The Ultimate Victor

Universe Domain.

Heaven Mending Pavilion.

On the Immortal Mountain suspended in the sky, Auspicious Mist spread everywhere. Yue Chan's lovely, jade-white face was deathly pale, but she hadn't emerged from that state of enlightenment. Instead, she was devouring Spirit Medicines as she comprehended the profound runes.

She was deeply puzzled. She had comprehended powerful Treasure Arts and Divine Abilities before, but none of them had ever been so mentally taxing.

Still, despite the enormous strain, she hadn't given up. First, this Treasure Art was immensely powerful. Second, it was now complete and flawless. If she withdrew at this moment and couldn't trigger that resonance again, wouldn't she miss her chance to comprehend this Heaven-Tier Treasure Art?

Auspicious light shrouded Yue Chan. The void behind her rippled, and a passage appeared, with Auspicious Mist billowing and brilliant, hazy light shimmering within it. In that radiance sat a figure identical to Yue Chan, but far more sacred in bearing than the Yue Chan here, like an immortal seated upon the moon.

It was Yue Chan's main body. Her avatar couldn't fully comprehend the Heaven-Tier Treasure Art in such a short time, so she had connected with her main body to study it together.

Cosmos Domain.

Heaven Severing Sect.

In the sacred grounds, the Witch lay sprawled on the ground without a trace of decorum, staring at the Jade Bone covered in runes, her eyes filled with bitter resentment.

There was something wrong with this Treasure Art. Something very wrong.

Of course, the problem wasn't with the Treasure Art itself. Rather, as she comprehended it, the Jade Bone was devouring her power of faith.

The power of faith came from one's essence, energy, and spirit. It was a mysterious and profound force. A small amount of faith wouldn't cause any trouble, but this wasn't a small amount—it was being drained without end.

Though resentful, she didn't complain. Now that she thought about it, this was a fair exchange: the other party was showing her the complete Heaven-Tier Treasure Art, and she had to pay with her power of faith.

"I've never had to work this hard for my own Sacrificial Spirit. They're draining the pond to catch the fish!"

The Witch grumbled, took out a Spirit Medicine, and swallowed it whole. At the same time, the void behind her rumbled as one Heavenly Passage after another appeared. Figures emerged from within: a cold and aloof fairy, a bewitching fox girl, and...

Desolate Region.

Mist Mountains.

Light shone from the Lotus War Goddess's brow. It was as if a whole world lay within it, Auspicious Mist billowing as a peerlessly beautiful figure sat cross-legged inside.

The Lotus War Goddess's presence was now utterly fearsome. Her armor clanged, then shattered, transforming into silver Light Rain that flowed into the battle-axe in her hand.

"Pfft."

The Lotus War Goddess appeared before God Emperor Qimu in an instant, her silver battle-axe piercing straight through his brow.

God Emperor Qimu's face was stricken with horror. How could she be so powerful? Who was supplying her with an endless stream of strength? Who?

The Lotus War Goddess's expression remained impassive. Light burst from the long spear in her hand, and God Emperor Qimu's body gradually vanished in its radiance.

Even in death, God Emperor Qimu was filled with unwillingness. Everything had clearly been in his control. He possessed the Totem Pillar of astonishing origins and an endless supply of power. He could have worn down even a god—but now, he was the one who had been worn down.

"Is he dead?"

Su Ye looked at God Emperor Qimu's shattered body. This time, his opponent hadn't recovered, and the world around them was beginning to collapse.

The long spear in the Lotus War Goddess's hand vanished, and her body grew insubstantial, as if a gust of wind could scatter her.

Su Ye hurried forward, though he kept his distance. He regarded the Lotus War Goddess warily and asked, "You won?"

The Lotus War Goddess looked at Su Ye, her expression somewhat despondent.

Won?

She had indeed won, but she had also lost.

She no longer had the strength to fight. In the end, everything would fall to the boy before her.

Su Ye looked toward the place where God Emperor Qimu had vanished. His opponent hadn't recovered, and Su Ye couldn't sense his presence. It seemed he really was dead. Su Ye turned his gaze to the Lotus War Goddess before him. She couldn't even maintain her Dharma Body anymore, which showed just how much she had expended.

He was the ultimate victor.

When the snipe and clam fought, the fisherman profited.

As the ultimate victor, Su Ye beamed and waved his hand. The Totem Pillar returned to his grasp, and he felt the immense power it contained.

"Um, was God Emperor Qimu really wiped out completely?"

Su Ye looked at the Lotus War Goddess. Though God Emperor Qimu had only been a remnant soul, he had once been a mighty Heavenly Deity. If he had left behind even the smallest hidden trick, it would be more than a mere Blood-Moving Realm cultivator like Su Ye could handle.

"He's dead," the Lotus War Goddess said.

"Good. That's a relief."

Su Ye let out a breath. He no longer had to worry. Looking at the Lotus War Goddess, he smiled and asked, "You want this Totem Pillar?"

The Lotus War Goddess looked at Su Ye in some confusion. She couldn't see through the young man before her. He was clever—very clever. He hadn't been deceived by God Emperor Qimu and had even outmaneuvered him. Yet he was also foolish—foolish enough to dare keep God Emperor Qimu by his side, and now he hadn't killed her immediately, instead letting her recover.

"Why are you looking at me like I'm an idiot?"

Su Ye furrowed his brows, annoyed with the peerless War Goddess before him. "Don't assume everyone is a bad person. You may be a Divine Medicine, and eating you could rapidly increase my strength, or even improve my constitution and make me a peerless prodigy. But that doesn't tempt me much, because I'm already invincible."

At the end, he looked haughty, utterly confident in himself.

The Lotus War Goddess stared at him in astonishment. He didn't seem to be lying, which shocked her. She was a Divine Medicine, and even a Cult Master wouldn't dare treat her so lightly. Yet this young man acted as though she meant nothing to him.

Were young people these days all so extraordinary?

Su Ye smiled. "Not wanting something is the greatest form of greed. I'm not interested in the little of your origin essence that you have left. I'm interested in you."

The Lotus War Goddess's brows knit, and her expression turned cold.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm interested in your Treasure Arts, your knowledge, and your future. Simply put, I need a Guardian to protect me."

Su Ye hurried to explain. He wasn't a lecher... though perhaps he was a little. But he understood one thing: lust was a blade. He wouldn't throw himself at someone just because of their beauty, much less make a foolish decision that could put him in danger.

After this incident, he understood that this world was even more dangerous than he had imagined. If he wanted to survive here, he needed a Guardian to protect him.

After all, even Desolate Heaven Emperor had had plenty of Guardians by his side on his journey, such as Willow Deity, Little Pagoda, Qi Daolin, and the Great Elder.

He had chosen the Little Dream God Lotus because... at least, as far as he could tell, she wasn't evil. Otherwise, this "fisherman" would have been dead long ago.