The war between the two sides entered its climax.
After one battle,
He Li covered the rear, protecting the Divine Race army as they returned to camp. He removed his armor, dusted himself off, glanced in Huai Xi’s direction, and then turned to Xia Min Ao, saying, "How is the Divine Race expeditionary force?"
"Their combat power is formidable. Of the three hundred Divine Race soldiers, half are at the Realm God level, and half are at the Void God realm. During battle, they employed several formations, making their offense and defense perfect," Xia Min Ao replied.
He Li nodded, looking at the Divine Race expeditionary force that had fallen far behind, and asked, "Can we keep them?"
"No, they kept their distance from us during the battle; they are loyal to Shen Tu," Xia Min Ao said, his divine eyes observing everything with great detail. "While they pose no threat to you, they are more than capable of killing your demon kings."
He Li remained silent. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed slightly, "It's a pity about the elites on the central battlefield. Among these Divine Race expeditionary forces, there will surely be future Divine Lords born."
"What is not ours, even if it possesses the bearing of a Divine King, is still the enemy."
Xia Min Ao seemed to gain some insight and said, "The Yu Ling Divine Race belongs to the previous epoch, the Barbarian Ancient epoch. In this entire era, you appeared, and our race stood on the opposite side of the Divine Race. I think our race is merely going with the flow. However, if we trace back to the source, the ancestors of the Yu Ling Divine Race made the decision to submit to the Divine Race and destroy the Barbarian Ancient epoch. This was also for today,
To leave a sliver of rebellious bloodline for the Barbarian Ancient epoch, so that you would have a chance to step forward.
"In the end, those Heavenly Gods who destroyed the Barbarian Ancient epoch also had their own thoughts and reasons. Right and wrong are not suitable for gods. In a god's concept, there is only how to act."
"You are not good at this. You are hesitant and overthinking. What should be discarded, you cherish as if it were a treasure, which leads to too many worries."
Hearing this, He Li inexplicably said, "I am not a god; I am human. Humans should be fearful and hesitant, should overthink, and should have attachments. If one only thinks of oneself in everything, it is too selfish. It is precisely because of these worries that life is tiring and filled with troubles.
Before I became a god, I had no such emotions or worries.
But after truly becoming a god, I have become more and more like a human. This is good. Before, it was more about responsibility for my family; now, it is genuine love, love for my family."
"Perhaps what I say is foolish, but I believe this is the most correct way to act."
Xia Min Ao couldn't help but laugh and cry. So many people, so many beings, yearned to be emotionless and loveless, to become the coveted gods, yet He Li disdained it.
Indeed,
He Li's current state was not his intention. He was pushed forward, forced onto the stage by inexplicable responsibilities and missions.
Half of his cultivation came from Yan Si in his previous life, and the other half was bestowed by the one from the Two Realms. He was merely a vessel, no wonder his heart always felt weary and devoid of vitality.
It seemed Xia Ku Duo must have also felt pity for him.
He Li's cultivation could be hidden from others, but not from Xia Min Ao's all-seeing divine eyes.
Xia Min Ao said no more. Instead, he looked up and gestured towards Huai Xi, who was hovering outside the divine power barrier in the sky. "He Li, look, Huai Xi has been waiting for you there. Aren't you going over?"
"...No. I might die at any moment. Being with her would only harm her." He Li felt a sense of desolation. He wasn't foolish; love or not, it was hard to say, but he knew who truly cared for him.
"Alright."
Xia Min Ao stepped forward, walking ahead of He Li, not looking at He Li's heart-wrenching lonely eyes. He sighed softly.
One for one, one for one. In this world, there are no troubles; it is the mediocre who create them.
A mouth is a good thing, but since one has a mouth, can't even two words be spoken?
Xia Min Ao left.
He Li shook the bloodstains from his robe. Just as he was about to leave, he saw Huai Xi walking towards him. He wanted to escape. In battles, he often fled. Facing an enemy that could not be defeated, fighting head-on was foolish. Fleeing was not shameful, but it was not cowardice.
However, when facing matters of the heart, he became timid. He didn't know where to put his hands and could only stand there stiffly, watching Huai Xi approach him.
Huai Xi was still clad in golden armor, wielding a golden spear, and wearing a golden coronet, looking heroic and spirited, with bright eyes and flowing long hair.
Huai Xi looked directly at He Li, and He Li also looked at Huai Xi, not daring to meet her gaze, but not looking away evasively or shrinking back.
Huai Xi put away her golden spear and removed her golden armor, revealing a golden-threaded outer robe, which made her appear more graceful.
"During the great battle just now, I saw a small planet light-years away. On it, there was a patch of red forest, surrounded by a sea of blooming flowers. Shall we go take a look?"
He Li hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Let's go take a look then."
"Alright, I'll take you."
He Li followed behind Huai Xi. The distance of a light-year was covered in an instant. They landed on the small planet and walked amidst the sea of flowers. Huai Xi suddenly stopped.
He Li and Huai Xi stood side by side, in the boundless, blooming sea of flowers, with the fragrance of flowers filling the air. Together, they looked up at the fiery red forest.
The forest resembled a sea of fire, and the red trees stood tall like women in wedding dresses.
If our hearts are illuminated by each other, what does it matter if there is no lamp or moon?
Huai Xi lowered her head, looking at the flowers winding around her legs, her eyes calm and resolute. She said softly, "Night启 Divine Lord told me about the matter between Yi Shu Divine Lord and Ku Duo Divine King. I understand the implication very well.
I greatly admire Yi Shu Divine Lord. In the end, Ku Duo Divine King gave a gentle smile, as if revealing his heart. Yi Shu Divine Lord was waiting for Ku Duo Divine King's return.
But I don't want that. I don't want to express my feelings only at the last moment.
He Li, I want to be with you, to be your companion. Even if you die in the next war, I am yours. In this situation, I don't even have a proper title to wait for. Are you truly so heartless?"
He Li remained silent for a while, then sighed and replied, "I cannot bear it. I don't know if I like you. Moreover, given my status, if I die, you will not be well off. It's hard to guarantee that the Divine Realm will not trouble you."
"I am not afraid!"
Huai Xi's voice was soft, but its weight was as heavy as a mountain.
He Li was stunned. He turned and stared blankly at Huai Xi, then smiled again. Turning back, he looked at the red forest, which resembled a bride being sent off, with a smile in his eyes. He moved his hand and took Huai Xi's hand.
At this moment,
Huai Xi's eyes were red. The hand that only knew how to grip the golden spear to kill enemies now tightly held He Li's hand. They stood amidst the flowers, gazing at the sea of red trees.
The sea of suffering is boundless, and the great path is difficult to tread. The most unforgettable are not those who follow behind, but those who walk closely beside you.
He Li grinned and chuckled, "This is truly wonderful. For the first time in 24 years, I am this happy."
Huai Xi nodded, "Yes, and for me, this is the happiest I've been in over a hundred thousand years."
He Li: "..."
...