Chapter 601 - 554: Today, Let’s Enjoy Ourselves to the Fullest

The purpose of guiding destiny is to seek good fortune and avoid calamity. It ensures favorable futures come to pass while filtering out unfavorable possibilities, all while unearthing intelligence about what causes those results.

After gaining the powers of the Time Giant, Shi Ming had become increasingly proficient in this art.

The "Star of a Thousand Graves" outcome was not perfect, so it was filtered out.

...

[Timeline Branch 2: The End of Truth and Lies]

[Your teamwork is excellent!]

[Relying on a backstab, Amonev secretly eliminated the wielder of "Silence." With a two-on-one advantage, Bertutan used a special trump card, one of which only an outline is currently visible. In the past, he used this very card to betray a god. Is what’s unfolding on the Divine Satellite today a repeat of the past, or the dawn of a new day?]

[Probability: 31.99%]

’The trump card he used to betray a god in the past?’

He had learned from Amonev that after the god had dealt with the Four Great Ancient Calamities, Bertutan spearheaded the plan to betray him. As a key figure in that plot, Bertutan had never truly revealed his trump card to anyone.

’This trump card is so special that even an artifact on the level of the Eye of Destiny can only perceive its outline?’

Shi Ming grew even more vigilant. The Eye of Destiny was not the Eye of the Divine, and guiding destiny was not omnipotent. In a battle of this caliber, the key to victory was adapting to the ever-changing situation on the battlefield.

...

[Timeline Branch 3: The Trap of Ignorance]

[In a flash of inspiration during the battle, you used the "Knowledge Trap," which had two uses remaining. You felt this treasure was the most fitting weapon against a sage like Bertutan.]

[It was indeed quite effective.]

[Unfortunately, while inside the trap of ignorance, the sage had an epiphany, comprehending another level of the Light of Enlightenment’s power. This truly backfired.]

[Probability: 19.77%]

...

...

...

[Timeline Branch 7: Civilization Ascension]

[Bertutan never repays a kindness, but always collects on a debt!]

[Cornered, Bertutan "sacrificed" the nearest few Star Sea Civilizations. These civilizations, which had once benefited from his tutelage, would now repay his "enlightenment" by becoming fuel for his "ascension" at the critical moment.]

[Probability: 10.21%]

’Damn, I’ve scouted out another one of his trump cards!’

The Eye of Intelligence, when actively used, could reveal an opponent’s skills and treasures. Guiding destiny, on the other hand, could detect potential trump cards or game-changing strategies from countless future timelines. This allowed him to take preventative measures. Shi Ming could use this foresight to close off any paths the enemy might exploit to turn the tables.

「On the battlefield.」

"Candela, you might not be aware, but some... unpleasantness did occur earlier."

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit tense, Creator Uncle Herakrode took the initiative. He brought up the details of how Shi Ming had impersonated Candela, backstabbed an ally, and rescued Amonev. He added that their opponent’s abilities were bizarre, so a little caution was perfectly normal. Even a New God shouldn’t let their guard down against such inferior creatures, because they were simply too vile.

Until they could prove their identity, no one could be trusted.

"Hmm?"

"Are you suggesting there’s a second Time Giant in the entire Endless Star Sea? That Shi Ming is nothing. How dare you compare him to me? Imitating the great Time Giant? What a preposterous notion."

When you’re truly vicious, you don’t even spare yourself from the insults.

By refusing to prove his identity and stalling for time, Shi Ming had to accept a minor disadvantage.

"Hah. Skills can be imitated. So can races. As far as I know, Numbered Nirvana Skill #31, ’Mirror,’ can replicate a target’s appearance, abilities, and even personality. At a time like this, we must be on guard. Candela, you need only do as we have and manifest your Gold and Silver Island. Then, Bertutan and I will personally apologize to you."

"Fine. Since you insist, I don’t mind allowing my Divine Country to reappear upon this withered, ancient land."

From within the Time Giant’s bicolored eyes, lines of pale gold and quicksilver extended downward, running past his neck and straight to his heart.

This was the way to activate the Gold and Silver Island.

But this was as far as the act could go.

The space linked to his heart contained no island, only fine, shattered sand. By this point, Bertutan and Herakrode were beginning to trust him more, but it couldn’t be helped. In a few seconds, his ruse would be completely exposed.

’Now!’

Strike first, gain the upper hand.

The power of "Time" surged, and in that instant, time froze. Only Shi Ming and Amonev were exempt.

Simultaneously, the power of "Zero" nullified the power of "Space"—a move meant to counter Bertutan’s "Void." Amonev, who had been concealed, instantly appeared above Herakrode’s head. From her superior position, she plunged a tempered star-blade in her hand downward, channeling all the power the pseudo-goddess could muster straight into Herakrode’s skull.

His skull was the entrance to his Divine Country, the Dream Core Kingdom. It was also the very core of Herakrode’s being.

The Time Giant gripped the massive Sword in the Stone in his right hand and swung it at his other opponent, Bertutan, finally selecting the destined timeline.

[Timeline Branch 32: Belated Judgment]

[In the heat of battle, you avoided most of the traps set by the Light of Enlightenment, allowing a judgment 120,000 years overdue to finally descend. The nascent will of the Cosmic Country participated in this judgment. It was an arduous victory, but fortunately, you achieved the best possible outcome.]

[Probability: 5.19%]

’This is the one!’

"Just as I thought!"

"You’re a fake!"

Bertutan wasn’t the least bit flustered.

The time stop only covered a quarter of the Divine Satellite at most. Beyond its reach, countless layers of tombstones and milestones lit up in the same instant, illuminating the Divine Satellite with tens of millions of lights. These were the flames of civilization. With unstoppable momentum, they even caused the monuments trapped within the time-stopped space to light up as well.

Bertutan’s personal time was thus forcibly pushed forward, unstoppable.

"The tree that rises above the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

"Whenever the gods speak of the most powerful New God, they always hold Candela in the highest esteem. Heh. I, who slew the Dragon of the Void—another one-of-a-kind creature—am not necessarily weaker than Candela. For hundreds of thousands of years, I was content to live in his shadow simply because I didn’t want to attract too much attention."

"Today, I will finally let loose!"

Dragon scales sprouted from the old man’s withered skin. His frail body, which looked as if a gust of wind could topple it, instantly grew tall and became covered in dense, solid muscle. The sight was completely incongruous, yet it radiated with explosive power.

"Perfect!"

Because Shi Ming had immediately disabled his "Void" ability, Bertutan used his second Nirvana Skill: Perfect.

This was another extremely high-level Nirvana Skill. It allowed all of Bertutan’s stats and external conditions to reach a state of objective perfection. His wisdom and power would be flawlessly expressed, his timing would be impeccable, and his every action would be like that of the most precise instrument. He transcended the limits of a biological being, achieving an almost godlike level of harmony!