Chapter 4789: Worthy and Pitiful
"This universe… wow, impressive!"
The Hongmeng Gem exclaimed again and again.
Although it was not exactly the most steady existence, such a reaction from it was rare.
Lin Moyu asked, "Have you figured something out?"
The Hongmeng Gem giggled. "Master has already seen it. Better if you say it first."
Lin Moyu said, "This universe once absorbed a large amount of annihilation power from the Forbidden Zone of Life. These powers of annihilation were not tempered and harmonized by the power of Heaven and Earth, but were sealed inside the universe for some special reason.
"Although this universe has turned into a remnant, quite a bit of Heaven and Earth power remains, and the damage to its rules is not that severe. There may very well still be living beings inside.
"The reason it turned out this way is precisely because of this annihilation power. Annihilation power is originally meant to destroy Heaven and Earth, but it has instead been used as a shield to protect the universe.
"It looks to be man made, but who has such ability? There should not be any supreme powerhouse in a Nine Cycle universe. Even if there were, it would still be extremely difficult to control the power of the Forbidden Zone of Life."
The Hongmeng Gem giggled. "Master is more than half right, but there are still some parts that are not quite correct. There really is no supreme powerhouse in this Nine Cycle universe, at most a few who are close to that level, but this universe has a treasure.
"If there is no mistake, the strongest person in this universe used that treasure at the moment the universe was about to be destroyed, turning the invading annihilation power into their own tool, transforming it into a shield that in turn protected the universe."
It clearly knew yet purposely held back, and Lin Moyu snorted lightly. "Explain clearly."
The Hongmeng Gem laughed. "Since master is sincerely asking, then I will say it. That treasure is called the Divine Sky Stone. It comes from the Wall of Heaven and Earth, is extremely rare, and only ever falls into Nine Cycle universes, though not every Nine Cycle universe has one.
"The Divine Sky Stone can enter the Forbidden Zone of Life without being destroyed. If it is refined into Heaven and Earth rules, then the universe can, to some extent, withstand the annihilation power of the Forbidden Zone of Life.
"However, its strength is limited. It cannot resist forever, nor can it cover the entire universe.
"Nine Cycle universes are never short of clever people, and they figured this out as well. They first refined the Divine Sky Stone into the Heaven and Earth rules, leaving it there. Then, when the Great Annihilation arrives and the universe collapses, just as it is about to turn into a remnant but has not fully become one, they activate this rule.
"At that time, the universe will already have shrunk greatly, and the rule formed from the Divine Sky Stone will be able to cover the entire universe, temporarily blocking the annihilation power.
"In this way, by using the power of Heaven and Earth to control and guide it, and by gathering the strength of the entire universe, they can slightly alter the property of annihilation power, making it reverse course and turn into a shield for the universe, doing their utmost to keep the universe intact."
After Lin Moyu finished listening, his gaze flickered slightly and he once again examined the universe.
At last, he discovered a special rule.
This rule was already broken and faint, almost nonexistent, but Lin Moyu could still sense it.
This rule was different from the others; it was not born of the universe's own evolution, but was artificially added later.
Though there were no supreme powerhouses in this Nine Cycle universe, it still contained many powerful beings.
Joining their strengths, they truly could have accomplished such a feat.
Lin Moyu said softly, "I did overlook this earlier. You are right; that is exactly how it is. But to use this rule, they must have endured tremendous backlash."
The Hongmeng Gem said, "This rule requires countless powerful beings working together to be activated. It can be said with certainty that those who used this rule back then all died."
Lin Moyu sighed. "What a pity. The universe they wished to protect still could not be preserved. The annihilation power descended all the same, and even if the beings within survived, they became mutated and were no longer normal living beings."
The Hongmeng Gem said, "Man proposes, Heaven disposes. At times, one must try one's best, while the outcome can only be left to fate."
The Hongmeng Gem was not wrong.
The Great Annihilation is not something easily survived.
Under the Great Annihilation, countless universes are turned into remnants, regardless of how many cycles they have completed; all are treated the same.
That a few half human, half ghost creatures could be left behind at all was already the result of the tireless efforts of countless powerful beings in this universe.
It was just that such a result was not necessarily what they had hoped for.
Lin Moyu said, "This universe has no supreme powerhouses, but there are still a few who are close to that level, and they come from a Nine Cycle universe, so they must not be underestimated."
The Hongmeng Gem was completely unconcerned. "With me in master's hand, just sweep through them all. Guaranteed."
Lin Moyu said nothing.
He had confidence, but he would not grow careless.
With a thought, the Undying Spirit Soldiers roared forth, flying in all directions.
The purpose of the Undying Spirit Soldiers was to clear out all the mutated beings.
This universe had become a remnant, but not yet a complete remnant; better to cripple it further first.
Even if he did not, it would not pose much of a problem.
With the current Hongmeng Purple Flame, refining a Nine Cycle universe was only a matter of minutes.
Lin Moyu, having discerned the rules, stepped along them and headed toward the universe's core.
Earlier, when he observed the universe, he saw that there were still several not so weak entities at the core.
However, before him, they really did not amount to much.
The Undying Spirit Soldiers slaughtered in all directions, and the mutated beings in the universe were completely unable to withstand their campaign.
Lin Moyu walked an unobstructed path straight to the universe's core and finally came to a halt.
Outside the core, three black figures stood in a three talent position.
Beyond the shadows, terrifying eyes bore into Lin Moyu.
Lin Moyu knew they had already lost their intelligence.
Only their instinct and obsession remained, making them guard the core of the universe, guarding this universe itself.
After a few breaths, they disappeared at the same time.
The black shadows moved, launching their attack on Lin Moyu.
"After guarding for so many years, it is time for release."
The Wings of Heaven and Earth suddenly spread open, multicolored radiance falling, as the Nine Heavens Fate Technique was activated at the same time.
In the void, phantom wings appeared, covering a fair portion of the universe.
"Suppress."
Lin Moyu silently spoke the word in his heart, and vast rule power descended.
The three vanished black shadows suddenly reappeared, hastily retreating.
They did not wish to retreat, but were shaken back by immense force and had no choice.
The Wings of Heaven and Earth, working together with the Nine Heavens Fate Technique, commanded the rules and changed the rules.
No matter how powerful the three were, they were still beings existing under the universe's rules.
In front of the Wings of Heaven and Earth, they were without the slightest ability to resist.
The enormous force knocked the three of them back, then transformed into a giant hand that pressed down upon them, forcibly suppressing them so they could not move.
Sharp, piercing roars rang out, but Lin Moyu ignored them.
The Hongmeng Gem asked, "Master is not going to kill them?"
Lin Moyu said, "They already died long ago. Only their obsession has not perished, turning them into mindless monsters, surviving until now only because of the universe's rules.
"Once I refine this universe, they will naturally dissipate. Let them have one last look at the universe they have obsessed over and guarded.
"There are some things that truly should not be done, and yet they insist, even though their strength is insufficient. It really is somewhat pitiful.
"Yet they are also worthy of respect. Perhaps, if it were me, I would do the same, for they are guarding their own universe, and that is not wrong."
The Hongmeng Purple Flame flew out and fell upon the nine storied pagoda.
The Hongmeng Purple Flame instantly devoured the pagoda and began its refinement.
The universe shook violently, and a gigantic phantom rushed out from the pagoda, wielding a towering mountain as it struck toward Lin Moyu!