Above Destiny

Chapter 634 Bad News Bad News and Bad News

For the rest of the time, neither Ji Jue nor Tong Shan mentioned their recent discovery.

After boosting the team's morale, Tong Shan didn't go to his lead vehicle but stayed in the RV, leaning back casually, flipping through a book. He even removed his telekinetic protection.

His relaxed and composed demeanor, like a pillar of strength, completely dispelled the slightly panicked atmosphere.

Trust demonstrated through genuine actions is more effective than shouting slogans ten thousand times and making empty promises a hundred thousand times.

The advance team's fighting spirit remained as high as ever, without any sign of waning.

Unfortunately, the most troublesome problem still cannot be solved.

In fact, the problem is even more complicated than it started.

The fact that wolves were found in the advance team's RV and that the same food as the advance team was found in the wolf's stomach are two completely different things.

There are only three possibilities for this situation to occur.

First one—haha, the restaurant outsourcing company for the Federation Front Base and the White Bond Restoration Front is actually the same one, didn't expect that, did you!

Surprised? Unexpected?

Although from an animal's perspective, it's not surprising that these two use the same level of stuff, it's still no different from a dream.

This guess isn't entirely without merit; at least it can be kept to fool oneself.

The second possibility is that, before this, Wolf had already infiltrated the Security Bureau disguised as He Li, but no one noticed. Not only had he been operating under the watchful eyes of the Celestials for so long, but he had also infiltrated the advance team.

Or perhaps He Li was replaced by wolves before he even set off...

Compared to the remaining one, this is actually the most optimistic possibility.

if not?
Are you trying to tell me that someone was perfectly fine, a pillar of the Federation, but turned into a wolf after entering the Forest Kingdom?!

It's too bizarre and too sensational.

If that's the case, what exactly happened? What mistake was made? What's the underlying principle and method?
as well as……

Who's next?
Is it you, Tong Shan? Is it Ji Jue? Or is it everyone present?

Both possibilities are terrible, the only difference being the degree of their severity, but neither is something that can be discussed openly.

Once suspicion arises, trust vanishes.

That's the most disgusting part.

Once this news spreads, there will be no room for cooperation between Tianyuan, the rule of unity will be riddled with holes, even the trust between those fighting side by side will be lost, and if one has to keep a watchful eye, even the most elite forces will become a disorganized mess.

boom! ! !
In the distance, a roar once again echoed.

Suddenly, strange giant trees rose from the mud, transforming into cages.

Amidst the distant howls, a pack of wolves attacks...

Fifteen minutes later, the following convoy received a report from the Tongshan advance team: Our side has engaged the enemy again and combat has taken place. The threat has been eliminated and everything is normal.

So the convoy, which had been stationary, started up again, loaded with supplies and equipment, and rumbled forward. Soon, they saw the devastation left behind by the advance team at the front.

First came the mud pits and blood-red silt left by the torrential rain, and countless broken bones. Soon after, the remains of giant trees, burned to charcoal, came into view.

Even on the deliberately preserved giant trees, there are those broken corpses hanging there, swaying in the wind.

It perfectly preserves the terrified appearance of the mutated beings before their deaths.

A night breeze blew by, and like wind chimes, the heads, severed hands, and corpses collided and buzzed, giving the most straightforward response to the enemy's provocation.

Similarly, Xu Ranshuang also fell silent.

Hesitant to speak.

At that moment, she was still holding Tong Shan's secret report in her hand and had no time to react. She tilted her head and looked at the charred forest of corpses. Suddenly, she couldn't tell which side was the wolf.

Although it is useful and the effect is definitely outstanding, how can a perfectly normal person suddenly change like this?
The subordinate, feeling a chill run down his spine, hesitated before speaking, "Manager Xu, should we...?"

"No, keep it."

Xu Ranshuang took one last look at the horrific scene and chuckled coldly, "I never expected that these beasts could be so pleasing to the eye."

In the darkness, the convoy moved forward.

When Jin Wuyan, who was on the flank, repelled a group of harassing zombies and came along the same path, he too fell silent, his expression gloomy.

"Indeed, we've had a very fruitful harvest."

Before the words were even finished, another report came in that the Tongshan team had resolved the threat—once again.

Now, no one in the group dared to speak. Only the trusted confidant beside him looked grave: "Brother Yan, it seems that this time the one surnamed Tong is really going to take over. Should we...?"

Jin Wuyan didn't answer, coldly glancing at the person beside him: "Why are you asking so many questions? Is this something you can concern yourself with?"

The confidant paused for a moment, then lowered his head and remained silent.

In the silence, the roar of jealousy, hatred, and desire could not be heard.

Jin Wuyan withdrew his gaze and waved his hand.

The convoy continued forward.

To everyone's surprise, the rest of the journey went incredibly smoothly.

After several battles, the advance team wiped out a group of corrupted beings entrenched in the old village, and their mission was largely complete.

They ventured deep into the forest kingdom and eliminated many threats along the way, bringing frequent good news.

They even drove nails into the territory of the Forest Kingdom.

A huge success!

In just two days, the Federation's base vehicles have taken root in the selected location, and a brand-new road has been opened up, making the journey from the frontline base outside the Forest Kingdom to the outpost unimpeded and ready to be deployed for support at any time.

Although the Empire suffered a slight setback, things went smoothly and they did not encounter any significant obstacles.

Two nails had already taken root in the forest kingdom.

Based on this, successes were achieved in all directions, with continuous gains made in various areas.

Almost all the bounties on the playing cards, except for the top one, have been killed.

Win! Win! Win! Win! Win!
The White Alliance's restoration front got off to a bad start, the Forest Kingdom made a series of blunders, the Wolf Demons were locked in a bitter battle, the Demonized Ones struggled in their death throes, and the Forest Wolves completely collapsed...

The more smoothly they went and the more they won, the more uneasy everyone at the outpost felt... The wolf pack did launch counterattacks, but each time, despite their great momentum, they often ended up defeated or even wiped out.

It's almost as if it was delivered specifically for them.

You can't even not answer...

When it was delivered to everyone, they all started to feel a chill run down their spines.

Don't do this, brother, I'm scared.

What exactly are you trying to do?!

Everyone was prepared for a terrible feast and a gruesome death, but you came and told me it was a free buffet with unlimited lobster and steak, and we couldn't leave until we were stuffed.

Everyone was already so full they were about to throw up, but the plates kept being brought up and wouldn't stop.

The people at the outpost knew perfectly well that they were there to be cannon fodder and bait. In essence, this operation was a test, a cruel exchange.

With careful selection, everyone combined was neither so strong as to catch the opponent off guard, nor so weak as to be ignored.

It's exactly at the point where the other side is most uncomfortable.

If ignored, the Federation and the Empire can easily expand their gains and further weaken the Forest Kingdom.

However, if they can't stand it, as long as those evil creatures and monstrous beings hiding deep in the forest kingdom can't help but show themselves, then they can immediately lock and turn, and kill two of them with lightning speed.

As for how many cannon fodder will be eliminated before that, that's no longer a consideration.

Unfortunately, the plan was excellent.

But the other side didn't fall for it at all, refusing to engage in any of their moves. Let them be strong, I'm having fun anyway, I just gave up for nothing.

This makes people start to feel numb.

No, this isn't even at my doorstep anymore. They've already planted a flag in my front yard and I haven't said a word. If you had any backbone at all, you should have come out and slapped me!
No, the Forest Kingdom, which was almost complete with all three departments and six sects, actually took the slaps head-on, two slaps, and three slaps without retaliating at all.

Endure it!

But if we really have to put up with it, what's the point of fighting?

These bastards packed their bags and went back to the vortex long ago. The fact that they're still lingering in the mortal world can only mean one thing.

These bastards are plotting something big!

This is where the superiority of the white deer, no, the wolf, comes into play—Tianyuan at least puts on a show and has some dignity, while the beasts in the Forest Kingdom don't care at all about the lives of the cannon fodder below.

Your Federation wants compensation, but we, the people of Baibang, are all upright and honorable men. We stepped forward to sacrifice ourselves for the King, solely to be loyal, and we ask not for money!
Therefore, all those bloodthirsty patients who were not qualified to be transformed into wolves were turned into consumables and tools, and sent wave after wave to the outposts to their deaths.

Three times a day, without stopping at all, I don't even need to act anymore!

It's obvious that this is intended to accelerate the transformation and metamorphosis of the wolf in the forest.

Didn't your Federation come?

Exactly!

Let's get started, so I don't have to wait around!
Killing him would aid the enemy, not killing him would be treason. The choice is yours!

Counter open schemes with open schemes, and treat beasts with beasts.

In this brutal battle of attrition, the more ruthless and unscrupulous side will ultimately gain more from the increasingly chaotic situation.

And so, amidst the ugly carnage, everything continued.

Faster and faster...

In the temporary workshop of the outpost, Ji Jue once again smelled the hallucinatory scent of grass and trees, a faint fragrance of bodhi leaves.

He paused, unable to contain himself any longer.

frown.

“Sir?” Isis asked.

"...something's wrong."

Ji Jue sat down in the chair and looked around at the scene: "Something feels off."

Isis paused for a moment, then quickly responded again: "The second test is complete. Everything is normal in the workshop, and there are no abnormalities."

"That is to say..."

Ji Jue looked up at the giant tree trunk in the sky through the ceiling, feeling an unusual sensation that had become increasingly difficult to ignore since Shangri-La descended into the world.

He stated decisively, "The abnormal one is myself."

Isis remained indifferent to this.

"But it's different from before."

Ji Jue pondered and analyzed: "My consciousness has been clear the whole time, without any distortion or deviation. Chun Jun has not reacted at all, and my soul is normal. But there seems to be a kind of discord in my perception, even though all my senses are fine."

In other words, if something is really wrong, it's either because I've been unknowingly corrupted by the wolf spirits, or because of the Forest Kingdom, some unknown interference has occurred and is affecting me.

However, Brother Shan and his group seemed to have no reaction at all, which meant that either they didn't feel it or they were outside the range of interference.

But I have tried many different ways of perceiving, whether it is hearing, sight, smell, or even the rebirth of the form with different eyes and hearing devices, and then enhanced and changed them, including infrared detection... but none of them can explain this sense of incongruity, and I can't even detect the slightest abnormality.

Therefore, based on my common sense, I can make a preliminary assumption—that there is some kind of interference within the forest. Further, this interference might be sentient, capable of changing at any time, and unwilling to let me become aware of its existence.

It's even possible that, even now, the other side is still observing me—"

Isis listened silently without objecting, but reminded him, "Sir, all assumptions need to be falsifiable, otherwise they cannot stand."

"It's very simple."

Ji Jue said, "I can't do anything about this level of interference, but at worst, I can just perform two Great Abomination Sacrifices to see what level they are capable of."

"Why not just have Hua Xu Jun take a look? Wouldn't everything become clear then?" "..."

A helpless sigh drifted through the silent air.

No more hiding it.

"...If Lord Huaxu were still alive, he wouldn't bother with such trivial matters as yours, and there's no need to try to trick me with these things, Ji Jue."

The helpless voice asked, "Why make things difficult for a dead person?"

A Bodhi leaf appeared out of nowhere before Ji Jue's eyes.

It was as if it had always been right in front of him.

Thus, being blinded by a single leaf... led to the neglect of far too many trivial details.

At this moment, it was gently plucked by a hand that did not exist here, and everything hidden behind the leaf was revealed again.

In the tightly sealed workshop, a fleeting figure appeared out of nowhere.

No, it should be said that he has always been here, ever since he arrived in Shangri-La, following Ji Jue closely, but Ji Jue never noticed.

Or rather, he was unwilling to appear in front of Ji Jue.

On that handsome face, which resembled that of a young man, there was neither sorrow nor joy, only tranquility and indifference, as if it always carried a trace of unspeakable bitterness.

His eyes, however, were weathered and blurry, making it difficult to discern his age.

His bare upper body was covered only by a piece of linen cloth that had been washed countless times and was already faded and riddled with holes, just like the monks that could be seen everywhere in Baibang.

No, it should be monks who are like him!
The moment the other party appeared before him, without even a word, Ji Jue already understood the identity of the newcomer, confirming his guess!
The true creator of Shangri-La, the Lord of Chaos who walked in the Middle Kingdom at the end of the Chaos Era and passed away in the White Kingdom—the Compassionate and Benevolent King!
Another old Deng who has survived to this day!

The thought that the other party had been secretly spying on him for who knows how long, just like Hua Xujun, made Ji Jue annoyed. He sneered indifferently, "You bunch of old geezers, you even share the same hobby of peeping, don't you?"

The Tzu Chi King showed no anger, remaining calm and unconcerned.

Even without Ji Jue saying a word, he had already sensed his true purpose.

“There’s no need to test me, Ji Jue. I’m not about to get angry over mere words and provocations.” He replied frankly, “If possible, I don’t want to have anything to do with you either.”

Ji Jue was amused. "You've been watching for so long, why bother with this pretense?"

Do you think I want to see this?

Tzu Chi King's expression clearly turned strange, as if he had seen someone turning the tables on him: "Didn't you confess yourself?"

"..."

Ji Jue was dazed.

"You should have had dealings with Hua Xu Jun before?" Ciji Wang asked doubtfully. "Didn't he tell you not to touch things around aimlessly?"

"..."

Ji Jue hesitated, unable to speak.

Wait a minute, why am I making a mess of things again... Wait, this is really true!

Snapped!
Helpless, Ji Jue raised his hand to cover his face.

The pull of the wolf-blood oath, the resonance between his own mutated form and the forest China that Shangri-La had become! Isn't it like he's actually putting one hand inside Shangri-La...?

But I didn't do it on purpose!
It's just like a phone's Wi-Fi; you connect accidentally, and what can you do about it?!

and many more……

He suddenly realized and his eyes widened: In other words, the consciousness of the Tzu Chi King still remains in Shangri-La!

"Don't overthink it, I've been dead for many years."

Before he could speak, Tzu Chi King answered first: "Unlike that Hua Xu Jun, I have decided to return everything I have gained to the world."

What you see of me is merely a rubbing left in Shangri-La, like the reflection left in the water after the moon has disappeared. Though it is not real, it is just a thought.

It's less about Tzu Chi and more about the remnants of Tzu Chi, something that should have vanished into nothingness, but you've dragged it down, preventing it from finding peace.

"What do you mean by 'being dragged along by me'?"

Seeing that Tzu Chi was turning the tables on him again, Ji Jue glared at him and said, "You can't blame it all on me, can you?"

"..."

Tzu Chi fell silent, looking at him strangely for a long time: "It seems that Hua Xu Jun really didn't tell you anything... That's right, a person like him would do anything for so-called fun."

Ji Jue said warily, "Let's talk this out. Hua Xu Jun and I are the best of friends in the world. No sowing discord here!"

"The premise of sowing discord is that you have to be on the same side, right? Besides, everyone knows Hua Xu Jun's character, so what's there to slander?"
Don't worry, even if he's watching, he won't care.

The lingering image of Tzu Chi shook its head: "Magnets attract each other, Ji Jue, as one of the few of our kind in this era."

These insignificant fragments I left behind will naturally be drawn to and absorbed by you.

"Wait a minute—"

Ji Jue was starting to feel numb. His attempt to confront the culprit failed, and he was left feeling dizzy and disoriented: "What the hell? Same kind? How am I the same kind?"

"How could I possibly be like you crazy folks!"

"..."

The expression on the Ciji King's face became increasingly subtle as he looked at him with a gaze that resembled that of Huaxu Jun when the man had previously denied being a Mohist.

So familiar.

“Ji Jue, in our time, there are no convenient things like your Supreme Goodness and Great Evil.”

Tzu Chi is not Hua Xu after all, and it did not keep people in suspense. It went straight to the point and said: "In a hellish wasteland and chaos, there is no supreme good, no such shadow, and no smooth road or destiny to follow."

To possess power, one must first embrace and accept everything one sees… In other words, to control everything based on oneself.

He asked, "Does this sound familiar?"

"..."

Ji Jue remained silent, suppressing his urge to examine Chun Jun.

The overlap of soul and reflection in the cycle, even without relying on the highest good or the greatest evil, is a structure and foundation formed by its own nature.

If I really had to say something...

"While there's some similar feeling, it's far from accurate, isn't it?"

“It’s not about distance, it’s about whether you’ve taken that step, isn’t it?” Tzu Chi sighed regretfully, “If it were our time, someone like you would surely have achieved great things, wouldn’t you?”

Unfortunately, in this day and age, bound and constrained by the great evil and the pursuit of supreme good, it is destined to be impossible to complete.

"..."

Ji Jue remained silent, seemingly calm, but in reality, he was completely numb.

Are you trying to mess with people's mentality?
Good news, I seem to possess the innate Chaos King's Holy Body. Bad news, the Chaos King is outdated; such a thing doesn't exist anymore!

You might as well not say anything!

"Sorry, just consider me a know-it-all."

Tzu Chi smiled self-deprecatingly and said with emotion, "Gain and loss are all part of fate. A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. For you, the dead end may actually be a good thing."

The road ahead is impassable, and what's more, there's someone else ahead of us.

"..."

Ji Jue was momentarily at a loss, and after pondering for a long time, he still couldn't figure it out.

Fortunately, Tzu Chi doesn't have the habit of keeping things mysterious. Just as he said, he likes to teach others and is always straightforward: "Although I don't know what your generation is like now, the color of fireworks has not yet returned to pure white."

In other words, even today, the thief who stole the fire should still be alive in the flames.

Although it can hardly be called a matter of life and death, the obsession should still remain... If you continue to grow, he won't let go of this opportunity to usurp my place.

"..."

Ji Jue remained silent, unable to speak.

At this moment, the way they looked at Tzu Chi became clearly strange.

This isn't the King of Chaos, it's clearly a crow that has become a spirit! How come when you open your mouth, there's not a single piece of good news?

After listening for a long time, there wasn't a single good news, only bad news!
"Fine……"

He rubbed his temples and pondered for a moment: "As the saying goes, meeting is fate. If you have any lingering grievances or unfulfilled desires from your previous life, please don't hesitate to help if I can."

Tzu Chi remained unmoved and indifferent, long accustomed to Ji Jue's various tests: "Before I passed away, I had already realized something. Now, as my remains and reflection, what obsessions do I have?"

Even if it were true, why would you need to use someone else's hand?

“Well, since that’s the case…” Ji Jue suddenly leaned closer and grinned, “Since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you help me out?”

"It's a real pity, Ji Jue, that I can't help you either."

The Tzu Chi King shook his head helplessly and spread his hands: "When I was alive, I would tell anyone who came to me if they had any knowledge. I would do my best to help them if they asked for anything."

But in my current state, how can I help you? As a remnant, I am nothing more than a shadow of the past, an imprint and appendage in Shangri-La.

What you see of Tzu Chi now is merely a reflection in your eyes. In fact, the moment you leave Shangri-La, I will vanish back into nothingness.

"Okay, stop talking."

Ji Jue raised his hand, interrupting him.

Such a high-class person, and they've been bothering me for so long, turns out they're just some ancient ghost haunting me!
And this ghost was summoned by myself...

What sins have I committed this time? First Hua Xu Jun, then Ci Ji Wang... You bunch of Chaos Kings are really idle, aren't you? Your ghosts are relentless, all coming to me.

It's clear that there's no hope left.

"If I really have to say something, then there's only one reminder left."

After thinking for a moment, Tzu Chi King sighed softly, “Based on my understanding of Shangri-La, the progress should definitely not be this slow… Shangri-La itself uses self-attachment to cover reality, which can also improve efficiency.”

Your arrival is also part of the support, whether you like it or not.

If we calculate the progress based solely on your common sense, we'll definitely fall far behind. Therefore, if you truly want to stop those people from performing sacrificial killings and creating evil entities, you'd better act quickly.

"Faster, even faster."

The phantom before him sighed softly, gazing at the giant tree that had accompanied him for countless years, listening to the howling of wolves stirred by the wind blowing through the branches.

He stated decisively, "There's no need for a protracted tug-of-war; the third wolf will be born in no more than three days."

Ji Jue sat up in alarm.

incredible.

No matter how unwilling they were to believe it, they could not ignore the warning from the Tzu Chi King.

Just as he was considering whether or not to have Lu Changsheng leak the news, he realized that it was no longer necessary.

A cutting sound came from the sky.

So sharp, it pierced everyone's eardrums.

A dazzling crack appeared out of nowhere in the sky, meandering and spreading, as if a vast and magnificent force had descended from the sky, shattering the shade of the giant tree and striking straight at the heart of the matter!

Then, the earth trembled.

Amidst a deafening roar, the storm swept in and engulfed everything.

　Ah, I woke up to find that the Fubao Industrial Park had exploded... It was truly unexpected and caught me completely off guard.

　　Let's find an auspicious day and open it again sometime.

　　Also, Huai Shi has made it into the top 100 characters. Thank you all for your votes. Please continue to support her and cast more votes. Thank you!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)