Chapter 1266: Emperor, We Are Willing to Stand Against the World for You

"Indeed, it benefits all living beings."

Zhi Ji nodded. "Exactly! This is a historical inevitability. These cosmic laws must be verified and completed by someone!"

Xu Zhi nodded, understanding the logic. The other party truly had a deeper understanding than he did. He had genuinely not considered that the creation of parallel universes also had drawbacks.

The universe was originally a perfect, holistic entity, self-sustaining. However, after being cut into nine pieces, it could no longer maintain perfect energy and matter conservation. Outside of the nine fragments, too much matter had accumulated, floating in the Sea of Chaos. Over billions of years, the nine parallel universe territories had even shrunk slightly. The matter floating in the Cosmic Sea of Chaos had accumulated to a volume that probably accounts for almost half of a parallel universe. This leakage of matter is severe—it is indeed a loophole in the rules of parallel universes!

"It's all because of those Saints, carelessly discarding cosmic waste and polluting the environment! This highlights the importance of waste sorting, recycling, and sustainable development!" the Great Octopus snorted, spitting as he spoke. "They even stole matter from their own universes to build Chaos ships to cross into other parallel universes. When the ships sank, their bodies, along with the vast matter of their Saintly forms, were also given to the Sea of Chaos."

Xu Zhi shot him a look: "The Great Octopus, an environmental ambassador?"

The Great Octopus immediately fell silent.

Zhi Ji continued, "In previous cosmic eras, without these cosmic meteor showers, it would have been impossible to attain the Dao, even if one wished to. Now that they have appeared, they offer the possibility for someone to verify and complete these rules. It's like how one cannot verify the rules of water if the universe has no water. Only when the necessary matter appears can one attest to its suitability for that natural phenomenon."

This is indeed an opportunity of the era. As Zhi Ji elaborated on her understanding of this Destroyer God catastrophe, Xu Zhi's thoughts became clearer. He marveled that she truly was a great cosmic giant, comparable to the ancient Mother of Insects. This is akin to Xu Zhi himself having created "water." However, this new substance, "water," originating from outside the universe, is rejected by the greater cosmos. Someone needs to verify "water" so it is no longer repelled within this universe. If one can verify the rules in this regard, there will undoubtedly be earth-shattering cosmic merit! Becoming the protagonist of this cosmic era is comparable to Saints like Yi Mang and Nv Yi from previous epochs.

"One must understand, the more crucial and fundamental the rules verified and completed, the more exalted the Saint's status will be..." Zhi Ji murmured softly. "Before, I thought the important cosmic rules were almost complete. I never imagined there was still a blank space in this area—an unprecedented opportunity!"

"Precisely," Xu Zhi secretly glanced at Zhi Ji and said, "I wonder who can verify these rules, make a decisive cut through the outer chaos, establish a cycle of matter, open up the Immortal Realm, and benefit the Saints?"

This is a great era! Flourishing to its peak, this is no less significant than Yi Mang's merits in the old days.

Zhi Ji did not conceal it. Since they were engaged in a Dao discussion, she seemed to be enjoying the conversation and chuckled, "Who will have the opportunity? I suspect there are strong undercurrents! There's a hidden force that calculated and understood the birth of this era... They must have been plotting for this moment for a long time, intending to attain the Dao in this universe!"

What Zhi Ji referred to was the hidden mastermind civilization they had speculated about, which was plotting against them. The other party, it seems, will also try to attain the Dao. And their Longevity Dao Palace will certainly not fall behind others; they will also verify these cosmic rules. They will likely become enemies with the other party, contending for the cosmic trend. However, Zhi Ji did not believe the other party could compete with them. After all, they were too ancient, having monopolized ninety percent of the universe's powerful rule resources. No one could directly confront them in terms of combat power.

Suddenly, Zhi Ji smiled slightly, looking at the mortal sitting before her and discussing the Dao. "Why, do you not wish to attain the Dao? If you can, you'll usher in a grand era and become the protagonist, comparable to the greatest ancient and modern Sages, becoming one of them. Such beings possess immense power, becoming cosmic nexus points. There have been fewer than ten throughout history!" Zhi Ji, still discussing the previous topic, her eyes glinted, "I am already your temporary Dao companion, one of your own. There's no need to hide your ambition. In fact, a person with great goals is admirable... I am willing to follow you, seek the Dao together, support each other, and pursue our dreams collectively."

"Seek the Dao together, pursue dreams together?" What utter nonsense.

Others, unaware, might think she was a true cosmic being, ready to unveil her grand ambitions. But Xu Zhi had no such intention whatsoever. "Naturally not," Xu Zhi shook his head, speaking with genuine frankness. "How could I be worthy? With great Sages attaining the Dao, completing the cosmic rules, benefiting countless generations, and allowing those universes to fully become part of the great cosmos — that already serves eternity... How could I ever imagine that such an earth-shattering person would be me?"

"You are quite interesting," Zhi Ji looked at him with renewed admiration. This person's mind was pure and devout; he understood the importance of completing the universe, unlike those selfish Saints who always thought of competing, of attaining the Dao in this aspect themselves, and of becoming the protagonist of the cosmic era. "As long as someone can attain the Dao and complete the rules, I sincerely wish them well, no matter who it is."

Xu Zhi's words deeply moved Zhi Ji. She felt utterly corrupt in comparison, while this young man was vibrant, open-minded, and held grand aspirations! She couldn't help but feel a secret shame.

Meanwhile, Xu Zhi secretly thought, "They're verifying the rules for those small universes, making them suitable for the cosmos? Wouldn't that benefit me, the Creator God? Why would I go and snatch this opportunity? I might not even be able to win the competition! They would contend to attain the Dao and become the protagonists of this cosmic era... After all, I myself am to become the universe; the two aren't in conflict. Besides, why would I fight for the opportunity of the next cosmic era? The past Mothers of Insects could easily kill me with a slap; I wouldn't join that fray."

On this point, Xu Zhi was quite laid-back.

However, the live stream chat became slightly agitated; they grew excited."Hahaha, Emperor, you're putting on quite a show, but how could he not compete?""Exactly, this catastrophe has arrived, but it also represents an opportunity! Whoever grasps this new era of myriad worlds will control everything, and our Buddhist-Daoist Chinese civilization is here precisely for that!""It seems the other party has detected our presence. We are the masterminds, and they are indeed probing us... But we do not fear them!""The struggle between the Destroyer Gods and Creator Gods is brutal, but we mortals are also vying for this opportunity, and our chances are actually the greatest. Whatever hidden cards the other party has, we are not afraid!""Emperor, don't panic. Even if the entire universe were to oppose you, we would stand by your side!"

All the players were highly agitated, waving their fists. They believed the Emperor was merely being humble and putting on a show. How could he not contend for such an opportunity, one comparable to Yi Mang and Nv Yi establishing a new era in the past?

Xu Zhi: "......"*If I were truly the Emperor, a super-ancient deity, I would certainly contend for it... But I am the Destroyer God, a higher-dimensional existence. No matter who among you attains the Dao, it will merely lay the groundwork for me, the Destroyer God.*