"This is..."
Noah didn't open his eyes, yet an indescribable throb rippled continuously through his Domain.
Within this Domain, he could perceive everything he was capable of sensing-vast or minute, living or inanimate.
The sensation left him dazed. He realized he possessed an absolute authority here, a control that felt capable of erasing everything in his Domain with ease.
For a brief moment, Noah even wondered if he had already become a god.
This feeling had completely surpassed the sensory limits of the Tenth-tier.
He shook his head hard.
It was an illusion. He could clearly feel that the power within his body was still at the Tenth-tier level.
The reason for this change was simple.
His universe now carried the regulatory authority of the six stones. This universe-one that belonged entirely to him-had undergone an unbelievable transformation because of that.
With that in mind, Noah continued observing his universe.
Then, he noticed something unexpected.
The life forms within his Domain still existed.
Perhaps because the power of Time had rewound everything to the past, those lives that should have vanished during the Big Bang had reappeared.
Noah didn't dwell on it.
He knew it was likely the System's doing, and far from blaming it, he was grateful.
These lives were the first generation born within his Domain. While he couldn't say he felt deeply attached to them, he didn't want the first lives nurtured by his Domain to end as expendable remnants.
As he observed them more closely, Noah could clearly perceive something unusual.
Independent souls had formed within them, tightly bound to this universe. Their individual personalities were slowly taking shape.
Noah found this fascinating.
Their existence infused his Domain with an unimaginable vitality.
That vitality spread throughout the Domain with a unique rhythm. And as it resonated, Noah felt as though his own soul was being subtly transformed.
As he quietly sensed everything, profound and mysterious concepts surfaced in his mind.
Rules.
Noah immediately understood what they were.
What puzzled him was this: although he felt capable of using these Rules freely, they didn't seem to belong to him.
"Is it because these are the properties of other Infinity Stones and not mine?" Noah frowned. "But that doesn't add up. I've basically mastered the Time and Space Stones, and I've grasped these Rules too. So why does it feel like this?"
"You have only mastered the surface," the System replied mechanically within his mind. "The powers of Space and Time are eerie and unique. What you are proficient in are merely their weakest manifestations. You do not truly understand the Rules of Time and Space."
Noah fell silent.
The powers he relied on most were, in the System's view, nothing more than their simplest forms.
That was hard to swallow.
He had reached the Demi-god level using those very powers. Being told he didn't truly understand them felt excessive.
Noah felt offended.
Yet he couldn't refute it.
"Don't try," the System added, accurately predicting his thoughts. "Remember what I once told you, and what you obtained. Within your Domain exists a sliver of the Rule of Space-minuscule and weak, yet granting you unimaginable benefits. That was only a fragment. Perhaps you didn't notice, but that single sliver alone elevated your spatial abilities beyond expectation."
"Is that so?" Noah tilted his head. "Then I suppose the world really is infinite. What one sees is limited to what one can see."
He sighed.
Like a frog at the bottom of a well.
He had thought himself halfway through the journey, only to realize he was still standing at the starting line.
The Demi-god stage was nothing to boast about.
At least, not anymore.
Noah wasn't particularly ambitious. Thanos had been dealt with, and while the future was uncertain, there didn't seem to be any immediate crises.
Still, since he had already stepped onto this path, he had no intention of stopping halfway.
"So what should I do?" Noah sighed. "Strip the Rules from the Time and Space Stones and try to recast them myself?"
"Yes," the System answered. "And there is an even better option. Though it may feel... embarrassing."
"Oh?" Noah became interested. "What kind of option would embarrass me?"
"You understand your own talent," the System replied promptly. "But your universe is different. It is a newborn universe filled with infinite possibilities. The lives within it are the purest first generation, possessing the greatest growth potential. You can rely on them to comprehend these Rules-and then use their feedback to understand them yourself."
Rely on the lives within his Domain?
Noah considered it carefully.
It was feasible.
These nascent lives were indeed the purest. Their universe was comprehensive, with a wide range of manifested abilities.
Using them to refine his Rules was an ideal choice.
Even if they failed, their descendants-or new lives born later-might succeed.
Their growth would strengthen the Domain, and that strength would feed back into Noah himself.
As for embarrassment?
Noah didn't feel any.
If there was a way to grow stronger, why wouldn't he use it?
He wasn't foolish.
Given his circumstances and a clear path forward, he would absolutely take it.
Besides, even if this looked like a shortcut, Noah still needed to understand and master these powers himself.
Otherwise, if one day those lives broke through his control, he would be finished.
"That's a solid idea," Noah chuckled softly. "Can I control the direction of their learning? For example, limit each life to a single level of power?"
"You can," the System replied immediately. "But it's easy for such methods to backfire. Forced suppression always breeds trouble. If it stays small, it's manageable. But if it grows..."
"A backlash from over-suppression?" Noah nodded. "I get it. Then I'll use the Mind Stone to plant a subconscious suggestion. They'll believe that learning multiple elements is meaningless, but their desire to learn won't be suppressed. How about that?"
"It may still cause issues," the System calculated briefly, "but it is far safer than direct suppression. Proceed. I will assist you in using the Mind Stone. That power belongs entirely to you."
"No problem. Then we'll establish four basic elemental magics. The Laws of Light and Dark will be slightly stronger, and the pure Rules of the six Infinity Stones will stand at the top. Thoughts?"
"As you wish. You are the master of your Domain."
The System responded calmly and began its operation.
Under its guidance, the power of the Mind Stone radiated once more.
The System could only wield abilities Noah already possessed. That was nothing new.
The Mind Stone was his. Letting the System control it posed no difficulty.
Once everything was settled, Noah slowly opened his eyes.
Maintaining concentration with his eyes closed had been exhausting. More importantly, he didn't know what his Domain looked like now.
When his vision cleared, Noah froze.
His Domain had completely changed.
The glowing elemental spheres he once perceived were gone.
In their place was a vast, boundless universe-one that defied description.
Stars glittered throughout the void. From among them, the breath of life quietly spread.
It was divine.
Terrifyingly so.
The power contained within it was enough to steal one's breath.
Still, Noah frowned.
He wasn't an astronomer, but even he could tell something was missing.
The universe was too monotonous. There were no stable planetary orbits. The stars moved without order.
He rubbed his chin.
His road was still long.
"One step at a time," Noah sighed. "Perfecting a universe-making it powerful and stable-is no simple task. Luckily, time isn't a problem. I have so much of it that I might eventually get bored of living. And that's not even the most critical issue..."
He raised his head.
At the very top of his Domain, upon the silver sphere formed by the convergence of all elements, a dark passage exuded cold mist.
Through it, Noah sensed a power.
A singular power.
Death.