Shivalelloâthe god seated at the centerâfrowned and said, âThis is the Supreme Temple. Nobody is allowed to shout or scream here. Weâre just trying to be safe; I donât think anyone is happy to hand out their lives to someone else. Would you do that? I donât think so!â
Su Pingâs eyes were indifferent; he was no longer as friendly and modest as before. He replied with a cold tone, âFirst of all, I didnât shout, or scream; my voice wasnât any louder. You only found it offensive because you couldnât accept a human being questioning you!
âSecondly, were I you, I wouldnât easily give my lifeâs control to someone else, either. But like I said, you have the other option!
âLastly, you need to realize that you need my help on this matter, not the other way around. Iâm here in the pursuit of true knowledge; if youâre unwilling to offer it, so be it. I have alternatives!â
The faces of the godly trio didnât look good after Su Pingâs statements. Heather, who stood by Su Pingâs side, was also frowning. She was observing Su Ping carefully; he gave her a completely different impression from the friendly and ever-smiling human she had taken there.
He had also seemed quite plain and ordinary for that same reason.
Weaklings were always friendly. They had no edges.
However, Su Ping was radiating with such brilliance at the moment that she was rather astonished. Could a Celestial God really be that bold?
Even though Su Ping had a true powerhouse as backer, it was quite impressive for him to remain calm under the Superior Godsâ pressure, and even challenge them!
The temple was momentarily caught in a quiet and awkward atmosphere.
None of the Superior Gods spoke. Anger surfaced on Eborrâs face; he wanted to scold Su Ping but he held back, knowing it would very likely ruin their homecoming chance.
Shivalello opened his mouth unhurriedly a long time later. âYoung human, do you know how difficult it is to receive the attention of an Ancestral God? I know youâre remarkably talented, but thatâs not nearly enough. Even beings of our level would have difficulty in getting their attention.â
Su Ping realized what he was implying; the guy thought that the second option was a long shot, while the first option was too risky.
Su Ping no longer cared to argue or say anything else.
He naturally knew how difficult it was to pique the interest of an Ancestral God!
Even so, he was still working hard!
Would he give up just because it was difficult?
He had traveled a long way to acquire knowledge, partly because he wanted to fight for the legacy, and partly because he wanted to become stronger. He would definitely attract some attention when he returned to the Heaven Path Institute if he could condense three small worlds.
After all, the young mentor who had taught him was only an Ascendant State expert that had triple small worlds.
His talent would surely garner attention if he managed a similar feat while still being a Star State warrior.
But he didnât tell them about his plans, as he no longer deemed necessary to talk to them.
It was obvious that those gods had yet to figure out that they were the ones who needed him. Their attitude reminded Su Ping of the Rain Clan in the Archean Divinity.
They were so condescending that even if they made a request, it would sound like they were doing a favor.
Maybe that was just the pride of gods.
But⊠I donât have time for that!
Su Ping turned around; he was about to leave without saying another word.
All the Superior Gods changed their expressions as they saw this. They didnât expect that Su Ping would ignore what Shivalello had said, and simply choosing to leave.
Wouldnât they lose their only chance of returning to the Archean Divinity if Su Ping left?
âYoung human, youâŠâ
âI have a name!â
Su Ping paused, but didnât look back. He said with a solemn and cold tone, âI introduced myself at the very beginning of our meeting; not once did you call me by my name. Maybe all humans are the same for proud gods like you. But we do have different names!â
All of them were stunned for a moment. Avril, despite her usual coldness, surprisingly asked a man to stay once he saw him about to leave. âDonât go just yet.â
âThereâs a saying among humans: Men of different beliefs should remain separated. Farewell.â
Su Ping didnât look back or stop; he straight off walked out of the temple.
Joannaâs expression was changing constantly; from the bottom of her heart, she hoped that Su Ping could stay and discuss matters with the Superior Gods. It had been her lifelong dream to return to the Archean Divinity.
However, the meeting had fallen through right after it started.
Her feelings were a mess. She wanted to talk to him, but she knew that the man was just as proud as any god.
âYouâŠâ
Joanna angrily looked at the three Superior Gods and gnashed her teeth. âI believe you owe him an apology!â
Her statement caused changes in the godsâ faces. Dazzling flames seemed to be bursting out of Eborrâs eyes. âAnna, remember your identity! Donât mistake our indulgence for unlimited tolerance!â
Shivalello, the god seated in the middle, ignored Joanna and said to Su Ping as he was seeing himself out, âYoung human, weâre very sincere too; youâre being too hasty. I hope we can all sit down and talk in peace.â
He spoke in a slow and irrefutable manner.
Su Ping didnât look back. However, he saw that the distance between him and the gate remained the same, even though he kept walking forward.
He stopped and coldly stared at the three Superior Gods up above. âSit down and talk? You have been sitting here, while Iâve been standing all this time. Did you mistake my friendliness for meekness?
âI called you senior out of respectâ
âBut that doesnât mean Iâm scared of you!â
Avril frowned. Even she was unable to make Su Ping stay. The young man had left a terrible impression on her, but she didnât show any of it, because she still needed his help to return to the Archean Divinity.
âWhat do we have to do to let you help us?â asked Avril.
Su Ping narrowed his eyes and said, âYou people are lousy negotiators. I would have tried my best to help you, even without you asking me, all for Annaâs sake. However, youâre turning this into a deal. Unfortunately for you, the things you can offer are available elsewhere. Just let me leave while we are still talking peacefully, and Iâll consider that nothing happened today.â
The three Superior Gods frowned, still silent. They became calm a few seconds later. Shivalello said, âSorry for our lack of manners. Mr. Su, could you forget what happened? Youâve come here for the pursuit of knowledge, and weâll surely try our best to teach you.â
âIndeed. Letâs discuss true knowledge first. We can talk about returning to the Archean Divinity later,â said Avril in a peaceful tone.
Su Ping frowned a bit; their quick change of attitude puzzled him. He looked at Joanna, only to find that she was wearing an awful expression. He immediately asked her with his eyes.
Joanna glanced at Su Ping, then bit her lips.
They had been partners for such a long time that there was no need for telepathy. Su Ping got his answer just by looking her in the eye.
Those Superior Gods had indeed frozen space and time to discuss something while leaving him out of it.
They had imprisoned him and plotted right in his face.
Su Ping couldnât help but burst into fury. He took a deep breath and said to Joanna, âLetâs go!â
Joanna hesitated and struggled for a moment. She could have hinted that Su Pingâs guess was wrong, but she didnât do that; she didnât want to lie to him.
âYoung human, whatâs the meaning of this?â All the three Superior Gods were enraged after hearing what Su Ping said.
They had already given in and apologized for their lack of manners.? And yet, this human is still not letting us off?
âNothing. I will say it one more time, let us go!â Su Pingâs eyes were cold. He had hoped to study under the four Superior Gods and increase his understanding of paths. He didnât expect such treatment, which left him both infuriated and disappointed.
Eborr stood up from his throne and yelled, âHow bold of you!â
Su Ping almost laughed out loud.? How am I bold anyway?
âArenât you Annaâs best partner?â said Avril. She stopped hiding her feelings; her face was as cold as ice. âHelping us would also mean that youâre doing Anna a favor. Anna, talk some sense into him.â
Su Ping felt like laughing, but he couldnât. He then looked at Joanna.
She lowered her head; her expression couldnât be seen clearly. She seemed to have made some sort of decision when everybody gazed at her. She raised her head and declared to the Superior Gods on their thrones, âI want to return to the Archean Divinity. It has always been my dream! However, I wonât force my friend into a dilemma; I suggest you let us go right now, or I will fight my way out, even if my blood has to be spilled in this temple!â
Dazzling light burst out of her eyes as she talked, and a golden divine power surged, turning her clothes into an armor set. A golden spear appeared in her hand too!
All the Superior Gods changed their expressions after her declaration.
âAnna, weâve been accommodating because we appreciate you, since you have fought for our sake.. Do you honestly think youâre as strong as us?â asked Shivalello loudly, while imposing an unparalleled pressure.