Black Heavenly Emperor's palm was deep and shadowy, as though carved from gemstone, able to absorb all light. It broke free of time's restraints and reached toward the past, several instants earlier, aiming to seize Meng Qi from that moment.
With the help of his Other Shore Trait, Cause of All Fruits, and the Eight-Nine Arcane Art's forewarning of danger, Meng Qi "saw" the anomaly in the River of Time and sensed history about to change. Yet faced with it all, he was utterly powerless, with no way to stop it. It was like encountering a Dharmakaya while practicing Orifice Opening, except the disparity was greater still. He could only watch as Black Heavenly Emperor's hand reached for his past self.
It was a difference in level, a gap in their very natures. Only an Other Shore Being could stand against another. Everyone else, no matter how many gathered or how tightly they clustered together, would be utterly useless!
Ripples spread across the River of Time, beautiful as a dream, as that hand like a black gemstone neared Meng Qi from several instants earlier.
Just then, the chaotic singularity that was Meng Qi suddenly swelled, as if about to unfurl into an auspicious cloud. Blade light and sword energy then appeared, striking toward the upstream and downstream reaches of the River of Time.
The blade light was dark, as if it had cut its way out of illusory cause and effect. Sword energy swept across the heavens, as though nurtured by the River of Time and Destiny.
All that had happened in the past vanished like smoke and clouds. This blade did not ask about the past!
Of all possible futures, only one remained. This sword did not seek the afterlife!
Splash!
The River of Time rippled more fiercely. It