Renewal was in a dazed state.
The hand that pierced Sheng Zoi Bai was covered in the stench of blood as Yao Ming whispered into Sheng Zoi Bai's ear:
"Don't even think you can talk your way out of this or to survive.
Ohoahaha I heard the conversation with the Supreme Elder between you guys . I went there and met him personally and killed him… and you are next now ."
Sheng Zoi Bai's face twisted with pure confusion and anxiety.
He tried to turn around, holding his mouth as blood poured out, staining his lips.
He spat out more blood.
Yao Ming grabbed his shoulder with a grin.
Ding!
He pulled his hand out, and more blood gushed from Sheng Zoi Bai's chest. Sheng Zoi Bai clutched his chest as his face turned pale and ashen.
His expression became ugly and distorted as he tried to turn back.
The Seven Immortals froze.
Each of them collapsed.
The Four Heavenly Creatures that had been bound broke free, roaring in fury.
The Taowu opened its crocodile-like mouth, revealing its massive tusks, trying to grab one of the immortals—
But Renewal waved his hand, ordering them to stop… for now.
Sheng Zoi Bai looked back with deep hatred.
His face was covered in blood as he curled on the ground, coughing violently.
"You… you… heard… the plan… cough… cough…"
The young man coughed repeatedly, struggling to speak.
Yao Ming snorted coldly.
He raised his foot and kicked Sheng Zoi Bai's face, sending it to the side. Sheng Zoi Bai's vision began to blur.
Then Renewal stood up.
The chains surrounding him began to crack.
Suddenly, they tightened—
And shattered into seven pieces.
Renewal stepped forward and slashed down, killing intent filling the air.
Even Yao Ming stepped back.
BAM!
A violent explosion echoed.
Three claw marks tore through the air as Renewal struck.
Sheng Zoi Bai—once handsome—was reduced to minced flesh.
His head was split in half, along with his body.
Pieces of his limbs scattered across the grass, staining it red.
Blood soaked deep into the ground.
Yao Ming stepped forward and met Renewal's gaze.
"Let's negotiate… my new friend. A new culprit of fate is rising."
Yao Ming smiled.
"Indeed."
Three Weeks Ago
A vast sea stretched endlessly beneath the rising sun, its golden light reflecting across the water like molten fire.
High above the sea, many peak Immortal artists hovered in the air, each of them staring upward in silence.
Before them stood a towering pagoda.
It was tall and imposing, with seven windows aligned symmetrically along its structure. The edges of each window were decorated with intricate golden carvings of small angelic figures, giving the structure an eerie yet majestic aura.
Inside the pagoda, a round table rested at the center of the hall.
At the far end sat Sheng Zoi Bai, while the Seven Immortals stood behind him. Their expressions were stiff and uneasy, each forcing an unpleasant smile—as if simply standing there made them uncomfortable.
Among them, one figure stood out.
He wore a black tunic, his hood covering his face completely. His presence alone felt unsettling, far more than the others.
Sheng Zoi Bai crossed his arms and spoke calmly:
"So you're saying we have to kill Yao Ming… because if the Immortal Continent or the Empire Continent finds out you're allied with the Culprit of Fate Building, your entire continent will be put under arrest?"
Across from him sat the Supreme Elder—the same man once enraged by Mingyin, and the father of Bing Ling.
His expression was cold, his eyes tired.
"What did you expect?" he replied sharply.
"Do you want my reputation to collapse? If anyone finds out I'm allied with Fate Building, I'm finished. I could be imprisoned… even my own people would turn their backs on me."
He snorted and grabbed a cup from the table, drinking it in one go before slamming it down.
Sheng Zoi Bai leaned forward slightly, resting his fingers near his chin. His expression darkened.
"And yet… we could use him," he said.
"With his power, we could see the future. We only have a few days before Renewal fully revives from the blood ritual—"
"No!" the Supreme Elder shouted, interrupting him.
"What is wrong with you? Do you even understand the consequences?!"
He sighed deeply, stroking his beard as he tried to calm himself.
Sheng Zoi Bai let out a quiet sigh.
Why did I even come back for this…? he thought bitterly.
The Supreme Elder spoke again, his tone lower this time:
"You were revived because of your connection to Renewal. Even if you were enemies… that connection still exists."
He paused.
"And the seven clans that once fought alongside the Mortal Ruler—we preserved their souls. But… they lost their emotions in the process."
Sheng Zoi Bai blinked a few times, rubbing his chin lazily as he yawned.
"Yeah… I get it. So that's why you kept my soul intact?"
The Supreme Elder closed his eyes, lifting his tea and blowing gently before taking a slow sip.
Sheng Zoi Bai smiled—but there was anger hidden behind it.
"Fine," he said.
"Then we kill Yao Ming… and capture Fate Building."
He paused.
"…though killing him won't be easy."
The Supreme Elder ignored that, placing his tea down carefully.
"To be honest… the three continents—
the Empire Continent, the Immortal Continent, and the I Region Continent—"
He looked up.
"—have already made a decision."
Sheng Zoi Bai's eyes narrowed.
"What decision?"
"We're going to destroy Fate Building… and kill the Culprit."
The room fell silent.
The Supreme Elder continued:
"If someone from the Nine Heavens discovers its existence, it won't end well for us. Fate Building was created by the Father of Humanity himself… and its creator, the Seer Immortal, possessed a whale capable of showing the future through illusions."
Sheng Zoi Bai's expression twisted.
"But if we destroy it…" he muttered.
The Supreme Elder nodded.
"It will bring chaos."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Destroying Fate Building is the same as defying fate itself. It is connected to fate… to the very laws of heaven."
His voice grew heavier.
"And when that happens… the World Tribulation will begin."
Sheng Zoi Bai hesitated.
"If that's true… then even the Nine Heavens will see us as nothing but weak, foolish ants."
The Supreme Elder nodded calmly.
"Maybe we are."
He stood up slowly, his aura beginning to rise.
"But we are still cultivators."
His voice deepened.
"Just like the Mortal Ruler… we exist to defy the heavens."
His robes fluttered as an immense pressure filled the room.
"Even if we fail… we will still stand against them."
He looked directly at Sheng Zoi Bai.
"And if I die in that war…"
A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
"Then I want you to kill him for me."
He paused.
"We will create true happiness."
Behind Sheng Zoi Bai, the Immortal in the black tunic gave a faint, cold smile.
Thank you… for the information.
Later
The endless sea roared beneath dark skies.
Without warning—
Yao Ming appeared.
In a single motion, he pierced the Supreme Elder's skull.
The body fell from the sky, crashing into the ocean below, sending massive waves crashing outward. The surrounding Immortals were thrown into chaos.
Present
"Huh…?"
Sheng Zoi Bai stared at the newspaper handed to him by one of the Seven Immortals.
His eyes widened slightly as he read.
"Yao Ming… killed him?"
He frowned deeply.
"That's impossible… how could he do that?"
He muttered to himself:
"The Supreme Elder was far stronger… Yao Ming shouldn't have been able to win."
Yet… the truth was right in front of him.
Even after tracking Yao Ming and exposing his weaknesses—
They had still lost.
Sheng Zoi Bai clenched the paper.
What happened…?
He raised his head.
"Gather everyone," he ordered.
The Seven Immortals stepped forward, their expressions cold and unreadable.
Sheng Zoi Bai looked at them one by one.
"I have something to say."