Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 488

Wilderness

Realizing that something was amiss, Demon Emperor Feng Jiu made a swift attempt to flee, only to encounter an unbreakable barrier, akin to an invisible wall obstructing its path.

"Break free!"

A furious roar escaped Demon Emperor Feng Jiu as it unleashed a potent Phoenix Fire, but this time, the flames were futile against the barrier.

With one tactic thwarted, another was devised. The Demon Emperor struck the barrier fiercely, managing to shatter the invisible obstacle. However, it soon found itself ensnared by threads, flames erupting across its body as it desperately tried to burn them away.

The aerial threads coalesced, forming a cage that tightened relentlessly, layer upon layer. Demon Emperor Feng Jiu incinerated one layer, only for another to materialize, ultimately trapping the formidable beast.

"Weaving one's own confinement."

A realization dawned within Demon Emperor Feng Jiu's mind, acknowledging the futility of its struggle. Though it thrashed and writhed, the threads constricted further, biting into its flesh and eliciting shrieks of agony.

"You have lost."

"I have not lost, no."

"Before you could break free from my spell, you could have met your demise countless times over."

Lin Die stated icily. This maneuver, she knew, wouldn't permanently hold the Demon Emperor; an escape was possible, but it would consume precious time. In that interval, Lin Die could have dispatched Feng Jiu numerous times. Yet, her intention wasn't to kill, hence her inaction.

Lin Die's declaration filled Demon Emperor Feng Jiu with profound despair. Unwilling to accept defeat, it had never known such a fate. From its earliest days, it had bested its siblings, emerging as the most exceptional scion of the Phoenix clan. Its ascent to Demon Emperor was marked by a series of victories against formidable adversaries. Even in clashes with humans, it had been responsible for nearly double-digit casualties. Yet, today, it stood vanquished, a reality it struggled to comprehend.

"Where is Xia Qingshan?"

Despite her triumph over Feng Jiu, Lin Die noted the continued absence of Xia Qingshan, a fact that left her somewhat unsettled. She pondered his whereabouts.

·······

"Brother Li, Fairy Lin."

Lin Jiang and Lin Ying, who were attempting to break free from Lin Die's binding, looked up as a voice reached them. They saw Xia Qingshan approaching from a distance.

"Xia Qingshan, Brother Xia."

"I never imagined I would see Brother Li again," Xia Qingshan remarked with a sigh. This encounter was unexpected, particularly the involvement of a Soul Changing in such a predicament, which seemed illogical.

"Brother Xia, please, lend us your aid."

"Very well."

Xia Qingshan acted swiftly, dissolving the seal that bound Lin Jiang and Lin Ying.

"Sparrow, hurry, you must go first."

"Brother, I..."

"No more words, no need for theatrics. This is not the moment for such things."

"Understood. I shall entrust myself to you, Third Sister."

"I understand."

Lin Jiang nodded, and Lin Ying ascended rapidly. As she took her position, several threads materialized in the air. Lin Jiang leaped forward, his sword striking out. Though unable to sever the threads, he managed to impede them momentarily.

"Brother Xia, please assist us."

"Certainly."

Xia Qingshan's response was immediate. He employed a magical technique to gather the threads into a single mass, creating a clear path for Lin Ying's escape.

"You have finally arrived."

Lin Die approached Xia Qingshan, her words carrying a touch of anticipation.

"You have been waiting for some time."

Xia Qingshan replied, their exchange possessing the air of old acquaintances.

"Do you intend to stand in my way today?"

"And why would I do that?"

"You..."

Lin Die was momentarily rendered speechless. She tugged on the thread in her hand, drawing the Demon Emperor, now resembling a trussed-up parcel, closer.

"Feng Jiu, you falter. The Phoenix clan possesses abilities that counter the Jiujie Divine Silkworm; how could you possibly be defeated by it?"

Xia Qingshan's words to Feng Jiu amplified its humiliation.

"Haha, a jest indeed. The Jiujie Divine Silkworm has reached the apex of the Disaster Crossing Period, mere steps from achieving immortality. You have only recently entered this stage. It is entirely predictable that you would not prevail."

"Senior, I concede my inferiority in skill. I accept this."

"Release him."

"As you wish."

Lin Die acknowledged with a nod, retracting the thread and setting Feng Jiu free.

"Feng Jiu, are you prepared to offer yourself in sacrifice to uphold the heavenly Dao?"

"Yes, it is my solemn duty."

Feng Jiu affirmed without hesitation, revealing this to be its ultimate purpose for the Yao clan, a directive imparted by the Phoenix Demon Emperor long ago.

"What if I told you that upon sacrificing yourself, your own Dao would be extinguished, your Phoenix clan's Nirvana Power would cease to function, and you would perish utterly?"

"This..."

"You must consider this matter with utmost seriousness."

"After careful deliberation, my resolve remains unchanged. I am still willing."

"The sages of the demon clan are truly remarkable."

"All actions are for the betterment of the demon clan."

Feng Jiu articulated his thoughts, not out of arrogance, but because he had deeply considered the situation. For ages, the demon clan had birthed numerous prodigies, yet none ascended to immortality. These exceptional beings could only witness their lifespans dwindle, eventually departing this world with profound regret.

Without a sage from the demon clan willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, their future remains bleak. To achieve this grand plan, many Demon Emperors have already met their end, offering themselves up. Naturally, Feng Jiu was prepared to follow suit.

"Then let us commence."

"Wait, what about me, Xia Qingshan?"

Lin Die's voice cut through the air, halting their actions. A sense of unease washed over her; the proceedings felt too straightforward, as if something crucial was amiss.

"Ah, I nearly overlooked you."

"You…"

"Do not be incensed, I was merely jesting. How could I possibly forget you, the Jiujie Divine Silkworm? You have already overcome eight major tribulations, have you not?"

"Indeed, this marks my ninth."

"I shall present you with two paths. Firstly, you may take Feng Jiu's place, becoming the great Dao of heaven and earth in your own right. Secondly, you can permit Feng Jiu to achieve his Dao, and after his accomplishment, you may transcend your tribulation and ascend to immortality."

"No, neither of these paths aligns with my own tribulation."

"In what way do they differ?"

"I possess a unique tribulation, inextricably linked to all living beings. My tribulation dictates that to become immortal, I must usher in the world's end."

Lin Die shook her head, the intuition of a cultivator confirming that both proposed paths diverged from her destined trial.

"But surely you would not dare to destroy the world? You are, after all, an intrinsic part of it. If the world perishes, would you not also cease to exist? You are not of the Phoenix clan; you lack Nirvana Power. If even you are annihilated, would all this effort not be for naught?"

"I can seize his body."

Within this peculiar narrative, Lin Jiang's presence was noted. She had already perceived that Lin Jiang was not native to this world, or more precisely, that the soul inhabiting the body was not of this world.

"You cannot seize it. The body you target is his Third Sister's. She will undoubtedly thwart your attempt."

Xia Qingshan spoke, and Lin Jiang, standing beside him, fell silent. "Elder Brother, why not permit her to try? The system would not object to another antivirus scan."

Yet, he dared not voice his true thoughts, as the entire situation felt unsettling.

"This is all a consequence of your meddling; you are the embodiment of Heaven's Will, and you have already strayed from your path."

Lin Die clenched her teeth. Had Xia Qingshan not infused a spark of life into Lin Die's existence, she would have long ago purged Lin Die's consciousness.

"It is not my fault. I am not the embodiment of Heaven's Will; I am the variable. How can you be certain I am not attempting to save you?"

"You…"

Lin Die's anger flared, feeling as though Xia Qingshan always possessed the perfect retort, always managing to sound utterly reasonable.

"Jiujie Divine Silkworm, the Heavenly Dao is omnipresent and unseen; its predestined path of good or ill cannot be simply defined."

"If I choose the second path, can you assure me of becoming an immortal?"

"No, your destiny is a journey you must undertake yourself; no one can offer such a guarantee."

"After the Demon Emperor attains his Dao, what then? I find myself with dwindling time."

Lin Die spoke, her voice tinged with urgency. She had exerted considerable effort from antiquity until the present, spending vast epochs in slumber, yet even so, her time was rapidly running out.

"I do not possess that knowledge."

"You most certainly do know. Do not compel me to subdue you."

"I am an intrinsic part of the universe's evolving principles; your cultivation efforts cannot alter me."

Xia Qingshan's demeanor was one of unyielding confidence, completely unfazed by any attempts to change him, knowing such efforts would prove futile.

A surge of frustration coursed through Lin Die. She felt trapped, caught between agonizing choices, entirely uncertain of the correct course of action.

"What if I choose nothing? I shall be unable to achieve immortality, and consequently, no one else will be able to either."

"The decision rests not with me, but with you. You possess the agency to dismantle the altar, but the subsequent cycle will be significantly delayed, and I shall not be summonable again. The future of this world will become even more precarious."

Xia Qingshan stated calmly. As long as beings in this world harbored the aspiration for immortality, they would inevitably seek to mend the universe's fractured Dao. However, by that time, he, much like Feng Jiu and the others, would have ceased to exist. The ultimate fate of the world remained an enigma.

Lin Die's gaze, cold and piercing, shifted between Xia Qingshan, Feng Jiu, and Lin Jiang. A profound conflict waged within her. The choice was monumental; a single misstep would lead to irreversible consequences. She had endured eons in pursuit of immortality, not to engage in reckless gambles.

Lin Die's attention fixated on Lin Jiang, sensing an unusual longevity emanating from him. She contemplated the possibility of inhabiting his body instead.

As the notion flickered through her mind, Lin Die’s awareness jolted to life within her physical form, a desperate cry echoing, "Divine Silkworm, you gave me your word you wouldn’t lay a hand on my brother. If you dare to harm him, I will obliterate my consciousness in an instant."

The fable’s consciousness, showing absolutely no hint of jest, immediately signaled its intent for self-annihilation. This act of defiance sent a jolt of fear through the Jiujie Divine Silkworm, compelling him to swiftly move to quell the fable’s consciousness.