I'm out, I'm out, you've really caused me so much trouble

In an unknown dimension.

The Ling Xiao Dharma Form wore a grave expression as he continuously activated the half-damaged Primordial Chaos Creation Disk, attempting to locate the missing Chen Yi and Wuji.

The situation had spiraled beyond his expectations. Originally, he had assumed that the moment Wuji and Chen Yi crossed paths, it would be like fire meeting kindling—an instant, explosive clash, locking them in fierce combat!

Yet reality proved otherwise. Ling Xiao never imagined Wuji would be such a coward—not only avoiding a direct confrontation but even refusing to turn back when Chen Yi gave chase!

In the end, the two raced ahead, leaving both time and space behind, vanishing from Ling Xiao’s sight and cutting off his ability to spy on them.

How could this be?

He had intended to fan the flames, but now he risked getting burned himself!

"Why do I have this overwhelming sense of foreboding?"

"This shouldn’t be happening!"

"Wuji is merely a manifested avatar descending to the mortal realm. If I invoke the Dao Rhyme of the Ancient Epochs, he wouldn’t be able to shake me—at most, he’d expose the coordinates of the Creation Disk. Worst case, I could just toss the Epoch Treasury to Chen Yi. With Chen Yi’s methods, Wuji wouldn’t even get a single scrap..."

"But then... why do I feel so uneasy?"

"Could Wuji be targeting my foundation this time?"

"That’s impossible!"

"If he had the power to erase the Dao Rhyme I’ve accumulated over nine great epochs, he would’ve done it long ago. Why wait until now?"

"So, what he truly desires has always been the Epoch Treasury. As for the Ancient Epoch Dao Rhyme, he has all the time in the world to wear it down."

"But if the source of this foreboding isn’t Wuji... but Chen Yi..."

"Tch! Damn that Chen Yi! I know nothing about his depths—how am I supposed to defend against him?"

"I’m finished. I’ve overplayed my hand again. The Epoch Treasury is as good as lost!"

"Time to run!"

The Ling Xiao Dharma Form trembled slightly. After much hesitation, he decided to cut his losses.

Against Wuji, he could still maneuver. But against that freak Chen Yi... he truly had no counterplay!

The Epoch Treasury was important, but compared to the Ancient Epoch Dao Rhyme—his most vital foundation—it was merely a stockpile of resources yet to be converted into power.

He could be the temporary owner of these resources, but never their eternal master. Since he couldn’t fully absorb them alone, they were destined to change hands eventually.

The only thing he could do was choose a worthy successor for the Epoch Treasury.

First, Wuji was out of the question!

He’d sooner feed the treasury to dogs than let Wuji have it. If Wuji obtained the Epoch Treasury and used it to stabilize the Immortal Realm, growing stronger and reclaiming glory, it would become a blade plunged straight into Ling Xiao’s heart!

How could he allow that?

So, Chen Yi it was!

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Though he and Chen Yi were also adversaries, Chen Yi’s halberd wasn’t as swift as Wuji’s blade. Moreover, Chen Yi’s halberd would still be aimed at Wuji, while Wuji’s blade would slash back at Chen Yi. Let them tear each other apart like dogs! When the time came, he would step in at the perfect moment to reap the rewards.

He had the Dao Rhyme of nine great epochs, over two hundred traces of Primordial Dao, and the qualifications to reclaim the title of Immortal Emperor!

With his mind made up, Ling Xiao cast aside his hesitation. Taking one last glance at the Primordial Chaos Creation Disk, he felt a twinge of reluctance—but in the end, he made the righteous cut.

"You little freak, remember—this karma is on you!"

At the same moment.

Chen Yi, who had been tailing Wuji, suddenly froze.

[Ding! Your account restrictions have been lifted!]

[Top-ranked Ye Ancai, please proceed to the designated location to receive the chat group server!]

[Friendly Reminder: Chen Yi, you motherf—! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to?!]

[I’ve handed everything over. This is what you wanted all along. Deal with Wuji yourself—I’m out!]

[Oh, and one more thing. Take good care of Creation. I owe him, and I’ll repay it eventually. But what about what you owe me?]

"Wait—you idiot Ling Xiao, you can’t just leave! What am I supposed to do now?!"

Chen Yi felt a pang of panic. Though he hated to admit it, he needed Ling Xiao to shoulder the pressure from Wuji!

The problem was, only Ling Xiao could activate the vast reserves of Ancient Epoch Dao Rhyme scattered across the myriad realms. The little golden dragon could tap into a fraction, but that was nowhere near enough.

If Ling Xiao truly retreated, withdrawing that immense Dao Rhyme and no longer forcing Wuji to keep his hands in check, how could the Purple Tenuity Immortal Realm develop in peace?

After resolving its inflation issues, the Purple Tenuity Immortal Realm was on the verge of ascending to the Celestial Immortal tier, ready to extend its reach and recruit talent from worlds abandoned by other immortal realms!

This process required stability—no room for Wuji to stir up chaos from the sidelines!

Sure, he could use barrier arrays to achieve the same effect, but the number of worlds to be absorbed wasn’t just one or two—it was thousands upon thousands! Where would he get enough materials to set up so many arrays?

Thus, Ling Xiao’s Ancient Epoch Dao Rhyme was the most cost-effective solution.

Chen Yi’s original plan was to let Wuji corner Ling Xiao’s lingering will imprints, then step in as a mediator—elbowing Wuji aside and binding Ling Xiao, securing this unstable element firmly under his control.

But who could’ve guessed Ling Xiao’s resilience was so weak? After just a brief disappearance with Wuji, he cracked under pressure and bolted!

Ling Xiao had only been vulnerable because he clung to the Primordial Chaos Creation Disk. The moment he abandoned it and merged back into the boundless Ancient Epoch Dao Rhyme...

Well, shit! His will imprints in the mortal realm would vanish without a trace, free as a bird in the sky or a fish in the sea!

Of course, this freedom was relative. By choosing this path, he was surrendering—allowing Wuji to carve away at him bit by bit, simmering him over a slow flame until his lingering influence was erased, the Ancient Epoch Dao Rhyme exhausted, and he faded from existence forever...

But would Ling Xiao just sit back and accept this?

Obviously not!

That scheming bastard had been playing both sides—luring Wuji while secretly colluding with Chen Yi. The moment Wuji caught wind of the Primordial Chaos Creation Disk and the Epoch Treasury, he’d catch Chen Yi and Ling Xiao red-handed!

What happened next was obvious.

Realizing he’d been made a fool, Wuji would fly into a rage and beat Chen Yi to a pulp!

The worst part? There was no way to shake Wuji off.

Chen Yi had been the one to lure Wuji here in the first place—using him to pressure Ling Xiao. But now that Ling Xiao had surrendered, the tables had turned, leaving Chen Yi in a bind...

"Ling Xiao... you damn Ling Xiao!"

"Guess you really have nothing to lose, huh?"

"You’ve got me cornered!"

"Fine, fine. This round’s yours. I underestimated how quickly you’d fold under pressure—barely started and you’re already done..."

"You won dirty, but I’ll give it to you—you’re ruthless."

"You’ve really screwed me over this time..."

Chen Yi let out a long, weary sigh.

There was no other choice. The worst outcome had become unavoidable, and now he had to face two opponents alone!

The next instant.

The dark halberd trembled slightly!

Then—

He abruptly accelerated, swinging the halberd straight toward the head of the Wuji Avatar!

DUANG!!!