FIMA Ch176: Truth

Gu Siyuan did not show any emotional change in response to his praise.

Because the hidden implications in Xiao Qi’s words were terrifying enough.

If experts from the spirit realm came to their world, it would likely be a massacre as easy as cutting vegetables.

He looked at Xiao Qi calmly, “Sacrifice? What if I kill all of you before your sacrifice succeeds?”

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the righteous faction lit up.

Indeed, this was a good idea. Interrupting the sacrifice would naturally prevent any summoned experts from arriving.

“Hehehe, you can try…”

Xiao Qi laughed heartily, then waved his sleeve. Suddenly, a floating giant door appeared out of thin air before everyone’s eyes.

Everyone then realized that those Xiao family members seemingly standing in front of them, neither near nor far, were actually inside that invisible door.

Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow, “The Lingting Secret Realm, as expected. You’ve been inside the secret realm all along.”

“Haha…” Xiao Qi stood with his hands behind his back, his face filled with satisfaction. “I wonder, did you break through the secret realm gate first, or did my sacrifice complete first?”

Gu Siyuan had long anticipated this situation, so his expression remained calm.

But the other righteous individuals couldn’t help but grit their teeth in anger and curse aloud, “Damn it!”

“Cowards!”

“They keep hiding behind layers and layers of shells!”

“Just breached the city gate array, now they come with the secret realm!”

Xiao Qi ignored these murmurs. With the initiative now in his hands, he was quite leisurely.

He continued to gaze at Gu Siyuan, saying, “Canglan Continent is too far from the Spirit Realm. Apart from that ascension passage, attempting to leave through other means would only lead to getting lost in the boundless space storms. After we followed your ancestors here, we were forced to stay for these ten thousand years. It’s been extremely difficult…”

Gu Siyuan interjected, “We? Wasn’t there another person in the Abyss?”

Xiao Qi nodded, sighing, “Indeed. I used to deeply regret his fate. Waiting for ten thousand years, not hesitating to sever corpses, sinking into the Abyss to seal himself, only to die at the hands of a young child like you. Now, it seems, that was perhaps a kind of blessing.”

At least he didn’t experience the despair and pain of shattered hopes.

Just then, a gust of wind suddenly arose.

The heavy clouds in the sky slowly dispersed, revealing a faint light in the field of vision, which quickly expanded, as bright and dazzling as the sun.

In the next instant, an immensely bright and expansive column of light descended from the sky, perfectly enveloping those Xiao family members who were burning their bloodline spiritual power, as if it was a protection and summons from ancient times.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Qi’s eyes lit up, “It’s a success.”

Everyone looked up at the sky.

At the far end of the distant light column, two faces slowly appeared, both with white hair and an immortal demeanor.

The moment their gazes met those two faces, everyone couldn’t help but tremble slightly. Their gazes were too indifferent, like an ancient abyss that had remained unchanged for millennia, exuding an endless and inexplicable threat.

However, Xiao Qi sighed softly, “It seems that the family has not only failed to develop over these years, but has even declined. They didn’t even produce a new Union Stage cultivator, and even the Grand Elder is missing, probably having passed away due to old age.”

The Union Stage was a realm beyond Nascent Soul, with life spans that could extend to around ten to twenty thousand years depending on their cultivation level.

Having been in Canglan World for nearly ten thousand years, Xiao Qi had already reached the end of a Union Stage cultivator’s lifespan.

“However, even if there’s only one person, killing all of you would be sufficient.”

Xiao Qi’s voice carried an incomparable coldness and decisiveness.

Instantly, the faces of everyone present turned pale.

The Union Stage was two levels higher than the Nascent Soul Stage, and as one progressed further, the disparity in strength brought by the difference in realms became greater.

On Canglan Continent, there were several Foundation Establishment late stage cultivators who, with top-tier artifacts, could withstand early Golden Core stage cultivators for a period of time. However, dozens of late Golden Core stage cultivators were still no match for a Union Stage cultivator.

Moreover, Union Stage cultivators had a significant advantage over Nascent Soul or even Divine Transformation cultivators. They had begun to grasp spatial abilities, capable of tearing through space within a certain range and moving at incredibly fast speeds. Even if Gu Siyuan had tens of thousands of thunderfire bombs, he wouldn’t be able to hit them.

It was unimaginable.

The moment those two Union Stage cultivators descended through the passage, it marked the beginning of a bloody storm on Canglan Continent.

“You’re willing to sacrifice yourselves to summon those two just to kill us, to end it all together?” Gu Siyuan squinted.

“Why does it have to come to this?” he continued.

Xiao Qi’s expression remained indifferent. “This war that began ten thousand years ago needs an end. We may lose, but you cannot win.”

“So, you’re satisfied with this outcome?” Gu Siyuan’s voice turned cold.

Xiao Qi smirked twistedly with excitement. “Hmm, aren’t you happy? With so many of us from the Xiao family, we’ll all go to hell together with you lowly natives!”

“We’re not lovers born on the same day of the same month. There’s nothing to be happy about in dying together. It’s always better to be alive,” came a blunt and mocking retort, interrupting Xiao Qi’s excitement.

Xiao Qi turned to look.

Standing beside Gu Siyuan, Xie Xueyi wore a red robe, his face as cold as ice, his expression laced with intense sarcasm that contradicted his beauty.

Xiao Qi glanced at him. “It was I who, passing through that small town by chance, noticed your potential in cultivation and brought you back. Who knew you’d be so ignorant of advancement? You even messed up my plans.”

Xie Xueyi continued to sneer. “Is it a failure now? You seem to enjoy reminiscing about the past.”

His words were harsh, and Xiao Qi fell silent for a moment before responding, “Indeed. Speaking of these past events is meaningless. What matters is what’s happening now. You tried so hard to escape from the secret realm, but did you foresee today’s situation?”

Xie Xueyi giggled mischievously. “Then I’m glad I escaped early enough to meet my brother. If I had died before losing my innocence, that would be a real regret.”

“…”

Both Xiao Qi and the righteous cultivators present fell silent.

Hmm, Gu Siyuan had such a companion. Their daily lives must be quite interesting…

Xiao Qi decided to end the conversation with Xie Xueyi.

Looking up, he saw Gu Siyuan staring blankly at the pillar of light channel.

Although the sacrifice had been successful and the channel was now connected, the gap between the two realms was vast. Even with the power of the sacrifice, it would still take considerable time for those two Union Stage powerhouses from the Spirit Realm to reach here.

Xiao Qi couldn’t help but continue chatting with Gu Siyuan, “Normally, sacrificing one Xiao family member’s bloodline would suffice. But as mentioned earlier, the Spirit Realm is too far from here, making the sacrifice much more difficult. So, in addition to using these cultivators’ flesh and blood to build the channel, we also need the spiritual power of my entire Xiao family as a lamp to illuminate the way for our ancestors.”

Listening to his description, Gu Siyuan imagined the scene.

These sacrificed Xiao family cultivators seemed like a sudden lighthouse in the infinite darkness of space, initially appearing warm and touching.

However, the hidden costs and purposes behind it…

From this, it was also clear why Xiao Qi and these Xiao family members were so determined to drag them down with them.

The righteous cultivators also seemed to realize this. They all turned their gaze towards Gu Siyuan.

This had become a habit over the past few days.

If the current dilemma affecting the continent’s survival were to be resolved, the only hope lay with Gu Siyuan.

“Do you have a way?”

“What should we do now?”

“What should we do?” Gu Siyuan remained silent.

His silence made the atmosphere in the room even more tense.

Xie Xueyi narrowed his eyes and reached out to grasp Gu Siyuan’s wrist. Then, he suddenly looked up and smiled ingratiatingly at Xiao Qi, “Senior, why be so decisive? Although you were indeed defeated, weren’t those who died on the battlefield just pawns under your control? Your entire Xiao family is still alive and well.”

Xiao Qi looked at Xie Xueyi in mild surprise. After a moment, he sneered, “So, should I thank you then?”

Xie Xueyi shook his head graciously, “There’s no need for such courtesy. But we can still talk it out… For instance, if you were to immediately stop this suicidal sacrifice, I guarantee on behalf of everyone here that we won’t pursue you any further. We won’t discriminate against you either. We’ll treat you all as peers and live freely and happily together on Canglan Continent. Wouldn’t that be better?”

“Earlier, you mentioned that the majority of you were born and cultivated here, considering you’re native to Canglan. So, why must we hurt each other?”

His words caused a brief silence in the room.

The righteous cultivators exchanged glances, considering the feasibility of this plan.

“We agree,” they declared.

However, Xiao Qi shook his head and chuckled at Xie Xueyi, “Gu Siyuan is smart, and you’re clever too. But we’re not fools. There’s no need for these tricks here.”

Xie Xueyi’s eyes flashed with irritation and disbelief as he retorted, “How can you say that? I’m a straightforward person who never lies or plays tricks.”

“Hmph!” The group of Xiao family members performing the sacrifice almost snorted in disdain.

Xie Xueyi had spent many years here and was familiar with many members of the Xiao family. They knew all too well about his character. His mouth could coax the stars down from the sky, and it was doubtful if even one of his hundred sentences contained a shred of truth.

Xiao Qi looked at him and said calmly, “Don’t waste our time. Instead of this, you should hurry and bid farewell to your companion.”

Xie Xueyi’s expression changed slightly.

But quickly, he regained his composure and sighed regretfully, “It seems negotiating shouldn’t have been my role. Someone more straightforward should have handled it.”

At that moment, the right hand grasping Gu Siyuan’s wrist suddenly warmed, and Xie Xueyi interlocked their fingers and turned around.

Xie Xueyi turned around.

Gu Siyuan remained as calm and composed as ever. “No need to be nervous. I’m here.”

Xie Xueyi hesitated for a moment, blinked, and nodded heavily. “Hmm.”

Moments ago, his demeanor seemed carefree and playful, almost joking. But only Gu Siyuan, whose wrist he held, knew that Xie Xueyi’s arm was trembling slightly, his palm sweaty, cold sweat beading.

He wanted to do something for everyone. He wanted to share Gu Siyuan’s worries.

However, at this moment, he seriously thought, with Gu Siyuan by his side, what did life or death matter if those two big shots came?

Might as well die together…

Besides, he had already slept with Gu Siyuan, so this lifetime wasn’t a complete loss.

Meanwhile, Gu Siyuan had no idea what his companion was thinking in such tense moments.

He just stared at the pillar of light in the passage, squinting suddenly.

Seemingly anticipating his intent, Xiao sneered contemptuously, “This passage contains the principles of space and time, extremely stable. Unless a transcendent figure arrives personally, even if all of you explode here today, it won’t inflict any damage on it.”

Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, “I’m not concerned about this passage, but the passage has two ends, a starting point and an endpoint. What if the endpoint suddenly changes?”

Xiao Qi chuckled coldly again, “The starting point is in the Spirit Realm, the endpoint in my realm. As I said before, if you have the ability, try to see whether you can break through the gate of my family’s ancestors first or if my ancestors can reach this place first.”

The gate of the realm possessed the will of space and was even more formidable than the Fengxue City formation they had previously conquered.

Conquering the formation took seven days; this realm gate would take even longer.

“If you want to change it, why must you break it?” Gu Siyuan suddenly raised his head, softly saying, “I have a truth that hasn’t been put into practice yet.”

“Hmph, truth? What truth?” Xiao Qi sneered, “Can this truth help you change this inevitable situation?”

Gu Siyuan’s voice was deep and firm, “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.”

“Brother, what’s the world?” Xiao Qi hadn’t finished mocking when Xie Xueyi opened his eyes wide, curious.

“The world? You can think of it as a larger realm, much larger than the Spirit Realm.” Gu Siyuan’s voice was calm, then he continued, “I didn’t have a chance to try this statement there, but in this cultivation world, perhaps we can experiment.”

Xie Xueyi, still puzzled, couldn’t quite figure it out, but inwardly, he felt fine.

Gu Siyuan pinched his cheek and sighed, “It’s great that artifacts can be manipulated so freely, that cultivators can fly into the sky, and that we have so many people.”

Xie Xueyi puffed up his cheeks, “Mhm mhm, if brother says it’s good, then it’s good!”

Inside the realm, Xiao Qi watched Gu Siyuan with furrowed brows, suddenly feeling a sense of unease because Gu Siyuan’s expression was unnervingly calm.

A person like Gu Siyuan wouldn’t casually speak unless he was absolutely sure.

…

Swish, swish, swish!

Countless artifacts emitted a whistling sound, slicing through the dim air with invisible killing intent.

Then, at a certain moment, these normally unruly and powerful attack artifacts, under the control of their respective owners, tightly adhered together, forming an endless and colossal dragon.

Soaring through the clouds, the dragon dominated the heavens and earth.

Even with Gu Siyuan’s vastly superior divine consciousness, he couldn’t see the end of this dragon of artifacts with a single glance.

However, not being able to see it didn’t matter.

Gu Siyuan stood beneath the Spirit Court Realm, watching the starting point of this dragon. He spoke into the communication artifact at his waist, “Let’s do it!”

“Okay,” came the clear and pleasant voice of Xie Xueyi from the other side.

In the next instant, the enormous and boundless dragon of artifacts shimmered lightly.

A crushing pressure covered the sky and earth.

Even the members of the Xiao family within the realm felt their minds momentarily confused.

Gu Siyuan smiled.

This wasn’t just the Dragon of Myriad Swords; it was a million, even tens of millions.

It was not only vast and boundless but more importantly, it carried the beliefs of most cultivators on this continent.

It aimed to change the world, capable of shifting universes!

The air filled with the harsh sound of metal friction.

The enormous artifact truly began to move. Its front end pointed at a spot on the side of the entire Spirit Court Realm, supported below by countless of the continent’s sturdiest defense artifacts, slowly lifting from the bottom up.

An indescribably powerful aura spread throughout this realm.

Gu Siyuan’s gaze followed its movements.

Xiao Qi, inside the realm, seemed to suddenly understand what they intended to do.

His face changed completely, trembling all over, screaming, “Impossible… impossible! How could such a thing be possible with a bunch of Nascent Soul, Golden Core, and Foundation Establishment trash daring to shake the principles of space!”

“A small world can’t be pushed away. That’s a small world!”

Gu Siyuan glanced up at him indifferently, “We have a saying: ‘A single word can determine fate.'”