"Makes sense! Let’s do it now, let’s vote and elect someone! Whoever gets the most votes wins!"

"Yes! Vote! Vote!"

The crowd was exhilarated, the voices rising ever higher.

I am a farmer mused as he looked at Xiao Jie, then at Emperor Shitian, seemingly calculating something in his heart.

Emperor Shitian was also uncertain, his gaze shifting between Xiao Jie and I am a farmer - what was the deep intention behind Xiao Jie’s actions?

I am a farmer suddenly smiled slightly, "Makes sense. Then let’s vote."

Full-time Expert also nodded, "I agree too."

Emperor Shitian’s face changed!

He looked at Full-time Expert and I am a farmer, a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

"You colluded, didn’t you? Conspired behind my back!" He gritted his teeth, "Who would have thought, Full-time Expert, you’re playing the same game."

Among these forty-nine Daluo, Iron Blood Guild’s members occupied nearly half - they were all Full-time Expert’s old subordinates. I am a farmer’s guild had three to five members too, combined, it was close to half.

Now Xiao Jie incited them like this, as long as he pulled a few votes for I am a farmer, it would be a sure win.

Full-time Expert was speechless, "Damn, are you nuts? I’m also considering the bigger picture! If you’re really unconvinced, then let’s stick to the previous discussion and pick whoever contributed the most. Do you think you can win this way?"

Once these words were out, Emperor Shitian was speechless. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

His performance in the previous few explorations wasn’t bad, but as a DPS, he only dealt damage, not much contribution to speak of. I am a farmer was the main tank, responsible for facing the Demon Lord head-on - his contribution was immense.

If contributions were judged, he would definitely lose.

"Hmph!" He clenched his teeth, "Vote then, vote!"

But in his heart, he’d already decided - if they play dirty, he wouldn’t hold back!

Forty-nine Daluo began to vote.

With Xiao Jie stepping aside, the candidates were down to just I am a farmer and Emperor Shitian.

"I vote for Emperor Shitian!"

"I am a farmer!"

"Emperor Shitian!"

"I am a farmer!"

...

The numbers swapped and surged, neck and neck.

On Emperor Shitian’s side, apart from a few guild members, most were Savior Alliance guild players and solo players. These people usually got along well with him, often acting together, naturally inclined to support him.

As for I am a farmer’s side, apart from a few brothers from his guild, there were also many core members of Iron Blood. Full-time Expert hadn’t explicitly stated his support, but most of his subordinates voted for I am a farmer - after all, they had fought side by side for over a month, and everyone knew who could withstand the monsters, who was reliable.

"Seventeen to seventeen!"

"Twenty-one to twenty-one!"

"Twenty-three to twenty-three!"

With the last vote cast, the player in charge of counting votes raised their head, their voice trembling:

"Emperor Shitian... twenty-four votes. I am a farmer... twenty-four votes."

It’s a tie!

Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

"Still one vote short..." someone murmured, and immediately, all eyes fell on Xiao Jie.

The only person who hadn’t voted.

"Brother Sui Feng, who did you vote for?" Full-time Expert asked.

Xiao Jie opened his mouth, about to speak—

"Wait a moment!"

I am a farmer suddenly raised his hand.

"I have something to say."

Emperor Shitian’s heart tightened, instinctively trying to stop him, "You—"

"I abstain."

What?!

Everyone was stunned.

But I am a farmer was calm, looking at Xiao Jie with a hint of reflection in his eyes:

"Brother Sui Feng is right. Emperor Shitian had actually won initially, it’s just... I was greedy for the Power of Saint and deliberately sowed confusion. Now it seems, that was infeasible."

He sighed, "After all, this concerns everyone’s ability to return home. Neglecting agreements for selfish desires simply shouldn’t be."

Xiao Jie was taken aback.

Thinking what the hell was this, knowing this Heavenly Dao had traps, he found an excuse for this, but why was this guy suddenly saying this too?

Yet, I am a farmer looked sincerely at Xiao Jie, "Thanks to Brother Sui Feng’s words earlier, I suddenly realized. I’m ashamed! Brother Sui Feng is high-minded, how could I continue to err?"

He turned to Emperor Shitian, solemnly clasping his hands:

"Emperor Shitian, you have won. The Power of Saint should be carried by you."

Emperor Shitian froze on the spot.

What the hell?

What kind of game were these two playing?

Could they be feigning defeat, lulling me, then suddenly seizing the Power of Saint once it’s gathered?

No way!

He quickly glanced around – the surrounding people were watching. Although many were from Iron Blood Guild, fundamentally, everyone had their own interests in mind. They were all Daluo Golden Immortal, none inferior to the other, and all wanting to go home. Once consensus was achieved, they certainly couldn’t act recklessly.

Were these two... really having a change of heart?

No way! Something’s off!

Emperor Shitian’s thoughts turned a thousand times, feeling there was an issue, yet unable to discern what.

He suddenly had a flash—

Could there be a hidden pit in the Power of Saint that these two discovered?

Just then, I am a farmer spoke again, "What, Brother Tian, don’t you want to accept this burden?"

He scratched his head, "Well, actually it’s true. To use the Power of Saint requires Unity of Heaven and Man, requires giving up one’s humanity. Such a burden is generally unwillingly accepted by ordinary people, right? If you’re unwilling, it’s understandable."

He paused, with an earnest expression:

"So, if you really don’t want it, let me do it. Though I am also reluctant to lose my humanity, sacrificing a bit for everyone to return home isn’t much. As long as I save the world, I can just give up the Power of Saint afterward."

Advancing by retreating!

Emperor Shitian had a sudden thought.

He looked at I am a farmer’s honest expression and suddenly found it hard to read. Behind that honest face, what thoughts were hidden?

"Emperor Shitian! Do you want it or not? Speak!" someone impatiently shouted, "If not, then the position goes to I am a farmer!"

"Yes!"

Emperor Shitian blurted out.

Why not take it?

That’s the Power of Saint! He’s exerted so much effort just for that!

Furthermore, as I am a farmer said - if necessary, he could abandon the Power of Saint and return to his nature. What’s there to fear?

He cleared his throat, stood straight, adopting a noble demeanor:

"This responsibility to save the world, recreate the universe, who but I can shoulder it! Such immense sacrifice, such immense burden, only I can bear it! How could I watch others sacrifice their humanity?"

He looked around, his voice passionate:

"Initially, my desire to obtain the Power of Saint was precisely for this purpose!"

Emperor Shitian was quite the showman; even upon accepting, he naturally cloaked himself in grand rhetoric.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jie and I am a farmer, upon hearing, neither mocked nor ridiculed, instead respectfully saluted ceremoniously.

"Brother Tian’s righteousness!"

Their stance, their tone, so sincere it was immaculate.

Emperor Shitian’s mouth twitched and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Full-time Expert shook his head, thinking you bunch of Heavenly Destiny people, what a waste of time.

He stepped forward, addressing the crowd loudly:

"Alright! Since it’s settled, Emperor Shitian is the Heavenly Destiny person for this world-saving endeavor!"

His gaze sharp, scanning everyone present:

"Once the Power of Saint is gathered, everyone must fully support him in attaining it! If Tongtian doesn’t appear, fine, if he does everyone must fight against him, ensuring Emperor Shitian completes his mission to save the world!"

The Daluo Golden Immortals nodded in agreement.

"Absolutely right!"

"That’s the decision!"

"Let’s go, explore!"

Cheers erupted again, more fervently than before.

Xiao Jie sighed with relief inwardly, at least now, hearts were united, the first issue resolved, next was to battle the Demon Lord, and then—deal with Tongtian.