Chapter 2780: Variables

“Do you think the key to the trial is completing the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber Plan?” Zu An asked Firework. She was highly intelligent, evident from how she had woven an elaborate scheme and played them like a fiddle.

“It’s probably not that simple.” Firework returned the favor since Zu An had offered her some intelligence. “Think about it. How can the Deity of Death choose between us if the plan is completed? I’ve never heard of a universal deity’s legacy being shared between two people.”

“Could it be based on contribution? Whoever contributes more wins,” Zu An asked.

Instead of answering the question, Firework asked, “You should know that those who fail the trial will face death, right?”

“Indeed.” As he recalled the stairs of skulls, Zu An’s heart became heavy.

“If your contribution theory is true, those who are going to lose have no reason to help others. They will try their best to drag others down and foil the plan. It’s more satisfying for everyone to fail together than to let one person win,” Firework said coldly.

Zu An’s heart skipped a beat.

That’s true. One can never underestimate what humans are capable of when pushed into a corner.

“We might appear to be in the same boat, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be able to join forces.” Firework paused before continuing coldly, “Only one can clear the trial. Those who fail the trial are doomed to die.”

Zu An’s heart was chilled.

Tingxue and Isabella are here as well. Will we have to eventually turn against one another?

But he quickly calmed down and said, “There should be a way out. I’ll find a way for all of us to survive.”

Firework scoffed, “What naivete. When you try to save everyone, it’s more likely that you won’t save anyone at all.”

Despite her skepticism, there was a small part of her that trusted him. She had witnessed his tenacity in tackling and overcoming seemingly impossible situations... But she quickly snuffed out that thought.

This is a universal deity’s trial. There’s no way to bend the rules.

“Let’s work together. Even if we’re destined to become enemies, it’s still beneficial for us to join forces for now.” Zu An didn’t want to engage in infighting. There was no way he could clear this trial if someone as smart and strong as Firework was determined to sabotage him.

“What’s the point of such superficial partnership? I’d rather not work together if we’ll eventually have to turn against each other,” Firework said coldly as she stood up and left. She intended to clear the mission by herself.

“What if I find a way for us all to survive?” Zu An shouted.

Firework stopped by the doorway. Without turning around, she scoffed, “Empty promises hold no meaning.”

“It’s not an empty promise,” Zu An said. “I am very familiar with this world. That’s an advantage no one else has ever had.”

“That only means you have a higher chance of clearing this trial; it doesn’t mean you can save the others.” Firework finally turned around, revealing a dangerous gleam in her eyes. “Now that I think about it, you’re my greatest rival here. I ought to kill you first.”

She might have lost her supernatural powers, but given her grasp of martial arts, she could still pull it off.

Zu An’s expression darkened. “You’ve overlooked something crucial. Not everyone would coincidentally stumble upon this trial with their comrades. Why do you think they still failed?”

Firework widened her eyes and fell into deep thought.

Such opportunities are hard to come by. Not everyone who entered this trial would have been friends, and some of them might have even been alone. The latter would have been highly beneficial, as the challenger wouldn’t have to worry about being sabotaged.

But that only made it even more baffling as to why no one had cleared the trial to date.

Zu An continued, “You already know that the other universal deities ganged up on the Deity of Death and killed him. It should be safe to assume that they don’t wish to see the rise of another Deity of Death. The easiest way to do so would be to tamper with the trial.”

“That’s possible. Those fellows are capable of that,” Firework narrowed her eyes and sneered. She appeared to harbor animosity against the universal deities. “But that only makes the trial harder to clear. It just shows that it’s more likely for the four of us to die, not for the four of us to survive.”

Zu An shook his head. “Other universal deities tampering with this trial introduces variables, giving rise to more possibilities.”

Firework was silent for a few seconds before finally conceding with a nod. “There is some sense to your words. I hope you do find a way to ensure everyone’s survival.”

Zu An and the other two women had, to some extent, helped her. While she wouldn’t sacrifice herself to save them, if there was a way for all of them to survive, she wasn’t inclined to let them die, either.

She quickly added, “Our priority should be to find Tingxue and Isabella, right?”

Zu An shook his head. “This might just be a trial world, but it’s still a huge place. Searching for them here without supernatural powers is as good as searching for a needle in a haystack.”

“Are you going to abandon them?”

“Of course not. We’re in the Deity of Death’s trial; I’m sure fate will somehow bring us together. What’s more important is for us to find Yang Guo and obtain his Xuan Metal Sword.”

“You’re more familiar with this world. Where should we look for them?”

“The Beggar Sect has a huge intelligence network, with eyes and ears all over the world. However, Yelu Qi is the current sect leader. We’ll risk feeding crucial information to him if we go through the Beggar Sect.” Zu An thought about it before adding, “Let’s make a trip to the Tomb of Living Dead first.”

“What kind of place is that?”

“Pack your things. I’ll explain it to you on the way.”

The two of them quickly made preparations before bidding farewell to Guo Jing and Huang Rong and secretly leaving Xiangyang City.

Looking at the huge army of Mongol soldiers stationed opposite the river, Firework grimly remarked, “The Mongols are indeed at the peak of their power. That far surpasses the troops we have at Xiangyang. If not for the river, Xiangyang wouldn’t have lasted this long.”

“Our destination is part of Mongolian territory. Let’s disguise ourselves first to avoid trouble,” Zu An suggested.

Firework replied, “There’s no need for that. I might have lost my supernatural power, but I am strong enough to protect myself in this world. Not even Guo Jing is a match for me.”