Chapter 945: Come Back Quick

Zhang Lie explained, "The other eight superior worlds don't want to see anyone backstab them while they're fighting against the death spirits."

In order to prevent this, there was no way they could allow the Zongming world to remain an idle spectator. They gave Li Zongming an ultimatum: either participate in the defense, or die.

Zhang Lie continued, "It's clear how strong the death spirits are—all eight other superior worlds feel as though they have to give the battle their all, without having even resources to spare to protect themselves."

In addition, it revealed that the other eight superior worlds were determined to destroy the death spirits. This time, they wouldn't simply barricade the death spirits up. They would destroy the death spirits for good, without giving them a chance to retaliate.

Li Zongming nodded. "I understand what you're saying, more so than anyone else, but it's precisely because I understand that the decision is that much harder for me."

Although the Zongming world had become a superior world, it hardly had the same amount of resources as did the other superior worlds, which had existed since antiquity. The Zongming world had newly evolved, and it boasted far less manpower and strength than the others.

Li Zongming knew how challenging a foe the death spirits would be. It had required the other eight superior worlds' combined efforts to suppress them—and despite all that effort, the death spirits had broken free again.

The death spirits would be far stronger than his world was equipped to handle, and it would be a disaster for his world to participate in the battle now. All the gains he had made over the last two years would be wiped out, and he would fare worst among all the superior worlds if they were to manage to defeat the death spirits.

If the Zongming world didn't participate, it would be destroyed by the other superior worlds; if it did, it would be suppressed and controlled as a result of its weakened state.

There simply had been too little time for the Zongming world to prepare. Two years was far too little time for Li Zongming to stockpile energy, and his world remained far below its maximum capacity and capability.

The moment the war began, the Zongming world would be the first casualty.

Li Zongming was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Either his world would be destroyed or enslaved; there was no third option.

"You only have one choice now: participate in the war."

Even Zhang Lie wasn't confident that he would be able to defend against the other eight superior worlds' combined assault, let alone Li Zongming.

The biggest problem wouldn't be dealing with the eight other superior worlds, but rather the death spirits and their king. If the Zongming world were to go to war against the other eight superior worlds, the death spirits would continue growing stronger day by day, feasting on the world's energy of the worlds they conquered. Even if the Zongming world were to survive the eight worlds' assault, it would subsequently have to contend with the death spirit king.

Furthermore, the Zongming world and the other eight superior worlds would surely all have their capabilities reduced if they were to go to war against each other—whereas the death spirit king could keep growing stronger. If they allowed the death spirit king to grow unchecked, he would become a menace that no one could stop.

Zhang Lie told Li Zongming seriously, "This is something you have to do not just for the good of the Zongming world, but also the fate of the third realm."

The death spirit king was an evil that had to be eradicated at any cost; if he consumed enough world's energy, no one would be able to stop him.

Li Zongming nodded. "I think so too."

In that case, why did Li Zongming summon him??Zhang Lie understood quickly. "You want to borrow my strength."

Li Zongming smiled, somewhat embarrassed. "We're family, aren't we? I want to take advantage of your strength."

Li Qianlin lowered her head, flushing.

"Very well. I'll head to the meeting with you." Zhang Lie accepted readily.

The death spirits represented a disaster for the entirety of the third realm, and Zhang Lie had no choice but to participate as well.

"I'll also have the warlords under my command participate in this war as part of the Zongming world's forces."

Li Zongming was so happy he leapt up and embraced Zhang Lie in a tight hug. "Wonderful, wonderful! My wisest decision in this life was to have Qianlin—that was what allowed me to grab such an excellent son-in-law! Zhang Lie, you're truly my savior!"

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Zhang Lie pushed Li Zongming aside. "When do we set off?"

Li Zongming replied, "The envoys mentioned that the meeting will be convened within the next few days."

"Very well. I'll head back to the draconian world to make some preparations. Now that the death spirits have made their move, I have a good idea as to what the meeting will be about. Before all three thousand worlds are dragged into this war, I'll have to set some plans in action."

Li Qianlin raised her hand. "Actually, there's a bit I don't understand. If the superior worlds are so strong, why do they want to embroil all three thousand worlds in the war? After all, many of those worlds might as well be ants in comparison to the superior worlds. What could they do?"

If the superior worlds had really valued the other worlds, they would have discovered the death spirits' treachery long ago.

Li Qianlin continued, perplexed, "In that case, why expand the scope of this war?"

Zhang Lie replied, "It's true that they don't think much of the many worlds that form the third realm—all large worlds and below might as well be ants. Even so, they'll act prudently."

Li Zongming waggled a finger. "Daughter, what the superior worlds fear aren't the manifold worlds of the third realm, but rather the death spirits. They're worried that, if they were to exhaust too many resources against the death spirits, they would be swarmed by these lesser worlds. They're worried that an existence like the Zongming world might emerge out of nowhere."

"An existence like the Zongming world, which would grow to boundless heights while they're tied up with the death spirits and unable to prevent its growth..." Zhang Lie mused.

Li Qianlin nodded. "I thought these superior worlds were immeasurably strong, but it looks like they have to worry about quite a lot of things, even so..."

"Strong doesn't mean unintelligent, after all," Zhang Lie quipped.

After laying out some plans with Li Zongming, Zhang Lie left the palace. "Qianlin, you should stay in the Zongming world rather than head back with me. Accompany your father—Gold Comet and I will return to the draconian world, deal with matters there, and then come back. I'll accompany your father to the meeting of the worlds then."

Li Qianlin folded her arms. "You're getting tired of me already?"

"Ah, no—it's just that you've rarely been able to return. Why don't you spend some time with your father?"

Li Qianlin smiled. "I was just making fun of you. Come back quick, you hear?"