Chapter 950: The Schemes of Mortals
"Interesting." Qi Xia nodded.
"If I can't completely free you from this layer of constraint, then you'll never touch the threshold of 'godhood,'" Celestial Dragon said. "I need an exceptionally powerful 'Endless Rebirth.' Even if I clearly know this is your scheme, I will inevitably fall into it."
"Isn't that contradictory?" Qi Xia countered. "I haven't agreed to anything, yet you claim to have unilaterally assisted my plan."
"Because I must have you touch that threshold," Celestial Dragon said. "After all, what I'm plotting is something mortals simply cannot comprehend. Only someone who, like me, has abandoned all emotions in their heart will accept it calmly."
Qi Xia thought for a moment and nodded. "Go on."
"White Sheep, I have 'Original Object' and 'Crafty Artifact,' while you have 'Endless Rebirth.'" Celestial Dragon said. "We'll go to the next void space. I'll make the mountains and rivers spread out anew, raise cities with towering skyscrapers, and then set the stars in the sky, the sun and moon in their cycles. Meanwhile, you create a group of subjects for us. As long as you slightly shift your thoughts, these people's minds will be firmly shackled by your divine power. They will never be able to rebel against us, nor will they ever disrupt our rule. Isn't that fine? If you're willing, 'Endless Rebirth' can even produce any animal life, and we'll also have a tempting natural world."
Qi Xia said nothing, just lightly tapped the table with his hand.
"Is there any need for us to continue salvaging this devastated place?" Celestial Dragon asked. "We clearly have the option to go to other spaces and become 'new gods,' yet we still live here like 'old ghosts.' You now possess 'Divine Power' and a heart infinitely close to that of a 'god.' You must understand my thinking, right?"
"I..." Qi Xia smiled bitterly. "What do you think?"
"You must understand," Celestial Dragon said. "You've already reached your current height. Why must you fight me for the sake of a group of 'mortals'? You can toy with those people's lives as you please, yet you choose to risk yourself for them—I simply cannot comprehend."
After speaking, Celestial Dragon slowly stood up, the muscles on his face constantly twisting.
"You will soon know... 'mortals' are the most troublesome creatures in this world," Celestial Dragon said. "They are stupid and greedy, weak and selfish. Do you know why I tolerate all your little schemes?"
Qi Xia shook his head. "No."
"Because scheming against 'gods' is the very nature of 'mortals,'" Celestial Dragon laughed. "If there truly were a 'god' in this world, then 'mortals' would pray to that 'god' day and night, begging for what they desire. If there were no 'god' in this world, then 'mortals' would fabricate one and pray to it."
"That's indeed the case," Qi Xia nodded.
"They seek fame, seek profit, seek glory and wealth, seek promotion and riches." Celestial Dragon laughed. "Does 'god' owe 'mortals' anything? Why should it agree to so many unreasonable demands?"
"But the other side offers incense—it's a transaction," Qi Xia said.
"Three or five bucks' worth of incense... asking for fortunes of millions or tens of millions?" Celestial Dragon couldn't help but chuckle. "White Sheep, if this were truly a 'transaction,' the price that 'god' demands is something 'mortals' simply cannot pay. The two sides have no way to trade on equal terms—it has never been a transaction."
"So..." Qi Xia organized his thoughts. "You know my plan and are still willing to help me accomplish all this—the reason being 'god's' tolerance toward 'mortals'?"
"It's not even 'tolerance,'" Celestial Dragon shook his head. "Because none of these things matter to me. No matter what you want to do, it cannot threaten me. Even Azure Dragon cannot reach this state of mind, but I believe you can now get a glimpse of it."
"Indeed," Qi Xia said. "If you already possess the power of a 'god,' all of a 'mortal's' actions appear so laughable."
"You need to understand, I rarely waste so much time on a single 'mortal.' I have quietly made many efforts to bring you to this point today." Celestial Dragon slowly walked to the window and looked out at the scenery. On the streets built of flesh and blood, countless pedestrians raised their heads to look at him.
"The eight teammates you arranged to become 'Zodiac'—I have almost been protecting them to steadily advance." Celestial Dragon said. "Do you know an interesting rumor?"
"What rumor?"
"They say those eight are not your trusted subordinates but mine." Celestial Dragon let out another "haha" laugh. "That shows how much favor I have shown them, doesn't it? But if you think about it carefully, these people are no different from ants to me. Why would I spend my time showing them favor?"
After hearing this, Qi Xia slowly lowered his head, looked at the glass of water on the table, then said, "Celestial Dragon, but helping me only treats me as a usable chess piece—that hardly convinces me."
"Think carefully, White Sheep," Celestial Dragon said. "Up to now... when have I ever shown malice toward you?"
Qi Xia recalled his several meetings with Celestial Dragon. Although each encounter was stranger than the last, where was Celestial Dragon's malice?
"I said you could come back anytime if you wanted to be 'Celestial Goat,'" Celestial Dragon said. "I said only you and I can become 'gods' in this place. I said we can leave together on the 'Train.' And I admit that I have always been helping you. White Sheep, if you really join me, you can freely choose any 'Divine Power' before you leave. I will let you leave here with a transcendent body."
"Ha." Qi Xia also laughed after hearing this.
"If you're afraid I might kill you, you can choose 'Brute Force' or directly possess 'Heavenly Vigor,' so we'll be completely equal," Celestial Dragon added. "Go to a world where no mortal dares to rebel against us. Only you and I will be the masters of the entire world. We can spend thousands or tens of thousands of years continuously expanding our world, increasing the number of mortals within it, and eventually become 'gods' in the true sense."
After hearing this, Qi Xia slowly stood up and came to Celestial Dragon's side, looking out the window with him.
"But that's not right," Qi Xia said.
"What's not right?" Celestial Dragon asked. "Isn't this path tempting enough?"
"I just don't understand one thing," Qi Xia said with a light laugh, looking at the sun in the sky. "You say 'mortals' exist in the world—does such a world really need a 'god' like you?"
"What...?" Celestial Dragon was taken aback.
"You proclaim yourself a god, regard human life as worthless, and impose all your will upon innocent people." Qi Xia's expression gradually turned cold. "What need do 'mortals' have to be ruled by you?"
"There is no reason," Celestial Dragon said. "I suppose I was born a 'god,' and 'mortals' will always be 'mortals.'"
After hearing this, Qi Xia slowly raised his hand and pointed at the sun in the sky.
"Just because you are a 'god,' you can do such things?"