A tempest of ethereal energy roared across the Starfield of Luo Tian, shaking cultivators to their very cores! From the Northern Reaches, the monstrous beast, stained with the blood of countless lesser beings, was captured alive by the Thunderous Celestial Hall!

The details of the capture remained shrouded in mystery, yet the outcome resonated throughout the entire Starfield, leaving all in awe.

The Thunderous Celestial Hall’s prestige soared, eclipsing even the ancient, venerated clans, solidifying its position as a symbol of unmatched power within Luo Tian.

On the crest of this monumental event, the Celestial Hall announced a matter of cosmic significance: the investiture of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends, culminating in the selection of One Hundred and Eight Immortals!

“The Celestial Realm lies shattered, its Immortals fallen,” the edict proclaimed, “yet true Immortals still may rise. The Thunderous Celestial Hall shall choose those worthy, elevating them to the ranks of the Later-Day Immortals of the Lightning Celestial Realm! Those whose names are inscribed upon the list of One Hundred and Eight shall see their families elevated to the lineage of Immortals, their legacy eternal!”

“In the coming war against the Alliance Starfield, each Immortal shall command legions, and their families shall be granted their own cultivation star!”

Whispers of the Immortal Investiture had long circulated, but only now did it begin in earnest, throwing all the cultivators of Luo Tian into a frenzy.

Heirs of noble cultivation clans from across the Starfield set forth on perilous journeys.

As the aspirants for Immortal status swelled to an insurmountable number, the Thunderous Celestial Hall decreed that Luo Tian would be divided into four regions – East, West, North, and South – each a designated Investiture Zone. From each zone, emissaries of the Celestial Hall would select one hundred and eight of the strongest warriors to be brought before the Hall for the final, devastating Immortal Selection Trials!

The lands within one hundred thousand *li* of the Thunderous Celestial Hall were declared a sacred, inviolable domain. All acts of private conflict were forbidden within its boundaries, with the punishment for defiance being nothing less than the annihilation of one’s entire clan!

The Day of Immortal Selection was set for four months hence.

If this news was a tempest, then the next pronouncement of the Thunderous Celestial Hall would be a world-shattering cataclysm!

Upon the completion of the Investiture of the One Hundred and Eight Immortals, the Thunderous Celestial Hall would open a portal to the Alliance Starfield, ushering in the long-awaited war!

Luo Tian Starfield plunged into a state of manic fervor. Every cultivator prepared themselves, dreaming of the day they would be chosen and march upon the Alliance. A palpable aura of killing intent saturated the very air.

Unbeknownst to all, Wang Lin remained secluded in his cave dwelling, ten days having passed since his retreat began. In those days, he had been ceaselessly absorbing the Yuan energy from Yao Bingyun’s body.

Through ceaseless refinement and integration, he slowly converted Yao Bingyun’s vast power, befitting a Soul-Seer cultivator of the Mid-Stage, into a part of himself!

To Wang Lin, Yao Bingyun was like a potent elixir, her power fueling his own cultivation, allowing it to slowly rise. So vast was the Yuan energy within her that after ten days, Wang Lin had only managed to absorb three tenths.

Yet, with those three tenths consumed, Wang Lin’s cultivation had taken a significant leap, reaching the very peak of the Yang-Solid realm, standing a mere step away from Soul-Seer!

This final step, however, proved to be a chasm, not a matter of insufficient Yuan energy, but rather a lack of comprehension of the Heavenly Dao and a transformation of his intent.

“The realm of Karma is far more profound than the cycle of Life and Death,” Wang Lin pondered, “its comprehension proving elusive. Karma… karma…” Silence enveloped him, his eyes reflecting a trace of confusion.

“All matters within this world fall under the sway of Karma, Karma is omnipresent, yet all remains but an illusion. To seek the threads within proves a futile effort, obscured by mists and shadows.” The last vestiges of Yao Bingyun’s Yuan energy were refined and converted into his own power. He exhaled deeply, his gaze falling upon the still form of Yao Bingyun.

“Karma… the acquisition of the Heaven Defying Bead, a cause, resulted in my meeting Situ Nan, an effect. The murder of Teng Li, a cause, led to the vengeance of Teng Hua Yuan upon my parents, an effect… The actions of Teng Hua Yuan, a cause, resulted in the slaughter of his Teng Clan, an effect… These interwoven strands of cause and effect, today’s cause becoming tomorrow’s effect for another…”

Wang Lin frowned, the confusion in his eyes deepening. The intent of Karma encompassed too much; to this day, he remained unable to fully grasp its significance, unlike the cycle of Life and Death, which had once been so clearly understood.

“The comprehension of intent cannot be forced. Without a moment of enlightenment, grasping its true nature proves impossible.” Wang Lin sighed, abandoning his struggle. The two words ‘Karma’ held a simplicity that belied their profound complexity.

“I begin to understand why progression becomes so arduous at higher levels of cultivation. While Yuan energy plays a role, the greater obstacle lies within one’s own comprehension…” A bitter smile touched Wang Lin’s lips.

“How can the intent of Karma be advanced? Comprehension proves elusive! Even understanding its nature is a mere illusion, not genuine… How can I transform the Path of Karma into a reality?” Wang Lin sighed, yet even as he sought to dismiss the thought, his mind could not cease its relentless contemplation.

“In the Land of the Demon Spirits, with the aid of the Ancient Demon Belo, I entered that strange state, inferring the flaws within the Killing Immortal Art…” Wang Lin murmured, his eyes suddenly snapping open.

“In that state, I seemed to glimpse the underlying nature of all paths within this world, becoming countless avatars integrated into my own being… This scene bears a resemblance to what I witnessed when the Celestial Sovereign of Fortune passed down his divine abilities!” Wang Lin’s eyes began to shine.

“The Celestial Sovereign of Fortune cultivates the Path of Heavenly Fortune. Within his divine sense, there exists countless versions of himself, each proficient in a unique Celestial Art… At the time, my cultivation limited my vision, but now, upon reflection, I realize that within that spiritual realm, each Celestial Sovereign of Fortune possessed not only Celestial Arts, but also… differing Paths!”

Wang Lin’s expression shifted, shaken by this thought. He drew a deep breath, recalling the scenes from within the Celestial Sovereign of Fortune’s spiritual realm, increasingly solidifying his convictions.

“The Celestial Sovereign of Fortune, he wields numerous Paths! How were these Paths acquired…?” Wang Lin’s eyes blazed with a fierce light as he recalled the words spoken by his first Immortal Guard before his transformation.

“I saw the Celestial Sovereign of Fortune’s master… devour Sun Yun… truly devour him, entirely devoured him…”

Wang Lin closed his eyes, then abruptly opened them, determination etched upon his features. His gaze settled upon Yao Bingyun, and he murmured, “The Path of Karma is an illusion. According to what I have glimpsed of the Third Step of cultivation, all Heavenly Daos must ultimately return to their origin. The origin of the Path of Karma remains a mystery to me, but if I wish to make this intent a tangible reality, I must… devour!”

“Devour the intents of others, experience their Karma, comprehend their Daos… and assimilate them into my own intent of Karma!” Wang Lin’s eyes flashed with cold light. He raised his right hand and pressed it against Yao Bingyun’s brow.