“That’s right.” Gaerel looked at him. “The Path of Heavenly Awakening has existed since the Sky Burial Age. Also, the entrance to this mysterious realm is guarded by the Ursas.” James’ eyes widened.‘Who would have thought that it was actually the Ursas who were guarding this mysterious, legendary realm?!’ he thought. James asked in a slightly raised voice, “In that case, might I ask how many of your people have managed to pass the Path of Heavenly Awakening so far?” Gaerel gave a small sigh as he shook his head. “There are nine trials on the Path of Heavenly Awakening. Since a long time ago, we have been sending the gifted ones from our race into the realm. Sadly, none of them has ever made it to the ninth trial.” His explanation further piqued James’ interest. “Alright. I agree to your terms. It doesnʼt matter if I fail. I would really like to enter the Path of Heavenly Awakening and see what this mysterious realm is all about myself.” Gaerel gazed at the man before hi
James stared at the door for quite some time. He asked curiously, “Sir Gaerel, where will I be sent to once I enter the realm? Also, where would I be transferred once I pass a trial?” Gaerel replied, “This door is both the entrance and exit of the realm. You’ll find the passage to leave the realm each time you finish a trial. If you take the passage, you’ll exit the realm through this door.” James could see several light beams coming from the inscriptions on the door projected onto the ground. Those light beams formed a six-pointed star figure on the ground just a few steps away from the door. James showed no hesitation as he walked toward the door. As soon as he stopped above the star, the formation beneath his feet started glowing. Just then, James heard Gaerelʼs voice coming from behind him. “Wyot, I almost forgot to tell you this. Before you enter the Path of Heavenly Awakening, your aptitude, cultivation base, and cultivation rank will be examined as the realm will gen
James could sense Space Power and Time Power from the inscription sigil. He could even detect traces of karma and reincarnation from it. “Unbelievable…” James stared at the inscription sigil in admiration. “The creator of this realm must be an outstanding and remarkable cultivator.” ‘As far as I know, any inscription in its simplest, most primitive form can carry only one form of power. ‘The inscriptions found in this passage, however, seem to contain several forms of power. It is as if each of them is equipped with the powers of the Greater Paths!‘The creator of the Path of Heavenly Awakening must have been someone who had achieved extraordinary cultivation ranks. They might have been someone who was already in the late stage of Caelum Acme Rank. My guess is that the person may have even achieved the legendary Chaos Rank,’ James thought.James dispersed the inscription sigil in his palm. Then, he tried to sense the time and space around him to figure out where he was. Unf
James could sense that everything he was seeing was real. He could sense complete paths in the universe. He could even sense the signs of life flowing through the air. At the same time, he was certain that he had entered an artificial realm. ‘This is just a fragment of our history. ‘This is all part of the illusion of the realm. The Path of Heavenly Awakening was designed to recreate situations suited to the challengerʼs cultivation base and aptitude,’ James concluded inwardly. “I have to kill all living beings in this universe within a period of thirty thousand years.” James stood by the roadside as he stared at the huge city gate. Then, he activated the Omniscience Path and began walking toward the gate. Every living being in the city felt the overwhelming and threatening aura emanated by James almost instantaneously. In a flash, the city gate was closed. Countless warriors appeared on the city walls. Simultaneously, a huge formation cast over the city was activated.
If he chose to back down now, James would have no choice but to remain in this realm and die eventually. James drew a long breath. Then, he directed his gaze at Halten, the Yaneiri Kingʼs disciple, and shouted in a steady voice, “I have come here today to kill the Yaneiri King, but before I do that, I will kill you first.” “Well, we’ll see about that!” Halten tightened his jaw. He lifted his palm and conjured a few lines of inscriptions. Those glowing inscriptions slowly moved toward the city’s protection barrier and fused with it. A few seconds later, a sword formation appeared in mid-air right above the protection barrier. Multiple swords of different shapes and sizes materialized from the sword formation. Then, all of those swords flew in James’ direction the next instant. Halten had used a rather powerful sword formation. The sword energy generated by each of those swords was enough to take out a cultivator in the Permanence Acme Rank. Before the swords had reached him,
James was never one who would choose to kill unnecessarily.At first, he felt quite burdened when he learned that he had to kill off all living beings in this universe to pass the trial. It was only after he had confirmed he did not gain any bad karma that he felt a slight sense of relief. Still, there was a grim look in his eyes. He knew that the killing he had just executed was only a minor part of what he had to accomplish in the first trial. ‘The biggest concern for me now is the Yaneiri King, a talented and renowned cultivator whose name would strike fear in any normal living being. ‘If it weren't for the sudden and mysterious disappearance, the Yaneiri King would have undoubtedly reached the Caelum Acme Rank and become the first person to do that post the Sky Burial Age,ʼ James concluded inwardly. “A man whoʼs achieved the Boundless for both Quasi and Permanence Acme Rank. Then, he even went on to reach the Terra Acme Rank. He must be an outstanding cultivator.” Jame
The Yaneiri King had a very good reason to do that. Zella was a prophet. She could sense major events before they happen. The lady was able to see the future. “Was there anything else that you saw, Zella?” the Yaneiri King asked. “Brother, I couldnʼt see the future for our people. Our people must have been wiped out at some point in the future. Moreover, your stubbornness most likely played a huge part in that happening.“I also got the feeling that the creator of the Path of Heavenly Awakening was probably using our world to share some insights with the humans from the future. Moreover, the creator has created this situation to make you realize that you should change before it is too late.” At that very moment, a beam of light shone down from the sky and into the main hall. A short while later, a man could be seen emerging from the light. He got down on one knee. “Master, a powerful and mysterious man appeared outside Yaneiri City just a while ago. He managed to destroy t
James was completely flabbergasted by Zellaʼs questions. He had knowledge about the secret art of Projection after having mastered the Greater Paths. With that method, a cultivator could use a living being’s past to create an artificial world or realm for the purpose of training. ‘I know how to do that too. However, the living being, whose past has been borrowed for the projection, shouldnʼt be able to sense it happening. ‘Yet, this lady is somehow aware that I am here for the trials.’ James pondered. “Who are you?” James fixed an intense gaze at Zella. Zella appeared calm and composed as she continued to observe James. She was not nervous in the slightest even though she knew James had come from the future. She replied in a steady voice, “My name is Zella Yanes. The Yaneiri King is my older brother. Can you tell me now what is the task that you have to do to pass the trial?” James was extremely curious about how Zella was aware of his situation. Yet, he decided to te
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