Swallowing the Stars: Starting with the Battle of Geniuses

Chapter 41: Making His Final Arrangements and Departing

"Surprised? Unexpected?!"

Hunzhen looked at the two stunned children in front of him, put his hands on his hips, and said triumphantly, "Didn't expect that, did you? I'm the leader of the Treasure Hunting Alliance!"

In the blink of an eye, Hunzhen had already brought Ayuan and Yaqi back to the headquarters of the Treasure Hunting Alliance (tentative name) in the Fifth District.

Yage was indeed shocked.

Even in the chaotic buffer zone, he had heard of the Treasure Hunting Alliance's reputation.

That was the first power established at the very beginning of the opening of the Fiery Hell Realm. It was said that its leader was a dragon whose head and tail were rarely seen, and that he was very powerful, firmly controlling the vast alliance.

He can see into people's hearts without revealing his whereabouts, and he can win battles from a thousand miles away with just a few orders without ever seeing him. Once he takes action, he is as powerful as thunder and lightning, overwhelming all enemies.

In just about a year, they made a name for themselves in the Realm of Inferno, becoming living legends to those struggling at the bottom.

Yaqi knew that Hunzhen was powerful, and when the other party led them to the territory of the Treasure Hunting Alliance, he also guessed that Hunzhen might be a high-ranking member of the Treasure Hunting Alliance. However, he never expected that this uncle who was always laughing and joking was actually the leader of the Treasure Hunting Alliance!

Unlike Yaki, who was completely dumbfounded, Yama expressed her shock in a simple and straightforward way. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she showered him with sincere praise: "Uncle, you're absolutely amazing!"

"Brother Hunzhen..."

A somewhat embarrassed voice rang out.

Hunzhen glanced at Yamu, who was winking at him, then chuckled and dismissed the two little ones, leaving them alone. He asked, "Yamu, what's wrong?"

"You're asking me what's wrong!"

Yamu said with a resentful look, "Six months, a full six months! You just abandoned the Alliance and went off to enjoy yourself, leaving us with this mess! Do you know how difficult it has been to deal with those restless guys without your support during this time?"

What does half a year mean?

From the founding of the Treasure Hunting Alliance to Hunzhen's departure, it was less than four months in total. Hunzhen's departure was even longer than the existence of the Treasure Hunting Alliance!

Despite Yamu's questioning, Hunzhen remained unperturbed, patted Yamu on the shoulder, and said, "Didn't you do a good job?"

Yamu was stunned. The look of approval and expectation on Hunzhen's face suddenly swept away the resentment he had harbored for the past six months, and a feeling of being moved as if he were willing to die for a friend welled up in his heart.

He had to admit that the man in front of him possessed such charm.

Little did they know, Hunzhen was secretly pleased with himself: "Success! I've fooled him again."

After catching up, Hunzhen suddenly pulled out a bottle of medicine.

Yamu looked at it in confusion: "What's this?"

Hunzhen said calmly, "It's called the Water of the River of Oblivion. Its effect is quite simple: it can wash away the mark on the soul. One drop is enough to take effect. This bottle is enough for a thousand people to use. It's yours."

"What do you mean?"

"That means... the Treasure Hunting Alliance can be disbanded."

Meeting Yamu's shocked gaze, Hunzhen frankly stated, "I have obtained what I wanted with the help of the Treasure Hunting Alliance. This time, I will not be returning. As for you, you must also find your own way out. This item will relieve you of any worries."

It was like a bucket of cold water being poured over my head.

Yamu couldn't help but ask, "Don't you feel any sense of responsibility at all?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them and looked away.

"Regret? Have you forgotten the full name of the Treasure Hunting Alliance?"

The metaphor of Hunzhen, the so-called "temporary", implies that Hunzhen is actually indifferent to it. When it loses its value, it will be discarded at any time.

In the nearly one year that had passed, how could Ya Mu, who had the most contact with Hunzhen, not understand Hunzhen's thoughts?

He simply poured so much effort into this alliance that he was unwilling to believe it.

Looking at the boy he had dragged into the trap, Hunzhen finally offered an explanation: "The Treasure Hunting Alliance was just a flash in the pan, the result of compromises among many forces. You know it will eventually disappear. But what you gained from it is real and tangible."

Hunzhen reached out and poked Yamu in the chest: "As a high-ranking member of the alliance, you shoulder heavy responsibilities, but you also enjoy resources far exceeding those of others. Within a year, your strength has increased several levels, and you have hardly encountered any risks... What you have obtained is something that too many people envy but can only dream of."

"but……"

Yamu struggled with his words, but after opening his mouth, he couldn't say anything.

Hunzhen shook his head.

He owes Yamu nothing.

Through the simulation, he already knew that Yamu had not been purged in the end, and was still alive and well even ten years later. So he did not feel any guilt.

Yamu remained silent for a long time, not questioning further, but instead asked, "Brother Hunzhen, aren't you afraid I'll betray you by telling you this secret?"

Hunzhen laughed heartily: "You believe you won't betray me. More importantly... even if you do betray me, it won't make a difference."

With hearty laughter, Hunzhen left the private room.

The latest novel is first published here!

"Hahaha! Let's go, Yamu, I'm leaving those two little ones in your care!"

The loud laughter startled Yamu, but Hunzhen was nowhere to be found in the room.

With the image of Hunzhen's confident and carefree departure still lingering in his mind, Yamu's lips curved into a slight smile as he murmured to himself, "Brother Hunzhen, thank you for taking care of me..."

He knew perfectly well that they were inhabitants of two worlds as far apart as heaven and earth, and even if he wanted to help the other, he would probably never be able to reach the other's realm.

All he could do was silently offer his heartfelt wishes.

"Brother, may your journey to the stars and the sea go smoothly."

……

Apart from Yamu, Hunzhen left the alliance quietly without consulting anyone, including his capable lieutenant Mord.

He left with an air of nonchalance, but when he turned back and glanced at the buildings the Alliance had constructed during this time, he couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.

This was, after all, the first power he had ever established in his life, and the first time he had served as the leader of a power.

Even though he delegated most of the trivial matters to Yamu and Mord, he still handled quite a few things.

To say that there was absolutely no emotion involved would be a lie.

But he quickly put that sense of loss behind him.

It will take another year after the possession is completed... but that was just Hunzhen's initial estimate based on the time it took for the simulated human and Yan Yu to fight.

After discovering the hidden mechanism of simulated inheritance, I can fully recover my mana every day and unleash my full power to unleash the Flame Jade, which naturally shortens the time required.

"Let's go, let's go."

Hunzhen's figure disappeared into the falling red snow.

Then, the red snow that had lasted for countless years gradually subsided.

A month later, the barrier of the Infernal Realm weakened significantly. As countless forces clashed, a D9-class spaceship broke through numerous obstacles and left without any hesitation, as if it were a royal presence.

(End of this chapter)