Chapter 495: The Light of Reincarnation Appears, Three Forces Return to One Source

"What is happening?" Xiao Yuan exclaimed, gripping the Fate Compass tightly as the needle spun wildly.

On the horizon in the distance, a familiar figure was rapidly approaching—tall and upright, purple robes fluttering, eyes flashing with an eerie purple light; it was none other than Muerxiu, the supreme leader of the Awakening Sect!

"Muerxiu?" Lin Xuan was astonished. "How could he possibly appear on the Santu Dao?"

Logically speaking, Muerxiu should have chosen the Huo zhi Dao, which was closer to his abilities.

What was even more shocking was that the aura emanating from Muerxiu had undergone a subtle change; besides his original Void Annihilation Force, there was a faint intermingling of the fluctuations of Lun Hui power, like silver threads woven into the purple-black energy.

"Oh no!" Xuanjizi's expression changed drastically. "He may have already obtained the recognition of a portion of the Lun Hui power!"

Muerxiu's speed was extremely fast, and in the blink of an eye, he had approached within a hundred paces of the group. He stopped in his tracks, looking down at Lin Xuan and the others from a height, a smile of certain victory on his face.

"The reincarnation of Taijizi? No wonder you can master the power of two Heaven and Earth Origin fragments." Muerxiu sneered, clearly already aware of Lin Xuan's identity. "How ironic, the one who tried to stop the Void Sovereign back then has now fallen to such a state."

Lin Xuan stood up, facing Muerxiu directly: "How could you appear on the Santu Dao? This path corresponds to the power of Lun Hui, not your Void Annihilation Force."

Muerxiu laughed heartily: "Who said I am walking the Santu Dao? I am walking the Huo zhi Dao, it is just that... I have already found a shortcut to the location of the Light of Reincarnation."

"What do you mean?" Lin Xuan asked vigilantly.

"The Santu Dao appears to lead in different directions, but in reality, they share the same source and destination." Muerxiu said proudly. "I found an ancient teleportation array on the Huo zhi Dao that led directly to the edge of where the Light of Reincarnation is located. Unfortunately, there is a special protection there that requires the bloodline of Taijizi to open."

Muerxiu's gaze became greedy and fierce: "I didn't expect the reincarnation of Taijizi to be right before my eyes. Lin Xuan, or should I call you Taijizi? Your existence is simply a godsend for me!"

Lin Xuan's heart tightened, and he immediately entered a state of alert. He noticed that the fluctuations of Lun Hui power on Muerxiu were becoming more and more obvious; clearly, he had already obtained some kind of opportunity.

"You have already come into contact with the Light of Reincarnation?" Lin Xuan probed.

Muerxiu smiled meaningfully: "Not entirely, but I did indeed gain some benefits. The trials of the Santu Dao are almost certain death for most people, but for someone with my special constitution, they are a great tonic."

He slowly raised his right hand, an eerie silver-purple light flickering in his palm: "Do you see? This is the fusion of Lun Hui and the Void. Although it is not yet perfect, it is already strong enough."

Lin Xuan finally understood that although Muerxiu had not obtained the complete Light of Reincarnation, he had absorbed some kind of derivative of Lun Hui power, causing his Void Annihilation Force to be partially enhanced. This was a huge threat to the Balance Sect.

"Now, you have two choices." Muerxiu said condescendingly. "Either take the initiative to cooperate with me, take me to the location of the Light of Reincarnation, and share the power; or I will kill all your companions first, then force you to submit."

"Which one do you think I will choose?" Lin Xuan asked coldly in return, the Primordial Cold and Hun Dun Flame within his body already beginning to circulate rapidly in preparation for battle.

Muerxiu sighed, seemingly unsurprised by Lin Xuan's answer: "As expected. After so many lifetimes of reincarnation, your personality hasn't changed at all. Last time it was you who obstructed the rise of the Void Sovereign; this time, I will not let history repeat itself!"

Having said that, he suddenly raised his hand, and a Void Crack mixed with silver-purple light struck toward Lin Xuan and the others like a giant python!

"Watch out!" Lin Xuan shouted, quickly forming seals. "Taiji Shield!"

A silver-blue Taiji Pattern unfolded before the group, barely blocking this terrifying attack. But the powerful impact still sent everyone staggering backward.

"So strong!" Xiao Yuan's face turned pale. "His power is at least thirty percent stronger than before!"

Lin Xuan's expression was grave: "The Void Annihilation Force combined with a portion of Lun Hui power is already approaching the sum of my Primordial Cold and Hun Dun Flame. If he obtains the complete Light of Reincarnation..."

Not daring to continue thinking, Lin Xuan made a prompt decision: "Xuanjizi, you all retreat first and find other paths to the location of the Light of Reincarnation. I will hold Muerxiu back!"

Xuanjizi hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement: "Be careful! We will arrive to support you as soon as possible!"

Xiao Yuan, however, stood firmly by Lin Xuan's side: "I will stay to help you! The Fate Compass can warn of danger; at the very least, it can increase your chances of survival."

Lin Xuan had no time to say more and could only nod in agreement. Xuanjizi and Xu Feng led the others to retreat quickly, searching for other paths.

Muerxiu sneered, not stopping them from leaving: "No matter, once I deal with you, the rest are nothing but ants."

He stepped forward, and with every step he took, a silver-purple lotus flower would emerge on the Santu Dao, eerie and beautiful: "Taijizi, let us make an end of it! This time, you cannot stop the awakening of the Void Sovereign!"

Lin Xuan took a deep breath, placing the Snow Soul Mirror before his chest, the Taiji Pattern in his eyes spinning like a vortex: "I am not Taijizi; I am Lin Xuan. Regardless of past or present life, I have only one choice—to protect the balance and stop the disaster!"

Lin Xuan and Muerxiu confronted each other on the Santu Dao, the silver-white light path trembling slightly due to the energy fluctuations. At this moment, Muerxiu was a different person from when they first met—his face was somewhat distorted, purple light flickered unsteadily in his eyes, and the aura on his body was chaotic and violent; clearly, he had forcibly obtained a portion of Lun Hui power without fully passing the Lun Hui trials.

"Your state is not right." Lin Xuan observed calmly. "Lun Hui power cannot be forcibly plundered; it requires resonance and understanding of the heart."

Muerxiu gave a ferocious laugh, the veins on his face bulging: "The reincarnation of Taijizi? Interesting. Through the memories of Lun Hui, I finally understand—it turns out you are the greatest obstacle!"

He suddenly took a step forward, the ground cracking: "Do you know what I saw in the memories of Lun Hui? I saw the greatness of the Void Sovereign! I saw the order it once gave to the world! If it weren't for you, the Void Sovereign would have long since completed the purification of this decaying world!"

Lin Xuan's brows were locked in a frown: "Your memories of Lun Hui have been distorted. The Void Sovereign and the Nature God Monarch were meant to complement each other and jointly maintain the balance of the universe, not to be opposed to each other."

"Enough!" Muerxiu roared. "I don't need you to tell me what the truth is! Today, I will personally end the reincarnation of Taijizi and complete the unfinished business of the Void Sovereign!"