James felt a jolt of electricity. However, instead of feeling excruciating pain, he felt rather comfortable. “Next, the temple.” Maxine took a deep breath. The True Energy inside her body had been greatly depleted after the first needle. She grabbed a second needle and inserted it into James’ temple, which depleted more of her True Energy. The needle seemed to be capable of automatically absorbing one’s True Energy. “The third needle to the right temple.” Maxine did as she was instructed. After eleven needles, her True Energy was completely drained. Wearing a pale face, she said, “I can’t continue… I’ve depleted too much of my True Energy. I can’t summon any more.” “Mhm.” James nodded. He knew that using the Crucifier would severely deplete one’s True Energy. Besides, the more needles one inserted, the more depleted one’s True Energy would be. “You can pull them out now.” After pulling the needles out, Maxine sat in a lotus position to restore her True Energy.
While eating, Maxine asked James if he had any new discoveries. However, James shook his head. Maxine did not question him further. After James finished eating, she took the cutleries and left. In the Cadens’ courtyard… As Maxine was walking out of the basement, she saw Tobias who was sitting in the gazebo not too far away. She walked over to him and greeted, “Grandpa.” Tobias nodded slightly and asked, “How’s James?” Maxine briefly hesitated before shaking her head and saying, “There’s nothing much going on with him. However, the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge is really intriguing, and the meridian diagram is simply bizarre. We found that forcing True Energy to move in a retrograde motion would only cause harm to our bodies. Hence, we’re still stuck.” Tobias ordered, “Watch James closely. Report to me the moment he discovers something.” “Understood.” At that moment, Maxine finally understood that Tobias had sent her to the basement not to learn but to watch Jame
“What did you find out?” Maxine looked at James with a stunned expression on her face. James pointed at the first and tenth human figures and said, “Look.” Maxine fixed her gaze on the ancient scroll. Then, a smile made its way onto her face. “Do we have to cultivate together?” James nodded. “Seems like it. Wanna test things out?” “Sure.” Maxine nodded with a look of anticipation on her face. The first human figure was sitting in a lotus position with his hands on his head. James mimicked his movements. Meanwhile, the tenth human figure was facing head-down with his palms pressed against the floor. Maxine leaped into the air and pressed her palms against James’. Their positions were a perfect match. Viewing the human figures by themselves, one would inevitably come to the conclusion that the meridian diagram was structurally flawed as one’s True Energy could not flow in the right direction. However, if two people performed the actions together, they would become an
Maxine guessed that their failed attempts could be due to James’ lack of True Energy, which was preventing him from cultivating. Therefore, she suggested they continue trying after he made a full recovery. James agreed. Maxine left in the morning. James, on the other hand, remained in the basement. His body had made a slight recovery, and he could now enter deep meditation, which would speed up his recovery process. Maxine left the basement with the cutleries. Upon leaving, she noticed that Tobias was sitting not too far away. “Grandpa,” She walked over to him and greeted him. “Mhm.” Tobias nodded slightly and asked, “How’s it going?” Maxine shook her head. “There isn’t much progress. The Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge is simply too complicated. James is still unable to unravel the mysteries behind the painting.” “Sigh…” Tobias sighed. Maxine asked, “What’s wrong, grandpa?” Tobias said, “The Johnstons have made their move. They’ve combined forces with the o
Maxine understood the underlying message in Tobias’ words—he was about to give up on James. Maxine had an idea. She suggested Tobias reveal the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge and the meridian diagram to the other three families. Following that, the other three families would also have to bring their paintings so that they could gather all four paintings in the same place. This could resolve the conflict between the families while allowing her a chance to see all four paintings together. However, Tobias refused. Putting the theft of the Johnstons’ painting aside, the chances of the other two families revealing their paintings were next to none. After all, they had been guarding them for thousands of years. Humans were selfish. The same went for Tobias. He did not wish for others to lay their eyes on the meridian diagram. “Tell James he’ll have to leave in two days.” Saying that, he turned to leave. Maxine frowned and turned to look at the artificial hill behind her. T
James smiled bitterly. “The Cadens will tear me to pieces.” Maxine said, “You have no choice but to suffer the wrath of the Cadens. Otherwise, you’ll be pursued by the other three families. You’re still a Caden, after all. I don’t think grandpa will kill you until he gets the painting back. As for the next move, I’ll leave the decision to you.” James shook his head. It would not work. He was too weak. Not only that, he was the trigger of this standoff. If he had not executed the Emperor, he could have stayed on the sidelines. James remained silent and returned to his meal. Soon, he finished eating. Holding the dishes in her hands, Maxine stood up and said, “There are only two days left. Reflect on it, will you?” Saying that, she left. James sat in a lotus position on the floor. He believed that the second option would never work. The first option was possible. However, it would be immensely difficult. It would be nearly impossible to unravel the secret behind the
At that moment, a crazy thought flashed through James’ mind. Forcing True Energy to move in a retrograde motion caused irreversible damage to his body. He collapsed to the ground and vomited blood non-stop. Blood oozed out from his body and made contact with the ancient scroll and the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge. At that moment, something in the painting changed. Right when he was on the verge of losing consciousness, James saw the full moon disappear and the white flower wither. They were replaced by a scorching sun. Illuminated by the sunlight, the scenery changed, and a few words appeared in the woods. “What…” James was stunned. He opened his eyes wide and stared at the words in the painting. Though the words were in ancient script used thousands of years ago, James recognized them. He etched them in his mind. Then, he fainted. The bloodstain on the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge disappeared, and the painting returned to normal. After some time, Maxi
At that moment, James regained consciousness. Hearing Tobias’ words, he spoke in a feeble voice, “W-Will I die?” Tobias looked at him and said, “Yes.” Then, he left. Only Maxine and James remained in the room. James spoke with great difficulty, “Where’s the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge?” Maxine said, “It’s still in the basement.” “I-Is there anything peculiar about it?” “Huh?” Maxine froze. Then, she said, “No, not at all.” “That can’t be.” James shook his head. “Something must’ve happened. Bring me back to the basement. Maybe the secret of the painting has been revealed.” “But, your condition…” “It’s alright.” Maxine had no choice but to carry James, whose life was hanging by a thread, back into the basement. Before they could approach the courtyard, a handsome-looking man in a white shirt walked over to them. “What are you doing, Maxine?” Seeing that Maxine was carrying a bloodied man in her arms, the man frowned. “Bobby,” Maxine greeted. Upon s
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