Chapter 4690: Lord Xunzhi
Passing through the hurricane, Lin Moyu arrived at the eye of the storm.
This was where the Heaven's core lay a region of perfect calm, the most peaceful area in the ruins of this world.
Lin Moyu felt regret; the overwhelming, fate infused attacks he'd hoped for, ones strong enough to instantly kill him, never came.
The attacks, soaring in force until they could kill a Supreme, stopped increasing, reaching their peak.
Such attacks were far too weak for him not enough even to harm, let alone instantly kill him.
Yet this wasn't all bad it meant Lord Xunzhi and this world were heavily damaged, unable to wield any greater power.
At the center of the tranquil space, a hundred meter wide, rhombus shaped crystal floated in the air.
Countless images flickered across its surface, reflecting every corner of the world.
Within the crystal, Lin Moyu saw a figure in meditation, looking at him.
The man's eyes were ancient and lonely, as if waiting for countless years.
Even seeing this visitor, his face showed no excitement; it seemed hope for the future was gone.
Lin Moyu gripped the Calamity Scepter, approached carefully, and made a respectful greeting. "Greetings, Lord Xunzhi."
At his name, Lord Xunzhi's gaze subtly changed, recalling memories.
A moment later, a voice rang out, ancient and frail: "It has been…so long since anyone called me that, child. How did you know my name?"
Lin Moyu heard deep loneliness a Supreme so broken in spirit, nearly heartless.
To make a Supreme so hollow, surely only unimaginable events could do so.
Just a few words were enough for Lin Moyu to feel Xunzhi's despair and deathly stillness not struggling to survive, but unable even to die.
He seemed to control this world, yet at the same time, not seized it at all a bizarre, indefinable state.
Lin Moyu answered, "By chance, I obtained the Breaker of the Sky's crystal, and learned a few things."
At those words, Lord Xunzhi's eyes glinted: "The Breaker of the Sky's crystal a relic left by the Breaker of the Sky Emperor?"
Lin Moyu nodded. "Exactly so."
Lord Xunzhi gave a dry, raspy laugh: "So he's really dead? The future was correct, then. That fellow's death was a long time coming."
Despite his words, the tone grew even more resigned, tinged with disappointment.
It was like Lord Xunzhi truly wished the Breaker of the Sky Emperor would succeed, despite any old conflict.
Lin Moyu sensed none of this was wrong. He suggested, "There is an imprint of the Breaker of the Sky Emperor's mind in this crystal. Would you like to see?"
Lord Xunzhi replied, "Yes, let me see him."
Lin Moyu activated the crystal and explained the situation.
A moment later, a phantom appeared the Breaker of the Sky Emperor's mind manifested in the void.
Lord Xunzhi let out a gravelly chuckle. "Breaker of the Sky, you really failed."
The Breaker of the Sky Emperor snorted, "Even in failure, I am better than this not man, not ghost."
Lord Xunzhi was unruffled: "True, better than me I can't even die."
The Breaker of the Sky Emperor didn't mock him further, "How did you end up like this?"
Lord Xunzhi sighed, "Thanks to you."
The Breaker of the Sky Emperor understood: "You meddled, regained your memories, and brought trouble on yourself. Some things shouldn't be known."
Lord Xunzhi replied, "I learned later that you erased my memories for my own good."
The Breaker of the Sky Emperor said, "Even if you Supremes know about the Great Collapse, what good does it do? It only destroys the Dao heart you'd have no way to adapt."
Lord Xunzhi gave another sigh, "Yes, knowing helps nothing. It only brings sorrow."
Now Lin Moyu understood. The Breaker of the Sky Emperor wasn't acting in self interest in erasing Lord Xunzhi's memories. He knew awareness of the Great Collapse brought only suffering.
No Supreme could prepare for, much less prevent, it. In the end, only despair and waiting remained.
This was agony for any Supreme.
So the Breaker of the Sky erased memories, keeping the truth to himself. He never expected Lord Xunzhi to find his own way to restore them.
Yet Lord Xunzhi never spread word of the Great Collapse, instead using his own method to search for escape.
The two former Supremes spoke as old friends, reminiscing for a long, long time.
Lin Moyu quietly listened, the perfect silent observer.
They talked of bygone days, of the Breaker of the Sky Emperor's path, and Lord Xunzhi's alternative.
The Breaker of the Sky's route was simple strengthen himself and break into the Life Forbidden Zone.
It was similar to placing a Supreme in Heaven to block disaster. In his view, if he could reach the Life Forbidden Zone, surpassing everything, perhaps the Great Collapse could be stopped.
But he failed, only lasting ten breaths in the Forbidden Zone before death.
Lord Xunzhi chose instead to elevate his world, tirelessly researching the future and seeking ways to advance his world.
He at last discovered a method: absorbing the energy of other ruined worlds.
He successfully advanced his home from a Five Wheel to a Six Wheel Heaven. It had flaws, but was a real achievement, never before accomplished.
Lord Xunzhi sought to promote his world from six to seven cycles, aiming to be the foremost Seven Wheel Supreme.
He found a Seven Wheel Heaven, created a spatial passage, and used his own technique to draw its power.
But he never imagined the force of a Seven Wheel Heaven would far surpass his own Six Wheel.
The hidden flaws left from advancing to six cycles exploded under the impact, causing his world to shatter.
Lord Xunzhi tried to halt disaster, but failed.
Unable to do anything, he himself shattered as well.
He finally fused with the Heaven's core, pouring all his power into preserving the world's remnants, holding it together as ruins and preventing total collapse.
The price: He was trapped eternally inside the core, unable to leave or wield power, unable even to die.
His strength was dispersed throughout the world, fueling eternal storms.
And as time stretched on, Lord Xunzhi's Dao heart withered and faded. When the Great Collapse arrived, and he sensed other worlds falling, his Dao heart shattered forever.
But still, he couldn't die existing like this, forever.
Listening to this tale, Lin Moyu could only sigh.
A wrong choice had brought unimaginable consequence.
"Our paths were both a mistake. Hand over your method perhaps Lin may still have a chance."