Chapter 255: Failure Penalty—Erasure!

As Lu Yan slowly recited that name, he glanced up toward the sky.

There was no shift in the heavens, no looming gaze descending as he had imagined. This caused Lu Yan to breathe a small sigh of relief.

“If I can speak that name aloud, it means the Lord God has not descended its will into the Ruined Version. That world’s sole existence still lies beyond this domain.

“The Reincarnator may have sensed the anomaly simply due to a contingency left by the Lord God.

“Or perhaps, the interference of that being behind Eternal Heaven created a gap in the Ruined Version’s structure, giving the Lord God a chance to influence its Reincarnators.”

Lu Yan made a cautious judgment in his heart.

That the Lord God hadn’t descended its will was undoubtedly a good thing for Lu Yan.

Eternal Heaven’s backer had projected a wisp of will into this realm—a projection that could be explained with certain contingencies.

But if another world’s sole existence entered the fray, Lu Yan wouldn’t even bother with the Divine Court project. He would abandon his pact with the Ruined Heavens Dao and flee immediately.

“If the Lord God hasn’t descended its will, then why interfere with my falsified memory?

“Did the actions of Eternal Heaven’s backer alert the Lord God to something?

“Or… is the Lord God using this moment to confirm a suspicion?”

A storm of thoughts churned through Lu Yan’s mind.

That being behind Eternal Heaven had pursued him across multiple versions, unrelenting. Now, it had even bypassed the Ruined Version’s law and projected a sliver of its will here.

The Ruined Version was entangled with many world’s sole existences—this sort of disturbance was bound to attract their attention. That the Lord God was stirred into action was not surprising.

But this situation… pushed Lu Yan into a pit of fire.

Within the Ruined Version, the other world’s sole existences were unable to descend. Lu Yan only had to contend with the wisp of will from Eternal Heaven’s master.

But once the next version update commenced, this domain—connected to countless versions—might transport Lu Yan into a realm where a sole existence was present.

If Lu Yan chose to hide, and Eternal Heaven’s backer forced a confrontation that exposed his identity to all the world’s sole existences… then any realm he entered might become a deathtrap.

“To avoid that, I must minimize the influence of Eternal Heaven’s descent and keep myself hidden.

“So… is this all a ploy to force me into confronting Eternal Heaven directly?”

A glimmer of realization flashed through Lu Yan’s eyes, but he knew it couldn’t be so simple.

Whenever Eternal Heaven’s backer made a move, it was lethal in nature. Lu Yan would need utmost caution.

He waved away the moonlight screen that had displayed a scene from thousands of miles away, and looked down toward the barren land beneath him.

On the ground, hundreds of Hunter Mercenaries clad in savage beast pelts and wielding brutal weapons were migrating toward the distance.

After sensing the abnormalities in the Reincarnator, Lu Yan had decisively targeted the next version faction.

His new target was the Hunter Mercenary Guild from the Savage Beast Version.

A small version faction.

Lu Yan first intimidated everyone into evacuating the version fragment, then used the Apocalypse Rule to destroy the fragment. With the Ruined Dao’s authority, he altered their memories—just as he had with the Tower of the Universe.

By destroying version fragments, he both lifted the suppressive pressure on the Ruined Heavens Dao and increased the number of native beings within the Ruined Version.

Though the Dao had claimed it would only permit one memory edit, it very “honestly” handed over authority again when Lu Yan asked.

Utilizing that authority, Lu Yan once again forged memories of a “Forbidden Existence,” using overwhelming force to pressure the factions into uniting.

“But… it’s still not enough.”

He withdrew his gaze and looked toward another direction.

Just five thousand kilometers away, another small version faction awaited—his next target.

“Eternal Heaven will undoubtedly continue devouring version fragments. Until I’m ready to confront it directly, my best option is to destroy the fragments before it gets to them.

“Doing so not only further liberates the Ruined Heavens Dao, allowing it to grow stronger with more native souls—but it also helps nourish the Apocalypse Rule.

“When the Apocalypse Rule matures… will be the moment I form my Golden Core and seize the Supreme Divine Art.”

“With the Supreme Divine Art and the Ruined Heavens Dao, I might stand a chance against that wisp of projected will.”

With that, Lu Yan turned into a golden streak, vanishing across the land in a flash.

---

Ruined Domain — Ruins of Mech City

The version fragment here had already been destroyed by the Apocalypse Rule, leaving behind only the barren land hastily repaired by the Ruined Heavens Dao.

This region had no resources. Even the Mech race had long since migrated away with the Omniscient Mech. It should have been abandoned completely.

However, after news of Eternal Heaven devouring fragments and the descent of a Forbidden Existence spread, the factions needed a neutral site to convene and discuss how to face the threat.

The major powers had been at war for tens of thousands of years. Every century saw a new generation replace the last. While their enmity wasn’t entirely blood feud, neither was there trust.

No one was willing to host the summit in their own territory—and hand over their safety to others.

So after brief negotiation, they chose the Mech City ruins.

It belonged to no one. It was a no-man’s land. The ideal neutral zone.

Immortal pavilions, martial halls, divine temples—structures rose swiftly upon the once-desolate land, breathing life back into the soil.

In just seven days, the temporary city built for the United Assembly had taken shape. Within clearly demarcated zones, all major version powers were now present.

Within the Alliance of Immortals’ zone, the summit was being overseen by one of their Three True Sovereigns: Sovereign of Slaughter.

Sovereign of Law had stayed behind to defend the faction’s territories from opportunists, while Sovereign of Script presided over their inner realms.

Inside a celestial tower, Sovereign of Slaughter frowned slightly as she read the latest message talisman.

“Eternal Heaven descended upon the Lava Prison. Most of the demons abandoned their core and fled—only then did they manage to preserve half their clans.”

This was already the sixteenth version faction to fall in the past seven days.

Once the initial panic subsided, the factions had started to piece together Eternal Heaven’s attack pattern.

Its devouring of fragments came in two main forms:

The first: an overwhelming demon army crushed all resistance, then built a sacrificial altar to summon Eternal Heaven to consume the fragment.

This method was blood-soaked and brutal. Any who failed to flee in time would be swallowed along with the fragment. Survivors were rare.

The second: a Forbidden Existence projected itself down, and Eternal Heaven swallowed the fragment under its command.

In this case, the being saw no use for weak lives, so many survivors were left behind.

Of the sixteen version fragments destroyed, most followed the latter pattern.

None could explain the stark difference. But the sheer speed of the devouring terrified the factions.

The summit, which was expected to take months of back-and-forth politicking, had formed in just seven days.

Today was the official date of the United Assembly. All the top figures were in attendance.

Crushing the message talisman, Sovereign of Slaughter murmured with worry:

“Eternal Heaven is growing increasingly brazen… I hope today brings a resolution.”

Just then, a warm voice echoed inside the room.

“If nothing unexpected happens—then there will be no resolution today.”

Sovereign of Slaughter’s gaze sharpened. A surge of demonic energy swept through the entire tower as a fragmented Nascent Soul-grade Spirit Treasure appeared in her hand, sealing the space.

But the moment her eyes turned toward the window, her killing intent halted.

“Envoy Lu?”

Moonlight streamed through the window and coalesced into Lu Yan’s figure, adding a touch of divine grace to his silhouette.

Sovereign of Slaughter quickly withdrew her aura and respectfully bowed:

“I was impolite.”

Lu Yan smiled calmly and shook his head.

“Caution in times like these is commendable.”

But Sovereign of Slaughter couldn’t afford pleasantries. She immediately asked:

“May I ask what you meant when you said today would yield no result?”

Lu Yan replied without pause:

“It’s simple. Though Eternal Heaven has consumed multiple version fragments, it has yet to truly threaten any top-tier version factions.

“To the elites of these versions, all they need to do is weather the current storm—then they can return to their home realms, avoiding Eternal Heaven and that suspected projected will of a Forbidden Existence.

“Choosing not to fight only brings the chance of being targeted.

“But choosing to fight, to confront the demon army head-on, almost certainly means clashing with the Forbidden Existence.

“And even if it’s only a projection—who dares to gamble on that?”

Sovereign of Slaughter had expected this outcome, but hearing Lu Yan confirm it still left her uneasy.

She asked with some bitterness, “So we’re just going to sit and wait for death?”

“Of course not.”

Lu Yan shook his head.

“Everything I said only applies… if nothing unexpected happens.”

---

Mech City Ruins — Central Grand Hall

Delegates from all version factions had taken their seats.

There were robed humans, tech-armored soldiers, flaming elementals, monstrous beasts…

Their clothes, auras, and even races varied wildly, representing nearly every version in the Ruined Domain.

Those who didn’t attend were either devoured, hiding, or of incomprehensible form.

To even qualify for entry into the Grand Hall, one had to be a leader of a small/mid version, or Nascent Soul level and above.

Floating above were eight chairs—occupied by representatives from the remaining Nine Heavens’ powers:

Alliance of Immortals, Nation of Gods, Seven Gods Church, Ten Directions Martial Dao, Lord God’s Space, Arcane Hall, Human Federation, Great Yin Dynasty.

Only Mech City, now fallen, was absent.

Together, they represented the pinnacle of power in the Ruined Domain.

Presiding over the meeting was Saint Sion, the most powerful Human Saint of the Nation of Gods—hailed as the Living God of the Mortal World.

Clad in white robes, holding a divine tome, he raised his voice:

“Regarding Eternal Heaven, I trust all of you are informed.

“This matter involves a suspected Forbidden Existence projection and has already consumed more than ten version factions.

“Today, we gather to determine how we shall respond.”

The moment he finished, the representative from Lord God’s Space spoke coldly:

“What’s left to discuss?”

“This isn’t a war between version factions—it’s a direct confrontation with a Forbidden Existence.

“Tell me—who here dares say they can resist the will of such a being?

“If someone can make that guarantee, I’ll pledge the full support of Lord God’s Space in the battle.

“But if there is no way to resist it… then even with all of us united, it won’t matter. The moment that being truly descends—this realm’s fate is sealed.”

The hall fell into dead silence.

All the delegates had their calculations. Though they’d united under threat, they knew this situation was beyond mortal control. The summit… was doomed to fail.

They hadn’t expected the Lord God’s Space to skip the formalities and directly expose the core issue.

Who would stop the Forbidden Existence?

Saint Sion swept his eyes over the crowd, sighing inwardly. The silence was the answer.

They would rather gamble on survival than face doom head-on.

He slowly began to close his tome.

But then—the representative of Lord God’s Space suddenly stood, face filled with shock.

His wristwatch was flashing a crimson light.

And not just him.

Throughout the temporary city built upon the ruins, hundreds of Reincarnators rose into the air, all flying toward the Lord God’s sector.

On each of their wrists, a line of text glowed ominously red:

[Emergency Mission: Defeat the Enemy. Protect the Core Territory of Lord God’s Space.]
[Reward: SSS-Rank Plot Point]
[Failure Penalty: Erasure!]

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of miles away…

Lu Yan—wielding the Human Emperor Banner—stepped boldly into the version fragment of Lord God’s Space.

(End of Chapter)