"Strange... I was certain that old fiend Lyle Yew would chase us down, but we've been away from the Void Abyss for so long and still he hasn't come after us." In a gray, mist-shrouded void, two young men—battered, their hair wild and disheveled—raced onward with desperate urgency. The speaker was the blue-robed cultivator.
The young man in green replied, "Nick Ning, we've fought Lyle Yew for years, barely a moment to breathe. Do you really think he doesn't know we've left the Void Abyss? He simply hasn't had the chance to pursue us. We need to hurry."
These two were none other than Nick Ning and Emperor Ye, their wounds only partially healed, their spirits still resolute.
Nick Ning immediately understood, "It must be Zachary Zephyr holding off Lyle Yew. That bastard—once I perfect my Grand Way, the first thing I'll do is crush him beneath my heel."
After these words, both men fell silent. Zachary Zephyr had placed his trust in them, believing that if the Five Elements Universe was to survive the vast Genesis, Nick Ning and Emperor Ye must rise. He had urged them, time and again, to leave the Genesis Universe and return to the Five Elements Universe to perfect their own Grand Way.
With Zachary Zephyr holding off Lyle Yew, both Nick Ning and Emperor Ye knew his strength would not last. Against Lyle Yew, Zachary Zephyr was still far inferior.
The two raced onward with reckless speed. After only half a day, they stopped. Before them stretched a rift that even divine sense could not approach—a chasm exuding only the breath of death and despair.
"Emperor Ye, I didn't expect the vitality I sensed to be within the Rift of Annihilation. If I'm not mistaken, you sensed it here too, didn't you?" Nick Ning sighed, certain that Emperor Ye had felt the same, or else he would have suggested they part ways earlier.
After comprehending the Way of Fate and grasping a thread of life, Nick Ning had sensed where vitality lay. Yet upon arrival, they found only a dead end.
Every cultivator of the Genesis Universe knew the truth of the Rift of Annihilation: to step inside was to forfeit all hope of survival. Even one's Grand Way would be obliterated, with no chance for reincarnation—everything reduced to void.
Since the Genesis Universe war began, countless battles had erupted around the Rift of Annihilation. Each time, innumerable cultivators perished within its depths.
Emperor Ye sighed, "I sensed it here as well. We have no way out—our only choice is to enter."
"Then let's go. I refuse to believe even my world could be annihilated. And even if my world is destroyed, I still have the Primeval Pearl. But if my world truly falls, perhaps even the Primeval Pearl won't survive," Nick Ning chuckled, as if recalling the countless times he had fought for survival in the vast starry expanse.
Emperor Ye nodded. "You're probably right. Whether it's our Genesis Artifacts or our worlds, in this cosmic rift, there may be no chance for them to exist. Our own chances of survival are even slimmer."
There was one thing Emperor Ye did not voice: whether his Genesis Artifact or Nick Ning's, like their Grand Way, both were incomplete.
"Emperor Ye, I have a feeling that bastard Lyle Yew is already here," Nick Ning said suddenly, tension in his voice.
"You're right, he's here. I just hope Zachary Zephyr is safe. If anything happens to him, as long as I, Emperor Ye, still breathe, I will tear Lyle Yew's soul apart piece by piece. And his universe—I will refine it into a secret realm within the Five Elements Universe." Emperor Ye's eyes burned with murderous intent; years of slaughter in the Genesis Universe had honed his resolve.
"And me, Nick Ning," he declared, clenching his fist, his resolve unwavering.
Though all three were among the Five Sages, Zachary Zephyr had given Nick Ning and Emperor Ye tremendous support within the Genesis Universe.
Yet, when they thought of the countless cultivators who had died fighting for the Five Elements Universe, even the determined Emperor Ye and Nick Ning felt a wave of helplessness.
Emperor Ye spoke gravely, "Nick Ning, from our years in the Genesis Universe, we've learned that to attain the supreme Grand Way, not only must we perfect our own Dao, but we must also venture into the boundless chaos and cleave through a realm of primordial disorder." He said no more, knowing that once they leapt into the Rift of Annihilation, they might never meet again.
Nick Ning nodded, but then replied, "I don't believe that's the only path to the One True Dao. The vast chaos holds endless possibilities. Cleaving through a realm of chaos may be akin to Pangu splitting the heavens, and surely such a feat brings supreme power. But I will always stand by my own Dao. My path will never change, no matter how my strength compares to others."
Nick Ning gazed into the Rift of Annihilation, his eyes burning with confidence and unwavering resolve. Had he not once risen from insignificance in the Five Elements Universe?
He refused to believe that leaving the Five Elements Universe meant he could not rise again. Nick Ning would forge his own path, no matter the world.
Nick Ning’s Dao was simple: As long as I exist, so does my Dao.
He cared nothing for claims that only by cleaving chaos could one attain the supreme Grand Way. Nick Ning would not follow that path; his Dao was not born of splitting realms, but of his own existence. As long as Nick Ning endured, his Dao would endure with him.
Today, as he leapt into the rift, Nick Ning resolved to perfect his Grand Way. The moment he succeeded, he would return to the Genesis Universe—where his loved ones, friends, and aspirations awaited.
If Nick Ning were to fall within this rift, he would accept it as fate—there would be no one to blame.
Emperor Ye laughed heartily. "Good! Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. My greatest fear was that you'd listen to others and seek to remake your Dao in the boundless chaos. The Grand Way is everywhere—just have faith in your own path. Today, we part ways, but one day, we will meet again. Zachary Zephyr believes in us because our hearts have never wavered. Nick Ning, I'll go first. Until we meet again."
With those words, Emperor Ye did not hesitate. He stepped boldly into the Rift of Annihilation and vanished without a trace.
Nick Ning laughed as well. He could sense Lyle Yew would arrive in just a dozen breaths, yet he paid it no mind. With unshakable resolve, he too stepped into the Rift of Annihilation.
From this day forward, Nick Ning would forge his Grand Way anew. Though he stood among the Genesis Realm, he refused to believe he was any weaker than his peers.
As long as I am, my Dao is! Nick Ning radiated momentum and confidence.
"Brother Di, which path should we take?" Qin Mutian asked, gazing at the swirling, multicolored vortex tunnels before them. After so many years, he was exhilarated to finally see these passages leading to countless universes once again.
"We'll take the brown tunnel—that should lead to the Trinity Universe. I have unfinished business with He Wang," Joe Di said, his gaze steady. The brown passage was indeed the route to the Trinity Universe. Besides settling scores with He Wang, he intended to use the Genesis Gate there to enter the Genesis Universe.
The Genesis Gate of the Five Elements Universe was uncontrollable, its location a mystery. Joe Di had no way to enter the Genesis Universe from there.
The Dao Lord of Fate had escaped from the Trinity Universe. Should he wish to return, a safe and unimpeded path awaited him.
Thinking of the way back, Joe Di instinctively shook his head and sighed, a shadow crossing his heart.
"Brother Di, is something troubling you?" Qin Mutian asked, noticing Joe Di's gesture.
"I was too impatient and forgot to ask my friend how to return." Joe Di mused, recalling how the Dao Lord of Fate had escaped the Genesis Universe. But Joe Di himself might not be so fortunate—he had never cultivated the Way of Fate and had no means to sense his own thread of survival.
Seeing Qin Mutian waiting for his decision, Joe Di spoke decisively, "Let's go to the Trinity Universe first. There's a universe teleportation tunnel there that can bring us back. Once I've settled things with He Wang, I'll decide what to do next."
"Alright," Qin Mutian agreed without hesitation. Having succeeded in forging his Dao by cleaving through chaos, his spirits were high. No matter where they went, he was content. Staying by Joe Di's side, he hoped to lend a helping hand whenever needed.