Apocalypse Forecast

After a whole day, Huai Shi finally figured out the transformations that concluded after the Age of God.

When scholars replaced magic with science comprised of countless laws, and the three great lockdowns transformed the entire realm, space naturally emerged.

As a symbol of the Abyss in the Current Circumstances, Hell beneath countless depths mirrored the myriad stars.

This is an essential part for the world to operate harmoniously.

"Of course, in the Current Circumstances above the depths, all you can see are a bunch of desolate stones. All changes in depth must be accomplished through the rules of the Current Circumstances. And only the Current Circumstances is the most convenient entrance to Hell, so you don’t have to worry about suddenly encountering a Hell entrance ahead."

Tong Ji said, "The only exception is the Moon."

"Hmm?" Huai Shi was puzzled.

"The Sun and Moon have always been the most important concepts for every civilization and era, Huai Shi," Tong Ji continued her explanation: "The Sun is the embodiment of the Central Pillar of God Marrow, while the Moon is intricately linked to the Current Circumstances."

"As a blank celestial body, it acts as the safety valve for the entire Current Circumstances.

Constantly helping the Current Circumstances bear the pressure from the Abyss. Once the depth erosion exceeds the critical point, a portion of the pressure is first released to the Moon...

It’s like a flood discharge area during a deluge. Simultaneously, on the material level, it’s also the shield of the Current Circumstances, resisting most of the changes caused by the Abyss operating in space."

It sounded truly tragic.

It’s simply a tool star.

Huai Shi felt sorry: it’s being used as a storeroom and wall, suffering both during eventful and uneventful times, and even getting bombarded by meteor showers from time to time...

It can only be said that planets cannot be generalized.

"Besides, even an object created by Gods like Helios, which holds dual attributes of Current Circumstances and Hell, cannot enter the depths of Hell in space, only project its power down..."

Tong Ji lamented: "Appearing once every seventy years and then retreating into solitude for another seventy years, tsk, it sounds like there’s something wrong with its head. Poor solo players."

"... Hmm?"

Huai Shi sensed a hint of well-hidden mockery and malice in the teasing tone. But when he turned back to look, she had reverted to her Raven form, looking innocently at him.

Never mind.

For the sake of appearances, let’s pretend nothing happened.

Huai Shi withdrew his gaze.

And so, a day rushed by.

When Huai Shi went to the restaurant for dinner, he found that only he and Iz were there in the otherwise spacious restaurant.

"Where is everyone else?"

Huai Shi sat on the chair, asking curiously.

"They all went back to their rooms. So, aren’t alchemists a bit too reclusive?" Iz smoked a cigar, pulled another from his pocket: "Want one?"

"Forget it, tried once, got choked too hard..." Huai Shi glanced at the menu, then turned back to instruct the Alchemy Puppet beside him: "Just give me a bowl of ramen, and then raw meat for my dog, thanks."

"Not trying the foie gras with caviar?"

Iz wiped the corner of his mouth, sipped a bit of red wine: "The caviar here is quite authentic, uniquely flavored... ah, forgot you’re a Hell Kitchen Demon, showing off one’s skills, isn’t that what you Dongxia people say?"

"Alright, alright, your Dongxia is already quite standard."

Huai Shi’s forehead throbbed a bit, feeling like Iz’s portrayal was starting to overlap with some stereotypical ’Dongxia Expert’ characters from certain dramas.

"Don’t be so cold, Mr. Huai Shi, we still have a long, long, long time to spend together." Iz put down the cigar, spreading his hands: "I would quite like to be friends with you."

No, no, having just your niece as a friend is already quite pressuring.

Huai Shi felt a bit of a headache.

In truth, what makes him most uneasy in this damn Alchemy Travel Group isn’t Garandor, but the seemingly youthful old ghost in front of him.

Everyone else has their reasons for being here, but he doesn’t understand what a non-Alchemist Whitboard Sublimator like Iz is doing here.

After all, it’s absurd that a Noble Blood Descendant from America is still a Whitboard Sublimator to this day.

Without any Stigma.

It’s as if he’s truly here for a vacation, smoking and drinking while enjoying caviar, wanting to make a friend out of Huai Shi.

But why?

The two of us don’t even match.

The Tanbo Group doesn’t even have much business interaction with America, and the relationship between the Ivory Tower and the Ivy League is indescribable.

If he were to reject him like everyone else does, Huai Shi would understand.

But this sudden kindness leaves him puzzled.

What’s the aim?

"This is the joy of travel, Mr. Huai Shi."

Iz grinned: "Not knowing what will happen, not knowing who we’ll meet, so you have to cherish every moment, cherish every companion you encounter. If you ask me, there’s nothing wrong with maintaining a cautious attitude like yours, but you might miss out on a lot of fun."

"If you love traveling so much, I’ll introduce you to a travel-loving friend some other day." Huai Shi sincerely suggested: "I’m sure you’ll have much to talk about."

As long as you don’t mind him always wearing a gray suit, looking like a worn-out corporate drone.

Iz smiled, said nothing further.

Just watched Huai Shi and his dog eat, even adding a seafood platter for the dog.

Only to find that the Broken Dog also didn’t appreciate it, not even wagging its tail, directly swallowing it whole along with the plate, even chewing two holes into the floor.

"Is that also your work, truly impressive." Iz remarked: "Can I borrow it for breeding?"

The dog’s eyes immediately turned dangerous.

Iz then chuckled twice, hurriedly waved his hands, even seriously apologizing to a dog.

Then offered an entire set of barbeque platter as a peace offering.

"Honestly, I can’t see why you have any need to go to Helios," Huai Shi sighed, puzzled as he asked: "If it’s about alchemists, there’s plenty in America too, right? Isn’t Clover there in America?"

"It’s different, Huai Shi."

Iz shook his head, his smile joyful: "That’s the oldest Alchemy Workshop, almost tracing back to the prehistoric Chaos Era’s miraculous creations, a legend among legends, containing the technology of the Age of God, it would be a regret in life not to go when given the chance!

Besides, I’ve got a mission, don’t I?"

A mission?

Replacing your family elder to catch up with old friends?

I believe in your charm!

Huai Shi shook his head, finished his noodles, and politely said goodbye.

Iz remained seated, enjoying his dinner.

When the elevator doors opened, Huai Shi paused, not expecting there to be anyone inside.

It was the one-eyed Alchemist named Ragnar, along with someone else called Rachelle.

The two seemed to be arguing about something, Ragnar impatiently grabbing Rachelle’s collar.

At the elevator entrance, Huai Shi coughed softly.

Ragnar’s action paused for a moment, looking over with a cold stare,

Huai Shi and the dog both curiously looked over as well.

"Good evening, both of you."

Huai Shi said, "Do you mind if I use the elevator?"

In the long silence, Ragnar slowly released his grip, patting Rachelle on the collar. Rachelle ran out of the elevator like he was fleeing, not even saying thank you.

Ragnar mockingly glanced at Huai Shi: "If I were you, I wouldn’t meddle, Huai Shi... ’Mr.’"

"Just a habit."

Huai Shi shrugged, raised a hand to press the button to keep the elevator from closing.

Ragnar snorted coldly, walked straight out, wanting to bump into Huai Shi, but Huai Shi continued smiling, even the dog behind sticking out its tongue happily.

Filled with anticipation.

As if sensing something.

Ragnar’s action paused for a moment, his expression becoming gloomier, reluctantly stepping aside, brushing past Huai Shi.

As the elevator doors slowly closed behind him, he suddenly turned his head, casting a cold glance into the elevator. In the True Vision Eye, a sharp radiance lit up, brewing some unknown malice and curse.

But immediately, everything seemed to change.

At Huai Shi’s feet, the overly lively wolfdog suddenly tilted its head and looked over.

Grinned.

A simple smile.

But under the gaze of the True Vision Eye, that comical smile rapidly expanded, multiplied, deformed, tearing apart the original disguise, transforming into an amorphous, menacing outline.

A mass of writhing shadows.

Like a crack leading to the Abyss, outlining the terrifying reflection of a Predator.

An indescribably sinister Abyss essence entwined upon its asymmetrical and eerie pupils, from which endless darkness spewed forth.

As if the incarnation of the Abyss had descended here, aiming to tear apart everything before it, greedily swallowing all starlight into its gut.

The glimpse caused Ragnar to freeze on the spot, incredulous

But when he instinctively looked at Huai Shi, the elevator was almost closed, unable to see him clearly anymore—at that instant, he only felt a sharp pain.

Agonizing heat from his eyes.

Light.

As if infinite light burst forth from between the closing iron doors, spreading violently, majestically operating, covering everything within.

Ashing everything to oblivion!

Bang!

A clear sound erupted from the silence.

Blood-tinted tears seeped from the corner of his eye.

A tragic crack spread from the precious eye.

In the dead silence, Ragnar stood rigid, like a stone statue.

For a long, long time, the man raised his finger, piercing it into the eye socket, removing the solitary eye.

Mercilessly crushing it to dust.

Clenching tightly.

Then, a faint light shone through, and when the fingers reopened, a perfect, radiant eye was already in his hand.

Returned to his eye socket.

’Ragnar’ turned and walked toward the restaurant.

As if nothing had happened.

.

That night, in the dead of night, Huai Shi tosses and turns, having a strange dream.

In a daze, it seemed he became rock, became water, became wind.

Traversing the desolate lands and world.

Glimpsing a lone silhouette on horseback.

The middle-aged man with a scruffy beard looked so haggard, his eyes empty, wandering the world like a beggar, bending down to speak to every living thing he met.

To the flying birds, to the snakes, to the insects, to the flora, to the flying dragons in the sky, to the elves in the water, and to the demons in dark caverns.

Humbly supplicating.

Pleading.

In the very end, Huai Shi finally heard that empty and numb voice.

The man raised his head, looking at Huai Shi.

As if across the vast stretch of time, glimpsing the intruder of this dream.

Hoarse words, like thunder, erupted from Huai Shi’s soul, almost shattering his consciousness.

He said:

"Please, mourn for him—"