Chapter 297: I Want a Dead-End Game (Part 2)

When leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, the morning mist among the trees had not yet dissipated.

The branches and leaves of the towering ancient trees hung down like milky-white gauze, shrouding the distant mountains and nearby waters in a hazy blur. The air was permeated with the damp scent of vegetation, mixed with a faint, lingering trace of blood—the remnants of a battle between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts several days prior.

Su Yu paused to look back. Beneath his feet lay several thousand-year-old Iron Wood trees that had been severed at the waist by soul skills; the broken ends were charred like charcoal, and extinguished, ghostly blue ashes were embedded in the soil, with shattered bones scattered messily across the ground.

This chaotic scene felt exactly like the loss of control he felt now, having deviated from the established trajectory of the original story, which left him feeling vaguely uneasy. He truly disliked this passive situation.

"Time to go," he whispered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing his Storage Ring.

The situation ahead was already difficult to control perfectly with his own strength alone; he needed more support as a fulcrum for his plan. But before stepping into that more complex situation, there was one place he had to visit first—the Clear Sky Sect.

The purpose of this trip was heavy and secret; he absolutely could not let Wang Dong'er know the full plan. He knew better than anyone that once she grasped the truth, she would undoubtedly throw herself into the center of the storm at all costs to face the crisis by his side.

In the worst-case scenario, if he were truly pushed to the brink, Wang Dong'er would likely interpret what it meant to be "unwaveringly devoted" in the most desperate way possible.

This fear made Su Yu dare not gamble, and he absolutely must not gamble!

In his past experiences, he had been able to handle things with ease by relying on his familiarity with the original plot and the characters, because everything was under his control. But now, the butterfly effect triggered by his appearance had long since caused many details to deviate from the original story.

Not to mention that everything was like a game, with greater variables appearing out of thin air. If everything had gone smoothly, he should be resting peacefully at Shrek Academy right now, waiting for the right moment, and then following the original plot to enjoy life.

Yet, plans could never keep up with changes. There were too many unexpected events, and even he had not anticipated that the results would turn into the current situation amidst such complex and intertwined affairs.

"Hum—!"

A dazzling silver radiance burst forth suddenly, and his soul power was poured into the Flying Soul Guidance Device without reservation, instantly boosting his speed to the limit. Su Yu's figure turned into a stream of light that tore through the air, speeding toward the border of the Heaven Soul Empire.

Although the arrest warrants of the Three Great Empires had not been fully issued, his sensitive status made it inappropriate to expose his tracks.

Especially the news of "Number One Experimental Subject," which had been secretly tugging at the sensitive nerves of many people; now, news of him had already stirred up a massive storm in the shadows.

"Looks like I need to change my appearance," he muttered to himself while passing over a city. Long before setting off, he had changed his appearance, suppressed his aura, and even disguised his martial soul as the Sword Martial Soul he had copied from Ji Juechen.

He was familiar enough with Ji Juechen to be confident he would not reveal any flaws. If anyone who knew Ji Juechen were present, they would certainly see that his current appearance was seven or eight parts similar to Ji Juechen.

Collecting his thoughts, Su Yu accelerated again, turning into a stream of light flying toward the mist-shrouded Clear Sky Sect.

When the mist-shrouded silhouette appeared, the Clear Sky Sect was already right before his eyes. Su Yu slowed down and said in a clear voice, "Junior Su Yu, I have come specifically to pay a visit to the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. Please, report my arrival!"

Before his voice had even faded, black-robed figures emerged silently from the clouds. The eyes beneath the hoods were ink-colored; it was an Elder of the Clear Sky Sect: "No need to report. The Sect Master has decreed that little friend Su Yu may pass freely."

Su Yu was a man of etiquette. After receiving permission, he activated his Flying Soul Guidance Device and turned into a stream of light, shooting straight toward the peak of Clear Sky Peak.

The gale at the peak was biting, causing his robes to snap loudly. Niu Tian and Titan stood side by side, looking into the distance with their hands behind their backs.

"You brat, what kind of mischief are you planning again?" Niu Tian's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of scrutiny hidden in his calm tone. He truly could not fathom why this fellow, who had been stirring up the world, would suddenly visit this secluded place of the Clear Sky Sect.

Su Yu grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth: "I was just thinking of you two seniors, so I came to see if you were both doing well."

"Cut the crap, you brat!" Titan raised his thick eyebrows, his suspicious gaze scanning him up and down. "Speak, what are you planning now?"

"Senior Titan has eyes like torches!" Su Yu admitted frankly. "I do indeed have a favor to ask."

Entering Haotian Castle, they sat down as host and guest. Su Yu got straight to the point: "I have come, Su Yu, to ask for a favor from you two seniors."

"As long as you aren't trying to borrow the power of the Clear Sky Sect, for your sake, your Uncle Titan can consider it!" Titan patted his chest, appearing warm-hearted.

Niu Tian did not respond, picking up his teacup for a light sip. The rising steam blurred his face, leaving only his deep eyes fixed on Su Yu: "Speak, what is your plan?"

Su Yu met Niu Tian's gaze: "I assume you seniors have heard about the events in the outside world?"

Niu Tian frowned slightly, asking with some confusion: "Which one are you referring to?"

"All of them." Su Yu's voice was calm and waveless. "The Three Great Empires are all hunting for my whereabouts, so I mean all of them."

All of them??

A hint of unease flashed through Niu Tian's heart: "What about that Number One Experimental Subject that's being talked about everywhere? You don't have that in your hands too, do you?"

"Number One is indeed in my hands, though I don't have it on me right now." Su Yu did not deny it.

Niu Tian: "..."

"What about the Su Family?"

"That too..."

…………

With every question, the shock in Niu Tian's heart grew.

He couldn't help but recall that after Xiao Dong'er had brought this brat back to the Clear Sky Sect to meet the family, he had ordered people to secretly investigate the Su Family. At that time, both Su Yu and the Su Family behind him had impeccable backgrounds.

Now, comparing that to the young man stirring up the world before him, a strong sense of absurdity and impact surged into his heart...

For a moment, Niu Tian actually wanted to ask Su Yu how he had managed to accomplish so many great things in just a few years—things that most people couldn't achieve in a lifetime...

Regarding this, he could only sigh that the person Xiao Dong'er had set her heart on was truly no ordinary person!

"I have my own plans for the road ahead, and I am very clear about the results this will bring." Su Yu's voice lowered, his tone gradually becoming solemn. "I come here not to ask you seniors to protect my safety, nor to ask for your assistance, but to ask for one thing..."

Su Yu raised his head, looking at Niu Tian with burning eyes, and said: "If one day I should meet with an accident, please tell a white lie for me. Tell Dong'er that I have only disappeared temporarily, and when the time is right, I will surely reunite with her."

This was the last thing Su Yu could do, and also the "last pillar" to support her in living on.

"This..." Hearing this, a hint of unbearable emotion flashed in Titan's eyes. "Brat, is there really no other way?"

Titan recalled the first time he met Su Yu. Back then, Su Yu was still a sharp-edged kid, although he was showing off his strength to prove he was worthy of Xiao Dong'er; now, he seemed to have gradually stepped onto a path full of crises.

If only there weren't so many variables, what would it be like...

"Perhaps it would have passed peacefully..." Titan thought to himself. From the sharp-edged little guy at the beginning to the later news about the Yuan'en Family that made him his benefactor—only he knew the complexity of those changes...

Niu Tian took a deep breath, his gaze scrutinizing Su Yu as he asked: "And if... you really die?"

Su Yu answered truthfully: "Before setting off, I already visited Senior Di Tian. If I truly meet with an accident, I imagine there is no one on this Douluo Continent stronger than him. So, Senior, you can rest assured; if there is an accident, the worst-case scenario is merely staying in the Star Dou Great Forest forever..."

"If it really comes to the final step, then tell Dong'er that I am waiting for her in the Star Dou Great Forest..."

Niu Tian was silent for a long time, his knuckles tapping the table unconsciously. He remembered the scene when Su Yu first arrived at the Clear Sky Sect—the young man had carried a bit of humility, yet displayed astonishing strength and wisdom at critical moments. In terms of courage, this brat had truly brought him many surprises.

"Aren't you afraid we'll tell Xiao Dong'er the truth?" Niu Tian suddenly spoke, his voice low.

Su Yu shook his head, his gaze frank: "I trust the character of you two seniors. Besides, you naturally know the weight of this matter. After all, the Three Great Empires are already in an uproar; if I show myself, it will inevitably cause a massive stir. If Dong'er finds out, Senior, can you guess what the result would be?"

The answer was obvious; there was no need to guess what would happen. The Clear Sky Sect lived in seclusion, and if Wang Dong'er were truly drawn into this storm by the information they revealed, Tang San might come down personally to fish her out.

If that happened, he could just forget about walking that path and honestly accept his defeat.

The unification of the Sun Moon Empire is an inevitability; it is just that in the original work, the war of unification took place ten thousand years later. Now that I have entered the game myself, using the identity of Luo Yu has greatly accelerated this process. The ending will surely involve a world-shaking battle, and my current situation is nothing more than a fuse.

Everything has a price, it is just that the price for some things is insignificant, while the price for others is incomparably heavy...

"From here on, I leave the subsequent matters to Uncle Niu Tian and Uncle Titan." After explaining the details, Su Yu handed the forging method for Spirit Metal to Titan and entrusted him to pass it on to the Yuan'en Family.

The Yuan'en Family is currently too prominent; even if I were to go to the Yuan'en Family quietly, there is a very high possibility of being discovered, so having Titan pass it on is the best outcome.

Even if Titan were not at the Clear Sky Sect during this trip, handing it to Niu Tian and then having it passed to Titan would yield the same result. As for the subsequent matters, once the people of the Yuan'en Family receive the letter inside, they will naturally know what to do.

I no longer need to worry about the subsequent matters.

?? I, who do not know whether I am living or dead, should perhaps open the coffin lid and take a look from time to time...