Volume 3 - Chapter 406: Heaven and Earth Immortal Physique, The Power Struggles of Great Clans (Part 4)
At that moment, a clear voice suddenly rang out in the hall—it was Su Muqing. Her gaze had turned razor-sharp and icy cold, filled with an unstoppable killing intent.
Off to the side, Li Hao caught sight of the girl’s eyes. Within their depths, he saw an unshakable resolve and fierce determination. For a moment, he felt dazed.
It was as if the surrounding scenery melted away. The grand hall vanished, and he was back on the chaotic battlefield of the Southern Territory. Countless people watched from the mountain ridges, cheering them on. Kings looked down, Supremes overlooked the battlefield.
That same look in her eyes—so resolute.
Li Hao stood frozen, a wave of heat rising from deep within him. Time seemed to rewind to that very moment, as if he had never truly left it.
"Father, I will too. Even if I die, I will take one of them down with me—and make them pay a bitter price!"
Another young man spoke out.
"Father, I also request to go into battle!"
"Father…"
One after another, the sons and daughters of the Su clan—including Su Wanxue and Su Wanqing—voiced their intent, their eyes burning with killing intent and unwavering determination.
Looking into their steadfast gazes, Su Zhenyuan felt a surge of deep pride—yet also a quiet sorrow.
"Good. Good! My Su clan's bloodline… has no cowards!"
He smiled with gratification, his eyes filled with paternal warmth as he spoke slowly:
"This grand plan concerns the future of the Human race. The demon beasts will arrive in three years. When the time comes, all the top clans of our race will gather on the Imperial Star of Gusu. You have three years to prepare."
"Three years pass in the blink of an eye. If you need anything, make a request to the clan without hesitation."
Here, his tone paused, and then he continued, slower and more deliberate:
"The qualifications for this battle were originally open to all cultivators at the Immortal Lord realm. But after careful discussion, we decided to set a limit—only those with soul lifespans under a thousand years may participate. This way, we won’t gamble all our prodigies at once and sever our future path!"
"Second, you and a few others have already surpassed that threshold. In this battle, you will stand aside and observe. Do not slack off."
"Muqing, you and the others must cultivate diligently. Whatever you need, go to the clan’s secret vault and choose freely."
When he finished speaking, Su Jingcheng and the others who had exceeded the soul lifespan limit looked dismayed. They hadn’t expected to be disqualified from the fight.
“Three years…”
Su Muqing lowered her gaze, her fingers curling tightly. She immediately took her leave from her father and turned to leave.
Li Hao watched her departing figure. At that moment, he truly saw the shadow of that person within her.
He followed her and left the Hall of the Bright Emperor.
The others also withdrew in turn. Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other’s eyes, before returning to their own courtyards to begin seclusion.
"Father, what can we do?"
After the younger siblings had all left, Su Jingcheng and the other older cultivators who had surpassed the age limit remained behind in the hall, looking to Su Zhenyuan.
Su Zhenyuan looked at them, feeling their quiet sorrow at being unable to take the field. His expression remained calm as he spoke in a low, steady voice:
"For this battle, we must prepare for the worst. You must train harder than ever before."
"Though the various worlds will send their top prodigies, not all will be equal in strength. If this battle fails to strike fear into the demon beasts, the future will be perilous. You all must go to the border battlefield to serve as a deterrent—so the demon beasts know that the Human race still has hidden prodigies lying in wait."
Hearing this, Su Jingcheng and the others were momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood their father’s intention.
Great clans never put all their eggs in one basket.
They were the second basket.
Whether there was a third or fourth didn’t matter. Knowing wouldn’t help.
"Understood, Father."
Su Jingcheng clenched his fists. His older brother had died a brutal death on the border, and only half his body was ever returned. His soul had been annihilated, leaving no hope of reincarnation. That year, the snow fell onto his head—and the grief of that time became etched into his bones, like a brand on his soul.
"I will never let you down."
The other four spoke up as well, eyes filled with determination.
Once they left, Su Zhenyuan leaned lightly against the back of his chair. In an instant, it was as if he had aged several years.
"Qingmei, tell me… have I done well as a father?"
After a long pause, Su Zhenyuan finally spoke.
Su Qingmei’s heart trembled. She gently took her husband’s rough, broad hand in her own soft palm. Her eyes held deep sorrow—for all those children were hers as well. If any were to die, her heart would be the one to bleed.
But just now, she had forced herself not to say a word.
She knew… this was the Su clan’s destiny. And her duty as the woman who had married into the clan.
"You have. Of course you have. You’ve done all you could."
Su Qingmei bit her lip. The man beside her—who once stood tall and fearless on the border, striking terror into countless demon beasts—was now questioning himself. It made her heart ache like a blade twisting inside.
"All I could…"
Su Zhenyuan gave a faint, self-mocking smile. "If I’d truly done all I could, I would’ve already taken the other half-step forward. But I was too weak. It’s been thirty thousand years… and I still haven’t crossed that threshold. If I had, none of this would’ve fallen on their shoulders."
Su Qingmei’s eyes were full of pain. She caressed his face with both hands, leaning her body into his embrace, trying to offer him a bit of warmth and comfort in that moment. Bitterly, she said:
"Crossing that step… how could it be that easy? So many people are blocked by that one step. Thirty thousand years is nothing. There are those who’ve failed even after a hundred thousand years..."
She wasn’t just trying to comfort him. She was speaking the truth.
Her husband was already exceptional. Back then, he had been the most dazzling prodigy of the Su clan. Compared to Su Muqing now, he was no weaker—perhaps even stronger.
At that time, Su Zhenyuan had been like that Imperial Prince of the Lin clan.
But even with such extraordinary talent, all he had done was glimpse the threshold of ultimate power.
Taking one step through it was already a blessing. To fully step across… required a stroke of unimaginable fortune. Talent alone was not enough.
Thinking of this, Su Qingmei suddenly recalled the Lin clan’s Imperial Prince—and then, she thought of Su Muqing. Her thoughts soon drifted to that young man.
Earlier in the hall, that boy had exposed the demon beasts’ ploy with just a few words. It had surprised her.
But… no matter how clever or insightful he was, in the face of absolute power, it was meaningless.
“Husband, should we… have Muqing marry into the Lin clan as soon as possible? Let them bear a child while there’s still time. Three years is enough to produce a bloodline heir. That way, at least there will be a legacy.”
Su Qingmei suddenly said.
Su Zhenyuan was taken aback, a flicker passing through his eyes, but he didn’t respond right away.
"You're thinking about that boy?"
Su Qingmei asked.
Su Zhenyuan shook his head slightly. "This isn’t about love or attachment, nor has it anything to do with that Haotian boy. It’s just… three years from now will be a battle to the death with the demon beasts. Giving birth now would harm Muqing’s cultivation. With her strength, I believe she’ll be fine."
Su Qingmei thought it over and had to admit—he was right.
Even for someone of Su Muqing’s level and talent, giving birth to an heir of strong bloodline would still be a drain on her.
And these next three years would be better spent charging forward. Others might fail… but she believed that Su Muqing and that young man from the Lin clan were the Human race’s last safeguard.
They would not fall.
Comments
Post a Comment