The high heaven sat within the endless sky - a middle-aged man with an archaic aura. His solar crest illuminated all things and affinities, exposing their truths.

He looked like a statue with a stern expression. However, blood and scars could be seen. As he stared at Li Qiye, his eyes were clear and purer than a child’s.

“You shouldn’t be in the mortal world.” His voice was the sound of heaven and earth, displaying the most harmonious and convincing tone.

“Same to you.” Li Qiye smiled.

“I am here in the sky.” He said.

“That is why I am here.” Li Qiye nodded.

“You wish to sit here?” He asked.

“I never thought about it, what I want is an answer.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“And?” He asked.

“The answer is in my heart, which is why I’m visiting and taking you away.” Li Qiye said.

“I am here, should be here, and belong here, that is unnecessary.” He responded.

“You believe your judgments are correct and impose them on all living beings.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Is it not the case?” He asked.

“Living beings can decided for themselves. This world is not yours, you are unqualified to grant judgments.” Li Qiye said.

“I created this world, it is mine.” He responded.

“It would have been born and expanded with you or not. It’s the same case for your birth. Was there a higher heaven responsible for you? No. You are a destroyer, not a creator.” Li Qiye argued.

“I disagree.” He said.

“The truth is the truth, your disagreement stems from obsession.” Li Qiye smiled: “If you claim to be a creator, then you must accept that there is a higher creator above you.”

“I do what I must, to judge the world and prevent depravity.” He said.

“So this is your karma, it imprisons you and add a shell, this is not who you are.” Li Qiye said: “I shall take a look at what’s inside.”

“How needless. The high heaven is outside of karma.” He refused.

“If that’s the case, you should be going further instead of being stuck here.” Li Qiye said.

“The world needs my judgment and protection.” He answered.

“It can handle that on its own.” Li Qiye disagreed.

“We walk on different paths. I will see you out.” He stood up and said.

“No, you will follow me.” Li Qiye repeated.

“Is that so?” He smiled and said: “If this is your karma, then this is mine.”

His words became karma and nothing else existed, only the night.

***

Li Qiye was dragged into karma and became a shepherd again, chasing the lost sheep in the night.

He came back late with it and was whipped furiously by the master, covered in torn fabrics and blood.

This was karma - the sheep replaced the dark crow, imperial teacher, and the passerby. The students and disciples taught by him also disappeared.

Their disappearance also affected karma, causing it to surge out of control and reach Li Qiye in the past.

As he was being whipped, he took out a knife and pierced the master’s chest.

“Ahh!” The latter screamed and fell backward, lying in a pool of blood.

This knife was made of overwhelming karmic power. Nothing could have changed this result, not even the high heaven.

“Bam!” The sheep and the master disappeared.

Li Qiye returned to the sky with the high heaven. However, the karmic knife was impaled in the high heaven’s chest.

“If you wish to use karma to erase my existence, the requirement is for you to flatten my karma. Unfortunately, you can’t change the fact that I am now here.” Li Qiye said.

“I can change anyone’s fate.” He claimed.

“You are not at the level of changing my karma.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Then I will kill you.” He pulled out the knife, causing blood to gush out. However, the wound healed instantly.

“This isn’t the pureness of a child.” Li Qiye smiled.

He ignored Li Qiye and summoned High Heaven Anima Spear. This was the highest-level weapon, reigning over affinities and other weapons.

“Die!” He shouted for a thrust.

Alas, the thrust couldn’t pierce Li Qiye’s chest.

“Not enough.” Li Qiye shook his head.

“Don’t be so sure, Extinguish True Immortal!” He shouted, illuminating all realms while stacking karmic powers.

He gathered the karmas of destroyed epochs - Everlasting, Buddhist, Remote, Primeval, Machine...

The force of destruction and karma focused on the tip of the spear, reaching the pinnacle of fatality.

“Bam!” Li Qiye was slammed violently to the ground. The spear was pressed forcefully against his chest but he brought his palms together, firmly catching it.