Chapter 519: The Onslaught of Immortality

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz——

A terrifying divine majesty surged in an overwhelming torrent, as if a boundless ocean had burst forth, pressing down with suffocating force. In an instant, the entire Jingguang City was plunged into abject terror!

Immortal!

Another immortal!

Three gaping voids, as if penetrating from another realm, bridged two worlds. Mysterious forces intertwined with resounding, rhythmic power!

Throughout Jingguang City, everyone’s vision went dark, their connection with heaven and earth severed.

The fearsome pressure of immortality crashed out like titanic waves emerging from the void, layer upon layer, enveloping the heavens and the earth as if erasing them.

Even the Supreme could not withstand it. They might endure the residual divine pressure, standing firm to witness this unparalleled battle.

But when the immortal pressure was unleashed, it was a force beyond anything they could imagine.

A mere fraction — a single shard of force — was enough to crush their sinews and spines, reducing them to kneeling, prostrate supplicants, as insignificant as mayflies before the vast sky!

Those with weak cultivations couldn’t even manage to kneel; they were pinned to the ground, their organs shifting under the oppressive might of the immortal pressure.

It was terrifying!

Yet, many watched in awe as Li Che, defying all odds, floated in the air, stubbornly facing the relentless immortal pressure with divine might cascading like a waterfall from above.

Was he even human?

Many Supremes were utterly shaken; while they could only endure the aftershocks of immortal pressure, Li Che directly confronted it—still moving with breathtaking speed, suspended in midair.

With the Daughter of Yulian as the immortal target, Li Che had no choice but to brave the full force of immortal will and pressure to protect his daughter.

There was no shortcut—Li Che literally withstood the immortal force with his own flesh and blood!

Even though the immortal intent, released through the voids, had been significantly weakened,

it was certainly not a power that even divine fire or celestial beings could block!

And at that moment, everyone’s gaze shifted away from Li Che, drawn to a new focal point.

Boom——!!!

Su Da was blasted aside, crashing onto the ground of Jingguang City, leaving behind a vast, crater-like pit.

Her form lay sprawled within it, and her nine tails, swirling with supreme divine power, danced in a frenzy, dazzling in their unearthly brilliance.

Blood trickled from her mouth and nostrils; her once breathtaking face now contorted in horror.

The White-Clad Man with the Dog!

Sure enough… what she saw earlier wasn’t an illusion!

But now, having unleashed the immortal artifact of the Xie Yao Cave—the artifact of the Immortal Demon Emperor—imbued with immortal might, what could this white-clad figure…and that black dog…possibly do?

As the huge black dog struck at the Lotus Lamp with a claw, the lamp, ignited by Su Da’s divine fire, erupted with overwhelming immortal pressure. The artifact stirred, reactivated, and unleashed a devastating power, as if capable of annihilating heaven and earth!

Su Da’s eyes nearly bulged out from their exquisite fox-like beauty as she glared furiously.

Then, with a sharp smack, the dark claw struck the Lotus Lamp, bearing the full brunt of the immortal artifact’s force.

The Lotus Lamp began to tremble violently, its powerful immortal pressure colliding in countless sparks with the claw. The fur on the claw whipped wildly, as though countless crimson patterns were etched upon it, like rivers of magma in a hellish furnace!

Boom——!!!

A deafening explosion shattered the Lotus Lamp, as myriad divine inscriptions crumbled into twisted strands under the relentless impact of the claw.

Flames danced wildly, leaping and flickering.

Then, it was as if the entire Lotus Lamp was sucked into a void. The intertwined, graceful silhouettes emanated immortal aura, projecting their gaze onto the massive, clawed black dog that maintained its striking pose.

The giant black dog bared its teeth, revealing rows of sharp, gleaming fangs.

The white-clad man’s robe billowed in the wind as he stood coldly and detached.

“It’s you.”

His voice seemed ethereal, distant as if from the clouds yet unbearably near, carrying an otherworldly chill. With his words, a dreadful pressure cascaded down, as countless divine inscriptions intertwined and coalesced into chains of order that danced and roared.

In the distance.

The Third Prince, ablaze with raging black flames, brandished his Fire-Tipped Spear in a wild dance, intercepting the immortal manifestation of the Emperor Demon’s clone.

But the Golden Cicada Buddha image, formed by another void, was left unchallenged.

The void seemed to shift, and the golden-robed monk raised his Buddha hand, stepping forward slowly. As he moved, the void shifted with him and the emptiness itself began to fracture.

Gradually, the immortal Golden Cicada drifted above XiXi and Li Che—a father-daughter pair—hovering like the sun and moon, exuding an imposing aura.

Two distinct waves of immortal pressure slammed down with an earth-shattering force.

It was nearly suffocating, as if one could barely breathe.

The White-Clad Boss, holding an unlit rolled cigarette in his mouth and a golden kitchen knife tucked under his arm, possessed eyes that spoke of profound fatigue, while the large black dog retracted its claw, baring its fangs in a snarl.

“A bunch of immortal gods who’ve lived through endless ages, bullying an eight-year-old girl? Have they no shame? Have all those long years amounted to nothing but dog shit?”

The Boss remarked casually.

The large black dog immediately turned its head in discontent as if to say, “Who are you messing with?”

Nearby, the Third Prince—locked in battle with the immortal Emperor Demon’s clone—watched in astonishment at the pairing of a man and his dog blocking two immortals, uncertain if he recognized them or not.

“The Daughter of Yulian holds a unique destiny; as a fated being, she cannot stray from her life’s course. Now, she is terribly different. It might even be impossible for her to fulfill her destined path.”

A calm voice emerged from the immortal woman reflected in the Lotus Lamp after reemerging from the void, “Daughter of Yulian,” her words resonated with inevitability.

“Fate is determined by humans, not by heaven. A fleeting thought, a spontaneous whim, or an extra hour’s sleep can alter destinies. We are not machines to have our paths preordained.”

The white robes billowed gracefully, dancing with the wind.

The Boss shook his head slowly, his eyes as deep as abysses.

“Ridiculous.”

“Even we immortals cannot completely escape fate. A person’s life is preordained by the heavens, unless one can transcend the confines of the universe. Once born into this world, you are bound to follow its course.”

In the distance.

The clone of the immortal Emperor Demon, locked in combat with the Third Prince, spoke in a cold tone.

His voice thundered. Though held back by the Third Prince, it scarcely made a difference. He remained indifferent, even sensing the standoff between XiXi, Li Che, and their adversaries.

The appearance of the White-Clad Man and his dog left the three immortals visibly startled.

A subtle tremor stirred in their hearts—a being who defied the predetermined path had appeared. This divine wave… was unlike any before. It was utterly unprecedented!

An uneasy feeling began to well up within the immortals.

In past divine surges, everything had followed a set course: the Daughter of Yulian would descend into madness, carve a bloody path through mountains of corpses, and become the executioner of fate.

In the end, one immortal would be slain to restore balance, quelling the divine surge.

It was a destined path, a fated course. But if fate deviated from its track…

Then…

Which immortal would fall in this divine surge?

Would those planned deaths come to pass?

This uncontrollable feeling—a threat from the unknown—filled the immortals with growing anxiety.

“The Daughter of Yulian must return to her predetermined fate. Only then can she withstand the curse, embrace it, and become the executioner of heaven’s will! That is her final destiny!”

The immortal Emperor Demon’s clone, formed by countless intertwining divine inscriptions, struck with an almighty palm. The void surged like tidal waves, unleashing hundreds, even thousands of gleaming divine rays as ancient symbols seemed to materialize!

The Third Prince’s expression turned ice-cold, “You’re all jealous of our fortunes!”

“You insist that the Daughter of Yulian must wear the mask of deep hatred, kill endlessly until numb—a killing machine—so that in the end, one immortal is slayed, ending this divine surge! That is your goal!”

“You dislike change; you only want to maintain the status quo out of fear that if the Daughter of Yulian transforms, her blade might become uncontrollable and even turn on you.”

The Third Prince roared as black flames engulfed him like bolts of darkness. Countless ancient symbols resonated in a cacophonous roar, displaying a terrifying divine majesty.

It was a power that utterly transcended even celestial flame and divine beings!

Yet the immortal Emperor Demon cared little about the Third Prince. Although the Third Prince had revived, he was merely the Temple Spirit reborn. Without rekindling the divine fire, even after devouring much divine blood, he would struggle to recover quickly.

Thus, his concern lay not with the Third Prince, but with the situation of the Daughter of Yulian.

And that appearance—the white-clad man with the black dog…

Could it be the Second Lord of Manifestation?!

Qitian had resurrected prematurely, exceeding all expectations, prompting an immortal from the Dark Heavenly Court to intervene. Qitian had eventually stormed into the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths with unmatched ferocity.

The resurrection of the Third Prince Temple Spirit was planned, but even the suppressive might from the combined force of ten divine beings couldn’t hold him back.

Now, a white-clad man suspected to be the Second Lord of Manifestation had appeared inside the Third Prince’s Bizarre Temple, countering the force of an immortal artifact.

The three formidable divine beings of Yulian had all appeared simultaneously!

How could the immortals ever find peace?

Originally, it was a twist of fate that sparked the divine surge. Now, these immortals only wished for the nine divine surges to end, for the heavens and earth to settle, and for order to be restored!

Boom, boom, boom, boom——

The Lotus Lamp reappeared from the void. Ignited by Su Da’s divine fire, its brilliance shone as if freezing the void itself, suspending everything in time.

A graceful immortal silhouette was reflected in the lamp’s radiance, while demonic energy raged unabated!

Buddha’s light surged magnificently. The golden patterns resembling cicadas shone like deep, radiant eyes. The ethereal monk strolled through the void, every step birthing golden lotuses, as countless beams of Buddha light illuminated the divine order’s inscriptions.

Air itself seemed to still, as if Jingguang City was on the brink of destruction.

“No more words. The wayward path of the Daughter of Yulian must be corrected.”

“No one can stand in our way. The Ninth Divine Surge and Immortal Calamity—now in its eighth cycle—will soon conclude…”

A dispassionate voice resonated from the immortal woman reflected in the Lotus Lamp.

“Whether you are the Second Lord of Manifestation or not,

it is order that must be restored! The errant path must be corrected!”

The White-Clad Boss smirked as he flicked his cigarette.

“You call slaughtering the heavens and earth, rivers of blood, and mountains of corpses the true path?”

“The path is wherever the immortal will directs!”

The monk in Buddha light pressed his palms together. Suddenly, countless Buddha hands emerged behind him, weaving into a colossal palm that lunged toward Li Che and XiXi.

“Hey, mutt—it’s one for you, one for me.”

The White-Clad Boss snapped his cigarette to life.

Smoke curled upward.

In the next moment, the golden kitchen knife in his arms was suddenly grasped with determination.

At that, the large black dog grinned mischievously and leaped forward, charging headlong against the enormous Buddha hand!

Then——!!!

Chaotic Buddha light burst forth; divine power raged, and fragments of shattered Buddha light exploded through the air. A monstrous beast, terrifying beyond measure, emerged, shattering the void as countless fragments danced wildly!

The Boss stepped forward, hurling his golden kitchen knife with unwavering stride. The knife soared through the air, bearing down on the Lotus Lamp, suffused with immortal power.

“You may wield an immortal artifact, but all I have is a knife. Deal with it!”

The Boss’s calm voice emerged as he puffed on his cigarette.

Thud——!!!

It was as if a primeval mountain were shifting, shaking the entire cosmos!

In that instant when the divine fire of the Lotus Lamp clashed with the golden knife, it seemed as if everything might be snuffed out.

Yet, from behind the void, a gentle radiance emerged. One beam after another of clear light erupted, and with boundless, ancient authority, the Lotus Lamp revived!

On that fearsome immortal artifact, the tide of immortal power surged forth like a relentless wave!

The golden knife was like a small boat tossed by pounding tides,

constantly at risk of capsizing!

But the Boss didn’t concern himself with that. He kept his cigarette burning, squinted at Li Che suspended in midair and at XiXi, locked in struggle with the Yulian Curse.

Then he looked upward, his expression thoughtful as if weighing his next move.

…

…

Buzz, buzz, buzz——

Even in the heart of crisis, Li Che suddenly descended into a state of profound, mysterious transformation.

The beating of his Seven Aperture Luminous Heart grew ever louder, like the tolling of ancient drums at dawn.

It was as if an ancient monastery atop a snowy peak were being struck by a deity emerging from chaos—its resounding vibrations cleansing away impurities to leave behind purity!

Pure Heart Dao Fruit……

Six Transitions!

This was Li Che’s second Pure Heart Dao Fruit to reach the sixth transition. Even he hadn’t expected that the Pure Heart Dao Fruit would achieve the sixth transformation under such circumstances!

From the path of Martial Immortal to the path of divinity, it was like a fall from grace—but also an opportunity for the Pure Heart to cleanse itself.

The chaotic intertwining of Martial Immortal Qi was gradually transformed into Pure Heart divine essence, purging itself of corruption!

That was why the Pure Heart Dao Fruit could achieve six transitions so swiftly!

After breaking through as a Martial Immortal, Li Che’s Qi surged with magnificent strength—and that was even after igniting his seven Qimen Immortal Seeds.

Rumble——

Like the sound of waves washing over a shore, his spirit resounded as he felt his essence rapidly grow. The level of ‘divinity’ was transcending the past, connecting him with the cosmos, coalescing into divine thought.

Divine thought—a power that only those ignited by divine fire and transformed into divine beings could wield. Li Che managed to master it as soon as his Dao Fruit completed its sixth transition!

Buzz, buzz, buzz——

Divine energy surged like a tidal river, becoming an ever-flowing current.

Li Che tensed as the overwhelming immortal pressure, as immense as an abyss, vanished in an instant.

It was all halted by the sheer force of his Pure Heart.

Exhaling, Li Che was acutely aware of his perilous situation.

The will of the three immortals had descended, piercing through mysterious voids to the mortal realm with a singular aim aimed at XiXi…

Even Li Che felt utterly powerless in the face of such an onslaught.

He had advanced so rapidly, yet he had misjudged the importance of the Daughter of Yulian to the gods.

Even the immortal deities now focused on XiXi—because a slight alteration in her fate, caused by Li Che, had provoked an all-out manifestation of will, aiming to correct her path.

It was as if the protagonist of a novel, reborn, was suddenly obliterated by a hidden puppet master before even having time to grow.

These immortal deities played by none of the usual rules!

All sound in the universe vanished for him. The howling wind, the overwhelming pressure, the sound of space fracturing—all were swallowed into silence.

Only the rhythmic pulse of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit echoed in his ears!

In an instant, his mind was tugged by a colossal force. Even in the midst of the most perilous battlefield, with three immortals descending from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths…

Li Che resolutely chose to accept it.

He wanted to become stronger—even if just a little. If it meant that he could better withstand the onslaught of immortal power, Li Che was ready to try!

His spirit spanned mountains and rivers, as if countless stars pursued him from behind.

When his eyes finally opened, he found himself in the Dao Tree Space.

The vast aura surged like rolling waves—an energy even more mysterious and grand than immortal power. The Dao Tree stretched across the heavens like a blade tearing the skies apart!

Pure Heart Dao Fruit Six Transitions—what Li Che felt most was the transformation, expansion, and empowerment of his divine thought!

That was divine thought. Compared to before, his mental clarity had grown exponentially. Every thought sparked myriad changes, like an ancient chip replaced by the most advanced model!

One single thought unleashed endless transformations!

The Dao Tree swayed, and Li Che immediately spotted the Pure Heart Dao Fruit—perhaps sensing his inner urgency.

The fruit, shimmering with iridescent colors, drifted down as dense mists rolled in, and the scene shifted abruptly.

A placid, endless river appeared before Li Che’s eyes.

The river flowed without a ripple, as if reflecting a deeply serene soul. Atop it, a solitary floating leaf bobbed gently, and a single figure sat cross-legged upon it.

The Dao Fruit Master!

In that moment, Li Che immediately recognized the figure’s identity!

The figure was ethereal—only his gaze reached out, bringing a sense of calm that instantly soothed Li Che’s previously agitated heart.

Just as when the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit reached its sixth transition!

Sure enough, he had finally met the Master of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit!

Li Che drew a deep breath, his heart pounding.

Splash, splash——

The sound of water flowed softly—a tranquil melody over the surface of the river, ringing gently in his ears.

“You’re in a hurry,”

The Master of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit, seated serenely atop the floating leaf and donned in billowing white robes like an immortal sage, spoke softly as he looked at Li Che.

Li Che realized that this figure, spanning the endless river of time, was engaging him in conversation.

This might be the very opportunity for his sixth Dao Fruit transition—a chance to converse with the Dao Fruit Master.

“Some divine beings seek to persecute my daughter. I only wish to protect her, so she might grow up in peace, untouched by chaos…”

Li Che’s heart grew calm as he sat cross-legged on the mirror-like river, with gentle ripples spreading around him.

He felt as though he were sinking into soft mud beneath him.

“Why… why is it so hard?”

Li Che sighed.

All he wanted was to watch his daughter grow—gathering Dao Fruit, nurturing her power, and becoming strong enough to be her shield.

Why did it have to be so difficult?

Divine beings covet, immortals descend…

Just because Li Che had protected his daughter, ensuring that XiXi wouldn’t have to wade through bloody battles, slaughter, and carnage like in the past divine surges.

He had exhausted every trump card at his disposal—even forsaking his Martial Immortal path to become a divine cultivator.

The river remained undisturbed, and the lone leaf drifted quietly.

The Master of the Dao Fruit, his features shrouded in mystery, listened quietly to Li Che’s heartfelt confession.

After a long moment, Li Che fell silent.

The Master gently smiled, “As long as your conscience is clear, that is enough.”

Li Che’s heart trembled slightly.

“A person must have a conviction—a steadfast belief that can harness limitless power, enough to fend off any calamity.”

“What does it mean to be pure? Is it remaining unstained? No—instead, it is to confront every disaster head-on yet always stay true to oneself.”

“To step into the world and then step back out, emerging as if still young—that is purity.”

“As long as your conscience is clear and you remain unregretful, that is purity.”

“Our conversation across the river of time is fate. The power of purity is beyond measure. Perhaps, once you understand it, you can reverse some lingering regrets and walk the path you truly desire.”

“Purity is the untainted heart, remaining unstained even when emerging from the muck.”

Rumble——

The tranquil river stirred as ripples formed.

As the Master and Li Che conversed, the endless river of the Dao Fruit seemed to burst open, unleashing torrents of power from the Master!

His brilliant eyes shone with a cleansing, pure light. Despite the storm outside, his heart remained serene.

Li Che sat on the river, rising and falling with its flow, as if drifting along effortlessly.

He listened quietly, his inner panic finally subsiding, as he absorbed the timeless teachings of his predecessors.

Li Che had once listened to the teachings of the Martial Immortal Dao Fruit Master along the martial river of the Way.

Now, sitting by the river once more…

At that moment, Li Che suddenly understood the true nature of this river:

It was the river of the heart—the drifting stream of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit!

…

…

Li Che slowly opened his eyes, his mind returning to reality.

The crushing pressure of immortal divine might rumbled down like an abyss, making his bones creak with every jolt.

Yet, his spirit remained unyielding and serene.

No matter how fierce the storm, nothing could break his inner calm.

The paths of the Dao Fruit Masters—the Pure Heart and Dragon Elephant Vajra—diverged: one of the heart, the other of martial might…

Both teachings were experiences unlike any he’d had before.

The guidance from his predecessors cleared the mists from his future path.

The teachings of the Dragon Elephant Vajra Master dispelled the confusion following his breakthrough as a Martial Immortal.

And the words of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit Master helped Li Che envision his future as a divine cultivator.

His divine thought grew exponentially…

Yet, compared to the sheer will of the immortals, it still fell short.

Swish, swish, swish——

Divine energy swelled in every orifice of his body. What had once been a fierce, unruly force became gentle and abiding.

Before him, streams of light flowed like fragrant incense, drifting slowly.

[Dao Fruit LV8 – Six Transitions, Dao Calamity (Primordial Purification Flow) Advancement, Pure Heart Dao Boat]

Rumble——

It was as if the celestial melody vibrated through his soul. In that moment, Li Che almost heard the soft hymn of the heavenly will.

Interwoven streams of light coalesced into a prompt before his eyes:

[Dao Boat: The Origin of Heaven and Earth, The River of the Heart, The Grand Vessel of the Way, A Quest in All Directions]

Indeed!

The river where the Pure Heart Dao Fruit drifted was none other than the river of the heart—the most mysterious place of all!

Suddenly,

Li Che opened his eyes wide. His vision cleared instantly.

Countless fragments of divine energy shimmered around him like drifting smoke. His jet-black hair flowed wildly, for his Martial Immortal body had faded, overtaken by divine power. His once golden Martial Immortal blood had long vanished, replaced by a crystal-clear, blood-red hue.

It surged through his meridians, rolling and churning!

Li Che opened his eyes.

Having completed his Dao Fruit transformation, it hadn’t taken long at all. At that moment, the White-Clad Boss’s gaze collided with Li Che’s.

Li Che remained impassive, not showing any surprise at the Boss’s presence.

The large black dog soared to intercept one immortal, while the Third Prince concentrated all his might to block another. The Boss himself used his golden kitchen knife to stymie the flaming immortal artifact: the Lotus Lamp.

Three immortals were halted in their tracks.

Yet inside, Li Che remained anything but relaxed.

The White-Clad Boss moved gracefully, his steps measured, while the smoke rose straight upward without a hint of distortion.

He appeared beside Li Che.

“Dog, we can’t hold out much longer,”

The Boss said, eyeing Li Che—whose transformation seemed remarkable.

Li Che’s heart had grown noticeably calmer.

That was a good sign. Sometimes, panic, anger, and haste only invite disaster and lead to poor choices.

Facing the onslaught of the three immortal wills, anyone would be thrown into chaos. Li Che was no exception—but now he had found his composure.

The Boss couldn’t fathom exactly what had changed in Li Che.

But at least, with Li Che finally calm, he could strategize more clearly.

“Is it because of the heavenly will?”

Li Che inquired.

The Boss paused before nodding, “The heavenly will… is far more complex and overbearing than you imagine.”

“Boss, are you the Second Lord of Manifestation?”

Li Che asked again.

He spread his fingers, and the Thunder Demon Three-Pronged Twin-Edged Blade materialized in his hand…

The Boss shot Li Che a glance, casually flicking ash from his cigarette with two fingers, “Does that really matter?”

“I’m just curious—seeking clarity. Perhaps one day I’ll understand… whether sooner or later, it makes no difference,” Li Che replied with a smile.

“You really have changed. Your spirit is at ease, and that’s good… Transitioning from the Martial Immortal path to the divine path is a monumental shift. Without inner calm, you’d be overwhelmed by the surge of power, stagnating and unable to progress.”

“And a calm spirit will allow you to cultivate the divine way, channeling the celestial essence.”

“Good, now I can rest easier.”

The Boss added offhandedly.

“I suppose so,”

The Boss continued, seemingly lost in thought.

Li Che raised an eyebrow, understanding the Boss’s reply all too well.

Was he to be recognized as the Second Lord of Manifestation?

Or perhaps not?

Li Che felt confused, as if a thick fog obstructed his vision, making the truth elusive.

“In this realm of mortals, the limits on what my dog and I can do are severe. If we acted recklessly, we’d attract unwanted attention…”

“Once the dog interferes with immortal will, it’s already stepping beyond acceptable bounds,” the Boss remarked, “Time is short.”

He then glanced at XiXi.

“Can’t you also block the immortal deities? They haven’t incarnated in true form; they are merely manifestations of will!” Li Che frowned.

The Boss shook his head, “It’s not due to their immortality…”

“Besides, don’t underestimate immortal power. After the divine flame, fusion with the Way, and then severing it, one attains nirvana. Only then can one truly walk among immortals…”

“Immortality is the mightiest force under the heavenly will…”

The Boss looked deeply at Li Che, his tone gentle.

He didn’t want Li Che to underestimate immortal power. A miscalculation here, after charging into the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths…

and recklessly challenging the immortals could result in being struck down with a single slap.

If XiXi were to lose her father because of that… it would be truly tragic.

“I’m not saying it’s because of immortality, but because… your actions have altered the fate of the Daughter of Yulian. Not only have the immortal forces of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths been roused,

but even the heavenly will trembles.”

The Boss exhaled a swirl of smoke.

“Unless you relinquish your protection—allowing things to return to their original course, letting XiXi embrace the Yulian Curse as dictated by fate, becoming numb to endless slaughter, a solitary doomed star with nothing left…”

“Only then can XiXi grow up unburdened by destiny, become the master of Yulian, and ultimately perish under the siege of immortals in the Ninth Divine Surge—thus ending one cycle and heralding another in the endless repetition of Yulian’s fate.”

“Like a lotus confined in a pond—once pristine white but gradually tainted by filth and darkness.”

“Thus, she is called the Imprisoned Lotus.”

The Boss stubbed out his cigarette and then offered Li Che a freshly rolled one.

His eyes were as deep and endless as a starry sky, reminiscent of a rotating galaxy.

He looked intently at Li Che.

Quietly, he asked,

“Will you continue to protect your daughter, even if you might die in this great battle?”

“Or will you let Yulian follow its predetermined fate…”

“Li Che,”

“As a father…”

“What will you choose?”