Chapter 122: Elder Chen, Who Has Dared Not Close His Eyes for Two Hundred Years

Lin Qiye also found the skinned fiend rather troublesome.

Even with deduction, he remained completely in the dark.

This creature's existence was bizarre to the extreme; even with Genesis Deduction, pinpointing its whereabouts would consume tens of millions of walking points.

After all.

Lin Qiye understood far too little about the skinned fiend.

Fortunately.

Lin Qiye took a roundabout approach, weakening the skinned fiend by slaying geniuses such as the Destroyer and the Underworld Son of Heaven.

At this thought.

Lin Qiye gave a faint shake of his head.

...

Meanwhile.

During the period when Lin Qiye, Zhu Yuheng, and Jiang Lianyi were in secluded retreat for rigorous cultivation.

The five top-tier mental-type powerhouses who had previously assisted Lin Qiye in annihilating the Destroyer had also concluded their retreats on Siren Island and returned to Yanjing.

"How are your advancements?"

"That mineral vein is simply too precious; the quality of my innate talent seems to have improved by twenty percent!"

"My spiritual power has expanded by thirty percent!"

"It seems everyone has harvested a bountiful reward!"

"After all, we were hanging out with Big Boss Gu..."

The five of them were grinning from ear to ear, clearly realizing that the spoils gained from coming to assist the big boss this time surpassed years of bitter cultivation.

So much so that the quality of their innate abilities had seen a substantial boost.

Although this was not enough to elevate their talents from the SS-rank to the SSS-rank, for god-tier powerhouses, every ten percent increase in strength was an exaggerated amplification.

If one were to say.

Prior to this, their rankings among the top-tier experts were around the top fifty.

Then right now.

They could rank within the top ten.

That was how exaggerated the improvement was!

Feeling the shifts in each other's combat prowess.

The five of them wore expressions full of awe.

"The reserves of this mineral vein are beyond estimation. If all of it is used to enhance the strength of the geniuses within our clan, the power of our human race will inevitably surge by a massive margin!"

"Let's go, we must hurry back to Yanjing immediately and report the situation to the higher-ups."

Thus.

The five top-tier mental-type powerhouses.

Without pausing to rest, they returned to Yanjing to report the news to the organization.

Upon hearing the news of their return, the collective higher-ups hurriedly set aside what they were doing and attended the meeting.

"Who on earth was the target you guys went to deal with this time alongside Big Boss Gu?"

Someone was extremely curious about the objective of Lin Qiye's previous operation.

Because not even when battling the Fiend Emperor and the [Underworld Son of Heaven] had Lin Qiye ever sought assistance from the human higher-ups.

Therefore, they found it difficult to imagine what kind of existence could compel even Lin Qiye to seek help.

And

At the mention of the Destroyer, all five top-tier mental-type awakened ones instantly wore faces plastered with lingering fear and palpitations.

"You might not believe it when I say this... but the guy we fought this time had strength that was completely off the charts!"

"Yeah, yeah, the five of us joined forces, yet we were so heavily suppressed by that guy that we couldn't even catch our breath. It was truly terrifying to the extreme."

The five of them felt their scalps tingle.

The higher-ups, however, furrowed their brows.

"You guys are China's top mental-type awakened ones, yet you couldn't hold your ground at all?"

"An opponent that powerful?"

"Indeed, if the five of us had gone to face that fellow alone, we probably wouldn't have been able to block a single move."

Not even a single move?

The higher-ups present exchanged glances.

"Are there really mental-type awakened ones that exaggerated?"

"Then the reason you took so long to return is that you went through a bitter battle, right?"

Hearing this.

The five exchanged glances, unable to suppress bitter smiles.

"A bitter battle?"

"Actually, you can't really call it a bitter battle..."

"The five of us certainly suffered quite a bit, but this battle, how should I put it..."

"It was like a team fighting a boss; we tanked for one second. And then... Big Boss Gu dealt a critical hit of 999,999,999 with a single slash, obliterating the boss within a single second..."

Recalling the scene of Lin Qiye slaying the Destroyer that day, the five described it in a daze.

"Obliterated in one second? A single slash of 999,999,999...?"

"Right!"

"At the time, Big Boss Gu said we only needed to hold out for a moment, and right after that, he instantly vaporized the opponent."

The five shrugged.

"Battles between top-tier experts are truly beyond our comprehension."

"Big Boss Gu and that powerhouse possess terrifyingly formidable strength. Tiny ants like us genuinely cannot understand it."

The higher-ups looked at one another in dismay.

"Alright, if you can't understand, leave it be. Gu Shaoshang is a big boss capable of simultaneously suppressing and heavily pounding two SSS-rank talented powerhouses. It's completely normal for us not to comprehend battles on this level."

The five nodded immediately!

"Also, we're afraid we might scare you by saying this, but Big Boss Gu has awakened a brand-new SSS-rank talent, and it's a mental-type one as well!"

"Right, right, right! The moment Big Boss Gu awakened his talent that day, the few of us were nearly shaken to the point of vomiting blood by the pressure radiating from it. That talent probably already surpasses the SSS-rank!"

The five spoke one after another, their tones laced with excitement.

"What did you say? Gu Shaoshang awakened another talent?!"

"In other words, he possesses five SSS-rank talents?"

Even the individuals who were usually unflappable under any circumstances couldn't help but kick up a fuss upon hearing this news.

Five SSS-rank talents? Was he even human?

The higher-ups erupted into a flurry of commotion.

Right at that moment, an aged yet robust cough echoed from the rear.

"You are all the pillars and higher-ups of our China; how can you hold a meeting with zero order, making a noisy racket? What kind of system is this?"

The higher-ups fell silent.

Everyone turned their heads toward the doorway.

At the entrance of the conference room, a beautiful female secretary pushed an old man seated in a wheelchair as they entered.

Upon seeing the elder, everyone stood up and saluted him in succession.

"Elder Chen!"

"Elder Chen!"
"Elder Chen!"

"All of you, sit down. Weren't we here to discuss the matter of the treasures on that island?"

The secretary pushed the elder to the seat of honor.

This elder was the supreme authority of the human alliance and an SSS-rank talented individual possessing the [Word Follows Law] ability—Chen Guan.

"Speak, what kind of treasure could possibly require summoning everyone here?"

Chen Guan asked calmly.

"Reporting to Elder Chen, this time when we followed Big Boss Gu on his operation, on top of that Siren Island, we actually discovered a gigantic crystal mineral vein related to mental power! Those mineral crystals can temper mental-type innate abilities and hone willpower and spiritual power, providing immense benefits to all awakened ones."

"Oh? There is such a rare treasure?"

Quite a few people present grew interested.

"These are samples."

"We didn't bring measuring equipment, so we don't know the exact reserves of that mineral vein, but based solely on what we saw, it's already an astonishing figure."

The five placed the crystals they had chipped off onto the conference table.

Then, they projected a brief surveying video onto the large screen.

After examining the samples and witnessing the footage displayed in the video.

Dense shock painted the faces of everyone present.

"This..."

Even Elder Chen couldn't help but experience a slight jolt of shock, tightly grasping a crystal and carefully sensing it.

"A whole mineral vein of such crystals?"

Elder Chen let out a deep, turbid breath.

"Yes, these are just things we casually chipped off from the edge of the mineral vein, and they are already considered relatively poor in quality. Deep within the vein, there are crystals of even higher quality!"

The five answered honestly.

"And these are still considered relatively poor?"

The crowd of higher-ups was brimming with excitement.

"These are all top-tier crystals! If they are mined and applied to the military, they might just boost the army's combat strength by thirty percent!"

"It might even awaken more mental-type awakened ones to boost morale and elevate military combat effectiveness."

The higher-ups analyzed.

Elder Chen remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"Everyone, this mineral vein must be mined. Furthermore, it must be mined with massive effort!"

"Because this concerns the survival of humanity."

"However, discovering this mineral vein is a monumental contribution by Gu Shaoshang. Therefore, how about half of the yield from mining this vein be handed over to him?"

Elder Chen's gaze was profound.

He tightened his withered grip on his palms.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the higher-ups instantly fell silent.

Some were reluctant, after all, this was entirely a matter of interests.

Others remained uncontentious, nodding in agreement with Elder Chen's words.

"I imagine everyone knows what Elder Chen is aiming to do? As the saying goes, it is easy to gather three armies, but hard to find a single general. Our human race has struggled for many years, and only Elder Chen has managed to barely hold the fort so that the human race is not extinguished."

"But now, a big boss like Gu Shaoshang has emerged within the human race, possessing five SSS-rank talents simultaneously and capable of suppressing both the Underworld Son of Heaven and the Fiend Emperor! Given his level of formidable might, is there any problem with him taking half the resources?"

"There is no problem with this."

"Those who wish to object had better think twice about whether they can withstand a single move from Big Boss Gu."

A higher-up spoke up thusly.

The higher-ups who had intended to occupy the moral high ground and voice objections suddenly found themselves at a loss for words.

Noticing the glum expressions of certain higher-ups.

The five top-tier mental-type powerhouses couldn't help but shake their heads:

"Elder Chen, Big Boss Gu said we can distribute these things however we please, and that he has no need for them. But they must be put to the sharpest use, and he must never discover anyone embezzling them; otherwise... Big Boss Gu will let them know what instant annihilation feels like."

The mature woman let out a cold laugh.

She swept her gaze across the various higher-ups.

This was a very straightforward show of dominance.

Yet the deterrent power of those mere two or three sentences was terrifying to the extreme.

The hearts of certain higher-ups instantly felt as though a basin of ice water had been poured over them, chilling them into sobriety.

Elder Chen smiled.

"Very well, everyone convene the meeting, mobilize resources, and begin mining the crystal vein."

"The sooner the better!"

"Understood, Elder Chen!"
"Understood, Elder Chen!"
"Alright, Elder Chen!"

Elder Chen nodded.

He motioned for the secretary to push the wheelchair.

And returned to his personal quarters.

"Little Wei, have all the documents been located?"

The secretary immediately retrieved her tablet computer, tapped open a file, and slid it finger by finger for Elder Chen to review.

After scanning the data on the computer screen, Chen Guan turned his gaze toward the secretary: "Have all these pieces of information been verified?"

"Yes, Elder Chen, not a single piece of information is incorrect."

The secretary replied respectfully.

At this, Chen Guan couldn't help but voice his admiration.

"To think that he is only five years old! Five years old, yet he has awakened five SSS-rank talents and can simultaneously suppress two SSS-rank talented individuals like the Fiend Emperor and the Underworld Son of Heaven! What kind of monstrous anomaly is this?"

"A god descending to the mortal realm could hardly surpass this! Gu Shaoshang... Gu Shaoshang..."

Witnessing Lin Qiye's brilliant array of achievements, even within Elder Chen's heart, a wave of profound shock welled up.

However.

His wrinkled face was also accompanied by a smile of extreme gratification.

"This damned old bone of mine has finally managed to hold on until this day!"

"With this young man around, I can finally use my death to repent for my sins."

Hearing this.

The secretary's expression tightened.

"Elder Chen, you cannot die! You are China's national treasure; you saved two billion people in China, and you are the god in the hearts of the Chinese people. You will surely live as long as the Eastern Sea and enjoy boundless longevity!"

The corners of Elder Chen's eyes trembled, his thick, dark eye bags stretching open as a bitter smile surfaced.

While offering a bitter smile, he shook his head.

"Boundless longevity and life as long as the Eastern Sea? I am merely a sinner."

Secretary: "Elder Chen, why do you always say things like that? In our hearts, you will always be the guardian deity of China."

The secretary massaged Elder Chen's shoulders.

Elder Chen's gaze lost its focus as he gazed into the distance, a trace of fatigue faintly emerging beneath his originally resolute demeanor.

At this moment.

He looked exceptionally aged.

"This old bone of mine should have died two hundred years ago."

"Make arrangements for my funeral..."

"There will surely be a great battle coming next, and before that battle arrives, I want to trade my remaining lifespan to ensure he remains completely unscathed."

Hearing this.

The secretary's heart skipped a beat, tightening involuntarily as her expression plunged into utter bewilderment.

"Elder Chen, could it be that you intend to invoke [Word Follows Law] and consume your entire lifespan to protect Big Boss Gu?"

"This... this..."

"Elder Chen, please reconsider! Compared to two hundred years ago, the current situation is hundreds of times, tens of thousands of times better, is it not? You must live to see humanity drive away the fiends and witness peace restored."

Elder Chen shook his head.

"I want to go see my old brothers a little sooner."

Elder Chen suddenly let out a long sigh.

"The fact that I've managed to hold on until this very moment has already been an excruciating torment. Do you know? For the past two hundred years, not a single night have I dared to fall asleep."

"I haven't even dared to close my eyes, do you know?"

"Not even for a single second have I dared to shut my eyes, do you know?"

The secretary's eye sockets turned red, tears swirling within them.

"I know, I know. Elder Chen, you have paid far, far too much for the continuation of humanity. You've waited for Big Boss Gu, haven't you? Under Big Boss Gu's leadership, humanity will definitely usher in peace!"

"When that time comes, Elder Chen, you'll be able to sleep peacefully."

Elder Chen let out a bitter sigh.

His mouth opened and closed, words hanging on the tip of his tongue.

Ultimately, he could not help but lean back into his wheelchair, his desolate gaze seemingly recalling extremely painful memories.

"My not daring to close my eyes to sleep has not the slightest bit to do with protecting humanity."

"Not the slightest bit at all!"

Elder Chen struck the arms of the wheelchair, his throat raspy, his voice trembling.

"You don't understand... back then, how unimaginably difficult it was for my old brothers and me just to stay alive! We ate nothing but raw flesh, day and night cycled, and for months on end we couldn't close our eyes!"

"One by one, they died right before my eyes... I..."

At this point, Elder Chen clamped his mouth shut, his lips trembling.

As if the words that followed would cause him extraordinary agony.

"Go! Call Gu Shaoshang over here! This old bone of mine is ready to die. Death is the true release!"

The secretary looked at Elder Chen, who was on the verge of an emotional collapse.

Her expression was filled with melancholy.

Two hundred years ago, something must have happened.

Otherwise.

Elder Chen wouldn't have gone a full two hundred years without closing his eyes even once.

Just what on earth had happened?

What made Elder Chen feel that he was a sinner?

When Elder Chen said he was afraid, what on earth was he afraid of?

What happened back then?

The secretary had no way of knowing.

She could only massage Elder Chen's temples, soothing his agitated emotions.

"Go, Little Wei, call Gu Shaoshang over soon so I can be released early. I'm begging you."

The secretary nodded.

"I'll go right now, I'll go right now..."