Huai Xi stood before the stone pagoda, watching the retreating figures of Xia Ye Qi and Xia Min Ao. After a moment, she turned her gaze to another stone pagoda, noticing Yan Li also gazing blankly at the sky from a stone window.
Huai Xi returned to the stone pagoda and ascended to the top floor, where He Li was semi-reclined on a long bench, drowsy.
Huai Xi asked, puzzled, "You were never one to be stingy. Even if Xi Rang is precious, it’s not as valuable as Xia Min Ao’s life in your heart. Yu Qiang Divine Lord lost an arm saving Xia Min Ao; by your nature, you should have offered the Xi Rang proactively."
He Li opened his eyes and smiled, saying, "A mere bottle of Xi Rang, even a thousand bottles, is not as important as a single finger of Xia Min Ao in my heart."
"Then why did you act so reluctant?" Huai Xi sat on a stone stool beside the long bench, looking at He Li.
He Li pursed his lips and smiled, "I had to appear extremely reluctant, and I had to let all of you witness it."
Huai Xi was confused. "Why?"
He Li propped himself up and sat, pondering for a moment before explaining, "This bottle of Xi Rang had to be taken from my hands by Xia Min Ao, and Xia Min Ao had to personally give it to Yu Qiang Divine Lord.
With all of you as witnesses, this bottle of Xi Rang appears even more precious. After Yu Qiang Divine Lord repairs his arm, he will feel indebted to Min Ao, and Min Ao will be grateful to Yu Qiang Divine Lord for saving him.
Yu Qiang Divine Lord lost an arm saving Xia Min Ao,
Min Ao pleaded with me for Yu Qiang Divine Lord’s arm. Upon receiving the Xi Rang,
their relationship will only grow stronger in the future."
Huai Xi frowned. "But then it has nothing to do with you. Yu Qiang Divine Lord won't feel indebted to you."
"That's exactly what I want," He Li smiled. "Yu Qiang Divine Lord only needs to remember Min Ao's kindness. Let Min Ao handle the favor; with so many people witnessing it, he can't possibly push the credit onto me, no matter how he tries with Yu Qiang Divine Lord."
Huai Xi’s face brightened. "So that was your plan."
Then,
Huai Xi looked at He Li with a puzzled expression and asked, "You care so much for the Min Ao Realm God. Will you also think and plan for me like this in the future?"
He Li smiled but didn't answer immediately. They sat in silence, one contemplating the answer, the other waiting for it. Neither was in a hurry.
After a long while,
"Yes."
"Definitely."
…
Divine Realm.
The Divine King’s Palace stood atop the clouds, bathed in myriad divine halos. Below, the Divine Guard Mountain was a ruin, utterly devastated.
In the Divine Guard clan realm, on a sea cliff, the cliff face was as if carved by a knife, with sharp, distinct edges.
Chen Du stood alone on the cliff peak, as if standing at the pinnacle of the heavens.
Behind him, Yu Li Che suddenly appeared. He looked at the slender figure standing at the cliff’s edge and flinched. "The Divine Realm is empty, and all the Divine Guards have been recalled."
As Yu Li Che finished speaking, the vast sea before Chen Du suddenly churned, raising colossal waves. A four-clawed flood dragon surged from the sea, emitting a piercing cry.
Then,
A black light flashed in the sea, and a massive black python slithered onto the clouds. It caught up to the flood dragon and bit down firmly on its neck. In an instant, scales shattered, and blood flowed freely.
A true sight of a python devouring a flood dragon.
"Roar!"
After killing the flood dragon, the black python, with the dragon's corpse in its mouth, hovered in the sky. Its enormous vertical pupils gazed down at Chen Du.
Chen Du, his expressionless face unchanged, slowly spoke, his voice very soft. He asked, "Clan Leader Yu Li Che, do you think I resemble the black python, or the flood dragon?"
Yu Li Che did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Chen Du’s back, feeling Chen Du’s form seemed to blur, shifting between indistinct and clear. His divine power remained at the initial stage of the Yuan Zhou realm, showing no progress.
Yu Li Che pondered for a moment and replied, "You resemble neither the python nor the dragon. You are simply Chen Du."
Chen Du turned to look at Yu Li Che, not indicating whether he was satisfied with the answer. He merely smiled lightly. "Qing Yuan and I have become partners. I also call you Clan Uncle, following her lead. Clan Uncle, please inform them not to act rashly. They only need to wait. Afterward, they will receive what they desire.
Even if they fall in battle, their clansmen will receive their share for their struggle and sacrifice."
Yu Li Che turned to leave. Before he had taken two steps, he stopped and looked back at Chen Du, who was carrying the python with the flood dragon’s corpse. He said, "You had better not die. Your form does not belong to yourself. After death, you may not be able to revive in the Pure Sea. You call me Clan Uncle, and I truly do not wish for Qing Yuan to lose such an excellent partner."
Chen Du pursed his lips and smiled, not replying.
After Yu Li Che finished speaking, he vanished.
Chen Du remained in his usual tranquil state, his eyes even appearing somewhat rigid. However, he was not a rigid person. After calculating for so long, the moment to reap the results was finally approaching. His heart, which should have been surging like a vast tide, was instead abnormally calm.
Having reached this point, Chen Du knew well the price he would have to pay. He turned to look at the black python and gently waved his hand. The black python, with the flood dragon’s corpse in its mouth, returned to the sea.
After an unknown amount of time,
Qing Yuan arrived.
Chen Du was first taken aback, then smiled at Qing Yuan and walked towards her, taking her hand.
Qing Yuan stared blankly at Chen Du.
Chen Du pursed his lips and asked, "Did Clan Uncle tell you everything?"
Qing Yuan’s voice, no longer clear and bright, was hoarse, as if choked with tears. "Have you truly decided?"
Chen Du shook his head and smiled lightly. "The old man always makes a fuss. You’ve also fought on the battlefield. In war, how can no one die? I’m not just going to my death. Of course, I want to live. I was just thinking, we should have a wedding like they do on Earth.
The elders on my side are the hosts. When the time comes, you’ll call him Big Brother and ask him for a generous betrothal gift. You don’t know, the host is very poor, but very generous. This one betrothal gift will make him ache for years.
For the elder’s position on your side, let Clan Uncle sit there. He can witness our wedding and offer his blessings. Then invite many friends to attend. Both the host and I can cook. I’ll make you a meal from Earth."
Qing Yuan pouted her lips. "Really?"
Chen Du raised his hand and pinched Qing Yuan's cheek, smiling dotingly. "Of course, it's true. You know I never lie."
"Do you really never lie?" Qing Yuan asked.
Chen Du’s expression turned slightly pained as he replied sheepishly, "I think I’ve lied twice, just twice."
"Which two times?" After receiving Chen Du's answer, Qing Yuan's gloomy mood vanished, replaced by curiosity.
Chen Du smiled without a word, holding Qing Yuan's hand as they slowly descended the mountain.
The only two lies in my life were told today.
I will not die.
I never lie.
…