Chapter 1686: Empowered by All Living Beings

Fu Wu!

Ye Guan was both surprised and overjoyed. He hadn't expected to run into Fu Wu here, but then, he quickly noticed something. Fu Wu was also entangled in strands of white threads. The threads bound her tightly, making every step she took feel unbearably heavy.

Fu Wu glanced at Ye Guan but quickly looked away. After a brief silence, she continued walking forward.

For some reason, Ye Guan suddenly felt a surge of power in his body. He quickly caught up to her and smiled, "Miss Fu Wu, we meet again."

Fu Wu merely nodded without a word.

Ye Guan knew she was naturally cold and reserved, so he wasn't surprised. He continued, "Why are you here?"

Fu Wu replied, "My master."

Ye Guan asked, "Your master brought you here?"

Fu Wu nodded.

Ye Guan looked over at the white threads wrapped around her. "Miss Fu Wu, do you know what these are?"

Fu Wu gave him a glance. "They are karmic burdens; each thread represents a cause-and-effect from your past."

Ye Guan looked at the threads entangling him. "They can't be cut?"

Fu Wu replied, "They can."

Ye Guan looked at her, intrigued. "How?"

Fu Wu said calmly, "Let go of everything. Sever all attachments. Only then can they be cut."

Ye Guan fell silent.

He understood exactly what she meant. These threads represented the karma he shared with the people closest to him. If he could let go of everything, sever every emotional tie, he would be able to cut them.

If he couldn't let go, however, the threads couldn't be severed, and the karma would remain.

It was the Emotionless Sword Dao, one that he would never walk.

Ye Guan said, "If I can't cut them... then I can only..."

Fu Wu answered, "Carry them forward."

Ye Guan nodded. "Got it."

He looked over at Fu Wu. Clearly, she had also chosen not to sever her ties.

The Tianxing Civilization...

He suddenly thought of all those "fruits," especially Yi Nian.

He was sure that when they met again, Yi Nian would have a huge surprise for him or perhaps a scare.

Fu Wu remained as quiet as ever, continuing forward with all her karma in tow. Though she moved slowly, each step was filled with determination.

Ye Guan couldn't help but ask, "Miss Fu Wu, what's your cultivation now?"

Fu Wu replied, "I don't know."

Ye Guan was surprised. "You don't know?"

Fu Wu nodded again.

He was puzzled, but since she didn't want to say more, he didn't ask.

He actually wanted to ask about Jing Chu, but the memory of the brutal battle between the "fruits" held him back.

That battle... was beyond savage. As they walked, Ye Guan suddenly noticed something strange. The number of white threads on him was increasing at an alarming rate.

Fu Wu's threads were also increasing, but at a very slow pace. One would appear after a long while.

But his? His threads were multiplying visibly by the second.

Fu Wu also noticed something was wrong. She turned and frowned slightly, confusion in her eyes.

The threads around Ye Guan began surging uncontrollably.

Endless threads of karma burst into being and wrapped around him. What had been a difficult walk turned into a crawl. He couldn't take a single step without struggling.

So heavy.

It felt like ten thousand mountains were pressing down on him, suffocating him.

Fu Wu stared at him, her expression grave. "T-this is the karmic burden of all living beings."

Ye Guan's heart sank.

He now realized these karmic threads weren't just his. They belonged to all living beings.

His path was Order, a path tied to all living beings. Hence, their karma was his karma.

Outside, Qin Guan and Apo saw what was happening, and their faces became solemn.

Apo's face was dark. "H-he can't go any farther."

Ordinary people would already find it difficult to move forward under the weight of their karma. However, Ye Guan was now carrying the karma of all sentient beings. How could he possibly continue?

Qin Guan remained silent, but her hands were balled into tight fists.

Whether Ye Guan made it or not, it didn't matter to her. He was still her son.

Of course, she believed that he would understand. He had to understand that these were things he had to figure out for himself. Even if she understood them, she couldn't say it out loud. Some truths could only be realized through experience. Only then would they truly belong to him.

Inside the hell gate, Ye Guan was on the brink of collapse.

With each step forward, more karmic threads from all beings poured onto him, endlessly.

At this point, he was overwhelmed by despair. The weight of the karma was infinite.

And he couldn't help but question himself.

Can I really carry the burden of all living beings?

Can I?

He asked his own heart.

If it had been before, he would've answered without hesitation—yes.

But now, he realized something.

He had only said "yes" back then because all living beings hadn't become a true burden to him just yet. They hadn't weighed him down. Now that they were weighing him down, they had become a shackle, even a burden...

Could he still move forward with them?

Before a responsibility was real, everyone would think they could bear it. Now that the time to face that responsibility had arrived, Ye Guan realized that it was far harder than he had signed up for.

Order Dao and faith power!

As the endless karma surged over him, Ye Guan felt powerless. It was simply too heavy. For the first time, he doubted whether he was truly capable of becoming a pillar for the people.

All beings... That was not just a phrase. It was billions upon billions of lives.

What an immense weight.

At this moment, he truly had no strength left to keep walking.

And then, a hand suddenly grasped his arm.

Ye Guan turned and saw Fu Wu.

Fu Wu looked him in the eyes and said, "I'll be with you."

Together.

A portion of the karmic threads around Ye Guan flowed into Fu Wu.

Ye Guan fell silent. And then, he laughed, loudly and freely.

"I was right. The path I've chosen wasn't wrong. The suffering it brings isn't wrong, either. If I can't carry the suffering of the people, the burdens of all beings... then what right do I have to be their guardian?"

He took a deep breath. "I am the people. And the people are me."

"All living beings, lend me your strength!"

Boom!

Countless cultivators across the vast expanse, all those who practiced the Guanxuan Laws or the Divine Laws heard Ye Guan's voice in their hearts.

Rumble!

Ye Guan's aura skyrocketed. The infinite threads of karma that once bound him were no longer shackles; they became his power. It was the karmic power of all living beings!

Crack!

The gate of hell shattered in the face of this power..

If you were to enslave the people, they'd come to resent you.

Their karma would become your chains, and they'd eventually revolt to crush you. If you treat them with compassion and empathy... If you see them as yourself, and they see you as themselves...

Then, they would willingly give you their strength.