Chapter 40: The Cosmic Roar: A Peak Forged in Truth
The last vestiges of the Cosmic Illusory Labyrinth dissolved into shimmering starlight, replaced by the profound, awe-inspiring reality of Liam's newly ascended form. His body, though still aching from the intense mental exertion, pulsed with an unquantifiable power. His Golden Core, now a magnificent, incandescent orb of pure golden light, vibrated at the very peak of the Golden Core Realm, Peak Stage. The spiritual energy of the Celestial Palace, once a distant, overwhelming presence, now felt like an extension of his own being, flowing in harmonious resonance with his every breath.
He stood tall, his gaze clear, reflecting a profound wisdom that transcended his youth. He had faced his deepest fears, confronted the specters of his past, and emerged not just stronger, but fundamentally purified. The lingering doubts, the subtle insecurities that had plagued him as the 'Level 0 trash,' had been utterly purged by the Labyrinth's crucible. He was whole, complete, and utterly self-assured.
Sael and Lyra rushed towards him, their faces a mixture of profound relief and unadulterated awe. Sael's eyes, usually sharp and discerning, were wide with disbelief, reflecting Liam's blazing golden core. Lyra's sapphire gaze was filled with a reverence that bordered on worship, tears subtly glistening at the corners of her eyes.
"Liam... you did it," Sael whispered, her voice a trembling testament to her absolute admiration. "Golden Core, Peak Stage! You... you've reached the pinnacle of the realm! And in such a way!" Her own Golden Core Middle Stage power, formidable as it was, paled in comparison to the immense, radiant energy now emanating from him.
"You are truly magnificent, Inheritor," Lyra added, her voice soft, but imbued with a depth of emotion. "To clear the Labyrinth... and ascend... it is a feat thought impossible for mortals."
Liam offered them a triumphant smile, his heart swelling with gratitude for their unwavering support. He looked at Celestia, who stood before him, her galaxy-like eyes fixed on him with an intensity that had transformed from cold disdain into pure, unadulterated fascination.
"Unbelievable," Celestia murmured, her voice resonating with an uncharacteristic blend of shock and wonder. "To not only clear the Cosmic Illusory Labyrinth but to use its pressure to forge a perfect Peak Stage Golden Core... It defies the very laws of cultivation as I know them." She glided closer, her ethereal form shimmering. Her gaze, filled with a deep, consuming curiosity, probed his core. "Your 'Star Cosmos Core'... it is no longer merely pure. It is perfect. It is ready."
Liam allowed her to probe, confident in the impenetrable shield around the Star Emperor's Scripture's deepest secrets. He felt her immense Dao Lord-level power gently swirling around his core, analyzing its every facet. He sensed her profound awe, her recognition of a power she had perhaps only glimpsed in the ancient Star Emperors themselves.
Celestia slowly retracted her probing aura, her eyes fixed on his. Her voice, while still regal, had lost its previous detachment. "The Labyrinth also grants clarity. You have faced your past. You have embraced your truth. Your mind is now a pure, unwavering beacon. This will be crucial for the next stage."
"The next stage?" Liam asked, his voice filled with anticipation. He felt ready for anything.
Celestia gestured towards a massive, shimmering gateway that appeared in the distant wall of the chamber, previously hidden from view. It pulsed with a profound, almost spiritual light. "You have reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core Realm. The next leap, to the Nascent Soul Realm, is a monumental one. It demands not just immense energy, but a deep understanding of one's own spiritual essence, to manifest it into a nascent soul."
She paused, her gaze intensely fixed on Liam. "The Palace holds the Essence of Genesis. It is a unique source of primordial cosmic energy, a remnant of the universe's creation. Absorbing it will provide the ultimate catalyst for your Nascent Soul formation, and grant you unprecedented control over fundamental cosmic laws. But it is guarded by beings of immense power, and the process itself is excruciating. Only a perfect Peak Stage Golden Core can even attempt it."
Liam's Golden Core pulsed in response, a silent acknowledgment of the immense challenge and the profound reward. This was the true path to ascending beyond the mortal realms.
Over the next few weeks, Liam immersed himself in consolidating his Golden Core Peak Stage power. He found that his 'Celestial Wind Arts' were now so refined that he could move through space with an almost ethereal grace, making his figure appear and disappear like a true phantom. His 'Cosmic Fire Tiger Clones' could now manifest with frightening solidity and intelligence, their golden flames capable of incinerating anything short of a Peak Stage Golden Core expert. He could summon multiple clones simultaneously, each acting with strategic autonomy. His 'Ocean Blast' could now condense spiritual energy to such an extreme that it could penetrate even the strongest defenses of Golden Core cultivators, capable of causing devastating internal damage with a subtle, invisible strike.
His Star Emperor's Scripture, now resonating with his Peak Stage core, unlocked new insights. He began to understand the subtle relationship between spiritual energy and the very fabric of space and time, principles that were far beyond the comprehension of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. He felt a deep, intrinsic connection to the cosmic energies of the Palace, as if it were constantly feeding him insights.
Sael and Lyra, witnessing Liam's astonishing growth, dedicated themselves to their own cultivation, inspired by his example. Sael, with Liam's Golden Core insights, found her own Golden Core Middle Stage cultivation rapidly consolidating. She began to refine her whip arts, incorporating more subtle energy manipulation, inspired by Liam's precision. Lyra, with Liam's guidance and access to the Palace's unique energy, found her Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation pushing towards the Peak. Her spiritual perception grew even sharper, allowing her to detect ancient formations and hidden energy sources within the Palace. Their loyalty to Liam deepened with every passing moment, their lives intricately woven into his destiny.
Celestia often visited Liam's chamber, not as a guardian or a tester, but as an observer, a curious spectator. She would watch him cultivate, her galaxy-like eyes filled with an unreadable fascination. She would sometimes pose profound questions about cultivation, about the nature of the cosmos, testing his understanding. Liam, in turn, would respond with insights from the Star Emperor's Scripture, surprising her with a depth of knowledge she hadn't expected from a mortal.
During these exchanges, Liam often noticed a subtle change in Celestia's demeanor. Her initial coldness had entirely vanished, replaced by a quiet intensity. Her gaze would linger on him, a hint of ancient loneliness in her eyes. Sometimes, she would offer a rare, almost tender smile, a flicker of warmth that transformed her regal features into something breathtakingly beautiful. Liam, in his heightened state of awareness, felt the profound curiosity she held for him, her fascination with his unique essence, and a subtle, unspoken yearning that resonated with his own being. He knew that this terrifyingly powerful being was slowly, irrevocably, becoming drawn to him.
Meanwhile, far away in the Outer Reaches, Patriarch Inferno's obsession with Liam had grown to monstrous proportions. He had learned of Elder Pyro's complete annihilation and Elder Cinder's profound defeat. He had seen the cosmic intervention. He knew Liam possessed a secret that could elevate him beyond the Golden Core Realm. He ordered his entire sect to cease all expansion efforts and dedicate themselves to finding Liam's secret. He delved into forbidden ancient texts, seeking methods to track unique spiritual signatures. He reached out to other ruthless factions, forming a grand, dark alliance, all in pursuit of one goal: to capture Liam, extract his secrets, and become the ultimate power in the Outer Reaches and beyond. The calm in the Celestial Palace was a fleeting illusion; a new, more dangerous storm was brewing, one that would force Liam to ascend to truly cosmic heights.