While Hae-Hyuk couldn't care less about the others, there was someone he cared about here. And that person sent him a spiritual message. That person was Isla. She asked him what Song-Min talked about. If it was anywhere else, he would have answered without hesitation. After all, while spiritual messages could be intercepted, who would dare do it when it came to those two? However, here, in this place? Everyone had the ability to intercept and would likely do it. It was not against the rules. So, at first, he didn't plan to answer her.

She didn't like his reaction so, she glared at him and sent another message: "Hae-Hyuk, you little bitch, you better confess everything right now!"

Many turned towards as if outraged. They weren't aware had such a temper. The truth was that she was like this solely with Hae-Hyuk as he was the one and only man that has known her since the very beginning. They never lived together as a couple but they lived together throughout the ages. It was a bond far less shallow than love, it was something deeper.

Hae-Hyuk sighed. He looked at Isla and they stared at each other for a few seconds before Hae-Hyuk sighed again and sent her a message: "Fine, I'll tell you"

She smiled sweetly at him. He sighed again, she was really willful even after so many years...Still, while he didn't have to speak about it, it wasn't like he couldn't. There was nothing to gain or lose from this anyways. Maybe Song-Min's image but why should he care about that? So, he spoke aloud since everyone was spying anyways: "Like everyone else, I first used my power to see through fate a bit less than ninety years ago, when only one treasure was left in the array...to find out what it was. The cost, you are all familiar with it. And I learnt it was mine"

A few contestants snickered or chuckled at that. They didn't need to point it out but it was obvious they disagreed that it belonged to him.

Unperturbed by it, Hae-Hyuk continued: "Then, I looked once more. This time, I asked a question about when I would be able to meet the champion that would win. And it gave me a few dates"

A few experts nodded. Up to here, it was the usual process. They would first consider whether to go at it seriously then search for the right time to find the right disciple.

Hae-Hyuk went on: "It was more than a decade ago that I used this power again. I asked to see who and where he or she was"

At those words, everyone gasped. It was one thing to try to find a vague answer from the world's fate. It was another to ask for the specific answer. Even more so when it came to finding the identity of someone... Everyone couldn't help but shiver at the price that must have been paid in exchange. But Hae-Hyuk's words didn't end there: "I saw Min-Su. He was in Song-Min's facility. So, I went there and took him out. And, he wasn't in good shape. His soul was on the verge of crumbling"

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Song-Min couldn't but sigh in relief. Hae-Hyuk didn't disclose the location of his facility and didn't explicitly mention what it was about. While everyone could easily guess, it was still something he wasn't forced to do. He was also glad that it wasn't a successful product from his lab. Otherwise, it would have meant that he had the perfect champion stolen from under his nose. Not a good feeling to get.

One of the Saints found it weird. If the kid's soul was crumbling due to the element inside it...How could he have stabilized it? Even them, as Saints, didn't have such a power. He was curious. So, he asked directly about it: "What did you do?"

Hae-Hyuk sighed and glanced at Isla. Then, while keeping sight of her, he admitted: "Since his was doomed, I gave him some of mine"

There was complete silence.

The soul contained the life of a cultivator. It wasn't just precious but essential. And damages to one's soul were incredibly hard to heal, sometimes even possible. Just like the previous state of Min-Su's. It's true that if he was transplanted the soul of an expert, even just a part, it should be enough to push on for a time but...not for long. Clearly, Hae-Hyuk kept Min-Su with him for close to twenty years. Just how could he stabilize him for so long?! What price did he have to pay?!

Isla got up from her throne and went to Hae-Hyuk. Then, as she faced him, she slapped him hard. It resounded through the silence as everyone could see tears flowing down Isla's face. She asked in a trembling voice: "How long?"

She was asking how long Hae-Hyuk had left. Not how much he spent. There was a difference in paying a price to see fate and what he did for Min-Su. It was a quantitative difference beyond expectations. He had to give up on a lot. Hae-Hyuk gave her a sad smile as he answered honestly: "I'm the same as the Abbot"

Everyone drew deep breaths. One needed to understand that the Abbot had lived twice as long as Hae-Hyuk. This showed just how determined he was to win this time but also just how foolish of a gamble it was. Everyone had to admit that he had guts. Even Cao Lei admitted it. He hated Hae-Hyuk but couldn't help but agree that not everyone would be capable of this.

Then, they heard another loud noise. Isla had slapped him again. She walked back to sit on her throne without giving another word or glance to Hae-Hyuk. He sighed at her back. He knew from the start she wouldn't take it well. After all, her dream was different from his. She wished to spend her lifespan with him. He wanted to see and reach the End Point. He didn't need to tell her, she knew. He hoped that one day she would understand.

Then, as if to break the awkward silence, someone asked: "What about the second one?"

Hae-Hyuk chuckled as he answered: "A coincidence. I met him while I trained Min-Su and thought he might be usable. I didn't have the means to search for a second champion anyways"

Jin was never the champion Hae-Hyuk was truly betting on. From the very start, his hopes had always been on Min-Su.