Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Old Tang, however, promptly straightened his face and continued speaking in a serious tone.

”Actually, I hope you’re willing to take a gamble!”

”You may not fully understand the situation. After learning your identity, the military has placed most of its bets on you—to be precise, without you, the military could not possibly access the core technology of the Universe of Immortals and Heroes! The current situation isn’t just about you risking a 50/50 chance; the military and even Earth are also betting on this 50/50 chance!”

”We must obtain the technology of the Universe of Immortals and Heroes. Without it, our odds against the Demon Tribe will drastically plummet—don’t underestimate the abilities of those science freaks or the power of technology!”

”Right now, you’re betting on the benefits you stand to gain. We, however, are risking the future of humanity.”

”I’m not saying all this to bind you with lofty ideals. I’m just trying to explain some logic.”

”Every choice in a person’s life is essentially a gamble; it’s merely a matter of how much is at stake.”

”I won’t talk about you; I’ll use the military as an example. In this 50/50 gamble, they are staking my life, but in return, they could acquire the core technology of the Universe of Immortals and Heroes. This gamble, in my personal view, is feasible! That’s the real reason I’m still here, trying to persuade you not to leave.”

”So, it’s your turn now!”

”Following this 50/50 logic, think again: what stakes are placed against your life? What exactly are they? Are they worth it?”

When he heard Tang Haofei’s ”sophistry,” Wen Yu swallowed hard.

The dilemma of whether to stay or leave, which had been so difficult for Wen Yu, became a ”50/50” life-or-death gamble from Tang Haofei’s perspective.

However, Wen Yu had to admit that there was some truth to what Tang Haofei was saying...

What was the stake on the other side of this gamble?

”Power and truth...”

Upon hearing the two words Wen Yu murmured, Tang Haofei raised an eyebrow slightly.

”Truth?”

Wen Yu had let it slip...

However, under the current circumstances, whether he’d let it slip or not was completely unimportant!

”Truth? What truth?”

”The truth about the end of the world, the truth about the Dominator... perhaps...” Wen Yu said uncertainly.

Hearing Wen Yu’s words, Tang Haofei actually laughed.

”Then this gamble is a must!”

「...」

”According to the information the military obtained from the treasure land, the Demon Tribe is known to have destroyed 1,245 worlds. Well, I can imagine the fate of these worlds—their primordial essence was probably completely drained, with no life forms surviving.”

”These worlds varied in strength—some were only slightly weaker than the Universe of Immortals and Heroes, while the weaker ones...”

Tang Haofei deliberately paused, then looked at Wen Yu with a peculiar expression.

”...were roughly on par with us—their inhabitants possessed no special abilities or cultivation methods, and the combat power they could achieve through technological development wasn’t much different from that of humans.”

”You understand what I’m saying, right? In other words, our strength is far inferior to the Demon Tribe’s. Given Earth’s current power, the success rate of resisting the demon plague is almost nil. This is why I’m so desperate to obtain the technology of the Universe of Immortals and Heroes.”

”But the reality is, even if we obtained the core technology of the Universe of Immortals and Heroes, we might not be able to hold out for much longer. In my personal opinion, the truth is far more important than power!”

Seeing Wen Yu raise an eyebrow, Tang Haofei spoke his final sentence in a grave tone.

”Power can’t guarantee our victory, but the truth might hold a glimmer of hope, a chance for survival. Besides, even if we have to die, it’s better not to die in ignorance, right?”

Tang Haofei’s last sentence made Wen Yu laugh.

He gave Tang Haofei a thumbs-up, nodded, and said with a smile, ”You’ve got a point!”

「...」

”So, I’ve resolved your hesitation now, right?” Old Tang mumbled to Wen Yu, his words unclear as he gnawed on the fruit in his hand.

”I suppose so...”

What Tang Haofei said made sense. The key was to obtain truth and power while also preserving his own life; that was what Wen Yu truly wanted. And all of this depended on how reliable the Almighty Demon Vine was.

”Are you certain you can block the Heavenly Dao?” Wen Yu once again voiced the question he had already asked countless times.

”Look, just relax. I can guarantee with everything I have that you’ll definitely make it out alive!”

”Then I’ll trust you one more time.”

”You’re not trusting me; you were swayed by Tang Haofei...”

Wen Yu put down his utensils, thought seriously for a moment, and nodded lightly. ”Life is a gamble. This is just a gamble with slightly higher stakes.”

”Besides,” Wen Yu glanced at Tang Haofei beside him, ”heh... that guy is putting himself on the line ahead of me. Since he dares to take this gamble, what do I have to fear!”

”It’s just that I had a slip of the tongue earlier. That won’t be an issue, will it?”

”No problem!” the Almighty Demon Vine’s reply was exceptionally firm.

「...」

The conversation had reached this point, and Wen Yu had no reason to back down now. In this fifty-fifty gamble, his life was the stake, while truth and power were the potential rewards.

Everyone has their own internal scale for weighing such things. At least in Wen Yu’s heart, this gamble seemed fair enough.

Having made his decision, Wen Yu didn’t hesitate much longer. As the maid was clearing away the utensils, Wen Yu immediately told her of his intention to participate in this rewarded hunt, asking her to inform the Heavenly Dao.

However, Wen Yu didn’t receive a reply from the Heavenly Dao; instead, an unexpected person arrived.

「...」

”My dear nephew.”

Looking at the handsome, well-featured bald man before him, who resembled a mature and dashing gentleman, Wen Yu lowered his head slightly and responded respectfully, ”Greetings, Alliance Chief Da Luo.”

Less than an hour after Wen Yu had asked the maid to deliver the message, Da Luo had already appeared outside the Sky Pole Cabinet.

The unconcealed Energy Fluctuations of a Level 10 Breakthrough Achiever radiated from him. At this moment, Da Luo seemed like a handsome uncle from next door, a warm smile on his face, but his tranquil eyes, like an old well, gave Wen Yu no clue as to his thoughts.

”Alliance Chief Da Luo, please come in.”

Wen Yu respectfully led Da Luo into the room.

「...」

”Nephew, your consideration is somewhat inappropriate.”

Sitting in his chair, Da Luo dismissed the surrounding maids and his own attendants. His very first sentence was a challenge to Wen Yu.

”I’m not sure what Uncle is referring to?”

”It’s about your participation in the Heavenly Dao’s hunting reward mechanism.”

Da Luo pondered for a moment, then spoke again.

”Nephew, you might not know this, but ever since being awakened by the power of the Soul Bead, the Heavenly Dao has completely changed. He has now set up this inexplicable hunting reward mechanism, and even placed it on the seventh floor of the Heavenly Palace. There’s definitely some scheme involved. Coupled with the Heavenly Dao’s attitude towards you... sigh... I’m afraid he intends to harm you this time.”

”That won’t happen. I trust Senior Brother’s character.”

Many things couldn’t be judged by appearances. Although Da Luo had always treated him very well, who could be certain of Da Luo’s true thoughts deep down? Therefore, at this moment, Wen Yu could only offer some insincere words to placate Da Luo.

Upon hearing Wen Yu’s reply, Da Luo fell silent.

After a long pause, Da Luo spoke again.

”Since your mind is made up, Nephew, Uncle can’t just watch you walk into danger. How about this: I will dispatch a few Level 7 powerful experts from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance to escort you. What do you think, Nephew?”

”This humble nephew thanks Uncle for his kind intentions, but that won’t be necessary. I already have suitable comrades in mind for my team.”

Wen Yu resolutely refused Da Luo’s suggestion to place his own people by his side.

Facing the unyielding Wen Yu, Da Luo was also at a loss; he could only nod lightly.

”Since you already have people in mind, Nephew, then Uncle won’t impose. Here is a Communication Jade Pendant. Take it with you, Nephew. If you encounter danger, just crush the Jade Pendant, and Uncle will come to your aid at the first possible moment.”