Chapter 583: Second Stage of Void Cultivation
“I’ll… try,” he said, prompting a firm nod from Ryuk.
“That would be enough,” Ryuk replied.
Then, turning back, the Void Rift opened in an instant, and he stepped in, disappearing.
‘He spent a month cultivating his Frost energy, and now he’s back to cultivating his Void Energy,’ Antares muttered to himself as he looked at his hands and clenched them tightly.
“Perhaps it’s time I take my cultivation seriously, too.”
“I’ve been given a second chance now. This time, let me see how far this potential of mine can truly take me…”
______
When Ryuk appeared in the Void Rift, his eyes swept over the surroundings, seeing the floating graves and the suspended platforms, which still held the dried paint of his blood.
But his gaze betrayed no emotion as he floated toward the platform and got into the cultivation stance, his lips widening again. Then, the Void cultivation immediately began.
When he dove into his body, he saw that he had already created all the nodes successfully, and now, all that was required of him was to keep absorbing Void Energy and form the Void Runes.
Once the Void Runes were formed, all that would be left was linking all the nodes to a Void Core on his chest—and that would signal the mark of completing the first stage of Void Cultivation.
Without any more thinking, he began cultivating the Void Energy.
But this time, it spun even faster as Ryuk activated his Void Energy to bolster his cultivation speed.
The bolstering increased his ability to absorb Void Energy into him and sped up his cultivation by close to three times its normal speed.
But in return, it brought about close to six times the pain as Ryuk’s eyes squeezed shut.
It stung.
It stung badly, and that was why he hated every second of him cultivation Void energy.
Because it always came with great pain, but he had no choice but to go through the pain.
‘So far it doesn’t kill me. Then, it’s fine…’ he thought as he silently continued his cultivation.
______
Times passed by rapidly, and soon, a cocoon of glowing Void Energy had covered Ryuk’s form like an egg.
But soon enough, the cocoon began cracking into pieces, and from within, a hand burst through, followed by several more. Every bit of Void energy drained as the cocoon fell apart.
Stepping out was none other than Ryuk, half-covered in blood and dark energy. But if one looked at his chest, they would notice a pitch-black core that seemed to beat within his heart.
It was like a black hole that sucked all surrounding energy directly as Ryuk closed his mouth, his burnt lungs slowly readjusting. But now, he had a new source to absorb Void Energy—and that was his heart.
[How many days have passed?] he asked the second he stepped out, and the system answered.
[2 weeks.]
[Congratulations on reaching the Initial Dominion Stage of Void Cultivation,] it continued, and another pair of notifications flashed before his gaze.
[STAGE NOTICE]
You have Completed Stage One: Fangs of the Abyss
Status: Complete — Void Nodes: 9/99
You have now gained full access to the first two mutations:
Abyssal Claw
Voidstep Legs
Further stages remain locked behind physical compatibility with Void Energy.
Two more stages remain.
[The Second Stage has now been successfully unlocked.]
[Please open the Contract Grimoire to check out!]
The system finished as Ryuk sat down on the platform, his veins and bones squirming from pain.
But he coldly ignored them as the Void Asura Grimoire appeared in his hands, and once more, he began going through its contents.
When he reached the page he had stored the last time, and opened onto the next page.
He discovered a new set of words had appeared, and a faint smile finally appeared on his lips.
“The second step of the Void Aura Grimoire… this should allow me to reach even higher levels of Void Cultivation and unlock new abilities,” Ryuk muttered to himself before his eyes narrowed in focus, and he began reading.
Stage Two – Spine of the Void Monarch
Theme: If Fangs of the Abyss was about forging the foundation (arms, legs, and heart), then Spine of the Void Monarch focuses on the transformation of the torso and mind—evolving control, Void perception, and defensive counter-adaptation.
Introduction:”You have survived the first collapse. Now you must stabilize the storm within. Your spine must hold the Void — or shatter. This stage rebuilds your center and is a Major step into the glimpse of the true power of Void Asuras.
Mutation Focus:
Torso & Spine
Lungs & Breath Core
Eyes of the Abyss
Void Node Expansion (Now 15 Total):
These next 6 Nodes integrate around the spine and head to anchor a central Void Conduit:
Sternum Node – Stabilizes Black Hole Core’s overflow.
Lung Node L/R – Mutates respiration system; extracts Void particles directly from surroundings.
Neck Node – Facilitates Void-voice, allows for projection of disruptive Void harmonics.
Occipital Node (back of skull) – Enhances Void perception and reaction to energy attacks.
Eye Node L/R – Grants full Void vision and adaptive reflex enhancements.
Mutations & Abilities Unlocked:
Mutation 3: Abyssal Gaze — Void Truth Eye
“The eye that pierces all veils, a shard of the eternal night.”
The abyss stares back through a single orb of swirling void, aflame with cursed red-gold embers.
Void Revelation:Through this eye, falsehoods unravel like smoke before the wind. Illusions shatter, hidden enemies reveal their trembling forms, and secret energies lay bare.
Once every ten minutes, you rend a tear in the fabric of existence — glimpsing beyond the veil into shadowed dimensions where truth hides.
No deception can shelter in darkness, for the Void Truth Eye sees all — even the lies of gods.
✦ Mutation 4: Monarch’s Core – Spinal Throne of the Void King
Your spine is no longer bone — it is Void metal, forged in star-death, crowned with frozen embers.
❖ Skill: Void Reversal Pulse
Every time you’re struck, your body compresses the force and sends it back, stronger.
Reflects 50% of the physical or energy damage taken.
Can store one attack and unleash it later with Void Amplification.
You cannot be crippled or stunned — the Monarch’s body adapts in real-time.
They strike you once. You strike back like a collapsing galaxy.
✦ Mutation 3: Domain Expansion – “Nether Crown: Throne of the Dying Star”
You tear open a nebula-sized rift, forming a cursed, collapsing void-realm ruled by a sentient dying star. This Domain is alive. It feeds on hope, light, and sanity.
Void Law Rewrite: Every 30 seconds, rewrite a rule of reality inside the Domain:
Turn spirit energy into decay (techniques erode users instead).
Seal dimensional movement — teleportation collapses.
Reverse light direction — enemies go blind, illusions useless.
Turn regeneration into corrosion.
Cultivation Environment:
Real World: Only the remnants of collapsed heavens or post-cataclysm zones will suffice. Must find a Dead Star Crater or a place where time fractures naturally (Chrono-ruins).
Void Rift Option (Unlocked from Stage One): Abysswell Spinefield – An endless terrain of broken spinal towers jutting from floating black masses. Air crackles with soundless screams. Time shifts. Perfect for pushing mental endurance and stabilizing Void resonance.
Cultivation Stance:
Lie on your back, arms crossed over chest. Head tilted upward. Breathe slowly, deeply—each breath must circulate Void into your lungs and then spine.
Visualize your spine as a chain of black suns. With each breath, let them ignite in sequence.l