84: Power of Laws

Snow Wolf City, City Lord's Mansion, Council Hall.

Lin Chen rested his chin on one hand, his eyes slightly closed, seemingly recuperating, or perhaps savoring the exhilarating conquest from not long ago.

Below him, at the foot of the steps forged from ice.

Tuoba Hongyu and Tuoba Yan, the 'Queen Mother and Daughter Duo' who had just been thoroughly crushed and conquered, from Soul to body, by his most brutal and unreasonable methods, stood with bowed heads in an almost subservient posture.

They had long since changed out of their disheveled and torn battle attire.

Now, they wore matching, yet subtly differentiated, luxurious dresses that distinguished 'Mistress' from 'Daughter'.

Compared to their previous flamboyant and domineering demeanor as City Lord and Young Lord, these dresses clearly conveyed less majesty and infinitely more 'submission' and 'service'.

The fabric was top-grade Ice Silkworm Silk, as thin as cicada wings yet exceptionally tough. Its smooth texture clung tightly to their alluring curves, whether mature and voluptuous or youthful and plump, perfectly outlining the conquered beauty of womanhood.

As the mother, Tuoba Hongyu's noble purple hair was simply tied up with a jade hairpin, revealing her long, fair neck. On her stunningly beautiful face, there was no longer a trace of the arrogance belonging to a Nascent Soul True Monarch, only a pallor from being completely defeated, and a deep sense of... humiliation from the depths of her Soul.

Her dress was deep purple, symbolizing her mature charm. The neckline was cut just right, not overly revealing, yet when she bowed slightly, it allowed one to clearly glimpse from the throne's perspective the dazzling white expanse that subtly rose and fell with her breathing. The full curves were constrained by the tight silk, as if narrating a silent suppression.

Beneath the skirt, her well-proportioned, slender jade legs were pressed together, trembling slightly. This was the unwillingness stemming from the crushing of a Nascent Soul True Monarch's dignity, and even more so, the irresistible fear and... submission brought by the Chaos Soul Progeny Seal.

Her daughter, Tuoba Yan, stood beside her.

The young girl's delicate figure had clearly not yet fully inherited that astonishing maturity from her mother, but the youthful innocence and vitality of a maiden, under the 'submissive' dress, displayed a morbid yet alluring beauty.

Her dress was light pink, symbolizing her youthfulness. Her pretty face, seven parts similar to her mother's but with an added touch of willfulness, was now filled with terror and bewilderment.

Her figure was so exquisitely proportioned, especially accentuated by this serving dress that deliberately cinched her waist. Her impossibly slender waist, suddenly full bosom, and perky buttocks formed a perfect silhouette that would make any male creature's blood boil.

Her skin was even more delicate than her mother's, as if water could be squeezed from it. Perhaps due to the cold, or perhaps fear, a layer of tiny goosebumps appeared on her exposed collarbones and forearms. Coupled with her tearful expression, it was enough to ignite the most primal desires for sadism and possession in a man's heart.

They were like two delicate, beautiful flowers utterly ravaged by a storm, their petals still bearing traces of humiliating tears, yet forced to lower their noble heads towards the new 'sun'.

Under the absolute control of that domineering Chaos Soul Progeny Seal, they could not muster even a sliver of resistance towards the man on the throne.

His will was their destiny.

His desire was their sole reason for existence.

"Master."

Finally, Tuoba Hongyu, as the mother, was the first to break the suffocating silence.

Her voice still carried a unique magnetic quality belonging to a Nascent Soul True Monarch, husky yet exuding mature charm, but its tone was filled with profound... respect and trembling from the depths of her Soul.

She slightly raised her beautiful eyes, which once looked down on all beings but now held only reverence, cautiously looking up at the man on the throne.

"May I ask, Master, what are your... next commands?"

Although he had said he would unify the Northern Region, one must eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.

This Central Continent Sacred Domain was far more complex and dangerous than the Eastern Barrens.

Before embarking on his magnificent 'path of conquest,' he first needed a sufficiently clear and detailed... understanding of this 'new world' he was about to face.

"Tuoba Hongyu."

"You, first tell me in detail."

"The specific Realm divisions of this Central Continent Sacred Domain."

"Especially..." Lin Chen's gaze sharpened, "the Nascent Soul Realm."

Although he had just forcefully suppressed Tuoba Hongyu, an Early Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, with his late Golden Core stage cultivation.

He knew better than anyone else in his heart.

That battle was not easy, and could even be described as extremely perilous.

If not for his peerless, indestructible Physical Body cultivated by the Archaic Dragon-Elephant Art;

If not for the human emperor seal in his hand, which was a supreme treasure that countered all 'unorthodox' powers, precisely suppressing Tuoba Hongyu's unique Cultivation Technique centered on the 'Snow Wolf' totem;

Perhaps today, who would be master and who would be servant would still be unknown.

Between the Nascent Soul Realm and the Golden Core Stage, there was indeed a chasm that ordinary people found difficult to cross!

He must have the most profound and thorough understanding of this Realm!

"Yes, Master."

"Reporting to Master, in the Central Continent Sacred Domain, although the Realm divisions for Cultivators are largely similar to the Eastern Barrens, from Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, all the way to Soul Transformation..."

"However, within each major Realm, there are even more meticulous divisions to distinguish between strengths."

"Especially the Nascent Soul Realm!"

"We call it... 'Nascent Soul Nine Heavens'!"

"Nascent Soul Nine Heavens?" Lin Chen's brows slightly raised; this term was new.

"Yes, Master."

Tuoba Hongyu nodded respectfully. She took a deep breath, seemingly to steady her voice, which was trembling slightly from nervousness. The deep breath caused her astonishingly full chest to rise and fall again.

"The so-called 'Nascent Soul Nine Heavens' divides the entire Nascent Soul Realm, from initial entry to Peak, into nine distinct, vastly different small stages in terms of strength."

"Among them, the First Heaven to the Third Heaven, we call 'Early Nascent Soul Stage'."

"Cultivators at this stage have just undergone the perilous process of shattering the Golden Core to form a Nascent Soul. Their core task is to completely solidify, compress, and liquefy the spiritual power within their bodies from 'gaseous' to 'liquid', and use this to nourish the newly born, still fragile 'Nascent Soul'."

"At the same time, a Cultivator's Divine Soul can completely break free from the shackles of the Physical Body, achieving 'Soul Emergence, traveling a thousand li at night'. The range and intensity of Divine Thought have increased more than tenfold compared to the Golden Core Stage!"

"But to put it bluntly..." She paused, a strong self-mockery appearing on her beautiful face, "This stage is merely the 'entry level' of the Nascent Soul Realm. Although the strength has qualitatively leaped compared to the peak Golden Core stage, the method of combat still remains at the level of competing in 'the abundance of spiritual power' and 'the intricacy of Magic Treasures and Divine Abilities'."

"For example... this subordinate..."

She gave a self-deprecating bitter smile, the humiliation and helplessness in her smile adding a strange, broken beauty to her stunning face.

"...This subordinate has been stuck at the Peak of this 'Nascent Soul First Heaven' for a full fifty years, unable to advance even an inch. I have consistently failed to completely liquefy my spiritual power, condense the 'Source of Nascent Soul Spiritual Power', and enter the Second Heaven."

Lin Chen nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.

This was largely consistent with his previous combat experience.

Tuoba Hongyu's spiritual power was indeed several times more abundant than his, and the Divine Ability 'Snow Wolf Howling at the Moon' was truly powerful.

But in the end, her attack methods still did not go beyond the scope of 'energy'.

Therefore, she was firmly suppressed by his unreasonably terrifying Physical Body and the human emperor seal, which countered all evil and suppressed Luck!

"Then, what about the Middle Stage?" Lin Chen pressed.

"Mid Nascent Soul Stage... that is, the Fourth Heaven to the Sixth Heaven!"

Her voice involuntarily rose a few octaves, then, realizing her Loss of composure, she abruptly lowered it, becoming somewhat hurried.

"That... that is the beginning of truly 'entering the inner chambers'! It is the watershed where the Nascent Soul Realm creates an 'essential' difference from all previous Realms!"

"Because, from the Nascent Soul Fourth Heaven onwards, Cultivators no longer simply compete with spiritual power!"

"Instead, they begin to touch upon an even more profound and terrifying Domain!"

"—That is... 'Law'!"

"Law?!"

"Yes, Master! It is Law!"

Tuoba Hongyu's breathing became somewhat rapid, her full bosom, wrapped in the silk dress, rose and fell erratically, indicating her extreme inner turmoil!

"Upon reaching the Mid Nascent Soul Stage, a Cultivator's 'Nascent Soul' can generate a true 'resonance' with this world! Thus, through serendipitous Opportunity, they begin to comprehend their own 'Natal Law'!"

"For example, a Cultivator who practices fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques may comprehend the 'Law of Flame'! Their words become Law, burning mountains and boiling seas!"

"A Cultivator who practices the Sword Dao may comprehend the 'Law of Sword'! With one sword strike, all other Laws yield!"

"Once a Law is comprehended! A Cultivator's combat power will undergo a terrifying, earth-shattering transformation!"

"They can even... even condense their own unique... 'Heaven and Earth Dharma Idol' in battle!"

"That... that is a gigantic Dharma Body condensed from pure 'power of Law' connected with one's own 'Nascent Soul'! It can be hundreds or even thousands of zhang tall! Every movement contains the mighty power of Heaven and Earth, where words become Law!"

Tuoba Hongyu's voice carried a tremor, an instinctive fear of higher-tier power from a lower-tier Cultivator.

"A Mid Nascent Soul Stage (Fourth Heaven) Cultivator who has condensed a 'Heaven and Earth Dharma Idol' can easily instantly kill ten... or even a hundred Early Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators like this subordinate!"

"There is simply no comparison between the two! It is... a 'dimensional reduction strike' of rules against 'energy'!"

Lin Chen's heart sank slightly.

Heaven and Earth Dharma Idol!

This was no longer a simple contest of energy; it was a crushing defeat involving the level of "rules"!

Could his powerful Physical Body withstand the attacks of the "Law"?

"Then, what about the Late Stage?" Lin Chen's voice also grew solemn.

"Late Nascent Soul Stage... Seventh Heaven to Nine Heavens..."

In Tuoba Hongyu's beautiful eyes, there was only endless admiration and reverence, as if she were speaking of a myth.

"They... they are 'Regional Magnates,' rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns across the entire vast Northern Frontier! They are true overlord-level existences!"

"They have long since Cultivated their 'Innate Law' to the Realm of Major Achievement, reaching the pinnacle!"

"With every movement, they can summon the Divine Might of Heaven and Earth! Shattering mountains and rivers, tearing apart the firmament!"

"They... have even begun to touch the threshold of the legendary Soul Transformation Realm!"

"It is said that the supreme experts at the Peak of the Ninth Heaven Nascent Soul Stage, their 'Dharma Idol of Heaven and Earth' can even turn the illusory into reality, condensing a true 'Law Body'! Possessing terrifying destructive power capable of destroying the heavens and earth!"

"In the Northern Frontier, every Late Nascent Soul Stage magnate is an existence akin to a 'Guardian Deity,' capable of suppressing the Luck of an entire region and protecting the Legacy of a Super Sect or an Ancient Family from perishing!"

"..."

Ninth Heaven Nascent Soul Stage!

Every single Heaven is a huge chasm!

The Early Stage and Middle Stage are worlds apart!

Although he could forcefully suppress Tuoba Hongyu, who was at the First Heaven of the Nascent Soul Stage, relying on his many trump cards.

But what if he faced a Mid Nascent Soul Stage expert who had grasped the "power of Law" and condensed a "Dharma Idol of Heaven and Earth"?

Did he still have a chance of winning?

Was his Physical Body, which he was so proud of, still able to withstand a single blow in the face of the "Law"?

The answer was probably not optimistic.

And just then.

"Master!"

A sweet, charming female voice, filled with surprise, worry, and lingering fear, yet incredibly familiar, suddenly rushed in from outside the great hall!

The voice was clear and pleasant, like a nightingale leaving the valley, completely different from Tuoba Hongyu's mature, magnetic older sister voice, and filled with vitality and... loyalty stemming from the Soul!

Immediately after!

Bang!

The heavy ice door of the great hall was violently slammed open by a massive force!

A graceful figure, clad in tight black attire, whose figure was exquisitely alluring, stumbled and rushed inside!

It was none other than Luo Bingli, who had been separated from him earlier in the Spatial Turbulence!

At this moment, she looked utterly wretched.

The tight-fitting black attire that originally outlined her perfect S-curve was now tattered and ragged.

It was covered in tears made by spatial fragments, and stained with flecks of blood and dust.

The longest wound stretched from her left scapula down to her waist; although the bleeding had stopped, beneath the turned-up fabric, one could still see the shocking bloodstain and large patches of snow-white, delicate skin.

Another tear was on the outer side of her thigh; the black trouser leg had been ripped open into a huge gap, revealing her long, jade-like leg—rounded, firm, and elastic. The pale skin and dark red bloodstains created a strong visual contrast.

Her charming and captivating peach blossom face, enough to make any man fall for her, was also smudged with dust. Far from spoiling her beauty, it added a touch of battle-worn brokenness and tragic beauty.

She had run so urgently that her astonishingly large chest, tightly bound by the attire, was violently heaving up and down with her movements, creating heart-stopping waves.

"Master! You... you're alright... that's wonderful!"

Upon seeing the figure sitting safely upon the Ice Soul Throne, looking like a god or demon, Luo Bingli's pair of charming peach blossom eyes instantly became misty with tears!

It was the relief of surviving a disaster, and even more so, a deep-seated... devotion!

She rushed desperately to the foot of the throne!

With a "thump"!

She heavily knelt on the cold ground, her knees colliding with the ice Soul material, producing a crisp "crack," yet she seemed to feel no pain whatsoever.

She stretched out her arms, recklessly and tightly hugging Lin Chen's thigh, which was dangling near the armrest of the throne!

"Wuu wuu wuu... Master... I thought... I thought I would never see you again..."

She cried.

She cried until her face was tear-streaked like pear blossoms covered in rain, a sight that moved anyone who saw her.

She buried her face deeply into Lin Chen's leg, desperately absorbing the reassuring aura from her Master, like an injured kitten finding shelter.

Her soft hair was slightly disheveled from the earlier rush, and strands clung playfully to her tear-stained pretty face, making her look incredibly lovable.

Clearly, after being separated from Lin Chen, she had also experienced considerable danger.

"Alright, get up."

Lin Chen looked at this "Loyal Servant," who was utterly devoted to him and valued his life more than her own, and a rare trace of gentleness appeared in his eyes.

He reached out and gently stroked her soft hair, which was slightly damp and smelled faintly of blood, feeling the reassuring warmth emanating from beneath the strands.

"I'm fine. Where are you and Yue Ji?"

Hearing this, Luo Bingli quickly suppressed the urge to cry, wiped away her tears with her heavily nasal voice, lifted her tear-streaked face, and reported:

"Master, please rest assured! Yue Ji and I, along with the two captives, were teleported to the same place by the Spatial Turbulence!"

"It's in a snow valley less than three hundred miles from here!"

"We only sustained minor, non-serious injuries!"

"After settling them down, I sensed the connection of the [Soul Imprint] between you, Master, and them... that connection was so clear and... overbearing... I knew you must be nearby, and that's why I searched all the way here!"

"That's good."

Hearing this, Lin Chen finally breathed a complete sigh of relief.

That everyone was safe was the best news.

However, when Luo Bingli saw the Tuoba mother and daughter kneeling on the other side of the throne—equally beautiful, yet filled with humiliation and terror—the joy on her face was quickly replaced by a deep worry.

She knew her Master too well.

And she knew exactly... what had just transpired in this great hall.

With her knowledge, having once been the Young Lord of the Heavenly Fiend Sect, she instantly recognized the unique aura of a "Nascent Soul True Monarch" on Tuoba Hongyu!

Master... actually suppressed a Nascent Soul True Monarch?!

While this realization filled her with immense pride and adoration, an unprecedented sense of... panic also rose in her heart!

She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately reminded Lin Chen with a tone full of "worry" and "urgency":

"Master... I know your power reaches the heavens and your Divine Might is unparalleled, that you can even... even suppress a Nascent Soul True Monarch."

"But... but you must not underestimate the true experts of the Central Continent Sacred Domain because of this!"

"Master, although the [human emperor seal] in your hand possesses unparalleled Divine Might and suppresses all evil."

"According to the most ancient records of my Sect, its core and most overbearing ability lies in its absolute restraint against all 'negative' forces, such as the Demonic Path, Ghost Dao, Evil Path, and Demon Dao!"

"The 'Imperial Human Qi' it contains is the natural nemesis of all these evil forces!"

"But..."

Her tone suddenly shifted, becoming heavy with solemnity!

"However, if you face Nascent Soul experts who belong to the Righteous Path, Cultivate grand and upright Cultivation Techniques, and possess equally abundant Luck, the restraining effect of the [human emperor seal]... will be greatly diminished!"

"Furthermore! If the opponent Cultivates certain special, supreme secret arts that can 'isolate,' 'shield,' or even 'purify' Luck! The [human emperor seal] might even... temporarily lose its effect in a short period!"

"And also, Master!"

"And your [Archaic Dragon-Elephant Art], Master! Although your Physical Body is unparalleled and immune to all methods."

"But... that is only when facing attacks at the 'energy' level!"

"What if... what if you face Mid Nascent Soul Stage experts who have truly mastered the power of 'Law'!"

"They... they would never be foolish enough to clash head-on with you, competing in strength and Physical Body!"

Luo Bingli's voice trembled slightly out of fear, as if she had already foreseen the terrifying scene!

"They can use the 'Spatial Law' to directly 'banish' you from a higher dimension before you can react! Leaving you lost forever... forever lost in the endless, cold Spatial Turbulence!"

"They can use the 'Time Law' to plant a curse of 'aging' on you from ten thousand miles away! Causing you to exhaust your entire Lifespan and turn into a withered skeleton in an instant!"

"They can even... even use the most bizarre and undefendable 'Karma Law' and 'Fate Law' to directly sever all your connections with this world! Causing you to be... to be completely erased from the level of 'existence'!"

"In the face of 'Law'..."

Luo Bingli raised her head, her peach blossom eyes filled with tears and fear, and she spoke word by word:

"...pure 'power' is very weak, very insignificant... Master!"

...Boom!

It was like a Divine Thunder from the Nine Heavens, striking fiercely into Lin Chen's mind!

He fell silent once more.

But this silence was more suffocating than any before!

An unprecedented... bone-chilling sense of crisis instantly enveloped his entire body!

For the first time, he realized so clearly.

That he was not invincible!

And that his many proud trump cards were not without solution!

He must... raise his Cultivation to the Nascent Soul Realm as quickly as possible!

He must... quickly comprehend his own unique "Chaos Law," which transcended all other methods!