A full week had passed, yet there was still no sign of the Netherworld Pool dissipating. This made Chu Yang and his companion quite anxious. No one knew how long this situation would drag on.
On this day, Chu Yang attempted to cultivate as usual. He knew that in a place like the Ancient Forbidden Land, lacking sufficient strength would only be a burden to Xiao Qi.
Even though his foundation was shattered, he couldn't absorb spiritual energy into his body, and his sword heart had collapsed, leaving him unable to sense any sword intent.
However, Chu Yang never gave up.
In the past, he had become a top-notch cultivator, capable of perceiving many things that ordinary people could not sense.
The Laws!
Gradually, Chu Yang found that he could actually perceive the laws of power around him.
The entire world was constructed of various laws, with the power of laws existing everywhere.
Life and death, yin and yang, light and dark, fire and water, time and space…
All these were constructed by laws. All things were laws, and laws created all things!
Even the swordsmanship he had previously practiced was part of the Law of the Sword, comprehending the Law of the Sword in the heavens and earth to enhance his own strength.
All paths in the world were governed by laws.
If one could directly bypass other mediums and perceive the purest power of laws, it would be akin to cultivating the Heavenly Dao, cultivating the Heavenly Dao and comprehending the laws!
This kind of alternative Dao technique, if successfully cultivated, would allow him to become one with the Heavenly Dao, able to control any power of the laws to fight against enemies.
With this newfound understanding, Chu Yang went back to cultivating according to the methods described in the heavenly book scroll of the Mountains and Rivers Diagram.
This time, it was no longer like before, with no response.
The powerful laws of the heavens and earth poured into Chu Yang's body like spiritual energy during cultivation.
Moreover, the laws of the heavens and earth were purer and more powerful than spiritual energy!
Ordinary cultivation could not compare to cultivating the Heavenly Dao.
After a long while.
Chu Yang finally felt the power surging within his body once again, and he let out a long sigh of relief.
He succeeded!
The sensation of mastering power was truly wonderful.
Although Chu Yang's current understanding was still superficial and couldn't exert overwhelmingly powerful forces, he believed that having taken the first and most difficult step, continuous cultivation would eventually bring him power!
...
"Damn it! Has the Emperor Sovereign succeeded in stepping into the path of cultivation again?"
The cultivators outside the Heavenly Emperor Mirror were dumbfounded as they sensed the power of laws surging within the young man in the mirror.
How was this even possible? His Dao Palace was completely destroyed, his foundation gone, and he couldn't cultivate anymore.
But the Emperor Sovereign directly skipped that step and began to comprehend the Heavenly Dao Laws!
Many cultivators had attempted to cultivate the Heavenly Dao Laws before, but without exception, all had failed. Yet, the Emperor Sovereign actually succeeded?
Initially, the group of cultivators wanted to ridicule the Emperor Sovereign's seemingly unyielding but ultimately foolish behavior.
After all, in their eyes, Chu Yang had no possibility of cultivating again, yet he stubbornly persisted. What was this? Knowing it was impossible, yet still trying! And he even unprecedentedly succeeded.
This was infuriating!
For a cultivator, rebuilding one's foundation was undoubtedly a risky challenge that no one dared to attempt lightly.
Especially for someone like Chu Yang, who was rebuilding for the third time!
Each time, the cultivation method was different, and the first two times left no retreat for himself.
Possessing such courage, it was no wonder he later became the ruler of the Heavenly Court, a peerless figure known as the Emperor Sovereign.
The cultivators had a mix of admiration and resentment for the Emperor Sovereign's actions.
Ye Fan couldn't help but murmur in his heart.
This Emperor Sovereign was like an indomitable cockroach, able to turn even such dire situations in his favor?
...
In the scene, Chu Yang was filled with joy. After regaining the ability to cultivate, he immersed himself in diligent cultivation day and night.
Yet, he hadn't noticed the deep worry on Xiao Qi's face.
She could feel the curse in her bloodline spreading faster and faster. Originally, she had a few years left, but now it seemed she had only about a year left, if not less!
Xiao Qi glanced deeply at Chu Yang, who was cultivating, then at the Netherworld Pool before them.
There was a hint of determination in her eyes.
Xiao Qi murmured to herself, "Since I am going to die anyway, let me do more for you before I go!"
Chu Yang was very happy. In just a week, his current strength was comparable to a great power. If he went all out, he might even defeat a God King.
Given a little more time, he would have enough strength to protect Xiao Qi.
She had done so much for him; now it was his turn to protect her on this journey to the Ancient Forbidden Land!
Late at night.
Chu Yang was still engrossed in his cultivation, his progress rapid.
At this moment, Xiao Qi made her decision. She raised her hand and launched a powerful energy vortex, hitting the unprepared Chu Yang heavily.
Chu Yang, with his keen perception, immediately reacted and opened his eyes.
But the little fox's strength was comparable to a half-step Supreme, and even though Chu Yang reacted, he couldn't withstand her attack.
Chu Yang instantly understood why the little fox was doing this and desperately wanted to stop her, but found himself unable to make any sound.
As Chu Yang fell unconscious, the little fox gazed deeply at him and whispered softly, "Perhaps, after crossing the Netherworld Pool this time, I will die. Even if I don't, I won't live long."
"If I die, I hope you will live and leave the Ancient Forbidden Zone."
"Don't... forget me!"
Tears fell from Xiao Qi's eyes. She leaned down and gently kissed Chu Yang's face.
Then, she carried the unconscious Chu Yang on her back. In the next moment, her body expanded to dozens of times its size.
She stood over ten feet tall, like a giant.
This was her true form.
Above the Netherworld Pool, all magic was suppressed, and any means would be dissolved by this ominous curse.
The terror of the ominous curse was beyond anyone's imagination.
Thus, crossing the Netherworld Pool was unrealistic; it had to be done step by step.
The only fortunate thing was that this ominous curse could not be transmitted between living beings.
Otherwise, when a few individuals contaminated by the ominous curse escaped the Ancient Forbidden Zone, the curse would have spread throughout the All-Spirits Continent long ago.
The little fox, with determined eyes, stepped into the Netherworld Pool.
Immediately, the ominous curse, like a ferocious ghost, surged into the little fox's body from all directions.