Chapter 793 - 787: Ma Ran’s Olive Branch
Yue Sheng suddenly returned to his senses. In the instant this thought arose, within the millions of maps of "All Heavens OL," all the darkness vanished completely, as if spring sun melted snow.
At the same time, his soul was utterly annihilated, his body shattered and decomposed, with one-tenth transformed into intangible experience points, becoming the nutrient for the growth of "All Heavens OL" players. The other nine-tenths were bound and modified by an invisible force, turning into a "hardware support" that solidified and enhanced the functions of "All Heavens OL."
Under Zhao Guanlan’s assault, Yue Sheng’s True Spirit Seal also showed cracks.
Crack!
His True Spirit Seal could not escape either, suddenly shattering apart.
Under normal circumstances, Yue Sheng should already be dead and gone.
If not for the [Supreme of Darkness] rank still there, preserving his indestructible will, he would have become dust in the annals of history by now.
"From the very beginning, Zhao Guanlan has been observing me, never relaxing for a moment."
"He seized the instant I merged with the darkness to launch a sneak attack, directly shattering my True Spirit Seal with one blow."
"A chain of traps? A vile sneak attack? No, it’s none of that!"
"I was wrong..."
"This was a strike aimed directly at the origin."
"A lofty grant of death."
Understanding dawned on Yue Sheng, his thoughts resounding across the heavens and the earth, revealing a trace of magnanimity and acceptance of life and death: "Such a skillful means, truly exquisite in skill."
"[Supreme of Death] Zhao Guanlan..."
"I admit defeat!"
"From now on, whether to fight or to kill, feel free to decide."
"Even if it’s the [Supreme of Darkness] rank, if you can find a qualified one, take it if you must."
He, with weak foundations, has gone through so much, not fearing failure and demise.
To have lived through All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds once, it already counts as a life not wasted.
Regarding life and death, Yue Sheng takes it lightly.
However...
He received no response from Zhao Guanlan, only sensing his own will being confined by an inexplicably mighty force, severing all connection with the outside world.
In an instant, all of Yue Sheng’s perception abilities were completely sealed off, even less than the perception of a paramecium.
For ordinary top-tier extraordinary beings, entering such a predicament would be worse than death, but for Yue Sheng, it was a peaceful enjoyment, not feeling any distress or suffocation at all.
One could say, this very state is the most comfortable he has been in the decades since invading "All Heavens OL."
Not needing to think about anything, not worrying about those companions on Crystal Star, nor striving tirelessly to break through to higher realms.
An epiphany surged in his heart.
In a muddled state, Yue Sheng regained his true heart.
From the very beginning, forming a human shape was just to experience different identities and perspectives, to satisfy his own curiosity.
All subsequent responsibilities and obligations were merely imposed upon him during his growth.
They held no significance, no value.
Yue Sheng could die fighting for those responsibilities and obligations with a clear conscience, having done his best.
Thus, the opportunity ended, cause and effect cleared.
He silently made a decision, that even if his luck was overwhelming and the rank of Supreme of Darkness was not taken from him, even if he were resurrected, there would be no need to contact the over seven hundred million companions on Crystal Star again.
Of course, the chances of that were very slim, a greater probability being to fall into an eternal slumber, never to awaken again.
But...
To completely fall that way wasn’t so bad.
Unaware, unfeeling, silent, not needing thoughts, not needing effort, not needing to strive for a goal. Quite nice.
The strings of his heart disturbed by the players of "All Heavens OL" gradually calmed down, and Yue Sheng felt peace within, as if returning to the beginning.
In the midst of muddled thoughts, without knowing how much time had passed, a light pierced the darkness, entering into Yue Sheng’s vision.
"I can see now?"
Yue Sheng realized, not only had he regained his perception of the outside world, but he even acquired a body: "This body bears some traces of Supreme Origin, yet it is not Zhao Guanlan’s handiwork."
Though he had hardly ever faced Zhao Guanlan directly in battle, after decades of hidden confrontations, he had some understanding of the aura of that [Supreme of Death].
Yue Sheng clenched his fist, a wave of weakness suddenly surged in his heart, feeling his limbs soft and body powerless. He wanted to resonate with [Supreme of Darkness] rank to restore a bit of strength, only to quickly find that his connection to the Supreme Rank was isolated by an inexplicably powerful force.
If not for this, in just a moment, he could make this body possess attributes around level nine hundred in "All Heavens OL."
In that state, although still not entering the eyes of other Supremes, if wishing to slaughter gods and Buddhas, it would be as easy as slaughtering chickens and dogs, effortlessly.
Yue Sheng looked up at the sky, finding himself on a post-apocalyptic world with a nuclear winter background.
This planet...
He was so familiar with it!
Even with Extraordinary Abilities suppressed, just a glance was enough to recognize it immediately.
This was the Secret Weaving Star, one of the maps of "All Heavens OL!"
The indigenous residents called NPCs, throughout the long conflict process, gradually moved into underground shelters, using all available technological weapons to cleanse the planet’s surface with nuclear arms, in an attempt to obliterate and hinder the players’ growth.
Among the million "game maps," Secret Weaving Star was neither the best nor the worst.
On the streets, players, under the protection of Radiation Shielding Protection secret techniques, still continued doing incomprehensible things as usual.
"I see now..."
Yue Sheng lowered his head, sighed, and said with a complex expression: "Your Eminence, Ma Ran, thank you for your protective grace."
As soon as he finished speaking, a "swish" sound was heard, slicing open the surrounding space.
Simultaneously, a silver-haired youth with exquisite features and an ethereal temperament stepped out from the space rift, arriving in front of Yue Sheng.
The other party was dressed in a black coat with silver trim and stand-up collar, silver-white hair swaying with the wind, wearing Hexagram Cloud Battle Boots, with golden light flowing in his eyes, slowly sheathing the straight-blade Tang Blade that had just slashed the space apart.
Who else could it be but the [Supreme of No Position] Ma Ran?
"I was only speculating, unsure until now; seeing this body now, it is indeed your work."
Yue Sheng’s eyes were filled with vicissitudes, a quirky smile on the corner of his lips: "By chance, if I shamelessly borrow this body to continue surviving, I fear I will owe Your Eminence once more."
"This is not the outcome I wish to see."
He does not fear death, yet he does not wish to owe favors.
"No need to say these things."
Ma Ran spoke with a flat tone: "Between you and me, opposing stands, personal grievances are negligible compared to the overbearing tide of greater opportunities."
"But for now..."
"Would you be willing, like Zhu Ding, Qing Dai, and Pei Ming, to become a special invitee player for ’All Heavens OL’?"
"This is the best condition I can offer you."
Yue Sheng pondered for a moment, then looked up, meeting Ma Ran’s eyes.
All he wanted now was to repay the favor he owed Ma Ran, then take his own life to refuse Ma Ran’s olive branch.
This thought in mind, Yue Sheng’s expression turned solemn, seriously stating: "Your kindness, I appreciate it, however..."
His words were only halfway through before being directly interrupted by Ma Ran.
"I understand your meaning."
Ma Ran nodded slightly, speaking calmly: "However..."
"There are some things you should see before deciding."