Universe remained open to those incapable of influencing its cosmic order—it welcomed them as diverse nourishment.
However, anything at the Supreme God level or above had to be kept out.
Even a strong single-universe being could not enter Teyvat.
But this limit only applied to ordinary single-universe beings—not those who had mastered Truths or Principles.
Even then, if the Truth or Principle they wielded already existed within Teyvat, and of higher quality, they still couldn't get in.
If it was a Truth or Principle that Teyvat lacked, then slipping into Teyvat was only a matter of time.
After all, a cosmic barrier couldn't block the intrusion of a Truth or a Principle.
It was like comparing glass to diamond—the cosmic barrier being glass, while a Truth or Principle was diamond. The diamond was harder, so naturally, the glass couldn't stop it.
That said, most great universes had their own overseers. In their home turf, even a ordinary single-universe entity could defeat a strong single-universe being.
Even if you managed to slip into a great universe, all you were doing was setting yourself up to be trapped and beaten like a dog behind closed doors.
That's why those below the super single-universe level typically wouldn't dare to invade a great universe—not even a standard one.
Falling into an away-game battle could truly result in death.
Clearly, Aha—this native of another system—didn't understand that logic.
After all, in the Tree and Sea, great universes all kept their doors wide open, constantly dropping in on each other like neighbors.
Noah couldn't help but scoff. "Idiot."
"Since you've come, then don't leave. Contribute a Principle to enrich Teyvat."
Tree and Sea's Great Will, just so we're clear—I'm not the one stealing your Principle. He delivered it right to my door.
The gods noticed Noah suddenly zoning out. Then his expression shifted, and finally, he showed a mocking smile.
Hu Tao couldn't resist bouncing up to his side, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "Heeey~ Brother Noah spaced out just now—did something happen to the Teyvat Universe?"
She voiced what was on everyone's mind.
What else could cause Lord Heavenly Principle to suddenly freeze up other than some cosmic anomaly?
Everyone couldn't help feeling a little worried.
Noah waved it off with a teasing grin. "Little Hu Tao, you really hit the nail on the head. Are you secretly reading my thoughts now?"
Hu Tao's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? The universe really did have a problem?"
"Eh?" the gods exclaimed in shock.
Noah raised his hand, and a projection of the entire Teyvat Universe appeared over the table.
It was only a visual projection—no embedded Truths or anything of the sort. There was no risk of exposing the cosmos' mysteries.
"Just a little bug from a neighboring great universe that happens to wield a Principle."
As he said that, the projection expanded instantly, clearly displaying Aha—who was trying to drill through Teyvat's barrier.
"Little Hu Tao, Zhongli—you both just received the Pseudo Star Map Creation, right? Well, here's the perfect chance to use it."
"All of Teyvat—everyone at the single-universe level, mobilize. Capture this little bug wielding a Principle in one strike, and turn him into a rich batch of fertilizer for the Teyvat Universe."
Noah's words immediately caused an uproar.
"Invasion of Teyvat!"
The gods all looked at the projection with grave expressions. As the upper echelon of the divine realm in Teyvat, they had all, over the past few millennia, visited the Dimensional Gap and reached its outer boundary.
However, none had ever broken through the world barrier to go beyond the bounds of Teyvat. Still, they knew what lay outside—The Imaginary Tree and Sea of Quanta.
And they understood very well what that meant.
They knew there were many great universes upon the Imaginary Tree beyond the Teyvat Universe.
But they had never imagined that an entity from the Imaginary Tree would attempt to invade Teyvat.
Even though the Teyvat Universe had only recently come into existence, its foundation already far exceeded that of most great universes. As Supreme Gods, they were all deeply aware of this greatness.
Lumine slapped both hands on the stone table, her eyes wide in disbelief. "A great universe from the Tree and Sea actually sent a universe-class being to invade?! That's way too... ahem—way too bold~!"
Oops—she almost said what she was really thinking!
As a connoisseur of fun who had lived for thousands of years, she had never encountered anything as entertaining as this.
Teyvat hadn't even started invading great universes yet—and now, a universe-class being had come to invade them? Completely upside-down!
In her experience, it was always Teyvat knocking on others' doors—never the other way around.
Which made this far too entertaining.
A battle at the universe level… no—more than ten universe-class gods ganging up on one opponent.
Such a hilarious spectacle made her uncontrollably excited. She wanted to grab a recorder to capture it all.
The gods came back to their senses, each with a distinct and colorful expression.
Hu Tao stared at the screen with wide eyes. "What is this thing? Coming to invade Teyvat—how overconfident can you get."
Invasion? This wasn't an invasion—this was looking for a beating.
The invader's actions were completely exposed before them, being watched via projection as if in a theater.
This clearly meant that Lord Heavenly Principle's power far outstripped that of the opponent.
Buer's eyes glinted with curiosity. "Lord Heavenly Principle, you mentioned this invader wields a Principle. What is this Principle exactly?"
Upon hearing this unfamiliar yet very familier term, she immediately sensed that Lord Heavenly Principle had revealed something unknown even to the gods.
In truth, all the gods committed Lord Heavenly Principle's words to memory. Naturally, they instantly picked up on the deeper meaning—but dared not ask.
Noah glanced at Buer, smiled, and didn't mind.
"A Principle, as the name implies, is a Rule—elevated to its ultimate form beyond Law."
"To put it in divine terms: a Truth is a god born innately; a Principle is a god forged through cultivation—one is innate, the other acquired."
"By elevating one's core Law beyond the boundary of a great universe, one becomes a Principle. Anyone who masters a Principle is known as a Lord of Principle—a being only half a tier below a Truth."
"A Lord of Principle's highest potential can reach the super single-universe level."
"However, the Aeon currently attempting to slip into Teyvat is merely someone who possesses a Principle—not a true Lord of Principle."
"It's like the difference between a True God born of Law itself and a Primary God who controls over 70% of a universal Rule."
"This isn't a secret. It's fine to tell you now—you'll all learn it eventually."
"Elevating a Law to a Principle is precisely what Teyvat must undertake after reaching the super single-universe level. Once the universe's main rules ascend to Principles, Teyvat will naturally step into the multiverse tier."
"All of you are destined to become Lords of Principle."
Noah casually painted them a beautiful and irresistible vision.
But this was a dream that could actually be realized.
Every dream he had painted so far had indeed come true.
Zhongli could barely suppress the fire stirring in his heart.
The joy of receiving the Pseudo Star Map Creation had already made Zhongli happy enough to last several billion years. Now, after learning these secrets, even his stone heart could barely stay calm.
Raiden Ei's eyes gleamed—Principles, Laws, elevation beyond universal limits… Could she and her sister one day become the Lords of Principle over Raiden itself?
Venti swallowed hard.
These were the secrets spoken by Lord Heavenly Principle—and He had said they would eventually become Lords of Principle.
This… this was just too exhilarating.
Lord Heavenly Principle had treated the original gods of Teyvat far too well.
Though today's revelation had struck like a bomb, none of the gods had forgotten their duty.
Zhongli was the first to rise, his entire presence radiating sharp, solemn intent. "Then I, along with Director Hu and the two from Inazuma, shall head to the edge of the universe and apprehend the invader."
Raiden Makoto's expression immediately turned resolute. "All four of us can wield single-universe level power through the Pseudo Star Map Creation."
"Together with support from those eight adults—"
Aether spoke gravely, "Just single-universe level? Then it should be fine for me to observe the battle, right?"
Venti, Guizhong, Lumine, Furina, and Neuvillette all looked toward Noah.
Noah replied calmly, "The battlefield is not within the universe. It's fine."
He would never allow a battle to take place within the Teyvat Universe.
"Go."
"Yes."
Fwoosh—In an instant, everyone, including Noah, vanished from their original positions.
This sudden scene left the unaware gods in stunned silence.
They had only sensed the Geo Sovereign release a powerful aura—and before they could even ask what was happening, he had already vanished.
The Geo Sovereign was their host—why had he suddenly abandoned them?
Still, none voiced dissatisfaction. Surely, they reasoned, Lord Heavenly Principle had summoned him for something important.
...
At the same time—
Deep within the Temple of Truth.
Phanes slowly rose from the divine throne, golden eyes glinting with endless cold and indifference.
"A Principle wielder from another universe—an Aeon from that world? Hmph. To think they would dare to invade Teyvat."
Elsewhere, within a distant galaxy, Mio, currently acting as a sage, radiated a divine glow and vanished in an instant.
"An invader? Trying to drill into our cosmic barrier? That won't do. If Noah gets upset, things will get serious."
In the Dimensional Gap, the two great Dragon Gods were the first to detect the disturbance at the cosmic barrier.
A crimson and a silver divine dragon flew toward the abnormality at the edge of the barrier.
Fwooo—
A pure and resounding dragon's song echoed through the entire endless dimension—even reaching into the Great Universe, where countless galaxies heard it clearly.
At the same time, four powerful cosmic auras shot out from the Teyvat Universe like beams of starlight.
"An outsider dares invade? Hmph."
"Ahhh~ This is a first for me."
"Wuuu, I had an appointment at Wanmin Restaurant and haven't even taken a single bite! Xiangling, save me a plate!"
"Utterly foolish. Invader—your journey ends here."
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