Tian Xing’s expression remained unchanged as he looked at the colossal head. "Hundred-Armed God," he said, "I've recently hit a bottleneck in my cultivation and need to find someone powerful to spar with. That's why I thought of you."
The Hundred-Armed God spoke in a deep voice, refusing, "My job is to guard the Heart of Darkness. Everything else is none of my concern. If you've hit a cultivation bottleneck, you should seek out the Master, not me."
Tian Xing replied, "The Master is currently sealed and cannot come out anytime soon. This is a critical period for our army to engage with the Emperor's Hall. If I can achieve a breakthrough, I can annihilate the Emperor's Hall in one fell swoop, removing a major worry for the Master."
"As the Master's confidant, Hundred-Armed God, you have an obligation to help me break through."
The Hundred-Armed God stated, "I have no obligation. My job is to guard the Heart of Darkness. I refuse to fight you."
With that, the Hundred-Armed God retracted his head back into the floor, seemingly refusing to engage with Tian Xing.
Seeing that the Hundred-Armed God completely ignored him, a hint of gloom flashed in Tian Xing's eyes. He said coldly, "Hundred-Armed God, if you don't help me break through, then if we fail to eliminate the Emperor's Hall this time, it will be your responsibility!"
The Hundred-Armed God replied indifferently, "My responsibility is to guard the Heart of Darkness. I care about nothing else. Whether the Emperor's Hall wins or loses has nothing to do with me. Even if you report me to the Master, it will be useless."
"You stubborn fellow! Come out!" Tian Xing's face showed displeasure. He stomped his foot onto the smooth floor, causing ripples to spread across it.
"If you don't fight me, I'll force you to!"
The Hundred-Armed God responded, "It doesn't matter... this barrier was personally set up by the Master. No matter what you do, you cannot break this barrier. I will not retaliate."
"Damn it!"
Tian Xing hadn't expected the Hundred-Armed God to be so intractable, and his expression turned somewhat grim.
Ye Ling transmitted his voice, asking, "Tian Xing, what's the situation?"
Tian Xing replied, "Things are a bit unexpected. The Hundred-Armed God refuses to fight me no matter what. It seems he's wary of me."
Ye Ling asked again, "Has the Hundred-Armed God always had this attitude towards you?"
Tian Xing replied, "No... Although I'm not familiar with the Hundred-Armed God, I'm on the same level as him. I've sparred with him before, and he's never refused me."
Ye Ling said with a solemn expression, "It seems the Hundred-Armed God has realized that you've severed your connection with the Lord of the Upper Realm. He's being cautious of you."
Tian Xing hesitated, "Then what should we do now?"
Ye Ling replied, "It's alright. The current changes are within acceptable limits. Continue talking to the Hundred-Armed God. It would be even better if you could provoke him."
"Alright, I'll try."
Tian Xing took a deep breath and continued addressing the Hundred-Armed God, "Hundred-Armed God, I now command you in the name of the City Lord of Tian Xing to appear immediately and spar with me!"
The Hundred-Armed God replied, "I only obey the Master's commands. I listen to no one else."
Tian Xing shouted, "What if I force a fight with you?"
The Hundred-Armed God said, "I will not respond, and you cannot break the Master's barrier."
"Hmph! I'll see how long you can remain a turtle hiding in its shell!" Tian Xing stopped holding back and began to assault the barrier of the Lord of the Upper Realm, attempting to force the Hundred-Armed God out.
However, the Hundred-Armed God's strength was already superior to Tian Xing's. Furthermore, the barrier of the Lord of the Upper Realm weakened Tian Xing's attacks. This caused Tian Xing's full-force attacks to feel like mere tickles after passing through the barrier and hitting the Hundred-Armed God, causing no damage whatsoever.
The Hundred-Armed God chuckled, "It's useless, Tian Xing. If I don't come out, you can't affect me. Just give up."
Tian Xing's face was somewhat grim. While attacking, he transmitted his voice to Ye Ling, "Ye Ling, what should I do now? I feel like the Hundred-Armed God is toying with me."
Ye Ling replied, "It's fine, continue your attack. It's okay even if you reveal your betrayal. My preparations are almost complete."
"Preparations?"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, a flicker of surprise flashed in Tian Xing's eyes.
Ye Ling said, "Don't worry about it, just continue."
"Alright!"
Tian Xing knew that he had no other path but to follow Ye Ling. He decided to stop pretending to be a dark creature and released his transformed aura.
The Hundred-Armed God sensed Tian Xing's new aura and exclaimed, "Tian Xing, what's going on with your aura?"
Previously, he had only felt that Tian Xing was somewhat strange, but Tian Xing had disguised himself well, and he had no evidence. Therefore, he had only harbored suspicions and remained cautious.
Now, Tian Xing had directly revealed new information, completely confirming all his suspicions about Tian Xing.
Tian Xing, without any further pretense, said to the Hundred-Armed God, "Hundred-Armed God, I have completely broken free from the Lord of the Upper Realm and pledged allegiance to the Emperor's Hall. I have come here this time to kill you!"
The Hundred-Armed God seemed unable to accept that Tian Xing had betrayed the Lord of the Upper Realm and continued to press, "Why? As the person the Master values most, why would you betray the Master?"
Tian Xing sneered, "Naturally, there is no future in following the Lord of the Upper Realm. The Lord of the Upper Realm has been invading the Origin Lower Realm for countless years, yet has not resolved the issue of good and evil. This shows that the Lord of the Upper Realm is no match for good and evil!"
"Once good and evil recover, the Lord of the Upper Realm will surely die. Our fate, as those who followed the Lord of the Upper Realm, will only be more tragic."
"Rather than suffer a crushing defeat with the Lord of the Upper Realm, it is better to find a way out sooner. Hundred-Armed God, you and the Heart of Darkness you guard are my pledge of allegiance!"
The Hundred-Armed God roared, "Scoundrel, everything you have was bestowed by the Master. How dare you betray the Master?"
Tian Xing laughed, "The Lord of the Upper Realm can barely protect himself, what can you do to me!"
"Arrogant!!!"
The Hundred-Armed God roared, and the entire plaza began to shake violently. Tian Xing, thinking the Hundred-Armed God was about to attack, ascended into the air, fully on guard.
After all, the Hundred-Armed God was powerful, and if he were ambushed, she wouldn't be able to handle it.
However, after his rage subsided, the Hundred-Armed God quickly calmed down.
The Hundred-Armed God did not leave the barrier of the Lord of the Upper Realm. He remained underground and sneered at Tian Xing, "Tian Xing, I know you want to lure me out, but my duty is to guard the Heart of Darkness. Nothing is more important than the Heart of Darkness."
"Whether you have betrayed the Master or not has nothing to do with me. As long as I guard the Heart of Darkness, the Master will not blame me!"
"Tian Xing, I will not come out!"
"Tch! This cowardly turtle!"
Seeing that even after reaching this point, the Hundred-Armed God still wouldn't come out, Tian Xing was truly at a loss and asked Ye Ling, "Ye Ling, I really can't do anything more. What should I do now?"
Ye Ling chuckled, "It's alright. I've already infiltrated the barrier... Leave the rest to me."