Qian Ye walked forward, as if traversing an endless wilderness of time, without a past or future. His very existence was stagnant, and its meaning was unfathomable.
Suddenly, a hand patted his shoulder, rousing Qian Ye from his trance. At his level, it was impossible for anyone to approach him silently. Instinctively, he retaliated with a powerful elbow strike.
The person behind him seemed prepared, raising an arm to block the blow. With a dull thud, the individual was sent flying backward.
The clash of their primordial forces did not result in the expected explosion. Qian Ye felt waves upon waves of complex, almost infinite, transformations. Each layer of change fragmented his primordial force, eroding and assimilating it. Despite the purity of his force, which resisted such dissolution, it was divided and thus weakened.
Yet, Qian Ye’s attack contained not only primordial force but also his formidable physical strength. The combination was overwhelming, and the person behind him could not withstand it. Even the most exquisite manipulation of primordial force could not withstand Qian Ye’s powerful elbow.
Sensing the intricate control over the primordial force, Qian Ye immediately recognized something amiss and retracted his follow-up attack. This was his first personal experience with the wonders of the world, truly natural and infinitely versatile.
Turning around, he sighed, “What’s going on? Why didn’t you announce yourself? Are you hurt?”
Song Zining landed three steps away, smiling bitterly, “I called out to you several times, but you didn’t respond. I’m fine. If I were injured by you, I might as well quit. But your attack was indeed powerful!”
“It was unintentional,” Qian Ye replied.
Song Zining scrutinized Qian Ye and shook his head, “I was going to ask about your situation, but seeing you now, there’s no need.”
Qian Ye gave a bitter smile, “Indeed, no need. But I still have some questions.”
“About what? Maybe I can help analyze it.”
Qian Ye stopped walking, looked around, and found a spot to sit cross-legged. He recounted his last conversation with Night Pupil and then asked, “I don’t understand what the New World is and how it relates to me and her.”
Song Zining sat down facing him, “I understand. It’s about time. She mentioned time, right?”
Qian Ye nodded.
Song Zining continued, “The Empire’s upper echelons have been talking about the New World. It’s said to contain secrets about the origin of darkness, and the first to sense it was the River of Blood. Such a world would drive the entire Eternity mad. Recent reports from the Eternity confirm that all the dark race leaders are preparing to explore the New World. As for Night Pupil, although I can’t find her previous identity, do you think she would stay out of the New World exploration with her current combat power?”
Qian Ye listened quietly.
Song Zining added, “She always speaks of returning to the Holy Mountain. If the New World indeed holds the secrets of the origin of darkness and the River of Blood, it will be crucial for her to regain her full power. In this struggle, you are not yet ready. This is why timing is everything; you were born ten years too late.”
Understanding the reason, Qian Ye felt even more bitter. Not being able to exert effort was more painful than failing despite trying.
Song Zining gently patted Qian Ye’s shoulder, “There’s still hope, though.”
“How so?” Qian Ye’s spirits lifted.
“Although I don’t know how they alternate their Holy Mountain, those at the top are undoubtedly the best of their kind. To ascend the Holy Mountain, one needs both personal strength and a vast backing. Remember why I came to the Neutral Zone and helped you reorganize Dark Flame and even build a fleet? It was to establish a power between the Eternity and the Empire. When she returns from the New World, if our power has grown to a certain extent, even forming a country, you can support her then.”
“What if she returns quickly?” Qian Ye became anxious.
Song Zining reassured, “Exploring a New World takes time. Finding the secrets of the River of Blood is even more elusive. The dark race, known as the Immortals, have generational changes every few centuries. By the time we’re ready to enter the New World, she might not have regained her power yet.”
Qian Ye’s spirits lifted slightly, “So what should I do now?”
“Fight, of course! Do you need me to tell you that?”
Determination slowly ignited in Qian Ye’s chest. The once desolate world seemed warmer. If she was in that ethereal realm, complaining and regretting would be pointless. That was her world. The right thing to do was to strive and stand beside her, not to drag her down into the dust.
Hope reignited, Qian Ye’s thoughts became more active. He suddenly recalled something, grabbed Song Zining, and demanded, “Tell me, what did you do to make her want to kill you?!”
Song Zining chuckled, “With her power, what could I do?”
His smile was clearly forced. Seeing Qian Ye’s persistence, he knew he wouldn’t let it go. Qian Ye snarled, lifting Song Zining off the ground and shaking him.
Qian Ye’s method of shaking was precise, mimicking the ebb and flow of tides, with a swirling force. The tidal waves battered Song Zining, making him dizzy and sick. This technique was from the Grand Void Vortex of the Great Mystery Battle Method, and while Qian Ye controlled the lethal effect, the vastness of the force remained. A war general caught in the void would feel just as miserable.
As the tidal force began, Song Zining sensed danger and flailed, “Put… put me down…!”
Ignoring him, Qian Ye only intended to stop when Song Zining spoke.
“Stop! Put me down, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you!”
Qian Ye gave a few more hard shakes before finally letting him down.
Upon landing, Song Zining retched, and his face turned pale. Clutching his chest, he fumed, “Qian Ye, that’s torture! Is this how brothers treat each other?”
Qian Ye remained calm, “Would you have spoken otherwise?”
Song Zining gritted, “Fine, fine, treat me however you want!”
“Another ten minutes?” Qian Ye’s face was expressionless.
After a long stare, Song Zining saw Qian Ye was serious and sighed, “Qian Ye, as brothers, whatever I do is for your good. Otherwise, why would I move Ningyuan Heavy Industries to the Neutral Zone and build these floating ships? My efforts and resources are all in Ningyuan Heavy Industries.”
Qian Ye felt a pang of guilt.
Song Zining said solemnly, “Some things, I don’t want to tell you, and you don’t want to know. Trust me, don’t ask anymore. Follow what I said, and you still have a chance, albeit a small one. If you insist, kill me, and take Ningyuan Heavy Industries.”
Stunned, Qian Ye had never expected such a firm stance. He gazed at Song Zining, whose familiar face now bore a strange expression. Or perhaps it wasn’t strange, but the face of the Song Zining from the Netherworld era.
Memories flooded Qian Ye. He and Song Zining, two very different people, became partners in the Netherworld due to a random draw. They chose to survive together, doubling their kills to the end of the exam.
From then on, they supported each other. Even when Qian Ye was plagued by blood poison, fearing he’d become a mindless monster, he trusted Song Zining with his life.
Never had he thought they’d come to this.
Qian Ye exhaled, “Should I trust you?”
“You decide.” Song Zining closed his eyes, ready to accept his fate.
After a long pause, Qian Ye said, “If I don’t trust you… I won’t ask. Then, what do I do next?”
“Fight for yourself!” Song Zining declared.
“Let’s go back to Nanqing.”
Qian Ye and Song Zining boarded the airship, heading to Nanqing, both avoiding the earlier topic.
On the way, Qian Ye briefly updated Song Zining on the events in Nanqing.
Song Zining was surprised and amused, “You became the Tide Listening City Lord? What can I say?”
“I’m not afraid of the Wolf King or anyone Zhang Buzhou sends. I made Zhang Buzhou publicly acknowledge me, expecting his future renegation.”
Song Zining was taken aback, “You’re undermining Zhang Buzhou’s reputation? Ambitious, aren’t you?”
“Ambition?” Qian Ye was puzzled.
Song Zining clarified, “Why else would you undermine his reputation if not to replace him?”
Recalling the recent elbow strike, Song Zining realized, “Your combat power increased?!”
“My cultivation hasn’t changed,” Qian Ye admitted.
“Prove it. Hit me.”
Hesitating, Qian Ye pulled back some force and struck Song Zining.
The punch left Song Zine astonished. He saw the universe transform and the world evolve. Though it was just a glimpse, it was a new realm, incomparable to ordinary martial arts.
“Is this the Dao?” Song Zining mused, deep in thought, forgetting to block.
Qian Ye panicked and tried to retract the force. However, the world’s transformation was not easily reversed, especially with the intent from the Book of Darkness.
A chaotic force hit Song Zining!
He flew backward, spewing blood. Yet, the blood droplets glowed and separated, sealing the invading primordial force.
This was the worldly wonder, transforming fatal attacks into minor injuries. At this level, Song Zining’s body was less fragile.
“Are you okay?” Qian Ye rushed to support Song Zining, channeling primordial force.
The force was again sealed and spat out as blood.
Qian Ye halted, and Song Zining wiped his mouth, “Seems our primordial forces don’t mix. Don’t help me next time; I don’t have much blood.”
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