Chapter 1616: Those Who Truly Know Me Are Those Who Bear with Me, Those Who Play With Me Are Those Who Leave Me

“We’re here.”

They had traversed the fractured currents of time and space. Using the previously left traces of the Pillar of Heavenly Ascension as an anchor, they ensured their retreat path and avoided getting lost. They had also crossed the sole channel opened by the Malevolent Yin Evil God, the one connecting the First Heaven to the Eighteenth Heaven, after countless attempts. This time, returning to the Eighteenth Heaven took a full five hours!

“That was quick enough…”

Xu Xiaoshou, back in this layer of heaven, saw a desolate sky and withered branches and fallen leaves everywhere. Though originating from the Infant-Forging Sacred Plant, there was no sign of life, as if the place held no ambushes. A sense of deathly silence and oppression permeated the air, extinguishing the faint joy that had blossomed in their hearts upon ascending. A tough fight! What lay ahead was bound to be a brutal battle! But at least, the first step was a success. Five hours to traverse to another "plane" was indeed a feat. Without the guidance of spatial profoundness, it was likely that his group, after losing the Pillar of Heavenly Ascension, might not have found their way to another corner of the heavenly realm even in five months or five years.

“We’re relatively safe now…” Dao Qiongcang’s expression was equally grim. This journey alone, just for scouting, had cost him thousands of Heaven’s Will Puppets. Each one was a cherished collection, his most precious experimental subject. Fortunately, they served their purpose, drawing out all the ambushes along this sole "Path to Heaven." No one dying was the best outcome. Neither he, nor Yue with the power of the Three Ancestors, nor Xu, could afford to die. Even Profound-sense Sleeveless, Profound-sense Water Ghost, and Ghost Beast Bai Zhou, could not fall into the Malevolent Yin Evil God’s hands. Each of them, with their respective abilities, perhaps had not yet fully unleashed their own potential. But once they fell into the Malevolent Yin Evil God’s hands… even Dao Qiongcang couldn’t imagine how the battle in the First Heaven would have been fought if the Evil God had also mastered the profoundness of water at that time.

“Why are you looking at me?” Cen Qiaofu suddenly felt uneasy. Glancing over, he saw the flamboyant old Daoist staring intently at him. That gaze wasn’t like looking at a good companion after reaching the summit; instead, it was uncannily similar to looking at the cold Heaven’s Will corpses he had produced along the way. “Nothing.” Dao Qiongcang smiled gently, saying nothing more. If it truly came to the final moment and someone had to be sacrificed, Cen Qiaofu was undoubtedly the best choice. Compared to others, Cen Qiaofu’s proud "enlightenment" talent would be of no use to the Malevolent Yin Evil God. *Perhaps not…* Dao Qiongcang suddenly frowned, thinking of Cen Qiaofu's mastery of axes and slashing. The Evil God could also wield the Hegemon. If the Malevolent Yin Evil God were to go a step further this time, extracting the corpse or Dao Infant of a God Slasher official and possessing it, wouldn’t gaining Cen Qiaofu be like adding wings to a tiger? "Heh, I’m overthinking it." Soon, Dao Qiongcang smiled, discarding such wild thoughts. Even if God Slasher Ran Ming hadn’t guarded against his legacy being stolen by an external god, he would surely have been careful about his own safety, not falling to the point of death and having his body stolen.

“Your axes, did they come from the Divine Palace of Fate?” Dao Qiongcang turned to Yue Gongli, intending to ask if there had been any Infant-Forging Sacred Plants or Malevolent Yin Evil God’s power there at the time. “Uh-huh.” Yue Gongli’s expression relaxed, but his guard was up. He chuckled, “No one entered the Divine Palace of Fate before me; I was the first. Luckily, both the God-Slaying Axe and Demon-Splitting Axe are now in my hands.” He glanced at Xu Xiaoshou, his expression a little more serious: “The Crushing Blade Shield, that silver wall you mentioned, I also tried, but like the Hegemon, it’s truly impossible to lift.” “Let me see.” Dao Qiongcang didn't bother with the Crushing Blade Shield matter. He extended his hand, asking for both axes. He was an overly cautious person; even if he felt he was overthinking, since the possibility had occurred to him, he might as well take precautions. Heaven’s will is hard to defy; details determine success or failure.

“What for?” Yue Gongli recoiled, clutching himself, his body language screaming resistance. “These are mine.” *Do I look like a boorish axe-wielder?* Dao Qiongcang raised an eyebrow high, then nodded gently: “Fine.” “Fine what? Dao Nitian, can you just say what you mean all at once? And stop staring at me with those strange eyes!” “You, take care of yourself.” Dao Qiongcang sighed. Just as he reached out to pat Yue Gongli’s shoulder, the latter twisted away. “Don’t touch me!” “Alright, alright…” Dao Qiongcang chuckled, then turned his head. “What are you doing?” Cen Qiaofu, being stared at by the Dao Palace Master for a second time, felt as if he had been added to the underworld’s express whitelist. “What do you mean by looking at me now?” Dao Qiongcang opened his mouth, feeling that further words would be useless: “Protect yourself well.” *So jumpy…* Xu Xiaoshou felt that several of the Half-Saints around him were a bit paranoid. Perhaps the strange environment of the Eighteenth Heaven was affecting everyone. Perhaps the pressure brought by the Evil God was too immense, making everyone pessimistic about the outcome of this trip.

“Let’s talk as we walk. Who’s leading the way?” He didn’t want to stay in one place for too long. After all, getting here had taken a full five hours. Who knew if the Malevolent Yin Evil God had already opened a passage between the Eighteenth Heaven and the Thirty-third Heaven and quietly descended during this time? “The Divine Palace of Fate is over there.” “That direction.” Yue Gongli pointed into the distance, and at the same time, Dao Qiongcang looked in a different direction. They were pointing in opposite directions. The Eighteenth Heaven now looked as if it had been swept by a disaster. According to the Moon Fox, the Malevolent Yin Evil God had rampaged here, obliterating all life. Consequently, mountains were no longer mountains, and rivers were no longer rivers. It was a scene of utter desolation, with no discernible direction. Everyone was too weary to care what navigation methods Yue Gongli and Dao Qiongcang were using, but the two of them pointed in two different directions… “He’s been here!” Elder Sang’s voice was grave. Flickering white flames, already scorching the withered branches and fallen leaves of the Infant-Forging Sacred Plant, spread out, no longer concealed, radiating unrestrained vigilance. In an instant, mountains, rivers, and the earth were incinerated by white flames, which furiously encroached for thousands, even tens of thousands of miles! “Drip, drip, drip…” Flames burned on the ground, while ink-like rain fell from the blue sky. The rain was ink-colored. Since concealing his aura was useless, Water Ghost no longer hid his abilities. At this critical moment, preserving his life was paramount. But the rain of profoundness, falling upon the flames of profoundness, began to contend for territory, each canceling the other out upon contact.

“I’ll take point on vigilance!” Elder Sang glared. “You’re too slow; my vigilance range is wider,” Water Ghost retorted, not backing down. The greatness of the ink-wash world had already been proven in the Void Island incident; how could a mere beginner in profoundness hope to match it? “Using fire for vigilance? Practice for another month before you try to show off!” “Stop arguing.” Cen Qiaofu chopped an axe between them, severing the wicked sprout. After glancing left and right, he said, “Don’t quarrel amongst yourselves; pay attention to the guidance.” Yue Gongli found it both laughable and frustrating: “Old woodcutter, it’s not that I look down on you, but when even *you* can sense ‘guidance,’ it proves that He hasn’t exerted His full power yet.” Cen Qiaofu, eyes wide with anger, turned to grip the Pan Immortal Axe: “Young man, do you know what respect for elders and care for the young means?” Yue Gongli also abruptly drew his God-Slaying Axe: “I think you’re the one who doesn’t know his place!”

Beep, beep, beep! An “anomaly” alert finally sounded in Dao Qiongcang’s mind. It was only then that Xu Xiaoshou saw the pop-up in his info bar: “Receiving guidance, passive value, 1.” The scene was on the verge of erupting. As Yue Gongli drew his axe, Elder Sang, Water Ghost, and Cen Qiaofu immediately formed an alliance, all turning to face him. Bai Zhou gasped, shrinking behind Xu Xiaoshou, feeling that his survival until now was truly a stroke of great fortune — he only trusted, and could only trust, Xu Xiaoshou. “Heh.” Yue Gongli looked at the group, gave a cold laugh, then was the first to retract his axe. Staring at Xu Xiaoshou, he pointed at the Saint Servant: “See, this is ‘guidance,’ this is the effect He wants to achieve. Essentially, you just don’t trust me.” Xu Xiaoshou retorted coldly: “Essentially, you’re the only one who’s been enslaved by Him. Anyone who trusts you wholeheartedly is a fool.” Those words were truly hurtful. “Ah… oh…” Yue Gongli’s jaw dropped. He spread his hands, tears welling up in his eyes, gathering but not falling, making him appear utterly pathetic: “So, this is how you truly feel about me?” He looked at Dao Qiongcang, pursed his lips, and stammered: “Brother Dao, you’re the smartest. In your opinion, is there still any chance of cooperation for us, like this?” Dao Qiongcang rubbed his brow, sighing deeply in his heart. *I’m so difficult… Save me…* Why was the Ten-Person Deliberative Group so easy to work with? Because while they were brainless, it wasn't stupidity; they simply surrendered their minds, wholeheartedly trusting him. With such subordinates, even though Dao Qiongcang hadn’t originally intended to stay at Mount Guizhe, his scope for manipulation was so vast that it led him to stay for over thirty years. But when each of his chess pieces grew strong wings, developing independent consciousness and a desire to express themselves, manipulation became incredibly difficult—just like now! “My assessment is: a scattered mess.” Dao Qiongcang sat directly on the ground, his face ashen as he foresaw the outcome: “Let’s surrender. I can be the first to die; at least then, the me you see will have a towering back.” With this act of sitting, the Saint Servants, Saint Palace members, and Xu Palace members all panicked simultaneously, surprisingly lowering their weapons and dropping their guard. “We can actually cooperate.” “Don’t give up, there’s still a chance.” “We even beheaded the Evil God; how powerful are we? He must be weak now. To surrender and await death at this point, wouldn't that mean abandoning all our previous efforts?” *Like dragons without a leader…* Bai Zhou indicated these people were truly difficult to manage. He nudged Xu Xiaoshou from behind, “Speak up.”

What could I say? Although I said I would lead the 'situation,' the current 'situation' is out of control! Xu Xiaoshou looked into the distance, in a different direction. What he wanted to say was that the location of the God-Slaying Token he sensed was different from both Yue Gongli’s and Dao Qiongcang’s. But if he said this, the other Saints would likely panic even more. The Malevolent Yin Evil God had become smart! No, it should be said that He was always smart; previously, He disdained using schemes, believing brute force could suppress everything. After realizing something was wrong and that this group was difficult to suppress, He began to take it seriously. And once He took it seriously… “Receiving guidance, passive value, 1.” “Being influenced, passive value, 1.” “Being forgotten, passive value, 1.” Looking at the continuous pop-up messages in his info bar, Xu Xiaoshou had a splitting headache — who could possibly defeat an Evil God who used his mind? Now it seemed, the Passive Fist had indeed been used too early! But at that time… sigh! Xu Xiaoshou cut off his self-reproach; after all, hindsight was pointless. The opponent was the Malevolent Yin Evil God, so feeling difficulty and discomfort was normal. Currently, all developments could be considered quite perfect. He could only steel himself and continue with the previous plan: “Let’s talk as we walk.” “Even if the path is wrong, the outcome will ultimately be correct; we are bound to encounter Him.” “So, putting everything else aside, the immediate priority is… finding the way.” Yes, finding the way! Encountering the Evil God on the road, encountering Him before the Crushing Blade Shield in the Divine Palace of Fate, or facing Him directly in the Thirty-third Heaven — these were different developments. For ordinary people, perhaps there was a good or bad distinction among these three. But for people like Xu Xiaoshou and Dao Qiongcang, there was no telling which was better or worse. An Evil God who used His mind also presented exploitable weaknesses from their perspective: He would become hesitant and cautious. If He intended to first disintegrate the alliance internally with His guidance power, then defeat them one by one, they would counter with self-reflection, self-awareness, and constant vigilance. If He intended to violently break through the alliance, then, like in the battle of the First Heaven, they would extend the battle line and consistently apply the 'delay' tactic, eventually waiting for a weakness to appear. After all, essentially, every single scheme the Malevolent Yin Evil God employed revealed one piece of information: “He is very weak!” “Not just generally weak!” Xu Xiaoshou knew these things, and he also knew that most of the people here knew them, so no further explanation was needed. The only thing they couldn't withstand was the 'power of guidance' that Xu Xiaoshou was accustomed to and that his info bar reminded him of, but which they completely failed to notice. Judging from everyone’s reactions just now… The Malevolent Yin Evil God’s current level of guidance couldn't influence himself, Dao Qiongcang, or Yue Gongli. So, the rest of them could just be treated as ignorant commoners and told to shut up. Of course, as a Saint Servant, Xu Xiaoshou couldn’t possibly side with the Saint Divine Palace or the Heaven’s Will Divine Cult; he still had to uphold his masters’ dignity.

“We need a ‘dictatorship’,” Xu Xiaoshou declared. “From now on, only one person speaks, everyone else stays silent. We go wherever he points, we fight wherever he points. To what extent?… If he tells us to commit suicide, we commit suicide.” He looked around at everyone, nodding slightly. “To that extent, is that acceptable?” *Isn't this just the 'Heaven Group Operation' model? Someone here has a lot of experience…* Yue Gongli was the first to raise his hand: “Then I vote for Dao Qiongcang; he’s really good at playing dictator!” No one paid him any mind. Even Dao Qiongcang himself couldn't be bothered to lift an eyelid to glance at the self-amused clown making veiled jabs. “I am the Hall Master,” Xu Xiaoshou then looked at everyone, primarily fixing his gaze on Yue Gongli. “Does anyone have any objections?” “None.” “No.” “I agree, you speak.” Even Dao Qiongcang himself nodded in agreement. Yue Gongli showed no sign of embarrassment, instead bowing with a chuckle: “Oh, greetings, Hall Master Xu!” “Give me the axes.” Xu Xiaoshou extended his hand. The fox’s smiling face immediately froze. He whined pitifully, “Master Xu, those are mine…” “Dictatorship.” “Fine, take them!” Yue Gongli furiously pulled out the God-Slaying Axe and slapped it into Xu Xiaoshou’s hand. “Want more? I still have another one!” “Yes.” “Huh? You actually want it…” Yue Gongli’s anger deflated. He pleaded, “Master Xu, I only have one left…” “Dictatorship.” “Fine, dictatorship then! Is this an initiation fee? Today, I’m truly going to humble myself and force my way into your hall!” Yue Gongli grimaced, handing over the Demon-Splitting Axe as well, but he clung to it, reluctant to let go. There was no tug-of-war. Xu Xiaoshou merely pulled, barely exerting any force, and the Moon Fox was sent flying into the sky. He only glanced at the two axes, remarking, “Truly extraordinary,” before tossing them to Dao Qiongcang, who was seated on the ground: “Take a look.” “Look at wha—…” Dao Qiongcang turned sideways to catch the axes, his expression slightly dazed, then a look of surprise washed over his face. *He actually remembered what I said offhand…* Elder Sang, Water Ghost, and Cen Qiaofu, standing nearby, were also stunned. What was this? After the howling Yue Gongli came scurrying back from a distance and saw this scene, his knees hit the ground with a thud, powerless. “What in the world? What are you doing! Doesn't this make me look petty? So this is how you snatched Dao Qiongcang from me, you crafty Xu Xiaoshou… Alright, alright, Yue Gongli, I’ll remember this!”

“Did you find anything?” Xu Xiaoshou asked. He was someone who trusted his gut feelings, so he believed that Dao Qiongcang’s sudden, inexplicable actions were not without purpose. *So warm…* Dao Qiongcang once again experienced Xu Xiaoshou’s thoughtfulness and gentleness. His Heaven’s Will heart felt warm, as if regretting not meeting him sooner, a feeling of a soulmate arriving late. Energized as if injected with stimulants, he shook off his weariness and boredom, leaping up from the ground: “None understands me better than Xu.” After speaking, he grasped the two axes and carefully examined the power within them. “What are you looking for?” Yue Gongli craned his neck, forcing his way in between the two, making it genuinely crowded for three people. He pouted, tears threatening to fall: “You should’ve said so earlier! If you’d told me you wanted to check them, I would’ve given them to you! If you don’t say anything, how am I supposed to know what you want?” Before Dao Qiongcang could speak, Xu Xiaoshou glared at the flamboyant fox, “Just shut up, alright? You’re really annoying.” “Wuwuwu…” Yue Gongli felt that nothing could be salvaged anymore. Even he felt that if he were Dao Qiongcang, he would definitely choose Xu Xiaoshou too. What was the point of living anymore? With Xu and Dao allied, he felt he might as well be stripped bare, and ironically, he had been the one to push this crucial alliance himself… “Master Xu, I feel terrible, I feel terrible here…” As soon as his hand was grabbed, Xu Xiaoshou slapped it away. He found Yue Gongli annoying now: talkative, useless, full of schemes that never hit the mark. Aside from his face, he was a nauseating man from head to toe. *How could Bazun An have such a brother-in-law?* But on second thought, before leaving Mount Guizhe, Dao Qiongcang had also been a revolting, utterly invincible bastard, sickening to hear of and nauseating to behold… Xu Xiaoshou quickly reined in his sense of disdain. Yue Gongli, in his position, had actually been a bit too successful.

“No abnormalities…” Dao Qiongcang held the two axes after his inspection, his brow deeply furrowed, letting out a long sigh. “Hahaha, I told you so! How could I have any abnormalities?” The Moon Fox hurried over, sneering repeatedly. “Brother Dao even helped me resolve the soul-blood issue. If I had a problem, he’d have one too!” Xu Xiaoshou ignored the fox’s complaints and asked, following up: “But if there’s no problem, is that the biggest problem?” Dao Qiongcang looked up, his watery eyes sparkling with profound intelligence. He nodded emphatically: “Indeed.” *Ergh…* Yue Gongli clutched his heart at the sight, as if shot by an arrow. He had never seen Dao Qiongcang look at him with such a deep, flowing gaze. *I thought Dao Qiongcang appreciated my intelligence. Seeing him today, I realize I’m not myself. Was the way he looked at me before implying I was mentally deficient all along?* “The axes are fine, so the person is problematic, then?” Unable to accept his brother’s betrayal to his face, Yue Gongli ungraciously picked up his axe and aimed it at his own head, “Should I just chop off my own head, then?” Immediately, several intense and expectant gazes fixed on him. Yue Gongli sheepishly lowered both axes and playfully nudged Water Ghost with his shoulder, “Just kidding, ahaha.” *The speaker had no intention, but the listener took it to heart: Is someone among us problematic? Did the problem arise when we crossed the Evil God’s passage?* For a moment, all sorts of thoughts flashed through everyone’s minds. Bai Zhou suddenly pointed at Yue Gongli: “Does everyone else feel like he’s been messing with us, dragging our feet… We should have set off already, shouldn’t we?”