The Ancient Gods' Whisper

Top floor of the Deep Space Building.

Lu Zijin sat in a comfortable office chair, lazily resting her delicate cheek on her hand, her slender, fair fingers playing with a ballpoint pen.

In the holographic projection across from her, a figure clad in a white martial arts uniform coalesced.

It was a middle-aged man, his hair as white as snow, his face austere and profound, exuding an innate air of authority like that of a lion.

"Zijin."

He spoke solemnly, "The intelligence you sent me, I've gone through it."

Lu Zijin narrowed her enchanting eyes: "Brother Chen, do you think there's a problem with it?"

Minister Chen was silent for a moment before saying, "Gu Ci'an's son… Gu Jianlin, right? An impressive young man—being able to almost single-handedly eliminate the Joker proves he's more promising than his father was at the same age. From my personal perspective, I'd prefer to nurture him and spare him from being sullied by the Judgement Court."

"But the problem is, the report you compiled lacks evidence."

He said flatly, "Although I, too, find the investigation into the Blood Moon Slaughter Incident to have proceeded suspiciously quickly—so fast it feels eerie. Even those of us at the Minister Level haven't been able to get involved."

Lu Zijin licked her red lips: "And that's still not enough to indicate a problem?"

"No, at least by the rules, we can't raise objections."

Minister Chen replied, "Because the person investigating the Blood Moon Slaughter Incident is… that one, the universally acknowledged hero."

Lu Zijin fell silent.

That person was indeed a universally acknowledged hero, and even ministers like them couldn't shake his authority.

"What about the President?"

She asked, "What's her stance?"

"The elder has gone into seclusion, and I couldn't get any instructions from her. The last directive she left was to resolve all issues in Peak City before Qilin Immortal Palace opens. Nothing else matters."

Minister Chen contemplated for a second: "As for the Judgement Court, too many have died at Gu Ci'an's hands. Targeting his son is inevitable. As a minister, you'll have no trouble shielding him. As for his resource allocation, try redirecting some from other divisions to ensure he receives fair treatment."

Lu Zijin curled her lips: "That's all?"

"For now, that's all."

Minister Chen gave her a deep look: "I know the relationship between Gu Ci'an and your Lu Family runs deep, and the potential Gu Jianlin has displayed so far is indeed exceptional. However, you need to make him showcase even more value—not just within a local jurisdiction but catching the attention of headquarters. Only with solid backing can he contend with the Judgement Court."

He emphasized, "The Omega Plan is a particularly good opportunity."

Lu Zijin massaged her temples: "Understood."

The communication ended.

She stood up, facing the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, and remained silent for a long time.

In truth, if it were possible, the best backing wouldn't come from entering the view of headquarters.

It would be that Catastrophe-Level Ascender who had already arrived in Peak City.

The King of Qing.

·

·

The flames in the burning Copper Cauldron extinguished.

Accompanied by the shattering of crimson light, a thick mass of blood floated upward, surging and twisting as if it were alive. Countless scarlet bubbles emerged and burst, releasing an intense, sweet, metallic scent.

The Pharmacist gazed at this sight, a trace of fanaticism flickering in his pupils: "It's done! It's done! This is Ancient God's Blood, the invaluable resource every Alchemist dreams of, comparable to the Wise Man's Stone in alchemy. We've finally succeeded!"

Scholar inhaled the intoxicating aroma and sighed, "This damned sweetness."

"This is the Authority of the Ancient God Clan. Their minds are a fatal corruption for humanity, yet also a catalyst for evolution. Their words are catastrophic destruction to humans, yet their blood is humanity's supreme boon, bestowing evolution and breaking the shackles of life."

The Pharmacist closed his eyes in prayer, pressing his hands to his chest as he spoke reverently, "They are a race born from the depths of the Universe, using the energy of entire planets as the cradle of life. If not for that cataclysmic disaster… perhaps humans today would still be livestock, penned in by the gods, enslaved as their nourishment."

"But now, it is humanity's era."

Scholar suddenly thought of something: "Teacher, if we consume Ancient God's Blood, then on our next visit to Qilin Immortal Palace, wouldn't the Supreme have us completely under his control?"

The Pharmacist gave him a look of disdain as if addressing an idiot and sighed: "The way you say that makes it sound like if we don't consume the Ancient God's Blood, that Supreme couldn't kill us anyway. Remember, we are not Ascenders powerful enough to contend with Ancient Gods. Our strength has never been about raw power."

"Even if He is a god and we are ants, so what? He's been imprisoned by an even more powerful Ancient God for millennia, cut off from the outside world with his spirituality utterly depleted over these thousands of years."

He chuckled, "With Qilin Immortal Palace about to open, He is impatient to escape. But before that, He needs to replenish vast amounts of spirituality, or He'll have no way to contend with the entire Human World."

Scholar suddenly understood: "So in Qilin Immortal Palace, He won't kill us. Outwardly, we maintain peace, though inwardly, both sides know the truth."

"Exactly. The Lord understands, and we understand. It's simply a mutually exploitative relationship."