"The radiance of the Holy Sword speaks for itself. To wield power that surpasses everything and subdues the world, one must pay the price of life."

"The Book of the Dead is similar. If one is content to control dozens of the Undead and live as a cemetery Nobility, they may find peace. But once you walk the path of the Pope and experience the blessing of countless Undead drawn to the flame, your soul will inevitably rise skyward, to either become a god or turn to ash."

"The Immortal Will is the same."

Ming Jiejin said, "I once thought the Immortal Will should be the most perfect Absolute Divine Weapon. After all, maintaining one's body in a pinnacle state, with eternal observation, ageless and deathless, seemed free from the unavoidable side effects of the Holy Sword's radiance or the Book of the Dead."

"Only when I learned about your situation through the emperors of past generations did I realize that the Immortal Will also leads one to a dead-end. And precisely because of your 'immortality,' your path is longer than all other bearers."

Cha Shiyin remained silent for a moment and then suddenly chuckled, "I would like to hear how a short-lived person, who won't live past fifty, perceives the joys and sorrows of an immortal."

Ming Jiejin was not fazed, "I guess you went through three phases. The first phase was when you were happiest, trying all sorts of lifestyles, traveling to the ends of the earth, seeing new wonders every day, each day filled with hope."

"Being an emperor and visiting the Western Continent were things you did during this phase. I guess this phase lasted over a thousand years, given how slow transportation was back then, and since you're also a person who values emotions—Ancestor Taiyue said you were the most normal among your brothers—you might stay in a place for years or decades for a single rescue, a glance, or out of compassion, to conclude a sentiment."

"I bet the original words from Second Brother were not saying I was normal," Cha Shiyin said lightly, "but rather I was cowardly, timid, unable to let go once I held on, unable to ask for what I can't have."

Ming Jiejin continued, "After you explored everything in this world and experienced countless joys and sorrows, you entered the second phase—worldly things could no longer pique your interest, and you tried to seek more meaning for your life."

"You studied academia, technology, trying to push the boundaries of knowledge. Every technological revolution in radiance had your influences, right?"

"You climbed peaks, dove into the deep sea, drafted maps, attempted to achieve feats beyond mortal capabilities. The 'Map of Mountains and Seas' preserved by the Yanjing Imperial Family, that came from your handiwork, right?"

"You wanted to conceive a perfect form of government, devise an undefeated Military Strategy, solve all societal phenomena. Huang Zhonggong, Noqiu, Shi Zhizhai, and the Hermit of Netherworld… those enlightened mentors behind these famed politicians and generals, they were all your avatars, right?"

At this, there was a trace of admiration in Ming Jiejin's voice, "Although not as purely happy as in the first phase, each inch of progress you made in the second phase gave you an inch of joy. Such breakthroughs in knowledge, the satisfaction of surpassing limits, surely made you leap with joy for a long time."

Seemingly drawn into memories by Ming Jiejin's words, Cha Shiyin's lips curved into a slight smile.

"——But only that much," Ming Jiejin sighed, "You soon realized that humans have limits."

"In every field, you would reach a point beyond which you could not progress further. For example, in technology, limited by materials, you could never create theoretically ultra-efficient tools; for governance, as long as there's resource scarcity, those in power will inevitably tilt resources in their favor, making even the most perfect political system rife with loopholes due to selfishness."

"No matter how hard you try, you cannot break the limitations of history. The Immortal Will lets you transcend history, but it doesn't let you break through history's barriers, unlike the Holy Sword's radiance and the Book of the Dead, which can surpass historical constraints to create accomplishments that transcend eras."

"After realizing this, you entered the third phase," Ming Jiejin said, "which is your current phase."

Cha Shiyin fell silent.

"You grew weary of physiological needs long ago; no gourmet dish or beautiful woman can evoke even a hint of desire in you; you keep emotional needs at arm's length, unable to accept again the departure of confidants, friends, lovers, and family; you can no longer derive joy from others' approval—praise from these short-lived beings who don't live a tenth of your lifespan is like childish compliments to you."

"In the end, you even lost your personal goals. All the goals you could achieve, you've pursued with all your strength; all the goals you can't achieve, you know you can never achieve."

"If each person is a book, then the vast majority are mediocre works, a few are pieces with moments of glory, while you are a complete classic of the ages."

Ming Jiejin looked at Cha Shiyin and said solemnly, "You have written everything you could write, and what you should do most is to place a perfect full stop at the end of this book."

"And this is the side effect of the Immortal Will, it's your deadlock."

"The Immortal Will does not permit you to die!"

"It's not just physically not allowing you to die; it doesn't even permit a mode of existence where 'you harbor negative thoughts'! Just as its name suggests, the Immortal Will 'won't let you lose heart'! It demands that you must——"

"——Live well," Cha Shiyin whispered.

Ming Jiejin let out a long sigh, "I could still guess a bit about your first and second phases with the thinking of a mortal. As for the third phase, that is already the realm of the Immortal Will, and I can't fathom even a bit of its mystery, only having a vague sense that it somehow limits your actions. Ancestor Shiyin, can you enlighten your descendants?"

"Do you know the 'Fate' of the Radiant ones?" Cha Shiyin suddenly asked.

"I know, it seems to be similar to the test of a Heart Demon, or the subconscious goals and dreams, and that crossing a Fate allows one to transform the Spirit…" Ming Jiejin blinked, "If I remember correctly from reading, Fate seemed to be a technology that only appeared a few hundred years ago…"

"Have you played Battle Card?" Cha Shiyin suddenly asked again.

Ming Jiejin nodded, "I have played."

"If you find that the opponents you play against never defeat you, what would you do?"

"I would seek out opponents with better card-playing skills..."

With this said, Ming Jiejin completely understood.

"On me, there are one hundred ninety-seven tribulations." Tea Shiyin said gracefully, "Every word and action of mine, every move I make, must adhere to some intangible, invisible rules, cautiously battling this world."

"If that's the case, why not entrust Immortality to me?" Ming Jiejin sincerely suggested, "That way, you can be freed, and the necessity for the Undead sect to war with Radiance is gone."

Tea Shiyin gave a half-smile, "Since you know Immortality doesn't allow me to give up, why do you still want to persuade me to hand it over?"

"I've said so much just to pique your interest." Ming Jiejin said, "You have lost all your goals, but with Immortality and the Book of the Dead, I could attain higher, glimpse that supreme realm, and even conveniently end the war between the two countries. Aren't you interested in this and willing to help me?"

"I am interested and willing to help you."

Tea Shiyin smiled, "But you were wrong about one thing — I still have a goal and am yet to give up."

"What goal?"

"Through endless tribulations, achieving eternal eternity."

Tea Shiyin raised the Holy Sword, its light pointing directly at Ming Jiejin, "Immortality tells me that if I endure ten thousand tribulations, I can attain eternal bliss."

"I think it's deceiving you, Elder."

"I think so too, but I am still Immortality."

"What a pity," Ming Jiejin revealed the Book of the Dead, "Attacking an antique over two thousand years old, when word gets out it would indeed tarnish the Pope's prestige."

"I am also regretful." Tea Shiyin said, "I haven't killed a member of the Ming family in a long time, but using the radiant Holy Sword to kill a member of the Ming family, it would be my first experience in over two thousand years."

"Such ostentation!"

Ming Jiejin laughed loudly, the Ghost Spirit's Ghostly Land suddenly descended, and billions of ghostly demons like dark clouds bore down, clawing and menacingly rushing towards Tea Shiyin: "Although I have summoned the radiant Holy Sword, it is still in a sealed state, and you can't unleash its power! Furthermore, even if the radiant Holy Sword were unsealed, you wouldn't actually—"

"Who said that the sealed radiant Holy Sword couldn't kill anyone?"

Faced with the oncoming torrent of ghostly demons, and the simultaneous assault of five death warriors flanking him, Tea Shiyin showed no fear, swinging his sword in a slashing motion, harnessing the power of the stars, the sword suppressing the demons—

Boom!

Tea Shiyin was knocked against the wall by this round of incessant strikes, sent flying, though he immediately flipped over and stood up, he couldn't hide his disheveled state.

Le Yu, who was watching the battle, was completely stunned.

He expected to see an epic battle, but this was it?

"Indeed, Immortality does not enhance your combat power!" Ming Jiejin looked fierce, "At best, you are a martial pillar at the Peak of Perfection, perhaps not even matching those true prodigies! What do you have to oppose the Book of the Dead?"

"But I am undying." Tea Shiyin said calmly, "As long as I wish, I can chip away at you with my sword strikes, but what can you do to me?"

"I can dig out your heart!"

Enveloped by billions of Ghost Spirits, Ming Jiejin charged forward as if an emperor was descending, with five death warriors trailing close behind. Tea Shiyin fought and retreated, glancing at the distant bushes, moving the battlefield to a more secluded area.

Le Yu was so scared he couldn't move under Tea Shiyin's gaze.

How did he find me? Does he know I'm Wuzhiqi? Or does he think I'm a passing good Samaritan?

However, Le Yu knew why Tea Shiyin had intentionally glanced at him. He looked down at the seven still unconscious sword sheaths in the underground hall, jumped straight in, grabbed a sarcophagus, and ran.

Le Yu suddenly felt a bit fatigued: He originally thought replacing the Moon Position martial pillar would let him play a role tonight, only to find he couldn't defeat a smile, let alone Ming Jiejin. Previously, it was moving bricks, and now it's still moving bricks...