Section Three: What Does It Mean to Act on Heaven’s Behalf? It Means Standing Alone Against the World

As soon as the words fell, everything around returned to normal—there was no longer any trace of the chaotic thunder. The surroundings stretched out in a smooth, level plain, more even than anything polished or hewn, and even a wisp of tribulation thunder's aura lingered in the air.

"Acting as Heaven’s executioner?"

This phrase echoed endlessly in Wuyun’s mind. Since losing his powers, his mental faculties had plummeted—where once he was a cosmic-level supercomputer, now, in technological terms, his mind had descended to the level of a two-digit calculator. Calculations that once simulated the birth and demise of universes now left him counting 1+1 on his fingers. The bitterest irony was that only now had he managed to grasp the true meaning of "acting as Heaven’s executioner."

This role was not that of a hero purging villains, but rather Heaven’s own hand, eradicating all cultivators who dared steal the powers of the cosmos—regardless of their path, whether cultivation or sorcery, whether immortals, demons, ghosts, or monsters, all were targets for elimination.

In an instant, the entire world became his enemy.

Yet, there was one advantage: the more he purged, the more he received Heaven’s favor. If he reached the very pinnacle, even the otherworldly tribulation thunder would help shield him. Furthermore, in this dimensional realm, there were no obstacles or bottlenecks to cultivation.

Wuyun had barely recovered from his daze and was about to curse aloud when suddenly a figure appeared at his side—a person, sword in hand, gazing around in terrified confusion. Upon seeing Wuyun, and before the newcomer could question him, Wuyun blurted out by instinct, “Yueluo Hua, how did you get here so fast? Are you hoping your master meets his end?”

The moment he finished, Wuyun realized his words were ill-chosen. Sure enough, Yueluo Hua pointed, and a thousand sword shadows appeared, encircling him layer upon layer.

“What manner of demon are you, daring to trespass upon Sword Mountain Sect?”

Wuyun hurriedly gestured for calm, and under the other’s angry glare, used the back of his sword as a mirror. Sure enough, his reflection was just as he remembered from his earliest life.

“At last, I’m truly human again!”

As others arrived, the eight peak lords pressed in, questioning him with growing suspicion and oppressive force. Wuyun quickly changed his tune, “I am but a cloud, only a cloud!”

When he spun the truth into a tale, he sighed, “Your sect master, to keep me safe, fought to the death but was ultimately overwhelmed…”

Yueluo Hua broke into delighted laughter, but Wuyun’s words turned: “He tore open space itself and fled within, the tribulation thunder following after him—his fate unknown!”

“Haha, see? I told you, my master’s legendary—how could he possibly fear mere tribulation lightning?” Yueluo Hua’s tone shifted, but her brow furrowed abruptly, for from above, the lord of Dominance Peak, Thousand Swords Urgent, spoke.

He was the predetermined successor for sect master, and now with the Supreme Dominator missing, his position was secure.

“Ahem. As the sect master instructed, Dominance Peak shall henceforth be the master’s seat. But now, with all nine peaks leveled, Yueluo Hua, as the Supreme Dominator’s chief disciple, you are duty-bound to seek out new spiritual peaks and arrange for the dead and wounded disciples.”

Yueluo Hua accepted, albeit with great reluctance, for the sake of the greater good.

“As for this half-human, half-demon,” the new sect master Thousand Swords Urgent continued, “it once served as our guardian beast and may now be counted as an inner disciple. But for fairness’ sake, it must start from the outer sect, to ensure all are treated equally and won over by virtue.”

“Yes, sir!”

No sooner had he finished than trouble arrived. In the Luoshui Realm, the Sword Mountain Sect ranked first among the ten great cultivation sects, but second-ranked Phoenix Fire Gate and third-ranked Golden Blade Sect, along with the other seven, all converged upon the scene.

Kicking a man when he’s down was the bread and butter of the sectarian world.

“The Supreme Dominator was truly formidable! Haha! I, Golden Blade Jin Sandao, have never seen anyone withstand thousands of tribulation thunders. What monstrous sins must he have committed! Boundless and unforgivable!”

“Indeed, Brother Sandao, you’re right. The Supreme Dominator may have led the Luoshui Realm, but he cared only for himself, never listening to the grievances of other sects! Justice prevails, karma cycles—perhaps this is the Sword Mountain Sect’s fitting end.”

The Phoenix Fire Gate’s highest power, Elder Burning Flame, stepped forward. In all of cultivation, only the Supreme Dominator surpassed him—though even he could not withstand a single move from the Supreme Dominator.

“I have cultivated over eight thousand years, from gathering qi to forging the body, taking form, condensing the core, mastering the self, perfecting the soul, and now on the verge of breaking through to godhood. Now, with the great pressure gone, and godhood within reach, the Sword Mountain Sect is no more.”

His words echoed the hearts of the other eight sects. The Supreme Dominator’s strength was absolute. If he had wished to rule the entire Luoshui Star, none could have stopped him. But now was not the time to debate causes—now was the time for reckoning.

“Do you truly wish to strike us while we’re down? If my master returns, he’ll raze your sects to the ground!” Yueluo Hua’s furious cry made the weaker sects hesitate.

The Sword Mountain Sect had never bullied others, for the Supreme Dominator forbade any distractions from his true pursuits.

Just then, as Wuyun watched the spectacle, he suddenly felt his consciousness lift as though rising to the heavens. A subtle, cryptic voice spoke. To anyone else, its meaning would be incomprehensible, but to Wuyun, it was clear.

The laws of this dimension demanded he act as Heaven’s executioner, to slay the cultivators before him. In return, he could immediately gather qi, without any limitation from his body or innate talent.

It was tempting, but…

“Our Sword Mountain Sect has never feared any threat.”

The lord of Courage Peak, Yin Baoyu, spoke up. Aside from him, the other peak lords were silent.

Jia Wen, lord of Achievement Peak, shook his head and said to those around him, “I was brought here as a captive to oversee Achievement Peak, but with the peak destroyed, my obligation ends. I will take the remaining disciples and return to my former sect.”

“I too,” others echoed.

“Excellent.”

Such is the inevitable outcome of absolute autocracy, as now played out in the Sword Mountain Sect. With the declarations from Fierce, Demon, Achievement, and Attack Peaks, Thousand Swords Urgent of Dominance Peak looked extremely grim.

He was about to be left alone with nothing. As he hesitated, the clash of magical weapons sounded nearby, beams of light shooting skyward—it was elders of the sect fighting off invaders from other sects.

These outsiders were plundering all the sect’s treasures.

The tension in the air was thick. Wuyun, emboldened by some unknown force, muttered, “With the Supreme Dominator missing, you all suddenly remember to value your own lives. When the sect stands, its people stand; when the sect falls, so too do its people.”

Even a former guardian beast had spoken up—there was no turning back now.

As choices became difficult, unexpectedly, casualties erupted in the chaos—disciples of the Sacred Peak slew a group of onlookers without mercy.

The eight peak lords saw this all too clearly. Even Achievement Peak, which had just declared its departure, frowned.

A peaceful parting would have been acceptable—even if the Supreme Dominator returned, he would have had no grounds for complaint. But to be cowed into dissolving under threat…

Suddenly, a celestial melody resounded—it was the lord of the Absolute Sound Fortress, Ru Xuan, arriving from beyond the Luoshui Realm, bearing the Dragonbone Zither, a treasure among treasures.

To arrive was to do battle.
To arrive was to decide life and death.

Had the Sword Mountain Sect’s great formation still stood, the likes of these invaders, even a hundred times their number, would have been nothing to fear. But now, the entire sect was laid bare, smooth and open as a plain.

“Cease your arrogance!”

As the words rang out, Yueluo Hua’s sword swept forth, clashing in midair with the invisible power of the zither’s music. Explosions boomed, and dazzling metallic sparks burst across the sky.

Though neither side gained the upper hand, the zither’s music swept out in waves, and in an instant, many Sacred Peak disciples’ bodies exploded. Even several wounded inner sect disciples, unable to dodge, were pierced by the demonic sound and died with blood streaming from their bodies.

The lord of the Absolute Sound Fortress was not the most powerful among outside factions, but his Dragonbone Zither ranked among the top hundred treasures of Luoshui Star.

Mortal implements, magical implements, spiritual implements, treasures, dao implements, heavy implements, immortal implements, divine implements, sacred implements…

And beyond these, countless unique artifacts defied classification—some weak, some strong: soul implements, dao treasures, sacred and divine relics, nether implements, earth spirits, heavenly treasures…