"Win or lose, there is no third option."
Jiang Li's momentum filled the heavens and earth, encompassing the universe, suppressing even the Eight Trigrams.
Simultaneously, chaotic-colored Primordial Qi surged through the earth's fissures like dragons and snakes, originating beneath Jiang Li's feet, engulfing the burning earth veins, and ultimately heading toward the South Pole Heavenly Pillar.
With Emperor Xi's strength and Yi Dao mastery, leaving Jiang Li's sight would not be difficult; he could even depart with the Yellow Emperor and the Thunder Marsh Ancient God.
But once Emperor Xi left, the South Pole Heavenly Pillar would fall into Jiang Li's hands.
Then, if Jiang Li were to seize the Western and Northern Extreme Heavenly Pillars, Emperor Xi's trump cards would fall entirely into Jiang Li's possession, leaving him with no chance of turning the tides.
He wouldn't even need to capture all the heavenly pillars; just occupying the Eastern and Southern Extreme Heavenly Pillars would already place Jiang Li in an invincible position.
Thus, Emperor Xi could not retreat.
If he retreated, there would be no opportunity for victory.
"Forcing step by step, that truly fits your style."
Emperor Xi naturally understood Jiang Li's thoughts and wasn't surprised by them. After all, he planned to confront Jiang Li decisively today, without considering escape.
Jiang Li feared Emperor Xi's ability to open up possibilities even in adverse situations, while Emperor Xi equally feared Jiang Li's Taiyi Dao Fruit.
In Emperor Xi's observations, Jiang Li's power not only stemmed from cause and effect and the spiritual thought of all people under heaven, but even the passing time seemed to fall into an abyss, augmenting his power.
Every moment, Jiang Li's strength grew; given enough time, even if Emperor Xi broke free, he might still be no match for Jiang Li.
To defeat Jiang Li, now was the best opportunity; every day delayed lessened the odds of victory.
However, Emperor Xi had been sealed within the Taiji Seal until now, even though he had secretly restored some strength, he was likely not in peak condition.
Even lacking sufficient power, Emperor Xi could still perform the divine Eight Trigrams, but more strength equated to better odds.
Henceโ
The Yellow Emperor and Thunder Marsh Ancient God exchanged glances, their bodies simultaneously igniting with blazing flames.
Their bodies burned within the flames into roiling Primordial Qi, pouring into Emperor Xi's body.
This was sacrifice!
The two simultaneously made the decision to sacrifice themselves, abandoning their bodies and Primordial Spirits to aid Emperor Xi's recovery.
The Thunder Marsh Ancient God, being Emperor Xi's father, shared the source of thunder and wood, effortlessly integrated into him, leaving only a True Spirit to fly into the Eight Trigrams behind Emperor Xi.
Meanwhile, the Yellow Emperor, being one of the Three Emperors alongside Emperor Xi, could also blend perfectly, and even his Dao Fruit fused once more into the Xuanyuan Sword, placing the Human Dao Holy Sword into Emperor Xi's hands.
At the same time, Emperor Xi transformed the Wood Element to Fire Element, evolving Innate Qi, and the merits of the Emperor Yan also manifested upon him.
Thus, the Three Emperors became one, similar to Jiang Li.
"Benefiting quite a bit from me, haven't you?"
Seeing this, Jiang Li was naturally aware that this was derived from his cultivation technique.
Using the Three Emperors' Merits as a foundation, he created the "Emperor's Pole Worldly Book," which borrowed much of Emperor Xi's wisdom. Now that Emperor Xi had glimpsed the Magic Door, it was easily understood and comprehended.
If Jiang Li were still bound by cause and effect, the Xuanyuan Sword in Emperor Xi's hands might not easily defeat Jiang Li.
"After all, it's the Great Dao of 'End of Dharma,'" Emperor Xi softly remarked, "I haven't been so arrogant as to underestimate 'End of Dharma.'"
For any underestimation of "End of Dharma," which destroyed the world three thousand years ago, would be disrespectful to oneself.
For Emperor Xi, along with others, had already lost to "End of Dharma" once.
As they conversed, Qi and momentum collided and intertwined, Dao and intent were continuously tested.
Emperor Xi's Dao was "Yi," change without limit, never revealing a weakness, aligned with the Great Dao.
Jiang Li's Dao was "One," heaven and earth like a fingertip, all things like a horse, All Things Return to One.
As they confronted each other, the three scattered breaths from the Taiji Seal began to stir.
With no object of balance, the Pangu Banner, Green Duckweed Sword, and Tai Chi Diagram were about to return to Jiang Li's possession.
If Jiang Li were to acquire these three Dao Artifacts, his strength might further elevate.
Currently, Jiang Li was equipped to bear the Three Pure Ones' cause and effect, and due to the special nature of the Taiyi Dao Fruit, even though Jiang Li had achieved First Grade, he could still merge the Three Pure Dao Fruit.
Of course, whether he could digest it depended on Jiang Li himself.
All Causes Fruit, Causes and Effects, Foundation of All Things; even "Taiyi" might find them difficult to digest.
But just using without bearing, Jiang Li could certainly accomplish that.
Now Jiang Li had the right to say "no" to the Three Pure Ones Dao.
"Soโ"
Jiang Li smiled at Emperor Xi, "Are you going to stop me?"
As the words fell, the two simultaneously transformed, like a beam of light, a bolt of lightning, a rainbow, colliding head-on in the most direct manner.
Yi Dao's endless changes, elevated Emperor Xi's power continuously in the form of an array, while Taiyi could transform myriad forces, also ever-changing.
When one side reaches its pinnacle, achieving the limits in the other aspect becomes relatively easier. This might be the rationale behind the saying "different paths with the same destination."
"Boom!"
A mighty rush swept the earth, transforming into a gale that roared and swept across the entire world.
Yet, neither Jiang Li nor Emperor Xi intended to destroy the world, so this gale was merely a strong wind, not transforming into a world-ending storm.
