504: Chapter 149 Derivation to Realize the Truth [1] 504: Chapter 149 Derivation to Realize the Truth [1] Desolate autumn winds, accompanied by wave after wave of loss.

When the foundation is gone, how can anything else stand?

Frost Tears, now without the Netherworld Queen presiding over it, is no longer Frost Tears.

And the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sword Tomb, without Wan Jian Tian presiding, is no longer the Ten Thousand Ghosts Sword Tomb.

Everything here will undergo transformation, either be annihilated or give rise to new derivations due to changes in the Ancient Array.

Yet, there still remains a certain period of safety.

Zhou Yan retrieved his physical body, guarded by the Netherworld Queen, and after merging with his Soul, his body also returned to a complete state, his strength naturally reaching the peak of the Sword Void Three Changes.

At this moment, he stood with his hands behind his back, his stance solitary as a crane.

Gazing into the distance, by his side, only Jiu Que remained.

Netherworld Queen, Xiao Shuang, had inevitably, due to her severe injuries, taken her sister to devote themselves to harsh recovery.

White Fox Bai Ying, Wan Jian Tian, Xiong Ba had each their own tasks and had departed as well.

By his side, only Jiu Que, once a formidable enemy, now a loyal subordinate, remained.

The sea changes into mulberry fields and men are no longer the same.

Zhou Yan intended to inquire Jiu Que about specifics regarding Lei Yan King, but ultimately he did not, as the eyes of Zhuge Guyan were the best warning.

Whenever everything settled down, but the first major competition for the Saint’s consort, he could only forfeit.

The Saint was important, but the secrets of the Soul Killing Divine Stone and the Killing Spirit Divine Dao seemed just as crucial.

“Saint Master.”

Jiu Que sighed lightly, and silently came beside Zhou Yan.

He suddenly felt that he truly understood Zhou Yan’s loneliness and solitude.

“Yes, now that things have settled, you can confidently discuss the matter about the Soul Killing Chains, we are no longer under scrutiny.”

Zhou Yan sensed around this Child Secret Realm and no longer felt any spying presence, hence he spoke assuredly.

The Secret Realm now had an owner, and he, as the master, could clearly sense everything.

“Saint Master, the insights I previously imparted to you regarding the Soul Killing Chains were not wrong, indeed they were the most comprehensive understandings I had.

However, this time through life and death betrayal, my mind suddenly cleared again, and in an instant, I comprehended a new Soul Killing Technique, which I feel is closely related to the Twelve Magnetic Light Columns of the Yuan Ci Secret Realm.

If we seize the opportunity, you could comprehend the Twelve Yuan Ci Soul Killing Ancient Array, possessing a trump card capable of Slaying Saints.

However, firstly, arranging this Ancient Array is extremely resource-consuming, and secondly, this Array can only be set in fixed locations, luring the enemy into the Array to take effect.”

“Even so, it remains an exceptional item, with the Ancient Array capable of both offense and defense.”

Jiu Que hesitated briefly before expressing his insights.

“Hmm?

To make use of the Twelve Magnetic Light Columns is indeed excellent!

If we could refine a stream of Primordial Magnetic Pole Light, that would indeed be a rich harvest, and with it, one might even revive a Soul!” Zhou Yan was moved, speaking with some pleasure.

“Saint Master…

In reality, human Cultivators all have a misunderstanding, believing that supreme treasures must have defy-heaven effects.

However…

those effects may only be applicable to Cultivators of lower Realms.

Just as a Holy Artifact, in the hands of Cultivators below or just reaching the Sword Ancestor Realm, can nearly sweep away all and seem omnipotent, yet in the hands of Saints, is merely a suitable weapon.”

“The Primordial Magnetic Pole Light is the same.

Only the Heavenly Mechanism Skill, Luck Path, Netherworld Dao, Heaven, and Earth Ancient Scripture, Fusion of Vast Energy Life Soul, Thunder Flame Soul Liquid, Ten Thousand Years Soul Path, Original Dao, etc., are truly defy-heaven treasures.”

Jiu Que began to enlighten Zhou Yan about the knowledge of this world.

Even though Zhou Yan had memories from his Master about this world, his Master’s memories were not extensive, hence Zhou Yan’s understanding was not comprehensive.

Now, as Jiu Que spoke, Zhou Yan suddenly saw the light, his mind becoming clear.

“If that is the case, then impart the Soul Killing Technique to me, I am prepared, and you need not worry.”

Zhou Yan merely furrowed his brow faintly, then immediately relieved.

Seeing Zhou Yan grasping his meaning instantly, Jiu Que also felt reassured and began to narrate the secrets of the Killing Spirit Divine Dao.

At this moment, Zhou Yan, in coordination with the Soul Killing Divine Stone, began to truly experience the uniqueness of the Soul Killing Chains.

“Soul Killing is a path similar to the Soul Path, originating from the Divine Soul, Divine Sense.”

Jiu Que began to explain, and his first statement stunned Zhou Yan.

Human consciousness evolves in three stages: the consciousness before and after reaching the Sword Intent Realm, the Soul Consciousness after the Sword Soul, and the Divine Sense after reaching the Sword God Realm.

Zhou Yan, having partial memories from his Master, knew of torments not on the physical or soul level, but on the level of Soul Consciousness or even Divine Sense.

The more one reaches the pinnacle, the smoother their journey to the top, the more devastating their fall, leading to All Hope Lost.

When the enemy, who thought he was living his next life, stood at the pinnacle of that world, he suddenly broke through once more, and then broke free, only to find himself back within the Soul Killing Chains.

He woke up and realized that all his pomp and grandeur were nothing more than a fleeting dream of ants.

The real him was extremely humble, his whole body foul-smelling, his bones rotting, not resembling a human being at all.

His strength had been completely nullified, and he was constantly soaked in filth.

The intermittent light of strangulation emitted by the Soul Killing Chains still conveyed the vigor he felt at his peak, but the harsh reality pierced his body and soul.

It was a terrifying shock, for an emperor, to suddenly realize he was someone forced to kneel on the ground, subsist on filth, devoid of any dignity, utterly humble.

That contrast was truly horrifying…

These were the memories about the Soul Killing Chains in Master’s mind.

When Zhou Yan was explaining them at Jiu Que, he immediately thought of these memories.

He recalled the situation of Wan Jian Tian.

Bai Ying had previously told him everything, so Zhou Yan also knew about Wan Jian Tian’s condition—where truth and illusion were indistinguishable, truly a torment.

Had it not been for Bai Ying’s intervention, Wan Jian Tian would have really fallen into an illusory world, unable to extricate himself.

“Soul Killing is an actual cultivation technique targeting a person’s will, consciousness, soul consciousness, and divine sense.

The Soul Killing Chains are a punitive measure within the Killing Spirit Divine Dao.

Soul Killing mostly arises from the variations in Netherworld Rune, which produce malevolent energy, such as when Netherworld Runes are born or shatter, releasing a bizarre power that can instantly shatter a person’s will, confusing reality from illusion.

When this power is overwhelming, it is terrifying, and can pierce through a person’s will, strip away their innate potential, reducing geniuses to ordinary fools, turning them into living idiots.

For example, Saint Master, you are a Thunder Flame Sword Body, inherently containing the Thunder Law in your soul.

But this innate talent of the Thunder Law can be extracted by the Killing Spirit Divine Dao and endowed to someone else.

Then the ancient Thunder Flame Sword Body will no longer be an ancient Thunder Flame Saint Body, but instead, a wretch.”

Jiu Que’s explanation pierced Zhou Yan’s heart like a sword.

His spirit shook, and he immediately thought of Lee Sha’s situation.

He also recalled the experiences of walking the Netherworld Heavenly Road, the alternation of reality and illusion he faced, and suddenly, he understood.

Everything, in his mind, pieced together into a complete scene.

…

Time went back to the moment on the Netherworld Heavenly Road.

Zhou Yan’s memory also froze here.

…

The silhouette of Lei Yan King gradually condensed, his gaze fixed on a lonely grave, his black pupils flickering with blood-colored flames.

Within the flames, black tears fell.

As each tear dropped, it formed a Netherworld Demon Cave, and immediately, numerous Yin Spirits and Evil Spirits sprang forth.

“Brother, you tried your best to give me a perfect life, but I let you down, had my perfect soul extracted, and ultimately caused your annihilation amidst the Void Tribulation Thunder.

I hate this!

Even if I give up everything, I must resurrect you!

I want this Heaven and Earth to become a pigsty, I want to keep Divine Beings, I want to annihilate Ten Thousand Clans, I want to break through the planes of the universe!

I may not have the chance in this life, but even if it means paying everything, exhausting everything, countless reincarnations, I will—”

He murmured, his voice hoarse and mad.

But he never finished what he was saying, only reaching halfway.

…

Time returned to the moment he encountered the Secret Realm Soul.

The Secret Realm Soul explained, then pondered a moment before saying, “If there’s a person who, in order to live a complete life, steals his brother’s innate potential, resulting in his brother becoming a living dead.

And because of this, their parents exhaust their wealth trying to save the living dead, ultimately dying in poverty unexpectedly… But that person didn’t actually mean it.

If this happened to you, and you were the living dead, could you forgive the one who caused all this?”

The question asked by the Secret Realm Soul made Zhou Yan shiver.

He felt this was a terrifying question.

…

All the scenes connected, all the answers appeared.

Lee Sha was the younger brother of Divine Fist Li Liran, born with a Great Perfection constitution and perfect divine sense imprint, but had his potential extracted, turned into an idiot, his memories wiped, and was secretly abandoned at the Sword Ancestor Star.

Lee Sha, trapped in his feelings, became infatuated with Lee Lianqing, but Lee Lianqing was in love with Xiao Tianlun, deeply hurting the fool’s heart.

That Lee Sha wanted to grow strong, to become the supreme Thunder Flame Sword Body with an ancient constitution—because only this type could be formed later.

Thus, Lee Sha went to Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain.

At Thunder Flame Breaking Path Mountain, Lee Sha faced a terrible change, perhaps became Lei Yan King, but lost all other memories, then killed his nurturing brother, annihilating him amidst the Void Thunder Tribulation.

Lee Sha’s ultimate goal was presumably to resurrect his brother Li Ran.

…