Chapter 2301: Shackles Of Time

Mu Xie spoke up. "Junior Brother, did Master allow you to choose one of his battle technique?"

Lu Yin suppressed the terror that had started to overwhelm him. "Yes."

"Which did you choose?"

"The Ninesuns Cauldron Transformation."

Mu Xie nodded. "I obtained Origin Tracer."

"I know. I’m the only person to ever cultivate the Ninesuns Cauldron Transformation since the ancient era," Lu Yin replied.

Mu Xie's expression grew heavy. "I actually chose the Ninesuns Cauldron Transformation, as the name sounds truly impressive. Unfortunately, Master told me that I have no fate with the technique, so I was forced to take Origin Tracer. However, it’s all thanks to that that I’m able to save you, as it would be impossible without Origin Tracer.”

The man then looked over at Xia Shenji. "I've never heard anything about the Xia family possessing the power of time. I'm quite curious, how did you train this ability?"

Xia Shenji's expression underwent a complete transformation, and he was shocked to his core. Was this person actually able to perceive his power of time?

Lu Yin was startled. The power of time? Xia Shenji actually controlled such a thing?

Lu Yin was instantly reminded of Progenitor Chen. In all the records or legends that Lu Yin had found, there had been absolutely no mention of Progenitor Chen ever using the power of time. However, because of Inverse Step, Lu Yin knew that Progenitor Chen had comprehended the power of time before he even reached the peak of the Enlighter realm, as he had been able to create a chaotic field of time and space with Inverse Step. Lu Yin knew that, to do so, the user had to be able to perceive the power of time, and thus, he had deduced that Progenitor Chen had indeed comprehended the power of time.

However, Lu Yin had never received any other confirmations, so his suspicions had never been anything more than personal theories.

But if Xia Shenji also wielded the power of time, then it was practically confirmation that Progenitor Chen had done the same.

The power of time was not something that one could obtain by improving their cultivation. Lu Yin’s talent could be said to be the best throughout the past and present, yet he still had not been able to sense the power of time yet. Even with the help of Wendy Yushan's innate gift, Lu Yin had not been able to sense anything. In fact, if not for the fact that Lu Yin had Enhanced Progenitor Ku’s Withered Bark, he might have never successfully created a field of chaotic time and space with Inverse Step.

If such a thing was impossible for Lu Yin, then it should have also been impossible for Xia Shenji. Time was a truly ethereal power, and unless Lu Yin’s guess was completely wrong, Xia Shenji had received some sort of inheritance or possessed an innate gift related to the power of time. There did not seem to be any other possibility.

Xia Shenji had incredible control over the power of time, so it was likely some sort of inheritance. That would also explain how Progenitor Chen had comprehended the power of time as well.

When it came to bloodlines, while Progenitor Chen had been a branch member of the Xia family, his blood had been purer than the family’s direct descendants.

"You have a very odd way of using time power. You create shackles and lock down time within a specific area, allowing you to move things along those shackles, including even people. This really does perfectly match Shenwu's Sky’s style of doing things," Mu Xie remarked.

Lu Yin's eyes flickered. This explained why he had been inexplicably left behind when the jiao had fled. Even Progenitor Smoke had not been able to understand that matter, but if Xia Shenji had used these shackles of time, then it could all be explained.

Lu Yin stared down beneath his feet. Was this really the power of time?

Lu Yin tested things out by moving away with Inverse Step. As soon as the field of chaotic time and space appeared, Lu Yin saw that he was bound by gray lines. Xia Shenji really was using the power of time.

Unfortunately, Lu Yin’s Inverse Step was unable to influence time that much. He was completely unable to break free from the shackles of time.

If he used his Withered Bark, it might be enough, but it was not guaranteed.

Even so, Lu Yin did nothing. Senior Brother Mu Xie was present, which meant that the shackles of time would not be able to do anything to Lu Yin.

"Have you also mastered the power of time?" This was not something that Xia Shenji could believe. It was becoming increasingly apparent that everyone had greatly underestimated Mu Xie. Not only did he have a Progenitor’s world that could resist Xia Shenji’s Shenwu World, but he had also mastered the mighty power of time. Mu Xie clearly had the strength to compare to the masters of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas. Everyone had somehow missed that this man was an incredibly powerful Progenitor.

.

Mu Xie smiled lightly. "It's just a coincidence."

Even as he spoke, the number of runes beneath Lu Yin's feet returned to normal. Mu Xie had broken through Xia Shenji's shackles of time.

Xia Shenji’s expression completely changed as he stared at Mu Xie's gaze, and the saber reappeared above Xia Shenji’s head. This blade was far more powerful than the one that Xia Shenji had used just a moment ago, as he would no longer hold anything back at all. Mu Xie had seen through the Xia family’s greatest secret, and at this moment, Xia Shenji wanted to kill not only Lu Xiaoxuan, but also Mu Xie.

Not even the Lu family had ever learned about the Xia family’s secret of controlling the power of time. This secret absolutely could not be exposed.

Mu Xie lifted his head high. "I already told you that you are incapable of killing me."

As he spoke, the ?arīra glowed brighter than ever, and the radiance painted Mu Xie with a golden color, and the same effect appeared on Lu Yin as well. They both had a golden look to them, and they were surrounded by glowing characters. The two looked genuinely sacred.

Xia Shenji's blade fell down, but the Higher Realm did not instantly shatter. The blade pulled the void along behind it, and it looked as though the entire Higher Realm was going to be crushed.

Countless people throughout the Higher Realm screamed in terror as they looked upwards and saw the collapsing void approach. Their vision was filled the pure blackness.

Xia Ziheng, Wu Yao, and the other Semi-Progenitors were all trembling. The higher one’s cultivation realm, the more clearly they could sense the horror of this descending blade.

No one could stop this saber. It was powerful enough to slice through the Higher Realm, and even the entire Perennial World.

Lu Yin felt that Xia Shenji must have lost his mind. This attack was going to slaughter countless people.

"Senior Brother!" Lu Yin could not hold back from shouting.

Mu Xie’s hands remained clasped behind his back as he casually looked up at the Dominion Realm. "They aren’t able to hold themselves back any longer."

Suddenly, distinct auras fell from above, and their sudden appearance caused Xia Shenji to hesitate. These auras were from the Perennial World’s Progenitors who were in the Dominion Realm, and among them were Bai Wangyuan, Wang Fan, the Progenitors who belonged to the Nong and Liu families, and even Specter Abyss’s Progenitor.

"Xia Shenji, have you gone mad? Do you intend to destroy the Higher Realm?" Bai Wangyuan's voice rang out, though no one could be seen. It was as though the voice was coming from the entire Perennial World.

"Xia Shenji, lower your blade." The next to speak was Wang Fan.

"The Higher Realm cannot survive your attack." Progenitor Long also jumped in.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Heh, I don't care about the Higher Realm, but you can’t drag the Middle Realm into things." Progenitor Nong made his position clear.

"My Liu family is directly beneath your saber! Xia Shenji, do you intend to annihilate my Liu family?" Progenitor Liu challenged Xia Shenji as well.

"Let it fall. Destroy everything! My Specter Abyss will help you rebuild the Higher Realm, hahahaha."

One voice after another spoke up as all the Progenitors from the Dominion Realm made their opinions known. Some sounded majestic, calm, or even arrogant. Of particular note was the voice of the Progenitor from Specter Abyss, who wanted Xia Shenji to finish his attack.

Lu Yin was most interested in Specter Progenitor. Just what side did this man stand on?

Xia Shenji's saber froze, and he stared at Mu Xie with powerful reluctance, but the blade did not finish dropping. This was not because Xia Shenji did not want to release his attack, but rather because so many Progenitors were currently watching. In particular, Bai Wangyuan, Wang Fan, and Progenitor Long were all watching, and they would never allow the attack to be released, as the fallout was more than what the four ruling powers could bear.

Ultimately, Xia Shenji withdrew his blade, though his killing intent did not subside in the least. "Lu Xiaoxuan must die."

"Mu Xie, get out of the way." Bai Wangyuan spoke up again.

Right after Bai Wangyuan, Wang Fan spoke up. "Last time, you used the false name of Long Qi to create a mess on Dragon Mountain, while this time you’ve impersonated Yu Hao and stirred up chaos throughout the entire Perennial World! Lu Xiaoxuan, you must die."

"Mu Xie, get out of the way. This matter has nothing to do with you," Progenitor Long said.

Xia Shenji sneered. "Mu Xie is Lu Xiaoxuan's senior brother, which means that he should also be part of the Lu family."

"What?" Bai Wangyuan was shocked. "Mu Xie, you joined the Lu family long ago?"

Mu Xie was still relaxed, and he simply replied, "No."

"Then why did Lu Xiaoxuan call you ‘senior brother’?" Xia Shenji challenged.

Lu Yin answered in a mocking tone, "Because we share the same master."

These words caused Xia Shenji, Bai Wangyuan, and everyone else to fall silent.

"Who is your master that even a Progenitor like Mu Xie would acknowledge? Ask him to step out and meet with us," Wang Fan stated in a deep voice.

Lu Yin sneered. "Our master is busy trying to save humanity! He doesn’t have time to deal with bugs like you!"

"Hahahaha, that's right! They're all bugs!" Progenitor Nong cackled.

Bai Wangyuan’s voice grew cold, "What is your master's name? Tell me. He might be an old friend."

Mu Xie looked upwards. "He’s no old friend of yours. Master is older than your ancestors."

Lu Yin’s face twitched. Mu Xie was stating the truth, but it sounded like he was cursing the other Progenitors.

"Mu Xie, can you stop my four ruling powers if we all attack?" Wang Fan shouted coldly.

Mu Xie laughed. "Look at all of you, acting like you can go wherever you wish. As if I don’t know that you’re all trapped in the Dominion Realm and unable to leave. Xia Shenji finally managed to break free, but don’t try telling me that the rest of you can come down here right now. Even if you do, so what? What will you do if I simply flee?"

"You are too arrogant! Our four ruling powers' foundation is beyond anything that you can imagine! Regardless of whether or not you have a master, you…"

…

While listening to the conversation between Mu Xie and the four ruling powers’ Progenitors, Lu Yin looked in the direction of the rear battlefield. He saw two black dots appear, and they quickly grew clearer. After a moment, Lu Yin’s pupils shrank, and he shouted, "The Aeternals!"

Xia Shenji turned to look towards the rear battlefield as well, and his expression instantly changed. "It's Corpse God again! He’s trying to destroy Ceaseless Impetus!"

As his voice cut off, the Higher Realm trembled. No, the entire Mother Tree was shaking. The vibrations spread across the Higher Realm, the Middle Realm, and the Lower Realm. Monstrous tsunamis rose and crashed in the Middle Ocean, as the sea was practically boiling. The earth churned, mountains and rivers broke, and cities collapsed.

"Mu Xie, help us protect Ceaseless Impetus!" Wang Fan ordered.

Mu Xie stared at Xia Shenji. "Let’s go together."

Xia Shenji wanted to refuse.

"Mu Xie!" Bai Wangyuan yelled.

"Xia Shenji, there’s something wrong with the region you’re in charge of," Progenitor Nong commented.

Xia Shenji gritted his teeth as he took a long look at Lu Yin. Finally, the man stepped away, and his Shenwu World instantly vanished. The universe reverted to its former appearance as the pressure of a Progenitor disappeared. Lu Yin felt a burst of relief.

"Junior Brother, you will have to take care of yourself. The bigger picture is always the most important thing. Nothing can be allowed to happen to Ceaseless Impetus." As soon as Mu Xie finished speaking, his ?arīra disappeared from in front of Lu Yin.

Lu Yin stared towards the rear battlefield, looking into Corpse God's enormous pupils which were staring at the Higher Realm. Lu Yin had seen the same sight in the past when he had first visited the Higher Realm with Supervisor Qing Chen, and it was repeating before his eyes. He had not expected those black dots to have been Corpse God’s pupils.

Was Corpse God trying to help Lu Yin? Did Aeternus want Lu Yin to escape from the Perennial World again so that war would break out between the Fifth Mainland and the four ruling powers? That had been their goal all along, but their plan required Lu Yin’s survival.

Lu Yin stared at Corpse God, and those huge eyes seemed to be staring at the entire Higher Realm, but Lu Yin had a suspicion that those eyes were staring directly at him…

He quickly threw the thought aside. He needed to leave quickly, as things would become troublesome once more if another powerhouse from the four ruling powers suddenly appeared.

Right, the broken saber was still on the ground, and Lu Yin needed to take it with him.

A thought flashed through Lu Yin's mind. This was not right; why was the broken blade still on the ground? No matter how anxious Xia Shenji might have become, he would have never left the saber behind. Lu Yin was incapable of protecting the saber, and it would have been a simple matter for Xia Shenji to take it away.

Lu Yin’s breathing grew ragged as his mind raced. He abruptly took off, racing towards the edge of the Higher Realm.

He just prayed that he was overthinking things.