109: Chapter 109 Holy Lord Projection, Mirror Shattering and Fusion

It was the "Saint Lord"! The Dominator behind the "Void Church", an existence suspected to be the Incarnation of "the end"! Its will was actually able to cross the endless Void Realm through this "the end" Origin mark and project itself here! Although it was merely a trace of a will projection, not a full descent, its high essence and overwhelming pressure were still far beyond any existence Lin Wan had ever seen—even deeper and more unfathomable than Peak Void Refining Cultivators like Emperor Yan and Venerable Dan!

That pitch-black beam of light, pure to the extreme and seemingly capable of ending everything, was the manifestation of the killing intent condensed by this trace of will projection—a materialized attack of the "the end" Law! Its power was incomparable to that of the "Lord of Ashes", and it was strong enough to threaten true Late Stage, or even Peak, Void Refining Cultivators!

At this critical juncture of life and death, Lin Wan's mind became calm to the extreme. The "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit" at the center of his brow rotated at an unprecedented speed. Chaos, emerald green, and pale gold lights flowed ceaselessly, pushing the "Reincarnation", "Creation", "Nirvana", "Life", and "the end" Dao Rhymes to their limit, laying down layers of defenses that were both illusory and real before him.

At the same time, without hesitation, he abandoned his attempt to continue "guiding" the "samsara mirror" fragment. Instead, his thoughts flashed as he communicated with the mysterious connection existing in the dark between his own "Reincarnation" Dao Fruit and the "samsara mirror", as well as the soft white light containing the power of "purification" emitted by the "samsara mirror" fragment he had just touched.

"Since you want this 'mirror' fragment, then I will let you... come and take it yourself!"

A flash of determination appeared in Lin Wan's eyes. Instead of retreating, he advanced. He actively retracted the pale gold beam that contained his own "Reincarnation" Dao Rhyme and was entwined with the "samsara mirror" fragment. However, he did not withdraw it into himself; instead, using his own "Reincarnation" Dao Fruit as a bridge, he channeled this beam—along with the faint connection established with the "samsara mirror" fragment, as well as the instinctive repulsion and "purification" power emitted by the fragment against the "the end" will—directly towards the "samsara mirror" fragment itself!

His intention was not to defend or engage in a head-on confrontation, but rather—to borrow strength to fight, driving a tiger to devour a wolf! He would use the "purification" power of the "samsara mirror" fragment itself to counter the erosion and attack of the "the end" will! At the same time, using his own "Reincarnation" Dao Fruit as a medium, he would forcibly "activate" and "awaken" the deeper power of the "samsara mirror" fragment!

The "samsara mirror" fragment was a part of the ancient supreme treasure "samsara mirror". It was naturally opposed to "the end" and held the key to restraining it. Its "purification" power had a strong restraining effect on the "the end" will. However, the fragment currently lacked a master and its power was dormant, emitting white light only by instinct, which limited its effectiveness. What Lin Wan needed to do was use his own "Reincarnation" Dao Rhyme as a conduit to inject a trace of "vitality" into it, stimulating its inherent, more potent "purification" power!

"Hum—!"

Under the stimulation of Lin Wan's own "Reincarnation" Dao Rhyme and the pressure of the life-and-death crisis brought by the terrifying pitch-black beam, the jade-like "samsara mirror" fragment, wrapped in the pale gold beam, shook violently! The fine, mysterious patterns on its surface suddenly lit up, emitting a white light ten times, a hundred times brighter than before, which contained supreme purification power!

This white light was pure and holy, appearing capable of cleansing all filth in the world, purifying all evil, and soothing all pain. It formed a sharp contrast with the cold, dead, and silent aura of "ending everything" emitted by the pitch-black beam—like water and fire, light and darkness, they were naturally opposed!

"Hmm? You can actually trigger the 'purification' power of the 'mirror' fragment? Ant, the 'Reincarnation' aura on you is indeed related to the 'mirror'! You... must die!"

That grand and ancient will seemed slightly surprised that the "samsara mirror" fragment had been triggered, but this immediately turned into even colder killing intent. The pitch-black beam accelerated with greater power, carrying the will to "end" everything, and slammed into the "samsara mirror" fragment wrapped in soft white light—and into Lin Wan, who was behind the fragment, trying his best to "activate" it with his own Dao Rhyme!

"Boom—!!!"

The pitch-black of "the end", pure to the extreme, and the white of "purification", pure and holy, collided violently in this earth-core space!

There was no deafening roar, only a more fundamental, Law-level, silent annihilation and confrontation.

The pitch-black beam tried to "end" everything, turning the white light, the fragment, and Lin Wan behind it into nothingness. The soft white light acted like the toughest barrier, blocking all "ending", "eroding", and "filthy" power, while attempting to "purify" and "eliminate" it.

Two forces of diametrically opposite natures, both of extremely high essence, unfolded the most intense clash and annihilation above the Seal. For a time, they remained deadlocked, forming a strange Domain of interwoven black and white, constantly annihilating and constantly being reborn.

However, Lin Wan knew that this deadlock would not last long. The essence of the "Saint Lord"'s will projection was too high, and the pitch-black beam it condensed contained "the end" Origin power that was as vast as the sea and endless. Although the "samsara mirror" fragment had been triggered, it was, after all, an ownerless object and only a fragment. While its "purification" power had a restraining effect, under the continuous impact of the "Saint Lord"'s will, it was ultimately a consumable. The white light was slowly dimming at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Once the white light was exhausted, the fragment itself might remain undamaged due to its special material, but Lin Wan would inevitably face the terrifying pitch-black beam, and the consequences would be unimaginable!

"I cannot go on like this! I must take this opportunity to seize the fragment, or... completely stimulate the power of the fragment!" Lin Wan's thoughts flashed. His gaze swept over the deadlocked black and white Domain, then looked down at the black "the end" mark body below—which was being temporarily "ignored", still beating, and trying to break free from the remaining Seal—as well as the vast earth-core fire pulse.

A bolder, even crazy, plan instantly formed in his mind.

The "samsara mirror" fragment and the "the end" mark had been entangled and sealed here for countless years; there must be some deep connection and balance between them. At this moment, most of the power of the "the end" mark had been drawn away by the "Saint Lord"'s will projection and condensed into a pitch-black beam to attack the fragment and Lin Wan. Therefore, the mark body must be relatively weak! And as for the earth-core fire pulse below, although it might have been eroded by the "the end" aura, the vast energy it contained was an objective reality!

The "samsara mirror" fragment needed energy to be stimulated! The "Reincarnation" Dao Fruit could transform energy! The "Nirvana Creation" True Fire could induce and refine flames! The earth-core fire pulse possessed vast flame energy!

"Fight!"

A fierce look flashed in Lin Wan's eyes. He no longer paid attention to the "samsara mirror" fragment, which was confronting the pitch-black beam as its white light gradually dimmed. Instead, his figure flickered and turned into a pale gold stream of light. Ignoring the violent energy turbulence and spatial fluctuations around him, he rushed straight... towards the core area of the earth-core fire pulse, which was vast, majestic, and faintly being eroded by the "the end" aura!

"Hmm? Ant, do you want to escape? Or... are you looking for your own death?" That grand and ancient will seemed slightly puzzled by Lin Wan's actions, but more than anything, it felt disdain and coldness. In the core of the earth-core fire pulse, the energy was extremely violent, and the body of the "the end" mark was beating and eroding. To break in rashly was simply courting death. It did not believe Lin Wan could pull off any tricks, so it continued to urge the pitch-black beam to increase its intensity, impacting the defensive white light of the "samsara mirror" fragment, just waiting for the white light to break so it could easily wipe out this annoying bug.

However, Lin Wan's next move was completely beyond the expectations of the "Saint Lord"'s will.

Lin Wan rushed into the core of the earth-core fire pulse. The pale gold "Nirvana Creation" True Fire around his body burned fiercely, forming a flame shield that isolated the violent flame spiritual power. He did not attack the beating "the end" mark body; instead, he formed Seals with both hands. The "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit" at the center of his brow shone brighter than ever. A strange Dao Rhyme containing "devouring", "transformation", and "Reincarnation" spread out with him at the center!

"Five Elements Returning to Ruins, Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit—Devour the Heaven and Earth, all things return to the Origin!"

"Take my Dao Fruit as a guide, take the earth-core fire pulse as the source, take the 'the end' mark as fuel, take the 'samsara mirror' fragment as the pivot—"

"Give me... devour!"

Lin Wan intended to use the mysterious characteristic of his own "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit"—which could accommodate and transform everything—to forcibly devour and refine the vast flame energy in this earth-core fire pulse, as well as the relatively weak "the end" Origin power emitted by the "the end" mark body (which had been temporarily "ignored" by the "Saint Lord"'s will). Then, he would use these devoured and transformed energies to feed himself, while simultaneously... forcibly injecting them to activate the "samsara mirror" fragment that was confronting the pitch-black beam!

This was an extremely crazy and dangerous move! The energy of the earth-core fire pulse was violent; one careless mistake and he would explode and die. The "the end" Origin power was strange and unpredictable; even if it were relatively weak, it contained the "the end" will. To devour it rashly carried a high risk of being eroded and assimilated. Using himself as a bridge to inject such complex and violent energy into the "samsara mirror" fragment—which had not fully acknowledged him as its master—was even more perilous. If he failed to control it well, the fragment might be damaged, and his own Dao Fruit might suffer a backlash and collapse!

But Lin Wan had no choice! This was his only chance to break the situation, or even turn defeat into victory!

"Rumble—!"

As the "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit" operated at full capacity, the vast flame energy in the earth-core fire pulse seemed to find a vent, turning into crimson torrents that crazily poured into Lin Wan's body! At the same time, wisps of pitch-black "the end" aura escaping from the "the end" mark body were also forcibly pulled and poured in together!

"Urgh—!"

With the violent energy and the strange "the end" aura entering his body, Lin Wan instantly felt as if he were being pierced by billions of red-hot steel needles, and as if countless cold venomous snakes were gnawing at his Meridians, Dantian, and Divine Soul! The energy of the earth-core fire pulse was extremely violent, almost blowing him apart! And the "the end" aura was like a maggot attached to the bone, crazily eroding his vitality, magic power, and even his Dao foundation, trying to "end" him and turn him into nothingness!

"Reincarnation Dao Fruit, refine it for me! 'Nirvana Creation', burn for me!"

Lin Wan's eyes were bloodshot, the veins on his forehead bulged, and wisps of pale gold blood seeped from his seven orifices (after Void Refining, the blood was no longer ordinary blood). But his will was like iron. He crazily urged the "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit", forcibly incorporating the violent flame energy and "the end" aura surging into his body into the "Reincarnation" system. Using the Five Elements rotation, Returning to Ruins and annihilation, Life creation, "the end" conclusion, and other Dao Rhymes, he crazily decomposed, transformed, and refined them!

The pale gold "Nirvana Creation" True Fire burned fiercely, protecting his internal organs, Meridians, and Dantian, repairing the damage caused by the violent energy impact, and at the same time, refining and purifying the eroding will within the "the end" aura.

The "Reincarnation" Dao Fruit spun crazily, like a massive furnace, forcibly refining the surging, violent energy and the aura of "the end," converting them into the purest, attribute-less, and most original Chaos energy. Then, it injected this into the faint golden flame at the core of the Dao Fruit—a flame fused with the true meaning of "Nirvana Creation"—causing its light to grow increasingly brighter and more intense!

"It's not enough! It's still far from enough! Earth Core Fire Veins, explode for me!"

Lin Wan felt the white light emitted by the "samsara mirror" fragment, under the continuous impact of the pitch-black beam, had already dimmed to the extreme and was tottering. He knew he could not wait any longer! With an angry roar, instead of passively absorbing, he controlled a portion of the just-refined, still incredibly violent Earth Core Fire Veins energy. Mixing it with his own "Reincarnation" mana and "Nirvana Creation" True Fire, he transformed it into an immensely thick, violent torrent of energy, interwoven with Chaos and crimson gold, and slammed it fiercely toward the "samsara mirror" fragment and the pitch-black beam opposing it!

He was not just infusing energy into the "samsara mirror" fragment; he was also detonating a portion of the Earth Core Fire Veins energy. By doing so in the most violent way possible, he aimed to strike the stalemated black-and-white Domain, break the balance, create Chaos, and secure a glimmer of survival for both the "samsara mirror" fragment and himself!

"BOOM!!!" The torrent of Chaos and crimson gold energy slammed fiercely into the intertwined black-and-white annihilation Domain!

It was like dropping a single drop of cold water into a scalding hot wok! The entire Earth Core space shuddered violently! Violent turbulent energy instantly swept through everything! The already stalemated and fragile balance was completely shattered by the sudden intervention of this third force!

The soft white light surrounding the "samsara mirror" fragment, which had been dimmed to the extreme, suddenly flared up as if injected with a stimulant, but was immediately struck and submerged by the even more violent energy turbulence. The pitch-black beam, condensed from the "Holy Lord's" will projection, also twisted and fluctuated violently under the impact of the energy turbulence, its power greatly diminished.

As for Lin Wan, he bore the brunt of it, being fiercely struck by the even more violent and terrifying energy turbulence created by his own detonation and the collapse of the black-and-white Domain!

"Pfft!" Even with the protection of the "Nirvana Creation" True Fire and the frantic refining of the "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit," Lin Wan was still hit as if by a heavy blow. He spewed a mouthful of blood mixed with pale gold and crimson, containing violent energy. His entire body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing fiercely into the rock wall of the Earth Core space and smashing out a deep pit. His aura instantly withered to the extreme, and the pale golden flames around his body flickered unsteadily; he had clearly suffered severe internal injuries.

But his bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at the center of the energy turbulence, filled with determination and anticipation. Did it work?

"Roar! Ant! How dare you... detonate the Earth Veins! You..." The "Holy Lord's" grand and ancient will seemed to have been disrupted by this sudden, near-suicidal attack. The pitch-black beam flickered unsteadily within the energy turbulence, and the will contained within it was filled with shock, anger, and a hint of... disbelief. Clearly, it had not expected Lin Wan to be so decisive and crazy, willing to detonate the Earth Core Fire Veins energy just to break the stalemate.

And just as the energy turbulence slightly subsided and the black-and-white Domain completely collapsed— "Hum!" A crisp, melodious hum, as if capable of cleansing the Soul and purifying everything, suddenly rang out!

The white jade-like "samsara mirror" fragment, having absorbed the strange energy infused by Lin Wan—a mixture of "Nirvana Creation" True Fire, Earth Core Fire Veins energy, and even a trace of relatively mild, refined, and converted aura of "the end" (under the conversion of the "Reincarnation" Dao Fruit, most of its "ending" will had been stripped away, leaving only pure Law fragments)—was finally... completely "activated"!

The soft white light was no longer merely defensive; it transformed into tangible, incredibly pure ribbons of white light, radiating Concepts of holiness, purification, protection, and immortality. They danced around the fragment as if alive. The fragment itself became more crystalline and translucent, with endless specks of light seemingly flowing within, emitting an aura that was mysterious, unfathomable, and transcendent above the mundane.

The "mirror" fragment had been truly awakened! Or rather, Lin Wan had used his own "Reincarnation" Dao rhyme as a catalyst, and the energy mixed from multiple Origins as fuel, to temporarily stimulate its deeper power!

"Purification!" A clear, cold, emotionless thought—seemingly from the "samsara mirror" fragment's own artifact spirit (or a manifestation of its Dao rhyme)—suddenly emanated from the fragment.

The next moment, the countless white light ribbons surrounding the fragment, as if possessing life, ceased passive defense and took the initiative to attack. They transformed into torrents of white purification, sweeping toward the weakened, fluctuating pitch-black beam and the pulsating, pitch-black mark beneath it that was emitting the aura of "the end"!

"Sss, sss, sss!" Wherever the white purification torrent passed, the pitch-black beam melted like ice and snow, rapidly being purified and dissipated. The power of the "Holy Lord's" will projection contained within it retreated steadily in the face of the "Purification" power, constantly being erased and dispersed.

"No! This is impossible! How could the 'mirror' fragment..." The "Holy Lord's" will projection let out a roar of shock and anger. But in the face of this fully activated "Purification" power, which specifically countered "the end," its shred of will projection appeared powerless, and the pitch-black beam rapidly dimmed and collapsed.

"Ant! I will remember you! When my true body descends, I will surely extract your Soul and refine your spirit, making you sink into eternal damnation!"

Leaving behind this final roar filled with malice and killing intent, the "Holy Lord's" will projection ultimately could not withstand the fully activated "Purification" power. As the pitch-black beam completely collapsed, it dissipated into nothingness. The pitch-black "the end" Origin mark seemed to be implicated as well; its pulsing became even weaker, and the aura of "the end" it emitted was also suppressed and purified by the white purification torrent, rapidly weakening.

"Now is the time!" Lin Wan forcibly mustered a breath of True Essence. Ignoring his severely injured body, he forcibly activated his last bit of strength. The "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit" at his brow flashed with light, and a pale golden thread, condensed from "Reincarnation" Dao rhyme and "Nirvana Creation" True Fire, shot out once again toward the "samsara mirror" fragment, which was shining brightly and releasing the power of purification.

This time, it was not a forcible "towing," but carried a hint of "same-Origin" resonance and "entreaty." The "samsara mirror" fragment seemed to sense the call of Lin Wan's "Reincarnation" Dao Fruit, as well as the "sincerity" of Lin Wan, who had spared no cost to his own severe injuries, even detonating the Earth Veins energy to "recharge" it. It paused slightly, and the surrounding white light ribbons voluntarily opened a path, allowing the pale golden thread to gently wrap around the fragment.

There was no repulsion, no resistance. A sense of intimacy, like water and milk blending, as if they shared the same root, came from the fragment. "Retrieve!" With a thought from Lin Wan, the pale golden thread wrapped around the "samsara mirror" fragment, turning into a stream of light that plunged into his brow and entered directly into the "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit." It slowly approached and merged with the pale golden flame at the core of the Dao Fruit, which was fused with the true meaning of "Nirvana Creation."

"Hum!" The "Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit" shuddered violently, bursting with brilliant light. The "samsara mirror" fragment, enveloped and nourished by the "Reincarnation" Dao rhyme and the "Nirvana Creation" True Fire, saw its surface white light slowly retract, becoming more gentle and warm, and its connection with the Dao Fruit grew increasingly tight. Although it had not been fully refined or bound to him as its master, an initial connection had been established, allowing Lin Wan to limitedly activate and use it.

"Phew—success!" Feeling the "samsara mirror" fragment successfully enter the Dao Fruit and establish an initial connection with himself, Lin Wan's tightly wound mind finally relaxed, and an indescribable fatigue and intense pain instantly flooded his entire body. He spewed another mouthful of blood, his vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

But he knew that now was not the time to slack off. The pitch-black "the end" Origin mark, although severely injured and suppressed by the "Purification" power, had not been completely destroyed and was still pulsing weakly. The Earth Core Fire Veins had also become extremely unstable due to the previous detonation, with violent energy turbulence raging. Moreover, having caused such a huge commotion here, there was no guarantee it wouldn't alert other existences of the "Void Church," or other forces outside the Secret Realm.

"I must leave immediately, return to the Alliance, and plan carefully!" Lin Wan, forcing himself to hold on with his last breath, took out a sacred healing medicine and consumed it. He took one more look at the pitch-black mark, which was temporarily suppressed by the white purification light ribbons but still existed, and at the violent Earth Core Fire Veins below, his eyes flickering.

"This 'the end' mark has an extremely high essence, and with the Earth Core Fire Veins as its base, in my current state, I lack the power to completely destroy it. Forcibly trying to collect it carries too much risk and might attract the 'Holy Lord's' will again. I can only temporarily Seal it here and wait for the Alliance experts to come and deal with it."

"Fortunately, I have already collected the 'samsara mirror' fragment. This mark has lost its greatest 'nemesis' and equilibrium point, and having been severely injured by the 'Purification' power, it should be unable to cause trouble in the short term. I will use my 'Reincarnation' Dao rhyme, combined with the Earth Veins here, to set up a temporary Seal, which should be able to suppress it for the time being."

Thinking of this, Lin Wan hesitated no longer. Forcibly mustering his True Essence, he struggled to form hand Seals. He mobilized the "Reincarnation" Dao rhyme—which had just received a trace of "Purification" power after establishing a connection with the "samsara mirror" fragment—and combined it with the not-yet-fully-subsided flame energy in the surrounding Earth Veins. Around the core of the Earth Core Fire Veins and that pitch-black "the end" mark, he set up a temporary triple Seal that fused the powers of "Reincarnation," "Purification," and Fire.

After finishing all this, Lin Wan was completely exhausted, barely able to maintain flight. He took one last look at the pitch-black mark, now shrouded in the triple-colored light and temporarily suppressed, as well as the devastated Earth Core space. With a bitter smile, he took out a directional teleportation Talisman, injected his last trace of True Essence, and activated it.

With a flash of light, Lin Wan's figure vanished from this dangerous Earth Core space.

Not long after Lin Wan teleported away, within the pitch-black "the end" mark that was temporarily suppressed by the triple Seal, an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible thought—one completely different from the previous "Holy Lord's" will, and far more ancient, profound, and cold—flickered slightly. It seemed to carry a certain curiosity and scrutiny as it swept over the position where Lin Wan had vanished, as well as the remaining aura of Lin Wan's "Reincarnation" Dao rhyme nearby.

"Reincarnation... Dao Fruit... and also... the aura of the 'mirror'... an interesting little fellow..."

"It seems... the 'plan'... needs to be... adjusted slightly..."

This subtle thought did not cause any energy fluctuations; it was merely like a gentle breeze passing by, and then it fell silent again, as if it had never appeared. Only that sealed pitch-black mark, beneath the Seal, continued to pulse weakly and unyieldingly...