Chapter 308: Central Region, Breakthrough
The Central Region was the place where most of the development efforts of the army were focused, mostly because it would be the center of their operations throughout the entire continent.
Unlike other regions, this place doesn't have any secret realms, and that's on purpose. This place would essentially become the federal army's headquarters. Sure, having a secret realm or two might accelerate the strength improvement of their soldiers, but that would remove their reason to explore other regions.
Soldiers need to visit other places to keep everything in check and maintain the security of the entire continent.
Having no secret realms here doesn't mean that the Central Region's influence would be low. This place, after all, was destined to be the center of the federal army's activities for the entire continent, so it will definitely see a lot of traffic.
More importantly, this place will also become the core of components that will protect the continent from any invasion, allowing humans to develop steadily in the next few years.
Cedric has already laid the foundations for this.
First, the massive formation left on the walls at the edge of the continent converged here, more specifically at the deep underground cave of the Central Region. With this connection, a massive dome covered the entire continent. This dome not only protected them from any attacks coming from the outside but also maintained the continent free of demonic corruption.
At the same place where this formation covered, one would see a mystical tree...
This tree gives off an impression of immensity; it's also awe-inspiring. Physically, it's only a couple dozens of meters tall, but looking at it makes one think that it's gigantic, so much so to the point that it grew beyond the world.
Standing directly beneath this tree and looking at its branches, one would witness a mystical sight of a vast cosmic vision, which makes one think that this tree has a universe of its own and that its branches can directly connect to other worlds.
Suns, moons, and stars—these heavenly bodies are like fruits hanging on the tree and ripe for picking. They also give them the impression that they don't stay in one place. It's as if these things follow a certain profound cycle.
This tree was none other than the Sacred Celestial Tree, which Cedric transplanted here.
Since the continent is now free of demons and their corruption, one Heavenly Cycle Clocktower can no longer support the day and night cycle for the entire continent alone, so he left this here instead.
The Sacred Celestial Tree is rooted directly in the Spiritual Dragon Veins of the Central Region, meaning that it's getting the appropriate amount of nourishment for its growth. Cedric doesn't need to look after it, and in the instance that it does need attention, Acala was there to do it instead.
Its abilities are not just limited to governing the day and night cycles. The Sacred Celestial Tree can indeed connect to other worlds and serve as a channel that could not only ferry people from one world to the next but also give and take energy as well. It's capable of doing more, but this tree hasn't grown up to a stage where it could display those, so there's no meaning in discussing it now.
Having the Sacred Celestial Tree be responsible for the day and night cycles of the continent doesn't mean that the Heaven Cycle Clocktower has become redundant. This clocktower works in sync with the tree. Additionally, it also channels sunlight, moonlight, and starlight energy into the environment more intimately than the tree could, so it is still useful.
The space and time ban was still active, but it only affected demons. Humans still have the freedom to safely manipulate space and time within Azure Terra, so long as they have the means to do so.
This point was something that the army most certainly didn't miss.
Unlike before, where the mere act of using the inventory poses high risks for humans when roaming the continent, humans could now freely use space- and time-related skills and abilities to their advantage because the Sun Sage has completely eliminated the risks.
They could build large transmission zones without being afraid of demons pouring out of the tunnels they made. They could use ancient formations that accelerate time within a certain area without the fear of being noticed by the enemy, etc.
The benefits of this don't need any further explanation. One could already see its advantages just by learning how quickly the army created the federal headquarters in the Central Region.
Now, their efforts are focused on building roads, planning out cities, and establishing the new order for the mass development of the continent.
And even with their busy schedules, the progress of their cultivation wasn't stagnant at all. With how rich the spiritual energies were around, especially with the constant nourishment of the Spiritual Dragon Veins, even the simplest act of breathing was a form of cultivation for many.
Because of this, many people are experiencing breakthroughs at the same time each day, and this has increased the overall strength of the army.
Also, with the continent free from demonic corruption and Acala recovering greatly thanks to Cedric's help, the Acala System could be used anywhere on the continent now. Using it outside of the Easter Region no longer poses risks or dangers to humans because of the Sun Sage's arrangements, and it certainly made many people's lives comfortable.
Only a year has passed since the war, yet humans are already displaying their adaptability and resourcefulness. While this was mostly because of Cedric's influence, the efforts of the race aren't any less than his own.
All he really did was give them a chance; the rest was up to them. So far, they're proving their worth, which made Cedric happy and elated.
At this speed, 10 to 15 years is enough to stabilize the development of the continent. Things will move faster after that point.
**
Returning to the present, Cedric was currently at his dimensional farm.
He's alone here for now; he asked the girls to vacate for a while because he had something to do. The girls understood it and are currently visiting other regions at their leisure.
As for Cedric, his focus was on his breakthrough.
Yes, after a year and some months after his return from the Tower of Prodigies, his energies have sublimated and been primed for a realm breakthrough.
Swoosh!!
A fierce energy storm swirled around him. Cedric sat cross legged in the air, becoming the eye of this storm. The skies above the farm darkened omniously and crackled with thunder. The elements raged around him and all sorts of profound phenomena occurred around him.
Cedric's body released a blinding brilliance that could compete with the sun. On his body, a set of profound veins and apertures that shone extravagantly could be seen. The large energy storm was being funneled to these apertures, Cedric was now like a whale swallowing air.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted from the depths of Cedric's body, causing him to visibly shudder. His sharp and angular face wore a deep frown as he sharpened his focus even more.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
More explosions occurred and when the last one echoed, it was accompanied by a lightning strike coming from above smiting his body.
Cedric's body then began ascending to the skies, seemingly challenging and provoking the heavens, this resulted into more lightning bolts raining down on his body but aside from a visible discomfort, it caused no other effect on him.
After nine weak and nine strong lightning strikes, Cedric's body released a pulse of energy, which dispersed the gloomy clouds above and silenced the energy storm. This act restored the peace and sanctimonous atmosphere within the dimensional farm.
Cedric's eyes remained closed, but his expression was now peaceful. Right now, he's just consolidating his new realm, and he's taking his time to do so since there's no more threat to him.
1-star Planetary Sage Life Evolution, complete!
As he settled down the raging energy coursing through his body, his mind was mostly busy digesting profound insights one after another.
Reaching the Planetary Sage realm of life evolution increased his control and sovereignity over planetary laws to a whole new level.
If Cedric wanted to, he could cause the demise of all life on this planet with just a single point of his finger or just by looking at it. Not that he'd do something that drastic, of course, but just so you know, he definitely could.
More importantly, as his proficiency over planar laws reaches the point of true perfection, it becomes his foundation for his comprehension of grand solar laws, which will eventually be important once he reaches that stage.
For now, though, it's enough to know that Cedric was a god on Prime Earth. With his level of strength, he alone was enough to ensure the prosperity of humans for the next thousands of years.
But of course, Cedric won't be satisfied with just that. Not when he obviously knew that he could achieve so much more. However, just like many things in life, that's going to take some time.
And it just so happens that time was on his side...
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