The God Emperor's True Face

"It is not impossible to give you this staff, but if I truly gave it to you, I fear you would die."

Su Ye spoke without concealment, telling the truth: "Inside this staff resides a God Emperor. Whether he is truly a God Emperor, I do not know, but that is what the fellow calls himself."

"A God Emperor?"

Upon hearing this, the beautiful face of the Lotus War Goddess shifted slightly. She had not sensed any other living presence within the Totem Pillar; if one truly existed, it would inevitably be stronger than her. Once she merged with it, it would be like a sheep walking into a tiger's den.

Furthermore, a God Emperor is not a title one dares to claim lightly. To dare call oneself a God Emperor is to be an existence far beyond a True God.

The stronger one's cultivation, the more one understands of this world, and the more cautious one becomes, fearing that claiming the title of Emperor will invite karmic retribution.

Of course, one cannot rule out those ignorant of the consequences—those who lack the strength and the destiny, yet dare to style themselves as Emperors.

"Are you brain-damaged? You actually revealed your own trump card!"

The God Emperor said, exasperated. He had known from the start what the Little Dream God Lotus wanted, so he had been waiting—waiting for her to enter the Totem Pillar of her own accord so he could devour her. Yet, this foolish boy had actually informed her of his existence.

"Your brain is the one that's sick. The fairy is clearly a good person, while you, fellow, are clearly no good."

Su Ye said indifferently, his eyes filled with contempt as he looked at the Totem Pillar.

Of course, he wasn't just acting on a whim because she was beautiful and peerless; that was certainly not it.

If the Little Dream God Lotus had attacked and killed him immediately, he would never have told her. However, despite possessing absolute strength, she had not struck, instead asking him to hand it over willingly, which suggested she was kind—at least, that was his assessment.

As for this mysterious and unfathomable God Emperor, he had always remained vigilant. Especially since the first time they met, when the fellow indirectly caused the deaths of thousands, Su Ye had already branded him a demon.

A kind and beautiful fairy versus an evil, sinister old man—did he really need to think about which side to take?

Hum.

The Adamantine Staff trembled incessantly. Its outer shell, already covered in cracks, began to flake away, revealing the true form of the Totem Pillar: an ancient bronze pillar etched with the marks of time.

"This is..."

The Lotus War Goddess gazed at the Totem Pillar, her moon-like eyes filled with shock. Sensing the faint power radiating from it, she said, "There is no mistake. This bronze pillar carries an aura that does not belong to this world."

Hum.

As the bronze pillar vibrated, the patterns upon it began to glow. Lines of Dao Patterns flew out, spreading into the surrounding void. Mist and auspicious light flowed, shrouding the area and constructing a vast firmament.

"You old dog, you were truly deceiving me. How sinister."

Su Ye hurriedly moved away from the Totem Pillar, his expression grim. The fellow had claimed that without the power of faith, he could not interfere with the physical world, so what was this?

Light rained down, auspicious clouds permeated the air, and the illusory figure of an old man gradually emerged from the radiance. A surging divine might enveloped the world, suppressing the eight directions.

The old man stood tall, his gaze fixed on Su Ye. "I originally intended to keep you for a while longer, but it seems my luck is quite good today. I have encountered such a nourishing treasure. Once I consume it, I shall borrow your body to return to this world."

"Knowing that I had designs on you, you still dared to keep me by your side. I truly do not know if you are stupid or simply too greedy."

He no longer bothered to feign anything, for there was no need. In this Mental Domain he had constructed, he was the absolute master.

"It must be greed, then."

Su Ye said; he would never admit to being stupid.

Furthermore, he had dared to keep the bronze pillar with him not because he was confident in his own heaven-defying martial prowess or possessed some kingly aura that would make gods and demons bow with a single glance, but because he would soon enter the Hundred Broken Mountains. He intended to find the mysterious Little Pagoda and use its power to suppress this bronze pillar.

But alas, ideals are beautiful, while reality is cruel.

"A Mental Domain?"

Su Ye suddenly realized something. He looked around and saw that he was no longer in the narrow pit, but in a vast world.

"This is the method of a Sacrificial Spirit, capable of constructing a Mental Domain through powerful spiritual strength. This fellow before us is very strong, and by utilizing that extraordinary Totem Pillar, the domain he has constructed is no longer limited to a small space—it is as if he is truly creating a world."

The Lotus War Goddess said, her expression grave. She had not expected such a turn of events. She glanced at Su Ye; this person was truly bold to the point of recklessness, daring to keep such a powerful existence by his side.

"Look, don't look at me with that 'idiot' expression."

Su Ye said sheepishly, feeling very awkward. In the eyes of others, he was indeed very foolish. He did not explain, but instead asked, "Fairy, do you have a way to deal with him? How about I offer my faith to you?"

"Offer your faith to me?"

The Lotus War Goddess was caught between laughter and tears. "Who do you think you are? An supreme existence that shakes the universe? You are a mere practitioner in the Blood-Moving Realm; how much power of faith could you possibly provide me?"

The power of faith is primarily related to three aspects.

First is the number of people. The more people, the more faith; as drops gather into an ocean, billions of living beings can condense a sea of faith.

Second is the degree of faith. A simple bow provides negligible faith, but faith from the depths of one's heart can provide a vast amount.

The villagers in that valley, who had been directly converted and offered wholehearted faith, provided the most immense power.

However, that form was no different from the demonic path, as those believers were like walking corpses, stripped of their own consciousness.

The third is strength.

The stronger the individual, the more powerful the faith they provide. If a True Immortal were to bow to the Lotus War Goddess, it would be worth the faith of billions upon billions of ordinary beings.

Su Ye was currently only in the Blood-Moving Realm. Even if he reached the pinnacle of the Blood-Moving Realm, his total faith would at most equal that of fewer than a hundred ordinary mortals.

"Am I going to die here?"

Su Ye couldn't help but sigh. He had not yet risen to prominence, had not yet gone to conquer the heavens, and now he was to die here. He was unwilling.

"You will not die."

The God Emperor looked at Su Ye and said, "I will become you, replace you, and rise in this era; this shall be your supreme glory."

"Replace me?"

Su Ye thought of something, looked at the God Emperor, and asked, "I have a question I want to clarify: if you possess my body, will the descendants born in the future be considered yours, or mine?"

"..."

The God Emperor fell silent.

"..."

The Lotus War Goddess was likewise silent.