Chapter 594: An Invitation

"I admire you," said the Xie family ancestor. "It’s certainly cause for celebration for someone like you to emerge from the Great Xia martial lineage. Kid, surrender now, and I will spare your life."

“Boss, this kid is on the kill list.”

“The Eden envoy specifically ordered his death.”

“He just killed Old Six.”

“Boss, he’s the one responsible for wiping out your entire Xie family...”

The other four intruders immediately reacted, visibly alarmed.

The Xie family ancestor waved dismissively, exuding confidence. “No matter. If he could take down Old Six in close combat, Li Xiaofei is truly an unparalleled genius of martial arts. If he willingly joins Eden, I’m certain the envoy will reconsider his order. Recruiting him would be a great boon to our strength.”

Li Xiaofei studied the five people before him. Indeed, they all had the faces of Great Xia natives. They all had black eyes and yellow skin, but they all looked young. They seemed no older than twenty-five or twenty-six. Even the Xie family ancestor, who was over four hundred years old, had an unnaturally youthful appearance. Li Xiaofei speculated that the five of them, including the now-dead Old Six, were likely from the same generation.

Monsters who had lived for more than four centuries. This only fueled his curiosity. The Great Saint Realm was considered the pinnacle on Earth, and allowed one to greatly extend their lifespan. If one avoided the Five Disasters, living for over four hundred years wasn’t unheard of. But preserving one’s youthful appearance? That was absolutely impossible. Even for Great Saints, their vitality would inevitably decline, and their strength would wane.

Yet, the five individuals before him, despite their incredible age, radiated vigorous vitality. This wasn’t merely retaining their appearance. It was as if they had halted aging altogether.

Could this be the secret of Eden?

"I know what you're thinking," the Xie family ancestor smiled. "Many who learn of our true identities think the same way. You're not wrong. The six of us have completely regained our peak form, not just in martial prowess, but also in physical age. Do you know what Eden is?"

Li Xiaofei remained silent.

The ancestor continued, "Eden is a supreme, omnipotent paradise. In Eden, you are free from the ravages of time and beyond Death’s reach. You can stay forever young and taste the true essence of immortality.”

"Young man, you may not yet understand the terror of growing old and watching your youth fade away. But trust me, there is no one in this world who can overcome that fear, especially after reaching the pinnacle of martial arts. Once you've tasted such heights, you'll want nothing more than to cling to that world for eternity."

Li Xiaofei still did not respond.

The Xie family ancestor gestured toward the four men standing beside him. "The Zhou family ancestor: 432 years old. The Huangfu family ancestor: 399 years old. The Zheng family ancestor: 461 years old. The Feng family ancestor: 449 years old. Like me, they too have tasted the misery of aging and the brink of death.”

"Picture standing in the fading sunset of the mountains, your hair white, your face wrinkled, barely able to walk without assistance, relying on machines just to breathe. Though your heart burns with ambition, your body is crumbling, unable to carry you any further, and you are left waiting for Death's unrelenting scythe. But now? We’re brimming with vitality, eternally youthful, and no longer fear Death's knock.”

"Li Xiaofei, I admire your talent and brilliance, which is why I am extending this invitation. Keep in mind, every person allowed into Eden is given only one lifetime recommendation. I didn't give mine to the descendants of the Xie family. I didn’t give it to a trusted friend. Instead, I’m offering it to you. Such an opportunity isn’t granted to every genius. Don’t waste it."

The other four intruders exchanged surprised glances.

Is the Xie ancestor really inviting the man responsible for wiping out his entire family to join their ranks?

But the more they thought about it, the more sense it made. Familial ties and lineage had long since faded into irrelevance for them. Once one entered Eden, such attachments were severed. Holding onto worldly concerns only hindered one’s progress. Someone like Li Xiaofei, a young martial prodigy with immeasurable potential, was a rare investment. Bringing him into Eden would strengthen their faction.

If he was nurtured properly, Li Xiaofei could grow into a towering presence. It would solidify the positions of the Xie ancestor and his allies within Eden and give them tremendous benefits.

Li Xiaofei had formed a rough impression of Eden from the ancestor’s words.

Curiosity piqued, he asked, "Where is Eden exactly? And who created it?"

The Xie ancestor, eager to win Li Xiaofei over, did not hold back. "Eden exists in the Heavenly Realms beyond this world. It was created by the Lord God. It is a true paradise, a sacred land where all desires can be fulfilled."

"Who is the Lord God?" Li Xiaofei asked.

"The Lord God is the supreme deity who governs all things in that world," the Xie family ancestor replied, his expression full of reverence and awe. "The Lord God can create anything and destroy anything. He is omnipotent and unparalleled."

His voice was laced with fervent devotion. "I can tell you this. Earth, and every living thing on it, including humanity, are creations of the Lord God."

Li Xiaofei’s heart trembled at the revelation.

"What does joining Eden require?" he asked next.

The Xie ancestor, believing Li Xiaofei was tempted, smiled and said, "Nothing at all. You need only swear loyalty to the Lord God in your heart. In return, you will receive everything you desire from the Lord God."

Li Xiaofei nodded slightly and then asked, "Then why are you attacking the Corpse Emperor’s Abyssal Tower?"

The Xie ancestor replied, "Because the new Corpse Emperor, Tan Qingying, has violated Eden’s taboos. She has done something she shouldn’t have. She’s created new life."

Li Xiaofei was taken aback.

"What do you mean?" he pressed.

"She resurrected the dead," the Xie ancestor explained patiently, clearly holding Li Xiaofei in high regard. "Creating life is the exclusive right of the Lord God. It’s one of the fundamental laws governing this world. Tan Qingying’s act of resurrecting the dead is a transgression that cannot be tolerated. She must die."

Li Xiaofei glanced at Xiao Bieli beside him and said, "But isn’t this just controlling corpses? The previous Corpse Emperor could do the same. It’s hardly creating life."

The Xie ancestor shook his head. "You don’t understand Tan Qingying. Her secret techniques are far more than simple corpse control."

Li Xiaofei’s mind stirred.

"Enough!" The Zhou family ancestor suddenly bellowed, cutting through the conversation. "Kid, my elder brother has been more than patient with you and given you the courtesy of an explanation. But now, it’s time to decide. Will you join us, or will you stand against us?"

Li Xiaofei, however, turned the tables. "Honored elders, you were once heroes of Great Xia, creating a legacy that made countless compatriots remember you for eternity. Your names are etched into history and immortalized. Now, you stand at the pinnacle of martial arts.”

"So tell me, why do you not use your strength to fight for your fellow Great Xia people and completely eradicate the Yiggs?"