Chapter 429: Fine Snow
The origin of the business, now the point of convergence for the erosion, he’s been in Jiang City for so long, how did he not notice its uniqueness?
"Hmm..." Chen Xuan pretended to respond nonchalantly.
He realized that when he could not participate in the conversation, it was an arduous and unrewarding task to beat around the bush. Instead of straining his mind to guide the other’s thoughts, it’s better to say nothing and just be a silent listener beside her.
"It’s a pity that these people should have been laid to rest already..."
"...According to the doctor, the Dimensional Limit Mechanism had a chance to win over these Ability Users. If not for the early decision-making mistakes, the Evangelical Association wouldn’t have developed so quickly."
Before long, Chen Xuan sensed the intermittent voices.
In the silence, these "whispers" became clearer instead.
"I wonder if he’ll ultimately leave with me. Such a talented Ability User is rare nowadays. But if he decides to stay in Jiang City, it’s something beyond anyone’s control—just his misfortune."
"This city is destined to be destroyed along with the Celestial Patrol. By then, no one will survive."
"While the city is still here, watch it more. After all, one could only review Jiang City in the database in the future."
Chen Xuan’s eyes widened slightly.
The city... will be destroyed with the Celestial Patrol?
Is that the real reason they avoid discussing their plans with me?
Lin Qing was indeed correct!
The Mechanism parachuted the Arbitration Court’s Ability Users down and volunteered to assist the Fireline Band, hiding ulterior motives indeed—even though helping others is still a foreign task for the Mechanism nearly a century later.
"This is why I can’t join you," Chen Xuan sighed and removed his gloves.
"What did you say?" Lin exclaimed in surprise, turning around.
She saw the other raising his right hand toward her.
An odd sensation surged through her heart—she suddenly felt as if her senses changed, like her typically insensitive skin became extremely sensitive, while the once quick-reacting nerves lost their original response speed. The change was so subtle that her mind was momentarily filled with confusion.
It was only when her gaze lowered that she realized the problem.
Her feet astonished her by melding with the concrete ground! To be more accurate, her feet melted like candles, with flesh turning over from the contracted skin to form new skin. Whenever dusty winds blew past, the fresh muscles brought a faint tingling sensation, creating the illusion of becoming overly sensitive.
This ability... how familiar!
Every Mechanical Officer on a mission was repeatedly warned to report to headquarters immediately if they ever discovered the user of this ability.
Even though time-wise, the other might have already passed on, the rule still persisted.
"You are... the Blood and Flesh Butcher!" Lin bellowed fiercely.
How could this be?
He looked as if he hadn’t aged a day!
Yet, the ability to manipulate flesh was never possessed by a second user recorded by the Mechanism all these years!
"I don’t go by that name," Chen Xuan stated impassively, "If you give up resisting, I can ensure you won’t suffer any pain."
Arbitration Court’s Ability Users had a robust foundation; to instantly turn her into a puddle of flesh, about twenty Seeds of Flesh and Blood were needed. There were enough of them, but it wasn’t worth wasting here.
Now that his ability level had reached LV6 with the shopkeeper’s rank, localized Fusion became effortless.
Honestly, Chen Xuan hadn’t foreseen things would escalate to this point.
He initially thought accompanying her to figure out the Mechanism’s real intent, warning the Fireline Band with insider information would conclude his journey.
Who would have thought the Mechanism started with plans to bury the entire Jiang City with the Celestial Patrol?
However, if he really decided to make a move, this was indeed an exceedingly suitable location—the deserted city ruins covered tens of miles, signal receiving from all subway station strongholds impossible, with only the all-encompassing yellow sands as the sole witness.
"You’re dreaming!" Lin fumed, "I’ll never surrender!"
In an instant, the rooftop seemed to plunge into winter, the stormy gale emanating a biting chill.
Chen Xuan heard crackling sounds by his ears, the noise from water molecules rapidly crystallizing into ice.
But in the next second, the Thousand Thoughts Sword pierced through her chest like a flash of lightning.
"Ack—"
A torrent of fresh blood spurted from her mouth.
Before the blood hit the ground, it suddenly transformed into ice spikes soaring towards Chen Xuan.
The latter effortlessly blocked her counterattack using the Divine Eye Technique paired with the Thousand Thoughts Sword.
The strength of the Arbitration Court’s Ability User was far beyond this, yet unfortunately, he knew Lin’s background thoroughly, and with the preemptive advantage, victory was not even on the same level.
"I said this will only cause more pain," Chen Xuan flicked his finger upward, "Sword Platform."
A massive Qi Sword descended with a boom, embedding itself into the ground behind her, then four slender Qi Swords launched, striking her left shoulder, right abdomen, and both arms, pinning her to the broad sword blade.
The surrounding icy aura immediately lessened considerably.
Seems effective, he mused.
This move was constructed referencing the Celestial Mist Skill—the Qi Sword here not only immobilizes the opponent but disrupts their Spiritual Qi cycle, enforcing a sealing effect. Even if most Ability Users don’t practice the Heart Method, their meridian paths align similarly to Cultivators, leading to an inevitable power shortage when obstructed.
Trapped like a caged beast, Lin struggled vigorously, her strength so immense it tore through her own flesh.
But the Thousand Thoughts Sword understood the master’s intent.
Continuously adjusting its position and shape, it ensured a firm grip on the wounds. Blood poured wantonly from these areas, later transforming into scarlet snowflakes in mid-air.
Chen Xuan walked to Lin and placed his hand on her forehead.
Instantly, a torrent of information rushed in, crashing onto his consciousness like waves. The information brimmed with intense emotions, harboring anger at his betrayal, hopelessness, and even bits of concern and sorrow for humanity’s path.
Is she... worried about this world?
"Mm..." Chen Xuan couldn’t help but let out a low groan.
Admittedly, soul reading is quite nauseating.
The information collided into his body from all angles, inducing severe nausea and a vomiting urge. But now was the critical moment to read the mind, moving his hand was off the table.
At that moment, Chen Xuan heard an anguished scream!
It didn’t emanate from a blood-filled throat but from Lin’s soul.
"Creeeak—"
The jarring sound of metal twisting abruptly came from behind.
Chen Xuan turned around, discovering the rooftop’s rusted water tank torn open, its aged water extending into several five or six-meter-long icicles, hurtling towards him swiftly!
Following this attack’s trajectory, if he could manage a quick dodge, the icicles would rip Lin, who couldn’t move, into shreds like a rag.
However, he found himself immobilized.
Lin’s bleeding mouth curled into a smile at that moment.
So that’s it... it’s the blood, is it? The blood she lost seemed to solidify halfway into ice, yet actually did seep under his feet, stealthily freezing his soles onto the ground. Breaking free wasn’t hard, but it delayed his reaction by half a second.
This was the only counterattack achievable under Lin’s severe injury—even if it cost her life too.
"A light rain accompanies a long song; all extinguished in the light."
Chen Xuan sang in his heart.
"—Sword Name: Thousand Thoughts!"
The thick sword blade serving as the Sword Platform suddenly radiated dazzling golden light, countless tiny sword blades flew out like birds leaving the nest, converging into several streams of shimmering cold light, colliding with the incoming icicles head-on!
The two forces even formed a momentary standoff in mid-air!
But merely one or two seconds later, the Thousand Thoughts Sword completely overcame those iron-hard icicles and then ground them into pieces!
Tiny snowflakes began drifting atop Building Thirty-Nine.