Humans and Fierce Beasts, Decisions and the Future (3)

In the silent hall, only the soft sounds of everyone's breathing could be heard. Xu Jiawei lowered his eyes slightly, making it impossible to discern the emotions in them, let alone know what he was thinking at that moment.

No one understood better than him what Shu Yan's words had represented. The stance taken by the Ice Snow Two Emperors had shaken him even more deeply. It was a shock and disbelief that came from the depths of his soul. Gods—beings that existed in everyone's understanding yet remained incomparably distant. Yet at this moment, Xu Jiawei felt as though he had, for the first time, directly sensed the existence of gods. To an emperor, the Path to Godhood proposed by Shu Yan was immensely shocking. But amid that shock, it seemed as though a flame had been ignited within Xu Jiawei's heart. What exactly did gods represent? Xu Jiawei let out a deep breath, then said in a low voice:

"Two questions, A Yan. I hope you can answer them truthfully."

Shu Yan nodded lightly without refusing.

Xu Jiawei suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and regained the calmness and wisdom unique to an emperor. He said gravely:

"First question: are you a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? Or rather, which side do you truly belong to?"

Shu Yan answered without the slightest hesitation:

"I am human. Perhaps there has been something different about me since childhood, but I can guarantee with my martial soul and my life that I am indeed human, not a Soul Beast."

Xu Jiawei nodded and quietly let out a breath of relief before continuing:

"Second, I want to know why you told Jiujiu and me something so important. What you discussed with those two honored guests is of great consequence. If I were you, I would never casually reveal it to outsiders, lest I bring about my own death."

Having said that, Xu Jiawei's gaze settled heavily upon Shu Yan, as though waiting for his explanation.

Shu Yan smiled faintly, then said:

"It is very simple. Imperial Brother, Jiujiu, you are both my family. From the welfare institution established by the Star Luo Imperial Family taking me in as a child, to later awakening my martial soul for free, and then the imperial family's expenditure of countless precious resources to raise me and guide my cultivation—these are all facts. Without the empire, perhaps my life would have ended the moment I was abandoned beside a small road outside Star Luo City. Or perhaps I would have been picked up by some passerby, only to be unable to awaken my martial soul because of poverty and live out an ordinary life from then on. My own talent may have played a part in this, but the debt of saving my life truly exists. Of course, that is only one reason."

"Second, there are many things I cannot say outright. But I can tell you, Imperial Brother, that becoming a god in this era is very difficult. The specific reasons lie with both the God Realm and the continent."

"This matter concerns the strongest member of the first generation of Shrek's Seven Monsters. He is now one of the rulers of the God Realm. After ten thousand years of change, Shrek Academy remains powerful, and its momentum is even growing stronger. Too many deeply rooted matters are involved. What they touch upon are now considered taboo, so it would be best not to become involved too early."

"In the near future, the continent will once again welcome a glorious age like the one ten thousand years ago. By then, geniuses will emerge in great numbers, powerful figures will run rampant, and war, chaos, and bloody clashes will appear once more. Yet behind it all lie tremendous opportunities, along with equally immense shadows..."

Xu Jiawei slowly raised his eyes, closed them briefly, then spoke again:

"So you have not only arranged a path for yourself, but are also preparing to bring an upheaval in scale and circumstances to the entire continent?"

Shu Yan nodded noncommittally and said softly:

"Why not? Without the Sun Moon Empire, would Shrek Academy's existence still hold such importance? Star Luo is already the strongest nation among the three countries of the Original Continent. Imperial Brother, I do not believe the word 'unification' has never crossed your mind. Or rather, any emperor with ambition would take a profound interest in it..."

Xu Jiawei's breathing grew more rapid. Just as Shu Yan had said, an emperor with ambition and foresight would always harbor immense desire and pursuit for the word "unification."

But Xu Jiawei also understood the difficulty of such a matter. He suppressed his surging emotions and spoke again:

"How certain are you?"

Shu Yan pondered for a moment before replying:

"Judging by my current cultivation speed, I am confident that I can break through to the Soul Sage level before reaching adulthood. At that time, with my Ultimate attributes and the strength of my martial soul, I am confident that I can fight an ordinary Titled Douluo."

"Before the age of twenty-one, I am confident that I can break through to the Titled Douluo realm. At that time, I will be able to confront Super Douluo below Rank 99 head-on. If nothing unexpected happens, before the age of twenty-five, my Soul Power Level will reach the level of a Super Douluo or even a Limit Douluo. By then, there should be very few people on the entire continent who can rival me..."

Everyone sharply drew in a breath. Seeing the seriousness in Shu Yan's eyes, Xu Jiawei's breathing grew heavier as well.

"The Sun Moon Empire's national strength and the Soul Tool Technology it possesses almost completely suppress the three countries of the Original Continent. Shrek Academy has even produced gods, and its disciples are spread across nearly the entire continent. A Yan, I admit that everything you have said greatly tempts me, but reality is often far crueler than any conjecture. I am the ruler of a nation. I cannot casually gamble the fate of my country."

"But as you said, you are already among the closest family Jiujiu and I have. At present, I cannot give you too great a promise or too much help. However, within reasonable limits, the empire will support all your actions without reservation. Once you can demonstrate sufficient strength, then no matter what you wish to do, the empire will stand firmly at your side."

"An emperor... is sometimes destined not to concern himself only with personal feelings. The burden of a nation rests upon my shoulders, and I must be cautious beyond caution. If I make the wrong decision, implicating the imperial family would be a minor matter. But if I implicate the entire empire, then I... am afraid that even in my next life, I would never be able to repay such a sin..."

Xu Jiawei had deliberated for a very long time, so long that the hand gripping the armrest had turned pale from exertion. At last, after heavily exhaling, he spoke in a deep voice.

Shu Yan merely smiled silently upon hearing this. He had long expected Xu Jiawei's attitude. Although his words seemed to contain a slight refusal, what was the reality? His attitude had already provided the answer.

What emperor could accept that his sister's future husband harbored such deep and terrifying plans? Who could accept powerful, uncontrollable nonhuman beings like the Snow Empress and Ice Empress remaining in the imperial city where he lived? Yet Xu Jiawei had approved and accepted both. He had even vaguely revealed his expectations for Shu Yan, as well as ambitions in that direction. But in the end, he still needed time to use reality to overcome that hurdle in his heart. This was the first cooperation between humans and Fierce Beasts thus far. Xu Jiawei understood the gains and losses involved, and so he had no choice but to be cautious beyond cautious...

From Shu Yan's perspective, Xu Jiawei might not have been perfect, but he absolutely could not be called an unqualified elder brother or emperor. He possessed a unique bearing and courage, qualities that the emperors of Tianhun and the Dou Ling Empire did not possess today.