You Have No Choice

"But I have no desire to go through those failures with you..."

This was Xu Xian's answer, a response that plunged the Twilight Emperor into silence.

He slightly narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on the youth before him.

As time ticked by, his look grew increasingly sharp.

He was different.

This mortal being before him was very different.

Just like him.

Unfettered.

Fearless.

Wise.

Determined...

And of course, trusting no one.

He knew very well that it wasn't that the boy didn't want eternal life or his power; he simply didn't trust him.

Just as he didn't trust Xu Xian.

What he wanted was control—absolute control, to dominate everything.

Xu Xian was the same...

Yet even so, he still admired him, liked him very much.

He thought that if this were the past, back when he was at his peak, he might have actually granted the boy's wish, letting him wander and live as wildly as he pleased.

While he would have silently supported him, grooming him to be his successor.

But...

Things were different now; he needed to use the boy's power to help him break the seal.

To leave this damned cage and continue his conquest of the Star Sea.

Therefore, he had no choice.

Xu Xian also had no choice.

He spoke, his tone brooking no argument, "Unfortunately, you have no choice."

It was expected.

"So, Senior plans to use force?" Xu Xian asked in return.

The Twilight Emperor did not deny it, sighing to himself, "You are still young. What do you understand? One day, you will realize that everything I am doing is for your own good."

A cliché excuse.

It was almost a perfect defense, leaving one with no way to argue back.

Xu Xian laughed.

"Heh..."

The laugh was mixed with self-deprecation and mockery toward the Twilight Emperor.

He mocked his own naivety for actually trying to reason and negotiate with the guy in front of him.

He mocked the Twilight Emperor's long-windedness—if he wanted to use force, he should just do it instead of spouting grand principles and talking so much nonsense.

Using force while branding it as justice was nothing but self-brainwashing.

"Drink it. Let us both maintain some dignity, and let time prove that I am right," the Twilight Emperor said again.

Meanwhile, Xu Xian had already summoned his blade, gripping the hilt tightly as killing intent flickered in his eyes.

Sensing the youth's thoughts, the Twilight Emperor advised him in an indifferent tone:

"Do you see those bleached bones?"

Xu Xian remained silent.

The Twilight Emperor continued his story, "Those bones belonged to either immortal emperors who once shook the world or immortal kings who dominated entire regions."

"Just like you, they all tried to kill me here. As you can see, they are all dead, their souls extinguished, buried here forever as these piles of bones."

"This is my former domain. Here, I am the master. Of course, once I leave this place, I will still be the master."

"...That skull there, if I remember correctly, belonged to an immortal king of the giant demon race who ruled over a continent for hundreds of thousands of years. I once gave him a chance to become my servant and lead his entire clan in submission."

"He refused!"

"And so, he died..."

It was a persuasion, but more so a warning and a threat.

Every word was asking Xu Xian: do you want to die too?

Xu Xian's gaze was cold as he said in a low voice, "Times have changed."

He was also reminding the Twilight Emperor that he was no longer the titan of the past, but a prisoner of today.

The Twilight Emperor smiled calmly, "But you are not them either."

Xu Xian gave a devilish grin, "Exactly. That's why I won't die."

Same words, but with a completely opposite meaning.

The Twilight Emperor let out a soft sigh, disappointed by Xu Xian's reaction.

"I truly did not want to make things so ugly."

Xu Xian took a step back and said, "Then let's talk things over properly. Perhaps we can make a deal. You let me go, and I won't say a word about what happened here. You could also give me some things, like your treasures... and in the future, if I achieve the Dao, I might even help you break the seal..."

Xu Xian admitted he was being a bit naive.

The Twilight Emperor turned a deaf ear to his words, "In my life, I have always disliked forcing people. However, for you, I can make an exception."

"What do you mean?"

The Twilight Emperor's pressure descended, weighing on Xu Xian like a thousand pounds. He pointed his finger at the bone bowl nearby and said:

"You might not fear death, but what about them?"

"Senior must be joking. Those people are merely my captives."

"Are those three little ones also just captives?"

Xu Xian's expression remained unchanged, "Does Senior think I would compromise for the sake of two children and a woman?"

The Twilight Emperor said with certainty, "Wouldn't you?"

Xu Xian laughed, "Senior might not understand my character very well."

The Twilight Emperor looked on with interest. With a flick of his finger, a giant blood-colored claw reached out from the void, easily snatching the bone bowl.

"Oh... then shall we test that?"

Xu Xian gritted his teeth inwardly, wanting to slap himself.

Why did he have to play along and keep those three here?

Otherwise, in his current situation, he could have just waited for a moment when the other party was distracted and fought his way out, letting Shuer tear open a spatial rift.

He could have just run away.

But now?

He really couldn't leave.

All because of those three.

Leaving by himself wasn't a big problem, but taking them along was absolutely impossible.

There were only two paths laid out before him.

The first path was to obediently drink this so-called golden Emperor's Blood and enter symbiosis with the Twilight Emperor.

The second path was to watch the three of them die because of him, only to be forcibly fed the Emperor's Blood anyway.

Just as the Twilight Emperor had said, Xu Xian had no choice at all.

The Twilight Emperor narrowed his eyes, "I am not a patient man, but for you, I can still make an exception. Think it over. Is the time it takes for an incense stick to burn enough?"

Xu Xian cursed inwardly as his thoughts raced, a fierce internal struggle playing out in his mind.

Naturally, he didn't forget to ask Shuer if there was any way to break this deadlock.

The Shuer advised him rationally, "Master, why don't you just give in to him? I think he really does admire you..."

That was the truth.

But Xu Xian hated being threatened the most.

He utterly loathed the Twilight Emperor's attitude.

If he could use those three to threaten him into becoming his dog today, he would use the Wendao Sword Sect to threaten him into destroying the world tomorrow.

Coercion was like domestic violence; it was either non-existent or happened countless times.

If he compromised now, his future would be completely ruined.

Seeing that Xu Xian was still unwilling to submit, Shuer asked again, "Master, are you truly unwilling?"

"No shit!"

Shuer pondered for a moment, "Then let's take him on."

"How?"

Shuer replied with a question of its own, "Do you trust me?"

"No shit," Xu Xian repeated.

If I didn't trust you, why would I even ask?

Shuer pointed at the Twilight Emperor, "Then rush up there and stab him with your sword."

Xu Xian was stunned, "..."

Are you kidding me?

Shuer explained patiently, "This is merely a sliver of obsession he left behind in this small world. He looks impressive, but it is all just a front. One stab and he will be finished."

Xu Xian was skeptical.

"Are you sure?"

Shuer asked, "Want to take a gamble?"

Xu Xian just wanted to curse. Gambling with his life?

Shuer asked, "Does Master have the guts?"

The Twilight Emperor asked, "Have you decided?"

Xu Xian: "..."

Xu Xian: "******"