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
“Why are you sighing?” “It’s nothing.” Maxine did not say much. Carrying James in her arms, she swiftly made her way into the basement. Since she remained silent, James did not question her further. “By the way, Bobby’s actually a rather nice guy. Don’t take it to heart.” Worried that James might plot his revenge, she added this remark. “Hmph…” James grunted. Bobby had been creating trouble for him since day one. If given the opportunity, he would definitely teach him a lesson. Soon, they arrived at the basement. The ancient scroll and the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge were still on the floor. Though the ancient scroll was stained with blood, the painting was completely fine. Maxine put James in the wheelchair and picked the items up from the floor. James ordered, “Let me have a look.” Maxine handed them over to him. After scrutinizing the painting, he realized that it did not undergo any changes at all. However, he was sure that something changed just bef
Then, realization dawned on her. She asked, “A-Are you thinking of revealing the secret of the painting to grandpa in exchange for protection?” “Yes.” James nodded. He was now caught in a crossfire. Only Tobias could save him. However, Tobias would only willingly do so if James gave him the secret of the painting. “Alright.” Maxine did not say much. Then, James put the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge and the ancient scroll into the box. Maxine pushed James’ wheelchair, and they both left the basement to find Tobias. In the library of the Cadens’ courtyard… Tobias was reading a book. Knock! Knock! Knocks came from the other side of the door. “Grandpa, James would like to see you.” Putting his book aside, Tobias walked out of the room. James was sitting in a wheelchair, while Maxine stood beside him. Looking at James, Tobias asked, “What’s the matter?” James whispered, “I’ve discovered the secret of the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside’s Edge.” “What?” Tobias
Maxine stared at the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge.She would never have imagined the painting to change when it encountered blood. On top of that, it only happened with James’ blood.“That’s the secret of the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge.” James looked at the excited Tobias and said, “I’ve told you the secret. From now onward, you have to protect me.”“That won’t be a problem. You’re a Caden. As the head of our family, how could I not offer you protection?”He picked up the painting and cackled with laughter. “Haha! The Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge’s mystery has finally been solved!”Suddenly, the picture returned to its original state.He asked anxiously, “What happened?”James answered, “How would I know? Maybe it needs more blood.”“Why did it work with your blood but not mine?”James shrugged. He had no idea as well.‘Why does it have to be mine?‘We’re both Cadens, so why does my blood change the painting, but his doesn’t?’ Thought James.“I need
Knocks came from the other side of the door.“Come in,” James answered weakly.The door was pushed open, and Maxine, dressed in a white dress, walked in.She did not have time to change her clothes, which had been stained red by James’ blood.“James,” She called out his name sweetly while walking toward him.“Mhm,” James responded gently. He asked, “Is your True Energy restored? I need you to circulate your True Energy and help me heal my wounds.”“I’ve recovered a little but not fully,” Maxine replied.James uttered softly, “I think the cultivation method in the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge requires two people.”Maxine asked, “Why do you think so?”James said, “I’m guessing what we did previously was correct. It just didn’t work because we lacked the cultivation method. After the painting encountered blood, the bright moon disappeared, and a scorching sun appeared. According to my understanding, the moon should represent Yin, while the sun represents Yang. Yang repres
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