James finally had a brief understanding of Mr. Gabriel’s background.He was also made aware of the potential chain reaction and severe consequences of trying to get rid of Mr. Gabriel. This plan was not something to be rushed into blindly.After leaving Peace Mansion, James headed to the Cadens.Maxine had already returned to the Cadens’ mansion.In the courtyard, she kneeled beside Tobias, who was in the midst of doing a martial art squat.Maxine kneeled for quite a while, but Tobias simply ignored her presence.20 minutes later, Tobias finally stood up and took the towel handed to him by a servant. He walked toward Maxine while wiping off his sweat. “Get up,” he addressed her coldly.Maxine stood up.Tobias sat down in the backyard gazebo, picked up a tea cup from the stone table, and took a sip of tea. Then, he asked lightly, “Tell me, what happened in Mount Littleroot?”He had already seen the footage and knew about the events on Mount Littleroot, but there were many
Maxine was afraid that if it came down to it, Tobias would force an answer out of her.She was worried she’d fold under the pressure and reveal that the elderly man was, in fact, James.If she did, it would force James to go on the defensive and limit his movements.A serious expression crossed Tobias' face as he sat in silence.The only time he had ever lost to anyone was 20 years ago to an elite member of the Blithe Family. His Thirteen Heavenly Swords technique was no match for the Blithe Fist of Abomination.This loss had haunted him ever since.He was now worried that another person had mastered the Blithe Fist of Abomination.If the person happened to be Thomas Caden, then he’d have another formidable enemy that could threaten his family.“Maxine, enlighten me. What do you think Thomas’ scheme is? Why did he pretend to be an ordinary person in Cansington for the past 20 years? His family was burned to death, yet he did nothing. Why did he hide for ten years only to sudden
Maxine looked at James worriedly and gave him a subtle sign.James loosened his tightly clenched fist.He took a deep breath and swallowed down his anger.“Are you sure? Then, why did I hear that the reason my grandpa suffered an Energy Deviation was because someone ambushed him while he was cultivating? Isn’t that the reason why he killed people from the family?”James asked calmly.“Oh, is that so? I’ve never heard such a thing,” Tobias replied puzzledly.“Do you really not know? 30 years ago, you must’ve been there when my grandpa’s cultivation base was destroyed, and he was expelled from the family. Did he not refute the decision or try to justify himself?” James looked into Tobias’ eyes and asked.Tobias simply replied, “I was indeed there when it happened. However, your grandfather didn’t explain himself. He didn’t even utter a word. Following that, he was chased out of the family and thrown out of the Cadens’ gates. His entire side of the family was also expelled along with
“Do as you please, but don’t come begging the Cadens for help if you get in trouble. We’re not here to wipe your *ss for you.”Tobias was firm in his stance of not helping James.Maxine also reminded him, “James, remember to not to make any rash decisions.”“I know. I’ll need to think about the long battle ahead… Which reminds me, I’ll need your help strategizing a plan.” “Absolutely not.”Before Maxine could answer, Tobias shot down the idea immediately. “Maxine won’t be helping you in this I’m afraid. Her assistance could be regarded as a stance from the Cadens themselves, which will result in us getting dragged into unnecessary political conflict.”“Is that what you think?”James smirked faintly and replied, “From the moment you rescued me, the Cadens have already gotten themselves involved in this matter. Your family are no longer able to stand in the sidelines as innocent bystanders. If not, the Cadens wouldn’t have gotten caught up in so many incidents. Tobias, I know tha
“James, this is your chance. The Cadens’ library contains countless martial art skills. This includes the best sword technique in the world, the Thirteen Heavenly Swords. If you master that, it’d be a stretch to call you invincible but there won’t be many people who can stand against you.”Maxine beamed as she chattered excitedly to James.Tobias was optimistic about James’ potential. Despite James' thinly-veiled hostility toward him, he still allowed James to visit the family’s library.This was not the first time that James had heard about the Thirteen Heavenly Swords.The sword technique intrigued him.“Alright. I’ll make use this opportunity to take a look.”“I’ll lead you there then.”Maxine stood up and made a gesture inviting him to leave with her.James stood up and followed Maxine deeper into the vast backyard.After they spent a long time walking, he saw a solitary wooden house.Maxine paused and whispered, “Do you see that wooden house over there, James?”James no
As expected of the Grand Patriarch of the Cadens.Even Tobias could not sense his True Energy, but Bennett quickly caught on the moment they met.James did not hide the truth from the Grand Patriarch.He also guessed that Bennett knew and had a good relationship with his teacher, Spencer.“I was captured and brought to the Blithes. I met a senior martial artist in the Blithes’ underground prison named Spencer. He did not have much time left so he passed on his True Energy to me after learning that I’m a descendant of the Cadens.”“I see.”Bennett’s eyes widened in shock when he heard this. He let out a sad sigh. “I never thought he’d leave ahead of me. Since he has finally passed on, do you know who’s the eighth-rank grandmaster in the Blithe family?”He had no idea and chose not to dwell on it for too long.Bennett looked at James and clapped him on the back cheerily. “You’re not bad, young man. I’m heartened that the Cadens will have a wonderful successor. By the way, you’re
“Have you finished looking through it?” asked Bennett.James straightened himself and looked at Bennett who had a smile of delight on his face. He nodded and said, “Yes, I’m done.”“Now, tell me what you’ve learned after reading it once.”James contemplated for a momet and opened his mouth. “This swordsmanship technique is extremely profound. It’s not just a simple technique and can be divided into two parts. The first is swordsmanship, and the second is about using one’s energy to control the sword. The key is to be able to move at blinding speeds. One’s swordsmanship has to be rapid for the energy’s speed to increase in turn. The sword acts as a medium for True Energy to become Sword Energy. The Thirteen Sword Realms represent the Thirteen Sword Energies.”James explained his understanding of the techniques recorded in the book.He was not able to articulate everything precisely, but he had a rough grasp of the concept.“That’s right.”Bennett stood up with his hands crossed b
James had been singlemindedly practicing the sword technique for the past ten days. His dedication intrigued Tobias. He has secretly watched him for several days and noticed James’ rapid progress. James had already mastered the First Sword Realm in a span of less than ten days.“This boy is without a doubt talented in martial arts. It took me several years to barely master the First Sword Realm, yet it only took him ten days.” Tobias was slightly concerned about the rapid pace of James’ progress.He left silently after having observed James for quite some time.Tobias needed to meditate in seclusion in preparation for the upcoming Mount Thunder Conference.A figure flitted through the backyard under the night sky.James moved rapidly as he fluidly executed a number of elaborate sword techniques.After practicing each move at least once, he sat down to take a break.Clap! Clap! Clap! The sudden crisp applause broke the silence in the backyard.Bennett approached him with a b
The sky was a brilliant blue, accented by white clouds. Vast plains stretched out with rolling peaks, rivers, and seas crisscrossing the expansive land, while an aura of Spiritual Energy permeated everything. This was a new world, brimming with life and vitality, existing independently from the myriad realms.Countless cultivation resources awaited discovery here. Unending adventures beckoned the brave, and limitless opportunities awaited those with exceptional talent.This was the new world James had created, based on the Forty-Nine Daoisms and merged with his own Daoism, to resolve the Leere Tribulation and save countless beings across the myriad realms.In this world, there was no powerful Heavenly Path, no hierarchy of races, no strict rules or oppressions, and no fate governing everything. Instead, actions were judged by karma. Fortune and misfortune, as well as success and failure, were determined by karma.Though it adhered to the principle of survival of the fittest and res
“No wonder,” Lord Goyo finally understood after an extended contemplation.He distinctly remembered that back at the Yin’s Void, Jacopo, the incarnation of Waitara Path’s Soremsia, had abruptly ordered him to move all foundations out of the Dark World. In hindsight, everything now made sense. It was likely that Jacopo had foreseen all of this.Realizing this, Lord Goyo felt a chill run down his spine as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Despite doubting Jacopo’s identity as an incarnation of Waitara Path’s Soremsia, he had followed his advice. Otherwise, the consequences would have been disastrous.Snapping back to reality, Lord Goyo looked down at the Yang governor and Gladwin from his elevated position.“You fool, do you realize your mistake?”The Yang governor and Gladwin looked up simultaneously, their faces full of fear.“Lord Goyo, I truly didn't notice this. I had no idea when the Dark World was separated.”“Lord Goyo, there is something fishy about this. If James has
At the peak of Mount One in the myriad realms, the Yang Governor, disguised as James, descended with Gladwin. Both looked deathly pale, as if they had just escaped a life-threatening disaster. They were filled with panic.They stopped simultaneously upon arriving beneath a massive platform in a grand dojo.“We need to sort this out first,” the Yang Governor glared fiercely at Gladwin. “Who's going to explain this later, you or me?”Gladwin swallowed nervously. “Of course, it should be you.”“Why should it be me?” the Yang Governor scoffed. “Haven't you always claimed to be Lord Goyo's top confidant and meddled in our alliance's affairs? Now you're chickening out when there's a major issue?”Gladwin's face twitched. “This has nothing to do with cowardice. It's your duty as the leader of the Path Guardian Alliance.”The Yang Governor laughed in exasperation. “You've always been the one gathering intelligence across the myriad realms, boasting that you're better than Yegor from Skyn
That was the first thing he asked after surviving a monumental battle. James patted his shoulder. "The twenty thousand men…" "As long as it's broken," Wyot interjected, staring into the emptiness. "It's a pity the Dark World is gone forever."James wanted to respond, but the other survivors gathered around them. After the battle and the aid of the path source, they had ascended to Path Emperors, becoming top powerhouses in the myriad realms.James nodded, then waved his hand, summoning a path pearl that gleamed with holy light. The light and aura it radiated were enough to make any living being kneel before it.Just as James was about to act, Wyot knelt on one knee, followed by his warriors.James frowned. "Wyot, brothers, you have the right to stand…""We will not be Deified until the Leere Tribulation is broken!" Wyot declared loudly, clasping his fists. His warriors did the same."We will not be Deified until the Leere Tribulation is broken!"Their voices were unified, echo
Then, the Formation of Perception shook violently. When he snapped out of it, he realized that the twenty thousand Doom Race warriors led by Xezal had almost all perished.Among the remaining ones, three were losing their bodies. Hastily, James tossed three path sources into the formation, but it did not stop their bodies from crumbling."Move them out, quickly," urged Zella. "They're under immense pressure inside."James waved his hand and broke the Formation of Perception.Xezal and his remaining warriors—just three of them—appeared in the void. They were tattered and covered in blood. Their hair was unkempt, and they were barely recognizable. These were heroes who had experienced hell.Though wobbling, they stood in battle stances. Their valiance and undying will moved James. He turned his hand and covered them with four path sources, then told them to sit and heal."That's the Doom Race for you. The fact that they survived this titanic battle says a lot about their talent," Z
"Fourth, I have left some treasures for the Yaneiri Clan. They should be enough to establish yourselves in the new world. Fifth, do not be Deified. Never, ever do that. You must keep the Yaneiri Clan safe."Wynton's body contorted, plunging him into further pain. Cracks spread across his skin. "You owe me, James! You owe my clan!" he roared for the last time in his life before crumbling into dust.The light strips that imprisoned him shattered as well, and purple flames lunged at James' light wall, the shockwaves splintering it into fragments before rampaging toward the inconsolable Zella.James flew to Zella, scooped her up, and they took off. The shockwaves from Wynton's self-destruction rapidly spread, obliterating the surrounding formations.But that wasn't the end. Once freed, the shockwave rippled across the Dark World, annihilating everything in its path. Countless universes met their demise.Meanwhile, James protected the remaining Doom Race warriors within the formation,
Wynton was hysterical, but James merely shrugged. “Wynton, they say the last act people do before they die is to be kind. I see none of that in you, and you lost to me.”“And so what?” Wynton roared. “You’re just luckier than me, James! You have a Yin governor as your wife, and she has your back all the time! You would never have come this far otherwise!”James smiled. “Keep going.”“I know you don’t want to owe me any favors.” Wynton glared at him angrily. “You gave me three free attacks to repay me for sparing you in the River of Time.“Now, I’ve given you your children’s past selves back, and you owe me once more. You’re waiting for my terms, aren’t you?”James looked resigned.“Wrong,” Wynton sneered. “I won’t ask for any promises, nor will I give you any chance to repay this debt. Now, you shall owe me a favor you can never repay!”James sensed something was wrong and was shocked. “Wynton!”Wynton, imprisoned, began to burn, flames flickering and licking his body. He roare
"That’s…" The sight of that token filled Wynton with shock. "Y-You’re working with the Shadowborns?""Will you give it to me?" James shot him a threatening look.Wynton shivered, taking a deep breath. Then, a flash of purple light burst forth, and a brilliantly shining mirror flew out from the top of his head.James released Wynton and grabbed the mirror. It resonated with the token, and both items shone blindingly, responding to each other.'It’s true,' James thought. 'The Shadowborn token the master gave me before he left can sense the Nothingness Path Mirror. But why?' Questions swirled in his mind."That mirror will do nothing for you," Wynton said. "I can’t control it, so you can’t either. The only one who can is the Yin governor."He looked at James. "And she’s cleaved in two. Unless you can merge them together, the mirror will not work. However, with just your wife’s half-self, finding Wuia’s current and future selves will be a nigh impossible task."James tucked the mirr
James remained silent. He couldn't muster a response. Now, he finally understood why the Leere Tribulation had been orchestrated and the role his wife played in it.He had initially thought that by destroying the past version of Wuia concealed within the River of Time, he could hurt Wuia. Even if he couldn't stop the Leere Tribulation, he could at least delay it.With more time, he planned to gather additional clues and eradicate all three versions of Wuia, permanently solving the problem. However, his conversation with Wynton had changed his plans.Wynton observed James standing in silence and smirked. "Of course, there's a way to do this."James furrowed his brow.Wynton, brimming with glee, continued, "Kill your wife and the Light Heavenly Path. If they vanish entirely, Wuia will never obtain the Void Spiral. Even if the Leere Tribulation materializes and he returns, his strength will be no greater than before his reincarnation. You'll have enough power to fight him."That was