A formation had been established in this universe. No living beings could enter without authorization. Numerous passages had been opened within this formation, each guarded by Dieux Academy disciples. Only those who presented an invitation card and passed the inspection were allowed to enter.“Goodness, there are so many living beings out there,” King Marciais said as he gazed at the multitude of powerhouses in the surrounding area. These were just a portion of the living beings participating in the assessment.James smiled and explained, “The Dieux Academy is one of the ten major forces in the Central Plane, and even the current Master of the Elysium Hall once cultivated here. The academy recruits disciples publicly at the conference of countless planes. This attracts countless living beings from all over to participate. Even powerhouses from some great families, sects, and forces in the Central Plane send their disciples here to cultivate.”Gaius glanced around, observing the vast
As the woman in the red dress appeared, her red whip came down without any concern for the lives of the living beings in the vicinity.Fortunately, the living beings in the queue dodged promptly, so no one was harmed.“Aurelius Hollis!” The woman gritted her teeth.On the other hand, Aurelius had already moved some distance away. He casually fanned himself and said, “Grand Priestess Xamira, you’re still so impulsive. I just stole an herb. What’s the big deal?”“Give it back to me.” Xamira extended her fair, jade-like hand.At that moment, a disciple of Dieux Academy appeared. “Fighting is prohibited in this area. No matter where you’re from, once you enter the territory of the Dieux Academy, you must follow our rules. I’m warning you, if there’s a next time, you’ll be expelled from the academy’s influence.” The disciple gazed at Aurelius and Xamira. With a cold snort, he turned and left.Aurelius sneered, “I won’t give it back. What can you do about it?”“You?” Xamira fumed, rai
After all, the Headmaster of the Dieux Academy only reached the peak of Great Celestial Rank.However, this was James’ understanding based on his knowledge from his previous life. After countless ages had passed, the Headmaster of the Dieux Academy might have already broken through to the Martial Celestial Rank.They were all astonished while acknowledging that Aurelius was at the Petit Celestial Rank. They wondered how they could secure first place if even a Petit Celestial Rank powerhouse was taking part in the discipleship assessment.“Forget about the first place,” James said. “Being selected by the Dieux Academy as their disciples is good enough.”Gaius glanced at James and asked, “Forty-nine, can you honestly say that you can compete with a Petit Celestial Rank powerhouse given your current strength?”James was currently at the early stage of Sovereign Third Rank, a realm far inferior to the Petit Celestial Rank. In theory, it was nearly impossible for a living being to leap
James left his accommodation and headed to other parts of this planet to inquire about the current state of the Central Plane and the countless planes.The living beings staying on this planet were all here to participate in the disciples’ assessment of the Dieux Academy. They came from various major planes as well as disciples from families, sects, and forces of the Central Plane.James could easily gather information about the current state of the Central Plane and the countless planes. He learned that there were now fourteen ninth-level planes in the countless planes, an increase from the original nine.The number of eighth-level planes had also risen significantly, with at least a hundred. Most of these eighth-level planes had the potential to advance to ninth-level planes.The ninth-level planes were ruled by Martial Celestial Rank powerhouses, while the eighth-level planes were guarded by the peak of Great Celestial Rank powerhouses. In the current era, the number of power
“For our assessment, participants are allowed to form teams and work together to solve the different tests and challenges. However, if any of your team members were eliminated at any point during the assessment, that member will instantly be disqualified from joining the Academy. “The assessment will be conducted in a special realm that we have prepared in advance.”“At the beginning of our assessment, participants will face three tests. Those who pass all three tests will be accepted as the Dieux Academy’s low-ranking disciples. After that, participants who make it through the next three consecutive tests will be recognized as our regular members. Last but not least, those who complete up to the ninth test will qualify to join the Dieux Academy as our elite members.“There are a total of nine tests.“However, those nine tests are merely a small part of our assessment. To be exact, the real assessment begins after you complete the nine tests.“After completing the nine tests, par
The first test was fairly simple. James and his companions were standing the furthest away from the wall. Still, James was able to determine the function of the glowing wall just by looking at it. “They’re using that wall to check our cultivation ranks. Those who reach the minimum rank required will be able to pass through the wall and move into the next section.” Gaius and the others had also arrived at the same conclusion as they had mastered the Genesis Path Scripture and possessed a vast knowledge of inscriptions. After hearing the announcement, the cultivators standing closest to the glowing wall started moving toward it. Those people also happened to be the strongest cultivators among all the participants. Most of those cultivators belonged to renowned, powerful groups or organizations that wished to boost their fame and reputation by getting their members accepted into Dieux Academy. Those people passed through the wall of light without any difficulty. A brief moment
Some of the participants in front had walked toward the glowing wall and entered the formation. They instantly felt an immense pressure pushing down on their bodies. Still, almost all of them had no trouble moving through the formation since they were mostly skilled and experienced cultivators. Some cultivators who tried to follow behind them were blocked outside the wall as they were not strong enough to pass through the formation. When it was time for James and his team members to attempt the second test, they could sense a strange energy within the formation. The energy sealed off all of their powers including the bloodline power and soul power. Simultaneously, an overwhelming pressure came down upon them.Fortunately, they had trained their bodies to achieve the level of strength and powers to match their cultivation ranks. All of them managed to pass through the formation without a hitch. “We’ve passed the second test!” King Marciais chuckled the instant he had stepped
“...What?” King Marciais' eyes widened as he listened to the elderly man’s announcement. They would be having the remaining six tests on the mountain before them. In addition, the person who managed to arrive at the top of the mountain first would win an extra, mysterious reward. The participants could see a tall, gigantic mountain before their eyes. There was only one narrow path leading up to the peak of the mountain in sight. James shook his head. “I can’t tell much about the mountain from here this time.” “Participants, please get ready to ascend the mountain.” The old man announced in a steady voice, “Ready… Go!” In a flash, countless cultivators had rushed toward the mountain and reached its base. “We shouldnʼt fall behind.” James immediately generated his powers and teleported in the same direction as the other participants. He arrived at the bottom of a flight of stairs the next instant. The stairs appeared narrow from where they were standing. However, James
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