804 Day of the Wager

In the South Pavilion 3609 Dominion, there were two large cities in Xu Jingming’s territory. One was Myriad Star City, and the other was Stars City.

Myriad Star City, a bustling metropolis that lured foreign entities from higher dimensions, boasted a population of tens of billions. Its denizens consisted mainly of Eternals and numerous half-step third-realm powerhouses. Though immense, it paled in comparison to Feather Fire City, which loomed twice its size.

Stars City, on the other hand, was meticulously crafted by Xu Jingming as a sanctuary for high-dimensional human lifeforms. Occupied mostly by Firstborn realm inhabitants, this city housed fewer high-dimensional Eternals. A strict decree prohibited violence within its borders.

It’s been an Abyssal Era. Xu Jingming surveyed the lively streets of Stars City. His presence hidden from human sight, he strolled through the city, observing every detail.

When I elevated billions of human elites to the realm of Firstborn, I bestowed upon them legacies, resources, and numerous cultivation venues, Xu Jingming ruminated. They were able to engage in sparring and test their insights… Yet, in the end, only around 5% managed to attain the Eternal realm. Such a ratio falls disappointingly short.

Ordinarily, 10% of those who ascended from low-dimensional lifeforms to higher dimensions could reach the Eternal realm. Such achievements often occurred without the aid of abundant resources or legacies.

Those who possess the talent to ascend unaided to higher dimensions are truly exceptional, Xu Jingming pondered. With proper guidance, most of them can achieve the Eternal realm. Although they are the elites throughout human history, their inherent talent remains somewhat lacking…

Having 5% reach the Eternal realm was already thanks to the abundant resources and legacies.

In this Abyssal Era, only nine humans have managed to reach the half-step third realm, Xu Jingming mused.

Among the hundreds of millions of Eternals within the human race, only nine had accomplished such a feat with the assistance of a third-realm being.

The dean, Tower Master, and Island Lord had all broken through. However, Redmond and Meng Tian lingered merely at the pinnacle of the Eternal realm. They failed to surmount the barrier into the half-step third realm.

As for the remaining six individuals who had attained this remarkable level, they were celebrated figures in human history. Hindered by a lack of resources and favorable circumstances in the past, they now possessed the opportunity to fully unleash their latent potential.

Hundreds of millions of Eternals and nine half-step third-realm powerhouses—this signifies the apex of the human race’s potential. Xu Jingming had given his utmost dedication, preparing for the impending wager battle.

He strived to lay a strong foundation for the human race. Should he succumb to defeat and perish, the future of humanity would rely solely on their own abilities.

Although Feather Fire Lord and his allies shared a favorable relationship with Xu Jingming, it would be commendable if they could even secure the survival of the human race. The prosperity of humanity was of less concern to the third-realm powerhouses.

Whoosh.

Xu Jingming took a step, transporting himself to his old residence.

His family had gathered there long ago, their intuition guiding them to this conclusion: this year marked the final year of the Abyssal Era.

In a corner of the courtyard, Xu Lixing sat upon a rock, patiently awaiting her father’s arrival. A surge of delight surged through her as she sensed his presence and looked up. “Dad.”

“Lixing.” Xu Jingming beamed at his daughter.

Moving beside her father, Xu Lixing clutched his hand tightly, reluctant to let go.

A smile graced Xu Jingming’s lips as he gazed upon his daughter.

After years of being father and daughter, their bond had grown deeply ingrained.

“Your mastery of the Heart Sword Technique is truly remarkable, as evidenced by your mental fortitude,” Xu Jingming remarked with pride.

“I owe it all to your guidance, Father,” Xu Lixing replied earnestly.

The Abyssal Era was a long billion years. During Xu Jingming’s cultivation process, he would often emerge from seclusion to stroll around and provide guidance to his family’s path of cultivation. Among his kin, only his daughter, Xu Lixing, had inherited the lineage of psychic weapons.

Ever since her childhood, Xu Lixing had displayed a fondness for swordsmanship. Even as a high-dimensional being, she continued to immerse herself in honing her swordplay. Under the tutelage of Xu Jingming, a third-realm powerhouse of the psychic weapon lineage, she had successfully attained a basic mastery of the psychic weapon legacy.

“Jingming, you’ve returned!” Mr. and Mrs. Xu emerged from their dwelling.

Xu Jingming’s gaze settled upon his parents.

Although he possessed the means to grant his family Eternal bodies through external means, Xu Jingming believed in the value of their personal growth. He guided them to cultivate step by step, ensuring that their minds and skills were sharpened. With the assistance of his third-realm prowess, his family had also achieved the Eternal realm.

Mrs. Xu embarked upon the path of painting, immersing herself in the study of Lord Louye’s legacy.

Mr. Xu, on the other hand, pursued the path of physical combat, driven by his passion for such engagements. He pursued his favored path with unwavering dedication, aided by various forms of assistance. Coupled with his innate high-dimensional physique, he had successfully reached the Eternal realm.

Whether it’s Lixing, Dad, or Mom, they all possess remarkable talent. Xu Jingming couldn’t deny this fact. Among my relatives, Miaomiao stands out as the only one at the pinnacle of the Eternal realm.

“Jingming.” His wife, Li Miaomiao, emerged alongside the rest of the family.

Miaomiao, too, clung tightly to Xu Jingming’s hand, an air of reluctance surrounding her.

“Miaomiao, you’ve surpassed all expectations, reaching the peak of the Eternal realm,” Xu Jingming exclaimed in surprise.

“I’m the least talented among us,” Li Miaomiao responded with a gentle smile. “There’s much about the path of evolution that eludes my understanding. I believe the scientific lineage suits me best. Through the lens of the scientific lineage, I can meticulously analyze various phenomena within higher-dimensional space. As I accumulate more knowledge, my comprehension of the scientific lineage deepens. Our human race’s scientific lineage is among the top three schools, and my progress is indebted to the collective efforts of countless Eternal scholars.”

Xu Jingming nodded in agreement. “Indeed, the scientific lineage stands apart from the others.”

The scientific lineage was built upon the ambition to dissect every facet of existence, making it the perfect avenue for collaborative research and problem-solving.

Billions of high-dimensional beings in the human race embraced the scientific lineage. Thanks to Xu Jingming’s provision of comprehensive legacies and an array of scientific weaponry, millions of Eternal scholars had emerged, with over 10,000 reaching the pinnacle of the Eternal realm. Among them stood Li Miaomiao.

“Grandpa, you’re back!” Xu Jingming spotted Grandpa Xu standing in the corner.

“The wager battle is looming, and I had required Connoisseur’s assistance to return,” Grandpa Xu stated. “By the way, when exactly is your wager battle?”

“Tomorrow,” Xu Jingming replied.

“Tomorrow?”

Surprise swept across the faces of Li Miaomiao, Xu Lixing, Mr. and Mrs. Xu, and the rest of the family. While they were aware of the approximate timeframe, the revelation that the wager battle was taking place the following day caught them off guard.

“That’s incredibly soon,” Xu Lixing exclaimed, gazing at her father.

“An Abyssal Era spanning a billion years—it was only a matter of time before I faced this battle,” Xu Jingming explained with a smile. All he could do was devote himself fully to fight for a chance of survival in the high-stakes wager among Ultimate beings. “Let’s head inside and indulge in some delectable food. You know how much I love food.”

As one, the family entered the house, savoring their final meal before the wager battle.

…

Xu Jingming relished the exquisite dishes and wine while engaging in lively conversations with his family. His demeanor radiated a remarkable sense of ease.

He had done everything within his power! Now, all that remained was to relax and prepare for the impending battle.

“It’s about time.” Amidst the family’s shared meal and conversation, Xu Jingming suddenly felt a shift in the air and promptly stood up.

“Is it about to commence?” Li Miaomiao, Mr. and Mrs. Xu’s hearts skipped a beat. Despite their mental readiness, anxiety and concern gripped them as the moment approached.

Xu Jingming rose and left the house, his gaze fixed on the distance. A petite figure had already traversed spacetime—it was Overlord Feuilla.

Feuilla smiled at Xu Jingming.

“Brother Wu Ming.”

Figures appeared—Feather Fire Lord, Lord Louye, Overlord Watercloud, and Connoisseur. They were third-realm beings who shared a close bond with Xu Jingming within this realm.

As third-realm existences were incapable of killing each other, they displayed a level of self-indulgence when it came to their interactions. If they didn’t favor someone, they simply didn’t bother with them until their respective ends. But for those they held dear, their relationships were remarkably intimate.

“Thank you all for coming to bid me farewell,” Xu Jingming expressed his gratitude.

“I have complete faith in your victory this time, Wu Ming,” Feather Fire Lord declared. “I lost to you in our previous sparring match, so Red Jade Traveler is bound to lose to you as well.”

Over the years, Xu Jingming had engaged in occasional sparring sessions with his friends.

“Haha, indeed. I shall emerge victorious,” Xu Jingming responded with a smile. Naturally, he desired triumph, for victory equated to life while defeat spelled certain death. Xu Jingming had not yet lived long enough!

Sensing time slipping away, Xu Jingming turned his gaze toward his family.

“At the third realm, it is exceedingly difficult to completely vanquish one’s opponent,” Xu Jingming addressed his family. “However, victory and defeat can still be determined. If the disparity between Red Jade Traveler and me is substantial, the outcome will be swiftly decided. But if the margin is narrow… this battle may endure for a considerable time.”

“It is not uncommon for third-realm battles to span tens of millions of years,” Lord Louye chimed in.

Xu Jingming locked eyes with his family and continued, “If I lose, the laws of my territory will gradually dissipate. If my territory remains intact, it signifies that I am still alive and that I haven’t been defeated.”

Li Miaomiao, Xu Lixing, Mr. and Mrs. Xu nodded in unison.

“You must return,” Li Miaomiao implored, her gaze fixed on Xu Jingming.

“I shall.”

Xu Jingming smiled.

Xu Jingming also detected the attention of the other third-realm powerhouses in this spacetime, including Master of Antinight and Overlord Sea Rain—both of whom shared a strained relationship with him.

“Let’s go,” Xu Jingming said as he soared towards Feuilla.

“Let us embark,” Feuilla acknowledged, preparing to depart alongside Xu Jingming.

A sudden sensation jolted Xu Jingming, prompting him to glance back. Grandpa Xu stood in a corner of the family gathering, accompanied by Connoisseur.

Xu Jingming sensed a vague connection between them. Could it be that my grandfather has studied Connoisseur’s legacy, which results in their auras appearing intertwined?

At this moment, Xu Jingming refrained from dwelling on it and simply offered a slight nod.

Whoosh!

He and Feuilla departed from this spacetime.

Connoisseur and Grandpa Xu breathed a sigh of relief upon witnessing their departure.

Thank goodness I arrived at the final moment. If I had lingered any longer, I might have been exposed, Connoisseur ruminated. However, it won’t be much longer now. After this battle, whether I am revealed or not makes little difference.

I wonder if he will emerge victorious or suffer defeat in this battle, Connoisseur pondered. Red Jade Traveler surpasses me by far and can be deemed one of the mightiest third-realm powerhouses.

…

Boom!

Xu Jingming and Overlord Feuilla shattered the spatial barriers, propelling themselves toward the distant battlefield.

This battlefield is a unique spacetime specially crafted by the Ultimate existences for this wager, Xu Jingming contemplated. Throughout the Abyssal Era, I have devoted my attention to studying the 100 Heart Tribulation Spear Scrolls. Strictly speaking, this legacy consists of 129 volumes of Mental Tempering Spear Techniques. I have mastered all 129 and amalgamated them into one. Based on my own strengths, I have even deduced two additional volumes.

The 100 Heart Tribulation Spear Scrolls encompass a total of 131 volumes. This marks the limit of my psychic spearmanship.

In the Abyssal Era, Xu Jingming’s 100 Heart Tribulation Spear Scrolls had undergone significant improvements from its original foundation. This represented Xu Jingming’s present accomplishment.

I must rely on this formidable spearmanship to fight until the bitter end.

Xu Jingming’s gaze grew even more resolute.

“We are nearly there. Only you and Red Jade Traveler will be inside that spacetime. I hope you emerge victorious,” Feuilla remarked with a smile.

“Thank you.” With those words, Xu Jingming entered the spacetime.

This freshly forged spacetime appeared desolate, devoid of any other living beings. Xu Jingming and Red Jade Traveler arrived simultaneously, locking eyes without concealing their murderous intent.