Chapter 773: The Path of Cultivation Must Be Walked Alone

“Spare me, Senior, spare my life.” Guguangluo had no intention of resisting at all, pleading desperately. Though terrified, he still clung to hope. In his mind, if they had wanted to kill him, they would have done so already. Keeping him alive until now likely meant they intended to spare him. Or perhaps they knew of his master, ‘Bone Ancestor.’

Bone Ancestor, after all, was an existence who had reached the pinnacle of cultivation, with immense influence and status. This black wild dog before him must still fear his master.

“Spare you?” The black wild dog held Guguangluo in its claws, tilting its head to look at him. “Roar~~~ You fool, I could have ignored you even if you slept in this universe for several epochs. You fought Blood Blade and the others and escaped—fine. But you actually tried to destroy the universe my master created while fleeing? You truly have a death wish!”

Guguangluo trembled with fear but then grew puzzled. He couldn’t help but ask, “Senior, your master created this universe?”

Not just Guguangluo, even the rulers present—Pang Yi, the Island Master of Time and Space, the Master of Ten Thousand Gods Hall, the Progenitor of the Abyss, Lady Ganhe—all wore expressions of shock.

Dongbo Xueying sighed inwardly. It seemed very few knew that ‘Ancestor Tianyu created this universe.’ He himself had only learned of it when he met the Voidwalker Gu Qi. Even when he first entered the Primordial Land, he had assumed its master was merely a mysterious powerhouse, never realizing it was the creator of the universe. Only after passing the trial of the Creation Realm and entering the thatched hut did he see the projection of Ancestor Tianyu, who revealed the truth.

Very, very few knew Ancestor Tianyu created this universe!

The black wild dog and the white-haired elder of the Primordial Land knew, but they never spoke of it. The Voidwalker Gu Qi also knew but only told his successor. Likely, a handful of historical figures like the Sword Master of Heartlake Island, who passed the Creation Realm trial, also knew. But such secrets weren’t casually shared with juniors—those too weak to handle the knowledge had no need for it.

“Hmm?” Dongbo Xueying glanced around. “My master and Yuanchu Master seem to know as well?”

Blood Blade Divine Emperor looked at Dongbo Xueying and transmitted a message with a smile, “Xueying, I never expected you to become a disciple of the Taixu Temple.” Blood Blade had long known this universe was created by Ancestor Tianyu, but information about the ‘Taixu Temple’ had only flooded his mind after he became a Void God. It included vast details about the Taixu Temple, the Five Great Sacred Worlds, and even a route map to the ‘Sevenstar Sea Sacred World.’

“I passed the trial of the Creation Realm in the Primordial Land and thus became a disciple of the Taixu Temple,” Dongbo Xueying replied via transmission.

“Ancestor Tianyu is the progenitor of our universe. Naturally, we are all part of the Taixu Temple,” Blood Blade Divine Emperor nodded.

…

Their mood was lighthearted.

But Guguangluo was utterly terrified. “A master? How could an existence of this level willingly serve as a subordinate? And why would they stay inside a universe for so long? Isn’t that like being imprisoned?” He knew full well the strength of this black wild dog—outside, it could easily be a revered ancestor. Only those who reached the pinnacle of cultivation could command such beings. Even then, powerhouses had their pride; few at this level would willingly serve as subordinates!

Even if there were exceptions—those strong enough yet willing to serve—they would surely have greater ambitions. Staying inside a universe for prolonged guardianship was unthinkable. There were no formidable opponents here, no challenges to hone their skills. It was akin to imprisonment.

Only one answer made sense.

“This black wild dog isn’t a true living being. It must be a crafted puppet,” Guguangluo thought. As a puppet, it would obey its master’s commands absolutely.

“But…” The realization only deepened his horror.

Among those who reached the pinnacle of cultivation, only a handful could craft such terrifying puppets. Not all were skilled in artificing. Ancestor Tianyu, who had mastered the Rule and Mystery system, excelled in it. Others, like the Mother Goddess Sect or the Voidwalker lineage, were far less proficient.

“Creating a puppet near the Void ‘Chaos Realm’ level is far harder than crafting a universe. To expend such resources only to leave it here?” Guguangluo felt it was madness.

Entering this universe—only to learn it was created! And now, there was also a terrifying puppet guarding it?

“How could the creator of this universe be so wasteful?” Guguangluo couldn’t believe it. If his master, Bone Ancestor, had such a powerful subordinate, he would keep it by his side to handle important tasks. Such a loyal and mighty servant was invaluable.

Yet Ancestor Tianyu had simply left the black wild dog here!

…

“You could have lived, but you chose death. Of course, I’ll oblige. Blood Blade, Dongbo, you little ones have no objections, right? If not, I’ll eat him now.” The black wild dog glanced at Dongbo Xueying and the others. They all shook their heads.

No objections! They all wanted Guguangluo dead.

“Eat me?” Guguangluo snapped out of his thoughts, terrified. “Senior, spare me! Please spare my life!”

“Roar~~~” The black wild dog bared its teeth, deliberately slow as it lifted Guguangluo toward its gaping maw.

Guguangluo panicked. “I—I am a disciple of Bone Ancestor! The Seventh Holy Son! You can’t kill me! Bone Ancestor will never let you go!”

“Bone Ancestor?” The black wild dog paused, sneering. “Since when does the Taixu Temple fear an old skeleton? Let him try facing my master if he dares!”

Among those who reached the pinnacle, strength varied.

Ancestor Tianyu was a terrifying existence. Bone Ancestor? He was nothing in comparison.

“Hmph.” Dongbo Xueying shook his head slightly. Even back then, Ancestor Tianyu hadn’t cared about Bone Ancestor. Now, the Taixu Temple had two such beings—Ancestor Tianyu and the Sword Master of Heartlake Island! Their combined might far surpassed a mere Bone Ancestor. Moreover, Ancestor Tianyu was famously protective of his disciples. So much so that he had crafted the black wild dog at great cost to guard this universe.

“You… you…” Guguangluo knew the reputation of the Taixu Temple and grew desperate. “If you wanted to kill me, why not do it earlier? Why capture me alive only to kill me now?”

“I captured you to scold you first. Then let you die in despair and terror.” The black wild dog grinned, revealing rows of white teeth.

Guguangluo was stunned.

Captured alive just to be berated? To die in greater fear? This… this…

“Die now.” The black wild dog continued its slow motion, lifting Guguangluo despite his frantic struggles. An invisible force held him powerless, leaving him to watch helplessly as the massive maw drew nearer.

“Gulp.”

Guguangluo was tossed into the mouth.

The enormous black wild dog crunched twice before swallowing. Then it turned to Blood Blade Divine Emperor, Dongbo Xueying, and the others. They were speechless—this senior was quite the character, taunting its prey before finishing it off.

“Why are you all staring?” The black wild dog glared. “Want the Chaos Ark?”

Blood Blade Divine Emperor, Dongbo Xueying, Pang Yi, Qing Jun, and the others perked up.

The black wild dog had no use for the Chaos Ark, but it was highly valuable to them.

“Dream on!” The black wild dog scoffed. “My master said the path of cultivation relies on oneself! No free rides. I killed Guguangluo, so the Chaos Ark is mine!”

Dongbo Xueying and the others were speechless.

What use did such a powerful being have for a Chaos Ark?

“The Ark naturally belongs to you, Senior,” Blood Blade Divine Emperor said with a smile. “We never imagined our universe had such a guardian. Had we known, this war wouldn’t have been so desperate.”

“Hmph. I wouldn’t have intervened if Guguangluo hadn’t tried to destroy this epoch,” the black wild dog snorted. “My master said cultivation depends on oneself. The war with the Mother Goddess Sect was your trial. If you died, it was due to weakness. Only if they had nearly succeeded in altering the universe with their altar would I have acted.”

“Hmph. The Mother Goddess is domineering, but my master outsmarted her. Thinking they could twist his creation into their own? Pure delusion.” The black wild dog sneered.

Truthfully, few who reached the pinnacle would leave behind a puppet ten times more valuable than the universe itself.

“Focus on your cultivation,” the black wild dog said, scanning Blood Blade Divine Emperor and Dongbo Xueying. “You have protection here, but outside is far more dangerous. Oh, by the way—need help with that Mother Goddess Sect warship?” Its eyes gleamed as it glanced at the Xumu Battleship. It loved collecting treasures.

“No need,” Blood Blade Divine Emperor said quickly. “I can handle it in time.”

“Fine.”

The black wild dog nodded, then turned and vanished into the void.

Blood Blade Divine Emperor exhaled in relief. He still wanted the Mother Goddess Sect’s treasures for himself—if the black wild dog took them, they’d be gone for good.

“Blood Blade, what about the Mother Goddess Sect’s leader?” The Progenitor of the Abyss pointed at the unconscious Sangdan Leader floating in the distance.

“Eliminate him,” Blood Blade Divine Emperor said coldly, then turned his gaze to the Xumu Battleship.

“Everyone, I only have one body now, so I’ll need your help to relocate our people from the Heartlake Island ruins,” Blood Blade Divine Emperor said. “The war is over.”

“Right.” Dongbo Xueying and the others smiled. It was time to bring them home.

“Still, after this battle—and seeing the senior’s power—we’re still far too weak,” Blood Blade Divine Emperor said. “Post-war, we must cultivate diligently. Our epoch may yet surpass the Third Universe Epoch.”

Qing Jun, the Hellfire Ruler, Pang Yi, Yuanchu Master, the Island Master of Time and Space—all burned with determination. Dongbo Xueying’s strength, Blood Blade’s breakthrough, the crisis of universal annihilation, the black wild dog’s might—all spurred them to grow stronger.