If we could capture Li Yu and this magical firebird, and hand them over to the Longevity Sect for in-depth research...

Perhaps the Gate of Immortality can do more than just extend human lifespan; it can even break through the current limits of the highest strength of awakened beings to a new level!

Upon realizing this, Zhao Jianan's breathing suddenly became rapid, and the initial shock in his eyes was quickly replaced by a kind of greed and fanaticism!

He stared at the white-gold flames on the phoenix and at Li Yu's proud, king-like figure, his eyes burning with a desire to devour them alive! It was as if he were looking at a key that could pry open the rules and structure of the entire world!

A completely new evolutionary path has been discovered!

This will not only benefit the Central Plains, but also all awakened beings!

At this moment, Zhao Jianan no longer felt that Li Yu was a disgrace or a threat, but rather the best opportunity for him, Zhao Jianan, to personally reach the pinnacle of awakening and even to promote the great changes in the future of Zhongzhou!

And all of this came at the cost of Li Yu alone!

Zhao Jianan's eyes were burning with madness, almost bursting out of their sockets. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, but his face instantly changed to a solemn expression of compassion and righteous indignation.

It was as if he represented not his own selfish interests, but the future of the entire human race.

His gaze swept over the majestic phoenix, finally settling firmly on Li Yu's calm face.

The voice was no longer filled with the previous rage and murderous intent, but instead became grand and solemn, carrying a heavy sense of responsibility for the entire Central Plains, as it spoke in a clear voice:

"Li Yu! As a hero of Zhongzhou, you have seen and experienced everything firsthand! You should know better than anyone what this world is facing!"

"And I saw a miracle in you! I saw hope!" He suddenly raised his arm, pointing at Li Yu:

"The power you and this beast have displayed has surpassed the limitations of awakened beings, transcended the boundaries of the refugee bloodline, and does not belong to the category of awakened beings at all!"

"This is something entirely new and unknown, capable of disrupting the existing balance of power and potentially overturning our understanding of life and energy!"

Zhao Jianan's voice suddenly rose, and he opened his arms:

"Li Yu! Look at this shattered world in the rain, look at the powerful enemy, the Holy See, eyeing us covetously from beyond the borders! Look at the millions of compatriots in Zhongzhou still struggling on the brink of life and death, and the Awakened Ones trapped at the ninth level, unable to make any progress!"

"Do you even know what kind of power you possess?!"

Zhao Jianan's tone turned pained and indignant, like a saint admonishing a lost sheep unwilling to give:

"You hold the key! A key that can unlock the treasure trove of human potential and shatter the shackles of energy!"

"A supreme key that can change the fate of mankind, make Zhongzhou stand at the top of the world, and lead the awakened to rise!"

"It is the key for all awakened beings to break through their current power bottlenecks and achieve an overall leap forward!"

Zhao Jianan stared intently at Li Yu, his gaze filled with an undeniable sense of racial righteousness:

"This power is so important that it shouldn't belong to any individual!"

He paused, then suddenly became filled with pity and sorrow:

"Li Yu! For the future of Zhongzhou, for the sake of hundreds of millions of fellow human beings having stronger means of survival in this endless rain!"

"I, Zhao Jianan, as a member of the Zhao family of Zhongzhou, as a member of the military, and as a veteran who has dedicated my life to the prosperity of humanity, request you..."

"No! I'm begging you, for the sake of the greater good, to make a sacrifice!"

"Please voluntarily hand over this firebird and actively cooperate with the Changsheng Sect in conducting necessary research!"

"This may require you to give up some freedom, strength, or even your life! But—!"

Zhao Jianan abruptly changed the subject, his face heavy with solemnity as he swore an oath:

"Your sacrifice will not be in vain! I, Zhao Jianan, hereby swear that as long as you agree, you, Li Yu, will become the only and greatest hero in the history of Zhongzhou!"

"Your name will be engraved at the very top of the monument of history! Respected by all."

"Your dedication will be written into the Central Plains textbooks and passed down through generations!"

"From this day forward, every inch of land in Zhongzhou, and every child in the future, will remember your great sacrifice, Li Yu! You will live on in the eternal remembrance of hundreds of millions of people! Your glory will last forever!"

Zhao Jianan stared intently at Li Yu, trying to find a trace of wavering on her face, even the slightest hint of being swayed by the promise of "lasting fame in history," and asked:

"Li Yu, put aside your personal interests, for the sake of Zhongzhou! For the future! Are you... willing?"

He believed that a true hero could not possibly refuse such an offer of unparalleled glory.

To exchange the death of one person for eternal fame and the prosperity of the clan—what a noble trade!

The elders of the Longevity Sect not far away were also shaken by Zhao Jianan's impassioned and "righteous" speech. Their eyes even revealed expressions of agreement and expectation, as if they could already see the picture of that "glorious future".

"Shameless! High-sounding but insincere!" Hei Yi roared inwardly.

"You old bastard! You're talking nonsense!" Hei San cursed loudly, trembling with rage.

But the moment they opened their mouths, the wind prison that imprisoned them tightened instantly, sealing off all sounds and preventing a single voice from escaping.

The lingering energy slowly dissipated, and the cold rain began to fall again.

An eerie silence fell over the entire sky.

All eyes were on Li Yu.

However, Li Yu's reaction disappointed Zhao Jianan and all the elders of the Changsheng Sect.

He didn't even show the slightest hint of mockery or anger; he simply stared at Zhao Jianan with his heterochromatic eyes.

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