Chapter 994: Sacrifice and Rebirth
Chapter 994: Sacrifice and Rebirth
In the public hall of the Government Hall in Jinbei Province Central City, loud noises reverberated from below, but they soon subsided, returning to silence.
Qi Wei Zhao and the others waiting there received a message from Chen Chuanben via a carrier ship, stating that the target had been dealt with, along with some intermittent footage.
Out of caution, they didn't immediately relax and sent a message back for confirmation.
Regarding the footage, they couldn't understand its content, but fortunately, Yao Zhiyi was present, who they believed could comprehend it. So, they all waited for his judgment.
As Yao Zhiyi watched the footage, his expression turned solemn. It was a scene of two people colliding, which might be incomprehensible to ordinary people, but he could discern that their spiritual flames were spreading outward at an alarming rate and clashing with each other.
However, the more he watched, the more astonished he became. If he wasn't mistaken, the side represented by Chen Chuanben's radiance seemed to be the aggressor, constantly dominating the other. Despite already knowing the outcome, he still found it hard to believe this scene.
The oppressive feeling that Zhao Zhenye had exuded in the earliest footage still lingered in his mind. Even though he wasn't at the scene, it made him, as an observer, unconsciously breathe rapidly and tense up. But why was this process so different from what he had imagined?
Eager to find out, he fast-forwarded to the end. When he saw Chen Chuanben's blade piercing the silhouette across from him and then finally hovering above the sea, his eyes widened, and even his thick eyebrows trembled.
Deep down, he wasn't entirely confident about this battle, but he knew that if Chen Chuanben dared to engage, he must have some level of assurance. Every previous battle had proven him right. Despite his rational mind telling him that Chen Chuanben's raw strength was inferior to his opponent's, he had thought this fight would be extremely dangerous. Yet, he never imagined it would be a one-sided victory.
After watching the footage several times, he confirmed that the scene and the footage were genuine and hadn't been altered. It was impossible for someone unfamiliar with the situation to have manipulated it. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "Excellent!" Paying no heed to anything else, he turned and shouted to those outside, "Play the music!"
The band waiting outside immediately started playing, with drums and gongs, a triumphant march with a lively rhythm and uplifting melody.
The other members of the Central City Safety Decision-Making Group, hearing the music from the field domain screen, exchanged subtle glances.
However, it was evident that Yao Zhiyi, having watched the footage, had no concerns. Otherwise, he wouldn't have reacted in such a manner.
At that moment, a confirmed message arrived, verifying the initial report. The carrier ship was heading towards the nearest island, and someone had observed it. If the enemy hadn't been defeated, this wouldn't be the case.
The group members looked at each other, their faces breaking into smiles, and the tension in their expressions eased.
Unless something unexpected happened, it seemed that the Skyline Initiative had been successfully defended this time.
Qi Wei Zhao spoke up, "Ladies and gentlemen, I sincerely hope this was the enemy's last attempt at disruption. However, we still have a few days until the official launch of the Skyline Initiative, and it's not yet time to let down our guard. I urge all departments to coordinate and work together to get through this critical period."
The group members responded solemnly, even Yao Zhiyi, who was listening to the music. While a public attack by such a powerful fighter like today's might not happen again, they couldn't rule out the possibility of hidden individuals causing minor disruptions. They must remain vigilant and not let their guard down.
Meanwhile, on the sea's surface, a wave surged forward, and Wind Crane Guardian, holding his long sword, strode through the waves.
Ever since receiving the message from the Central City, he had been rushing towards Beaky Tooth Island without a moment's rest.
When he set out, he hadn't received specific intelligence, only knowing that Beaky Tooth Island was under attack and that the enemy was exceptionally powerful, having already defeated a fighter who had come to intercept them. But since this was an order from above, he wouldn't disobey.
As a fighter affiliated with the Haidong Province Central City, it was his duty to maintain the nearby Skyline Initiative.
As he rushed forward, he suddenly sensed something and looked into the distance. He spotted a radiance in the sky, followed by a rumbling sound.
The newcomer seemed to have noticed him, paused in the air, and then descended, hovering above the sea. "Wind Crane Pavilion Master," he greeted.
Wind Crane Guardian quickly gripped his long sword, bowed respectfully, and said, "Chief Chen!"
Chen Chuanben asked, "Wind Crane Pavilion Master, are you heading towards Beaky Tooth Island?"
"Yes, a fighter has launched a surprise attack and caused damage there. I was ordered to provide support," Wind Crane Guardian replied.
Chen Chuanben nodded and said, "Thank you for your support, Wind Crane Pavilion Master. However, it's unnecessary now. I've already taken care of the intruder, and you can return."
Wind Crane Guardian was taken aback and looked up at Chen Chuanben. To be honest, given the strength of the opponent, he had envisioned various battle scenarios on his way there and even thought this might be his final battle.
I never expected it to turn out like this.
He fell silent for a moment and bowed, "Mr. Chen, I bid you farewell for now."
Chen Chuan nodded, "But the Skyline Initiative is not yet stable, and I'll need to trouble the Wind Crane Pavilion Master to exert himself these days."
The Wind Crane Guardian's expression turned solemn as he bowed, "I will do my utmost."
Chen Chuan looked outside, recalling the rift that had taken Zhao Zhenye away. The other party could open the rift at any time, which theoretically meant they could appear anywhere.
Next, he would inspect the Skyline again, staying outside until the Skyline was fully connected. He would ensure that no one would come to disrupt it again.
In a certain place of convergence, a rift flashed and split open. Zhao Zhenye's headless, mutilated body fell to the ground on this side.
After a long while, a faint female silhouette appeared, gazing at the mutilated body. Although some parts of the body's tissues remained active, it was clear that he was dead.
At this point, even a Longevity Mansion fighter from the Longevity Perception Realm would not be able to revive on their own.
The female silhouette stared for a moment before speaking softly, "If you're dead, no one will be left to push the plan forward. It seems this is the only choice."
After saying this, her body suddenly scattered, transforming into countless shattered crystal objects that gradually fell onto the mutilated body.
In a short while, the body began to glow as fine, crystal-like viscous threads emerged from the split wound, slowly stitching the two halves of the body together. The half-missing heart also started beating again.
In the severed neck area, a cluster of crystal luminescence appeared, forming the shape of a complete head. Inside, one could vaguely see the internal tissues regenerating.
Please...collect...6...9...books...
She was using her worldly body to fill the void, repairing Zhao Zhenye's body. However, even after restoring its integrity, since the most crucial part, the head, had been completely destroyed, the original memories were gone, leaving behind only an empty shell.
But it didn't matter. She could use her memories of Zhao Zhenye to fill the gaps. As long as this body could complete the plan, it didn't matter if it was the original person or not.
Or perhaps this was even better. Zhao Zhenye always had his own ideas, often contradicting hers, and she had to spend time convincing him. Now, she would have a Zhao Zhenye entirely shaped by her thoughts, allowing her to better execute the plan.
After several hours, as most of the crystal fragments fell, the body was finally restored. At that moment, the phantom disappeared, leaving behind only a grain-sized crystal object emitting a faint glow.
The crystal object fell and instantly penetrated Zhao Zhenye's forehead. However, at that moment, flesh buds sprouted from within his body, entangling the crystal object, which struggled violently. But as more flesh buds grew, they completely enveloped it.
After a long time, the object became completely still.
A moment later, Zhao Zhenye suddenly opened his eyes. He crawled up from the ground, his memories still jumbled in his mind, but he realized he had been killed and then revived.
He glanced at the crystal carbon on the ground, understanding that someone had transferred their worldly energy to him, sacrificing themselves for his rebirth.
Even if their original body remained in the other world, the next time they met, it wouldn't be the same person as before.
He sighed softly and closed his eyes, but when he opened them again, they were cold and detached.
Wasn't this what he had wanted?
His plan had succeeded.
For a long time, the other party had been attached to him, and he had wanted to get rid of them. Conventional methods were useless; the only way was to sustain severe injuries, even life-threatening ones. The other party prioritized the plan above all else, and without him, it was almost impossible to carry it out. So, they would have to sacrifice their worldly existence to revive him.
However, there was one problem. Even if he was brought back, he might become a walking corpse. He knew that the other party would take advantage of that moment to gain complete control over him, erasing any remaining memories.
Therefore, he had obtained something from the Former Imperial Palace in advance. On the surface, it was just a cultivation tool, but it also had the function of storing one's memories. With this, he was able to reclaim the dominant position at the last moment and fully integrate the other party's remnants into himself.
Nevertheless, he now faced a crucial question.
"How did I die?"
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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