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)