Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 303: Chapter 142 Chosen by Destiny_2

Subsequently, Li Yelai turned his gaze to the third painting, which appeared much more abstract than the ones before.

It seemed to be an unfinished painting, where obscure lines outlined a bloodstained battlefield that lay under a starry sky with demon-like warriors bathing in green flames, descending upon the battlefield.

”What is this?” Li Yelai asked, perplexed.

”This is something that has yet to occur, or rather, is still occurring,” Wolf Map responded. ”It presages that the power of the Chaos Fifth God is infiltrating this world. It... It will bring despair to the entire world.”

”Green Flames?” Li Yelai recalled the captain who had sacrificed himself in the Disaster Fog. Before his death, he had also erupted with formidable strength, ignited by the green flames. Had he, in his final moments, given himself to Chaos, to the... Chaos Fifth God?

In fact, this was not unusual for the officials.

There had been officials called Processors who had transformed into new demons themselves to kill demons.

In the most desperate moments, humans would even embrace Chaos to slay the foes of humanity.

It was the most helpless choice, to kill as many enemies as possible before death, to perish together with them!

Perhaps, when the day came that Mr. Shadow’s connection was severed, Li Yelai might have to choose this path too...

”So, these empty paintings represent events yet to happen?” Li Yelai asked.

”That’s correct. When all thirteen paintings manifest their events, a great calamity will arrive,” Wolf Map replied. ”Currently, we’re at two and a half events; the power of that Chaos God hasn’t fully descended yet and is much less corrupting than the other four gods. But in not so many years, His power will eventually affect the Physical World. By then, humans will have to face a stronger Chaos. Before that period arrives, strive to become stronger.”

Li Yelai nodded and committed all this information to memory.

Then he said, ”Mr. Wolf Map, if you need materials from the Insect Swarm, you can seek to trade with me.”

”You sure took the opportunity to earn quite a bit,” Wolf Map said, nodding with a smile.

Subsequently, the two returned to their respective seats.

Other Ark Chosen Ones were also arriving at the Ark Hall in succession.

Li Yelai caught sight of ’Shan Cha’ or rather, Jing Lin.

Dressed in a suit of blue and white armor and exuding a chill, he sat in the outer ring of seats, chatting with nearby electors.

Li Yelai glanced at him, but did not approach to make contact.

As the attendees gradually arrived, Li Yelai saw Black Umbrella, as well as the mysterious ’Chu He’, and the Book Holder.

Soon, a mysterious voice sounded, officially commencing the gathering.

Jin Shan was the first to speak, his gaze falling on Li Yelai: ”Mr. Copper Face, I’m glad to see you’re still alive.”

Black Umbrella also spoke up, ”You’re lucky to have survived, Mr. Copper Face.”

”It’s been a long time, Mr. Jin Shan, Mr. Black Umbrella,” Li Yelai replied.

Some of the Ark electors’ gazes flickered.

Copper Face and Golden Armor’s affiliations were known to reside in No. 3 Border City, which was information known to the ark. Thus, when Li Yelai was absent, the ark internally determined that he had been devoured by the Disaster Fog.

As for Shan Cha, or Jing Lin, some also speculated he might be in No. 3 Border City because he paid close attention to the information on Disaster Fog number 71 and had also missed the last meeting.

Now, the two who were presumed devoured by the Disaster Fog had returned to the ark, which was somewhat unexpected to some of the Ark Chosen Ones.

Meanwhile, they looked at the Book Holder with a somewhat jesting gaze; at the time, the Book Holder had confidently claimed that only a very small portion of humans survived the engulfment by Disaster Fog number 71, and among them were a few Spiritual Ability Geniuses.

Thus, many believed that Copper Face, Golden Armor, and Shan Cha, who were swallowed by the fog, were already dead.

But now, although No. 3 Border City had suffered heavy losses, the number of survivors had exceeded seventy percent, far more than what the Book Holder had described.

And both Copper Face and Shan Cha had reappeared.

Quite a slap in the face of the Book Holder, indeed.

But the Book Holder didn’t care about that and instead turned to Li Yelai, saying, ”Mr. Copper Face, I need intelligence on Disaster Fog No. 71.”

”Intelligence on the Disaster Fog?” Li Yelai was somewhat surprised by the Book Holder’s initiative but coolly asked in return, ”What do you want to know? Does it need to be secret?”

”Secret.”

Soon, the sounds around them vanished.

Li Yelai asked, ”What do you want to know? And what’s the reward?”

”The reward... You seem to be on the verge of the Four Awakenings. I can offer you three Magic Potion Recipes for the Four Awakenings. How about that?”

”Oh?” Li Yelai was intrigued and asked, ”Which three are they?”

”Netherworld Path·Shadow Blade. Wanxiang Path·Wing Expansion. Spiritual Eyes Path·Focusing Eye,” the Book Holder said indifferently, ”How about it? If none of these are what you need, I can exchange them for another set.”

Is he testing my path? Li Yelai pondered inwardly. Has he really found a new Wanxiang formula so quickly?

Wing Expansion is worth taking, but I don’t know if it’s suitable... But I can’t let the other person discern anything.

Therefore, Li Yelai responded, ”In our organization, we currently have no Spiritual Ability Users on the Netherworld Path. Could you give me a True Martial Path potion recipe instead?”

”I understand, then let’s replace Shadow Blade with True Martial Path·Vajra Body.”

In reality, both recipes were available officially, but as ’Mr. Copper Face,’ he would not have had access to these formulas.

As Mr. Copper Face, he should pursue recipes from the True Martial Path.

Thus, Li Yelai felt a sigh of relief and then nodded in agreement. He was pretending...

Afterward, Li Yelai carefully formulated his words, as the official had arranged for ’Mr. Copper Face’ to have a past in the Disaster Fog, ”But I must tell you, we barely survived within the shelter, even the shelter has been breached, fleeing in panic from the encirclement of the Insect Swarm, I had to kill I don’t know how many of the swarm just to narrowly hold on. Perhaps I don’t have the intelligence you’re seeking.”

The Book Holder was silent for a moment before replying, ”How did the official kill the Insect Master?”

”This I do know, it made a big commotion,” Li Yelai responded, ”They located the Insect Master underground and then the Mad King made his move. He killed the Insect Master.”

”Didn’t they use the Spiritual Energy Phased Array?” the Book Holder asked.

Li Yelai’s heart stirred, the Spiritual Energy Phased Array was the strategy proposed by the Sword Madman. But since the cost was higher, according to Li Yelai’s Calamity, they switched to the Maze Turn Plan.

”I don’t know, merely surviving was difficult enough for me,” Li Yelai replied.

Could it be that, in the Book Holder’s original plan, the official was supposed to break through the ground and the Flesh Barrier using the Spiritual Energy Phased Array, and that this is why the losses were so substantial?

No, that’s not right! Even using the Spiritual Energy Phased Array, the casualties wouldn’t have nearly reached two million.

Was it that the official used the Spiritual Energy Phased Array a second time after failing the first decapitation attempt due to the Insect Master’s feigned death?

Used again... the remaining official Spiritual Ability Users employed a larger and more powerful Spiritual Energy Phased Array, which resulted in nearly wiping out the Giant City’s power and massive losses to humanity before finally dealing with the Insect Master?

Does that mean... it was Li Yelai who had altered the Book Holder’s calculations?

Was it because of Mr. Shadow’s existence? Or was it his own Calamity that lay beyond the Book Holder’s calculations?

Li Yelai was shocked inwardly but did not show it on the surface.

The Book Holder, hearing this, fell silent and then spoke, ”Without using the Spiritual Energy Phased Array, yet still killed the Insect Master. A variable within the Giant City officialdom? Hmm, well, Mr. Copper Face, you could say that you’ve benefited from disaster. You’ve grown a lot, keep growing. I’m looking forward to your transformation.”

”You mean...” Li Yelai showed some surprise.

”In the original course of destiny, you were supposed to remain obscure, but some power changed that, and you, along with some unfamiliar codenames, have ended up on the list. You are the genius that rose during this Disaster Fog,” the Book Holder said with an indifferent smile.

He slightly raised his hand, and three pieces of parchment appeared out of thin air. A feather pen rapidly inscribed the Magic Potion Recipes on the parchment. Then, three pieces of parchment appeared before Li Yelai.

”You... have been chosen by fate!”