Ch. 1005 - The Conditions

The Supreme Ancestor seemed to have seen through everything.

His words carried great weight, not only did he promise that the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground would agree to any condition, he even pledged the favor of their five founding ancestors.

“You dare to make decisions on behalf of your ancestors?” Xu Zimo asked calmly.

“Holy Son Xu need not worry,” the Supreme Ancestor replied. “Though the ancestors cannot descend here, they are aware of what happens. What I say, they will recognize.”

The “ancestors” in his mouth were naturally the five Grand Emperors of the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground. With his own cultivation and seniority, there was no one else he would ever address in such a manner.

Xu Zimo glanced at the Sky Shroud War God, who gave a slight nod, confirming the truth of the statement. In fact, the same was true for their own True Martial Sacred Ground, many times, their forebears could still be contacted.

Xu Zimo chuckled lightly. “This feels rather like mending the pen after the sheep have already escaped.”

“Holy Son Xu, state your conditions,” the Supreme Ancestor urged.

“The first, before the entire continent, your sect must apologize to me,” Xu Zimo said.

“Agreed,” the Supreme Ancestor nodded without hesitation.

“The second…” Xu Zimo’s eyes shifted toward Lu Changhen.

“He will die,” the Supreme Ancestor replied bluntly.

“Ancestor, I don’t want to die!” Lu Changhen cried out in panic. “Holy Son Xu, please spare me! I’ll do anything if you let me live!”

But no one paid him any mind.

Xu Zimo continued with a smile: “From today onward, there shall be no more Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground in this world.”

“What does Holy Son Xu mean by that?” Feng Tianya asked from behind.

“Can’t you understand?” Xu Zimo replied coldly. “I may spare your lives, but you are forbidden from ever again establishing a sect.”

His words left everyone in silence.

“What’s wrong? Weren’t you so eager to promise me anything? Now you can’t?” Xu Zimo’s tone carried faint mockery.

“State all your demands at once,” the Supreme Ancestor said evenly.

“If you wish to rebuild the sect,” Xu Zimo replied, “it is possible, but aside from you, every other elder must cripple their cultivation.”

His intent was clear: either swear to Heaven never to rebuild the sect, or sacrifice their strength.

“You should discuss this among yourselves. I don’t have much time to waste here,” Xu Zimo said.

“This sect cannot be destroyed,” Mountain Ancestor said quietly, eyes closed.

The Nine Dao Ancestor and the Celestial Heretic Ancestor exchanged glances, then declared: “We four are willing to cripple our cultivation. We only beg Holy Son Xu to keep his word and spare the sect’s lineage.”

“Then begin,” Xu Zimo nodded.

The four shared a look, then reversed their energy flow, surging it toward their True Fate.

The True Fate was the most vital core of a cultivator. If shattered, at best one’s cultivation would be completely lost; at worst, one would die outright.

Their powerful aura flared, their faces flushing red, then each spat out a mouthful of blood.

The flush drained away, leaving their faces pale as paper.

Their aura collapsed instantly, withered and weak. They seemed to age decades in moments, their bodies frail enough to need support just to stand.

These were beings who had lived through countless eras, yet now, having abolished their cultivation, they likely had only one or two years left before death.

“Ancestors!” Feng Tianya cried in anguish.

“Tianya, remember this,” Nine Dao Ancestor said weakly. “Even if the sect is destroyed, it can be rebuilt. Rebuilding means hope.”

“Holy Son Xu, do you have any other demands?” the Supreme Ancestor asked again.

With a casual wave of his hand, he tossed Lu Changhen’s corpse onto the ground before Xu Zimo.

“You do have some courage,” Xu Zimo said with a faint laugh. “Let us hope you bear no hatred for me.”

“The law of victors and vanquished, I understand it well,” the Supreme Ancestor said. “That you grant us a path of survival, for that, I am grateful.”

Xu Zimo turned to all those gathered. “Everyone, disperse. This matter ends here. Consider it as me owing you a favor.”

“Holy Son Xu’s favor is no small debt,” Death God Qin replied with a smile.

But he still led the Dark Primordials away. For their race to see the daylight again, to re-establish themselves, they had no choice but to rely on Xu Zimo.

The God Emperor gave Xu Zimo a nod before departing with the Divine Gate.

Xu Zimo lowered his gaze to the ruined remains of the immortal mountain.

With a wave of his right hand, the land itself quaked.

Though the mountain was destroyed, the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground had accumulated unfathomable resources over endless eras, resources vital for any sect’s growth.

Before everyone’s eyes, Xu Zimo gathered the ruins of the immortal mountain into his True Fate World.

Of course, he did not reveal his True Fate itself, only tore open a rift in the God World to store it away.

The expressions of the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground disciples were indescribable.

Before leaving, Xu Zimo glanced once at Ji Ruobing, then said lightly: “By the way, I was once a friend of your sect’s Saintess. What a pity.”

Watching Xu Zimo’s departing back, the disciples of the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground finally let out the breath they had been holding.

They could not explain it, but with his departure, a crushing pressure lifted from their hearts.

“Ancestor, what should we do now?” Feng Tianya asked the Supreme Ancestor.

“Announce to the entire continent, apologize to the True Martial Sacred Ground’s Holy Son,” the Supreme Ancestor instructed.

“This matter must also be reported to the ancestors. He may be rampant now on the Primordial Heartlands, but once in the Outer Heavens, he will pay the price,” Feng Tianya said bitterly.

“You think the ancestors are unaware?” the Supreme Ancestor countered.

“Then why…?” Feng Tianya froze, unable to grasp it.

“From this day, we must never be enemies with the True Martial Sacred Ground,” the Supreme Ancestor ordered, giving no further explanation. “As for rebuilding the sect, you are now the Sacred Lord. This will be your responsibility.” After a pause, he added, “But do not rebuild until it is certain he carries the Heaven’s Will.”

“I understand, Ancestor,” Feng Tianya nodded.

“Also, make her,” the Supreme Ancestor’s eyes lingered on Ji Ruoxue, “the successor for the next generation’s Sacred Lord. As for this time’s Heaven’s Will struggle, our Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground will withdraw.”

“I understand,” Feng Tianya answered.

“Then everything begins anew,” the Supreme Ancestor murmured, gazing at the far horizon.

He turned to the other four crippled ancestors. “Old friends, let us go. Enjoy the last years of your lives in peace.”

On the road back, Lin Ruhu asked curiously, “Brother Zimo, why spare them? You already destroyed their sect, why not finish the job?”

“You think I didn’t want to?” Xu Zimo chuckled softly.

He lifted his gaze toward the skies above the clouds.

The drizzle had ceased, yet the heavens remained heavy and gray.

“In the end, it is still the Outer Heavens that hold dominion.”

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