The burly figure said nothing. His gaze fell upon Hong Ling, and amid the placid ripples in his eyes, complex emotions emerged.
There was surprise, helplessness, and even acceptance.
"So that was how it was?"
"I should have known!"
A voice that seemed to travel across endless time and space rang beside Lin Xuan and Chu Xi's ears.
The two were utterly blank-minded, unable to understand its meaning. Then, the voice that pierced through endless time and space continued.
"So, in the later ages, our Hundred Clans' Heaven Smiting has already failed. For Glory-Ranked descendants to have fallen into such a state..."
Lin Xuan and Chu Xi's eyes widened. They understood now—this Glory-Rank Bloodline bearer had seen through everything, glimpsing the future from the past.
"Everything is fate!"
He sighed with emotion. His voice drifted, and his gaze gradually returned to calm before words like a declaration rang out.
"But if we do not defy the heavens, are we truly to let our descendants become sacrificial dogs?"
With that, he turned and left. His figure slowly faded, yet his voice remained within the River of Time.
"This battle is not for shattering the heavens and breaking the Dao, but only to shake apart the grip of fate's truth. Though we die, we shall have no regrets."
As the final word fell, the Glory-Rank Bloodline King's figure completely departed from the River of Time.
Within that fragment of time, the two thousand-zhang figures continued onward along the dazzling road that reached the heavens.
At that moment, Lin Xuan saw their desolation. Yet clearly, they were firmer than anyone else. The phrase selfless devotion had taken tangible form at this instant.
"There is no such thing as peaceful years; it is only that someone is carrying the burden forward for you!"
A