Chapter 436 - 421: Shi Ming’s Strength Positioning

On his way back to the *Dayun* from Azure Star, Shi Ming contemplated the different tiers of the Nirvana rank within the Star Sea.

’The Nirvana rank can be roughly divided into seven tiers.’

’From Nascent to Pseudo-God, ignoring the special classification of the [Vermin], I wonder which tier I’m at right now?’

’Veteran? Appointed General? Sealed King?’

The boundaries between the seven tiers were quite vague.

Much like the grading systems of "Excellent, Good, Average, Poor" from one’s school days, the conventions for minor realms within the Nirvana rank existed purely to differentiate the strong from the weak. It wasn’t a level an Awakened could clearly sense they had reached. Instead, it was a conclusion drawn from comparison, deduced from one’s combat power and ranking among the powerhouses of a Cosmic Country.

Lacking any real combat record, Shi Ming found it difficult to deduce which tier he belonged to.

’The Active Wormhole is at the Nascent tier, but it’s highly unusual... I can’t use it as a benchmark.’

’If I define Rui Liang of the Dark Star Race as "Ordinary"...’

’Then I, who killed Rui Liang with ease, must be conservatively at the "Appointed General" tier at the very least, despite having only recently reached the Nascent Nirvana stage. I might even be stronger. With this level of power, I should definitely be able to protect myself in the Thirty-Seventh Cosmic Country.’

As for the Pillar Stone and Pseudo-God tiers...

He obviously hadn’t reached those levels yet.

Those at the Pillar Stone and Pseudo-God tiers could no longer advance, but Shi Ming still had enormous room for growth, both in the diversity of his skills and his physical strength. Even without the ten-fold multiplier from his Arm of Power, his potential for improvement was immense. He could therefore deduce he wasn’t in either of those categories.

Besides, strength wasn’t just a matter of one’s own skills and stats.

Connections, secret treasures, and luck were all part of one’s power.

Other powerhouses in the Star Sea had deep foundations. Once a person reached the realm of a Cosmic Sovereign, they would be supported by at least four or five Advanced Civilization Star Realms, allowing them to gather immense resources. They were nothing like the natives of some sealed-off Star Domain. Furthermore, they wouldn’t fight a powerful enemy alone. Calling for friends and allies was standard practice.

All of this could be considered a part of their power.

By comparison, a lone wanderer was certainly at a disadvantage.

’But my goal...’

Shi Ming’s eyes grew profound.

As the successor to the Eye of the Divine, he could not possibly be satisfied with merely reaching the "Appointed General" or "Sealed King" tiers.

From the moment he’d stepped into deep space, his goal had always been to hunt a "Pseudo-God." Only by killing a Pseudo-God could his long-un-upgraded Infinite Brain evolve to its third stage. Only then could he complete the other secondary objectives, one by one, and finally gain total control over the Eye of the Divine.

Slay a Pseudo-God!

The first step to slaying a god: understand the gap in power.

Training in isolation and then challenging a Pseudo-God? Clearly, that would be foolish.

To do so without any reconnaissance, without knowing his enemy or himself, would be suicide. The best method was to act like an ordinary newcomer and challenge the Nirvana Powerhouses of the Star Sea one by one. This way, he could clarify the gap between himself and powerhouses of other tiers, identify his weaknesses, and then improve upon them!

The Star Sea was not the Endless Ocean.

It would be foolish to maintain the perspective he’d had on the Endless Ocean, to think that his "ten-fold power" and other trump cards made him invincible. One must always maintain a healthy reverence for the universe.

For example, there was the mysterious woman who had gifted him the Star Lamp, whom he had encountered in the Scorpion King’s Pyramid back when he was only S-rank. The more Shi Ming thought about her, the more unfathomable her power seemed... At the time, it felt like he’d fought a proper back-and-forth battle against her using his Descent of the Titan and Black Tortoise Shield. However, a more careful analysis revealed that it had been nothing more than a condescending training session.

Her every move was like an expert toying with a novice.

He had been like a toy, played with in the palm of her hand.

By making contact with the Star Sea Civilization via Azure Star, Shi Ming had gained a preliminary understanding of the state of the Star Sea. His next objectives were becoming clear.

Battle! Hunt for treasure! Level up! Then, find the Tomb Star Realm and inherit the god’s legacy. After that, once he was strong enough to go head-to-head with those Old Dengs, he would find suitable prey and start the hunt!

The goal was a long-term one. Since the Miniature Wormhole had brought him to the Thirty-Seventh Cosmic Country, the first step was to fight against its Nirvana Powerhouses. He needed to see where he ranked among them.

Shi Ming had already locked on to his first target.

’I’ve hidden the Divine Rune in my personal inventory. Not even a Pseudo-God could possibly detect it.’

’The Ten Thousand Vault Radiance must have descended upon the Unfastened Boat Star Realm because of the Rune. The one who brought it to take control of the situation must have some knowledge of the Divine Rune. They’re probably a big shot from an Advanced Civilization Star Realm. If so, they’ll make a worthy opponent. As the one who started all this, I should return to the scene of the crime. I’ll disguise myself as a powerhouse hunting for treasure and spar with this mastermind.’

’The outcome doesn’t matter.’

’After all, right now I’m Rui Liang of the Dark Star Race.’

’The Dark Star Race probably won’t mind. The hope of their entire people will be making a greater name for himself in the Thirty-Seventh Cosmic Country! If word of my exploits gets back to them, they’ll probably even be proud.’

After paying the overdue fees for mooring the starship, Shi Ming returned aboard the *Dayun*.

The Three-Eyed Golden Crow was extremely curious about the trip. It followed Ah Jian, squawking as it pestered them for details, only to be met with a powerful mental assault.

SQUAWK—

The Golden Crow reeled backward and collapsed.

’Damn it!’

’Fine, I’ll put up with it for now. Heh heh... just you wait until I’ve digested that Seven-Eyed Race sage’s Holy Hall Origin. Then this Golden Crow will show you, you little bug, who Master’s number one Grand General really is!’