Each One's Fate

Zhang Xuezhou's ability to perceive 'fast and slow' originated from Donghua. Over the years, this subtle influence ultimately affected his cultivation and allowed Zhang Xuezhou to be the first to develop the ability to perceive speed in spatial aspects.

Very few monks could replicate 'fast and slow'; only Badun managed to imitate it successfully through sheer hard work. The others relied on the sword-drawing technique to guide their movements.

Zhang Xuezhou had never competed with Badun using the ability of 'fast and slow'.

This was the first time Zhang Xuezhou had witnessed such a collision of spatial abilities.

Everything around them seemed to freeze at that moment, leaving only Zhang Xuezhou and Donghua repeatedly cursing and fighting.

"You red-skinned slayer, a pillar supporting millions, and you live on the throne of immortality; your heart is utterly wicked!"

"Yellow-skinned, if I hadn't been blind enough to have targeted you back then, you wouldn't be where you are today!"

Zhang Xuezhou's cursing had no other reason than he realized he truly couldn't do anything to Donghua.

Donghua's current physical body is extremely strange, existing between ethereal and substantial states, similar to a Yang Soul Body, which can be immune to many types of attacks. Furthermore, Donghua's soul has an indestructible anchor, and Zhang Xuezhou's repeated attacks have failed to break through his soul.

He cursed repeatedly, and Donghua was also annoyed by Zhang Xuezhou, but he couldn't do anything about Zhang Xuezhou either.

To be honest, Zhang Xuezhou is the kind of cultivator who is virtually indestructible. If his attack power is even slightly weaker, then he won't even be able to break through his physical defenses.

With Donghua's body in such a state, he obviously couldn't unleash any deadly techniques, and his mental strength was also inferior to Zhang Xuezhou's.

To be fair, Donghua's "copying homework" skills were extremely high, and in many ways, Donghua was far superior to Zhang Xuezhou at the time. However, after the two separated, Zhang Xuezhou's strength continued to grow rapidly, which was an area that Donghua had never touched.

For example, the Heart Sutra is a difficult text for Donghua to replicate, and the extensive use of Nine Treasures Wine to temper the soul is also difficult to reproduce.

When Donghua was scolding him, he clearly realized that Zhang Xuezhou was exceptionally strong, and even in a one-on-one situation, he was not someone Donghua could handle.

If we add the fact that Zhang Xuezhou escaped from the collision with the secret area designed by Donghua, Donghua can already imagine how terrifying Zhang Xuezhou's physical body is.

Neither of them responded to the other's insults, nor did they fall into the trap of trying to justify themselves; they simply continued to hurl insults at each other and say their own things.

"You have harmed the Emperor, and now many cultivators in the Three Realms have categorized you as an enemy. You are doomed. The longer you fight me, the higher your chances of dying!"

"You've stirred up trouble and angered Houtu. Once Houtu completes her marking, you will become a thorn in the side of all demons in the Three Realms. Every demon who encounters you will lose their mind and fight to the death. Death is only a matter of time!"

"Hongjun is investigating the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon 'Black,' and you are now on the list!"

"Heh heh, you think they can do anything to me in a higher dimension?"

"They can't do anything to you, but you'll never have a chance to rise above others. The moment you ascend, you'll be killed. I can already picture you hiding in the Three Realms, and I can imagine your elaborate schemes to obtain the world's origin, only to fail in your next dimensional ascension!"

"Ignorance!"

"It's actually quite satisfying to think about. I sent a half-step ascendant to that world into the distorted space, and then I picked up a piece of the world's origin. It's a pity that some people aren't so lucky!"

They used every possible means to win the other's heart and mind, and said whatever they could to make the other regret their actions. Zhang Xuezhou and Donghua used all their words to try to break the other's defenses and make them lose heart.

After exchanging insults, Zhang Xuezhou felt terrible, and Donghua also looked grim, neither of them expecting to end up like this.

If endless scheming and effort reach their end, only to be harvested again like leeks, that would truly be despairing.

I don't believe you!

"I heard it with my own ears while I was lurking in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool. Believe it or not, it's up to you. But your words have no real evidence whatsoever; they just seem to be trying to corrupt my resolve!"

"Without your cover, Hongjun has entered the flower room and spoken with me repeatedly, knowing our backgrounds. Do you think he would allow the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon to attain enlightenment?"

Donghua presented the facts, and Zhang Xuezhou also presented the facts.

In delivering a powerful emotional blow to each other, the two finally became convinced that the other was telling the truth.

"My men are already hunting down Houtu. Once she's dead, she won't be able to mark me!"

"Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows; do you think she only has this one demon body? Or do you think she gave up on descending to the mortal realm again after failing to achieve her goal?"

"At worst, I'll just give up the Three Realms and go back to another world. I'll be carefree and at ease there, and I can even ascend to a higher dimension and become a saint. Just thinking about that kind of life sounds wonderful!"

It must be said that Zhang Xuezhou has been managing his business for many years and now has a way to advance or retreat, while Donghua is trapped in the Three Realms.

By simply comparing the two, Zhang Xuezhou still felt a certain sense of superiority. At worst, he could just give up the Three Realms and thus get rid of many troubles.

Zhang Xuezhou's other words were useless. Donghua was resolute and would not be afraid of difficulties. However, Zhang Xuezhou's decision to leave the Three Realms surprised Donghua. After all, Zhang Xuezhou's current level of cultivation was not something that could be easily replicated. Moreover, Zhang Xuezhou had a wife, children, elders, relatives, and many friends in the Three Realms. Letting go of them so easily was too difficult for someone of Zhang Xuezhou's age.

Donghua felt as if he had punched thin air. If Zhang Xuezhou abandoned the Three Realms, all the blows he had dealt to Zhang Xuezhou would have lost their practical meaning.

It's like attacking someone who's seeking death; killing them doesn't bring any pleasure or satisfaction.

"Since you're going to abandon the Three Realms, why are you relentlessly pursuing me?"

He relaxed a little and asked the question that had been bothering him for a long time.

"Didn't you want to kill me?" Zhang Xuezhou asked in surprise.

"If I wanted to kill you, I only needed to capture your parents, wife, children, and fellow villagers, and then I could easily deal with you!"

"You can't handle me. This behavior will only make me hate you more, and I'll do everything I can to get revenge!"

"That's why I didn't do it!"

Donghua indicated that he was not incapable of targeting Zhang Xuezhou; he knew Zhang Xuezhou wouldn't fall for it, and he had no intention of turning Zhang Xuezhou into a permanent enemy.

Donghua never imagined that Zhang Xuezhou's revenge would continue all these years.

If he had known this would happen, he would have regretted not having harbored any wicked thoughts back then.

If Zhang Xuezhou back then, his soul would have been affected and difficult to perfect, inevitably leading him to extremes and even making it impossible for him to reach the True Self Realm. However, he would never have reached the point he is in now.

"If you no longer harbor any grudge against me, why not spare my life and let me seize this fortuitous opportunity to obtain the essence of heaven and earth!"

"You want fortuitous opportunity, and so do fortuitous opportunity. Even if I have to leave the Three Realms, I will still fight for what I deserve!"

Donghua eventually softened his stance.

In any case, neither of them will have a good ending. At this point, they can't be expected to work together or fight each other to the death.

Of course, the main reason why the two repeatedly used mental attacks and found that neither could defeat the other was the mental attack itself.

This balance allowed for a more equal dialogue, and also made both sides aware of their respective predicaments.

"Then let's each take half of Houtu's fortuitous opportunity, and we'll discuss our matter later!"

Zhang Xuezhou didn't back down, and Donghua didn't care.

Compared to getting nothing, it's not hard to accept splitting it in half, and right now, it's very likely that only Zhang Xuezhou has the ability to cooperate.