Chapter 945: The Choice

While Miao Ya, Yong Yao, and the other Creators failed to subdue Li Pin even while working together, Creator Li, Transcendent Black White, and several Supremes finally arrived.

With the arrival of Creator Li, the agitation among the Supremes at the scene slightly subsided.

During this period, the Supremes had come to learn from ancient records, other Supremes, and other Creators that Creator Li had been a fearsome and renowned existence even during the Ancient Astral World era.

Although he, like Creator Miao Ya and the others, lived in the Void of Chaos, he clearly followed a different path from them.

Talent formed the foundation, and the foundation forged strength.

He was much stronger than Yong Yao, Miao Ya, and Guang Ling, so everyone was eager to see how he would deal with Li Pin.

***

As Transcendent Black White watched Li Pin hold his ground against three Creators by himself, he couldn't help feeling surprised.

"Origin, he..."

Even though Li Pin was at a disadvantage at the moment, such strength still lived up to the title of the strongest in the starry cosmos. Even the former number one Supreme, Regalheaven, was inferior to him.

Creator Li watched for a moment and estimated how long it would take for a clear victor to emerge. It would likely take a whole stellar year.

Such a duration was negligible for beings like the Supremes, who had incredibly long lifespans. But if Creator Miao Ya and Creator Yong Yao couldn't crush Origin with overwhelming force, those Supremes who had only recently sided with them might begin to waver again.

As for Creator Li, he genuinely didn't want to fight the Supremes of the starry cosmos. Anyone who could become a Supreme in this era was extremely gifted, favored by the heavens. With enough time and complete legacies to inherit, they might make a breakthrough and become his peers, equal to him.

With eight or ten people like him, they would have allies when facing the terrifying being tracking them down. Therefore, their time and energy should not be wasted on internal conflict.

"Stop," Creator Li said in a deep voice.

He then took a step, intending to enter the battlefield.

Just then, Supreme Regalheaven stepped forward and said, "What, three Creators aren't enough already? You, Creator Li, wish to join the siege against Origin?"

"Perhaps we are not yet at a point where we need to fight to the death," said Creator Li.

He gazed at Li Pin. "On him... I faintly sense a feeling of familiarity, but it vanishes quickly. Combined with what we know of his growth, there's an eighty to ninety percent chance he inherited the legacy of the Eternal from the Ancient Astral World. Therefore... as long as he's willing to hand it over, we may not need to reach the worst outcome."

Supreme Regalheaven looked toward Li Pin. He could see that Li Pin was clearly at a disadvantage. Defeat seemed only a matter of time, yet Li Pin didn't show any signs of resorting to other methods to counterattack.

He didn't know whether Li Pin was supremely confident and waiting for an opportunity, or if he had truly already exhausted every means at his disposal and that this was his full strength. Therefore, whether or not to hand over the Eternal's legacy, would be Li Pin's own choice.

If Li Pin refused, Regalheaven would use everything at his disposal to stop Creator Li from intervening. However, if Li Pin was willing to hand it over and turn conflict into peace, that may be the best resolution.

Creator Li understood Supreme Regalheaven's stance, and turned to Li Pin. "Lord Origin, we harbor no ill will. We urgently need to confront the Eternal and sever our karmic ties.... Perhaps this Eternal no longer exists, which is why we've returned to the starry cosmos. But even if it's just his legacy... if we can study it and in some way defeat him conceptually, perhaps it will fulfill our long-held wish."

"Eternal, huh." Li Pin let out a sigh. He glanced at Creator Li. "How much do you even know about the Eternal? How much do you remember?"

Seeing that Li Pin was willing to speak, Creator Li did not withhold any information. "I'm sorry, we don't remember much. It's as if... an irresistible force has twisted our memories..."

"So you don't even know what kind of power the Eternal truly wielded, yet you still dared to enter the starry cosmos to search for his true body?" Li Pin questioned.

Creator Li was silent for a moment, then finally said, "We had no choice."

He looked at Li Pin. "Your strength qualifies you to know the truth. The starry cosmos is facing a crisis not just from us but from a terrifying being deep within the Void of Chaos! Transcendent Black White has mentioned it to you. That terrifying being is following the trail left by the ancient Transcendents and is heading toward the starry cosmos.

"In ten thousand years, or even a few thousand, it will fully discover this universe's location. If we cannot sever our karmic ties with the Eternal and advance our cultivation..."

He took a deep breath and said heavily, "We might be relatively safe... but once that terrifying being locates the starry cosmos, its focus will likely shift to this universe instead of chasing us further. But the multitudes within this universe... the entire starry cosmos... will likely face total annihilation."

Creator Tian Zhu, who had yet to act, added in a sharp tone, "We're trying to save you. Do you understand?"

He swept his gaze across all the Supremes and projected his will around. "If you cooperate with us, you're also saving yourselves. Otherwise, even if you can defeat us, once that terrifying being arrives, the only thing awaiting you is death."

"Though Tian Zhu's words are blunt, the reasoning is valid." Creator Li nodded slightly. "We are not your enemies."

"Although I don't like to explain too much, since you've invoked the grand cause of saving the cosmos, I must clarify something." Li Pin shook his head. "I've never received the so-called Eternal's legacy."

He paused, then smiled. "I never said so because I knew you would never believe me anyway. Am I not right?"

His response rendered all the Creators at the scene silent. Even the Supremes on the outer edge frowned.

Soon, a Sky Clan Supreme could no longer hold back and stepped forward, his inner spirit fluctuations tinged with anger. "Origin, we are well aware that it is through the Eternal's legacy that you have achieved what you have today. This became clear once we investigated your history. Even the exact time you received the legacy is known. It was during your second stellar year as a mortal!"

The Supreme spoke with righteous indignation. "It was only after receiving that legacy that you soared and became a Supreme, eventually growing to rival even Creators. Now, Creator Li and the others seek the Eternal's legacy to save our starry cosmos. You merely need to hand it over and you could prevent an internal disaster while saving the entire cosmos through their efforts. So why are you clinging to it so stubbornly!?"

He shouted, "You can't be this selfish!"

Selfish?

Hearing the Sky Clan Supreme's words, Li Pin found it somewhat amusing. Not because it was funny, but rather, it reminded him of his time in the Gaian era. Back then, someone had also called him selfish, urging him to consider the greater good. And now, the past was repeating itself.

"This is exactly why I didn't say I never received the Eternal's legacy. People rarely believe a truth they cannot accept," Li Pin said with a smile. "You all essentially echo this Sky Clan Supreme's thoughts."

"Origin, stop dodging the question." A Demon Race Supreme stepped forward. "Without the Eternal's legacy, you couldn't have achieved this. If you must prove your innocence... then release your True Spirit and let us probe it. If you're willing to let us examine the inner spirit beneath your True Spirit, we will believe you."

Upon hearing the Demon Race Supreme's words, Li Pin turned to Supreme Regalheaven. "Have you finished compiling your list? This guy's not on it, is he?"

Before Regalheaven could answer, Supreme Primordial answered on his behalf, "He's not included."

Then he added, "I just sent the list to you, take a look."

Li Pin glanced at it, instantly digesting its contents.

He looked at the various Supremes all around, rallied being Creators Li, hoping he would hand over the Eternal's legacy to avoid civil war and save the cosmos.

"Too many," stated Li Pin. "There are too many names on that list."

Then, with a thought, he trimmed the list and condensed it into an inner spirit fluctuation before sending it back to Supreme Primordial. "This is the list as I see it. I'll begin cleansing based on this. If you insist on adding someone else, there must be an irrefutable reason."

Supreme Primordial beheld the list Li Pin had sent. Seeing the mere handful of names listed, he felt a chill shoot through his soul.

"This... this is... far too few..."

His pupils dilated. For a moment, he didn't even know how to evaluate this list.

Seeing Li Pin ignore them and instead discuss some list, the Supremes of the Sky Clan and Demon Race grew agitated and pressed him again.

"Origin, the Creators are all waiting. What is your final decision? Will you hand over the Eternal's legacy or not!?"

Li Pin said nothing.

Not only did he not have any inheritance, but even if he truly did and he did hand it over, what then? If Creator Li, Creator Miao Ya, and Creator Yong Yao still couldn't sever their karmic ties and advance their cultivation, what would they do next? Would they turn their sights back on him?

"Whether it's comprehending reincarnation or severing karma, what you can truly rely on has never been external forces—but your own heart, your conviction in your... Dao!"

Li Pin looked at these Creators. "And your greatest problem is... that you have no Dao!"

Creator Li's expression darkened, and his emanating inner spirit fluctuations started radiating killing intent. "So your answer is...?"

"Come." Li Pin spread his arms wide and unrestrainedly invited the six Creators in the field. "Come at me. All of you!"