Chapter 821: Swallowing Dao into the Netherworld!
Rumble!
Rolling dark clouds, thunderbolts, and lightning cast an indescribably massive shadow over the entire Immortal Nexus, obscuring the sun, moon, and stars.
When that pair of narrow eyes emerged, countless cultivators in the Immortal Nexus sensed it instantly. Subconsciously, they raised their heads to meet that gaze. In that moment, even the Foundation Establishment Perfected Ones—who were originally unaffected by the Netherworld—felt the aura of death surface upon them the second they met those narrow eyes.
The influence began to expand rapidly.
The Netherworld had already utilized the unique characteristics of the Immortal Nexus to permeate the entire sea of light. Along with it, [Sky-Shrouding]'s mighty power climbed relentlessly.
High above, that pair of narrow eyes rose even further. Transcending the present world and unbound by any restriction, they calmly reflected every Perfected Lord below within their field of vision.
"This is [Sky-Shrouding]'s true body!"
"Impossible! Then who was the [Sky-Shrouding] we just saw?"
"That was merely an incarnation!"
[World-Retribution Incarnation]!
As established, [Sky-Shrouding] was not a character who enjoyed manifesting his holiness before the masses. When he appeared calmly before the world, it was either because he was forced by circumstance—or because he had already achieved his ultimate goal.
"Long before you arrived, I had already entered the Netherworld. Leaving the incarnation outside was merely a ploy to make you misjudge my progress."
The rumbling thunder echoed. In the midst of this, all the Perfected Lords perceived a sudden, terrifying change: the surrounding space and their own stature began to collapse. Their environment magnified infinitely, until the narrow eyes overhead covered the very limit of their vision.
This is... the demotion and surpression method!
From the direction of the Pure Land, the divine sense transmitted by Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer carried a hint of shock: "Such a wonder... it is actually stronger than my own use of [Ornamental Gold]?"
This was illogical! The fundamental Wonder of [Ornamental Gold] was [Demotion and Surpression]. Yet even as a Great Perfected Lord, urging it with her full force, she could not achieve the effect currently unfolding before her eyes.
On what basis?
For a time, every Perfected Lord present displayed their own Wonders, desperately trying to break free from this Stature surpression. However, the next wave of the offensive followed close behind.
There was no heaven-shaking momentum. There was no brilliance or anomaly. Those narrow eyes high above the sky dome—seemingly transcendent—simply made an incomparably basic movement: they slowly closed.
"..."
In an instant, all sound was silenced. Every Perfected Lord still trapped in the state of Stature surpression vanished completely. The rest of the sentient beings—Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment alike—followed shortly after.
If anyone had been standing outside the Immortal Nexus at that moment, they would have been horrified by the sight: the Immortal Nexus had simply disappeared. Only a mass of agitated smog remained, a bottomless abyss that divine sense could neither pierce nor fathom.
Inside [Nourishing Life Master].
Hiss!
Lu Yang nervously pinched Mu Changsheng's thigh, unable to help but gasp. "This old ghost... when did he become able to control the Netherworld to this extent?"
Others might be blind to the truth, but Lu Yang was not. How had [Sky-Shrouding] surpressed the stature of every Perfected Lord?
The answer was simple: he hadn't surpressed them at all. He had merely spread the power of the Netherworld, imposing the stature of the dead onto every living Perfected Lord.
This wasn't surpression; it was an "enhancement."
The only problem was that the Netherworld's Stature was negative—it pulled downward. Consequently, this enhancement caused the Stature of every Perfected Lord to plummet instantly.
This old ghost didn't waste those years in the Netherworld. But he couldn't do this before. Is this an ability he just obtained because expanding the Netherworld to the entire Sea of Light earned him the realm's favor?
It was highly likely. Expanding the Netherworld was equivalent to a massive, successful ritual, thereby securing the Netherworld's absolute attention.
Lu Yang wished he could study [Sky-Shrouding]'s operations more closely, but as [Sky-Shrouding] closed his eyes, an extreme Knowledge-Perception Barrier blanketed the Immortal Nexus. Mu Changsheng's "live broadcast" was abruptly disconnected.
"Is he trying to stop me from witnessing his ascension to Nascent Soul?"
…
"Heh!"
"Can't see do you? Are you anxious now?"
In the Overseas at the ends of the earth, [Sky-Shrouding]'s figure resurfaced. His eyes were tightly shut and his mouth wore a smirk, as if he could see a certain little bastard stomping his feet in frustration.
The next second, his eyelids twitched, nearly fluttering open. He had prepared for this, immediately formed a hand seal and stroking his palm across his cheek. A layer of hazy brilliance surged, smoothing the twitch and reinforcing the seal of the Knowledge-Perception Barrier.
He stepped forward.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, he threw himself into the abyss. He did not look back. What met his eyes was an infinitely expanding, boundless darkness.
The Netherworld...
[Sky-Shrouding] understood that this was the Netherworld at its absolute peak, having expanded across the sea of light with his help.
The original Netherworld had an entrance and an end. He used to sit at its gates, watching the river of souls flow. Now, however, he could no longer see its boundaries. The Netherworld was inflating, expanding crazily as if it would never stop.
"Exactly as I wished."
[Sky-Shrouding] chuckled. His aura bloomed to its fullest. Finally, a gloomy, infinitely collapsing brilliance surfaced behind him.
That was a Great Dao.
In the [Sea of Bitterness], this Great Dao was useless because it spread "downward" like the Netherworld. But here, in the Netherworld itself, it was a different story.
Ordinary people entering the Netherworld would find their stature surpressed to the extreme. For [Sky-Shrouding], however, this Great Dao was like a dragon entering the sea. His power did not drop; it intensified. Meanwhile, the resistance of the Perfected Lords suppressed by his Knowledge-Perception Barrier grew weaker by the second.
He continued downward, deeper into the Netherworld. Along the way, bizarre sights flickered past—regions of the dead with faint living beings shuttling through them. In the wake of the Netherworld's great upheaval, these beings cowered in place, terrified to move.
[Sky-Shrouding] ignored them. A moment later, he stopped in a patch of pure darkness. He slowly opened his eyes, lifting the blockade on the Immortal Nexus.
"This should be the place."
He had reached the deepest part of the Netherworld. Even if the Great Perfected Lords outside wanted to stop him now, it was far too late.
Yet, he had also reached his limit.
My Void Attainment Great Dao has only reached this step. I still cannot touch the absolute peak of this inflated Netherworld; I cannot reach the Paramita level where the Dao Lords reside.
But this was expected. Up to this point, every development followed his original plan. It was only from this step forward that the true variables would arise.
[Sky-Shrouding] held a hand seal. Dao Fruits surfaced around him in sequence: [Great Forest Wood], [Heavenly River Water], and [Wall Earth], circling him in a rhythmic orbit.
Hateful... if I hadn't been plotted against by that little beast, I would have had five Dao Fruits right now!
He cursed silently, then, without hesitation, threw [Wall Earth] into the Void Attainment Great Dao behind him.
Boom!
In the blink of an eye, the Dao Fruit vanished. In its place, the Void Attainment Great Dao seemed to obtain infinite fuel, shockingly extending even further down into the depths of the Netherworld!
"It truly... works!"
[Sky-Shrouding] was ecstatic. Though he had long been convinced the method was feasible, seeing it manifest still made it difficult to conceal his excitement.
For a moment, his memory returned to that day five thousand years ago.
The World Honored One attaining the Dao; the whole world grieving in unison.
In the world today, he was likely the only Golden Core Perfected Lord who had truly seen, with his own eyes, how the World Honored One attained the Nascent Soul and stepped onto the Paramita!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 822: Secret of the World Honored One!
"The Nascent Soul is the truth of the limitless, the essence of Yin and Yang and the five elements. It gathers the primordial essence of the Heavenly Father, harmonizes with the qi of the Earthly Mother's palace, entrusting its thoughts to heaven and earth, mutually merging together. Comprehending the wondrous method of the Dao, when the work of preservation and nourishment is complete, the essence of yin and yang and the five elements becomes one's nature, while the true essence is what in human beings, is called destiny. When these two merge, only then does the Nascent Soul come into being."
[Sky-Shrouding] calmed his mind and regulated his breath, entering a state of deep meditation.
"Various cultivation methods do not elaborate on the secrets of the Nascent Soul. Only this passage has been handed down. Its essential meaning is nothing more than the combination of Nature and Life to attain the Nascent Soul."
However, each lineage had its own method.
When it came to actual practice, they were all distinct. For the Dharma Body Dao, Spiritual Power Dao, and Dao Arts Dao, the Nascent Soul meant thoroughly occupying a Great Dao, then borrowing that Dao to ascend.
But what about the Grotto-Heaven Method?
How exactly did the Saint Sect Ancestral Master, the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord, and the Dao Court Dao Lord attain their Nascent Souls back then? These secrets were buried in the depths of history.
Only the World Honored One stood apart. His true attainment of the Dao occurred five thousand years ago. For Him at that time, his path was undoubtedly the most brilliant plan for ascension.
One hundred twenty-nine thousand six hundred years ago was the great war of the six Dao Lords. In such a stalemate, the moment one side was about to birth a new Dao Lord to step onto the Paramita and break the balance, a Dao Lord from the opposing side would undoubtedly intervene to interrupt. To attain the Dao under those conditions was virtually impossible.
So, the World Honored One bypassed the problem.
He did not attain the Dao in the past. He attained the Dao five thousand years ago, then fed that achievement back into the past, rendering the Dao Lords of old powerless to stop His path to the Nascent Soul.
Of course, this was not without its flaws.
[Sky-Shrouding] did not know how much effort the Saint Sect Ancestor had invested in this, but this method of attainment had caused an indelible loss to the World Honored One's foundation.
The reason was simple: other Dao Lords attained the Dao countless eons ago, making it nearly impossible to trace their origins. While the World Honored One's span of five thousand years was far too short and too easily altered by others.
Naturally, the World Honored One had made repairs.
He severed time, creating a false-history and turning the past where He attained the Dao into an abandoned timeline, henceforth unreachable by others.
Pity... The plan was sound, but the Saint Sect Ancestor would never allow the World Honored One to be perfect and flawless. He had to ensure he held a leash on the World Honored One, so the entrance to the false-history remained hidden within the Saint Sect. This was the World Honored One's weakness. If that false-history were ever to return, the World Honored One's Nascent Soul position would become unstable!
Therefore, [City Rampart Earth] was the World Honored One's exclusive, forbidden territory.
The fundamental wonder of [Rampart Earth]—[Commanding Past and Present]—was inherently a supreme wonder capable of changing the causes of the past to influence the effect of the future.
If [City Rampart Earth] were attained by someone else, and that party grasped the secret of the World Honored One's attainment and managed to enter the false-history... the World Honored One's Nascent Soul position could fall at any moment!
Consequently, [City Rampart Earth] could not be lost.
If it were to be attained, it could only be done by Pure Land Buddhist cultivators. Thus came the plan for the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth], using [City Rampart Earth] as the standard to realize a False-Holding Nascent Soul.
For the World Honored One, the False-Holding Nascent Soul itself wasn't the goal. The priority was using the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] to find a guardian for [City Rampart Earth], ensuring this Dao Fruit would never fall into the hands of outsiders. Secondly, he could use the False-Holding Nascent Soul incarnation to seek benefits for His main body.
"Simply a genius."
[Sky-Shrouding] savored this forbidden knowledge carefully. These were truths he had witnessed with his own eyes five thousand years ago; some had even been told to him personally by the World Honored One.
Only, he had kept them all sealed away.
At the same time, he understood his relationship with the World Honored One. It wasn't the nightmare he once feared—the "Hey! I am merely the World Honored One's incarnation" scenario.
Rather, it was the exact opposite. This relationship was something he had earned himself!
[Sky-Shrouding] lowered his eyelids, pondering: If nothing unexpected happens, the World Honored One will stand on my side this time. This is crucial.
Seeking the Nascent Soul was not a blind pursuit. As a mere lower cultivator—a frog in a well—how could he see the vastness of the heavens? Without the support of a Dao Lord, seeking the Nascent Soul was empty talk.
The Saint Sect Ancestror was too profound and unpredictable. His support was hollow; no one could fathom his true purpose. What if he was merely using [Sky-Shrouding]? But the World Honored One was different. As the weakest among the Dao Lords, He was eager to find Himself an ally.
Of course, the premise was that [Sky-Shrouding] could not go to the Paramita.
The quota for the Paramita was limited. There were only so many dishes; if one more person joined the feast, everyone else would have to eat less. No one wanted that.
But if he sought the Netherworld instead, there would be no conflict.
Thinking of this, a smile finally surfaced on [Sky-Shrouding]'s face. Everything was proceeding according to plan. Yet these were all external factors.
In the end, seeking the Method and seeking the Dao was a search for oneself. No matter how well the environment was prepared, if one was incompetent or lacked the foundation and comprehension, it would be as futile as trying to draw water with a bamboo basket.
Rumble!
With that thought, [Sky-Shrouding] immediately threw [Heavenly River Water] into the abyss. The Void Attainment Great Dao beneath his feet surged forward once more.
He strode onward.
"Using the Void Attainment Dao to devour Dao Fruits and nourish oneself to ascend to the Paramita... Devouring after gathering all Five Elements Dao Fruits would have yielded the best effect."
"What a pity."
Three elements were still lacking.
While pondering, [Sky-Shrouding] held [Great Forest Wood] in his hand. He had played with this fruit for countless years until it was almost integrated with him. The fruit trembled slightly.
He did not hesitate.
[Great Forest Wood] was a fine tool, but it was not his true path. Everyone is just acting a part; did you really think you were my true love?
"Goodbye."
Before his voice faded, [Great Forest Wood] was decisively cast into the Void Attainment Great Dao. Instantly, the path erupted with a dazzling brilliance!
This time, the Great Dao rooted itself deeply within the Netherworld. [Sky-Shrouding] moved stealthily along the path until he faintly saw a mass of gray color deep in the extreme depths of the Netherworld, beating like a heart. Within it, the illusory scene of a palace was visible.
That was the Netherworld Core! Or rather, the original [Netherworld] Dao Fruit.
As long as he gained control of it, the Netherworld's current volume would effectively elevate him to the Paramita, making him the equal of the Dao Lords!
Thump! Thump! Thump!
At this moment, even with [Sky-Shrouding]'s hardened temperament, he felt a surge of nervousness and excitement. He could hear the drumming of his own heart.
So far, everything had gone smoothly. He wasn't surprised; this success was the result of eons of planning and countless nights of hardship.
I, [Sky-Shrouding], have reached this day by relying entirely on my talent and hard work! It is all that I deserve!
However, his preparations—the foundation of countless years—were exhausted at this final step. He was still a considerable distance from the Netherworld Core.
All because he lacked enough Dao Fruits!
[Sky-Shrouding] gritted his teeth. If I had all five elements, I could have closed this distance by half, vastly increasing my chances!
Now, the remaining gap made his nerves tingle. The Void Attainment Great Dao had stopped; it could extend no further. This last step depended entirely on his lifelong cultivation to "jump" across. If he succeeded, he would formally enter the Dao Lord Realm.
If he failed, he would fall into the boundless abyss, his body becoming mere filler for the Netherworld.
If it were only this, it would be fine...
[Sky-Shrouding] looked up. Letting me act freely this whole time... they must be waiting for this moment. Waiting for me to jump before they strike.
In that moment of flight, he would have no Great Dao beneath his feet. The Dao Lords would only need a gentle push to turn his lifelong efforts into nothingness.
The timing is about right.
Does that little bastsrd not plan to come out yet? Is he really that composed?
A sense of expectation rose within [Sky-Shrouding]. In this moment of life and death, there ought to be a Dharma Body Dao Perfected Lord who wished to remain anonymous stepping forward to attract the firepower!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 823: The Dao Lord Finally Makes a Move!
Attracting firepower was, in the end, a relative game.
While you attract firepower for me, I am effectively attracting it for you. The difference lies in the degree of control—who handles the timing just a little bit better.
Just like now.
If that little bastard were to stand out and attract the gaze for him, [Sky-Shrouding] would hold the superior hand. In his current state, he was not yet ready for the ultimate leap. He stood at the very precipice of the Void Attainment Great Dao, poised but not yet airborne. In this scenario, if an opponent appeared and seized the Dao Lord's attention, [Sky-Shrouding] could calmly orchestrate his timing, choosing the exact moment when the interference was weakest to complete his ascension.
Similarly, if his opponent kept his cool and never showed up, then [Sky-Shrouding] would be the one acting as the lightning rod. The resulting chaos would instead serve to fulfill the other's Dharma Body Dao.
[Sky-Shrouding] pondered this, a rare nervousness gnawing at him.
How will you choose?
At this moment, I have already sacrificed and refined the [Great Forest Wood]. You should be able to sense the collapse of the Knowledge-Perception Barrier and guess that I am at the critical juncture of charging for the Nascent Soul.
Will you lose your composure?
Residing in the deepest reaches of the Netherworld, [Sky-Shrouding] could no longer see the present world. He could only judge the situation by sensing the Dao Lord's gaze in the unseen. If that gaze diverted, it meant the little bastard had emerged; then, he would leap immediately. If the gaze remained immovable, pressing down on him like a mountain as it did now, it meant his opponent was remaining steady, knowing [Sky-Shrouding] still had strength in reserve.
Time ticked away.
[Sky-Shrouding] waited in silence, even sensing the Netherworld and finding ways to manifest elaborate anomalies to deceive anyone watching.
Look! I am on the verge of success.
As the saying goes, opportunity knocks but once. If you don't come out now, there truly won't be another chance. Hurry up and help me draw the fire!
Inside [Nourishing Life Master].
"What is this old ghost doing?"
Lu Yang watched the real-time broadcast restored by Mu Changsheng with a puzzled frown. "One anomaly after another. The pomp and circumstance are quite grand."
Above the Overseas at the end of the earth, heavenly nectar fell, golden lotuses surged from the earth, divine chanting filled the air, and Dao shadows blanketed the heavens. It left the group of Perfected Lords who had just escaped feeling uncertain, as if facing a formidable enemy. Yet, this had lasted for half a day, and absolutely nothing of substance had happened.
"Has he succeeded or not?"
"Where is he?"
Lu Yang grew impatient. To be honest, ever since [Sky-Shrouding] had used the Knowledge-Perception Barrier to hide the details of his pursuit of the Nascent Soul, Lu Yang had lost interest. If not for wanting to see the final result, he would have restarted long ago.
But now, even that result refused to manifest. Only layer upon layer of theatrical anomalies appeared, as if someone were fishing...
"...Hmm?"
Lu Yang suddenly perked up, rubbing his chin with a strange expression. "This evil old ghost... could he be trying to fish me out?"
"He wants me to be his shield, doesn't he?"
Thinking of this, his gaze shifted to Mu Changsheng, who had been silent beside him. He smiled. "Does Fellow Daoist also have contact with that old ghost?"
"Ab... absolutely not!" Mu Changsheng shook his head frantically, then hesitated and nodded. "Truly no contact... it's just that he wanted me to observe the present world for Fellow Daoist, so you wouldn't be left in the dark..."
He confessed.
Indeed, the reason Mu Changsheng had come to [Nourishing Life Master]—beyond seeking refuge—was to ensure Lu Yang could grasp the changes in the world. In [Sky-Shrouding]'s view, only with this knowledge would Lu Yang possibly emerge when the opportunity arose.
These eyes and ears were a gift delivered by [Sky-Shrouding] himself! Otherwise, with information severed inside the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness], Lu Yang wouldn't even know the attempt was happening.
"Hahaha!" Lu Yang burst into laughter.
Yes, yes, yes—that's the style!
He instantly understood the reason for the anomalies and grinned. "Go out? It's impossible for me to go out!"
"Uh..." Mu Changsheng spoke cautiously. "Does Senior really not plan to take action? Opportunity knocks but once. The Great Dao allows no regrets..."
Lu Yang glanced at him and shook his head. What "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity"? You can't restart; it's hard for me to explain it to you.
"You brat are ruthless!"
Since there was no one around to hear, [Sky-Shrouding] cursed aloud. Fine, it seems impossible to maximize my benefits.
He guessed that Lu Yang was waiting for him to take the hit first. Pity, I can't maintain this state for much longer. I have no choice but to begin the ultimate leap. But no matter what, as long as he eventually emerges, he will always draw some of the fire.
In [Sky-Shrouding]'s view, this was a "medium win." If the opponent had emerged first, it would have been a "big win." If he emerged late, a "medium win." If he emerged only at the very end, a "small win." In short: win, win, win.
"Then let's go!"
With that, [Sky-Shrouding] made his move. At this moment, his essence, energy, spirit, spiritual power, Sea of Consciousness, and Dao Heart all began to burn in unison. The Void Attainment Great Dao beneath his feet was pushed to its absolute limit.
This Dao was called the [Great Dao of Inversion].
Wood could be called crooked or straight. Right and wrong could be defined the same way. But in the end, these were only positions — labels placed upon things.
The true ability of this Dao was known as [Decree Mandate], a power that could decide how reality itself was defined.
"Right" and "Wrong" were not fixed truths. They were two sides of the same coin. Existence and non-existence. Yin and Yang. Life and death.
Under the Great Dao of Inversion, such concepts could have their positions flipped.
What was real could become unreal.
What was dead could become living.
He had relied on this very power to reverse the Chen Earth and expand the Netherworld.
Now, he squeezed every drop of power from this tool. Before ascending to the Paramita, the Great Dao was a vital foundation; afterward, it would be meaningless. He was draining the pond to catch the fish.
[Sky-Shrouding] formed a hand seal.
He was not yet a Dao Lord. However, under the enhancement of [Decree Mandate], he reversed the position of "Right and Wrong" concept until it became a single truth: He is a Dao Lord!
This was different from Inscribing Heavenly Chapter's] logic modification.
Because Inscribing the Heavenly Chapter's range of influence was too broad, with too many things it could alter, in this matter it was actually inferior to the more focused [Inversion].
In an instant, a profound light bloomed. The Great Dao beneath his feet withered and cracked, finally launching a boundless illusion that leaped toward the Netherworld Core with all its might!
However, at that exact moment...
Clang! Clang!
Without warning, the sword hum that had resounded through the Sea of Light fifty years ago echoed once more. A strike slashed straight toward [Sky-Shrouding]'s position!
Finally, a Dao Lord had made a move!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 824: Friendly Forces in Trouble? Immovable Like a Mountain!
At this moment, the sword hum pierced directly into the Netherworld.
However, due to the immense volume of the Netherworld and its unique negative stature, the hum—which could originally vibrate through the entire Sea of Light—weakened significantly upon entry.
But this "weakening" was relative only to the Dao Lord level. To a Golden Core Perfected Lord, this power remained a dimensionality-reduction strike. Even the strongest among them would face instant, absolute death.
Seeing the sword hum falling, poised to slay [Sky-Shrouding] where he stood—
In an instant, the space around [Sky-Shrouding] became illusory. His figure left a blurred afterimage as he leaped toward the Netherworld Core.
This afterimage was separated from [Sky-Shrouding] himself—it was a microscopic instant of time plucked from his ultimate leap. Now, it was severed out of thin air to form a brand-new history, acting like a picture scroll that swallowed the sword hums whole. Both the strike and the image dissipated into nothingness simultaneously.
Not only that.
As [Sky-Shrouding] drew closer to the Netherworld Core, new instants of time were constantly carved out of thin air by a mighty power along his path of advance.
Every instant was a picture scroll. Countless scrolls pieced together, forming a city wall of time that firmly protected [Sky-Shrouding] in the center, shielding him from external forces.
However, the anomaly was far from over.
Just as these time scrolls appeared, the sword hum suddenly rose several octaves in pitch, attacking from every direction in an attempt to breach the defense.
Alas, time was infinite and could be split endlessly. No matter how rousing the sword hum became, the picture scrolls emerged continuously to swallow it. Neither could overcome the other; for every scroll destroyed, another was derived. They fell into a strange, grinding stalemate.
Sword Lord... World Honored One.
[Sky-Shrouding] understood. The former was the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord's past title. As a Saint Sect Perfected Lord himself, it was only logical for this Dao Lord to strike.
And the World Honored One had not disappointed him either.
Of course, in a true battle, the World Honored One would be no match for the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord. But the awkward reality was that they were in the Netherworld—the place furthest from the Paramita.
In this environment, even with their difference in raw power, their maximum output was capped. It was like a pond compared to a lake; the lake was broader, but both were drawing water through the same standard faucet. Their effectiveness was forced into an equilibrium.
Suddenly, a third anomaly appeared.
A beam of light originating from Jiangdong pierced the Netherworld with irresistible force. Inside the light, infinite dao marks surged, gathering into sentences. These were the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] of the Jiangdong Dao Court. They had collapsed, focusing into a single beam of spiritual light.
Cang Hao!
[Sky-Shrouding]'s eyes were icy. He called out the Dao Court Dao Lord's title in his heart but did not speak it, focusing every ounce of his will on his leap.
The sword hum and the time scrolls remained pinned to one another, leaving them powerless to stop the spiritual light of the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws] from incinerating [Sky-Shrouding].
But in the end, the light was blocked.
Splash!
The violent sound of surging waves emerged from the void, manifesting as golden ripples. They layered themselves in front of the magic light. This was different from [Vast Ocean Water]; there was no wonder of breeding here, only the purest sense of weight. The ripples were a mere facade for endless, vast spiritual power. They crashed against the spiritual light with a thunderous boom.
The Dao Lord of the Spiritual Power Dao!
[Sky-Shrouding] was pleasantly surprised. In his calculations, this Dao Lord should indeed have intervened.
I seek the Netherworld, not a quota on the Paramita. I am harmless to them. Furthermore, if I become a Dao Lord and join them, I can help them close the gap against the four dogs of the Immortal Nexus. It is all benefit and no harm; who else would they help if not me?
Perhaps because he had already gambled everything on success or death, [Sky-Shrouding]'s thoughts were emboldened, daring to entertain any possibility.
Over half the distance was gone.
Above the boundless darkness of the Netherworld Core, [Sky-Shrouding] had cleared more than half the gap. His stature was plummeting to the extreme, turning him into a stature black hole. This collapse even caused the power of the four Dao Lords around him to weaken significantly.
Yet, [Sky-Shrouding] did not grow careless. The closer one gets to success, the more dangerous the path becomes. At this stage, he was a "material" nearing maturity—and therefore, more likely to be harvested.
Will you make a move?
His thoughts spun: Ancestor, you have supported me all along. Without you, I could never have attained the [Great Forest Wood]. Will you harvest me now?
The gap narrowed to one-third. [Sky-Shrouding] faintly sensed the Netherworld's call, a welcoming pull toward his final entry.
As for the friction he had faced before, it was a triviality compared to his achievement of expanding the dead realm across the Sea of Light. He secretly cursed the "little bastard" who had driven him out of the Netherworld one last time. Speaking of which, why hasn't he emerged yet?
...Wait! Not good!
[Sky-Shrouding] snapped out of his reverie. His face twisted as he realized what was happening.
The Saint Sect Ancestor!
Unlike the previous four Dao Lords, this power was traceless, yet far more domineering. It did not push cause, effect, or the future. It pushed a metaphysical existence: the [Variable].
The development of all things is a variable— like a blank sheet of paper, open to countless possibilities.. But at this moment, someone had lifted a pen and lightly left a mark of ink. That mark was something that could never be erased or changed.
This was a [Inevitable Fate].
It was a destined conclusion: [Sky-Shrouding] fails to seek the Nascent Soul; his body perishes, and his Dao fills the Netherworld.
Old monster! You truly mean to kill me!
In a flash, [Sky-Shrouding] calculated the weight of this [Inevitable Fate] through the net of karma. The Saint Sect Ancestor made no effort to hide it. Why hide what is destined? If He says you die, you are already dead.
This was not a loophole to be exploited or a fate to be sidestepped by a change of name. It was an ending that had to happen. Even if there were a one-in-a-billion chance of escape, he would be rejected by the entire sea of light—for how can one exist outside of destiny?
I am going to die.
The weight was crushing. Obey destiny, or vanish. There was no third choice. [Sky-Shrouding] was so enraged he nearly spat blood.
Where is that bastard?! Why hasn't he emerged yet?!
He had known the Saint Sect's old monster would be the hardest to handle. That was why he had sought out Lu Yang—to make him the lightning rod for the Ancestral Master's wrath. The Dharma Body Dao was a far more critical threat than the Netherworld.
But his "ally" had simply vanished from the world.
Inside [Nourishing Life Master], Lu Yang watched, entranced.
Now that the Dao Lords had pierced through the Netherworld, he could finally see [Sky-Shrouding] clearly and witness the state he was in.
"Finally, a clear view..."
He was entirely immersed in analyzing the environment, the method of seeking the Nascent Soul, and the heaven-reaching wonders of the Dao Lords.
As for [Sky-Shrouding]'s life or death?
None of my business! Go tell the "me" of the next life!
As mentioned before, going out was impossible... Allies in trouble? Then I'll be even more unmovable as a mountain!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 825: World Destroyed and Restart!
Lu Yang remained motionless throughout the upheaval.
Elsewhere, rays of light surfaced around [Sky-Shrouding]'s body. Each ray was a dao arts, a desperate attempt to reverse his declining fate.
The Dao Lord of the Dao Arts!
Compared to the Dao Lord of the Spiritual Power Dao, the methods of the Dao Arts Dao were far more exquisite and versatile. Concepts and wonders flowed from His fingertips with ease. Under His enhancement, the [Inevitable Fate] binding [Sky-Shrouding] began to shake. However, the moment He attempted to erase the [Inevitable Fate] entirely, the lights of the dao arts instantly annihilated.
The process could be influenced, but the result remained unshakable.
That was the end of it. Yet [Sky-Shrouding] did not surrender. Instead, he reached into the remnants of his [Inversion] Great Dao, extracting the final dregs of its wonder.
[Decree Mandate].
His fingertips shimmered with light, not directed outward, but turned toward himself. In the next breath, his vitality reversed. Death qi soared to the heavens!
[Sky-Shrouding] died!
It was not a true death, but a reversal of his fundamental principle of life and death. He had achieved one of the conditions of the [Inevitable Fate] through a loophole.
Body perishes and falls.
In doing so, the chains of the [Inevitable Fate] relaxed slightly. But the law remained—what was influenced was merely the process. The result would not change.
"Di Muni!!!" [Sky-Shrouding] roared, his Dao sound rolling like thunder.
This was the World Honored One's true name. At this moment, it triggered a response from the Paramita high above the [Sea of Bitterness]. The World Honored One acted. [Sky-Shrouding]'s invocation of the true name intensified their karmic connection, effectively upgrading the "faucet" of power he could draw upon.
The World Honored One did not hesitate. While continuing to pin down the Sword Pavilion Dao Lord with time scrolls, He cast His gaze toward the Pure Land.
Almost simultaneously, inside a temple in the Pure Land, Yuan Tu—Lu Yang's main body in this life, transformed into a Life Form Body—opened his eyes. His aura erupted, revealing a state of Foundation Establishment Perfection. In his palm floated a Dao Fruit shimmering with karma.
[City Rampart Earth].
"...Amitabha," Yuan Tu chanted.
Bodhisattva Precious Lotus Hidden Subduer, Bodhisattva Precious Vase Water Moon, Bodhisattva Great Might—a new Bodhisattva, and even Great Sage Xuan Yuan all bowed their heads in unison.
"Amitabha!"
The Zen singing thundered: "Excellent, excellent. The Dharma Ending Age is upon us. Our Buddha is merciful, descending to the Jambudvipa world once more to save all sentient beings!"
Yuan Tu's aura soared. Without a ritual, he triggered the response of [City Rampart Earth] and merged with it, vaulting over the Golden Core threshold. This was no ordinary seeking of golden core; it was the return of a fallen Perfected Lord ascending once more to his Golden Position!
The Pure Land Bodhisattvas gathered. Five Dao Fruits manifested around Yuan Tu: [City Rampart Earth], [Weeping Willow Wood], [Pine & Cypress Wood], [Ornamental Gold], and [Thunderbolt Fire].
"A pity... a Water element is missing."
Yuan Tu's eyes were bright as he looked toward the Overseas. "That little dragon... escaped? To the [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]? But It is too late now."
He withdrew his gaze and raised [City Rampart Earth]. The other four Dao Fruits resonated. Buddha light stacked layer upon layer, forming a floating pagoda with [City Rampart Earth] at its peak, illuminating the universe.
In the land of Jiangxi, countless Zen masters, Arhats, and novices wept with joy. They sat upon the earth, faces alight with enlightenment, chanting the Buddha's name as they were consumed by the light. Their collective karma surged toward Yuan Tu.
[Buddhist Kingdom on Earth]!
In the Celestial Court, the Spirit Platform on the ninth layer awakened, abandoned Sisui's remnant soul, and crossed into the Immortal Nexus. It merged into the Buddhist Kingdom, acting as the final stroke of a masterpiece. The stature of the [Buddhist Kingdom on Earth] shattered the limits of a Great Perfected Lord.
It was not yet a Nascent Soul—it lacked the Water element—but its power was now infinitely close to the Paramita.
Yuan Tu urged the Supreme Wonder of [City Rampart Earth]: [Commanding Past and Present]!
The Immortal Nexus and the billions of World Realms in the Sea of Light distorted. The great net of karma fell into chaos. Karma was plucked and rewoven.
Every Golden Core Perfected Lord watching the battle held their breath. Even without calculation, the net of karma provided a new answer:
"This is not [Sky-Shrouding]'s true body. It is his [World-Retribution Incarnation]. The body revealed before was the true self, hiding until now after feigning death. Now the real [Sky-Shrouding] is in perfect condition, ready to seek the Nascent Soul at any moment..."
Change the Cause, Alter the Effect!
Inside [Nourishing Life Master], Lu Yang's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. Beside him, Mu Changsheng had long since poked himself blind, terrified of witnessing more.
In the Netherworld, the "first" [Sky-Shrouding] met his end. The sword hum penetrated the World Honored One's defense and slew him. All karma related to [Perfected Lord Sky-Shrouding Obscuring the Sun] vanished. He was dead beyond doubt.
Yet, a second later, a new figure appeared.
A handsome young Daoist with eyes like stars emerged—no longer shrouded in mist, but high-spirited and radiant.
"Past cause, today's effect... Ling Xiao, conduct yourself well."
The ethereal voice faded. The World Honored One withdrew His power.
The youth laughed. [Sky-Shrouding] was dead, but his final trump card had succeeded. Not in vain did I store my true name and title with the World Honored One!
"One more time!"
The youth burned his soul, body, and Great Dao, lunging toward the Netherworld Core. For one microscopic instant, he was free—freer than any Perfected Lord in existence.
Dazzling light erupted from the core. The youth melted into the radiance, ascending toward a loftier existence.
Then—collapse.
The youth solidified at the moment of his triumph. The light of the Netherworld stagnated. An incredulous remnant of a voice echoed:
"How is it possible... the Netherworld already has a master...?"
Rumble!
The light shattered. The youth's entry had destroyed the object that had occupied the core of the Netherworld for eons. In doing so, his own consciousness was obliterated.
His sacrifice had cleared the path. The Dao Lords, who had just been at each other's throats, instantly ceased their hostilities. They reached their massive hands toward the now-open [Netherworld], seeking to drag that sunken dimension back into the present world!
They were no longer merely projecting power from the Paramita. Several Dao Lords truly descended, damaging their own cultivation to pull the Netherworld into reality.
Silence fell.
The Netherworld swallowed the present world. All sentient beings met their end. Only the Perfected Lords remained for a fleeting moment, but those who looked upon the Dao Lords' true forms were instantly driven mad, their Seas of Consciousness bursting as they followed the rest into death.
Including Lu Yang.
"Book of a Hundred Lifetimes——!!!"
The Sea of Light annihilated. All phenomena became empty. A single shout resounded, drawing the gaze of the Dao Lords, but before they could react, everything was wiped away into nothingness.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 826: Sky-Shrouding's Glimmer of Survival Chance
A boundless, dark land.
Above the surface of the abyss, Lu Yang's eyes suddenly snapped open. However, with that single movement, his eyeballs exploded with a muffled boom, leaving behind two hollow black holes.
Tears of blood rolled down his face.
Immediately, visible cracks centered on his eyes spread rapidly across his body, like a piece of fine porcelain on the verge of shattering.
He remained in this state for a long time before the cracks finally stopped spreading. After another agonizing period, the fractures began to heal slowly. Flesh and blood re-condensed within the two black voids, until a pair of bright eyes were once again nestled in their sockets.
"Phew!"
Lu Yang finally exhaled his first breath since restarting. In his mind, he subconsciously reached for the final scene he had witnessed before the world ended.
"...What was it again?"
Lu Yang frowned. He remembered the events—the Dao Lords damaging their own cultivation, their true bodies descending from the Paramita to seize the Netherworld. But the specifics? What did the Dao Lords' hands look like? What were their characteristics? What wonders did they manifest? This information seemed to have never existed in his mind. He simply couldn't remember.
"This is a bit too much, isn't it?"
Lu Yang swallowed hard. After a lifetime of relying on innate talent and grueling hard work, he considered himself an outstanding cultivator—a "somebody" in the grand scheme.
But the reality? He didn't even have the capacity to look directly at a Dao Lord.
"No, it wasn't just me. Even the Great Perfected Lords at the late-stage Golden Core were the same... perhaps they were slightly better, but their resistance was ultimately negligible."
Recalling the world-destroying scene before the restart, Lu Yang's eye twitched. "The Dao Lords destroying the world probably wasn't intentional. It was likely a mere side effect of descending with their true bodies to extract the Netherworld... They simply didn't care, and so, the world ended."
"[Sky-Shrouding] really poked a massive hole in the sky..."
He was certain that the Thousand Year Great Tribulation, under a normal script, was never meant to look like this. It should have been a prolonged war lasting over a thousand years. Perfected Lords would be the pieces, and Dao Lords would be the players. To put it bluntly, it was meant to be a civil dispute. The Dao Lords would profit amicably while watching their pieces be exchanged.
However, [Sky-Shrouding] had overturned the chessboard.
He had forced the Dao Lords into the arena, turning a civil game into a bloody brawl. The result was that all the Dao Lords lost face, which indirectly led to the destruction of the world. Looking at it this way, it was no wonder the Nascent Soul Dao Lords never descended in their true forms. If looking at them caused instantaneous death, who could possibly withstand their presence?
Lu Yang patted his chest, trying to steady his nerves. If he weren't in the standby state before restarting, he would have summoned Empress Xiao just to calm his shock. This restart had been truly harrowing.
But that wasn't even the scariest part. The most terrifying realization was the outcome of [Sky-Shrouding]'s pursuit of the Dao. Though he hadn't seen the whole process, Lu Yang could guess the crux of it from the ending.
"That old ghost was plotted against."
"The Netherworld actually has a master?"
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang shook his head. "No, not a master. It was likely a remnant thought. Regardless, it ultimately perished along with [Sky-Shrouding]."
"In the end, whether it was the Saint Sect's old monster nurturing him or the World Honored One supporting him, both were urging him toward the Netherworld. They wanted him to crash headfirst into the Netherworld Core and perish alongside that remnant thought, thereby prying the gates of the Netherworld wide open so the Dao Lords could enter and clean up the mess..."
The realization chilled him to the bone.
"[Sky-Shrouding]'s Dao Heart was perfect; his thoughts couldn't be influenced. In other words, he truly believed from the bottom of his heart that the Netherworld could be claimed. But in reality, could it?"
Lu Yang fell into a long contemplation, reviewing everything he had seen. He finally reached a conclusion: "It could. He wasn't wrong!"
[Sky-Shrouding] was right. The Netherworld could indeed be sought, and there was a genuine hope of stepping into the Dao Lord level. The only problem was that he never expected the Netherworld to already have a master.
"This is logical. The master of the Netherworld should have been the almighty who first attained the Void Attainment of the Netherworld. But that person was killed by the Dao Lords. Who would expect a remnant thought to survive? When Dao Lords move, it's reasonable to assume nothing—not even dregs—would remain."
"This was [Sky-Shrouding]'s fatal miscalculation."
"From beginning to end, the Saint Sect's old monster likely never lied to him. With that old ghost's caution, he would have sniffed out a falsehood. The Saint Sect's old monster simply concealed one truth: that the Netherworld already had a master. It's the most brilliant lie—no need to deceive, just tell the truth selectively to achieve the goal."
"Bastard!" Lu Yang cursed, feeling a pang of pity for [Sky-Shrouding]. The "Number One Perfected Lord under Heaven" was, in the eyes of the Dao Lords, nothing more than a key to the Netherworld.
It was a tragedy, but not one born of incompetence. It was simply the limitation of a lower ream cultivator's perspective. A frog in a well cannot comprehend the vastness of the heavens. Without the perspective of an upper realm cultivator, one is pitted without even knowing it.
But to have an upper realm perspective, you must become an upper realm cultivator. Yet for lower realm cultivators to become upper realm cultivators, they must first have an upper realm perspective. It's simply a paradox. Unless you can find an upper realm cultivator who is especially friendly to you and genuinely willing to help you. But where would such a person exist in this damned place?
The more Lu Yang thought, the grimmer his expression became. He wasn't just mourning [Sky-Shrouding]; he had always viewed the man as a benchmark for his own cultivation.
Now, [Sky-Shrouding] had failed miserably. His lifelong pursuit was revealed to be a ridiculous farce.
Who the hell can I copy now?
Lu Yang's confusion deepened. Dao Lords above... is there truly no road to walk? Is seeking the Dao just flowers in a mirror or the moon in the water, its just an illussion?
"No! That's impossible!"
Lu Yang took a deep breath, replaying [Sky-Shrouding]'s final charge in his mind. After an unknown amount of time, a spark of light returned to his eyes.
"Wait... that's it!"
"There is still a glimmer of hope! There's still a chance!"
"If the result of [Sky-Shrouding]'s attempt was destined to fail no matter what, why did the Dao Lords spare no cost to stop him? Even the Saint Sect Ancestor moved!"
"If [Sky-Shrouding] was undoubtedly defeated, they could have just sat back and watched him bash his head against the Netherworld, right? Why intervene?"
Lu Yang's eyes grew brighter as he grasped the crucial clue.
"Because [Sky-Shrouding] still held a trump card. He must have struck a deal with the World Honored One to be resurrected once after death."
"If the Dao Lords hadn't blocked him, even if he had perished along with the remnant thought of the Netherworld Core, he could have resurrected and charged again. If he had, he would have successfully controlled the Netherworld!"
So the Dao Lords made their move!
Their intervention wasn't to stop him from seeking the Netherworld, but to strip him of his resurrection. That was the key!
"In this regard, the World Honored One likely had no ill intentions. The resurrection count was held in His hands, and given His situation, He truly needs a Dao Lord-level ally."
"Alas, the Saint Sect Ancestor acted. That [Inevitable Fate] was a puzzle neither [Sky-Shrouding] nor the World Honored One could solve. They were forced to consume the resurrection. That was the winning move!"
Lu Yang summarized two vital points: First, the architect of [Sky-Shrouding]'s downfall was the Saint Sect's old monster. Second, the World Honored One was indeed the Dao Lord standing on [Sky-Shrouding]'s side.
As for the Dao Lords snatching the Netherworld at the end? That was just business. Once [Sky-Shrouding] was dead, the lamp was out. The World Honored One had to grab what He could. He was weaker than the others, so His share was smaller, but He didn't lose out entirely.
Lu Yang exhaled a long breath, a heavy burden finally lifting from his shoulders.
The conclusion was clear—seeking the Netherworld is not a dead end!
Either find a way to gain an extra life without the Saint Sect's old monster knowing, or find a way to break that [Inevitable Fate].
Whichever path he chose, there was finally a glimmer of survival.
(End of Chapter)