Chapter 950: Choice

In the Human Realm, Su Yu returned once more.

This was the seventh day after Tian Gu and the others had died.

It was also the tenth day since the Heaven and Earth Gates had been breached.

...

In the Yu Emperor Hall, everyone was cultivating.

Wen Yu and the others had recently been organizing the realm, strengthening the Great Dao, and sorting out the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, hoping to advance further. But having reached thirty-six Daos, taking another step forward was far too difficult!

Even King Wu, after all these days, remained at thirty-five Daos, with no progress whatsoever.

As Su Yu entered the hall, everyone opened their eyes.

Several of them rose to their feet.

Su Yu had come back to the Human Realm now, likely ready to make a move.

The Human Emperor stood up, looked at Su Yu, and said in a deep voice, "You want to strike now?"

Su Yu nodded slightly. "The Heaven and Earth Gates are said to need some more time to recover, but in truth, who knows if that's real? Besides, we've almost reached our limits—there's no chance for further improvement! Meanwhile, once they fully recover, they'll only grow stronger."

Thus, dragging things out was of little use to Su Yu.

The Lord of the Dead spoke in a heavy tone: "I'll say this in advance—I cannot match the two of them together, even if neither has fully recovered!"

He had to warn Su Yu.

The Lord of the Dead, at thirty-nine Daos, was extremely powerful, but even if the two Gates hadn't recovered, if they joined forces against him, he would surely lose!

Qiong saw Su Yu looking at him and said, somewhat annoyed, "Don't look at me. I can't handle both Gates. Dealing with one of them—Yu or Ji Tian—would be my limit..."

Su Yu thought for a moment and said, "I'll take on Yu and Zhou. Leave both of them to me!"

"King Wu will handle Sun and Moon... kill them if possible!"

"King Wen, Wen Yu, and the Human Emperor—the three of you will join forces against Ji Tian and Jing Tian!"

"Qiong, you and the old dead will work together to hold off the two Gates!"

The others' expressions shifted. King Wen and the others were all at thirty-six Daos, all Realm Openers. Together, they stood a chance against Jing Tian and Ji Tian, even though one was at thirty-eight Daos and the other at thirty-seven. They could roughly balance things out.

King Wu would face two at thirty-two Daos.

He would almost certainly not lose.

Qiong and the Lord of the Dead joining forces to hold off the two Gates would be difficult, but not entirely hopeless.

As for Su Yu, he wasn't facing ordinary opponents—he was taking on two Realm Openers, one at thirty-eight Daos and the other at thirty-six.

The Human Emperor frowned. "Su Yu, are you worried that we won't attack Yu, so you..."

Su Yu shook his head. "No. It's just that I have more confidence in dealing with Yu and Zhou."

Su Yu looked at them and said after a long pause, "If we strike today, this may be the final battle!"

He spoke solemnly: "Once we kill Yu, we'll gain the upper hand. While the two Gates haven't fully recovered, we'll fight to the death and never retreat! But if one of us is killed in return... that could also be the end."

"I have to move the timeline forward... otherwise, things will only get harder for us."

King Wen frowned slightly. "Yu and Zhou together might actually be no weaker than Ji Tian and Jing Tian. After all, both are Realm Openers—perhaps even stronger."

This meant Su Yu would be fighting enemies stronger than those the other three were facing together.

Things were different now. It was very dangerous!

Moreover, there were many other factors to consider—whether Shi would return, whether the Human Gate would descend, whether the Supremes within the Human Gate would descend early, triggering a premature war. If too many died, the Human Gate's descent would be accelerated.

All these factors were fraught with uncertainty.

Su Yu looked at them and asked, "Do we have a choice?"

Was there one?

Should they just wait now?

Wait for the two Gates to fully recover?

The Human Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps you're right, but even if the two Gates recover, it doesn't mean we have no chance. If the Human Gate truly exists and descends completely, it might not target us first... At that point, a three-way stalemate could emerge again."

With a third party, the lines wouldn't be so clearly drawn.

Su Yu looked at the Human Emperor, his expression unusually cold and stern: "I don't want to place my hopes on anyone! In every battle I fight, I keep the situation under my control. When I want to fight, I start the war—I won't be forced into a defensive stance!"

"I believe that offense is the best defense!"

"And I firmly believe that if I'm not ready, the enemy is even less ready. Striking out is the only way to disrupt their plans!"

He looked at them and asked, "All of you... what lies beyond the chaos? Can we truly escape? I don't know, and I haven't tried, nor do I want to. Since the Heaven Gate and Earth Gate haven't left, staying here even at the cost of annihilation, I think this chaos isn't so easy to flee from."

"Escape is probably not the way out."

Su Yu looked at them. The Human Emperor said softly, "It's not that I don't want to fight, but... Su Yu, have you thought this through? The enemies you're facing are too strong."

Can you handle them?

Su Yu smiled. "Let's give it a try."

The Human Emperor exhaled. "If someone falls this time, they won't let it go easily. If too many die, we may not be able to continue. Striking now... might be the final battle."

They had fought to this point. Another strike would likely be the end.

Moreover, at this stage, all tricks had been used up. It would be hard to replicate something like the instant kill of Kong. Everything—every tactic, every strategy—would ultimately come down to true strength.

If strength was lacking, then it was lacking.

Su Yu nodded. He was ready—ready for the final battle.

The others exchanged glances. The Lord of the Dead suddenly said, "Su Yu, when it's time to fight, I will naturally fight and give my all. The reason I cooperate with these people is out of respect for you, Su Yu. Otherwise, the two Gates wouldn't dare provoke me lightly."

Su Yu nodded slightly, listening quietly.

What did he want to say?

The Lord of the Dead continued in a heavy voice: "You've been raising the limits of these people—I've seen it and said nothing. You yourself, Su Yu, haven't even devoured the Blood Heaven and Earth, so naturally I won't complain."

"But for me to fight to the death purely out of loyalty..."

Su Yu understood. He smiled and nodded. "I see. This time, almost everyone else has improved, but you, senior, haven't gained much. The previous life-and-death annihilation was also a risk, and you paid a price... I suppose you've noticed that I've been thinking of letting Lan Tian devour the Long River, and you feel that's inappropriate, right?"

The Lord of the Dead exhaled and nodded. "Since you've said it directly, that's better. Some things, since you're willing to speak them out, I hope there won't be any major rift."

He looked at everyone and said, "Wen Yu, King Wen, King Wu—all were saved by you. The Human Emperor as well. Qiong has gained a lot by following you. We all share a common goal. But my goal is transcendence—to go beyond! You've also said that war always needs a goal, a faith. To fight without fighting."

He made his point clear, hoping Su Yu would understand.

Without Su Yu, he wouldn't have died. Even in the Heaven Gate, without Su Yu, no one dared provoke him. The later siege happened because of Su Yu.

Thus, his life-and-death annihilation was a mutual cooperation and support, not a one-sided demand. He had also fought many times, holding back the two Gates, and each time he paid a price.

Now, this might be the final battle. He had to make it clear.

He wanted to devour the long river, to become a being that surpassed or could rival the Lord of Time.

And Su Yu, lately, seemed to be arranging for Blue Sky to devour the long river—this put their interests in conflict.

Everyone fell silent.

Qiong curled his lips and said, "Are you saying that if you don't join the battle, you'll get benefits for nothing?"

"Shut up!"

The Lord of the Dead said coldly, "I am merely clarifying everything, lest you think that all is deserved, when in fact... some things are not deserved, but paid for with a price!"

"Including him, Su Yu, fighting for this era... it may not be deserved either. Of course, if he is willing, I have nothing to say!"

Su Yu smiled, nodded, and acknowledged the words, saying, "You're right—nothing is deserved! Striving for one's own interests is also, in fact, deserved!"

Su Yu thought for a moment and said, "Alright, if I kill the Two Gates, they are also Heaven-Opener, and the heavens and earth will be yours! If I cannot kill them and am killed myself, before I die, I will find a way to hand the heavens and earth over to you to devour!"

"As for the River of Time..."

Su Yu continued, "It may only be possible to compress and devour it when the Three Gates all appear, but devouring the River of Time is no simple matter!"

Su Yu said gravely, "Let me put it this way: there must be a great resistance within the river, preventing you from devouring it. If you can handle it... fine, if you want to devour it, I won't stop you! If you cannot handle it... then I'll find a way!"

Su Yu smiled, "As for the Two Gates, I promise you at least one, provided we can kill them! As for Qiong's side, the Dao of Zhou or the Prison King will also be given to you, at least one, again provided we can kill!"

"As for you, the Human Emperor..."

The Human Emperor spoke, "We need nothing—we only hope... to win!"

Su Yu smiled, "I also hope to win... but if we truly cannot win..."

Su Yu said, "Alright, if I die in battle, you may flee if you wish, go if you wish! As for whether you can escape, I cannot guarantee..."

After a moment's thought, Su Yu added, "Perhaps there is another way! If I cannot survive in the end, and you are still alive... I will find a way to seal this era, perhaps leaving you a glimmer of hope!"

Su Yu smiled, "I don't actually want to seal this era, but if I truly cannot win, and you are still alive... I won't insist on destroying the world, breaking the jade and the tile together... I will give you all a chance—I will seal this era, buying you some years!"

Wen Yu frowned slightly and said, "Su Yu, we never meant that! From beginning to end, we never intended to flee—after all these days, is there not even a shred of trust?"

"There is!"

Su Yu nodded, "If there were no trust, there would be no cooperation now! I am merely telling you all what I can do—perhaps there is still some hope, and I hope our alliance will not be too loose. You are right—this era, perhaps only we cannot let go... while you, truly, can let go!"

"Bringing it up now is actually good—better than being dissatisfied during battle!"

Su Yu smiled, "I hope this alliance will be more stable than the enemy's! Otherwise, I will be the one to suffer!"

The others exchanged glances and said nothing more.

Su Yu smiled, "Does anyone have anything else to say? If not... we can set off together!"

None of them spoke again, and they all stepped into the void, flying toward the border of the human realm.

...

At the same time.

In the region of the Earth Gate.

The Heaven Gate had taken the form of an old man, the Earth Gate that of a strong man.

At this moment, both suddenly opened their eyes!

Below, in the human realm, several figures suddenly emerged.

Ji Tian and the others also noticed, their expressions changing. Ji Tian said gravely, "Indeed, this is the real Su Yu! He won't wait until that moment to act—this guy... is about to start a war!"

At this moment, countless auras surged across heaven and earth!

Throughout the entire world, whether wandering cultivators or powerful beings of all races, all fell silent. The previous great battle vanished instantly.

All realms fell into utter stillness!

Was the great war about to erupt again?

...

At this moment.

The Heaven Gate stood up, his face benevolent, gazing into the distance at Su Yu, his voice tinged with compassion: "Su Yu, Xingyu... what we all pursue is the eternal existence of all realms, the dissipation of darkness, and the peaceful cultivation of the Dao..."

"Born from the same root, why rush to harm each other?"

He looked toward that direction, his eyes clear, "In the past, the Lord of Time opened up heaven and earth, carving out a realm of light from the dark chaos. We fought for years in the chaos, where there was no order... Back then, it was for order, peace, and tranquility that we chose to enter the myriad realms!"

"Since the era of creation, we have hoped that this era would endure, that this world of light would endure! Otherwise, there would have been no need to join the myriad realms back then, to become a part of them, to take root here, to establish our races..."

"The human race—I was the one who named it!"

The Heaven Gate sighed, "Before that, there was no concept of the human race! In that era, we lived by eating raw meat and drinking blood, everything was chaotic—many things were passed down by generations of us, bit by bit! The old cultivation techniques were useless, so we created new ones! The old weapons were unusable, so we turned bone clubs into swords, spears, halberds, and blades..."

Su Yu's voice was not loud but carried across heaven and earth, interrupting him with a hint of amusement: "If that is so, then I invite the ancestor of the human race to kill the Human Gate's Ji Tian and Jing Tian! These fellows are the source of dark turmoil! Since the ancestor of the human race knows this, why still cooperate with them?"

Su Yu's voice boomed like a bell: "Are we not more important than them? Are we not stronger?"

Su Yu's voice was immense: "If the ancestor kills them, and I slay the human traitor Prison, and as for Zhou... if the ancestor wishes to protect him, I can spare him—then we will join the old ancestor in resisting the Human Gate! In fighting the external enemy!"

Regardless of whether the Heaven Gate's words were true or false, sincere or hypocritical, Su Yu did not care.

If you kill those fellows, Su Yu truly would not fight!

He was in no hurry!

The Heaven Gate sighed softly, "Wouldn't it be better to join forces against the Human Gate?"

Su Yu smiled, "Not really! I don't like cooperating with enemies!"

At this moment, the Earth Gate's voice rang out: "Su Yu, do you think you will win?"

"I don't!"

Su Yu shook his head and smiled, "How could I! The Two Gates are so powerful, already restored, yet each holds back—what virtue or ability do I have to match the Two Gates? But knowing it is impossible, I, Su Yu, still want to try!"

"I do not know what is in the hearts of you two, but I know that neither of you wants to die—you both want to be the victor... to become the next Lord of Time. So let us see whose luck is better, whose fortune is worse! The one who sticks his head out first... will, of course, receive special attention!"

As he spoke, Su Yu's side began to draw closer.

Powerful auras shook heaven and earth!

Su Yu was at the front, the others flanking him on both sides.

At this moment, Su Yu was like a holy Buddha, radiant with light, shining across heaven and earth, turning even the void white!

"The Human Gate is darkness, the Heaven Gate is light!"

Su Yu's voice rose again: "In these days, heaven and earth have been dim. Before, the light of all realms came from the Heaven Gate's radiance, turning into the sun of the world—why does the old ancestor no longer shine upon all realms?"

All realms had a sun and a moon!

The sun and moon came from the two sides of the long river, unreachable!

The sun was the Heaven Gate, shining through the ages, giving light to all realms!

The moon was the Human Gate, shrouding heaven and earth in darkness.

The cycle of sun and moon was the myriad realms.

As for before the creation, what the sun and moon of all realms were, Su Yu did not know and did not care—he only wanted to confirm the Dao of this so-called ancestor of the human race. The Heaven Gate rarely acted, almost never having made a move!

His Dao—Su Yu truly had no clear idea what it was.

As for the Earth Gate, Su Yu understood it well.

Demon Flame!

The Dao of Flame!

Mighty indeed!

But the Heaven Gate—Su Yu had yet to fathom it. What was the core of his Heaven-Earth Dao?

This one had opened heaven and earth.

Speaking of which, Su Yu added, "Ancestor, your radiance shining across all realms—surely it's not merely to add some light to the world? After all these years, haven't you made any preparations? They say the Heaven Gate is the strongest... but is it the strongest from the era of creation, or is the Ancestor the strongest?"

Su Yu laughed, "Show us later generations a glimpse of your power. If you're truly formidable, it's not impossible for me, Su Yu, to submit to the Ancestor!"

The Heaven Gate sighed softly, then chuckled, "Little one, you certainly have a way with words!"

In that moment, heaven and earth blazed with light!

A realm manifested, like a great sun!

A circular realm, like the sun, shining across heaven and earth!

Darkness was driven away!

Light enveloped the world!

No longer cold and gloomy, but serene and peaceful.

Dimly visible within the realm, a gate appeared. One end seemed connected to the River of Time, while the other side was pitch black.

This realm was rather peculiar.

A mighty force swept across the four directions. The Heaven Gate's voice was calm: "Su Yu, I simply wish to avoid more bloodshed. You are all human, the future of humanity, and the future of all realms. Why must you press so hard?"

Su Yu sighed as well: "Press hard? Ancestor, why do you always insist on painting yourselves as so pitiful? Fine, fine—you're pitiful, I'm the villain, is that it?"

Su Yu laughed: "Today... I will press you! I ask the Ancestor to return to heaven! Give us later generations a chance!"

Su Yu roared with laughter, shouting loudly: "All realms, all races, I beg all ancestors to return to heaven!"

A thunderous roar rose like mountains and seas!

"Beg all ancestors to return to heaven!"

The cry echoed through heaven and earth!

All ancestors, return to heaven!

Su Yu's smile was radiant. At this moment, they had arrived at the original upper realm, where the Earth Gate and the others were.

Now, the Earth Gate and the rest gathered one by one.

They looked toward the opposite side, their expressions grave.

Zhou spoke up then, looking at Su Yu, his voice soft: "It seems your strength has grown considerably. Just as Ji Tian said, a few days apart and you've all surged in power—truly terrifying!"

This group had all improved, which was indeed frightening.

With that, Zhou smiled and said, "Su Yu, before we start the battle, how about a little game?"

Su Yu grinned: "Let's hear it. What game does the Human Ancestor wish to play? Let me see if I can join you."

"I see you haven't devoured the Dao of Seven Emotions and Six Desires—you've probably given it to Wan Tiansheng. What a waste!"

"Let's play a small round, with Wan Tiansheng as the wager. If I win, you hand him over to me, how about it?"

Su Yu laughed: "And if you lose?"

"If I lose, I'll tell you a secret..."

Zhou's face was bright with a smile: "You might think a secret is unimportant—no, it's very important!"

"About what?"

Su Yu looked at him—was he going to tell him about the Spirit of Heaven and Earth?

Or about the Seventh Gate of Humanity?

Or something else?

The point was, Su Yu had no interest in other secrets. The secrets of the Human Gate or the Spirit of Heaven and Earth—he'd already guessed them. So your secret was utterly useless!

What a gamble!

This guy just wanted to perfect the Prison King's Heaven-Earth Dao. The Dao of Seven Emotions and Six Desires was far from complete.

Zhou was just trying to whet his appetite!

Su Yu had no interest in gambling, but then he heard Zhou laugh: "You might think it's useless—no, it's very useful! It has to do with Qiong, a great deal to do with him."

"Cang?"

Qiong suddenly interjected. Zhou paused briefly, then quickly smiled: "You know?"

Qiong was surprised: "You know where Cang is?"

Zhou smiled: "You know? That's even better! The sword that opened heaven is called the Cangqiong Sword! There is Cang, and there is Qiong! Qiong became the spirit of the sword Dao, but where is Cang? Do you know? Only when Cang and Qiong unite can the true Cangqiong Sword be formed!"

"Su Yu, make a bet. I'll wager Cang's whereabouts against your Wan Tiansheng. If you win, Qiong might become a 40-Dao powerhouse—that's far more valuable than a Wan Tiansheng! If you don't bet, no one knows where Cang is—only I, by chance, have learned a little! Then Qiong will lose his only chance to grow strong!"

He turned to Qiong and smiled: "Qiong, do you want to lose this one chance?"

This was a trap, a blatant scheme!

He wanted to use Qiong's desire to force Su Yu into wagering Wan Tiansheng.

Did he really know where Cang was?

Su Yu had suspected before that Cang might have become the Spirit of Heaven and Earth, but hearing Zhou's words, maybe not. So where was Cang?

Su Yu smiled: "So how do you want to bet?"

"Simple!"

Zhou's smile faded: "I'll spar with Xingyu. Whoever wins, wins. Both are 36-Dao, both are creators of heaven—isn't that fair?"

Su Yu was surprised—a spar?

What was Zhou plotting?

Su Yu fell into thought. Was this guy really confident he could win?

Zhou added: "Of course, if you think there's a trick, it's simple—we can just trade directly, no need to bet. How about this? You give me Wan Tiansheng, and I'll tell you where Cang is."

Beside him, Qiong looked at Su Yu with a hint of anticipation.

Su Yu sighed inwardly!

These fellows sure knew how to play their cards—trying to intimidate me right from the start, huh?

Su Yu said flatly: "You talk nonsense, and you expect me to take it seriously?"

Zhou smiled: "Few know of the Cangqiong Sword. I don't know where you heard of it. But if I hadn't truly encountered it, how would I know of this?"

"Cang exists—not only that, but he's fallen into slumber! Hidden somewhere... Without my guidance, you'll never find Cang!"

"Even if this battle begins and you kill me, it means that Cang's whereabouts will forever remain a mystery!"

Su Yu quickly deduced, judging the truth of his words.

Did he really know where Cang was?

"Since you know, why haven't you taken it?"

Su Yu smiled and said, "That's the divine inscription of the Sky-Opening Sword, immensely powerful. If it were truly slumbering, wouldn't you have taken it?"

"No, I cannot take it!"

Zhou shook his head. "Perhaps only Qiong can take it! They are one and the same. If I tried to take it, I would awaken Cang, and might even provoke Cang's counterattack!"

Zhou continued, "Su Yu, hand over Wan Tiansheng to me, and I will give you Cang... In this way, Qiong has a chance to become an existence on par with the two gates of Heaven and Earth..."

As he spoke these words, the two gates of Heaven and Earth did not intervene.

It seemed like no one was losing out!

If Qiong devoured Cang, he might reach the 40th path, and if the Prison King devoured Wan Tiansheng, he might as well. In truth, both sides would be enhanced, with no loss.

But this move required Su Yu to hand over Wan Tiansheng!

Would Su Yu do it?

If not, what would Qiong think?

If he did, would Su Yu be willing?

Su Yu glanced at Zhou, then at Ji Tian and the others, and suddenly smiled: "Zhou, this doesn't seem like your style. It's more like Ji Tian's! Did Ji Tian tell you this?"

Beside him, Ji Tian laughed: "What are you saying... Su Yu, we're old classmates, don't you know me? I have no idea where Cang is. This is the first time I've heard the name 'Sky-Qiong Sword'!"

As he spoke, he chuckled: "If it were me, I wouldn't trade at all! Zhou, you might as well let Qiong come over, directly tell him where Cang is, and let him take it... As long as Qiong doesn't join the battle, we're not the type to be overbearing!"

Su Yu exhaled: "After all these days, this is the only way you've come up with to deal with me?"

Divide the alliance!

"It's not about the number of methods, but their effectiveness!"

Ji Tian smiled: "What do you say, Qiong? You are the Sky-Opening Sword. What do you seek? Protecting the era? Protecting humanity? Protecting the heavens? None of that! You only seek to strengthen yourself! You want to kill Zhou or the Prison King, devour their yang energy, and grow stronger! But there's no need for that. If you go now and take Cang, you'll soon enter the 40th path. Once we kill Su Yu and the others... I promise, you can choose any great path to devour... Then, you might surpass the two gates of Heaven and Earth! Qiong, isn't that your pursuit?"

He laughed: "Qiong, think carefully. Miss this chance... and there won't be a second one!"

With that, he looked at Su Yu: "If you start the battle now and Qiong leaves, you'll be in trouble!"

Beside him, Qiong glanced at Su Yu, then at them, and snorted coldly: "I'd rather give it up. If I kill you all, I can still improve!"

He felt these fools were treating him like an idiot!

They all wanted to use him!

Ji Tian laughed again: "Qiong, what do you gain by following Su Yu? You're just a sword, a sharp blade that opened the sky! Following Su Yu, you might even fall. But now, if you go and take Cang... you've already succeeded!"

Then he added: "Zhou, tell him where Cang is! Also, tell him that if he doesn't go now... he might not get another chance, because the moment the three gates converge, Cang will shatter! Once this battle erupts, the three gates may converge rapidly!"

Su Yu frowned slightly.

Good heavens!

I haven't even started the battle yet, and these guys are already scheming against me!

Zhou, after a moment's thought, smiled and said: "That's true... but we must first block Su Yu and his group. Otherwise, if that little fellow Su Yu follows along to take it, wouldn't that be a waste?"

"Of course. Since they're here, we can't just let them leave!"

Ji Tian chuckled.

At this point, Zhou no longer mentioned Wan Tiansheng, but said directly: "Cang is actually slumbering in the Chaos Long River. Back when the sky was opened, the consumption was too great. That divine inscription detached, entered the Chaos, and absorbed the source to recover itself!"

He smiled: "Once the Gate of Man descends and the three gates converge, the Chaos within the Gate of Earth's space will be utterly shattered! The power of the three gates converging will far exceed that of Cang!"

"And once we start the battle, the Gate of Man will inevitably descend early... Over the years, I've studied this many times within the Gate of Earth. The Chaos Long River is Cang's dwelling place. I can guarantee it!"

At this moment, the Gate of Earth also spoke: "Qiong, the Chaos Long River is indeed Cang's dwelling place. We cannot take it, so we've let it gather source there. Otherwise, where would the Source Long River in the Chaos come from..."

That river lay deep within the Gate of Earth!

The Gate of Earth continued: "If you want to go... we'll clear a path for you. Whether it's true or false, you'll see for yourself once you go! Miss this chance, and you may never have another... Once the Gate of Man descends, the source will surely break, and Cang will vanish with it..."

At this, Qiong grew restless and somewhat angry: "Do you think I'll believe you?"

"Why wouldn't you?"

The Gate of Earth now showed a smile. Suddenly, the entire space of the Gate of Earth trembled. In the distant depths, a long river rippled, and faint traces of sword energy seeped out, then quickly vanished.

Qiong's expression shifted slightly. It seemed... it was true!

The Sky-Qiong Sword—he hadn't even known its name until recently.

But these fellows knew!

And now, a faint aura of sword energy burst forth, likely the breath of Cang.

The Gate of Earth smiled: "Qiong, is it easier to go now and take Cang without trouble, or to entangle yourself here with us, risking not only your fall but also the chance to merge with Cang forever, so that the Sky-Qiong Sword can never be reunited?"

Qiong was deeply conflicted!

If he left now, they would clear the way, and he could easily go and take Cang, merging the Sky-Qiong Sword to become a peerless powerhouse. And they had promised that if they won, they would give him a great path as well.

If he devoured another path... even if both gates fully recovered, he would be no weaker than them!

What should he do?

Qiong had to hesitate.

At this moment, the faces of the others darkened. The Lord of the Dead frowned slightly. This was a bad start!

Just as Su Yu was about to go to battle, it turned out that Qiong, a key figure, might become a problem.

If Qiong, a 38th-path cultivator, truly left, the trouble would be immense.

Ji Tian and his group would not miss this opportunity.

Now, even the Human King had to speak: "Qiong, if we win this battle, Cang, as the divine inscription of the Sky-Opening Sword, may not be crushed by the convergence. Afterwards, you can still take it... If you leave now and we die, these fellows will surely break their promise. How could they easily let you go..."

The Gate of Heaven smiled: "Why wouldn't they? We have no major conflict with Qiong. Besides, he is just a sword, the sword of the Lord of Time! The Lord of Time sealed the Gate of Man. By opposing the Gate of Man, Qiong is actually following the Lord of Time's will!"

"Moreover, if he truly takes Cang and greatly increases his power, why would we be hostile to him?"

The Human King frowned slightly. Qiong suddenly looked at Su Yu: "Su Yu, what do you say?"

Su Yu's expression was calm: "If you want to go, go. If not, don't. It's that simple!"

Everyone was taken aback. At this moment... you, Su Yu, aren't stopping him or persuading him? Aren't you good with words?

Su Yu's words made even Qiong pause.

You're not even stopping me?

If I really leave, you'll be in big trouble!

PS: No, my mindset is a bit rushed. Let me slow down. Today is Sunday, so just two chapters. I've been writing poorly lately, losing a lot of hair. I'm going bald. So just two chapters today! I'm currently planning to finish the book in about a week, maybe around February 1st. Of course, I actually want to drag it out a bit more, preferably until February 6th, the one-year anniversary of the book's release. For now, I can only write and see as I go.