Chapter 44

The mist swirled like boiling water, surging wildly on the walls.

The walls gradually turned completely black.

And behind the walls, all space disappeared.

It was as if this wall marked the end of everything in the world.

The entire wall seemed to bring a certain silence.

But it was also alive—

The mist swirled around the wall, moving back and forth according to some rule, like countless wriggling muscle fibers.

After a while.

Everything calmed down.

On the wall, small lines of text gradually appeared:

"From among the many who have died, you have emerged. When you choose your ability, the ability also chooses you."

"Please listen to the question:"

"Do you want to humiliate your enemy when you put them to death?"

Wu Xiaode was somewhat surprised.

He thought he had already explained himself clearly and made his choice, but he didn't expect that death-related abilities would also choose him in reverse.

He instinctively looked at the Book of the Dead.

On the Book of the Dead, several glaring crimson lines of text had already appeared:

"By the power of this book, you are secretly contacting the realm of death."

"Do not reveal that you are a living person!"

"Repeat, you are gaining the trust of the realm of death, do not reveal that you are a living person!"

...Well then.

Let's answer seriously.

Wu Xiaode thought for a moment and cautiously said, "If it's a regular opponent, I wouldn't humiliate them, but if it's an utterly evil enemy, I would consider explaining the grievances before taking action."

New small lines of text continued to appear on the wall:

"You have chosen to humiliate your enemy."

"Please continue to listen to the question:"

"Are you usually serious? Do you think you can keep up with the trends of the times?"

Wu Xiaode was stunned.

No—

I am choosing an auxiliary ability to deal with the Cyclops.

Why is the realm of death asking such variety show-style questions?

Wu Xiaode looked at the Book of the Dead.

On the book, a new line of icy crystal text appeared:

"Do not think these answers are unimportant. In fact, they relate to the compatibility of the new ability with you. Please answer seriously."

Wu Xiaode sighed and had to say:

"Alright, I'm not usually serious... I haven't really paid much attention to the trends of the times."

New small lines of text appeared on the wall again:

"So you're a newly deceased stray dog."

"Please continue to listen to the question:"

"Would you be willing to wear a skirt in every battle for a million? A billion?"

"No, absolutely not." Veins bulged on Wu Xiaode's forehead as he said without hesitation.

"What is your greatest achievement?"

"…Nothing much, just made someone else feel embarrassed."

"Good, the questions are over."

As the words faded away.

All the small lines of text on the wall disappeared.

Then, dim light points appeared on the wall, faint and indistinct.

The Book of the Dead quietly floated in the air, displaying lines of text:

"Your second wall is being prepared."

"All the dim light points are potential abilities."

"Please gather more admiration and praise from the masses to empower the ability you choose!"

Wu Xiaode couldn't help but say, "That's not right, I already gave ten thousand praises, why do I need more now?"

On the Book of the Dead, new lines of icy crystal text appeared:

"You're safe!"

"The connection with the realm of death has been severed."

"Furthermore, building the second wall and connecting with the realm of death consumed a lot of power. The book has already spent all the praise from the souls."

"So please continue to work hard to gain the admiration and praise of the masses."

"Cheer up, you're almost there!"

Wu Xiaode was speechless.

The last time he got ten thousand praises was through live streaming.

Now the live stream is stopped.

Where can I get a large number of praises now?

"I don't seem to have any way out. Can you skip this step and give me the ability first, and I'll think of ways to get the praises later?" Wu Xiaode asked.

On the Book of the Dead, several lines of icy crystal text quickly appeared:

"You don't want your ability to be stillborn, do you?"

"You don't want to be eaten by the Cyclops, do you?"

"You don't want that little girl to die, do you?"

"Then—"

"Please follow the specified requirements."

Damn...

To talk to me like this.

Wu Xiaode was burning with anger, about to say something, but then he heard his own voice coming from the wall:

"…Please let this wall assist me in obtaining the power of the undead!"

"—That is the power unknown to the masses, the power and skills from the world after death, please bring them to me."

"Whatever it takes—"

"I will defeat the Cyclops."

"—If a price is needed, I will pay it!"

His own passionate words from a few minutes ago were recorded by the wall!

What the hell!

It even knows how to embarrass me!

…What exactly does this wall do?

Wu Xiaode stood in front of the wall, his thoughts swirling, gradually calming down.

Forget it.

Actually, from a fundamental perspective, this is a good thing.

—It's not afraid of asking, it's afraid of not being able to.

It dares to ask, which means this wall has successfully been built according to his thoughts!

If this wall can help him obtain the power of the realm of death—

There might be hope to deal with the Cyclops!

Then.

Let's start thinking about how to gather praises now!

With Wu Xiaode's resolve, the next moment, everything around him disappeared.

He returned to his room, took out his phone, and looked at it.

Huh? The signal is back!

Great.

Logging into the live streaming app, he found that the backend was flooded with comments.

Most people were asking which sci-fi movie the previous video was from.

Zhao Junyu had him shut down the live stream due to a funding chain break...

Now it seems it can't be shut down.

But.

What should the next live stream be to get a lot of praises?

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone knocked on the door, interrupting Wu Xiaode's thoughts.

"Old Qian?"

"Brother Wu, come out and eat some watermelon."

"…Okay."

Wu Xiaode opened the door and walked out, seeing a watermelon neatly cut and placed on the table.

The rain had temporarily stopped.

Xiao Shi was munching on the watermelon and smiled at him when he came out.

"Try it, we grew it ourselves."

Old Qian held a book in one hand and a piece of watermelon in the other, inviting Wu Xiaode to eat.

Wu Xiaode walked to the table, took a piece of watermelon, and asked while eating:

"Are you reading a book?"

"Yes, these are some secret manuals passed down from our ancestors, containing many explanations about cultivating innate power." Qian Mingkui said without looking up.

Wu Xiaode shook his head and continued eating the watermelon.

Actually, it's quite strange.

For so many years, no one has appeared with innate power.

Until a few months ago.

The world began to change, with various strange phenomena appearing.

Then people started to awaken.

Zhao Junyu had privately told him about this.

According to many online speculations, it is generally believed that this is a sign of "spiritual energy revival" as seen in some novels.

But Zhao Junyu said it's not.

Although no one had awakened before, there were no monsters either.

Human civilization is human civilization.

But now, although humans have started to awaken, the entire world seems to be sliding towards an unpredictable direction.

"Is there anything worth mentioning?" Wu Xiaode asked with interest.

"There is a rather interesting passage." Qian Mingkui said.

"What is it?"

"It says that after innate power awakens, it should be quickly trained and enhanced beyond the current world's limit. This will lead to a certain calamity, and overcoming the calamity will result in a complete transformation."

"Beyond the world's limit…"

Wu Xiaode fell into deep thought.

Yah had once said that 10 points of soul power is a dividing line.

The director of the Defense Bureau had also said—

"Almost no one has soul power exceeding 10 points."

This proves that those who have awakened above 10 points are likely very powerful experts.

After all, the current world's limit is 10 points of soul power.

In that case…

Those with more than 10 points of soul power must have gone through this calamity process?

Suddenly, a sound came from the martial arts school's door.

Xiao Shi said, "Dad, listen."

"Huh? It sounds like someone is knocking? Who would come to my rural martial arts school on such a stormy day?"

Qian Mingkui took an umbrella and ran across the training ground, peered through the peephole, and then opened the door.

"Brother Lu, oh, why are you back?"

Qian Mingkui was half surprised and half wary.

"Don't call me Brother Lu anymore, my full name is Lu Renyi. Is the high expert from your martial arts school still here?" Lu Renyi wiped the rain from his face and asked.

"Yes, yes!"

"Quickly take me to see him."

"…Do you have something to talk about?"

"Let's go inside first, don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble."

"Alright."

In the wind and rain, Qian Mingkui held the umbrella and led Lu Renyi, who was walking unevenly, back to the house.

As soon as Lu Renyi entered the house, he saw Wu Xiaode eating watermelon.

"Are you looking for me?" Wu Xiaode asked.

"Yes."

"I remember the protection fee for this month has already been paid, is there anything else?"

"Yes."

Without hesitation, Lu Renyi took out his phone, transferred the money back, and typed:

"Blind to the greatness, please forgive me."

After finishing the message, he sent it, threw the phone, and "thud" knelt on the ground.

Qian Mingkui was startled and quickly said:

"What are you doing? Get up, Brother Yi."

Lu Renyi shook his head and said, "I and my brothers were blind to the greatness, please forgive us, Immortal."

Wu Xiaode picked up his phone and looked at it.

The money had been transferred back, and there was even more.

"How did the money increase?" he asked.

"That is a small token of respect, please accept it, Immortal." Lu Renyi said.

Wu Xiaode put the phone aside and carefully examined the other person.

This punk was very composed, clearly having thought through all the scenarios before coming.

—Not only does he have good judgment, but he can also bend and stretch.

Very capable.

"From now on, do some legitimate business, don't extort people on the streets anymore." Wu Xiaode said.

"Yes, from now on, we won't do that anymore." Lu Renyi said sincerely.

No fighting, no hurting anyone, the matter was resolved.

Very good.

Wu Xiaode felt better and patted his shoulder, saying, "Don't kneel, get up and eat some watermelon. Wait for the rain to stop before leaving."

But Lu Renyi bowed and loudly said, "Please take me as your disciple, I will reform and serve you faithfully."

"Take a disciple? What qualifications do I have to take a disciple?"

Wu Xiaode was speechless and was about to say a few words to dismiss him when a sudden change occurred—

The ground began to shake violently.

"Earthquake!"

They all said in unison.

Qian Mingkui held Xiao Shi, Wu Xiaode helped Lu Renyi up, and the four of them rushed out.

Fortunately, the earthquake only lasted a short while.

The rain was even heavier outside.

They couldn't stay in the house.

This was very awkward.

Wu Xiaode thought for a moment, went back into the house alone, and got an umbrella for Xiao Shi.

The four of them stood on the training ground, not daring to move around.

—Actually, if it was just an earthquake, they would have some expectations, knowing how to respond and the consequences of an earthquake.

But at this time, various strange phenomena were occurring in the world.

The fear was that the earthquake was not just an earthquake.

Wu Xiaode was secretly on guard when the ground suddenly shook again.

From the distant capital, a low, rumbling sound seemed to be heard.

Everyone's faces changed.

"Lu Renyi, are you a local?" Wu Xiaode asked.

"Ah, no, I originally worked here, then I started to—"

"Stay with Old Qian, take some money—I'll transfer it to you, and immediately go buy food and daily necessities!" Wu Xiaode lowered his head and transferred the money back.

"Yes, Immortal!" Lu Renyi said.

"Do you think the world is about to be in chaos?" Qian Mingkui asked.

"Better to be prepared, my sister's house burned down, I'll bring her here later, everyone needs to eat, so we must stock up on food." Wu Xiaode said.

"Alright, we'll go now." Qian Mingkui said.

"Take Xiao Shi with you, because I might have to go back for a while and come back later." Wu Xiaode added.

"Okay!" Qian Mingkui said.

Qian Mingkui was about to go out with the umbrella.

But Lu Renyi told him to wait, then ran out in the wind and rain and brought back a cargo electric tricycle.

Wu Xiaode suddenly felt something, and looked up.

"Quick, look!" he shouted.

Everyone looked up.

In the distant sky, a massive creature appeared, its body burning with emerald flames.

In the flames, its complete and beautiful skeleton could be seen, and in its deep eye sockets, two intense white flames burned.