The Ancient Gods' Whisper

The silence lingered for a second as the torrential rain roared outside, as if it wanted to drown the entire world.

"Have you ever observed that child's life?"

Huai Yin suddenly asked.

Chen Bojun was taken aback.

"When he was very young, I glanced at him from afar once. It was during a New Year many years ago. A twelve-year-old boy wearing a padded jacket, sitting alone by the roadside, watching the brightly lit city and the empty streets. Every household had their lights on, red festive characters pasted on the doors, and lively noises ringing from inside."

Sipping hot tea, Huai Yin spoke softly: "While others celebrated New Year's Eve, he sat there by himself. Occasionally, someone would come out to set off firecrackers, and he'd watch from a distance. The sound of the explosions was loud, but it seemed to be so far away from him."

Chen Bojun didn't understand what she meant and waited in silence for her to continue.

"At that time, Gu Ci'an was likely still running all over the world, trying to break the curse. And his mother had already formed a new family. Later, I found out that it was the third New Year he spent on his own."

Huai Yin spoke slowly, deliberately: "He's very smart. Learning new things has never been a challenge for him. Sometimes, he'd play games like other kids his age, but someone like him would quickly lose interest. He is reticent, unwilling to interact with others. His favorite activity is cycling along the coastline for an entire night, sweating until he's exhausted."

Chen Bojun remarked, "Sounds like a paper figure."

"Yes, a paper figure devoid of desire. To awaken him, you'd need blood and fire."

Huai Yin lifted her gaze, her eyes inscrutably deep: "He does not belong to the ordinary world. He was born extraordinary. Only here can he find the meaning of his existence. He needs to feel oppression, to witness decayed rules, to experience pain and rage. Only then can he ignite, lighting up the darkness."

Chen Bojun had no words in response.

After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "That's a bit extreme. And how are you so sure he'll do all that?"

Huai Yin replied calmly, "If he doesn't have the courage to stand up and trample on rules today, then it would only mean I was blind. The students I choose must be stronger than I was in my time. Moreover, he stands on the side of fairness and justice. Those with virtue gain more support, those without it lose everything. Even without me, you would help him. Lu Zijin would help him."

She suddenly smiled: "Your brother would help him too, wouldn't he?"

Chen Bojun scratched his head, smiling wryly. "Yeah, that kid is sharp. The moment those scum turned into the Fallen, the nature of the situation changed. Even following the rules strictly, he wouldn't be in any trouble."

"Although Li Qingsong is almost dead and has indeed been reckless lately."

His tone carried a hint of coldness: "But that doesn't mean we would sit back and do nothing."

"He's an overly proud child. As long as his family isn't implicated, he'd rather fight to the death than indulge his own cowardice. He will surely step forward because he's a natural-born warrior."

Huai Yin idly swept her hand across the chessboard, knocking over some white pieces before placing down a black piece: "What your Omega Sequence most needs is someone like him. Once he matures, he'll solve many problems for you. I don't like the current association, but those warriors who fight in the dark and bleed for the human world are to be respected."

"Is that so? Why do I feel like right after he killed someone, he planned to run off with Mu Feng and the others?"

Chen Bojun scowled: "And by the way, watch your conduct in chess. Don't cheat when I'm not paying attention!"

"I'm an old woman now, can't you let me take a few liberties?"

Huai Yin raised an eyebrow: "He did intend to run, but his Life Perception range is ridiculously broad. Even from such a distance, he sensed us."

Chen Bojun laughed in exasperation: "So he was bluffing?"

"Not exactly. He truly lost his temper."

Huai Yin said placidly: "It's good for my student to vent a little."

Chen Bojun spread his hands helplessly: "Don't forget about the curse, though."

Huai Yin waved it off: "Barring any surprises, by the time he turns forty, he'll probably already be stronger than I am. By then, if he encounters Ghost Car again, it'll be unclear who's cursing whom."

Chen Bojun saw the confidence in the old woman's eyes, which suddenly lit up.

At that moment, the door to the grocery store was pushed open.

Jing Ci stepped inside, shook off his wet hands, and didn't greet anyone.

He headed straight to the bathroom, dispensing some hand soap and rubbing his hands meticulously.

"You're back."

Huai Yin stated indifferently: "Did you kill someone again?"

"Just crushed an ant."

Jing Ci didn't even lift his head, his tone equally indifferent: "You're truly getting more and more outrageous. Since you made me step in but wouldn't let me enjoy myself fully, it all feels meaningless… meaningless, meaningless."

He repeated the words three times for emphasis.

"Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Huai Yin placed another black piece on the board: "I win."

Chen Bojun: "…"

·

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King of Qing, Huai Yin.

Gu Jianlin had actually figured it out long ago, but hearing that name still struck a chord deep within him.

The mightiest among the human Ascenders.

He truly couldn't grasp what kind of concept that represented.

From their encounter at the grocery store, to the inexplicable assistance later on, to hearing that she once wanted to take his father as a student.

He had vaguely pieced together this fact.

Until he was about to lead his group into the Immortal Palace in his Ancient God Transformation state.

In his perception range, that life rhythm akin to a black hole appeared once again.

At that moment, he realized he no longer had anything to worry about.

The sea wind howled, and the torrential rain lashed against his face in a thrilling deluge.

He suddenly closed his eyes. His body had already reached its limit, and with a thud, he collapsed onto the chair.

"Brother Lin!"

Cheng Youyu quickly caught him but found his body deathly pale, as if all the blood had been drained from him.

Tang Ling cast a deep, resolute gaze at the youth before her, her eyes growing increasingly steely.

Meanwhile, the coquettish voice of Taixu echoed: "Connecting now, Omega-level clearance, Chen Bojun."

Amid the crackle of static, Chen Bojun's unprecedentedly stern voice came through: "What are you all standing around for? Medical team, prepare for rescue. If anything happens to them, you can all get the hell out."

"Nie Feng stays. I have some questions for him."

He paused: "Since when does the Judgement Court think they can touch someone from my Omega Sequence?"

Upon hearing this, Nie, the Deacon turned ashen, unable to retort.

After all, the head of the Omega Sequence was on equal footing with the nine great saints.

Next to him, Yan Wu cast a fleeting glance at him, silently clenching his fists.

It was as though he were praying that his own clandestine deeds wouldn't be exposed.

"And, Zijin."

Chen Bojun took a deep breath as his icy tone cut through: "Stop pretending to spectate. I am now issuing you a direct order: expel the Yan family from Peak City's Transcendent system, permanently."