Journey to the West: I have Nine Golden Crows Inside Me-Chapter 1362 - 922 Xuandu: I’m here to make an end of it_2

"The Human King flatters me too much; I am far from his equal. My accomplishments today are entirely the result of the fate bestowed upon the Human Race. Without the augmentation of the Human Race’s fate, with my talent, whether or not I could have achieved the realm of the Innate Dao Sovereign today would be up for debate."

Master Xuan Du gave a wry smile and shook his head. He knew his own capabilities all too well—apart from having a greater resolve, he had no other strengths to speak of.

Had his talents been even slightly better, those Great Divine Transcendents would have taken him as a disciple when he paid his respects to the mountains and rivers, rather than making him continue his quest all the way to Shouyang Mountain.

It was his risking of being expelled from his sect to protect his kin, bringing his scattered tribespeople one by one to Shouyang Mountain to avoid the Demon Clan’s pursuit, that led to Master Xuan Du’s brilliant achievements today.

Later generations, grateful for his kindness, revered him as the leader of the Immortal Dao of the Human Race and as the Ancestral Master. At first, there were no signs of anything unusual, but then, as the Immortal Dao flourished among the Human Race, the fate converging upon Master Xuan Du grew ever stronger.

Naturally, his cultivation began to advance by leaps and bounds. First, he became a Great Luo Golden Immortal, then an Innate Dao Sovereign, followed by a Quasi-Saint, until now, he had become a Quasi-Saint of the Great Perfection level, on par with the likes of the Buddha.

Indeed, Master Xuan Du was the first to become a Great Luo Golden Immortal and then verify himself as an Innate Dao Sovereign.

It can be said that Master Xuan Du’s success today was entirely shaped by the Human Race’s fate.

"Master, you’re being too modest. As the saying goes, ’do good deeds, reap good rewards.’ All that you have attained now, you well deserve. Had you not protected our tribespeople back in the day, ensuring our race’s survival, how could the Human Race be where it is today?"

Jiang Chen spoke up.

There’s an appointed time for everything. When Master Xuan Du protected the Human Race back then, it was purely out of ethnic loyalty—he never imagined that countless years later, he would ascend to the level of a Quasi-Saint of Great Perfection because of it.

This is the very essence of goodness bringing its own reward!

"Human King, you must already be aware of the reason behind my visit today," Master Xuan Du remarked after exchanging pleasantries with Jiang Chen.

"Master’s visit must be due to the matter regarding Nanhua. The Nanhua Immortal is Master’s incarnation, one of the Hundred Schools scholars, a Sub-Saint of the Taoist school, and his cultivation has even reached the Quasi-Saint realm, placing him among the high ranks of the world."

"Now, he has mixed himself with the likes of Huang Jiao, seeking to disrupt the foundation of our Human Race, which is a taboo for us. My original intention was to execute him, but considering that he is your incarnation, I have restrained myself and waited for Master to come forth to inquire into the matter."

"Master has withdrawn from the world for quite a few Quantitative Calamities; why choose to personally intervene in present issues?"

Since they were discussing serious matters, Jiang Chen needed to clarify Master Xuan Du’s position—whether he stood with the Human Race or with the Mystic Sect.

Jiang Chen found Master Xuan Du’s thoughts somewhat perplexing. In a situation like this, Master Xuan Du could have chosen to remain neutral, supporting neither side.

And no one would blame him for that. After all, everyone understood his plight: on one hand, there was the race that nurtured him; on the other, the sect that cultivated him. It was indeed a tough choice to make.

Remaining neutral seemed the best option. Likewise, anyone trying to morally coerce Master Xuan Du to take a side during the war would be the one in the wrong.

"Human King, you needn’t be puzzled. Today, I am here to make my stance clear."

"From now on, Zhuang Zhou is Zhuang Zhou, Nanhua is Nanhua; they are two individuals, belonging to two different camps."

"Zhuang Zhou is of the Human Race and will fight for the Human Race. Nanhua is an Immortal Person and will fight for the Mystic Sect. The two will duel to death and life in this battle between the Human Race and the Mystic Sect."

"And the one who survives will inherit the name of Master Xuan Du, to walk among Heaven and Earth."

Master Xuan Du smiled as he conveyed his attitude to Jiang Chen: Zhuang Zhou is Zhuang Zhou, and Nanhua is Nanhua.

At first, Jiang Chen did not grasp his meaning, but soon after, he understood Master Xuan Du’s intention and couldn’t help but sigh, "Master, why must things come to this?"

"I am tired!"

"Ever since relations between the Human Race and Mystic Sect gradually soured during Ancient Times, my heart has been torn, unsure whether to aid the Human Race or the Mystic Sect."

"To assist the Mystic Sect would mean betraying the Human Race. To aid the Human Race would mean betraying my sect. If I were to support neither, would the efforts and sacrifices made by my sect and kin for my cultivation not be in vain?"

"Ultimately, assisting or not, both options are incorrect. These choices are like two massive hammers incessantly pounding on me, causing my heart to be ceaselessly tormented."

"As of today, I have grown weary, too tired," the Mystic Sect Grandmaster sighed, "Taking this opportunity, it is time to make a break."

As he spoke these words, one could clearly see his face expressing relief and liberation.

It was evident that the years of hostility between the Mystic Sect and the Human Race had tormented his heart, leaving him with no moment of peace.

Perhaps, the Grandmaster’s inability to reach the realm of Great Divine Transcendents was related to this.

With his heart in constant struggle, without a moment of tranquility, how could his mind be fulfilled? How could he step into the realm of Great Divine Transcendents?

"Alas, the Grandmaster speaks the truth. It is indeed time to make a break."

Jiang Chen sighed deeply. Given the circumstances, he could not persuade the Mystic Sect Grandmaster any further.

The intent of the Mystic Sect Grandmaster was simple: he split himself in two, transforming into Zhuang Zhou and Nanhua Immortal. Zhuang Zhou represented the Human Race, whereas Nanhua Immortal symbolized the Mystic Sect.

Each employing their strategies, they would battle on the stage of Heaven and Earth, and only the victor could continue to exist in this world under the name of the Mystic Sect.

If Zhuang Zhou, representing the Human Race, won, then the Grandmaster would be a master of the Human Race, severing ties with the Mystic Sect. Conversely, should Nanhua Immortal of the Mystic Sect prevail, then the Mystic Sect would be his true legacy, disconnecting from the Human Race.

A Break!

This was the method of resolution chosen by the Mystic Sect Grandmaster!

Having two identities, he became two individuals, letting them engage in combat. Whoever won would exist under that identity.

"Human King, whether I can achieve the final victory depends on your actions. Now, I shall take my leave first, to restrain Nanhua Immortal for you."

Smiling, the Mystic Sect Grandmaster, no, Zhuang Zhou, bade farewell to Jiang Chen and departed.

"Alas, in these times of trouble!"

As Zhuang Zhou departed, Jiang Chen could only feel a headache coming on.

Though it was said to be a duel between two, they were but two halves of one, each thoroughly aware of the other’s depths. Their psyche and tactics were identical. Even if they fought for a million years, they could not determine a victor through life and death.

In the end, the determination of their fate would still depend on the power play of the forces behind them. To decide their life and death, they could not do without leveraging the factions of the Mystic Sect and the Human Race.

Since their powers were the same, yet the strengths of the Mystic Sect and the Human Race were different. With the combination of the two, there naturally arose disparities and with it, the possibility of deciding victory or defeat.

The last words of Zhuang Zhou intended precisely this. His ultimate victory did not rely on himself, but on Jiang Chen.

"Carrying the expectations of others is not a pleasant sensation."

What Jiang Chen hated the most was bearing the expectations of others, for it represented a burden, bringing considerable pressure upon him. Regrettably, being in such a position, he naturally bore the expectations of countless people and could not refuse them.

These expectations brought upon him unparalleled pressure; yet, it was precisely because of this that he continued to progress relentlessly.

Pressure is motivation! Sometimes, without pushing oneself, one would never know the extent of one’s potential.

"Sigh, with this development, Nanhua can only perish by Zhuang Zhou’s hand."

Jiang Chen felt somewhat speechless. Initially, he could have easily destroyed Nanhua, but now, due to the necessity of fighting Zhuang Zhou, only Zhuang Zhou could slay Nanhua.

If he were to kill, it would not be effective. As long as the Mystic Sect did not perish, Nanhua could revive at any moment. This, invisibly, added to the difficulty, it was quite frustrating indeed.

"Hmm? This aura is so familiar, who is it?"