Chapter 551: Maxim Of Order
Source of Knowledge:
Arriving at the Source of Knowledge, Maximus was greeted by Vratos.
"Waiting for me?" Maximus asked, puzzled.
Vratos, one of the representatives of those Old Seekers of the Path of Knowledge, stood there solemnly.
Seeing him arrive before he even had a chance to seek him out was unusual.
"I am here on behalf of the Arcane Race, Sigil Race, Eldarth Clan, Grimnir Race, Astralith Race, Verithar Race…" Vratos began, listing off one scholarly race after another.
Feeling the gravity in Vratos's tone, Maximus's expression turned serious.
As Vratos finished speaking, Maximus sensed the arrival of several powerful presences surrounding the Source of Knowledge.
"What are you—?"
Suddenly, Vratos and the leaders of the scholarly races bowed deeply.
"We, the scholarly races, bow to the mighty Pioneer of Knowledge!" Vratos declared.
"WE BOW TO THE PIONEER OF KNOWLEDGE!" a chorus of voices echoed.
Maximus watched as the leaders of each race and dimension surrendered to him, with conviction clear in their eyes.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind as he analyzed the situation.
Entering the Omniscient Mode, Maximus quickly deduced the cause and effect of this event.
"So, that's how it is…"
With understanding dawning upon him, Maximus straightened, his aura radiating confidence and authority.
"Then I, Maximus Shadowcrest, hereby take you under my command to lead you through prosperity and raise you to the peak of this Plane!" Maximus vowed with unshakable conviction.
His actions over the past millennia—his power, wisdom, and generosity—had finally touched these races.
For trillions of epochs in the history of the Aeon Plane, the scholarly races had suffered from a lack of status.
Even the Dimensional Alliance only valued them for their knowledge, treating them as little more than a resource to exploit—like pigs that produced knowledge instead of meat.
But now, standing before them was a man who possessed power, charisma, and wealth, capable of shielding them from the dangers of the world.
A man who could lift them to greater heights and allow them to see the world from above.
United, they bowed to Maximus, determined to serve the one who could lead them to a brighter path.
Looking at their sincerity, Maximus smiled warmly.
"The path of knowledge isn't one forged by a single hand,"
"It is built through the efforts of countless generations, civilizations, and minds brimming with diverse ideas and visions."
"From this day forward, we will no longer be scholars without a home or wealth, without power or status, without authority to govern and protect us."
"From now on, we will be known as the Maxim of Order!"
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Five Thousand Years Later in the Etherium Realm...
Since Maximus unified the scholarly races and founded the organization known as the Maxim of Order, the Etherium Realm had undergone massive changes.
Not wanting the forces he controlled to remain scattered, all dimensions under the Maxim of Order began merging with the Etherium Realm.
Each dimension became a continent within the realm, retaining full autonomy, functionality, and governance under a unified structure.
Over the course of five thousand years, this consolidation resulted in staggering growth.
Nearly a thousand Tier 9 dimensions, hundreds of Tier 10 dimensions, and even two Tier 11 dimensions merged into the Etherium Realm.
However, such massive expansion came with its own set of challenges.
The once-perfect spherical structure of the Etherium Realm began to bulge and distort under the immense pressure.
If not for Etheria's intervention, the Etherium Realm might have collapsed long ago.
"This is as far as I can take it," Etheria remained.
"Any further expansion and the Etherium Realm will shatter."
"I see…" Maximus sighed, accepting the limits of what could be achieved.
There were still billions of Tier 9 dimensions, millions of Tier 10 dimensions, and hundreds of thousands of Tier 11 dimensions yet to merge into the Etherium Realm.
Fortunately, the scholarly races didn't own any Tier 12 dimensions.
If they had, moving such a powerful dimension anywhere near the Etherium Realm's Void Space would have been nearly impossible.
The reason Maximus went through so much trouble wasn't just due to his territorial complex but also because such consolidation made protection far easier.
In times of crisis, a loosely organized alliance was always the first to collapse.
Unless he were an Overlord capable of taking everything by sheer force, Maximus had no choice but to gather his forces in one place.
Most of the top sects and prominent families operated in a similar fashion.
While they guarded various resource points scattered across the Aeon Plane, the majority of their forces were concentrated in one central area.
This approach made it not only easier to protect their assets but also more efficient to manage them.
"What is the plan now?" Etheria asked.
"Move the remaining dimensions into the surrounding Void Space of the Etherium Realm,"
"Once the Etherium Realm advanced to a Tier 12 dimension, we should be able to integrate all our territories inside."
According to the insights derived from the River of Knowledge, advancing to a Tier 12 dimension would grant the Etherium Realm the Blessing of the Aeon Plane.
This blessing, shaped by various prerequisites such as the power, will, and needs of its inhabitants, would bend the rules, transcending the possibilities.
This was how the marvels of the top sects' main dimensions were born.
Even the Abyss Realm's endless devouring ability stemmed from the Blessing of the Aeon Plane.
With the strength, potential, and unified will of the people under his command, Maximus was confident he could curate a perfect blessing tailored to the Etherium Realm's needs.
The only obstacle now was the time for the Etherium Realm to advance.
All the prerequisites had been met except for the completeness of the laws.
The Etherium Realm's sheer size already surpassed that of most Tier 12 dimensions.
Unfortunately, the condensation of new laws was an arduous and time-consuming process.
Even after Maximus funneled all the excess strands of causality he had, the progress was minimal.
Based on the current speed, it would take millions of years for the Etherium Realm to fully condense all 161,803 laws.
As Maximus mulled over the matter, he suddenly noticed a convergence of multiple Rivers of Law within the Source of Knowledge.
Sensing dozens of streams of law advancing simultaneously, he realized it was his family breaking through.
"Finally promoted?!"
.