(skip ahead if you’re in a hurry to read since these next few reminders will be a little long)

For those not using that dark theme thing please do use that while reading. The story is divided into parts and if you hate being distracted/spoiled by the segment headers please do so, since I’ve tried (with embarrassing effort) to make the headers’ text match the background, just like what those translators do when the chapter titles act as spoilers. If you do decide to check the headers out of curiosity, then you could simply highlight them to see.

Also I would like to humbly apologize in advance for any errors you’re about to see. This is my first time to write a fanfic, well actually it’s my first time to write here in RRL since I’ve never really written my stories in English before.

Anyways, I tried my best to make the story as seamless as it can be with the actual work but don’t expect too much from either fanfics. To be honest trying to sound like someone else is difficult especially when it comes to writing, and Er Gen’s style is just uniquely simple yet visually mind-blowing.

I would also like to add that in terms of accuracy, well this is a fiction of a fiction. I already can’t remember most of the details that have happened in the story since this particular arc and the setting for my other fanfic happened waaaay back already (more than hundreds of chapters ago by now?), together with the obvious fact that I have no idea where the story is headed past the translated chapters, so yeah…

Lastly before you read please remember: expect nothing and gain nothing, and that awesomeness is simply overrated.

Kidding! Looking forward to your love and support regardless! Cheers!

TL;DR: Dark theme, me noob English, lover of ISSTH, and don’t expect. Cheers!

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I

Ji!

“Break!”

The heavens’ roaring started to wind down as the dark sky slowly calmed once more. The frenzied lightning bolts that pierced high above the heavens like flood dragons started to spread out as well, disappearing into the horizon in but a blink of an eye.  

The tribulation clouds gradually began to part as sunlight became visible again in this area of the Violet Sea, slowly bringing life back to the once grim atmosphere. With the sun finally brightening the place Meng Hao was at, his expression didn’t change and at the moment was seemingly still in a daze stuck in deep thought.

He stood there in the sky, valiantly, as his long black hair fluttered against the increasing wind. Together with the handsome features of his youthful face that easily concealed his age and the simple Daoist robes that adorned his entire body, they gave a look that made him seem more of a scholar than a normal cultivator.

And just like the clearing of the clouds and the now slumbering waves of the Violet Sea, Meng Hao’s mind started to clear as well as a brilliant light flashed across his clear black eyes.

With my own power I’ve overcome the tribulation the heavens sent this time; a feat that could simply shock anyone in South Heaven! This just goes to show that my path in cultivation truly is unique and is the right choice for me!

Even until now Meng Hao couldn’t contain his excitement. His gains in his cultivation and comprehension of Nascent Souls this time were truly great. Looking down at the now sleeping Violet Sea he mused once again. Even though I’ve spent centuries in this place just to be able to form my water-type totem, what I’ve gained in return was worth both the wait and the risk!

His 7th Anima was something only someone with a Perfect Nascent Soul could achieve, and right now Meng Hao was truly the only one in the entire South Heaven that is able to tread such a path in cultivation!

Although staying in such a state he used earlier allows him to achieve profound power no one else within the same realm could even imagine, but such a reward comes with an equally great price, even reducing his longevity by leaps and bounds within just a moment of a few breaths!

But still, not only does Meng Hao have the publicly-known 4-colored Nascent Soul, nor is he merely at the mythical perfect 5-Colored Paragon state. No. This time he had already cultivated seven Nascent Souls! 

Regardless of its drawbacks, it was nonetheless a fearsome concept no one would be able to comprehend except him. At Meng Hao’s peak strength entering his 7th Anima, his aura is equivalent to not just sixty-four peak late Nascent Souls… 

But of sixty-four Great Circle Nascent Soul Eccentrics!

After completely understanding his newfound power, Meng Hao gazed at the sky once again as if looking beyond what the heavens were showing him. With this even when I enter the Primordial Demon Immortal Plane that will soon open to the chosen ones of South Heaven, I will have no one to fear!

Meng Hao then looked down below to the ever-familiar sea one last time as if paying respects. The Violet Sea's will of extermination was truly frightening. Even with my preparations I almost failed in trying to form my water-type totem, nearly wasting those hundreds of years and entering Demonic Transmigration becoming a demon myself!

He sighed. To begin with, it truly was risky to even try such a method to form his totem. If his luck was a little less generous with him, he simply wouldn’t be able to reach this stage in cultivation and continue his path in pursuing his Dao.

Meng Hao tightened his hand as unwavering determination could be seen in his eyes. Regardless of what happens, my belief won't change. My body will always be the pill furnace, and my heart the pill formula! 

This was Meng Hao after all. Whatever the consequences, either he achieved perfection or he wouldn’t bother to give it a second thought!

Meng Hao was already planning to depart, maybe even pay a visit to his Golden Crow Tribe that he hasn’t seen ever since he entered secluded meditation. But before he could even move, he felt his soul instantly chill as an archaic voice echoed in the sky, sounding as if it wasn’t even a person who was speaking.

It gave Meng Hao the feeling that the voice was actually… coming from the world itself! “So it’s you!” 

It wasn’t coming from any specific direction but coming from everywhere around Meng Hao, locking into his position. And even though the voice was unknown to him, it still gave Meng Hao a sense of familiarity.

It made him recall the only time he felt this sensation, which was back when he encountered Ji Nineteen, long before the Western Desert was entirely submerged by this sea. That aura from before which already left profound impact on Meng Hao, as compared to this aura now locking unto him, was simply too familiar!

And now in front of Meng Hao once more was this very same aura, yet he could tell that it was clearly more powerful than Ji Nineteen’s level by an unfathomable amount!

Ji Clan! Another Ji Clan Immortal!

Meng Hao’s soul shuddered as those words roared in his mind. His expression flickered and an intense dread filled his very soul.

Turning his head, now he was looking over the horizon at an empty space in the sky that was seemingly calm, yet at the moment small distortions were discreetly pervading across in all directions. Before Meng Hao could even react to his shock, a gigantic vortex suddenly appeared up in the sky, like a whirlpool of endless void that was sucking the life of the world around it. 

Within the void something appeared, slowly, as the ever-familiar aura of Ji intensified at the same time! Yet Meng Hao didn’t see any person walk out from the void, only… a silver line!

And this silver line seemingly slithering from the void was simply akin to an actual fishing line!

Meng Hao was even more sure now and didn’t doubt his worsening predicament any longer, his aloof expression completely gone without trace as true seriousness reflected on his face.

Now the archaic voice sounded once more, now ever clearer as if the person speaking was already in front of him. This time it was even filled with a hint of amusement. “It really turned out to be you… To think this elder here would have spotted a large bait because of the tribulation lightning suddenly engulfing this remote area…"

“Haha! Truly amusing! But too bad… your luck has finally run out!”

Now the silver line has already reached out from the void for hundreds of feet, swimming around the area like a coiling dragon locking unto Meng Hao in its center.

By now everything had already frozen and stopped moving, even the earlier breeze and the trashing waves of the Violet Sea became still, like looking at a realistic painting with everything already becoming lifeless. Everything except Meng Hao!

The voice turned more and more apathetic, like an impartial judge of fate simply serving death sentences without the least bit emotion.

“The Ji Clan has said it before and now I myself will say it for the final time. You cannot escape your fate!"

“Today, your karma will certainly be extinguished!”

Without warning, the now thousands of feet long silver line snapped like a predator towards Meng Hao at a frightening speed!

This move once again? Am I a fish to you Ji Clan?? But what could he do? Meng Hao knew that all he could against such power… was to simply flee! 

With a flash he immediately retreated hundreds of feet away. With another flash he was already at least a thousand feet even further far into the distance.

His Cultivation base was now in full rotation, and his eyes shone with a bright gleam. But for some reason, he couldn’t outrun the silver line even with his cultivation base already at the peak of Nascent Soul.

This speed… he’s definitely more powerful than Ji Nineteen!

Meng Hao was slightly panting, thinking if he should immediately go all out and try his luck against a direct confrontation, or with all his effort to just continue fleeing.

Even if he activated 7th Anima, Meng Hao wasn’t optimistic with his chances. But as he was fleeing, Meng Hao noticed something off. 

This gut feeling wasn’t pertaining to his cultivation itself, but something he has taken for granted ever since his first encounter with Karmic Annihilation.

My Karma!

Meng Hao was almost certain of this. His karma is far stronger now which he had failed to realize before. It was difficult for Ji Nineteen before to sever my karma, and even if it’s you… it will only be even harder now!

The silver line boomed still heading straight for Meng Hao like a hunter chasing its prey, but by now Meng Hao has already long stopped in place, casually turning around to meet the fast approaching silver line.

This time Meng Hao already decided… to go all out!

Boom!

Without hesitation, Meng Hao directly entered 7th Anima. In the next moment, his figure already towered above his normal height, making Meng Hao look even more heroic as ever. 

By now Meng Hao didn’t look like a scholar any more, he didn’t even appear to be a mere a cultivator any longer.

Now he seemed to be more like… an Immortal Devil!

His long hair whipped out wildly against the windless sky as his body radiated with newfound power, and even though he was still at the border of Spirit Severing, these powerful undulations were exuding boundless tyrannical aura!

Meng Hao instantly flashed and disappeared, not away from the silver line but actually towards it! With a roar, Meng Hao sent a seemingly normal-looking punch towards the silver line right in front of him. 

“My Karma… cannot be severed by the heavens of Ji!”

Boom!

In the next moment, powerful fluctuations spread around the once silent frozen sky and towards the lifeless Violet Sea below.

Together with this powerful burst of energy, in the end the silver line was the one blown away!

The facial expression of the Ji Clan Elder on the other side of the void flickered for an instant. Clearly he was shocked by this sudden outcome. He didn’t even know which was more shocking, Meng Hao’s peculiar cultivation or his Karma being able to contend against the profound Karmic Annihilation of the Ji Clan?

Hmmm… an unusual person…

Back in the Violet Sea, Meng Hao’s face was a little flushed, as he was a little out of out of breath with only that single clash just now.

In a flash Meng Hao was back to his normal state, not wanting to meaninglessly waste any further longevity after his victory.

To Meng Hao, this simple win already meant that this Ji Clan Elder’s mysterious technique was no match for him, even if it’s only because the elder himself wasn’t present here in the Violet Sea himself. Otherwise how could a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like Meng Hao fight head to head with someone realms above his own? 

But he still can’t help feeling indignant after a show of victory. Fishing for my karma? Fish your face!

Just when the silver line was about to fade away, the ethereal voice of the Ji Elder echoed once more from the void. “If it was any other situation, this encounter would’ve ended already in your favor.” 

“But foolish child, you killed one of the sons of Ji! If this is all you have then you won’t get away from me!”

Suddenly the once lifeless Violet Sea started roiling as if an ageless beast was awakening from its eternal slumber! The skies that were once motionless shook as if the boundless heaven itself was now collapsing!

Meng Hao frowned, but in less than a few breaths worth of time, the chaos all around Meng Hao… disappeared?

II

Personally Cutting his Karma

In the face of this unexpected silence, Meng Hao could only feel even more dread. Just when everything seemed to have returned back to normal, the Violet Sea below seemed to have undergone a mysterious change.

Only after careful observation did Meng Hao realize that, even though it was only by a small amount, the Violet Sea decreased by a margin. Looking far away trying to see the end of the horizon, Meng Hao trembled, only now did he see that not only was this area affected but the entire Violet Sea that was vast beyond comprehension.

It only meant that not only this area of the sea, but what actually lowered was… the entire Violet Sea itself!

The initially chaotic waves now lessened not because of the lack of winds up above or absence of turbulence underneath, but because the actual sea level of the Violet Sea lowered entirely.

What did it mean for such a vast sea having its entire level decrease even if it was merely by a small margin?

Even within the handful of inhabited islands across the Violet Sea, the cultivators felt the unusual minute changes in the sea, and they themselves couldn’t help but tremble at such changes of the already mysterious sea. After all the violet rain had long stopped and the sea was supposed to continue existing for many more centuries, yet today in but a single moment it simply started to decrease.

A few hundred feet directly above Meng Hao’s position, a sudden disturbance woke him from his concentration.

Looking up there in the empty sky, a violet silhouette started to form. It’s shadows fluctuating like the waves of the sea, and astonishingly its hue was exactly of the Violet Sea. Soon the figure fully formed into a person, and if Meng Hao knew who this old man was in front of him then he’d immediately realize that he was actually the same old man of the Ji Clan who was stalled by his own master hundreds of years ago!

The Ji Clan Elder behind the void who found Meng Hao this time was none other than… Ji Fang!

The Ji Clan Patriarch himself!

Around Ji Fang, even after his clone has fully formed into an actual body, the rippling atmosphere remained chaotic as if the air around him was trying to fight against this unwelcomed guest, only to end up being overwhelmed by Ji Fang in the end.

This was after all the area of the Violet Sea, with the same deadly phenomenon that have scared all cultivators away from the now gone Western Desert and sent even Spirit Severing Patriarchs to flee all the way to the Black Lands. Yet under such mysterious phenomenon, Ji Fang was still able to suppress it at the cost of delaying his clone’s completion.

Now gradually appearing clearer, this old man in front of Meng Hao could be seen to be wearing majestic Daoist robes, remaining calm and aloof even under such intense pressure acting against him. And what’s truly shocking was that even though it was merely a clone, the aura it exuded was so thick and menacing that it was not any weaker than any Spirit Severing expert Meng Hao had ever seen before.

In the next moment, Meng Hao couldn’t help but further tremble from shock. No! This power clearly belongs to someone… at Peak Spirit Severing!!!

In front of a Peak Spirit Severing Eccentric, even if Meng Hao had more treasures with him together with the power of his 7th Anima, he would still be killed easily before he could even try to retaliate.

Meng Hao didn’t dare to move even a single hair; whatever he did at this point was simply useless in front of such powerful expert.

But to his luck, the distortion continued for almost half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, until finally the area around the old man slowly calmed as his cultivation finally consolidated. Now the clone’s cultivation was only barely at Spirit Severing. This time after a long confrontation with mysterious force of the Violet Sea, its aura was eventually forced down all the way to the first Spirit Severing stage. 

The Ji Clan Patriarch frowned inwardly but still maintained his calm expression. For an annoyance like you, even this amount is more enough.

But before Meng Hao could even appreciate his unexpected luck, he suddenly felt being locked into place without the strength to even utter a word. The fight hasn’t even started when the Ji Clone’s aura was already easily suppressing Meng Hao!

Even now Meng Hao could already feel that he already lost control of the Violet Sea before he could even dive down to escape. Since even through his clone Ji Fang was still more powerful than Meng Hao, the sea had no choice but to obey Ji Fang.

“Confused child?” The Ji Clan Patriarch couldn’t help but mock Meng Hao’s naivety and continued with a sinister voice.

“In the end the Violet Sea is of South Haven, and South Heaven… belongs to Ji!”

As the clone’s archaic voice reached Meng Hao this time, his soul trembled and he couldn’t help but move a few steps backward, his face paling. With its profound power, the voice alone of this Spirit Severing clone could already cause Meng Hao to retreat!

With an apathetic look like Ji Fang was looking at something insignificant, “I don’t care how you are related to that woman, or if your master will be able to protect you this time”

“But today this elder is feeling generous, so allow me to bless you…”

“with True Karmic Annihilation!”

At this moment without waiting for the enemy to make another lethal move Meng Hao already forcefully flicked his hand, the Flag of Three Streamers immediately appearing within his grasp.

Ji Nineteen called this the Mountain and Sea Emperor’s Banner and was shocked when I used it against him, so maybe even to the Ji Clan this treasure may still hold some power!

But before Meng Hao could even use the treasure, Ji Fang coldly sneered. “The Mountain and Sea Emperor’s Banner is with someone like with you? Hmph! Such a treasure is ruined in your hands!”

Without even attacking, Ji Fang simply moved forward with a single step, his Spirit Severing aura wildly spread out towards Meng Hao!

With an unfathomable force, the treasured flag in Meng Hao’s hand couldn’t even withstand the pressure and he had no choice but to retreat further backwards hundreds of feet away, this time even coughing a mouthful of blood.

Before even stabilizing himself Meng Hao flicked his hand once more, this time releasing some simple-looking wooden swords to hover around him in a bizarre formation. 

Made from the Spring and Autumn Tree, these were none other than Meng Hao’s prized Wooden Time Swords!

With a wave of his hand, Meng Hao roared as he sent his Lotus Sword Formation flashing, shooting directly towards Ji Fang!

The sword formation emitted a soul-clenching shriek as the swords in formation pierced through the air, emanating a mysterious archaic aura that could reap away hundreds of years of time from anything the formation touches!

And in an instant the sword formation was already right in front of Ji Fang!

Ji Fang this time was actually forced to act, but with only a simple wave of his hand Ji Fang easily countered Meng Hao’s sword formation to his dismay.

The swords were sent flying backwards like kites having lost their strings, some of them already with cracks while a few were even directly broken!

But Meng Hao couldn’t be bothered regretting his losses… because all of them were simply distractions!

Meng Hao had long bit the tip of his tongue, his body flickered with teleportation as he disappeared with a burst of green smoke, rotating his cultivation base back to the max as he suddenly dashed with his maximum speed.

7th Anima!

Meng Hao did all of these in succession keeping Ji Fang distracted with his attacks, but not to gain some time to flee from the area… but to fearlessly shoot towards the Ji Clone!

Even before his sword formation was blown back, Meng Hao who was already nearing Ji Fang had already put on the Blood Immortal Mask as an enormous face made of blood instantly appeared behind him.

With continuous fluid movements he next pointed his finger towards Ji Fang, just when his swords were blown away, roaring with all his might as the bloody face behind him suddenly snapped its eyes open!

“Demon Sealing, Eighth Hex!”

Using the mask’s reinforcement and the Demonic Qi all within the entire area, this powerful move of the Eighth Demon Sealer, which is able to seal even the strongest Immortals, locked unto the unsuspecting Ji Fang!

Under this unknown pressure bearing down on him, Ji Fang couldn’t help but frown. Even he was surprised by the mysterious profound arts Meng Hao had used one after another.

But in the end, this clone was still at the Spirit Severing and its supremacy over Nascent Soul cultivators was simply the difference between heaven and earth!

In the next moment Ji Fang already shrugged off Meng Hao’s sealing technique and was now casually observing Meng Hao’s desperate struggle.

But even after all his attacks have failed, Meng Hao still had a resolute expression. Hmph! You think I’m afraid of your Ji Clan? Let me break this clone of yours into pieces!

By the time the Eighth Demon Sealing Hex had lost its effect, Meng Hao was already right in front of Ji Fang. And on his hand was none other than the Fang Clan glove that could destroy anything with sheer power! 

At the 7th Anima, while also successively making use of all his most powerful techniques and treasures, this truly was Meng Hao going all out!

With a final roar he sent a powerful punch towards Ji Fang’s face!

Boom!

Shockingly Ji Fang simply let Meng Hao’s attack to land, cracks appearing on the surface of his clone as he was blown miles away.

And in that moment Ji Fang… was only smiling!

His clone easily reformed, like a picture of time reversing the damages of Meng Hao’s all out attack in but a mere instant.

“Now it’s my turn. Let me see you try to withstand… even a single attack of mine!”

Meng Hao frowned. He had long retreated after his last attack and was now hundreds of feet away, yet Meng Hao knew however far he tried to escape it would still be a futile effort.

He had already taken out the good luck charm even before the fight started so that he could teleport beyond the limits of Ji Fang’s divine sense, just in case his all out effort would end in vain. But by the time he moved against Ji Fang to the time he finally retreated, only three breaths worth have passed and this wasn’t nearly enough to finish activating his life-saving device!

Meng Hao knew he wouldn’t make it and could only further delay Ji Fang, but with all his treasures ending up being useless the only option he had left was to use ultimate trump card, Agarwood!

Yet even after running out of options, Meng Hao still felt that it would truly be a great loss if he’s forced to use it now. But suddenly, before he could even speak Meng Hao felt an unknown force was chocking down his throat and his entire aura was immediately suppressed back to his body, making him unable to even breath!

At this moment the world around him suddenly turned… upside down! As if the heavens have fallen apart and earth itself has savagely erupted!

Domain!

This was the power that makes a Spirit Severing Eccentric an existence that could easily trample even the most powerful Nascent Soul cultivators as easily as killing mortals. Spirit Severing is where the Dao grants one the chance to sever something from their soul. Connected with this severing, one is even granted the power to lord over not only his own power… but over reality itself!

This was true absolute power!

Meng Hao knew he was now completely outmatched, his voice gone and even simple movements made him feel like his own body will explode.

Even at the 7th Anima which already is his most powerful form, he could feel his body crumbling as countless mouthful of blood continuously sprayed from his mouth under the endless pressure of the world. 

But at this moment of inescapable despair, suddenly, Meng Hao heard a loud shout from his own bag of holding.

“Bitch who dares to disturb my rest?!”

With a flash a parrot suddenly appeared resting on Meng Hao’s now frail shoulder, with something like a meat jelly clinging below it.

Who else could it be but the ever-vulgar parrot… Lord Fifth!

“Hmph! Bitch! This great me is here! With Lord Fifth here who dares cause stri- EEK!

But before the parrot could finish speaking, right when it finally saw the situation Meng Hao was in, it was shocked to see that in front them was actually an old man it was familiar with.

“Ji-Ji C-Clan… Patriarch???”

At this moment even Lord Fifth couldn’t help but squeal at Meng Hao’s misfortune, which due to its intervention became its misfortune as well.

Meng Hao now hearing what the parrot said was as surprised as the parrot was. He simply didn’t know why his luck chosee to betray him today, of all possible cases just when he finally ascended the Violet Sea he was actually forced into a corner by not just any Ji Clan elder but the Patriarch himself!

“Who are you?” Ji Fang asked, a little surprised by this parrot’s sudden appearance but more so of its knowledge of his own identity.

“Bitch I’m no one! Meng Hao! Don’t worry! Whatever happens, I’m behind you all the way!”

Then without even a hint of shame, the parrot flew behind Meng Hao with the Meat Jelly trembling in tow.

Seeing the parrot’s behavior, Meng Hao’s eye twitched repeatedly. 

Useless parrot!

To this companion of his, he had seen the most shameless of deeds that could even set records in the entire South Heaven, so this wasn’t really unexpected.

Ji Fang seemingly unbothered simply returned his gaze at Meng Hao. He had already decided that instead of forcing Meng Hao slowly to his death, he’ll simply end it and not tarry any further. With a flick of his hand, this time a simple looking fishing rod appeared.

But even in its simplicity, this fishing rod the Ji clone summoned was incomparably more profound and mysterious as compared to the one that was sent through the void earlier.

This fishing rod was actually… the real deal! 

III

We sow our own karma, so we alone can reap it

Meng Hao inwardly screamed in his mind, cursing the turn of events even more. Personally cutting my karma? Dream on!

At the same time all around him, countless Karma threads appeared once again just like the time the silver line from the past has nearly severed all his Karma.

But this time these threads didn’t seem ethereal, but started to look a little too lifelike, like corporeal blood crimson threads blossoming towards the sky. From this Meng Hao could easily tell that this time he wouldn’t even be able to last a single exchange if he took this attack head on. 

But what could Meng Hao do? Ji Fang’s domain was still locked unto him preventing Meng Hao from moving let alone fleeing.

With a calm apathetic look, Ji Fang raised his hand pointing towards Meng Hao as he simply said as if ordering Meng Hao himself,

“Sever!”

Meng Hao trembled as hopelessness could be seen in his eyes. Not again! After all these years, in the end am I still too weak?

Swish!

The true silver line already reach Meng Hao, penetrating his soul as easily as cutting tofu mysteriously without even making any sound. The Karmic threads around him trembled as if in pain, and one by one they started to break apart without any power to resist.

Blood sprayed from Meng Hao’s mouth, his eyes suddenly lost its luster. In an instant his once powerful aura already seemed to be just a step away from completely disappearing, as his soul bit by bit was disintegrating from existence…

Far away, in the Southern Domain, within the holy grounds of the Golden Frost Sect, a fat young-looking man with profound cultivation was lying in the middle of a lush courtyard, busy using a sharp treasure sword to file down his abnormally sharp teeth.

This was actually Fatty Li Fugui, Meng Hao’s old friend!

Enjoying more than hundreds of years of pampering in the sect, this fatty had long since forgotten the problems of the outside world. But it was at this moment when suddenly he lost his grip of his treasure sword and couldn’t help but faintly shudder. “Wh-what’s happening? This feeling… no, not aga-“

During his confusion before he could even finish his words, his gaze suddenly turned blank, then back to confusion once more.

“What just happened?”

In the Violet Fate Sect which was Meng Hao’s old sect in the Southern Domain, unexpectedly like a choreographed scene almost everyone in the sect couldn’t help but tremble at the same time, some even vomited blood outright.

Most if not all of the sect disciples knew Meng Hao as Grandmaster Pill Cauldron and at this time they altogether unwittingly forgot all traces of him from their memories.

While even further within the core sect grounds, within the famous Pill Concocting Division, a young-looking woman could be seen in a long green gown with long flowing black hair and skin as white as jade, and was standing in a daze obviously also affected by the mysterious phenomenon.

Even after hundreds of years she was still known as one of the Four Great Beauties of the Southern Domain, the daughter of the Sect Leader of the Violet Fate Sect and even a personal apprentice of Grandmaster Pill Demon himself… Chu Yuyan!

She had long been a Violet Furnace Lord, and even after all these years of being busying herself with her own matters, deep inside a part of her still held some complicated feelings for Meng Hao whom she hasn’t seen in a long time.

At this moment just like everyone else, she couldn’t help but succumb to the mysterious power and regrettably, she lost all her memories of Meng Hao only after a short struggle. Trembling, she was already kneeling on the ground, lost of what had happened and was now feeling like she just woke up from a dream, yet the abrupt pain in her heart felt more real than anything she had felt before.

This occurrence simultaneously happened not just in these two sects, but in almost every sect and clan in the Southern Domain. It even occurred in countless places in the Black Lands and other areas all around South Heaven!

Song Jia of the Song Clan, the unexpected fiancé of Meng Hao whom he still hasn’t properly met

Zhou Dekun who was now living in the Black Lands, enjoying his new life as a revered alchemist, after his surprising encounters with Meng Hao in his unexpected adventure

Patriarch Reliance who was casually hiding all the way in the Milky Way Sea, as far away from his nemesis as possible

Han Bei of the Black Sieve Sect, still a beautiful woman, still with cunningness that could even match Meng Hao’s

And countless others within South Heaven have all succumbed to the might of Ji Fang’s personal True Karmic Annihilation, with only a poor few being powerful enough to not be affected.

After this, among the once countless people who knew Meng Hao, only a few would be able to know that Meng Hao… even existed.

As all this was happening within the dark lands of the Black Sieve Sect, in one of biggest yet seemingly plain-looking Immortal Caves, a girl with beauty that is only heightened by her simplicity could be seen sitting down, all dressed in a white robed that reflected the pureness of her own heart.

This beautiful maiden was simple looking, with a cold exterior on the outside yet an ever-unmoving pure heart within.

It was none other than Xu Qing!

Even after hundreds of years she still enjoyed peace and quiet; solitude ever accompanying her in her endless cultivation.

It was in this moment during her secluded meditation that she suddenly thought of Meng Hao. But in truth, she would remember Meng Hao every now and then. After all her heart only contained two things: cultivation and Meng Hao.

She truly was a simple girl.

But this time Xu Qing felt something different, like her trance this time didn’t mean for her to remember Meng Hao in her loneliness, but to act as a warning speaking to her of an impending tragedy. A tremor ran through her, her face suddenly turned even paler than it already is.

Xu Qing could feel once again that within her soul, the existence of Meng Hao was beginning to disappear against her will, something that already happened once long ago which she could never ever forget.

Without hesitation she roared with all her might, her hair blown into disarray as her Immortal Cave trembled under the sudden burst of power!

Xu Qing almost lost Meng Hao once due to this same phenomenon before, how could she allow it to happen again?

With all the strength she could muster, Xu Qing actually fought back against the profound force that was bearing down on her soul, not to protect herself but to unselfishly keep her memories of Meng Hao safe! In doing so she was simply courting her own death, unwilling to just allow the enigmatic force to simply do its job, still deciding to go against it head on.

In just a few moments Xu Qing couldn’t help but cough a mouthful of blood repeatedly, to the point that even her essence blood was the one that she was starting to burn away. Yet even after all this, even after clearly knowing the consequences, Xu Qing couldn’t care less!

In her mind, as long as she could protect her memories of Meng Hao, even if she lost everything she has struggled all this time to achieve, even if time and time again it was Meng Hao who was the one saving her.

At the very least Xu Qing hoped that she could do this one thing that only she is capable of doing, and maybe at least once be able to show her worth…

Regardless of it all!

Far away from the Southern Domain, in the Great Tang of the Eastern Lands, within a great courtyard that is already comparable to a vast valley, a middle-aged woman with indescribable beauty was casually strolling the grounds of her Fang Clan. This was the same mysterious woman who went into rampage way back then when the Ji Clan first tried to sever Meng Hao’s Karma.

Suddenly her beautiful face contorted, fury now clearly visible in her once graceful expression, and the aloof and ethereal look she exuded earlier was now completely replaced with endless bloodlust.

Unfathomable killing intent flashed within her beautiful eyes and with a burst of tyrannical aura that could seemingly break the heavens above, she howled with madness sending everyone, even the Dao Seeking Eccentrics of the Fang Clan within thousands of miles, into utter panic and unprecedented fear!

“JI. FUCKING. CLANNN!!!”

But just as almost half the world was sent into a brief chaos, Meng Hao who was at the center of it all and was nearing his own end, could now feel a mysterious pain in his heart. This feeling even gave him a prickling sensation he had never felt before, even after brushing with death countless times.

This was actually… the feeling of loneliness.

The usual pain Meng Hao felt was either through battle or cultivation, seldom would his heart be torn due to other reasons. But now he’s experiencing first hand that being forgotten is a torment that’s beyond any pain he’s experienced before. 

Meng Hao always believed himself to be alone and for years he has been pursuing his own unique Dao through his own solitary path. But in truth he was never alone, regardless of how powerful he has become or how far he has travelled in his road to power, there were still countless people that he encountered along the way only for him to take them for granted all this time.

His friends from the Patriarch Sect of the State of Zhao, his acquaintances in the Violate Fate Sect, the people of the many other clans and sects as well such as his poor unknowing fiancé from the Song Clan to his partners in crime such as Han Bei…

To the many people he met in the Black Lands, of the cities where he made his name, and finally to the vast lands of the Western Desert before it became the Violet Sea, the many tribes he encountered, and of course his own Golden Crow Tribe that in the end worshipped him as their Sacred Ancient…

Countless people have known Meng Hao. One could even say that his popularity was already even on par with the top sects and clans of South Heaven! But in the end he had taken all of these for granted, from those who barely knew him to those who were even closest to his heart.

And now reaching his end, he only realized that when one reached his death he usually remained, maybe through his own legacy, or simply live in the memories of others who would never forget him. But after this, in death Meng Hao alone will forever be forgotten! 

This was… true loneliness!

All this took time to explain but not even a moment it takes a spark to ignite has passed ever since Ji Fang’s True Karmic Annihilation started to sever Meng Hao’s Karma.

And only now when time seemed to flow once more, one by one starting with the weak Karmic threads representing the weakest of bonds to the ones that seemed the strongest, all started perishing at an astonishing rate…

With these people’s memories of Meng Hao forever vanishing!

The meat jelly that was long spread over Meng Hao in futile attempt to protect him was barely holding Meng Hao’s physical body together. This Karmic Annihilation was truly an act of complete annihilation! 

Even the parrot which was just beside Meng Hao, could feel as if such technique would go after him if it does anything stupid at the moment.

More and more threads unceasingly started to snap, but surprisingly this time it was actually taking more effort for them to break apart as compared to Ji Nineteen’s attack centuries ago…

Even if this time it was under the might of a True Karmic Annihilation!

In the void of his soul, as Meng Hao was stuck within his absent-mindedness, his thoughts started falling back into place. Meng Hao felt something; inwardly he was still perplexed by what’s happening. Maybe my Karma is indeed stronger now. It feels different, as if my connections with other people and with the world is stronger than it has ever been!

But he wasn’t ecstatic at the moment, aside from the fact that his situation was not any better, Meng Hao felt that this Karmic power lying within him wasn’t truly for him to use.

In the end, Karma was something shared and Meng Hao could feel that right now if he wanted to turn things around, it was not up to him but… up to those his fate is tied with!

My path in cultivation has always been through my effort alone, against the whole world, for hundreds of years! But deep inside I knew, or now I finally understand, that there is still pain in being forgotten regardless if one treaded the solitary path.

And in choosing a solitary path one in turn can’t help but still be tied by Karma however much one tried to defy his fate! Suddenly, Meng Hao’s blank eyes flashed! With all the strength he had remaining all he could do… was roar! 

Today my heart finally understood this feeling, so how could I allow your damnable clan to get the better of me after all this!?

Meng Hao roared, hoping the heavens would hear. He shouted, as if fighting against the will of Ji… against the will of the world itself!

“I am MENG HAO!”

“and you will… REMEMBER ME!!!”

IV

Eighth Nascent Soul - Karmic Soul

His final roar clearly resounded across the area but he knew it could never reach beyond hundreds of miles and would never even escape the confines of the Violet Sea.

But this shout wasn’t supposed to be heard… it was supposed to be felt!

And at this moment, regardless of who they were or where they were in South Heaven, as long as they knew Meng Hao they all trembled simultaneously, as if at the same time these countless souls rallied having heard Meng Hao’s last cry!

His last shout contained his will, an acceptance of his new understanding of his Dao, and the profoundness it contained shook everyone back and allowed each of them a sense of clarity, finally waking them from their initial irresistible stupor.

All these people suddenly realized an incredulous force was actually manipulating them against their will, and this time they could feel that they finally had the power to fight against it!

One after another they denied the Karmic Annihilation that seemed to be unstoppable. One after another the threads that were almost at the point of breaking and even those that have already been broken… reformed once more!

In front of this unexpected turn of events, Ji Fang furrowed his brows confused, and his once aloof demeanor now turning serious for the first time.

How? How is this possible? This… Is it his cultivation?

Meng Hao on the other hand could feel power flowing through his body once more, and with his vitality stabilizing he could now even see Ji Fang’s odd expression. With a smile, he roared up to the heavens, as if finally being awakened from a long slumber

“Our Karma is ours alone!”

Then looking back at Ji Fang, lifting his hand and pointing at him in a taunting manner, speaking his next words with powerful enunciation.

“And my Karma… is greater than Ji!!!”

Around Meng Hao, a mystical energy suddenly began materializing as countless spiritual threads formed one after another.

Even Meng Hao was confused by this new occurrence, but after a simple look he could tell that these otherworldly-looking threads with profound undulations were coming from the numerous Karmic threads connected to him.

With a shocked expression, Meng Hao finally grasped that such power was none other than… Karmic Energy! All this time Karma wasn’t simply the mysteries behind the connection of the world but… an actual power itself!

This Karmic Energy was trembling with vigor, and was increasing at an unfathomable rate barely visible to the naked eye. Meng Hao understood that even if such energy couldn’t be cultivated and in a way only a fleeting manifestation due to his unique situation now, he believed that he could use this power… to temporarily form another Nascent Soul!

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

With only a slight hesitation, Meng Hao told himself. I don’t know what’ll happen but given my situation I simply have no other choice!

Meng Hao unwaveringly stretched his arm in front of him now with a determined expression. And as if following their master’s command, the countless spiritual threads assembled above Meng Hao’s hand instantly forming a majestic orb of light.

Powerful undulations were emitted from this small ball of energy as its surface rippled with a majestic glow, a power that even made Ji Fang further frown, undecided as to whether to even bother to continue with his True Karmic Annihilation or not.

Suddenly this ball of light reformed, taking shape into a human-like figure. In just a short amount of time, it started to look more and more like Meng Hao.

This was the birth of a Nascent Soul!

Although this power wasn’t his own, but even if it was just for this moment this power in front of Meng Hao was truly his. This was his 8th Nascent Soul, a never before seen… Karmic Soul!

Right now Meng Hao could feel this new power replenish him. He felt even more power that seemed endless as compared to just having his seven Nascent Souls. With this temporary Nascent Soul, he slowly comprehended more about the Dao, and now he’s sure that he truly was mistaken all this time!

As his Karmic Soul slowly formed, Meng Hao remembered his past, and the people he’s met across his eventful journey ever since he left the mundane mortal life and began his new life as a cultivator.

He remembered the first time he met Xu Qing, how this simple yet beautiful fairy brought him against his will to the now gone Patriarch Sect, introducing him to the cultivation world for the first time.

He remembered the shameless Patriarch Reliance who dared pull one over him only for Meng Hao to return the favor.

He remembered how he journeyed alone and traversed the unknown lands of Southern Domain, making a name for himself and shocking countless people, only to end up completely changing his path to pursue the Dao of Alchemy and solve the mysterious poisonous flower within him.

He remembered how he fell in love with this experience of being part of a sect once more, albeit under false identity, and even ending up not only meeting Chu Yuyan again but even having the opportunity to acknowledge a master of his own for the first time in his entire life.

He remembered gaining fame as a grandmaster in alchemy, being able to visit Xu Qing and even having the chance to save her, only to end up parting ways from everyone once more, unaware of how long it’ll be before he’d be able to see anyone again, even Xu Qing.

And he remembered his most recent debauchery not only in Black Lands but also in the now gone Western Desert, meeting both old and new acquaintances and even ending up being a Sacred Ancient of a tribe that could shock the entire region.

And lastly how at the end of it all, when he lost his path and almost ended up losing his soul to Demonic Transmigration, he ended up being saved which actually wasn’t the first time for Meng Hao, regardless of how much highly he thinks of himself.

Meng Hao sighed as his deep thoughts came to an end.

I have been pursuing my Dao as if it was a unique road that only I could traverse, but all this time in my journey I was never truly alone!

How many times have I been saved by someone else? How much help have I received to be able to reach where I am today? And how many more have I met in passing thinking I would never meet them again only to find our paths repeatedly intertwine afterwards?

A gleam flashed across Meng Hao’s eyes. At this moment, he comprehended even more truths regarding his own path to power. He reached forward, grabbing the newly formed Nascent Soul in front of him. “Now I know. Even if my cultivation is unique, it doesn’t mean my Dao… is solitary!”

Without resistance the Nascent Soul entered Meng Hao, merging with his other seven souls. Slowly their powers combined, not simply increasing his power by a fraction but even exponentially increasing his overall cultivation base entirely!

Boom!

Meng Hao’s body grew even larger, shoulders broadening as his body became slimmer yet at the same time even more domineering! 

His long hair whipped about, this time the final traces of his scholarly look was completely gone, to the point that he no longer even seemed to even be simple cultivator but more and more like a true Demon Immortal!

This time Meng Hao was no longer within the limits of Nascent Soul stage but already a step… within Soul Severing!

As his powerbase exploded, Meng Hao realized that the domain has already gone weaker against his newfound power. Ji Fang seeing this frowned, confused by Meng Hao’s repeated fate-defying techniques even if he was just a meager Nascent Soul when the fight started. Suddenly Ji Fang’s eyes flashed! His mouth twitched as a single thought came across his mind. 

His cultivation! This… this isn’t something allowed by the heavens of Ji! This is actually… the perfect foundation!

Madness could suddenly be seen on Ji Fang’s face for the first time as his entire body turned stiff. He roared inwardly. I can’t let him escape! This time either I capture him and steal all his acquired luck...

or I’ll just simply end his Karma now!

Ji Fang turned ever more serious, not in the mood to play around with Meng Hao any longer as he stretched his hand upwards towards the heavens. Suddenly the skies roared back and the Violet Sea trembled once more, not growing mad like the heavens up above but rather was seemingly cowering in fear of the heavens!

If one takes a closer look, the Violet Sea this time was actually… decreasing once more!

Meng Hao under his new 8th Anima finally became unafraid of Ji Fang’s Spirit Severing clone. After all in his current state, he may not be able to completely destroy Ji Fang’s clone clone but he won’t be easily pushed around either. 

But seeing this sight, Meng Hao couldn’t help but sigh in misery once again.

He could tell that the Violet Sea this time didn’t just decrease by a single inch but now lowered… by an entire feet!

The seas roared weakly, still acting defiant yet remaining powerless under Ji Fang’s control. Even the countless specters under the sea couldn’t help but cower in fear of Ji Fang’s mysterious technique. 

By now Meng Hao couldn’t help but turn serious as well. Tsk! Under the skies of South Heaven, the power of Ji… is truly unrivaled!

In front of him, the Ji clone once more turned into a violet hue, once again being similar to the Violet Sea, as it grew brighter and more domineering than ever. Finally it once more consolidated to the same human shape, without any increase in size and even appearing to be shorter than before, only this time it’s aura was completely different! 

Meng Hao could see the clone’s cultivation increased rapidly in but a short moment, finally stopping once it reached an aura no less than that of a third Spirit Severing.

Meng Hao trembled, fear once more could be seen in his eyes. No! This isn’t merely so!

Because right now Ji Fang’s aura was already… at the peak of Spirit Severing! Maybe even halfway to Dao Seeking Stage!

Perfect… Perfect Circle of Spirit Severing!!!

V

Final Karmic Thread…

Meng Hao’s mind roared, this was simply an existence that could easily cause havoc within South Heaven.

Even with his temporary Karmic Soul allowing him to reach 8th Anima and now barely counting as Spirit Severing himself, how could Meng Hao contend against someone who’s not just a small stage away but an entire realm above him?

In front of this power, Lord Fifth who has remained silent the entire time trying to hide from Ji Fang’s sight helplessly shouted. “You stupid meat jelly, c’mon it’s time to do it!” 

Without waiting for a reply Lord Fifth took meat jelly, and with an unbecoming serious look it dashed as fast as it could…

Away from the fight!

“Take care of yourself Meng Hao! Lord Fifth hopes to see you next time in one piece!” the parrot’s voice echoed, as the parrot transformed into a beam of light already far away in but a blink. It ran away so fast it might even put some Spirit Severing experts’ speed to shame.

His eye twitching, Meng Hao couldn’t help but truly commend this parrot’s shamelessness and empty words. But Meng Hao knew that it was for the best. Ji Fang’s actual target was Meng Hao alone and their presence won’t be able to cause any change in the battle.

Being held by Lord Fifth, the meat jelly was crying. “Wh-what are you doing? This is immoral! Go back! Go back and fight!”

“Shut up!” the parrot roared.

But the meat jelly didn’t stop. “Just head back, it isn’t too late! Running is immoral! Immoral to the extreme!!! I should’ve converted you when I had the chance!!!”

“Bah! Convert your face! You righteous math failure, let me hear you count to four then I’ll follow whatever you say without question!”

At this point, the meat jelly couldn’t help but pause. “Th-th-that’s unacceptable! Unacceptable! How dare you mock Lord Third’s skills! I… I…”

But by now the parrot couldn’t be bothered to deal with this vexation any further. If at first it though they had a chance, now deep inside the parrot too was worried for Meng Hao’s chances…

Back in the middle of the Violet Sea, the Ji clone was simply standing there, as if waiting for Meng Hao to try his last remaining luck.

Ji Fang knew by now that whether Meng Hao chose to run or chose to fight, his only outcome would be the same. “Not moving?” 

“Hmph! Then let me show how mistaken you truly were, naively believing you could fight against Ji!”

Then with a single wave of his hand, far away without even causing any distortions in the space between them nor around Meng Hao himself, Meng Hao suddenly paled as he coughed three mouthfuls of blood, his soul trembling as if once again at the point of breaking apart.

But Meng Hao only roared, with his final breath he tried to shout once more. You think I’d just go down right now? Even if it’s just your clone, I’’ll only go down after taking you with me!

“AGAR-“

But by now Ji Fang simply gestured with another wave preventing anything unexpected to happen any further. He knew Meng Hao had too many secrets and didn’t want to give him any more chance to retaliate. And without even any means of to fight back, one by one the once reformed Karmic threads around Meng Hao started breaking! 

This time with the clone’s rise in cultivation base, it looked like it was simply cutting normal thread!

It was frighteningly fast, as all of his Karmic threads were already starting to break before Meng Hao could even summon his last trump card. Now all he could do was to vomit more blood and ending up being continuously interrupted! 

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Countless Karmic threads started breaking, the sound akin to numerous bamboo shoots being twisted and broken continuously without pause. Meng Hao couldn’t help but tremble as his body started collapsing even after he’s entered 8th Anima. This pace of destruction was beyond what he could take and beyond what even his Karmic Soul could possibly reverse.

But even after being the center of this torment, Meng Hao could faintly tell that it wasn’t only him who was experiencing his soul being torn apart, but all the ones who were still connected to him through his Karma!

This was actually… Karmic backlash!

Just as how his Animas have increasing consequences as he uses them, so does his Karmic Soul. Meng Hao knew that this Nascent Soul of his wasn’t his own power but only a borrowed one.

So how could Meng Hao not realize that if this was forcefully destroyed, not only will he be the one affected but also every single person who dared share their Karma with him!

As Meng Hao realized this, the mysterious woman from Fang Clan, who was now on her way to rampage the Ji Clan Imperial Palace once more, couldn’t help but pause midflight and cough a mouthful of blood.

“Wh-what’s happening?”

Even she, someone who had already reached an unfathomable level in cultivation, was affected by the backlash of Meng Hao’s Karmic Soul!

One could just imagine the torment the rest are feeling being far weaker compared to someone at her level.

One by one, as Meng Hao’s soul experienced Karmic Annihilation once again only this time at an incomparable rate compared to before, countless people who earlier helped Meng Hao through their Karma were starting to be affected by the backlash!

Some easily severed their Karmas, clearly knowing the fate awaiting them if they chose to fight back even further. But there were a also few who even until now, refused to back down!

Once more within the ghastly lands of the Black Sieve Sect, in a huge yet plain Immortal Cave, Xu Qing fell down to the ground after just a brief moment of respite. With her robes in disarray and her breathing once more turning haggard, in front of this sudden change even she couldn’t help but finally feel true hopelessness.

If just moments ago she was barely able to fight back against the severing of her Karma with Meng Hao, this time the power of the backlash seemed to be compounded a hundred times, making her feel like she was but a small stone fighting against the coming tide!

“No! No! Please don’t… Please!”

Endless tears poured out Xu Qing’s eyes that were already swollen just moments ago.

“Meng Hao! Meng Hao…”

She thought she had finally been able to carry at least a portion of Meng Hao’s burden. She already believed that she had finally been able to be of some help to Meng Hao.

Xu Qing was truly a simple girl, her act of defiance and being able to succeed earlier was already enough to cause some joy to sprout in her simple heart. But she truly was foolish to believe so.

Yet in face of the now even more hopeless situation, she still made a decision in her heart, and as simple as she was, she was inevitably also a stubborn girl.

Without needless thoughts or internal struggles, unlike the rest who already decided to back down, even now Xu Qing chose… to fight back!

Blood poured from her mouth, this time her essence blood already mixed in as well. This backlash was truly too powerful and even with all her strength, Xu Qing couldn’t even hinder the attack on her soul even by a little bit. Yet she still didn’t mind. 

To Xu Qing the world only comprised of only two things: cultivation and Meng Hao.

If she had to choose she’d even sacrifice her future even if her potential were limitless, she still couldn’t be bothered by the consequences. Because if she had to choose between the two, only her connection with Meng Hao truly mattered!

Her soul started to crumble, and even though she was only indirectly experiencing the backlash of Ji Fang’s attack, she was even worse off compared to Meng Hao. After all, she was far weaker compared to him in his 8th Anima.

In just a single breath, even when Meng Hao was still ways from collapsing, Xu Qing on the other hand was already by death’s door! But at this point death didn’t scare Xu Qing any longer... 

Only loneliness did!

That if she lost the only person she ever allowed in her heart, she knew that to her it would simply be a fate worse than death! But even if she wasn’t afraid of her own death, how could Meng Hao not care?

With his Karmic threads down to the last few in almost an instant, even under extreme physical pain and soul torment, Meng Hao could finally tell what the remaining threads were and to whom they belong to. With just a poor few threads remaining, how could Meng Hao not feel who they were and what these few people left were feeling?

When all the other remaining threads seem to easily start crumbling as if allowing annihilation to finally overcome them, there was still a faint Karmic thread that remained defiant until the end.

Xu Qing!

Now with their connection only one of the few remaining, Meng Hao could feel a mystical connection with Xu Qing, and Xu Qing in turn could feel Meng Hao in their final moments.

Foolish girl… What do you think you’re doing? 

With a caring tone, Meng couldn’t help but feel warmth when he “saw” Xu Qing. Even after countless years, this simple girl had never changed. Never thinking too much, never bothering about the consequences of her actions.

I’d rather die than forget you once again. Death doesn’t scare Xu Qing… only forever parting with you does!

Meng Hao could tell Xu Qing was sincere with her feelings. He knew she was serious and didn’t doubt what she said. He could only smile, hoping Xu Qing could see his smile right now for her. 

Even after all this, even when he thought that in death he would feel utter loneliness, at least in his last moments the only person that mattered to him never left his side, just as he was the only person who mattered to her.

“Meng-“

But before she could even finish her words, Xu Qing fell into a dazed state, her expression suddenly turning blank. She was momentarily at a loss, confused as to why there were tears in her face and her vitality at the point of waning. She didn’t know what just happened…

Because she had already forgotten.

The Karmic Annihilation finally severed her tie with Meng Hao, forever losing all the parts of her life and the parts that have yet to come, that she shared and was supposed to share with Meng Hao.

Xu Qing was in the end… powerless even now.

But what she didn’t know and may never know was that it wasn’t because the backlash won against her. If it did while she still fought wholeheartedly against it then how could she still be alive right now, although barely?

Her Karma with Meng Hao wasn’t actually severed by Ji Fang…

But by Meng Hao!

Because even if she wasn’t afraid of her death, how could Meng Hao have the face to let her die because of him?

In their final moments, after imprinting that last moment of warmth he shared with Xu Qing, even if he knew he would never be able to keep such memories however much he tried to imprint that single picture in his soul, he finally decided to cut his Karma with her. By doing so Meng Hao was able to save her at the very least, even if Xu Qing would never remember him, even if Xu Qing would never forgive him.

I sow my own Karma, so I decide… when to reap it…

As his soul crumbled further, when he started to lose all his memories even of those he held most dear, anger flashed in his eyes but even more so was a hint of melancholy, as a tear formed in his eye too weak to even flow. In not even the time it takes for another breath with already the one final karmic thread remaining, Meng Hao’s soul was already empty, his mind at peace not due to clarity but because he longed accepted the reality in front of him.

For the first time Meng Hao truly didn’t have a way to bring him out of his predicament. For the first time he truly was hopeless against his fate.

With a blank expression, and with no other thoughts to keep his mind busy, only one thing registered in his final moments.

As he was helplessly staring in front of him at the final Karmic thread, literally being only a step away from death, he could clearly tell that this last Karma of his was in truth one of the faintest he’s ever seen yet for some reason it was the last one to remain.

Meng Hao’s mind was already too weak and disorderly to realize anything from this. But to Ji Fang who was observing everything, Ji Fang who has mastered Karma itself, he could clearly see that single thread remaining and after everything else has been annihilated, this thread was now even clearer to him as well.

At this point how could Ji Fang not realize that this final and weak looking thread is surprisingly… Not a Karma belonging to South Heaven!

What is this Karma? How can someone be fated with this Meng Hao from another realm? Ji Fang was truly confused, a little curious yet at the same time a part of him couldn’t be bothered any longer by such a minor detail.

But he was absolutely mistaken.

As Ji Fang was waiting for this thread to finally break as well, his mind shuddered, and before he could even understand what was happening, he only heard an archaic voice with profoundness that even he has never felt before. The same Ji Fang, who has stood at the peak of South Heaven, could now feel a supreme power he has ever encountered before! 

This voice that seemed so ancient and so ethereal wasn’t coming from all directions but simply… beyond South Heaven! And the simple words spoken were already enough to send Ji Fang’s soul in turmoil, and even almost vomiting blood from his real body far away!

In that silent moment, when time itself seemed to stop, all the heavens could only hear was this ancient voice that seemed to transcend the very concept of the Nine Heavens!

“You… DARE???”

VI

True Immortal

The voice was beyond archaic, even Ji Fang paled as he started to pant in fear for the very first time!

Such simple words yet they already caused the sky to darken, as day turned to night while the seas seemed to dry and the clouds began to melt. The horizon seemed to disappear as the stars which were like countless lamps all were suddenly extinguished of their light, as if whole world turned over and time itself stopped only to listen to this voice’s command.

Only then did dread start to completely overcome Ji Fang as he knew he was facing a power way beyond his true strength. A power that could easily destroy him, he who was already a False Immortal!

On the other side of the galaxy, a distance simply unfathomable by mortals and those who have yet to achieve Immortal Ascension, was the legendary First Mountain and Sea. In a realm countless times larger than South Heaven, within the endless vast plains that were dyed crimson, with countless blood crystals that could be seen reflecting the rays of the three bright suns burning the unending morning sky,

Far above this endless red plains lied a floating island that was millions of miles across, even far larger than the State of Zhao, yet was clearly only one of the many islands that could be seen floating in the boundless green sky. 

By its edge was a wide waterfall, at least a thousand miles wide and flowed down towards the crimson plain way below at a terrifying height that seemed to be at the very least a million miles high! And right at the bottom of this immortal falls the torrent of the clear raging water free falling from the sky has already reached unprecedented momentum, to the point that the area it fell on was simply cut like knife passing through butter! 

But shockingly even under such conditions, there was actually someone underneath this rampaging immortal waterfalls!

A man could be seen sitting cross-legged and seemingly meditating unhindered by the water. He wore simple Daoist robes that seemed to remain dry, not allowing the water to near. His long black hair was whipping out against the water, and his face contained a look that made him seem to be of old age yet of middle age at the same time, with the faint specs of aura that were leaking off his body actually revealing that his dormant state alone… was already beyond archaic!

And what’s even more shocking is that if one looked carefully, this mysterious expert… resembled Meng Hao!

Or more precisely, Meng Hao resembled him!

It was in this moment that the old man casually opened his eyes revealing a cold glint with calm that comes with eternal age, when suddenly the air began to break apart as if invisible lightning threads came to life and immediately converged around him.

He then spoke out as if looking down at the endless crimson plains, yet his voice was not even heard but was already echoing all the way back in Planet South Heaven of the Ninth Mountain and Sea.

“Bastard Immortal pretender from a puny plane, who do you think you are?”

His blatant words came from far away yet it was enough to echo not only in South Heaven but also within the very souls of all cultivators in South Heaven, especially within Ji Fang’s mind! Based from this expert’s unfathomable aura even to his senses, Ji Fang could already tell that such a being was someone that he who is already one of the strongest in the realm of South Heaven, would not even qualify to hold a candle to!

And after hearing this expert’s choice of words, Ji Fang knew that this time… he truly courted his death!

Ji Fang’s teeth were trembling, sweat long dripping from his forehead and his calm demeanor seemed even more artificial by the second. Without waiting he showed a respectful look, then cupping his hands he bowed to the sky as if there was a great master there.

“This foolish one is simply a mediocre cultivator that couldn’t even be called an expert.”

Without lifting his head Ji Fang continued, “This one is Ji Fang of the Ji Clan, Sovereign of Planet South Heaven, and this one humbly asks who this esteemed master that graced us with his divine presence is?”

Ji Fang knew his words even under tremendous stress. But to his dismay he was only answered with silence.

And after a moment it took for a few breaths, the archaic voice simply said with cold domineering tone that seemed to reign over all creation

“You aren’t qualified!”

And with this simple reply, Ji Fang couldn’t help but cough three mouthfuls of blood, and not just his clone but his actual body all the way back in the Eastern Lands! Ji Fang could only tremble, he couldn’t comprehend how deep the power of this expert was and could only regret inciting his wrath.

At this moment, the almighty Ji Fang truly wanted to cry but had no tears. But even with great remorse, he knew there was no medicine for regret.

And if the voice caused Ji Fang to lose his composure and send his soul crumbling, to Meng Hao on the other hand it surprisingly acted like a soothing feeling allowing his soul to mysteriously regain its strength at a rapid pace. By now his Karmic Soul was stabilizing once again and his 8th Anima was starting to overflow with newfound vigor. 

Meng Hao also saw the once destroyed Karmic threads reform so easily. From this he could only infer that it’s only when all Karma is extinguished that it will be completely irreparable.

It was only then that Meng Hao could sigh in relief, aside from the fact that such turn of events were happening, he was more ecstatic to find out that Xu Qing at the moment was still fine. Aside from his mind his emotions were in chaos as well but for now he couldn’t be bothered by it, as it is all a matter for the future.

The only thing that matters at the moment was what was in front of him!

Meng Hao coldly stared at Ji Fang who was still paying respects to the unknown voice that suddenly came to his rescue. Twice your clan dared to cut my karma, and twice I was powerless against it! At this moment, fury that he never felt before was building within Meng Hao’s heart. 

Twice you almost succeeded but… there won’t be a third time!!!

The archaic voice sounded once more but now he wasn’t speaking to Ji Fang but to Meng Hao himself, as if speaking directly in his mind. Shockingly the voice contained a hint of disappointment yet also of a loving tone. 

Hmmm… child you’ve truly disappointed this old man, but I can’t let allow you to make me lose face any further!

Back in the First Mountain and Sea, the old man under the waterfalls, as if unaffected by raging water, easily lifted his hand against the current and reached for his forehead in a seemingly normal yet profound gesture. Then with a wave of his hand, he pointed to the boundless green sky as if sending something far away, yet surprisingly nothing actually happened as the man closed his eyes and returned to his secluded meditation once more.

Back in the Violet Sea Meng Hao trembled, suddenly he felt an unfathomable terrifying power taking over his body! 

With this he then felt his cultivation was even starting to soar by leaps and bounds, allowing him to fully restore his 8th Anima instantly! But after a few breaths, Meng Hao felt that this raging power was actually not showing any signs of stopping and continued to grow even further!

Meng Hao didn’t understand what was happening, this power seemingly beyond his comprehension at his stage of cultivation, but as he tried to see the mysteries behind such unfathomable power, Meng Hao realized that this kind of power was something he’s never even seen before even within South Heaven!

And as if under his own command, he could feel that this power was even telling him to temporarily form another Nascent Soul!

Slowly Meng Hao could see that this energy that was now forming into another Meng Hao, was a force so powerful that not even the combined might of his seven souls together with the help of his Karmic Soul, would be able to compare to it!

Such powerful aura! This power seemed to actually come from… an Immortal!

Meng Hao knew that beyond Immortal Ascension was a vast realm full of mysteries. And if such an expert could easily make someone like Ji Fang tremble in fear, then he must be truly unfathomable within the understandings of those in South Heaven!

Far away after flying at a terrifying speed that could set a new record in South Heaven, the parrot abruptly stopped in its tracks and stared at the sky, trembling. At this point the parrot was still being berated by the meat jelly, yet it was as if the parrot didn’t hear a single word it was saying.

With trembling breath, the parrot could only mutter, “Tr-tr-true Immortal!!!”

At the same moment, all the way in the Eastern Lands, the mysterious woman from the Fang Clan who had been caught in confusion earlier now completely fell to the ground. Her hands were trembling, her beautiful eyes now filled with much emotion that wasn’t there before.

On her eyes, signs of tears were actually forming!

Such tyrannical woman who could easily rampage freely even in Ji Clan’s lands, was now like a young girl once again, seemingly like a child. In the end she could only close her eyes in silence as tears slowly flowed on her rosy cheeks.

Father…

Meng Hao’s breaths were now quick and haggard, but not due to fear or panic but because of his new understanding of the power being lent to him. He could feel boundless power gushing out of his now complete 9th Nascent Soul.

Meng Hao’s eyebrows locked together, suddenly entering deep thought. Based on my estimations, if I could achieve true 9th Anima in the future, even if my fleshly body remains the same my cultivation base on the other hand would be able to contend against even those at Spirit Severing, and even easily handle those at the First Spirit Severing stage.

But confusion was clearly visible on his face now, because Meng Hao could feel that once he enters his 9th Anima using this temporary Nascent Soul in front of him, he’d easily be able to contend even with those at the peak of Spirit Severing just like this Ji clone!

This must be because of the peerless power held by this Nascent Soul alone!

Without any more hesitation, Meng Hao called for the 9th Nascent Soul and slowly, it merged together with his 8 Nascent Souls within his soul realm.

His aura boomed and instantly soared at a frightening pace! The area around Meng Hao started to collapse, as this new power seemed to be able to destroy reality itself! Even now it looked like his aura could endlessly increase and Meng Hao could feel great qualitative change as the nine Nascent Souls were completely merging!

By now Meng Hao had long reached the power of Spirit Severing, with his body even growing further and his aura becoming more overbearing by the second. When all nine Nascent Souls finally fused completely, his cultivation base was already enough to contend against Ji Fang.

Rotating his cultivation base, Meng Hao could feel that the power he had at the moment… was already halfway to Dao Seeking!

For now this will be my 9th Nascent Soul. A soul born… from Immortal Will!

An Immortal Nascent Soul!

VII

The Perfect Dao is Imperfect

Ji Fang, aside from fearing the expert behind the archaic voice, was now once again stupefied by Meng Hao’s sudden boost in power.

What now? I can’t even understand what’s happening any more! Ji Fang scowled in his mind, Meng Hao truly was a mystery and this power behind him had solidified his previous assumptions.

Meng Hao on the other hand was acting as if he was finally freed from all worries, and was basking in this newfound power while trying to comprehend the mysteries behind it at the same time.

Everyone believes that the 4-Colored Nascent Soul was already the limit, and achieving 5 Nascent Souls was a perfection that was only heard in myths. Yet Meng Hao not only acquired a 6th Nascent Soul but also a 7th. But even after this Meng Hao knew that this great boost in power was still within the realms of Nascent Soul stage, leading him to think that this will forever be an unsurpassable limit.

Meng Hao mused with contentment. But now I’ve proven that further Nascent Souls, even if they require all the luck from the heavens to even acquire, will not only increases my cultivation exponentially but actually help me truly break from the realm of Nascent Soul… and step directly into Spirit Severing!

This mysterious heaven-defying method will be… my path to Spirit Severing!

Only now did Ji Fang awaken from his blank expression seeing Meng Hao’s increase in cultivation. Having gone a complete reversal in their situation even he right now was in great internal turmoil. He couldn’t help but roar at Meng Hao, madness reflecting on his face. “How is this possible? How??” 

“And why is it that you’re even ti-tied by fa-fate to… a Tr-True Immortal???”

To this reaction from Ji Fang, Meng Hao simply smirked, he clearly felt that it was about time to unleash his pent up anger from today’s sudden twist in events. By now his fury reached its maximum once more after finally having the opportunity to fight back.

And with Meng Hao’s attitude long influenced by the parrot’s foul language, he simply replied to Ji Fang with a cold deadly tone.

“Bitch you already know! You…”

And without warning, Meng Hao vanished, only leaving a booming sound that echoed across the sky, even directly collapsing the space he was previously standing on!

And almost at the same moment, mysteriously making him look like he was at two places at the same time, he was directly in front of Ji Fang already! 

Meng Hao smiled coldly seeing Ji Fang’s bewildered expression up close.

“…AREN’T QUALIFIED!!!”

With a single strike, the space around Meng Hao’s fist distorted as it boomed towards Ji Fang’s chest, with the space it travelled continuously crumbling as well, until his punch finally hit Ji Fang squarely in the chest.

And if Meng Hao knew better, he’d realize that such raw devastating power was in truth something that not even regular Immortal Ascension experts could even achieve!

BOOM!!!

As the world-shattering collision echoed and filled the sky, tiny cracks spread like spider webs distorting the sky above the Violet Sea, and in turn the space around them for miles in all directions even started… to shatter like fragile glass!

And the once dimmed sky began to grow brighter and brighter, to the point that it was as if the horizon has given birth to another sun! Everything within thousands of miles were blasted away, those closer were directly incinerated by the sheer raw power that blasted from the center!

Only after a long while did the energy distortion began to dissipate, finally calming down once more as the bright light started to dim finally revealing the outcome.

In the middle of the explosion, two silhouettes could be seen still flying away in opposite directions thousands of miles apart. But if one looks closer one could see that of the two, one person was beyond ragged and on the verge of collapse, while the other was simply undamaged!

And the one who was at an utter disadvantage from this exchange was unsurprisingly… the Ji clone!

It has to be said that even though Meng Hao’s new Nascent Souls were only temporary and the clone he’s up against is made by an actual False Immortal, but one must remember that Meng Hao’s final Immortal Clone was beyond profound and even allowed him to transcend the entire Spirit Severing Realm and reach half step to Dao Seeking directly!

And in a battle between two half-step Dao Seeking experts, how could a clone of a False Immortal contend against someone who had the power coming from a True Immortal?

Even if Meng Hao and Ji Fang’s cultivation were technically equal, but the qualitative aspects behind their cultivation bases were as different as heaven and earth!

As Meng Hao found his footing after being forced back for thousands of miles, he could see far in the distance that the Ji clone was beginning to crumble, pieces falling off like an ice sculpture slowly breaking into pieces. And right now he could see Ji Fang’s expression was ugly to behold, incapable of hiding the madness within his eyes! 

With such a sudden vicious attack that even a Dao Seeking Eccentric will find hard to dodge, Ji Fang couldn’t even employ his treasures to be able to protect his clone, and merely a single blow from Meng Hao was enough to destroy his Peak Spirit Severing clone so easily!

Against his will, the Violet Sea was already starting to return to its normal state finally escaping his influence, as his clone continued to crumble and fade into nothingness.

“ARGHHHH” Ji Fang could only roar with all his might before finally fading away like dust being blown by Violet Sea wind.

Afterwards, in a pitch-black walled city back in the Eastern Lands, in an Imperial Palace most magnificent under the heavens, within the top peak of the Ji Clan’s sacred mountain, Ji Fang’s eyes snapped open, and helplessly, he immediately coughed a mouthful of blood, but not just any mortal blood but his own blood essence! 

His face contorted in anger and eyes red with fury, Ji Fang could only grit his teeth in humiliation as his hands were trembling with unceasing madness and regret.

“MENG HAOOOO!!!”

Back in the Violet Sea, with the winds finally calming while the sea also returning to silence, Meng Hao could be seen standing alone in the sky.

After a single exchange, he could already feel intense weakening, clearly he long overused his cultivation and the repercussions have finally accumulated. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Meng Hao finally let out a sigh as he consolidated his cultivation, which has long returned to its normal state.

Forcefully pushing to 9th Anima and using a power that didn’t belong to him was simply beyond taxing, and Meng Hao’s longevity had greatly decreased after entering 9th Anima barely for just a few breaths of time.

Meng Hao took a look at the sky, eyes reflecting confusion and longing at the same time, seemingly trying to look beyond the heavens of the Ninth Heaven and Sea, and trying to find out who the mysterious expert was. But such an expert could simply come and go as he pleased, and at this moment Meng Hao knew that this mysterious person has long stopped observing him.

Meng Hao could only sigh in dejection because of his powerlessness earlier on having the need to be saved in the end, and also because he himself knew that he wasn’t qualified to even thank such an expert for saving him. With a kowtow to the sky, Meng Hao paid his respects regardless if the expert could see, and finally sat cross-legged already rotating his cultivation to slowly regain some strength.

While meditating, Meng Hao reflected on the events that happened, he knew even though he had almost died today, he still made great progress in his comprehension of the Dao, and was even able to lay some foundation for his path to Spirit Severing.

The door to Spirit Severing has already been opened. All I have to do is acquire enough luck and form my next Nascent Souls, then finally achieve enlightenment and truly break past this bottleneck! 

Meng Hao smiled. His gains today truly were worth the trouble. His advances in his pursuit of the Dao even enable him to achieve new understandings of himself. All this time I’ve been striving for a true perfect Dao thinking my path is unique and only my own, yet I’ve been overlooking the fact that regardless of who one is, everyone is tied to Karma! 

I’ve always thought perfection was a singular concept, a point, a path unique to one person, yet this path of mine to perfection actually isn’t a solitary path, maybe it isn’t even a path itself. But if it was a path, then it is a path filled with friends and acquaintances that have time and time again helped me along the way, seemingly imperfect…

Just like how I’ve perfected every cultivation stage until now, only to unlock even more stages that remain unfinished, as a whole remaining imperfect… all these seemed to be telling me that perfection itself… isn’t perfection!

All this time, I foolishly believed that the perfection I’ve been looking for is solitary and is simply a state at the peak of cultivation, but the perfection I’ve been aspiring for… is actually the journey!

Meng Hao’s eyes flashed with new light, seemingly being able to achieve further enlightenment in his understanding of the Dao. Perfection doesn’t mean one must tread a solitary road, and at the same time it also contains paradoxical concepts of perfect imperfection and imperfectly perfect... 

Perfection is but the limit to ones understanding of the Dao, just as how others thought their cultivation is already the limit of this world while I myself could prove I could achieve even further than their perfection, but who am I to say that I’ve already achieved perfection myself?

All this time the perfection I’ve achieved isn’t true perfection, because in the end… perfection isn’t a state but the journey itself!

My true Dao can’t be simplified to a single path to perfection, because perfection itself isn’t a state nor what I thought was my destination, but my entire struggle against the heavens! 

With this Meng Hao finally looked beyond the horizon to the east, seemingly looking at location of the Eastern Lands of the Ji Clan with newfound purpose reflecting on his piercing gaze. I finally understand, even though some may say otherwise but to me all I know right now is that my Dao speaks of no certain paths yet seemingly still a path at the same time… a path yet no path! 

But even if I can’t be sure if there’s a single path for me, right now I can only be sure of one thing, and it’s that my Dao… is simply my direction!

This… is my True Dao!

Meng Hao’s eyes were filled with fury, after being almost killed twice now how could he even allow the Ji Clan a third chance?

“Ji Clan! I’ll remember this debt that you owe me, and one day I’ll be paying a visit and collect my losses… with interest!” But before Meng Hao turned to leave, his eye suddenly twitched. He knew that he had something urgent he needed to do first.

He looked at another direction in the sky, and immediately roared with a displeased tone.

“You shameless parrot! GET BACK HERE!”

(end)