Chapter 22: I Have No Regrets

"Yes," said the Heavenly God Wuqi hoarsely. "Because you have to keep killing, you simply cannot recklessly expend divine power. Divine power must be conserved. When you, Beiming, go to brave the gorge, you must rely on the 'power of the sword' during battle. Only the power of the sword originates from the essence of the sword and is inexhaustible."

Ji Ning nodded.

If he truly had to kill for a hundred years, his qi-refining methods would be of little use. Because even using the ninth level of the Grand Thousand Sword Formation consumed a great deal of his mana. Although the second-class golden core had caused Ji Ning's mana reserves to skyrocket, far surpassing ordinary Pure Yang True Immortals, continuously releasing 'Jade Swords' would be unsustainable even for half a day, let alone a hundred years.

Over such a long time, he would have to rely on sword power! As for divine abilities, not to mention the Star Picking Hand, even the Three Heads and Six Arms divine ability Ji Ning dared not use, as it would consume divine power too quickly.

He had to ensure that the replenishment of divine power kept pace with the rate of consumption to last a hundred years.

"To brave the Demon Ice Valley, is it endless demons?" Ji Ning asked.

"Almost all are ordinary demons," said the Heavenly God Yiqiu. "Occasionally a Demon General appears, and in the later stages, a Demon King appears once in a while. Demon Kings and Demon Generals appear, but they appear alone! Ordinary demons, however, are endless; you simply cannot kill them all. Because when you kill them, they can condense and regenerate."

Ji Ning nodded.

"Actually, besides killing for a hundred years, there is another way," laughed the Heavenly God Dongxu. "The Demon King once told us that if one could kill all the way to the end of the Demon Ice Valley and set foot on another island, that would naturally count as success."

"Impossible."

"It's simply impossible. Under the assault of endless demons, even a thousand years would not be enough to reach another island."

They all spoke.

Ji Ning agreed. Each island was very far apart; even with the Ruyi Spirit Snake Shuttle, it took a long time to fly. Trapped by countless demons and fighting, one's speed would be very slow. Even a thousand or ten thousand years might not be enough to reach the other side.

"Ji Ning," laughed the Heavenly God Feiyou, "The century-long battle actually helps us a lot. I've fought century-long battles over a thousand times, and each time the number of demons I killed was insufficient... But this frenzied combat has continuously perfected my short halberd techniques, and even led me to comprehend the birth of Taiji from Wuji, combining two great powers. I believe that once my Taiji power reaches the third level, I will be able to break through."

Feiyou's Wuji power was at the fourth level, while his Taiji power was only at the second level.

"Yes, it helps a lot."

"Especially the first century-long battle helps the most; the help diminishes later."

"You'll know once you try."

...

Ji Ning talked with the nine Heavenly Gods for a long time and gained a deeper understanding of the Demon Ice Valley he was about to brave. Once he passed the Demon Ice Valley, only the final step remained to leave.

"Beiming," the Heavenly God Dongxu suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?" Ji Ning looked at him, sensing that Dongxu seemed hesitant. "What is it?"

Dongxu hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke: "During this demon army assault, I came extremely close to death. I've seen through it all. I understand that my talent and aptitude are only average among the ancient Heavenly Gods. Even after the training in this Moon Under the Lake, my strength has greatly increased. But under the demon army attack, I could still die. To brave the Demon Ice Valley is even more hopeless. My current strength is probably my limit. What the Demon King said... I also believe that you, since Jue Ming, are the most likely to get out alive. I want you to help me, take me out with you."

"You want to give up?" Ji Ning was surprised. Those who had successfully reached Ten Thousand Mountain Island had also taken a treasure once. If they chose to give up, their treasures would be taken back! And since they were so close to the final exit, not many would be willing to give up.

"I've seen through it. If the Moon Under the Lake wants to take back the treasure, let it. I truly want to go out, to see my master, my junior brothers, my disciples." Dongxu's eyes held a look of reminiscence. Back in that warm environment, he hadn't realized its value, but after being trapped in the Moon Under the Lake for endless years, he missed his master and those people immensely.

"Beiming, help me out." Dongxu looked at Ji Ning.

"If you've decided, Dongxu, then of course I agree. For me, it's just a small favor." Ji Ning said.

"I'll go out too," the Heavenly God Yunhen also spoke. "I understand Dongxu's feelings. I feel the same. I've been trapped here too long, and it's been ages since my strength made any progress. Although my speed and movement are good, my attack is relatively weak. I'm far from being able to brave the Demon Ice Valley, let alone the even harder challenges ahead. You, Beiming, have a great chance of getting out. I'm willing to follow you."

"All my old brothers want to go out?" Feiyou was somewhat sad.

"Brother Feiyou."

"We truly see no hope."

Of the nine Heavenly Gods before him, a full five wanted to go back with Ji Ning.

They were Dongxu, Yunhen, Wuqi, Tianhe, and Zhenbu. They all saw no hope, and since even the Demon King said Ji Ning had great hope, and the power of the Jade Sword Ji Ning had displayed filled them with confidence, they thought of their long-unseen family, masters, and friends, and yearned to go out.

...

As the nine Heavenly Gods were somewhat sad and bidding each other farewell, Ji Ning suddenly fell silent.

At first, the nine didn't notice, but then they sensed something was wrong with Ji Ning.

"Beiming, what's wrong?" Feiyou asked. "These five old brothers want to go out. Though we're reluctant, we understand them. Why have you suddenly..."

"Zhenbu," Ji Ning suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?" Zhenbu looked at Ji Ning.

"I cannot take you out." Ji Ning said.

Zhenbu was stunned. The other eight Heavenly Gods were also taken aback.

"What about the other four?" Zhenbu looked at Ji Ning.

"They can go, but you cannot." Ji Ning gritted his teeth and said.

"Why?" Zhenbu wasn't angry, but puzzled.

"Beiming, what kind of talk is that!" Tongqu, the most hot-tempered, immediately grew angry. "During the demon army attack, when you were in trouble at the start, Brother Zhenbu risked danger to save you. Although you are strong and his action was unnecessary, taking him out is just a small favor for you."

"Enough." Feiyou stopped Tongqu, then looked at Ji Ning seriously. "Beiming, I can sense you have your reasons. Speak them out."

Ji Ning took a deep breath: "Alright, I'll speak. When I speak now, don't interrupt me."

"Mm." The nine Heavenly Gods all nodded. They felt Ji Ning had something very important to say.

"This matter starts with the ancient war of destruction." Ji Ning began to speak, from how the Lord of All Things secretly guided the collision of two Chaosworlds... up to the present, where the Espionage Gate and the Nuwa Camp were locked in a life-and-death struggle.

The nine Heavenly Gods listened with blazing anger, wanting to interrupt and ask Ji Ning many times, but ultimately they did not.

"Now you understand."

Ji Ning sighed. "Zhenbu and I fought together, even risking danger to save me. Of course I consider him a brother. But here in the Moon Under the Lake, the Heavenly Gods of both camps are like brothers. Outside, however, the Nuwa Camp and the Espionage Gate are already at odds like fire and water. All Heavenly Gods, True Immortals, even Celestial Immortals must choose their camp."

"This is a war of life and death."

"Though there are many mysteries, fate has already shown that only one of the Espionage Gate and the Nuwa Camp can survive." Ji Ning said. "Even True Gods and Dao Ancestors must choose a side. The Four Ancestors of Source River, who have not yet chosen, can only sit on the sidelines for now. Before the final battle, they too must make a choice. Neither camp will allow a 'fisherman' to exist."

"You are all Heavenly Gods. If you return to the Three Realms, can you avoid taking sides?" Ji Ning's gaze swept over the nine Heavenly Gods.

"Zhenbu, if you return to the Three Realms, which side would you choose?" Ji Ning looked at him.

Zhenbu opened his mouth, then said in a low voice: "My master, my countless brothers and friends are all in the Espionage Gate. Naturally, I choose the Espionage Gate."

"Why, why is it like this... How can there be a calamity?" Yiqiu beside him also found it hard to believe. "Wasn't everything fine?"

"The fate of the Three Realms has never been something we can influence. In the ancient war of destruction, we only learned at the end that the chaos alien 'Lord of All Things' was behind it. This calamity must also have its secrets, but it is beyond our control." Wuqi sighed.

Feiyou then said in a low voice: "Beiming, I will go out with you too."

"Brother Feiyou?" Ji Ning was surprised. "If you can raise your Taiji power, you can brave the Demon Ice Valley. In the future, you might even leave the Moon Under the Lake on your own."

"When calamity strikes the Three Realms, who can remain untouched? We could hide in the Moon Under the Lake and avoid it." Feiyou's face showed pain. "During the ancient war of destruction, many of my fellow disciples died. I avoided it once. This time, I absolutely cannot avoid it again. I will face the calamity together with my fellow disciples."

"I'll go back too."

"Me too."

"When calamity comes, every extra person adds strength."

Of the nine Heavenly Gods, the seven from the Nuwa Camp, including Feiyou, Jibu, and Tongqu, also decided to go out.

...

The news of the calamity quickly spread across Ten Thousand Mountain Island. These Heavenly Gods, who were like brothers, had to make their choices.

Three days later.

The Heavenly Gods of the Nuwa Camp all followed Ji Ning, while the twelve Heavenly Gods of the Espionage Gate remained on Ten Thousand Mountain Island.

"I don't want to go outside and kill them with my own hands," Ji Ning murmured softly before the floating wooden bridge. "Better to let them stay in the Moon Under the Lake. When this calamity is over, no matter which side ultimately wins, they won't deal with these remnant Heavenly Gods."

"Let's go."

Though Ji Ning's heart was heavy, he had no regrets about his decision.

Then he stepped onto the floating wooden bridge.