Chapter 949 - 367: Brilliant Grand World, Timeless Sword (Part 2)

He finished speaking, drew his sword, and slashed, causing Qing Ke to vanish, continuing forward.

But just as he took a step, Qing Ke appeared again as he had earlier, walking toward him from ahead.

"To resist fate and banish eternity is a grand ideal. Yet this ideal is a gift from fate. Every word you say here, every sword you wield against me, is also arranged by fate."

Fan Wubing’s soul suddenly felt heavy, his shoulders weighed down, and his steps slowed.

He looked ahead, then around him, everything he saw gradually becoming unfamiliar.

He closed his eyes, shook his head slightly, thinking, "Here it comes again... that same feeling... it was like this last time too."

As he resisted fate as the Seven Luminaries True Monarch, he understood that even the process of resistance was arranged by fate. It seemed as if this did not stem from his personal will but was a kind of coronation ceremony.

This was extremely cruel, even ruthless.

As long as one is part of all things, within fate, whatever one does is fate’s arrangement.

This is the so-called cage of destiny.

Fan Wubing gazed at the vortex of his destiny, trying to find a new fate on it, never before seen, but found none. The conclusion the destiny vortex showed was still his coronation as king, leading the great expanse to ultimate eternity. Everything he was doing now was just making the destiny vortex smoother and fuller.

He knew he had not yet escaped fate.

He could help Jiang Ran escape fate’s control but could not do the same for himself. Nor could anyone help him escape.

Because he was the chosen, appointed "king" by fate.

To fate, he had no choice, no right to refuse. All that was needed was to walk the destiny vortex.

Fan Wubing maintained his true self, continuing forward. Long unvisited memories from Earth now became crystal clear because of the tremors of his true self, clear enough that he could feel his birth, growth, and learning on Earth. The joy of play, the troubles of learning, the fatigue of growth...

He swung his sword again, extinguishing Qing Ke.

But Qing Ke immediately reappeared. Still without emotion, detached,

"This sword too is arranged by fate."

Fan Wubing raised his head, squinted his eyes and smiled,

"Then tell me, how many more swords does fate arrange for me to wield?"

"However many swords you wield, that many are arranged."

Fan Wubing asked with a laugh, "Doesn’t that mean I’ve created fate?"

"Indeed, fate is co-created by all things. You have created your fate."

Qing Ke revealed the essence of fate.

Fate is not an exalted being overlooking all things, but rather a constant reflection of the sum of all things. In other words, fate choosing eternity is also all things choosing eternity. This essence is the root of all cruel realities.

No matter what Fan Wubing does, no matter how much, he is creating his destiny. And the destiny he creates pushes him toward the throne.

He looked up at Everlasting Mountain. He did not know whether, upon reaching the summit, he would see the throne of ultimate eternity or the gate of freedom.

Qing Ke said,

"The heights you reach are unprecedented. Without a doubt, you are the true king. This boundless Everlasting Mountain, to others, is a precipice, an untouchable sky, but to you, it is the Li Wang Hall."

Fan Wubing chuckled lightly,

"If that’s the case, why do you still let them block me?"

Qing Ke asked, "Did I let them block you, or did you let them block you?"

Fan Wubing’s heart trembled. His calm demeanor shifted slightly. He stared at Qing Ke, but could glean no useful information from his eyes.

Qing Ke said,

"You possess a will I cannot feel or touch. This will guides your spirit of resistance, keeping you steadfast, yet blinds your eyes, preventing you from seeing your own path clearly. You think you come to resist fate, to banish eternity, but in truth, you come to be crowned king. Therefore, it’s actually you who lets them block your ascent to Everlasting Mountain. Because deep down, you know that once you reach the top, eternity becomes inevitable."

Fan Wubing looked at Qing Ke,

"According to you, if I leave here, I won’t become ultimate eternity."

Qing Ke finally smiled, asking,

"So, what is your choice?"

What Fan Wubing most could not know was what awaited him atop Everlasting Mountain.

Was it the throne, or the gate of freedom?

He knew that once he ascended Everlasting Mountain, it would completely complete his destiny vortex, an irrevocable mistake. Whether it be freedom or eternity, he must accept.

Therefore, he must understand what lies on the mountain before reaching the summit.

Fan Wubing’s eyes were calm as a forest lake,

"You’ve spoken so much merely to persuade me to give up. If there’s truly a throne atop that mountain, you should warmly welcome me."

Qing Ke shook his head,

"No, I neither welcome you nor prevent you. I only appear because you desire to see me. If you knew what lies on the mountain, I wouldn’t have appeared. Because you don’t know but want to, I come to tell you. But your problem is, you can’t discern what’s on the mountain nor discern the truth of me."

Fan Wubing’s steps unconsciously slowed down.

He said casually,

"Why don’t I just destroy this Everlasting Mountain."