Journey of the Fate Destroying Emperor

"I can use the excuse of retreat for now," the Erudite Duchess sighed. According to the contract, her cultivation takes priority over many matters, including certain missions. So if she interprets it that way, she can prevent the backlash. "However, I'm worried this might become an issue."

"Give me a copy of your agreement," Wang Wei said. Although he wasn't a lawyer, his job on Earth also involved finding loopholes in competing companies' contracts to steal their business. And it didn't take him long, after reading every detail of the contract, to find a loophole.

"Your agreement was to deal with the Infinite Divine Court, not Death Reverence and everything else associated with him. So, if they try to force you, use that as an excuse."

"Damn it, I'm so stupid," the Duchess slapped her forehead. No one had expected things to diverge so outrageously from the previous expedition. So, even in this well-crafted contract, such an obvious loophole exists.

"There is more," Wang Wei continued.

"Oh?"

"According to the agreement, a portion of the cardinal's domains belongs to you in the case of a betrayal. And whether it's the Time Cardinals' action of leaving the expedition to attend another battlefield or the Heaven Cardinal's behavior, all can be seen as acts of betrayal."

"Their domain?" The Duchess's eyes suddenly lit up. "I can use it to help with our plan."

"Exactly," Wang Wei nodded. With the Time Domain, it will be easier for her to condense all the history of this timeline into recorded knowledge. With the Heaven Domain, the artificial [Hall of Records] will be even more perfect.

"You can even use the Source Qi Domain to expand your lifespan and a variety of other things."

"Thanks for the reminder."

"No problem."

The Duchess nodded before turning toward the Highest Firmament. "Now, we can only hope for a result that is advantageous to us."

"It's sad, but that's all we can do," Wang Wei sighed.

The Duchess resonated with such sentiment, "I'm going to disperse so my main body can fully focus on the task at hand."

"Good."

"I'll contact you if something happens."

Wang Wei — or Avatar A — watched as the duchess disappeared. He then ensured she was truly gone before synchronizing with the main body. The result was quite satisfactory. After cultivating the second layer of the [Deceiving Heaven Longevity Art], Wang Wei's life span reached 43 Yuan Epochs.

"You're here just in time," Wang Wei stated. "I have an idea for the third layer, and I've been trying to perfect it. Maybe you could provide another perspective."

"Oh? Let me hear it."

"Once our lifespan reaches the limit, we will deceive Heaven and Earth (Death Reverence's rules) that we died and are someone else."

"Do you want to use the data from the Two Dao Imprint Experiment?"

"Exactly," Wang Wei nodded. Long ago, he had the idea to experiment on whether someone could have two Dao Imprints. The results were a failure, so Wang Wei used the data for another experiment: he wanted to see if he could give someone another chance at the Eternal Path without reincarnation. Xiao Songxi became his subordinate and graciously offered himself as the experiment subject. Wang Wei tried to modify his Dao Imprint to resemble an Eternal Path Cultivator's, but it failed as well.

But now, in this isolated timeline where Grand Dao does not have strict control over the rules, the data from those experiments can come in handy. With the right deception, Wang Wei might be able to change his Soul Imprint to make it appear as if he were another person, thereby restarting his lifespan.

"That's not a bad idea," Avatar A nodded. "However, there is a high chance for Death Reverence to notice the appearance of a sudden new Soul Imprint, so let's model ours after already existing ones."

"You make a good point. In that case, those mortal cultivators are no longer useless. They can serve as a Soul Imprint Data Pool," Wang Wei nodded.

"Exactly," Avatar A nodded. "The only issue is whether the existence of these mortals will raise any suspicions. After all, they are the only ones left alive."

"The court should still have some," Wang Wei frowned. "Plus, it doesn't matter that much. As long as they are alive, he'll suspect we are using them for something. We just need to ensure he doesn't know for what. So, if necessary, we should also give him a proper "explanation" to get his nose off us."

"We could make it look like we are gathering the power of faith for something," Avatar A suggested. "But, do you think we may be a bit too paranoid? There is no way Death Reverence will be this meticulous, right?"

"Who knows? But, it's never a bad thing to be extra careful."

"That's a fair point," Avatar A nodded. Then, the two continued their discussion on their next plan. Time passed, and exactly 27,876 years later, a terrifying, exploding sound spread between Heaven and Earth, shifting all eyes to the source. Two streaks of light — one large and one small — flew out of the Highest Firmament, heading in opposite directions at enormous speed.

Future Reverence manifested, and he appeared not to be in the best shape: his clothes were tattered, dried blood stuck on the corner of his mouth, and his expression was paler than before. He raised his hand to stop the two speeding lights, but he was a step too late. After frowning a little, he snorted coldly before disappearing.

"Ai, calculate whether Future Reverence's reaction speed was slower than he previously displayed," Avatar A immediately ordered after recording the scene with an array.

"Yes, sir," Ai nodded. "According to past data, his reaction speed is 26.7% slower than his previous attacks."

"Is this because of injuries, or is he trying to bait some people to attack him?"

"Not enough data to calculate," Ai responded.

"That's a shame," Avatar A sighed, turning toward the Black Tortoise Array and the Reverse Black Stone Array. "I hope one of them is bold enough to try."

While still lost in his thoughts, a communication talisman crashed into the array's barrier. After identifying the sender or the fact that there was no issue, Wang Wei allowed it entry into the headquarters.

"Wang Wei, I need your help," a weak voice suddenly echoed in the room.

"Siwangji? What's your situationship?"

"You should have some second-step herbs, right? I need a few of them."

"A few? How many are we talking about?"

"I don't know. As much as possible. My sister and I desperately need them."

"Shenghuovi is still alive?"

"She sacrificed most of her body and soul to put a Curse of Life on Future Reverence, which bought us enough time for our souls to escape. As a result, her injuries are quite severe."

"That explains why one of the souls was so large," Wang Wei thought, then frowned deeply.

"Is he that strong?"

"All I can say is that only the power of the third step can truly deal with him," Siwangji sighed. "Anyway, will you help us or not?"

"I will, but under three conditions."

"Really? Are you really bargaining in such a situation? Don't forget, I wouldn't be in this mess if not for you."

"That's not true, and you know it," Avatar A rebutted.

"You!"

"Take my deal or leave it."

"Fine! What are your conditions?"

"First, you must promise to reimburse me."

"That's not an issue. As long as I can survive this ordeal and recuperate, it should be easy to repay these lost materials."

"Easy?" Wang Wei secretly sneered. This was not her era, so how could it be easy to gather so many second-step powerhouses? However, it was still worth investing in Siwangji. Even if she can't find the resources, her blood and other parts are more than enough.

"Second, I want a recording of your battle."

"That's easy. I'll send you a memory bead."

"Good," Wang Wei nodded. "The last condition is I want your [Grand Dao Authority]." No one answered for a while, so Wang Wei continued: "It's fine if you don't want to exchange. I'm sure you can find the resources you need in another way."

A deep sigh echoed in the room. "I can give you 5%."

"That's too low?"

"During our fight, that bastard took 5% from us, and I need the remaining 5% to hide myself."

"Did he take some from Suiji as well?"

"Her situation is even worse, probably only left with 1% of the authority."

"What about the part that Heaven Cardinal scattered?"

"Took them as well."

Wang Wei grunted. To say this was bad news is an understatement. With such a high amount of authority, how long can Future Reverence remain injured? How strong will he be after he recuperates? Time was rapidly running out.

"So, do we have a deal?"

"Of course," Wang Wei nodded. "Let's put everything in writing, and we can begin the exchange."

"What? You don't trust me?"

"I don't," Wang Wei coldly replied.

"Wow, that hurt more than it should have. But, fair enough."

The two swiftly signed a [Time Nexus Contract] before completing their exchange. Avatar A did not waste another second before refining the authority; he did not allow the main body to do it in case anything went wrong, and he also prepared for the possibility of something going awry.