The Breaking of Brotherhood

Chapter 0658

Second chapter today!

"That's right," Empyrean God Wuqi also said hoarsely. "Because the killing has to be sustained, you absolutely cannot waste your divine power recklessly. It has to be conserved. When you, Darknorth, go to charge through the canyon, you'll have to rely on 'Sword Force' during the fighting. Only Sword Force—drawn from the primordial source of the sword—is truly inexhaustible."

Ji Ning nodded.

If he really had to slaughter for a hundred years, his Ki Refining techniques wouldn't be of much use either. Casting the ninth level of the Lesser Thousand Sword Formation consumed enormous amounts of divine power. Even though his second-rate Golden Core gave him a vastly greater reserve than an ordinary Pure Yang True Immortal, he still couldn't sustain unleashing 'Jade Swords' for half a day, let alone a hundred years.

Over such a long span, he would have to rely on Sword Force! As for his divine abilities—to say nothing of the Starseizing Hand, even the Three Heads, Six Arms technique was too costly for him to use. It would deplete his divine power too quickly.

He had to ensure that his divine power replenishment kept pace with consumption, or he would never last a hundred years.

"Charging through the Demon-Ice Canyon means endless demonic beasts?" Ji Ning asked.

"Almost all of them are ordinary demons," Empyrean God Feiyou said. "Once in a while, a Demon Commander will appear. Later on, a Demon King might occasionally show up as well. But Demon Kings and Demon Commanders always appear alone! The ordinary demons, however, are limitless. You can never kill them all, because each time you kill one, they simply coagulate and reform."

Ji Ning nodded.

"Actually, besides killing for a hundred years, there's another way," Empyrean God Dongxu laughed. "The Demon King once told us that if you could fight your way to the far end of the Demon-Ice Canyon and step onto the next island, you would pass the trial."

"Impossible."

"There's no way. With endless demons attacking you the entire way, you couldn't reach the next island even in a thousand years."

One after another, they spoke.

Ji Ning agreed. Every island was incredibly far apart. Traveling there with the Essence-Serpent Shuttle still took ages; trapped among countless demons, he would be slowed to a crawl. Even a thousand or ten thousand years might not be enough.

"Ji Ning," Empyrean God Feiyou laughed. "A hundred years of bitter combat is actually tremendously helpful. I've done it over a thousand times myself. Every time, I still haven't killed enough demons. But this kind of frantic fighting has pushed my short-spear techniques to perfection. I even came to realize 'Wuji giving birth to Taiji,' allowing me to merge both powers. I believe that once my Taiji Force reaches the third level, I'll be able to break through."

Empyrean God Feiyou's Wuji Force was at the fourth level. His Taiji Force was only at the second.

"Right, it really helps."

"The first hundred-year slaughter helps the most; each subsequent one helps less and less."

"You'll know once you try it."

...

Ji Ning chatted with the nine Empyrean Gods for a long time and came to understand the Demon-Ice Canyon much better. Once he passed it, leaving this place was only the final step.

"Darknorth." Empyrean God Dongxu suddenly spoke.

"Nn?" Ji Ning looked at him. He could sense that Dongxu seemed hesitant. "What is it?"

Empyrean God Dongxu hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "During the demon army's assault just now, I came unbelievably close to death. It opened my eyes. I understand now. My natural talent is only mediocre among the ancient Empyrean Gods. Even though the training in the Moon Underwater Abyss has greatly increased my strength, I could still have died in that demon legion attack. Charging the Demon-Ice Canyon—I have no hope. I think I've already reached my limit. When the Demon King said you, Jue and Ming, have the best chance to survive... I believe him. I want to ask you to help me. Take me out with you."

"You want to give up?" Ji Ning was shocked. Everyone who had successfully made it to Ten Thousand Mountain Island had taken a treasure. If they chose to quit, that treasure would be taken back! And given how close they were to the final exit, not many would volunteer to surrender.

"I see it clearly now. If the Moon Underwater Abyss wants to take back its treasure, so be it. I really want to get out—to see my master, my junior brothers, my disciples." Empyrean God Dongxu's eyes held a look of remembrance. Back in that warm, familiar environment, he hadn't treasured it. But after being trapped in the Moon Underwater Abyss for endless years, he missed them bitterly.

"Darknorth, help me out," Empyrean God Dongxu looked at Ji Ning.

"If that is your decision, Dongxu, then of course I agree. For me, it's just a small favor," Ji Ning said.

"I'll go out too," Empyrean God Yunhen said. "I understand Dongxu's feelings. I feel the same way. I've been trapped here too long without any improvement. My speed and movement skills are fine, but my offense is weak. I'm far from being able to cross the Demon-Ice Canyon, and there are even harder trials after that. Darknorth, you have a high chance of getting out. I'm willing to follow you."

"Are all my old brothers leaving?" Empyrean God Feiyou was saddened.

"Brother Feiyou."

"We really don't see any hope."

Of the nine Empyrean Gods before him, five wanted to go back with Ji Ning.

They were Dongxu, Yunhen, Wuqi, Tianhe, and Zhenbu. They saw no hope. The Demon King had said Ji Ning's chances were best, and the might of his Jade Sword attack gave them confidence. Thinking of their long-lost families, masters, and friends, they yearned to return.

...

As the nine Empyrean Gods grew emotional, bidding each other farewell, Ji Ning suddenly fell silent.

At first, the nine didn't notice him. Gradually, they sensed that something was wrong.

"Darknorth, what's the matter?" Empyrean God Feiyou asked. "These five old brothers are leaving. We're reluctant, but we understand them. Why are you suddenly..."

"Zhenbu." Ji Ning suddenly spoke.

"Nn?" Empyrean God Zhenbu looked at Ji Ning.

"I cannot take you out," Ji Ning said.

Empyrean God Zhenbu was stunned. The other eight Empyrean Gods were also shocked.

"What about the other four?" Empyrean God Zhenbu looked at Ji Ning.

"Them, yes. You, no." Ji Ning gritted his teeth.

"Why?" Empyrean God Zhenbu wasn't angry—just confused.

"Darknorth, what is this nonsense?" Empyrean God Tongqu, the most hot-tempered of them, grew furious. "When the demon army attacked and you were in danger, Brother Zhenbu risked his life to save you! Even if your strength made it unnecessary, taking him out with you is just a small effort."

"Enough." Empyrean God Feiyou stopped Tongqu, then looked at Ji Ning gravely. "Darknorth, I can tell you have your reasons. Speak them."

Ji Ning took a deep breath. "Alright. I'll speak now. Don't interrupt me."

"Nn." The nine nodded. They all felt that Ji Ning had something very important to say.

"It begins with the ancient Dawn War," Ji Ning began. He spoke of how the Lord of All Demons had secretly manipulated events, leading to the collision of the two Chaosworlds... and how, up to the present, the Seamless Gate and the Nuwa Alliance were locked in a life-or-death struggle once more.

The nine Empyrean Gods listened with blazing fury. Many times they wanted to interrupt, but they held back.

"Now you understand."

Ji Ning sighed. "Empyrean God Zhenbu fought alongside me. He even risked his own life to save me. Of course I consider him a brother. But here in the Moon Underwater Abyss, all Empyrean Gods from both camps treat each other like brothers. Outside, however, the Nuwa Alliance and the Seamless Gate are locked in irreconcilable war. Every Empyrean God, True Immortal—even every Celestial Immortal—must choose a side."

"This is a war of survival."

"Though there are many mysteries still hidden, a grim destiny has already revealed itself: the Seamless Gate and the Nuwa Alliance. Only one side can survive." Ji Ning went on. "Even True Gods and Daofathers have chosen sides. The Sourceriver Four Ancestors, who sit on the fence still... they will have to choose before the final battle. The two camps will absolutely not tolerate a 'fisherman' gaining from their conflict."

"You are all Empyrean Gods. If you return to the Three Realms, can you truly avoid it?" Ji Ning's gaze swept over the nine Empyrean Gods.

"Zhenbu. If you return to the Three Realms, which side would you choose?" Ji Ning looked at him.

Empyrean God Zhenbu opened his mouth, then said in a low voice, "My master, countless brothers, and close friends are all in the Seamless Gate. Naturally, I would choose the Seamless Gate."

"Why? Why is this happening? How can there be such a calamity?" Empyrean God Yiqiu asked, still unable to believe it. "Wasn't everything fine?"

"The fate of the Three Realms has never been something we could control. In the original Dawn War, we only learned at the very end that the chaos-born alien, the 'Lord of All Demons,' was behind everything. There must be a secret behind this calamity as well—but it is beyond our ability to manage," Empyrean God Wuqi sighed.

Empyrean God Feiyou said in a low voice, "Darknorth. I'll go with you too."

"Brother Feiyou?" Ji Ning was surprised. "Your Taiji Force only needs to improve a little more, and you'll be able to cross the Demon-Ice Canyon. You might even make it out of the Moon Underwater Abyss on your own someday."

"A calamity has descended. In the Three Realms, who can stay clean and untouched? We could hide here in the Moon Underwater Abyss and ride it out." Empyrean God Feiyou's face was full of pain. "During the Dawn War, many of my senior and junior brothers died. I avoided that war. This time, I refuse to hide. I will face the calamity together with my fellow disciples."

"I am going back too."

"Me too."

"If a calamity is coming, one more person means one more share of strength."

Of the nine Empyrean Gods, seven belonged to the Nuwa camp. Feiyou, Jibu, and Tongqu—the three who were originally from the Seamless Gate—also decided to go out.

...

The news of the calamity spread across Ten Thousand Mountain Island in no time. The Empyrean Gods, who had been like brothers, were forced to make their choice.

Three days later.

All the Empyrean Gods of the Nuwa camp followed Ji Ning. The twelve Empyrean Gods of the Seamless Gate stayed on Ten Thousand Mountain Island.

"I don't want to go outside and personally kill them," Ji Ning murmured to himself, standing before the floating wooden bridge. "Better to let them stay here in the Moon Underwater Abyss. Let this calamity pass. No matter which side wins in the end, they won't go after these leftover Empyrean Gods."

"Let's go."

Though his heart ached, Ji Ning did not regret the decision he had made.

He stepped onto the floating wooden bridge.

PS1: Tomato has posted the original art for the 'Lord of All Demons' on WeChat. Add my WeChat: fanqie34 to see it... Hehe... In the next few days, Tomato will announce some big news~~~~

PS2: Please drop some recommendation tickets! It only takes a few seconds. Thank you~~~