Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 1189: Chapter 908: Visions of Time

It only takes a moment of daze, and the reunited soul returns to its shell.

But before that, something seems to stand between the soul and the body...

A dream from the past.

The remnants of that dream linger on Helios, still slowly evaporating, gradually dissipating. And for the first time, Huai Shi, as an outsider, breaches it.

But after Balder has already passed, whose dream is this?

Huai Shi gazes around in confusion.

Amid the desolate land, beneath the dark sky dome and the pitch-black earth, surrounded by forests, a withered knight sits on the emaciated horse, trudging with difficulty through the mire.

Weary, he asks every creature, pleading.

Yet he cannot see the phantom-like Huai Shi.

Because he does not belong here.

He is merely an onlooker.

Then, he sees the only vivid color in this dark and oppressive world.

Like fire.

Amidst the dried-up rivers and mountains, a shockingly bright red strand indifferently scans everything, emphasizing an unparalleled presence.

As if she is the center of heaven and earth, the only valuable existence in this world.

”Please... mourn for him...”

When the knight pleads thus, he receives only a look of disdain.

On the rocky mount, the teenage girl sits there, glancing back coldly, looking down on him with such arrogance.

A face seemingly familiar, yet without the warm smile Huai Shi knows, entirely unkind.

Utterly different from everything he recognizes.

Filled with wildness and sharpness, making one dare not approach.

”Why should I?”

She mockingly asks, ”Just because he is Odin’s son?”

The knight remains silent, and after a long pause, hoarsely speaks again, ”Then, please leave from this land.”

The teenage girl on the rock laughs, as if hearing a joke.

”Just you?”

Amidst the deathly silence, the knight slowly raises his hand, resting it on the sword hilt at his waist.

Gripping it tightly.

On the back of his hand, veins bulge.

Yet under that icy gaze, he dares not move.

”Do not draw your sword, Hermóðr, this is for your own good, do not seek your doom.”

She slowly withdraws her gaze, indifferent, ”Go back, tell Odin, whatever he desires, he will not get it from me.”

Hermóðr’s beard trembles, and he humbly pleads again, ”Just... asking for some mercy...”

”Why should I pity him?”

The teenage girl on the rock retorts, ”In order to let his son escape the strife of the Sky’s Command, Odin saw Hell as a refuge.

But if he does not wish to abide by the contract with even the refuge, then his son cannot be liberated, nor even go to Hell... he can only eternally wander this world as a lingering soul.”

As if declaring fate, she coldly states, ”This is the price of his own cleverness.”

”Aren’t you the same, Emperor Shu!”

Hermóðr, unable to hide his anger, roars hoarsely, ”One day, you too will bring upon yourself the same doom—”

Flames suddenly burst out from the black heavens and earth.

Yet they do not bring warmth.

Instead, viciously dye everything a scarlet hue.

The aged knight is suddenly ignited, from within and without, flames spew from his eyes, mouth, and nose, interrupting his words, causing him to issue hoarse screams.

Until the teenage girl on the rock flicks her fingers slightly, extinguishing the torment of burning like the sun.

”This is just a slight punishment, Hermóðr, as the price for addressing me by name...”

She withdraws her gaze, uninterested, ”Begone!”

Soon, the emaciated old horse lifts the grievously wounded knight, slowly departing, disappearing at the edge of Huai Shi’s vision.

As he remains puzzled, he perceives the indifferent gaze from beside him.

Recognizing this outsider who does not belong here.

The girl in the red skirt props her chin, casting a disdainful glance, ”And then, mortal, who are you?”

”Uh...”

Huai Shi is stunned for a moment, under such a gaze, a peculiar sense of absurdity and speculation rises within him, he hesitates to speak, but remains speechless.

But this bewilderment and hesitation are construed as defiance.

In an instant, Huai Shi feels his neck being lifted, suspended in midair.

Completely unable to resist.

Roughly pulled up by that hand, gripping his throat, only a pair of burning eyes staring at him—although the flame is so bright, yet it is so cold.

She says, ”Since you won’t speak, then never speak again...”

Huai Shi struggles hard, trying to pry her hand open, but he cannot move the power in that palm, no matter how he exhausts his strength, he cannot create a gap.

He can only muster his strength, squeezing words from his chest.

”Tong Ji... let go...”

He says, ”I’m... about to suffocate...”

In that moment, the teenage girl seems astonished, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Finally, I became aware of this dreamland’s existence.

Then, everything began to rapidly dissolve.

The desolate land, the dark sky, and even everything before me, only the feeling of suffocation remained, making Huai Shi struggle instinctively, twisting his body desperately to breathe.

At last, he opened his eyes.

And then, he saw the figure sitting on his chest.

That really was... an undeniable burden.

”Hmm? You’re awake?”

Tong Ji, as if nothing was wrong, closed the book in her hand, happily overlooking him, ”Anywhere you’re feeling uncomfortable?”

Huai Shi’s face turned ashen, pointing to his chest.

”I’m... going to suffocate...”

”Hmm? What did you say, I can’t hear you.”

Tong Ji lowered her head in confusion, gathered her hair, moved closer, and stared at him with the same crimson eyes as in the dream: ”Please speak a little clearer...”

”I said...”

Huai Shi took a difficult deep breath, ”Get off me, you wretched woman!!”

With all his strength, the ailing patient finally pushed off the person sitting on him, then lay on the ground, coughing violently.

ICU, where’s the ICU?

I need some emergency attention...

”Wow, what daring words you spoke to the gentle big sister!” Tong Ji squatted down, gleefully appreciating his embarrassed state, reaching out, poking his cheek: ”That’s the price to pay, you know, Huai Shi, the price.”

Huai Shi glared at her.

This woman... this woman...

From the past to now, there’s been no change at all!

Yet, it’s different from before...

Huai Shi stared fixedly at her face, not even bothering to wipe the spat-out saliva.

Gazing at her cheek.

With a smile utterly different from the dream.

The person in the dream seemed so lonely, yet so arrogant, making one feel: it was she who actively abandoned this world.

Because no one could stay by her side...

”What’s wrong?” Tong Ji squatted beside him, cradling her cheeks: ”Today, too, is another day of being mesmerized by my peerless beauty?”

Don’t look too much, lest you fall in love with me, how troubling would that be?”

Huai Shi rolled his eyes, not wanting to deal with her anymore.

He turned over, laying on the ground, after a long time, finally catching his breath, and only then realized the pain in his body had disappeared, his entire body returning to a healthy state.

Almost unbelievable.

Even the cracks and wounds in his soul had vanished.

And then... Stigma and Source Armament were gone too!

Huai Shi was dumbfounded.

”Wait a minute, what’s going on!” He sat up in shock, fumbling around himself, as if Stigma and the key could be forgotten in some corner.

”Where’s my injury? Where’s my Stigma... wait, why does my chest hurt so much...”

He tugged open his collar, looking at his perfectly intact chest, perplexed: ”Why does it feel like I was stabbed?”

”Just an illusion, a mere illusion.”

Tong Ji’s eyes seemed to drift, waving innocently: ”A little accident happened, but here I am, rescuing you...”

”Rescue?”

Huai Shi was suspicious: ”Why do I keep needing rescue again and again? Is this your doing!”

”So annoying, you really are, do you think you can blame everything on the big sister?” Tong Ji sighed sadly: ”Young people encounter any problem, they start shirking responsibility, truly heart-wrenching.”

”Enough already!”

Huai Shi’s expression twitched: ”What on earth happened?”

”Simply put, your advancement ritual has completed halfway...” Tong Ji explained with a smile: ”The first half.”

”So you made my Stigma and Source Armament disappear?” Huai Shi was stunned.

”How could you say that, Huai Shi!” Tong Ji said seriously, ”It hasn’t left you, but rather, it accompanies you in another way...”

It sounded reasonable, but why does the tone seem exactly like when you’re tricking me for money!

However, as Huai Shi carefully sensed it, he realized, indeed, it was just as Tong Ji had said... The Great Priestess’s Stigma and various weapons still existed, only... they didn’t seem to be inside his body?

He could feel that the Great Priestess’s miracle remained somewhere, and he could use this portion of power belonging to him at any time through his soul.

No different from before.

But where have they gone?

”That is the power of ’Rejuvenation Crystals,’ Huai Shi—”

Tong Ji explained: ”Simply put, smart and adorable big sister had a flash of inspiration, completing your advancement preparations ahead of time through a ritual.”

”Now, the Stigma and Sky’s Command of the Great Priestess have been temporarily separated through Rejuvenation Crystals to make space for the Cloud Monarch’s advancement.”

”Where have they been distributed?” Huai Shi was baffled.

”Let me think, there are quite a few places.”

Tong Ji casually drew out the Blade of Resent: ”Thanks to the numerous connections and karma you established with the Current Circumstances, I distributed these powers to those who share this miracle with you—can’t you feel it?”

If anything had been felt.

Huai Shi first experienced a darkness in front of his eyes.

You did something behind my back again!