Chapter 1871: Shenghuovi’s Role
Chapter 1871: Shenghuovi’s Role
"First," Wang Wei said, raising a finger. "Do you think you have much of a choice? Hundunxi just accepted a deal with your mother, receiving a massive amount of resources, which he will use to return to his peak. Although I don’t know why you were keeping an eye on him, you must have a good reason. Without the proper strength, can you achieve your objective?
"The current chaos in the underworld is the perfect opportunity to regain your strength. And if you don’t want to do it for such a selfish reason, do it for the remaining suffering souls of this timeline."
Wang Wei raised a second finger," Second, do it for your sister."
"Are you threatening?" Siwangji said in a cold voice, instantly turning the room into an icy hell. Just like Buddha, Death was kind and merciful, but also wrathful. And with a simple change in her expression, Siwangji perfectly demonstrated this concept.
"Things haven’t reached the point I need to use such cheap tactics," Wang Wei replied, his voice calm and indifferent to his surroundings. She might be the embodiment of death, but Wang Wei was its master; as such, he won’t allow something that he controls to intimidate him.
The Death Chaos Demon God frowned, "Then, explain yourself."
"First, let me provide you with some information," Wang Wei explained before condensing an information talisman that contained basic information about Trinity Venerable and his ego. Siwangji’s frown deepened after reading the content.
"Previously, I lacked information, so I trusted these Tribunal Lords. But now, their true colors are beginning to be revealed. Tell me, do you think there is any material better to condense or upgrade the Life Ego than the Life Chaos Demon God herself?"
After further analyzing Trinity Venerable’s information, Wang Wei has reason to believe the latter’s Life Ego may not be perfectly intact. The basis for this theory is how the Taoist priest survived an attack from a third-step powerhouse during the Ultimate Taboo. Trinity Venerable probably survived because of the Life Ego, and if that were the case, then he must have paid a steep price — a price that may have required the Life Ego to be repaired or recondensed.
Following this line of thought, Wang Wei connected many new dots. For example, the Ultimate Taboo was not that long ago in the grand scheme of things, and given how rare Saint resources are — especially the kind that can heal or save life — it’s not hard to imagine the Life Ego was still in its broken state. At the very least, it hasn’t returned to its peak condition yet.
Trinity Venerable has been too calm about the current situation. Everybody values their life, and the more powerful a cultivator is, the truer this statement is. However, the way he’s been operating since Death Reverence’s reveal was too confident. At first, Wang Wei thought this man was naturally self-assured, but another thought came to mind: what if his confidence stemmed from knowing he wouldn’t easily die — that he had a second life? Then he remembered Shenghuovi’s existence.
"If I were you, I would check on her since there should already be signs. After being reminded and with the two of you working together, you might find something," Wang Wei concluded.
"I’ll check on your information, and if you’re telling the truth, I will lend you a hand," Siwangji declared. She then turned to face Xu Shi. "The only issue now is whether it will be safer for her to be with me, or maybe hide here with you." She understood that, no matter the truth, the situation would change as soon as she met Shenghuovi, and her peaceful life within Xu Shi’s consciousness would be disrupted. Siwangji was not an irresponsible person; as such, she wanted to guarantee the safety of the human she had spent so many years with.
"Right now, my side is one of the few safe places in this chaotic world, but it won’t be long before it’s the epicenter of the conflict. So, it may be best for you to find or create a safe hiding spot for her," Wang Wei suggested.
"I’ll consider your suggestion."
The two then stood in silence for a few minutes until Xu Shi’s epiphany ended. Once she opened her eyes, Wang Wei immediately detected a hidden brightness and serenity that wasn’t there before. Intrigued, he asked, "How was it?"
"I think I’ve found my destiny, but I’m still fuzzy on the details."
"It’s good to have a direction," Wang Wei nodded.
Xu Shi smiled at him, the room instantly becoming brighter, "Once again, thank you. I know those were just words to you, but to me, they mean everything."
Wang Wei nodded, calmly accepting her gratitude. "The cultivation path is long and lonely, so it’s not a bad thing to have a few fellow Daoists to accompany me until the end."
"True," Xu Shi sighed, suddenly remembering her father, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. She decided to check on him after this ordeal, maybe even convince him to ascend so they can be close to each other.
"Let’s go."
"Alright," Xu Shi nodded. She took one last glance at Wang Wei and said, "Don’t die, or I won’t forgive you."
"Same to you," Wang Wei smiled in return. He then watched the two disappear from his room, and his smile faded, replaced by a cold anger. "That damn sanctimonious woman — how dare she point a finger at me? It’s easy for you to talk about death since you were born without fear of it. Even if you were dying the next second, you could calmly accept it. Do you think everybody is the same?
"And you want to talk about my death count, but what about your responsibility? I warned you about Death Reverence and asked you to look at it for him. But what happened? For your own selfish affairs, you went after Hundunxi and did a shoddy job, but now, you have the nerve to point fingers?"
"Master, you are acting out, which is unlike you," Ai suddenly said, and Wang Wei waved for her to leave him alone. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the tea table in front of him disappeared, replaced by a jar of wine; he chose the kind that was delicious but would not get him drunk and influence his mind.
"Sir, there is something I feel I should warn you about," Ai stated. "Your theory has no basis or proof. What if the Death Chaos Demon God does not find any proof of Trinity Venerable’s treachery?"
"I’m pretty sure I’m correct, but ultimately, it doesn’t matter," Wang Wei replied calmly. "The possibility of a threat has been planted in her subconscious mind, and since it is about someone she cares about, she would rather believe it than not. So, after searching, she won’t immediately think I was lying to her. Instead, she’ll think that Trinity Venerable’s method is not something her current strength can see through, which will then result —"
"In her heading to the underworld to increase her strength before searching a second time," Ai finished.
"Bingo."
"Emotions are truly complex. I’m glad I don’t have any of them."
Wang Wei glanced at her. Ultimately, Ai was a form of Artificial Intelligence. Although she’s a part of him, Wang Wei still worries about her potential, so he limits certain aspects of her abilities just in case. As an Earthling, it’s ingrained in his soul not to trust artificial intelligence.
Wang Wei continued drinking while paying attention to the battle between the expeditioners and the Infinite Divine Court. By the way things are proceeding, the court has a higher chance of winning. However, he knew there were two variables: Trinity Venerable and Death Reverence. The former was obvious; the Taoist priest will not allow his ally to be captured — at least not until his plans have succeeded.
Meanwhile, Death Reverence will not allow any opportunity for the court to retrieve the Highest Sovereign’s vessel — especially after spending so much time and effort eliminating it from the board. Well, another variable in this battle is the Primordial Heaven Sword Saint; the latter has been too quiet, too unremarkable during most of the major events, and Wang Wei felt that he shouldn’t be so mediocre — he should have a trump card.
"Sir, you have received two meeting requests?"
"Hmm? Does anyone want to see me at this critical juncture? Who is it?"
"The first one is Commander Dan."
"Him? Interesting," Wang Wei thought. With his relationship with the Tribunal Lords, Commander Dan is taking a lot of risk by coming to see him, but he still did. With the limited information he has, Wang Wei could think of two reasons: first, the latter comes under the order of the Tribunal Lords, and secondly, he came for himself.
Commander Dan might be a bit too prideful about his military capabilities, but he was not stupid. By now, he should be able to see the writing on the wall, and he’s probably searching for a way to survive.
"Who is the other one?"
"It’s Dugu Baitian."