Toll of Hegemony

## Summary

Upon creation of a Hegemon's Cosmic Core, a wave of primal force is released announcing it to the world. How far the wave spreads is an indication of your capability to keep progressing on the path of cultivation.

## Nature

* The toll was like the first cry of a newborn, announcing its existence to the world. But instead of a baby, it was a path that had been born, manifest into physical form through his Cosmic Core. Some considered Hegemony the true start of cultivation, and Zac could understand the feeling as his Daos and Energy kept him aloft, surrounded by a sea of his power. **Chapter 1,057**

## Wave Size

* The size and expression of the toll depended on various factors, such as quality, energy density, and the stability of one's path. Zac had heard that forming a one-kilometer shockwave was the hallmark of a cultivator who had the qualifications to continue beyond the entrance of Hegemony. Five meant the core could climb through the ranks of the grade, while twenty indicated a seed of potential for an Inner World. **Chapter 1,057**

## Apparitions

This kind of phenomenon marked every ascent, though apparitions only appeared when Dao Branches fueled the ascent. **Chapter 1,057**

### Benefits

#### Defense vs. Heavenly Tribulation

* Zac was intimately connected to the domain around him. It was generated by his Dao and energy from his core, so he roused the domain to meet the gathering bolt. **Chapter 1,058**
* The Dao Apparitions turned into streaks of light, forming nine rivers that wound into a simple but tremendously powerful spiral. **Chapter 1,058**
* However, every step was a hard-fought battle where Zac fought back with everything he got. The bolt grew thinner and weaker the closer it got until it was fully consumed. **Chapter 1,058**

#### Dao Consolidation

* The bolt's descent had been cut short but still brought benefits. The domain was part of him, and he felt his Dao had been greatly consolidated by pitting itself against the Tribulation Lightning. It didn't provide any breakthroughs, but Zac felt like a hidden blockage had been shaken loose in his mind. His path ahead suddenly felt wider, and his Daos full of potential. **Chapter 1,058**

## Zac's

### Apparition

* One army looked like a horde of barbarian ravagers. No two were identical in shape or equipment, except they all wielded axes. They emitted a primal aura of dominance, seemingly more beast than man. The barbarians emitted an unquenchable and unbreakable will, like their weapons could sever Dao, Fate, and the Heavens themselves. **Chapter 1,057**
* The other half was a dour army of hooded executioners, slightly resembling Zac's form when using **[Arbiter of the Abyss]**. All held a black axe, and chains were wound around their black robes. Their auras truly resembled that of a judge. The weapons in their hands held the inexorable certainty of death. Dao, Fate, and the Heavens only became subordinate truths of their will. **Chapter 1,057**
* Nine hundred ninety-nine warriors were conjured in each camp before the phenomenon stopped expanding. However, the pulse continued even when the armies did not. It spread to envelop one mountain after another, repainting them in the color of Zac's Dao. ... He was like a radiant sun, showering the world with his glory. **Chapter 1,057**

### Size

* The shockwave only stopped after forming a domain of over 99 kilometers, an accomplishment Zac had never heard of before. **Chapter 1,057**