Chapter 387

The truth is always harsh.

Michel Grand Sage has little time left.

His lifespan is nearing its end.

To extend his life, he must achieve promotion before his lifespan runs out.

Even if he doesn't need to give Xu Jing Heavenly Master a clear answer today, he can only postpone it for at most a month.

Michel Grand Sage knows that Xu Jing Heavenly Master and the Heavenly Court of the Immortal-Deity Civilization won't give him another month to deliberate and waver between the Immortal-Deity and Wizard Civilizations.

Xu Jing Heavenly Master has come today not only to persuade again but also to lay his cards on the table, seeking a definite answer from Michel Grand Sage.

If they fail to get the answer the Heavenly Court wants, Xu Jing Heavenly Master and the Heavenly Court will abandon Michel Grand Sage altogether, stop spending time here, and move on to other wizards.

You should know that Michel Grand Sage is not the only ninth-level Grand Sage who has ventured into the parallel universe.

In addition, there are three other wizards of the same level.

However, those three ninth-level Grand Sages are not like Michel Grand Sage, whose lifespan is about to run out; if he fails to ascend to sainthood, he will have only a few days left.

Those three ninth-level Grand Sages came to the parallel universe for different reasons, and each has their own fallback plan.

Even if they fail to attain sainthood in the parallel universe, they can still live another thirty to fifty years, or even over a hundred years.

Having weighed the pros and cons, Michel Grand Sage gave a slight nod under Xu Jing Heavenly Master's emotionless stare.

Right away, Michel Grand Sage replied, "I can agree, but I have a condition."

"What condition?"

After long effort finally paid off, Xu Jing Heavenly Master was still pleased and placed great importance on Michel Grand Sage's "condition."

If it's not unreasonable, Xu Jing Heavenly Master can consent without having to report to the Heavenly Court.

Though he felt hopeful inside, his face stayed calm and indifferent as he curiously gazed at Michel Grand Sage, waiting for the condition to be stated.

Michel Grand Sage didn't waste time and said directly, "The condition is simple: Xu Jing Heavenly Master must swear by the Immortal-Deity Civilization's Heavenly Way that he will make sure the Heavenly Court keeps all its promises to me."

Having survived the great war between the Wizard and Gods Civilizations, seized opportunities in the post-war reconstruction of the Wizard Civilization, risen from eighth-level to ninth-level Grand Sage, and become a top figure in a region of the Wizard Civilization, Michel Grand Sage is certainly no pushover.

There's no way he could simply promise Xu Jing Heavenly Master and the Heavenly Court without any safeguards and become a de facto traitor to the Wizard Civilization and the Supreme Council.

Relative to the Immortal-Deity Civilization's Heavenly Court, Michel Grand Sage is at an absolute disadvantage.

But compared to Xu Jing Heavenly Master, Michel Grand Sage is evenly matched.

Thus, Michel Grand Sage's strategy for securing guarantees is to begin with Xu Jing Heavenly Master and then extend it to the Heavenly Court.

Swearing on the Heavenly Way is the highest personal pledge in the Immortal-Deity Civilization.

"How should he swear?"

Xu Jing Heavenly Master only needed a brief consideration before agreeing to Michel Grand Sage's demand.

This response took Michel Grand Sage by surprise.

He had thought they would have to debate this issue.

He hadn't expected Xu Jing Heavenly Master to agree so readily.

Is it that Xu Jing Heavenly Master is genuine and the Heavenly Court's promise will surely be kept, or have the Heavenly Court and Xu Jing Heavenly Master already anticipated Michel Grand Sage's condition and prepared accordingly?

Naturally, this doubt arose in Michel Grand Sage's mind.

But the arrow is already nocked; it has to be shot.

Michel Grand Sage no longer has time to ponder the truth of it.

After staring at the utterly calm Xu Jing Heavenly Master, Michel Grand Sage said, "I want Xu Jing Heavenly Master to swear that the Heavenly Court will definitely fulfill all its promises to me before my life ends; otherwise, Xu Jing Heavenly Master will never be able to achieve Heavenly Immortality, lifetime after lifetime."

The Immortal-Deity Civilization is centered on immortals and gods, offering two great paths: the Immortal Way and the Divine Way.

The Immortal Way is similar to the Wizard's Path in the Wizard Civilization, pursuing autonomous power and control over rules rather than reliance on them, with its highest attainment being the Heavenly Immortal, comparable to a sage.

The Divine Way parallels the Gods Civilization's Divine Path, seeking power through rule-abiding harmony rather than forceful domination, with its highest state being the Heavenly Venerable, akin to a supreme god.

From this standpoint, the Immortal-Deity Civilization is actually superior to the Wizard and Gods Civilizations of another universe, resembling a blend of the two.

Xu Jing Heavenly Master follows the Immortal Way and has already attained the Golden Immortal, equivalent to a ninth-level Grand Sage; working so diligently for the Heavenly Court, he naturally aims to achieve the highest rank of Heavenly Immortal.

Michel Grand Sage's condition struck Xu Jing Heavenly Master's Achilles' heel.

The cost of never being able to achieve Heavenly Immortality is exceedingly high.

It is so costly that Xu Jing Heavenly Master cannot endure it.

If Xu Jing Heavenly Master is deceiving Michel Grand Sage, that would be extremely unwise.

Then, has Michel Grand Sage forgotten that Xu Jing Heavenly Master could turn to cultivating the Divine Way to evade his condition?

Of course not.

The Immortal-Deity Civilization's Heavenly Way is akin to the Wizard Civilization's Wizard World Will, endowed with high autonomous intelligence.

Once Xu Jing Heavenly Master swears on the Heavenly Way to uphold Michel Grand Sage's condition, should the Heavenly Court fail to fulfill any of its promises to him, Xu Jing Heavenly Master will never be able to achieve Heavenly Immortality or Heavenly Venerability, lifetime after lifetime.

In the Immortal-Deity Civilization's hierarchy, Heavenly Immortal and Heavenly Venerable are equal.

They are equal, with no real difference!

Different roads lead to the same goal.

Upon hearing the details of Michel Grand Sage's condition, Xu Jing Heavenly Master hesitated for an unusually long period.

The room's atmosphere abruptly sank into wordless silence.

Neither Xu Jing Heavenly Master nor Michel Grand Sage uttered a sound.

Michel Grand Sage waited composedly for Xu Jing Heavenly Master's response, while Xu Jing Heavenly Master appeared to be weighing the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the likelihood of the Heavenly Court reneging.

The silence lasted roughly the time to finish a cup of tea.

Being on Michel Grand Sage's home ground, he naturally knows that during this tea-time interval, Xu Jing Heavenly Master was genuinely thinking things over, not reaching out to anyone else or directly querying the Heavenly Court.

Everything lies within Michel Grand Sage's grasp.

Okay, I promise.

It was precisely in such an atmosphere that the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master, facing Michelle Great Sage's gaze full of wisdom and confidence, formally agreed to the 'condition' proposed by Michelle Great Sage.

Thinking of it, he went ahead to do it, so as not to let the night breed dreams and give rise to complications. The Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master immediately, in front of Michelle Great Sage, raised his right hand, thumb tucked inside, four fingers straight pointing to the sky, with a solemn and grave expression, his tone slightly low, he spoke loudly: 'I, Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master, Zhang Jixian, now swear before the Heavenly Dao that if all the promises the Heavenly Court has made to Michelle Great Sage according to my words are not fulfilled, then I shall never achieve the status of Heavenly Immortal in this life or any.'

As his words fell, a thunderclap that was extremely loud and carried extremely far rang out between the seas of stars.

The Divine Civilization's Heavenly Dao, lurking in the unseen, heard the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master's oath and simultaneously responded to his oath.

This thunderclap that echoed throughout the universe was the acknowledgment.

The Divine Civilization's Heavenly Dao acknowledged the establishment of the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master's oath and endorsed it.

'Good, Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master truly is a remarkable person; I, Michelle, am deeply impressed.'

After the thunderclap, Michelle Great Sage, having obtained the desired 'oath,' immediately, toward Empty Tranquil, said: 'Thus, I fully accept the 'transaction' proposed by the Heavenly Court.'

'Happy cooperation!'

The Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master rose, first performing the salute of the Divine Civilization's etiquette by clasping his hands before Michelle Great Sage.

Afterwards, following the etiquette of the Wizard Civilization, he extended his right hand and lightly shook hands with Michelle Great Sage.

'We must have happy cooperation!'

Since a decision had been made, Michelle Great Sage had no further thoughts.

One path, go to the dark!

That's all.

Whether it be the Supreme Council and the Five Saints far away in another universe, or the wizards of the Supreme Council Office and numerous functional departments nearby in the parallel universe, none could foresee that such a drastic change would occur here.

A mighty Ninth-Level Great Sage would actually completely betray the Supreme Council and the Wizard Civilization.

This truly is unprecedented big news!

When the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master, as usual, leisurely walked out of the front gate of Michelle Great Sage's station, drawing everyone's attention.

At the rear gate of the station, all the promises prepared by the Heavenly Court for Michelle Great Sage began to be realized one by one.

Some extremely rare and precious supplies were sent into Michelle Great Sage's station, for Michelle Great Sage to proceed along the Divine Civilization's 'God' path.

From the current situation, the Heavenly Court is truly cultivating Michelle Great Sage's conversion, and truly anticipating his completion of promotion.

And while Michelle Great Sage was tallying up the resources 'harvest,' Dean Frist, Lin Ke, and Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke were actively working through various channels to resolve the matter of the Sixth-Level Sage Legion of Michelle Great Sage's Tower besieging the Four-Family United Legion.

Dean Frist exerted great pressure on the Supreme Council Office and other functional departments.

Lin Ke, representing Dean Frist, contacted the vanguard of Ruowosith Academy, striving for every possible advantage and creating every possible favorable condition.

Ai Rui Si. Ke La Ke covertly mobilized the connections and influence she had accumulated over the years, presenting a posture of sworn shared fate with the United Legion, in order to reverse-besiege the temporary station of the Sixth-Level Sage Legion of Michelle Great Sage's Tower.

Through simultaneous pressure from various channels, the temporarily dispatched Sixth-Level Sage Legion stationed at Michelle Great Sage's temporary base gradually lowered its aggressive posture and lifted the siege.

This change caused the wizards of the besieged Four-Family United Legion to erupt in an uproar.

The situation was obvious; the problem was resolved.

The wizards constituting the Four-Family United Legion, after reserving sufficient strength for rear-guard defense, began a joyous celebration.

They fully vented the long-suppressed fire in the hearts of the Four-Family United Legion's wizards.

In an instant, this temporary station became a realm of joy.

After seeing off the Empty Tranquil Heavenly Master, Michelle Great Sage, upon hearing the report from his confidants, couldn't help but chuckle and sneer: 'Your vision is shallow, seeing only a tiny bit of insignificant benefit while wasting most of the greater gains.'

While saying that, Michelle Great Sage leisurely brewed tea.

This tea is not that tea.

After arriving in the parallel universe and establishing long-term ties with the Divine Civilization, Michelle Great Sage saw the genuine original tea leaves.

For unknown reasons, Michelle Great Sage quickly accepted this original tea, fell in love with drinking and tasting tea, and repeatedly proclaimed that this is the true tea.

Under Michelle Great Sage's wholehearted endorsement, many of the wizards from the first and second batches dispatched by the Wizard Civilization's Supreme Council to develop the parallel universe abandoned the Linke Grand version of tea promoted by Ruowosith Academy and turned to the Divine Civilization's original tea.

Soon, the tea was ready.

Michelle Great Sage sipped tea while waiting for the true opportunity to arrive.

And while the Four-Family United Legion's temporary station was immersed in a joyous atmosphere, there were always some who remained sober amidst the majority's celebration.

Mo Li was such a person.

'Did they really withdraw? Or is there another plot?'

Faced with the withdrawal of the besieging force of the Sixth-Level Sage Legion from Michelle Great Sage's Tower's temporary station, the shallow-minded and hopeful naturally believed without condition.

For people like Mo Li, this matter still seemed suspicious.

Before investigating exactly what this suspicion entailed and how great its influence was, Mo Li chose to voice her doubts honestly.

'Indeed they withdrew!'

After Paro Sage confirmed that the Sixth-Level Sage Legion of Michelle Great Sage's Tower's temporary station had truly withdrawn all hostile actions, he softly answered Mo Li's question, then added, 'However, the hostility of Michelle Great Sage's Tower has now been fully revealed; future troubles may still bring even more.'

Speaking, Paro Sage clenched his fists tightly.

He did not step forward to stop the United Legion's wizards from celebrating, because he approved of the wizards venting through celebration the pressure they had just endured.

The Four-Family United Legion formed by the Potion Studies Teaching and Research Group of Serin Sage's three Fourth-Level Sage Legions, while facing a Sixth-Level Sage Legion, had some defensive capability, but if a real armed conflict broke out, the outcome was already sealed.

The Four-Family United Legion is no match for the Sixth-Level Sage Legion of Michelle Great Sage's Tower.

No need for fancy tactics; the Sixth-Level Sage Legion can launch a frontal assault, supplement it with decapitation, directly take out the four Fourth-Level Sages, paralyze the command system of the Four-Family United Legion, and thus annihilate it entirely.

Logically, this should be the strongest point, yet it would instead become the enemy's breakthrough.

This fact awakened Paro Sage.

Codi Sage, Serin Sage, and Mo Li were the same.

Michelle Great Sage's Tower's sudden face‑tearing action this time ignited the four Fourth-Level Sages' pursuit of power into a blaze.

The long road of the wizard, climb higher peaks.