Xu Zimo nodded and said, “I’m afraid before the struggle for Heaven's Will even begins, just the location itself will be enough to scare off a large number of people.”
“They’re nothing but the weak. True powers never feel fear or retreat because of this,” Lin Ruhu replied.
“You plan to fight for Heaven's Will?” Xu Zimo looked at him and asked.
“Heaven's Will is naturally yours. Of course, I’ll go to help you,” Lin Ruhu said.
“If you want to fight for Heaven's Will, I’ll respect your choice. But if you don’t, then stay in True Martial Sacred Ground. You’re not allowed to go,” Xu Zimo said.
Hearing this, Lin Ruhu froze, then hurriedly asked, “Why?”
“A Forbidden Ground like the Sky-Trap Island... even I have no absolute confidence. If you go, I can’t guarantee your safety,” Xu Zimo replied.
“You think I’m someone afraid of death?” Lin Ruhu asked.
“The meaning is different. Your grandfather only has you as a grandson. And you’re one of the very few friends I have. If in the future, when you go to the Outer Heavens, you want to walk your own path, even at the cost of your life, I won’t stop you. But this struggle for Heaven's Will, in this era, is mine to bear. I don’t want that place to become your burial ground. If you fight for Heaven's Will yourself, I won’t stop you. But if you’re only going to help me, or to prove something to yourself, then there’s no need. It’s meaningless,” Xu Zimo said bluntly.
As one of the Ten Forbidden Grounds, the Sky-Trap Island was a place where even survival was uncertain. And he had a premonition that it would be a blood-soaked battlefield.
Lin Ruhu’s strength was good, but anyone chosen for the struggle of Heaven's Will was no weaker than another.
This was his road, Xu Zimo wanted to walk it alone.
“I understand,” Lin Ruhu said quietly, disappointed. “If you want me to go, I’ll go. If not, then I won’t.”
Watching Lin Ruhu’s back as he left, Xu Zimo sighed.
In the end, his gaze softened. Perhaps it was also because of his looming separation from his parents. He had few friends, other than Lin Ruhu and Little Gui, almost no one. Naturally, he didn’t want them harmed.
He feared in the future, it would be hard to meet true friends again.
At times, he even felt he didn’t need friends at all.
………
The Sky-Trap Island, also called Boundless.
It lay above the Boundless Sea.
The Boundless Sea was the border of the Endless Heavenly Sea, a vast body of water nearly equal to the Endless Ocean itself.
It was located in the northwest of the Eastern Continent.
The next morning, all disciples and elders of True Martial Sacred Ground gathered together.
From South Goose Mountain to the main gates of the sect, people filled the way.
In the long crowd, a tree-lined path stretched.
Several great drums were placed at the front.
Someone picked up red drumsticks and struck them hard.
“Boom, boom, boom”, the resounding noise shook the air.
When Xu Zimo, carrying Shadow Tyrant, walked down from South Goose Mountain, all eyes turned to him.
“We pray for the Holy Son’s victorious return! We pray for the Holy Son’s victorious return!”
The voices surged like waves, one after another, rising together with the pounding drums.
Xu Zimo was not only representing himself but also True Martial Sacred Ground.
In the struggle for Heaven's Will, there would be only two outcomes: one victor, and countless losers.
Other than Grand Emperors, few survived. Especially now, when the battleground was Sky-Trap Island.
Turning back, Xu Zimo smiled at the crowd. Little Gui and Lin Ruhu were already waiting in front.
A giant fiery bird stood before them, a hybrid of the Blazing Cloud Sparrow and the Sky-Piercing Eagle. It was the fastest beast of True Martial Sacred Ground.
According to the rules of Heaven's Will, once the location of the Sky-Trap Island was revealed, all chosen ones had ten days to reach it.
After ten days, the island would close. Those who hadn’t arrived would lose their qualification.
“You two?” Xu Zimo asked, looking at Lin Ruhu and Little Gui.
“We’ve been ordered to escort you to the island,” Lin Ruhu said with a smile. “Don’t worry, we won’t enter. Just send you there.”
Xu Zimo nodded lightly and stepped onto the bird’s back.
Behind them, the drums beat faster. With a sharp cry, the fiery bird spread its wings and soared.
In an instant, it became a red dot, vanishing into the sky, carrying everyone’s hopes and blessings.
Similar scenes unfolded across countless sects.
For many, Heaven's Will was a goal of cultivation. Perhaps not the ultimate goal, but certainly one of the most coveted.
………
The fiery bird flew so fast it was as if it pierced time and space itself.
The fastest beast of True Martial Sacred Ground.
The airflow swept past, clouds seemed within reach.
With calm expression, Xu Zimo looked down as different thoughts stirred in his companions.
“Why am I more nervous than you at a time like this?” Lin Ruhu laughed.
Xu Zimo smiled faintly. He removed Shadow Tyrant from his back, sat cross-legged, placing the blade on his lap.
The fiery bird’s speed exceeded expectations. In just three days, they reached the Boundless Sea.
At that moment, the blade on his lap trembled, releasing a restrained yet powerful intent.
Xu Zimo slowly opened his eyes and murmured, “We’re here.”
From above, the Boundless Sea looked different from the Endless Heavenly Sea.
No trace of blue water, only frothing, sickly white waves that churned like vomit.
Ahead stretched a heavenly path.
A road that existed atop the ocean itself.
“Go back,” Xu Zimo said to Lin Ruhu and Little Gui.
“We’ll wait for you here,” Lin Ruhu answered. “For the moment you claim the Heaven's Will and return as the Grand Emperor!”
Xu Zimo didn’t argue. He stepped down from the bird, landing on the heavenly path.
Before his feet touched the ground, a sword light shot out, brimming with killing intent.
Xu Zimo flipped backward in the air, dodging the strike.
Landing steadily, he looked forward. Not far away stood a young man in black robes.
The robe covered his figure entirely, even his head hidden beneath a hood.
His long hair fell over his forehead, nearly obscuring his eyes.
“Who are you?” Xu Zimo asked.
“The moment you step onto this place, there are no names, only life and death,” the black-robed youth said coldly. “I stand; you fall.”
Xu Zimo chuckled. Spiritforce surged madly in his hand as he struck with overwhelming force.
The black-robed youth retreated swiftly, swinging his longsword to dissolve Xu Zimo’s palm strike.
Then, with a swift turn, he unleashed a sword intent that split the sky.