Chapter 382: Never Needed a Second Move

Left Councilor Feng Qi’s face turned ashen. She slumped into her chair, and a variety of emotions fleeted across her face. She was confused, afraid, and reluctant at the same time. Cirou's idea was just shocking. An alliance between the True Universe and the Guanxuan Universe?

Was that even possible, given their deep-seated hatred for each other?

However, the revelation that the mysterious plain-skirt lady behind Ye Guan had suppressed the Great Daoist Brush Master filled her with fear. In other words, the Guanxuan Universe had a few supreme elites stronger than the Sword Master.

As Cirou said, it didn't seem impossible for the Guanxuan Universe to annihilate the True Universe so long as they wanted to do so.

Regardless, Left Councilor Feng Qi was reluctant to employ the plan because it meant that the True Universe would have to compromise and give up quite a few of its vested interests.

"This is impossible, Cirou," Left Councilor Feng Qi said with a shake of her head. "I'm sure your proposal will face a myriad of objections from all sides."

"It's fine," Cirou said. She stared into Left Councilor Feng Qi's eyes and said, "So long as the True Universe's armed forces are united and stable, those who dare to object will dare not make a move."

Silence descended upon the hall.

"Look at it from a different perspective," Cirou said.

Left Councilor Feng Qi stared at Cirou.

Cirou explained, "We'd still remain as the most formidable powerhouse of the vast expanse if we were to make such changes. We'd have the first-mover advantage, and we'd be able to maintain our dignity.

"If we make a move too late, they'd shape our future for us."

Left Councilor Feng Qi revealed a complicated expression as she stammered, "Has it really come to this?"

Cirou stared deeply at Left Councilor Feng Qi before replying, "The early bird will get the worm. We have an institutional advantage over the Guanxuan Universe, the other universes, and the All Worlds.

"If we handle this well, more and more exceptional individuals will join our cause. Sacrificing a few immediate benefits now can result in a mountain of profit in the future."

Left Councilor Feng Qi was quiet as she sank deeper into her chair.

Cirou looked at her and said, "I need your help."

Left Councilor Feng Qi turned to Cirou.

"Are you on the True Universe's side, or are you on Ye Guan's side?" she asked.

Cirou chuckled lightly and asked, "What do you think?"

Left Councilor Feng Qi walked up to Cirou. She stared directly into her eyes and demanded, "I want you to tell me!"

After a moment of silence, Cirou replied, "No matter what, I will not betray the True Universe."

Left Councilor Feng Qi was silent for quite a while.

"I want authority over the three armed forces," she said, breaking the silence.

"Sure," Cirou responded, "You can use them anytime you wish."

Left Councilor Feng Qi nodded lightly. She then turned around and started walking toward the door. When she reached the doorway, she suddenly came to a halt and said, "Cirou, the Guanxuan Universe has to cooperate with us for this plan to work."

Left Councilor Feng Qi knew that Cirou's main goal was the Guanxuan Universe, and if the Guanxuan Universe refused to cooperate; it'd be impossible to implement Cirou's plan.

"I'll talk to him," Cirou replied.

Left Councilor Feng Qi nodded, and then she disappeared into the distance.

Left all alone, Cirou stood quietly for quite a while, seemingly thinking over something. Eventually, she revealed a light smile and turned around to leave.

Cirou stepped into a thatched hut in Stone Village. The thatched hut had nothing but a bed, and there was a young woman on the bed.

The woman was none other than Cijng!

Cirou walked to the bedside. She carefully held Cijing’s hand as if it were extremely fragile and shook her head. Tears welled up in her eyes, and they dripped down her cheeks like glistening pearls.

"I told you to wait, but you couldn't wait. You're just like Ba Wan. Both of you have never really listened to me. It has always been like that since we were young," Cirou said.

The young woman lay motionless on the bed.

Cirou sat on the bed and stared blankly at Cijing.

"Even though Big Sister has never come back since that argument back then, I know that she's not angry with us. I'm sure she simply couldn't forgive herself. Before she left, she entrusted all of you and the True Universe to me."

Cirou shook her head and wiped the tears away from her face. Then, a look of frustration suffused her face as she exclaimed, "It's all that wretched man's fault!"

After taking a moment to compose herself, she stood up and walked outside the thatched hut. Once outside the house, Cirou's expression turned icy. She turned to her side and said, "Protect this hut!"

A group of six elders bowed deeply to Cirou.

Cirou didn't even respond to them as she vanished into thin air.

...

The Eternal Sovereign was cultivating in the Eternal World, and his eyes suddenly shot wide open.

He stood up with a look of astonishment.

An elder appeared next to the Eternal Sovereign.

The elder spoke solemnly, "Jingchen and the others..."

The Eternal Sovereign looked up and stared deeply into the starry sky.

After a moment, he frowned and asked, "They're gone?"

The elder nodded with a grim expression.

"No survivors; their souls were annihilated as well."

The Eternal Sovereign fell silent. After a while, he chuckled lightly and said, "It seems that Milky Way is teeming with elites!"

The elder's voice sounded heavy. "We've suffered a huge loss..."

The Eternal Sovereign smiled and muttered, "Interesting. Someone out there is actually capable of wiping out over a dozen Great Destiny Sovereigns in just a blink of an eye."

The elder stared deeply at the Eternal Sovereign. He wanted to say something, but he remained silent in the end.

Swoosh!

Just then, a woman appeared not far from them. She was none other than Cirou.

The Eternal Sovereign said nothing upon seeing Cirou.

"I'm here to congratulate you, Eternal Sovereign." Cirou smiled and said, "You've recovered sixty percent of your true strength.

The Eternal Sovereign wasted no time and swung his fist.

Ciro swung her fist as well.

Bam!

A deafening explosion echoed as Cirou was forced hundreds of meters away.

The Eternal Sovereign stood his ground without flinching. He looked at Cirou and remarked, "I underestimated you."

Cirou smiled before asking, "Eternal Sovereign, is it true that you've never faced defeat during the era of the Eternal Civilization?"

The Eternal Sovereign fixed his gaze on Cirou, responding sternly, "You manipulated Jingchen into going to Milky Way. Your intentions are more than just malicious."

Cirou chuckled and explained, "It's not like we're allies, are we?"

"Yes, we're enemies," the Eternal Sovereign said with a nod. "I guess it is not strange for you to scheme against us."

Cirou smiled and asked, "How come it seems like you are not sorrowful upon hearing of your subordinates' demise?"

"I've always been alone. I alone am an entire era."

Cirou locked eyes with the Eternal Sovereign and said, "From what I've heard, only the Great Daoist Brush Master has managed to defeat you, so you have the right to be arrogant. However, the times have changed, Eternal Sovereign.

"This era has supreme elites whose powers are beyond your imagination!"

The Eternal Sovereign chuckled and asked, "You mean the lady in the plain skirt?"

Cirou nodded. "Exactly."

The Eternal Sovereign laughed heartily and pointed out. "So you want me to go and fight that lady?"

Cirou nodded lightly and replied, "Indeed. I want to see who is stronger between you and her."

The Eternal Sovereign stared at Cirou with a smile.

"I'll fight her eventually, but not now. I have to completely recover first."

"Is that so?" Cirou chuckled and said, "Why does it sound like an excuse? Is it because you're... scared?"

The Eternal Sovereign squinted his eyes. His right hand gradually clenched to a fist.

Cirou's smile deepened, and she said, "I understand. After all, someone who can slay over a dozen Great Destiny Sovereigns in the blink of an eye is undoubtedly an extraordinary individual, even among supreme elites. Your emotions are natural."

"Mind games are useless against me, Cirou," said the Eternal Sovereign.

Cirou stared into the Eternal Sovereign's eyes and said, "According to our investigation, the plain-skirt lady has never needed a second move to kill her opponents."

The Eternal Sovereign didn't respond.

"The war between the True Universe and the Guanxuan Universe is still ongoing despite the millions of years that have passed; do you know why? Cirou asked, "Why do you think we haven't been able to conquer the Guanxuan Universe?

"It's all because of her. Eternal Sovereign, if you seek to rule the entire universe, your greatest adversary is neither Ye Guan nor the Guanxuan Universe; it's that lady in the plain skirt. Kill her, and you'll become truly invincible."

The Eternal Sovereign remained silent.

"She once fought the Great Daoist Brush Master," Cirou said.

The Eternal Sovereign's eyes narrowed with interest. "Who won?"

Cirou sounded serious as she replied, "It was a close fight."

The Eternal Sovereign was stunned, and then he asked, "Are you sure?"

"I'm one of the strongest beings of this vast expanse. Do you really think I'd stoop so low as to deceive you?" Cirou retorted.

The Eternal Sovereign fell into contemplation.

Cirou added, "You can verify with that tiny pagoda. It's the best pagoda in the universe, and it's of the living witnesses of that battle."

The Eternal Sovereign opened his palm, and a tiny pagoda appeared in his hand.

"Little Pagoda, did you witness the battle between that lady in the plain skirt and the Great Daoist Brush Master?"

Little Pagoda replied, "Yes, I was there, and I saw it! They fought for three days and three nights. In the end, she couldn't beat the Great Daoist Brush Master and was suppressed; she's been forbidden from leaving the Milky Way since then."

The Eternal Sovereign spoke in a deep voice, "Is she that Plain-Skirt Destiny whom you mentioned to me?"

"Yes," Little Pagoda replied, "Yes, I was with the Great Daoist Brush Master back then, and she inflicted heavy injuries on me. Then, she took me away and gave me to her brother. Really... their entire family bullied me into subservience. The father deceived me, and then the son deceived me as well.

"I was living a really miserable life while I was in their hands."

"Interesting," the Eternal Sovereign smiled and said, "She must be quite strong for her to have been able to exchange a few moves with the Great Daoist Brush Master."

Cirou looked at the Eternal Sovereign and said seriously, "I advise you not to underestimate her. I'm sure you haven't forgotten what I told you about how she has never needed a second move to kill her enemies!"

The Eternal Sovereign chuckled and replied, "That applies to me as well. During my era. I've killed every single one of my opponents in just a single move. Of course, the Great Daoist Brush Master was an exception."

Cirou was silent.

The Eternal Sovereign glanced at Cirou, "I know you want to use my hand to kill that lady in the plain skirt. Don't worry, I won't underestimate her. Anyone who can contend with the Great Daoist Brush Master must have some capability!"

"Good." Cirou nodded. She glanced at the tiny pagoda before transforming into a beam of golden light that disappeared into the depths of the starry sky.

The elder next to the Eternal Sovereign said solemnly, "Her motives are evil!"

The Eternal Sovereign laughed and said, "She wants me to go all out against that lady in the plain skirt. Once the two of us are injured, she's going to lead the True Universe to take advantage of my injuries by then."

The elder frowned, and his intuition told him that things weren't so simple.

Before he could voice out his concerns, the Eternal Sovereign continued. "However, she doesn't know my true strength at all. Back then, the Great Daoist Brush Master couldn't defeat me by himself. He teamed up with that woman to defeat me!"

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The elder was stunned.

"

Pfft!

" The Eternal Sovereign laughed heartily and said, "I've always emphasized that the Great Daoist Brush Master has defeated me himself to make them underestimate me.."

The Eternal Sovereign closed his eyes and said, "Once I've recovered completely, I will kill that lady in the plain skirt. Afterward, it won't take much effort to destroy both the True Universe and the Guanxuan Universe."

The Eternal Sovereign revealed a disdainful smile and added, "All schemes and tricks are nothing before absolute strength, and her foolish scheme against me is nothing but adorable in my eyes!"