The Ancient Gods' Whisper

On the following morning during early self-study, the crisp chirping of birds could faintly be heard from outside the window.

Gu Jianlin sat in his designated seat, silently eating a hamburger while staring at his phone in a daze.

All around him, the sound of pen tips scraping against exam papers filled the room.

The notoriously strict Director Wang was on leave, and the newly appointed acting class teacher barely managed any supervision. Still, the students in the classroom were mostly self-motivated, unwilling to mess around with their futures—after all, the college entrance exams were just two months away.

The only exception was Su Youzhu, who had already slumped across her desk in deep sleep.

Early this morning, Gu Jianlin had asked her for the so-called love letter and stared at its handwriting for a long time.

The confessional content at the beginning was essentially nonsense, but the final few lines clearly carried a hint of threat or a warning.

"First, he's telling me that if he can deliver a love letter to Youzhu, then he's capable of killing her."

"Second, he cautions me not to tell anyone. He knows I've joined the Ether Association, and if he detects any threat, he'll target Youzhu first as punishment for me."

"Third, if I fail to show up at the warehouse behind the field the day after tomorrow, he'll still go after Youzhu."

Gu Jianlin lightly tapped on the desk with his index finger. On the nearby phone screen, there was a profile displayed prominently.

"Name: John Berger."

"Rank: First-Order Fallen, magician pathway."

"Identity Information: Age forty-six, male of Western origin. Parents died early, raised in an orphanage. Detected as having Ascender potential, later attended Missouls University as a double major in Philosophy and Ancient Engineering. Half a year ago, participated in the Qilin Immortal Palace project, serving as a Dimension Detection Officer."

"Four months ago, his mind was corrupted, leading him to murder two colleagues. He also became embroiled in the Blood Moon Slaughter Incident, where Gu Ci'an struck him with heavy injuries, forcing his escape. That same night, he stole two Mythical Weapons that had yet to be transported into storage. He later went on to kill fifty-seven people and remains at large to this day!"

"Analysis: Based on the effects of the Mythical Weapons in his possession, it's highly likely he has acquired some kind of concealment or disguise ability. For now, there remain no known methods or abilities capable of precisely locating his position."

"Note: This individual may possess Mutant Abilities. Proceed with utmost caution."

The most essential aspect remained the Extraordinary Abilities possessed by a magician!

Danger foreknowledge.

Paper Card Knife.

Hypnotism.

Instant Teleportation Technique.

Death Illusion.

These are all the abilities within the magician pathway for the first three stages.

The Deep Space Network had already made this information public.

Considering that the Joker fell four months ago into corruption, it's highly likely he has since advanced in rank.

His combat strength might vary, but chances are it wouldn't surpass Third Rank.

"I can't pin my hopes on the Ether Association or Lu Zicheng and his team because I'm uncertain of their operational approach. If any information leaks and Joker senses danger, he'll immediately flee. Before leaving, he will undoubtedly retaliate, and even if I guard Youzhu by her side, I can't guarantee her safety."

Gu Jianlin analyzed in his mind: "Moreover, there's my mother and Uncle Su as well."

When it involves family—even a one-in-a-thousand chance—he wouldn't take the risk.

This was his responsibility as a man.

And Joker must perish.

If there are accomplices among his ranks, they must be eradicated entirely too.

Otherwise, Gu Jianlin's family would know no peace.

His father once said that to defeat a criminal, you should never follow their logic.

You must break free from their logic and win through unpredictable strategies.

Currently, Joker's advantage lay in his ability to remain hidden.

If his concealment skills were nullified, then it would be a completely different story.

Lu Zicheng could obliterate him in minutes.

"If I manage to locate the Joker, he'll lose his upper hand, but the cost is that I'll assume all the risk alone."

Gu Jianlin's tapping finger on the desk hesitated: "But I should do it. Because he's one of the survivors of the Blood Moon Slaughter Incident, he's here seeking revenge against me."

First of all, Joker is a magician, commonly acknowledged as the weakest profession in its early stages.

Danger foreknowledge can only detect hostility from higher ranks, which likely won't work against him.

Hypnotism and Death Illusion both fall within the domain of Illusion Magic. Black Qilin can help him resist attacks from these abilities.

The battle beneath the overpass with Li Changzhi had already proven this point.

That leaves only two remaining abilities:

Paper Card Knife and Instant Teleportation Technique.

"Joker's rank is higher than mine, but I have Dual Core Drive and a gun. The critical concern is his Mutant Abilities. If they're similar to Li Changzhi's, then indeed it would be exceptionally dangerous, but…"

Gu Jianlin thought back to his previous escapade in Qilin Immortal Palace and made up his mind.

He immediately stood up, grabbed his phone, and left the classroom.

At that moment, Su Youzhu groggily lifted her head and glanced at his departing figure.

·

·

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the campus.

Someone held a phone, puffing on a cigarette, and chuckled: "Ha, just as we anticipated, the Ether Association has indeed set its sights on us. There's a good chance they've already dispatched people from the Judgement Court."

A hoarse voice replied over the call: "I'm surprised you still have the nerve to laugh, Joker."

Joker extinguished his cigarette and scoffed: "Why so serious? The Ether Association and their team know absolutely nothing about Qilin Immortal Palace. They don't have the slightest clue what we actually unearthed back then. Even the Lock of Nonexistence and the Soul Comforting Bell at my disposal pale in comparison to the ultimate Evolution Chain."