802 Wager
Xu Jingming, Overlord Feuilla, and the mysterious powerhouse from the third realm emitted formidable auras, causing the Xu family members standing nearby to grow anxious.

“You’re Feuilla?” Xu Jingming inquired.

“Yes,” Feuilla replied with a smile.

Xu Jingming came to a realization and nodded kindly.

Upon inheriting the 100 Heart Tribulation Spear Scrolls, Xu Jingming also discovered the existence of a wager.

This wager had been established by two Ultimate beings, possessing unrivaled power and transcending all of spacetime. Due to their conflicts and disagreements, they decided to settle matters through this wager.

As per the terms of the wager, each Ultimate being selected an heir and granted them an Abyssal Era to study the legacy before engaging in a battle. The outcome of the wager would be determined by the victor among the heirs.

While the lives of the two third-realm powerhouses were insignificant, the wager between the Ultimate beings held immense importance.

To ensure the smooth progress of the wager, each Ultimate being appointed a representative to oversee the entire process.

The wager recorded the names of the two witnesses—follower dispatched by the Ultimate existence from the Heart Realm is called Feuilla, Xu Jingming thought to himself. She was tasked with supervising the proceedings and ensuring my unaffected state before the battle.

Feuilla smiled and introduced, “The person beside me is the opponent you’re about to face—Red Jade Traveler!”

Red Jade Traveler resembled a figure carved from red jade. He observed Xu Jingming and remarked, “Wu Ming, I have acquired the Ultimate legacy of the Abyss and have spent an entire Abyssal Era studying it. I hope you won’t disappoint me in our forthcoming battle.”

Xu Jingming was taken aback. Has he already studied for an entire Abyssal Era? It hasn’t been long since I received the legacy!

Feuilla clarified, “Wu Ming, the two of you originate from different spacetimes and follow distinct timelines. He obtained the Ultimate legacy long ago and has already studied for an Abyssal Era. After meeting you, he will head to the battlefield… You, on the other hand, will embark on your Abyssal Era before eventually reaching the battlefield at the same time as him.”

Understanding dawned upon Xu Jingming.

“To Overlord Red Jade, the battle will commence momentarily. However, you still have nearly an entire Abyssal Era ahead of you,” Feuilla explained. “The terms of the wager ensure that both of you have the same amount of time to study and prepare.”

“Wu Ming, between you and me…” Red Jade Traveler calmly gazed at Xu Jingming. “Only one shall survive.”

“The victor shall live, and the defeated shall perish. Such is the rule of this wager,” Xu Jingming affirmed.

If he were to lose, it would mean that the Ultimate existence supporting him had also lost!

Only one of them could survive, compelling Xu Jingming and Red Jade Traveler to give their all.

“From what I gather, this is the first time your relatives and friends have become aware of the wager,” Red Jade Traveler remarked, glancing at Xu Jingming’s astonished kinfolk beside him.

He deliberately made his words audible to those present. His intention was to affect the state of mind of Xu Jingming’s relatives and friends.

“They would have found out sooner or later.” Xu Jingming dismissed the matter. Even if he didn’t disclose the wager today, he would have to inform his family in the future.

Red Jade Traveler’s gaze swept across spacetime. “None of you possess power in this spacetime. You must surpass these third-realm powerhouses by far, or else you will surely fall to me.”

With those words, Red Jade Traveler tore through spacetime and departed.

Overlord Feuilla had trailed after Red Jade Traveler to ensure Xu Jingming’s safety.

“He speaks the truth,” Feuilla stated, looking at Xu Jingming intently. “The 36 third-realm powerhouses in this realm pale in comparison to him. If you wish to defeat him, you must truly be invincible within this spacetime. You must give your all in this wager.”

“How can I be negligent when life and death hang in the balance?” Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

Feuilla nodded and silently vanished through teleportation.

As Xu Jingming turned his head, he caught sight of his parents, wife, and other family members with worry etched on their faces. They had recently celebrated their resurrection and his ascension to the third realm, but now they realized that Xu Jingming had become entangled in a wager of the Ultimate beings.

…

No wonder his path of evolution had been so smooth, thought Master of Antinight from afar. The commotion caused by the arrival of Feuilla and Red Jade Traveler had drawn the attention of the third-realm powerhouses in this spacetime, and they too had learned about the wager. With the guidance of the Ultimate being, Xu Jingming had naturally made tremendous progress. However, as the saying goes, the greater the benefits, the greater the cost. Hmph… Between him and Red Jade Traveler, one would undoubtedly meet their demise after an Abyssal Era.

Master of Antinight was a prideful person. Red Jade Traveler’s arrival had been excessively flamboyant, showing a lack of regard for the third-realm powerhouses of this realm. His statement that ‘none of you possess power in this spacetime’ instinctively irked Master of Antinight.

Therefore, he held disdain for both Wu Ming and Red Jade Traveler. Regardless of who perished, it would bring him satisfaction.

…

Wu Ming is facing such a catastrophe? Overlord Sea Rain smiled, her mood uplifted. Despite being aware of Liu Mangxing’s grudge with her, Wu Ming continued protecting their family. She couldn’t stop him from protecting Liu Mangxing’s family as fellow third-realm beings. She felt displeased.
Now that she had learned about the wager, Overlord Sea Rain found herself in a pleasant mood, relishing the upcoming spectacle.

One must rely on their own efforts at each step of the evolutionary path. Those who take shortcuts like this must pay the price, Overlord Sea Rain contemplated. Wu Ming might meet his complete demise after an Abyssal Era.

******

In the old residence.

Xu Jingming’s family had gathered, and the dining table was filled with an array of sumptuous dishes and wine. With Xu Jingming’s current abilities, he could instantaneously procure delicacies and wine from different eras and dimensions.

“Jingming, about this wager…” Mr. and Mrs. Xu, Li Miaomiao, Xu Lixing, and the others stared at Xu Jingming, their appetite for the feast diminished.

“This wager is real,” Xu Jingming reassured them with a smile. “The path of evolution is arduous, especially the journey to the third realm. My breakthrough came smoothly due to an opportunity bestowed upon me by an Ultimate being. Without that opportunity, I might have struggled to reach the third realm for the rest of my life, and our family’s reunion would have remained elusive.”

Xu Jingming had confidence in attaining invincibility at the half-step third realm on his own, but bridging the gap between half-step third-realm invincibility and the true third realm was an immense challenge. Without the Ultimate legacy, Xu Jingming knew that no matter how diligently he worked, his chances of reaching the third realm were slim.

“I have obtained so much, so it is only fair for me to shoulder the responsibility of this wager,” Xu Jingming explained. “Countless half-step third-realm powerhouses desired this legacy, yet they failed to obtain it.”

“The wager? Where the winner lives and the loser dies?” Li Miaomiao inquired.

“With a 50% survival rate, it is not that grim,” Xu Jingming replied with a gentle smile.

Li Miaomiao’s eyes welled up with tears.

Throughout her life, she had felt protected by her husband’s care. She had been content and blissful to live a hundred thousand years in happiness. Now, as a high-dimensional being, she had been given the chance to be revived and reunite with her family, bringing her endless joy. However, her husband now faced a calamity, and she felt powerless to assist him.

“An Abyssal Era is an exceedingly long period,” Xu Jingming continued. “Many lower-dimensional beings have histories that span less than an Abyssal Era. Furthermore, I have a chance to emerge victorious in this battle.”

“Let us raise our glasses and toast,” Xu Hong suggested, lifting his glass.

…

Now that Xu Jingming had ascended to the third realm, third-realm beings paid him frequent visits.

On this particular day, Feather Fire Lord and Watercloud, the master of Thearch Dragon Island Lord, arrived together. The three third-realm beings took their seats.

“Wu Ming,” Feather Fire Lord began, “you obtained the legacy I created, the Eight Directions Map, when you were a low-dimensional being. Later, you came to Feather Fire City to learn several other legacies. Our connection runs deep indeed.”

“It’s all thanks to you that I am where I am today.” Xu Jingming nodded, acknowledging the profound bond he shared with Feather Fire Lord.

“We cannot change the circumstances set by the high and mighty Ultimate beings behind this wager, but I can assure you… If you happen to lose the wager, I will help protect your family and species,” Feather Fire Lord vowed.

For a third-realm being, protecting a few lives was an easy task.

Xu Jingming felt a surge of gratitude. “Thank you, Feather Fire Lord.”

“Wu Ming, safeguarding your family, friends, and species is a small matter. I, too, can offer assistance,” Overlord Watercloud chimed in. “However, you must pay attention to fortifying your family’s mental resilience early on. A weak mind can easily wither and distort over time.”

Overlord Watercloud had experienced this firsthand and had been compelled to put his own relatives into a deep slumber.

“I understand,” Xu Jingming said with a furrowed brow. “Unless one’s mind and will reach the third realm, they won’t be able to endure for long.”

“The stronger one’s mind and will, the longer they can persevere. If their mental strength matches that of a half-step third-realm being, they can retain clarity for over 100 Abyssal Eras,” Overlord Watercloud explained. “That should be sufficient.”

Feather Fire Lord added, “Indeed, Wu Ming, your family’s minds and wills are too feeble. Unless they are nurtured properly, they might not even withstand a single Abyssal Era.”

“I also possess some knowledge in this area. You can consider it as guidance,” Overlord Watercloud offered.

“Thank you, Brother Watercloud,” Xu Jingming expressed his gratitude.

“Seeing you reminds me of my own past.” Overlord Watercloud sighed with a touch of nostalgia. “I, too, journeyed from being a low-dimensional being to attaining the third realm step by step. After reviving my relatives, they relished the lives of high-dimensional beings. I dedicated countless efforts to strengthen their minds and wills, but now all I can do is put them into slumber.”

Xu Jingming nodded, understanding the predicament. “Is there no way to completely resolve the corruption of the mind?”

Feather Fire Lord responded promptly, “Of course, there is.”

Xu Jingming leaned in attentively, eager to hear more.

“If one’s mind and will can match that of a third-realm powerhouse, they will naturally be immune to the ravages of time,” Feather Fire Lord explained.

“Align their minds and wills with that of a third-realm powerhouse? It’s impossible,” Overlord Watercloud interjected, shaking his head.

“Through external means, we cannot achieve such a feat. We cannot alter their minds and wills from the outside,” Feather Fire Lord elaborated. “However… an Ultimate being might possess the ability to do so.”

Overlord Watercloud nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps an Ultimate being can accomplish it, but based on the information I’ve gathered… no Ultimate being has ever intervened to resolve the corruption of the mind. Despite encountering numerous third-realm beings in the Spacetime Arena, I have never heard any mention of such assistance.”

Feather Fire Lord fixed his gaze upon Xu Jingming. “Therefore, it would be wise to consider finding a way for your family to improve themselves!”

Deep in contemplation, Xu Jingming finally spoke up. “Overlord Watercloud, you mentioned encountering many third-realm powerhouses in the Spacetime Arena?”

“Oh, it’s a game that spans countless lifetimes. Connoisseur was particularly impressive in the Spacetime Arena, and it was through this that he became a follower of an Ultimate being.” Overlord Watercloud began to provide a detailed explanation. Xu Jingming, being a newly advanced third-realm powerhouse, had much to learn and understand.

Years passed since Xu Jingming’s breakthrough, and he received visits from 19 third-realm powerhouses. These encounters broadened his horizons and granted him insights into the secrets of the third realm.

What surprised Xu Jingming the most was the cheerful conversation between Connoisseur and his grandfather, Grandpa Xu, during one of the visits. Connoisseur even extended an invitation to Grandpa Xu.

“Grandson, Senior Connoisseur has kindly invited me to his place. Shall I accept?” Grandpa Xu inquired.

“Alright, sorry to trouble you, Connoisseur,” Xu Jingming agreed.

The uncertain outcome of the future wager lingered in his mind. However, the burgeoning relationship between his grandfather and Connoisseur brought a sense of solace. Among the 36 third-realm powerhouses in their spacetime, Connoisseur held a uniquely special status. Not only that, he was a follower of an Ultimate being!

If I were to lose in the future, Grandpa’s connection with Connoisseur could prove beneficial for our family, Xu Jingming pondered.