Astral Pet Store Chapter 1576: Prayer of the People (5)

With a voice as frigid as frost, the latter declared, "The Core selected me after beholding the agonies borne by the masses, the repulsiveness of gods and demons alike, and the sheer futility of this mayhem. It yearns to forge a realm free from torment or folly. It longs for serenity!"    

"Its thoughts mirror mine precisely. That's precisely why it chose me."    

Su Ping turned his eyes to the Chaos Core. "Agony and torment form the essence of chaos. They teach us the true value of compassion and thankfulness!"    

"Naturally you'd claim that; you've never truly felt the profound hopelessness and impotence of the masses," the Ultimate Heavenly Dao scoffed. "You had her aid. She resolved every trial you faced. Have you ever genuinely endured suffering?"    

Su Ping met his stare and countered, "Am I not enduring it at this very moment?"    

Momentarily at a loss for words, the Ultimate Heavenly Dao spoke in an emotionless tone, "You understand exactly what I intend. Thus, you too yearn for immense power. You hope I'll grant you mercy; everyone else does as well."    

Su Ping gave a faint nod in response. "True enough; I do desire it. Yet should no miracle occur, I won't sink into hopelessness. Much like this instant… Victory or defeat, I share it with them. I've battled, cherished, raged, and attained tranquility. Should defeat await in the end, I'll embrace it."    

"Save your lofty rhetoric." The Ultimate Heavenly Dao sneered. "Do you realize how countless souls in this world receive no gratitude from anyone? Parents despise them, companions betray them. Not a single ray of hope illuminates their existence. For whom should such wretched ones strive? To whom should they offer thanks?"    

Su Ping stared back at the entity. "Yes, suffering souls exist; precisely for them I must act. My own joy stems from having companions, family, allies, and the system that elevated me from a mere speck to my present self. Patrons keep returning to my store…    

"My happiness compels me to aid them!    

"Far too many have endured pain on my account. I vow to repay their kindness with all my might!"    

Emphasizing each syllable, Su Ping continued, "You profess to act for the afflicted. Yet that holds no virtue whatsoever. Restarting chaos will erase them alongside all others!    

"You purport to rescue them, yet you merely forsake them!    

"In your envisioned eternal realm, no one suffers further. But they've already endured enough. As the ultimate overlord, you refuse to abide even feeble beings like them. Isn't that a deeper tragedy?"    

"Rubbish!"    

Coldly, the Ultimate Heavenly Dao retorted, "As you admitted, your blissful existence blinds you to their desperation. Words are pointless; your demise is upon you!"    

Right as he prepared to strike—the youthful Chaos Core abruptly opened its eyes and announced, "Should you utter the same after tasting the very ordeals he's faced, I shall return to her."    

A bit stunned, the Ultimate Heavenly Dao grinned and replied, "An intriguing proposition. I'm curious about her expression when he joins me."    

Su Ping eyed the Chaos Core. "You mean it?"    

In a detached manner, the diminutive being warned, "Rejoice not prematurely. Understand that enduring his trials will inevitably transform you into his likeness. Born in the era following the Sorcerer Ancestors, you'll relive the tormented existences of every soul since that ancient time!    

"It would be extraordinary if your sense of self survives intact."    

Su Ping shot back at once, "Provided you honor your pledge, I absolutely won't become like him!"    

With an icy tone, the Ultimate Heavenly Dao commanded, "Then approach and sense the collective desire of the masses!"    

Immediately thereafter, the latter's form unfurled like a blooming flower. Innumerable vital essences and minds burst forth from within.    

Those minds surged forth in an instant, engulfing Su Ping entirely.        

It felt as though he plunged into an endless chasm. Like the frail ones, he lived through their harrowing and anguished fates.    

"Once it concludes, you'll crave the destruction of this flawed realm. Just as I do…" murmured the Ultimate Heavenly Dao.    

…    

Meanwhile, beyond in the outer realm—    

Beings from diverse cultivation realms and myriad universes watched Su Ping, impaled by their formidable foe. They noted his body remained utterly motionless. Moreover, his presence rapidly diminished.    

They observed too that the contractual energy enveloping them swiftly dissipated.    

"Dao-Dao Ancestor, is he gone?"    

"Ancestor Su!"    

The surviving Undying State powerhouses of the Archean Divinity descended into frenzy, their gazes brimming with grief. All will to battle had vanished completely.    

Su Ping's death sealed it. The saga had truly concluded.    

"Boss…"    

Several silhouettes separated from Su Ping's form. The Dark Dragon Hound, Purple Python, and their companions emerged.    

Horror and sorrow filled their eyes as they beheld his disintegrating frame. To their terror, the bond Su Ping forged with them had severed.    

In former times, their recollections would have faded with the pact—    

Yet now, as Undying State beings, they had etched those memories deep within their very beings.