Bai Cangshu of the Root and the Conceptual Staircase

Boom!

An unimaginable light erupted from the end of the sky.

Countless colors shifted within it, as though every color, flavor, and meaning in the world existed within it.

Meng Qi’s entire body was rigid. Pinned to the ground by Gu Xiaosang, he barely managed to raise his head and look at the sky behind the Stone Ape. He was no longer sure whether that place could still be called the sky.

Everything had vanished. Faintly, he could see fragments of mountains and the trails left behind when the atmosphere shattered into blazing white dragons.

Something had been broken, but he had no idea what it was.

"What exactly was that…"

He could not comprehend what that attack just now had been either.

The next moment, he heard a heaven-shaking roar from ten thousand meters away.

"Hah—ah!"

Boom!

An invisible shockwave swept across the air, forming a massive ring. The Netherworld, which should have been completely shrouded in demonic qi, Demonic Qi, and miasma and thus eternally dim and lightless, now unusually revealed a clear blue sky.

That blazing white giant ring appeared out of thin air above the sky.

Endless colors continued to gush forth, but Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang had no time to feel the changes in heaven and earth. They turned their heads and saw golden cracks beginning to appear across the back of the enormous Stone Ape that nearly held up the sky.

Meng Qi’s heart skipped a beat. The next instant, he saw the Stone Ape’s massive arm explode inch by inch. Amid rumblings like mountains shaking and earth splitting, the ten-thousand-meter giant arm collapsed and fell.

That figure wrapped in golden and red aura was now completely engulfed by flames of every color, its form utterly impossible to make out.

Meng Qi could only see the energy across its body stretching like streams of light and scattering freely in every direction.

Powerful, unyielding, mad…

Simply looking at that figure filled Gu Xiaosang’s heart with such thoughts.

This was a peerless great demon. Though it had not yet grown into the form described in myth, there was no doubt that this was not power an ordinary Demon Species could possess.

Its aura had clearly begun at only the Outer Scenery level, yet in its current state, even among Grandmasters, aside from the few people such as Lu Da and Su Wuming, who in the entire martial world would dare claim they could certainly match it?

Her mind was seized, and her earlier thoughts were interrupted.

The plans of someone so important should theoretically have been impossible to fail. So the Stone Ape’s defeat and death had been a predetermined part of it?

Special Reincarnator EX051, you have activated Chosen Blessing: Blood of Khorne

Your bloodline craves blood. Slaughter will activate the power factors within your bloodline. Offer blood to the Blood God, and you too shall become a god.

Your bloodline has changed to (God Species, Myriad Manifestation Species, Evil God Species)

Warning: In certain worldviews and power systems, Evil God Species will encounter additional challenges. (You may consult and adjust this at the Goddess's Abode.)

You have obtained the permanent racial trait: Bloodthirsty Frenzy (World's Rare Treasure)—during battle and slaughter, you will receive the gaze and gifts of an Evil God. Your energy and stamina will not be exhausted.

Because you have bathed in the Blood of Khorne, you have obtained the additional Evil God trait: Flesh Demon (?)—as the quantity and quality of your kills increase, you may transform into more powerful demons, gaining matching biological ranks and gifts of evil power.

...

Bai Cangshu’s shoulders slumped. The layer of blood-red muscle tissue across his body began to peel away, and especially on his left arm, only some black residue remained.

The Left Arm of the King was corded with muscles, scarlet sheens appearing across it and flowing like blood vessels. This was the first time it had shown such an obvious reaction since Bai Cangshu had attached it to his own arm.

Bai Cangshu could even clearly feel the scorching heat within it.

He began to feel his flesh and blood withering away. The gifts of an Evil God were always accompanied by an utterly terrifying price.

But Bai Cangshu merely glanced at it before withdrawing his gaze, no longer paying it any attention.

That Evil God was incomparably tyrannical, but also incomparably Greed. It would not allow its "chosen one" to die from the backlash of the price.

You have used the ability: Serious Punch (?), and have touched... the Conceptual Staircase.

You have touched the concepts of instant death, invincibility, strength... (Please consult the Rank Management Office regarding Concept Touch Progress.)

You have used the ability: Unknown Law (?), and have touched the Swirl of the Root.

Satsui no Hado level increased. Current: Lv7

Kaio-ken level increased. Current: Lv4

You have made the ability Haki (A) permanent. (Permanent abilities cannot be removed, and likewise cannot be affected by anti-magic, ability removal, or similar abilities below intermediate priority.)

The panel before Bai Cangshu continued refreshing, but he now only needed to sense the changes occurring within his body to naturally understand them. He no longer needed to rely on the panel at all.

He knew that he was still maintaining the special states of Unknown Law and Limit Break Spiral, having entered a realm where he nearly understood everything.

Rumble! Rumble!

The enormous Stone Ape before him finally collapsed completely. Blazing sunlight emerged overhead and shone directly upon Bai Cangshu’s head.

He kept scrolling down and finally saw the battle information that had been buried beneath the panels for various high-level abilities and special states.

Based on your Spirit attribute, you have obtained the following information:

You used the ability Serious Punch. Your attack inflicted instant death and collapse effects on Great Sage Remnant Body: Demon Stone Ape (Pseudo).

Great Sage Remnant Body: Demon Stone Ape (Pseudo) failed its exemption check.

Target has died.

You have killed Great Sage Remnant Body: Demon Stone Ape (Pseudo).

You have obtained S-rank Singularity ×1.

You have obtained Dimensional Points ×50000.

World Exploration Progress increased. Current: 0.1%.

You have obtained Drop Card: Great Sage Remnant Body: Demon Stone Ape (Pseudo).

At that moment, a Drop Card suffused with a golden sheen appeared beneath the sunlight.

Bai Cangshu had never seen a Drop Card of such a color.

"Nyeh!"

At that moment, an agonized howl came from an extremely distant place. Bai Cangshu shifted his gaze. A pure white hue actually appeared within his irises of mottled colors, while veins bulged at his temples. He looked exactly like he had activated the Byakugan from the Naruto World.

Feeling the countless pieces of information within the Swirl of the Root, Bai Cangshu almost instantly "fished out" information he had previously acquired.

Within this rare, invincible state, he easily transformed his eyes into Byakugan.

His field of vision expanded accordingly.

Within a sea of blood, Qiqi, who had returned to human form, had her loose silver-gray hair completely turn blood red.

With sorrow in her eyes, the girl thrust her sword through the body of the demon whose face was so sinister it made people uncomfortable.

Moon Demon’s agonized howl directly shattered Life of Silence Qiqi’s eardrums, heart, and internal organs.

Yet the sea of blood beneath her feet continuously repaired her injuries.

With sorrow in her eyes, the girl reached out and stroked the monster’s face. As Moon Demon’s face twisted continuously, it finally returned to Ruo Linfeng’s warm face.

Joy filled the man’s face. He opened his mouth, while countless bloodlines across his body had already lit up.

"Qiqi, this is our limit… From now on, you’ll have to rely on yourself…"

Pfft!

The demon’s body instantly turned into countless fragments. Amid the illusory Heart Light Pulse, it seemed as though its colors had been washed away.

The Mark of Slaanesh had actually suffered a state similar to Existential Damage because its host had been killed too many times.

Bai Cangshu saw Qiqi’s complete Heart Light Pulse ability. It was a dangerous Heartlight capable of eradicating the existence of other individuals.

Yet the heart of its wielder was so delicate.

The girl’s heart was hidden within slaughter. That was the protective coloration born from that overly dangerous heart in order to protect itself. Her abnormally intense killing intent and overly powerful combat instincts had all arisen from it.

Bai Cangshu withdrew his gaze and did not continue prying into the past between the girl and Ruo Linfeng.

Perhaps every Reincarnator who grew strong would encounter certain special individuals along their bloody path.

Some inflicted pain, some offered warmth, some provided protection, and some brought betrayal.

The human heart was originally like a round, uncut jade, only to gradually be polished into different shapes through all kinds of interactions.

But for Reincarnators—or rather, for true cultivators—the original heart was the key to why one was human, why one was oneself.

How one could preserve one’s original heart through all those trials and tribulations, temper it, and ultimately fully accept oneself—this was likely the true way for Heart Light Pulse to take shape.

People like the Mad King, who had independently recognized their own truth, were always rare.

Bai Cangshu lowered his eyes. Flames of various colors stretched long around him, and he now possessed a complete sense of control over every kind of energy.

He was so powerful he could barely contain himself.

Yet for the first time, he remained so calm in such a powerful state.

Bai Cangshu lowered his head, peering at the Mad King’s silver Heart of the King before looking at his own constantly beating heart.

He reached out, and flesh automatically parted to both sides.

Then… what about my heart?

Behind Bai Cangshu, countless tentacle-like rays of light continuously spread toward the Swirl of the Root. He was searching for his answer.

He had already realized what he was, but he still hoped to find that answer from the Root that contained every answer.

Hum—

The golden Drop Card trembled in midair, and violent sounds came from within it.

Bai Cangshu’s eyes swiftly changed from Byakugan to Temporal Rainbow Eyes. One future after another appeared, and in his hands at this moment, Future Sight flowed even more smoothly than it once had for Solomon.

Bang!

It was as though air currents exploded before Bai Cangshu’s eyes. His eyes immediately shattered, scarlet blood spreading through the air. Before it could vanish, it was held in place by an invisible force, then returned to Bai Cangshu’s eye sockets.

And condensed once more into Temporal Rainbow Eyes.

Within this cycle, Bai Cangshu saw a fragment of the future.

"So that’s how it is… so that’s… how it is…"

Bai Cangshu reached out and directly crushed the golden Drop Card.

You have opened the Drop Card.

You have obtained Ability Scroll: Dharma Manifestation of Heaven and Earth (?).

A golden scroll appeared. It was made from some unknown type of wood and radiated a dazzling sheen. Bai Cangshu knew that this was a gift, as well as compensation.

This was the reward given to him for being used in that plan…

The next moment, golden light erupted from Bai Cangshu’s hand. Something whose exact appearance could not be made out appeared and continuously trembled.

Bai Cangshu reached out and grasped it.

You have obtained Origin Substance: Causality Law (?).

Crack!

A thunderclap exploded in the sky. The sunlight in the heavens began to vanish in an instant, and the atmosphere that had been completely blasted apart by that punch turned dark again.

Heaven and earth lost their light, and the sun and moon reversed.

Bai Cangshu watched with his own eyes as the sun sank at a visible speed. Then an illusory crescent moon appeared in the sky.

The crescent moon was originally a dim silver white, then turned red before finally blooming with golden light.

Brilliant Moonlight shone directly down.

Scarlet notifications immediately appeared before Bai Cangshu, nearly filling his entire field of vision.

Warning: The Heavenly Dao is about to awaken. Reincarnator, immediately leave combat status and evacuate.

This warning flashed continuously, and at that moment, the punishment of Khorne’s blessing fading from Bai Cangshu’s body was directly frozen as well.

For the first time, Bai Cangshu clearly realized his value to the Infinite Dimensional Space.

Hum!

Golden moonlight descended from the sky like one light pillar after another, beginning to sweep across the skies of the Netherworld.

The light pillar moved and first stopped above the destroyed Ghost City Lanruo. Then another Buddhist light descended there. Bai Cangshu guessed that Master Baiyun and young monk Shifang had done something there, though he had no idea whether they were now receiving Heavenly Dao punishment or reward.

The next instant, another ray of light fell directly upon the shattered royal capital of the Great Gan Dynasty, enveloping the crazed, Possessed by Demon Seven Nights Demon Lord.

Seven Nights Demon Lord was immediately frozen in place, his body slowly rising.

As rays of light descended one after another, Bai Cangshu suddenly fell from that omniscient realm. Turning back, he discovered that the entrance to the Swirl of the Root he had opened behind him with Unknown Law + Serious Punch + Limit Break Spiral had vanished.

Countless demonic qi and miasma once more covered this world.

The root cause of the Netherworld’s chaos and depravity did not lie with those demons at all. The so-called Moon Demon and those other great demons were merely livestock being raised.

A Heavenly Dao monster?!

Bai Cangshu could only guess that the present Heavenly Dao was connected to that thing.

Special Reincarnator EX051, you have left combat status. Do you wish to depart?!

Bai Cangshu did not answer, but he saw a stream of silver-white information shoot into the sky. Qiqi had probably already chosen to return.

A beam of golden moonlight shot down from the air and directly severed the information stream, but what remained still dissipated into the sky.

"Depart."

Bai Cangshu shifted his gaze, first toward Seven Nights Demon Lord, who had been captured by the Heavenly Dao. He gave the other man a promise.

Then his gaze moved toward Meng Qi and Gu Xiaosang. Those two, as well as the people behind them, probably owed him an enormous favor!

Finally… Bai Cangshu’s gaze passed over the members of the Six Paths Squad who were vanishing one after another and settled upon the severely injured White-dressed Swordswoman.

Jiang Zhiwei…

He reached out, seeming to want to touch that heart utterly devoted to the Dao, but before he could do anything, he had already turned into a stream of silver-white information that shot into the sky.

Boom!

Golden moonlight lit up at the same time, shining directly upon the information stream.

Bai Cangshu felt his body and will freeze for an instant. It was as though he had been imprisoned in the skies above that Netherworld.

His gaze fell, yet it was as though he were overlooking the entire world.

At the end of his earlier punch, the Ten Thousand Mountains had been blasted apart. In the more distant world, green mountains and clear waters still remained. A gigantic magical beast was spewing forth floods, while streaks of sword light danced through the sky.

And above that world, he could faintly see a cloud ladder leading to a higher world.

That was a world where Asgard still existed…

"I’ll be back, hah~"

Bai Cangshu spoke in a strange tone. When he opened his eyes again, he was already in a pitch-black space.

Reincarnator Ex051 has returned.