I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2277 - 2276: Threatening the Heavenly Dao, The Living and the Dead

A powerful force, akin to a collapsing mountain or a surging ocean, erupted forth.

Xu Zimei amassed all his might.

It was crucial to understand that the preceding maneuvers were mere feints, designed to lull the Lord of Dead Spirits into a false sense of security.

Naturally, the truly formidable and devastating strike was this one.

Harnessing the life-defying capabilities of the Heavenly-reaching Trilife Gate, Xu Zimei forcibly exchanged injuries for injuries, launching this attack against the Lord of Dead Spirits.

Furthermore, at this precise moment, the Lord of Dead Spirits found himself with no time to evade.

This attack had already closed the distance.

In his grasp, the Ruyi lamp continuously shifted form, while dark mist swirled around him, attempting to block this strike with all his strength.

Indeed, it was the Lord of Dead Spirits who best comprehended the ferocity of this particular strike.

"Dead Spirits," Xu Zimei bellowed, "you presume this is not my era, but on the contrary, I am destined to reign supreme over all."

"Possessing whatever schemes you might have in your background, none can compare to me," he continued.

"After all, your path could never withstand failure."

"Boom..."

The ultimate strike descended.

The shield, conjured by the Ruyi lamp, renowned as the world's most potent defensive artifact.

Yet now, under Xu Zimei's blade.

It did not endure for even a fleeting moment.

It was utterly obliterated.

If this is not sufficiently impactful, following the shield's destruction, Xu Zimei's blade, imbued with an even more terrifying aura, plunged downwards.

With a resounding "boom."

Upon the strike's impact, the entire void began to fracture and collapse.

The obscuring black mist instantly dissipated.

The boundless dark vapor churned and was completely annihilated.

The power of this single strike was unparalleled.

Though the void before him steadily repaired itself, the lingering effects of this blow continued to wear away at it.

Xu Zimei could discern that, despite not being killed by this strike, the Lord of Dead Spirits had sustained grievous injuries.

His gaze swept across the surroundings.

Immediately after the strike landed, upon observing the dark mist, Xu Zimei could distinctly perceive that the Lord of Dead Spirits had integrated himself into the very concept of annihilation.

This revelation led him to understand that the Lord of Dead Spirits no longer possessed a physical form; he had transcended into annihilation itself.

Annihilation was him.

Although the Lord of Dead Spirits had always been an enigma, his true form was unknown.

Furthermore, his clan affiliation remained a mystery.

However, it now seemed that such details were no longer significant.

For Xu Zimei felt he had come to grasp the Lord of Dead Spirits' path.

Distinct from his own path, and unlike that of Empress Hongtian.

The Lord of Dead Spirits harbored the ambition of coexisting with the Heavenly Dao, sharing dominion over the world.

While this concept sounded intricate.

Xu Zimei desired confirmation.

He inquired, "Fellow Daoist of Dead Spirits, are you perhaps too intimidated to emerge following my strike?"

As Xu Zimei's words concluded, dark mist began to coalesce.

A figure materialized within the swirling vapor.

This was a youth with hair as white as snow, starkly contrasting against the surrounding mist.

The youth appeared as if he had emerged untouched by the mundane world.

He walked barefoot through the mist.

This was now the true visage of the Lord of Dead Spirits.

Xu Zimei observed him.

And smiled, remarking, "I had assumed you would be too fearful to show yourself now."

"I admit, I felt a degree of apprehension in emerging; that strike was indeed... rather frightening," the youth candidly responded.

He then added, "The times have shifted, yet you, Demon Lord, remain unchanged."

"No, I am not the Demon Lord of the previous generation; I represent only myself," Xu Zimei stated calmly.

"We tread different paths; our perspectives and very beings are distinct," he elaborated.

"Although fundamentally we originate from the same power, our individualities set us apart."

"Regardless, you have indeed taken that significant step," the Lord of Dead Spirits commented.

He continued, "You have vanquished me, and I acknowledge this."

"Your particular path intrigues me greatly," Xu Zimei expressed his interest.

"The Great Dao of the Netherworld has undeniably enabled you to forge a novel path."

"While not a resplendent Great Dao, it certainly possesses profound comprehension."

"I do not desire such a path either; do you truly believe I wouldn't wish to confront the Heavenly Dao and defy the heavens, much like you?"

"However, given my capabilities, I am unable to achieve that."

"One must possess self-awareness; consequently, I have never harbored arrogance regarding certain matters."

"Upon my arrival in this world, in addition to acquiring the Ruyi lamp, I obtained something else of consequence."

"This became my bedrock, the very core that endowed me with the courage to undertake all these actions."

"I refer to it as the Netherworld Stone."

"The Netherworld Stone actively constructs its own world, and this realm is not a conventional pocket-dimension but is intricately linked to the life essence of the myriad clans."

"With this stone, I possess the ability to manifest a realm; when an individual perishes, their soul is naturally drawn into the Netherworld."

"Once all souls have been assimilated, I shall be able to establish the Netherworld realm."

"The Yang and Nether realms are in opposition."

"Commanding the very existence of myriad clans."

The Lord of the Dead Spirits, with apparent pride, spoke these words.

"Then I can broker a deal with Heavenly Dao."

"Should it refuse my terms, all life within the Nether realm shall migrate to the Yang realm."

"This act would throw Yin and Yang into chaos, plunging the entire world into disarray."

"Even with Heavenly Dao's immense power, managing the world's Yin and Yang would become a perilous task."

"Everyone presumes Heavenly Dao to be utterly invincible."

"For ages, the Heaven Challengers have sought ways to vanquish Heavenly Dao."

"Yet, they overlooked a crucial element."

"Heavenly Dao requires the Nine Domains for its very existence; it cannot stand alone."

"The birth of Heavenly Dao was a consequence of the Nine Domains' presence."

"And should the Nine Domains face annihilation, Heavenly Dao will inevitably perish with them."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zimei grasped the truth.

He responded, "So, you're not targeting Heavenly Dao's weakness, but rather the Nine Domains' vulnerability.

You intend to leverage the safety of the Nine Domains as a threat against Heavenly Dao."

"Like holding the emperor hostage to dictate terms to the vassals," Xu Zimei mused, the analogy striking him.

It had to be admitted, the Lord of the Dead Spirits' strategy was sound.

While success wasn't guaranteed, the approach was undeniably significant.

"Precisely, in essence, you comprehend my objective," the Lord of the Dead Spirits affirmed with a nod.

"Then, how progresses your current endeavor?" Xu Zimei inquired further.

"When do you plan to confront Heavenly Dao?"

"My initial plan was to wait for the True Martial Great Emperor's challenge to heaven. I intended to use that moment, catching Heavenly Dao off-guard and unprepared, forcing their compliance."

The Lord of the Dead Spirits revealed his intentions openly.

No longer concealing his true motives.

He continued, "However, I later realized my preparations were insufficient."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I cannot afford the risk of failure."

"As you are aware, failing a heaven challenge is unlike your situation, where resurrection is possible."

"Therefore, I am waiting..."

"Awaiting the day you challenge heaven, so I can seize that opportune moment to confront Heavenly Dao."

"Your machinations run deep, truly," Xu Zimei remarked with a touch of jest.

"You understand, certain undertakings are fraught with peril; failure means absolute demise.

I must proceed with utmost caution."

"Up to this point, only you are privy to this information. I trust you will maintain its secrecy."