An illusory space with flashing stars - a dreamlike location. This place was deep in Ascension Pond, a place where no one has been before outside of Li Qiye.
He was refining a weapon brimming with the power of the high heaven, majestic and mighty beyond imagination.
âYouâre entering the expanse to kill?â An ethereal voice sounded.
âNot necessarily, just going with the flow. I do hope heâs smart enough to back off but the opposite is more than fine too, Iâll see how sharp my blade is.â Li Qiye looked up and smiled before glancing at his weapon.
âFor what reason are you actually going? Those three old men?â The pond clearly questioned Li Qiyeâs motives. It seemed capable of seeing the end of the world.
âThereâs a potential shortcut there. If thereâs a way in, thereâs a way out.â Li Qiye smiled.
âYouâre courting death, bringing a fat sheep straight to the tigerâs jaws.â The voice didnât hold back at all.
âIs that so? Why not, thatâs one way to bait the tiger, no?â Li Qiye chuckled.
âYouâre not strong enough.â The voice eventually said: âYou might think youâre strong and amazing, same with your dao heart, but once you go in there, only eternal damnation awaits.â
âI must be hearing things because it sounds like youâre worried about me. Makes me a little scared from being loved so much.â Li Qiye joked.
âYouâre bringing a streak of tigers here, a calamity will turn everything to ashes.â The voice snorted.
âIâm aware, youâre afraid that once broken, Three Immortals is such a fat piece of meat. Youâll be the same.â Li Qiye said. [re] Itâs unclear in this last line whether Li Qiye is saying that the pond will join in and feast on Three Immortals or itâll become a target too[/ref]
âDie if you want but donât drag the entire world down with you.â The voice coldly uttered.
âWho says I want to do that? Stagnation is the most fatal choice. Nothing stays the same forever, not in the past, present, and future. Three Immortals are certainly impregnable right now, this might not be true later.â Li Qiye said.
âThe three geezers screwed it up, hmph!â The voice scowled.
âMaybe, but even without this issue, you donât think something else will happen in the future?â Li Qiye said: âNothing is unbreakable nor eternal. You and they are ancient enough to know this logic more than me.â
The voice didnât respond this time. A lull took over.
âOf course, if you are willing to help me, Iâm sure itâll be good. This is the best opportunity.â Li Qiye leisurely said.
âNo, I have no interest in falling down together with you.â The voice refused right away.
âThen you can keep on hiding in your shell like a cowardly turtle until youâre found, and thatâs inevitable.â Li Qiye smiled.
âNot necessarily. There are many unknowns in the world.â Li Qiye said.
âNone. I know more and they know more than you.â The voice said.
âI wonât deny that.â Li Qiye nodded: âBut I am me and they are they, thereâs a clear difference.â
âAll the same. Some had the same thoughts as you in the past. What happened in the end? They still became lackeys.â The voice responded.
âYes, itâs not surprising at all. Nothing is scarier than the heart of men.â Li Qiye agreed.
âTruly terrifying.â The voice emphasized.
âBut youâre not men, we are. Because of this difference, you all will never be able to become true immortals but we still can. See, now thatâs the difference, oneâs superior to the other.â Li Qiye smiled.
âHmph, insects, after all is said and done, are still insects.â The voice scowled.
âThen you need to be careful and avoid being bitten by them. Insects might be small but they can multiply, you all canât. When you die, your kind will end.â Li Qiye said.
âLook at this world and history. So many epochs have ended but in the present day, the so-called insects are still alive. People have changed, same with the methods, but they keep on struggling beneath the sky.â Li Qiye paused for a bit before continuing: âOn the other hand, when one of you dies, thatâs one fewer, so you tell me, who is the real ruler of this world?â
The voice also understood this particular train of thought and didnât respond.
âHave you thought of the day when you become a fat piece of meat? Itâs not unprecedented.â Li Qiye went on.
âAnd?â The voice said.
âI can see that you do not wish to take action but there are other ways. For example, me. Donât you think someone as handsome as me will always win? Do it right and Iâll become the only true immortal.â Li Qiye smiled.
âStop fantasizing.â The voice coldly uttered.
âThatâs one way to put it but think about the possibility. What if I become a true immortal? Or, we can take one step back and assume that Iâll fail. Nevertheless, my going all out is still a good thing for all of you. You reap all the rewards without doing anything, able to live and see the sun again.â Li Qiye continued.
âAre you threatening me?â The voice questioned.
âFeel free to see it however you want, but calling it a threat is rather shallow for people like us. Itâs more of an investment. Iâm definitely worth it!â Li Qiye smiled.
âYouâll die.â The voice said with absolute certainty.
âBut if I donât?â Li Qiye put on a serious expression, the same with his voice.
âWhat do you want?â The voice paused for a bit before asking.
âI know you all still have some good stuff.â Li Qiye let out a satisfied grin.
âNo, I donât, my resources are limited.â The voice became vigilant.
âNo, I said you all, not just you, you all. Just you alone is not enough. I might be poor but not that poor.â Li Qiye smiled.
âHmph, donât win an inch and want a foot, being too greedy will only result in trouble.â The voice didnât like this.
âFalse, if this is considered greedy, then how are you going to invest in me? Weâre considered big shots, right? So if weâre going to play, then do it big. Donât be so small-minded now.â Li Qiye said.
âEven if I agree, it doesn't mean the others will.â The voice contemplated for a bit before speaking.
âYou can tell them my intent. As you can see, Iâm quite busy, I donât have time to go visit each one. Trust me, donât miss this great investment, there wonât be another.â Li Qiye said flatly.
âI understand.â The voice replied.
âItâs a deal then. One day, you will all be joyous for this will be the most fruitful investment of your life.â Li Qiye smirked.
The voice scowled but didnât bother to retort this time around.
However, right at this second, a pair of eyes seemed to be opening in this deep space. It gazed towards Uncrossable Ocean.
âItâs coming.â The voice said.
Li Qiye stopped refining his weapon and stood up, also gazing towards the expanse.