In the Sea of Light, the chaotic storm had replaced the [Two Polarities Birth and Destruction Profound Light], echoing violently between World Realms with an intensity far surpassing the latter.
Only a single figure stood tall.
His figure was shrouded in smoke, revealing only a pair of narrow, elongated eyes. He looked as if he could be blown away by the wind at any moment, yet he remained rooted in place like a stubborn boulder.
It was none other than [Sky-shrouding].
At this moment, he looked up at the sky, standing brazenly in the Mortal World. [Inversion] and his Five Elements perfection Grotto-Heaven intertwined around him.
Endless, magnificent colors surfaced layer by layer, acting like steps that supported him as he walked upward. Finally, he stood firmly at a critical juncture and saw a scenery that ordinary people could hardly glimpse—it was a black speck, hanging high like a star, directly suppressing the Light Sea.
The [Paramita].
At this moment, having regained control of [Inversion], he had elevated his stature to the absolute pinnacle of the Late Stage Golden Core. He had walked to the edge of the cliff; one step further, and there would only be the abyss.
Yet, he gladly accepted it.
Because only from this position could he see the shadow of the [Paramita]. Even if it was just a tiny black speck, he couldn't tear his eyes away.
Nascent Soul Dao Lord.
A burning desire, a lifelong pursuit, the resolve to face ten thousand deaths without regret—numerous emotions intertwined in [Sky-shrouding]'s heart, transforming into a bright light.
Amidst the chaotic Dark Aspect storm, this bright light was like a lighthouse, illuminating a patch of pure land. It did not expand outward; instead, it climbed to its absolute limit, shining desperately toward the [Paramita] situated in that infinitely distant height. He was like a child yearning to pluck the stars, desperately reaching his hand toward the sky.
The [Supreme Intent Dao Heart].
Abandoning all else, ignoring all worldly troubles, maintaining only a single-minded focus, reaching the pinnacle of utmost sincerity to pursue that higher, further realm—this was the Fasting of the Mind that [Sky-shrouding] had condensed!
Lu Yang had once given the [Heart-Cleansing Chapter] to [Sky-shrouding].
With the World Honored One's help, this Dao Heart method—which improved simply by taking a beating—was naturally a walk in the park for him. The final step posed absolutely no difficulty.
This was also why he could remain so completely composed under the storm of the Dark Aspect.
"My Lord!"
The next second, [Sky-shrouding] spoke again. Empowered by his Dao Heart, his voice remained incredibly clear even amidst the Dark Aspect storm, drifting toward the [Paramita]:
"I wish to report!"
[Sky-shrouding]'s voice was filled with concern and sincerity:
"The Ancestral Dragon actually managed to escape with a wisp of remnant thought. He has been lurking in the shadows all these years, and has even gathered all the Concepts of the Supreme Five Elements Dao Fruits!
"He has refined them into True Treasures. It appears he plans to use this method to achieve Void Attainment, thereby triggering a resonance with the Immortal Nexus's [Five Elements] Great Dao to completely revive and free the Ancestral Dragon's main body... I am unwilling to associate with such a despicable villain. I implore the Ancestor to investigate clearly and return clarity to the heaven and earth of the Light Sea!"
He spoke with pauses between each word, his tone filled with righteous indignation.
At first, the [Paramita] had absolutely no reaction. It wasn't until [Sky-shrouding] mentioned the concepts of the Supreme Five Elements Dao Fruits that a slight change finally occurred.
"..."
Unbeknownst to when, the Dark Aspect storm that had been raging ceaselessly around him suddenly stopped. A gentle, warm breeze lightly brushed past [Sky-shrouding]'s cheeks.
A gaze descended.
It was an extremely ethereal, faint gaze. If [Sky-shrouding] hadn't focused his mind and calmed his breath, he would have almost missed it. It carried an eternal, unchanging indifference.
No words, no questions.
However, the fact that this gaze allowed him to perceive it represented the other party's attitude: it was obvious that he was willing to give him a chance.
Speak.
Thinking of this, [Sky-shrouding] suddenly smiled.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, but he quickly returned to normal. Adopting an even more respectful attitude, he took out the [Heart-Cleansing Chapter] that Lu Yang had given him:
"This is the cultivation method that remnant of the Ancestral Dragon gave me."
The gaze did not look away, seemingly telling him silently: That's not it.
[Sky-shrouding] pondered for a moment, then abruptly changed the topic. "That he is a remnant of the Ancestral Dragon is merely my guess, because he seems to have made some arrangements concerning the Old Dragon Lord..."
The gaze remained fixed on him. Not that either.
The unseen sense of crisis grew increasingly heavy. [Sky-shrouding] no longer hesitated and stated decisively, "He seems to have obtained a pill, and he should be in the Netherworld right now!"
At this point, all sounds faded into silence.
The gaze departed.
"Rumble!"
The Dark Aspect storm boiled once more, its tranquility lost. [Sky-shrouding] remained silent in place for a moment. Then, with a thought, he escaped into [The Mortal World].
The next second, his consciousness crossed a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, returning to the Pure Land and entering Bodhisattva Coiled Dragon Shadow's body. He then allowed a mighty power to pull him into the Great Karmic Net that encompassed the universe, where he saw the golden-robed monk who seemed to have been waiting for him for a long time.
"How was it?" the monk smiled.
"I don't know, he didn't speak."
[Sky-shrouding] shook his head. "I'm just worried that this might stimulate him too much, causing him to make a move on the Netherworld prematurely... If that happens, we'll have outsmarted ourselves."
"Rest assured, he won't."
The monk pressed his palms together and said leisurely, "Since you haven't attained the Netherworld, you naturally don't know how powerful the Netherworld is. That person will not interfere with the Netherworld right now."
These words made [Sky-shrouding] raise an eyebrow:
"Given his level, he is still unable to interfere?"
Why? Because of the checks and balances from other Dao Lords? Or because the Netherworld isn't ripe for harvesting yet? Or is there some other, deeper reason?
However, the next second, the monk gave an answer that surprised even [Sky-shrouding]:
"Because he can't."
"...What?"
[Sky-shrouding] narrowed his eyes. That person resides high in the [Paramita] and commands [Inevitable Fate]. He is so powerful he's practically omnipotent, yet there's actually something he can't do?
"Don't think of him as being too omnipotent. [Inevitable Fate] is certainly powerful, and he is certainly powerful, but it's not to the extent that he has completely mastered everything in the Light Sea."
The monk's tone was profound:
"Although his level within the [Paramita] is different, fundamentally, he and we are at the same stature—we are both secondary existences beneath the Dark Void."
"The same logic applies to the Netherworld."
"The Ghost Gates, Yellow Springs Road, Bridge of Helplessness, and Three Lives Stone are one thing, but the final [Four Great Ghost Domains] and the [Netherworld Lord's Palace] are different."
"The [Four Great Ghost Domains] are different because of the materials used."
"The [Netherworld Lord's Palace] is different because of its stature."
"Fundamentally, these two have actually reached the same stature as us. This is why the Netherworld can sustain Dao Lords, and why the opportunity for the Nascent Soul exists there."
[Sky-shrouding] tried his best to digest the monk's words.
If Lu Yang were here, he would instantly understand: because what the monk was currently describing was exactly the Long Stairway to Divinity theory he had summarized earlier!
"Therefore, that person can't do it. The materials used for the [Four Great Ghost Domains] are fundamentally no different from him. If the Netherworld were masterless, perhaps he could forcefully shatter and plunder it. But right now, the Netherworld has a master, so it's an indestructible fortress. Even he cannot interfere."
As the monk's voice faded, [Sky-shrouding] suddenly said:
"If that's the case, Dao Lords are essentially immortal. Even for someone who has reached his level, is it actually impossible to kill a Dao Lord?"
"What do you think?"
Hearing this, the monk chuckled lightly. "Throughout history, only one Dao Lord has ever died... and that one was far too special. It cannot be replicated."
"Besides, strictly speaking... he didn't die completely either."
His voice abruptly cut off.
The next second, the monk changed the subject. "Let's get back to you, Fellow Daoist. Do you think your hint... can that [Fellow Daoist] of yours truly see through it?"
"...That is what I wanted to ask too."
[Sky-shrouding] didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked with sudden curiosity, "Back then, did that [Fellow Daoist] of yours see through your hint?"
"..."
After a long silence, a heartfelt sigh echoed within the Great Karmic Net:
"He saw through it."
"But he didn't trust me."