Chapter 594: The Price of Becoming a God |
The night was deep, and the firelight flickered, illuminating a radius of three zhang around the hillside. Bai Sheng sat there, listening intently to Gu An’s story about the Heavenly Spirit God. His heart pounded, his face filled with awe.
He could hardly believe that such an existence lay beyond the heavens.
A being of unparalleled strength, decisive in slaughter, and almost invincible—the Heavenly Spirit God stirred an admiration deep within Bai Sheng’s soul.
"Even the strongest of gods have desires. For the sake of a supreme treasure, he once sought to destroy the Great Thousand World. In doing so, he paid a terrible price and was cast into the cycle of reincarnation by an even greater power, forced to endure the sufferings of mortals."
Gu An spoke in a tone of lament, his words setting off waves of emotion in Bai Sheng’s heart.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Bai Sheng asked, "So… you know who the reincarnation of the Heavenly Spirit God is? You can get him to help me?"
To him, the Ninth Heaven of the Immortal Dao was the very peak of cultivation, and an entity who had reached the Eighth Heaven—like the Demon Emperor—was already an unrivaled existence. If the Heavenly Spirit God had once held such power, he must have at least been at the Ninth Heaven.
Why would Gu An mention him out of nowhere?
It could only mean that he had a way to find the Heavenly Spirit God!
"However, what?" Bai Sheng asked urgently.
"However, the Heavenly Spirit God is bound only by the Heavenly Dao itself. No one knows what he truly desires. Reviving him might very well bring disaster upon the entire world."
Bai Sheng fell into silence.
To him, Su Jin was the most important person in his life. But to gamble with the fate of all living beings just for her freedom—was that not too selfish?
He was no saint, and he had his own selfish desires.
But he could not bring harm to innocent people.
Shen Zhen watched Bai Sheng wrestle with his emotions, finding his dilemma amusing.
She wondered, if Bai Sheng were to regain the will of the Heavenly Spirit God, would his love for Su Jin remain the same?
Bai Sheng gritted his teeth and asked, "Is there another way? All beings under the heavens include me, Su Jin… and you as well. If this is the price of saving her, then it is meaningless."
Gu An’s gaze carried an unfathomable depth. "Naturally, there is another way. You must change the mind of the Heavenly Spirit God—turn him into the god that the world truly needs."
"How could I possibly accomplish that?" Bai Sheng frowned, his voice filled with doubt.
Since stepping into the cultivation world, he had felt the weight of his own mediocrity.
There were too many people in this world whose talents far surpassed his own. If not for Su Jin’s guidance, he wouldn’t have made it this far.
And yet, Gu An expected him to persuade a god?
How could he possibly be the protagonist of such a grand story?
Bai Sheng stared at Gu An, feeling uneasy, waiting for an answer.
But Gu An did not respond.
Instead, he simply smiled at him—a smile that sent an inexplicable shiver down Bai Sheng’s spine.
A sudden realization struck Bai Sheng. His face turned pale, and his entire body began to tremble.
"Could it be… that I am the reincarnation of the Heavenly Spirit God?"
Bai Sheng clenched his fists, trying his best to suppress the storm raging in his heart.
With a trembling voice, he carefully asked his question.
Gu An met his gaze and said, "If you fully awaken as him, your feelings for Su Jin may no longer matter. However, your will could command him to save her."
Bai Sheng’s expression darkened.
"No rush. You still have time to decide. The night is long—why not reflect on your life?"
Gu An spoke casually, then waved his hand.
A plump, featherless chicken appeared in his grasp, and he began roasting it over the fire.
Shen Zhen, sitting beside him, added, "Put more cumin on it."
It was the first full sentence she had spoken since meeting Bai Sheng.
Bai Sheng’s thoughts drifted as he stared at the roasting chicken in Gu An’s hands.
His mind wandered far, far back into the past…
Inside a quiet palace, Su Jin sat before a massive bronze mirror, gazing at her own reflection. Her expression was vacant.
She was beginning to feel exhausted.
She had spent ten thousand years searching for Bai Sheng. Another ten thousand years helping him cultivate. But no matter what, the world was always filled with endless obstacles standing in their way.
She even wondered—if she had never existed, would Bai Sheng have lived a better life?
She had come to realize that no one in this world was free from suffering.
No one could ever remain truly happy.
Instead of constantly lamenting, why not cherish the moments of joy that had once existed?
A faint smile appeared on Su Jin’s lips as she recalled the memories of her carefree days with Bai Sheng.
At that moment, a graceful figure stepped out from the darkness behind her.
It was a demoness in a purple gown, her figure enchanting, her delicate face adorned with a few tiny violet scales along her cheeks. She approached Su Jin and bowed gently.
“Your Highness, I have heard that His Majesty has invited the Demon Emperor of the Mortal Realm as a guest. This wedding is no small matter—it will be the moment His Majesty proves his power over the entire demon race. And you, Your Highness, will become known across the world.”
The demoness spoke softly, her tone filled with admiration and longing.
Su Jin remained calm. “It seems His Majesty harbors even greater ambitions.”
“Indeed. The world has countless Demon Emperors, Demon Kings, and rulers. The human race has the Dao Court to unify them, but the demons have never had an absolute sovereign. His Majesty wishes to be that ruler.”
The demoness’ voice carried a touch of reverence.
Su Jin fell silent, listening to her speak of the ever-shifting tides among the demons.
She sighed inwardly.
Yes.
The world was far too vast.
She had fought for these fleeting years with Bai Sheng—how many lovers could claim to have had even a fraction of that time together?
She knew Bai Sheng would come for her again.
But he could never take her away.
Only by letting go of their love could she truly save him.
Su Jin’s gaze gradually turned cold.
She was burying her feelings deep within her heart.
“By the way, Your Highness, a celestial being recently appeared in the city. He claims to serve the Heavenly Dao itself and is a follower of a true celestial god. He says that an immortal god will soon be born within our demon city. His Majesty values him highly, allowing him to roam freely. No one knows if his words are true or false.”
The demoness rubbed her chin, contemplating.
Su Jin’s interest was piqued. “A celestial being? What is his name?”
“He calls himself Wu Dao Immortal.”
“Wu Dao Immortal? Sounds rather blasphemous.”
“Your Highness, you mustn’t say such things lightly. If he hears you, there could be trouble.”
…
The sun was bright, and the skies were clear.
Gu An, Shen Zhen, and Bai Sheng stepped through the gates of the demon city, taking in the endless streets ahead.
Shen Zhen was taken aback by the sight.
“I never expected the demon race’s cities to be so prosperous… and there are quite a few cultivators coming and going.”
The demons here were all powerful, shape-shifted beings. At first glance, the city resembled a human settlement, but upon closer inspection, many still bore traces of their original demon forms.
The city stretched endlessly, with mountains rising within its borders, forming uneven terrain. The streets were bustling with noise, and the skies were filled with flying mounts and magic treasures streaking past, dazzling to the eyes.
For Bai Sheng, this was his first time in a demon city.
Just witnessing its grandeur filled him with an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Even without considering cultivation, the Demon Emperor had built such a magnificent city—something far beyond his capabilities.
The Demon Emperor could govern and shape an entire domain.
And what about him?
Aside from his foolish love for Su Jin, what purpose did his existence serve?
Gu An looked at Bai Sheng and chuckled. “Whenever you’re ready, you can begin.”
Bai Sheng took a deep breath. “I want to take a look around before deciding.”
“Let’s go together, then. There’s someone in this city I’ve been meaning to meet.”
Gu An’s lips curled into a playful smile.
So that guy is still alive, huh?