Chapter 1778: Ulterior Motive

“Oh well... I did say I will see this through until the end!”

The Divine Furnace of Nature’s remnant spirit suddenly changed his tune. “At my current level, I can barely suppress some of the Divine Arms Peak’s power and support you.”

“This is all I can do though. I hope you can forgive this old one’s weakness!”

Ye Qing put on a grateful expression and said, “This junior is already grateful that you are willing to help us. Why would we blame you for something that’s beyond your control?”

“Very well. I will suppress the Divine Arms Peak now. Please scale the mountain quickly while I do so. Remember that I cannot last for long.”

The remnant spirit abruptly swelled in size and surrounded the Divine Arms Peak. Then, a tremendous power descended on the mountain.

The light flowing around the Divine Arms Peak slowly grew dimmer under his suppression.

“Now, young friends! Be quick!”

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou did not hesitate. They immediately dashed toward the Divine Arms Peak.

They were flying toward the Divine Arms Peak, but as soon as they got within the vicinity of the mountain, space warped, and they found themselves standing at the foot of the mountain.

They didn’t pause. They began climbing the mountain.

As the remnant spirit said, sharp qi began tormenting their body, and deadly power started tearing at their soul as soon as they set foot on the mountain. It was so potent that even they could not resist it completely.

But of course, it could not inflict any significant damage either.

As the remnant spirit was suppressing the Divine Arms Peak, and they were both powerful Sages, they quickly made it to the middle of the mountain.

It was at this moment the image of the remnant spirit flickered erratically and grew even more transparent than before. “This is as far as I can help you. It’s all up to you now, young friends.”

The silhouette surrounding the entire mountain shattered into starry sparks as soon as he finished, and without the remnant spirit’s suppression, the pressure on Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou suddenly increased dramatically.

Sometimes, a million swords would cut into their body and soul. Sometimes, fire would envelop them whole. Sometimes, ice would freeze them to their core. Sometimes, thunder would threaten to smite their will.

They had no choice but to give their all to resist the invasive and deadly power of the divine arms and treasures.

“Cough... what a terrible mountain this is...”

By the time they reached the peak, both Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou looked pale, dispirited, and depleted.

“Strange. Why are we still here?”

However, they did not leave the Profound Furnace Spirit Weapon Heaven after ascending to the peak as the remnant spirit claimed they would.

“Watch out!”

It was at this moment weapons suddenly sprouted from the ground, various elements descended from the sky, ghastly wails appeared out of nowhere, and colorful light surrounded them from all sides. The mountain abruptly became much deadlier than before.

“What’s going on? Why is this happening?”

The duo had used up much of their strength to begin with, and now the threats had become even greater than before. Naturally, they were hardpressed to endure it.

“We need to leave!”

Left with no choice, the duo decided to leave the Divine Arms Peak and recuperate.

It was at this moment something terrifying happened. The instant they left the boundary of the Divine Arms Peak, space turned, and time flowed back in reverse. They found themselves at the peak of the mountain once more.

The duo made multiple attempts and used everything they had, but still they were unable to leave the mountain.

“Cough! Cough cough! How can this be? Are we actually going to die here?”

Ye Qing knelt on one knee and snarled, “This cannot be! This cannot be!”

“It looks like we’re really going to die here. We should not have come here!”

Feng Qingyou was trembling uncontrollably and losing focus as well[1].

They were at death’s door when the terrible power gradually declined, and a furnace with a human face appeared before them.

It was none other than the remnant spirit of the Divine Furnace of Nature.

“Save us, senior!”

Ye Qing’s eyes flashed with hope when he saw the remnant spirit. He reached out and called out weakly.

“Hahaha... save you?”

The remnant spirit suddenly burst out laughing as if he just heard a funny joke. “After all it took to weaken you to this level, do you seriously think I’m going to save you?”

“What?” Ye Qing exclaimed in surprise. Then, his eyes widened in shock and disbelief. “You! It was your doing! Why are you doing this?”

“Why am I doing this?”

The remnant spirit let out another laugh. “To live, of course!”

“As you can tell, this Heaven is about to perish. If it perishes, then I will not survive either. That is why I wish to recover my strength and leave this place before it dies!”

“Leave this place?” A pale-faced Feng Qingyou asked angrily, “If you wish to leave this place, then why are you trying to kill us?”

Ye Qing added urgently, “Yes, senior. Show us mercy, we will agree to any condition.”

The remnant spirit sneered. “Show you mercy? Haha! I wouldn’t dare. You are too strong, and I am no match for either of you. The only way I can rest easy is if you’re lying on the ground helplessly.”

“You are wrong about one thing though. I am not planning to kill you, at least not now.”

Ye Qing’s eyes lit up. “You’re not going to kill us?”

“Yes, I’m not.”

The remnant spirit laughed cruelly and coldly. “Of course I’m not going to kill you. How else can I recover my strength otherwise? I’m going to keep you alive for as long as it takes to refine your power!”

“You possess the Profound Yellow Mother Qi and the Innate Yin Yang Qi, and she possesses the Supreme Primal Origin Celebratory Cloud...”

The remnant spirit glanced at the duo while his eyes spat literal fire. “They are both innate ultimate treasures and boons of the heavens. Only those with great destiny and fortune may obtain them. They are rare treasures even in the olden days, so if I can refine them for myself, I can surely reforge my body and break free from the shackles of this Heaven. Freedom and immortality will become mine!”

“Ah, so you’re coveting our bodies!” Ye Qing exclaimed in realization.

“Oh no, that’s not all.”

Suddenly, the Divine Furnace of Nature moved closer to Ye Qing and sniffed him like a dog.

“Dude, what the hell! I’m a straight man!” Ye Qing recoiled in disgust.

“I sense that you carry a natural ultimate treasure with you as well... a sacred artifact of the Human Way! Yes, yes! That must be it! Hahaha... the heavens favor me. If I can refine the sacred artifact as well, then I will be favored by the Human Way and fate! I will become the favored child of the world just like you humans!”

The remnant spirit grew even more excited. “The heavens truly favor me! You are so much better than those useless pieces of garbage before. It was worth all that waiting. Hahahaha!”

1. Such a nice waifu, indulging in her husband’s whims. ☜