The Witch Ancestor and the Blade Emperor had to admit that even at their level, they felt waves of illusory sensations assaulting their souls, forcing them to divert a sliver of their focus to resist the illusion.
“If he can already affect us now, imagine if Dongbo Xueying were to achieve Cosmic Godhood through the Path of the Void Realm. His illusions would be terrifying. Even we would have to dedicate a significant portion of our focus to resist them,” the Witch Ancestor transmitted mentally. The Blade Emperor agreed—a Cosmic God of the Void Realm might not excel in direct combat, but in large-scale battles among Cosmic Gods, the ability to influence enemies with illusions would be immensely valuable.
“His soul techniques are more direct and pure than those of Heartshadow,” the Blade Emperor remarked. Heartshadow was one of his subordinates.
As they conversed, they approached the two slumbering Golden-Armored Fiends, whom Dongbo Xueying had moved together. Trapped in the illusion, they would willingly accept death without waking—utterly lost to the dream.
The two Golden-Armored Fiends exuded a sinister aura of destruction, though their outward appearance still masqueraded as that of cultivators.
“Whoosh.”
Dongbo Xueying moved aside to collect the spoils of battle, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the body scales left behind by General Mugu. At first, he had been relieved—finally, materials from a Golden-Armored Fiend! These fiends typically dissolved into pure destructive energy upon death, leaving nothing behind. Only the rarest of the rare left behind remnants, which usually fetched astronomical prices.
“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying was soon captivated by the intricate golden scales. Faint, shimmering lines of light flowed across their surface. Having long cultivated the *Walker’s Secret Treasury* to the fiftieth layer and spent years studying the mysteries of the Void in the Labyrinth Corridor—not to mention mastering the second and third of the Ninecloud Emperor’s four paintings—he had reached profound heights in his understanding.
Now, as he examined the scales, particularly the faintly glowing patterns, he glimpsed the mysteries of “void transformation” hidden within.
“It seems even more simplified and direct than the Ninecloud Emperor’s second painting,” Dongbo Xueying mused, sensing a kind of “elegant simplicity.”
The Ninecloud Emperor’s void transformation techniques were complex.
But these scales…
They embodied true “ultimate simplicity.”
“Priceless treasure.” Dongbo Xueying snapped back to reality. He knew he needed time to study these scales thoroughly. To him, they weren’t just a commodity to be sold for Sourceworld Stones—they were a key to unlocking deeper mysteries.
This was the essence of the Rule-Oriented Mystery System.
Everything was about uncovering the fundamental truths beneath the surface.
“Xueying.” A voice sounded beside his ear.
“Huh?” Dongbo Xueying startled, turning to see the Void Ancestor standing nearby.
Cloaked in black with emerald hair, the Void Ancestor’s eyes gleamed as he gazed at the scales. “At your level, you must have noticed the void mysteries within these scales,” he murmured. “They follow a completely different path from my *Walker’s Secret Treasury*. My techniques require perfection to reach the pinnacle of void transformation, yet these scales achieve it with far greater simplicity—so beautifully concise. I know you’ll want to study them, and as your spoils, I won’t demand them. But when my avatar visits the Tai Void Heavenly Palace, you must allow me to study them alongside you.”
“I’d be honored to study them with you, Ancestor. I may even need your guidance,” Dongbo Xueying replied with a smile.
The Void Ancestor—what level had he reached?
As the founder of the Void Walker lineage, his insight was unparalleled. He had instantly recognized the scales’ extraordinary nature. Void Walkers specialized in void transformation, and the Void Ancestor himself had achieved its pinnacle. Yet, compared to the scales and even the Ninecloud Emperor’s methods, his *Walker’s Secret Treasury* was the least concise.
Dongbo Xueying was happy to agree. The Void Ancestor’s understanding would likely surpass his own, offering invaluable assistance.
“Whoosh.” Dongbo Xueying waved his hand, storing the scales and other spoils for now.
“Dongbo Xueying,” the Witch Ancestor called.
Dongbo Xueying and the Void Ancestor approached.
Under the illusion’s influence, the Void Ancestor had to dedicate twenty to thirty percent of his focus to resist. He chuckled at Dongbo Xueying. “If you were to achieve Cosmic Godhood through the Void Realm Path, I doubt I’d retain much of my strength under your illusions.”
“Becoming a Cosmic God is no easy feat,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
“Dongbo Xueying, interrogate these two,” the Witch Ancestor said, gesturing to the slumbering Golden-Armored Fiends. “Find out how they breached the spatial barriers and uncover their secrets.”
“Understood.” Dongbo Xueying nodded and began guiding the interrogation through the illusion.
Though the two fiends had been captured alive, extracting information was difficult. Their souls were too powerful—attempting a forced soul search would yield only fragmented memories before their souls shattered.
But Dongbo Xueying’s illusions could subtly guide them, extracting everything without resistance.
…
Time passed minute by minute.
The Witch Ancestor, Blade Emperor, and Void Ancestor watched as Dongbo Xueying manipulated the illusion, extracting and cross-referencing information from the two fiends. Gradually, his expression shifted to one of shock and disbelief.
“It’s done,” Dongbo Xueying finally said, turning to them.
“What did you learn?” the three asked urgently.
They had long sought the answer to how the Destruction Fiends breached the spatial barriers—knowing the method was key to countering them.
Dongbo Xueying explained, “Golden-Armored Destruction Fiends possess various innate talents—some excel in charm, others in flame or spatial manipulation. But two of them have an exceptionally terrifying ability, known among their kind as ‘Shadowless.’ When activated, this ability allows them to merge completely with space itself. Unless an attack can destroy the very fabric of space, it cannot harm them. And since they become one with space, only by severing its essence can they be stopped.”
“What?!” The Witch Ancestor and Blade Emperor were stunned.
“Void Transformation Pinnacle?” The Void Ancestor’s expression turned grave.
“Void Transformation Pinnacle?” The three exchanged glances, understanding dawning.
The Ninecloud Emperor and the Void Ancestor had both achieved this absolute perfection—they knew how difficult it was.
After all, both were Cosmic Gods who had ascended through the Void Path.
“However, one of the Shadowless fiends is already dead,” Dongbo Xueying added. “Being only Golden-Armored Fiends, their mental fortitude was weak. Succumbing to my illusion, I suspect this is his remnant.” He waved his hand, summoning the intricate golden scales.
“Void Transformation?” The Witch Ancestor and Blade Emperor examined them closely.
The Void Ancestor interjected, “These scales contain the mysteries of void transformation. They are Dongbo Xueying’s rightful spoils—none of you may seize them. He has already agreed to let me study them as well.”
“Of course we wouldn’t forcibly take them. Dongbo Xueying has rendered us a great service—we owe him compensation, not theft,” the Witch Ancestor said, gesturing to the two slumbering fiends. “I will seal their souls to prevent suicide. For now, Dongbo Xueying, you shall keep them imprisoned. Should we need further interrogation, you will handle it.”
“Agreed,” Dongbo Xueying nodded.
“This means you cannot slay them yet, which is a loss for you. Rest assured, we will remember your contributions and ensure you are duly rewarded,” the Witch Ancestor said. “Also, I may occasionally send an avatar to the Tai Void Heavenly Palace. When I do, you must not hide these scales—I wish to examine them as well.”
As the progenitor of witchcraft, his passion lay in studying all things. These scales, bearing the secrets of void transformation, were undeniably precious.
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