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Hmph, despite this being our first meeting.
Why does Jingliu harbor such intense hostility towards me? It must be because she secretly harbors feelings for my Benefactor but is too embarrassed to admit it.
Since we're now rivals, don't blame me for playing along.
Tingyun feigned hurt and tugged at Su Jinyan's sleeve, coquettishly pleading, "Benefactor."
"What could Miss Jingliu possibly mean by 'ill intentions'? I merely wish to become closer with you," she said innocently. "Could there truly be anything wrong with that?"
Su Jinyan's heart wasn't made of stone; it wouldn't harden under her sweet demeanor. Seeing Tingyun act so charmingly, his resolve immediately softened.
"Jingliu, this is your first encounter with Tingyun," he gently responded. "There's no need for such animosity. In my eyes, Tingyun has always been a naive, pure-hearted, kind, and lovable little fox. How could she possibly bear ill intentions towards me?"
Jingliu raised an eyebrow, sensing the thick air of insincerity. Naive and pure-hearted? Are you sure?
Her gaze turned cold, her perception of Tingyun plummeting rapidly. To Jingliu, Tingyun seemed far less innocent and endearing compared to Bai Heng, and she detected a subtle manipulativeness that was distinctly unappealing.
In the past, Jingliu would never have been swayed by Tingyun's feigned innocence, even slightly.
Jingliu's nature had always been aloof and detached; she befriended only her sword, paying little heed to others' thoughts or feelings. Few individuals truly mattered to her.
Since returning to Luofu, however, three more people had become significant: Yanqing, Su Jinyan, and Bailu.
Su Jinyan pretended confusion, "Huh?"
"Am I mistaken? Is Tingyun not adorable?"
"Dan Heng, do you find Tingyun charming?"
Dan Heng replied mildly, "I've just met Miss Tingyun for the first time."
"As for her character, I cannot yet judge. But appearance-wise, indeed, she is cute."
Jingliu whispered softly, "Xiao Didi, it seems this fox has already bewitched your heart."
"At my level of cultivation, I can discern subtle details effortlessly."
"By observing blood flow, heartbeat rate, and such, I can detect if someone is lying or harboring ill intent."
Tears welled up in Tingyun's beautiful eyes as she pressed her lovely face against his chest.
"Oh, Benefactor, how easily accusations fly when one seeks fault!"
"Miss Jingliu is being so unfair," she lamented.
Su Jinyan gently wiped away Tingyun's tears, offering continuous reassurance:
"Just bear with it a bit longer. Once I help Jingliu complete today's task, we can go home together."
Unamused, Jingliu retorted, "Xiao Didi, surely you don't believe she isn't acting?"
Tingyun pouted, her fox ears drooping dejectedly. "Benefactor~" she whined, "Look, she's still slandering me—how mean!"
Su Jinyan cleared his throat twice, coughing lightly. "Ahem, Jingliu-jiejie."
"You're being unfair here. Must I spell it out for you?"
"We're just friends, but what about Tingyun?"
"No matter what, Tingyun is my fiancée. It's only natural that I trust her instinctively."
"Dan Heng, do you think I'm right?"
Dan Heng spoke sparingly, simply replying with a nod.
Jingliu cast Tingyun a cold glance. "How tiresome."
Tingyun shrank further into Su Jinyan's embrace, ignoring Jingliu completely.
Honest truths often fall on deaf ears...
Jingliu had also noticed Su Jinyan's clear favoritism towards Tingyun; he indulged her excessively and was unwilling to doubt her. Men like Xiao Didi, notorious womanizers, once captivated by beauty, would turn a deaf ear to any advice.
It seemed there was no point in continuing her gentle persuasion.
Their affairs hold no concern for me, but there will come a time when you'll regret this.
The corner of Tingyun's lips curved upwards as she stealthily shot Jingliu a defiant look.
No matter how much you slander me, Benefactor won't believe you. He clearly cherishes me more than you.
Jingliu remained silent, expressionless.
Before long, the star ferry took shape and entered the air harbor.
Gazing at the vessel before her, Jingliu's eyes filled with wonder as she murmured, "After being away from Luofu for so long, I can finally bid you farewell."
"Imbibitor Lunae... Do you remember the battle against Shuhu?"
Dan Heng shook his head slightly. "I recall nothing of it."
"I'll tell you," Jingliu said, "in that battle, the fool Bai Heng exhausted all the fortune bestowed upon her by the Imperial Bow."
"She charged alone into the fray, enabling Alliance soldiers to breach Shuhu's Bloodmire Prison Realm. She even brought you back from Dragon-Madness."
"But she couldn't leave that battlefield herself. We all owe her an unrepayable debt."
Dan Heng remained silent.
"For cloud rider warriors, dying on the battlefield is considered an honor. But Imbibitor Lunae... You didn't understand this."
"You couldn't accept Bai Heng's departure, so you used..."
"Used what?" Su Jinyan asked, intrigued.
Dan Heng pressed his hand to his forehead, fragments of forgotten memories seemingly reassembling and echoing in his ears.
I should have killed you first, but there are other punishments you must endure, for eternity...
"It's impossible," Dan Heng protested. "The dragon masters said..."
"Our clan's blood, our ancestors' souls, were meant to forge another High Elder."
"This...should not have happened."
Jingliu's eyes chilled with frost. "They employed the Dragon Transformation Art."
"Imbibitor Lunae and Yingxing deludedly sought to use Shuhu's flesh as a catalyst from the Abundance Command."
"With this Dragon Transformation Art, they aimed to bring back Bai Heng from sacrifice, creating yet another High Elder."
"At the very moment she should have found eternal rest, you committed an irreparable error."
Su Jinyan was astounded. "Did they not fear summoning Shuhu instead?"
He could empathize with their desire to revive their deceased friend.
However, using the flesh of Abundance Emanator Shuhu for Bai Heng's resurrection raised intriguing questions. Had they not considered the potential consequences of failure? What if, instead of reviving Bai Heng, they inadvertently brought back the deceased Abundance Emanator Shuhu?
Su Jinyan tried imagining the scenario:
"After enduring immense hardships, Imbibitor Lunae and Yingxing finally succeed in resurrecting Bai Heng using the Dragon Transformation Art."
["Just as they rejoiced wildly, Bai Heng opened his eyes and let out a sudden burst of laughter: Ha ha ha, children, I'm back."]
The consequence would be that everyone on the Roaming Immortal Ark would perish alongside him.
Even with a one-in-ten-thousand chance of failure, it was too great a risk to take.
Dan Heng remained silent throughout.
"The answer no longer matters."
Jingliu's gaze lowered, her beautiful eyes downcast as she placed the prepared wine jar onto the star ferry.
"I've brought your wine jar..."
"Bai Heng, this was originally meant as a gift carved by someone for you, but he couldn't deliver it himself."
"My apologies; only recently did I manage to retrieve it."
"By returning it to your side, my nightmares can find brief respite."
The foxfolk's soul-consoling ceremony was a deeply solemn and reverent ritual.
On such occasions, even Tingyun set aside any thoughts of contention.
With a quiet sigh, Tingyun mourned for the senior foxfolk, Bai Heng.
If not for their benefactor's intervention long ago, it might have been Lady Yukong conducting this soul-consoling ceremony instead.
However, the maiden's affection for the benefactor wasn't solely driven by a desire to repay his kindness.
Unlike Lady Fu Xuan, who exuded authority in public yet privately displayed endearing pride, always attentive to the benefactor's needs.
Unlike Sushang, with her endearing simplicity and clingy affection, always deeply devoted to her Benefactor.
And unlike Miss Qingque, quick-witted and clever, able to maintain a friendship while evoking feelings of youthful romance for him.
Tingyun felt she could never measure up...
Moved by Tingyun's melancholy, Su Jinyan glanced at the disheartened little fox and discreetly reached out his hand. He didn't fully grasp what was on Tingyun's mind; he only wanted to lift her spirits and offer as much comfort as he could. If not for the solemn setting, he would have already embraced her tightly.
With tender eyes, Tingyun extended her delicate, snow-white fingers and intertwined them with Su Jinyan's.
But—
As long as my Benefactor also likes me, that is enough.
In this war named love, I will never retreat, even half a step.
Benefactor, it truly is wonderful that we met.
As long as you still cherish me, Lady Fu Xuan and others pose no threat.
Watching the star ferry ascend towards the horizon, gradually fading away, Jingliu murmured to herself, "Whatever you asked of me, I shall surely accomplish."
"Even if it means cutting down stars from the heavens, I will never break my promise."
After Bai Heng's memorial ceremony concluded, Su Jinyan and his companions accompanied Jingliu to several other locations. Along the way, he gleaned much about the High-Cloud Quintet's past from her.
Before entering Scalegorge Waterscape, Su Jinyan gently took Tingyun's delicate hand and cautioned, "The next place isn't suitable for you."
"Go back to our usual spot and wait patiently," he said. "Once I help Jingliu with these matters, I'll come find you."
Tingyun couldn't help but ponder his words. She knew the "usual spot" referred to her temporary refuge at the Divination Commission during the Phantylia invasion—a residence also assigned by Fu Xuan to Su Jinyan.
Meeting Benefactor there would undoubtedly be akin to indulging secretly under Lady Fu Xuan's watchful gaze, adding an exciting thrill. However, amidst the excitement lay numerous uncertainties; it was, after all, their enemy's den. Tingyun had no desire for their intimate moment to be interrupted by Fu Xuan or Qingque.
Tonight, securing time alone with Benefactor was paramount.
Biting her lip, Tingyun pleaded softly, "Benefactor~"
"I wouldn't want Lady Fu Xuan to interrupt our rendezvous."
"Why not choose the Nightless Marquis Teahouse as our meeting place?"
Tingyun pondered carefully and concluded that the Nightless Marquis Teahouse was indeed the most suitable location for their date. If they met at the Divination Commission, there was a high chance of being disturbed by either Fu Xuan or Qingque.
Choosing a hotel would require registering identities, making it easy for Silver Wolf to hack into the jade divination tablets and trace her room bookings effortlessly.
The Nightless Marquis Teahouse, however, offered a different atmosphere—a serene spot for enjoying tea and storytelling, fostering refined sentiments. Its young proprietress, Meng Ming, a foxfolk, was also Tingyun's friend.
This way, even if rumors spread, people would only assume she had a date with her Benefactor, unlikely to suspect anything else. All Tingyun needed to do was inform Meng Ming beforehand, who would then reserve a luxurious private booth, allowing Tingyun to fulfill her long-held desire.
Su Jinyan nodded agreeably. "Let's settle on that, then."
Jingliu glanced at Tingyun, discreetly noting down the name 'Nightless Marquis Teahouse'.
Within Scalegorge Waterscape, old acquaintances reunited.
Jing Yuan, Luocha, and Blade had been waiting there for quite some time.
Su Jinyan glanced at Luocha, noting his pale complexion, unsteady gait, and near-exhausted state. It bore a striking resemblance to someone who had indulged excessively in carnal desires.
"Luocha," Jingliu asked, puzzled, "what's wrong with you?"
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Su Jinyan observed, "Jingliu, see how his steps falter, and both his face and lips are pallid? From these signs alone, it's evident he has overindulged."
Shocked, Jingliu stared at Luocha. "Overindulged?!"
Luocha remained silent.
In recent days, Luocha and Jingliu had temporarily resided at the Netherworld Manor. Jingliu occupied a room next door to Luocha's, yet she hadn't noticed any signs of him leaving. Only this morning did Luocha receive a summons to the Seat of Divine Foresight, spending some time with Jing Yuan.
At least before departing from the Netherworld Manor, Luocha appeared perfectly fine.
Jingliu dared not ponder further.
As the only one present who knew the truth, Jing Yuan couldn't help but feel his lip twitch slightly. Overindulged? Did they mean that Luocha had gone wild in the restroom, vigorously 'sauteing' the toilet seat for nearly two hours?
Su Jinyan smiled. "Am I right, Mr. Luocha?"
Luocha fell silent, painfully realizing he had no way to defend his reputation.
Scalegorge Waterscape was a sacred site of the Vidyadhara, devoid of any restrooms.
If he couldn't hold it here and let nature take its course, he would undoubtedly suffer public humiliation.
Whether he admitted it or not, his reputation would be tarnished either way.
Faced with two unfavorable options, he chose the lesser evil and reluctantly conceded.
"Your discernment is keen, sir," Luocha said against his better judgment. "Indeed, my indulgence has been excessive."
Jingliu immediately recognized that Su Jinyan was coercing Luocha. She had repeatedly advised him against antagonizing Su Jinyan, but Luocha hadn't listened, insisting on provoking him. Who could he blame for this predicament?
"Don't worry, Mr. Luocha, there's nothing shameful about it," Su Jinyan reassured him. "Lady Bailu of our Alchemy Commission possesses extraordinary healing skills; her remedies cure all ailments. You should find some time to consult with her; perhaps she can address your kidney weakness."
"Thank you," replied Luocha.
Jingliu's gaze remained indifferent. "...Jing Yuan, why don't we escort this man away first? The matters ahead do not concern him. At least for today, I have no wish to see him anymore."
After the Cloud Knights escorted Luocha away from Scalegorge Waterscape, silence fell upon those present.
Jingliu broke it first, saying, "Now, everyone is gathered."
"I never thought that after centuries apart, the High-Cloud Quintet would reunite once more," Su Jinyan remarked with evident emotion. "Indeed, I had assumed we'd never meet again, Jingliu."
Jingliu paused, momentarily touched by this sentiment before Su Jinyan completely ruined the atmosphere.
Unable to resist, Jing Yuan interjected, "Minister Su, perhaps you—"
"This reunion belongs to the High-Cloud Quintet," Su Jinyan said firmly. "Shouldn't the one leaving be you, Jing Yuan?"
Jing Yuan blinked. Am I no longer part of the High-Cloud Quintet?
Jingliu softly spoke up, "Xiao Didi, remember to show respect in front of your seniors." She added, "Don't interrupt recklessly, understood?"
Su Jinyan's expression turned bashful yet charmingly sweet. "I know already, Jingliu-jiejie~"
Blade and Dan Heng were rendered speechless.
Jing Yuan remained silent, internally thinking: Minister Su, you disgust me.
Continuing, Jingliu said, "If my memory serves correctly, seven hundred years ago, it was right here that we five made our pledge."
"No matter how distant or arduous the journey, we would gather here to share a cup together."
"Alas, Scalegorge remains unattained, while worldly affairs have spun uncontrollably. Among us, some have been reborn, while others yearn for death but cannot find it."
"Some have become prisoners of their sins, and others...can never fulfill this rendezvous again. Our bonds of friendship have vanished entirely."
"Soon, I too shall face trial in chains. This parting may well be forever."
"Therefore, before I depart, I wish to extend an invitation for us all to bid farewell at this place where we first gathered."
Unwilling to let them remain so disheartened, Su Jinyan politely raised his hand and asked, "Big Sister Jingliu, may I interject?"
Jingliu glanced at Su Jinyan. "Go ahead."
Su Jinyan cleared his throat. "I believe everyone here is aware of my identity," he began. "And Big Sister Jingliu has informed me about the past involving the High-Cloud Quintet.
"Five individuals were involved, with three as the price. General, you were not among those three."
Jing Yuan furrowed his brow, perplexed. "Minister Su, what are you trying to say?"
Jingliu closed her beautiful eyes slightly. "Indeed, five individuals were involved, with three being the price."
"The instigator, Imbibitor Lunae, stubbornly defied reason, using the magical method of transforming dragons without authorization to bring the dead back to life, altering their form and causing great calamity, thereby dishonoring our fallen warriors."
"Yingxing, accomplice to evil, arrogant and reckless, tainted by the flesh of Abundance's divine envoy, aided Imbibitor Lunae's folly, ultimately leading to their descent into immortal depravity."
"...And the sinner Jingliu, corrupted by Mara, murdered comrades and betrayed alliances."
Su Jinyan sighed. "Why dwell on such heavy matters? Let me ask each of you a question."
"If given the chance to start anew, would you still choose to revive Bai Heng?"
Without hesitation, Blade replied, "Yes."
Dan Heng silently shook his head. "No."
Their answers were stark opposites.
Jingliu shot Blade a cold look. "Unrepentant."
"You're still as arrogant and defiant as ever," he retorted. "It was precisely because you and Imbibitor Lunae stubbornly insisted on your own way that this calamity befell us."
Blade's eyes blazed scarlet, a bloodthirsty glint at the corners of his mouth. "Why?" he demanded. "Why can only evil creatures return time after time?"
"Why must someone like her be buried, burned to ashes, forgotten... Why?!"
Tanhua Sword gripped tightly in hand, Jingliu's chest heaved rapidly, his murderous intent unmistakable. "Silence! If not for your obstinacy, committing such incomprehensibly foolish mistakes..."
"Bai Heng, who should have passed with honor, would never have been stained!"
With a swing of his blade, Blade roared, "Dan Heng..."
"You think by adopting a new face, assuming another identity, your past sins will simply vanish?
"You haven't even experienced true 'death.' How dare you deny your history when you've evaded its consequences?!"
In your hand, you wield the Cloud Parting Spear, Imbibitor Lunae's weapon of choice.
Beneath those tranquil, jade-like eyes, as still as a lake surface, lurks the same ruthlessness identical to Imbibitor Lunae's.
You possess mastery over all the cloud incantations and spear techniques that Imbibitor Lunae knew.
Yet despite this, you seek to entirely repudiate your past...
Are you afraid of death?
As the primary culprits, Yingxing and Imbibitor Lunae should not linger in this world; they deserve their destined demise instead.
Unfazed by Jingliu's unleashed killing intent or Dan Heng's wary gaze, Blade addressed them directly:
"And you, boy."
"I've heard about your grand ambition—to purge all evil creatures—and thus received blessings from the Plagues Author?"
"If you're capable, kill me now; otherwise, today marks your end!"
With these words, Blade charged at the trio alone, roaring for a final confrontation, seeking only his own demise.
Jing Yuan sighed wearily.
Before Jingliu and Dan Heng could intervene,
Su Jinyan's expression hardened. He raised his rapidly expanding and thickening golden cudgel, launching a fierce attack on the deranged Blade.
Bang!
Before Blade could react, the icy cold golden cudgel pierced through his chest.
On the brink of death, Blade heard a familiar voice echoing in his ears:
"I was asking you questions, not giving permission to unleash a killing spree."
"You wouldn't want to become a 'spray warrior' either, would you?"
"Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to repeat what Luocha experienced today with you."
Gradually, Blade's scarlet eyes closed.
He could still feel the monster lurking within him, uncalmed by this encounter.
Even this boy cannot set me free...
Su Jinyan furrowed his brow. "Everyone saw it," he said slowly. "It was his own desire for death; I didn't kill him intentionally."
"If he tries to blame me when he wakes up, you must bear witness on my behalf."
Jing Yuan asked, "Minister Su, what deeper meaning lay behind your question just now?"
"The general, you've personally witnessed my growth," Su Jinyan replied steadily. "Aren't you curious as to how, with merely a mortal body, I managed to impregnate the Aeon of Destruction Nanook through a glare alone?"
With profound understanding, Jing Yuan responded, "Minister Su, do you remember our first meeting? When I sought to buy out your schematics and traced their origin back to you, you told me this:
"'Every person has secrets they must keep. I hope the general can understand.'"
Su Jinyan chuckled softly. "I didn't expect you to remember that."
There was amusement in Jing Yuan's eyes. "From that moment on, I swore an oath to Emperor's Bow of Life and Death."
"Minister Su, as long as you remain loyal to the Xianzhou Alliance, I will never again inquire or delve into your secrets," he had said. "This is my respect for you. No matter how curious I may be, if you choose not to disclose them, I absolutely will not ask. Furthermore, I will prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from uncovering your secrets."
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Su Jinyan responded, "Hey, we're buddies here; no need for such seriousness."
By now, Blade's consciousness had fully returned, and the wound on his chest was slowly healing.
Su Jinyan glanced at Jingliu, then at Dan Heng, and spoke up, "Have any of you noticed a key issue? The primary cause of this tragedy is actually the Abundance Emanator Shuhu. He invaded our Xianzhou Luofu solely to seize its World Tree. And it was Yaoshi who bestowed Shuhu with his power."
Jing Yuan nodded in agreement. "Minister Su is correct. Guided by the Emperor's Bow, the Alliance relentlessly combats evil precisely to one day eliminate Yaoshi and restore the natural order of life and death."
In a cold tone, Jingliu added, "Jing Yuan, Luocha must have told you that within the universe, The Hunt is not the only force seeking Yaoshi's demise. The longing for eternal life amidst the affliction of short-lived existence is a common sentiment among sentient beings endowed with wisdom. Attempting to extinguish these desires is akin to killing an Aeon—absurd and nearly laughable."
"Jingliu," Su Jinyan said leisurely, "if The Hunt cannot achieve it, do you think you and Luocha can?"
Jingliu replied mildly, "To completely sever Yaoshi's curse, we must seek an alternative approach from its very source.
"I have already found a method to untie this deadly knot..."
"How coincidental," Su Jinyan interjected, "I too have discovered a way to unravel this deadlock..."
Dan Heng's interest piqued. "What does Brother Su mean?"
Su Jinyan shook his head incessantly. "Mortals attempting to slay gods? As difficult as ascending heaven!"
"Jingliu, if you can't even kill this fellow, how could you possibly bring about Abundance's demise?
"You should be aware that part of my power originates from Abundance."
"Granting all beings their heart's desires—Yaoshi never denies legitimate prayers."
"That day, had Joyseeker not intervened, I fear I might have become something far more terrifying than the Abundant Evil Creature."
Jing Yuan was perplexed. "Something more terrifying than the Abundant Evil Creature?"
With a snap of his fingers, Su Jinyan conjured a vision before them, depicting the scene he had witnessed on that fateful day.
"Yes, the bane of the Abundant Evil Creature.
"While the Abundant Evil Creature is virtually immortal, such a form of mine could effortlessly consume it.
"To eliminate the Abundant Evil Creature, one must harness another manifestation of the same evil."
Jingliu's eyes blazed with intensity, recognizing this level of power matched or surpassed the Abundance Emanator Shuhu she had faced.
Su Jinyan continued confidently, "Now comes the question.
"Throughout history, has there been any instance where mortals successfully slew a deity?"
"As far as I know, no," Jingliu responded.
"Suppose each of you here transcends your mortal forms and becomes an Aeon—would that enable you to slay Abundance?" Su Jinyan posed.
"Nonsense," Blade scoffed. "Boy, if we could achieve such a feat, would we need you to suggest it?"
Su Jinyan let out a derisive laugh. "Apologies, but just because you can't do it doesn't mean I cannot."
"Before this moment, has anyone ever impregnated the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook?"
"No, never before! But I accomplished it!"
"If I effortlessly achieved what none of you could, on what grounds do you doubt my ability to ascend to become an Aeon?"
Blade fell silent, unable to find a counterargument.
Su Jinyan pressed on, "That's why I caution all of you: the departed have passed; there is no need for excessive sorrow."
"Even during my time as a mere mortal, I was consecutively favored by Joyseeker, Yaoshi, and the Embercalamity Ancestor."
Jing Yuan interrupted, "Wait, the Embercalamity Ancestor?"
Su Jinyan nodded. "Yes, you heard correctly—the Embercalamity Ancestor."
"I believe merely imprisoning Phantylia wasn't enough to draw Nanook forth. The true reason He came to Luofu was to elevate me as His Emissary of Destruction."
Jing Yuan and Dan Heng were left speechless.
Jingliu's tone softened, and his gaze shifted subtly. "Xiao Didi," he said.
"So you aim to forge an entirely new fate path, embarking on the journey of becoming a Aeon."
Su Jinyan affirmed, "I am now unwaveringly pursuing my own destiny."
"If I become the Pure Love Aeon, I can undoubtedly prevent such tragedies from continuing."
Taken aback, Jing Yuan displayed disbelief. "Wait, what did you say about being a Aeon?"
Su Jinyan replied matter-of-factly, "Pure Love, of course."
With a blank expression, Jing Yuan began counting on his fingers, "Fu Xuan, Tingyun, Xueyi, Qingque, Sushang..."
"Minister Su, with all these people involved, you're claiming it's pure love?" Dan Heng silently nodded in agreement.
Su Jinyan responded solemnly, "Superficial!"
"Gentlemen, your understanding of 'pure love' is far too narrow."
"True pure love is unadulterated, selfless affection!"
"It encompasses a love that benefits every individual."
"Not selfishly bestowing love upon just one maiden, causing others to suffer heartbreak."
Jing Yuan was left speechless.
Jingliu pondered thoughtfully, "Xiao Didi's words hold some truth."
Su Jinyan nodded with satisfaction. "The Aeon is a mysterious and superior being," he continued. "Mortals cannot comprehend His level of existence or the power He wields."
Jing Yuan and the others listened intently to Su Jinyan's discourse.
"As we all know," Su Jinyan went on, "Yaoshi is the nurturer of all living beings, the deity of paradise. His purpose is to ensure the unceasing flourishing of life. He never refuses prayers, unable to bear the sight of decay and suffering. Yet unfortunately, the powers He bestows have significant flaws."
Jing Yuan nodded in agreement. "Indeed, that is true. The Mara-Struck embodiment serves as the most evident manifestation of these flaws."
"Predicting the negative impacts Yaoshi brings upon the Xianzhou Alliance is challenging," Su Jinyan stated. "Hence, He has been dubbed the 'Plagues Author,' the Calamity Ancestor. Now, what I'm about to say next must remain confidential among us. I've been contemplating a question—one that possibly no Aeon has attempted to explore throughout countless Amber Eras."
Everyone held their breath, listening attentively.
Su Jinyan continued slowly, "Suppose I become the Aeon wielding the 'Pure Love' fate path."
"And if this Aeon were to unite with Yaoshi, who holds the Abundance fate path..."
"Could our respective fate paths merge into a new one?"
Jing Yuan stared, bewildered.
Jingliu looked on, equally perplexed.
Dan Heng's expression mirrored their confusion.
Blade remained silent, his gaze fixed.
Are you f*cking kidding me? You want to bed the Plagues Author?
Su Jinyan's eyes held deep contemplation. "At that point, might it counteract the negative repercussions brought by the abundance fate path?"
"Could we then revive the departed Etheral Ferriers, those comrades sacrificed on the battlefield, in perfect condition?"
With a thud—
Blade knelt on one knee, lowering his proud head.
"In that case, I am willing to pledge my loyalty to you."