Chapter 138
Chapter 138
“They might not agree.” Zhou Ming shook his head. “I don’t want Brother Ye to go against his better judgment just because we’re friends…”
How could someone who wielded a blade not dream of reaching the heights of a Sword Saint?
Moreover, his Flame Demon Emperor already possessed an extremely high Base Attack Growth Rating. Now that his second class advancement had doubled it, the value had become even more terrifying.
[Flame Demon Emperor] (SSSS-Rank Exclusive Hidden Class)
Description: Untouched by ten thousand flames and Imperishable through ten thousand ages. The one who burns all things in heaven and earth is the Flame Demon Emperor.
HP Growth: 20 stars
Attack Growth: 36 stars
Defense Growth: 20 stars
Speed Growth: 20 stars
…
What else was there to say?
His direction was obvious!
Push Attack to its absolute limit. Shatter anything and pierce every shield. That was the path he would follow!
As for so-called balanced development, there was another way to describe it: a jack of all trades, master of none.
“A second class…”
Nearby, Renee and Yun Wuyou exchanged looks, each seeing the shock in the other’s eyes.
They had never even heard of such access!
“BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!”
The battle in midair continued for a long time.
Cangxuan and Ye Zhibei fought with complete abandon, unaware that “danger” was drawing closer one step at a time.
After roughly two and a half hours, the battle finally ended, and they returned to the ground.
“Impressive!” Cangxuan panted. He said admiringly, “You put far more pressure on me than before. If we fought to the death, I wouldn’t be confident I could defeat you!”
“There’s no need for modesty!” Ye Zhibei was wounded as well, but his spirit remained vigorous. “If we truly fought to the death, no one could say who would win. But…”
Cangxuan looked puzzled. “But what?”
“But the future may be different!” Zhou Ming approached from the distance and picked up where he left off. “If you remain in the Dark Faction, I’m afraid it will be difficult for you to improve any further!”
“!!”
The moment he saw Zhouyou Shijie, Cangxuan’s expression changed slightly. He immediately cupped his hands. “Farewell!”
Then he turned to leave.
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
In the next instant, however, Qianying, Renee, and Yun Wuyou cut off his escape from two other directions.
“What is the meaning of this?” Facing enemies on every side, Cangxuan tightened his grip on his greatsword and demanded indignantly, “Ye Zhibei, have I misjudged you?”
He had thought this would be a perfectly fair sparring match with no outside interests entangled in it.
He had never expected to encounter something like this, especially after already fighting a grueling battle.
“I only want to exchange a few words with you. Why be so distant?” Zhou Ming did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Even if our conversation turns unpleasant, rest assured that I won’t make things difficult for you. Brother Ye and I agreed on that beforehand.”
“…”
Cangxuan looked conflicted. How could he fail to guess Zhou Ming’s objective? “If you’re trying to make me submit, forget it!”
“Forget it?” Zhou Ming frowned. “Why should I? Do you truly want to watch the Dark Faction lead countless monsters in conquering Destiny Continent, reducing humanity to food and lambs waiting for slaughter?”
His opening struck directly at the heart of the conflict.
Exactly!
No matter how deeply he appealed to emotion, it might not shake Cangxuan’s resolve. It could even provoke resentment. Zhou Ming needed to use Cangxuan’s identity and loyalties to break through his psychological defenses!
“Impossible!” Cangxuan said solemnly. “I’ve already confirmed it with Wu Xing. He will never harm humanity. Everyone will coexist peacefully!”
“And you believed him?” Zhou Ming shot back.
“…”
“The Light Faction and Dark Faction colluded just to kill me. Was that still not enough for you to see their true nature?” Zhou Ming spoke with conviction. “All they want is supremacy and power. They fight for profit and eliminate every obstacle in their way. They have no principles and no bottom line!”
Cangxuan’s face turned ugly. “Why must you make this so difficult for me?”
He had no rebuttal to Zhouyou Shijie’s words.
He could accept everything else, but he truly could not accept the plan to “temporarily abandon hostilities with the Light Faction” and form a united front against the Hope Faction.
“You said the first Demon God promised you he wouldn’t harm humanity?”
“Fine, then answer this!”
Zhou Ming’s voice rang with force as he laid out his reasoning. “Suppose the first Demon God keeps his promise. Can you control the other Demon Gods? If the ten Demon Gods vote on humanity’s fate and the minority must submit to the majority, will you have absolute authority?”
“I…”
“You won’t!”
Zhou Ming cut him off and pressed closer. “When that time comes, how do you know you won’t be treated as an outsider and rejected simply because you’re human?”
“…”
“Even if you had a ninety percent chance of success, would you dare gamble on it?” Zhou Ming walked up and stood directly before him. “If the Dark Faction wins and humanity suffers a terrible catastrophe, how will you face your ancestors? Look me in the eyes and answer!”
“I… I…”
Cangxuan was speechless.
Zhou Ming pointed at him, righteous fury filling his voice as he shouted, “When that happens, you, Abyssal Sword Demon ยท Cangxuan, a mighty Sword Saint, will be condemned through the ages as the greatest traitor in the history of humanity on Destiny Continent!”
“!!”
Cangxuan looked as though he had been struck by lightning. His expression was terrible.
“Cangxuan, I understand your difficulties!” Zhou Ming softened his tone, stepped forward, and firmly grasped Cangxuan’s arm. He said solemnly, “You saw no so-called light within the Light Faction, so you threw yourself into the Dark Faction. But the Dark Faction isn’t a good choice either. Humanity’s conflicts should at least be resolved by humans themselves. Those who are not of our kind cannot be trusted!”
“Hiss!”
Ye Zhibei secretly sucked in a sharp breath as he listened.
Cangxuan’s situation was far more “dangerous” than Ye Zhibei’s had been. It almost felt as though refusing to betray his faction would make him an enemy of all humanity.
Every word from Zhouyou Shijie struck at the heart. It was ruthless!
“But…”
“But you’ve already betrayed the Light Faction, so how can you betray the Dark Faction again?” Zhou Ming answered for him, stating exactly what he meant. “Everyone would despise you, and your conscience would never be at peace!”
“Isn’t that true?” Pain filled Cangxuan’s face. “I swore loyalty to the Dark Faction. If I betray them again, how will the world view me?”
Claiming that other people’s opinions did not matter would be far too false!
How many people in this world could truly ignore the way others saw them?
“So for the sake of face and dignity, you’re willing to abandon everything and help tyrants commit evil?” Zhou Ming asked. “Which choice do you think people will despise more?”
“Uh!”
Cangxuan had no answer.
He knew Zhou Ming was using righteousness to pressure him, but he also knew these were not empty, grandiose words.
“You’re afraid to speak with me precisely because the thought of rebelling has already taken root in your heart, but you don’t dare reveal it!” Zhou Ming released his arm and softened his voice. “Brother Cangxuan, I sincerely invite you to join the Hope Faction because I respect your character. But I’m not shameless, either. I won’t repeatedly humble myself and come begging you to join. Think carefully before you choose!”
Renee froze when she heard Zhouyou Shijie’s words.
Humble yourself?
You’ve practically branded him humanity’s greatest traitor!
At that, Cangxuan’s expression shifted repeatedly as a fierce internal struggle raged within him.
“Brother Cang, why hesitate?” Ye Zhibei lent his support from the side. “The best choice is right before you!”
“Sigh!”
After a long while, Cangxuan sighed. “Give me more time to think!”
Everything had happened too suddenly!
Under Zhouyou Shijie’s relentless verbal bombardment, Cangxuan had yet to recover. His thoughts were a complete mess.
“Think?”
The corner of Zhou Ming’s mouth lifted. “Sorry, but you no longer have the chance!”
“What do you mean?” Unease rose in Cangxuan’s heart.
“Our conversation just now, along with the way you hesitated…”
“What about it?”
“I recorded the whole thing!”
“…”
The air fell silent.
…