Chapter 22: Ji Ning's Own Dao

"Omnipresent?" Ji Ning struggled to hold out under the siege of the puppets, when suddenly a spark of insight flickered in his heart.

"Yes, their attacks are omnipresent—some use long-range secret arts, some engage in close combat, and some even have numerous sharp claws and arms... I've used my divine ability to manifest only six arms; how can I hold out like this?" Ji Ning murmured to himself. Many insights into swordsmanship, especially those regarding the 'Yin-Yang Style,' began to rapidly integrate in his mind.

It was as if a single thread had strung together all the beads, forming a true whole.

The vast insights in Ji Ning's mind swiftly merged into a systematic whole, coalescing into a complete Dao.

"Omnipresent."

"The true Yin-Yang Style is not about my desperate defense. What if I can transform into six arms? Even if I transform into ten arms or eighteen arms, there is ultimately a limit!" Ji Ning realized in his heart. "The true Yin-Yang Style must defend against all incoming enemies; naturally, it should also be omnipresent... covering everything, so that any enemy who invades is obstructed by my Yin-Yang Style."

"Thus, the true power of the Yin-Yang Style should be a domain!"

"Transform the sword technique into a domain."

Every cultivator has a path suited to themselves.

Over endless ages, mighty figures have walked countless paths. At this point, one must not always imitate others, for imitation will affect one's future insights. A blank sheet of paper is best for painting; following one's own heart, gradually gaining insights, gradually improving, and finally undergoing a transformation through accumulated power—this is the path of cultivation.

"Use the seventh-stage Dao of Divine Thunder and the seventh-stage Dao of Divine Water as swords." Ji Ning murmured to himself.

"Rumble~~~"

The Divine Thunder and Divine Water that had been struggling to bind the enemies immediately rumbled loudly. Though their essence was lightning and water, to a Sword Immortal, all things can be swords—a flying flower, a plucked leaf, even a drop of water. Now Ji Ning was using this Divine Thunder and Divine Water as swords.

"Divine Thunder and Divine Water, Yin-Yang Style, transform into the Yin-Yang Sword-Intent Domain."

Over the years, Ji Ning's greatest achievement had been in defense. Now, with the 'Yin-Yang Style,' all his past insights—even some that had seemed unimportant—were fully utilized when the sword technique transformed into a sword-intent domain, causing its power to undergo a qualitative leap.

"Rumble~~~"

Each bolt of Divine Thunder transformed into a sword! Within, it was lightning; on the surface, sword-force naturally condensed into a sword shape. The powerful sword-intent naturally coalesced into sword-force.

Each stream of Divine Water also transformed into a sword, all taking the form of swords.

They began to circle Ji Ning, forming a massive vortex. But if one looked closely, one would see that within this great vortex, some rings spun clockwise, others counterclockwise. The powerful sword-intent caused this clockwise and counterclockwise motion to generate an incredibly terrifying tearing force. What is whiteness? Only when the rest of the paper is black does the patch of white in the center stand out in stunning contrast.

The sword-intent was already powerful; the clockwise and counterclockwise motion created tearing, greatly amplifying its power.

Yin and Yang opposing each other!

At the same time, Yin and Yang complemented each other. Divine Thunder and Divine Water combined, enhancing their might. Occasionally, bolts of Divine Thunder with opposing attributes collided, causing an explosive burst of power.

Sometimes counterclockwise, sometimes clockwise.

Sometimes yin and gentle, sometimes violent and fierce.

A vast domain formed around Ji Ning, covering ten thousand li. Within this domain, the Divine Thunder and Divine Water transformed into sharp swords. The most terrifying aspect was Ji Ning's sword-intent. The 'Yin-Yang Sword-Intent' formed from his 'Yin-Yang Style' had undergone a qualitative transformation. For a time, thunder and water surged, sometimes with hidden currents, sometimes erupting violently, attacking all who invaded!

"From now on, the Yin-Yang Style of my Brightmoon Sword-Art shall be the Yin-Yang Sword-Intent Domain." Ji Ning smiled. Finally, one of his five Brightmoon styles had truly transformed. At this moment, Ji Ning clearly understood that the 'Yin-Yang Sword-Intent Domain' was the path he needed to walk in defense on his journey to becoming a Daolord of Life and Death.

"Careful."

"Quick."

Those puppets were also sentient. When the vast Yin-Yang Sword-Intent Domain formed around Ji Ning, the puppets that charged into it immediately felt the layered forces—sometimes flowing with them, sometimes suddenly erupting in attack, and sometimes unleashing surging tearing forces.

Everywhere within the sword-intent domain was an attack, and with the exchange of yin and yang, the constant changes made it increasingly difficult for them to defend. These puppets likely had to use ninety percent of their strength just to resist the Yin-Yang Sword-Intent Domain.

"Boom!" Ji Ning stepped forward directly, his sword-light striking out and sending a puppet flying with a single blow.

Those puppets had almost all their strength focused on resisting the Yin-Yang Sword-Intent Domain; they were too weak before Ji Ning. He defeated them with a single move.

Ji Ning continued walking.

Layer 603, Layer 604, Layer 605...

Ji Ning walked forward, his three heads and six arms wielding six divine swords. The vast Yin-Yang Sword Intent Domain enveloped the surrounding ten thousand miles. This Sword Intent Domain could be expanded or contracted at will—expanding it to a hundred million miles was trivial. However, ten thousand miles was a boundary; within that range, it maintained peak power, while beyond it, the power gradually and slowly diminished.

The Yin-Yang Sword Intent Domain could also be executed using Dharma treasures and flying swords, or by manipulating flames, or by controlling anything. Now, Ji Ning's Dao Divine Thunder and Dao Divine Water were extremely powerful, so he used them to execute it.

An ordinary object, under Ji Ning's formidable sword intent, could slay a one-step Dao Lord.

These Dao Divine Thunder and Dao Divine Water themselves possessed extraordinary power. Now, using them as the main medium, Ji Ning executed the Yin-Yang Sword Intent Domain, and its power was especially great.

……

At the Thirteen Thrones of the Void, the Great Dominator and the twelve golden-armored mighty figures stared at that scene.

When Ji Ning's Yin-Yang Style transformed into the 'Yin-Yang Sword Intent Domain' and he effortlessly walked forward, none of these golden-armored mighty figures cared that the Great Dominator's earlier judgment had been wrong. They were all shocked by the Sword Intent Domain Ji Ning had displayed in the scene, because these mighty figures all understood what this moment represented for Ji Ning.

"He has finally taken that step," the Great Dominator said softly.

"The Northernbright Swordlord is destined to become one of the top-tier mighty figures of our Twelve Palaces," Thousand Waves Dao Lord nodded.

"Such a figure, yet he ended up in the Sword Palace. A pity, a pity," Yin Wind Dao Lord shook his head.

Woodflower Dao Lord glanced at him, then burst into laughter, laughing with great delight.

"Although the Northernbright Swordlord's Sword Intent Domain is defensive, it contains terrifying attacks everywhere. Any enemy who intrudes into the domain will be attacked at all times, and no matter how strong their strength, it will be weakened... Before they even get close, their power is greatly reduced. Such a domain is destined to be terrifying. If he becomes a four-step Dao Lord in the future, how terrifying will this Sword Intent Domain be? It might even be able to suppress an Eternal Emperor," said the golden-armored mighty figure sitting to the side, whose eyes resembled dark vortices, speaking softly with emotion.

"Mm."

The Great Dominator nodded. "It can suppress some ordinary Eternal Emperors. By taking this step, the Northernbright Swordlord has already comprehended the strongest path of defense!"

"He is destined to be a heaven-defying Dao Lord." All the mighty figures present nodded.

Daos have high and low distinctions.

Some Life-and-Death Dao Lords walk a very ordinary and weak Dao; as one-step Dao Lords, they only have the strength of an ordinary one-step Dao Lord.

Take Snowjian Emperor's Dao—his seventh style, 'Reincarnation Style,' was enough to earn the recognition of the ancient pagoda. Snowjian Emperor achieved Life-and-Death Dao Lord through this path, and his Dao was considered quite formidable; as a one-step Dao Lord, he could rival a two-step Dao Lord. However, this kind of 'Dao' barely reached the threshold for the ancient pagoda's recognition.

As for Qinghuang皇子, Feng Yixin Lord, and Ji Ning at this moment, their Daos were a level higher. Ji Ning's 'Yin-Yang Sword Intent Domain' was a tier stronger than the 'Reincarnation Style' from the start, and his Dao was also a level higher.

"The strongest path of defense." Thousand Waves Dao Lord sighed deeply. "In your Sword Palace's endless years until now, there have indeed been few who have comprehended the strongest path of defense."

"Not many," Woodflower Palace Master nodded. Every mighty figure had what suited them. Ji Ning had comprehended the Yin-Yang Sword Intent Domain, but other mighty figures might comprehend some other sword technique; as long as the realm was the same, it would all count as the strongest path of defense.

"Walking this path, when he becomes a four-step Dao Lord, he will be able to suppress Eternal Emperors in battle," Thousand Waves Dao Lord said with a smile.

"Still, he falls short of Lixing Palace Master," Yin Wind Dao Lord said instead. "When Lixing Palace Master was at the World level, he comprehended three strongest paths and perfectly combined them. After becoming a four-step Dao Lord, he slew an Eternal Emperor with three strikes. Although the Northernbright Swordlord is impressive, he can only suppress Eternal Emperors; killing them depends on luck."

"Mm." Everyone present agreed.

"Beta Leo and Dong Xiu have hope of becoming like Lixing Palace Master," the Great Dominator also concurred. "But this Northernbright has comprehended one strongest path of defense. Even if he fights them in the future, at least he can defend himself, so he can be considered on the same level."

For example, Dong Xiu had comprehended one strongest path each for defense and offense, and could combine them, thus rivaling Beta Leo.

"Yes... taking this step, he is destined to be a heaven-defying Dao Lord." Woodflower Dao Lord was beaming with joy.

The golden-armored mighty figures present had previously referred to Ji Ning as 'that kid' or 'that little fellow.' But ever since Ji Ning took that step, they all addressed him as 'Northernbright' or 'Northernbright Swordlord.' Because deep down, they had truly begun to regard him as an equal.

"The strongest path is also the most difficult path to become an Eternal Emperor," the Great Dominator said softly with a sigh.

"It is the most difficult, but since one has chosen this path, it is destined to be extraordinary," Thousand Waves Dao Lord said.

……

Whether it was Wanshen Dao Lord, Yushang Dao Lord, or Lixing Palace Master, they all walked the most difficult path, and becoming an Eternal Emperor was also extremely, extremely difficult. But while they lived, they were destined to be the most dazzling figures in the boundless territories of their era.

At this moment, while the Great Dominator and the others marveled at Ji Ning, they did not know that this was merely the transformation of the 'Yin-Yang Style' of Ji Ning's Brightmoon Five Styles. In Ji Ning's plan, the other four styles were all to reach their pinnacle. Finding the Dao suitable for each style and incorporating all the mysteries of swordsmanship into his own sword techniques—that was Ji Ning's pursuit.

Now, although he had comprehended a strongest path of defense—the Yin-Yang Sword Domain—this was only the beginning.

"Six hundred and sixtieth step, six hundred and seventieth step, six hundred and eightieth step..." Woodflower Dao Lord watched the scene in midair, where Ji Ning was continuously advancing on the altar steps, his mouth splitting into a wide grin.

……