It’s been nearly half an hour. The oppressive force closing in around us has stopped about a kilometer away, never once pressing in further. It’s clear their intent isn’t to crush us immediately, but to trap Xu Fu and me.
Right now, what I’m pondering is what Xu Fu just said: wielding immense power always requires even greater restraint and mental fortitude. In such an extreme state, it’s like staking your life on a single throw. I’ve witnessed scenes like this many times—Zhang Qingyuan is a classic example. Many times, he’s risked everything in desperate situations, and the outcome is all too obvious.
Many times, it’s simply a matter of the opponent spotting a flaw. No matter how strong your power is, the result is still a crushing defeat, because you no longer have the energy or strength to pay attention to anything else.
“John Chou is like that, and so are you.”
I quietly gaze at Xu Fu. He sits on a tree branch, relaxed and smiling, leaning back against the leaves, his eyes fixed on the distant world where red, blue, and gold intertwine.
“Anyone with great power is aware of this point. Maybe you’ve already realized it, which is why you understood the moment I mentioned it. Heavenly Soul is a kind of subconscious self-protection. Only fools like Zhang Qingyuan never notice it, even to their dying breath.”
I stare at Xu Fu, thinking carefully. For as long as I can remember, I’ve never seen John Chou use his true strength. In every fight, he only uses just enough power—not too much, not too little—to match his opponent. I always thought this was a matter of skill, but after watching Lord Shenyan’s battles, John Chou’s methods seem crude by comparison.
After witnessing so many of John Chou’s battles, I’ve always wondered why he never unleashes greater power to defeat his enemies, instead relying on this strange style that seems skillful, but isn’t quite. Now I think I understand. Being truly flawless is not so easy.
Maybe it’s because I’ve seen John Chou fight so many times. Even if I can’t pinpoint what makes him exceptional, his approach leaves a deep impression—he never truly reveals his strength. Every fight is calculated, breaking down his opponent little by little. If anything, his battles are more like a patient game of chess.
Xu Fu in front of me is the same. I’ve never seen him show his real strength either. Now I fully understand: once you use overwhelming power, the risks rise as well. Your opponent may be feigning a flaw, waiting for you to strike with all you’ve got—only to destroy you in an instant. It’s terrifying, especially against powerful adversaries. That’s exactly what Emperor God and the others are doing now: forcing us to use our strongest power to break through the blockade they’ve set for us.
Xu Fu would never take such a high risk. Right now, our only way out is to unravel what kind of ritual array they’ve used—one that lets their Divine power only increase, never diminish. The energy they release doesn’t fade away; instead, it disperses and returns, leaving us helpless before such a terrifying Ritual Array.
“Overthinking won’t help. There’s no such thing as perfection in this world. Just wait.”
Xu Fu said this, and I nodded. There’s no need to be impatient. How long they can keep us sealed is anyone’s guess, but this situation won’t last forever. They’re bound to make a move.
Time passes. Xu Fu and I can only endure the threat looming nearby. Emperor God and the others don’t speak to us again. For a while, everything is eerily calm. The once pitch-black sky begins to brighten. As day breaks, light floods the city, but the ruined parts never recover.
Gradually, two days go by. Xu Fu and I just watch, with no intention of making a move. Xu Fu even takes the chance to nap several times—he’s not the least bit tense.
On the morning of the third day, I notice everything around us has dissipated. The forces trapping Xu Fu and me are completely gone. For a moment, we both breathe a sigh of relief. Now, the streets are crowded—the dispersed energy has become the people of Oasis City.
The people passing below us show no suspicion at all. It’s as if the towering Tree of Worlds in the middle of the city has always been here. They’re used to it by now.
“Why don’t we try leaving?”
I ask, but Xu Fu shakes his head.
“I think we’d better not.”
In the end, we had no choice but to climb down from the tree and observe from the street. Everything seemed normal. Even our conversations with the locals were ordinary—nothing out of the ordinary.
On the sixth day, Xu Fu and I decided to leave the city. Early in the morning, as people appeared on the streets, we climbed down from the tree and rushed toward the city’s edge.
When we reached the city’s exit and passed through the checkpoint, we headed straight into the desert. I felt a sense of relief as the city faded behind us. Using my power, I carried Xu Fu swiftly across the sands. I already knew the exact location of the Land of the Dead—it lay at the desert’s heart.
Now, Xu Fu and I can only hurry to the Land of the Dead. To confirm the fate of the Forsaken, we must go there first and see what’s really going on with the people who’ve arrived in this world.
“Something feels off.”
Xu Fu mutters, and I stop, glancing around.
“What feels off?”
I ask. Xu Fu presses his forehead, and after a moment, we resume our rapid journey. By midday, Xu Fu and I spot a black city in the distance, surrounded by a vast swamp and wisps of white mist. The city is utterly empty—not a soul in sight. We stop.
“Looks like this is the Land of the Dead.”
Without hesitation, we step onto a wooden bridge leading into the city through the swamp. As we walk, Xu Fu and I start scanning our surroundings.
There isn’t a trace of life here. At the city entrance, we see a huge sign with four characters: Land of the Dead.
The moment Xu Fu and I step inside, our eyes widen. It’s still desert before us—we’re back in Oasis City, and it’s night again.
With a thunderous crash, Xu Fu and I turn and see the distant Tree of Worlds collapse, consumed by flames and reduced to ashes. The rumbling continues as golden, red, and blue lights burst forth—animated statues from the surrounding streets, each wielding a different weapon, surge toward us.
“So we’re still in Oasis City. I felt something was off while we were moving—the desert looked identical every time, and after a while, we saw the same desert again. It must be Phantom Sage’s illusion.”
With a bang, Xu Fu flashes in front of me, landing on a rooftop and taking down the attacking red and blue statues. He retreats, and I raise a hand, planting another Tree of Worlds to absorb power and grow—but we’re back at the starting point again.
But as soon as I plant the seed, the ground beneath me erupts into a sea of flames—the seed is instantly incinerated. I leap up, and a long spear thrusts at me. I catch it with one hand and press the other against the chest of a blue statue.
With a bang, the blue statue explodes. Xu Fu is already fighting off the incoming statues. The city is in chaos, and Xu Fu and I are forced to fight our own battles.
After destroying two statues, I sense something strange. Not far away, a cloud of blue mist engulfs Xu Fu, while waves of fire shoot toward me. I dodge and push forward.
With a thunderous crash, just as I’m about to retreat, I hear a disturbance—my body is gripped by an enormous hand.
A giant, glowing with golden light, rises from the ground. Its immense strength holds me immobile, and it stands up, letting out a deep, guttural roar.
Xu Fu and I are completely separated. With a thought, my body dissolves into Azure Mist, vanishing from the giant’s grasp. In an instant, I reappear, gripping a Pale Dawn Sword. With one strike, I sever the giant’s hand, then leap onto its raised arm, flashing to its face. My blade falls—its entire head is cleaved off.
The giant instantly turns to dust. I notice the statues on the ground have vanished, and the blue mist that swallowed Xu Fu is gone as well. Oasis City is now empty—nothing remains, and nothing attacks me. I begin to wander beneath the night sky, but no matter how I fly, the city stretches on endlessly. I see the same buildings and streets over and over.
I stop. Maybe this is another space—when I was grabbed, I must have been moved here and sealed in. Helpless, I land on the roof of a tall building and look around. Apart from the glowing lights, there’s not a single soul here.
“Heavenly Soul, you’ll remain in this world forever—turn to stone.”