The Final Gambit and a Spark of Enlightenment

“Back when I fled the Three Realms,” the Lord of All Demons said with a heavy sigh, “the chaos was boundless. I had no idea where to go, so I simply picked a direction and began to wander.”

Back then, the Lord of All Demons had no detailed star charts and knew nothing of the existence of the ‘Spiral Spatial Passage’.

“The endless chaos was filled with danger upon danger.” “Fortunately, my ability to survive was strong, and I was cautious enough. Only thus was I able to turn danger into safety time and time again. Otherwise, I would have long since died within the chaos,” the Lord of All Demons explained. The other major powers present listened intently, for in the past the Lord of All Demons had always remained tight-lipped about his experiences within the chaos.

“Later, by a stroke of fate, I discovered a cave estate, likely established by some ancient major power,” the Lord of All Demons continued. “I even discovered a major world! To be able to establish a major world within the chaos… that would require a World God or a Chaos Immortal.”

The Daofathers of the Three Realms could generally also establish major worlds.

But they always established them within the bounds of the Three Realms!

These major worlds were all attached to the ‘Worldheart’ of the Three Realms. Without the existence of the Worldheart, the entire Three Realms would collapse into nothingness. Major worlds like the Crimsonbright Major World, the Black Tortoise Major World, and the Tristar Crescent Major World could not exist independently. The surging, infinite chaos would destroy everything! To safely construct a major world within the chaos was incredibly difficult. Some exceptionally skilled Elder Gods or Ancestral Immortals might be capable of it, but fewer than one in ten thousand could succeed.

For example, Daofather Fuju was the reincarnation of World God Northrest. His level of insight was extremely high, placing him at the very peak among World Gods.

That was why he had been able to easily create the ‘Moon Underwater Abyss’.

“Although it was a major world, it was merely tens of millions of kilometers in size. Far too small for us to propagate and survive,” the Lord of All Demons said. “During my travels and adventures, Bloodwild accompanied me, and we often risked our lives together. He came to favor that cave estate… he didn’t like the Three Realms, so he took up long-term residence there.”

“I too would reside there for long periods, occasionally returning to the Three Realms to observe. My spying was so subtle… not even Nuwa herself knew of it.”

“Finally, Nuwa left the Three Realms… I waited for some time after that, then brought you all back to the Three Realms. Those on Nuwa’s side clearly had no desire to continue the war, and they agreed to let us in.” The Lord of All Demons smiled. “Later, as you know, I found Wuxiao! I obtained both the puppet technique and the method for rearing bugbeasts.”

“The puppet technique required a large number of master artificers.”

“Rearing bugbeasts, however, did not. It only required a sufficient amount of time for the bugbeasts to evolve on their own,” the Lord of All Demons explained. “So, I had Bloodwild help. Over billions of years, while cultivating in that cave estate deep within the chaos, Bloodwild also reared the bugbeasts. When I visited him last time, I discovered that Bloodwild had already reached the leader-level.”

“I always believed Bloodwild possessed great perseverance and an unshakeable resolve,” Master Stonerule nodded. “Earlier, when I heard that you had followed your master through life-and-death struggles and eventually perished during your adventures in the chaos, I mourned your loss for a long time. Now, to know you are not dead… this is truly a joyous occasion.”

“Bloodwild, congratulations.” Daofather Magic Hand also looked at Bloodwild.

She was known as the demon among demons.

Among the geniuses who had risen from the mortal world of the Seamless Chaosworld, Bloodwild was the one she admired most. He was a true demon, as well. However, Bloodwild was far too reclusive and unsociable. In the younger generation of the Seamless Gate back then, the Blackclad Godking and Bloodwild had been roughly equal in strength. The Blackclad Godking had studied under the Lord of the Heartlord, while Bloodwild had studied under the equally reclusive and carefree ‘Windfiend’.

“Damn it all.” The Blackclad Godking was filled with bitter frustration.

Master Stonerule and Daofather Magic Hand had reached the pinnacle long, long ago. But Bloodwild had grown up step by step, just as he himself had. He had always regarded Bloodwild as a rival, and had always tried to be one step ahead! Now, Bloodwild had actually reached the leader-level? This infuriated him. Bloodwild’s true name was Shi Wild. He and the Blackclad Godking had originally been on fairly good terms.

But the two had incompatible personalities.

Both were demons. One delighted in manipulating the hearts of men; the other was utterly reclusive, looking down upon the world, placing nothing in his eyes.

“Master,” Fiendlord Bloodwild said respectfully, “with the great tribulation upon us, I have returned. However, once this great tribulation is over… I plan to head to the Spiral Spatial Passage.”

By now, the Seamless Gate had also acquired some star charts and knew of the Spiral Spatial Passage.

“I knew you wouldn’t stay,” the Lord of All Demons nodded. “Indeed, leaving through the Spiral Spatial Passage… is the only way to enter an even vaster world.”

“Mm.” Fiendlord Bloodwild nodded.

This only made the Blackclad Godking’s heart burn with even more frustration. This arrogant fool was actually putting on airs, acting as if he was about to ‘enter a wider world.’ He, the Blackclad Godking, intended to become the leader of the entire Three Realms!

“Shi Wild!” the Blackclad Godking said, forcing a smile, though his laughter sounded hearty. “It’s excellent that you’ve reached the leader-level. It means we have another powerful combatant on our side. But I must warn you… the intelligence you obtained might be a bit outdated. The Nuwa camp now has a truly formidable major power—the Northmoon Sword Immortal, Ji Ning. He has been cultivating for less than a thousand years and has already reached the leader-level.”

“Oh?” Fiendlord Bloodwild’s eyes lit up. “How impressive! An opponent like that will be truly exciting to face.” A faint, bloodthirsty light flickered in his eyes.

The Realm War over the Shennong Major World had ended!

Both camps began to deploy their troops. In major world after major world, in territory after territory, all their armies were gathering and moving…

Following the war over the Zhuolu Major World, the Nuwa camp’s momentum was formidable. In the large-scale wars that followed, they won more often than they lost. The war over the Shennong Major World, which had just concluded, was also a victory.

The Great Yu Human World. The Ten-Thousand Races Hall.

One major power after another gathered here.

“The Seamless Gate is beginning to redeploy the forces from their various worlds.” Daoist Three Purities sat high above, his voice like ice. “It seems that their recent string of defeats has become too much for them to bear. They want to marshal all their strength… and engage in the final struggle for the fate of our world.”

Every major power present felt their hearts tighten.

It was finally coming, wasn’t it?

“If they want war, then war it is! We will crush them! We will fight them to the death!” the Thunder God exclaimed, crushing his wine goblet in his hand with a low growl.

“Even if they have allied themselves with the Ancient Ruins, they are still no match for us,” Houyi, seated above, said calmly.

“It’s either their death or ours. There is no choice… all we can do is kill them all!” Kuafu roared.

The hot-tempered Fiendgods present were all burning with murderous intent.

A fierce light flickered in Ji Ning’s eyes as well.

Nothing in the world ever happened exactly as one wished. But that was fine! He had already mastered the Starseizing Hand divine ability, and his sword arts were far greater than before. He was more than capable of going on a glorious killing spree during this war.

“I give the order,” Daoist Three Purities cried out. “All major powers, all Immortal and Fiend armies under your command, are to be deployed to the Great Yu Human World immediately, ready for the final decisive battle.”

“Agreed!”

“To war!”

Killing intent flared in the eyes of every major power present. This was a life-or-death struggle. They had cast all thoughts of survival aside.

They all understood that even if they won this war, a great number of these major powers would likely die… many of the old friends present here would not survive this calamity. Perhaps they themselves would not make it through. If so, then all they could do was fight! Kill! The more enemies they killed, the more of their own side would live.

“Heed my command. Assemble immediately at the Crimsonbright Major World.” In the Grand Xia World, the Xia Emperor issued his order as an enormous host of Immortals and Fiends gathered in the skies above.

“Move out!”

The very skies above the imperial palace were torn apart, creating a massive spatial passageway. Wave after wave of Immortals and Fiends passed through it, heading directly for the Crimsonbright Major World.

The armies of all the worlds under the Crimsonbright territory were beginning to converge.

Once they were fully assembled in the Crimsonbright Major World, they would then head to the ‘Great Yu Human World’.

The Three Realms were in turmoil. War was imminent.

And yet, Ji Ning’s true body remained in that tiny mortal mountain village, which was as peaceful as ever.

“They probably don’t know,” Ji Ning, sitting by the lakeshore with a fishing rod in hand, turned his head to gaze at the distant cooking smoke rising from the village. He let out a soft sigh. “A final, decisive war is about to begin… and it may even spill over into countless major worlds.”

The two camps were about to engage in a life-or-death struggle.

Both sides would try to restrain themselves from destroying the Three Realms, but the fallout would inevitably affect it. Especially if one side saw that hope was lost, they might take the initiative to attack the Three Realms themselves.

“Water is turbulent. It can float a boat… or capsize it.”

“But if the boat is too large… the water has no choice but to bear it,” Ji Ning murmured to himself.

“Mm?”

Ji Ning was startled. A flash of insight struck his mind.

“BOOM~~~” The heavens above Ji Ning suddenly began to churn violently. The aura of the Heavenly Dao descended, enveloping the area beside the small mountain village’s pond. The terrified and bewildered villagers instinctively fell to their knees, overwhelmed by the terrible pressure of the Heavenly Dao. It was then that they saw the figure of a white-robed youth rising into the air in the distance.

Ji Ning threw down his fishing rod, letting out a clear laugh as he soared into the sky.

“An Immortal!” The villagers all kowtowed without pause.