Although Gloom had been in the Capital all this while, he was well aware of everything that was happening in Cansington. Naturally, he had heard about yesterday’s events and was here to have a discussion with James. “You were too reckless.” Gloom’s face darkened. “Huh?” James looked at him. Gloom continued, “You confronted the Emperor head-on. Although you’ve forced him to blow up all of his research laboratories, all evidence was destroyed in the process. Now, it would be nearly impossible to find dirt on him. He’s a cautious man who doesn’t repeat the same mistakes. How are we supposed to remove him from his position now?” James said coldly, “So what if we remove him from his position? He’s not the mastermind behind this. There’s someone else behind the scenes manipulating everything. Even if we remove him, a new enemy would appear to replace him.” Gloom could not conceal his shock. He never expected James to know so much in such a short amount of time, not to mention t
James did not want to simply act carelessly before he had all the facts in front of him. Gloom glanced at James and asked, “What do you want to know?” “I want to know more about the plan a century ago and the incident where the King wiped out the Gu Sect. I want a thorough explanation of the current power dynamics within the Capital.” Gloom remained silent. After a while, he shook his head. “It’s too complicated. It’s too hard for me to explain with words only. You’ll come to understand soon.” James said, “One last question.” Gloom looked at him. “Go ahead.” “Who’s the current King’s preferred candidate in the fight for succession? Where does he stand on this matter?” Gloom said, “I don’t know who he’s eyeing at the moment. However, I can say with certainty that the nation’s development is at the forefront of every decision the King makes. Everything he does is for the sake of the people, not to purge his political opponents.” When he heard this, James let out a small s
If he had the choice, James would have chosen to return to ten years ago before the Cadens’ residence was razed to the ground. His life would have taken a different turn. In this alternate timeline, he would most likely end up with Quincy and spend the remainder of his life with her. However, time and tide wait for no man. Since these were the cards he was dealt, he had no choice but to play the game as best as he could. “James, you should return to the Southern Plains. Don’t worry about me. I have the hospital’s nurses to care for me.” Tiara knew that James had been reinstated. He was no longer the Black Dragon, the commander-in-chief of the Southern Plains. He was now the Dragon King. James nodded. Returning to the Southern Plains and regaining control of the Black Dragon Army was far more important than his personal feelings. “I’ll give Quincy a call before leaving.” James fished out his phone and dialed Quincy’s number. Quincy had just finished work and was ab
Thea grit her teeth furiously. It was as if she had turned into a completely different person at that moment. “We simply aren’t meant to be, Thea.” “Mark my words,” Thea’s eyes burned with hatred as she glared at James. “You’ll regret this, James. I promise you!” She stomped out of the door, scorned and upset. The ward was once again enveloped in silence. Tiara did not utter a single word throughout the entire argument that happened in front of her. After Thea left, she urged James to follow her, “What are you doing, James? You should chase after her!” James simply shook his head. He had already laid everything out for Thea, there was no need to chase after her now. As long as Thea did not rock the boat too much, James was content to leave things the way they were. “Rest well and get better soon. Once I return from the Southern Plains, I’ll come to visit you.” James had finally left the ward. He immediately headed toward the military region to look for Blithe Ki
Thea looked at the man who claimed to be Thomas Caden in bewilderment. Despite having been married to James, Thea knew nothing about the Cadens. After all, James had never disclosed any of this, to begin with. Even after discovering James’ true identity, he never brought it up with Thea. What she was sure of was the news that there were no survivors in the fire that claimed the Cadens’ residence. With this fact in mind, she could not figure out how Thomas managed to survive. That aside, she was not entirely sure what a God-King Palace was. She asked him apprehensively, “A-Are you really Thomas Caden?” “Who else would I be then?” Thomas met Thea’s stare head-on. Thea followed up with another question. “What’s the God-King Palace?” Thomas answered plainly, “All you need to know is that it’s a force to be reckoned with. By becoming the young mistress of the God-King Palace, you’ll be the most powerful woman in the world.” Thea was taken aback. Then, she exclaimed, “So yo
Thea left her car and immediately headed toward the hospital. However, when she arrived at the ward, James was nowhere to be seen. Looking at Tiara who was lying in her bed, she asked, “Where’s James?” Tiara tried to get up but the bandages that were covering her body made it almost impossible to sit up. With a feeble voice, she responded to Thea, “J-James has returned to the Southern Plains.” “The Southern Plains? What for?” Thea had not expected this development. “James told me he was going to regain control over the Black Dragon Army. After he’s done that, he plans to return to the Capital and kill the Emperor using the Blade of Justice” “Kill the Emperor?” Thea’s jaw hung open in shock. Thomas had told her that chaos would ensue once the Emperor died. He also told her that everything would be over for James when he makes his move. “Th-Thea, actually…” The bedridden Tiara tried to gather her strength so she could explain things to Thea. Alas, she had taken too much
Meanwhile, at the Cansington Military Region...In an open area, a helicopter was at the ready.On the ground beneath the helicopter… “James, congratulations on regaining your former position! Now you’re off to the Southern Plains to resume your command of the Black Dragon Army. If the news gets out, the people of Sol will seethe with excitement.” The Blithe King laughed as he patted James’ broad shoulders.James, however, had a look of resignation on his face.Regaining a former position may have appeared to be a good thing, but the higher the rank, the greater the burden. Furthermore, once he was in command of the Black Dragon Army, he would have to lead them into the Capital, obtain the Blade of Justice and kill the Emperor.What would happen after the Emperor's death was still unknown.“I’m hoping nothing major happens after this,” he said apprehensively.“What could possibly happen?” The Blithe King chuckled. “In any case, if something goes wrong, someone higher up will t
“What‘s the plan?” May asked.“After everything that has happened, I feel like a pawn that is constantly being controlled,” James explained. “It’s not a good feeling. I feel like I could die at any time. I don’t think you should return to the Southern Plains anymore.”“Hm?”They furrowed their brows. He continued, “You’re all capable and strong. Your mastery of martial arts has reached the pinnacle of External Martial Arts, and you’re only a few steps away from cultivating True Energy and becoming grandmasters. I’ll impart the Internal Cultivation Method to you later on.”Everyone rejoiced upon hearing his words.They had already heard about the Internal Cultivation Method from Blake.The Elite Eight was very powerful indeed, but in comparison to the Grandmasters of the Internal Cultivation Method, they were far too weak. The disparity was comparable to that of a child versus an adult.“I’m not sure which of the bigwigs in the Capital caused this change or what they’re schemin
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