Feeling the effect of a trillion magnitude of power, Maximus suddenly noticed a new tab on his panel.
"River of Knowledge, 5% Mastery? I've mastered 5% of the River of Knowledge just like that?!" Maximus muttered in shock.
One had to understand, despite studying octillions of books, creating, and revising the Origin Manual, he hadn't been able to master even 1% of the River of Knowledge.
But now, after advancing to the Tier 10 realm, he had directly mastered 5% of it.
"Is this the benefit of advancing beside a source pool?"
Feeling his connection to the Source of Knowledge, he noticed his mind becoming clearer.
When trying to use the power of causality to comprehend an origin of law, the burden he previously felt also lessened.
By connecting to the River of Knowledge, Maximus calculated that it directly increased his efficiency in comprehending information by 4-5 times.
Furthermore, his unfamiliarity with his new realm seemed to vanish, as knowledge and information about how to control his power were drilled into his mind.
"Is this passive knowledge acquisition?" Maximus mused.
By connecting to the River of Knowledge, he realized that the information he needed could be forcibly comprehended, even without actively doing anything.
"I've also gained knowledge-based skills!" Maximus muttered, testing his control over the River of Law.
Enlightenment, empowerment, inscription, decryption—connecting to the River of Knowledge made him nearly omniscient with each skill.
"Huh? I can also understand the gibberish code of the system?!" Maximus muttered in shock.
In the Virtual Tower, while enhancing his system with the Causality of Evolution, the runic code of the system became easily visible.
Taking the opportunity, Maximus forcefully inscribed the runic code of the system into his mind.
Unfortunately, upon reviewing the copied code, all he could see was unintelligible information.
However, with his connection to the River of Knowledge, he seemed to understand the system's runic code by drawing upon the knowledge he already possessed.
Thinking of the possibilities, he couldn't help but feel excited.
Enhancing the runic code of the system, tailoring it for his own use, even engraving other treasures like the Seal of Truth—once he mastered the inner workings of the system, it would revolutionize its importance.
Calming down, he controlled his raging energy, circulating it back into his body.
A few months later, Maximus exited the barrier Iris had created.
As he left, it quietly disintegrated, pulverizing the Tier 12 materials used to create it.
Looking up, he saw Iris greeting him.
"You're out, Maximus. Congratulations on your advancement."
"It's thanks to Sister Iris's help. Otherwise, I don't know how much hardship I would've had to endure to reach this state."
"Don't be modest. It's your talent that brought you here," Iris said sincerely.
Although she couldn't gauge the full extent of Maximus's power, it gave her a sense of pressure.
Iris even felt a slight threat emanating from him.
Such power, surpassing even some Tier 11 individuals who had mastered the power of the River of Law, was shocking.
If she hadn't known that Maximus possessed two Origin-grade physiques, Iris might have thought he was simply another powerhouse in disguise.
After a brief conversation, Iris took Maximus back to the Immortal Palace Realm.
"What are you going to do next?"
"I'll return to the Etherium Realm…" Maximus said solemnly.
His seclusion had lasted longer than expected.
It had been over 5,000 years since the second phase of the Dimensional War.
If the Etherium Realm hadn't lost since he left, they should have already opened the Void Gate to the Blood Ragnarok Realm, starting the third phase of the Dimensional War.
Such a dangerous situation made him worry, diluting even the joy of his advancement to the Tier 10 realm.
Fortunately, his wives hadn't sent any distress signals, meaning everything in the Etherium Realm was still safe.
"It seems you're in a hurry… Go on, just be careful and don't forget to visit more frequently. Your sister expects a lot from you, don't let me down," Iris compromised.
Though she wanted to quickly reap the benefits from Maximus, she knew she couldn't rush.
Maximus's physique was only at Rank 11, producing merely the Essence of Law, which wasn't enough.
She wanted to let Maximus grow a little more and wasn't impatient.
When the time was right, Iris would ensure this little brother of hers was locked in for her personal use.
Not only could Maximus assist her in cultivation, but he could also make her life more lively and joyful.
Thinking about it, Iris smiled unconsciously.
"Sister Iris is so beautiful that I can't bear to part with you. I'll come back as soon as I finish this urgent matter in the Etherium Realm."
"Then I'll hold you to that promise. See you soon…"
Teleporting to the Etherium Realm, Maximus saw that it was still in pristine condition.
Aside from being larger from the dimensional advancement and more land gained from the war, not much had changed.
"It seems the Etherium Realm didn't need me," Maximus thought happily.
Being able to keep the Etherium Realm unharmed in his absence was a significant achievement, worthy of his investment and training.
Noticing his wives still busy with the creation of the Tier 10 Liquid Solution, Maximus sighed in relief.
It seemed they hadn't joined the war, as per his last reminder.
"I'm back…" Maximus muttered, teleporting beside them.
"Husband, you've returned!"
"Brother Maximus, it's really you! We missed you so much."
Greeting him excitedly, his wives surrounded him, chattering about how much they missed him.
"There was something unexpected with my advancement, so I'm late…"
"You don't need to apologize, as long as you return safely, nothing else matters!"
"It seems my wives love me the most~"
"Of course, otherwise, why would we tolerate you visiting your other mistress?" they joked.
They already knew about Iris. With him gone a few times each year, how could they not know Maximus was visiting another woman?
Fortunately, understanding Maximus's reasons and Iris's identity, they weren't too bothered.
Reminiscing with his wives, they spent time bonding, setting aside everything, even the ongoing heated Dimensional War.
Etheria reported that they had begun to overwhelm the Blood Ragnarok Realm in their home dimension.
With the addition of the talented Eryndor race, the lower and middle powers of the Etherium Realm could crush anyone.
As for the top powers, Fealan and the others, who were at Tier 10, were holding the front.
More importantly, the Tier 10 and Tier 11 warriors Maximus had bought at the Void Auction were crushing the Blood Ragnarok Realm's hopes.
With the power of money, it could be said the Blood Ragnarok Realm didn't have a chance of winning.
It was only a matter of time before the Blood Ragnarok Realm was conquered.
Knowing everything was going steadily, Maximus was no longer worried.
The money he had spent was enough to buy multiple Tier 10 dimensions.
If they couldn't even defeat a Tier 9 dimension with that kind of investment, it would be better to die and be forgotten by the Void.
Celebrating his advancement, he took his wives on a shopping trip in the Virtual Realm, buying and feasting to their hearts' content.
After enjoying their time, he also notified his children, grandchildren, and in-laws in other sects to come back to the Etherium Realm for a gathering.
After reaching the Tier 10 realm, his descendants began showing their talents and foundations.
Taking on task after task, breaking achievement after achievement, they earned a certain status in their sects, equivalent to preparatory saints in the Immortal Palace Sect.
With dedicated protectors, they could leave their sect dimensions despite not yet reaching Tier 11.
While waiting for his children, Maximus watched his 10-year-old grandson, Lance, from Liam and Elysienne's train.
"Lance, hurry up, it's time to eat. Stop training."
"Grandfather, let me finish this set first!" Lance shouted, swinging his sword with a certain rhythm.
After eating, Lance quickly returned to training, but this time, instead of a sword, he held books.
"Why are you working so hard, Lance? You're still a kid. You should enjoy your time," Maximus asked, not used to seeing such a diligent child.
His children had been a bunch of brats at a young age. Although they were diligent, they weren't so focused and liked to play and have fun.
As for his grandchildren, they were even naughtier. If they weren't playing, they were on their way to play.
Even Maya, Lance's older sister, had been led astray by her cousin Lila and daughter Asha.
Looking at Lance, who was either training or improving himself, Maximus couldn't help but feel different.
"I need to quickly become stronger to protect my family and help my father. I can't waste any time," Lance said seriously.
"Oh? Do you want to rule the world like your father?" Maximus asked, thinking of his workaholic son, Liam.
"Yes, I want to lighten my father's burden and keep the world peaceful and prosperous!"
"What a grand ambition! You really are my grandson!" Maximus laughed, ruffling his hair.
"However, reading is not as good as walking, and training is not as good as experiencing. Staying cooped up here will limit your vision and ability."
"You should cherish your moments to view the outside world from different perspectives if you want to be a good ruler."
"Then I'll listen to Grandfather's advice..."