Chapter 597 - 550: 20% Chance? No Need to Be So Conservative

According to Amonev’s description, the Luxury and Lust Heaven is a symbol of desire and joy; joy follows wherever it goes. The Sinful Heaven is a symbol of sin and suffering; suffering follows wherever it goes.

These two concepts were polar opposites.

Like the dichotomy of life and death.

Shi Ming was quite curious. ’If the Luxury and Lust Heaven and the Sinful Heaven were to meet, would there be more joy, or more suffering? Would a creature facing both at the same time indulge its body and mind in pleasure, or torture itself in sin and pain?’

’Or perhaps... experience joy and suffering at the same time?’

’Like some humans with wilder tastes, finding joy in sin and feeling desire in pain?’

’That actually sounded quite possible.’

"Does this count as an extra question?"

Before Shi Ming could reply, Amonev answered:

"The Four Great Ancient Evils are highly intelligent, but their personalities are twisted and arrogant. They lack the virtue of cooperation and are often antagonistic toward each other. The Slaughter Heaven and the Evil Thought Heaven will occasionally work together, but it is extremely rare for the Luxury and Lust Heaven and the Sinful Heaven to appear at the same time. As far as I know, the only instance was during their final battle against the gods, who used some method to gather and annihilate them all in one place. As for your question, there is indeed a clear answer—"

"The influence of the Ancient Evils is a passive effect. Even they can’t fully control it."

"In other words, they themselves are the physical manifestations of these concepts."

"Therefore, when the Luxury and Lust Heaven and the Sinful Heaven are in the same area, they will oppose and weaken each other. They cannot coexist and will inevitably conflict. It was likely by exploiting this weakness that the gods were able to face all four at once and slay them."

Amonev’s answer was backed by facts.

Shi Ming’s curiosity was satisfied.

No, it wasn’t entirely out of curiosity.

’If a new disaster-class Colorful Insect could be born in the ancestral land of the Star Spirit Race, who’s to say new incarnations of the Four Great Ancient Evils won’t appear in other Secret Realms throughout the vast Star Sea? They might have inherited the will of their predecessors, or they could be entirely new Ancient Evils named something-something Heaven. Anything is possible.’

Shi Ming hadn’t forgotten the final warning left by the divine phantom within the Creation Star Core.

’If the Ancient Evils really do reappear one day, perhaps this weakness could be exploited to deal with them, saving strength and reducing losses.’

Teacher Nie’s little lesson left Shi Ming feeling satisfied.

"I have no other questions."

"Good, but I have a question,"

"Go on."

"Bertutan and Herakrode are now only a single jump away from the Primordial Star. Based on what I know about them, after their first fight with you, they have a better understanding of your strength. They won’t come rushing in. It’s more likely they’ll try to quickly confirm the status of the real Candela, who separated from the group, and wait for their remaining teammates to assemble. Once they’re absolutely sure of themselves, they’ll descend with lightning speed to secure victory. How do you plan to handle it?"

’Remaining teammates?’

’Huang Ji? Sorry, she’s dead.’

’Candela?’

’Sorry, he’s dead too.’

’As for teammates, they don’t have any left. ’Absolute certainty’ is just wishful thinking. A fifty-fifty chance is my most conservative estimate of the outcome. Unless Bertutan can find other pseudo-gods to help him on short notice... But unfortunately for them, their advance was too reckless. The main forces from other Cosmic Countries and factions haven’t arrived in the inner regions of this Cosmic Country yet, so there are no potential allies for them to call upon.’

"What do you think?"

Shi Ming decided to hear what his partner had to say.

Amonev had, after all, been their colleague. She understood their personalities and likely plans far better, allowing her to make more accurate predictions. Knowing your enemy is half the battle. With the First Civilization Cosmic Country in shambles and in need of rebuilding, Shi Ming didn’t want to waste any more time on these pseudo-gods. He still needed to find the Nirvana Source numbered 18, the [String], to evolve his Eye of Destiny into its true and complete form.

"I think... we should make the first move."

"Thanks to your strategy of restricting the Teleportation Vortexes and Bertutan’s own recklessness, their current reserve of Civilization Stones is not enough to power a single vortex. Herakrode is still severely injured, while I have recovered to seventy percent. If I use some previously restricted trump cards and abilities, and we team up against Bertutan and the wounded Herakrode, I’d say we have a sixty percent chance of winning, and even a twenty percent chance of killing one of them on the Divine Satellite."

"This is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss."

It was indeed an opportunity not to be missed.

’But only a twenty percent chance of taking one of them down? Your estimate is far too conservative. Bertutan definitely can’t use that mini version of his Zero ability again so soon. With the help of my [Concealment], I have a seventy percent chance of slaying another pseudo-god!’

He considered it for a moment.

"Deal."

"The Civilization Stones refresh at midnight of each Cosmic Day. We’ll head back to the Divine Satellite around 22:00 or 23:00. That gives us a window of about three Cosmic Hours. You can use this time to continue recovering. Also, you’ll need to tell me about some of your abilities so we can coordinate better and avoid our skills canceling each other out, like with the Luxury and Lust Heaven and the Sinful Heaven."

Amonev paused for a moment.

She nodded.

"Agreed."

Having reached a consensus, Shi Ming patiently waited for the opportune moment. After possessing the Time Giant, Candela, he could sense a turning point lingering within time and fate, and it felt as if its arrival was imminent.

...

...

...

"Uncle Tian, just focus on healing."

An almost imperceptible glint flickered in Bertutan’s eyes.

The secret treasure in his hand, the [Twilight Lamp of the Prosperous World], nourished Herakrode’s shattered body and soul. The lamp’s marvel was its ability to provide sustained healing without drawing on life force, making it a perfect match for Herakrode, who wielded the power of [Stillness]. This would maximize his recovery.

He was indeed hesitating.

’Should I take this opportunity to eliminate Creator Uncle Tian and seize his Authority, the [Hand of Creation]?’

’The [Hand of Creation] is an irreplaceable aid to civilization and enlightenment. If I kill Creator Uncle Tian now, I can shift the blame entirely to Shi Ming and Amonev. Even if Candela uses the power of fate to investigate later, he won’t find a single flaw in the story.’

But after careful consideration, he abandoned the idea.

’Candela’s current situation is unknown.’

’Shi Ming has even imitated his appearance and abilities.’

’The same goes for Huang Ji.’

’At this critical juncture, it’s better to be cautious.’

"I’ll contact Candela and Huang Ji. I’ll tell them that no matter where they are or what they’re doing, they must get to the Primordial Star as soon as possible, at all costs."