..."To this day, some of my subordinates remain within the camp of the Nether Giants, assisting the Nether Giants and the Moth People in their war against the Allied Forces of the Three Realms," Lei Dong stated neither subserviently nor arrogantly. "If you have been fortunate enough to hear of it, Senior, you should know that my subordinates are comprised of Ghost Clan members and Humans, all clad in black armor." "So, you are the leader of the Black Armored Army that is aiding us?" The Nether Giant’s tone carried a distinct note of surprise. "How can you prove it?" Lei Dong altered the life factor sequence within his body once more, transforming into human form.

The sensation of pain was markedly reduced; it seemed that repeated transformations would gradually allow one to become accustomed to the intense agony accompanying the shifting of the life factor sequence. Moreover, Lei Dong donned the Black Emperor Armor, arched his hand in a shallow bow, and said, "This was the appearance I maintained when I rendered aid to certain Nether Giants and Moth People in the past." "Indeed, he is the leader of the Black Armored Army." A figure slightly taller than the others, surrounded by a pure and dense aura of green energy, wore a wreath woven from leaves and flowers upon his brow. Fluttering his wings, he projected a beam of green light to heal the afflicted Nether Giant.

"Though I have not met this leader personally, the energies relayed by the children confirm that this individual is indeed the human who offered us assistance. You may call me the Moth Emperor; this is Tai Ming, the leader of the Nether Giant Clan." With that, the expression of the quasi-sage level Nether Giant relaxed, much of his hostility toward Lei Dong dissolving. He, too, arched his hand in a distant salute.

"So, you are the leader of the humans who have been helping us. I thank you for the aid you have given my kin and the Moth People. However, why have you infiltrated the ranks of the Three Realms Allied Forces?" As he spoke, he fixed a displeased gaze upon the Pain Queen and the Cang Lan Fairy.

"I pay my respects to Senior Moth Emperor and Senior Tai Ming. I infiltrated the Demon Race for specific purposes of my own," Lei Dong replied. "I harbor a deep, consuming hatred for the Spirit Beast Clan, and I must amass strength before I can return to exact my vengeance." Internally, Lei Dong was also astonished; the Moth Emperor’s aura was immensely powerful, seemingly saturated with vigorous, overflowing life force, a potent surge of vitality that was palpable.

Upon hearing that Lei Dong did not intend to play both sides, the Nether Giant’s attitude softened. "Since that is the case, you are our friend. Come back with us; we shall host you properly, our benefactor and friend.

As for these two—the Immortal and the Demon—I will kill them for you, lest they jeopardize your great undertaking." "Senior, wait!" Lei Dong exclaimed with a sudden sweat. "These two have already been subdued by me and serve as my handmaidens. Their loyalty should not be questioned.

As for visiting your camp, I currently lack the time; I must ask for your understanding." "Very well. Although our Nether Giant Clan is hospitable, we should not press a guest," Tai Ming conceded. "Since you have vouched for these two, I shall refrain from killing them.

However, should I see them on the battlefield hereafter slaying my people, I, Tai Ming, will certainly execute them." Tai Ming’s eyes narrowed, revealing a sharp, fierce glint; clearly, he understood that before these two became Lei Dong's handmaidens, they must have taken the lives of his kin. "I thank Senior for your magnanimity. As my slaves now, they naturally stand with me," Lei Dong said, bowing in gratitude.

"However, I bear no irreconcilable feud with the Immortal or Demon Races, and I will not necessarily join you in eradicating them entirely. In my actions, I follow my own interests and judgments; I wish not to deceive you on this matter." Tai Ming’s expression flickered between gloom and light. After a while, he sighed.

"Alas, the Immortal and Demon Races are ruthlessly ambitious. Though I am greatly displeased with your stance, you have indeed slain demons and saved my descendants. I, Tai Ming, am not one to repay kindness with enmity." "Tell me," the other figure, the Moth Emperor, inquired with a grave expression, "how do you wield the Law of Annihilation?

As far as I know, the Law of Annihilation is not something easily comprehended by any. One must receive the sanction of the Will of the Heaven and Earth Cosmos to wield it. Could it be that you are also a Chosen One?" "Chosen One?" Lei Dong frowned, then indicated that this was the first time he had ever heard that term.

"Indeed, it is understandable that you haven't heard this name," the Moth Emperor nodded. "This title is a forbidden term in the presence of the Three Realms Sovereigns. Simply put, a Chosen One is one selected by the Will of the Heaven and Earth Cosmos to assist the Great Her in opposing certain Heaven-Defying Beings.

According to the laws of the cosmos, every Grand Tribulation of Reincarnation is the destined fate of all living things. Anyone who attempts to evade this Tribulation through various means to enter the next Chaos is termed a Heaven-Defying Being—one who utterly violates the will of the cosmic laws. The current Three Realms Sovereigns are such Heaven-Defying entities." Pausing, the Moth Emperor continued, "Ordinarily, the Will of the Cosmos destroys these Heaven-Defying Beings by summoning celestial lightning using the Law of Annihilation.

If that proves insufficient, a final reckoning occurs during the Grand Tribulation of Reincarnation. Unfortunately, some Heaven-Defying Beings possess too great a power, exceeding the Will's ability to control them. If they are allowed to escape the cycle of reincarnation repeatedly, they will continuously disrupt the laws of the cosmos, leading to the total collapse of the universe.

Therefore, the Will of the Cosmos selects certain potential candidates to assist Her in purging those who can no longer be resisted by the heavenly tribulations and the reincarnation cycles." Lei Dong's brow furrowed deeply. "Then, if one is a Chosen One, do they receive preferential treatment from the laws of the cosmos? Or perhaps, a leaning toward fortune—always stumbling upon treasures?

And ultimately, are they unkillable, guaranteed to eventually destroy the three Sovereigns, no matter what?" "That is impossible," the Moth Emperor refuted. "The Chosen Ones are candidates selected by the Will of the Cosmos, but because the Will itself is constrained by the laws of Heaven and Earth, it cannot constantly monitor them. Generally, they receive some special care right after selection—for instance, assistance in tempering their soul and will.

Of course, there might be a few special coincidences arranged by the Will, but rarely—perhaps only once or twice. Otherwise, if the Will constantly intervened and tilted the scales for the Chosen Ones, the cosmic order and laws would descend into chaos and collapse." Tempering the soul and will? Lei Dong was somewhat shocked.

It seemed that the reason he could sense the Chaos Soul-Devouring Pagoda was connected to a passing mention in the message left by the Demon Emperor—something about only souls that had undergone the prolonged baptism of time and space could sense it. And Lei Dong had long been haunted by a persistent puzzle. Though he didn't dwell on it deliberately, it remained a fact: he was a soul from Earth, a transmigrator.

Lei Dong couldn't fathom why or how he had crossed over. In his ignorance before, he hadn't thought much of it, but as his cultivation deepened and his understanding of the Divine Soul and consciousness reached a certain level, he became increasingly certain that his former self was a young, uncultivated human. Even if a soul could coalesce and persist, attempting to traverse time and space would result in immediate dissipation in the first instant.

Furthermore, even traversing the Void Tunnel—a sensation Lei Dong had experienced—was something he dared not believe a mere homebody's soul could survive unscathed. That passage was too fragile, so frail that a slight gust of wind could scatter it. Hence, Lei Dong was almost certain that whatever had aided his soul’s journey across time and space must have been an immensely powerful entity—certainly not a mere Integration Stage expert, as they lacked that capability.

The conclusion became obvious: it was either a Sovereign-level being or the mysterious Master of Heaven and Earth, the Will of the Cosmos itself. If the Will of the Cosmos had indeed helped him with one or two things, it was most likely that after facilitating his transmigration, it had also arranged for a portion of the Chaos Soul-Devouring Pagoda to appear near him. As for his naturally inferior aptitude, that likely fell outside the scope of the Will of the Cosmos’s intervention.

Just as the Moth Emperor stated, the Will selects the Chosen Ones and offers minor assistance; success thereafter depends entirely on luck. Lei Dong instantly understood why the Three Realms Sovereigns had colluded to kill the Nether God, the Nether King, and the Demon Emperor. The Sovereigns had likely deduced that his three predecessors were possibly Chosen Ones, inherently destined to oppose the Three Realms Sovereigns.

Unfortunately, once the Will had planted its seeds, it could not forcibly interfere; otherwise, his three predecessors would not have perished. Having grasped this, Lei Dong felt a strange mix of fortune and vexation. At least concerning his transmigration and the Chaos Pagoda, he had certainly received the Will of the Cosmos's aid.

Whether there had been one or two subsequent touches of favor remained unknown. Though Lei Dong felt a degree of gratitude for the Will’s attention, it was clear the Will viewed him as a cleaner, an exterminator. According to theories from his previous life, this was akin to implanting an agent to manually clear out a virus or Trojan horse that even formatting could not eradicate.

Strictly speaking, this "Great Her" was using him as a puppet. Lei Dong possessed his own will and philosophy. To be used as a tool, a mere puppet, regardless of the greatness of the entity pulling the strings—Lei Dong was resolutely opposed to it.

Though he might currently be entangled with the Mother of All Living Things and might very well end up opposing her, he absolutely refused to be a puppet. If he had to choose a path, Lei Dong would rather be a Heaven-Defying Being. The Will of the Cosmos was not omnipotent.

If She could not clear out the Heaven-Defying Beings using only Her own means, then perhaps being a Heaven-Defying Being himself was not a hopeless path after all. ...To be continued)