Refining the Mountains and Rivers

The Annihilation Black Snake was dying. 

These simple words were very apt in describing the situation that it was in right now. 

Struggling desperately in vain, it cried and roared in anger, but this could not change its situation. 

Above the boiling Black Sea, Qin Yu’s expression was calm as the light armor around his body glowed brilliantly. 

“The Annihilation Black Snake will die, but you will die too.” Stone Pagoda uttered in a serious tone. 

Stone Pagoda could not help but feel his heart turning heavy from Final’s decisiveness. 

“I know.” Qin Yu sighed deeply but a smile slowly stretched across his face, “Then, I will choose to make a bet again!” 

Stone Pagoda went silent. 

Qin Yu had put a deeper meaning in his simple words. 

Make a bet… 

Firstly, he was betting on Origin’s strength. That even if Final made this sneak attack, she would protect him. 

Secondly, he was betting on Stone Pagoda’s defense. In this dangerous and volatile situation, he was counting on Stone Pagoda to guarantee his safety. 

“I will try my best.” 

Stone Pagoda gave his answer. 

Qin Yu replied, “Thank you.” There was a glimmer of determination in his eyes. 

In fact, he was feeling troubled in his heart. For instance, why would Stone Pagoda want him to survive? Was there some form of agreement between Origin and Stone Pagoda or was there another hidden reason? 

Qin Yu really wanted answers, but he chose to remain silent because it was not a good time for questions now. 

There was something more important to do now: to kill Final! 

Since he had made his move, Origin would not let the opportunity slip by. 

The destructive force from inside and outside had thrown the Annihilation Black Snake into turmoil and it slumped to the ground helplessly. Its massive body broke and split apart, releasing bellows of thick black smoke that rushed towards Final and entered his body. 

Final’s aura started to surge. 

Without hesitation, he raised his hand and grabbed forward forcefully. This move was not directed towards Qin Yu – he was trying to suppress the Ruler and Rourou. 

He did not have to confront Qin Yu now anyway. The shockwaves from the grand battle between him and Origin were enough to throw Qin Yu off. 

Therefore, he only needed to suppress Origin. Before they completed their merging, it was not difficult. Furthermore, Final was now in an optimal state, a peak that he had never reached before. 

In fact, leaving the Annihilation Black Snake till now before killing it was also a hidden card that Final had prepared. 

This card was not deadly, but at an opportune time, it would be able to help Final gain an advantage. 

Bam – 

The light rays released from the light armor around Qin Yu were starting to break and crumble apart now. It was the destructive forces from the battle between Origin and Final that were breaking it down. 

This was also the reason why Final was sure that Qin Yu would die – these forces were the combination of his and Origin’s powers. 

It would be difficult for him alone to destroy the defense from Light Pagoda. However, when Origin’s power was fused with his, it would be an easy task to bring down Light Pagoda. 

Origin wanted to protect Qin Yu and let him live, but she would only be able to watch blankly as he was killed – by her own hands at that! 

Origin did not have a choice either. 

If she held back she would die, but if she didn’t, Qin Yu would die! 

This was not an easy choice to make and Final was hugely anticipating her decision. 

At this point, Qin Yu was like a vulnerable egg that was being squashed between two massive mountains. He could sense the overwhelming pressure from the shockwaves outside but he remained calm. 

His first bet seemed to have failed, but of course, this was only temporary. 

Qin Yu believed that the Ruler and Rourou had not made their move yet, but this did not mean that they would remain silent. 

They were probably waiting for an opportunity. 

Thankfully, Stone Pagoda’s defense lived up to its name. Against the terrifying shockwaves from Final and Origin, it encapsulated Qin Yu comfortably within. 

It was a pity that this protection would not be able to last long. 

Crack –

Crack –

Thin cracking sounds continuously echoed through the air. Although Stone Pagoda remained silent, Qin Yu knew that it was currently ‘cracking’. 

“How much longer do I have?” 

Stone Pagoda thought for a while and hesitantly answered, “About 120 to 140 breaths of time.” 

Qin Yu’s eyebrows were raised. That was a very precise answer and it was not a small number either. 

However, upon thinking about it carefully…time was very tight! 

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He raised his hand and rubbed his forehead, muttering to himself, “I have to think of an idea. I can’t just continue waiting like this.” 

Stone Pagoda said, “Qin Yu, your best option is to wait silently and not do anything.” It had given its suggestion. Perhaps because of the current circumstances that Qin Yu was in, its tone was very solemn. 

Yet, it was also very firm and stern. 

In Stone Pagoda’s opinion, the absolute difference in strength would render any attempt by Qin Yu to break through useless. 

The battle between Origin and Final was devastating and even Stone Pagoda had to lower its head and endure the shockwaves. 

Qin Yu was very strong – much stronger than Stone Pagoda expected – but he was a far cry away from interfering in this battle. Putting it more directly, if he overestimated his strength and interfered, he would die faster. 

“I understand your concern and I do not want to be a fool who seeks his own death.” Qin Yu spat out, “But I feel that I have to do something in this battle. This is also the reason why I came here.” 

Stone Pagoda was silent momentarily. It must have thought of something and its stance immediately changed, “What are you going to do?” 

Qin Yu answered, “In truth, I do not know what to do now but if I have to give you an answer, we will have to continue waiting.” 

He didn’t know what to do and he didn’t know what he was waiting for. 

This was a very slipshod answer, especially since he was going to meet his death soon. However, Qin Yu had a gut feeling that was becoming stronger as time passed – something was going to happen! 

The heart of the battle was Origin and Final’s territory, and no one dared to interfere here. 

The Ruler sighed lightly, “Qin Yu is here.” 

Rourou answered expressionlessly, “I know.” 

“This lad is truly bold; he really does not know how ‘death’ is spelled.” The Ruler’s voice was calm, “The Light Pagoda’s defense is very strong but it will not be able to endure much longer.” 

If it could endure it, it could only break. The moment the Light Pagoda broke, Qin Yu would die. 

Rourou looked up and she stared directly at the Ruler, “What are you trying to say?” 

The Ruler smiled, “I am saying that our time as split entities should end soon.” 

“That’s right.” Rourou nodded with a composed expression, “Then let’s end it.” 

In the next moment, she closed her eyes. 

However, after a short while, her eyes flung open suddenly and her expression stiffened. There was a conflicted and confused look in her eyes. 

“Why?” 

Rourou asked in a deep tone. 

Opposite her, the Ruler waved her hand, “You are me and I am you – there is no difference between us. Compared to me, you have been far more wronged and you have not had a chance to see this entire world.

“Furthermore, I have existed for such a long time, so long so that I am annoyed by it. So I will leave things to you in the future. I am always tired and lethargic, but this time, I can finally rest well.” 

The Ruler smiled, “Rourou, goodbye. Please say goodbye to Qin Yu for me. That’s all, I am leaving.” 

Buzz –

Then, like an illusion, she shook slightly and disappeared forever. 

“No!” 

Final roared in rage. He was filled with shock, “You are mad. Why did you choose to give up voluntarily, why?” 

No matter how much he thought about this, he could not understand.

In order to live, to continue living for a long long time, Final started his planning. He had always been thinking about how to kill Origin and Qin Yu. 

But what was he witnessing now? 

The Ruler had voluntarily sacrificed herself. Simply put, she had chosen to take her own life. 

That’s right, in Final’s opinion, it was suicide! The moment she disappeared, she was gone forever. Her consciousness would fall asleep and it would never awaken again. 

This was no different from killing herself. Final was in disbelief that the Ruler would do this. 

Kaboom –

Like a heavy stone falling into water, terrifying shockwaves swept out in all directions. 

Rourou stood at the heart of the disturbance and a powerful oppressive force was released from her. This was Origin in her true complete form. She was at her peak performance. 

Around her, the suppressive forces from Final were started to break piece by piece until his forces disappeared. 

Stone Pagoda grunted, “Careful, I can withstand for another thirty breaths of time at most!” 

Qin Yu did not need its reminder; he could see the explosive force generated from the outside world surging. However, he kept composed and his eyes brightened. A glint twinkled in his eyes. 

“Don’t worry, I don’t need thirty breaths of time…the opportunity is here.” The next moment, all the pressure that Stone Pagoda was enduring disappeared. 

Woosh –

The space before him vibrated and his vision cleared. Rourou appeared in front of him. 

It was only her.

Qin Yu sighed deeply and said, “Congratulations!” 

She definitely deserved congratulations since she was the final victor and became the main consciousness of Origin. 

However, he could not help feeling conflicted internally. 

Rourou shook her head, “There is nothing worth congratulating me about – she chose to give up. Otherwise, I would definitely be the one gone.” Rourou knew this clearly from the start and she had always remained composed because she had not wanted to fall into a spiral of self-pity and waste her precious time. 

Although Rourou knew she would fail, if she chose to resist, it would have been a bitter fight and Qin Yu…did not have that match time. 

Therefore, Rourou had chosen to give up too. 

But she never expected that she would be one step slower…did the Ruler also choose to give up because she did not want Qin Yu to be in danger? 

She sucked in a deep breath of air and looked at Qin Yu, “Before she left, she wanted to say goodbye to you.” 

Qin Yu’s face contorted in pain and his heart shriveled up. He frowned and disbelief circled in his eyes. He was not dumb and he knew that he was the most probable reason for why she chose to do what she did. 

Rourou said, “You don’t have to second guess yourself: it is as you think. Therefore, you must always remember her.

“However, commemorating and remembering her is something for the future. It all depends on whether you can survive and live past today. 

“Now, let’s kill Final!”