Chapter 1362: Joining

"Butcher, the names of the beings from the Palace of Longevity sound rather plain and antiquated," Messiah said, slowly approaching the tall man on the beach.

"This isn't a name," Butcher replied. "Over the long ages, we've long forgotten our worldly names. As we traverse the vast cosmos, only the codenames and Daoist titles of Saints remain."

Butcher smiled and continued, "Rongcheng, Zhiji, Wenmeng, Tengshou, Liuqi... most of these are simply our honorifics within the Palace of Longevity. They are titles adopted upon joining the organization, symbolizing the abandonment of the past, the severance of familial ties, and a focus on the distant cosmic future. These Longevity honorifics hint at certain characteristics, but rarely are they our true names."

As he spoke, he recited each name, his gaze fixed on the black-haired, black-eyed youth before him.

After a long moment, he finally chuckled, "You're a clever one. Your expression didn't waver with any of the names I spoke, making it impossible for me to discern who might have leaked my personal information."

"But that also implies..."

Butcher slowly frowned, his mind startled. "Among the nine members of the Palace of Longevity," he mused, "there's someone closely connected to you. Ostensibly, you're wanted across all the Heavens and Myriad Worlds, but in reality, you're secretly colluding with one of us? Betraying the Palace of Longevity and constantly leaking our intelligence?"

Butcher's expression grew solemn. "Who exactly are you?" he pressed. "What are your intentions? I suspect you've been secretly lurking for an unknown duration—first, you broke out and defected, then you conjured that earth-shattering mysterious phantom... and now you've come to find me. Whatever you're plotting must be truly monumental."

Messiah's expression remained unchanged.

Regardless of other schemes, his visit was merely a whim, a casual inquiry. Gathering information, after all, was still quite simple.

This was thanks to his conveniently acquired "wife."

After a brief pause, Messiah smiled. "Others claim you are the foremost martial artist of all time, yet not skilled at predicting eras or deducing enlightenment methods, suggesting you can't gain an advantage in this age. However, your wisdom and talent are indeed exceptional. You appear to be analyzing and challenging me right now, but in truth, you're just demonstrating your capabilities to impress me and enhance your bargaining position."

Butcher's expression did not change in the slightest.

Messiah approached him, his expression calm. "From this perspective," he stated, "you are clearly unwilling to settle for mediocrity; you're practically eager to ally with me. My reason for seeking you out is twofold: first, it undoubtedly relates to martial arts, which allows you to leverage your strengths; and second, the fact that I am wanted across all the Heavens and Myriad Worlds certainly implies an unimaginable, astonishing opportunity. You realize this is your sole chance to catch up with the others."

"Hahahaha, we're all straightforward people," Butcher chuckled. "If I, an old rascal, weren't clever, how could I have survived until today? The other eight would have long since eliminated me."

Butcher burst into laughter. "So, tell me then," he urged. "The eight of us have been developing our own paths, incredibly busy, putting down roots across the Heavens and Myriad Worlds. Some shrewd individuals have even infiltrated the opposing 'Natural Heavenly Dao faction,' becoming their hidden leaders. The networks of the various Saints are incredibly intricate.

In less than a millennium, almost all of them will ascend to the pinnacle of the new era, adopting various guises and identities no one could have imagined...

So, why have you sought me out specifically? What kind of collaboration do you desire? Is it related to martial arts? Do you want me to join your so-called Martial God Palace?"

The Palace of Longevity was never a unified entity from its inception.

Driven by self-interest, true mutual trust among them was non-existent.

As he mentioned, some Longevity Saints possess extraordinary cunning; they've even abandoned their human allegiances to directly infiltrate the hostile "Natural Heavenly Dao faction," masquerading as aspects of the natural heavenly dao. Who knows what high positions they've attained, now indignantly vowing to eradicate humanity—these old parasites who have taken over—and proclaiming their intent to lead the new natural heavenly dao to glory!

If they can infiltrate factions dedicated to human extermination, there's nothing a Longevity Saint wouldn't dare. Just like Butcher himself, he harbored no aversion to cooperating with this mysterious wanted man, provided the benefits were substantial enough.

The nine individuals each pursued their own path, seeking their own form of transcendence.

Indeed, if it weren't fundamentally impossible to join the "Chaos Beings," they would have long since found a shameless way to infiltrate them. Why struggle otherwise?

It wasn't just them; even Xu Zhi wished to infiltrate, but unfortunately, there was no method.

After all, the vast and boundless cosmos, observed across billions of years, ultimately revolves around self-interest and transcendence. Saints and powerful beings seek nothing more than the ultimate eternity of the Dao.

"No more idle talk," Messiah declared.

Messiah went straight to the point: "Our Martial God Palace lineage operates independently of the Heavens and Myriad Worlds. We do not enter the heavens, nor are we bound by the mortal realm; we do not become Cosmic Saints, nor do we cultivate bloodline inheritances. We cultivate ourselves, and the Heavens and Myriad Worlds will be subservient as we confront the impending great calamity."

Butcher's mind was slightly shaken.

The implications were immense!

Was this a complete departure from the path of the Heavens and Myriad Worlds, using an entirely different method to resist the apocalypse of the gods?

Would it involve martial arts and soul arts?

His mind raced, recognizing the clear reason for this visit. "Alright," he said, "martial arts, soul arts... what do you intend to do with them? I'm listening."

"You are aware of the future trajectory of Chaos Beings, aren't you?" Messiah asked.

"Ordinary Saints in the heavens may not know," Butcher stated decisively, "but we Longevity Saints are already aware."

"In the Age of Dharma Decline, when bloodlines and rules cease to exist, do you know what new system Chaos Beings cultivate?" Messiah asked, observing Butcher, whose mind was slightly shaken. "You've likely already guessed: they cultivate soul arts and martial arts. The path of my Martial God Palace is to align with the Chaos Beings, moving with the great trend rather than opposing it. We intend to integrate and cultivate their system."

"So, what do you say? Will you join us?"

Messiah stood with his hands clasped behind his back, calmly observing the man before him.

"I have no choice," Butcher stated without hesitation. "It's as if I was born into this era for precisely this reason; this is the path most suited for me."

He was, as expected, quick-witted and straightforward.

After all, beings of his caliber possessed greater clarity.

This was his sole opportunity, a chance to demonstrate his superiority and surpass the other Longevity Saints. How could he not realize this?

The chance to ascend to the pinnacle of the cosmos, achieve a Chaos God position, and cultivate the system he was most adept at—that was more than enough.

It was mutually beneficial; there was no reason to refuse this cooperation.

Messiah smiled faintly and extended a hand. "Then, come."

Ultimately, Xu Zhi was very pleased.

After all, he had brought in another Longevity Saint, who would now be fully integrated into the "great trend" of the era.

Fighting them was simply not an option.

They still resided within the nine major universes, possessing invincible "ancient true forms" capable of suppressing an entire era. If they were to truly exert their might, they could eradicate and wipe out all the "Heavens and Myriad Worlds" that had taken root!

This was ultimate, nuclear-level power; who would dare provoke it?

Especially the Heavens and Myriad Worlds, which had only developed for a mere millennium?

Xu Zhi harbored no illusions of overconfidence.

How extensive was their inventory of heaven-defying bloodlines? Xu Zhi had no desire to know, nor did he wish to face their might.

For now, the strategy was to draw them in, allowing everyone to share the spoils. Only then would they refrain from taking action against these Heavens and Myriad Worlds.

"I simply cannot afford to provoke them, nor is there any need to," Xu Zhi thought.

Xu Zhi shook his head. "By the time I could afford to provoke them, it would already be the Age of Dharma Decline, their power completely dissipated, their realms fallen, and they would have become ordinary gods. But by then, why would I provoke them? Because an even more terrifying 'father' would have emerged."

Soon after, Xu Zhi secretly led Butcher deep into the cosmic continent, arriving at one of their hidden territories.

"This is?" Butcher murmured.

With just one glance at the vast, colossal civilization of giants, Butcher was utterly stunned, an intense, undeniable shock washing over him. "That," he gasped, "is ninth-tier martial arts!"