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Great Xia Prefecture. Xiuxin Pavilion. Wan Tiansheng looked out the window, toward the academy, toward the prefectural city, and toward the lands beyond… He was contemplating. He pondered many things—all manner of possibilities, and whether he was truly orchestrating everything this time or merely being played as a pawn, wielded like a spear by someone else. Naturally, he had his own thoughts and his own plans. Outside the window, a silhouette flickered. The figure materialized, bearing a faint smile as he looked at Wan Tiansheng. Wan Tiansheng met his gaze in return. The man who had just appeared beamed broadly. "Enjoying the moon, Manor Head?" Wan Tiansheng remained as placid as still water. "Looking at you. You are quite pleasant to look at." "The Manor Head likes pretty things?" The visitor chuckled. In the next breath, his body shifted, transforming into a stunning beauty whose dazzling smile was as captivating as blooming blossoms. "Manor Head, am I pretty?" "Pervert." "Mmh! How can you say that about me, Manor Head!" The woman shielded her face with a jade-like hand, whining coquettishly, "Manor Head, am I not beautiful? Or are you the pervert who doesn't like women?" Wan Tiansheng watched him coldly. "Have you played enough?" "The Manor Head really has no sense of fun!" The woman laughed, morphing instantly into an elderly man of ethereal, immortal grace, wearing a weathered expression. "Little Wan, life is short. Why not enjoy yourself while you can?" A divine light flickered in Wan Tiansheng's eyes. "If you've played enough, you can cut it out!" The old man settled down instantly, transforming into a middle-aged man who spoke in a low voice: "Lord Manor Head, Lan Tian offers his greetings!" Wan Tiansheng looked at him for a long time before speaking. "Have you betrayed us?" Lan Tian wore a look of astonishment. "What do you mean by that? The Manor Head actually suspects me? Heavens above, the sun and moon can bear witness to my loyalty!" Wan Tiansheng said faintly, "The sun and moon can witness it, but the Invincibles cannot discern it—is that it?" "..." Lan Tian chuckled. "The Manor Head is truly... truly candid! Truly, no one understands me like you do! In this world, my parents gave me life, but only you, Manor Head, truly know my heart!" Wan Tiansheng said chillingly, "You can shut up now. Lan Tian, what are you trying to do? Also, you were the one who passed Su Yu the 'Change' divine character, weren't you?" "That is incorrect!" Lan Tian chuckled softly. "How could it be me? Clearly, it came from Xu Bin, the Thousand-Handed Bandit, and Su Yu comprehended it entirely on his own. What does that have to do with me?" "Isn't Xu Bin you?" Lan Tian looked shocked. "Xu Bin is me? How is that possible! Xu Bin... was Xu Bin me?" Lan Tian seemed lost in recollection. After quite a while, he chuckled. "Probably me! Manor Head, you have no idea how amusing the Great Ming Prefecture is. They're quite formidable—they crafted an ancient resonance jade and actually flushed me out! I had it so rough! Left with no other choice, I had to dress as a woman to win sympathy. And as a result..." Lan Tian transformed into a woman once more, eyes brimming with tears. "Su Yu, that block of iron, has no tender feelings for the fairer sex whatsoever! He even hit me..." Wan Tiansheng stared at him icily. Lan Tian gazed back coyly, then let out an awkward laugh and reverted to the middle-aged man, speaking helplessly: "Manor Head, is your heart made of stone? To treat me like this! I'm crying, and you don't react at all!" Wan Tiansheng said coldly, "If you've played enough, shut your mouth. Let me ask you: have you uncovered Primordial's identity or not?" "What a thing to ask, Manor Head. Aren't you Primordial?" Wan Tiansheng looked at him, and Lan Tian looked back at Wan Tiansheng. After staring for a good while, Lan Tian asked sheepishly, "You're not?" "What do you think?" Wan Tiansheng regarded him coldly. Lan Tian said stiffly, "I thought you were!" Soon, he seemed surprised. "Quit joking. You really aren't?" Wan Tiansheng maintained his icy stare. Lan Tian froze. "Seriously, stop messing around. Isn't that your past incarnation?" "I haven't captured my three incarnations!" Wan Tiansheng said in a chilling voice, "I am merely at the ninth stage of the Sun Moon Realm—a genuine ninth-stage Sun Moon. I have no three incarnations!" Lan Tian straightened up immediately. "Don't kid around!" Wan Tiansheng looked at him, repeating after a long silence, "I am me, Wan Tiansheng! There is only one Wan Tiansheng in this world, not a second! I do not cultivate the past, nor do I have a future. I have only myself, Wan Tiansheng!" Lan Tian was utterly dumbfounded, as if incapable of accepting it. "Stop messing with me!" Lan Tian scrutinized him. Seeing that he showed no signs of lying, Lan Tian exclaimed in shock, "Then... then Primordial..." "He appeared a hundred years ago. Do you think that could be me? Why would you think so?" Lan Tian swallowed hard and said dazed, "No, that can't be! I probed him multiple times, and I always thought it was you, secretly replacing Primordial. If you say you aren't..." Lan Tian said in astonishment, "What on earth? That's not right. Then... who is he?" Wan Tiansheng glared at him. "You didn't even know who he was, yet you dared to claim he was the Third Head? Do you have any idea how much trouble that could cause?!" "No..." Lan Tian explained, "I... I might have fallen into a trap!" "What do you mean?" Lan Tian frowned. "Primordial was deliberately steering me, guiding me to say those things and focus my attention on him. He did it on purpose... definitely!" Lan Tian said solemnly, "He tricked me. No... maybe... he really is the Third Head! Truly, I investigated, and he might very well be the Third Head!" Wan Tiansheng continued to stare at him. Lan Tian said in a low voice, "The Third Head might not be dead. Primordial is the Third Head. If he isn't you, then he is the Third Head." "Are you certain?" "I am... mostly certain!" "Mostly certain?" Wan Tiansheng said coldly, "Lan Tian, do you no longer consult me before taking action these days?" Suppressing the doubts and tremors in his heart, Lan Tian smiled. "It was just a trivial matter, so why bother you, Lord Manor Head? Besides..." He laughed. "Lord Manor Head, I can't even be sure whether you are good or evil." "Lan Tian, have you been playing cult master for so long that you no longer wish to return?" "Nothing of the sort!" Lan Tian smiled. "Manor Head, Xuan Jiu is Su Yu, isn't he?" "What do you think?" "I think he is!" Lan Tian chuckled. "Aside from him, who else would be so bold and stir up such a storm? Do you think Primordial might have guessed that Xuan Jiu is Su Yu as well? I always feel Primordial knows a great deal. "And that was precisely why I misjudged. Primordial knows perhaps far more than we imagined. If he isn't the Third Head, then he is your three incarnations—of that I am certain!" Wan Tiansheng laughed. "You are certain?" "Yes!" Wan Tiansheng sighed. "Get lost. You're completely useless, unable to accomplish a thing. I told you to unite the All-Races Cult, but you insisted on doing the exact opposite. I told you to lie low, but you insisted on being flamboyant. You are no longer Lan Tian... Do as you please!" "Look at what you're saying." Lan Tian smiled. "You misunderstand me, Manor Head. I'm simply too famous; I can't keep a low profile, so I had to do the reverse and make a scene. As for the All-Races Cult... if not for me all these years, it might have grown even larger long ago. I still deserve some credit, don't I?" Wan Tiansheng ignored him. Lan Tian smiled again. "Don't be like that. It's not as if I achieved nothing. At the very least, I handed over the forces of the All-Races Cult to Su Yu without a hitch, didn't I?" "Xuan Jiu is not Su Yu." Wan Tiansheng sighed. "You... are an idiot!" "..." Lan Tian said in shock, "Come on, are you lying to me? Fine if Primordial isn't you, but Xuan Jiu isn't Su Yu either? Are... are you messing with me?" "Fool!" Lan Tian's eyes widened. "I'm serious. Xuan Jiu really isn't Su Yu?" Wan Tiansheng knitted his brows. "Perhaps you can go to Xinghong Ancient City and ask him in person! Whether he is or not, I cannot give you a definitive answer!" "..." Lan Tian looked at him, frowning. "You still don't trust me!" "Perhaps!" Wan Tiansheng let out a sigh. "Perhaps... this plan is doomed to fail. You idiot, before even confirming Primordial's identity, you went spouting nonsense, and the same goes for Xuan Jiu!" Shaking his head, he sighed again. "Stop making reckless moves." Lan Tian regarded him suspiciously. "Are you intentionally guarding against me? Wan Tiansheng, you're being a bit too guarded! "I'm your man! You're freezing me out just like that?" Wan Tiansheng said calmly, "No such thing." "You definitely don't trust me!" Lan Tian frowned. "Over the years, I've sacrificed so much, and this is how you treat me?" With that, he transformed back into a woman. "You heartless scoundrel!" "..." Wan Tiansheng frowned, looking at him. "Cut it out. Is this amusing to you?" "You're just a heartless scoundrel!" the female Lan Tian said resentfully. "You must be suspecting me. Primordial is either your past incarnation or the Third Head, isn't he? And Xuan Jiu is Su Yu, isn't he? You just insist on keeping me in the dark!" Wan Tiansheng looked at him for a long time, then suddenly said, "I don't know whether you've turned traitor. After all, so much time has passed, and you... have kept many things from me as well. Aren't you suspecting me too?" Lan Tian pouted bitterly. "Has all trust between people vanished? Tell me first: is Primordial really not you?" "No!" Wan Tiansheng frowned. "I told you, no!" "Is he the Third Head?" "I don't know!" "You don't know?" Lan Tian frowned. "If he were the Third Head, wouldn't he tell you?" "I wasn't close with the Third Head, even though I am technically his disciple..." That was undeniably true. He was indeed the Third Head's disciple, but he had been accepted by the Third Head's eldest disciple on the master's behalf. By the time Wan Tiansheng entered the academy, the Third Head was already dead, so he was hardly acquainted with him. "Fair point." Lan Tian nodded in understanding. "Fine, I'll take your word for it! Then let me ask you again: is Xuan Jiu really Su Yu?" "Possibly." Lan Tian nodded. "Now that sounds more like it. Don't think I can't recognize him just because he put on a disguise. If you'd said no, I'd have wanted to smash your head open!" At that, Lan Tian smiled. "Alright, whether he is or isn't doesn't really matter! And whatever Primordial's situation is, I don't care either. Risking my neck to see you today was to tell you a massive secret..." "Speak!" Lan Tian leaned in mysteriously. "The Primordial Demon race's Half-Emperor might have arrived. However, it probably isn't one of his three incarnations, but rather a divine character avatar or an essence blood avatar. Nine times out of ten, it's attached to Moduona! Moduona... might be a hidden vessel prepared by that fellow. If his breakthrough fails, he might revive through Moduona and seize his body!" Wan Tiansheng's eyes shifted slightly. Lan Tian chuckled. "Big enough secret, right? Of course, this is merely my own judgment from dealing with the Primordial Demon race for years; it might not be entirely accurate! Also, on the Primordial Demon side, you know Demon King Lade, right? He might have infiltrated in person this time. Last time, his present and future incarnations were shattered! This time, his past incarnation might have come personally to reshape his Demon King body within the ruins. That fellow is a Demon King after all, so watch your back!" "The Demons would tell you such secrets?" "Of course not!" Lan Tian sighed. "How could they! But... I'm beautiful! Do you have any idea what a price I paid to infiltrate the Demons? I slept with several junior Demon Kings! It was awful!" "..." Wan Tiansheng stared at him. After a long pause, he asked, "True... or false?" "True, of course!" Lan Tian said wistfully, "When I transform into a beauty, I'm gorgeous!" "I..." It took Wan Tiansheng a long moment before he managed to say, "You can get lost now. Lan Tian, you are becoming more and more perverted!" "I paid such an immense price for the human race! I sacrificed my pure body... and you, you heartless man..." Lan Tian gave him a resentful look. "Forget it, forget it, I'm leaving. Once I restore my true body, you must marry me!" With that, he vanished into thin air. Wan Tiansheng: "..." Insane! He sighed internally. That lunatic might truly have gone mad. He had already been half-mad back then, which was why Wan Tiansheng had not dared share certain things with him. Now, he had grown even crazier. If this continued, once Lan Tian truly reached the ninth stage of the Sun Moon Realm and went to fish out his three incarnations, he might end up killing himself. "Primordial... Xuanjia..." Wan Tiansheng pondered these names, closing his eyes as myriad thoughts raced through his mind. Moduona, the Demon Emperor, Lade... And that scene he had glimpsed... along with the hand lurking behind the scenes, the hand striking to kill him. On certain matters, he had already formed his conclusions. With that in mind, he took out a voice transmission talisman. Hesitating briefly, he sent a message: *Watch out for Lan Tian. Also, be careful around Moduona and the geniuses of the other races. Those individuals might carry Invincible essence blood or avatar attachments!* …… Su Yu, who was in the middle of handling business, paused in surprise. What on earth? Geniuses of various races might have Invincibles attached to them? Su Yu frowned and transmitted back: *Why geniuses, and not those eighth- or ninth-stage Sun Moons?* *Bloodline inheritances make attachments easier. Furthermore, the greater the talent, the stronger the bearer can endure...* Su Yu grumbled inwardly. *Does the Manor Head mean that if I clash with these people, I might get beaten to death?* That would be far too unfair! *Just keep your distance and stay alert. If things look impossible, leave as quickly as you can! Liu Wenyan will return shortly. Once he returns... the ruins will be triggered by him, and the great chaos will erupt. Amidst the chaos... Xia Longwu will attempt to attain Dao, plunging all the heavens into turmoil. If you can leave, find a way to get out!* *Understood!* This time, Wan Tiansheng had actually provided some concrete answers. Su Yu muttered to himself. Playing mysterious all day long, only to drop the act now—turns out you might have been duped by someone too, haven't you? Honestly! Making me think you were so omniscient! Teacher Liu was coming back. His return... would be the catalyst? Then he needed to kill people and cultivate as quickly as possible. His 72 Castings were still incomplete; reaching the 61st casting would likely take another two or three days. "My strength is still lacking!" Su Yu lamented, throwing another punch that blasted a Shanhai to pieces. Looking around, he chuckled. "All small fry, but quite bold—even Shanhais dare wander around Nanyuan! Gentlemen, the small fry are mostly cleared out. I've received intelligence that Director Ji disappeared while being pursued, and Cult Master Primordial likely rescued him. Everyone, let's go test Cult Master Primordial's depth together!" As soon as he spoke, Cult Master Giant Strength said in a deep voice from among the crowd, "Can you find them?" "Naturally!" Su Yu smiled. "That is the Heaven Hunting Pavilion's trade!" With that, he barked, "Since it's chaotic, let's make it even more chaotic! Tonight, we raid and slaughter all the myriad races outside Nanyuan City! Once the killing is done, we withdraw, track Ji Hong's trail, locate Cult Master Primordial, and drag every single one of these lurking rats into the open!" "Understood!" The crowd complied. Xuanjia transmitted privately, *Are you certain you want to track him?* *Of course!* *He might be Nan Wujiang... Is it appropriate for you to force him out?* *There's nothing inappropriate about it. He never claimed to be Nan Wujiang. Besides... even if he is, do I know him?* Su Yu didn't care in the slightest. Wan Tiansheng had said to act at his discretion. In that case, I will naturally be as indiscreet as I like. …… That night, the Heaven Hunting Pavilion raided the outskirts of Nanyuan City. Dozens of Sun Moons launched a surprise assault, sowing massive chaos and wreaking untold slaughter! Meanwhile, Xuan Jiu, the spokesperson for the Heaven Hunting Pavilion, left behind a parting remark—stating he was merely executing a mission—before drifting away, drawing over a dozen Sun Moons in hot pursuit. As for who had issued the assassination mission, the Heaven Hunting Pavilion never disclosed. Soon, following the location indicated by Ji Hong's Heaven Hunting Ranking token, Su Yu led his subordinates in pursuit. He too wanted to see just what kind of figure this Primordial truly was. …… The Human Realm was in turmoil. And upon the All-Heavens Battlefield, unrest reigned as well. Near the East Rift Valley. King Daqin frowned as he continuously received reports from the Human Realm. After a long while, he spoke: "The mansion of civilization... has already stirred up chaos in the Human Realm. Most of the trouble is concentrated in the Great Xia Prefecture. Order the Sun Moons of the Quest Realm and the War God Hall to head to the Great Xia Prefecture, station themselves there, and suppress the unrest!" King Daxia said nothing. Seeing this, King Daqin added, "Send them to Nanyuan; do not let them wander elsewhere. As for the ruins... if the myriad races obtain them, we will do everything in our power to slay them. If the human race obtains them, each must rely on their own fortune. Old Xia, you have no objections, do you?" "None!" King Daxia said coldly, "If they have the ability to seize them, then the spoils are theirs. What objections could I possibly have?" King Daqin did not press the matter further, continuing, "This time, many three incarnations of Eternals may have infiltrated the Human Realm. Coupled with the fact that quite a few Eternals were injured by Su Yu's side, this presents an opportunity for everyone—an opportunity for Xia Longwu and the others. Summon Qin Zhen, Zhou Polong, Zhou Potian, Niu Baidao, Cheng Mo, Tang Yue, Wu Long, Yuan Hong... Have them all come to the All-Heavens Battlefield to prepare to attain Dao!" In one breath, he called out over a dozen names. King Daqin said in a low voice, "Since the myriad races have turned their eyes to the Human Realm, then this time, we will leave the Human Realm wide open for them to fight over! Three to five Eternals cannot breach the Human Realm! As for those in the Human Realm who are in secluded cultivation or traveling far abroad, let all who should exit seclusion do so, and let all who should return come back! Those stationed in the small realms, step forward this time as well! "Eight Eternals will guard the Human Realm, under the command of King Daming! The rest... will disperse to attain Dao, each guarding themselves!" Someone spoke up: "King Daqin, why not attain Dao together? That way, guarding will be much more formidable." King Daqin sighed softly. "Enough, I know what you mean! Attaining Dao together means either all survive or all perish! We would be burying everyone at once! It isn't unfeasible, but... the human race cannot afford to gamble! Let Xia Longwu, Qin Zhen, and the others draw more attention to disperse the forces of the myriad races. If they all separate to attain Dao, even if Xia Longwu and the others die, the rest will still have hope!" He added, "Xia Longwu, Qin Zhen, Zhou Polong, and a few others must all be separated. For the rest, pairing up one or two together is not out of the question!" "Then how should the defense be arranged?" King Daqin pondered for a moment before speaking: "Those with their own descendants will protect their own. Those without... use your own judgment. Barring any surprises, Xia Longwu and Qin Zhen will bear the greatest pressure. Xia Longwu's side... may be perilous!" At this point, he glanced at King Daxia. "Old Xia, what do you say?" "Me?" King Daxia said indifferently, "What can I say? I know you want the human race to produce a few more Invincibles. But by having everyone attempt to attain Dao, dispersing the strength of the human Eternals, Longwu's chances of success drop to less than one in ten thousand, don't they?" King Daqin fell silent. After a long while, he nodded. "Yes. If Xia Longwu attained Dao alone, everyone could fully protect him, giving him a much better chance! I wanted to use his strength to buy an opportunity for the others... I will go to Xia Longwu's side. As for Qin Zhen's side..." He looked around and turned to King Miecan. "Wang Hu, go protect Qin Zhen. If the enemy proves insurmountable, abandon him!" King Miecan chuckled. "Come on, Old Qin, why must you make an example of your own son! You should be the one protecting Qin Zhen. I can't shoulder that responsibility. I'll stick with Old Xia. Xia Longwu's chances aren't great anyway, so even if the defense fails and he gets killed... Old Xia is prepared, so he won't blame me, right?" King Daxia looked at him and smiled. "Your mouth stinks!" King Miecan laughed. "How foul of you to say! I'm offering to protect your grandson. Instead of thanking me, you curse me?" King Daxia couldn't be bothered with him and said promptly, "Just me and Wang Hu, then!" "Too few!" King Daqin frowned. "Not enough! Xia Longwu's side is the primary target of the myriad races. I will go as well. In addition, King Jintian and King Tianzhu, come with me. The five of us will guard Xia Longwu. As for Qin Zhen..." He glanced around and suddenly said, "Have Qin Zhen attain Dao alongside Zhou Polong. Old Zhou, carry some of the burden!" "..." Silence fell over the surroundings. King Dazhou asked calmly, "Is that appropriate?" "It is!" King Daqin looked at him. "Old Zhou, your strength is second only to mine. With you guarding, my mind is at ease!" King Dazhou pondered for a long while before speaking: "What if Polong and Potian succeed, while Qin Zhen fails?" "Then that is fate!" King Daqin replied with equal calm, "That is something they must bear themselves! If anyone truly wishes to avoid risk, let them find a small realm to attain Dao—that would be much safer!" King Dazhou said nothing more. King Daqin didn't add anything either. Having spoken to this point, King Dazhou had accepted the task, taking responsibility for Zhou Polong and Qin Zhen. All around, several Invincibles silently harbored their own thoughts. King Dazhou... There was a traitor among the human race. And the prime suspect was none other than King Dazhou. King Dazhou was also the leader of the appeasement faction. His philosophy was to disregard the outside world for the time being. It was best not to provoke the myriad races by attempting to attain Dao, but rather to cultivate strength in peace and await the emergence of an Invincible Civilization Master to unlock the ancient restrictions. Of course, that was far from simple. …… All-Heavens Battlefield. Liu City. In the dilapidated Liu City, Xia Longwu arrived once again. After a moment, the door to the secret chamber opened, and Liu Wenyan stepped out. Xia Longwu glanced at him, frowning. "Peak Shanhai?" "Yes." "A bit weak." Liu Wenyan smiled. "No rush. I know about the unrest in the Human Realm. The ruins are opening, and the Tombstone of Civilization has appeared. If I don't enter the ruins to advance to the Sun Moon Realm, it would be unfitting!" "Can you manage?" "I can!" Liu Wenyan stroked his beard and smiled. "No problem! Rest assured! And what about your side?" "All prepared." Xia Longwu said solemnly, "Once I am stationed here, I will no longer be able to manage affairs in the Human Realm. Success or failure, I cannot intervene there. My second uncle... I don't know what he's thinking. He seems to have his own plans. Keep an eye on him for me." "That fellow Xiao'er..." Liu Wenyan laughed. "I know. But... I probably won't be able to rein him in either. We'll see." Xia Longwu nodded. Hesitating briefly, he added, "My son... forget it. He has enjoyed the blessings of the Xia family, so his fate is in the hands of luck!" Taking a deep breath, Xia Longwu soon said, "There is one more thing. The matter of the Liu family... the extermination of the Liu family..." Liu Wenyan raised a hand and smiled. "Let's not speak of that. We can talk about it later!" Liu Wenyan looked outside and smiled faintly. "Back then, it was right here that I met my master, and from here, I stepped out and went to the Human Realm. At that time, the entire city of Liu emptied out to watch—watching as I was accepted as Ye Batian's disciple, my future boundless... "I had quite a reputation, yet in this lifetime, I haven't accomplished anything world-shaking. I can't even compare to that cheap student of mine." Liu Wenyan sighed with emotion, then soon laughed again. "Returning to the Human Realm this time, my strength is only so-so, and I might not be able to do much. But some matters ought to be settled. Whether I live or you live... I hope there comes a day we meet again. If I live, I hope you won't be left without someone to collect your corpse; I will carry you back to the Great Xia Prefecture. If you live... I hope you can come find me and bring me back to Liu City. After all... this is my hometown!" Xia Longwu nodded. He said nothing more. Liu Wenyan smiled again, glancing at Uncle Liu, who had followed silently behind him. "Uncle, will you stay here, or come with me?" "Together." Uncle Liu murmured in a low voice. Xia Longwu hesitated, wanting to speak, but Liu Wenyan smiled. "Let my uncle come with me. If I die, he would be too lonely, and our Liu family would be completely wiped out anyway. Leaving him alone to guard this ruined city—what's the point?" Uncle Liu nodded silently. The Liu family... was already gone. Xia Longwu gave a slight nod. Liu Wenyan chuckled again. "I wonder if that cheap martial uncle of mine is truly reliable. Honestly, I don't quite trust him. Does the Xia family have other preparations?" His 'cheap martial uncle' was naturally Wan Tiansheng. "We do!" Xia Longwu nodded. "Rest assured, the Xia family has other arrangements. Even if my teacher proves incapable, the Xia family will drag that fellow out. Even if we cannot kill him, he shouldn't dream of hiding from everyone this time!" "That's good. We don't ask to kill him, only... to conclusively confirm his identity! Once the seed of suspicion is planted, everyone fears for themselves, and the human race... is in peril!" Liu Wenyan murmured softly, "We were all comrades-in-arms in the old days, yet now, no one trusts anyone else. If this continues, once a century passes, even if the Half-Emperors fail to break through, human unity will have shattered, leaving us powerless to fight! Right now, King Daqin can still hold the line, but if even he can no longer keep things together, that will likely mark the extinction of the human race!" Xia Longwu nodded. He said, "Therefore, we will definitely find him!" Liu Wenyan smiled. "Don't be so absolute. If that fellow senses the danger and refuses to step forward, it will all be for naught." "He will come out!" Xia Longwu looked at him. "You will make him come out, won't you?" Liu Wenyan thought about it, pondering for a moment before chuckling: "Let's hope so! If after all these preparations he still refuses to show himself... there's nothing we can do! Once I return to the Human Realm, I'll first advance to the Sun Moon Realm, then attend to other matters. If he still doesn't show... let him keep holding it in. Even if he stays hidden this time, he won't be able to conceal himself for much longer! He knows it himself!" Xia Longwu smiled, and Liu Wenyan smiled back. The two patted each other's shoulders, and Xia Longwu vanished from sight. Liu Wenyan turned to Uncle Liu and smiled. "Uncle, let's go! Time for revenge!" Uncle Liu bared his teeth in a bright grin. Revenge! The vengeance for the destruction of the Liu family, the vengeance for Liu Wenyan being crippled, the vengeance for the crippling of the Multiple Divine Characters faction... It was time to return and settle the score! …… On this day, Liu Wenyan set out on his return journey. When he reached the passageway to the Human Realm, Liu Wenyan suddenly turned around and bellowed, "I am returning! Returning to the Human Realm, to the ruins! Returning to advance to the Sun Moon Realm, to attain Dao, and step into the ninth stage of the Sun Moon Realm in a single day! I will have my vengeance! I will find you! "I will wait for you in the Human Realm!" His final roar resounded through the clouds. He was returning! Returning to the Human Realm to make his breakthrough! His aura was incomparably formidable—the presence of a peak Shanhai, yet it overpowered the Sun Moon Realm, blazing as brilliantly as a radiant sun! …… East Rift Valley. It was frighteningly quiet. The scattered Invincibles remained utterly silent. After a long time, someone murmured, "I hope... we won't see that happen, nor do I wish to witness it! We were all comrades-in-arms who fought side by side against the myriad races back then, old friends. Let our numbers dwindle no further!" "Turn back before it is too late!" Someone whispered, "Focus on protecting the others as they attain Dao. What happened fifty years ago has passed. Let them grow. How much longer... can we live, anyway?" The group understood perfectly. At this moment, the game unfolding in the Human Realm no longer seemed like a mere game. The Invincibles knew that as the experts of the Multiple Divine Characters faction continuously broke through to the Sun Moon Realm, and as Liu Wenyan advanced—perhaps even stepping into the Invincible Realm—that hidden person... might finally lose all restraint! Another Invincible said coldly, "Those who deserve to be killed must be killed! Think carefully. If you step forward on your own now, you might still receive leniency. Otherwise... once you are truly rooted out, you won't even have that chance!" King Daxia did not look at them. Instead, he gazed into the distance, speaking only after a moment: "My Xia family is right there. The Multiple Divine Characters faction is right there. Everything is right there! All of it is in the Great Xia Prefecture, including Ye Batian's final divine character, including everything! If you strike again... unless I die, you will!" Silence. Utter quiet. This setup was an open scheme from the start. If you don't go, the Multiple Divine Characters faction will flourish. If they obtain the ruins, someone might soon successfully attain Dao. The myriad races would obstruct them, but they would only do so at the moment of attainment. Right now... the myriad races had no way to mount a full-scale invasion into the Human Realm to stop them. The only one who could stop them was perhaps that treacherous Invincible. High above, King Daqin watched coldly. After a long while, he spoke: "Let there be no further discussion. If nothing happens this time, it means we were mistaken. Let everyone do what they must, and do not fall for the myriad races' scheme of discord!" "King Daqin speaks the truth. Perhaps it is merely a ploy to sow division. Let us not be overly tense." "Let's not dwell on that. Let us discuss how to ensure everyone safely attains Dao. We are old; we still need fresh blood to inherit our will..." "..." The crowd bantered and bickered, as if returning to the days of old. Four hundred years ago, they had been just like this—campaigning across the heavens together, charging into various realms, slaughtering countlessly and supporting one another. Only through that had the human race of today come to be.