by RWX
Daolord Snowjoy charged straight towards Ning, laughing loudly. “Daolord Darknorth, you were actually able to force me to retreat just now, but that was only because you caught me offguard. Let’s try again!”
“Brother Shaka!” Sectlord Timedream continued to urge Shaka onwards.
“Timedream, Ji Ning’s heartforce illusions are extremely terrifying,” Daolord Shaka sent mentally. “I’m afraid to go too close to him.”
“What’s there to be afraid of? Freak had a flawed Dao-heart, which was why he fell so easily. Look at Daolord Snowjoy; does he look the slightest bit worried?” Sectlord Timedream sent back.
The Kingfreak was the only one of the twenty supreme Daolords who was the servant of another. He was willing to serve Sectlord Timedream and was completely loyal to him, viewing the Sectlord’s life as being more important than his own life. This was precisely because Sectlord Timedream had spent countless years slowly guiding him and molding him, resulting in the Kingfreak’s unswerving loyalty. As a result, the Kingfreak’s Dao-heart did indeed have certain flaws… and it was Sectlord Timedream himself who had laid the seeds for that flaw.
“Timedream, don’t try to take me for a fool.” Daolord Shaka sent disdainfully, “I’m not a match for Darknorth. There’s no way I’m going to engage him in close combat… but don’t worry. I’ll help you from afar with my magic treasures.”
A total of six golden plumes appeared, one after the other, then transformed into six streaks of light that shot towards Ning.
……
Ning and Daolord Snowjoy once more began to battle against each other. Rumble… Ning once more cast the [Dreamstar] art.
“It’s useless against me. I’ve tempered myself countless times in life-and-death situations. Your illusory arts aren’t even close to being able to shake me.” Daolord Snowjoy was filled with the urge to do battle, as he truly did love combat. He knew that Sectlord Timedream was making use of him, but he still charged forwards unwaveringly.
“Yes, my illusions still aren’t strong enough.” Ning did understand this. If he wanted to be able to sweep through all supreme Daolords with his illusions, he would have to reach the same level as Daolord Featherdress. Perhaps the strength of Ning’s heartforce was on par with Daolord Featherdress’, but his [Dreamstar] art was a far cry from being on par with the completed [Featherdress Soulthrall Song].
“Even if I don’t use illusions, you still aren’t a match for me.” Ning was incomparably savage in battle, and his six Northbow swords were filled with incredible might as he blew through Daolord Snowjoy’s attacks like they were rotted wood. Although Ning’s Omega Sword Dao – Heavenbreaker was a brute-force attack, it was also ephemeral and unpredictable, making it impossible for Daolord Snowjoy to dodge and forcing him to take the attacks head-on each time.
Bang! Bang! Bang! After receiving several blows in a row, Daolord Snowjoy and his two Stargod clones were all knocked flying backwards.
“Timedream, hurry over here and help me out!” Daolord Snowjoy roared mentally. “I can’t stop him by myself!”
“Brother Snowjoy, at least he won’t be able to kill you. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to temper yourself!” Sectlord Timedream sent mentally.
“If you refuse to come help, I’m going to leave. The person Darknorth really wants to kill right now is you!” Daolord Snowjoy said coldly.
“Damn.” Seeing this, Sectlord Timedream had no choice but to grit his teeth and swallow his rage. “Haha, since you’ve asked for my help, brother Snowjoy… although I’m rather weak in close combat, I’ll still come help out!”
Moments later, both Daolord Snowjoy and Sectlord Timedream attacked Ning together, with Daolord Shaka’s six golden plumes striking towards Ning as well.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Ning’s heartworld projection and his nine novessence arts continued to apply pressure to the two of them, but Sectlord Timedream’s heartworld projection was able to alleviate some of the pressure as Timedream sent it crashing against Ning’s projection.
Six Northbow swords in hand, Ning faced off against all his foes: Daolord Snowjoy, his two Stargod clones, Sectlord Timedream, and the six incredibly fast golden plumes that moved more than a hundred times the speed of light.
“I refuse to believe that you can hold on forever against the attacks of three supreme Daolords!” The distant Daolord Shaka truly didn’t wish to accept such an outcome. These six golden plumes he was controlling from afar were amongst the most valuable treasures this Aberrant form of his was in control of, and he had already bound them into lifeblood treasures. Generally speaking, when he encountered tough foes he would use them to attack from afar. The plumes were unpredictable and incredibly sharp, allowing him to chop through his foes with howling strikes.
“Damn.” Sectlord Timedream manifested six arms as well, with each arm holding onto a pitch-black claw-weapon. This was a very special type of weapon, and the tips of the claws were covered with spots of white light. When he brandished his claws, they danced out in a dreamlike manner that made Ning feel as though he was daydreaming; in fact, Ning even felt as though he was growing drowsy. However, as one of the most supreme Heartforce Cultivator Daolords, Ning was able to easily endure this special attack.
This fight laid bare the differences between Ning and Sectlord Timedream! Ning simply hadn’t been training long enough; the only heartforce abilities he had were his [Heartforce Eradicator] and his [Dreamstar] art. These were indeed killer techniques, but Ning hadn’t yet spent any time in coming up with ordinary heartforce-infused combat techniques or techniques which could infect the foe with heartforce. He just hadn’t had the time.
“Die, die, die!” Sectlord Timedream’s lips continuously mumbled this word, sending them echoing within Ning’s mind like a demonic chant as he repeatedly used his claws to lash out towards Ning.
“Timedream, my heartworld is even faster than yours! For you to use such puny tricks against me is an absolute joke.” Ning was filled with the desire to kill this man. He used just a portion of his sword-light to defend against Daolord Shaka’s treasures and Sectlord Timedream’s attacks; the only one bringing Ning some real pressure was Daolord Snowjoy.
Daolord Snowjoy, in defenses alone, was ranked amongst the top three Daolords. Even though Ning had the advantage of his nine novessence arts and his heartworld projection, he was only able to knock Daolord Snowjoy back rather than truly defeat him. As for right now, when Ning was surrounded by three opponents? He wasn’t even able to knock Daolord Snowjoy back.
“Wonderful, wonderful!” Daolord Snowjoy and his two Stargod clones continued to furiously assault Ning.
“Daolord Snowjoy, hurry up and depart!” Ning was growing impatient as well. His six Northbow swords flowed outwards in dominating strikes, allowing him to hold a slight advantage even though it was a three-on-one fight! However, if this continued he would have no chance of actually winning this fight. And in truth, Ning didn’t even really want to fight Daolord Snowjoy. Daolord Snowjoy was a worthy foe, but what Ning really wanted to do was to kill Timedream.
Ninedust was still suffering terrifying pain within Ning’s estate-world. He was a supreme Daolord, but he had begged for Ning to kill him! How horrifying was the pain he was in? Ning swore to himself that he would kill Sectlord Timedream, but Daolord Snowjoy was barring his path. “Why won’t you fuck off?”
“Haha, Daolord Darknorth, I’m impressed at your strength. You are able to fight us, one against three! However, with brother Snowjoy here, you won’t be able to harm us at all,” Sectlord Timedream laughed coldly.
“The first one I’m going to kill is you.” Ning didn’t even try to disguise his murderous intent.
“If this continues, even more supreme Daolords will arrive here. In the end, you’ll be the one to die!” Sectlord Timedream didn’t attempt to hide his murderous feelings either. If you raised a dog long enough, you’d eventually grow attached to it. The Kingfreak had been his most devoted retainer and had foll
owed him for countless years. Whenever Timedream found a second copy of a good treasure he already possessed, he was willing to give it to the Kingfreak. This was a testament to how deep their relationship was.
Ning had killed the Kingfreak. Sectlord Timedream was filled with the desire to kill Ning as well!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Ning repeatedly clashed against Snowjoy and Timedream in midair. Whoosh! Ning suddenly retreated, flying backwards at a hundred times the speed of light.
“Why is he fleeing?” Sectlord Timedream immediately shouted, “Chase him down! Don’t let him escape! Slow him down as much as we can. Once the other Daolords arrive, he won’t be able to hold us off.”
“Chase him down.” Daolord Snowjoy and Timedream all chased after Ning, but they were much slower than him and were quickly shaken off.
Whoosh. The distant, escaping Ning suddenly vanished into thin air.
“How did he suddenly vanish?” Sectlord Timedream’s face turned pale. He couldn’t help but begin to slow down, due to his habitual caution.
“Eh?” Daolord Snowjoy continued the pursuit, studying the area carefully with his godsense.
“Why did he suddenly vanish?” The distant Daolord Shaka was puzzled as well.
……
Sectlord Timedream vigilantly scanned the area. “Eh?” He suddenly sensed a premonition of incredible, life-threatening danger approaching him. His face instantly turned pale.
Slash! An incredibly soft blade struck out, wrapping itself around his waist like a rope and tying him up almost instantly. A heartbeat later, someone appeared in front of Sectlord Timedream.
It was a white-robed youth with three heads, six arms, and murderous eyes.
“Ji Ning!” Sectlord Timedream revealed a look of shock and terror. “How is this possible? Y-you… your evasion arts can avoid even godsense?”
Omega Sword Dao, Shadowless sword-intent!
After becoming a Daolord of the Third Step, Ning’s Blood Drop stance was able to surpass both space and time! As for the Shadowless stance, it had also reached incredible heights and was now able to perfectly avoid even godsense, allowing Ning to catch his enemies completely offguard and then capture them! This was a terrifying killer move. Over the course of countless chaos cycles, every so often one of the elite Daolords would be able to come up with this type of killer move, and in each case they would instantly be ranked amongst the top three Daolords of that era.
This killer move was even more terrifying than the three killer moves of the Radiant King!
* * *
Book 32, Chapter 21 - The Shadowless Evasion Art
“Die!” Ji Ning’s sword wrapped itself around Sectlord Timedream’s waist, binding him in a soft grasp as his other five swords simultaneously shot towards the Sectlord.
Whoosh. Sectlord Timedream’s entire body transformed to become almost translucent as he became a crystalline shadow, quickly escaping his bonds and fleeing far away.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Ning’s five swords carried all-encompassing destructive force. This was his Omega Sword Dao – Blood Drop, and it destroyed all in its path! The five streaks of light pursued after the humanoid streak of light and stabbed it head-on.
Swish! The humanoid streak of light reformed far off in the distance into Sectlord Timedream. His face was ashen, and he clutched at his chest, a few specks of blood appearing at his lips.
Although he had his dreamform technique, it clearly wasn’t as formidable as the likes of the abilities which the Ninedust Sectlord or Daolord Shaka possessed. The Ninedust Sectlord’s invulnerable aquaform was truly formidable, while Daolord Shaka’s was also superior, allowing the latter to transform into endless streams of light. The strength of a protective ability was in large part dependent on the cultivator’s specific Dao.
For example, Ning’s path was that of the Omega Sword Dao. Although it gave him incredible strength in battle, he didn’t have a special ability like aquaform, lightform, dreamform, the ability to transform into darkness incarnate, etc.
Sectlord Timedream’s dreamform was a bit weak, but it was still enough to allow him to escape from Ning’s hands.
“This evasion art…?” The distant Daolord Snowjoy and Daolord Shaka both turned pale.
“Run, immediately!” Daolord Shaka bellowed mentally, “Snowjoy, we need to flee right now.”
“Is this one of the legendary assassination arts?” Daolord Snowjoy was still gripped by shock and terror. He immediately followed Daolord Shaka in immediately fleeing off into the distance.
“Help me out, the two of you!” After having just barely escaped the last attack, Sectlord Timedream sent mentally to the two of them, “If you work with me, we might be able to withstand Darknorth. If you are willing to help me, I’m willing to split all of the treasures I own with you two!”
“Sectlord Timedream, please pardon us for being unable to assist you.”
“Brother Timedream, you need to come up with something on your own.”
Daolord Shaka and Daolord Snowjoy couldn’t even be bothered to pay any attention to Timedream. They moved in unison, Daolord Shaka ‘carrying’ Daolord Snowjoy in fleeing more than a hundred times the speed of light and quickly disappearing.
Ning glanced sideways at them, not bothering to chase after them. Of the three, Daolord Shaka was the toughest to kill as he was able to move more than a hundred times the speed of light and was also able to transform into light itself; to kill him was extremely troublesome. This was much like how Sectlord Timedream, Shaka, Kingfreak, and Snowjoy had worked together to kill Ninedust, but Ninedust had been able to rely on his invulnerable aquaform to render them helpless. In the end, they had to rely on the redscatter venom to deal with him.
Any and every supreme Daolord was extremely difficult to kill. Generally speaking, they all had extremely powerful life-preserving abilities! Fortunately, the Waveshift Realm served to suppress many spacetime effects, making it difficult for the supreme Daolords to flee. This was the only reason why there was a chance for some of them to perish.
……
As Daolord Shaka flew away, he continued to be surrounded by those six enormous golden plumes. Every single plume was extremely large, roughly thirty or so meters in size. When the six joined together, they curled together into a ball that completely protected him as he fled.
“With this magic treasure surrounding me, Daolord Darknorth won’t be able to breach my defenses and appear right next to me.” Daolord Shaka had an ugly look on his face as he continued to fly at high speed, Snowjoy in tow.
“He actually has an assassination art.” Daolord Snowjoy was still in a state of disbelief. “This type of terrifying evasion art has once more appeared in the Endless Territories.”
The term ‘assassination arts’ referred to arts akin to Ning’s Shadowless evasion art. Many generations ago, there was a supreme Daolord who had come up with this type of evasion art. His evasion arts allowed him to stealthily move close to his foes, and not even godsense was able to detect him. By the time his opponents did detect him, it was far too late! This was quite terrifying, and as a result quite a few supreme Daolords died by this assassin’s hands.
Each time he went out on an assassination mission, his target perished. As a result, the existence of his assassination art had remained a secret. Only much later on did he fail in an assassination attempt, resulting in the existence of his special evasion art being leaked out. As a result, all the other supreme Daolords began to maintain maximum vigilance at all times, making it much harder for him to assassinate any others.
“Starting today, when we’re roaming the outside world we should hide within a flying vessel,” Daolord Snowjoy said. “The flying vessel is protected by wards; even if he wishes to ambush us, he needs to first break the wards apart. There won’t be a way for him to silently sneak up on us.”
“Using secret arts to cover a wide area and assault everything within it is another way to prevent him from drawing too close to us. Unf
ortunately, Darknorth’s heartworld projection and secret arts are all quite formidable. Even Sectlord Timedream’s heartworld projection was crushed by them.” Daolord Shaka shook his head. “Ugh. This Darknorth fellow is far too terrifying. I’m using my magic treasures to protect us from all sides, but he can stealthily appear right outside them without me being the wiser.”
“Right.” Daolord Snowjoy felt nervous as well. Now that the two of them knew that Ning had an assassination art, both of them felt quite vexed. Anyone who Ning targeted would live in a perpetual nightmare, because by the time they saw Ning, Ning would already be right next to them.
“Timedream is so screwed,” Shaka said.
“Thankfully, his focus is on Timedream and not us,” Snowjoy said.
“If he was to come after us… although we’d stand a good chance of surviving, we’d definitely suffer some serious injuries,” Shaka said.
……
Sectlord Timedream continued to furiously flee as countless strands of silk seemed to swirl around him. Clearly, he wanted to ensure that Ning wouldn’t be able to ambush him again. As he fled, he sent frantic mental please to Ning: “Brother Darknorth, I beg that you spare me. I’m willing to give you all of my treasures.”
“Timedream.” Ning wielded all six Northbow swords in his three-headed, six-armed form as he continued the pursuit. “I was willing to reveal my Shadowless evasion art in front of Daolord Shaka and Daolord Snowjoy, precisely because I wish to kill you! There’s no one who can rescue you!”
Keeping the Shadowless evasion art secret was incredibly important to him, as only when it was a secret would it be fully effective. Once word of it spread, all the Daolords would be on their guard. Although it would still be dangerous, it would no longer be lethally effective.
However, Ning felt confident in his chances nonetheless. He not only had heartforce techniques, he also had tremendously strong close combat abilities! The Shadowless evasion art was a killer move of his, but if it had to be revealed it had to be revealed. If he was strong enough, he didn’t have to worry about his techniques being revealed to all. Even if they knew about his techniques, he’d still be able to crush them in a frontal battle.