The Imaginary Tree Ordered Otto Apocalypse: Prune This Civilization

He stood before the hall with his arms spread wide, as though he wanted to embrace the entire rewritten sky. At his feet, Kiana and Durandal were still nailed beyond that layer of white light, like two flames frozen in amber.

"He isn't looking at them anymore," Ye Yinzhu said softly, his fingertips gently resting on the strings as if he felt cold for the flames abandoned within that scene.

"No," Huo Yuhao said. "He'll look at them again. Once they stand back up and rush before him, he'll lead them into that divine palace. Because they're still useful. Before, they were keys. Now, they're the final two candles before the altar. He needs them to stay lit, but he also needs them not to shine too brightly. That kind of control is colder than battle."

"But has he considered what he'll be if Kevin returns from the Sea of Quantum?" Chang Gongwei suddenly asked.

"Of course he has," Huo Yuhao said. "That's why he's so desperate to complete the final step. He knows he isn't the strongest. He also knows certain people will return. Before that happens, he wants to lock down Kallen's World Line. Once it is fixed, he won't fear anyone anymore. Because by then, he won't even have to accept defeat."

"Those who refuse to accept defeat are the most likely to lose on the final step," Tang San said quietly.

"What did you see?" Hai Long asked.

"He has placed himself at the center of the altar for too long," Tang San said. "So long that he has forgotten even a divine throne can collapse. Especially when what lies beneath his feet is five hundred years of blood and the hatred of countless people. Usually, that blood and hatred are merely numbers. But if even