Chapter 2047: A Choice

Bai Laogui let out a disdainful snort. "Don't try to act smart. The only reason why a Progenitor won’t make a move is because we don’t want to destroy the Forsake Land and let the Aeternals succeed. However, if you really want to risk death, then my four ruling powers will definitely make you regret your choice.”

"This is not the time for internal discord. The Seven Skygods are still able to freely enter and leave this place, but that doesn’t concern us. But what about all of you? If your Forsaken Land is conquered by the Aeternals, your only refuge will be my four ruling powers’ Perennial World. Do you really want to risk being hunted down and enslaved for all of eternity?" Ni Huang shouted.

Kui Luo instantly retorted, “So what if you want to chase them down? You people have been trying to catch me for years, and I’m still fine. At worst, they’ll just upset the balance of the current powers."

Bai Laogui sneered. "What a joke! Are you going to do that on your own? Any Progenitor could deal with you on a whim."

"We can also become Progenitors ourselves.” Qing Ping took action, and the pair of scales stretched out from beneath his feet to touch Bai Laogui’s feet.

Arch-Elder Zen suddenly blocked Xia Ji's blade. "What do you think you’re doing?"

Xia Ji put more force behind his blade. "I am going back to my roots and will follow my ancestors to my clan."

As the man spoke, he twisted his knife and caused two more blades to appear. This was the Xia family’s Triple Blade Will, and the attack pressed down to target not only Qing Ping, but also Arch-Elder Zen.

Lu Yin looked over at Xia De, as this could only be happening because Xia De had promised Xia Ji something. Xia Ji would never make a move before receiving something for his efforts.

Follow his ancestors? The Xia family that was a part of the Seven Courts was most likely a remnant that the main Xia family had deliberately left behind in the Fifth Mainland, just like the members of the Bai family who had been left behind with the Daynight clan.

However, even though Xia De was impressed with Xia Ji, the man was still far from being Arch-Elder Zen’s opponent.

Again and again, the balance of the battlefield changed, and the internal conflicts of the human race were on full display at this moment. This exact situation was quite possibly the entire reason why Forgotten Ruins God and the other Aeternals had all left.

In the absence of external threats, internal conflicts would invariably erupt.

Finally, even Hen Xin took action. He moved to help Ni Huang and the others from the Perennial World, instantly crushing Qing Ping’s scales.

Lu Buzheng and everyone else stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Hen Xin.

Not even the people from the Perennial World understood why Hen Xin had helped them.

"Hen Xin, what is this?" Lu Buzheng asked in a low voice.

Hen Xin glanced at Lu Buzheng, but he did not answer. Instead, he turned to look at Ni Huang. "Follow me from now on, and I will help you. If not, I will help the others."

Lu Buzheng’s brow furrowed, and he shouted, "You intend to use us?"

Lu Yin had not expected Hen Xin, who had appeared to be the most direct and honest of the ancient powerhouses, to actually be the most scheming of them all. This one action had instantly forced Ni Huang and the others to make a choice, though they were also left without any real options.

Ni Huang had not expected to suddenly be forced to make such a choice with no warning, and he was stunned for a long moment.

"It’s no wonder why some referred to you as Black-Hearted Hen. The fact that you were able to rise from nothing to become an expert within the Heavens Sect clearly means that you are far from being an ordinary person," Jue Yi commented.

Hen Xin stared at Ni Huang. "What’s your decision?"

Ni Huang clenched a fist. "We agree to form an alliance, but nothing more. I would rather be captured by the mental network than be forced to obey you."

"Very well." Hen Xin agreed instantly and without quibbling.

Lu Buzheng gritted his teeth. "Black-Hearted Hen, you’re despicable!"

Kui Luo sneered. "The Third Mainland’s Dao Monarch betrayed humanity to become Ancient God. It looks like all the people under him are the same sort of people."

Hen Xin finally looked over. "The Third Mainland already has enmity with the Fifth, so what about this matter is strange?"

As he spoke, he looked at Lu Yin. "Right now, it looks like you are the person with the greatest influence on how things are going to turn out. Make your choice."

As Lu Yin stared at Hen Xin, he remembered how this person had quickly identified him as the decision-maker of the group. It was clear that Hen Xin was an observant and analytical person, and after considering things a bit more, Lu Yin realized just how shrewd and perceptive Hen Xin had to be to have a thorough understanding of the current situation. Hen Xin was blatantly taking advantage of the situation to take control of Ni Huang and the other Semi-Progenitors from the Perennial World. Their alliance could be considered an exceptionally strong power in the Fifth Mainland at this moment.

However, what was Hen Xin’s goal? Jue Yi had also openly stated that he wanted Lu Yin to obey him. Lu Yin was eager to understand just what was going through the minds of these ancient powerhouses.

So many years had passed, and the modern era’s mindset was very different from the ancient era’s. Lu Yin struggled to get a read on these people.

"It’s a draw.” As Lu Yin spoke, he looked over at Lu Buzheng and shook his head.

Lu Buzheng stared at Ni Huang and the others, his bloodlust overflowing, and then he finally glanced over at Hen Xin. "You certainly are ruthless. Black-Hearted Hen, you better make sure not to fall into my hands."

Hen Xin calmly looked away. “We can talk about that if I ever do fall into your hands."

"No!" Wang Si screamed as she glared at Lu Yin. "He needs to die!"

She turned to Hen Xin. "We can’t allow anyone from the evil Lu family go! He must die!"

Hen Xin was completely unconcerned. "No one asked for your opinion."

Jue Yi calmly spoke up. "I also want to get my hands on that child."

"You can’t have him,” Arch-Elder Zen declared. “No one can take Lu Yin. When we were faced with an all-out war with the Aeternals, he took the lead, and if not for him, Mt. Microcosms would have never been able to block the passage to the Starfall Sea. I will not allow any of you to deal with him."

Bai Laogui’s voice was beyond cold as he said, "Is the risk you are taking right now to protect that Lu bastard worth it? The New Corridor will definitely be restored, and given the gap in the passage to the Starfall Sea, it’s inevitable that the Aeternals will return as well. Even if they do not return, I can promise you on behalf of the four ruling powers to allow people from your Forsaken Land enter the Perennial World and freely train there without being discriminated against. Without that survivor of the Lu family, we have no quarrel with any of you. Is his life really worth becoming enemies with all of our families?"

Arch-Elder Zen’s expression betrayed his emotions at this moment. “Are you asking me if it’s worth it? Of course it is. The Lu family has been kind to me. If not for the Lu family, I would never have received the Tri-Yang Ancestral Qi Technique, and the Hall of Honor would have never been established. You are currently in the Fifth Mainland, and the seeds that were left here to grow into the Hall of Honor were all sown by the Lu family. We may hate the ancient Lu family for abandoning our Fifth Mainland, but at the same time, we were shown unmatched kindness by the ancient Lu family.”

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"In the past, I could have abandoned Lu Yin without any hesitation despite the favor I received from the Lu family, but no longer. I protect him not just because of the kindness I received from the Lu family, but also because of his own merits. Who among you could freely distribute your inheritance to the entire universe? Lu Yin graced the entire Fifth Mainland with his inheritances, and my Fifth Mainland will not abandon him."

In the distance, Lu Yin's eyes flickered. So Arch-Elder Zen had received the Tri-Yang Technique from the Lu family? Then why had the old man treated Lu Yin in such a cold manner after learning of his identity as a member of the Lu family? If Lu Yin had not taken the initiative to protect the Outerverse from the Astral Beast Domain’s invasion, then Arch-Zen might have never become so protective of Lu Yin. The old man’s wariness towards Lu Yin after first learning of his true identity had been obvious.

Highsage Grandmaster spoke up as well. "Old Zen is right. This is how things should be."

Elder Gong gave a small smile. "No argument here."

Chief Justice Qing Ping never said a word, but he had been the first to step up as soon as someone had attacked Lu Yin. The Chief Justice’s attitude was clear: Lu Yin was his junior brother.

Hen Xin frowned. "This makes no sense. There’s no need for such stubbornness. Old enmities should all be set aside for now, as the Aeternals are still a present threat."

Lu Buzheng was the most reluctant to end things at this point. He had been the one to start the fight, and he was only interested in avenging the Lu family.

Jue Yi did not want to let Lu Yin go, but at the moment, there seemed to be no choice. The man could not touch Lu Yin, as it was impossible to break through Ancestor Tortoise’s defenses.

Lu Yin glanced around. He also felt a bit helpless at this moment. Each of these Semi-Progenitors was more cunning than the next. It had been very difficult to find an opportunity to wound Wang Si, and it was completely impossible to use the same method to deal with Ni Huang and the rest at this point.

Lu Yin looked to have the greatest sway in the current situation, and this was precisely why Hen Xin had taken the actions that he had to exploit Lu Yin’s status.

Suddenly, all the Semi-Progenitors turned to the west as one as an old man appeared. He moved with slow steps. His eyes were soft, tired, and unbelievably old. Both Semi-Progenitor Jiu Yao and Sky Garan followed behind the old man.

"Progenitor of Bloodlines." Both Lan Xian and Herb Immortal hurried forward to bow to the old man.

All the other Semi-Progenitors had grown exceptionally solemn, and they also bowed. "I greet senior Progenitor."

Not only did Ni Huang and the others from the Perennial World bow, but even Lu Buzheng showed his respects for the old man. Even if the ancient powerhouses came from the Heavens Sect era and were from a time long before the Progenitor of Bloodlines, a Progenitor was still a Progenitor, while they were all merely Semi-Progenitors. When facing a Progenitor, Semi-Progenitors should always offer respect, unless they were facing an enemy.

Lu Yin remained on Ancestor Tortoise’s back, but he also slowly bowed, as did Yunying Mavis next to him. "I greet Senior Progenitor of Bloodlines."

"I greet Senior Progenitor of Bloodlines."

…

The Progenitor of Bloodlines, whose name was Xue Mengzi, was one of the Sixth Mainland’s three Progenitors, as well as the only one of the three to have never demonstrated any hostility towards the Fifth Mainland.

Back when the Sea King had first broken through the Upper Three Gates that led to the Perennial World in order to restore the Fifth Mainland’s sky, the Sixth Mainland had retaliated by invading the Fifth Mainland. During their initial attack, the Progenitor of Combat had personally taken action. If not for the remnant power of the Rune Progenitor, the Progenitor of Combat would have single-handedly destroyed the entire Fifth Mainland.

The Progenitor of Secret Arts had betrayed humanity and joined Aeternus, and he had even attacked Burial Garden in a failed attempt to erase humanity’s oldest inheritance. Fortunately, Progenitor Chen had taken action and stopped the attack. At the same time, the Progenitor of Secret Arts had been severely injured.

The Progenitor of Bloodlines was the only one of the Sixth Mainland’s three Progenitors to have never attacked the Fifth Mainland, and he had also fought against the Aeternals from the very beginning.

When Lu Yin had completed his breakthrough to become an Envoy, his breakthrough had caused the true universe to roil, and the Progenitor of Bloodlines had gone to investigate the disturbance. That time had been Lu Yin’s first encounter with the Progenitor.

It had actually been Lu Yin’s first time interacting so closely with a Progenitor.

At this moment, the Progenitor of Bloodlines was the only surviving Progenitor in the entire Fifth Mainland.

"It appears that you no longer intend to fight with each other," the Progenitor of Bloodlines commented as he glanced over all the gathered Semi-Progenitors and Lu Yin.

Arch-Elder Zen stared back at the Progenitor and respectfully replied, "Why have you come here, Senior?"

The Progenitor of Bloodlines clasped his hands behind his back and stared out in the direction of the Starfall Sea. The man looked exhausted. "How could I not come here? This is the greatest disaster to ever befall humanity, and if I am not careful, I could easily end up like Jiu Xiang and be left without even an intact corpse."

Jiu Yao's expression grew ugly, and a deep sadness could be seen in his eyes.

Jiu Xiang was the name of the Progenitor of Combat who had perished in the Starfall Sea. The Progenitor had been killed by decapitation. It had been the tragic end for a top powerhouse.

"You all did an exceptional job here. You managed to seal the passage and buy humanity a chance. Unfortunately, a gap still remains in the blocked passage, and a steep price will need to be paid in order to protect that passage. Still, no matter what, everyone here has a responsibility to humanity, including me," the Progenitor of Bloodlines carefully enunciated each and every word.

Lu Yin spoke up, "What do you intend to do, Senior?"

He had interacted with the Progenitor of Bloodlines in the past, and he had discovered that the old man was rather easy to speak with.

Sky Garan gave Lu Yin a condescending look from where he stood behind the Progenitor of Bloodlines. The Progenitor had recognized Sky Garan’s identity, and he had even been very polite to the young man and admitted that he would definitely become a Progenitor one day. Sky Garan knew that he stood at the peak of talent in this entire region of the universe. No, it was more accurate to say that he was peerless in the current era.

The Progenitor of Bloodlines looked at Lu Yin. "You all will draw lots. This old man will stand guard at the passage for the rest of time, but I will not do so alone. At least four Semi-Progenitors must be stationed here as well, as with the suppression of the mental network, no Semi-Progenitor possesses the necessary strength to stand guard on their own. Without such preparations, we will not be able to stop a Progenitor. Naturally, more Semi-Progenitors will be needed in the future, but the exact numbers will depend on what sort of offensive the Aeternals launch.

"Right now, they are not acting aggressively at all."

Everyone fell silent as they became lost in their own thoughts.

No Semi-Progenitor wanted to be stuck standing guard here, as it would put them on the front lines against the Aeternals, but this was something that absolutely had to be done.