Absolute Destiny Game

"As for his objective..." Divine Calculation Sky Demon pondered for a moment. "Based on what we currently understand and are carrying out, the core goal seems to be pushing for rapid iteration and evolution of the game’s version. He accelerates the triggering and resolution of major in-game events in various ways, seemingly to speed up the development process of the game world. The ultimate purpose, as he occasionally hints, is to maximize the chances of players ’ascending.’

"Oh?" A flash of insight crossed Xiao Jie’s eyes. "Pushing version iteration, increasing ascension players? Then what’s his ultimate goal in doing all this? It can’t just be a benevolent wish to save all beings, can it?"

Divine Calculation Sky Demon shook his head and chuckled bitterly, "This... we really don’t know. The plans of the Heavenly Venerate are far-reaching; his ultimate purpose has never been revealed to us core members. Perhaps only he himself is clear about it."

"Where is the Heavenly Venerate now?" Xiao Jie pursued further.

"We don’t know his exact whereabouts either," Divine Calculation Sky Demon replied frankly. "However, I do have some private speculations. My personal view is that he likely is no longer on the current ’Nine States World’ map we know. The world view of ’Old Soil’ is extremely vast, and the Nine States where we reside might not be the only main map, possibly just a novice area or one of the planes. The Heavenly Venerate most likely has already gone to more advanced, more core regions.

Usually, he only uses projections to communicate and give us orders."

This aligned with some of Xiao Jie’s previous speculations. Beyond the game map, there must be an even broader world.

"One last question," Xiao Jie looked at the three of them. "Your Pantheon has recruited so many experts; hasn’t anyone ever thought of becoming immortal themselves? Just willing to forever obey the Heavenly Venerate’s commands?"

"Of course, we want to!" This time it was No-class Old Cat who hurried to answer, his tone filled with both helplessness and longing. "Who wouldn’t want to become immortal! Flying through the skies and burrowing through the earth, living eternally... But our levels are too high, and the profession system has long been fixed, with the path locked. According to our analysis, to touch the Immortal Path, one must start laying out plans when levels are still low and there are many advancement choices for professions. For us over forty levels, the hope of becoming immortal is virtually cut off; we can only continue down one dark path."

"The only opportunity left is the ascension items."

Xiao Jie nodded slightly, satisfied with their cooperative attitude. "Your answers were fairly honest. Because of that, let’s wipe the slate clean on the old grudges."

The faces of the three immediately lit up with joy.

"However—" Xiao Jie’s voice turned cold again, "Back then, someone in your Pantheon disguised themselves as me, committed murder and arson in reality, and did many evil things to frame me. I can’t just let this go."

"It really wasn’t our fault!" No-class Old Cat quickly protested, almost ready to swear in all ways, "It was ’Weiyang’! She acted on her own accord! That woman’s behavior is bizarre, often defying even the Heavenly Venerate’s orders, we couldn’t control her!"

"Weiyang..." Xiao Jie remembered the name, "I don’t care if it was her acting on her own. Since she is from your Pantheon, then this matter will naturally be counted against the Pantheon."

He looked at the three calmly, delivering the final ultimatum: "Since you claim it was her acting on her own, then give me Weiyang’s head."

Upon hearing this, the three immediately fell silent, their faces showing a difficult expression. Although the Pantheon wasn’t a monolith and factional competition was fierce, making a move against their own guild’s core members was somewhat beyond their tacit bottom line.

"Immortal," One Punch Man attempted to negotiate, "that woman Weiyang is elusive and unpredictable, and very strong, we... we can’t do anything about her. How about... you step in personally? With your divine skills, finding her and... wouldn’t that be easy?"

But Xiao Jie showed no willingness to relent, his tone imperative: "Give me Weiyang’s head. Otherwise, I’ll regard this issue as a collective act by your Pantheon. In that case, I’ll have no choice but to uproot your Pantheon, dealing with each one I see. I’ll give you three days."

"But..." No-class Old Cat wanted to say something else.

"No buts," Xiao Jie interrupted him, his tone indifferent yet containing undeniable firmness, "If you refuse now, I’ll take it to mean that your claim it was Weiyang isn’t the truth, the truth being that it was a collective act by your Pantheon. I can start taking action now. Starting with you three—cleaning house."

A tangible killing intent spread out, making the three’s hair stand on end.

Even though it was a casually spoken sentence, coming from the mouth of an immortal, the three dared not gamble on whether he was joking.

"We agree! We’ll take care of it at once!" Divine Calculation Sky Demon hurriedly promised loudly.

Xiao Jie nodded in satisfaction, "Remember, you have only three days, you may go now."

Divine Calculation Sky Demon quickly set up the cloud platform under their feet, taking the three of them and flying away.

Having flown out over ten miles, the three finally breathed a sigh of relief.

No-class Old Cat was still somewhat terrified, lowering his voice, "What are we going to do, Brother Tianmo? Are we really going to target Weiyang? Although her behavior isn’t welcome, she’s still under our Pantheon’s name, she’s part of our guild. If we turn on our own, how can we socialize after the fact?"

One Punch Man sighed, "Yeah, this kind of precedent mustn’t be set. If we do this, morale will fall apart."

"Idiots!" Divine Calculation Sky Demon scolded, "Such matters aren’t for the three of us to decide without authorization! It must immediately be reported to the Heavenly Venerate!"

He looked around, confirming no one was eavesdropping, then continued in a deep voice, "Report the Immortal’s demands verbatim, let the Heavenly Venerate decide. At that point, whether internally or externally, explanations will be provided. If the Heavenly Venerate orders us to act, then it’s his will, and we’ll just be carrying out orders. By then the others in the guild will likely assist as well, since Hidden Moon Following Wind’s threat concerns us all.

If the Heavenly Venerate wants to protect Weiyang... then that’s between him and Hidden Moon Following Wind, it’s none of our business..."

————————

Watching the direction in which the three disappeared, a subtle, meaningful smile appeared at the corner of Xiao Jie’s mouth.

He could naturally guess that after Divine Calculation Sky Demon and the others returned, they would surely report this to the Heavenly Venerate. This was exactly the result he wanted. He was very curious about what kind of person this enigmatic Venerate, hidden behind the scenes and driving the winds of change, really was. What astounding purpose lay behind his painstaking efforts to accelerate the game’s progress and cultivate ascending players?

"This play is just beginning," Xiao Jie murmured to himself, his gaze once again directed toward the Howling Wind Forest Sea below. Fierce Fang Sky Slayer, now it’s your turn.