Chapter 1058: Human Weaknesses
Chapter 1058: Human Weaknesses
Odd, why is the only one who’s still alive not here?
Unaware that someone had noticed the unusual expression on their face and was muttering about it privately, Heavenly Cicada of All Things scanned the main hall and, not seeing the person they were looking for, spoke up:
"Where’s Oriole Crow? Have him come see me."
"Of course."
Hearing Heavenly Cicada of All Things’ command, a True God immediately set off toward the side room of Yesterday’s Abode. However, when this True God arrived, the side room was already empty—though not entirely.
"Where’s Oriole Crow? Azure King has something for him."
Seeing the man with the White Serpent mask sitting at a table with a dark expression, a chessboard in front of him, the True God couldn’t help but ask:
"Strange, wasn’t Oriole Crow just here playing chess with you? Where did he go?"
He probably feared being implicated and fled to avoid trouble...
After a moment's thought, the White Serpent mask man sighed and said:
"He suddenly left just now. I don’t know where he went... I’ll go with you."
After packing up the chessboard, he followed the True God who had come to fetch him, leaving the side room and heading to the main hall. Once there, the White Serpent adjusted his mask and approached the long table, standing in a position where he could be sensed by the projection on the table, and spoke respectfully:
"Lords, Oriole Crow had to leave on some business. Is there anything you need?"
Had to leave? Why now of all times?
Hearing the White Serpent’s response, Heavenly Cicada of All Things furrowed their brow, then shook their head slightly and said:
"Nothing important. I just felt something was off after meeting the God of Sustenance and remembered Oriole Crow’s Averting Calamity truth. I wanted him to take a look, but since he’s not here, it doesn’t matter... By the way, White Serpent."
Five eyes shifted slightly, examining the White Serpent mask man from head to toe, and Heavenly Cicada of All Things expressed satisfaction:
"You’ve done very well. Whether it’s sealing the present with Yesterday’s Abode or sending the eye I left behind to Heaven’s Mountain, you’ve completed all the tasks I gave you on time... Is there anything you want as a reward?"
Reward?
The White Serpent mask man’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked hopefully:
"Lord Azure King, when will Lord Obsidian King return?"
"I understand. You want him to extend your lifespan, so you’re not limited to just one day... While it’s not impossible, it might not happen soon."
Seeing the White Serpent mask man’s disappointed expression, Heavenly Cicada of All Things explained apologetically:
"Old Earth is filled with temporal maelstroms, and it’s becoming increasingly dangerous. The past and future intertwine, and it’s easy to get lost in another timeline. Without him, we can’t navigate it freely.
Moreover, a lot has been happening on Old Earth recently. Several completely dead timelines have been discovered, and at least a dozen races capable of traversing the temporal maelstroms are trying to delve into them to uncover the secrets of Old Earth’s fragmentation.
Additionally, the Aries director of the Clearing Bureau seems to have found some traces of humans from Old Earth. If the two sides actually meet, the Clearing Bureau might find the lost Hope and gather all seven virtues.
While I’m willing to grant your request, the secrets of Old Earth’s fragmentation and the potential meeting of the two human groups take precedence. Your reward will have to wait, I’m sorry."
"Your words are too kind..."
With a slight sigh, the man in the White Serpent mask concealed his disappointment, paused for a moment, and then asked with a hint of curiosity:
“So, Lord Azure King, how did your and Lord Crimson King’s mission go?”
“Well, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, but the outcome was still quite satisfactory.”
The projection of the Heavenly Cicada of All Things smiled, then lifted its right hand, holding a viridian egg and waving it in front of the White Serpent.
“Although when I arrived, the Clean-up Bureau’s Capricorn Director realized something was amiss and started purifying the lifespan he had obtained without regard for the cost, he only managed to absorb a small fraction of it. The majority was still retrieved by me.
To be precise… he nearly lost his life in the process, and only managed to purify less than one-twentieth of it. The lifespan they took and absorbed on the spot was very limited, probably extending the average human lifespan by about two and a half years at most.”
“What about the God of Sustenance?”
Recalling the terrified look on Oriole Crow’s face before he fled, the man in the White Serpent mask couldn’t help but steal a glance at the Heavenly Cicada of All Things, then tentatively asked:
“Lord Crimson King mentioned that the God of Sustenance had conquered the entire Abyss Hundredfold Hells and even captured all the Sin Demon Gods. How did you deal with him?”
“Hehe, that’s a long story.”
Seeming to have a good relationship with the White Serpent mask, the Heavenly Cicada of All Things recounted in simple terms how it had discovered the God of Sustenance’s weakness and easily taken control of the situation, then continued with a smile:
“He was indeed a formidable opponent, and your defeat at his hands was not unjustified. However, if you had been more flexible and focused on exploiting his weaknesses instead of engaging in direct confrontation, the outcome might have been different… Hmm? What’s that look on your face?”
“N-nothing… nothing at all…”
Recalling what Oriole Crow had told him about the potential consequences of targeting the God of Sustenance’s “weaknesses,” the White Serpent struggled to control his expression, quickly shaking his head and changing the subject with a forced smile:
“I’m just surprised that such a ruthless God of Sustenance would have such a ‘vulnerable’ weakness.”
“Hehe, that’s humanity for you~”
After giving the White Serpent a deep, five-eyed stare, the Heavenly Cicada of All Things didn’t pursue the matter further, instead offering a calm assessment:
“Humans are a race like that. Their outstanding individuals, if they lack weaknesses, tend to become cold and selfish, seeing only themselves and not others, unwilling to bear the burdens of their own kind and push forward despite the hardships.
On the other hand, those who possess not only exceptional strength and vision but also a deep love for their entire race are often overwhelmed by their passionate emotions, exposing numerous vulnerabilities and forced to make difficult choices, until they lose everything they can.”
“Among these two types, the former will likely betray their own race, seeking eternal life and becoming one of us; the latter will either endure the pain of their moral struggles or, like the God of Sustenance, compromise and relinquish their responsibilities.
This fundamental difference is the primary reason why humans can only temporarily win against us but can never triumph in the long run… as in this case.”
At this point, the Heavenly Cicada of All Things’ lips curled into a bright, anticipatory smile.
“The God of Sustenance, for his own selfish reasons, betrayed his allies and handed over the lifespan he had already secured, directly causing humanity to lose fifty years of life… do you think the Clean-up Bureau will react?”
(End of Chapter)
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