NOVEL WEB Ch. 23
Chapter 23: Practically the Child of Destiny
Transcendent Calendar, Year 2029, May 20th.
On this day, a terrorist attack in Central State City shocked the world—
Ever since the end of the Second 【Transcendent War】 and the establishment of the 【Transcendent Council】, the world had enjoyed order and peace.
Even if there were occasional riots caused by rogue Transcendents or cases of Transcendents losing control, they were usually just individual incidents.
This time, however, was entirely different.
A group of Transcendent rioters calling themselves the 【Arc Light Organization】 launched a coordinated terrorist attack in Central State City.
An S-rank 【Transcendent Item】 placed in Central State City was looted and stolen by the Arc Light Organization.
The top A-rank Transcendent, Central State’s mayor Chi Zhenshan, was besieged by multiple A-rank Transcendents, gravely injured and left on the brink of death, while the casualties of others were beyond count.
In addition, Central State First High School was also attacked, with hundreds injured or killed. 【Blazing Red Lotus】 Zhong Honglian was stalled by the rioters and failed to provide timely support, allowing the Arc Light Organization to successfully retreat.
Such an organized act of terrorism had clearly touched the Council’s reverse scale.
The Transcendent Council flew into a rage, deploying their forces in pursuit of the culprits.
However…
Even with the S-rank 【Prophet】 taking action, they could not uncover the true origins of the Arc Light Organization.
Clearly, they had used some means to block the Prophet’s foresight ability in advance.
The Council’s prestige suffered a heavy blow, and for a time, the world was left in turmoil.
On the internet, in the streets, in restaurants—everywhere, people were speculating about the Arc Light Organization’s background.
“There’s nothing that mysterious about it.” White Crane sneered: “Do you think A-rank Transcendents are like cabbages, sprouting out of the ground on their own?”
“If they really wanted to investigate, just interrogate every A-rank Transcendent in the world. It’d be easy to find the culprits.”
Jiang He’s eyes widened: “You mean the leaders of the Arc Light Organization are actually the big figures from various regions?”
“Big figures?” White Crane mocked: “You really think the Prophet’s foresight is that easy to block?”
“He was the one who successfully foretold the apocalypse.”
“…”
If you weren’t the one bringing about the apocalypse, that line would have been far more convincing.
Jiang He was momentarily speechless.
White Crane’s words sounded far too much like the conspiracy theories flooding the internet, didn’t they?
But if what he said was true…
It wasn’t that the 【Prophet】 didn’t know, but that he didn’t want to say.
That meant, behind the Arc Light Organization, there was without a doubt another S-rank powerhouse!
So, this so-called Arc Light Organization attack was, in truth, just a clash between top-tier powers?
Unable to hold back, Jiang He asked: “Do you know who they are?”
“Of course I know.” White Crane shot him a sideways glance. “But I won’t tell you.”
Jiang He: “…Why not?”
White Crane rolled his eyes: “You have way too many tells.”
“If I told you who it was, you’d be walking around with ‘I know everything’ written all over your face—offering yourself up to be killed?”
Jiang He: “…”
That cut deep, Old White.
Now it was May 20th, 3:24 p.m.
Nearly half a day had passed since the Arc Light Organization’s attack.
The injured teachers and students had already been treated—those severely wounded were transferred to hospitals, while those lightly hurt had already made a full recovery.
With the school in ruins, surrounded by collapsed walls and shattered buildings, it was obviously impossible to continue classes.
Thus, Central State First High School was temporarily suspended. The specific reopening date would be announced later, and the students were sent home, with only a few students and teachers remaining.
Among them, Jiang He had been specifically named to stay behind.
The reason was simple—
After returning to the school, Principal Zhong Honglian had sought Jiang He out immediately for a private inquiry.
The question was simple: “Who is the Mysterious Figure?”
Facing Zhong Honglian’s questioning, although Jiang He repeatedly insisted: “I don’t know, I don’t recognize him, I’m not clear,”
His expression betrayed him completely, practically screaming “I know that person.”
This confirmed to Zhong Honglian that there was indeed a connection between the two.
However, Zhong Honglian didn’t press further.
She only asked Jiang He to convey her gratitude to the Mysterious Figure, and said that if he had any needs, he could contact her directly—then gave Jiang He her private contact information.
After that, she hurriedly left the school.
Even now, when Jiang He recalled the scene of Zhong Honglian’s questioning, he still felt lingering fear.
“If you hadn’t shown up so carelessly and blatantly used Word-Spirit, would Principal Zhong have suspected me?”
“This is bad… what if she finds out?”
“Find out what? That you can summon your future self? You think she’s read the script?”
White Crane chuckled and shook his head.
“In Zhong Honglian’s eyes, I’m just the Mysterious Figure who appeared by your side.”
“At most, she doubts my identity, but she won’t suspect you—”
“From her reaction, most likely she mistook me for another Word-Spirit user from the 1990s… After all, it’s not unusual for an S-rank Transcendent to fake their death.”
“She doesn’t know my true purpose. By speaking to you, she was mostly just telling me that she already knows of my existence.”
“Mm. In her eyes, I’m probably at least an A-rank Transcendent.”
White Crane paused, then added.
“For you, this is nothing but good.”
“After all, in Zhong Honglian’s perspective, not only are you a rare S-rank talent, but you also have a top-level mentor with the same gift protecting you—limitless potential.”
“Understanding this, she will only value you more.”
Jiang He nodded repeatedly.
Analyzed this way, not only had he awakened a top-tier talent, but he also came with a “dead old master” by default…
Cosplaying a novel protagonist? No problem at all.
Practically the child of destiny!
“Someone’s coming. Be careful—stop wearing every thought on your face.”
White Crane said this, then turned and left the room.
At first, Jiang He was puzzled. Wasn’t White Crane in hiding? What was there to avoid?
It wasn’t until the knock on the door came and someone entered that he realized.
“Classmate Jiang He.” Du Lingwei’s hair stuck slightly to her forehead, her face looking tired, yet her eyes still sharp and focused.
The moment Jiang He saw her, his heart sped up. He stood up instinctively: “Here!”
Realizing his slip, his face flushed, and he hurriedly explained nervously: “I was just… thinking about something… Du, Du classmate, what is it?”
As soon as he said it, Jiang He wished he could slap himself.
Du-du classmate? What the hell was that? Too embarrassing!
All White Crane’s fault—for telling him Du Lingwei was his future wife, making him nervous every time he saw her…
But Du Lingwei didn’t mind. She herself was momentarily absentminded—
She still remembered the mysterious white-haired man who had stepped in earlier, and the inexplicable sense of familiarity he brought her.
She had thought this familiarity came from Jiang He, who also used the 【Word-Spirit】 talent.
But looking at Jiang He now, she didn’t feel that way.
And true, she had only ever met Jiang He once. Where would any “familiarity” come from?
Comparatively…
It felt more like she had sensed… herself?
No, that was getting way too ridiculous.
Pushing those messy thoughts aside, Du Lingwei said: “Classmate Jiang He, earlier, Teacher Zhong asked me to help you condense a Fire Seed and upgrade your Profession.”
“Now that school is suspended, and the reopening time uncertain…”
“I understand.” Jiang He cut in quickly: “It’s fine, we can wait until classes resume!”
“That’s not what I mean.” Du Lingwei shook her head, explaining:
“During the suspension, I’ll be working part-time at the Central State Fire Department. You can train with me there.”
“Although the training facilities there aren’t as good as the school’s, they’re still better than most civilian ones.”
Training together with Du Lingwei?
Jiang He nodded firmly: “No problem!”