Chương 670: [Shadow] and Sixth Energy Cycle.

As the levels increased, Liu Shu broke through so many barriers that the feedback became strenuous to even accept. As Liu Shu reached Level 150 from Level 100, she had to go through four <First Energy Sub-Cycles>, two <Second Energy Sub-Cycles>, one <Third Energy Sub-Cycle>, and one <Fourth Energy Sub-Cycle>. These extra eight layers that separated Level 100 and Level 150 were not easy to walk through effortlessly. Thankfully, Liu Shu had an advantage. Her <Energy Cycles> were all 100% perfected.

They flowed within her without any obstruction, each one giving her power in a complex yet perfectly functional net of ternary essence. Liu Shu's levels increased quickly. Level 110… 120… 125… 130… Along the years she spent Leveling Up, her body grew exponentially. Her height of 12, 000 meters at Level 101 basically exploded, multiplying over and over again. However, even as she advanced her levels, Liu Shu could feel a barrier of sorts. This barrier was the <Sixth Energy Cycle> barrier.

"For the <Fifth Energy Cycle>, I needed to complete the <Ternary Essence Stars> from the <Ternary Essence Cores>. I did it perfectly, so I achieved 100% Cycle perfection even without relying on my own <Title>." Within her mind's eye, Liu Shu could see how her strength evolved and multiplied. At her current pace of growth, enemies like Altherion already felt… too weak. After all, Liu Shu's stats didn't just grow by themselves.

She was a powerful A+ Tier World Tree, but that didn't give her the biggest difference maker. What set her utterly apart from others, leaving any competition in the dust, were her <Five Origin Branches> and <Eternal Core>. These "equipments" were not really equipment, as calling them part of Liu Shu's existence would be more accurate. After all, they were linked to her being, Leveling Up with her, and giving her unrivaled strength in the same <Cycle>.

The Sylvans had gained two such powerful pieces of equipment with their <Ascension>, so they were all monsters of their own kind. But compared to Liu Shu's six pieces of equipment, they all fell somewhat short.

'Let's focus on the <Sixth Energy Cycle>.' Her accumulated knowledge flashed through her mind, making clear what was needed for this step. Even then, she was not dependent on them.

'These methods don't assure a 100% Cycle Completion.' Like always, Liu Shu would not be satisfied with anything less than perfect. So, she just gathered enough knowledge of the concept that this cycle covered.

"To complete this cycle, I need to develop my… <Shadow>." This elusive concept that she encountered so long ago was now much more familiar. The <Shadow> of a being is like the other side of the coin. It didn't really exist, as it was similar to a soul. There, one was able to develop their strength, body, soul, and even link with equipment. In a way, the <Shadow> was a creature's "True Self." Liu Shu didn't really believe that was the case.

While the information all pointed at that, being so definitive about it felt wrong.

'Our existence is a mix of both, our selves and our <Shadow>.' If the body was made of body, mind, and soul, the <Shadow> was made out of existence, presence, and essence.

"Hm…" Liu Shu asked Wisdom and the system for a little more information.

"What can you tell me about the <Shadow>?" [System Hint: It's something unreachable. A part of one's being that shows what they are and what they aren't. Even if a tree managed to become a humanoid, their <Shadow> will always remain a tree.] Liu Shu was faintly surprised.

"Oh? System, did something happy occur? You are awfully communicative today! I even feel that asking Wisdom is somewhat redundant!' [...] [Wisdom: The system spoke what we are allowed to expose. The only thing you need to focus on and know now about the <Shadow> is that it's something that represents you as an individual. There are arts that can mimic bodies, memories, and even souls. However, there exists nothing that can mimic a being's <Shadow>.] Liu Shu nodded to herself, her mind's eyes flashing with many profound thoughts. Unlike in the past, she was now incredibly informed. The number of books and information she has absorbed would probably make any humanoid's mind collapse. Liu Shu, therefore, didn't ask further. After all, she didn't really want to always rely on these two. She would always ask them, and she would always listen to what they said. Nevertheless, she didn't want to follow what they said like a mindless drone.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Instead, Liu Shu wanted full autonomy over her powers. A strange thought appeared in her mind.

"... What if the <System> disappears in the future?" The <System> was something that was an integral part of their lives. Having been born with it, her current thought was nothing but ridiculous. It would be like a person asking themselves.

"What if I suddenly lose motor skills?" Still, Liu Shu couldn't help but linger on it. With all her accumulated knowledge, and knowing that the <System> didn't really exist since the very beginning, it made it not an inherent quality, but one that developed. This was very different. After all, gravity was an inherent quality of the universe, and no one would ever think of it disappearing. Yet, something that suddenly developed could, in the same manner, un-develop or vanish.

If it had a start, it would most probably have an end! Liu Shu's thoughts didn't go unnoticed by either the System or Wisdom. The <System>, being an observer, didn't answer. Wisdom, on the other hand, decided to speak up. [Wisdom: You are too weak to even think of things like these. When you reach higher realms, you should focus on them more. Nevertheless, before you can start sensing the origin or source of the <system> with your own senses, thinking about these things will only do harm.]"Source…"

Liu Shu chewed that word and savored it.

"The <System> is a collective of information that gained semi-sentience. It doens't have wants, but it follows some rules." A touch of deep interest flashed in her eyes.

"So interesting. When I get stronger, I'll have to dissect this information better." The <System> felt a strange chill.

"Either way. To complete my <Sixth Energy Cycle>, I must develop my soul… wrong, my <Shadow> and allow it to mature and influence me more actively, right?" [Wisdom: That's the gist of it.] With that in mind, Liu Shu relaxed and sank her consciousness to the deepest part of her existence. First, she saw her body and mind. Her overwhelmingly massive self, encompassing several worlds, was nothing short of magnificent.

Since her main body was so diminutive in comparison, she looked more like a bunch of intertwined filaments pulsing with endless vitality and strength. Liu Shu found it quite funny. This was like having a peanut-sized head and a normal-sized human body. It was extremely disproportionate.

"Will my body's size ever catch up?" [Wisdom: In higher levels, it will. A True World Tree's growth is exponential, not linear.]"Wow~, what will happen when I am bigger than the solar system?" When that thought crossed her mind, Liu Shu felt weird. Still, due to her translucent body, she might not bother those living within, as they will be able to see as if she were air. Only once someone zoomed out enough would they probably manage to "see" her as a whole.

"Sigh…" Liu Shu felt a bit… dazed.

"The stronger I become, the less… connected I am." It felt as if her path was pushing her toward pure loneliness as a being that encompassed everything. Together with being an <Eternal> being, Liu Shu once more feared for her future.

"My <Shadow>." She spoke up, refocusing her thoughts one more time. When she was in these situations, she couldn't help but linger on her worries. However, now it was not the time. After observing her outer existence, she dug deeper and soon found her soul. Her soul was massive as well, but it was contained within her main body. This part of her own self was equally vibrant, showing incredible vitality. Her senses dug deeper, though. She focused, trying to pierce through that abstract veil and see her <Shadow>.

After zooming in for a while, she saw her <Core>. The center of her existence. She didn't linger, though. Instead, she pushed her senses further, and soon, the world twisted and shattered. BANG!

"... Here I am." In this space, Liu Shu saw a beautiful white tree. The tree was identical to her, but the roots of this tree did not extend far. It felt as if someone took her core being and ripped it out of the complex root network. The Liu Shu inside held up the canopy in the same way, and the five <Essence Origin Branches> all gleamed with their individual colors.

The <Sylvanium Branch> gleamed green; the <Etherium Branch, blue; the <Celestium Branch, red; the <Ascendium Branch>, yellow; and the final <Cognium Branch>, pinkish. In Liu Shu's chest, a gorgeous gem shone with shifting colors. Sometimes it would be purple, other times it would take on a reddish hue, and at other times it would gleam with white light. This item was the <Eternal Core>. Liu Shu couldn't help but be a bit dazed. The sheer presence of her <Shadow> was incomparable to what she saw in the past.

She recalled that back then, her <Shadow> was nothing but a small sapling. Even when her body was several hundred meters high, the <Shadow> always remained as a sapling with a faint resemblance to her younger self. Now, the <Shadow> was mature. Not only mature, but it was basically radiating endless power and presence.

"Wow…" Even when it was basically herself, she couldn't help but feel somewhat mesmerized. It was a breathtaking spectacle. Taking a metaphorical deep breath, Liu Shu focused.

"Alright, let's connect together, shall we?" She didn't use tendrils to do so; she didn't even try to force anything out like a channel. Instead, Liu Shu imagined her own body and the <Shadow> merging together. Wisdom saw that and couldn't help but feel glad.

'It seems that I won't need to guide her this time.' When Liu Shu imagined the merge, she didn't look. Instead, she felt. This caused her to miss what was truly happening. In the <Shadow> world, Liu Shu's real self manifested by the <Shadow>'s side. Then, as our World Tree willed herself to merge, both sides slowly closed into each other. Their branches mixed, their trunks touching right after. Their roots moved, fitting each other like two perfectly fitting puzzle pieces.

Time flowed quickly, and the process was smooth. No complications, nothing. Liu Shu's monstrous understanding and accumulations did all the previous work, and the only thing left for Liu Shu was to just do it. And that she did. [Congratulations! You've formed the <Sixth Energy Cycle> with a 100% Completion Rate!]