C1519 President Lyi's Backup Plan!(2)

"President Lyi, I've prepared a contingency plan specifically for you because of your unique situation. You're well aware that even with the vast fortune of the Everlands aiding your ascension, you'll still be vulnerable to a certain item."

"Only if he perishes or forsakes his own divinity will you be truly free from worry."

Gui Xu took another pause.

"I understand, Loong Jie."

With a soft sigh, President Lyi continued, "I rushed back because I aim to attain godhood before him. I have no choice but to lead the way, as the Everlands offer me just one sacred way. He, on the other hand, has alternatives. If he manages to ascend first, transforming into a Dragon God with the power of the golden dragon's blood, my opportunity will be lost."

Loong Jie had never crossed his mind, given that the Nagas were forbidden from becoming gods—a steadfast rule of the Everlands that had stood unchallenged for millennia. He had no reason to believe it would change now.

With a shake of his head, President Lyi spoke again, a note of resignation in his voice.

"I have to reach godhood before him. His unique golden dragon lineage will allow him to seek out a new sacred way after the transformation. Being the pure-blooded heir of that individual, he wields such strength. And even if he ascends through a different path to become a Dragon God, his golden dragon lineage will continue to counterbalance me."

"There's no way around it; he dominates this path. It's no surprise, considering that even the First Peak of the Everlands owes its existence to a dragon vein."

President Lyi had long since come to terms with this reality.

"Therefore, when Yu Yuan returned and the cosmic order that kept the Nagas in check shattered, you..." the God-King Gui Xu seemed to gaze upon him from within the statue, "Yu Yuan descended to the depths of the Frozen Hellscape, bombarding the Wintermaw you protect with incessant inquiries, which you ignored."

"The Dragon Slaying Stage remains, yet the Nagas have been released from their seal. Now unbound, Loong Jie has become my most formidable threat in the Everlands. Can you blame me for my frustration?" President Lyi huffed.

"We understand. That's precisely why we've forged two paths for you. On the second path, you may lack eternal life, but you can be entirely free from Loong Jie's influence."

"If you choose the first path, we also promise that you will be the first to ascend to the divine seat before Loong Jie. However, we cannot kill Loong Jie. He may still become the Dragon God after you in the future," Gui Xu stated.

"Of course, regardless of the path you choose, we will support you. Please consider it carefully."

A statue emerged suddenly from the teleportation circle suspended in midair, swaying gently before the eyes of all present, then vanished just as quickly.

"Even dragons can die."

The final words of Gui Xu lingered in the air.

Only the human primordial spirit, the Demon God, the cosmic giant beast, and the Blood Fiend could achieve the ultimate state of immortality.

The God-King Gui Xu's parting words seemed to remind President Lyi that eternal and indestructible beings were exceedingly rare.

It was as though he was encouraging him to pursue the primordial spirit of humanity, while also hinting that even his greatest adversary on the Way of Heaven would one day meet death.

After the enigmatic God-King departed, all eyes turned to President Lyi.

President Lyi slowly settled down facing the Devil Palace, his mind awash with tumultuous thoughts as he faced the most significant choice of his life, feeling overwhelmed.

...

"The Chamber of Commerce is bustling."

The Ghost King, Tian Zang, glanced over from the Fallen Star Eyes, as if he had caught the scent of Gui Xu, President Lyi, Jun Chen, Green Willow, and others. "It appears that the Boulderdawn Sect is set to back President Lyi."

With a whoosh, Yu Yuan called forth the Dragon Slaying Stage from within the Shenque acupoint, his mind fully engaged.

He instantly saw the teleportation circle floating above the Chamber of Commerce, along with President Lyi, Jun Chen, Green Willow, Zhongli Dapan, and others.

He also witnessed the peculiar statue, refined from the Sword Prison, disappear without a trace.

This statue had once unleashed its malevolent nature in the Godsblight Marsh, slaughtering countless demonic titans.

After it fell into the Moonfall Sanctuary, it triggered endless wars among the empires of Aetherius, resulting in the obliteration of innumerable lives.

He recalled that deep within the marsh, he had briefly harnessed the might of the Divine Statue to vanquish his foes.

Others assumed he was possessed by the statue.

But he alone knew the fearsome statue was at his command, never once diminishing his spiritual wisdom, with him as its true master.

"The statue just vanished from the Chamber of Commerce's airspace," he remarked offhandedly.

"Oh, it's a part of Lord Xu," Jiang Miaojie said with a slight smile. "All the imprints within, the malevolent and benevolent thoughts, they all represent Lord Xu. The statue's presence signifies that both Lord Xu and the Boulderdawn Sect hold President Lyi in high regard. It's a mark of respect."

Yu Yuan instantly grasped the situation.

So, the artifact belonged to Taixu, and the last God-King of Taixu had ascended to divinity with the aid of his first life. Thus, Taixu would always be an ally.

In the marsh, the Divine Statue had recognized him, and upon his departure from Ionodios, they had crossed paths again.

It was Gui Xu, formerly Taixu, extending a friendly gesture.

The same had happened not long ago.

"Senior Tian Zang, after escaping the Land of Terror, shouldn't you have headed to the Chamber of Commerce or back to Moonfall Sanctuary?" Jiang Miaojie asked with a smile, her ethereal eyes shimmering with curiosity. "What brings you to the Rainbow Ocean? There seems to be nothing here requiring your attention."

"Haha, I just haven't seen Yu Yuan in a while and wanted to check in on him," Tian Zang chuckled, giving Yu Yuan a nonchalant glance.

He was acutely aware that his new status as a Ghost King, attained in the Land of Terror, made his identity extremely delicate.

With Youyu's awakening and his discontent with the Boulderdawn, suspicion from Youyu would follow him wherever he went.

Should a conflict erupt between Youyu and the Boulderdawn, he would be the first to bear the brunt.

The only person he could think of, perhaps the only one who could help him now, was Yu Yuan.

Through Taishi, Tian Zang understood that the bond between Yu Yuan and Youyu was often stronger than that between Taishi and Yu Yuan.

The one person Youyu would deign to favor, the one he might spare, was Yu Yuan.

Why did Youyu assist Yu Yuan in the Defiled World? And why did he allow Yu Yuan to relay messages to Boulderdawn? These were questions that left many perplexed.

Yet, he understood it all clearly.

He knew that Yu Yuan and Youyu must have had an open-hearted discussion, for they have been the best of comrades since time immemorial.

"There's also a message from him."

Tian Zang glanced towards the Devil Palace, pondering for a moment before speaking to Yu Yuan, "He mentioned that he has chosen someone. He wants you to offer your support after the new God Throne emerges."

Yu Yuan was taken aback. "Support Cao Yi?"

"The exact identity of his chosen candidate was not disclosed," Tian Zang said with a shrug.

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