Chapter 853: King Wen Needs to Save Face Too

As Su Yu’s strength grew, the Human Emperor indeed grew anxious.

This fellow—if he kept on like this, he himself would become useless.

The rate of improvement was far too fast!

Of course, he was more concerned about one point: Su Yu’s heaven and earth had opened many paths. Even if the Civil King bestowed benefits, it was impossible for every great path’s power to correspond to Su Yu’s own path, unless Su Yu’s path principles were exceedingly numerous.

How had this kid managed it?

Only at this moment did the Human Emperor take notice and observe the people under Su Yu’s command. He watched carefully, judged, and after a long while, reached a conclusion: these people under Su Yu cultivated the same heaven and earth as Su Yu!

Yes, they cultivated together, which meant one thing: their insights were actually interlinked!

Su Yu’s insights, they knew; their insights, Su Yu knew.

The Human Emperor was also aware of this method of cultivation, but it had both advantages and disadvantages—it was not all benefits; there were drawbacks too.

For instance, once these people grew powerful in cultivation, they could easily seize the great path and turn it to their own use, because Su Yu had opened up the entire power of the great path to them.

Moreover, if many of Su Yu’s strong subordinates chose to betray him, the result would be that Su Yu’s heaven and earth would fall out of control, stripped away by these people. If they joined forces, their weight might surpass Su Yu’s.

The Human Emperor kept judging, but he could not help sighing in admiration: Su Yu, rising to prominence at such a young age, indeed possessed decisiveness and abundant boldness.

Some matters, Su Yu probably understood clearly, but he seemed not to care too much.

For someone as domineering as Su Yu, that his own heaven and earth could be overthrown by others—he actually accepted it.

“Those who gain the Way have many helpers; those who lose it have few—is that it?”

Only at this moment did the Human Emperor vaguely grasp some of Su Yu’s thoughts: if all his subordinates betrayed him, that would mean Su Yu had failed utterly, failed to the extreme.

At that time, his heaven and earth would be made by these people and unmade by these people.

At that time, Su Yu would probably not care about a single heaven and earth anymore!

The Human Emperor kept thinking, pondering in his heart.

Su Yu!

Perhaps he could borrow Su Yu’s method. As for the Bright King and those of the First Rank, forget it—unless he surpassed the First Rank,

otherwise, the Bright King and the others would find it hard to recover their current strength.

But if those below the First Rank merged into the heaven and earth, the impact would not be too great.

One thought after another surfaced in the Human Emperor’s mind. At this moment, he no longer had the desire to die—damn it, he had to get stronger!

A super-strong being like me, with experience and insights intact, could recover quickly. But I was very worried that before I recovered, that bastard Su Yu would truly surpass me.

“Impossible!”

The Human Emperor thought: That bastard Su Yu had no idea how strong I was back then!

Back then, I was terrifyingly strong.

When dealing with the myriad races, it was only due to various unforeseen factors that I could not subdue them. Otherwise, hah, I could take on ten… First Rank!

After these thoughts surfaced for a while, he grew somewhat worried again: Su Yu was probably expanding the Heavenly Gate now, which might not be a good thing. Never mind, he would set that aside for now. Old Man Wen was still there, still alive, and should have a way to deal with it.

……

Meanwhile.

In the Upper Realm.

Su Yu’s heaven and earth expanded wildly, but Su Yu frowned—not because the expansion was insufficient, but because he felt that after the fusion of the great paths, his heaven and earth had expanded too much!

“So, the reason those inside the gates want to come out is precisely this?”

To increase strength?

Or to perfect the great path?

Su Yu judged and murmured to himself: “Is it that the myriad realms’ great path is yang, and the three gates’ paths are yin? This is the Heavenly Gate’s great path. In the Earthly Gate, it seems to be all chaotic great paths. Does the chaotic great path also have yin and yang divisions? And in the Human Gate, what is it?”

In Su Yu’s mind, one thought after another also surfaced.

If the strong beings from the Heavenly Gate came out, appeared in the myriad realms, found the corresponding great path power, and merged with it, would they instantly become stronger?

Su Yu’s eyes flickered: “So, when they come out, they will try to kill fellow cultivators of the same path?”

Path struggle!

At this moment, Su Yu suddenly had some insight—this was the path struggle!

The struggle on the same great path!

All on the River of Time!

“And what about the heaven and earth?”

His own heaven and earth great path was different from the River of Time’s great path, but it also belonged to the yang aspect, even the entire heaven and earth was yang. Would it also be coveted by others?

Devour the heaven and earth?

When he merged with these great path powers from behind the gates, Su Yu vaguely understood something: the three gates, three eras. How could the old eras return? How could they become the masters of heaven and earth again?

Replace and take over!

Earlier, the Human Emperor said that those in the three gates were all enemies. At that time, Su Yu thought it was about seizing power. Now he understood—it was not seizing power, but seizing the path!

Su Yu closed his eyes: The struggle for the path!

The paths of the old era had already become the past. The Three Bodies Method… seemed to be much the same principle. Strictly speaking, these people only existed in the past. To return to the present, they must seize the path of the current strong beings on the great path, which was equivalent to merging into the present!

“The inspiration for the Three Bodies Method must have come from this!”

At this moment, Su Yu gained some additional insights into the Three Bodies Method.

The source of inspiration for the Three Bodies Method was definitely this.

And this also represented an extremely terrifying thing: the beings in the three gates—no, especially those in the Heavenly Gate—once they appeared, would inevitably fall out with the myriad realms’ strong beings!

And the myriad realms’ strong beings also coveted the other side’s path!

“Either they devour us, or we devour them… Path struggle!”

Su Yu licked his lips. Interesting!

Why did this great path split into yin and yang aspects?

Both are paths on the River of Time—where exactly did the deviation occur?

The gates?

Thoughts kept surfacing, and the expansion of the heaven and earth stopped. Su Yu looked carefully. At this moment, the entire heaven and earth encompassed most of the Upper Realm, except for some dead corners—almost all of it was within his grasp!

And only at this moment did Su Yu feel that he had truly become stronger!

Not only stronger, but much stronger.

This was the power of some rules left by the Civil King after years of accumulation. Perhaps at first, it was meant to perfect his own heaven and earth, but he could not export these rule powers, which instead benefited Su Yu.

With a wave of his hand, Su Yu vaguely felt something.

At this moment, within his heaven and earth, the power of the great path condensed. As Su Yu made his move, the great path gathered. Gradually, Su Yu could feel his strength growing tremendously. Vaguely, about twenty small golden dragons appeared around him, roaming.

Those were the phantom images of the great path!

"Twenty Paths of Power?"

Su Yu sensed it, roughly judging that this might be the amount.

With a wave of his hand, Su Yu dispersed these small golden dragons—they were the condensation of power when going all out. If he wanted to show off, he could keep them hovering around him, but only a fool would do that.

Wouldn't that let others see through his strength at a glance?

A true strongman must be enigmatic.

The kind that leaves people unable to see through him!

If they could see through him, was he still a strongman?

"Twenty Paths of Power..."

Su Yu murmured to himself. This strength was far greater than before. After reaching the sixteenth Path, every additional Path of Power was as hard as ascending to heaven. This time, by absorbing these Path Powers, he had made a massive leap within the heavens and earth!

Outside the heavens and earth, Su Yu instantly teleported out.

He also reached out and grabbed. Around him, sixteen small golden dragons faintly appeared, and the seventeenth was also vaguely taking shape.

Su Yu revealed a smile.

So, outside, without the blessing of the heavens and earth, I still count as a first-class strongman.

First-class... it's not that hard!

He suddenly realized that becoming first-class seemed quite simple.

Su Yu laughed, but then his expression grew serious. The reason I've improved so quickly is that I've overdrawn some of my future potential!

The Three Bodies Method merges past and future.

Su Yu had merged them!

He had also merged the opposing Path Powers within the Heavenly Gate. In truth, many hadn't done this—had the Human Emperor done it? Had he absorbed them?

If not... it meant that once the Heavenly Gate opened, many inside and outside could improve.

The prerequisite was finding the corresponding Path and killing the opponent.

By then, even if Su Yu killed them, he might not be able to achieve the same level of improvement as now.

"So... I must enter before the Heavenly Gate opens!"

At this moment, Su Yu made a decision. He couldn't wait for the Heavenly Gate to open before dealing with those people. He had to enter the Heavenly Gate first, while they hadn't yet merged the myriad Paths or improved, and kill all his enemies!

Even if he couldn't kill them all, taking out the main ones would ensure that even if the Heavenly Gate opened and they improved, he wouldn't fear them!

As Su Yu pondered these things, his aura began to tremble!

It also started to stabilize!

At that moment, the Great Zhou King and the others quickly arrived. Just as they were about to congratulate him, Su Yu suddenly manifested his Heavenly Gate!

That Heavenly Gate was much more solidified than before!

Su Yu let out a low shout, and the power of myriad Paths erupted simultaneously. The 360 physical acupoints and 360 divine acupoints all appeared, 720 points of light shining with blazing radiance!

The entire Heavenly Gate began to expand under his force!

"Open!"

A low shout resounded through the heavens and earth!

With a thunderous roar, the Heavenly Gate seemed to grow even larger. Not only that, but faintly, a small crack appeared on the projection of the Heavenly Gate!

This crack could only allow Su Yu and Gui to channel some power through.

Such was the limitation of the Heavenly Gate projection. If it were the true Heavenly Gate, opening a crack would be like opening a crack in the Gate of Hell—almost anyone could find a way in or out!

In an instant, Su Yu had greatly expanded the Heavenly Gate!

...

At the same time.

Inside the Heavenly Gate.

Far from the Heavenly Gate, Gui suddenly felt a stir, vaguely sensing something. He raised an eyebrow slightly—what was happening?

At this moment, while controlling his avatar to understand the myriad realms, he was also probing for information about Su Yu. Knowing the enemy and knowing yourself, he could better negotiate terms with Su Yu.

But now, Gui suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

What had happened?

He quickly returned to the site of Su Yu's Heavenly Gate projection. Soon, he sensed something unusual. Previously, Su Yu's Heavenly Gate projection was almost invisible to anyone, with a faint, elusive feel.

But now, it seemed to have become more solid.

Had the Heavenly Gate been fixed?

Gui frowned slightly. That couldn't be.

Had Su Yu grown stronger?

He thought for a moment and extended a tiny bit of power. Just as it entered, Su Yu's voice rang out: "Gui, back already? Did you bring the rule fragments?"

Gui's face stiffened. Nonsense—I've only been gone a moment, where would I get fragments!

"Su Yu, this is..."

Su Yu's voice carried a hint of arrogance and pride: "This emperor is now third-class!"

"Four Paths of Power!"

Su Yu laughed arrogantly: "Gui, didn't expect that, did you? I tricked you. Some of the rule power sent by the Wen King was actually devoured by me. Did you really think I couldn't use any of it?"

"..."

Gui was speechless. Nonsense—I knew that!

You would naturally devour some that suited you.

That went without saying!

But Su Yu's rapid promotion to third-class was still somewhat surprising. Previously, Su Yu was only fourth-class. To reach third-class so quickly showed that his fusion speed was fast and his talent excellent.

So that's it!

Having reached third-class, no wonder Su Yu's tone today was different—even more arrogant than before!

He sensed the Heavenly Gate and laughed: "Then congratulations!"

Su Yu's voice came again, chuckling: "Congratulations? Gui, I've discovered a problem... For instance, I cultivate the Flesh Path, and so do you. But you and I are divided into yin and yang... That means, if I devour you, or you devour me, there will be a massive improvement, right? Gui, this Heavenly Gate is truly interesting. People like us, destined to become enemies, are actually cooperating now!"

Gui's expression changed slightly!

Yes, Su Yu had devoured some rule power, which meant he had indeed discovered some of these issues.

He had been a bit careless about this before.

Gui quickly laughed: "You misunderstand. Since we are partners, how could that be? Besides, there are more than just you and me cultivating the Flesh Path. In the myriad realms, inside this gate, there are many who cultivate the Flesh Path. This thing is not a unique Path. A single great Path has many variations; a slight difference makes a new Path..."

He explained, trying to reassure: I have no intention of devouring you, don't misunderstand!

Su Yu sneered, then quickly dismissed it, saying flatly: "Gui, if you have the ability, descend into the myriad realms first! By the time you descend, I might already be first-class. For now, we're just using each other, no need to dwell on this. Do me another favor..."

Gui frowned at once: “Su Yu, I’ve agreed to all your demands, and I am not your subordinate…”

“It’s nothing difficult!”

Su Yu said coldly: “Just take something to the Literary King for me!”

“Hmm?”

Gui furrowed his brows slightly. What thing?

“What?”

“A pair of shoes!”

Su Yu said calmly: “That was the Literary King’s weapon from years past; he left it behind in the myriad realms without taking it. Now the Literary King is probably not faring well. If I send these shoes back to him, perhaps he can improve a little and face his strong enemies.”

A pair of shoes?

A weapon?

Gui thought for a moment, then spoke: “Material existences would likely find it hard to project through the Heavenly Gate’s phantom. What we projected before were merely some rule powers…”

“Try it. A weapon at this stage is no longer pure matter.”

Su Yu said flatly: “Do me this favor. You must know, meeting a generous Heavenly Gate Master like me is rare! You wanted to condense a clone, so I let you condense it, and I didn’t even bother with what your clone does! You wanted to add people, so I added them… Gui, you should understand these things somewhat. Besides me, Su Yu, who else would act so recklessly and agree to you so easily?”

Gui silently cursed: You know you’re reckless too!

At this moment, Gui couldn’t help it, or rather, it was a test, and he said directly: “Su Yu, aren’t you worried at all?”

Not afraid that I might descend into the myriad realms?

And Su Yu, his voice tinged with arrogance, sneered: “The Heavenly Gate will open sooner or later, Gui. Don’t play games with me. You’re probably just a minor figure in the Heavenly Gate. Now, I use you to improve myself, and you use me too… We both benefit. If we don’t take a gamble, how can we compete with the big shots? In this struggle for the Great Dao, are we destined to just watch from the sidelines and be small fries? I’m not willing. You’ve cultivated to this level—can you be willing?”

Unwilling!

Those words made Gui fall silent. Willing?

Of course not!

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken the risk to seek out the Literary King and fulfill Su Yu’s request, just to keep Su Yu’s Heavenly Gate from closing.

After a moment’s thought, Gui sighed: “Last time! Su Yu, I don’t know what you and the Literary King are doing, but I can sense great danger. You keep making me run between you and the Literary King—not only am I in danger… you’re in danger too!”

“Me?”

Su Yu was puzzled. Gui explained: “The Literary King and the Martial King are now being watched by someone—a supreme powerhouse! I keep going back and forth between the Literary King and you… sooner or later, I’ll be discovered! Once that one finds me… I’ll be caught quickly, or even through me, they’ll find where your Heavenly Gate’s projection is! Su Yu, you must understand, that kind of powerhouse, even if you haven’t summoned them… but they are immensely powerful and can find a way to forcibly descend into your Heavenly Gate… At that time, even if it’s not their true body, just a projection, you’re dead!”

“Such an existence—a single projection clone might possess second-rank power, or even stronger… As long as your gate can’t be closed, they might even project first-rank power inside!”

Gui said worriedly: “If we encounter such an existence, both of us will be in huge trouble. So it’s best to have no more contact with the Literary King side!”

This was the truth, with some exaggeration.

The one from Eternal Life Mountain might not discover him, and even if he did, he might not find where Su Yu’s Heavenly Gate projection was.

Of course, to prevent Su Yu from constantly asking him to meet the Literary King, he had to warn Su Yu.

This was a very dangerous thing!

Frequent contact with the Literary King would eventually bring great trouble. He was worried—worried about the Eternal Life Mountain side, and also worried about any schemes between Su Yu and the Literary King, though their current contact, all through him, seemed harmless.

The only thing was that he had given some rule power to Su Yu.

Even passing messages was through him; he listened, and there was no problem.

But as a first-rank powerhouse, he had some vague intuition—it was called danger!

…

At this moment, Su Yu raised his brows slightly.

As he walked toward the lower realm, he transmitted his voice: “So, if a powerful existence discovers where my gate is, they can forcibly descend?”

“Yes!”

Gui added: “Of course, not the true body!”

Su Yu laughed: “What about you? Can a powerful existence’s true body descend through my Heavenly Gate? They can only go through the real Heavenly Gate. So can an existence like you descend through my Heavenly Gate?”

“No!”

Gui felt a bit guilty but still forced an explanation: “I can’t either. I can only descend through the real gate. With you, I can only send a clone. The more power I project, the stronger the clone that descends…”

Yes, that’s it!

Anyway, Su Yu wouldn’t know the truth!

Su Yu scoffed. No need to ask—he was a hundred percent sure that true bodies could descend. At this moment, he roughly understood the function of the Heavenly Gate. As the summoner, Su Yu could summon a powerhouse’s true body to descend, even more than one!

Su Yu thought for a moment and said: “Gui, tell me the truth. Can I enter the Heavenly Gate?”

Gui raised his brows: “The Heavenly Gate is too dangerous, Su Yu…”

“So that means I can?”

Su Yu had long known that the Human Emperor had once intended to do so, but was repelled and had to retreat. Besides, the Martial King and the Literary King had all entered anyway!

Su Yu laughed: “The Literary King and the others entered through the Heavenly Gate back then, right? But why can’t they come out?”

That was what Su Yu cared about!

Able to enter but not exit—that was troublesome!

Gui thought, yes, the Literary King and the others had entered. If you said there was no way in, Su Yu wouldn’t believe it.

He thought for a moment and explained: “That’s how it is inside the gate—you can enter but not leave. Inside the gate… it’s a prison, a seal.”

Able to enter but not leave?

That was very troublesome.

To get out, you had to wait for the Heavenly Gate to open?

Various thoughts surfaced. Su Yu said no more, and said flatly: “I know you have difficulties and worries, but… this is the last time. Help me send these shoes to the Literary King, and then you won’t need to run back and forth anymore!”

The boots represented some core principles of the world.

Though not the entire world was summoned over, as long as the Literary King was willing, he could extract part of the world’s power through these boots. And Su Yu, as long as he opened the Heavenly Gate for the Literary King during the extraction, the Literary King could naturally cover himself with the world’s power.

Even in a critical moment, Su Yu could borrow some of the Literary King’s world power.

Gui pondered for a moment, then said solemnly: “Su Yu, this is the last time… Though I want to cooperate with you, I don’t want to die! The Literary King’s enemy is too strong!”

Su Yu laughed, suddenly slapping him in the face: “Oh? How strong? Much stronger than the Literary King? After all these years, he hasn’t killed the Literary King? The Human Emperor is stronger than the Literary King, so that means the Human Emperor and that enemy are about equal? And you claim to be comparable to the Human Emperor?”

“…”

This… damn!

Too much of a slap in the face!

Gui’s face turned green. At these words, he stammered: “That’s not what I meant. That Starry… Starry probably isn’t as strong as the Literary King…”

This was about face. He had boasted—could he take it back?

He added: “And I’m not afraid of that one, it’s just… no need to fall out, right?”

Su Yu laughed. Right, my ass!

He thought for a moment and said, “That fellow you mentioned—by the division of the Great Way, how many Dao forces does he count as?”

“I’m not sure about that...”

Su Yu was speechless. “Then how many Dao forces do you have?”

“Secret!”

“...”

Fine, I get it. Because you have no idea how strong an expert at that level truly is, the more you say, the more you err!

Su Yu asked no more. Asking this guy, who would just spout nonsense, was useless and would only muddle his own judgment.

“Alright, just this once. The last time!”

...

Su Yu said no more. At this moment, he arrived once again at the Sea of Stars.

And the Book Spirit instantly appeared, dragging a pair of boots in his hands, somewhat breathless: “I’ve imprinted the core of the heavens on these boots, consider it an extension of me... I entrust this to Your Majesty!”

When King Wen left back then, he didn’t take the heavens with him, likely with his own plans.

Later, he entered the Heavenly Gate. That gate of King Wen’s was probably isolated, unable to draw power any longer, until now, when he finally had the chance to channel the power of the heavens through Su Yu.

As for Bright King and the Human Emperor, they had been upstream all along and couldn’t channel the power of the heavens for him.

The Book Spirit understood these principles well.

So now, the only one who could help King Wen was Su Yu!

“A small matter!”

Su Yu smiled. “It’s a good thing King Wen is alive. He can hold back the Heavenly Gate experts for us.”

As he spoke, he picked up the boots.

These boots, at this moment, had golden edges and a black surface, somewhat resembling Su Yu’s own. Su Yu suddenly chuckled, waved his hand, and the boots turned white. The Book Spirit was startled, and Su Yu laughed, “Give him a pair of little white shoes—fits his style!”

The Book Spirit was caught between laughter and tears.

King Wen liked to wear white robes, but that didn’t mean he liked white shoes. These were trivial matters, so he didn’t bother to argue.

And Su Yu quickly manifested the boots into the Heavenly Gate.

Transmitting them was no small feat.

But at this moment, Su Yu was indeed powerful enough. After spending some time and energy, the Great Way trembled, and a small crack appeared in the Heavenly Gate. Soon, the boots were transmitted into the Heavenly Gate!

...

At the same time.

King Wen’s eyes flickered. He suddenly turned to look at a certain place, a smile appearing in his eyes. “I found it!”

“What?”

Martial King was curious.

King Wen’s smile was radiant, but he didn’t reply.

I found the projection of Su Yu’s Heavenly Gate!

I felt it—I felt the power of my own heavens. Su Yu, that fellow, is no weakling. In such a short time, he’s already opened his own heavens, summoned back the Book Spirit, and even transmitted a core of his heavens here.

Su Yu is stronger than I imagined!

He raised an eyebrow slightly, looked at Martial King, and after a long pause said, “Next time, don’t say Su Yu is my son, or else... you’ll be in danger!”

“Huh?”

Martial King laughed incredulously. “Don’t say that. You make it sound like I’m not as good as him. You know, I’m just a little short of reaching that realm. Over here, you might not even be as strong as me...”

“Ha!”

King Wen sneered. “Fine, believe what you will!”

At this moment, King Wen’s smile was brilliant.

My heavenly power can now spread here in part. Su Yu should understand my meaning. Since he’s channeling my heavenly power now, it means the myriad realms have been pacified, and no one will notice the anomaly in my heavens.

His heavens were in the Sea of Stars. If the myriad realms had many experts, Su Yu would understand what King Wen was scheming, who he was plotting against. Exposure would be a loss.

But now, Su Yu has channeled the heavenly power so decisively, signaling one thing: the myriad realms have been pacified!

King Wen exhaled, his smile bright. “The myriad realms are at peace!”

“...”

Martial King looked bewildered. “How did you guess that again?”

“Earlier you said the myriad realms were troublesome and dangerous, and now, not long after, you say they’re at peace... You’re too changeable!”

King Wen laughed again. “Big Brother’s side shouldn’t be a big problem! But it’s hard to say... It depends on how Su Yu arranges things.”

Martial King’s mouth twitched.

Then King Wen continued, “The Heavenly Gate hasn’t opened yet, so Big Brother and the others must still be blocking the way upstream, cutting off the return path of the myriad races... Is Su Yu in the myriad realms now? Has he gone to see Big Brother, or not?”

He pondered for a moment, then quickly said, “He must have gone! That means Su Yu might have resolved some troubles, felt that Big Brother’s pressure wasn’t too great, and then returned to the myriad realms?”

That was his judgment. Su Yu was so strong now—there was no way he hadn’t gone upstream!

He definitely went, and he helped Big Brother with no small trouble. Feeling the danger was minimal, he returned to the myriad realms, sought to improve himself, and thus contacted me.

That Heavenly Gate summoning method must have been passed on to him by Big Brother.

King Wen judged again and added, “Now Big Brother’s side should be balanced in strength with the myriad races. Su Yu is eager to break through and tip that balance!”

Martial King was dumbfounded. “Did you leave a clone in the myriad realms or something?”

“Otherwise, you’re just guessing blindly!”

“We’ve been together all this time—how can you say whatever you want?”

But King Wen ignored him, walking toward the edge as he spoke, “We can’t waste any more time. Whether Big Brother wins or loses, he’ll soon return to the myriad realms... and then the Heavenly Gate will surely open!”

“We’ve wasted too much time...”

King Wen sighed, then added, “Su Yu’s strength is also rising rapidly. The situation with the myriad races is still unclear—were they driven out, or killed?”

Martial King understood every word, but he was truly baffled.

“Are you just guessing, or do you really know?”

“You talk as if it’s real, but you’re not even in the myriad realms—how can you judge the situation there?”

King Wen ignored him. Su Yu had opened the Heavenly Gate and transmitted heavenly power—that alone was enough for him to deduce many things.

There were plenty of clues.

Martial King was too lazy to think, so naturally he couldn’t figure it out.

King Wen walked on, reached the edge, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said, “Go, stir up trouble at Eternal Life Mountain! Make a big commotion, then run after you’re done!”

“Oh!”

Martial King didn’t know why they had to stir up trouble now, but... he liked stirring up trouble!

The next moment, the Martial King shot forth, hurtling straight toward Eternal Life Mountain.

The Literary King stood motionless.

In the blink of an eye, a thunderous roar erupted—far off, the Martial King’s form suddenly loomed across heaven and earth, colossal and mighty beyond measure. He threw a punch that split the very firmament, bellowing, “Release Wen Yu, or I’ll slaughter every last one of you!”

Boom!

The colossal sound resounded through heaven and earth.

And at that moment, in the distance, Gui’s face filled with dread—had the battle begun?

Run!

Just as he was about to flee, the Literary King’s voice reached his ears: “Give me the shoes, and you may leave!”

Gui’s expression shifted violently!

This time, it was his true body—he hadn’t even had time to send a clone, for he was still on the periphery—and the Literary King… had found him!

Terror seized him!

Shoes?

Yes, these shoes. He hastily cast them aside and bolted, cursing inwardly: Su Yu, that bastard—what was he and the Literary King up to? He’d examined these shoes; there was nothing unusual about them!

Yet the Literary King had sensed them in advance!

My heavens, this was too dangerous!

If the Literary King wanted to find him, to kill him, wouldn’t it be all too simple?

And those discarded boots vanished in an instant. The Literary King’s voice once again drifted into Gui’s ears: “Tell Su Yu not to contact me anymore—it’s too dangerous. You too, be careful, don’t let anyone discover you!”

He showed concern for Gui, fearing he might be exposed, then added, “If you’re in trouble, you can come to me—provided I have time to help you…”

Gui’s face turned purple!

What did that mean?

So, I need you to protect me now?

The Literary King said nothing more, silently watching him depart. In an instant, a pair of shoes appeared on his feet—white ones!

The Literary King laughed!

At this moment, clad in white robes and white shoes, he cut a rather dashing figure, his long hair streaming in the wind. Feeling the power transmitted from beneath his feet, he murmured with a smile, “Eternal Life Mountain…”

He turned his head to gaze at it. All these years, you’ve suppressed me—did it feel good?

The Literary King’s smile was radiant as he vanished from the spot in an instant.

Time was running out!

He had to resolve this trouble quickly; otherwise, by the time Su Yu and his elder brother came charging in, he’d still be tangled up with Eternal Life Mountain—how disgraceful would that be?

These days, we scholars roaming the jianghu—what do we seek if not face?

Su Yu had pacified the myriad realms, his elder brother had vanquished the myriad-race powerhouses—if he, on his end, couldn’t even take the Heavenly Gate, and a single Eternal Life Mountain held him back, then when the three gates opened and he returned to the myriad realms, how utterly shameful would that be?