The battle of the century was about to begin. This was a battle in the name of cultural inheritance. If James lost, they would have to acknowledge Goryeon Medicine as the true path of medicine. Jonathan, on the other hand, could make use of this opportunity to spread Goryeo Medicine far and wide. James needed to win. He had no other choice. Kevin looked at the participants. “Are you ready?” “Yes.” “I’m ready.” James and Jonathan nodded in unison. “Three… Two… One… Start!” Jonathan immediately went rummaging through the herbs with Lucas by his side. They searched for the herbs all the while discussing in a low voice. There was a wide variety of herbs. There were endless possibilities when it came to concocting a poison with this many herbs at their disposal. Jonathan and Lucas wanted to create a deadly poison that was almost impossible to cure. Meanwhile, James was deliberating in front of the shelves. He took his time scrutinizing each herb. Soon after,
Why should she risk her life for something that ultimately did not involve her? The big shots who were watching under the stage remained silent. None stepped forward to express their opinions on the matter. Even Jay said nothing. “Grandpa, will something bad happen?” Christine asked anxiously. “Jonathan’s medical skills are better than yours. If he says his poison has no cure, it must be true.” Wearing a grim expression, Jay shook his head. “I don’t know.” Christine suggested, “Shouldn’t we stop this? Things will get out of control if someone actually ends up dying. After all, the whole country… No… The whole world is watching this live.” Jay wanted to put an end to this farce. His pride, however, did not let him back down. Calling an end to the competition was tantamount to admitting defeat. It would mean that he acknowledged Goryeon Medicine as the superior path of medicine. He would be chastised by his countrymen. Delilah was hesitant. James shrugged in annoyance.
As the equipment James had asked for was commonly used by doctors, they were all prepared in just a few minutes. The staff handed the poison each party had concocted to the other. James took his portion. It was a transparent ceramic bottle. Some white powder was clumped inside. James opened the bottle and poured some onto his hand. Then, he gave it a cursory sniff. Seeing this, Jonathan laughed. “Based on what we agreed on, we don’t have time to examine the poison. However, since there’s no cure for my poison, I’ll give you some time to analyze it. Not like it’d make a difference in the competition’s outcome.” As he said that, he took out James’ poison. Without even looking at it, he handed it to Lucas. Lucas was a medicinal expert. He had been dealing with medicine for decades. All this while, he had been researching herbs and experimenting with their effects on himself. As his immunity to medicinal side effects was strong, no ordinary poison could harm him. Without th
“Drink it.” James looked at the wavering Delilah. Delilah took a deep breath. Then, she swallowed the glass of water in one gulp. It was bitter. The moment she swallowed the water, she felt her throat burn. The pain was excruciating. In just a short amount of time, her smooth and fair skin had turned bright red. Crash! The glass fell to the ground. Delilah collapsed on stage. Clutching her throat with her hands, she convulsed on the floor. “It burns! Help! It’s so painful! I’m dying!” James swiftly crouched down. He grabbed her wrist and took her pulse. Then, he observed her expression and opened her eyelids. The whole process took less than thirty seconds. “Help her up and hold her still.” James ordered urgently. Immediately, a few of the female staff walked over to Delilah and held her still. James stood up and grabbed a few silver needles from the table. He swung his hand and the silver needles flew out of his hands. One… Two… Three… In the blink of an
“Thea.” He called out. “Yes?” Thea swiftly made her way over. James looked away sheepishly. “U-Unhook her bra for me. Then, hold onto her bra from the front. Don’t let it fall to the floor. I’ll be treating her from the back.” Thea hesitated for a second. Then, she nodded, “Alright.” She swiftly unhooked Delilah’s bra and got in front of her. That way, even if the bra fell, her naked body would not be exposed. Delilah’s bare back was a different story. It was exposed to the crowd and audiences all over the world. James swiftly retrieved the silver needles on Delilah’s back. The moment the silver needles were removed from her skin, dark, black blood oozed out of the openings and slowly flowed down her body. With silver needles in hand, James began to work quickly once again. Soon, Delilah’s back was filled with silver needles. “Give me the alcohol and the lighter.” Christine hurriedly handed them over to him. “Get me the chilled silver needles in the fridge.” O
The long-lost, legendary medical techniques James performed stunned all the doctors. In contrast to the doctors who were focused on the intricacies of James’ procedure, the crowd was enjoying the spectacle. From the crowd’s perspective, the whole performance was entertaining and exhilarating ─ especially when the silver needles formed the words ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ and intertwined with one another. They were astonished by what they witnessed. The whole process lasted only a few seconds. After time had passed, the Needle of Fire and the Needle of Ice were coated by Delilah’s darkened blood. James methodically removed the needles. Through the Needle of Yin and Yang, some of the toxins in Delilah’s body were released. However, she was not out of the woods just yet. After that, he turned to Thea. “Button up her shirt.” Thea carefully buttoned up Delilah’s shirt. James ordered Delilah, “Lie on your back.” Then, with Thea’s help, Delilah lay on the bed that had been prepa
Delilah’s body still contained trace amounts of poison. Jonathan, on the other hand, was sweating profusely in panic. He had used all means at his disposal. However, he could not release the toxins in Lucas’ body. His silver needles, acupuncture treatment, and other methods were rendered completely ineffective. Three minutes had passed. He tried looking over at how James was faring. However, the crowd blocked his view. He could not tell what was going on there, nor could he infer anything about Delilah’s condition. After the series of detoxifying procedures, James looked at Delilah who was lying on the bed, and asked, “How are you feeling now?” “How do I put it?” Lying on the bed, Delilah could not figure out how she was feeling exactly. After brief contemplation, she said, “I’m feeling a little dizzy. My body’s hot one moment and cold the next, but it’s not uncomfortable.” James asked, “Can you stand?” “I-I think so.” She tried to get up. Thea hurriedly helped
Even Christine Fallon got down on the ground. Only Jay remained standing. “What a sight.” Jay was pleased. “Solean Medicine still lives on.” Wearing enthusiastic expressions, all the renowned doctors fixed their gaze on James. James had demonstrated incredible mastery in the art of medicine. He had performed long-lost techniques that could only be found in ancient texts. The Needle of Fire… The Needle of Ice… The Needle of Yin and Yang… The Wind-Chasing Cup… the Dragon-seeking Massotherapy… And lastly, the Crucifier. “You…” Jonathan’s face turned pale. He stared at James with disbelief, “Impossible. How can this be? How’d you get out?” James said nothing and smiled. “Jonathan, do you admit defeat?” “I…” Jonathan opened and closed his mouth as if gasping for air. He finally said, “I admit defeat. I never expected you to master the intricacies of Goryeon Medicine. My defeat, however, doesn’t mean that Goryeon Medicine is inferior.” Faced with a complete and total lo
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