Chapter 367

Chapter 367: The Choice of Fate

The demon god formed the core of every Demon Swordman.

It represented both their current power and future potential.

The strength of one’s demon god dictated how far a warrior could progress in battle.

While the number of demon god contracts could be expanded—even life-bound ones replaced at great cost—most fighters didn’t seek perfection from the start. Many began with weaker demon gods, upgrading later when they gained resources. Others pursued multiple contracts to master different skills.

Legends spoke of hidden masters in Arad controlling hundreds of demon gods. Yet Midi walked a different path.

In both his previous life and current reincarnation, he maintained only one demon god.

Younger Midi had treated his initial contract lightly, attempting like others to gather more demon gods. As a Ghost Cry practitioner, he’d needed various spirits for different abilities. But every new demon god he summoned vanished completely—consumed by his mysterious demon god without trace.

This mystery persisted even after reaching peak level 85, baffling Fina, Alice, and countless scholars. Strangely, the devouring demon god compensated by granting all necessary Ghost Cry skills as Midi grew stronger.

Now reborn, Midi studied his mysterious demon god obsessively but found no answers. Could Eighth Apostle Rot—supreme ruler of psychic energy and king among Heart-Seizing Demons—uncover its secrets?

Midi remained still as psychic threads probed his being. Rot had already examined two components of the Spirit Dragon Sword. Now the psychic ruler’s Threads of the Mind penetrated the blade’s core, brushing against the shadowy demon god within.

Contact caused instant chaos. Rot’s psychic form rippled violently, his outline blurring like disturbed water.

"What is this?" The usually composed being gasped.

Alarm shot through Midi. The Spirit Dragon Sword housed his entire power system—damage here would be catastrophic, worse than spinal severance. A single mistake could leave him crippled.

Quick checks revealed no harm to himself. Rot fared worse—the psychic entity took minutes to reform after touching the mysterious demon god, energy waves still rolling through his restored form.

“Well?” Midi stared at the Eighth Apostle, hoping for useful information.

“I never imagined you’d form a perfect contract with a demon god even I can’t perceive! Incredible!” Rot looked at Midi with mixed emotions. “This is a sign—you might be the legendary ‘Chosen One.’”

“Chosen One?” The term was unfamiliar to Midi from his past life.

“Those who control fate are called Chosen Ones. Power alone can’t achieve this. Even Apostles can’t control their fates. I ruled the ocean yet still fell to this state.” Rot’s voice darkened. “But Chosen Ones can supposedly correct their own fates.”

Midi fell silent.

Fate felt too abstract for someone as practical as him.

His power was nowhere near “defying fate.” Even a Level 85 practitioner couldn’t claim such qualifications.

Being called “Chosen One” now felt unreal.

Yet Midi had touched fate before.

Reincarnating after dying in the heavens, returning twenty years to before the Forest of Gran burned—wasn’t that “correcting fate”?

He realized he understood the mysterious demon god within him even less.

Where would merging with it lead him?

“Chosen One…” After a long pause, Midi exhaled, his steady gaze wavering.

“Chosen Ones are also called ‘Untouchables.’ Those who probe their minds through psychic energy or telepathy suffer terrible backlash. When I touched that demon god inside you earlier, it happened.” Rot shuddered. “Luckily, I meant no harm and stopped quickly. In my weakened state, I’d have suffered greatly otherwise.”

“Does being a Chosen One help escape Death’s Pursuit Order?” Midi pressed.

Surviving the Demon Realm’s hunt mattered most now. Whether as Holy Blood heir or Chosen One, without escaping it, potential and bloodline powers meant nothing.

Rot stayed silent, deep in thought.

Finally, he met Midi’s eyes. “I can’t guarantee it, but if you truly are the Chosen One, you’ve gained a fighting chance.”

Originally, Rot planned to take Midi’s group to a remote small realm—a broken heritage site left by ancient powerful beings. Though incomplete, it could seal Demon Realm auras, create spatial barriers, and offer cultivation methods.

In exchange, Midi would help gather resources for Rot’s reincarnation—their “mutual aid.”

But the plan was risky. The damaged realm might not let them grow strong enough quickly.

Now, with Midi’s Chosen One status revealed, a new path emerged.

“Have you heard of the Time-Space Gate?” Rot’s voice cut the silence.

“Time-Space Gate?” Midi’s face tightened.

In his past life, he’d heard of it—a Teleportation Array only top experts could activate. It sent users to random places and eras: unknown lands, even the heavens’ war ten thousand years ago.

But for a long time, there existed this legend—

The Time-Space Gate would transport people to the path they were destined to walk.

Hence, some called it "Fate’s Choice".

"The Time-Space Gate, also known as Fate’s Choice, might send Holy Blood heirs to authentic places of inheritance created by powerful beings. Though dangers lurk there, promotions would advance by leaps and bounds," Rot stated calmly, fixing his gaze on Midi and the others.

"But it’s still just a possibility, right?" Midi countered swiftly.

"Having a Chosen One among the travelers changes everything. The likelihood would peak—Holy Blood heirs would reach their destined inheritance grounds, while you’d be sent along your proper fate-bound path," Rot affirmed with certainty. "Of course, should I join, my reincarnation circumstances would also factor in."

This wasn’t merely a Teleportation Array, but one intertwined with personal destinies.

As the Chosen One, Midi could significantly influence this teleportation’s outcome.

This became their strongest bargaining chip.

Their genuine chance to reverse circumstances.

After all, strengthening themselves remained the best countermeasure against Death’s Pursuit Order.

Reaching supreme expert status would render all pursuers irrelevant.

"But…" Midi’s voice trailed off.

Wouldn’t this mean separating the trio again?

Not merely managing different territories, but complete isolation with no assurance of reunion.

The bitterness of this impending separation clawed at Midi’s heart after their pact to fight together.

"Do it." A crystalline voice cut through Midi’s thoughts.

Fina’s crimson locks swayed as she smiled warmly. "This is wisest. Hiding solves nothing—unleashing our potential does."

"Agreed. Being chased by Apostles ruins black tea enjoyment. Better end this permanently." Surprisingly, Alice readily concurred despite her usual friction with Fina.

Midi’s protest died as Fina pressed a finger to his lips.

"Don’t insult us by doubting our resilience," Fina feigned annoyance. "Do we look like porcelain dolls needing your protection?"

"Never," Midi answered reflexively.

"Then why hesitate?" Fina’s voice rang with steely resolve. "This separation means fighting together through our individual struggles."

"All reunions require temporary farewells," Alice murmured in support.

Through the determined eyes of the Queen of Magic and Mist Sorceress, Midi glimpsed their unshakable faith.

The realization struck—his own doubts had been the weakest link.

"Understood." Midi turned to the waiting Rot. "We’ll take the Time-Space Gate."

Rot extended the dagger Golden Forgiveness. "The ritual begins in thirty minutes."

Although the three had countless words to share, with matters left with the Behemoth’s fleet, Sky City, Belmar and other responsibilities needing attention, Midi’s group simply had no time left.

Activating the Time-Space Gate required enormous magic power.

More importantly, it demanded a "sacrifice".

Given Rot’s weakened state, opening the portal should’ve been absolutely impossible.

Yet two remnants remained on the battlefield – the sulfuric-tinged ashes of the demon viscount and the giant octopus’ physical form.

These could serve as both magic source and sacrificial offering.

Everything had to be completed before their magic completely dissipated.

Midi’s group compressed all farewells into thirty minutes of letter-writing, unable to even meet Reinhardt on the warship.

This rushed departure would undoubtedly cause problems.

Their factions now spanned the Star Ocean with complex interests – impossible to sort out everything clearly in half an hour.

By any measure, this was sheer irresponsibility.

Yet Midi, Fina and Alice never wavered.

Staying meant the Death’s Pursuit Order would destroy them and everyone nearby.

More crucially, these three never fought for grand causes like "world peace" or "everyone’s happiness".

Their battle was always for a simple life free from turmoil – now they prioritized securing that future.

"Ready?" Rot asked. During those thirty minutes, he’d etched a massive magic array across the mountaintop using great skill, its Eye marking where the portal would form.

"Absolutely." Midi’s star-black eyes showed no hesitation, only resolve.

Ancient chants resonated through the Star Ocean’s silence as the formation awakened. Glowing patterns spread across the ground.

The demon viscount’s sulfurous ashes and giant octopus’ remains dissolved into the magic array’s light.

As the vortex-like Time-Space Gate materialized – a chaotic void no eyes could penetrate – Fina and Alice suddenly kissed Midi’s cheeks.

Pure white light bloomed from their chests, connecting them without words or telepathy. They simply knew each other’s presence.

"Fate binds!" Rot exclaimed. "You truly are the Chosen One! This bond transcends dimensions. No force can sever it."

Blushing but smiling, the girls opened their mouths to speak – but time ran out.

Rot finished the spell. His psychic energy form shattered under the Gate’s pressure, becoming invisible will that flowed into the "Golden Forgiveness" dagger at Midi’s waist.

"I’ll travel with you," the blade whispered.

Midi nodded, sending his burning feelings through the bond as he gazed at the girls.

"We’ll meet again."

"Without doubt," they answered as one.

The vortex swallowed the mountaintop, leaving no trace behind.