Chapter 145 You Are Fortunate

In the state of Apostle transformation, one possessed far greater agility than in the armed Susanoo state.

Uchiha Li swooped straight down, easily dodging the frantic attacks launched by Otsutsuki Shouya.

Such a maneuver naturally alerted the enemy to the anomaly almost immediately.

"Damn it, boy, don't run!"

Seeing Uchiha Li preparing to escape, Otsutsuki Shouya grew increasingly desperate, unleashing vacuum-like pressure blasts as if his life depended on it.

He even began to manipulate the Demonic Statue, trying to stomp down and crush Uchiha Li beneath its heavy feet.

He did so without regard for the fact that his own body was being driven to its absolute limits, teetering on the brink of collapse.

From this battle with Uchiha Li, he had felt a profound sense of threat.

If Uchiha Li managed to escape today, it would spell grave danger for the future.

Especially that bizarre divine wheel of Uchiha Li's, which was actually capable of influencing their ancestors' Demonic Statue.

Such an entity had to be obliterated!

Hearing Otsutsuki Shouya's curses, Uchiha Li accelerated even further.

He quickly returned to Itachi's side, deactivated the Uchiha Flame Formation he had previously set up, and said, "It's time to go, Itachi."

Although Itachi was somewhat caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, he swiftly moved to Uchiha Li's side upon hearing the command.

He could tell that since his teacher's explosive assault had failed to resolve the situation, he had chosen to retreat.

He just wondered how on earth they were going to leave the moon.

However, Itachi soon found out how they would depart, as a wave of intense ocular power surged from Uchiha Li, and a pale blue teleportation array materialized right where they stood.

"Keep close; once we're delayed, we won't be able to leave."

Gazing at the descending foot of the Demonic Statue in the sky, Uchiha Li stepped into the teleportation array first.

"Yes, Teacher."

Unable to dwell on why his teacher possessed a teleportation array, Itachi hurried in right after him.

The very instant the two stepped into the array, the massive foot of the Demonic Statue came crashing down fiercely.

Rumble...

A thunderous shockwave echoed out, and the entire surface of the moon seemed to tremble in response.

Right where the Demonic Statue's foot had landed, a deep crater dozens of meters wide was carved into the ground.

Controlling the Demonic Statue to step out of the crater, Otsutsuki Shouya looked at the devastation on the ground, his face turning ashen.

Never in his wildest dreams had he expected Uchiha Li to possess space-time ninjutsu.

Although he had driven Uchiha Li away this time, it could hardly be considered a victory.

Especially with the clansmen growing increasingly older day by day, and his own lifespan rapidly running out.

With him around, things were manageable, but what should they do once he was gone?

Down below, the few Otsutsuki descendants who served as Shouya's guards looked at one another in dismay, exchanging bewildered glances.

They never imagined that the battle would end like this, even with an Elder personally stepping in.

After all, Elder Shouya had not only utilized the ancestral Demonic Statue but also heavy-load techniques like the vacuum pressure blast.

Yet Uchiha Li remained completely unharmed and had simply vanished.

"Lord Elder, what should we do next? Should we send people down to hunt him down?"

Seeing Otsutsuki Shouya dispel the summoning of the Demonic Statue, one of the guards asked subconciously.

They all understood the true terror of Uchiha Li.

As long as Uchiha Li was not eliminated, the moon would likely remain under his constant threat.

Otsutsuki Shouya shook his head, his voice weak as he replied, "Let's return first. We'll discuss what to do later."

With that, Otsutsuki Shouya tried to take a step forward to leave.

Suddenly, however, he felt a surge of blood rushing to his head. Staggering, he collapsed backward.

"Elder Shouya, are you alright?"

"Quick, go notify the healers and the other elders..."

The sudden change of events startled the guards, throwing them into a panicked frenzy.

...

Just as the moon was thrown into chaos by Shouya's sudden collapse, Uchiha Li had already brought Itachi safely away from the moon via the teleportation array to Terra.

Arriving in Terra, both he and Itachi took a moment to collect themselves.

"If you have any questions, ask them now."

Looking at Itachi, who was standing in a daze, Uchiha Li said calmly.

Itachi had witnessed far too many secrets tonight that he shouldn't have known, leaving him with only two paths.

Either follow his original plan to join Terra and become bound by its rules,

Or face certain death.

There were no other possibilities; at this stage, he would not allow anyone who knew Terra's core secrets to simply walk away.

Hearing the unfamiliar coldness in Uchiha Li's tone, Itachi remained silent for a long time.

Being the clever person he was, he had already realized the reality of the situation.

From the moment he witnessed Uchiha Li's capabilities and learned that he was Ceros of Terra, he actually had no other choice left.

With a bitter smile, Itachi finally spoke, "Teacher, is this what you meant when you said that some things, once known, leave no room for regret?"

Uchiha Li's expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly, "Precisely. Truthfully, you shouldn't have come on this trip. But now that you know too much, according to Terra's rules, you should only have one path left."

Pausing for a moment, Uchiha Li continued, "However, you are my student after all, and since I happen to have the authority to recommend members, you are still fortunate."

From his perspective, his tutelage of Itachi was still in its preliminary stages and somewhat insufficient.

Therefore, he originally hadn't planned to induct Itachi into Terra quite so early.

Yet, since events had unfolded this way, he had no other choice.

"I understand," Itachi said, taking a deep breath. "I know what must be done, but there are some things I want cleared up first."

Hearing Itachi's response, Uchiha Li nodded. "Ask away. I will answer as best as I can."

"What is Terra? And can it really help me attain the Mangekyo Sharingan, or even the bizarre power you just used, Teacher?"

Since he had no choice left and didn't want to die, he might as well accept his fate.

Uchiha Li had presumably joined Terra long ago and had been fine all these years, so he didn't need to worry unduly.

Instead, seizing benefits for himself in such a predicament was the sensible course of action.

Hearing Itachi's questions, Uchiha Li cast an approving glance at him.

Setting aside his unfavorable impressions of Itachi in his past life, Itachi was undoubtedly a remarkably clever individual.

Compared to Shisui's eagerness and Kakashi's hidden desires,

Although Itachi was younger than both of them, he was undeniably the calmest.

Rubbing his chin, Uchiha Li slowly answered,

"First, to answer your first question: the place you are in right now is Terra. It is a world distinct from our own..."

"Terra is home to multiple Apostles, each possessing distinct powers that you will gradually come to know after joining."

After a brief pause, Uchiha Li continued,

"As for your second question: I can assure you that Terra can definitely help you awaken the Mangekyo and acquire even greater power."

"I am the living proof of that."

Having answered Itachi's questions, Uchiha Li didn't wait for him to speak, but continued with a heavier tone,

"Let me make things clear beforehand: what Terra gives, it can just as easily take back."

"If you join Terra and leak its secrets, the consequences will implicate not only yourself, but countless others as well."

"Our leader utterly despises such betrayal."

"Therefore, if you feel you cannot uphold this, it is better not to join Terra at all."

"Even I am no exception to this rule..."