Xu Ran said, “Let’s not dwell on trivial matters.”
“Yes,” Aye retreated behind Xu Ran.
At that moment, Zhang Boqian suddenly asked, “I have one more question. May I ask the envoy to enlighten me? What is the beginning of Zai Yao?”
Xu Ran explained, “It’s a long story, but I’ll try to keep it brief. Back then, our ancestor, after enlightening and awakening the human race, felt sorrow for the many years humans had been enslaved as blood food. He, together with the descendants of the Ji Hou, devised the grand plan known as the beginning of Zai Yao. Ji Xingjin believed that other races had fallen into this state due to being implicated by their ancestor, Ji Hou. Thus, he decided to sever the wings of the flying snake and use them as the light wheel to initiate the beginning of Zai Yao.”
“Speaking of the beginning of Zai Yao, one cannot ignore the Blood River. The Blood River is a divine object in this world, and only it can stir the solar disk. Therefore, the first step of this great plan was to connect the Blood River with the solar disk. Though this method was like stealing the secrets of the heavens, with our ancestor’s formidable abilities back then, he managed to devise a way, leaving a hidden hand within the flying snake. Once the Ji descendants understood the secret of the Blood River, they could act.”
Here, Xu Ran gave a cold laugh, “It’s amusing how the barbaric demon descendants think they gained an advantage by agreeing to distance the Blood River from the human race, believing they would harm the blood races. So, they sold the secrets of the Blood River they possessed without reservation. The Blood River did indeed move away, but it wasn’t pushed away; it was pulled away by the solar disk. As the Blood River moved, the solar disk descended. Do they think they’re just destroying the blood races?”
Even Hao Di and Zhang Boqian, with their composure, were taken aback.
The scale of this plan was truly beyond imagination. Only someone with the extraordinary talent of Xu Fu and Ji Xingjin could have conceived and executed such a plan using the Blood River to guide the solar disk.
“Since the solar disk has been activated, it’s only a matter of time. However, I didn’t expect that there would be someone in this world capable of resonating with the Blood River and even recalling it here. This is like ordering the Blood River to pull the solar disk over, which will save me a lot of time.”
Xu Ran smiled slightly and said, “I came here a day early not just to save a few people. Let’s go to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. I want to see how far you’ve progressed in mastering the Heavenly Secrets Technique of our ancestor.”
Hao Di stood up and said, “I will lead the way.”
A short while later, Xu Ran stood in the main hall of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, his gaze sweeping over the group of Heavenly Secrets Adepts, shaking his head in disapproval. When he saw Empress Li, his eyes lit up, followed by a sigh. “You have good potential, but it’s a pity you’ve taken the wrong path.”
Empress Li, who had been calm, felt a stirring in her heart and spoke clearly, “What do you mean by the wrong path? Please, Divine Envoy, enlighten me!”
Xu Ran turned and looked her up and down, his gaze seemingly piercing through her entire being.
Hao Di’s fingers twitched, then fell still.
Xu Ran observed for a while before saying, “From your lineage, you seem to be a descendant of General Li. The Li lineage is fierce and suited for battle, but the Heavenly Secrets Technique is not their forte. The techniques you’ve practiced show many small tricks to overcome your inherent weaknesses. While it is clever, it lacks the purity and clarity of true Heavenly Secrets Technique, ’embracing the will of heaven.’ In the end, it falls short. Moreover, our Xu lineage’s Great Derivative Heavenly Secrets Technique requires extremely high innate talent. Even if we taught you, you wouldn’t be able to master it.”
He looked around and said, “Not a single person in this pavilion can master it. I heard that your Great Qin Empire has billions of citizens. Is there not a single one capable of mastering it?”
Hao Di’s spirits lifted, and he said, “My late teacher, Lin Xitang, mastered the Great Derivative Heavenly Secrets Technique to the highest level!”
Xu Ran was visibly moved and said, “Where is this person? I must meet him! No, I’ll go to see him.”
Aye gently reminded, “Late teacher…”
Xu Ran realized, sighed deeply.
Empress Li, feeling lost, laughed bitterly, “So, was my wish to outshine him just a foolish dream?”
Learning of Lin Xitang, Xu Ran’s eyes shone, and he looked around as if he could see the nine heavens and ten earths. After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, nodding, “Indeed, the Great Derivative Heavenly Secrets are intricately arranged everywhere. Such a handiwork, even I am slightly inferior. He truly reached the highest realm. What a pity, what a pity!”
Hao Di asked, “What is the pity, I wonder?”
Xu Ran replied, “If he were still alive, with his single contribution, if he were willing to serve in the Celestial Realm, it would be enough to absolve the original sins of Ji Hou and the other lineages.”
“If Master Lin were still here, his lifespan might not last until he returned to the Celestial Realm.”
“The short lifespans of the human race are due to two reasons. First, the harsh environment of this world, where the dark force constantly erodes and shortens life. Second, our ancestor accelerated the human race’s thousand-year destiny, and such a sudden burst of fortune naturally comes at a cost—lifespan. If he were still here, with specific measures, extending his life by a few hundred years would be a minor matter.”
After a sigh, Xu Ran said, “Show me the planned trajectory of the solar disk.”
Hao Di gestured, and Empress Li composed herself, conjuring countless glimmers in the center of the hall, forming a panoramic view of the Evernight World, with a golden line indicating the direction and angle of the solar disk’s trajectory.
Xu Ran examined it, silently calculating. After a while, he said, “Too far.”
“Too far?” Hao Di was startled.
Xu Ran flicked his finger, revealing a new trajectory much closer, almost reaching the two suns of the Evernight World.
“This, this trajectory, would turn half the continent into a sea of fire, wouldn’t it?”
Xu Ran’s smile faded, and he said coldly, “Only this trajectory can ensure the extinction of all life in this world that thrives on dark forces.”
Zhang Boqian interjected, “With this, not only the dark races, but all life in this world would be destroyed!”
“They are barbarians; their extinction is no loss. As for the beasts and birds that haven’t awakened, their death is of no concern. When the dawn forces dominate, new life will emerge.”
Zhang Boqian’s eyes showed seriousness. Although he had no qualms about killing powerful beings of the Evernight, the total annihilation of all life in this world was a different matter.
Hao Di said, “In this case, many of our people would also die. Please, Divine Envoy, reconsider.”
Xu Ran responded coldly, “Our ancestor, with his unparalleled talent, had his lifespan shortened because of you. This deep enmity, if not placed on the dark beings, should I blame you? Furthermore, you are descendants of sinners. Until the Celestial Realm acknowledges you, you remain in a state of sin. As sinners, if you don’t work hard to cultivate and improve, you deserve to die. If not here, they won’t survive the long journey back to the Celestial Realm.”
Hao Di was stunned by Xu Ran’s words. Bowing again, he said, “This action is against the natural order. Please, Divine Envoy, reconsider.”
Xu Ran gave a cold laugh, “What, do you want me to forget our ancestor’s great enmity for the sake of some useless sinners? Without our ancestor, you would still be pigs and sheep. Such ingratitude, was this how your ancestors taught you? The trajectory of the solar disk will be as I have shown. Whoever dares to argue, don’t blame me for being ruthless. I have the power to punish a few sinners.”
Hao Di wanted to persuade further but was tugged by Empress Li and fell silent.
Xu Ran said calmly, “Lead the way. I am tired and need to rest. We will guide the solar disk in three hours.”
Hao Di said, “Please follow me, Divine Envoy.”
Shortly, Xu Ran arrived at Hao Di’s chambers, then waved for Hao Di to leave, leaving only Jian Nan and Nü Ye inside.
When no one was around, Nü Ye asked, “Why must you set the trajectory of the solar disk here?”
Xu Ran smiled slightly and said, “Don’t you know?”
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