So, the path for the Little Groundhog to leave was smooth and unimpeded; the Barrier Beast didn’t intend to stop it at all, just letting it go and call for reinforcements.

As for combat power, they truly stood no chance, but in terms of defensive power?

It wouldn’t matter who they called for help!

As long as it was something they wanted to protect, no one could step over them!

"Brother Shi, we’ve known each other for quite a while, and you know me well."

"I advise you to save your strength; calling anyone won’t be of any use."

"And also, someone has your back, just as we have someone behind us."

The Big-Eared Barrier Beast stood with one hand on its hip, slowly speaking to the Iron-Eating Beast.

Upon hearing this, the Iron-Eating Beast fell silent for a long time, looking at the two Barrier Beasts, and solemnly asked, "Who are you guarding the ’tomb’ for?"

The words had fallen.

The Big-Eyed Barrier Beast was just about to speak but was immediately covered by the Big-Eared Barrier Beast.

It angrily reprimanded the Big-Eyed Barrier Beast: "You big mouth, can’t keep anything to yourself? Do you have no filter?"

"Mmm mmm mmm!" The Big-Eyed Barrier Beast rebuffed after breaking free, saying: "So what? What’s wrong with saying it? It’s my freedom to say whatever I want, why should you care?"

"I don’t know what’s between those ears of yours, you really make me laugh stupid!"

"You!"

As they spoke, the two Barrier Beasts nearly started fighting each other again.

.......

"Stop!"

The Iron-Eating Beast could not endure their habit of turning to fights after a few words, and over the years, they hadn’t changed a bit.

With such a roar from the Iron-Eating Beast, the two Barrier Beasts then stopped their brawl.

The Big-Eared Barrier Beast dusted itself off, pushed aside the Big-Eyed Barrier Beast, and said seriously to the Iron-Eating Beast: "Brother Shi, even if you ask me, I wouldn’t tell you."

"All I can say is that by finding us here, it means we’ve already embarked on different paths."

At this, the Big-Eared Barrier Beast paused, and its tone became somber: "I’m not like you, I have no choice."

Hearing this, the Iron-Eating Beast fell silent for a long time.

From a certain perspective, it indeed considered itself fortunate. Following that "major event," it was lucky to have not perished, drifting with the chaotic time flow, and ultimately being swept away to the River of Time, where it fell into slumber.

Eventually awakened by its master and following its master, its fate changed because of this.

From aimless wandering to having a determined path, it cherished this opportunity immensely.

Though it seemed to laze and eat well every day, it never added any burden to its master, being worried about troubling its master, it often went out secretly foraging and seeking the "food" it needed. It had no other choice, to maintain the status quo, it had to be "well-fed," not purely out of "greed," but due to its constitution requiring it.

Yet it always felt that the path it chose was the right one.

"You still have a chance now, you still have a choice..." the Iron-Eating Beast gently advised the two Barrier Beasts.

.....

Hearing this, the Big-Eyed Barrier Beast looked confused.

The Big-Eared Barrier Beast, after a long moment of hesitation, glared and shouted at the Iron-Eating Beast: "Not everyone has the right to freely choose."

"Brother Shi, you should know, neither you nor I are but small figures swept along by the current; most of the time, we have no power of choice."

"I understand your good intentions, and I appreciate them."

"But I still insist, we have no power of choice."

"Moreover, how can you be so certain that our path is wrong while yours is right?"

The Big-Eared Barrier Beast questioned the Iron-Eating Beast.

.....

Faced with the Big-Eared Barrier Beast’s questioning, the Iron-Eating Beast remained silent.

It slowly raised its head, looking at the two Barrier Beasts, solemnly saying: "I can’t explain it to you."

"I’m unsure if your path is correct, but I’m very certain that the path I chose is right."

After saying this, the Iron-Eating Beast’s mind recalled its master’s silhouette.

Alone guarding the River of Time, maintaining the order of the Ten Thousand Realms, amiable and calm, embodying "loneliness" throughout life—that "he" walked the correct path.

Even if it were wrong, it felt no regret, as no one can truly define "right" and "wrong." One just needs to do what they believe is right.

....

"Then there’s nothing more for us to talk about."

"You think you’re right, but our ways might not necessarily be wrong; with different standpoints, words become useless."

"Brother Shi, please leave."

"Regardless of who is behind you, no matter who you call, you can’t trail over us."

The Big-Eared Barrier Beast advised the Iron-Eating Beast.

After hearing these words.

The Iron-Eating Beast clenched its fists, looking at the Barrier Beasts, and coldly smiled: "After so many years, I shall see if you have regressed!"

With that, the Iron-Eating Beast, like an arrow from a bowstring, charged forward, transparent Immortal Radiance condensing on its fists, exerting an overwhelming force that distorted the surrounding three-inch space, causing the area it stood in to faintly collapse, and its figure turned hazy.

This illustrated the terrifying power of its punch.

After sensing the pressure.

The two Barrier Beasts drew closer, allowing their held scepters to touch.

As soon as the scepters touched, a faint blue transparent Barrier appeared before them.

The Iron-Eating Beast dashed forward, throwing a punch towards the Barrier.

Bang——

A low collision sound echoed, and the entire Iron Wall Space began shaking violently.

After experiencing the force of this punch, the expression of the Barrier Beasts finally showed a subtle change.

"Brother Shi.... It seems you’ve become much stronger!"

"But..... don’t forget what kind of origin we have."

Thud——

After a few breaths, the Iron-Eating Beast was repelled, crashing to the ground, forming a deep pit.

Despite exerting its full strength, it still couldn’t break through the defense.

"Brother Shi, spare your effort and leave quickly."

The Barrier Beasts said gently to the Iron-Eating Beast.

The Iron-Eating Beast climbed up from the pit, smiling: "Not bad, you haven’t changed either."

......

At this moment, the Little Groundhog rushed out of the swamp pit with the fastest speed.

After crawling out of the swampy land, it arrived at the main river channel.

With a wave of its hand, it brought out a "small boat," propelling it swiftly across the River of Time using Spiritual Power.

Because, unlike Brother Shi and Ah Fei, it did not have a "special way" to resist the erosion of the Water of Time, it currently needed the "Wood of Time" to navigate the main river channel of the River of Time quickly.

As it sailed, it searched for its master’s whereabouts.