“Correct.” The Undying Nether Emperor’s eyes burned with fervor. “Given your current standing in the Severed Tooth Mountain Range, Emperor Feixue, I believe you have the means to make it happen.”
“How much do you know about the Fang Corridor, Nether Emperor?” Dongbo Xueying found it strange that the Undying Nether Emperor would think he could obtain an opportunity to enter the Fang Corridor through him.
The Undying Nether Emperor spoke in a low voice, “The Fang Corridor is a legendary forbidden land within the Severed Tooth Mountain Range. It is said to hold the secret to achieving the Meta lifeform state, even drawing the attention of the Five Supreme Rulers, who ventured in one after another.”
“Indeed, all five of them went to explore it,” Dongbo Xueying replied. “They all speak of the secret to becoming a Meta lifeform. Which of the Five Supreme Rulers wouldn’t desire such a transformation? They would never relinquish such an opportunity to others. Even the Eight Great Emperors and the Thirteen Monarchs covet it. Let me be clear—throughout the entire Severed Tooth Mountain Range, the chance to enter the Fang Corridor has never been traded. Not among the Supreme Rulers, and certainly not granted to the Eight Great Emperors or the Thirteen Monarchs.”
“Never! My reputation as Emperor Feixue may carry some weight among the Eight Great Emperors and the Thirteen Monarchs, but before the Five Supreme Rulers, I am merely given a second glance at best. To obtain an entry into the Fang Corridor? A pipe dream.” Dongbo Xueying spoke calmly.
He wasn’t lying.
Having gathered extensive intelligence—from the North River Emperor, the Wind Witch Emperor, and even recent invitations from other emperors—he was undoubtedly among the top echelons of the Severed Tooth Mountain Range, privy to many secrets.
The Five Supreme Rulers…
Their status was transcendent!
While the Thirteen Monarchs and the Eight Great Emperors still fought and schemed, the Five Supreme Rulers cared little for power or even treasures. Having reached the pinnacle of Monarch-level strength, the opportunities offered by the floating islands held negligible value to them. The only thing that still mattered was the legendary forbidden land—the Fang Corridor!
What they fought over was the chance to enter it.
Because only within the Fang Corridor could they hope to ascend to the Meta lifeform state. Otherwise, relying solely on cultivation, the path was far too arduous.
Every entry opportunity was precious, enough to incite bloodshed among the Supreme Rulers themselves. This was not something they would ever yield—how could they relinquish their “path to transcendence”? For a cultivator like Dongbo Xueying to request such an opportunity was pure fantasy. His illusion techniques might have a significant impact on the emperors, but their effect on the Five Supreme Rulers would be greatly diminished.
Even if their strength were reduced by twenty or thirty percent, the Supreme Rulers would still fear no one.
Ruling over countless worlds?
Scheming and battling?
They cared not. Their sole pursuit was one thing—breaking free from their shackles and ascending to the Meta lifeform state!
“Not even the slightest chance?” The Undying Nether Emperor’s expression darkened. His connections within the Severed Tooth Mountain Range were not at the highest level, and his knowledge was fragmentary at best.
“No chance.”
Dongbo Xueying shook his head. “Nether Emperor, entry into the Fang Corridor is never something one can beg for. It must be seized. Opportunities may arise on the floating islands—those who fight and win can claim them.”
“Fight? With what?” The Undying Nether Emperor glared at Dongbo Xueying. “If I had completed the Deathwalker, I could have contended with it. But as I am now? Against the Five Supreme Rulers, I wouldn’t even have a hope of escaping alive.”
“The fifteen Darkblooms—I can help you gather them,” Dongbo Xueying said. “But you must swear an oath.”
“Hahaha—”
The Undying Nether Emperor burst into mad laughter. “Emperor Feixue, how laughable you are. For one who has reached my level of cultivation, advancing further is nigh impossible. Ordinary treasures are of little use to me. Even the Darkblooms are but a minor boon. Without entry into the Fang Corridor, everything is meaningless! Utterly meaningless!”
“Originally… originally, I could have entered. With the Deathwalker, I would have secured my chance.” The Undying Nether Emperor’s eyes burned with madness as he stared at Dongbo Xueying. “But you—you ruined the sacrifice.”
Dongbo Xueying watched him calmly, observing the frenzied Undying Nether Emperor.
“If I attempt another sacrifice, will you stop me?” the Undying Nether Emperor demanded wildly.
“I will,” Dongbo Xueying affirmed.
“You… even if you interfere, I will still slaughter countless lives.”
Dongbo Xueying shook his head. “If I don’t stop you, a single sacrifice will still claim countless lives. If you slaughter indiscriminately, ‘Yuan’ himself will descend to punish you!”
Moreover, if the Undying Nether Emperor succeeded in forging the Deathwalker, no one would be able to stop him.
Though its exact strength was unknown, the Undying Nether Emperor was already terrifyingly powerful—at his peak, he could rival a Divine General. For him to be so fixated on creating the Deathwalker, it must far surpass his current strength. Otherwise, why bother?
Once completed, no one could stand in his way!
“Fine. Fine.” The Undying Nether Emperor’s madness subsided slightly as his figure dissipated.
The negotiations had collapsed.
“This is trouble,” Dongbo Xueying murmured. But he had no choice. Securing an entry into the Fang Corridor for the Undying Nether Emperor was beyond his capabilities!
—
Elsewhere.
Seated upon a grand throne in a majestic hall, the Undying Nether Emperor—resplendent in golden robes and a crown—suddenly erupted in flames. The inferno spread in all directions, reducing the hall’s attendants to nothingness in their terror. The entire structure crumbled into ruins, leaving the Undying Nether Emperor hovering amidst the wreckage.
“I have no path left.”
“You deny me even that!”
The Undying Nether Emperor was consumed by madness.
Had he refrained from slaughter, Dongbo Xueying might have spared his life upon achieving the Ultimate.
But for the Undying Nether Emperor—living without the hope of becoming a Meta lifeform was unbearable. A life without purpose was torture. His existence had stretched too long; the only thing he yearned for was the transcendence of his very being, to ascend to that unfathomable state—like a caterpillar breaking free from its cocoon.
Having once glimpsed that higher realm, his desire was all the fiercer.
“Then this will be my final gamble.”
“My previous escape granted me this extended life. The conventional path holds no hope—only the enigmatic Fang Corridor offers a chance.” The flames in the Undying Nether Emperor’s eyes blazed. “Before Emperor Feixue reaches the Ultimate, I will make my last stand. I no longer seek a complete Deathwalker. Even a rudimentary one will suffice.”
A complete Deathwalker was a semi-Meta lifeform, its combat prowess rivaling the Five Supreme Rulers.
With it, he would instantly ascend to their level, earning the right to contend for entry into the Fang Corridor within the Severed Tooth Mountain Range.
Even an incomplete Deathwalker would be formidable enough.
“I have no retreat.”
The Undying Nether Emperor was out of options.
“Emperor Feixue’s cultivation speed is frightening. He may reach the Ultimate in as little as ten trillion years. I must succeed within that time.” The Undying Nether Emperor’s thoughts were grim. To a Cosmic God, ten trillion years was not long—yet even that was generous estimation for Dongbo Xueying’s progress.
When Lord Luo had bestowed opportunities upon Dongbo Xueying and Swordmaster, it had been out of goodwill, not confidence that either would reach the Ultimate before the Great Destruction. Such was the difficulty of the path.
Yet both Swordmaster and Dongbo Xueying had surpassed expectations, astonishing even Lord Luo and Yuan.
Swordmaster had already achieved the Ultimate. Dongbo Xueying had reached unfathomable heights in the soul path.
“Ten trillion years.”
The Undying Nether Emperor felt the pressure of time—but within that span, he believed he could succeed.
—
That very day.
The Undying Nether Emperor arrived at the capital of the Southcloud Nation.
“Master.” The Southcloud Monarch remained deferential—he dared not defy the Undying Nether Emperor.
“Hmph.” The Undying Nether Emperor snorted in disdain. He loathed the Southcloud Monarch, for the despised Emperor Feixue was also his disciple. Yet for now, he still needed the Southcloud Monarch’s assistance.
“Gather these materials for me.” The Undying Nether Emperor tossed a scroll to the Southcloud Monarch. “You have ten billion years. Fail, and your capital will be erased.”
The Southcloud Monarch’s heart trembled as he caught the scroll.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage