Chapter 123 (Part 1) Old Chen's Past

The secretary gave a nod of assent and turned to leave Elder Chen’s quarters.

Only Elder Chen was left behind, sitting in his wheelchair with an ashen and desolate expression.

"I suppose it is time for me to end all of this," he murmured, his face steeped in despair.

……

Meanwhile.

In Jiangcheng.

By Emerald Lake, inside the Gu family villa.

Lin Qiye, who was intensely refining his innate talents, suddenly opened his eyes as his heart hammered wildly against his chest.

"What is this? Why is there such a sudden wave of unease?"

Lin Qiye knitted his brows tightly.

In just a single instant, an intuitive premonition arose from the depths of his soul, as if a crucial flaw had appeared amidst all the intricate schemes he had laid out in recent days.

Or rather,

a vital link was missing from the requirements needed to achieve an SSS-grade rating.

"How strange. This ominous premonition doesn't come from the Skin-Disguising Fiend, nor from any external enemy... After having several of its legs hacked off, that creature can barely stand up anymore."

Those repeated strikes to its limbs had left the Skin-Disguising Fiend with only one path left to take—to merge the Fiend Emperor and the Wind Emperor.

It was a path Lin Qiye would not attempt to block.

Because even if they successfully fused together, Lin Qiye possessed the absolute power to suppress them.

The most critical point of all was this:

Lin Qiye's ultimate objective was to slay this supreme-tier Skin-Disguising Fiend!

And by doing so, evolve his Immortal Pupils!

Therefore,

Lin Qiye had intentionally left a way out for the Skin-Disguising Fiend, allowing it to crawl back to the surface so he could finish the wretch off once and for all.

If it somehow managed to escape, Lin Qiye would suffer a massive loss!

Who knew how many eons it would take to encounter another supreme-tier Skin-Disguising Fiend this easy to deal with?

An opportunity like this came only once in a millennium, and he had to seize it firmly.

"Then what on earth is the problem? Why is it giving me such an ominous premonition?"

Frowning deeply, Lin Qiye walked over to the window, gazed out across Emerald Lake, and sank into deep thought.

As he pondered, a faint glint flickered in his eyes, accompanied by the subtle emergence of spiritual power.

Ever since the development of his [Immortal Sense and Soul], Lin Qiye had frequently experienced a peculiar sensation lately—that certain rules governing this world did not feel entirely real.

Yet, whenever he tried to analyze it thoroughly, he could never pinpoint the exact cause.

He was merely left with a vague and lingering sense of déjà vu.

"Could it be due to the very nature of this world? Has it been invaded? Or has the Skin-Disguising Fiend corrupted the Heavenly Dao, causing the world to malfunction?"

"And yet... this doesn't seem connected to the sudden wave of unease I felt just now."

Lin Qiye shook his head.

Regarding the Empress's Universe, his intuition told him that once his [Immortal Sense and Soul] development exceeded 98%, he would be able to pierce through all illusions.

Regardless of the reason, however, it bore no direct link to the foreboding feeling that had just surfaced.

Lin Qiye furrowed his brow further.

"Even the Destiny Lamp Gem isn't offering any guidance. Has the future become completely unguided?"

He could not help muttering inwardly.

"If push comes to shove, I'll just use the Genesis Deduction!"

"I am already extremely close to achieving an SSS-grade rating. If something goes wrong right at the threshold of success, the joke will be on me."

At this final juncture, Lin Qiye had no intention of capsizing in a drainage ditch.

With that in mind, he directly activated the [Genesis Deduction].

[This deduction will cost 2,000,000 Wandering Points. After deduction, 4,890,000 Wandering Points will remain. Do you wish to consume the required points to proceed with the deduction?]

Two million Wandering Points.

This consumption did not come as a surprise to Lin Qiye, though it still gave him a slight pang of heartache.

However,

upon careful reflection, trading two million Wandering Points for precise control over his Thunder Bone, for four SSS-grade talents, an immortal pupil, three wisps of immortal Qi, and a section of immortal bone...

was an absolute steal no matter how one looked at it!

After all,

any single reward obtained from traveling through this world was tremendously valuable. If he failed to take them all with him, his losses would far exceed these two million Wandering Points...

With his mind made up, Lin Qiye finalized his decision.

Yet,

just as he was about to initiate the deduction, his phone suddenly rang.

"Hello, is this Young Master Gu, Mr. Gu?"

As soon as the call connected, a gentle female voice came through.

"Who is this? Is something the matter?"

Without exchanging polite pleasantries, Lin Qiye went straight to the point.

After all, his phone was a specialized model provided by the top brass of the Alliance, and ordinary people had no way of calling it. Anyone who managed to get through was undoubtedly a high-ranking official.

Hearing how direct Lin Qiye was, the secretary paused for a brief moment before immediately stating the reason for her call.

"Hello, Mr. Gu. I am Elder Chen's secretary; you may call me Xiao Wei."

"Elder Chen wishes to invite you to Yanjing so he can bestow the protection of his [Word Follows Law] ability upon you. He intends to use his life to guarantee that you will live safely for a hundred years. This matter is of the utmost importance, concerning the very future of humanity, and Elder Chen hopes you can make the trip."

Hearing this, Lin Qiye frowned.

Yet, a moment later, his expression smoothed out.

"So that's how it is!"

"No wonder I had such an ominous premonition—it was because of this!"

Lin Qiye chuckled softly and shook his head.

He understood now.

It was because Elder Chen intended to expend his [Word Follows Law] ability, causing the temporary loss of this SSS-grade talent, that Lin Qiye's intuition had registered it as an ominous sign!

Lin Qiye's gaze sharpened.

One had to realize that Elder Chen's [Word Follows Law] could arguably be considered the most bizarre and terrifying innate ability within the human race at present.

Elder Chen could issue a decree that humanity would be destroyed, and the Fiend race would inevitably perish within a hundred years.

Alternatively, Elder Chen could decree that Lin Qiye be protected from death for a century.

Such a special ability was utterly miraculous; keeping it in reserve for a critical juncture would undoubtedly yield miraculous effects.

Yet right now!

Elder Chen was actually planning to use [Word Follows Law] to safeguard his life for the next hundred years.

True, this would ensure that Lin Qiye faced no mortal danger.

However!

Was Lin Qiye afraid of mortal danger?

Could anyone possibly threaten Lin Qiye?

No one could!

Even if the Skin-Disguising Fiend were to merge the Fiend Emperor and the Wind Emperor, and then absorb two more races on top of that, it still wouldn't be able to stir up any major waves.

As for why Lin Qiye had felt a sense of foreboding, the problem certainly did not lie with him.

"It's Zhu Yuheng."

Lin Qiye hit upon the crucial point.

"The goal of traveling through this world is to save Zhu Yuheng."

"It seems that the future Zhu Yuheng will inevitably encounter a massive crisis, one that requires an SSS-grade talent like Word Follows Law to resolve."

"Why haven't I sensed Zhu Yuheng's crisis at all?"

"No, perhaps I have sensed it, but it requires my [Immortal Sense and Soul] to reach 98% before I can fully perceive it."

Lin Qiye connected all the recent clues together, gradually sorting out the sequence of events.

Having organized his thoughts, he relaxed his brow.

"Xiao Wei, go and comfort Elder Chen first. Tell him that no matter what kind of opponent comes forward, they cannot pose the slightest threat to me."

"Also, tell him that I have a critically important use for his [Word Follows Law] talent, and I hope he won't waste it casually, as it concerns the fate of the entire human race!"

Lin Qiye spoke in a grave and serious tone.

Xiao Wei was momentarily stunned.

"Mr. Gu, you're not going to let Elder Chen use it?"

"Of course I can't let him use it! Go and handle this immediately! I am setting off for Yanjing right now!"

With those words, Lin Qiye hung up the phone, briefly informed his parents, and immediately set off for Yanjing, taking Zhu Yuheng with him.

For the sake of the SSS-grade rating,

and to bring back all the benefits gained from this world traversal,

he had to stop Elder Chen. No matter what might happen in the future—even if the Skin-Disguising Fiend exhausted its entire racial foundation to drag him down with it—Lin Qiye cared not a whit.

He was not afraid of death.

What he feared was failing to secure the SSS-grade rating!

Thoughts racing, Lin Qiye flapped his wings, moving with the speed of lightning and the momentum of thunder!

Clinging to his chest, Zhu Yuheng looked around with a helpless and bewildered expression.

Their two hearts beat in unison.

……

A day later.

Yanjing.

The highest command level of the Alliance Headquarters.

When Lin Qiye found Elder Chen, the old man was reclining in his wheelchair while Xiao Wei massaged his temples to relieve the pressure of years of sleepless exhaustion.

At this moment,

Elder Chen had already been waiting in the cultivation chamber for a long time, having neither eaten nor drunk.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, Elder Chen turned his head sideways.

"Young Master Gu has arrived. Xiao Wei, you may step outside first. Without my permission, no one is allowed to set foot into this cultivation chamber."

Elder Chen instructed his secretary.

Xiao Wei nodded.

"Yes."

With that, he retreated from the cultivation chamber, standing guard outside the door.

Inside the chamber,

Lin Qiye led the somewhat shy Zhu Yuheng forward to stand before Elder Chen.

"Elder Chen."

Toward this senior who had guarded the human race for two centuries, Lin Qiye held a deep sense of respect.

Elder Chen raised his head, his tired eyes carefully scrutinizing Lin Qiye.

Although Lin Qiye had completely restrained his aura, the unique temperament bestowed upon him by his innate talents could not be entirely concealed.

"Ah, good, very good. Sit down, child, sit right there."

Looking at Lin Qiye, Elder Chen nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with fondness and admiration.

However,

upon catching sight of Zhu Yuheng, Elder Chen's expression froze.

"You also possess an SSS-grade talent?!"

Zhu Yuheng glanced at Lin Qiye.

Lin Qiye nodded and spoke up.

"Her name is Zhu Yuheng. She possesses dual SSS-grade talents."

Elder Chen was dumbstruck.

"Dual... dual SSS-grade talents?!"

Clearly, the old man was utterly shocked.

"Truly magnificent, child. With a powerhouse like you around, the revival of the human race is within reach!!!"

Elder Chen patted the armrest of his wheelchair and let out a long sigh of relief.

"The task of safeguarding the destiny of the human race will now fall entirely upon your shoulders. Your exceptional strength allows you to simultaneously suppress two powerhouses with SSS-grade talents! Without a doubt, your strength is the greatest in hundreds of years!"

"Moreover, your fortune is vast, and you even have a young companion with dual SSS-grade talents by your side. You are humanity's savior."

Elder Chen's emotive words caused Zhu Yuheng's cheeks to flush crimson.

Her beautiful, phoenix-like eyes lowered to gaze at the ground, her pretty ears glowing a warm, rosy red.

Lin Qiye glanced sideways at Zhu Yuheng, then back at Elder Chen.

He did not refute Elder Chen's words, simply gazing earnestly at the old man.

The tone in which Elder Chen had just spoken was exceptionally bizarre.

While it was brimming with excitement and hope for humanity's future, he himself looked as though his time was short, weighed down by a tragic and sorrowful aura.

Sensing Elder Chen's abnormal state, Lin Qiye finally could not resist speaking out.

"Elder Chen exaggerates. The heavy burden of protecting humanity will likely still require your senior self to lend a hand..."

Elder Chen shook his head.

"This old frame of mine... I invited you to Yanjing precisely because I wish to burn away my remaining embers. I am going to use the [Word Follows Law] talent to guarantee that you remain safe from death for a hundred years!"

Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow.

"You intend to burn away all your remaining lifespan in exchange for a hundred years of safety for me, is that it?"

Elder Chen did not answer directly, a look of profound liberation washing over him instead.

"Very well, enough idle chatter. I shall bestow the protection of my true words upon you right now. The future of humanity rests entirely upon your shoulders! Child, it is all up to you."

With those words, Elder Chen prepared to unleash his innate ability.

Having witnessed Lin Qiye firsthand, having perceived his character and combat prowess, Elder Chen held immense trust in him and harbored not the slightest hesitation.

However,

Lin Qiye suddenly sent forth a surge of spiritual power, interrupting Elder Chen's incantation.

Elder Chen was left dumbfounded, a look of profound disbelief washing over his features.

"You were actually able to interrupt me?"

"Your spiritual power talent... has it surpassed the SSS-grade? Has it exceeded the SSS-grade by a massive tier?"

Facing Elder Chen's astonishment, Lin Qiye nodded with a calm expression.

"To be frank, I possess five SSS-grade talents. [Annihilation Divine Thunder] allows me to command lightning; [Thunder Light Shift] lets me teleport directly behind my enemies; [Thunder God's Dharma Form] grants me peerless defense, allowing the Fiend Emperor to attack me ten times without breaking my defenses; [Thunder God's Domain] bombards enemies with thunder particles against which they cannot guard, and even SSS-grade spiritual powerhouses cannot prevent the thunder particles from infiltrating them; and [Immortal Sense and Soul] grants supreme control over spiritual power..."

"My combat strength is unprecedented. No one can threaten my life."

"Therefore, Elder Chen, your talent should not be used on me."

Yet, Elder Chen did not take in a single word.

His eyes widened in sudden, agonizing distress.

"Why did you stop me? Why did you stop me?!"

"Child, I have struggled with all my might just to reach this moment. Why won't you let me live a single second longer?"

Elder Chen suddenly burst into tears, covering his face as he sobbed bitterly.

Zhu Yuheng and Lin Qiye exchanged glances.

"Elder Chen, if there is a hidden reason, please speak of it. Voicing it might make you feel better."

"However, seeking death is out of the question. There are still crucial matters that require your [Word Follows Law] ability, as they concern the survival of humanity."

"My life or death is unimportant. Do you see the young lady beside me? She is the true hope of the human race."

Lin Qiye patted Elder Chen's shoulder.

"If Elder Chen is truly determined to die, then please bestow the [Word Follows Law] talent upon her instead."

Elder Chen raised his head and looked at Zhu Yuheng.

He closed his eyes and began to channel Word Follows Law.

Yet, three seconds later,

Elder Chen snapped his eyes open, his face twisted in horror.

"This... this... I actually... cannot use Word Follows Law on her! How is that possible?!"

"Even Youngesley—even Gu Shaoshang could accept it!"

"Why can she not..."

Elder Chen stared at Zhu Yuheng with a complex expression.

Lin Qiye frowned.

"You cannot use it? What is the reason?"

Elder Chen remained silent, simply leaning back into his wheelchair with a bitter, desolate expression.

"Child, do you know why I wished for death?"

"It happened two hundred and sixty-three years, seven months, twenty--three days, and eighteen hours ago... The human race was enduring an unprecedented period of darkness. Back then, I was young—only nineteen years old—and a group of elder brothers and sisters brought me along to awaken my powers, leading me through trials upon the battlefield."

"Once, we were betrayed by our own kind and fell into an encirclement by the Fiend race. My brothers and sisters fought to break us out from the high plateaus..."

"That time... it was unimaginably brutal. We ran out of food, and our injuries were severe."

"On those vast, merciless plateaus... my brothers and sisters loved me so dearly and cared for me so deeply. They said my talent was of the SSS-grade, an ability that could ensure the continuation of humanity, so I had to survive at all costs."

"Every moment of every day, they protected me and looked after me, giving every scrap of meat to me."

"On the tenth day, the eldest brother who cherished me the most died! He plunged from a cliff, leaving behind not even a complete corpse."

"On the fifteenth day, my second sister died as well. She fell from a cliff during a night hunt, but she left behind some meat to sustain our marching team."

"On the twentieth day, the third brother successfully hunted twice before he too plunged from a cliff."

"Fourth sister, fifth brother, sixth brother... they all sacrificed themselves in this relay race to escort me out of danger."

"Finally, seventh brother and I finally walked out of the plateau... Yet, at the very moment of our rescue, I discovered a truth that shattered my mind..."

Recalling these events, Elder Chen trembled uncontrollably. His aged face contorted in agony as he clutched his neck, doubling over and dry heaving as though trying to vomit out his very soul.

……