784 Make Your Choice, Wu Ming!

Xu Jingming’s countenance subtly shifted.

He truly did not desire to provoke an Abyss Sovereign. The Ultimate Land lay deep within the Abyss, and in this realm, an Abyss Sovereign stood as an invincible force akin to a half-step third-realm powerhouse. Xu Jingming was acutely aware of the disparity between them.

Though he harbored some confidence in his survival abilities, Xu Jingming lacked the assurance that came from facing an invincible half-step third-realm powerhouse or an Abyss Sovereign.

Under normal circumstances, he would have given his all without hesitation. However, he currently possessed a precious treasure that he was determined to protect.

“Sovereign Yaming, the Ultimate Land harbors numerous formidable beings, and their treasures have been ruthlessly seized. Why must you target a feeble individual like me?” Xu Jingming inquired.

“I shall seize treasures even from invincible half-step third-realm powerhouses!” Sovereign Yaming’s eyes glimmered with greed. “Alas, we stand on equal ground, making it impossible for me to plunder them. Weaklings like you remain the easiest prey. Alright, considering your prolonged survival in the Ultimate Land, it is likely that you have amassed a considerable collection of treasures. Hand them over willingly, and I shall spare your life!”

Life?

For half-step third-realm powerhouses belonging to the Heart Realm lineage, the lives of their clones held little value.

Their true worth lay in their treasures!

“If you seek my life, it is in abundance.” Xu Jingming shook his head, sighing. “But as for my treasures… no chance!”

As his words fell, Xu Jingming promptly split into more than ten duplicates and swiftly fled into the distance.

“Hahaha…” Sovereign Yaming chortled upon witnessing the scene. His body emanated swirling streams of inky darkness, encompassing a vast expanse.

The ten-plus clones of Xu Jingming felt trapped within an encircling seal, incapable of breaking free.

“My fortune within the Ultimate Land proved mediocre, yet I managed to acquire a few extraordinary items,” Sovereign Yaming boisterously declared. “These artifacts possess wondrous abilities. You shall experience their prowess soon enough.”

Over ten Xu Jingmings surveyed their surroundings. The surging black vortexes seemed to freeze the encompassing space, rendering it impenetrable.

“Amongst these wonders, one particularly captivates me. Alas, I have not encountered a suitable adversary.” Sovereign Yaming relaxed, his delight evident. “You shall be the first to taste the might of this wonder.”

Just as he finished speaking—

Abyssal Void! Xu Jingming had already initiated his attack. The wondrous orb known as Abyssal Void activated instantaneously, expanding into an immense illusory abyss. This illusory abyss ensnared Sovereign Yaming within its ethereal grasp.

During his possession of the artifact, Xu Jingming had diligently modified and enhanced the spherical wonder, Abyssal Void, on multiple occasions. It had grown in size and potency, its true might now unfathomable.

As it descended, it ensnared Sovereign Yaming’s mind and consciousness.

What is this? Sovereign Yaming sensed a profound alteration in his surroundings. He had departed from the Ultimate Land and found himself within an ordinary Abyssal realm.

Have I stumbled into an illusory realm?

The realization struck Sovereign Yaming. His formidable mind and consciousness promptly shattered the Abyssal realm before him, only to reveal an expanse of layered Abyssal spaces.

I recognize this as an Abyssal Void illusory domain, yet escape eludes me. Sovereign Yaming grew astonished. Wu Ming possesses such mastery over such an illusory realm technique!

…

Xu Jingming manipulated the illusory realm of the spherical wonder, Abyssal Void, ensnaring Sovereign Yaming’s mind and consciousness. He could sense the latter’s mental strength fighting against the restraints like a massive, struggling beast.

The mind and consciousness originate from the body. His body is too formidable, and his mind and consciousness are exceedingly strong. He will likely break free soon. Xu Jingming felt the strain. Without the aid of the wonder, my illusory realm would have little effect on him.

The spherical wonder enabled a qualitative enhancement of the illusory realm’s power, granting Xu Jingming an additional lethal move.

Go.

In response, three Xu Jingmings each wielded a psychic spear, transforming into streaks of black light.

The fourth move of Golden Halberd—Night!

Three black threads pierced through Sovereign Yaming’s defenseless body. Two threads disintegrated instantly, while the remaining one struggled to maintain its grip, but Sovereign Yaming’s body corroded it relentlessly. After a few seconds, it vanished completely.

My psychic spearmanship can barely harm him with a third-realm weapon? He recovered completely in mere seconds? Xu Jingming’s heart turned cold.

Abyss Sovereigns and invincible half-step third-realm powerhouses represented the pinnacle of strength. The gap between them was already minuscule. Even an invincible half-step third-realm psychic weapon lineage would struggle to defeat Sovereign Yaming, let alone Xu Jingming.

Though immensely talented, Xu Jingming’s cultivation was relatively brief. While the fourth move of Golden Halberd was impressive, he couldn’t be considered invincible at the half-step third realm.

They excel in every aspect, with unique areas of expertise. Sovereign Yaming, favored by the Abyss, possesses a colossal lifeform that pushes the limits of the half-step third realm. Xu Jingming was well aware of this.

To the will of the Abyss, the simplest way to provide a boon was by gifting a formidable body to the person making the sacrifice. Thus, Abyss Overlords and Abyss Sovereigns typically possessed robust physiques. They might appear lumbering when fighting on equal terms, but when bullying the weak, the feeble would discover, to their despair, that they couldn’t inflict any harm.

If I were a small beast, he would be a mountain! His body surpasses mine by far! Xu Jingming understood this truth even more after their clash. Even if he refrains from defending and allows me to attack, I won’t pose a threat to him.

Xu Jingming hastily surveyed his surroundings.

The surrounding black aura circulated naturally, upholding the domain. There was no escape.

He’s clearly trapped within an illusory realm. Why does this domain persist? Xu Jingming attempted to break free with each of his clones, but to no avail.

“Your illusory realm is quite intriguing. It has managed to confine me for this long,” Sovereign Yaming remarked, opening his eyes and smiling faintly at Xu Jingming. “However, your psychic weapon is feeble. Are you attempting to tickle me?”

After all, Sovereign Yaming had attained his Abyss Sovereign status through sacrifices. Consequently, his body possessed terrifying strength.

His mind and consciousness relied on his corporeal form for such power. Among his peers, he was considered weak, which explained why he remained trapped for an extended duration.

If he had relied on his own strength to achieve invincibility at the half-step third realm, Xu Jingming might not have succeeded in trapping him with the aid of the wonder’s illusory realm.

“You cannot escape,” Sovereign Yaming stated, shaking his head. “My body naturally encompasses a domain. I intentionally suppressed it to remain cautious and alert. Releasing my domain… that’s when I am most relaxed and carefree. I don’t need to divert my attention to maintain it.”

“As long as I am present, the domain will naturally persist. You will never break free,” Sovereign Yaming proclaimed, flipping his hand and revealing a radiant golden glow. “I am quite fond of this wonder. You…”

Abyssal Void! Xu Jingming seized control of the illusory realm once more, attempting to ensnare Sovereign Yaming within the sphere.

Buzz.

Sovereign Yaming’s left hand illuminated, and a transparent staff gradually transformed into a magnificent scepter.

As Sovereign Yaming held the transparent scepter, his expression grew sinister. Despite the influence of Abyssal Void’s illusory realm, he managed to maintain his clarity.

His gaze was fixed upon Xu Jingming. How fortunate I am. This wonder I recently acquired is like armor for my mind and consciousness.

He remains lucid? Xu Jingming’s expression subtly changed.

This transparent scepter was the treasure he had personally witnessed Sovereign Yaming acquire. Without this treasure, his battle with Sovereign Yaming might have proceeded more smoothly.

Now, the situation had become thorny.

“It is my turn now, isn’t it?” Sovereign Yaming’s movements were slow and deliberate, leaving Xu Jingming helpless.

It was his most powerful move.

Neither the spherical wonder, Abyssal Void, nor the psychic weapon posed a threat to the other party. What else could he do?

Unable to escape, Xu Jingming exerted all his strength to manipulate the illusory realm of the wonder, hoping to influence and disrupt the other party.

“This is my favorite wonder. Behold its power,” Sovereign Yaming nonchalantly swung the golden beam in his hand.

In an instant, a strand of golden light transformed into thousands of golden flying daggers, then billions of smaller flying daggers, and eventually dissolved into a hazy golden mist. Countless tiny daggers filled the air, surging forward.

They were minuscule, smaller than the tiniest unit of Heart Realm Force. Xu Jingming was unable to intercept them.

“It can be divided to its utmost limit, even smaller than a mere thought,” Sovereign Yaming remarked. “It’s unbelievable. A wonder left behind by an Ultimate being is truly extraordinary. Wu Ming, can you withstand such a wonder?”

Chi! Chi! Chi!

The hazy golden mist swept through. When it made contact with Xu Jingming’s first clone, the other clones merged into one.

When reduced to such an extreme minuteness, smaller than a mere thought, there was no way to defend against it; Xu Jingming could only face it head-on. His body consisted of Heart Realm Force, vast like the Abyssal Void. As the golden mist passed through, his body naturally turned ethereal, but 30% of his power was instantly obliterated.

Xu Jingming swiftly shifted to a fresh clone, while the injured one concealed itself and began to heal.

“I notice you struggle to control this wonder,” Xu Jingming observed his opponent. At their level, their senses were remarkably acute.

“Hmph,” Sovereign Yaming retorted, gripping the transparent scepter tightly and managing to retain his clarity amidst the influence of the Abyssal Void illusory realm.

Why is his illusory realm so potent? I can barely maintain my clarity. My mind and consciousness are ill-suited to wield third-realm weapons. Sovereign Yaming also experienced a headache. An Abyss Sovereign who relied on external forces to advance was comparatively weak in terms of mental fortitude.

Only the wonder, Flying Dagger, is manageable. I can just about wield it. Sovereign Yaming commanded the hazy golden mist and launched repeated assaults against Xu Jingming.

Xu Jingming had no choice but to face the attacks head-on, unable to evade them!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The hidden hundreds of Xu Jingming clones united and desperately absorbed the external energy. This was his maximum effort to replenish his depleted resources, resulting in an energy vortex swirling around him.

Absorbing such a tremendous amount of energy? Sovereign Yaming observed this. How many clones does he need to simultaneously absorb it at such a rapid pace?

My consumption rate doesn’t exceed his absorption rate, right? Sovereign Yaming sensed that Wu Ming was an incredibly challenging opponent.

On the one hand, Xu Jingming’s 500 clones strained to absorb the energy, preparing for a protracted battle. On the other hand, he employed the spherical wonder, Abyssal Void, to continuously ensnare Sovereign Yaming’s mind and consciousness.

He discerned that psychic weapons posed no threat to Sovereign Yaming, but the illusory realm he conjured with the aid of the wonder remained highly effective.

“Hmph, hmph, hmph,” Sovereign Yaming cackled manically. “Wu Ming, I concede that you possess some strength. Your power enables you to defend yourself, but… can you safeguard the human race standing behind you?”

Xu Jingming’s face contorted as he locked eyes with Sovereign Yaming. “Sovereign Yaming!”

It was an unwritten rule among high-dimensional beings never to threaten the low-dimensional lifeforms they overshadow. Any high-dimensional entity would be driven to madness.

“Do you know my favorite pastime?” Sovereign Yaming stared intently at Xu Jingming. “My greatest delight is carnage. I massacre a group of beings when I’m elated, and I do the same when I’m displeased. Now, I’ve taken a keen interest in your human race.”

“Either you willingly surrender the wonder and treasures, or my clone will descend upon the South Pavilion 3609 Dominion, slaughtering your human brethren.” Sovereign Yaming’s grin widened as he observed Xu Jingming’s expression.

He relished those expressions of despair, anger, and insanity. It pleased him even more when he coerced a formidable adversary. Such was his ultimate thrill.

“Make your choice, Wu Ming!” Sovereign Yaming fixed his gaze upon Xu Jingming.