Chapter 822 - 816: I Am the Leader!
The so-called urgent thousand-mile dispatch is exclusively for military use. The cavalry responsible for delivering messages carry letters containing critical information, sprinting at full speed, swapping horses but not riders at relays along Ranzhou, using methods that exhaust the mount's life force to reach the state mansion as swiftly as possible.
Even though Song Chu had broken through the subconscious barrier and regained his previous memories, he understood well that once someone died in the Chaos Star Domain, it was a true death. Therefore, he would never treat his experiences in the Cangming Nineteen States as a game.
Ma Ran immediately had the servants at the residence receive the cavalry, arranging food, lodging, and medical care for them to recuperate and recover from exhaustion.
Crushing the lacquer seal, he opened the envelope and took out the letter inside, scanning through it quickly before gently shaking his left hand.
Boom!
A head-sized flame burst forth abruptly, reducing the letter to ashes.
"Orange alert," Ma Ran uttered four words, and Song Chu's previously tense demeanor returned to calmness.
"Extraordinary Power!" Wan Haihao instinctively exclaimed with wide eyes.
Zhu Hanyi, while not as exaggerated, showed shock on his face, muttering under his breath, "Releasing flames barehanded without any external aid—what's the principle behind this? It's absolutely incomprehensible, defying all logic..."
"Is the so-called extraordinary power truly innate only, unable to be cultivated later in life?"
Seeing their expressions, Ma Ran smirked subtly, chuckling: "Due to the participation of the Endless Plane's unified will, the rules in the Chaos Star Domain differ from any other world."
"There is no emphasis on bloodline here, and talent is rarely inherited by the next generation."
"The dominant theme of this world is 'fatalism.'"
"Whether a person possesses extraordinary talent is decided from the moment of birth, unchangeable, and almost impossible to acquire through later efforts."
Wan Haihao's eyes dimmed slightly, but as he touched the sword at his side, his confidence quickly returned, restoring his usual demeanour.
Zhu Hanyi, however, furrowed his brows deeply, concerned with his usual peculiarity: "I noticed you said 'almost impossible,' so..."
Ma Ran nodded slightly, raising a finger: "The first method is if the Main Universe's will or Endless Plane's unified will is willing to expend power to enhance your essence."
"But both these entities, either chaotic or cold, almost never do such things."
Continuing, he raised a second finger: "For the original inhabitants of the Chaos Star Domain, the path to acquire extraordinary talent from nothing was blocked from the start."
"But for you Executors, this isn't necessarily true."
"As long as you're outside combat, you can apply to temporarily leave this world and, upon approval, return to your original world."
"Figures like Song Chu, Ah Hao, and yourself reach the 'Grasping Stars and Moon' level in outside combat power."
"With cultivation reaching the 'Broken Star' level, upon returning to the Chaos Star Domain, you can possess the basic extraordinary talents."
The information was vast, making Wan Haihao and Zhu Hanyi furrow their brows, their minds turbulent and unsettled for a long time.
Grasping Stars and Moon...
This term, used to describe them!
Although Wan Haihao had inexplicable goodwill towards Song Chu, his trust in Ma Ran was deeper.
Upon hearing this, his previous wavering thoughts immediately solidified.
"Whew..."
Zhu Hanyi exhaled deeply, bringing his hands together to bow to Ma Ran respectfully, then earnestly asking, "I have many doubts, tangled and complex, unable to sort them clearly at once, so may I choose two I deem most important to ask?"
"Of course," Ma Ran remained affable.
Upon receiving his answer, Zhu Hanyi's lips parted quickly, speaking rapidly: "The first question—since we can Grasp Stars and Moon as immortals outside, why arrive in this world and live as ordinary mortals?"
"The second question—when you mentioned 'Executors,' you said 'you' instead of 'we,' why is that?"
After asking these, Zhu Hanyi glanced sideways at Wan Haihao, hurrying to add: "The urgent dispatch indicates a crucial matter, right?"
"If it's extremely urgent, you can handle those matters first."
"You can answer my questions whenever you're free."
The world is vast and full of wonders. Zhu Hanyi knew since young he was unlike ordinary people—he seldom felt fear and rarely feared death.
Yet...
He had some emotional and intellectual intelligence.
Otherwise, Zhu Hanyi wouldn't have been forging swords and become Rain Boiling at a young age, drafted as a "smelly blacksmith."
He knew Ma Ran held a high position with supreme authority throughout Ranzhou.
When folks discuss a significant figure over meals, they often say "beneath one, above thousands." Ma Ran was the "one" frequently mentioned by locals.
At least, within Ranzhou, Ma Ran was the earth, he was the sky, single-handedly decisive, his word being law.
Offending such a significant figure could lead to dire consequences, possibly affecting even those around, involved by association.
Zhu Hanyi typically avoided overthinking such matters, but...
He glanced at Wan Haihao from the corner of his eye.
Not sure why, he simply didn't want to burden this unfamiliar guy.
No matter the issue, not striving for perfection, at least...do slightly better.
"Speaking of which, any matter urgent across a thousand miles isn't minor."
Ma Ran spoke with a peculiar expression, complexly saying: "The spies deep in enemy territory reported back. Fengzhou, Jade Bi Province, and Immortal Trace Province have completed the Anti-Ranzhou alliance, beginning to muster troops."
"Considering their marching efficiency, they're estimated to reach Ranzhou's borders in five days."
Noticing Wan Haihao and Zhu Hanyi's worried expressions, Ma Ran gestured to calm them: "You don't need to overly worry."
"The so-called orange alert ranks second in the integrated military-civilian-economic status in Ranzhou. Following prior arrangements, no extra special response is needed; Executors across Ranzhou can handle it."
"Now, I can answer your two questions."
"Firstly, the Chaos Star Domain's war determines everything outside; its developments mirror the real world. Without battle here, you might abruptly be erased by True Correction's powers."
"Divine Ability Users preferring control over their destiny wouldn't bury their heads in the sand, becoming cowardly turtles letting others decide their life or death."
"Secondly, you are Executors, and I...am the Leader of this camp."