MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 229
Chapter 229: Forging New Bonds
As the four friends gathered, Roda and Lu Ming exchanged updates on their recent endeavors.
After Lu Ming's departure, Roda had returned to Archean City the next day. While Uncle Lu recuperated, Roda had immediately begun the process of absorbing King Lin's inheritance.
He leaned towards Lu Ming, lowering his voice. "The bloodline transformation is slow. I estimate it might take several months. Only after it's complete can I cultivate those three Origin Power Skills."
In essence, acquiring King Lin's inheritance was one thing, but mastering it was another matter entirely.
After discussing these matters, Lu Ming shifted his attention to Huo Sheng and Velo.
"Allow me to introduce Huo Sheng and Velo," he said, gesturing to his companions. "These two are my sworn brothers."
Calling them "sworn brothers" wasn't entirely inaccurate. They had shared many experiences, certainly more than Lu Ming and Roda had.
Huo Sheng and Velo rose, nodding respectfully at Roda. "We've heard much about you, City Lord Roda."
Roda returned the gesture, a warm smile on his face. "Brother Lu's friends are my friends."
Lu Ming then continued, "Huo Sheng would like to discuss something with you, Roda. I'm merely here to make the introduction. Now that's done, you two can talk in detail."
With that, Lu Ming stood up and turned to Roxin.
"Would you like to accompany me for a stroll around the manor, Roxin?"
Roxin's face lit up with barely contained joy.
Before Roda could even respond, she was eagerly nodding her head. "Yes, I'd love to."
In the desolate chamber of the Jing God's former palace, Jing Yi sat motionless, a shell of his former self. Five days had passed since the Jing God's demise, and Jing Yi had neither eaten nor drank, his body seemingly devoid of any needs.
He sat there, a hollow husk, his mind a blank slate, his spirit crushed by the weight of his failure.
Awakening the Jing God had been the sacred mission of his lineage, a task they had pursued for countless generations. Jing Yi had sacrificed everything for this goal, even his own son and the Heaven Saber Gang.
And now...
The Jing God was dead.
He had died a gruesome, agonizing death right before Jing Yi's eyes.
It was a devastating blow, shattering Jing Yi's spirit and leaving him adrift in a sea of despair. His mind was a fog, his thoughts scattered and incoherent.
Suddenly, a faint voice pierced through the haze.
"Jing Yi..."
A long, mournful sigh followed.
The sound seemed to possess a strange power, slowly pulling Jing Yi back from the brink.
He turned his head, his gaze searching for the source of the voice.
There, amidst the remnants of the shattered Eternal Stone coffin, a shimmering, humanoid figure hovered. It was an ethereal presence, a faint echo of the once-mighty Jing God.
Jing Yi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Jing God? Ancestor? Is it you?"
The spectral figure remained silent for a long moment before a faint voice responded.
"Yes, it's me."
Tears streamed down Jing Yi's face as he cried out in anguish. "Ancestor! Your death was so tragic! I don't understand why this happened. I followed the ancestral teachings faithfully. I don't know why things turned out this way!"
"I don't understand, Ancestor! I don't understand!"
His grief-stricken cries echoed through the chamber, causing the Jing God's spectral form to flicker with sorrow.
After what felt like an eternity, the Jing God finally spoke, his voice a mere whisper.
"Enough, child. The situation is what it is, and I've come to understand the cause and effect of this matter. This has nothing to do with you."
Even in his final moments, the Jing God's lingering consciousness had managed to take form.
Initially, he had believed that Jing Yi was somehow responsible for his demise. But after five days of observation, he realized that his descendant was not the true culprit.
The Jing God couldn't fathom what had happened to him.
"My remaining consciousness is weak and fading fast," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "In ten days, perhaps half a month, it will dissipate entirely. And with it, everything related to the Jing God will vanish from this world, leaving no trace behind."
Speaking of this, there was no anger or sadness in the Jing God's tone. As the saying goes, "To the victor belong the spoils." Even though he didn't understand the cause of his demise, the Jing God had come to accept the outcome of his crushing defeat.
However...
Turning to look at the bewildered Jing Yi, the Jing God's residual spirit suddenly sighed.
He asked, "How is the Flame Clan doing?"
Hearing the Ancestor's question, Jing Yi sobbed for a long time before saying,
"Gone… It's all gone… It's all over…"
"What do you mean by 'It's all over'?"
"I might be the only one left in the Flame Clan."
After Jing Yi finished speaking, the Jing God fell silent.
After a long time, the Jing God seemed to have thought of something and spoke inexplicably,
"Do you want revenge?"
Jing Yi was taken aback.
"Revenge?"
"Yes, revenge."
"To avenge the destruction of my Flame Clan."
Jing Yi was suddenly at a loss.
To be honest, the Flame Clan had been extinct for a long time. Ever since Jing Yi was born, the Flame Clan had already been considered destroyed.
He had never experienced the former glory of the Flame Clan, so he naturally did not have much of a feeling about revenge or anything of the sort.
Looking at Jing Yi's perplexed expression, the Jing God smiled and shook his head. "If you don't want to, then forget it."
"But if you do, you can go to this place," he continued, his voice barely a whisper. "Perhaps you can find something there that will allow you to take revenge."
With a flick of his hand, the Jing God sent a beam of white light towards Jing Yi. It entered his mind, transforming into a vast torrent of information.
Jing Yi processed the knowledge, his eyes widening in surprise.
He looked up at the Jing God, his voice filled with newfound determination.
"Ancestor, do you want me to seek revenge?"
The Jing God was momentarily speechless.
After a long pause, he finally answered, "I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"Yes, I don't know..."
"I've always believed that the younger generation, especially someone like you who is separated by countless generations, shouldn't bear the burden of the Flame Clan's grudge. You haven't experienced the clan's former glory, so you shouldn't have to shoulder its mission."
"However," he continued, his voice heavy with sorrow, "the extinction of the Flame Clan does stir something within me. If I had fully recovered, I would have sought revenge. But given the circumstances, perhaps seeking vengeance is no longer necessary."
The Jing God's form flickered, his energy waning.
"Whether to seek revenge or not, it's your choice," he said, his voice fading. "You are now the last survivor of the Flame Clan, and you have the right to choose your own path."
With those final words, the Jing God's spectral form dissolved, leaving Jing Yi alone in the ancestral hall.
Jing Yi sat in stunned silence, unable to process the weight of his ancestor's words and the sudden emptiness that surrounded him.
End of Chapter 229