Long Xi’s draconic eyes gleamed with cold realization as she watched the memory unfold. "The God of Fate... is truly a master schemer."
Her words hung heavy in the white space as the group processed the depth of Yun Tianming’s machinations.
Yun Tianming did not only use the Creator’s name to manipulate Yun Wuhan and Yun Wushuang to put the burden on their son’s shoulder but also ruthlessly used his own successor as a decoy. It was simple yet effective scheme against Nian Shi.
When Yun Wushuang had brushed against the World Tree all those eons ago, when the Seed of Time left its trace upon her—that too bore Yun Tianming’s fingerprints.
Looking at this way, everything clearly started from Yun Tianming’s meticulous arrangement. It could even be said that Yun Lintian was born from him... It was him who allowed Yun Lintian to be born and shoulder this heavy duty.
The spectral Yun Wuhan chuckled, the sound carrying neither amusement nor bitterness—just weary acknowledgment. "How else could one match the God of Time move for move?"
In the memory, Yun Tianming’s fading remnant had already begun weaving his final threads. The sphere of Creator’s essence pulsed above his palm, casting fractured light across the thirteen paintings of the Primordial Gods.
Yun Wushuang’s fingers trembled as she reached toward the light. "You would have us... use our son as a hidden blade?"
"Not a blade." Yun Tianming’s voice softened, almost gentle. "A storm... A storm that sweeps everything away and leaves a new beginning behind."
His gaze shifted to Yun Wuhan. "Nian Shi watches the rivers of time, but even he cannot see what does not yet exist."
The implication hung heavy.
Yun Wuhan understood first. "You want us to make him forgettable."
A ghost of a smile touched Yun Tianming’s lips.
Long Niu’s brow furrowed as she watched the unfolding memory. "Wait," she interjected, turning to the spectral Yun Wuhan. "Wouldn’t giving Yun Tian the Profound Vein of All Creation make Nian Shi even more suspicious? The God of Time knows the limits of divine power—how could a mere inheritor wield something that controls all elements?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Worse, wouldn’t Nian Shi just kill Yun Tian and take the profound vein for himself?"
The spectral Yun Wuhan didn’t answer immediately. "Watch," he said simply, gesturing back to the memory.
In the Tower of Fate, Yun Tianming’s remnant turned to Yun Wuhan, his gaze piercing.
"To conceal the true nature of the profound vein," he said, "you must craft an artifact containing your legacy—the power to command elements."
Yun Wuhan’s eyes widened. Beside him, Yun Wushuang inhaled sharply.
The God of Elements’ ability to control all natural forces was a weaker reflection of the Creator’s omnipotent control. By masking the Profound Vein of All Creation as merely an enhanced version of Yun Wuhan’s power, they could deceive even Nian Shi.
Yun Tianming continued, "We will create a story—Yun Tian ’discovers’ this artifact by chance, gaining a new profound vein that manipulates elements." A faint smile touched his lips. "In Nian Shi’s eyes, such fortune aligns perfectly with the God of Fate’s inheritor. After all, who else but Fate’s chosen could stumble upon such heaven-defying luck?"
Outside the memory, realization dawned on the group.
"The Beyond Heaven King’s Crown," Long Niu murmured. "So that’s its true purpose—to disguise the Profound Vein of All Creation as elemental control."
The spectral Yun Wuhan nodded. "Precisely. Nian Shi would see Yun Tian as blessed by fortune, not as a threat wielding the Creator’s power. And even if he grew suspicious..."
"He’d assume Yun Tian was hoarding a fragment of your legacy," Long Xi finished, her draconic eyes gleaming. "Not the Creator’s."
"Moreover, Nian Shi would never touch Yun Tian easily just because he is the God of Fate’s inheritor. He would rather monitor Yun Tian closely and see what kind of scheme the God of Fate comes up with... This is perhaps the reason why those devil gods always targeted Yun Tian. It was all Nian Shi’s secret manipulation." Long Qingxuan added.
Yun Xia and the others nodded in agreement. Everything made sense now.
In the Tower of Fate, Yun Tianming’s remnant grew still, his silver eyes piercing through the couple before him. "Before we proceed," his voice echoed like distant thunder, "you must answer one question."
A heavy silence fell.
"Are you willing to sacrifice your son?" His gaze shifted between them. "And yourselves?"
The words struck like a blade to the heart. Yun Wushuang’s fingers trembled, while Yun Wuhan’s jaw tightened.
A moment later, Yun Wuhan reached for his wife’s hand. His voice was quiet, but firm. "Whatever you decide... I will follow."
Outside the memory, Nantian Fengyu scoffed, her fiery eyes narrowing at the spectral Yun Wuhan. "What a selfish person," she spat.
The spectral Yun Wuhan chuckled awkwardly, unable to refute her. He had indeed pushed the decision onto his wife—the mother who would bear the greatest pain.
Yun Wushuang remained silent for a long moment. Then, she lifted her gaze to meet Yun Tianming’s.
"Is there... any way to save Lintian’s life?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Yun Tianming did not hesitate. "The chance is slim."
"From all the paths I’ve foreseen," he said calmly, "only one leads to his survival."
Yun Wushuang’s breath hitched. "Then tell me—what must he do?"
Yun Tianming’s eyes darkened.
"He must sacrifice everything."
A ripple of shock passed through the tower.
"Not just his loved ones," Yun Tianming continued, merciless in his honesty. "But the entire universe. Only by becoming the void itself can he survive Yin’s corruption."
Outside the memory, Long Qingxuan’s eyes widened. "This... could this be...?" Her voice trembled as she stared at the spectral Yun Wuhan.
The implication was clear.
The current devastation—the erased timelines, the deaths of Yun Lintian’s loved ones—was not a failure.
It was the only path forward.
The spectral Yun Wuhan met her gaze steadily. "Yes."
Long Qingxuan smiled. A relieved, almost peaceful expression. "This is good," she murmured. "As long as he lives in the end... my death means nothing."
One by one, the others nodded. Long Xi’s draconic aura flared in agreement. Nantian Fengyu’s flames burned brighter. Even Gui Xuan, cradled in Zhang Yu’s arms, gave a sleepy nod.
And it was exactly as planned...