Chapter 916: Root Cannot Be Stopped

The Ancestral Shaman’s expression subtly stiffened. He feigned calm as he inquired, "How can you possibly achieve what you claim and break the rules I’ve established? I created this entire Fixed Space; you have no right to determine your own destiny."

Xu Yang burst into laughter. "The reason you believe that," he retorted, "is because you've never encountered a power capable of truly overturning everything. If your soul-consciousness hadn't appeared before me so often, I wouldn't have been able to make this crucial decision. In fact, I now suspect that your soul's origin has completely merged with this entire Fixed Space! That would be fitting for a devout follower who dedicates everything to their revered sacrificial master. I believe, given your loyalty and understanding, you are certainly capable of such an act."

The Ancestral Shaman's face immediately contorted in displeasure. He had to admit that Xu Yang had, in the end, uncovered his secret.

"Didn't you give me a three-day countdown? Well, no need for that now. I officially inform you that you have only ten seconds left. After ten seconds, I will unleash my most powerful force and obliterate everything within this Fixed Space! Naturally, that includes your soul! If you can somehow free your soul's origin from the entire Fixed Space within those ten seconds, then you won't have to face your ultimate demise. Your life or death is now in your own hands."

What kind of power could possibly allow Xu Yang to dismantle everything within the Fixed Space in mere minutes?

The answer was obvious…

In the very next moment, Xu Yang subtly gestured, materializing the supreme divine artifact he had just obtained: Tu Tian!

"Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman, your mission has ended. Perish along with this Fixed Space!"

The Tu Tian Sword shimmered with an unparalleled, domineering aura, as Xu Yang's icy gaze swept across every corner of the surrounding Fixed Space. The instant the sword appeared, Xu Yang's entire demeanor transformed once more. He became sharp-edged, audacious, and untamed, like a monarch reigning supreme over the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. No force within this space could now impede his formidable edge.

The Tu Tian Sword plunged into the ground before Xu Yang. He gently rested his hand on its hilt, simultaneously activating the nine Qi vortexes within his body. Instantly, a profound black aura erupted from Xu Yang, resembling that of an unrivaled demon lord. This aura, combined with Tu Tian's presence, rapidly consumed everything nearby in a swirling, storm-like vortex of darkness.

"No… this aura! How can it be so incredibly powerful? Who exactly is this boy? He's from the desolate ends, so how could someone like him evade the sight of the Central Domain Imperial Family? This defies all logic!"

The Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman was utterly dumbfounded. Just as Xu Yang had surmised, to appease the High Priest and guarantee the altar's utmost protection, he had directly merged his soul's origin with his Fixed Space. This created an unprecedented mode of soul guardianship, providing the altar with the greatest possible eternal sanctuary.

By doing so, the Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman gained a significant advantage: he could, to a certain extent, draw upon the powerful energy flowing from within the altar itself. In essence, it was akin to a profit-sharing model. He had ascended from being a common Ancestral Shaman subordinate to the position of a partner.

However, the disadvantages of this approach were equally clear: he was now bound to the altar in life and death. Should the Fixed Space crumble and collapse, the Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman would also be utterly annihilated, body and soul. He had initially believed that this method would allow him to persist alongside the Five Great Forbidden Zones for eternity. Embarrassingly, this "partnership" had barely lasted a thousand years before he encountered someone of Xu Yang's caliber, utterly shattering his grand ambitions.

Sometimes, profound obsession and insatiable greed are truly detrimental. Often, embracing the natural flow of things leads to a far better outcome.

*Boom!*

The black, all-consuming primordial power, combined with the domineering aura radiating from the Tu Tian Sword, quickly enveloped more than half of the Fixed Space. Little time remained for the Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman to escape his predicament.

In utter desperation, he split off a portion of his soul-consciousness, which then entered the altar's depths. It appeared before the High Priest's throne, hidden in shadow, and prostrated itself with utmost reverence.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the High Priest, this intruder, the one named A-Yang, is unbelievably powerful. He possesses an extremely formidable divine sword; the sheer sword energy released from it can completely tear apart my entire defense system. My Fixed Space is on the verge of collapse. I implore Your Excellency, the High Priest, to intervene and help me separate my soul's origin from this Fixed Space!"

The Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman had never imagined he would experience such a day of abject humility. What deepened his despair were the few words murmured by the High Priest.

"What do you think you look like now?"

The Ancestral Shaman shivered. He didn't understand why the High Priest spoke that way, but his primal urge to survive rendered him indifferent to others' perceptions. Dignity, obsession—all these things became utterly insignificant in the face of his desperate need to live.

"High Priest, I have contributed to the development of the Forbidden Zone for so many years. Surely, you wouldn't just abandon me when disaster strikes…"

"Enough. Given your many years of contributions, I shall… grant you a swift end."

The Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman had never imagined that his fervent hopes would lead to such an outcome. This soul-consciousness contained a portion of the Supreme Yang Ancestral Shaman's soul origin, representing his last and only hope for preserving his life force. Tragically, all he received was a black palm, which emitted an incredibly powerful devouring force. In a single encounter, it consumed the soul-body before it, reducing it to a handful of ashes.

"The Five Great Forbidden Zones have no need for useless waste. Those who are eliminated merely become sustenance."

***

*Boom!*

Earth-shattering sound waves erupted as every scene within the Fixed Space collapsed entirely. Xu Yang seized the moment of encroaching darkness, forcefully tearing a rift in the Fixed Space and breaking free.

Once the tumult subsided, a long, winding staircase leading into the altar finally appeared before Xu Yang. This place towered into the clouds, resembling the apex of some majestic belief.

"Hmph, such grandiosity? Truly an overestimation of themselves! Across the entire Yingzhou Continent, there is no one whom I, Xu Yang, would ever look up to."

Although Xu Yang had already sheathed the divine artifact Tu Tian, the overwhelming and domineering aura of the sword had, to some extent, imprinted itself on his own presence. His disdainful posture remained unyielding.

*Boom!*

With a single step, Xu Yang's aura continued to spread. The dense black flames emanating from him vividly showcased his current state.

Nine Qi manifesting simultaneously—who could possibly contend!