"It seems Defender Shen has reaped a considerable harvest this ti!"
He was sowhat shocked and also deeply moved. Although Dongfang Zhao had long contemplated that the other party would surpass him one day, he had not expected this day to co so swiftly. Without a physical contest, based solely on what had just transpired, it was already clear who was superior.
Slightly emotional, his heart was filled more with joy. The stronger Shen Changqing beca, the more it signified a successor for the Demon-Subduing Division. This way, even if he were to pass away, the Demon-Subduing Division would not crumble.
"I have gained a little, thanks largely to Lord Defender sharing his Martial Arts with ," Shen Changqing replied modestly with a smile.
Then, he changed the subject. "What is the current situation at Heavenly Gate Pass?"
As this subject arose, Dongfang Zhao's smile faded, his expression turning somber. "His Majesty has not appeared for several days, and the undercurrents are already stirring. So perceptive individuals have already guessed quite a bit. While the news hasn't spread, the Demon Evil are surely well aware."
"Next," he continued, "we'll see if that Demon Saint takes the bait."
Gu Xuanji's feigned death was ant to lure the Demon Saint into a trap. If the Demon Saint didn't show up, then the feigned death would serve no purpose. Moreover, seven days had passed. In just over another half a month, Gu Xuanji's lifespan would be truly exhausted. If the Demon Saint ca after that, it would all be too late.
Shen Changqing's brows furrowed. "If I were the Demon Saint, I probably wouldn't act hastily. I would wait until things were completely certain before attacking Great Qin."
He had always felt that Gu Xuanji's plan was sowhat risky. Under normal circumstances, if the Demon Saint truly dreaded his opponent, he would not easily risk danger. Unless... unless that Demon Saint truly hated Gu Xuanji to such an extent that he would act in haste upon receiving the slightest bit of news.
"You're aware that a Demon Saint's remnant body is sealed in the Demon Sealing Tower in the Capital City, aren't you?"
"Mm." Shen Changqing nodded.
Then, a thought struck him. "Lord Defender, are you saying that the remnant body of that Demon Saint cos from the Ghost Saint?"
"Exactly." Dongfang Zhao nodded. "A hundred years ago, the Ghost Saint invaded Great Qin. Back then, he was arrogant and full of himself, holding Great Qin in utter contempt. So, upon entering Great Qin, he went straight for the Capital City, intending to carry out a decapitation strike. However, His Majesty intercepted the Ghost Saint in the Capital City and, drawing upon the fortune of Great Qin, severely wounded him. Later, we of the Demon-Subduing Division took action, severed part of his body, and sealed it within the Demon Sealing Tower. That is why the Ghost Saint has not appeared for a hundred years."
Severing part of his body was tantamount to permanently losing that portion of his strength. Whether he could recover in a hundred years was questionable. Similarly, the Ghost Saint would certainly not let such enmity go easily. Gu Xuanji's confidence was also based on the Ghost Saint's hatred for him and for Great Qin.
"I have a premonition that it won't be long before a great battle takes place at Heavenly Gate Pass!" Dongfang Zhao stood up, his expression lancholic.
When it ca to this great battle, neither he nor Shen Changqing would be the protagonists this ti. Only Gu Xuanji and the Ghost Saint were the main players. Victory or defeat would be revealed then.
Shen Changqing understood this. "What are Yan Jing and the others planning now?"
"Right now, they still don't know the truth of the matter. So things are best not known by too many," Dongfang Zhao said, shaking his head. "They have already sent the ssage back. Once preparations in the Capital City are complete, they will transport the 'remains' back. This whole process will take a considerable amount of ti, so there's no need to worry too much for now."
Then, he turned his gaze to Shen Changqing. "Defender Shen, rest and recuperate well. If sothing goes wrong in the upcoming battle, it will be ti for you and to step up."
If Gu Xuanji were defeated, the strongest remaining in Great Qin would be himself and Shen Changqing. At that point, a desperate battle would be unavoidable.
Hearing this, Shen Changqing's expression remained calm. "I understand."
「Another two days passed.」
Inside Heavenly Gate Pass, all was calm.
Atop the city walls, Shen Changqing sat alone, his gaze directed towards the land of the forr Great Zhou. There, he could still make out the silhouette of Zhou Pass. However, with Great Zhou now fallen, Zhou Pass had also been completely abandoned.
Gazing in that direction, his thoughts drifted far away.
If Gu Xuanji is defeated, then only Dongfang Zhao and I will be left! he thought.
Truthfully, he had once considered that if Great Qin were to collapse, he would just flee using his own strength. After all, although the Demon Saint was powerful, with his own thods, survival wouldn't be a problem. But now that it had co to this, he found that he really seed to have no retreat.
Flee? Where could he flee to?
Heaven and Earth are vast, but ultimately, they have limits.
After receiving several Divine Skill inheritances and experiencing those Illusory Realms—though he didn't know if they were real or false—his heart had gained so unique insights. Perhaps there truly were such powerful beings in existence, capable of destroying Heaven and Earth with a re flick of the wrist. If that were the case, even if he fled, where could he possibly go?
Moreover—
Shen Changqing looked ahead at Zhou Pass, feeling its eerie stillness.
If the Human Clan were truly annihilated, even if he alone survived, he would probably feel an endless loneliness, wouldn't he?
Loneliness! It was a terrifying thing.
The destruction of Great Zhou made him feel as if he were witnessing a potential future for the Human Clan. If the Demon Evil could destroy Great Zhou, they could potentially destroy the entire Human Clan. If the Human Clan were extinguished, then what would be the aning of his own survival? It was like his pursuit of immortality—if the end of immortality was eternal desolation, then it seed rather pointless.
"Perhaps—I should no longer retreat!" he resolved inwardly.
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