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
Governor Vessels, Conception Vessels, and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians were crucial for martial artists. Those with low cultivation bases would not be able to regulate them.One would have to step into the fifth rank and have a solid cultivation base to activate them.Initially, Tobias was unsure about how James intended to heal his wounds.However, he was a grandmaster and a doctor, so he quickly spotted some clues.Healing his wounds was a bluff. His true intentions were to regulate his vessels and meridians.James had used him to insert acupuncture needles into his meridian and acupuncture points throughout his body to protect his heart meridian.Thus, no matter how much pain the body suffered, he would not die.Even so, his body was already in horrible condition and could not sustain more injuries.The layout of the acupuncture needles enabled the True Energy that was transfused into James’ body to gather rather quickly. Tobias’ True Energy accumulated inside James’ bo
Maxine quickly ran away from the force.However, she was not fast enough and was injured by the needles that came flying out.James’ body collapsed to the bed.Tobias was sweating profusely. He wiped the sweat beads off his face, looking at James with relief. “This young man is incredibly courageous. I can’t believe he came up with something so dangerous,” said Tobias.“Grandpa, how is he?”Maxine could not be bothered by the injuries on her body and quickly inquired about James, who was lying lifelessly on the bed, covered in blood.With a smile, Tobias stroked his white beard and said, “It was a success. His Governor Vessel, Conception Vessel, Eight Extraordinary Meridians, and every single vessel in his body were opened up. In theory, he should’ve entered the fifth rank.”“Really?” Maxine was shocked.“Does that mean we’ll be able to create more martial grandmasters of the fifth rank using this method?”Tobias shook his head and said, exhausted, “It’s not going to be easy
After leaving, Maxine headed to the closed-door meditation sanctuary in Tobias’ backyard.She knew that Tobias’ True Energy was depleted and that he would need to meditate to recover them.There was an independent wooden house in the backyard of the Cadens’ mansion. Maxine came to the wooden house and knocked lightly on the door.“Come in,” A voice sounded from inside the room.Maxine pushed the door open and walked inside the wooden house. She looked at Tobias. He was sitting in a lotus position, circulating his energy to replenish his depleted strength. “Grandpa,” She called out for him.“Yeah? What’s the matter?”“Grandpa, I’d like to request some rejuvenation pills.“Tobias turned to Maxine and questioned, “You didn’t exhaust your True Energy, so why do you need rejuvenation pills?”Maxine lowered her head and uttered embarrassedly, “I forcibly tried to exercise the meridian diagram, and my True Energy retrograded, causing a severe depletion.”Tobias did not pursue the
Maxine was a member of the Cadens and had studied the ancient language, so she could understand it.She shook her head slightly and said, “It seems to be a cultivation method. I’ve been researching the phrase for the past few days but found nothing. I’ve also tried dividing the words into two parts, but they didn’t seem to make any sense.”“Alright.” James nodded and said, “It’s been a secret for thousands of years. It wouldn’t be so easy to crack. Don’t worry. I believe we’ll be able to solve it eventually. However, I’ll have to leave soon.”“What?” Maxine was stunned for a moment. “Are you leaving?” She asked.James nodded and said, “I’ve been in the Capital for quite some time. I’ve got things to do in Cansington.”James was worried about Tiara.When he left, Tiara was still hospitalized. Since many days had passed, he was worried about how she was coping.Also, there was Thea.When he left, Thea seemed a little off, and he was worried that something would happen again.He
James was firm on leaving, so Tobias did not stop him.Tobias did not want to offend the great forces and make them his enemies for the sake of James. Still, he had already promised protection in exchange for the Moonlit Flowers on Cliffside's Edge’s secret.Now that James had regulated his entire body’s meridians, he could be considered a fifth-rank grandmaster and had limitless potential. Given time, he would only rise up the ranks.This James was worthy of his protection.He immediately took out his phone and phoned Hades, the patriarch of the Johnstons.The call connected, and an unfriendly voice sounded from the phone, “Yo, who do I have here? Isn’t this Mr. Caden? What are you calling me for?”“Hades, I just wanted to inform you that from now onward, James is part of our family. His business equals the Cadens’ business.”Saying that, Tobias hung up. He then made a few calls to all the forces in the Capital, giving them the same message.His attitude was unyielding.Whoev
Similar to his situation with Blake, James could not see through Tobias.He depended on his instincts when it came to making friends, and he felt that Tobias was unreliable.This man was unfathomable, and it was hard to know what was on his mind.Moreover, there was the issue of the inner conflict of the Cadens from thirty years ago and the annihilation of James’ family ten years ago. Tobias was the culprit, and hence, there would always be vengeance sitting in the back of James’ mind.Despite that, James was still unsure if he should kill Tobias and avenge his family once he got strong enough.“What are you thinking, James?”“Nothing. Let’s go.”James shook his head, refusing to explain himself. He turned around and walked away.Before leaving the Cadens’ gates, James was stopped by Bobby, who stood alongside a man about the same age as him. The man was dressed in a white robe, and he held a hand fan, looking like a graceful scholar.“Stop right there. Where do you think you’
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