NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 355
CHAPTER 355: The Script
In the Black Mist Zone, the Origin Power System was undoubtedly the dominant force. Even experts who specialized in Primordial Dao Patterns bore Gold and Silver Dao Patterns on their bodies. Those cultivating Primordial Dao Patterns would also practice body-forging techniques under the Origin Power System’s influence.
To achieve the status of a Divine Supreme being, one had to cultivate Origin Power—there had never been a record of any exotic species reaching the pinnacle of power and becoming a deity without Origin Power cultivation. Universal, straightforward, with a high upper limit and a perfect structure, the Origin Power System stood unrivaled. No other extraordinary system could compete with it.
But at this moment, Lu Ming couldn’t help but reflect on the reality of what he called a “version update.”
It was now clear that these anomalies had been born to hunt cultivators of the Origin Power System. Any Origin Power experts facing them in the black mist were as defenseless as the Ascendant from earlier—easily wiped out.
Moreover, these anomalies didn’t just consume the Origin Power from the bodies of cultivators; they devoured the Divine Origin from Divine Realm experts as well.
They fed on the freely floating Origin Power in the atmosphere and even the Origin Power stored in objects.
It could be said that they altered the Origin Power environment, transforming every place they passed into an Origin Power desert. Without Origin Power, the foundation of the entire Origin Power expert system would crumble—every technique, every body-forging method, even mortal strength, would be reduced to nothing.
Fortunately, Lu Ming possessed the Force System, granting him a faint sense of security in this hostile environment.
“In short, the version has indeed been updated,” he muttered to himself. “And now I’m dealing with a lot of problems.”
After some thought, Lu Ming made a decision.
“I need to prioritize. The first thing I need to do is find a way to conceal the Origin Power fluctuations between me and the Boshi Tower.”
“And get the hell out of here as fast as I can.”
✦✧☠︎✧✦
Dawn Province was located in the heartland of the Eternal Clan, adjacent to Guitan Province, where Xuanshui City stood. Standing at the border between Dawn Province and Guitan Province, Jiu Han stared at the ominous black mist rolling in the distance. His gaze was deep, his expression calm—but not peaceful.
After all, his hometown, his academy, and his two disciples were all trapped inside that ghostly mist. How could he remain truly calm?
Inhale, exhale
It was as though he was trying to exhale all the suffocating worry from his heart. Only after a few deep breaths did Jiu Han finally turn his head to the figure beside him.
It was his other disciple, Xiang Yi, the Vice Sect Master of the Hundred Schools of Philosophy.
Unlike Jiu Han, Xiang Yi wasn’t a member of the Eternal Clan—he was from the Jin Clan, a race distinguished by their golden skin and golden eyes. In his prime, Xiang Yi had rugged features and a muscular frame, giving off the impression of a seasoned martial artist rather than a scholar.
Noticing his master’s gaze, Xiang Yi spoke in a deep, concerned voice. “Teacher, please think twice.”
The black mist had appeared only a few hours ago, but it was spreading rapidly. At this moment, it had already swallowed the entire Guitan Province and was still expanding outward.
Based on the sporadic reports coming from within the mist, both Jiu Han and Xiang Yi were fully aware of just how terrifying the things were inside.
Jiu Han’s intention was to rush headlong into the black mist to save those trapped within. Xiang Yi, of course, would not stand by and let his teacher throw himself into such a perilous situation.
The two of them stood, deadlocked at the border of the black mist.
That was until a leisurely voice sounded from behind them.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t get too close to the true Black Mist Zone,” the voice said calmly. “The spread of this thing is unpredictable. It could stay still for a while, or it might suddenly expand several hundred miles.”
“If you get swallowed by the mist, coming back out won’t be easy.”
The voice caused Jiu Han and Xiang Yi to turn around.
At some point, a figure had managed to evade their senses and appear silently behind them. It wasn’t just any stranger—it was an enemy, though an acquaintance as well.
The Corpse God, Zero.
The young man standing before them, adjusting his glasses casually, was one of the main clones of the Corpse God. Jiu Han had crossed paths with this clone before and knew that it could temporarily wield the power of the Eternal Clan’s Guardian God.
Still, Jiu Han wasn’t afraid. His strength was likely on par with Zero’s Clone.
Frowning, Jiu Han asked, “What are you doing here?”
Zero stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the swirling black mist in the distance. He answered leisurely, “I’m here to witness the achievements of our Subverters.”
As he spoke, he pointed toward the black mist.
“Look at it. Isn’t this scenery beautiful?”
A flicker of killing intent flashed through Jiu Han’s eyes, but his voice remained indifferent.
“If you’re trying to provoke me, I’m not sure if you’re underestimating me or if I’m overestimating you.”
Zero smiled faintly. “I’m not trying to provoke you. I truly think the scene in front of us is breathtaking.”
Before Jiu Han could respond, Zero adjusted his glasses again and continued, “It’s unfortunate, though—this beautiful sight doesn’t happen often. Normally, it would take over three hundred generations of tribulation bearers for the Black Mist Zone to reach the harvest period. All we’ve done is speed up the process.”
“So, think about it,” Zero continued, his voice rising with excitement. “From the first generation of tribulation bearers in the Black Mist Zone until now, there have been over 90,000 generations. It took all this time to reach the harvest period… This is a once-in-ten-thousand-generations event! If you look at it from the right perspective, the spectacle unfolding before us is more magnificent than any wonder inside the Black Mist Zone.”
The Corpse God’s tone became more animated as he spoke, but after finishing, he took a deep breath, calming himself. His emotions briefly settled as he turned to Jiu Han, who had been quietly watching him the entire time.
Jiu Han remained silent, his gaze focused and piercing, simply observing.
Zero shrugged, slightly exasperated. “According to how this is supposed to go, you should be asking me about the harvest period—what it is, why it exists…”
“No, I don’t want to know,” Jiu Han responded bluntly. “While I’m curious, I don’t particularly care to hear about the harvest period. I’m sure it’s the root cause of your war with the Eternal Clan, and that’s enough for me.”
Zero nodded, acknowledging the truth of Jiu Han’s assumption. “That’s right.”
Jiu Han continued, “The situation is too complicated, and I have no interest in becoming tangled in it. The only thing that concerns me right now is the safety of my two disciples.”
He looked Zero directly in the eye. “If you have a way to rescue them, I’m willing to stay out of any future battles. I’ll even extend this promise to include the entire Hundred Schools of Philosophy.”
Xiang Yi, standing silently beside Jiu Han, opened his mouth as if to speak but ultimately remained quiet. His teacher’s words carried the weight of possible betrayal to their clan, but the truth was undeniable.
This war had dragged on far too long, and even Xiang Yi was exhausted. He no longer understood the reasons for the fighting, nor did he know the deeper cause behind the conflict. Whenever he had asked, his superiors gave him evasive answers. In such a confusing war, it was no wonder he’d lost the will to fight.
Zero considered Jiu Han’s proposal for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Although you didn’t follow the script, we’ve still arrived at the same conclusion,” he said. “But I don’t need you to simply refrain from participating in the battle. What I need is for you to stand with us.”
Jiu Han’s eyes narrowed, but Zero continued, “I’m not asking you to turn against your own people. I just need your expertise in Array Formations.”
Zero’s voice became even more measured. “Help me complete an Array Formation, and I will save your two disciples. How does that sound?”
Jiu Han stood in deep thought for a long time before slowly nodding. “That works.”
“But,” he added, “there’s one more condition.”
“What condition?” Zero asked.
“Now... I want to know exactly what this ‘harvest period’ you keep talking about is.”
Zero burst into laughter, the sound ringing out in the tense air. “Jiu Han, I have to admit—I kind of like you…”
End of Chapter 355