An invisible pressure descended like the sky itself, enveloping Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness. The energy flow within the Passage of Being and Non-Being fell into complete disorder. Golden-black radiance collided with the Chaos Stream and the Primordial Wilderness's spiritual energy, erupting into countless tiny sparks of Law Power. Xuan Fu's talismanic form trembled violently. Only by circulating the power of the Great Dao Supreme to its utmost could he barely withstand this pressure of Transcendence of All. He could clearly sense that this power was not directed at any particular existence. It was more like the scrutiny of the Great Dao itself—devoid of emotion, yet capable of making every law of the Great Dao bow before it.
"Transcendent Power... it surpasses being and non-being, life and death, and yin and yang." Daoist Yang Mei lowered his horsetail whisk. Under the pressure, the Power of Space curled into a ball, and even his most adept spatial escape technique was difficult to use. "This power has no weakness. It cannot be transformed or destroyed. Its essence cannot even be sensed."
Donghua's Wood Spirit Power had nearly solidified. Emerald vines spread along the ground, sinking their roots firmly into the land of the Primordial Wilderness. "It's approaching the Passage of Being and Non-Being. It seems to want to use the Power of Balance within the passage to descend upon Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness completely. Once it succeeds, all Great Dao paths will be Assimilated by it. We living beings who rely on the Great Dao to survive will all become vassals of Transcendent Power."
Xuan Fu's Spiritual Sense locked tightly onto that invisible force. He could feel that Transcendent Power was like an invisible net, slowly contracting and wrapping Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness within it. As the link connecting the two lands, the Passage of Being and Non-Being had become the best bridgehead for its descent. The Power of Balance within the passage was being rapidly Assimilated. The golden-black radiance gradually faded, transforming into a pure, colorless, odorless energy—the embryonic form of Transcendent Power.
"We can't let it descend through the passage!" A trace of determination flashed through Xuan Fu's eyes. The Existence-Non-existence Talisman Seal flew out once more, its golden-black talismanic radiance surging as it tried to stabilize the energy flow within the passage. "Senior Yang Mei, please reinforce the passage walls with the Power of Space. Fellow Daoist Donghua, channel the power of the Primordial Wilderness's Dragon Vein into the passage. Three Clan Experts, use your Origin Power to restrain the spread of Transcendent Power!"
Everyone immediately acted. Daoist Yang Mei swept out his horsetail whisk, and countless Space Runes were branded onto the walls of the passage, forming a sturdy spatial barrier. Donghua formed hand seals with both hands. The power of the Kunlun Dragon Vein followed the earth's meridians, transforming into an emerald pillar of light that poured into the Passage of Being and Non-Being. Ao Guang, Feng Yao, and Qilin Cang led the Three Clan Experts in urging the Origin Power of water, fire, and earth, forming a Three-Colored Light Screen before the entrance to the passage in an attempt to block the approach of Transcendent Power.
Xuan Fu completely fused his own power as the Great Dao Supreme with the Existence-Non-existence Talisman Seal, transforming into a golden-black streak of light that drilled into the Passage of Being and Non-Being. The energy turbulence within the passage cut like blades, while the embryonic form of Transcendent Power constantly eroded the origin of his Talisman Path. Fine cracks once again appeared across his talismanic form. But he did not retreat. He sped forward through the passage, continuously pouring the power of the Dao of Being and Non-Being into it, trying to transform the Assimilated energy back into the Power of Balance.
The process was exceptionally difficult. The Assimilation speed of Transcendent Power far exceeded his transformation speed. He had only just converted one section of the passage's energy into golden-black Power of Balance when the next section had already been occupied by colorless energy. Xuan Fu could feel his Great Dao origin rapidly depleting. If he could not find the core of Transcendent Power soon, he would eventually be completely Assimilated and reduced to an energy vessel without autonomous consciousness.
At that moment, Pangu's Remnant Soul let out an enraged roar from the depths of Chaos. The radiance of the phantom Sky-Opening Axe pierced through Chaos and slashed toward the other end of the Passage of Being and Non-Being, attempting to restrain Transcendent Power from outside. "Xuan Fu, the core of Transcendent Power is hidden in the 'Dao Evolution Node' at the center of the passage. That is where the laws of Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness converge, and also the source where Transcendent Power gathers! Only by detonating the Dao Evolution Node with the Dao of Being and Non-Being can we temporarily force it back!"
Xuan Fu's heart tightened. He could indeed sense an invisible node at the center of the passage. The density of the laws there far exceeded that of the other areas, making it the Dao Evolution Node. But detonating the node carried enormous risks. The slightest mistake would not only destroy the Passage of Being and Non-Being, but might also trigger the collapse of the laws of Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness, causing the two lands to separate completely.
"There's no turning back!" Xuan Fu gritted his teeth and sped toward the Dao Evolution Node. At that moment, the Three-Colored Light Screen at the entrance of the passage had already been eroded until it was on the verge of collapse. The auras of the Three Clan Experts grew weaker and weaker. Daoist Yang Mei's spatial barrier was also covered in countless cracks, and the Power of Space was nearly exhausted. Though the Dragon Vein power summoned by Donghua remained tenacious, it too was slowly being Assimilated.
When he reached the Dao Evolution Node, Xuan Fu finally saw the core of Transcendent Power clearly. It was a colorless, odorless crystal without form or substance, suspended at the center of the node. Countless tiny threads of Law Power coiled around it. These threads were constantly Assimilating the Power of Balance within the passage. The crystal itself gave off no energy fluctuations, yet it radiated the pressure of Transcendence of All, making even Xuan Fu's power as the Great Dao Supreme struggle to approach.
"With the Dao of Being and Non-Being, detonate the foundation of Dao Evolution!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Xuan Fu poured all his remaining Great Dao origin into the Existence-Non-existence Talisman Seal. Its golden-black radiance surged to its limit, and the seal transformed into a gigantic talisman that crashed toward the colorless crystal. He did not choose to attack it directly. Instead, he pressed the talisman against the crystal's surface while guiding the Law Power of the Dao Evolution Node, attempting to use the node's explosive force to drive both the crystal and Transcendent Power back.
The instant the talisman touched the colorless crystal, golden-black radiance collided with colorless energy, erupting into an Energy Shockwave of indescribable might. The Dao Evolution Node detonated in an instant. The Passage of Being and Non-Being trembled violently, and the spatial barrier on its walls shattered at once. The Dragon Vein power and the Three Clans' Origin Power were swept up by the shockwave and spread toward both ends of the passage.
The tremendous impact sent Xuan Fu flying backward. The cracks in his talismanic form widened again, and golden Talisman Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. He could feel the colorless crystal blasted away by the node's explosion. The spread of Transcendent Power had been temporarily suppressed, and the colorless energy within the Passage of Being and Non-Being began to rapidly recede as the golden-black Power of Balance regained dominance.
"Success!" Donghua and the others cheered from outside the passage.
Xuan Fu breathed a sigh of relief and slowly descended, but his expression suddenly changed. He could feel that the colorless crystal, though blasted away, had not been damaged. Instead, it was reforming deep within Chaos. The pressure of Transcendent Power had not weakened; it had become even denser. More frighteningly, countless tiny runes began to emerge on the crystal's surface. These runes belonged neither to Chaos nor to the Primordial Wilderness. They were a new type of "Transcendent Rune," containing an even more terrifying power of Assimilation.
"It's learning the laws of our Great Dao!" Pangu's Remnant Soul spoke gravely. "Transcendent Power itself has no form or consciousness, yet it can constantly perfect itself by Assimilating other Great Dao paths. The explosion just now actually taught it how to condense the Talisman Path!"
Xuan Fu's heart sank to the bottom. He had never expected Transcendent Power to be so strange, capable of evolving through Assimilation. Now that it had learned how to condense the Talisman Path, its next descent would certainly be even more difficult to deal with.
The colorless crystal stabilized again in the depths of Chaos. The Transcendent Runes circulated rapidly, and countless colorless threads extended once more, winding toward the Passage of Being and Non-Being. This time, the threads moved faster and their Assimilation power was stronger. The instant they touched the passage walls, they Assimilated the golden-black Power of Balance, and the passage was once again occupied by colorless energy.
"Retreat!" Xuan Fu roared, urging his remaining talismanic power to forcibly teleport everyone in the passage out. The instant they left the passage, the Passage of Being and Non-Being was completely devoured by colorless energy. It transformed into a colorless energy bridge, becoming a bridgehead for the descent of Transcendent Power.
The laws of Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness began to be rapidly Assimilated. The Chaos Stream grew docile and was no longer violent. The Primordial Wilderness's spiritual energy lost its vitality, becoming pure and cold. An invisible shackle began to appear within the souls of living beings—the mark of Assimilation left by Transcendent Power, slowly altering their very essence.
Xuan Fu's Spiritual Sense swept across the land of the Primordial Wilderness. He saw countless living beings falling into a daze, their eyes becoming empty as they lost their former liveliness and emotions. The Origin Power of the Three Clan Experts was also being slowly Assimilated. The water vapor around Ao Guang turned cold, Feng Yao's flames lost their heat, and Qilin Cang's earthen armor became rigid.
"We can't let this continue!" A trace of determination flashed through Xuan Fu's eyes. He knew that to resolve Transcendent Power completely, he had to find its Place of Origin and suppress it at the source. According to Pangu's Remnant Soul's perception, the origin of Transcendent Power was hidden beyond Chaos and the Primordial Wilderness, in the Boundless Land. There were no laws of the Great Dao there. It was the birthplace of Transcendent Power.
"I'm going to the Boundless Land." Xuan Fu's voice was resolute as he looked toward the colorless crystal deep within Chaos. "Only by finding the origin of Transcendent Power can we resolve it completely."
"No! The Boundless Land has no laws of the Great Dao. Once you enter, the power of the Great Dao will be unable to circulate, and you may even be Assimilated instantly!" Daoist Yang Mei hurriedly tried to stop him.
Xuan Fu shook his head and merged the Existence-Non-existence Talisman Seal into the Talisman Path Core. "The Dao of Being and Non-Being itself contains the realm of 'non-being.' Perhaps I can preserve myself in the Boundless Land. Besides, my body contains the Remnant Aura of Pangu's Creation and the Chaos Guardian Talisman. They should be able to resist the power of Assimilation temporarily."
He turned to look at everyone, his eyes filled with trust and entrustment. "While I'm gone, I'll have to trouble everyone to protect the Primordial Wilderness. Guide the living beings to resist the Assimilation of the Transcendence Mark as best you can, and guard the Source of Myriad Talismans in the Kunlun Mountain Range. That is our last hope."
Pangu's Remnant Soul's voice rang out in his mind. "Xuan Fu, the Boundless Land is perilous beyond measure. My Remnant Aura of Pangu's Creation can protect you only for a time. Remember, the essence of Transcendent Power is 'freedom without restraint.' It has no good or evil and no purpose. It merely Assimilates everything by instinct. To restrain it, you must not destroy it. Instead, you must find a new Path of Balance for it."
Xuan Fu nodded without saying anything more. He urged the Dao of Being and Non-Being, and golden-black talismanic radiance wrapped around his entire body as he transformed into a streak of light and flew toward the colorless crystal deep within Chaos. He did not choose to go around it. Instead, he passed directly through the colorless energy bridge formed by the crystal and flew toward the Boundless Land.
The instant he crossed the bridge, Xuan Fu felt a powerful Repulsive Force. The surrounding laws of the Great Dao vanished completely. The power of his Dao of Being and Non-Being became sluggish, and the light of his talismanic form dimmed somewhat. But he did not retreat. Gritting his teeth, he urged the Remnant Aura of Pangu's Creation and the power of the Chaos Guardian Talisman to their limits, barely maintaining his existence.
The Boundless Land was an endless void. There was no space, no time, and no energy—only pure "non-being." Yet at the center of this void, Xuan Fu saw a faint radiance. It was the Place of Origin of Transcendent Power. A gigantic colorless crystal floated there, a million times larger than the crystal in Chaos. Countless Transcendent Runes surrounded it, radiating dense Transcendent Power.
Just as Xuan Fu prepared to approach the origin crystal, it suddenly erupted with a powerful burst of colorless light. Countless Transcendent Runes shot toward him. These runes were even more terrifying than before. They could directly erode his soul, attempting to Assimilate him completely.
Xuan Fu's heart tightened. The Existence-Non-existence Talisman Seal flew out once again, and golden-black talismanic radiance collided with the colorless runes. This time, he did not choose to attack or transform them. Instead, following Pangu's Remnant Soul's guidance, he released the Power of Balance within the Dao of Being and Non-Being, attempting to construct a new balance for Transcendent Power.
Golden-black radiance and colorless runes interwove, forming a strange Energy Vortex. Xuan Fu could feel the Assimilation power of Transcendent Power weakening, as though it had developed an interest in the Power of Balance. But just as the balance was about to be successfully established, the origin crystal suddenly trembled violently. An even more terrifying colorless pillar of light shot toward him. It contained the entire origin of Transcendent Power and carried the ultimate meaning of "freedom without restraint, Assimilate Everything."
Xuan Fu was greatly alarmed. He tried to escape, only to discover that there was no space in the Boundless Land, making it impossible to use an escape technique. He could only fuse the power of the Existence-Non-existence Talisman Seal, the Remnant Aura of Pangu's Creation, and the Chaos Guardian Talisman, forming a golden-black Defensive Barrier to withstand the attack of the colorless pillar of light.
The instant the barrier collided with the pillar of light, Xuan Fu felt an indescribable force surge into his body. His Talisman Path origin, soul, and even consciousness were being rapidly Assimilated. He could feel his consciousness gradually blurring. The dignity of the Great Dao Supreme and his conviction to protect the Primordial Wilderness were both being peeled away bit by bit.
Just as he was about to be completely Assimilated, the Chaos Guardian Talisman within his body suddenly erupted with brilliant golden radiance. Pangu's Remnant Soul's voice rang out once more. "Use yourself as the bridge and the Great Dao as the guide. Let Transcendent Power and the Dao of Being and Non-Being depend on each other!"
A trace of clarity flashed through Xuan Fu's eyes. He suddenly abandoned his resistance and completely opened his Dao of Being and Non-Being, allowing Transcendent Power to surge inside. He did not choose to be Assimilated. Instead, he guided Transcendent Power into his Talisman Path Core, attempting to fuse it with the Dao of Being and Non-Being and form a brand-new "Transcendent Existence-Non-existence Dao."
The process was exceptionally painful. Xuan Fu's consciousness struggled repeatedly among "being," "non-being," and "Transcendence." His talismanic form alternated between condensing and dispersing, sometimes becoming golden-black and sometimes becoming colorless. But he did not give up. He held tightly to the last trace of clarity and guided the three powers into fusion.
Just as the three powers were about to fuse successfully, the origin crystal suddenly erupted with a thunderous boom, causing the entire Boundless Land to tremble. Xuan Fu could feel the origin of Transcendent Power rapidly draining away. It seemed that another unknown force was devouring Transcendent Power's origin from within the origin crystal.
Xuan Fu was startled. His Spiritual Sense probed into the interior of the origin crystal. Deep within its core, he saw an even stranger aura hidden there. This aura was more ancient and mysterious than Transcendent Power, carrying the ultimate rhythm of "creation and destruction coexisting." It was madly devouring the origin of Transcendent Power.
"What kind of power is this?" Xuan Fu was filled with astonishment and doubt. He could feel that this force came neither from Chaos nor from the Primordial Wilderness, nor from the Boundless Land. It came from a realm even more distant and unknown.
At that moment, the mysterious force seemed to notice his probing. An invisible consciousness swept toward him, carrying intense curiosity and scrutiny.
Xuan Fu's face instantly turned deathly pale. He knew that in the Boundless Land, he had not only encountered Transcendent Power—he had also disturbed another, even more terrifying unknown existence.
An ultimate crisis involving every realm and every Great Dao had quietly descended at the center of the Boundless Land.
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