Above the Heaven's Will, endless refining radiance surged.
One could not see its end, it was the condensed essence of the Grand Dao of an entire era.
People often said entering the Dao was harder than ascending the heavens.
Because the Dao was not open, even a powerhouse of the God Meridian Realm could not touch it, let alone truly step into it.
Thus the Heaven's Will existed.
A rightful path leading toward the Dao, though arduous and far, still countless people would step upon it.
The Heaven's Will was like dazzling starlight, like the blazing sun, whether day or night, it hung prominently in the firmament.
When mortals raised their heads to gaze, that was the goal of their lifetime.
One Heaven's Will represented the entirety of an era.
…
In the afternoon, led by Sacred Lord Xiao, with several Ancestors following, the True Martial Sacred Sect marched to punish the Dao Race.
Xu Zimo did not go. This battle did not require him.
Because the Dao Race never intended to resist. Even though the Lord of Samsara was their Holy Son, for the sake of preserving the race, he was still surrendered.
On South Goose Mountain, Xu Zimo stood atop the summit.
The cold wind cut down like a blade. He remembered the day he was reborn, also on this very peak.
Time felt fleeting, as if so many events, when he turned to look back, were still just at hand.
He turned his head, the Lord of Samsara, sealed in his meridians, was bound and kneeling before him.
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you,” the Lord of Samsara said. He appeared calm, perhaps knowing death was certain. There was no begging, no struggle. Only endless desolation and a sense of release lingered on his face.
“Go ahead,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“Why do you target Chu Yang so much? Is it only because of Baili Xiao?” the elder asked. “I understand a bit of fortune-reading,” he continued, “and once observed Chu Yang. His luck was so immense, like the Purple Star shining over the East, ruling all stars. He was truly the chosen one.” At this, the Lord of Samsara sighed deeply. “If not for you, he would surely have become a Grand Emperor in the future.”
“Is this question that important?” Xu Zimo smiled faintly. “To think, at the final moment, what weighs on your heart is still this.”
“Like a thorn in my throat, I cannot let it go,” the Lord of Samsara shook his head. “Will you not tell me the true reason?”
“Why should a dying man know so much?” Xu Zimo replied with a laugh. “But one thing you said is right, he was indeed a chosen one. That is exactly why he had to die. Do you understand?”
Hearing this, the Lord of Samsara’s expression showed clear dissatisfaction.
“How do you plan to deal with me?” he asked.
“Aren’t you known as ‘Samsara’? Then I’ll let you fall into the cycle of samsara, suffer endless torment, until your soul is utterly destroyed,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“I see. Why not grant me a swift end?”
“Why should I grant you one?” Xu Zimo countered.
The elder fell silent.
When Xu Zimo first created the God World, he already mastered the Six Paths of Samsara.
Now he separated the Beast Path and Preta Path.
With a wave of his right hand, endless power of samsara surged around him.
From the Beast Path arose countless phantoms of ferocious beasts. From the Preta Path, hideous, ravenous spirits devoid of humanity.
The force of samsara twisted into whirlpools, dragging the Lord of Samsara’s figure inside.
Xu Zimo heard his screams of agony, then turned away calmly, leaving the summit of South Goose Mountain.
…
One of the Ten Forbidden Grounds, the Infinite Immortal Mountain.
At this moment, immortal mists shrouded it. The mountain drifted deep within the Endless Heavenly Sea, wandering with the tides.
It was towering and vast, but its true form was never fully seen.
On a lonely peak, Jiang Mochou sat in meditation. His aura was astonishing.
The blazing flames of the Scarlet Flame Imperial Physique burned around him.
Now he had fully fused with this body, golden flames gathering in his eyes.
As he opened them and cast just one glance afar, the sea surface exploded. From the sky above, meteors descended in torrents.
Thunderous detonations echoed everywhere.
Jiang Mochou slowly stood. Dressed in golden robes, he walked toward the central peak.
“Master, you called me?” he asked the old man before him.
The Lord of Nihility slowly nodded, lifting his gaze toward the Heaven's Will forming in the heavens.
“It is time for me to leave,” he said.
“Where are you going, Master?” Jiang asked quickly.
The old man pointed upward, smiled, but gave no answer.
“Do you have any instructions for me?” Jiang asked.
“Stop that man. This is your mission, and mine as well,” the elder replied. “If you succeed, we can meet again above.”
The words were not explicit, but Jiang understood.
If he succeeded, all would be well. If he failed, only death awaited.
“I understand. My life belongs to you, Master,” Jiang said. “Rest assured, I will strive to fulfill this mission.”
“From this day forth, descend the mountain,” the elder sighed. “From now on, the Infinite Immortal Mountain will no longer exist.”
…
The sun set in the west, dyeing half the sky crimson.
The sea at dusk was breathtakingly beautiful.
But deep within, the mountain drifted farther and farther, never to appear again.
Only one youth in golden robes stepped out from the Heavenly Sea.
At the same time, within a dense forest,
Tan Jiulin carried a massive axe upon her back. Her eyes were like sharp blades, full of cutting brilliance.
She wore a flowing white robe embroidered with crimson trim at the sleeves.
Its high collar looked specially tailored.
Now she had grown into a striking young woman, with black hair cascading like a waterfall down to her waist.
Her hair long, her skin pale and smooth.
Before her stood the fading phantom of an old man. His figure was so faint, a breeze could scatter him.
“Jiulin, the time of great struggle has begun. Go,” the phantom said with a smile.
“Master, when will we meet again?” she asked.
“When the time is right, we will,” the phantom replied, waving his hand before silently dissipating.
Jiulin lifted her eyes to the world beyond the forest. Finally, carrying her great axe, she stepped forward.
…
On South Goose Mountain of the True Martial Sacred Ground, Xu Zimo lay on a recliner, half-asleep in leisure.
Suddenly, the heavens trembled.
The primordial Grand Dao that once spanned the sky erupted with five-colored brilliance.
Within that brilliance, countless Daos emerged.
The ordinary five elements, metal, wood, water, fire, earth, were present. So too were advanced attributes: slaughter, fate, samsara, void, space, time.