Side Story: The Death of the Nine Nether Great Emperor

In the blink of an eye, countless ages had passed once more. Across the entire Swallowing Starry Sky universe, innumerable worlds evolved and revolved. Compared to the very beginning, earth-shaking changes had long since taken place.

The entire world had already advanced from a newborn world toward a mature one.

The heavens and earth were vast and magnificent. With countless living beings embellishing the starry sky, the whole world began progressing toward the Heaven Origin Era that had once existed in this very region.

The return of glory was merely a matter of time.

Star Sea, Star Island.

Within a secret chamber, the Source Heaven Emperor sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. Beside him, Azure Profound Monarch was likewise seated with his eyes closed, while Luo Feng alone remained standing.

Luo Feng moved his finger through the air over their bodies, inscribing all manner of Taboo Secret Markings outside their bodies.

If anyone could understand these secret markings, they would know that they bore some resemblance to the former Axis of Space-Time, yet seemed far more advanced.

Faintly, this advanced nature resembled the power of rules within the void.

Although Luo Feng had voluntarily lowered his realm into the Life Reincarnation Cycle, his current abilities still allowed him to enter the void.

His realm was equivalent to the pinnacle of half-step transcendence. Having comprehended a portion of the mysterious Dao within the void, he was sufficiently capable of roaming through it.

"Done!" With a tap of his finger, Luo Feng withdrew his hand.

Whoosh!

The Source Heaven Emperor, whose eyes had been tightly shut, suddenly opened them.

Soon after, Azure Profound Monarch beside him also awakened.

Luo Feng looked at the two of them. The secret markings inscribed upon the Source Heaven Emperor and Azure Profound Monarch gradually sank into their bodies before disappearing.

"How does it feel?" Luo Feng asked.

"My body has completely fused with these secret markings. However, whether I can enter the void still needs to be tested. Combined with the armor you refined, I feel there should be no major problem," the Source Heaven Emperor said.

Azure Profound Monarch nodded as well. "Right now, I feel as though I possess the ability to shatter and annihilate rules. These secret markings have completely entered my body."

Luo Feng nodded slightly. "In that case, it should succeed."

This time, Luo Feng still wanted to try taking them into the void to explore it. In the past, when he had retrieved their karmic imprints, destiny imprints, and the like from the endless layers of space-time, he had asked them what they thought: if they wished to regain control of Emperor Power, they would need to enter reincarnation and obtain it through their own abilities.

Even during his time as a Creator God, Luo Feng had not dared claim that he could interfere with the destinies of these lives. If he forcibly seized Emperor Power, it might trigger certain mutations in that power. By then, even if they gained control of Emperor Power, they likely would not possess the possibility of transcending destiny and reincarnation as he had. It was even uncertain whether they could reach the ultimate realm; they might instead be possessed by the power itself.

Entering reincarnation was equivalent to erasing their memories and cultivating anew, so they had temporarily abandoned that thought.

By comparison, they hoped even more to explore this world within the void. Especially since their old adversary, the Nine Nether Great Emperor, was still drifting freely through the void.

If possible, they naturally wanted to meet that old enemy—and dispose of him while they were at it.

"Let's go. I'll take you to try it out." Luo Feng smiled. With a thought, he brought the Source Heaven Emperor and Azure Profound Monarch outside the entire Swallowing Starry Sky world.

From Luo Feng's perspective, the power of the void remained incomparably resplendent, with endless streams of multicolored light flowing through it.

But to the Source Heaven Emperor and Azure Profound Monarch, who could not control the rules of the void, everything appeared dark. Only when they activated the secret markings within themselves and formed a domain outside their bodies could they use it to sense their surroundings—only exposed, disorderly power existed in their perception, with no rules whatsoever.

Luo Feng immediately withdrew his domain, allowing the Source Heaven Emperor and Azure Profound Monarch to experience it for themselves.

The power of the void corroded them, yet certain forbidden powers within their bodies prevented their flesh from being annihilated.

"Looks like it worked." Luo Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had expended no small amount of effort to achieve this.

Whether refining the armor or inscribing Taboo Secret Markings within their bodies, he had invested considerable effort. Back when he made this armor, he had searched the void for miraculous materials capable of existing within it, spending a great deal of time before gathering them all.

"Now that I'm experiencing this void personally, it really does seem somewhat different. I can sense the power of the void here changing at every moment, as if it wants to break down my body," Azure Profound Monarch said.

"It truly is extraordinary. These powers seem to have no fixed form, which means they have no fixed rules. Under such circumstances, they are far too powerful and dangerous," the Source Heaven Emperor said as well.

They carefully sensed everything, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Although Luo Feng had told them about it before, personally experiencing it was entirely different.

"The only trouble is that I seem unable to sense my avatar on Star Island," the Source Heaven Emperor said. As he spoke, he looked toward Azure Profound Monarch, who shook his head. "I can't sense mine either. Once I entered this place, I felt as if I'd lost all sense of direction. I have no idea where to go."

Luo Feng smiled and nodded. "If you haven't comprehended the rules here, you cannot sense direction. The power here annihilates all incompatible powers and perceptions. The connection between you and your avatars, even one of strong karma, cannot penetrate this terrifying void power. Naturally, you can't sense them."

Luo Feng had comprehended a portion of the void's rules, which was why he could perceive things.

Without Luo Feng, if the two of them wished to roam the void, they would likely become lost the instant they left.

Most importantly, the powers here were ever-changing. It was not merely that the rules changed. For example, with spatial power, even directions could change. Even if the two of them had just emerged from the Swallowing Starry Sky world, turning around to return might very well no longer lead back in the right direction.

That was the strange aspect of this place.

Without controlling its rules, entering it meant becoming lost.

That intruder from the Heaven Origin Era had actually drifted through the void for endless ages. Otherwise, he would not have fought the Source Heaven Emperor and the others to the death. If he had wanted to leave, he could have done so at any time. Yet once he left, the next time, he would likely die within the void.

"Are you prepared? Or do you need to go back once more?" Luo Feng looked at the two of them.

"Let's set out directly. We've spent endless ages on Star Island. Since we've come out, we also want to see the world beyond," the Source Heaven Emperor said with a smile.

"Exactly." Azure Profound Monarch's eyes gleamed.

"Since you're both ready, then let's depart now." Luo Feng smiled. He was also curious about this vast, boundless land of void. In the past, he had ventured out to search for materials and traveled some distance, but he had never truly gone far from this world.

The main reason was that his Devil Blade True Body had yet to return. Without his protection, this world would always face some trouble.

However, after staying for so long, Luo Feng knew that the likelihood of the world encountering a crisis was actually very low—so low as to be almost negligible. As long as one of his avatars remained behind, he could draw upon its power to handle certain crises. For instance, if another intruder like those in the past appeared, even a small avatar of his could deal with it.

Thinking of the Demon Blade, Luo Feng felt somewhat helpless.

The Demon Blade was too special.

Back then, the birth of his Devil Blade True Body had actually been purely coincidental. His Emperor Heart had happened to split apart. One half had gained control, while the other had fallen into demonic corruption. Under the influence of two different bodies of destiny, the rules within the void were affected as well, resulting in the birth of a separate consciousness that descended directly upon the Emperor Power of Luo Feng's Demon Blade.

Later, Luo Feng learned that the void also contained some worlds that had truly arisen naturally. Such naturally born worlds were similar to the circumstances surrounding the Demon Blade's birth, guided into existence by the power or will of the void's rules. In such worlds, the Heavenly Dao was the true heaven itself. To surpass it would likely be exceedingly difficult.

Now, the Demon Blade had entered reincarnation once more, entering a parallel space-time world similar to Luo Feng's past. The will within it would likely seize the opportunity to revive and become the world's will. There was a possibility that Luo Feng could return again, but it would probably not be simple. Most likely, he would have to undergo a journey comparable to the path he had walked in the past. He would need to tear apart the Heavenly Dao's will within that world to make it possible. This showed just how difficult it was to transcend.

Waiting until the Demon Blade returned before setting out would be difficult. It would take an extremely long time.

He withdrew his thoughts.

Following his perception, Luo Feng looked in a certain direction—

Naturally, it was the direction of the Nine Nether Earth. Luo Feng had captured some destiny particles belonging to the Nine Nether Great Emperor and condensed them into a strand of power, allowing him to sense the Nine Nether Great Emperor's direction at any time.

Endless ages had passed, yet according to Luo Feng's perception, the Nine Nether Great Emperor was still drifting. In fact, he had not even drifted very far.

Back when Luo Feng had gone out to search for materials, if he had wanted to kill him, he could have reached the Nine Nether Great Emperor's location at any moment.

"Let's go!"

Luo Feng's power enveloped the Source Heaven Emperor and Azure Profound Monarch, and their figures vanished in an instant. Luo Feng's speed through the void was extraordinarily fast.

In a single instant, he crossed a distance that might have required the Source Heaven Emperor and the others to fly for countless ages. If they simply drifted, who knew how long it would take.

Just over two days later.

"Your old friend is up ahead." Luo Feng smiled faintly.

Azure Profound Monarch and the Source Heaven Emperor's eyes immediately lit up.

At this moment—

The Nine Nether Great Emperor, dressed in profound black robes, was not moving forward of his own accord. Instead, he sat cross-legged in the void. Drifting all this way had been unbearably dull and lonely. Fortunately, he had encountered one natural crisis along the way, adding a little excitement to his boring existence.

That time, the power had been rather strange. Although he could adapt to the powers here, if the tearing force became too great, his body could still be ripped apart.

He had nearly risked his life to survive that time.

Though bored, he no longer wished to encounter such a crisis again.

Later, he drifted for many more ages. Drifting in such solitude, he could see no direction and had no idea where to go. It felt as though his mind was gradually approaching collapse.

So he simply stopped moving forward on his own. Instead, he sat down and attempted to comprehend the void's rules.

He had no idea how many ages he had spent sitting there, yet the rules of the void were simply too difficult to comprehend. Even after such a long time, he had made no progress at all.

"Hm?" Suddenly, he abruptly opened his eyes.

"What is this? I have an inexplicable feeling of unease." The Nine Nether Great Emperor's expression turned solemn, as though danger were approaching. "Could it be that this void contains dangerous lifeforms? Ones that, like me, refined a World Embryo?"

He had been sitting cross-legged like this for endless ages. Since that previous crisis, he had never felt this way again. Yet now, he unexpectedly felt such unease.

The moment he sensed it, the Nine Nether Great Emperor hurriedly unleashed his domain.

In the next instant, his expression changed drastically, and terror appeared in his eyes.

"Luo Feng! How could it be him?!" The Nine Nether Great Emperor was stunned. The instant his domain spread out, he sensed Luo Feng's presence. Traveling alongside Luo Feng were two other figures. Their appearances were unfamiliar, yet they gave him the feeling of some vague karmic connection.

The Nine Nether Great Emperor had only just reacted when Luo Feng's laughter reached his ears. "Nine Nether Great Emperor, it's been a long time. Have you been well?"

"Don't even think about running. It's useless. Even if you flee to any corner, I can find you. What's more, before me, you no longer have any chance of escape."

The Nine Nether Great Emperor had just been about to flee, but Luo Feng's next words left him utterly dumbfounded.

Upon hearing this, the Nine Nether Great Emperor could only halt abruptly. His eyes held unwillingness and grief as well. "Luo Feng, why must you do this?"

He had never expected that after Luo Feng had reached such a level of strength, he would still want to kill him. He had always believed that someone like Luo Feng should have treated him as beneath notice.

"Nine Nether, do you remember me?" the Source Heaven Emperor said with a faint smile. His voice was actually the same as before.

"Source Heaven Emperor?" The Nine Nether Great Emperor froze slightly upon hearing him speak. The appearance was wrong, but the voice and manner of speaking were exactly the same. The only difference was the absence of Emperor Power.

At this point, he finally reacted. From these two unfamiliar lives, he sensed a deeply concealed karmic connection. One was the Source Heaven Emperor, while the other should be Azure Profound Monarch, the Sword Demon. When Azure Profound Monarch had been seizing the Dao, he had intervened to save him.

Now, he could not imagine how these two dead men had come back to life. If it was all because of Luo Feng, then what level had Luo Feng reached? Could it be the legendary Creator God?

If Luo Feng had already reached such heights, why did he still refuse to let him go?

"Nine Nether, seeing you in this state is truly rather pathetic." The Source Heaven Emperor continued smiling. Under Luo Feng's domain, they naturally saw the lifeform in profound black robes with two horns atop its head.

"Hmph, Source Heaven Emperor, I have to say, your luck is fucking good. I never imagined that we would meet again like this." The Nine Nether Great Emperor spoke in a low voice, filled with self-mockery. At this moment, he suddenly understood that perhaps Luo Feng was not the one refusing to let him go. These two likely had no intention of sparing him either.

Had he not refined the World Embryo, and had Luo Feng not truly comprehended the rules within the void and attained the position of Creator, perhaps none of what followed would ever have happened.

From another perspective, what he, the Nine Nether Great Emperor, had done truly warranted death.

"Luo Feng, can you spare me?" The Nine Nether Great Emperor no longer paid attention to the Source Heaven Emperor and instead looked at Luo Feng. There was a trace of struggle in his eyes. He still wanted to live.

"You're asking me? You might as well beg the Source Heaven Emperor. If he is willing to spare you, I can consider leaving you a slim chance." Luo Feng grinned, signaling for him to plead with the Source Heaven Emperor.

"Nine Nether Great Emperor, you have lived long enough. At the very least, throughout the endless ages since my fall, you remained alive. Now, you should pay the price for what you did. In this world, karma will always come full circle. Only when the cycle of karma is complete can your influence upon us be erased. Therefore, you cannot live." The Source Heaven Emperor looked at the distant Nine Nether Great Emperor, his eyes devoid of even the slightest pity or emotional stir.

Back then, if he had been able to kill the Nine Nether Great Emperor, he would have done so.

"That's right. Regardless of the karma, once you die, everything will disperse. Nine Nether Great Emperor, where there is cause, there must be effect. This is the reincarnation of this world. We cannot escape it, and neither can you." Ever since Azure Profound Monarch learned the cause of his death, he had harbored the same hatred toward the Nine Nether Great Emperor.

He only hated that his strength had been too weak, leaving him no more than a pawn.

Now, Azure Profound Monarch could look down upon the Nine Nether Great Emperor as well.

If Azure Profound Monarch had possessed sufficient power, he would have wanted to personally slaughter the Nine Nether Great Emperor.

The Nine Nether Great Emperor stared at Luo Feng, then glanced at the Source Heaven Emperor and Azure Profound Monarch.

"Hahahaha, are you sure Luo Feng can truly kill me?" The Nine Nether Great Emperor suddenly laughed. "Not to mention my other avatar—even this body alone might be beyond his ability to kill!" As he spoke, his body exploded into countless pieces that shot toward different directions, attempting to survive this way.

"Heh... other avatars?" As for his implication that he had other bodies, Luo Feng found it nothing more than a joke. Everything about the Nine Nether Great Emperor was within his grasp. This true body was all that he had.

Luo Feng looked at the Nine Nether Great Emperor, who had split into countless pieces, and shook his head faintly. He even allowed the Nine Nether Great Emperor to flee some distance before, with a single thought, saying, "Annihilate!"

Endless blade light sprang into existence from thin air, instantly and completely enveloping every fragment of the Nine Nether Great Emperor's divided body. Under the onslaught of blade light, none of the Nine Nether Great Emperor's bodies possessed the slightest ability to resist. In only a brief moment, they were reduced directly to nothingness.

Luo Feng did not even give him a chance to enter reincarnation, erasing everything related to the Nine Nether Great Emperor.

With Luo Feng's current strength, crushing a Nine Nether Great Emperor to death was truly effortless, even though he had comprehended only a portion of the void's rules.

After doing all this, Luo Feng felt little emotional fluctuation. The Source Heaven Emperor and Azure Profound Monarch, however, wore complicated, wistful expressions.

"It's over. And it is also a new beginning." After a while, the Source Heaven Emperor composed himself and smiled.

"Luo Feng, let's go. Take us to explore this void. I'm extremely curious about it," Azure Profound Monarch said.

"Let's go. I'm also very curious what lies within the void." Anticipation shone in Luo Feng's eyes. Now that the summoning sensation was gone, he no longer needed to leave this space. Instead, he could go elsewhere and take a look.

PS:

Everyone, please help bookmark the new book, "Above the Extreme Heaven." You can search for it on Qidian, or click into it through my homepage. It is not yet available on QQ Reading. After bookmarking it, please help read through the latest chapters. The current data needs follow-up readers, or you can directly read the newest two or three chapters. Remember to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Thank you, fellow Daoists.

The time mentioned in Above the Extreme Heaven is the world where the Demon Blade is located, as mentioned in this side story. However, Shen Sanqing is not the Demon Blade's reincarnated body, since I wanted to change protagonists. They will interact later, then connect again with the "Swallowing Starry Sky" world created by Luo Feng. I will try my best to form a closed loop.