It was believed that the eighth cortex represented the ultimate stage within the shaping protocols accessible to the Yuuzhan Vong. The contents of the eighth cortex were known only to the Supreme Overlord, who determined when to share this knowledge with the Shaper caste. These protocols were purportedly disseminated through the Supreme Overlord by the gods of the Yuuzhan Vong.
However, during the Yuuzhan Vong War which took place in 25 ABY, the eighth cortex remained devoid of content. There were no novel protocols that would explain how to overcome the persistent and adaptable infidels inhabiting the galaxy. The shaper Onimi, aware of this deficiency, attempted to populate the eighth cortex. These attempts were unsuccessful, resulting in his transformation into a Shamed One. He then influenced his pawn, Shimrra, to permit the heretic Nen Yim to create new protocols. The damutek associated with the eighth cortex resided on Yuuzhan'tar. As the war progressed, dissent among the shapers grew, due to the difficulties presented by the yammosk jammers, holocomm networks, and the Jedi.
The realization that the eighth cortex was perpetually empty was a contributing factor in Executor Nom Anor's transformation into the heretic prophet Yu'shaa.