"There are records of a man-actually, a legend. During the time when the four friends, who later established the Four Supreme Sects, were still trapped in that danger zone..."
"It is said that he came from another world," Li Han explained, but was suddenly interrupted by Icaros.
"I think I've read that story in the library. Isn't it just a myth, made-up stuff?"
Li Han scoffed. "That's just the version available in the lower-level libraries you visited. The real truth is reserved for high-level cultivators. Even Su Yan and Nelly might not actually know the full story."
All three of them suddenly felt slightly embarrassed.
"Now I'm suddenly interested in being a high-level cultivator," Icaros thought.
Meanwhile, Su Yan and Nelly face-palmed, thinking to themselves, "Must he really point that out?"
Suddenly, it struck Icaros. He asked, "But Su... erm, Senior Su Yan and Senior Nelly are Spirit Realm cultivators, and you are too. So how did you gain access to information superior to theirs?"
Nelly couldn't help but curse Icaros in her heart. "Must that brat expose that?" Su Yan struggled to maintain her ice-cold expression.
Li Han suddenly struck a boasting pose. "Do you really think Young Master Deimos values ordinary Spirit Realm cultivators when he is already at the Extinction Realm? Let alone me being his right-hand man. Don't compare me to the others."
Icaros nodded, while the other two nodded with faces that said they had heard this speech many times before.
"So the next realm after the Spirit Realm is the Extinction Realm," Icaros noted mentally. "Li Han wouldn't tell me directly, but it slipped out of his mouth." However, looking at Li Han's smirk, he thought, "Or maybe not... maybe he did that on purpose."
Seeing that Li Han might take all day, Su Yan reminded him, "Talk fast. Remember that Nelly and I are still maintaining the shield and absorbing spirit qi from the crystal to stay at peak condition in case of battle. We are listening, but our energy is being consumed."
Li Han heard the complaints and said, "Okay, ladies," before getting serious.
"He is remarkable not just because he claimed to come from another world-no one knows his true origins-but because his power completely surpassed the highest cultivation level known at the time. He defeated all challengers, but eventually, he enraged people he shouldn't have. They sent a massive force, hoping to win by sheer numbers."
"However, it was discovered that this man was already seriously injured by enemies from his own world. The process of entering our world-the Jade Continent-had weakened him further."
"This gave the attackers hope of victory. But instead of fighting alone, the man released his creations: humanoid figures, some resembling animals, but all alive. He could synthetically create warriors who fought for him, each possessing different abilities powerful enough to contend with and defeat cultivators."
"He won the battle, but later succumbed to his injuries and died."
"Many years later, rumors spread that his residence had been found, and that he might have left behind an inheritance. Even if he didn't, someone that powerful must have left something valuable enough to turn trash into a dragon. But the fervor died down because no one could enter his resting place. It is located inside one of the most powerful Danger Zones in the world."
"Of course, many powerful cultivators tried, but they all failed and lost their lives. Even the four founders of the Supreme Sects, after obtaining their Divine Treasures, tried. They only managed to escape with their lives; they couldn't reach or enter the place."
"As time passed, it was forgotten. Rumors mixed with facts until it became just a myth."
"However, recently, a lone cultivator stumbled into a weaker Danger Zone and discovered clues to a map-one that can safely lead someone to the inheritance."
"He didn't acquire it, and later died, but the news leaked out."
"The Four Supreme Sects have their eyes on it, but not enough to send their strongest forces. That is why we were sent to acquire it. Our conclusion is that the forces sent by the Battle Force Sect formed a temporary alliance with the Nine Transformation Demonic Sect to eliminate us, reducing the competition."
"Normally, these sects aren't allies-in fact, all four Supreme Sects compete against each other. So this alliance is only temporary, limited to the group they sent. If it were a true alliance between the sects, we would already be dead," Li Han finished explaining. He looked at the three of them. "So, is everyone clear? No questions?" His eyes rested specifically on Icaros, who nodded rapidly, while the others affirmed.
Nelly looked at the attackers outside. "We need a course of action, a plan. We stick to it and get through this."
"And quick," Su Yan added. "Nelly and I can't keep this up much longer. Besides, that female on their ship is probably preparing something to break through this shield, and it won't take long."
Icaros nodded in agreement but didn't suggest any plan. Meanwhile, a terrifying thought struck him regarding what Li Han had explained.
Maybe that legend has some link to my creation... or could I possibly be...
He forcefully suppressed the thought, feeling he wasn't ready to confront it yet.
Li Han sighed. "I guess I will take the lead."
"We have three options. First: We ram this ship into theirs, take the fight to them, defeat them, and ensure the remaining participants are safe. But this requires enough strength to pull it off, and we are outclassed in both numbers and power."
The brows of the three furrowed in thought.
"Second: When the shield goes down and they come to us, we defeat them while ensuring the ship doesn't crash and protecting the participants. This still requires significant power."
"Third: They come to us, we fight for our lives. Win or lose, we just fight to survive. The participants won't be protected. If worse comes to worst, we abandon the ship and regroup later."
Li Han finished. "What do you guys say?"
But Icaros asked with a surprised tone, "And we leave those people to die?" He pointed to the participants huddled in the corner.
Nelly's face was expressionless. "Hard times require tough choices."
Su Yan nodded as she stared at the enemies watching them like hawks.
Icaros looked at Li Han, waiting for his verdict.
However, Li Han didn't take the burden alone. "We'll decide by majority vote. Which option do you choose? Bear in mind the risks."
Su Yan took a deep breath. "Option One is too dangerous. They outnumber us. There are only two Spirit Realm cultivators among us-well, technically Icaros isn't one, though he has the power to match them. So we have a chance, but we must consider that these enemies are not ordinary. They are elites sent by two Supreme Sects."
"I am not arrogant enough to ignore the danger. The chance of failure is high, but I believe we can pull off Option Two. So I vote for that. But if we fail, we must resort to Option Three. It isn't cruelty; it's necessity," she said, looking directly at Icaros.
Li Han nodded. "Anyone else?"
Nelly's face remained blank. "I feel we should go with the last option. We are outnumbered, and we aren't even sure how much help he will be." She glanced at Icaros, who ignored her. "But... we can give Option Two a shot."
Li Han nodded, with a hint of warning in his eyes, then turned to Icaros. "What about you? What should we do?"
Icaros took a deep breath, his thoughts swirling. "What about you, Li Han?"
Li Han laughed. "I'm going with the second one. We will teach these bastards not to mess with us. It's not my first time slaying Spirit Realm cultivators. What do you think?"
Icaros nodded and looked at the enemy ship still firing at their shield.
"We..."
