Chapter 863: Chapter 863

The Supreme and the Highlord paths... flawed from the very beginning.

Divine Emperor Xi's words left the Divine Martial Emperor and the others momentarily speechless.

Based on the shattering of the Ancient Astral World, many had speculated that there should be another path beyond the Supreme and the Highlord.

Yet now, no matter how hard the Supremes and Highlords tried, that road ahead remained veiled in darkness. One after another, they found themselves trapped within this universe, unable to break free. So much time had passed that some had even started to think, Perhaps... this isn't so bad after all.

In this light, Xi's decision to stay out of the power struggle between the Astral Lord Council and the Supreme Council became much easier to understand.

"The path of the Supreme and the Highlord. Regardless of whether it's right or wrong, it isn't something we, who haven't even reached those heights, have the right to judge," the Divine Martial Emperor said in a deep voice. "Whatever your reasons, it doesn't change the fact that you've betrayed the trust of the Supreme Council and turned your back on the Human Race."

Xi let out a light chuckle. "The Supreme Council is the Supreme Council. The Human Race is the Human Race. They are not the same."

Divine Martial Emperor Xi countered, "Then ask the countless lives across human territory. Do they not acknowledge the Supreme Council's rule? If everyone accepts it, why shouldn't the Council represent humanity?"

"Then let me ask you this," Xi replied calmly. "Does the Supreme Council allow any other organization to rise and have a voice within the human territories?"

Ji Shun could no longer hold back and cut in, "Are you trying to divide our race?"

"So now it's clear," Xi said. "When others form their own groups or speak their minds, it's called dividing the race. But when you blindly follow the Council's orders, that's loyalty and dedication? In the end, what you uphold is still just the rule of the strong. If that's the case..."

Divine Emperor Xi said nonchalantly, "Then let it be that I have betrayed humanity."

At these words, the hearts of Divine Martial Emperor, Heavenly Emperor Tai Yi, Dong Xu, and others all sank.

During the crucial period when the Supremes couldn't intervene in the affairs of the Astral World, every Divine Emperor was like a pillar holding everything in place.

If Divine Emperor Xi truly chose to stand against them... the Human Race would not only lose a Divine Emperor-level powerhouse guarding them, but would also gain a Divine Emperor-level opponent.

The Divine Martial Emperor had no choice but to say, "Divine Emperor Xi, the Supreme Council's principles have always been fair and just. Over the years, your willingness to guard the Myriad Astral God Hall surely means you recognize this.

"We also believe you have your own judgment on this matter. It's just that, right now, you've been deceived by the Astral Lord Council. You don't actually believe the Astral Lord Council holds the so-called correct path, do you? If their path were truly correct, why is it that rulers of the Astral World, and even the universe, are the many Supremes and Highlords, not the Astral Lord Council?

"Supremes and Highlords ruling the world. That alone says something."

"That says nothing at all," Divine Emperor Xi replied indifferently.

He continued, "Perhaps, 'they' simply have higher aspirations and refuse to limit their vision to one place.

"If 'they' refuse to limit their vision, then why are they scheming over the Astral World now, pushing for the Eternal Oblivion Disaster? That runs completely counter to their supposed conduct," the Divine Martial Emperor responded.

"Heh, you all think far too highly of yourselves..." Divine Emperor Xi shook his head. "Or perhaps it's us who think too highly of ourselves. You believe their scheming over the Astral World means 'they' want to gain something. But in reality... 'they' simply don't care."

Divine Emperor Xi slowly raised his head, as if gazing beyond the heavens. His eyes seemed to pierce through the void, reaching deep into the chaos and nothingness. "It's just that the Astral Lord Council willingly follows his path to glorify 'Them,' hoping that one day, 'They' might turn Their gaze in this direction..."

A heavy weight fell upon everyone's hearts. They don't care....

They all felt tremendous pressure. If the power behind the Astral Lord Council truly doesn't care about anything in this universe... how strong must that power really be?

Heavenly Emperor Gu You suddenly looked up at Divine Emperor Xi. "No, Master. If 'they' were really as mysterious and powerful as you say, you wouldn't choose to stay neutral and watch from the sidelines.

"Instead, you would've joined Jin'que's side. The reason you haven't acted is that 'They' haven't fully convinced you yet. They haven't shown a power that's truly unbeatable... Am I right?"

Divine Emperor Xi glanced at his eldest disciple. After a moment, he continued, "The so-called orthodoxy means little to me. What truly matters are my path, the direction I move in, and whether that direction leads to the correct and ultimate truth..."

"If you want direction, we can offer it," Gu You quickly responded. "Li Pin can teach you!"

He looked at his master, who had guided them to success, and hurried on, "You don't know yet, do you? Li Pin has already opened up a path beyond the Supremes.

"With it, he can resist the corrosion of chaotic nothingness. He even killed Yuan Jie, the Chaos Clan's Divine Emperor! That was a Divine Emperor, just like you, Master, perfect in every aspect, representing the peak of the Astral World! And he's also one of the nine Astral Lords of the Astral Lord Council. What else could that represent?

These words caused the Divine Martial Emperor, Ji Shun, and several others to frown simultaneously. Wasn't the news about Li Pin possibly surpassing the Supremes supposed to be kept secret? How long has it been? Gu You, he....

However, seeing how excited and emotional Gu You looked, none of them dared to say anything. Considering Divine Emperor Xi's importance and his status as one of the three Divine Emperors of the Human Race, if this news could truly bring him back to their side, it would be crucial. His presence would ensure that the Human Race wouldn't lose one of its strongest combatants. He would also prove crucial for the coming battle to reclaim the Myriad Astral Gods Hall.

For a moment, they could only give Li Pin an apologetic look and silently accept it.

However, Li Pin just shook his head. He didn't want the news to become public before his path was proven, but he had no intention of hiding it either. If it leaks, then so be it. It isn't that big of a deal.

Divine Emperor Xi turned his gaze to Li Pin. "A path?"

After a moment of thought, he spoke calmly. "Did you launch an all-out assault on Yuan Jie just to realize this goal? To strike at the Astral Lord Council, preventing them from spreading the allure of their so-called correct path and turning more Heavenly Emperors against you?"

"It's true," the Divine Martial Emperor replied solemnly. "Li Pin... really has stepped onto the path beyond Supreme."

"I never joined the Astral Lord Council, so there's no need for all this," Divine Emperor Xi said calmly.

Seeing Divine Martial Emperor and Heavenly Emperor Gu You about to speak again, he went on, "Even if what you said is true, once the news spreads, no one will believe it. No one will connect the fall of Divine Emperor Yuan Jie to Li Pin stepping onto the path beyond the Supreme. Your efforts will be wasted."

Then, as if something occurred to him, he added, "But I'm sure you've already realized that. There will definitely be more to come. So... I'm willing to give you a chance."

Divine Martial Emperor, Ji Shun, and Heavenly Emperor Gu You were all at a loss for words. Was the truth meaningless now?

Then again... thinking it over, if a Heavenly Emperor told them a Sacred Monarch had stepped onto the path beyond the Supreme, they wouldn't believe it either. They wouldn't even give it a second thought.

Especially among the Heavenly Emperors, Sacred Monarchs, and even the Cosmic Radiances, most only believed what they wanted to believe. They were convinced their own understanding was the truth.

Unless one day, Li Pin truly ascended to that level and stood before them, defeating them all with the same power that killed Divine Emperor Yuan Jie, they would never admit they were wrong.

"You say your Dao can kill someone like Yuan Jie... I'm not asking you to repeat that feat. Just defeat Jin'que."

Divine Emperor Xi looked at Li Pin and raised a finger. "I'll give you a chance, a chance to enter the Myriad Astral God Hall and challenge Jin'que one-on-one. If you can defeat him with your Dao, I'll recognize your path, serve as your protector, and proclaim you the new Central Sovereign Heavenly Emperor."

He gave no chance for Li Pin, the Divine Martial Emperor, or anyone else to object. "Gu You knows how to contact me. Once you've made up your mind, come to the Myriad Astral God Hall. That is, if you have the courage." Thıs content belongs to N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

With that, his figure disappeared from the Light of Humanity Warship.

Heavenly Emperor Gu You called out, stunned. "Master!"

He looked as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.

The Divine Martial Emperor stayed silent for a moment, then said, "Can't you see it? Xi may still look neutral, but in truth, he's already sided with the Astral Lord Council."

He let out a cold snort. "Give Li Pin a chance? Let him enter the Hall alone to face Jin'que? This isn't a test. It's a trap. They're clearly afraid that another Divine Emperor-level power has risen on our side, one that could tip the balance.

"So they want to separate him from us, lure him into the Hall and its Grand Celestial Constellation Cycle Formation, and use the full power of the Astral Lord Council to eliminate him."

Many around nodded in agreement.

"Master... he isn't that kind of person..." Gu You protested quietly.

"People change." Heavenly Emperor Tai Yi stepped forward with a sigh. "Just like before all this began. Who would've thought that Xi, after guarding the Myriad Astral God Hall for over a thousand epochs, would stand by and let Jin'que rebel and take over?"

"Enough," the Divine Martial Emperor cut in. "Let's regroup with Heavenly Emperor Wu Dang and the others. We need to discuss how to take back the Hall."

At that moment, Li Pin finally spoke, "Heavenly Emperor Jin'que... a once-in-a-thousand-epochs supreme prodigy, said to be the Heavenly Emperor closest to becoming a Supreme...."

He looked in the direction of the Myriad Astral God Hall and smiled. "I want to give it a try."