"Fire God, you shouldn't have come out," the God of Time said, looking at the Fire God with a frown. Xiao Man's divinity was fully repaired, but she had not yet fully comprehended the laws of time and space. Once she did, he could rest assured of her reincarnation.
However, before Xiao Man could fully master the laws of time and space, he had to make her understand that the Heavenly Dao, though heartless, also possessed sentiment. If she let her emotions and desires rule everything, the world would perish.
"Seeing her is like seeing myself in my youth," the Fire God said with a smile. "Back then, I used every means possible to resist, racking my brains, even staining my hands with blood. But in the end, it all became my karma. I simply don't want her to walk the same path as me."
"She is my successor."
"She is not your successor," the Fire God said, looking at the God of Time. "She has merely not found herself yet. Once she finds herself, she will undoubtedly understand that everything in the world is karma."
"Don't think I don't know that you have secretly helped her multiple times. If you hadn't, she wouldn't have been able to subdue the Nine Nether Flame..."
"You don't help her, but you won't let others help her? How overbearing," the Fire God said, looking at Xiao Man, who was trapped in a small world, gazing at two scarred small worlds, lost in thought. A flicker of compassion crossed her eyes. "She will eventually yield for the sake of the one she loves."
"A High God does not need love."
"God of Time, if Xiao Man had no love, she probably wouldn't even bat an eye if the world were to be destroyed," the Fire God said softly. "As a High God, one must first have a compassionate heart. You have lived too long and have long lost your compassion, becoming nothing but law. Therefore, you cannot hold on any longer."
The God of Time did not retort. He was indeed at his limit. Xiao Man was the only one who could replace him and continue to control the laws of time and space. If he perished without a successor, the laws of time and space would vanish, and no one knew what would happen then.
"Fire God, only two of the Ten High Gods remain. Can you still hold on?"
"You've forgotten, I was originally human, unlike you," the Fire God said slowly. "As long as the flames of humanity are not extinguished, the Fire God will not disappear."
The God of Time was stunned for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "Once I perish, you will have to walk alone in the river of time..."
"Who said that?" The Fire God placed her hands behind her back, her gaze fixed on Xiao Man's location. "She will accompany me."
"Ling Xiaoxiao, you are trying to steal my successor!" The God of Time instantly realized. No wonder she had always been secretly helping. So this was her plan!
"God of Time, that's not right. When did I ever steal your successor?" The Fire God, Ling Xiaoxiao, smiled enchantingly. "I told you from the beginning, she would not be anyone's successor. Her comprehension of the power of laws will eventually surpass all of us, becoming the hope for everyone. But you refused to believe it and insisted on training her as your successor. You've been outplayed, haven't you?"
"You..." The God of Time was furious. "We are both High Gods. Why must you oppose me?"
"You're wrong again. When have I ever opposed you?" The Fire God sighed helplessly. "I simply said that until the other High Gods return, she will accompany me. Why are you getting angry?"
"Don't think I don't know what you're plotting. Now that the God of Water has fallen and joined the demons..."
"What about the demons?" the Fire God interrupted the God of Time. "Don't forget, my husband is also considered a demon by you. But he has never done anything wicked. Look at yourself, look at what you've done. If I were Xiao Man, I would want to skin you alive too."
"Enough!"
"Indeed, it is enough." The Fire God's smile remained unchanged. "She may be temporarily trapped by Yong An and Cang Xuan, but within a hundred years, she will undoubtedly find a way to break through. At that time, what do you think will happen?"
"By then, I will have perished. Whatever happens will have nothing to do with me."
"Aren't you afraid of complete annihilation?" the Fire God asked pointedly. "Strictly speaking, only two of the Ten High Gods remain. The God of Water has lost his divinity and is now just a mortal with profound cultivation. The God of Time's divinity is hanging by a thread. Once he perishes, Xiao Man will surely sense it. With Xiao Man's hatred for him, she might even devour the God of Time's divinity. Once the God of Time's divinity disappears, there will be no God of Time in this world."
"Fire God, I know what you're implying, but I am the God of Time. No one can completely annihilate me." The God of Time was very clear about this. If the God of Time could be so easily destroyed, he wouldn't be one of the last two High Gods. As for the Fire God, she was merely clinging to existence through the flames of the mortal world.
"Is that so?" The Fire God merely smiled. The years were long, and she had lived for so long that she had forgotten the passage of time, as if she had long since merged with heaven and earth. "We will soon know the outcome."
"Ling Xiaoxiao..."
"That name is so ancient. That was my human name before I became a god. It's been so long that I've forgotten I was once a beloved little girl, fearless of everything, who didn't heed her parents' warnings and insisted on jumping into the pit herself." The Fire God looked at Xiao Man with a gentle gaze. Xiao Man was no different. Even if others told her there was no path ahead, she would forge one for herself.
The Fire God extended her hand, and a speck of light shot towards the horizon, eventually turning into a shooting star and disappearing.
"What did you do?"
"Whether human or god, all should have hope," the Fire God said in a gentle tone. "It would be too heartless to let her be trapped here alone. She deserves a little something to hold onto. Without something to hold onto, what is the point of life?"
"What do you mean?"
"You are about to perish, and it's time to let go of many things. The Heavenly Dao has karma. Where there is a cause, there will naturally be an effect. Xiao Man is willing to be confined to a corner for the sake of her love. However, while she has love, she must not forget that she is also the beloved of others."
The God of Time looked up, shocked to see his body suddenly becoming transparent. He had always known that Xiao Man's talent was exceptional, but he had never expected her to comprehend the laws of time and space so quickly, causing his already precarious divinity to shatter instantly, accelerating his demise!
The Fire God watched as the God of Time turned into countless stars and vanished, a smile curving her lips. "I told you long ago, she would find a way. You could only trap her for a hundred years at most. After a hundred years, there will be no more High Gods in this world."