The exchange between Yun Yang and Emmie seemed to last forever, but no matter how elaborate it felt, the process was actually only as long as it took to snap one"s fingers.
Nonetheless, Mr. Nian was already waiting impatiently. In a loud voice, he called out to Yun Yang, "Yun Yang – Lord Supreme Cloud, what do you truly want? Speak honestly! Hesitating and acting as if you are stumped, are you not planning to let me gather my late brothers" remains? Is this what a hero should be doing? Is this what the legendary Supreme Cloud is truly made of?"
Yun Yang chuckled. "Why are you so anxious, Mr. Nian? I was only wondering if I really wanted to keep two pieces of G.o.d"s Bone to study. I know that installing G.o.d"s Bone into a person can actually enhance his or her power. Such an unheard of mystical potency isn"t a joke. That"s why I took a long time to contemplate… All in all, I still think it"s inappropriate. Regardless of how a hero should act, it should not have been done solely as a man."
"What do you mean by that?"
Mr. Nian watched Yun Yang skeptically. Could the young man have another unspeakable objective? Why had he suddenly changed his mind? Being conspired against using his previous plot, the impression of Supreme Wit"s scheming nature was deeply implanted in Mr. Nian"s mind. The fear lingered, as did his worry.
"Death bears the most significance. I, Yun Yang, shall never do anything remotely resembling the desecration of the dead."
Yun Yang spoke righteously, "No need to waste time on this. Gather your late brothers" remains and leave quickly, Mr. Nian."
Mr. Nian"s doubtful gaze was still cast on Yun Yang. He could distinctly tell the vast difference between the youth now and the one just a bit earlier. He vaguely felt that the young man must be harboring an ulterior motive; he most probably had something planned in secret. However, Mr. Nian could not halt his original arrangement now when things had transpired to this stage.
"Why is Lord Supreme Cloud suddenly so benevolent?" Mr. Nian could not help asking in curiosity.
Yun Yang feigned embarra.s.sment as he muttered, "As you said, the G.o.d"s Bones from Venerable Lord Sword, Frost, Snow and Ice are indeed with me. Man is always innately fearful of the unknown, so am I. If I"ve returned them to you, it"d be detrimental for myself… Now that it"s come to our ultimate battle, I"ll just return the four pieces of G.o.d"s Bones as well, so the circle comes a full round."
Mr. Nian was stunned, inadvertently blurting out, "You would be so kind?"
"What do you mean, Mr. Nian? I am upset to hear this. I, Yun Yang, also named Supreme Cloud, have always followed an open and righteous code of conduct all my life. Since when have I ever committed a despicable act?" Yun Yang replied in annoyance.
"Since when have I lied to anyone?"
"Even when I face my enemies, I act in an upright manner, and can clearly distinguish between life and death!"
Yun Yang spoke fervently, "Even if the Four Seasons Tower and I stand on opposing grounds and are thoroughly irreconcilable, I"m certain that you have no reason to see me as a varlet!"
Mr. Nian was tongue-tied. In truth, he had to agree with what his opponent had said and found it difficult to issue a retort.
It was indeed so.
Yutang"s Supreme Cloud was a heroic figure revered by the world. Even when it was someone who loathed Yun Yang to the ends of the world and wished for nothing but his death, that particular person had to admit that Supreme Cloud was truly a hero of this time, a living legend!
Squinting his eyes, Mr. Nian replied, "Even a hero, when facing his enemies, may often resort to drastic measures. The polar ends of their stance scream faultless."
"I resent everyone in the Four Seasons Tower. This is a fact. However, my perspective aside, the tower"s men are worthy of my respect too. Not every one of any organization could stay loyal, even to their death. Should such opponents not be respected?" said Yun Yang coldly.
"The Four Seasons Tower does measure up to the esteem of being this world"s top organization."
"That"s why I do what I"m doing today – to give to the limit I can give."
"Whether you believe me or not, this is my thought. There"s no need to speak more about it."
Yun Yang then retrieved the four pieces of G.o.d"s Bones from his spatial ring and said faintly, "These are the four pieces of bones Sword, Snow, Frost, and Ice gave to me. I always stay true to my word. I don"t go back on them. I said that I"m returning G.o.d"s Bones, so here it is. Let tomorrow"s final war come round a full circle!"
"You"re the Four Seasons Tower"s leader. Your knowledge of G.o.d"s Bones must exceed my own. I wouldn"t care to take this little advantage from you."
"Want it or not, this is what I"m doing!"
Four crystalline G.o.d"s Bones were tossed onto the ground by Yun Yang like they were worthless. The four pieces, with their amazing structure, glowed with their own unique brilliance. Once they left Yun Yang"s hand, they radiated an effervescence of their own. The energy of ice, frost, and snow danced around the sharp sword energy. It was incandescent as the aura of four G.o.d"s Bones converged and soared into the sky.
There was a piece of a s.h.i.+nbone, a piece of cervical vertebra, a piece of a vertebra, and a piece of the rib bone.
These were G.o.d"s Bones left by the four Venerable Lords in the past.
Yun Yang tossed the bones and sneered, turning to leave. "I"ll wait for you at the entrance of the Nine Supremes Temple tomorrow morning. Our final war shall then commence. Winner takes it all while the loser leaves no regrets. So be it!"
He then took Ji Lingxi"s hand and left with a cold chortle, not turning back again.
Mr. Nian wanted to say something, but nothing left his lips. He stared at the G.o.d"s Bones on the ground, in a slight daze. He had spent almost all his life tangled with G.o.d"s Bones; how could he not recognize their aura?
The four pieces of G.o.d"s Bones discarded by Yun Yang were decently nourished. The energy of sword, snow, frost, and ice within them were unusually rich, looking more perfect than the bones in the Four Seasons Tower"s G.o.d"s Bone Bearers now.
Lying on the ground, gleaming luminously, anyone who saw them would be entranced.
Instead, Mr. Nian was suddenly hesitant now that the spiritual items were in front of him.
To take them or not to take them?
The current situation was similar to the earlier one. Earlier, Yun Yang decided that it was suspicious of Mr. Nian to gather the corpses and collect the G.o.d"s Bones, but he had no reason to stop him, given the illogicality that action would have entailed. Now, their places were swapped. Yun Yang had generously given the four pieces of G.o.d"s Bones that looked absolutely fine. The surging surprise must mean that there must be an ulterior intention behind it. How could Yun Yang have returned them just like that, Mr. Nian asked himself. Putting himself in his shoes, how could he give up on G.o.d"s Bones so easily when he had nourished them with so much effort? He must have some elaborate scheme planned.
However, was Mr. Nian going to give up and forego them?
The four pieces of G.o.d"s Bones did not look suspicious at all!
Was he really going to deny these perfect bones just because of his budding skepticism?
Mr. Nian was heavily troubled.
He had never expected himself to fall into such a dilemma, given his strength of will.
Slowly making his way over, he picked up a piece of G.o.d"s Bone from the ground and observed it carefully in his palm, examining the bone from tip to end.
It was flawless! There wasn"t the slightest bit of imperfection!
This was the best state the G.o.d"s Bone could be in.
He held in his hand Venerable Lord Ice"s G.o.d"s Bone.