News of the formation in the deepest reaches of the Dark World spread.
Over time, this place became a forbidden zone that no powerhouse could enter, turning it into the most mysterious forbidden
zone in the Dark World.
The outside world referred to this place as the Dark Forbidden Zone.
James sat in a lotus position within the time formation.
While the outside world moved through endless years, his experience within the time formation was even longer.
“Boom!” A thunderous roar echoed outside the formation.
James was abruptly awakened.
His Zen leaked out, and he saw a woman being pursued.
He was shaken upon seeing this woman.
“Thea?” He was stunned.
Sitting in this place for countless ages to dilute everything with time, he had almost forgotten Thea.
Now, she reappeared.
“It's the Inner Demon.” James instantly understood.
It was not that Thea had truly appeared, but rather his Inner Demon surfacing.
Despite time’s ability to dilute everything, the image of Thea was etched in the deepest recesses of his mind and soul.
As the moment of forgetfulness approached, the Inner Demon emerged.
Specifically, the primal desire within his heart appeared.
His instinct led him to remember and recall rather than to forget.
At this moment, James’ expression was complex.
Pain etched his face as he battled the conflict within himself.
To save or not to save? Not saving meant watching Thea being pursued.
Saving meant succumbing to the influence of the Inner Demon, rendering futile the countless years of effort.
Veins bulged on his face, and sweat beads rolled down his forehead.
Slash! James made a difficult choice in agony.
At that instant, his entire aura converged to form an invisible blade that ruthlessly slashed toward Thea outside the formation.
Despite sitting for countless ages to dilute everything with time, he chose to make this difficult decision at the moment of utmost
clarity and yearning.
The invisible blade struck and obliterated everything in the outside world.
Another slash.
All the power within James gathered and cut toward the invisible shackles within himself, severing all emotions and all
connections to the past.
Boom! It seemed as if a thunderous sound echoed within him.
The invisible shackles shattered.
The entanglement of the word “ love” that had bound him throughout his life was cut, and everything from the past was severed.
The first stage of the Transcendental Bliss Rank was “love”.
It marked the beginning and was also the most challenging.
As James cut off all ties to the past, he seemed to enter a more profound understanding of the universe.
His body’s capacity appeared to expand, and an unending stream of the energy of heaven and earth swept in.
“Joy” was the beginning and the most challenging.
Having severed all ties to the past, James made the first slash.
Following that, his entire strength gathered again, slashing the second set of shackles.
“Slash the anger.
“Slash the anxiety.
“Slash the thought.
“Slash the grief.
“Slash the fear.
“Slash the fright.” His aura continued to ascend as his entire strength relentlessly cut through the invisible shackles.
After seven slashes, he severed everything a living being should possess, reaching a state devoid of joy, sorrow, and desires.
“Phew!” After a long time, James released a deep breath.
At this moment, his entire body was drenched in sweat.