Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
At this moment, Jiang Yi was really at a loss. On one hand was the human race; as the successor to the Mystic Thearch, Jiang Yi had a duty to protect mankind. On the other hand was the demon race; Jiang Yi was indebted to Ao Lu and Qianqian. Regardless of whichever side he stood on—even if he remained neutral, he would still be seen as making a wrong decision.
This time, he had come to rescue Xiaonu, Zhan Wushuang, and Qian Wanguan. Xiaonu was already safe, and since she was alright, it meant that the other two were not in danger as well.
“Jiang Yi, if I were you, I would help the demons and stop this war from continuing! If Ao Lu is not the mastermind, the mastermind would definitely be hiding among the humans. You cannot allow the mastermind’s evil plans to come to fruition; he wants the battle to rage on and for both sides to slaughter each other. You should make both sides stop fighting; this way, you can disrupt the mastermind’s plans and preserve the strength of the human race…”
Jiang Yi suddenly recalled what Yi Chan had said and was startled awake. His gaze immediately turned towards Ao Lu.
Pong-Pong!
He and Ao Lu exchanged a glance and some thoughts. At this moment in the far-away sea region, the water suddenly exploded; Qianqian, Zhan Wushuang, and Qian Wanguan emerged from the water. Qian Wanguan yelled in delight, “Boss!”
“Jiang Yi!”
Zhan Wushuang shouted out as he immediately sent a voice transmission: “Jiang Yi, Ao Lu is not the mastermind. He had sworn a blood oath in front of the Mystic Thearch that he would never proactively attack the human race; someone else is behind all this. This battle is also part of the mastermind’s plans. You have to stop this battle from continuing!”
Even without Zhan Wushuang’s reminder, Jiang Yi and Ao Lu had already exchanged a few glances. Jiang Yi was already convinced that Ao Lu was not the mastermind. The Mystic Thearch would definitely not release a powerful demon to wreak havoc among the humans. Jiang Yi believed in the Mystic Thearch and in Ao Lu.
Jiang Yi was silent for a moment and then made his decision. His long sword swerved towards the Battle Thearch, the North Thearch, and others as he said in a low voice, “You guys should withdraw your troops. I guarantee that the demon race would not attack the humans or the continents! If they dare to attack, I will be the first one to go up against them. The mastermind this time is not Ao Lu; I will definitely find out the real mastermind and kill him myself. I will be accountable to the hundreds of millions of humans that have perished.”
“Wow!”
Uproar ensued in the area. Jiang Yi had ultimately chosen the demon race and wanted the human army to withdraw? Countless eyes were filled with anger and rage; the battle had ensued till this moment with the human race having more than ten million dead and wounded. Just one word from Jiang Yi, and they had to retreat? The demon race’s demise was within grasp; a human had actually stood out to stop the war from carrying on?
The Beast Thearch’s temper was the worst among all. He immediately started to scold Jiang Yi. “Jiang Yi, you are a traitor to the human race. You cannot distinguish between good and evil, black and white! The Mystic Thearch must have been blind to make you his successor!”
The North Thearch also smiled coldly as he said, “Jiang Yi had long become a turncoat; a human who would become good friends with a Demon Thearch. What else could you expect him to do?”
Tang Shenji sighed deeply as he said, “Jiang Yi, your actions today will result in you bearing lifelong infamy. You will truly become a traitor to the human race, a fiend whose name will be cursed for ten thousand years; it is still not too late to repent.”
“What is good? What is evil?”
Jiang Yi did not waver; he was very resolute. He growled and said, “The demon race is definitely evil? The human race must be good? If the mastermind behind the billions of deaths this time is a human, what then? He is also good? This matter had not even been properly investigated. If we continue this battle, it will only cost more lives; and we will be playing right into the hands of the mastermind!
“The emergence of the Mystic Divine Palace, the coming of a calamity; the destruction of the human race! What is a calamity? So many people had died in this battle, so many formidable martial artists; is this not a calamity? Must we wait until the entire human race is finished before that is considered a calamity? I want to ask everyone present. If you guys decided to fight the demon race to the death today, and the mastermind finally reveals himself later on, who will protect the human race? At that time, that would really be the end of our existence!
“You guys can call me a fiend, convict me of as many crimes as you please, and call me a traitor to the human race or a depraved and crazed person; my conscience is clear! Today, whoever wishes to continue this battle has to fight with me. If you guys wish to eliminate the demon race, you will have to do it over my dead body!”
Jiang Yi was ready to risk it all; he could not stand by and watch Ao Lu, Qianqian, the Black Deity, and company be killed. He could also not allow the mastermind’s plans to come to fruition.
He had already been cursed and scolded back in the Stellarsky Continent before. After that, he had been accused of being a spy for Sin Island and a traitor to the human race. He did not mind anymore; all that mattered was that his conscience was clear. As for who was right and who was wrong, whether he did a good deed or committed a crime, he will leave it to future generations to determine.
“Jiang Yi!”
Xing Mengwan suddenly spoke as she calmly said, “You speak of a mastermind, a plotter behind the scenes. I wish to ask you: if it is not Ao Lu, who could it be? Do you have any proof it is not Ao Lu? Billions of humans have died; who would benefit from that? It can’t be the Nine Thearch Clans, right? Or the Ten Concealed Sects and the Ten Ancient Clans, right?”
“That’s right!”
The Beast Thearch nodded in assent and said, “If the human race is exterminated, the Nine Thearch Clans, the Ten Concealed Sects, and the Ten Ancient Clans would also not be in existence anymore. Besides us and Ao Lu, who else would have the capabilities to execute such a devious plan? Jiang Yi, if you can show proof that Ao Lu is not the mastermind, we will withdraw our troops immediately.”
“Proof?”
Jiang Yi was momentarily at a loss for words. He indeed did not have any proof; Ao Lu’s words could not be used as proof. Neither could his gut and deduction. This matter was not something that could be explained, and there was nothing that could convince the masses. How could he produce proof or evidence?
He could only be stubborn to the end as he said, “I do not have any proof! I can only guarantee that I will use all my might and strength to find the mastermind and that I will be accountable to all of you. Cut the crap, do you guys want to fight or retreat?”
“Keke!”
The North Thearch, Battle Thearch, and others had fallen silent. However, Xing Mengwan actually smiled as she shook her head and said, “Jiang Yi, since you wish to continue on this wrong path, we have no choice but to fight to the death! We are almost near a huge victory and are just about to avenge the billions of human lives that were lost and exterminate this threat forever; you want to stop us? Since you want to go against heaven, we have no choice but to eliminate you as well. Lay the formation!”
“Attack—”
The North Thearch gritted his teeth and shouted as the Battle Thearch raised his spear, and the Beast Thearch transformed again!
Xing Mengwan’s words had created a consensus; there was no reason for the human army to withdraw at this point in time. If not, it would be very difficult to gather all the formidable martial artists of the human race again next time. The most important thing was that they would all become heroes in human history if they emerged victoriously. Their battle accolades would be second only to the Mystic Thearch’s, and they would be adored and worshiped by billions. Their deeds would be recorded in the annals and spread from generation to generation. This temptation was too great.
“This number one beauty of the world is terrifying!”
Jiang Yi’s eyes became cold. A mere few short sentences from Xing Mengwan had raised the entire alliance army’s fighting spirit; the North Thearch and Battle Thearch did not have a choice but to fight now. Furthermore, she had reached a seven-star fighting strength at such a young age and could easily manipulate the entire situation. She had also almost killed Jiang Xiaonu.
“This person cannot be allowed to live!”
Jiang Yi’s eyes flashed his killing intent as he was prepared to act. He transformed into a ray of a rainbow and rushed towards Xing Mengwan. At the same time, he yelled at Jiang Xiaonu, saying, “Xiaonu, let’s join forces and kill this person. If this person does not die, the battle will not be stopped!”
“Alright!”
Jiang Xiaonu had never once questioned Jiang Yi’s orders. She turned into a green shadow as she headed straight for Xing Mengwan. The Fire Dragon Sword in Jiang Yi’s hand also lit up as the winds and clouds in the vicinity shifted, and yet another lightning bolt struck from the Nine Heavens. Jiang Yi dashed forward like a ferocious tiger as he shouted at the group of Demigods blocking his way, “Those who block me will die; all of you, scram!”
