"All I can offer... is the future." Yuni's fluctuations in consciousness conveyed deep helplessness and an almost desperate honesty. "As I am now, my power is imprisoned by you, my memory is confused, my form is weird, and I can't even control myself. Except for this broken body, this incomplete consciousness, and the vague memory of the past, I... I have nothing."
"Those past 'achievements', those harms caused to Sea God Island, and those so-called pasts that some powerful people are 'willing to follow' are all in the past and cannot be verified. You have already sensed my 'poison', but now it is difficult for even me to perfectly control it, and it has even unconsciously caused the tragedy of Emerald Swan... It is now more like an uncontrollable threat than a value that can be displayed."
"I know that it is ridiculous and arrogant to use an illusory future in exchange for your real help." Yuni's thoughts revealed a kind of exhaustion that was on the verge of collapse, but he still held on to the last trace of clarity, "But I really have no other choice. Killing me may just crush an ant for you, but for Emerald Swan's spirit in heaven or Maybe it's an explanation. But in that case, you will lose an opportunity to learn more about the drastic changes in the deep sea, lose an observation object that may have a blood feud with Sea God Island and have special power potential, and also lose a possibility that may be able to stir up Feng Yun in the ocean and contain Sea God Island in the future."
"I can't come up with any 'proof' that can satisfy you now. My memory is incomplete and I can't provide more top-secret information about the core of Sea God Island; my power is blocked and unstable, and I can't demonstrate any valuable skills; I can't even guarantee that I will be able to fulfill my promise after breaking through Hundred-Thousand-Year, because the future is full of variables."
"All I can give you is my 'existence' itself, and the possibilities extended based on this 'existence'. I am a mystery that was lucky enough to be 'reborn' from the aftermath of the God War, an avenger with strange powers and an endless fight with Sea God Island, and a 'symbol' that may still have a trace of influence in the remnants of the deep sea."
"Helping me break through Hundred-Thousand-Year is the first step in unraveling my mystery, and it is also a key step in transforming me from an 'uncontrollable threat' to a 'potentially useful chess piece'. Without this step, all my 'future value' is just a castle in the air. With this step, at least, you have an object that can be observed, studied, and tried to 'shape' and 'utilize'. And the imprint deep in my soul ensures that I can never escape your control."
"As for Emerald Swan's hatred..." the protagonist's thoughts became extremely heavy, with deep guilt and pain, "I am willing to compensate in any way, as long as I can do it. If I can really make a difference in the ocean in the future, I am willing to do my best to find heaven and earth for the Emerald Swan Clan Treasure, make up for the loss. If I failed in the end and died, my life should have been paid to Emerald Swan. But killing me now, apart from venting my anger, seems to have no more benefits to you and Star Dou. Keep me, at least... there is a glimmer of hope, a glimmer of possibility."
"This is all my chips - a future possibility full of uncertainty, and my absolute loyalty guaranteed by Soul Mark (at least under your control). Bet, you may get a useful tool, a nail in the ocean, or even a key to unlock some secrets. If you don't bet, you just extinguished a weak flame in advance, and also lost the opportunity to verify all this possibility."
"Please Beast God. Should you end it here to avoid future troubles? Or... place a bet and see if this seemingly useless chess piece can make waves for you in the future."
Yuni's thoughts stopped, with a kind of resigned calmness, and with a faint hope that would not be extinguished. He knew that his words had almost reduced himself to dust, admitting that he had no "current value" at present, and could only place everything on Di Tian's "investment" "Vision" and emphasis on "possibility". This is a big bet, a bet on Di Tian's courage as the co-owner of Soul Beast, a bet on his fear of Sea God Island, a bet on his curiosity about unknown secrets, and a bet on his willingness to gain a possible future benefit within a controllable range.
Bi Ji listened quietly, and the initial cold hatred in his emerald green eyes seemed to be diluted by these words that were so frank that they were almost humble, but also revealed a decisiveness that would break the boat. She did not hate it, but she also understood that Master Di Tian was thinking about far more than revenge for Swan. This "prisoner" was right, now Killing him, apart from venting her anger, would not be of any real benefit to Star Dou or Emerald Swan Clan in the long run. And leaving him... Although the risk remained, there was indeed a possibility, a possibility that might make up for the losses or even bring benefits in the future. She struggled internally, and in the end, she chose to remain silent, leaving the decision-making power entirely to Di Tian.
Di Tian's golden eyes were like two bottomless ancient pools, quietly reflecting the humble "Yuni" in the force field who refused to completely extinguish the fire of the soul. The breeze by the lake seemed to hold its breath.
These words are very frank and very smart. There is no rhetoric or bluffing, but a clear analysis of one's own predicament, acknowledging the current lack of value, and then pinning all hopes on "future possibilities" and Di Tian himself. Judgment. At the same time, he repeatedly emphasized the absolute control of "Soul Mark" and completely placed his life, death and loyalty in the hands of Di Tian, which greatly reduced the risk of Di Tian's decision-making.
Yes, the risk is controllable. The biggest risk - loss of control, has been basically eliminated by "Dragon God Seal". The remaining risk is nothing more than investment (helping it break through) that may not get the expected return. But for Di Tian, helping a Eighty-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in a special state to break through Hundred-Thousand-Year will certainly take some energy, and may even require the use of part of the Origin power of Lake of Life, but this is not an unbearable price. And the potential returns...
A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast with a strange Origin Poison, "reborn" from the battle, a blood feud with Sea God Island, and "may" have deep sea influence. This is indeed like a strange A chess piece, a chess piece that may land in some key positions on the future chessboard. Especially after Sea God Island destroyed Deep Sea Demonic Whale King, the maritime power structure may change.
Moreover, Di Tian had to admit that he was indeed very curious about the secrets of "Yuni". Where did the strange "poison" against Life Origin come from? How was it reborn after being "destroyed"? These mysteries may only be better explored after it breaks through Hundred-Thousand-Year and becomes relatively stable.
Killing him is simple, but it also cuts off all clues and possibilities. Keeping him has risks, but there are also opportunities. And the risks are largely controllable.
After a long time, Di Tian slowly closed his eyes, as if he was making a final balance. When he opened his eyes again, the previous scrutiny and exploration were gone in those golden pupils, leaving only a deep and unquestionable decision.
"Your words are quite frank." Di Tian's voice sounded, still calm, but seemed to be carrying great power, "You really can't come up with any commendable 'present value'. Your proposal is essentially a big gamble, a bet on my vision, and a bet on your illusory future."
Yuni's consciousness suddenly tightened.
"But," Di Tian changed the topic, looking directly at the protagonist with lightning eyes, "I can give you a chance. Not because you are worth it, but because... I want to see where you, this chess piece, can go in the future. I also want to see what the mysteries in you are hiding."
"Swan's revenge will be recorded for now. I can keep your life for now."
"But remember," Di Tian's voice suddenly became extremely cold and stern, "This is neither forgiveness nor trust. It is just a casual move by me. Your life and death, and your future are all under my control. If you fail to show enough value after breaking through Hundred-Thousand-Year, or you have two minds, I can take your life at any time. At that time, the old and new accounts will be settled together!"
"As for helping you break through Hundred-Thousand-Year..." Di Tian paused slightly and looked at Bi Ji, "Bi Ji, you are responsible for this matter. Mobilize the vitality of the suitable area outside Lake of Life, supplement it with gentle nourishment to help stabilize it Origin, sort out the chaos and attack the bottleneck. However, it must be strictly controlled. It must not unlock its Soul Mark seal, and must not let it contact the Lake of Life core Origin. Everything is based on observation, stabilization, and guidance, and no rash advances are allowed. If there is any abnormality, suppress it immediately. If necessary... you can use 'Dragon God Seal'."
Bi Ji bowed slightly. "I will obey your orders." Her voice returned to calmness, but her look at Yuni was still complicated.
Di Tian took one last look at "Yuni" in the force field, as if looking at a strange material that was about to be thrown into Furnace.
"Take care of yourself."
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure faded again and disappeared.
It wasn't until Di Tian had left for a long time that Yuni's consciousness seemed to be freed from the huge pressure, but at the same time he felt an indescribable heaviness. He won the bet, survived for the time being, and also got a chance to break through Hundred-Thousand-Year. But in the future, he would be completely tied to this Beast God and become a chess piece on his chessboard that could be abandoned at any time.
Bi Ji gently waved his hand and removed the confinement field, but the invisible surveillance and Soul Mark's suppression still existed. She walked up to the protagonist, with not much emotion visible in her emerald green eyes.
"You heard me. I will follow Master Di Tian's instructions and help you try to break through. But the premise is that you must fully cooperate and make no changes. At the same time, you need to always remember the death of Emerald Swan. That is a sin that you can never wash away."
"Now," Bi Ji's voice is cold and calm, "Concentrate all your power and calm your mind as much as possible. I will guide the gentle vitality on the periphery of Lake of Life, try to sort out the chaos in your body, and stabilize your fragile spiritual consciousness and form. This is the first and most critical step. If you cannot survive this step safely, everything that follows will be out of the question."
Yuni's consciousness silently agreed, suppressed all distracting thoughts, and tried to calm himself down. He knew that he had taken the most critical and dangerous step to survive in this other world. What the future holds depends on whether he can seize this hard-won... glimmer of life at the cost of soul freedom.