Beyond the Apocalypse-Chapter 1014: The power to face the nightmares

Second by second, the figure emerging from the vortex grew clearer. The outline of Vlad’s new body sharpened as the last strands of cosmic fire fused into him. His aura, once volatile and storm-like, stabilized and contracted with impossible density.

The energy radiating from him became so pure and so tightly contained that not a single thread leaked outward. It compressed until the very light around him bent and distorted, as if the world were struggling to acknowledge his existence—like a singularity standing in the open sky.

Vlad hovered silently, staring at his own hands in wonder as awareness gradually returned to his eyes. For a moment, he could hardly believe what he was sensing. His entire body felt different—vast, refined, seamless.

He had evolved.

And not merely in strength.

This was something transcendent.

As he focused inward, examining the depths of his consciousness, a spark of surprise flickered across his face. "My Soul Dimension is gone."

Such a discovery would have horrified any other being. For most living entities, the destruction of the Soul Dimension meant instant death or at least catastrophic damage. Yet Vlad, the True Depravita of Wrath, felt no fear. In fact, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

He understood.

His soul force had not vanished—nor had his energy. They had simply ceased to exist as separate systems. They were no longer stored inside him because they had become part of him. Every particle of his body now functioned simultaneously as flesh, soul, and energy, fused into a perfect whole.

This was the nature of his evolution.

It allowed him to take a colossal step forward—not merely in power but in existence itself. And since he was immortal, capable of regenerating endlessly so long as even a spark of Depravita Aura remained, the implications were horrifying. Any damage to his soul would automatically heal. Any attempt to destroy his essence would fail.

Only those who wielded power above the Laws of the universe themselves could hope to inflict lasting damage on him now.

Vlad exhaled slowly, suppressing the excitement building within him. "Scan me."

A metallic beep echoed in his mind.

[Beep! Initiating Host Scan...

Warning: Host stats exceed current measuring templates.

Shall we apply a new standard?]

Vlad raised an eyebrow.

"What would the new template be?"

[Primordials. Immortal life forms born as Lords, forged from collapsed stars and novas—regarded as possessing the strongest natural bodies in creation.]

A meaningful gleam flashed in Vlad’s eyes. He nodded faintly.

"Use it."

A moment later, the scan concluded.

[Scan Completed

Name: Vlad Xaos

Race: True Depravita

Class: True Singularity Depravita

Level: 38 (Lord)

Life Level: ???

Lineage: None

---

Stats:

• Strength: 1.9

• Agility: 0.8

• Vitality: 2.1

• Energy Pool (Depravita Aura): 1.3

• Soul Force: 1.9

---

Seal of Sin: Embodiment of Wrath

Racial Skills:

• Wrathful Purpose

• Portal of Wrath

Gifts:

• Depravita Samsara Typhoon

• Quantum Expanse]

Vlad’s smile widened.

Even using the Primordial template—lifeforms born at the Lord Rank with bodies at the apex of natural creation—he still surpassed them. His foundation had paid off. His endless battles, brutal training, and the torment endured throughout this war had forged him into something far beyond expectations.

But as he analyzed his new strength, curiosity stirred within him. His gaze shifted toward the warriors gathered inside the underground cavern. He wanted context—he wanted comparison.

His attention first fell upon Altharion, the newly-advanced Lord who had evolved less than a year ago. Vlad focused and conducted a silent scan, purely out of interest.

[Target Scanned

Name: Altharion

Race: Human–God Hybrid

Class: Divine Warrior

Level: 39 (Lord)

Life Level: Lord Tier

Lineage: Radiant Supernova

---

Stats:

• Strength: 0.7

• Agility: 0.5

• Vitality: 1.0

• Energy Pool: 0.7

• Soul Force: 0.9]

Vlad blinked in mild surprise.

A human-god hybrid... That explained Altharion’s affinity for divine treasures and his exceptional mastery over celestial arts. His stats were impressive for someone so new to the Lord Rank—clean, sharp, and balanced.

But Vlad wanted to see more.

"Let’s see someone stronger," he murmured.

His eyes drifted toward the White Death. Before this evolution, Vlad would never have dared to attempt a silent scan on him. But now, the A.I. Chip had evolved alongside his own being, making its detection almost impossible.

[Target Scanned

Name: Alexandro

Race: Humanoid Cosmic Phenomenon

Class: Entropy Embodiment

Level: 45 (??)

Life Level: ??

Lineage: Entropy Flame

---

Stats:

• Strength: 10.2

• Agility: 8.6

• Vitality: 11.9

• Energy Pool (Entropy Aura): 11.2

• Soul Force: 13.9]

Vlad let out a quiet breath.

The data was extraordinary. Alexandro was no longer human—not truly. His connection to the nova born from the destruction of the Zanis Homeworld had transformed him into something far more ancient and primal.

But something else caught Vlad’s attention.

Alexandro’s Level and Life Level were not displayed—just like Vlad’s own.

Frowning slightly, Vlad asked aloud, "Why is his level undefined?"

The A.I. Chip responded instantly.

[Target has evolved beyond the standard realm of Lord.

There is no existing title applicable to his rank.]

Vlad’s expression grew thoughtful.

Up until now, he had loosely referred to figures like Alexandro as "High Lords," but that term was too broad and too imprecise. It lacked the nuance needed to describe beings who clearly surpassed conventional Lords by a massive margin.

"I suppose a new classification system is needed," Vlad mused. He nodded to himself before speaking clearly. "Using all available data, create a complete categorization for Lord-level power."

The A.I. Chip processed the command. In seconds, a detailed and concise power hierarchy formed.

[Lord Classification System Generated

Lord — Level 38 to 44

Power capable of leveling the surface of small worlds.

Examples: Altharion, King Merlin of the Obsidian Dragons, Antorus.

Paragon Lord — Level 45 to 50

Power capable of destroying small worlds and devastating high-tier worlds.

Examples: White Death, Apophis, Metatron.

Empyrean Lord — Level 51 – ???

Power capable of annihilating supreme worlds and entities beyond conventional reality.

Examples: Dream of Madness, The Master.]

All the thrill and excitement that had filled his group just moments earlier immediately receded as Vlad read the classification of power the A.I. Chip had created for the alien powerhouses. The meaning of those rankings struck him with the force of a falling world.

"They are so far above us... we’re not even in the same tier." A faint tremor ran through his hands as he clenched his fists.

For a brief moment, an oppressive weight pressed down on his chest—a crushing reminder of the cosmic monsters they would soon have to face. The Aliens were not just stronger; they existed on an entirely different axis of power, high above even the grasp of most Lords.

But the pressure lasted only a heartbeat.

Almost immediately, Vlad’s will ignited again, burning hotter than before.

"It won’t be easy. That much is certain. But I’m growing... faster than ever." His thoughts steadied, and determination solidified inside him like molten metal cooling into a blade.

"I just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Never stop advancing. And no matter how horrifying the monster standing ahead of me is... I will succeed."

The True Depravita of Wrath’s eyes glowed with fierce resolve as he whispered those words to himself. His aura flared for an instant—an eruption of psychic and spiritual force so intense that those watching felt as if they were staring directly into the sun.

But the next second, Vlad vanished, teleporting back into the underground stronghold.

He could feel everyone’s gazes following him, filled with curiosity. He simply answered with a small smile before resuming his cultivation. There were still several days left of Origin Power, and there was absolutely no chance he would waste even a single breath of it. Now that he truly understood how enormous the gap between himself and the Aliens remained, every second became precious beyond measure.

What shocked everyone present was how dramatically the cultivation speed of the True Depravita of Wrath increased after his evolution. Massive waves of Origin Power surged toward him, far more than they had before, as if the plane itself was being dragged into him. Even though they were allies, no one wished to be left behind, and each powerhouse began absorbing Origin Power with all the desperation and hunger of warriors who understood exactly what the future demanded of them.

Time passed, measured only by the rising tide of power and the silent tremors of a world being devoured.

Finally—twelve days after Vlad completed his transformation into a Lord-Tier True Depravita—the last iota of Origin Power within the Chaovoratities Plane was consumed, leaving the realm hollow and empty.

"RUMBLE!"

Before anyone could even comment on the sudden stillness, an ear-splitting roar echoed across the land. Massive earthquakes erupted across the surface, and everyone could feel the continents shifting—rising in some places, collapsing in others.

Instinctively, all the powerhouses who had been cultivating in the underground cavern shot into the sky. They ascended higher and higher until they reached the edge of the void above, gaining a vantage point from which they could observe the fate of the entire world.