Thud!
Yang Lin's figure flew backward, his snake scales shattering one piece at a time!
The other monsters were just about to intervene, but at that moment, Gluttony appeared.
He slammed his palm onto the ground. The earth suddenly sank, and countless monsters fell into the resulting pit, immediately enveloped by a layer of metal.
Beneath them was not soil at all, but a thick metal foundation.
When he struck the ground, he directly manipulated the metal within to pull those monsters down into the foundation, effectively gaining control over them!
Nightmare descended directly before him. "Gluttony, you shouldn't be helping him right now. You are actively harming Kitsune!"
"Aren't you the one harming Kitsune? These are all Objects. Isn't our core mission to contain them?" Gluttony retorted.
"What if you and I are also Byakuya's targets?!"
"I see no issue with that."
"If there are no Objects left in the world, then the final Object that needs to be destroyed is Kitsune—meaning, ourselves," Gluttony stated.
He was not fundamentally a monster; 005 was sealed within him.
Since 005's abilities were at his disposal, Gluttony's rationale differed significantly from that of other monsters; he operated as an outsider.
Nightmare saw that reasoning was futile and ceased arguing. If Gluttony insisted on siding with Byakuya, then they would simply have to fight first and discuss matters later!
...
On the other side, Yang Lin, wielding a sword in both hands, was being utterly crushed by Byakuya!
This outcome was entirely unsurprising!
Byakuya understood these monsters on the ground intimately. From their specific abilities to their individual personalities, he knew them like the back of his hand. Whether in tactics or psychology, they were completely outmaneuvered by Byakuya.
Apart from Nightmare's defection, which Byakuya found somewhat intriguing, only Yang Lin remained outside his complete control.
But Nightmare's betrayal was a minor issue; Gluttony was still present.
As long as one of them remained aligned with him, they could control all these seemingly unkillable monsters.
Yang Lin's serpentine eyes flickered, and the snake scales covering his face shattered!
If it weren't for these protective snake scales, he would have perished countless times already.
Clang!
Byakuya struck again, and another piece of snake scale on Yang Lin's body shattered!
"These body-protecting snake scales aren't bad; quite useful. How many more do you possess?"
Six pieces remaining.
Yang Lin gasped. "The exact number isn't the important factor."
Byakuya sneered. Light waves flickered across his black-and-white twin swords, directly unleashing two streaks of sword energy!
Seeing this, Yang Lin's Yang Tree sword also flickered with light waves, and he too unleashed a streak of sword energy!
Thud!
The sword energies clashed. Yang Lin's sword energy was weaker, and he was forced back once more!
"Soaring Sword Art, not bad."
"Who instructed you?"
Yang Lin panted. "Honestly, I practiced it before, but it was ineffective. This is something I am learning from you right now."
"Your energy circulation method, I've roughly deciphered it."
Yang Lin spoke, and the energy within his body began to cycle again. And this method of energy circulation was almost identical to Byakuya's internal energy circulation technique?
"Lesser Formless Body?"
"So that is its origin."
Byakuya instantly saw through Yang Lin's secret. This was information recorded in cultivation texts: Lesser Formless Body.
It allowed one to comprehend others' use of energy and immediately imitate their cultivation techniques. It was an innate awakened physique.
So this was Yang Lin's special trait?
It was somewhat unexpected, but how truly useful could it be?
Even if he mastered Byakuya's cultivation technique, so what?
Byakuya's cultivation technique was named the " Cloud Sea Scripture ".
This was a cultivation method specifically designed to complement the Soaring Sword Art, allowing one's energy to flow continuously like ocean waves and endlessly like layers of clouds.
It was divided into two sections: the upper section for refining qi, and the lower section for refining the body.
Although Byakuya had not cultivated it to Great Accomplishment, he had achieved the initial stage of the Dao Body of the Clouds. Yang Lin, learning the "Cloud Sea Scripture" on the fly, fundamentally couldn't condense a Dao Body.
Even taking ten thousand steps back—even if he managed to cultivate a Dao Body—Byakuya was a monster, and his innate abilities alone would be enough to suppress Yang Lin!
Another wave of attacks, and two more snake scales shattered.
Yang Lin also understood the current predicament. Since the Hierro's Spear proved useless, there was only one alternative method...
"Father."
As Yang Lin spoke, the bamboo-like sheath covering the Yang Tree sword suddenly shattered, revealing the sharp blade!
At the same moment, countless tentacles emerged from the hilt of the sword, directly piercing Yang Lin's five fingers!
The throbbing of a heart pulsed incessantly in his ears. Yang Lin's golden serpentine eyes began to turn blood-red at this moment, and a pair of transparent wings grew from his back!
Puff, puff!
Yang Lin swung his sword, and a blood-red mist suddenly sprayed everywhere!
Byakuya sensed a hint of extreme danger and abruptly retreated.
The blood mist slowly diffused, and Yang Lin's figure directly burst forth from within the crimson haze, striking Byakuya with a sword thrust!
Clang!
Byakuya's white sword clashed violently with Yang Lin's sword!
The dynamic had completely shifted?
Yang Lin's strength had surged immensely?
"3rd Step Upper-Tier?"
Was it the influence of that specific sword?
That sword seemed to have grown in tandem with Yang Lin, causing him to exhibit the characteristics of a Guard Bee.
The Guard Bee's advancement was described as a 2nd Step derivative compound, featuring a bronze head and iron bones, rendering it impervious to cold weapons. But those features were gone now; this could only be the manifestation of a Queen Bee's incarnation.
However, what precisely was that red mist?
...
While Byakuya was confused, Yang Lin maintained his sword-wielding posture throughout.
He didn't notice Yang Lin's seemingly dazed expression, because Yang Lin's consciousness was communicating with the consciousness dwelling within the sword.
"Even if I reveal all the power I possess to you, you still cannot defeat him."
Yang Lin looked at the white-haired man before him, a perpetual smile on his lips. "Father... Do you know how delighted I am to see you again?"
"I am also overjoyed. Although I couldn't be present as you grew up, to see you like this now is already my satisfaction." Yang Avee remarked.
From the moment Yang Lin acquired this sword, his consciousness had been linked with his father's consciousness residing within the blade.
That was why, when Jihen called out to him, he had merely stared blankly.
Because his consciousness was actively communicating with his father, Yang Avee's consciousness.
It was truly a wondrous sensation. They had conversed extensively in that period.
And precisely because of that deep communication, Yang Lin realized that Byakuya had been deceitful during their earlier exchange.
"Son, this time you absolutely must heed my words."
"Escape."
"Father, I remember you told me before, 'Brothers fight tigers together; father and son fight side by side in battle.' Later, we'll be police officers together; there won't be any criminals we can't apprehend."
"This situation is different!"
"Father, there is something you grasp more profoundly than I do. You feel it too, don't you?"
"No, you must not!"
...
In the Reason World, several colossal, majestic figures were observing everything unfolding in the outer domain.
"There is a response."
"This time, he is actively soliciting our aid."
"Hahahahaha, fascinating. Grant it to him."
Watching a figure extend a hand, Queen Bee's main body subtly turned her wrist. "Consider it an extension of my own being; let it assist him with its utmost strength."
Endless crimson mist converged, solidifying into a formless, indistinct figure: Red Mist.
A significant portion of crimson mist dissipated from her hand. This mist, via some unknown medium, established a connection to the Manifest World.
And subsequently, to Yang Lin's physical form.
Sea King must have foreseen all of this long ago; this was very likely a component of his grand design. Therefore, let us extend our assistance.
...
The crimson mist surrounding Yang Lin grew steadily denser. His energy was skyrocketing?
"Peak of the 3rd Step?"
Byakuya murmured to himself, as if recognizing something significant. Were those entities from the Reason World making their move?
"Is this your ultimate strategy?"
Thud!
Yang Lin, gripping his sword, slashed out from within the crimson mist. The blade in his hand gleamed fiercely. Byakuya advanced with his own sword, but Yang Lin was not forced to retreat this time.
The two exchanged blows back and forth, yet in terms of both technique and raw ability, Byakuya still held the superior edge.
What Byakuya found most problematic was the crimson mist. Its origin was unknown, and Byakuya began deliberately maintaining distance from it.
Byakuya took a step back to widen the gap. The white sword in his hand transformed into pure Yang energy covering his arm, directly piercing through the crimson mist!
The tip of Yang Lin's approaching sword met his palm directly!
The result was instantaneous: countless plants suddenly erupted forth from within Byakuya's arm, violently forcing out all his muscle, sinew, bone, and blood vessels!
Puff, puff!
His arm cracked segment by segment, rapidly becoming overgrown with foliage. Byakuya, displaying fierce resolve, swiftly used his black sword to sever his afflicted arm, then instantly condensed a white energy arm using Yang energy!
Witnessing the shift in Byakuya's expression, Yang Lin charged forward again!
"So you too understand apprehension?"
Clang!
Yang Lin struck again with his sword, but this thrust was directly caught by Byakuya's hand, now formed entirely of white qi!
"Fear?"
"All sentient beings possess the seven emotions and six desires, and fear alone is deeply ingrained in the bone structure."
"To conquer fear, I made myself fear!"
Byakuya spoke, gripping the black sword with one hand while rapidly launching strikes. Yang Lin's pupils widened, and large, tough roots suddenly burst forth from his body!
But Byakuya's Yin energy directly severed the roots. In an instant, sharp and swiftly lethal qi erupted wildly!
It was that final move again!
Ascend to Heaven!
"Absolute Darkness!"
Nightmare instantly enveloped the battlefield in shadows. Byakuya's eyes turned cold!
"This is truly endless."
Then there was no need for restraint. All living things within a hundred-mile radius—cut them all down!
Just as Byakuya concluded this thought, someone suddenly flew over!
Byakuya sensed the whistling wind behind him. Yin energy was released, tearing toward his back!
But at this critical moment, Grandmaster Balance inverted his five senses!
Byakuya struck in the wrong direction, and by the time he registered the error, that rapidly approaching figure had already seized his back!
It was the Master of Flesh!
In the ensuing darkness, 009 hurled the Master of Flesh, directing him with absolute precision straight toward Byakuya!
"Don't assume you can intimidate us with just one of your group; do you truly believe we are easily overcome?"
009 shouted. The Master of Flesh's body instantly expanded, transforming into his Flesh Mountain form. The colossal mass of flesh directly enveloped Byakuya's body, swallowing him whole!
Absolute Decay struck Byakuya, and his form immediately began to rot!
The sharp and piercing sword energy dissipated, and Absolute Darkness lifted!
The Master of Flesh sensed Byakuya's body dissolving within his own, and he slowly reverted to his humanoid form.
"I warned you, let me get close, and death is assured."
Having spoken, the Master of Flesh turned toward the sword-wielding Yang Lin. "We owe our thanks to you for successfully drawing his attention. From the moment you manifested, Byakuya's entire focus was fixed on you."
"Now, it is finished."
009 raised his hand and checked the watch on his wrist. "A bit faster than anticipated. It is December 31st; only 3 hours remain until the New Year."
"Gentlemen, I propose we begin celebrating early..."
"No!"
For some reason, Yang Lin suddenly interrupted, speaking out of turn to stop 009.
009 frowned. "What is incorrect?"
What was wrong?
"This Byakuya is not the genuine one!"
Hearing Yang Lin's declaration, one of Queen Bee's clones suddenly frowned.
"Yes... something feels amiss."
"What are you two implying?"
"They cannot sense it."
"Because their mental strength is too low," Queen Bee stated, turning to regard Yang Lin. She possessed 4th Step mental strength; she was the one who sensed the anomaly.
Byakuya's mental strength signature had not dissipated upon death.
Why was this the case?
Because mental strength reaching the 4th Step signifies a qualitative transformation. Upon death, the soul or spirit is released.
If one possesses 4th Step mental strength, they can clearly perceive a fluctuation when the soul is released.
This mental fluctuation lingers for an extended duration.
But when Byakuya died, there was no accompanying mental fluctuation indicating the soul's release.
Therefore...
"Byakuya is not dead!"
Crack!
At this moment, everyone heard a crisp sound!
The sound was like shattering glass or a mirror—clear, sharp, and alarmingly loud!
Yang Lin suddenly turned his head, only to see a figure wielding a black sword pierce directly through his chest!
Puff, puff!
Yang Lin's pupils widened. Black Yin energy instantly flooded into his body!
And before him stood a perfectly unharmed Byakuya.
Byakuya held a mirror in his hand. The mirror was shattered.
He casually tossed the broken mirror to the ground. This was an Object purchased at a heavy price from Mad Hatter, called Kagetsuki.
It possessed a rather interesting capability: it could project an illusory duplicate.
This illusory projection held identical strength and abilities to the main body, much like a reflection in water.
However, if this reflection died, the mirror would be instantly destroyed.
But this was almost impossible, because the projected image possessed a pseudo-immortal characteristic.
Since it was a projection, it was immune to the vast majority of attacks.
Like Queen Bee's stings, Byakuya actually didn't block them; those stings simply failed to register contact.
Yang Lin's "Hierro's Spear" from before was the same; it hadn't pierced Byakuya's physical form, so how could it have been effective?
But even a projection couldn't ward off concept-based or absolute-characteristic attacks.
Red Mist's ability was the very concept of life, and the Master of Flesh's absolute characteristic dictated that if contact was made, decay was assured.
Although the mirror projected an image, it was not a mere shadow; it was conceptualized reality.
It was a clone imbued with an illusory concept.
So the Master of Flesh truly did kill Byakuya's projection, which consequently resulted in Kagetsuki being directly destroyed.
However, Byakuya's primary objective had already been secured.
Yang Lin, his body pierced, collapsed directly onto the ground.
Observing his defeated expression, Byakuya's lips stretched into a grin. "Do you know what is the most agonizing experience?"
"The answer, of course, is the drawn-out process of awaiting death."
"I know the precise moment I am destined to die. I feel honor for it, and I feel terror for it. Yet, I was never truly afraid of death."
"But I foresaw something else. As the day of my demise gradually approached, that torment and anguish would surely drive me insane."
"So, I repeatedly forced myself to suppress those memories, ensuring that every day I lived was a repeat of the me from yesterday."
"...What a misfortune, what a profound pity. Because I overused the Golden Lotus seed, those memories... I cannot erase them."
"So, every subsequent day, I faced death anew. And after confronting death repeatedly, I became clearer and clearer, understanding more and more precisely what Fate truly is!"
"This is my Fate."
"I refuse to accept this kind of Fate, so I defy it. If Fate dictates that I must die today, then I shall grant Fate a death as a recompense!"
"This Fated Death, I reject it."
Perfectly lucid?
Why was Byakuya speaking with such clarity now?
Those who didn't truly know him claimed he was always a madman, but those who understood him knew that Byakuya was meticulous, calculating three steps ahead. Though his actions appeared absurd, his inner self was extremely rational.
But now, Byakuya—where was his rationality?
He hadn't even prepared for Nightmare's betrayal. In his eyes, only Yang Lin remained as the central threat!
Because he felt that his Fated Death was being orchestrated by Yang Lin!
Byakuya might have forgotten the tale he once recounted.
A wizard predicted the king's death date. The king, terrified of his approaching demise, fled into the deep mountains, an act which ironically hastened his death.
The moral of that story is simple: Fate cannot be escaped.
When you know your date of death, it is already fixed, because that very knowledge is an inextricable part of your destiny.
So, what was the actual difference between what Byakuya was doing now and the king in his cautionary tale?
Looking at the situation today, wasn't that story mirroring his own life?
Could the critical catalyst for his demise truly be Yang Lin?
What if this was merely a strange phenomenon that would manifest only after his death?
But Byakuya no longer cared about any of that.
Yang Lin, gripping his sword with both hands, knelt upon the ground. A massive cavity had been dissolved in his chest by the Yin energy.
At this precise moment, Byakuya launched his final strike: Ascend to Heaven!
Puff, puff!!!
This time, Byakuya held nothing back. He unleashed this sword strike at the maximum possible velocity!
In an instant, endless sword energy directly erupted from Yang Lin's body, wildly tearing through the surrounding environment!
Yang Lin's body exploded in a flash. Every monster suspended in the encroaching darkness was pierced by streaks of sword energy, left riddled with wounds!
Byakuya let out a wild laugh, then suddenly composed himself.
Looking at Yang Lin's shattered, scattered remains, he unexpectedly withdrew his twin swords. The swords transformed into Yin and Yang qi and dissipated.
Byakuya covered his forehead with his hand. "Ah, I crave canned rations..."
"However, there is still something left unfinished."
Byakuya lowered his hand, and Yin and Yang qi rapidly condensed in his palm.
A talisman directly flew out from his chest.
"Grand Cloister."
With that utterance, this talisman instantly devoured the surrounding world, encasing a group of monsters and the land itself entirely within a barrier!
And Byakuya was also inside this boundary. Outside the barrier, the world dissolved into darkness and chaos, as if the entire Earth had vanished, leaving only this single patch of land.
Grand Cloister possessed the ability to segment space, consuming a region to transform it into a unique, separate dimension.
Within this space, Byakuya could establish his own localized world, unaffected by external rules.
The group looked around in utter disbelief, only to find themselves now suspended within the cosmos, surrounded by an endless sea of stars and void!
Byakuya was about to step forward but halted abruptly.
Countless dense threads had spread around him at some unknown juncture, and a black-robed figure wearing a white mask materialized behind him.
It was Reinhard.
Byakuya and Reinhard stood back to back. Byakuya instantly sensed Reinhard's presence.
When did he appear?
"Second meeting, Byakuya."
Byakuya smiled. "Hiding for so long, you must have been busy."
Reinhard's tone was calm: "Not hard work; I just arrived."
"That chessboard last time, did you enjoy the game?"
Yin fire condensed in Byakuya's hand. "If I can defeat you once, I can defeat you a second time. So this time, I will still win."
Thud!
Byakuya's Yin fire surged, directly tearing through the countless threads. He turned and struck Reinhard!
In an instant, a flash of blood-red light. Reinhard's Demon Blade left its sheath, striking directly at Byakuya's wrist!
Thud!
A sharp collision sound echoed. A layer of white light armor instantly materialized on Byakuya's body. Reinhard's blade failed to penetrate the defense.
But this blow forced Byakuya's hand downward.
Byakuya and Reinhard exchanged glances. Both simultaneously launched a palm strike. A sword-like qi spear emerged from Byakuya's palm!
While from Reinhard's palm, a ball of flame resembling a fierce lion shot out!
Boom!
The two widened their distance. Byakuya's body-protecting light armor was breached, and one of his hands was charred black by the flames.
This was... a 4th Step attack?
Reinhard's palm was also pierced by the qi spear. Byakuya's sudden attack was undeniably a calculated ambush.
But how could he have been so well-prepared?
A 4th Step magic attack—this was something he had meticulously researched specifically for Byakuya.
It was just a shame; it was still slightly insufficient.
Reinhard's self-developed magic was still unable to maximize his mental energy projection.
He had spent years researching and refining this magic, yet it remained only at this level. This was a hundred times harder than simply learning existing magic.
Because he was self-creating the magic, with no guidance and no materials, relying entirely on his personal exploration. This was not achieved overnight.
Byakuya squeezed his fist. "You concealed your capabilities too effectively."
Reinhard plunged his Demon Blade into the ground. "More surprises are forthcoming. Yang Lin, your cue is almost up."
Hm?
Byakuya suddenly whipped his head around, only to see Yang Lin, who was supposed to be shattered into minced meat, still present. But the Yang Tree sword was missing.
And at this moment, a profound chill ran across his entire being!
Trusting his senses, Byakuya abruptly bent at the waist, only to see the Yang Tree sword flash suddenly right above him!
Yang Lin, perfectly unharmed, reappeared directly before Byakuya!
Byakuya twisted his foot, spun, and kicked Yang Lin, sending him flying!
"You're not dead?"
Seeing Byakuya's genuine confusion, Grandmaster Balance suddenly smiled.
"My ability is sometimes quite useful, Byakuya. Didn't you notice that your act of killing Yang Lin was improper?"
The Master of Flesh rose slowly. "I can only say that my clone is still remarkably realistic."
Substituting a fake for the real one?
That was correct—it was indeed a substitution.
The Master of Flesh had duplicated a Yang Lin, then handed this copy over to Balance.
Balance's ability could now be actively controlled. He pulled the genuine Yang Lin into the isolated space and forcefully ejected the false Yang Lin.
The swap was executed in an instant; ordinary individuals couldn't even register the shift.
And all of this was orchestrated by Reinhard's strategy.
Yang Lin retreated to Reinhard's side. "Apologies, Master, I still had to utilize that tactic."
"As anticipated."
"You predicted it?"
"I advised you to discard that wooden carving, but you refused, didn't you?"
"That's right."
"I knew you would choose that path," Reinhard stated.
That item in Yang Lin's mouth was actually a conduit for borrowing power.
Borrowing the strength of those 4th Step monsters, and the sword served as the necessary medium.
Reinhard had anticipated Yang Lin would attempt to borrow power; therefore, this was also part of his intricate plan.
He had originally intended for Yang Lin to borrow strength. For this very purpose, he even arranged for Yang Lin to encounter 024 Great Serpent once.
Otherwise, how could Yang Lin, while pursuing Jihen, just so happen to cross paths with 024 Great Serpent? How could such a coincidence occur in this world?
"The pieces are set on the board. Guess where you are standing now, Byakuya?"
Reinhard spoke, and monsters materialized one after another out of thin air, completely surrounding Byakuya at the absolute center.
Some of these entities had also been released from Balance's contained space.
In this square world, if the ground beneath their feet was mapped like a chessboard, then Byakuya's current position was the definitive center square.
"...So that's the situation. I was the piece you managed to land on." Byakuya conceded.
"This pit you dug is masterfully executed, wonderfully crafted. I genuinely believe it's superb. Only you are qualified to be my true opponent. This encirclement, from the very beginning, was conceived as a direct contest between you and me."
Gluttony had been manipulated by Nightmare. Now the entire strategy became perfectly clear.
The monsters Byakuya had previously defeated into pulp all reappeared, completely unscathed.
They had been released by Balance. And what Byakuya had destroyed earlier was merely a clone of the Master of Flesh.
The momentum of the battle instantly reversed. Byakuya had been completely outmaneuvered!
Reinhard subtly flicked his wrist, and a black chess piece materialized between his two fingers.
He flicked his finger, sending the black piece skittering to Byakuya's feet, leaving no ambiguity in the message.
"Byakuya, checkmate."