"It would be a shame to lose an opponent just like that."

Zhou Yuanjue’s reply was simple and to the point.

’Is it really just because he didn’t want to lose an opponent?’

Ludi stared at the man’s charred, grotesque face, a jumble of thoughts running through his mind.

He had expected some high-sounding reason, like their countries’ relations, cooperation, or friendship.

But no, this was exactly the kind of thing a man like him would say.

A smile of relief appeared on Ludi’s face.

He pushed himself up slightly and extended his fist toward Zhou Yuanjue, just as he had done when he first transformed into Shiva at the start of the fight.

"I hope we get another chance for an exchange."

Ludi said with a smile.

At that moment, Zhou Yuanjue’s charred face cracked into a grin that looked somewhat terrifying, and he slowly extended his own fist.

The two fists met once again, knuckles touching on the border between Bosha and Donghua. But this time, its significance was completely different.

On both banks of the canyon, everyone witnessed this moment, and a peculiar sense of awe stirred in their hearts.

It was an indescribable feeling, one that felt incredibly sublime.

It wasn’t until the two had withdrawn their fists and walked some distance toward their respective camps that the crowd finally snapped out of it.

The expressions on the faces of the spectators from Bosha Country were incredibly complex.

They had lost. Lost again.

One of the God Sanxiang, who stood at the very pinnacle of Bosha Country, had once again been defeated by Donghua.

Compared to the previous defeat of the Giant Spirit Snake King, the fall of the Wheel of Destruction was an even greater blow.

After all, among Bosha Country’s God Sanxiang, Shiva—the God of Destruction, God of War, and God of Dance—held immense influence and was considered the most powerful of the three.

And yet, in their proud hearts, the defeat did not bring more humiliation. Instead, there was a sense of inevitability, as if their opponent’s victory was a matter of course.

This strange emotion left them feeling adrift. Without even realizing it, they had been won over by their opponents.

This was true for both Chen Qingmu—who had summoned an immense tree from his frail body and offered a hand to his opponent in victory, wiping the slate clean with a single smile—and for Zhou Yuanjue, whose body was now completely charred and grievously wounded, yet still stood tall and straight.

We won!!

On the Donghua Country side, Xiangtian and the others exchanged a look, still reeling from the battle’s aftershock.

’Overwhelming strength, powerful abilities, an unyielding will, boundless conviction, and such magnanimity.’

’To risk everything in battle, only to turn an enemy into a friend afterward, earning their acknowledgment and respect... That is the appeal of the Martial Dao, and the appeal of that man!’

Xiangtian’s expression was fervent as he watched Zhou Yuanjue’s figure slowly approach the Donghua group, his eyes shining with a brilliant light.

That was the goal he would pursue for the rest of his life.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhou Yuanjue walked back to the side of Chen Qingmu and Tu Junshan.

"You really went all out, didn’t you?"

Tu Junshan couldn’t help but chuckle as he looked at Zhou Yuanjue’s pathetic state—body charred black, muscles atrophied.

He then took out the Peach Wood Bottle and the waist pouch Zhou Yuanjue had entrusted to him, gently tossing the bottle over.

WHAP!

Zhou Yuanjue caught the Peach Wood Bottle, uncapped it, unzipped his waist pouch, and tossed a large handful of black, compressed nutrient pills into his mouth.

GURGLE!!

His digestive system whirred to life like a machine.

BOOM!!

The fiery Southern Dipper Star Magnetic Field, compressed and stored within the Peach Wood Bottle, was instantly unleashed, igniting a layer of dazzling silver sparks around Zhou Yuanjue.

As the Star Magnetic Field continued to pour in, the Southern Dipper Immortal Seat on Zhou Yuanjue’s chest—which had been depleted of Energy and completely dimmed—was replenished and began to glow faintly once more.

TAP! TAP! TAP!!

Zhou Yuanjue repeatedly tapped his thumb against his chest. The Southern Dipper Immortal Seat activated and, in conjunction with the silver sparks, began to rapidly repair his body.

The charred skin quickly scabbed over and flaked away, revealing smooth skin underneath. Seared, atrophied muscles regenerated, and his body rapidly returned to its original state.

"What a handy ability..."

Tu Junshan couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

The three of them then turned simultaneously to face the Venerable Sanxiang of Bosha Country.

"Shall we proceed with the final exhibition match as scheduled?"

Chen Qingmu asked, his voice carried across the distance to the Venerable Sanxiang by his personal magnetic field.

Ludi, Doram, and Kekao exchanged a look. The three gathered together, apparently in discussion.

"My friends from Donghua, we would like to end the exchange here. If anything were to happen to any of us in battle, it would be a great loss not only for our two nations, but for all of humanity. I believe it is time we sat down for a proper discussion."

"About Cultivation, about the future, and about... human life itself."

A broad, resonant voice rang out from the Bosha Country side. It was none other than Venerable Brahma Kekao, one of the three, using his ability to speak.

As far as they were concerned, Donghua had already proven their strength in two matches. Proceeding with the final one would not change the outcome.

Besides, they needed to leave their people with some hope. If all three of them were defeated here today, it would be a devastating blow to the entire Cultivation Realm of Bosha Country.

"That is precisely what we were thinking. We will send a delegation to discuss the specific details of our cooperation."

"You are all exceptionally powerful individuals, a rarity in this world. It is our greatest hope that we can walk hand-in-hand on the path to exploring the limits of human life, and journey even further together."

A smile broke out on Chen Qingmu’s face upon hearing their decision.

’The most critical step has been taken. As long as the delegation can successfully finalize the details of our cooperation, the basic framework for the Human Life Research Committee can be established.’

Donghua, Beisha, and Bosha. An alliance between these three great powers of the Far East—whose territories cover nearly a third of the Far East Continent and whose populations represent a significant portion of the world’s total—would have an influence vast enough to draw in even more nations from the continent.

At that point, they might truly be able to unite the Far East Continent as one, gaining the Power to truly contend with the Starry Sky Country and those legendary, terrifying lifeforms yet to emerge.

A smile touched Zhou Yuanjue’s lips. He could already envision it: the flames of the Martial Dao blazing across the continent, a glorious scene where countless experts and their Martial Daos, new technologies and philosophies, all collided and shined with brilliant light.

This was exactly what his heart desired.