“I was ordered to arrest a suspect.” “Ordered?” Kennedy asked coldly as his eyes glinted at James suspiciously. “Under whose orders?” James knew the amount of power and authority the Ancient Four wielded. Despite this, he did not back down in spite of Kennedy’s attempts to intimidate him. He raised the Blade of Justice in his hand and confidently declared, “I am performing my duty on behalf of the people of Sol. Theodore Johnston has committed a great many crimes while he held his position as the Emperor. In light of this, he must be brought to justice. I hope you’ll refrain from interfering with my directives. Otherwise, You’ll leave me with no choice…” “No choice but to… Do what?” James answered him defiantly, “I’ll have arrest all who dare to interfere with our duty.” “Really now…?” Kennedy’s face hardened at James’ threat. The four identical women stepped forward and stood in James’ path while glaring at him coldly. James returned the ladies’ glare. “I’m sure you’re a
The four masked men in black robes were secretly stalling for time. James recognized this and knew it was the perfect opportunity to set his plans into action. Once Kennedy catches his breath, it would be nigh impossible for James to kill the Emperor. “Search the premises.” Clutching the Blade of Justice, James charged toward the center of the courtyard. Gravely injured from the earlier counterattack, Kennedy’s henchwomen lay helplessly on the ground. They were unable to assist him. Seeing the fully-armed Black Dragon Army, the Johnstons’ guards were conflicted. If they continued standing in their path, the Black Dragon Army would certainly turn them into swiss cheese. The best course of action was to lay low and wait for the storm to pass. At the end of the day, these guards valued their own lives. In a room in the courtyard… The Emperor rested quietly in the room. He was fully aware of the chaos that had befallen the estate outside the room. Though he knew that Jame
Blood trickled out the Emperor’s mouth. His eyes bulged, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He could not believe that James dared to kill him where he stood. “You…” With hateful, bloodshot eyes, the Emperor shrieked in denial. “I’ll never forgive you, James!!!” “Haha…” “How dare you spill my blood at the Johnston estate?! Once I die, you’re going to follow soon after. I’ll see you in hell!” As if irritated by the Emperor’s tirade, James pulled his sword out of the Emperor’s body. Blood gushed forth from the gaping wound. Almost immediately, James pulled his gun out. Bang! Bang! Bang! He fired a few shots at the injured man. The Emperor collapsed into a pool of his own blood as he left the world. James took a deep breath. At long last, the Emperor was finally dead. The problem now was the potential chaos that would break out following his death. “Bring his body back. We’ll put him on trial tomorrow morning and expose his crimes to the world.”
The Emperor was finally dead. James chose to simply put an end to things with the Blade of Justice as he wanted to avoid providing an opportunity for the Emperor to escape. He knew that had the Emperor been put on trial beforehand, the man would have used one of the tricks up his sleeve to evade the justice of the law. Not only was he a powerful man with connections at every level of society, but the Emperor also had the Johnstons supporting him from behind the scenes. Every turn of his mission to kill the Emperor was full of obstacles. He never expected that the Johnstons would have the audacity to bar his path and go so far as to even attack the Black Dragon Army. These were serious offenses against the law. The Emperor’s body was brought back to the military region. In a military region of the Capital… The Black Dragon Army returned after carrying out their mission successfully. James personally saw to their injuries. Their internal injuries were minor at most and
The King replied doubtfully, “I have no idea what the God-King Palace is, nor have I ever heard of it.” This strange development had James in a quandary. If the God-King Palace had not been ordered by the King to assist him, then why did they interfere and turn the situation in James’ favor? Why would they allow him to execute the Emperor? The King looked at Gloom quizically and raised his eyebrows. “You’re extremely well-read. Have you ever come across any mentions of the God-King Palace?” Gloom still had a look of uncertainty on his face. “No, this is the first time I’ve heard of them.” James took a sharp breath. He came to see the King specifically to learn more about the God-King Palace. However, even the King was not aware of their existence or their purpose. Who’s side did the God-King Palace stand on? Were they truly allies? The King did not dwell too long on the subject. “Since the Emperor is now dead, there will be a lot of work for us to do. You should return
James stayed in the military region for the night. In a room in the military region… The table was littered with plates from dinner earlier. James and Henry were each holding a bottle of wine in their hands. Henry took a swig and said, “Now that the Emperor is dead, peace has finally returned to the Capital.” James shook his head to refute that statement. “Peace? I’m afraid this is only the beginning of something terrible.” Although there were a few mishaps during the plan to assassinate the Emperor, James still managed to accomplish his mission. However, he could see a storm brewing on the horizon. The mysterious God-King Palace had appeared. Why did they suddenly show up and assist him? No matter how he looked at it, James could not understand. Henry tilted his head. “Why?” “Forget it. Bottoms up! Tonight, we drink to our heart's content.” James did not want to continue dwelling on something so complicated. At the same time, in a presidential suite of a hotel in
Reporters from all over were present. Everyone wanted the latest scoop and to hear about James’ brave exploits. Henry’s arrival signaled the beginning of the press conference. Henry briefly explained the events of last night, “All this while, the Black Dragon Army has been secretly investigating the Emperor, the commander-in-chief of the Red Flame Army. After a thorough investigation, we have managed to collect evidence detailing the Emperor’s crimes. Despite allowing him a chance to turn himself in peacefully, the Emperor resisted arrest and even injured many of our law enforcement personnel. As such, he had to be killed on the spot.” Though everyone knew that something of great significance was going to be announced today, they did not expect it to be about the Emperor’s demise. Henry’s words stunned the crowd. A high-ranking official immediately stood up and spit out a question, “Even if the Emperor is guilty of certain crimes, the Black Dragon Army has no right to take th
The Johnstons were one of the families that made up the Ancient Four. These families were able to trace their lineage to the principal officials of the Prince of Orchid’s court a thousand years ago. Since antiquity, the Johnstons were a family that revolved around Martial Arts. Every member of the family was required to practice it. Unfortunately, talent was still the determining factor in how far one could go and how well one would perform in Martial Arts. As such, not every individual is able to rise to the top. The Emperor was one such person in their family. Despite his status and heritage as a Johnston, he did not have a mote of talent whatsoever. Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning were major officials that had been specifically brought up by the Johnstons. Throughout the years, the Johnstons scoured the world for particularly talented orphans in hopes of nurturing their talents from a young age and inducting them into the fold. However, only these four major officials be
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