Chapter 2512 - Water Can Propel a Boat, or Capsize It

That figure looked like a young man, but his temples were flecked with gray. His tall, upright figure was reminiscent of a solitary pine. He wore long black robes, and a simple lotus crown on his head.

His eyes were like twin celestial vortexes, deep and surging with profound, inscrutable light. It was as if he could see through all of the secrets in your soul at a glance.

Heavenly Sovereign Wen! One of the nine Heavenly Sovereigns in the Eternal Heavens Domain, an unparalleled, legendary figure!

He just stood there casually, revealing nothing at all, but his presence was so imposing that all fell still and silent. Everything stilled, like ministers prostrating before a monarch!

Huo Yunhu didn’t dare to breathe too loudly, nor did he dare look up. His humble posture only made Heavenly Sovereign Wen’s terrifyingness all the more terrifying.

“You were too calculating,” said Heavenly Sovereign Wen.

Bang!

Huo Yunhu could no longer withstand the pressure. His knees thudded to the ground, and he kowtowed. “I know what I’ve done wrong!”

Heavenly Sovereign Wen said, “You cannot escape blame for Lu Qiu’s death, nor can a dead man bear the weight of this failure alone.”

Huo Yunhu said in a quavering voice, “Your subordinate is willing to make amends! All I ask is for your forgiveness, Your Excellency!”

Heavenly Sovereign Wen said suddenly, “Tell me, what kind of person do you think Su Yi is?”

Huo Yunhu said solemnly, “I dare not speak without solid basis.”

“Just tell me your impression.”

Huo Yunhu pondered briefly, then said, “Su Yi is proud. His domineering pride and self-confidence are bone deep. Still, there’s no denying that he’s terrifyingly strong.”

He went on to list some of his other impressions. He didn’t go out of his way to insult Su Yi, nor to build him up.

Heavenly Sovereign Wen just listened in silence, never interrupting.

When Huo Yunhu finished, Heavenly Sovereign Wen didn’t comment. He just said, “I can tell that he’s yet to awaken the memories of his past life.”

Huo Yunhu was stunned. He didn’t understand what that was supposed to mean.

But then, the heart of a ruler had always been hard to fathom. Huo Yunhu dared not guess randomly, and he certainly didn’t dare to ask questions.

“Very well. I’ll give you one more chance,” said Heavenly Sovereign Wen. “Leave for now. When the Dark Days of Legend arrive, return to the God Domain. Whether or not you can make up for your failures will ultimately come down to you and your fortune.”

Huo Yunhu’s spirits soared. He felt a massive weight lift from his shoulders, and he immediately kowtowed in gratitude. “Thank you for your benevolence, Your Excellency!”

Only then did he carefully rise to his feet and turn to leave.

“The new Limitless Dao Lords of the River of Destiny really are lacking in spirit and hotbloodedness compared to those of our generation,” sighed Heavenly Sovereign Wen.

Suddenly, another voice rang out. “It’s not their fault. If they want to cultivate on the Path of Eternity without fear of tribulations, their only choice is to subordinate themselves to someone with an Eternal Throne. Were that not the case, how could you possibly rule over them or order Limitless Dao Lords about as you pleased?”

That voice was clear and smooth as jade, and it brought with it distinctive energy fluctuations of the Grand Dao.

Before that voice had even finished echoing through the air, a figure appeared out of nowhere not far from Heavenly Sovereign Wen.

This figure was indistinct, like a bundle of mist, his features indistinct. Still, had Su Yi been there, he’d have recognized the speaker’s voice immediately.

This was the Malevolent Sword Venerate!

“In that case, why aren’t you willing to become my subordinate?” Heavenly Sovereign Wen asked with a laugh.

The Malevolent Sword Venerate said calmly, “Because my knees are too firm. I’ve never learned how to kneel before other people.”

Heavenly Sovereign Wen pondered briefly. “Su Yi’s personality is different from yours, but I have to say, in this regard, you two are quite similar.”

He’d sent an emissary to arrange a cooperation with Su Yi, and he’d offered such generous terms, but Su Yi had still refused!

This was outside Heavenly Sovereign Wen’s expectations.

This was his first time offering someone a promise of his own accord. He suspected that any Limitless Dao Lord of the Eternal Heavens Domain would have agreed a long time ago.

Yet Su Yi refused!

“He’s different from me,” said the Malevolent Sword Venerate, shaking his head. “Those who offer lavish gifts for free are either liars or crooks. I warned you that attempting to make him submit under the guise of ‘cooperation’ was hopeless!”

His voice was tinged with blatantly unconcealed mockery.

Heavenly Sovereign Wen laughed, not the least bit offended by the Malevolent Sword Venerate’s attitude. “If you’re willing to tell me his secrets, I’d naturally have means of capturing him.”

The Malevolent Sword Venerate glanced at Heavenly Sovereign Wen. “We’re working together, so I’ll naturally assist you, but I won’t simply offer you my hidden cards.”

Heavenly Sovereign Wen fell briefly silent. “So be it. When it comes to defeating Su Yi, I will indeed need your help.”

The Malevolent Sword Venerate said, “Then you’d best do as you promised and help me acquire an Eternal Throne.”

With that, he turned to leave.

Heavenly Sovereign Wen smiled and called him back. “Why not stay a while longer?”

“Give me Huangting Grotto, and I’ll happily stay here for the rest of my life,” said the Malevolent Sword Venerate without so much as turning his head.

Heavenly Sovereign Wen laughed and said no more. Soon, the Malevolent Sword Venerate’s avatar of will had vanished from Huangting Grotto.

It was only then that Heavenly Sovereign Wen’s smile gradually faded, and he sank deep into thought.

Submit or perish, huh...? Hah! How many years has it been since anyone in the River of Destiny has dared say something so shameless?

A nigh imperceptible chill floated to the surface of Heavenly Sovereign Wen’s whirlpool-like eyes.

Back then, you were enemies with the old monk of the Spirit Mountain Buddhist Court, the old charlatan of Three Purities Temple, and Heavenly Emperor Yao Guang. In the end, you suffered a Karmic Tribulation and died, your Dao destroyed alongside you!

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Now that you’ve returned through the cycle of reincarnation, many powerful experts are already targeting you, yet you still dare to add me to your list of enemies. You... sure are stubborn.

Heavenly Sovereign Wen shook his head.

He was one of the rulers of the Eternal Heavens Domain. He understood Su Yi’s second incarnation far more than ordinary people.

I’ll be interested to see how you resolve this catastrophe when the Dark Days of Legend arrive.

......

The God Domain.

A treasure ship hurtled toward the Endless Ocean beneath the dome of heaven.

Su Yi was sprawled out in his wicker chair on board.

“You can consider an Eternal Throne as a sort of boat. With it, you can traverse the River of Destiny without the interference of tribulations,” said his first incarnation’s heart devil. “As a boat, its purpose is to carry you to the opposite shore, the banks of the River of Destiny.

“To Eternals, ‘stepping onto the shore’ means fully sloughing off the fetters of destiny and reaching a higher level of the Path of Eternity!”

Su Yi’s eyes narrowed. There was no doubt about it; the Qilin Ancient’s knowledge was limited. He'd had no idea that Eternal Thrones had such a wondrous application!

“But Destiny is boundlessly grand, and Eternity is beyond measure. Even with a boat, few truly manage to reach the shore,” the heart demon said with a cold laugh. “And those on boats are at the highest risk of losing themselves in the currents of the River of Destiny. When their boat capsizes, they’re destroyed with it!”

Su Yi was stunned. “What does that mean?”

“Everything has its advantages and disadvantages,” said the heart devil. “Eternal Thrones are no exception. I’m sure those so-called ‘Heavenly Sovereigns’ know that better than anyone. If they’re truly to reach the shore, they must first forsake their boats.

“But none of them dare to do so, because they have no way of knowing whether taking that step would ultimately lead to the shore or into an endless abyss!”

Su Yi was starting to understand.

Water could propel a boat, but it could also capsize a boat.

If destiny was like a current, then the Eternal Thrones were the boats everyone most longed for.

But if the Heavenly Sovereigns who owned these boats wanted to reach the opposite shore, they’d have no choice but to disembark and step onto the shore with their own two feet!

That was the most difficult step, and the most dangerous. One misstep would lead to an eternity of regret!

Still, those with Eternal Thrones were still far better off than those without them. They could ride through the wind and waves freely, with no fear of tribulations.

At the very least, they were qualified to seek out the opposite shore.

The others could, at best, go where the current took them. If things went badly, they risked drowning and other perils, like Karmic Tribulations!

“Of course, I advise that you acquire such a boat for yourself. It’s only by experiencing it for yourself that you’ll really understand what I’m telling you,” said the heart devil. “Otherwise, even if I tell you everything in detail, you won’t really grasp its mysteries.”

Su Yi subtly inclined his head. Then, something occurred to him, and he seized the opportunity to ask, “Back then, did

you

step onto the far shore of the River of Destiny?”