Volume One: The Game of the Controllers Chapter Forty-Eight: A Choice Between Two (New release now available—please vote for us)

"However, there is only one chance to leave, and aside from my brother, I do not wish for anyone else to compete!" Qin Si's tone suddenly grew cold, a golden glint flashing through his eyes as his formidable aura pressed against the confines of the space. Yet the force he released did not extend far— the restrictions here were even more formidable than he had anticipated. Still, the two other young men who had entered the Lotus Pond felt the terrifying will emanating from him.

"Though you are brothers, this place is meant for fair competition. We can form alliances just as easily!" The first young man who had emerged suppressed his surprise and fear, shouting at Qin Si as he hurried toward the stranger on the other side.

Suddenly, with a splash, no one expected that as Qin Si and Qin Shuang were focused on the young man, the last of their group who had entered the Lotus Pond with Qin Si leapt into the water, hoping to seize the lotus while their attention was elsewhere.

The one who jumped dove straight beneath the surface, and when Qin Shuang and the others reached the pond's edge, he had not resurfaced— only bubbles breaking the surface.

"This water is the Primordial Hongmeng Essence. Though it appears small, it contains countless spaces. The third tribulation of the Sea of Thousand Calamities is, in truth, but a single drop of this primordial water.

Even a single drop is an entire world for you. And every drop is different; once immersed, unless you break through every space, you cannot escape!"

That powerful voice sounded again, startling all three. Qin Shuang had spent decades to break through a single space, and with billions of drops in the pond— each a unique world— breaking through them all would require an astronomical amount of time.

Moreover, time was not the only concern. Each drop’s space would shrink, and if one failed to escape before it vanished, one would disappear along with it. In the Sea of Thousand Calamities, four people had vanished forever because of this. Entering the Lotus Pond was a gamble with fate— a nine-in-ten chance of death.

The voice arrived just in time. All three had nearly plunged in; none could bear to watch another snatch the lotus first, for it was not only a prize, but the sole means of leaving this place.

"Now, only the three of us remain. Tell me, what do you think of this plan— we kill you first, then figure out how to get the lotus?" Qin Si, unconcerned by the one in the water, smiled at the last remaining stranger. Yet in the young man's eyes, Qin Si's smile was no less terrifying than a demon's.

"You can't do that! I believe twelve entered here, and now only three are left. We should be united!"

The young man was agitated. As Qin Si suggested, killing him first to divide the lotus was indeed the best plan. Though the young man’s cultivation was not low, it paled in comparison to Qin Si— even Qin Shuang was far stronger.

"Why not? It’s the best solution right now!" Qin Si chuckled darkly. He had no real intention of killing him, but disabling him so he couldn't interfere was a plan long since decided.

"Brother!"

Qin Shuang smiled at Qin Si. Having sensed no murderous intent from his brother, Qin Shuang knew he was merely frightening their companion, and was content to watch the drama unfold.

Qin Si approached slowly, while the young man’s face darkened. He summoned a divine artifact— a lower-grade celestial weapon. Though his cultivation was lower than Qin Shuang’s, so were his treasures. As he was only at the Celestial Immortal stage, wielding an unrefined celestial weapon was as effective as using an ordinary immortal artifact— not very threatening.

The unrefined lower-grade celestial weapon flew sluggishly, posing no threat to Qin Si, a true upper celestial deity. With a casual wave, Qin Si knocked the artifact aside.

"Wait, brother, if he doesn’t interfere, do we have to kill him?" Qin Shuang suddenly interjected. Qin Si looked at him in mock surprise; the brothers’ first attempt at deception showed remarkable tacit understanding.

"Shuang, you must realize— that lotus is the only way out. He won't give up!" Qin Si shouted, feigning anger.

"Please, I swear I will not compete for the lotus. I will remain here and cultivate peacefully— this place is ideal, and someday I will reach the rank of deity!" the young man cried, desperate. Qin Si and Qin Shuang exchanged mischievous smiles. In a flash, Qin Si appeared beside the young man, his divine power swiftly sealing the young man's nascent soul.

"This is your choice. I will seal your strength now; before we depart, I'll release you!" Qin Si laughed heartily. The young man realized their intent was only to disable, not kill him. Yet understanding was futile— Qin Si’s power rendered resistance impossible. This outcome was perhaps the best he could hope for.

"I can only say I am luckier than you," Qin Shuang murmured to the one who had entered just after him. With strong cultivation and a protective brother by his side, he was indeed fortunate.

Fortune, after all, was reflected in Qin Shuang’s strength. When the master set this test, he had considered the issue of power. Yet after passing the first two trials, restrictions at this final stage were looser— for surviving the earlier tests was itself proof of strength.

"Shuang, listen to me."

Once the unfortunate fellow was sealed, Qin Si's expression changed, becoming grave.

"Brother, I understand. Let me speak." Qin Shuang interrupted, his face also serious.

There was only one lotus— only one could leave. Both brothers wished the other to be the one to escape.

"Brother, I dragged you into this. If not for my stubbornness, you wouldn’t have ended up here. If you let me leave, and you remain, do you really think I could live well in the future?"

Qin Shuang shook his head, glancing at the sealed young man. "My life thereafter would be worse than his. I would rather stay here than abandon you!"

"Shuang, I am gratified you feel this way— following you here was not in vain." Qin Si smiled, deeply moved by his brother's words, shaped by their time on Mount Myriad Lords.

"You’ve been away from home longer, so there are things you do not know. But I am clearer. This so-called Mountain and Sea Heaven is backed by forces more complex than it seems. I sense this matter will not end so simply."

Qin Si stepped forward, putting his arm around Qin Shuang’s shoulders. "Shuang, trust me. Take the lotus and leave, return to the Divine Realm and find Father. He will surely have a way to bring me out!"

"Father? Brother, why don’t you return to him? It will be harder for me to get back to the Divine Realm, but easier for you!"

"Shuang, you forgot— I came down to protect you. If I abandon you and return, how will Father view me? You wouldn’t want him to look down on me forever, would you? Besides, you don’t know everything. Our father is now incredibly powerful. I believe if he acts, this Mountain and Sea Heaven will be easily broken!"

Mentioning Qin Yu, Qin Si couldn’t help but show pride. When Qin Shuang left home, the Thunder Punisher had not yet come to Mist City, but Qin Si had witnessed it— the Thunder Punisher had no power to resist before their father. He had seen the mighty Floating Feather Immortal Lord show respect to their father, and remembered how their second uncle casually gifted top-tier Hongmeng treasures as toys. Qin Si was convinced nothing could defeat their father.

"Enough, Shuang— trust me this once. I am perfectly safe here, and don’t forget my strength far surpasses yours!"

Qin Si laughed, then began circling the Lotus Pond. He had already resolved— no matter what, his brother must be the one to leave.

"Oh, Shuang." Qin Si suddenly turned, tossing Qin Shuang a spatial ring. "Inside is a set of mid-grade celestial armor. You’re fortunate— only later did I learn that the armor completely protects the soul. Such things are rare indeed."

Qin Shuang paused. Mid-grade celestial armor was common in the Violet Profound Palace, and he had seen many, but armor that fully protected the soul— he had never even heard of such a thing.

"Brother, I don’t want it!" Qin Shuang refused outright, about to toss the ring back.

"Enough— it’s just mid-grade celestial armor. For soul protection, it can’t compare to the Fire Source Spirit Pearl. I have plenty of treasures; you needn’t worry." Qin Si turned away, ignoring further protest.

Soul-protecting mid-grade celestial armor, though not as precious as the innate Fire Source Spirit Pearl, was still extremely rare in the Divine Realm.

Holding the ring, Qin Shuang no longer refused, though his heart felt uneasy. Shaking his head, he focused again on the Lotus Pond.

Primordial Hongmeng Essence— each drop a space. This water was not to be touched. Crossing through the water was impossible; Qin Si’s thoughts turned entirely to the sky.

Qin Shuang, too, stopped arguing. His thoughts mirrored Qin Si’s, though his expression was less articulate. All would be decided when the lotus was in hand.

Like Qin Si, Qin Shuang thought only of the sky. The Lotus Pond was not large; from the shore to the lotus at its center was only sixty or seventy meters— a distance that could normally be crossed in a single leap. But here, even jumping was a luxury, let alone reaching the lotus at the pond’s heart.

(To be continued)