Ch. 121Back to You Prefecture, to Strike a Deal with the Blood Demon Heavenly Venerate!
Chapter Summary: Return to You Prefecture, Trade with the Blood Demon Heavenly Venerate!
Key Plot Points and Events
- The protagonist gives Su Wanqing a choice: accompany him to Central Prefecture and continue cultivating, or remain in Mystic Prefecture forever at Nascent Soul Great Perfection.
- Su Wanqing initially hesitates, fearing that her cultivation will pollute the secret realms and endanger the future of humanity. The protagonist deliberately refuses to explain everything, forcing her to make the decision based on her own Dao heart.
- When the protagonist begins to leave, Su Wanqing chooses to follow him. She declares that humanity will still have a future because she intends to become its future and eventually defeat the Cunning Insects ruling the Canglan Realm.
- Six months later, the protagonist brings Su Wanqing to a secret realm in Central Prefecture, where she meets Zhuge Qing and the others. She recognizes Qin Yang as the Son of Destiny and learns the truth about his situation during the journey.
- The protagonist leaves Su Wanqing with Zhuge Qing and returns to You Prefecture. He warns Zhuge Qing that having two Sons of Destiny cultivate together may accelerate secret-realm pollution, so its condition must be carefully monitored.
- Back at the Sword Pavilion, the protagonist meets Zi You, Lin Tian, and Fang Jingchun. He reveals his plan to release the Blood Demon Heavenly Venerate two years before the coming Heavenly Tribulation and negotiate with him.
- His intended trade is for the Blood Tablet and, most importantly, a method to suppress the Cunning Insect inside the Immortal Sword of Great Void.
- Zi You is alarmed that he intends to deal with a Cunning Insect, fearing betrayal. The protagonist argues that the Blood Demon Heavenly Venerate will be unable to escape the coming catastrophe anyway, and that Cunning Insects are not completely united with one another.
- The next day, the protagonist enters the Blood Demon Secret Realm. He notices that its spiritual energy has become even scarcer and is surprised by the rapid advancement of Ye Chuxue, now in the early Body Integration Realm, and Xuanyuan Tian Ji, who has reached Void Refining Great Perfection.
- He travels to the Blood Tablet and asks Xia Qiange to open the formation so he can negotiate directly with the Blood Demon Heavenly Venerate.
Character Developments
- Su Wanqing: Moves from despair and self-loathing over her identity to firm resolve. She accepts responsibility for becoming humanity’s future rather than abandoning cultivation out of guilt.
- The Protagonist: Demonstrates confidence in guiding others through difficult choices. He also becomes increasingly pragmatic, willing to negotiate with an enemy species to obtain a way to control the Immortal Sword of Great Void.
- Zi You: Remains deeply hostile and distrustful toward Cunning Insects, but is forced to consider the protagonist’s practical reasoning.
- Ye Chuxue and Xuanyuan Tian Ji: Their dramatic cultivation breakthroughs suggest that major changes are occurring within the Blood Demon Secret Realm.
- Bai He: Displays a subtle, unreadable reaction when Su Wanqing leaves, hinting at possible hidden thoughts or motives.
Significant Themes
- Personal choice and responsibility: Su Wanqing must decide whether to sacrifice her own cultivation for humanity or pursue strength and take responsibility for saving the human race.
- Hope through strength: The chapter presents cultivation not as selfish ambition, but as a means of creating a future and overthrowing oppression.
- Pragmatism versus moral purity: The protagonist is willing to cooperate with a dangerous enemy when doing so may solve a greater threat.
- Internal divisions among enemies: The protagonist emphasizes that the Cunning Insects are not perfectly united, making alliances and exploitation of their conflicts possible.
- The looming catastrophe: Secret-realm pollution, the approaching Heavenly Tribulation, and the Cunning Insects’ rule continue to shape the characters’ decisions.
Important Character Interactions
- The protagonist challenges Su Wanqing to make her own decision, ultimately prompting her declaration of determination.
- He entrusts Su Wanqing to Zhuge Qing and warns him about the danger of two Sons of Destiny accelerating the pollution of the secret realm.
- Zi You questions the wisdom of negotiating with the Blood Demon Heavenly Venerate, while the protagonist defends the plan as both necessary and advantageous.
- The chapter ends with the protagonist asking Xia Qiange to open the Blood Tablet’s formation, setting up his imminent negotiation with the Blood Demon Heavenly Venerate.