I Truly Am The Villian Chapter 2223: 2222: Yuan Central Continent, True Martial’s Choice

Upon a towering platform, an incessant inferno raged.

These were no common flames; they were born from the Heartfire, a blaze originating from the very core of one's soul.

When an individual's fury reaches its zenith, this Heartfire engulfs their entire being.

The True Martial Great Emperor, in his immense power, had manifested his own Heartfire.

What distinguished this Heartfire from ordinary flames was its essence; it was a conflagration condensed from the True Martial Great Emperor himself.

Should a weapon be forged within this spiritual fire, it would achieve unparalleled harmony with its creator.

Beyond its sheer power, in terms of perfect compatibility, no other weapon could ever compare.

And within the Heartfire before them, lay the very Heaven-Challenging weapon that the True Martial Great Emperor had painstakingly forged.

The Heartfire surged, blanketing the high platform, yet glimpsed within its depths were fleeting visions.

Prominent amongst these was the True Martial Great Emperor's own True Martial Sword.

As his innate True Weapon, its presence was assured for this momentous occasion.

Beyond the True Martial Sword, this Heartfire contained numerous artifacts that the True Martial Great Emperor had gathered in his quest to defy the heavens.

At this point, the entirety of the Inner World was suffused with the spectacle evolved by this Heaven-Challenging weapon.

The firmament above was obscured by ominous clouds, hinting at impending destruction.

Jagged bolts of gray lightning arced, symbolizing desolation and the impending end of times.

Within the Heartfire, ceaseless visions unfolded, depicting a force ascending, relentlessly pushing towards the heavens.

If the sky represented the infinite, then this surging force was immeasurable in its might.

The True Martial Great Emperor stood near this display, yet made no observable action.

However, he was already one with the Heartfire.

With the formation of the Heaven-Challenging weapon nearing completion, the True Martial Great Emperor needed to forge an unbreakable bond with it.

This was a crucial step that Xu Zimei would later need to undertake himself.

Therefore, Xu Zimei was observing to gain valuable insight.

Xu Zimei remained silent, merely watching the unfolding spectacle.

Only after a significant portion of the day had elapsed did the True Martial Great Emperor finally stir.

With a simple gesture of his right hand.

The Heartfire gradually subsided, its intensity mellowing.

The True Martial Great Emperor traversed the void, coming to a halt before Xu Zimei.

“You have arrived.”

“Having learned of your deeds in the lower realms, I anticipated your coming.”

“I have arrived specifically to challenge you,” Xu Zimei stated with a smile.

The True Martial Great Emperor turned his gaze back towards the Heartfire, responding, “I was contemplating the same. It presents an opportune moment to gauge your current strength.”

“However, a brief wait is necessary. The refining of the Heartfire is at a critical juncture, and I must personally oversee it during this phase.”

“I am not in a hurry,” Xu Zimei replied with a slight nod.

He then surveyed their surroundings, inquiring, “Is this a suitable location for conversation?”

The True Martial Great Emperor waved his hand, conjuring an invisible barrier that enveloped them.

“Are you referring to the challenge against the heavens?”

Xu Zimei nodded in agreement, adding, “In truth, this perspective had not occurred to me previously. However, during a recent discussion with fellow Daoist Three Blades, a sudden realization struck me.”

Though Xu Zimei did not elaborate further, the True Martial Great Emperor likely grasped the general sentiment.

“What are your thoughts on challenging the heavens?” the True Martial Great Emperor suddenly inquired.

“It is an undertaking of immense difficulty. Without directly confronting the Heavenly Dao, no one can truly comprehend its formidable power,” Xu Zimei responded.

Despite his status as an unequivocal adversary to the Heavenly Dao.

He understood the wisdom in the maxim: 'In strategy, despise the enemy, but in tactics, pay full respect.'

The sheer might of the Heavenly Dao was a truth recognized at the cost of countless lives.

“Then how do you assess the capabilities of those who have challenged the heavens in the past?” the True Martial Great Emperor pressed further.

“They were immensely powerful. Though I never encountered them directly, each one represented an existence bordering on invincible within their respective eras,” Xu Zimei continued.

If they had not possessed such overwhelming strength, they would have been incapable of even passing the Holy Court, let alone confronting the Heavenly Dao face-to-face.

“Yet, all of them ultimately failed,” the True Martial Great Emperor observed.

Xu Zimei nodded slowly.

“Indeed, their endeavors ended in failure.”

This was precisely why numerous Heaven Challengers had emerged across different epochs.

From the Primordial God-King to the Demon Lord, and subsequently the Empress.

Even during the era when the Ancient Gods sought the Dao.

Nearly every era had witnessed the rise of at least one Heaven Challenger, though not in great numbers.

However, from the Middle Ages onwards, up to the present day.

No new Heaven Challengers had appeared.

The fundamental reason for this absence was the overwhelming power of the Heavenly Dao.

How would one's strength compare to that of the Demon Lord?

Or perhaps, to the might of the Empress?

If one cannot confidently claim victory over such formidable beings, what assurance could possibly exist for defeating the Heavenly Dao itself?

The true extent of the Heavenly Dao's might remains a mystery to this day, as no one who has dared to challenge it has ever returned.

Consequently, the actual experience of battling the Heavenly Dao is unknown.

While Xu Zimei possesses fragmented memories from the previous Demon Lord, this knowledge is incomplete.

No one can confidently predict the outcome of a Heaven Challenge.

However, the only course of action is to prepare meticulously and exert our utmost effort.

......

“Tell me, Great Emperor True Martial, what do you believe are my chances of success if I were to challenge the heavens?”

Without immediate reply, Xu Zimei responded, “Your probability of success is uncertain; I suspect you already harbor doubts yourself.”

“What we truly need to ponder is the reason for their past failures.”

“Why did so many incredibly talented and seemingly invincible powerhouses ultimately fall?”

The Great Emperor True Martial found it surprising that Xu Zimei's thoughts mirrored his own.

Elaborating on Xu Zimei’s point, he stated, “I've considered many possibilities and explored numerous locations.

Searching for answers within scattered clues.

After considerable time, my primary hypothesis centers on the origin of power.

The strength of all previous Heaven Challengers stemmed from the Nine Domains World.

They were born and cultivated within the Nine Domains.

The Nine Domains bestowed their power; their very essence was shaped by it.

Do you grasp my meaning? To defeat the Heavenly Dao of the Nine Domains, one cannot draw power from within the Nine Domains themselves.

Or, to put it another way, excessive reliance is inadvisable.”

Upon hearing the Great Emperor True Martial's explanation, Xu Zimei fell into a contemplative silence.

He finally inquired, “So, this is why you've involved the entire Yuan Central Continent?”

This statement, exclusive to their private conversation, was met with a smile from the Great Emperor True Martial upon hearing Xu Zimei’s realization.

He replied, “I had a feeling you would understand my intentions.”

This was a matter he had never disclosed to Xu Zimei before.

Furthermore, the secrecy surrounding this particular issue surpassed all others.

He was confident that Xu Zimei had arrived at the same conclusion.

“You are correct. While we cannot claim our strength or talent surpasses that of former sages, we possess a distinct advantage they lacked,” the Great Emperor True Martial affirmed.

“We originate from the Yuan Central Continent, not the Nine Domains World.

This is our unique advantage; the people of the Lower Realm have gifted us with boundless potential.

If a new source of power must be found, why should it not be the Yuan Central Continent?”