Chaos at the Boundary, the Talisman Path Bearing Heaven

Golden talisman light bound Xuan Fu like chains, dragging him toward the Boundary of Chaos and Primordial. His talisman body trembled violently. The Rigid-Soft Talisman Power, Fiend Spirit Origin, and purifying life force surged wildly, yet could only barely resist the seal's pull, unable to break free in the slightest. He could clearly feel the Chaos Annihilation Talisman Seal within him resonating with the massive golden seal in the distance, as if a wanderer returning home, urgently yearning to merge with it.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Fu!" Donghua's voice was filled with urgency. Wood Spirit Power transformed into long emerald ropes that tried to entangle Xuan Fu, but they were instantly shattered by the golden pressure radiating from the seal. Ao Guang, Feng Yao, and Qilin Cang followed close behind. The Three Clans' Origin Power interwove into a Three-Colored Light Screen that swept toward the talisman light, trying to forcefully stop it. Yet it only slowed the talisman light for a moment before it was ruthlessly blasted apart.

"It's useless!" Xuan Fu's voice carried a trace of strain. His Spiritual Sense locked tightly onto the seal within him. "This is the same-origin pull of the Annihilation Seal. Unless you can sever my connection with the seal, no one can stop it!" He suddenly redirected his talisman power. Rather than resisting the pull, he followed its direction and activated the Universe Folding Talisman. Blue-gold Power of Space intertwined with the golden talisman light, making his flight path controllable. He was no longer being dragged passively, but was instead flying actively toward the boundary.

"Daoist, have you gone mad?" Ao Guang paled in shock. "That's the battlefield of Old Ancestor Nirvana and Daoist Yang Mei. If we go in, we'll only become cannon fodder!"

"We can't avoid it!" Xuan Fu's Spiritual Sense swept across the distant sky. At the Boundary of Chaos and Primordial, two figures were already facing each other. On the left, Daoist Yang Mei's azure robes billowed as layers of spatial ripples spread around him. With each sweep of his horsetail whisk, countless Space Rifts opened and closed, forming a natural Defensive Barrier. On the right, Old Ancestor Nirvana was burly, his entire body condensed from golden Annihilation Power. His features were blurred, and only his eyes were visible, radiating the deathly light of "All Things Return to Nothingness." The enormous seal surrounding him was the main body of the Chaos Annihilation Talisman Seal, and its pressure caused even heaven and earth to sink into despair.

"This seal was originally part of Old Ancestor Nirvana. He wants a complete seal, while I am its vessel." Xuan Fu's voice was exceptionally calm. "Rather than being dragged there passively, it's better to take control of the rhythm myself. Perhaps I can still find a way to break the situation." He turned to Donghua and the Three Clan Experts. "You don't have to follow me. Guard the entrance to the Primordial Wilderness. If I lose, immediately inform the senior from the Jade Void Palace and activate the Kunlun Dragon Vein Array. Perhaps it can temporarily hold back Old Ancestor Nirvana."

Before his voice had even faded, Xuan Fu activated his talisman power. His figure transformed into a streak of interwoven golden and cyan light, accelerating instantly as he flew toward the heart of the battlefield. Donghua and the Three Clan Experts exchanged glances, their eyes filled with resolve. They ignored Xuan Fu's warning and followed close behind. They knew this battle concerned the fate of the entire Primordial Wilderness. No one could stand apart from it.

At the Boundary of Chaos and Primordial, space was already extremely unstable. Under the pressure of Daoist Yang Mei and Old Ancestor Nirvana, it had now become even more shattered. Countless Space Fragments flew about like blades. Chaos Streams collided with Primordial spiritual energy, forming turbulent Energy Storms capable of instantly shredding an ordinary Quasi-Saint.

"Yang Mei, you were originally a free-roaming spirit of Chaos, transcending the Tribulation. Why wade into this muddy water?" Old Ancestor Nirvana's voice sounded like metal scraping against stone, carrying a deathly rhythm. "As long as you yield this place, I can promise you half the territory of Chaos after I destroy the Primordial Wilderness."

Daoist Yang Mei lightly swept his horsetail whisk. Spatial ripples spread out, blocking an incoming energy current. "Nirvana, you and I were born from the same origin. We are both Innate Beings born when Chaos first began. You are obsessed with the path of annihilation, attempting to erase all things, and have long since strayed from the origin of the Great Dao. Pangu created heaven and earth, giving birth to the vitality of the Primordial Wilderness. How could I allow you to destroy it?"

"Vitality? Nothing but flowers reflected in a mirror and the moon reflected in water!" Old Ancestor Nirvana let out a cold laugh. The golden seal around him suddenly expanded, firing countless golden annihilation rays toward Daoist Yang Mei. "All things will one day return to nothingness. I am merely accelerating the process! Today, no one can stop me!"

Everywhere the golden rays passed, space was utterly annihilated. Even Daoist Yang Mei's spatial barrier was corroded into black spots. His expression darkened as his horsetail whisk transformed into countless spatial blades that collided with the annihilation rays. Explosive booms rang out without end. The spatial blades and annihilation rays annihilated each other, forming a massive Energy Storm that swept across the entire boundary.

Just as the two were locked in fierce battle, Xuan Fu's figure broke into the heart of the battlefield. The main body of the golden seal immediately sensed his presence and released a powerful resonance. Countless golden chains flew from the seal and wound toward Xuan Fu, trying to pull him into the seal and complete the fusion.

"He's finally here!" A flash of excitement crossed Old Ancestor Nirvana's eyes as the power of the golden seal surged again. "With your vessel, my seal will finally be complete. By then, forget Yang Mei—even if Pangu were resurrected, he couldn't stop me!"

Seeing this, Daoist Yang Mei grew anxious. His Power of Space erupted with full force, and countless Space Rifts twisted toward the golden chains in an attempt to stop them. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Fu, do not let the seal control you! Your Talisman Path encompasses all things, with Rigid and Soft Harmony and the Origin of Life and Death. It is precisely the nemesis of the Annihilation Seal!"

Xuan Fu's heart tightened. Daoist Yang Mei's words awakened him. His Talisman Path had fused the path of "life" from the creation of heaven and earth, the path of "destruction" from the fiend spirit, the path of "balance" from rigidity and softness, and the path of "vitality" from purification. The Annihilation Seal, however, leaned entirely toward annihilation. Though it appeared ultimate, it was actually incomplete. Perhaps the true Method to Break the Situation was not to destroy the seal, but to use his own Talisman Path to make up for its flaws and take control of it!

"I'll risk it!" A trace of resolve flashed through Xuan Fu's eyes. He stopped resisting the golden chains and instead opened his talisman core, allowing the chains to wrap around him. The moment the golden chains touched his talisman body, they transformed into pure Annihilation Power and poured into him, merging with his own Talisman Seal Fragments.

Agonizing pain struck him. His talisman body seemed about to be torn apart as Annihilation Power washed over his origin like a raging tide, forcibly suppressing the Rigid-Soft Talisman Power, life force, and Fiend Spirit Origin. But Xuan Fu clenched his teeth and forcefully operated his Talisman Path, weaving the incoming Annihilation Power together with his own strength and fusing them.

The Rigid-Soft Talisman Power neutralized the violence of the Annihilation Power. Life Talisman Power nourished his corroded origin. The Fiend Spirit Origin resonated with the Annihilation Power, while the spatial talisman power guided the flow of energy. The four powers formed a wondrous cycle, like the intermingling of clear and turbid energies when the Primordial Wilderness first began. They restrained one another while also depending on one another.

Xuan Fu's talisman body began to transform. Blue-gold, emerald, pitch-black, and golden light intertwined, forming a streak of Four-Colored Light. The patterns on the talisman surface became more complex and profound. The pressure it radiated was no longer purely destructive or vital, but instead carried the rhythm of the Great Dao that "encompassed all things, with life and death at ease."

"No! What are you doing?!" Old Ancestor Nirvana sensed the anomaly and roared as he activated the seal's main body, trying to forcefully control the power within Xuan Fu. "The seal should be governed by annihilation! How dare you defile it with crooked methods!"

The power of the golden seal surged, and countless annihilation rays shot toward Xuan Fu, attempting to interrupt his fusion. Seeing this, Daoist Yang Mei immediately unleashed his full strength. Power of Space transformed into an enormous barrier before Xuan Fu, while his horsetail whisk swept out, sending countless spatial blades toward Old Ancestor Nirvana and restraining his movements. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Fu, hold on! You are creating a new Great Dao!"

Donghua and the Three Clan Experts also reached the edge of the battlefield. They did not rashly enter the Core Area. Instead, they formed a Three-Colored Array and activated their Origin Power, attacking the outer perimeter of the golden seal. The Dragon Clan's Water Dragon, the Phoenix Clan's fire feathers, the Kirin Clan's stone spikes, and Donghua's Wood Spirit Vines fell like a torrential rain. Although they could not damage the seal's main body, they successfully distracted Old Ancestor Nirvana.

Xuan Fu was immersed in the process of fusing the powers and remained completely unaware of the attacks outside. He could clearly feel his Talisman Path evolving toward an entirely new direction. It was no longer a simple accumulation of powers, but a true "return of all laws to one." Annihilation Power was no longer a symbol of destruction. It had become the "death" within the Talisman Path, coexisting with "life" to form a complete cycle.

After an unknown amount of time, Xuan Fu suddenly opened his eyes, and his Spiritual Sense erupted. Four-colored talisman light shot into the sky, resonating with the radiance of the golden seal's main body. His talisman body had transformed into a Four-Color Crystal, radiating the pressure of the Great Dao of "life and death at ease, with Rigid and Soft Harmony." The Chaos Annihilation Talisman Seal within him had been completely fused by him, becoming part of his Talisman Path rather than the Taboo Power controlling him.

"Old Ancestor Nirvana, your seal belongs to me now!"

Xuan Fu's voice spread across the entire battlefield. With a wave of his hand, four-colored talisman power transformed into a massive talisman blade that slashed toward the main body of the golden seal. This talisman blade contained five powers: life and death, rigidity and softness, space, and vitality. It was more powerful than any of his previous attacks. Wherever it passed, space no longer vanished, but was forcefully divided and then rapidly reassembled, forming a wondrous balance.

Old Ancestor Nirvana's expression changed drastically. He stared at Xuan Fu in disbelief. "Impossible! How could you control the Annihilation Seal?!" He frantically activated the seal's main body. Golden Annihilation Power surged and transformed into an enormous barrier before the talisman blade.

"Boom!"

The Four-Colored Talisman Blade collided with the golden barrier. There was no earth-shaking explosion, only a gentle energy ripple spreading outward. Wherever the ripple passed, the golden Annihilation Power rapidly faded, assimilated and absorbed by the four-colored talisman power. The golden barrier instantly collapsed.

The Four-Colored Talisman Blade continued forward like a hot knife through butter, slashing toward Old Ancestor Nirvana. Terror filled his eyes, and he turned to flee. But Xuan Fu had prepared for this. He activated his spatial talisman power and appeared behind him in an instant, bringing the Four-Colored Talisman Blade down once again.

"No—!"

Old Ancestor Nirvana let out a shrill howl as his body was split in two by the talisman blade. Golden Annihilation Power surged out like a tide and was rapidly absorbed by Xuan Fu's four-colored talisman power. His Origin Core was exposed to the air—a pure golden Talisman Seal Fragment radiating the last remnants of Annihilation Power.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xuan Fu raised his hand and drew the fragment into his palm, fusing it into his Talisman Path. As the fragment merged with him, his Four-Colored Light became even more brilliant. His Talisman Path system became completely perfect, and his strength instantly broke through to the late Quasi-Saint stage, even faintly touching the threshold of Sainthood.

Daoist Yang Mei watched this scene, a trace of relief flashing through his eyes. "Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on creating the Life-Destruction Talisman Path and transcending annihilation from this day forth."

Donghua and the Three Clan Experts also breathed a sigh of relief, victorious smiles appearing on their faces. Old Ancestor Nirvana had been slain, and the greatest crisis facing the Primordial Wilderness had finally been resolved.

Just as everyone thought the battle was over, Xuan Fu's expression suddenly changed. His Four-Colored Light began to tremble violently. He could sense a faint black aura hidden within the Origin Core of Old Ancestor Nirvana that he had just absorbed. This aura was not Annihilation Power, but an even stranger and more sinister force. It resembled the aura of Demon Ancestor Luohu, yet was even more profound.

"What power is this?" Xuan Fu was startled and immediately activated his Purification Talisman Power, attempting to expel the black aura. But the aura was like a parasite clinging to his bones, firmly attached to the core of his Talisman Path. It could neither be expelled nor assimilated. Instead, it slowly devoured his Life-Destruction Talisman Power.

Daoist Yang Mei also noticed the anomaly, and his expression turned solemn. "This is... Demonic Contamination Power! Old Ancestor Nirvana was actually connected to Demon Ancestor Luohu. His origin has already been contaminated by demonic power!"

"Demon Ancestor Luohu?" Xuan Fu's heart sank. He had not expected Demon Ancestor Luohu's shadow to lurk behind this crisis. Demon Ancestor Luohu was the instigator of the Tribulation in the Primordial Wilderness. He excelled at sowing discord and using Demonic Contamination Power to corrupt all things. His strength was unfathomable.

At that moment, a deep laugh came from the depths of Chaos. The voice carried a strong aura of demonic contamination and spread across the entire battlefield. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Fu, congratulations on slaying Nirvana and mastering the Life-Destruction Talisman Path. But do you think this is the end? Nirvana was merely a chess piece I placed, while you will become my next chess piece."

It was the voice of Demon Ancestor Luohu!

Xuan Fu's face instantly turned deathly pale. He could feel the Demonic Contamination Power within him rapidly expanding, resonating with his Life-Destruction Talisman Path and attempting to contaminate it completely, turning him into the Demon Ancestor's puppet.

A trace of resolve flashed through Daoist Yang Mei's eyes. "Luohu, how dare you lay your hands on the Great Dao of Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness! Today, I will uphold justice on Heaven's behalf and cut down this demonic obstruction!" He activated his Power of Space, transforming it into an enormous Space Rift that flew toward the depths of Chaos as he sought Luohu's whereabouts.

Xuan Fu tried to stop him, only to discover that his body was already beginning to slip out of his control. Threads of Black Mark appeared within his Four-Colored Light, and the Demonic Contamination Power rapidly eroded his consciousness.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Fu!" Donghua and the Three Clan Experts hurriedly surrounded him, wanting to help, but they were forced back by the demonic pressure radiating from Xuan Fu.

Xuan Fu clenched his teeth and forcefully operated the Life-Destruction Talisman Path, using the power of the "life" path to suppress the power of the "demonic" path and temporarily stabilize the spread of the contamination. But he knew this was only a stopgap measure. Demon Ancestor Luohu's Demonic Contamination Power was too strange. If he could not find a way to purify it completely, he would eventually become the Demon Ancestor's puppet.

At that moment, Demon Ancestor Luohu's laughter came again from the depths of Chaos. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Fu, there is no need to struggle. Your Life-Destruction Talisman Path and Demonic Contamination Power share the same origin. As long as you are willing to submit to me, I can help you break through to Sainthood. Together, we can rule the Primordial Wilderness—and even Chaos!"

Xuan Fu's gaze struggled repeatedly between clarity and chaos. His Life-Destruction Talisman Path and the Demonic Contamination Power collided with one another. On the Four-Color Crystal of his talisman body, the Black Mark grew increasingly distinct.

Donghua and the Three Clan Experts watched anxiously, yet were helpless. They knew Xuan Fu now faced a crisis even greater than slaying Old Ancestor Nirvana, and the outcome of this crisis would directly determine the future fate of the Primordial Wilderness.

Just as Xuan Fu's consciousness was about to be devoured by the Demonic Contamination Power, the Innate Jade Fluid within him suddenly erupted. Milky-white light enveloped the core of his Talisman Path, temporarily blocking the spread of the contamination. At the same time, the voice of the Jade Void Palace Shadow rang out from the depths of his Spiritual Sense. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Fu, Demonic Contamination Power originates from the desires and darkness in people's hearts. Only by guarding your true heart and using the power of 'balance' within the Life-Destruction Talisman Path can you completely dissolve it. Deep within the Kunlun Dragon Vein lies a fragment of the Innate Taiji Diagram. Perhaps it can lend you a hand!"

A fragment of the Innate Taiji Diagram!

Xuan Fu's heart stirred, and a trace of clarity flashed through his eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he forcefully activated his spatial talisman power, transforming into a streak of Four-Colored Light that fled toward the Kunlun Mountain Range. He had to find the Innate Taiji Diagram Fragment as quickly as possible. Otherwise, once the Demonic Contamination Power completely controlled him, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Seeing this, Donghua and the Three Clan Experts immediately followed, flying toward the Kunlun Mountain Range.

Meanwhile, from the depths of Chaos, Demon Ancestor Luohu's laughter rang out once more, carrying a hint of amusement and anticipation. "Run. The farther you run, the more interesting my chess piece becomes. The Tribulation of the Primordial Wilderness has only just begun..."