It was a race with Time... about who would win.
One year passed since the fateful meeting of the Senatorum Imperialis, and one year it took, through all power and sacrifices, to clear out most of the planes that we obtained during the Baatorian Jihad.
Unfortunately, as predicted, we managed to clear only the inheritance and all places of utmost importance. We didn't manage to mine all resources and ores that were marked as a priority, as countless logs and veins were still untouched, but after the news from three months ago, I couldn't be sad about that.
Three months ago, Divine Coalition suffered enormous losses as they lost 3 Myriad God Emperors, and now only 4 were remaining; even Irtarr was killed this time for sure.
This was very bad because practically the rest of the Universe was using the Divine Coalition as a means to prolong the time.
Everybody knew that the Gods of the Divine Star Region couldn't leave or escape; they could only fight to the death, which they were doing. It was predicted that their armies and forces would last for another two or three months before they would be overwhelmed by the Swarm.
Not only that, but some Bug Tribe members were seen in other places of the Astral Boundary, as they were probably scouting the area. Apparently, the Divine Star Region was already almost eaten by them, so they started searching for new food.
On the bright side, I managed to achieve my goal, to lead the Swarm to the Ancient Eternal Star Region, thus buying us the needed time, to strengthen the Baator as much as possible because there was only one proper way to fight a Void Insect Swarm.
Annihilate them with overwhelming power.
I was very close to reaching Tier 12 by condensing the Arcane Crest from my Path, which I would achieve probably any moment, and I planned to use the blessings from the Evolution of the Baator to the Grade 1 Plane to achieve that feat.
After I reach Tier 12, I will go and see the Tier of the Hivemind of this invading Swarm and see if I can kill it and possibly devour it. With that, I could reach the later stages of the Tier 12 in one go.
Even with this train of thought, I decided to still continue with Project Exodus because once one Swarm came, more would come. Unless I reached the Tier 13 and became the World Master in one go, then remaining here and keep fighting Swarm, it was not really worth it.
On the contrary, I planned to move the Baator to a safe location, where it could start developing to the Universe, and use the Astral Boundary as some kind of tempering field for our soldiers.
"How is the current situation?"
I asked Sirzechs, who came to visit me in my part of the Imperial Palace. He was now very busy; he needed to deal with countless things since the moment I decided those world-shattering decisions.
"All Elders reached Tier 11, and we have several other people close to reaching that Level, with additional more 30 Tier 10 powerhouses. On the contrary, our vaults are... empty by one word."
Answered Sirzechs with a heavy heart, as I expected this outcome when I decided to use everything; practically every treasure, pill, potion, material, or anything you can think of was used by those who redeemed it to increase their power or used by Elders and members of the Imperial House to reach higher Tiers.
"That is something expected, and things that were used could be gained once more."
I said because I didn't really care about a few treasures and other stuff that could be obtained or produced once more. For now, producing powerhouses and increasing the general strength of the population was prioritized.
"But still... everything we accumulated during our existence, conquests and from Warlocks is gone, only some insignificant things are remaining."
Sirzechs complained as my decision really emptied all of our treasuries and vaults, and now they were desolate because we used practically everything that could be used. Of course, due to that, the Chthonian Empire of the Baator obtained plenty of resources.
"Is the super formation prepared?"
I asked as my eldest son nodded in agreement.
During the one year, Ajuka adjusted the Dawn Pillars so they could be used during the planar refinement process more easily; thus, we started mass producing them and plating them all around the planes, which would be used as evolutionary material for the Baator.
"Yes, all Pillars with upgraded Planar Refinement Formation have been set, and now, we are just waiting to activate them."
In a few days, I will activate the formation and refine all the planes as the evolutionary material for the Baator, so it can advance to the Grade 1 Plane. And at the same time, I would reach Tier 12 Exarch by condensing the Arcane Crest from my Path.
If everything goes well, not only would my power be increased tremendously, but also the collective strength of the Chthonian Empire and the Baator as a whole.
"Then we will start right now. Forcing the Evolution of the Baator is the best thing we can do, not to mention it will be the first step in my becoming the World Master."
Naturally, to become a World Master, I needed the Baator to evolve into the whole Universe, but even in its state as a Grade 1 Plane, I could do a lot if I fuse all God Slots into my body.
Basically, I can give certain people some kind of blessings that would be made them almost unkillable as long as they fought in the Baator.
They would have the might of the Grade 1 Plane behind their backs. Not to mention, I would benefit from the evolution of the Baator. Typically when the plane evolved into a higher Grade, all lifeforms living in there would undergo qualitative strength change.
And especially those who were tied to my person would profit the most from this act.