Chapter 209.1: Running? Not My Style!

Qi Yuan turned to look at Lishan. "Is there something you need?"

With a sweep of his hand, Lishan stripped the dark-skinned burly man and the elders of their five senses. He was just about to do the same to the other ancient gods when Qi Yuan said, "They are my people. If you have something to say, you can just say it."

In truth, Qi Yuan’s journey to the past only took a little over two hours. When he returned, the remaining ancient gods pledged themselves to him indefinitely. The reason was simple: the eight Mythic-tier visualization arts were simply too shocking. After some discussion, they decided to follow him for good.

Lishan glanced at the ancient gods. A flicker of doubt crossed his heart, but it lasted only briefly. He turned back to Qi Yuan. "Qiyuann Sovereign, the fact that you have visualized eight Mythic-tier visualization arts cannot be ignored. You must never expose your identity. Otherwise, the evil gods will surely send experts to assassinate you!"

Qi Yuan was unfazed. "Okay."

He understood this well and didn't pay it much mind. In games, bosses lining up to throw themselves at the player was perfectly normal.

Lishan tried his best to explain the severity of the situation, "Clearwater Village lies within the fallen zone. Danger is lurking everywhere. We ancient gods also can’t help you. If an evil god attacks you, you will be on your own!"

"I'm used to it," Qi Yuan continued softly, "besides, I'm not really alone anymore. I have all these villagers supporting me. Every one of them has a bright future."

Back on the Moonwatch Continent, he spent most of his time fighting alone. Fortunately, Jin Li had kept him company in chat, and later, Little Bride had fought by his side. Standing alone at the Earth's End, that had been true solitude. Nevertheless, soloing a boss in games was completely normal.

Lishan fell silent for a moment. The eight villagers who possessed Mythic-tier Visualization Arts did indeed have a bright future. As for the others, that was far less certain. To live in the fallen zone was to accept a cruel destiny.

After hesitating briefly, he went on. "Heavenly Sovereign, you have become more important than even the Destiny Children. Have you ever heard of the Mythic Plan?"

"No."

At this point, Lishan's voice grew heavy with emotion. "During the Hongtang War, the Mortal Heart World was at the peak of its power. Yet two-thirds of the ancient gods perished, and every single Mythic fell in battle. Still, even in death, the Mythics left behind a sliver of hope for the world—a World Seed."

He himself had taken part in the Hongtang War. It had been a battle of unimaginable brutality. True Gods fell every day. Violet Palace cultivators were not even worthy of being cannon fodder.

Qi Yuan nodded. "

Mhm

."

Just hours earlier, he had personally witnessed the Hongtang War. He had seen the Heavenly Pillar collapse. He had watched as No-Food Goddess stood alone against the Yang Spirit projection, only to perish in the end.

Lishan hid nothing from Qi Yuan. "Even at its peak, the Mortal Heart World could not prevail against the evil gods. Thus, we are left with only one option: the Mythic Plan. We’ll create several new Mythics. With a desperate strike, they will open a passage at the world’s boundary and send the World Seed away. Originally, the success rate was less than half a percent. But if you join, the success rate will surge to thirty percent! When the time comes, we elders will send the young talents and the seed out of this world!"

The villagers and ancient gods were deeply shaken by the revelation. A heavy sorrow also welled up in their hearts. Compared to the evil gods, their world was still far too weak.

Qi Yuan listened, utterly calm. "

Oh

, so that's how it is."

Though taken aback by his reaction, Lishan said in a deep voice, "Heavenly Sovereign, I humbly request you to join the Mythic Plan and preserve some sparks of life for the Mortal Heart World. When we commence with the plan, you can leave this world and gain absolute freedom!"

It was an extremely sincere proposal, one that considered Qi Yuan's interests at every turn, even offering him a chance to escape. Had it been any other prodigy, they would likely have accepted the proposition without hesitation, carrying the world’s hope as they departed. However, Qi Yuan was Qi Yuan.

He refused outright. "Running away isn't my style. If the quest isn't completed, how am I supposed to level up?"

He had gone to great lengths to enter this game, asking him to abandon it halfway was ridiculous.

Lishan was stunned. The ancient gods were equally surprised, admiration rising in their hearts. Though he often seemed flippant and eccentric, Qi Yuan’s will proved indomitable when faced with matters of such gravity.

Murderous intent blazed in Qi Yuan’s eyes. "I’ll kill the thing inside the Heavenly Pillar."

Even though he was simply there to watch a “movie,” that Yang Spirit projection wouldn’t shut up! As if that wasn’t enough, she called him a lowly bug and even attacked him! It was like Sadako suddenly realizing the audience existed, rambling nonstop and flailing wildly. With Qi Yuan's personality, the grudges had to be repaid.

Moreover, No-Food Goddess had treated him to fish and served as his guide for free. Qi Yuan hadn’t said it aloud, but he remembered her kindness.

He would kill Blood Sun Great Sage. If killing her outright wasn’t an option, then Qi Yuan would come up with a plan. A meticulous, perfect plan, one that would massively boost his success rate.

His bold declaration to defeat the Yang Spirit left everyone dumbfounded. Had it come from anyone else, they would have brushed it off as a joke. However, the one who said it was Qiyuan Sovereign—the peerless prodigy who had wrought countless miracles in the Ancestral Land and visualized eight Mythic-tier visualization arts. Hence, these words were not mere bravado, but a vow.

At once, the villagers behind Qi Yuan were united in spirit.

"I am willing to serve as the vanguard and clear the way for my lord!" said Zhu Zhuangshi.

"I am willing to give my life in service!" said Yulei.

"I am more than just a cook!" said Chen Xifan.

"My life was given by my lord, whatever my lord commands, I shall do!" said Shentu.

Wang Song felt deeply stirred, his battle intent surging. "I am a pine tree who has attained godhood! With a backbone stronger than any, what is there to fear from those above True God?"

Their words were light and casual, as if they weren’t facing an insurmountable enemy.

Lishan and the other two Great Venerables looked at Qi Yuan. This was not the answer they had expected. They had anticipated refusal, but not for this reason.

Lishan asked, visibly moved. "Is this the path you have chosen?"

Of course, not everyone supported the Mythic Plan. Those who opposed it held views similar to Qi Yuan's. They would rather sink and perish together with the world.

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Qi Yuan suddenly declared, getting into the role, "I didn’t choose this path. It chose me!"

He felt strangely immersed, like a son-in-law humiliated at every turn, forced to pour his mother-in-law's foot-washing water.

Lishan sighed inwardly. He knew he could not persuade Qi Yuan. Thunder certainly didn’t lie about his disciple’s recklessness.

"When you return to Clearwater Village, be cautious in all things. Let those eight grow stronger first. There's no need to reveal your weapon yet," he advised.

Qi Yuan said seriously, "Thank you for the reminder. Don't worry, I act with restraint. I never do anything without a plan. I've always been cautious, never reckless. Even in major matters, I proceed step by step and prepare a detailed plan first."

After all, he was no hot-headed brute. He valued meticulous planning, and his strategies were always sound.

The villagers behind him wore strange expressions.

Wang Song, however, let out a sigh of relief. Following such a guardian god, there was hope.

Lishan, on the other hand, was puzzled.

No, wait, did Thunder lie after all? Isn’t Qiyuann Sovereign supposed to be reckless?

From appearances alone, Qi Yuan seemed careful and composed. He didn’t seem to be acting.

"Take care," Lishan finally said. Then, as if recalling something, his tone grew heavy. "Great Venerable Thunder has entrusted you to my care."

"Entrusted?" Qi Yuan was startled. That word wasn't to be used lightly.

Lishan's voice was filled with emotion. "He was the one who informed me of your arrival at the Ancestral Land. He wanted me to recruit you into the Mythic Plan, so you’d have one last chance at survival."

Qi Yuan asked urgently, "Where is Old Thunder now?"

"He went to find Zhang Feng." Lishan sighed. "His injuries are severe. He doesn't have long to live."

Qi Yuan immediately understood everything. He frowned, muttering, "Why are all the old geezers in this world so stubborn?"

With a wave of his hand, Qi Yuan led all the villagers and ancient gods into the teleportation array. He remained silent, his gaze calm.

Zhu Zhuangshi grew anxious. "That old bastard bullied me and then ran off,

huh

?!"

He still remembered the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of Thunder.