Soon, the frenzied war began.
With over a thousand Masters of the River of Law ambushing from all sides, the construction of the Dimensional Array had to stop.
Hiding inside the Source of Knowledge, the enemy could do little but harass them.
Attacking the Source of Knowledge relentlessly, Maximus had to spend millions of strands of causality every day to keep it intact.
However, with an eye on the larger picture, Maximus deployed his family and the members of the Order of Maxim to snipe the enemy.
Although they couldn't kill the enemy outright, destroying their bodies was enough for Maximus to greatly accelerate the deduction of the Seed of Path.
Soon, thousands of years began to pass.
With dozens of Masters of the River of Law dying and hundreds having their bodies destroyed, the Source of Knowledge remained an impenetrable barrier.
Despite harassing the Source of Knowledge with all their might, instead of weakening, the barrier noticeably grew stronger.
Noticing such a miracle, instead of despairing, the supreme leaders of the top families and sects became increasingly excited.
"He really possesses it!"
"The Dimensional Source! The Holy Physique of the Aeon Plane is within this kid!"
"So that's it. The reason those overlords coddle Maximus is because they've long known he possesses the Dimensional Origin Physique!"
"Hahaha! This is a blessing from the Dimensional Alliance! After hundreds of billions of epochs, another 'Orion,' the Living Panacea, has been born!"
"Silence! You can't speak of such matters. Keep it in your hearts!" Yumar warned sharply.
They dared not risk sparking another war with the Devourer Faction over the 'Orion.'
Realizing the gravity of the situation, they fell silent, but the gleam in their eyes couldn't be suppressed.
"Now that we've confirmed Maximus is the next-generation 'Orion,' what's the plan?" one of them asked eagerly.
If they could capture Maximus, they would have an unlimited supply of energy.
With their founders at the Absolute Realm, they had numerous ways to fully control him.
As for the overlords taking action, they didn't have much worry.
As long as they gained enough to advance to the Absolute Realm, they would hand Maximus over for the greater cause.
Determined to capture Maximus quietly, they began planning in earnest.
Finally, after hours of discussion, they decided to deploy the hidden Masters of the Ocean of Law they had painstakingly cultivated.
They knew they were all under heavy surveillance.
Once they took action, it wouldn't just be the Shadowcrest family alliances—but both the Dimensional Alliance and the Dimensional Council would turn their attention to them.
The thought of using their secret forces for this mission caused a pang of regret.
These talented prodigies, secretly cultivated without the awareness of others, were their hidden knives meant to strike at each other when necessary.
To expose them now was nothing short of an embarrassment.
As for the families that lacked such a hidden foundation, they could only feel fear.
They hadn't expected their harmless neighbor to be harboring a tiger, waiting for them to stumble in.
Forming an espionage team consisting of Masters of the Ocean of Law they secretly cultivated, they set out for the Etherium Realm.
In the Etherium Realm:
Managing the war while deducing new knowledge, Maximus leisurely observed the hundreds of Seeds of Path he had condensed.
"Tsk, tsk. Unfortunately, they've grown more cautious…"
From the beginning, when they had recklessly attacked the Etherium Realm and openly provoked him.
Now—they had transformed into slippery loaches, patient hunters who only struck when every detail of their plan was perfect.
Having no significant harvest for over a thousand years, Maximus was a little dissatisfied.
"When are you going at full force—?"
Suddenly, before he could continue, Maximus felt a throbbing in his heart.
"The enemy is coming..."
Undetected by the Source of Knowledge, the enemy was slowly inching closer to the Etherium Realm, unnoticed.
Even the micro-surveillance bots failed to trigger an alarm.
If not for his honed premonition and the Supreme Law of Origin secretly warning him, Maximus might have been caught unprepared by this looming danger.
Using all his senses, entering the omniscient mode, and expending millions of strands of causality, he hurriedly deduced where the enemy was approaching from.
A few seconds later, he opened his eyes, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead.
If not for his premonition, he wouldn't have realized the enemy was already this close.
They were on the verge of crossing the barrier of the Source of Knowledge.
Just a slight lead, and they could reach him.
If the enemy hadn't been cautious, they might have already destroyed the Etherium Realm before he could react.
Because of his arrogance, he had been reckless.
Locking out the enemy, he acknowledged how his overconfidence had clouded his vigilance.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late.
Reminding himself over and over to remain humble and cautious, Maximus began preparing to meet the enemy.
Mobilizing the Source of Knowledge, he surrounded the void with its power, ensuring the conflict wouldn't affect anything beyond the barrier.
"Our prey is here," Hylos, the leader of the espionage team, reminded.
Confident in their strength, they watched as Maximus set up barriers for what they assumed would be his burial ground.
"Just right. We wouldn't want others knowing we're here either."
After a few moments, Maximus strengthened the barrier further, pouring trillions of strands of causality into it.
"The 'Orion'... Hahaha, good!"
Seeing Maximus's actions, the intruders not only did not feel vigilant but grew even more jubilant.
They were now certain—Maximus was the next-generation 'Orion.'
"I'm sorry for the wait, gentlemen; I am Maximus Shadowcrest. I sincerely welcome you to the Etherium Realm." Maximus greeted calmly.
"It's our pleasure to see such a beautiful blue dimension—but it's a pity..."
"It's a pity that this will be the last time you see such a beautiful dimension."
"Really?" Maximus smirked.
"Perhaps it will be you who sees such a breathtaking view for the last time in your life..."