Chapter 580: Chapter 570: So, I’m the Ephemeral One!

"Brother Su, may I take a look?"

"I mean no offense, I just want... to broaden my horizons."

Elder Bai Mei said hastily.

"Alright, come with me."

With that, Su Mu got up and headed towards the main river channel, and Elder Bai Mei quickly followed.

Soon, the two arrived at the riverbank.

Su Mu released his Spiritual Sense.

In less than a breath, a white bone emerged from the river sand beneath where Su Mu stood, floating up and swimming to Su Mu’s feet, circling around them.

Upon seeing this scene, Elder Bai Mei’s eyes widened in astonishment. He felt his mouth dry up and involuntarily swallowed.

It seems that Su Mu really contracted the coordinate!

Moreover, it wasn’t just a simple contract. From the way it came at Su Mu’s call, left with a wave, and even displayed such intimacy, it was clear that it was fully "tamed."

This is different from a forced contract, proving that the coordinate not only chose to follow Su Mu but was also willing to be "contracted" by him.

The more noble the species, the more they resist the concept of "contract."

This is why, when some Beast Taming experts reach a certain level in their Cultivation, their spirit pets are in a "partnership" rather than a boss-servant relationship.

Simply put, it’s a "cooperative" relationship.

Because at their level, their spirit pets are Divine Beasts, Holy Beasts, Ancient Relic Species, and legendary fiercer Wild Beasts.

Such level of Holy Beasts are usually very difficult to contract; in their eyes, a "contract" is virtually a "slave seal."

Yet many beast tamers have extremely powerful and high-tier Divine Beasts accompanying them, who are in a "cooperative" relationship, without the tether of contract.

If the relationship breaks down, the Divine Beasts can leave their masters anytime.

Considering that even Holy Beasts and Divine Beasts behave this way, let alone a "coordinate," which is above creatures.

"Coordinates" aren’t purely Holy Spirits; they are a species higher than creatures but with their own thoughts and spiritual intelligence.

The fact that such an intelligent entity is willing to let a human "contract" it, truly reshaped Elder Bai Mei’s worldview.

...

"Is this... is this so novel?" Su Mu asked with a smile, gazing at the awestruck and spellbound Elder Bai Mei.

Snapping back to reality, Elder Bai Mei exclaimed in wonder, "Incredible, truly incredible...."

"Seems like, for most of my life, I’ve lived like a frog in a well...."

Since he met Su Mu, Elder Bai Mei repeatedly doubted himself, increasingly feeling like the frog in the well.

After living for most of his life, he finally understood the profundity of the saying "A mayfly sees the sky once" and reinterpreted it.

He once thought he was the sky, at least a star in the sky.

Now he seemed to realize that in front of Su Mu, he was just an ant.

This is relative...

.....

"Let’s go."

Su Mu waved his hand, signaling the Fish of Coordinates to leave.

Because the ensuing conversation wasn’t suitable for this little one to hear, lest it overthinks.

.....

"To be honest, I am quite a selfish person, sometimes planning profit before making a move."

"However, as for these little ones who choose to follow me, no matter their origin or background, I don’t mind as long as they follow me, I won’t easily discard them."

"So..."

"So Brother Su wants to find the second Coordinate Bone." Elder Bai Mei completed Su Mu’s thought.

.....

After these words, Elder Bai Mei’s expression flickered and he looked at Su Mu with newfound respect.

Apart from admiration, he felt no other emotions.

When he first obtained the coordinate, his initial thought was how to use the coordinate to strengthen himself.

If there was a chance to sacrifice it, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it.

No matter how many years he had raised it, he wouldn’t even blink!

However, Brother Su had acquired the coordinate, contracted with it, and had the opportunity to use it.

It could be said that any bit of personal ambition Brother Su had could turn the "coordinate," which countless people dream of, into something he could use.

What an enormous opportunity, what a huge temptation that would be!

At least he couldn’t resist such temptation, never could.

Perhaps this is the difference between him and Brother Su, why Su is able to master the River of Time, while he can only barely scrape by under its constraints.

....

Looking at the vast River of Time, Elder Bai Mei suddenly thought.

Perhaps, this might be a good thing.

If Su Mu truly held sole command over the River of Time and ruled over the Ten Thousand Realms, his character and attitude would greatly influence the entire Ten Thousand Realms.

Without saying anything else, just from this incident, compared to others reaching the pinnacle to rule the Ten Thousand Realms, he much preferred someone like Su Mu to reach the top.

He eagerly awaited, should Su Mu reach that step, what the Ten Thousand Realms would look like then.....

In the ancient histories of All Heavens and Myriad Realms, there has never been a "climber" like Su Mu.

He eagerly anticipated what changes might occur in the world when this unique "climber" reached the peak.

It’s just.... this road isn’t one Su Mu walks alone.

Those who walk this path are all incredibly, incredibly strong....

So, he also hopes that this time, Su Mu could be ruthless and sacrifice the "coordinate," to win this war first.

....

"Brother Su, what if you can’t find the second Coordinate Bone?" Elder Bai Mei asked softly, gazing at the long river.

"Then I’ll find a substitute." Su Mu replied.

"What if there’s no substitute?" Elder Bai Mei continued to inquire.

....

"Then it’s unnecessary." Su Mu smiled, "An immensely powerful weapon can greatly enhance one’s fighting capability."

"So all I have to do is become powerful enough not to need any external aid to defeat everyone, right?"

Su Mu answered candidly.

Upon hearing this answer, Elder Bai Mei was taken aback, then smiled, "Today, Brother Su taught me a lesson."

...

All of a sudden, Elder Bai Mei thought of something and said, "Who would’ve thought Brother Su’s Path of Forging has been Cultivated to perfection."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu waved his hand, "No, no, when it comes to blacksmithing and forging, I’m completely clueless."

At these words, Elder Bai Mei questioned, "Didn’t you say you were going to forge a weapon?"

"Yes."

"But not me, it’s someone else who’s going to create it for me." Su Mu explained.

.....

"In this world, is there really someone who can forge using a ’coordinate’?!" Elder Bai Mei was stunned.

If it’s not Brother Su himself doing the forging, does this mean there’s another in the Ten Thousand Realms with such capability??

"Whether Brother Yang knows this person, I do not know," Su Mu said slowly.