Dongbo Xueying dared not trust easily. Faced with the temptation of the ‘Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl,’ the Supreme Being Shifa might very well abandon all pretense of honor and resort to a joint attack. In such a scenario, for the sake of survival, the Divine Emperor Beihe would likely compromise. But once they were on the verge of leaving Shifa Island, the Divine Emperor Beihe, coveting the Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl, would likely betray them without hesitation.
“Divine Emperor Beihe, what Supreme Being Shifa said is true,” Dongbo Xueying transmitted via voice. “I have not yet reached the Ultimate realm. Though I am somewhat curious about entering the Fang Corridor, I do not harbor any maddening desire for it.”
Upon hearing this, the Divine Emperor Beihe’s heart stirred.
“But this Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl is rather unique. I wish to study it for a time,” Dongbo Xueying continued. “How about this—let me study the pearl for a trillion years. After that, it shall be yours. If you fear I might flee with it, I can keep this avatar carrying the pearl by your side at all times, even within your spatial treasure. We can both swear an oath on this. Surely you know how binding such oaths are for cultivators like us!”
“Excellent, excellent!” The Divine Emperor Beihe was overjoyed and transmitted back, “Brother Feixue, your generosity is beyond measure. I do not know how to repay you—this is a debt I owe you. After this matter is settled, whatever you wish from me, just name it.”
“Shall we swear the oath now?” Dongbo Xueying asked.
“Of course. You swear first, and I shall follow,” the Divine Emperor Beihe replied eagerly.
Thus, the two quietly reached an agreement and bound themselves with oaths.
Dongbo Xueying had no other choice.
Trust Supreme Being Shifa? A Supreme Being of the Deathblade race? He truly dared not!
That left only the Divine Emperor Beihe.
Without offering sufficient benefits—and even swearing an oath—Dongbo Xueying suspected that, given the Divine Emperor Beihe’s temperament, betrayal was inevitable.
Alas…
Weakness in strength left him no other option.
“Emperor Feixue, have you made your choice? Will you trust me, or him?” Supreme Being Shifa spoke.
“Supreme Being, my apologies,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
“Very well. I hope you do not regret this,” Supreme Being Shifa said coldly. He knew full well the poor reputation of the three Supreme Beings of the Deathblade race. It was only natural for Dongbo Xueying to place his trust in the Divine Emperor Beihe instead.
Turning to the Divine Emperor Beihe, Supreme Being Shifa sneered, “Beihe, your luck is truly astounding. Shall I escort you off the island?”
“No need,” the Divine Emperor Beihe replied. “Flying out won’t take long!”
Whoosh!
With a wave of his hand, the Divine Emperor Beihe stored Dongbo Xueying away and swiftly soared into the distance, transforming into a river of light that streaked across the floating islands.
—
Within the spatial treasure…
Dongbo Xueying’s many avatars stood gathered.
“The Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl…” He held the pearl in his hand, immersing himself in its mysteries, utterly captivated.
The illusory world contained within the pearl was beyond extraordinary. Every illusionary structure he had memorized from the golden and gray eyes could be assimilated into it, as if it could encompass all things.
“The essence of a world lies in its capacity to embrace.”
“It can contain everything.”
“Yet the illusory world within this Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl remains incomplete. After all, the Hunyuan lifeform it belonged to is dead, greatly diminishing its wonders.” Dongbo Xueying mused. Of course, had it been alive, he would never have had the chance to study it so closely.
Just as he was deep in contemplation…
A figure materialized beside him—an avatar of the Divine Emperor Beihe.
“Divine Emperor,” Dongbo Xueying glanced at him. “Are we nearing the edge of the floating island?”
“Almost,” the Divine Emperor Beihe smiled. “Brother Feixue, I truly owe you a great debt. Thanks to you, I’ve gathered ample Black Leaf Flower nectar. And now, you’ve promised me the Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl after a trillion years. Such generosity—how can I ever repay you? Though I could gather a few Supreme treasures, they pale in comparison to the pearl. This kindness is beyond repayment. I can only hold it in my heart.”
“Hold it in your heart?” Dongbo Xueying was taken aback. Hadn’t he mentioned gifting Supreme treasures as thanks? A sense of foreboding struck him.
“Also, the Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl is far too precious. I simply cannot rest easy leaving it in your hands for a trillion years. It would be much safer if I took possession of it sooner,” the Divine Emperor Beihe’s smile widened.
Dongbo Xueying’s expression darkened. “Beihe, you—”
“Indeed. Finally catching on, are we?” The Divine Emperor Beihe raised a hand, and with a thunderous roar, a terrifying river of sword light surged forth. He smirked as he watched Dongbo Xueying.
Dongbo Xueying attempted to activate the Great Void Transference technique, but within the confines of the floating island, escape was impossible.
“I was blind to trust you!” His eyes turned icy.
Boom!
His avatars stood no chance against the Divine Emperor Beihe’s river of sword light—all were annihilated in an instant.
Only the Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl remained.
The Divine Emperor Beihe trembled with excitement as he reached out and seized it. “The Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl… is finally mine! How foolish. A trillion years? Though you swore an oath, who knows what might happen in such a vast span of time? It’s far safer in my hands now.”
“Hah! This harvest is beyond my wildest dreams—enough nectar, and now the pearl!”
“That Emperor Feixue was truly a fool. Did he really believe I’d honor my oath? Hahaha!” The Divine Emperor Beihe sneered.
In his weaker days, he had lived in the Heartvoid Continent.
The cultivators there had no idea he was a native of the Broken Tooth Mountain Range. Using the ‘oath-swearing’ trick, he had deceived many of them!
“You cultivators care so much about oaths. I couldn’t care less!” He scoffed. Among the natives, some strove to emulate cultivators, refining their hearts and honoring oaths. But others, like him, held no such regard.
—
The moment he struck, the Divine Emperor Beihe had already reached the edge of the floating island. The island’s suppression ensured Dongbo Xueying could not escape via Great Void Transference.
The instant the deed was done, he crossed beyond the island’s bounds.
“Beihe, you went through with it after all.” A figure appeared in the distance—Supreme Being Shifa, having teleported over.
“Hmph.” The Divine Emperor Beihe smirked. “Too bad for you. I’m already beyond the island. There’s nothing you can do.”
With that, he vanished in a teleportation flash.
Supreme Being Shifa watched him go, chuckling softly. “Poor Emperor Feixue. I told you—you would regret it. Had you sided with me, I might have tossed you some scraps later. But aligning with Beihe? Your treasure was snatched the moment you turned your back. In the end, your combat prowess is simply too weak. Relying solely on soul techniques, you can only cling to others in battle.”
“Beihe, your betrayal was expected.”
“But now that you’ve seized the Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl, you’ve made an enemy of Emperor Feixue. His personal strength may be lacking, but his threat is immense.” A cold glint flashed in Supreme Being Shifa’s eyes. The pearl had been within his grasp, yet the Divine Emperor Beihe had taken it. He would not let the emperor enjoy his spoils in peace.
—
“He actually betrayed me.”
“I swore an oath. He swore an oath. And yet he still betrayed me?” In the Starry Sky World, a solitary avatar of Dongbo Xueying sat in a courtyard, drinking wine, his face twisted in fury.
He had known that no matter whom he sided with, danger lurked.
He had even agreed to relinquish the pearl—only asking to study it for a trillion years. Both had sworn oaths. Given Dongbo Xueying’s influence across the Broken Tooth Mountain Range, betrayal would have made life difficult for the Divine Emperor Beihe. And yet, he had done it anyway.
“Damn it all.”
Dongbo Xueying sighed in resignation.
What could he do? His strength was lacking. Even if the emperors and Supreme Beings were reduced to a tenth of their power, crushing him would still be effortless.
“Brother Feixue, you actually obtained the Thousand-Eyed Water Pearl in Shifa Island, only for Beihe to steal it?”
“Emperor Feixue, I heard you aided Beihe, and he repaid you with betrayal, taking the pearl? After your help, such ingratitude cannot stand! Let me assist you—we shall march upon the Beihe World and confront that treacherous emperor!”
“Brother Feixue! Beihe has gone too far! We cannot let this slide!”
Messages flooded in one after another.
—
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage