Chapter 1604: You Must Die!

Over the past two weeks, perhaps because the Central Gods Temple had already figured out what Ye Guan intended, no other elites came to stop him. His journey had been smooth.

Before long, he arrived at Yongshen City.

Yongshen City was the capital of the Central Gods Temple, and it was also the most prosperous city in the entire Temple of Gods Star System.

Looking at the majestic city before him, Ye Guan smiled and said, "It really is far grander than the South God Temples City."

With that, he headed straight toward the city.

***

News of Ye Guan traveling to the Central Gods Temple spread quickly. He hadn't tried to sneak in; instead, he went openly and boldly.

Inside the grand hall of the South Gods Temple, a group of Main Gods had gathered. At the head of them sat the Temple God, Zhan Zong. Before them stood a figure clad in black robes, reporting something.

After a moment, Zhan Zong waved his hand. The black-robed man gave a deep bow and left.

Main God Mu spoke gravely, "I didn't expect him to actually go to the Central Gods Temple..."

The other gods were also visibly surprised. Clearly, none of them had anticipated Ye Guan would dare venture into enemy territory.

What was that guy planning?

Zhan Zong suddenly spoke, "He's going against the current... unexpected, but what's even more surprising is that he managed to kill Guan Jian and Hong Zong..."

The room fell into uneasy silence.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Both Guan Jian and Hong Zong were stronger than any of them. If Ye Guan could kill them, it meant he could kill them, too. No one had expected such terrifying strength from this swordsman they had long overlooked.

Where in the world had Nan Xiao found someone like him?

The Second Main God suddenly laughed. "The Central Gods Temple initially aimed to take us down. However, they hadn't anticipated that the pawn they tried to use would turn out to be so powerful.

"Now, with two Main Gods dead, they're stuck in a mess."

Just then, the newly ascended Main God Qu Jin said, "What if they choose to stop targeting Ye Guan?"

The Second Main God's smile froze.

Qu Jin sounded grim as he said, "If that really happens, Ye Guan will no longer be their enemy. And after everything we've done to him, he's definitely nursing a grudge against us. There's a high chance he'll ally with the Central Gods Temple to get revenge."

Everyone's faces darkened at those words.

If that ended up happening, the South Gods Temple would be in serious danger.

A Main God chimed in, "Don't forget, Ye Guan is a blasphemer. The Central Gods Temple had used that to condemn him in the first place. If they suddenly start working with him, it won't just be desecration of the divine laws, they'll be eating their own words.

"Unless they're ready to abandon all pretense, I doubt they'll team up with him."

Qu Jin nodded. "That's reasonable, but nothing is impossible. We need to prepare for all scenarios."

Zhan Zong asked, "What's Nan Xiao doing now?"

The others looked at him, puzzled by the sudden question.

Qu Jin answered, "I heard he's currently teaching at some regular academy."

Zhan Zong nodded. "Then, let him continue teaching."

Silence fell over the hall.

They all understood what that meant; Nan Xiao wasn't allowed to leave.

Zhan Zong slowly stood up. "These are troubled times. You all stay here and guard this place. I'll go visit the Central Gods Temple myself."

He looked around and smiled. "Don't worry. Divinity will protect us."

The other Main Gods nodded solemnly. "May Divinity watch over the South Gods Temple..."

***

In a humble classroom within a rundown academy, Nan Xiao stood at the front, ancient text in hand, lecturing. His students were all around ten years old, dressed in rags, but they sat up straight, fully focused.

Outside the classroom, more shabbily dressed figures looked in. They were the parents of the students. Seeing their children sit and learn brought smiles to their faces. These were smiles full of hope.

They knew that if their children could get an education, they might one day escape the slums.

After the class ended, Nan Xiao stepped out and was immediately surrounded by the parents. They held out all sorts of things to him.

One parent, both excited and bashful, said, "Master Nan... these are fresh eggs from our old hen. Please take them. When she lays more in two weeks, we'll cook her for you!"

Another said, "This is fresh beef. When our cow found out it was for you, it actually shed tears when we slaughtered it..."

A third added, "Master Nan, my kid's a handful. If he doesn't study, don't go easy on him, give him a good beating!"

Nan Xiao looked at the baskets before him. Eggs, meat, vegetables... He knew this was the best these people could offer.

Seeing their grateful yet hesitant expressions, a deep sense of guilt welled up in him.

At the same time, a vague thought in his heart began to take shape. Unbeknownst to him, as those thoughts grew clearer, a faint spark ignited deep within him.

***

Ye Guan had entered Yongshen City.

The city was indeed magnificent, far surpassing the South Gods City. Its martial civilization was also far more advanced. Everywhere he looked, he saw powerful cultivators.

No one tried to stop him. His entry was smooth.

After a stroll through the city, he quickly learned where the Central Gods Temple was and made his way there without delay.

He knew by now that they were aware of his arrival.

On the way, Zong Xin said,

"This place is filled with powerful beings..."

Ye Guan suddenly grew curious.

"Senior, how strong are you, really?"

It finally occurred to him that while Zong Xin had claimed to be a Fate God, he never said how strong he actually was.

Zong Xin replied,

"I'm... good."

"Could you be more specific?"

"Good enough."

Ye Guan grinned, asking,

"If the plan changes, can you help me shake this place to its foundations?"

Zong Xin paused before saying,

"Let's not go that far. I said I'm good, not invincible."

Ye Guan fell silent.

Zong Xin added,

"Besides, I'm still injured. I need to recover first."

Looks like I can't rely on Senior.

Ye Guan returned his focus to the road. As he neared the end of the street, he suddenly stopped and turned to his right.

There, on a wall, was a glowing display, a wanted list for a blasphemer.

And two familiar names were on it. One of them was Ye Guan, but he was second on the list. The first one on the list was Zong Xin!

Ye Guan stared at it, stunned.

"Senior... this Zong Xin wouldn't happen to be you?"

Zong Xin belatedly replied,

'Could be someone with the same name."

Ye Guan blinked.

"You're number one? You're kind of a big shot!"

Zong Xin didn't deny it anymore.

"Doesn't matter. Even a big shot can get stuck in this seal."

Ye Guan glanced at the reward. A hundred million True Spirit Crystals and a Divinity artifact were the rewards for Zong Xin's head.

A Divinity artifact! Its value far exceeded a hundred million True Spirit Crystals.

Curious, Ye Guan asked,

"Senior, what exactly did you do back then?"

"It's all in the past. Don't dig,"

Zong Xin said. Then, he added,

"Focus on your own business first."

Ye Guan muttered,

"I killed two high-ranking Main Gods, but I'm only second to you. Feels unfair."

Zong Xin was at a loss for words.

Ye Guan chuckled.

"Once this is all over, will you tell me your story?"

Zong Xin sighed.

"Sure."

***

Ye Guan picked up his pace, and soon, a colossal divine temple appeared before him. It stood nearly a thousand meters tall, with tens of thousands of massive crimson-gold pillars supporting the gleaming structure.

Central Gods Temple.

It radiated grandeur and solemn majesty.

Before the temple stretched a vast blue stone plaza, where tens of thousands of people knelt in devotion, bowing repeatedly and chanting prayers.

Ye Guan approached.

As he neared, a golden beam of light suddenly shot skyward from within the temple. Then, a golden mirror appeared, casting a radiant light over the entire plaza, including Ye Guan.

In that light, a dark red glow emerged from Ye Guan.

"Blasphemer!" someone shouted.

The kneeling devotees immediately turned toward him with fury in their eyes, as if they'd tear him apart on the spot.

Just then, a man stepped out from the temple.

He wore flowing white robes and carried a folded fan. From atop the temple steps, he looked down on Ye Guan.

The Executive Main God of the Central Gods Temple, Lin Hou.

Lin Hou looked down at Ye Guan from above. "Ye Guan, why have you come to the Central Gods Temple?"

Ye Guan didn't reply because he knew Lin Hou was already aware of his plan.

Seeing that Ye Guan was silent, Lin Hou smiled. "So, you want to flip the script and negotiate with us. Sadly, your little scheme is doomed to fail because the gods will never bow to a blasphemer. You must die!"