James was so hungry that his head was spinning. Upon hearing the voice, he unconsciously turned his head. Although the underground prison was pitch-black, the corridor was dimly illuminated. James could see that a man was standing in the prison cell right next to his. The man’s hair was disheveled, and he was dressed in rags. Though James could not discern the man’s appearance, he knew that he was acquainted with the man upon hearing his voice. “Wh-Who are you…?” His voice was frail. “Why don’t you take a good look?” The bearded man approached James and revealed his face. James watched the man’s face intently. After a while, he finally knew who he was. “Blake Davis.” The man was none other than Blake Davis, the founder of the Dark Castle, whom James had captured alongside many other highly skilled fighters. His battle with Blake a few years ago was forever etched in James’ mind. “That’s right. It’s me.” Blake burst into a peal of laughter. “Do you kno
James glanced at the Emperor and spoke in a frail voice, “Thank you for your concern. I’m doing well, for now.” The Emperor smiled. “You’ll be on public trial tomorrow. All of your crimes will be listed. Say… Do you think you’ll be executed?” James looked at the Emperor and said nothing. Even though he was furious, he remained composed. After all, he did not wish to waste his strength. The Emperor continued, “You’ll be on trial in another eight hours. Since your position is simply too high, considering that you’re the commander-in-chief of the Southern Plains and the Dragon King, your trial will be judged by the remaining four commanders-in-chief, the General-Secretary, and the Chief Executive. Do you wish to die or spend the remainder of your life in this dark and damp cell?” James took a deep breath and asked, “I have never crossed you or the big shots in the Capital. I’m just minding my own business in the Southern Plains. Why are you so fixated on removing me?” James wa
After shutting his eyes, James fell asleep unknowingly. However, he was soon awakened by hunger. He would then fall asleep again. This repeated multiple times. Finally, he could hear the sound of footsteps. Fully-armed men from the Red Flame army dragged James out of his cell. James could finally see the sunlight. Basking in its warmth, James relished the short-lived experience. Many convoys were at the prison gates. The Emperor, dressed in his Red Flame robe, got off one of the convoys and approached James. Seeing the pathetic state James was in, the Emperor gloated, “Did you not have a good night’s sleep last night?” James glanced at the Emperor. He wanted to speak. However, he did not have the strength to do so. He would surely collapse to the ground if not for the men supporting him. “Bring him to the courthouse.” “Understood.” James was shoved into the convoy. The courthouse was a place of trial for high-ranking officials of Sol. It was mostly deserte
“The trial will now begin.” With that, the long-awaited trial began. The vast courthouse was silent. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on James. Some pitied him, although most were apathetic. “C-Can I have something to eat?” James opened his eyes with great difficulty. The glaring lights blinded him. Though his voice was frail, it reverberated throughout the silent courthouse. Seeing this, many wept, especially Quincy. She knew that James served the people wholeheartedly. Though he had resigned, he chose to return to the battlefield without the slightest bit of hesitation. In the end, however, this was how he was treated. She stood up and voiced her dissatisfaction tearfully. “Although James is guilty, you have no right to torture him under Solean law. Is this how you treat a man who performed great meritorious service for the country?” Quincy’s voice boomed. The Emperor stood up and hurriedly explained, “I apologize for the neglect of our prisoner’s condition. We were so
All the cameras were pointed at James. He was filthy and unwashed all over. “I do,” James said in a feeble voice. Although the witnesses had exaggerated, it was undeniable that he killed them. “Good.” The Emperor stood up and cried out, “Since you plead guilty, what do you think your punishment will be in accordance with criminal law?” “Execution.” James looked the Emperor in the eye. His eyes were devoid of fear. Although he was enfeebled, his stare was as menacing as always. The Emperor was discomposed. Feeling as if he was being targeted by a ferocious beast, he unconsciously took a few steps back. Immediately, however, he put on his facade. The panic which was written on his face disappeared. Scanning his surroundings, he announced, “James should be executed for his crimes in accordance with the law. Members of the jury, please discuss amongst yourselves.” Hearing this, they exchanged their opinions in whispers. Outside the courthouse… A convoy stopped in fron
“He’s wearing a black robe… He’s a general of the Southern Plains! What is he trying to accomplish by appearing with the Blade of Justice at James’ trial? Is he trying to exonerate James with the sword?” The crowd was heatedly in a discussion. Meanwhile, James sat at the defendant’s stand and smiled. Seeing the Blade of Justice, the Emperor’s face darkened. Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Henry announced, “Though Sol is a country with a rule of law, many are able to escape justice by finding loopholes. The Blade of Justice serves to execute these wicked criminals and give them what they deserve.” Henry said with great confidence, “The Black Dragon, commander-in-chief of the Black Dragon army, has upheld Solean law by executing all those who escaped justice. The former heads of the Great Four of Cansington were executed due to a massacre ten years ago. “Ten years ago, the Cadens, the most powerful and influential family in Cansington, were burned alive. The mastermind
Under everyone’s gaze, James pulled out the Blade of Justice.He looked at the Blade of Justice and pointed it at the Emperor.“What?”The masses were shocked by his actions.The Emperor was stunned. His heart palpitated as cold sweat beaded his forehead.After a few seconds, he calmed down and shouted, “What is the meaning of this, James? You’re pointing your weapon at me. Are you implying that you want to kill me?”James smiled. “Emperor, you’re overthinking this. I was just casually waving it around.”He was holding up the Blade of Justice, which weighed more than five kilograms. His arm had gone weak, and his face gradually turned pale as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Wielding the Blade of Justice took all his strength.He reluctantly put it down.Many sighed in relief.Henry looked at everyone again. “I’ve said everything I needed to.”After speaking, he walked to an empty seat below and sat down.The jurors in the higher seats began to debate.“What should w
No one expected him to be a national hero who sympathized with the poor and dedicated his life to protecting the nation. A person like him ended up with such a miserable fate.Thousands of people gathered outside the courthouse. All of them lowered their heads in silence. Many women secretly wept for him.“James…”A voice came from behind him. James turned around and saw Henry chasing after him.Henry approached him and asked, “Where are you going, James?”James raised his hand weakly and patted Henry’s shoulder, saying, “I appreciate you. You don’t need to worry about my affairs anymore. Go back to the Southern Plains. Someone needs to be there to manage the hundred and fifty cities. Don’t let the Southern Plains fall into chaos.”“But, you…”James waved his hand and interrupted Henry. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I’ll take this opportunity to have a really good rest. I’m exhausted. Incredibly exhausted.”James reassured him and turned to leave.The people at the entrance
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