# 2034
Chapter 2018: Within the Ark
"Elevate to higher dimension?" Lingbao Tianzun shook his head. "Jialan and I are still a step away from ascending. Even if we leave here, we can't escape the Gray Layer..."
Yerand stared at the world-destroying hand that was reforming once more, as if deep in thought.
After a moment, as if having made some decisive determination, he spoke slowly:
"I can help you ascend."
Upon hearing these words, both Lingbao Tianzun and Jialan froze, turning to look at him.
"In the original Fifth Universe, I left a contingency... and this contingency is here." Yerand stretched out his hand, pointing at the Heavenly Court beneath their feet.
Lingbao Tianzun seemed to have thought of something, his eyes gradually brightening. He gestured in the void, and an object shaped like a cabinet flew automatically into his hand!
"You mean... the 【Ark】??"
"In the original Fifth Universe, after I ascended to half-step 'dimensional elevation,' I discovered something was wrong with the universe, so I began trying to touch the Higher-Dimensional World, attempting to find a way to break the situation... Then, at risk to myself, I forged a 【Sacred Covenant】 with the Higher-Dimensional World."
"Forged a 【Sacred Covenant】 with the Higher-Dimensional World?" Jialan spoke in astonishment. "Is that even possible?"
"I don't know... Although I eventually succeeded in forging the 【Sacred Covenant】, the existence of the Higher-Dimensional World theoretically exceeded my capabilities. Even if I invoked the 【Covenant】, I don't know if it would respond to me, nor do I know if there would be danger in the process." Yerand's expression was grave.
"Originally, after the original Fifth Universe's destruction, I intended to forcefully invoke this 【Covenant】, attempting to directly ascend from 'half-step' into the Higher-Dimensional World... But before I could act, I discovered Lin Qiye's existence.
He had actually, through his own power alone, sealed Azathoth within the hospital. So I changed this risky plan, attempting to help him gain the advantage, using the method of Infinity's dream loop to achieve dimensional ascension more safely."
Yerand's gaze fell upon this mysterious cabinet, his fingertip gently beckoning. The seals carved on the cabinet's surface automatically unfurled, and a sheet of parchment floated out from within.
Lingbao Tianzun, seeing this, could only smile wryly:
"No wonder we couldn't open the 【Ark】 after obtaining it... So you placed a Sacred Covenant on it as well?"
"This involves something important concerning the Higher-Dimensional World, so of course it needed to be properly stored." Yerand took out the parchment and handed it to Lingbao Tianzun and Jialan. "I should make this clear—I cannot guarantee this covenant is valid, nor can I guarantee your safety during this process... Whether to take this risk is your own decision."
"Aren't you coming?"
"The power within me is only enough to send the two of you there... And that's only under the condition that you're both on the verge of ascending on your own. If I were added to the mix, this covenant would most likely fail to function... Furthermore, the main purpose of going to the Higher-Dimensional World is to suppress Azathoth and awaken Lin Qiye's will. The two of you have the deepest bond with him, so your chances of successfully awakening him are greater."
Lingbao Tianzun and Jialan exchanged glances, nodding without hesitation.
"Yes!"
Billions of cycles through dreams—Lin Qiye had been alone throughout. Now that they had finally found a way to reach him, how could they possibly back down?
Yerand nodded. A halo rippled outward from the parchment, wrapping around Lingbao Tianzun and Jialan's forms. At the same time, the faith power within Yerand's body began to plummet at a cliff-like rate!
"If you can see Lin Qiye, remember to convey my greetings to him."
As his words fell, the light from the parchment blazed to its absolute limit, directly shattering through this universe's barrier and vanishing without a trace!
...
Asylum of the Gods.
BANG——!!
In the corridor outside the ward building, the little boy's form was hurled from the second floor, crashing onto the grass like a meteor!
"Cough, cough, cough..." The blood-soaked little boy struggled weakly to rise from the ground, but 【Chaos】 leaped before him, striking him away once more!
In his confrontation with the Azathoth consciousness enhanced by the red light, Lin Qiye's consciousness had almost no means of fighting back—he could only defend passively.
The little boy lay in a pool of blood, gazing at the figure walking toward him like a wild beast, murmuring to himself:
"So this is the most primal killing intent... No wonder there's been no words at all."
CRASH——!!
【Chaos】 stomped on the little boy's head, pressing him firmly into the ground. Within those hollow eyes, endless killing intent poured forth like a flood.
Just then, a door sounded from the second floor of the ward building, and two figures rushed out at breakneck speed!
"Did we make it?!" Jialan wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and within those exhausted eyes, a ray of light finally appeared.
After invoking that 【Sacred Covenant】, Jialan and Lingbao Tianzun had been swept into a terrifying dimensional storm. Fortunately, both of them were now warriors on the very precipice of dimensional elevation, possessing enough strength to forcefully push through by their own power.
"We made it through." Lingbao Tianzun spoke decisively. "Quick—find Azathoth's main body!"
The two quickly dispersed across the top of the Asylum of the Gods, yet neither glanced at the courtyard below, as if in their eyes, neither 【Chaos】 nor the little boy existed.
Lingbao Tianzun flew across the lead-like sky, his gaze landing upon the fleshy core near the hospital. His eyes narrowed.
"Here!!"
At this moment, Azathoth was like a fleshly monstrosity driven mad, unconsciously spewing red light in all directions. Within this bizarre crimson glow lay a corrupting power a thousand times more terrifying than the 【Black Goat】, slowly devouring the grayish-black heavens.
Jialan hurried over, and upon seeing this berserk fleshy core, furrowed her brow:
"Is this Azathoth?"
"Yes, but only Its physical form. Its consciousness should still be battling with Qiye."
"No consciousness? Then who is controlling It now?"
Lingbao Tianzun stared at Azathoth, his voice dropping low. "It should be Azathoth's primal instincts... Throughout these hundreds of millions of cycles, Qiye has been gradually assimilating Its power. When this assimilation crosses a certain threshold, It instinctively resists and counterattacks..."
"Primal instincts have been triggered?" Jialan pondered. "Does that mean... Qiye has actually almost succeeded?"
"Most likely, yes. But this instinctive backlash is the most terrifying kind. It has not only awakened Azathoth's residual consciousness but has also trapped Qiye's consciousness within the unfinished dream loop... If Qiye doesn't awaken, not only will the power he assimilated gradually return to Azathoth, but he himself could be directly erased from existence within the dream world."
Lingbao Tianzun saw through everything. He immediately unleashed the Primordial Infinite Void and charged toward the berserk Azathoth!
"Regardless, we must first suppress Azathoth's power... Only if we hold back one of Azathoth's fists does Qiye have a chance to awaken from the dream!"