Facing this scene, it would be a lie to say Xia Li wasn't nervous at all.

  But he hadn't lost his composure either. Zhao Yunji was, after all, a True Transmission disciple of a Cave Heaven blessed land—it was perfectly normal for someone so young to possess such strength.

  Not to mention Zhao Yunji was ranked among the top True Transmission disciples.

  "May I ask why Senior Brother Zhao summoned me here?"

  After sitting down, Xia Li picked up his wine cup and took a small sip.

  "It's nothing major. With some people, one needs to proceed gradually. But with another type of person, I believe being straightforward is necessary."

  "Xia Li, I won't waste words. You have two choices right now: join Heaven Alliance, or... end up on Heaven Alliance's elimination list."

  Zhao Yunji was indeed straightforward enough—he nearly made Xia Li, who was mid-drink, choke.

  This direct?

  "I recall Lingxu Cave Heaven..."

  "Lingxu Cave Heaven has never been enemies with Heaven Alliance. That little mess with Xuan Dan Sect isn't enough to make Lingxu Cave Heaven tear things apart with Heaven Alliance."

  "I see..."

  Xia Li lowered his gaze. It seemed that having Heaven Alliance members within the sect had already been tacitly approved by Lingxu Cave Heaven—as long as they didn't violate the sect's rules.

  No...

  Wait!

  Xia Li quickly realized this tacit approval might be the result of two factions struggling. Perhaps Lingxu Cave Heaven was internally embroiled in open and covert battles between conservatives and progressives, given Heaven Alliance's growing power.

  Watching Heaven Alliance grow increasingly dominant, faintly possessing the ability to control the future, some old fogeys within Lingxu Cave Heaven had also grown anxious.

  "So what's your answer?"

  "Sure, I'll join."

  Xia Li nodded with a smile. Actually, joining Heaven Alliance was fine—he could just slack off as a freeloader and focus on cultivation.

  "Then it's time to show your sincerity. Capture and control Lin Ge, then bring her to me!"

  "I suspect Senior Brother Zhao isn't merely using Heaven Alliance's authority because of lust, right?"

  "That's not something you need to know."

  Zhao Yunji didn't want to explain to Xia Li—he just wanted to hear Xia Li agree.

  "Junior Brother Xia, think it over carefully. This conversation might be the turning point that determines your future life or death. That foolish cousin of mine is bound to die sooner or later—you'd better keep your distance from him."

  "And then there's your matter with Xuan Dan Sect... Handle this well, and Xuan Dan Sect will never trouble you again."

  Lin Yu also began persuading from the side, basically finding various ways to make Xia Li know what was good for him.

  "You want me to sell out my own woman—at least tell me what you're planning to do?"

  Xia Li suddenly declared Lin Ge was his woman. He said this to observe Zhao Yunji, and Zhao Yunji showed no obvious anger upon hearing it.

  This proved Zhao Yunji's purpose in wanting Lin Ge had nothing to do with lust—it was entirely for other reasons!

  "I'll repeat myself once more—that's not something you need to know!"

  "It's because of her bloodline, isn't it?"

  Xia Li stopped being cryptic. Back when Heaven Alliance had pursued Ning Ge, they'd suffered heavy losses—several Soul Transformation cultivators had fallen, killed by a mere Golden Core cultivator.

  This naturally caused Heaven Alliance to become extremely interested in Ning Ge, craving to discover the secret to her strength.

  After all, Ning Ge was a "Mech-Corpse"—a biological weapon the Corporate Union was extremely proud of.

  "So what if it is? If you agree, at least I can guarantee only you get to touch her body. But the children belong to Heaven Alliance."

  "If you don't agree... then the people touching her body might be rather numerous."

  A ruthless smile emerged in Zhao Yunji's eyes.

  "How about a compromise—I extract her blood essence for you to study?"

  "No deal. Heaven Alliance wants her specifically."

  "Fine. I understand."

  Xia Li nodded. At this moment, he somehow felt a strange admiration for Zhao Yunji. If he'd thought Zhao Yunji was simply lustful and let his guard down, that would have been bad.

  Now that he knew the other party's true purpose, it was easier to guard against.

  "I just have one more question—aren't you afraid I'll tell the Third Elder?"

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Go ahead and tell. That old thing won't be able to hop around much longer anyway. Lingxu Cave Heaven will sooner or later voluntarily offer up Lin Ge."

  "She can't leave Lingxu Cave Heaven, and staying means being trapped to death. We're just accelerating this process and reducing some unnecessary sacrifices."

  "So, Junior Brother Xia... are you going to oppose the tide of destiny and make yourself an enemy of Heaven!"

  Zhao Yunji boldly declared that Heaven Alliance was the future "Heaven" of the human race. Submit to Heaven Alliance now, and there would still be a place to shelter in the future.

  Otherwise...

  This heaven would have no room for Xia Li!

  "Setting aside whether Heaven Alliance can actually represent the Heavenly Dao—aren't you the greatest rebels acting against Heaven right now? 'Great rebellion against the Dao' describes people exactly like you."

  "So what! Heaven is unjust—we seek our own justice. Why should our time-honored bloodline lineages and Dao traditions be steamrolled by so-called prodigies?"

  "If you didn't start trouble, why would prodigies come after you?"

  "Not start trouble? In this world, not fighting is no different from death! It's always been this way, and always will be!"

  Zhao Yunji's stance was extremely firm, also revealing why Heaven Alliance wanted to suppress prodigies and prevent the coming Great Era.

  They felt the Heavenly Dao was unfair to them.

  But could they realize that the Heavenly Dao had already been quite fair? The reason they could rise to their current heights—hadn't their ancestors also received Heaven's blessings?

  It was just that they'd grown old and should pass on the torch, but stubbornly refused to abdicate.

  "Your ancestors were once prodigies of their era too. But I can understand your thinking—it's human nature."

  Wanting more when you already have, wanting everything, mine, mine, all mine!

  "If you truly understand, then good. We are the ones creating peace for the human race. Since ancient times, Great Eras have brought endless warfare and oceans of blood—Heaven's Dao incites internal strife to prevent humanity from growing too powerful."

  "If Heaven Alliance can establish order, there will be no more internal warfare among the human race. Everything will develop according to proper order, and humanity can advance further!"

  Speaking to this point, Zhao Yunji had elevated Heaven Alliance's actions to the level of great righteousness—unifying all under heaven.

  "Interesting. Then do you know the process of life's growth? Old blood withers and becomes nourishment for new blood—constantly repeating this process is growth."

  "Yet there's a terminal disease in mortal bodies where old blood refuses to wither, constantly seizing life force and killing new blood, ultimately dragging the person to death through failing vitality."

  "This disease is called blood tumor in the mundane world. In my homeland, it's called cancer."

  "Your Heaven Alliance is cancer—a blood tumor of the human race."

  After saying this, Xia Li picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp. With just this much ability and they wanted to debate righteousness with him? Back when he was still healthy, he was someone who enjoyed arguing politics online.

  This was Xia Li showing mercy in a face-to-face situation.

  If they were communicating through transmission jade slips, Xia Li would let Zhao Yunji know that daring to debate righteousness with him—was his whole family running a wholesale operation or what?

  "Good, good, good, good!"

  Zhao Yunji laughed in extreme anger, actually applauding Xia Li. Of course Zhao Yunji wasn't stupid either—Heaven Alliance's righteousness might fool others, but he wouldn't fool himself with it.

  Xia Li wasn't wrong.

  Heaven Alliance was indeed a blood tumor. But never had anyone pointed this out so incisively.

  "Farewell."

  Xia Li set down his wine cup and cupped his fists in farewell. Zhao Yunji and Lin Yu exchanged glances. Lin Yu's brow arched, eyes faintly revealing killing intent, but Zhao Yunji's gaze remained quite calm.

  "No need to see you off. Let me ask you one last thing—we're a blood tumor, cancer in your words, so what? Since it's a terminal disease, why not accept fate?"

  "When I was still mortal, I was unfortunate enough to have suffered from this disease. I didn't bow my head... which is why I stand here today."

  With that, Xia Li left without looking back.