Chapter 245: A Reunion (Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!)

Chapter 245: A Reunion (Wishing Everyone a Happy New Year!)



"What are the requirements?" Zhao Zheng asked.

"There are mainly two points," Old Chu replied. "First, using the Request Card, you can only receive an S-class task evaluation at most. Second, after using the Request Card, you won't be able to team up with others. Third, if the requester dies in the Soul Realm, the assister will also be permanently trapped in the Soul Realm..."

Zhao Zheng frowned slightly upon hearing this.

The first two points were fine, as they didn't concern him.

But the last point was something he needed to be cautious about.

"Old Chu, so you mean that on the first of next month, you want me to enter the 30th-layer Soul Realm as an assister?" Zhao Zheng asked.

Old Chu nodded, "Yes, as long as you agree, the requester and the Request Card will be arranged quickly."

Zhao Zheng didn't respond immediately but fell into deep thought.

If he agreed, it would disrupt his plans.

His original idea was to steadily advance the Soul Realm progress with Song Haitang and the others, gradually becoming stronger.

If he entered the 30th-layer Soul Realm as an assister next month, what about Song Haitang and the others? Should they wait for him for a month, or should they act on their own?

Zhao Zheng disliked having his plans disrupted, but the current situation was indeed something that couldn't be delayed any further.

Looking around the world, the only one who could possibly stop that kind of monster was probably him.

Because he could quickly become stronger by basking in the sun!

Was the fate of all humanity more important?

Or was his plan more important?

He believed he didn't need to think to know the answer.

Zhao Zheng spoke up, "What is the task in the 30th-layer Soul Realm, and how long can one stay in the Soul Realm world?"

Currently, he only knew that the 30th-layer Soul Realm was the Marvel World, and nothing else.

"I'm afraid I can't answer your question," Old Chu shook his head.

Zhao Zheng was puzzled, "What? They sent you here without showing you the information about the 30th-layer Soul Realm?"

"It's not that," Old Chu explained honestly, "The 30th-layer Soul Realm is a continuation of the 11th-layer Soul Realm, and the task in the 30th-layer Soul Realm is related to the performance of the Extraordinary Beings in the 11th-layer Soul Realm."

"If the aliens were stopped before, the Soul Realm task might involve new enemies."

"If the alien invasion wasn't stopped in the 11th-layer Soul Realm, then upon entering the 30th-layer Soul Realm, you'll likely face a planet ruled by aliens."

"In short, the task in the 30th-layer Soul Realm varies from person to person, and you'll only know once you enter the Soul Realm."

Hearing this, Zhao Zheng frowned again.

He really disliked this kind of uncertainty...

However, after a moment of thought, Zhao Zheng still agreed, "Alright, I'll agree to it."

This decision wasn't for the sake of all humanity, and he had no interest in being some savior; it was purely for himself and his loved ones.

But Old Chu didn't see it that way.

"I knew you would agree."

Old Chu's spirit lifted, and he smiled, "I'll go and inform them to prepare right away!"

...

After Old Chu left, Zhao Zheng called Song Haitang and told her about the matter.

The girl was very understanding and immediately said, "Your choice is correct, and I fully support it."

"So, what are your plans for next month?" Zhao Zheng asked, "You won't be forming a team to go to the Soul Realm, will you?"

Song Haitang said, "Are you worried that I might have some inexplicable sense of pride, wanting to prove myself and get the Divine evaluation without you?"

"Well... I didn't say that."

"Don't worry! I'm perfectly sane. Why wouldn't I cling to a strong ally? I won't gamble with my future as an Extraordinary Being."

This girl was truly a voice of reason!

"You go and assist next month! I won't be going to the Soul Realm."

Only the first ten layers of the Soul Realm were compulsory; the choice to enter the subsequent layers was in the hands of the Extraordinary Beings.

"Good!"

Zhao Zheng smiled.

...

In the following days, the sense of panic on the internet intensified.

Despite the official explanations, it was impossible to stop the panic from spreading.

Doomsday theories were rampant, convincing countless people.

The situation in the country was still manageable, with the worst being large numbers of citizens scrambling for supplies.

But abroad, things had turned into a complete mess.

Zero-dollar purchases and shootings were minor issues; the truly terrifying ones were still those out-of-control Extraordinary Beings! Once they decided to go on a rampage, they would burn, loot, and commit all sorts of atrocities.

And the government was powerless to restrain them...

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that abroad, a chaotic dance of demons was happening every day.

Then, something hilarious happened.

Many foreign governments actually sought aid from Yan Country.

Back then, they had tried every trick in the book to target Song Haitang, fearing that Yan Country would produce a God-tier strong individual who would dominate the world and threaten their positions.

Now that the real crisis had arrived, and they were unable to control it, they still had the nerve to ask for help...

To put it bluntly, these people were the pig teammates of humanity! Naturally, Yan Country wouldn't agree to their request for aid.

It was fortunate that the incident occurred at the end of the month, giving them a few days before the start of November.

...

Today, on November 1st, the Soul Realm was set to open.

Zhao Zheng woke up from his sunbathing apparatus and, as usual, checked his attribute panel first.

Race: Human.

Physical Constitution: 7720

Spirit: 2717

Strength: 7720

Agility: 7720

Talent: Rumble Fruit Ability, Kryptonian Bloodline [Steel Body S9, Super Strength S9, Super Speed S9, Super Flight S9, Heat Vision S2, Super Vision S1, Bio-Force Field S1].

Skills: Bone Fist Impact, Armed Color Overlord, Descent of the Demon King, Extraordinary Sense, Overlord of the Tyrant Color Aura, Immortal Demon Body.

Support Ability: Dimensional Space.

Spirit Points: 2445.

...

Zhao Zheng's expression remained calm as he reviewed his attributes.

Although his current strength was already top-notch among humans, it still paled in comparison to the truly formidable monsters.

Glancing at the time, Zhao Zheng quickly got out of bed, freshened up, and had breakfast.

At exactly 9 AM, Old Chu brought someone to Zhao Zheng's dormitory.

The visitor was a woman in her twenties, with a well-proportioned figure and a mature charm that exuded from her tailored leather outfit, like a ripe apple.

Most importantly, Zhao Zheng recognized her.

"You're... Sister Qin?" Zhao Zheng was surprised.

He instantly recognized the woman before him as the one sent by the higher-ups to protect him.

Qin Mu Yin from the Zodiac Bureau!

When he had lived off-campus, Qin Mu Yin had stayed in the apartment opposite his for several months, "protecting" him.

It wasn't until Zhao Zheng moved back to the school at the principal's request that Qin Mu Yin left.

"It's me, Venerable Zhao. You can just call me Little Qin," she said, a bit more reserved than their previous encounter.

Qin Mu Yin still couldn't believe that the young man before her, several years her junior, had achieved such astonishing success and possessed such incredible power.

She had watched the live broadcast and was left speechless by the impact of that single punch...

"No need for formalities, Sister Qin. Just call me Zhao Zheng," he smiled. "Speaking of which, I never properly thanked you for protecting me for so long last time!"

Old Chu, standing nearby, asked curiously, "You two know each other?"

Zhao Zheng nodded. "When I lived off-campus, foreign forces were eyeing me, and Sister Qin protected me for several months."

Old Chu understood.

Qin Mu Yin, however, self-deprecatingly said, "What protection? By then, Venerable Zhao's strength had probably far surpassed mine. If there was any danger, I wonder who would've protected whom!"

"Sister Qin, I said no need for formalities. Just call me Zhao Zheng."

"Since you know each other, I won't introduce her," Old Chu smiled. "Zhao Zheng, Ms. Qin is the helper sent by the higher-ups this time."

Zhao Zheng nodded.

Old Chu wouldn't have brought her at this time if she weren't a helper.

Old Chu continued, "We chose Ms. Qin because she successfully stopped the alien invasion alongside native heroes in the 11th Soul Realm. With her help, your journey into the Soul Realm should be in a peaceful world."

The world they would encounter in the 30th Soul Realm was uncertain if it were a transcendent who couldn't stop the alien invasion.

So, the higher-ups sending Qin Mu Yin had no other purpose.

Zhao Zheng believed they weren't foolish enough to play petty games at a time like this.

Glancing at the time, Zhao Zheng said, "It's still early. Let's sit for a while."

The three of them sat on the sofa.

Old Chu said to Qin Mu Yin, "Ms. Qin, I'm sure they've already briefed you. Your task in the Soul Realm isn't crucial. The important thing is to buy time for Zhao Zheng to improve himself."

Qin Mu Yin nodded repeatedly, "I understand!"

Zhao Zheng looked at Qin Mu Yin.

If possible, he wouldn't mind helping her complete her task.

...

By 11 AM, Old Chu reminded them, "It's almost time."

"How should I proceed?" Zhao Zheng asked.

Old Chu was clearly well-prepared and produced a black card, saying, "You hold Ms. Qin's hand, and she will hold this Request Card. When the time comes, crush the card and follow the instructions on the panel to request assistance. As for you, Zhao Zheng, simply choose to agree to assist."

Both nodded in understanding.

They held hands.

This was the first time Zhao Zheng held Qin Mu Yin's hand, and he had no romantic intentions towards her. He merely noticed that her fingers were slender, unlike Song Haitang's soft hands.

Qin Mu Yin, on the other hand, blushed slightly and couldn't bring herself to look at Zhao Zheng.

As for Old Chu, he averted his gaze, pretending not to notice anything...

"Get ready, the Soul Realm is about to open," Old Chu reminded them. "Ten seconds left!"

Ten seconds later.

In Zhao Zheng's left eye, a prompt appeared, asking if he wanted to enter the Soul Realm.

He didn't make a choice.

As soon as Qin Mu Yin crushed the Request Card, the prompt in his left eye changed.

[An Extraordinary Being has used a Request Card and is seeking your assistance. Do you accept?]



[Yes/No]



Zhao Zheng immediately selected 'Yes'!

The next moment, both of them vanished from the sofa!

Old Chu, witnessing their disappearance while holding hands, let out a sigh of relief.

...

Zhao Zheng flew straight up.

As he broke through the cloud layer, he saw the sunlight, and his left eye began displaying continuous prompts...

[You absorb sunlight: Physical Constitution +0.1, Spirit +0.05, Strength +0.1, Agility +0.1...]



[You absorb sunlight: Physical Constitution +0.1, Spirit +0.05, Strength +0.05, Agility +0.1...]



[You absorb sunlight: Physical Constitution +0.1, Spirit +0.05, Strength +0.1, Agility +0.1...]



Seeing the prompts, Zhao Zheng breathed a deep sigh of relief.

As long as there was sunlight, all was well!

Zhao Zheng felt elated.

If Qin Mu Yin's stay in this world was long enough, he could become incredibly powerful!

However, now wasn't the time to bask in the sun. He had to ensure Qin Mu Yin's safety first.

If Qin Mu Yin died, he would be trapped in this world, unable to return...

Although this outcome might not be entirely negative for him, Zhao Zheng still hoped to return to Blue Star.

After living in that world for over a year, he had formed attachments to many people and things.

To ensure Qin Mu Yin's safety, the best option was to keep her by his side!

This was not a difficult task, as Zhao Zheng could easily fly with someone.

The challenge was that if Zhao Zheng wanted to strengthen himself quickly, the best option was to fly into outer space and face the sunlight directly.

However, Qin Mu Yin might not be able to survive in space at the moment.

Solving this wasn't difficult either.

Providing Qin Mu Yin with an astronaut's spacesuit and sufficient oxygen should do the trick.

But for now, they needed to figure out Qin Mu Yin's task and the current timeline of the Marvel World.

Zhao Zheng was concerned that they might have entered the period when Thanos snapped his fingers.

A single snap could wipe out half of all life in the universe...

Zhao Zheng didn't dare gamble on the odds.

---

(PS: Wishing everyone a happy Spring Festival and a prosperous new year! This chapter was written after a few drinks, so it might not be up to par. I'll return to edit it once I'm sober tomorrow!)



(End of Chapter)

Chapter end