The day of the final operation arrived with clear skies and dimensional instability readings off every chart. The Voidborne sensed what was coming—Ethan could feel their consciousness stirring through his contaminated perception.Three hundred cultivators assembled in the Core Chamber, each one prepared to link consciousness with him one final time. Military forces positioned across every major settlement. Primordial weapons activated to maximum capacity despite their deteriorating state."Remember the plan," Ethan addressed the unified group. "I phase into dimensional spaces to seal the tears. You maintain consciousness link to keep me anchored to normal reality. If my contamination rises above seventy percent, Senna activates emergency protocols.""Emergency protocols meaning we forcibly pull you back," Senna clarified, her medical equipment already monitoring his vitals. "Even if the sealing isn't complete."Through the assembled group, Ethan felt various reactions. Some believed

Ethan phased into dimensional space alone, against every advisor's recommendation. The unified consciousness link would have provided support but also complicated the attempt at communication—three hundred perspectives would muddle the message.The dimensional void felt different this time. Instead of hostile, it was... curious. The Voidborne entities sensed his presence and approached cautiously rather than attacking immediately.Through his contaminated perception, Ethan could feel their alien consciousness examining him. Trying to determine what he was, why he existed between realities, whether he was threat or anomaly.He projected a concept rather than words: **Communication. Understanding. Peace.**The response was immediate and overwhelming. The Voidborne consciousness crashed into his, not violently but with such fundamental difference that Ethan's human mind struggled to process it.They showed him reality from their perspective—not fixed and solid but constantly flowing, en

Three months after the Voidborne negotiation, the galaxy had transformed. Immortal Path cultivation was spreading rapidly, traditional techniques being abandoned as civilizations recognized the existential threat they posed.Ethan had become something of a legend—the Reality Anchor who'd sacrificed his humanity to save the galaxy. People spoke of him with reverence and fear, uncertain whether he was hero or cautionary tale.The truth was somewhere between both.Nyx found him in the deepest meditation chamber, existing partially in dimensional space while still maintaining enough presence in normal reality to communicate."The coalition has a request," she said. "Five regions are still experiencing Voidborne incursions because they refuse to abandon traditional cultivation. Political, cultural, religious reasons—doesn't matter. They're creating ongoing instability.""What do they want me to do?""Convince them. Show them what happens if they continue." Nyx's galaxy eyes held ancient r