The secret incantation is finally complete; the gate to divine transformation is open.

Outside Starfall Valley, many Cultivators were still gathered, waiting for their Sect Disciples to return. When the immense energy fluctuations from the collapse of the star palace faintly emanated from deep within the Secret Realm, everyone outside the valley turned pale, discussing animatedly and speculating about the shocking changes that had occurred inside.

Days later, Cultivators began to flee from the exit vortex in succession, most of them injured, their faces filled with lingering fear and trepidation. News about the collapse of the ancient palace, the scramble for exotic treasures, and a mysterious black-robed Devil Head began to circulate in a small scope, causing exclamations of shock.

Nightmare, mingling among the Loose Cultivators, silently departed Starfall Valley. His aura was restrained, and his cultivation was suppressed to the Golden Core Stage, making him inconspicuous. No one connected him with the terrifying Devil Head rumored to have suppressed Saintess Qingluan and snatched the exotic treasure.

After reuniting with Mo Yuan, who was already waiting outside, the two wasted no time and immediately fled a thousand li, returning to their temporary Immortal Cave in the Falling Dragon Mountain Range.

Inside the Immortal Cave, all Restrictions were fully activated.

Nightmare sat cross-legged, three items suspended before him: a remnant plant emitting a green light of Reincarnation, the dark and viscous karma mud, and the heavenly fate flower king, flowing with starlight.

The three main Materials required for the Secret Curse of Stealing Fate and Exchanging Heaven were finally gathered!

Su Wanqing sat quietly at the core of the Formation, her Profound Yin Body already adjusted to its optimal state, like a perfect vessel, waiting to bear and transform the ultimate power.

Nightmare held his breath and focused, not starting immediately. He first took out the star source core he had obtained from the star palace.

This item concerned his future Dao of Soul Transformation and needed to be initially refined. Perhaps it could assist in the upcoming ritual.

He opened his mouth and spewed out a wisp of his Natal Nascent Soul Fire, enveloping the star source core, while his Divine Sense and the power of the rule fragment slowly infiltrated it.

The process was unexpectedly smooth. Perhaps because the power of the rule fragment was of a higher level, this untamed star source core did not resist much and was gradually refined, transforming into an extremely pure, multicolored energy liquid containing the Origin Law of the stars, which then merged into his Nascent Soul.

His myriad poison true infant absorbed this energy, and points of starlight immediately appeared around its body, shimmering with the original Demonic Runes and greyish-white Qi, becoming even more mystical and extraordinary. His comprehension of the Law of Stars instantly improved by a large margin, and even many crucial points in the subsequent Cultivation Technique of the Myriad Poison Demonic Scripture, which he was deducing, were completed as a result.

"Good! With the help of this item, Soul Transformation is within reach!" Joy flashed in Nightmare's eyes. The initial refinement of the star source core not only advanced his strength but, more importantly, made his path forward much clearer.

After adjusting his state to its Peak, he no longer hesitated.

His gaze suddenly became incredibly sharp, and his hands rapidly began to change, forming the final incantations of the Secret Curse of Stealing Fate and Exchanging Heaven!

"With Reincarnation as the foundation! With Karma as the thread! With destiny as the guide! With Profound Yin as the cauldron!"

"Destiny is fickle, today it changes masters! Heaven and Earth overturn, only I am supreme!"

"Secret Curse! Activate!"

Boom—!!!

Inside the Immortal Cave, the grand Formation that had long been set up suddenly erupted with unprecedented light!

The remnant reincarnation wood glowed brightly green, stabilizing the Divine Soul and fixing the surrounding Void Realm!

The karma mud transformed into countless fine black threads, merging into the Void Realm, once again connecting to the ethereal River of Fate. But this time, it was not to draw from it, but to **imprint**!

The heavenly fate flower king, on the other hand, completely ignited, transforming into the purest Origin power of destiny, acting as a bridge, connecting everything!

Su Wanqing's body trembled violently, her Profound Yin Body activated to its extreme, perfectly bearing and transforming the surging torrent of destiny!

Nightmare's body floated up, positioned at the very center of the grand Formation. The vast Luck of Ye Fan, which he had stolen, now, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, through the imprinting of the Karma threads and the burning of the heavenly mandate flower, truly, completely, and perfectly integrated into his destiny trajectory, merging with his own fate!

No longer stealing, but **replacing**! From this moment on, he was the true chosen of Heaven's Mandate!

Om!

A profound and mysterious feeling surged into his heart.

It was as if a thin veil that had always covered his eyes was completely lifted, and the entire world became clearer and more transparent in his sight! The Laws of Heaven and Earth were like docile flowing water, allowing him to perceive and manipulate them! Many past confusions in cultivation instantly became clear!

He could even faintly feel that his connection with this world had become extremely close. The sense of Heavenly Dao rejection that had arisen from plundering Luck before completely vanished! It was replaced by a feeling of ease and effortless control, like a fish in water or an arm commanding a finger!

His aura began to surge wildly!

The barrier of the Late Nascent Soul Stage Peak instantly shattered!

His cultivation did not directly Breakthrough to Soul Transformation, but his Divine Soul, his Dao Foundation, and his mastery over the Laws of Heaven and Earth had already completely reached the Soul Transformation Stage level! Even stronger!

This was a fundamental transformation!

If he wished, he could now trigger the Soul Transformation Heavenly Tribulation, and the success rate would be extremely high!

But Nightmare did not do so immediately. He forcibly suppressed his surging cultivation and carefully felt the changes within himself.

Luck bestowed, Heaven's Mandate in place! This feeling was truly wonderful!

With a slight thought, he tried to deduce his future fortunes and misfortunes.

In a blur, he saw a bright grand Dao, countless Opportunities, and boundless prospects. But in the depths of this brightness, there were still a few extremely subtle, extremely profound threads of **darkness**! That darkness seemed to originate from a very distant future, and also seemed related to the source of the karma mud and the mastermind behind Ye Fan... "It seems that future troubles are still not small..." Nightmare was not surprised; instead, his eyes became even colder and more resolute. "But no matter what, nothing can stop my steps!"

He slowly descended, and the light of the grand Formation gradually receded.

The ritual was completely finished.

The Secret Curse of Stealing Fate and Exchanging Heaven was a complete success!

From now on, my destiny is mine, not Heaven's! And certainly not that mastermind's!

"Congratulations, Benefactor (Master)! Heaven's Mandate is upon you, and the Grand Dao is within reach!" Mo Yuan and the others felt the distinctly different, vast aura on Nightmare, as if he had merged with Heaven and Earth, and they excitedly knelt to congratulate him.

Su Wanqing slowly opened her eyes. Although her face was pale, her eyes were clear. Her Profound Yin Body, after this baptism, also seemed to have undergone some subtle changes, and her connection with Nightmare became closer and more equal.

Nightmare nodded slightly, feeling the surging power within him and the mysterious perception of destiny. Although his cultivation was still in the Late Nascent Soul Stage, his true Battle Intent was definitely far beyond an ordinary Nascent Soul Perfection Cultivator, even enough to contend with an Early Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator!

"It's time to leave," Nightmare said indifferently. Although Zhongzhou was good, it was not a place to stay long. Strong Cultivators were as numerous as clouds here, and the Xuntian Alliance Headquarters was a dragon's den and a tiger's lair. It was not advisable to be too ostentatious before he truly Broke Through to Soul Transformation.

"Where are we going?" Mo Yuan asked.

Nightmare looked north, towards the even vaster and more chaotic **Northern Domain**. It was said that the Demonic Path flourished there, Sects stood in great numbers, and the environment was harsh, perfectly suited for him to hone his cultivation and seek the final Opportunity for Breakthrough to Soul Transformation.

"To the Northern Domain."

He swept his sleeve, collected all the Formation Materials, and quietly left this temporary Immortal Cave with his companions, transforming into several streaks of light, speeding towards the north.

Soon after they left.

Several powerful Divine Senses suddenly swept over the area. One of them was filled with righteous Qi, clearly from a Sky Patrol Alliance expert; another carried the cold Demonic Qi of a Qingluan. The two Divine Senses hovered in place for a moment, seemingly having found something, yet unable to pinpoint a specific target, and finally retreated unwillingly... Months later, Nightmare and his group traversed the vast territory of Zhongzhou and arrived at the Heaven's Ridge Mountain Range, which bordered the Northern Domain.

This mountain range stretched for hundreds of millions of li, towering into the clouds. It was the natural dividing line between Zhongzhou and the Northern Domain, and also a buffer zone where Spiritual Qi and Demonic Qi converged. Within the mountain range, there were countless dangerous places, and Yao Beasts ran rampant, yet it also contained abundant resources.

Nightmare decided to find a place deep within this mountain range to enter seclusion and assault Soul Transformation!

He was now at his Peak state, blessed with Luck, with a profound foundation, and aided by the star source core and rule fragments. It was the opportune moment to assault Soul Transformation!

Soon, in the bottom of a ten-thousand-year-old Ice Fiend Valley, a place rarely visited by humans, he found a high-quality **Supreme Yin Vein**. This place had extremely heavy Yin Qi and was obscured by a natural illusion Formation, making it an excellent place for secluded cultivation.

After setting up layers of Restrictions, Nightmare arranged for Mo Yuan and others to act as Protectors outside the valley.

He alone delved into the core of the Yin Vein at the bottom of the valley, sitting cross-legged on the cold ice.

Adjusting his breathing, calming his mind.

At the moment his state reached its most perfect!

He suddenly released all suppression on his cultivation!

Boom!!!

A vast and boundless terrifying aura, drawing upon the Laws of Heaven and Earth, like an ancient slumbering beast awakening, suddenly erupted from within him, shooting straight into the sky!

Above the Heaven's Ridge Mountain Range, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi within a radius of ten thousand li instantly became violent! Endless dark clouds gathered from all directions, forming a terrifying tribulation cloud vortex, ten times larger than the one in the Nether Ghost Domain!

Within the vortex, it was no longer simple three-colored lightning, but rather terrifying attacks that manifested earth, water, fire, wind, Heart Demon illusions, and even various Laws taking physical form!

The Soul Transformation Heavenly Tribulation! Descended!

This time, there was no trickery, only absolute strength to withstand it!

Nightmare looked up at the sky, his eyes filled not with fear, but with fervent Battle Intent!

He rose to his feet, standing proudly in the ice valley, and laughed loudly:

"Come! Let this Heavenly Tribulation be the first stepping stone on my path to Soul Transformation!"

His figure, beneath the world-destroying tribulation clouds, appeared incredibly small, yet incredibly tall and straight, like a demonic spear about to pierce the firmament!

The Door to Soul Transformation had already opened!