Chapter 66: Ancestor Sacrifice? No — — Blood Law Reconstruction! Dual Gates Sealed Simultaneously · Mephisto Descends!!
Earth Synchronous Orbit.
The Tamperer's body shattered like porcelain in the scarlet-gold light — — white fragments slowly drifted away in the void — — like a retrograde snow — —
But he was still smiling.
On that extremely ordinary human face — — cracks were densely covered — — his pure white eyes were like two white dwarf stars about to extinguish — — but the arc of the corners of his mouth became increasingly frantic — —
"You won — — Complete Progenitor — — you pierced through logic with faith — — very brilliant — — truly — —"
"But you also lost — —"
His body began to turn into white powder from the edges — — like a pencil drawing erased by an eraser — —
"I am just a chess piece — — the real chess player — — has never been me — —"
"Chess player — —?" Li Heng's dark golden vertical pupils suddenly contracted — — grabbing the dissipating collar of The Tamperer — — "Who — —! Who is the chess player — —!"
The Tamperer looked at him — — his pure white eyes flashed a trace of complex emotion at the last moment — — that was not fear — — not even regret — — but something close to sympathy — —
"You will know soon — —"
"Because — — he is coming — —"
"Not Mephisto — —"
"It is an existence earlier than Mephisto — —"
"Three billion years ago — — Atum did not kill all the Old Gods — — there was one — — he didn't dare to kill — —"
"Because that one — — is Atum's — —"
The Tamperer's voice stopped abruptly in the void — — his body completely turned into white powder — — dissipating with the wind — — as if it had never existed — —
But his last sentence — — nailed into Li Heng's mind like a nail — —
Atum's — — what?
Atum's brother? Atum's father? Atum's — —
There is no time to think — —
[Ding!! The Tamperer · Eliminated!! Logic Rewriting Field Disappeared!! Global Seal Reversal Rate Reduced by 63%!!]
[But — — The last two dimensional gates · Palenque and Antarctica · Have opened over 80%!! Mephisto's True Body Crossing Progress — — 47%!! Expected Complete Descent — — 23 minutes!!]
[Countdown 23:00 — — 22:59 — — 22:58 — —!!]
Twenty-three minutes — —
Li Heng stood in the void — — covered in blood — — dark golden cracks covered his whole body — — the ancestor core beat frantically in his chest — — like an engine about to overload — —
The power of the whole clan's resonance was still flowing in his body — — the faith of 2417 vampires supported him — — but his body was almost unable to hold on — —
[Warning — — Physical Body Bearing Limit — — 97% — —!! Continuing to fight will lead to permanent damage to the ancestor core — —!!]
He couldn't care less — —
The dark golden vertical pupils pierced through the atmosphere — — looking towards Earth — —
Antarctica — — Wanda was reversing the sixth gate — — the scarlet-gold light flickered over the Antarctic ice sheet like an aurora — — she had sealed five gates — — only this last one remained — —
But Palenque, Mexico — — no one was there — —
The seventh gate burst open above the Palenque pyramid — — the dark red beam of light pierced the sky like a sharp sword — — Mephisto's aura was surging out from the other side of the gate — — like a dark red tide — — slowly but irresistibly pouring into Earth — —
Two gates — — one person — —
If Wanda sealed Antarctica, she wouldn't have time to go to Palenque — — if she went to Palenque, she wouldn't have time to seal Antarctica — —
And Mephisto only needed one second — —
[Ding!! Detected that the host is facing a space allocation dilemma — — the system has automatically matched the optimal solution — —]
[Ancestor Sacrifice · Bloodline Return — —!!]
An unprecedented option lit up on the system panel — — the dark golden font was as solemn as carved on a stone tablet — —
[Ancestor Sacrifice · Bloodline Return: Abandon the Ancestor Power, release all space permissions contained in the Progenitor Bloodline at once, and instantly teleport all vampire units globally to any coordinates.]
[Cost: Permanently lose the ancestor identity and all vampire bonds — — the whole clan resonance of vampires will disappear permanently — — the host will be downgraded from "Complete Progenitor" to "ordinary vampire individual" — — irreversible.]
[Whether to enable — — Y / N — —?]
Li Heng looked at that option — — a trace of complex light flashed in his dark golden vertical pupils — —
Ancestor Sacrifice — —
Give up the ancestor identity — — give up the bonds with all vampires — — give up Hannah, Mikal, Victor, Elena — — give up those 2417 clansmen who had just offered their power to him — —
In exchange for a teleportation — —
In exchange for a — — opportunity to send Wanda to Palenque — —
"The cost is too high — —" he gritted his teeth — — the ancestor core beat in his chest as if it was about to explode — —
Not because he was reluctant to part with power — — he never cared about such a thing as power — — he even casually threw away the God-Slaying Power — — why would he care about the Ancestor Power — —
But because — — bonds — —
Those 2417 bloodline connections — — were his proof as an ancestor — — the temperature when Hannah called him "Father" — — the loyalty in Mikal's eyes every time he took orders — — the worldly aura when Victor and Elena bickered in front of him — —
These were not "power" — — these were "family" — —
How could he bear it — —
[Countdown 21:30 — — 21:29 — —]
Time waits for no one — —
Li Heng closed his eyes — —
In the darkness — — he saw Wanda's face — —
Her back when she sealed Set above the Valley of the Kings — —
Her certainty when she said "Three days are enough" in the Mirror Dimension — —
Her firmness when she said "Go" to him beside the Palenque ruins — —
She was his wife — — and his most important family — —
And at this moment — — she needed him — —
Not to save the world — — not to seal the Old Gods — — just so she wouldn't have to face it alone — —
"System — —" Li Heng opened his eyes — — two raging fires seemed to burn in his dark golden vertical pupils — —
"Ancestor Sacrifice — — I won't use it — —"
[Ding!! Host refused to enable Ancestor Sacrifice — — please select other options — —]
"Other options — —" the corners of Li Heng's mouth lifted slightly — — revealing that somewhat rogue smile — —
"The only option you gave is 'abandoning family' — — but I refuse to take this path — —"
"I want to write one myself — —"
He pressed his hands together — — the dark golden blood energy condensed frantically in his palms — — the patterns of the Ancestors Blood Law circulated on his skin surface like a living scroll — —
The Ancestors Blood Law — — he had only used it twice before — — once to force vampires to kneel — — once to fight The Tamperer — —
But this time — — what he wanted to do was not "command" — — but "rewrite" — —
Not rewriting reality — — that was The Tamperer's ability — —
What he rewrote was — — the Blood Law itself — —
"Article 1 of the Ancestors Blood Law — — those connected by blood — — share life and death — —"
The dark golden patterns began to change on his body — — like code being rewritten — —
"I rewrite you — —"
"Bloodline connection — — is not just obedience — — not just resonance — —"
"Instead — — sharing everything — — including space — —"
His ancestor core emitted a humming sound like a dragon's roar — — the dark golden blood energy gushed out from his body — — weaving into an incomparably huge dark golden magic array in the void — — the array covered the entire Earth Synchronous Orbit — — like a huge net — —
"In the name of the ancestor — — Blood Law Reconstruction — —"
"New decree — — spatial resonance — — coordinate sharing for all bloodline units — — teleportation authority opened — — no sacrifice needed — — no cost needed — —"
"Because — — you are my family — — not tools — —"
The magic array roared into operation — —
[Ding!! Detected Ancestors Blood Law · Self-Rewriting — —!! This operation has never been recorded — — unprecedented — —!!]
[Rewritten content — — Ancestors Blood Law · Spatial authority opened — — All vampire units obtain ancestor coordinate sharing and teleportation ability — —!!]
[Rewritten cost — — ancestor core load 400% — —!! Physical body bearing limit broke through to — — 127% — —!!]
"Ughahahaha — —!!!"
Li Heng let out a heart-rending roar — — the ancestor coreerupted like a supernova in his body — — dark golden blood gushed out from every crack in his whole body — — in the vacuum like millions of dark golden threads — — shooting rapidly towards Earth — —
Every thread was connected to a vampire — — Hannah, Mikal, Victor, Elena — — 2417 people — —
[vampire Whole Clan · Spatial Resonance — — Start!!]
On Earth — — all vampires felt the ancestor's will at the same instant — — not an order — — but an invitation — —
"Come — — help me send her to Palenque — —"
Not a single person hesitated — —
2417 vampires simultaneously injected their own blood energy into the ancestor's space channel — — the dark golden threads converged into a trunk like the Milky Way — — penetrated the atmosphere — — pointing directly at Antarctica — —
Antarctic ice sheet — —
Wanda was reversing the last gate — — the scarlet-gold Chaos God-Slaying Power burned like a star in her palm — — seal reversal progress 89% — — just a little bit more — —
Then she felt it — — that dark golden thread descended from the sky — — like a warm umbilical cord — — connecting to her soul — —
"Li Heng — —?"
Li Heng's voice came from the Soul Covenant — — hoarse — — as if enduring extreme pain — — but still carrying that familiar, somewhat rogue smile — —
"Wife — — catch a free ride — —"
The dark golden thread wrapped around Wanda's waist — — at the same instant — — the space above the Antarctic ice sheet was folded like a piece of paper — —
Spatial resonance — — coordinate sharing — —
Wanda's figure disappeared in Antarctica — —
The same second — — appearing in Palenque, Mexico — —
Above the pyramid — — right in front of the seventh dark red light beam — —
"Seal reversal — — now!"
Wanda didn't hesitate at all — — raised her hands — — the scarlet-gold Chaos God-Slaying Power condensed to the extreme in her palm — — like a supernova about to detonate — —
"Law rewriting — — Mephisto · Seal — —!!"
The scarlet-gold light crashed into the dark red light beam like a light of judgment — — the two forces collided head-on above Palenque — — dark red and scarlet-gold intertwined in the air like two giant dragons — —
Mephisto's will came from the other side of the gate — — like scalding magma — — carrying three billion years of resentment and greed — —
"Tiny god-slayer — — you think you can seal me — —? I am different from Chthon — — different from Set — — I am Mephisto — — Lord of Hell — — Three billion years ago Atum couldn't even kill me — — he could only banish me — — you think a human female's rewriting — — can rewrite three billion years of hatred — —?"
The dark red light beam began to suppress the scarlet-gold light — — Mephisto's true body was forcibly crossing over — — a dark red giant hand stretched out from the light beam — — like a magic claw reaching out from the abyss — —
Cold sweat oozed from Wanda's forehead — — her feet plowed two deep marks on the ground — — she was being pushed back — —
Not enough — — one person's power is not enough — —
"If it's not enough, up the stakes — —"
A hoarse voice sounded behind her — —
Li Heng plummeted from the void—blood-soaked all over—dark golden cracks covered his entire body like a spiderweb—the ancestor core in his chest beat wildly at an unpredictable frequency—like a clock about to stop at any moment—
But he stood behind Wanda—pressing his hands onto her shoulders—
"The whole clan's resonance—is still here—"
"The power of 2,417 people—plus mine—plus yours—"
"Together—"
He injected all his remaining blood energy into Wanda's body through the Soul Covenant—like pouring the last drop of oil into a dying lamp—
The ancestor core emitted a final hum within his chest—and then—
Shattered.
Not shattered—it was "released"—the ancestor coreerupted inside Li Heng like a supernova—releasing all stored energy—a dark golden tide of light surged into Wanda's body like a tsunami—
At this moment, the golden light in Wanda's green eyes reached an unprecedented brightness—like two genuine stars—
"Chaos God-Slaying—End · Seal—!!!!"
The scarlet-gold light—exploded—
Like the reverse process of the Big Bang—a pure scarlet-gold wall of light spread from Palenque across the globe—seven dark red pillars of light were swallowed by the wall of light in the exact same instant—
The dark red giant hand dissolved in the wall of light like ice and snow meeting the scorching sun—Mephisto's roar came from the other side of the door—filled with fury and unwillingness—
"No—!! This isn't a seal—this is banishment—!! You can't banish me back—!!!"
The voice was cut off—the dark red pillars of light vanished completely—the seven dimensional doors closed simultaneously—golden sealing runes reappeared at seven locations across the globe—brighter and sturdier than before—
Palenque—seal complete.
Antarctica—seal complete.
All seven global locations—completely—seal complete.
[Ding!! Dimensional Doors · All Closed!! Mephisto's True Body Crossing · Terminated!! Sealing Strength—Increased by 300% compared to before—!!]
[Old Gods Return Channel—Permanently Severed—!!]
[Wanda Maximoff—Chaos God-Slaying · End Seal—Flawlessly Completed—!!]
All red warnings on the system interface vanished—replaced by a line of dark golden prompts—
[Mission Complete—Global Security—]
The Palenque ruins returned to silence—the cicadas in the rainforest chirped anew—the setting sun dyed the pyramid orange-red—
Wanda stood at the top of the pyramid—gasping heavily—the scarlet-gold light slowly receded from her body—she looked down at her own hands—still trembling slightly—
Then she felt it—
The other end of the Soul Covenant—no response.
"Li Heng—?"
She abruptly turned around—
Li Heng lay on the ground—dark golden cracks all over his body like a dried-up riverbed—only a hollow remained where the ancestor core used to be—no more heartbeat in his chest—
His dark golden slit pupils slowly closed—like two dying stars—
[Ding!! ancestor core—Damaged—Host Vital Signs—Declining—!!]
[Estimated Survival Time—00:03:27—!!]
"No—" Wanda knelt beside him—placing her hands over his chest—Chaos Magic poured in frantically—attempting to repair him—but the damage to the ancestor core was not on the physical level—it was on the soul level—
A shattered soul—no amount of glue could stick it back together—
"Don't you die—" Wanda's voice trembled—the golden light in her green eyes intertwined with tears—"You said you wanted to go home and eat beef brisket—you said—"
"You said—you'd always be there—"
Li Heng barely opened a slit of his eyes—his dark golden slit pupils had grown extremely dim—like a candle flame about to burn out—
"Beef brisket—" his voice was like a mosquito's buzzing—yet the corners of his mouth still held that familiar, somewhat roguish arc—
"Next time—you cook—I'll wash the dishes—"
"It's a deal—"
His eyes closed.
[Estimated Survival Time—00:01:02—]
Wanda's tears smashed onto his pale face—
But she didn't collapse—
Because the final wisps of emotion transmitted through the Soul Covenant—were not despair—not sorrow—but an obsession—
"Help me—tell the system—"
"The ancestor core is shattered—but the bloodline remains—"
"2,417 vampires—every single one of them carries fragments of my bloodline—"
"If—they are willing—"
"Return—the fragments—to me—"
Wanda abruptly raised her head—the golden light in her green eyes lit up once more—
She understood—
The ancestor core was shattered—but the fragments were not in the void—not on the battlefield—but inside every single vampire—the progenitor's bloodline connected the entire clan—half of the energy released when the ancestor core exploded had flowed back into every vampire's bloodline—
As long as all 2,417 vampires returned their bloodline fragments simultaneously—the ancestor core could be reassembled—
But the cost was—
Every vampire who returned their fragments—would lose their vampire powers—and turn back into ordinary humans—
This was another form of "progenitor sacrifice"—except the direction of the sacrifice was reversed—
It was not the progenitor sacrificing themselves to preserve the clan members—instead, it was the clan members sacrificing themselves to preserve the progenitor—
Wanda did not hesitate—
She raised both hands—Chaos Magic condensed in her palms—but this time it wasn't used for combat—it was used for broadcasting—
A dark golden signal shot from Palenque across the globe—penetrating the atmosphere—penetrating the crust—penetrating every corner—
All vampires—no matter where they were—heard Wanda's voice at that exact same moment—
"The progenitor is dying—"
"He needs your bloodline fragments—returning the fragments means you will lose your vampire powers—and turn back into humans—"
"I will not force anyone—this is your freedom—"
"But—if you are willing—"
"Please place your hand on your heart—and call his name—"
Three seconds of silence—
Then—
On Earth—2,416 out of the 2,417 vampires—simultaneously placed their hands on their hearts—
Only one did not move—
It was Hannah—the first girl converted by Li Heng—she stood on the balcony of her apartment in Newlin City—looking at the distant setting sun—tears streaming down her face—
She did not place her hand on her heart—
Instead, she placed both hands over her heart's location—and then—her entire body transformed into a ball of dark golden light—
She wasn't just returning the fragments—she was returning everything of hers—including her life—
Because she knew—what the progenitor needed wasn't fragments—it was a sufficiently complete soul core to reassemble the ancestor core—and her soul had the deepest connection to the progenitor—she was the first—the concentration of the progenitor's bloodline inside her was the highest—
Only through her sacrifice—could the final missing piece of the ancestor core be completed—
"Father—" dark golden light surged from within her body—like streams flowing into the sea—piercing through the atmosphere—piercing through the void—reaching straight to Palenque—
"You said—family are not tools—"
"So—this is not a sacrifice—"
"This is—going home—"
The dark golden light poured into Li Heng's chest—the ancestor core fragments reassembled like a puzzle amidst the reflux of the entire clan's bloodline—the final piece—was filled by Hannah's soul—
Click—
The ancestor core—reassembled.
[Ding!! ancestor core—Repair Complete!! Vitality Restoring—!!]
[Host Vital Signs—Rising—Stable—Recovering—!!]
Li Heng's eyes snapped open—his dark golden slit pupils were as brilliant as a reborn star—
Then he felt it—the ancestor core beating anew within his chest—as well as—
One missing from the bloodline network—
Hannah—
"No—"
He sat up—the dark golden cracks all over his body healed at a rapid pace—but his expression was not one of relief—instead, it was—
Furious rage.
Sorrow.
Incredulity.
"Hannah—!!" he roared within the bloodline network—but no one responded—that voice which forever called him "Father"—had vanished forever—
She had returned her soul fragments along with her life to him—in exchange for the reassembly of the ancestor core—
And the cost of the ancestor core's reassembly—was Hannah—dying—
Li Heng knelt on the ground—his fists smashed into the pyramid's stone bricks—dark golden blood seeped from his knuckles—
He didn't cry—but the emotions transmitted through the Soul Covenant were like a tsunami—Wanda covered her mouth behind him—tears blurring her vision—
Both of them felt it—that vacant spot in the bloodline network—like a black hole that could never be filled—
"I will definitely—" Li Heng's voice was hoarse—two balls of icy fierce flames seemed to burn within his dark golden slit pupils—
"Definitely—bring her back—"
Then—
The system issued an unprecedented prompt—
[Ding!! Special Prompt—ancestor core Reassembly Complete—New Authority Unlocked—]
[Bloodline Traceback—The ancestor core can trace back the soul traces of all perished bloodline units—including—Hannah Newlin—]
[Condition—Must travel to the "Soul's Destination"—namely the slumber place of the Old Gods—the birthplace of Atum—the fountain of Earth's origin of life—]
[The coordinates of this location—have been marked—]
[But Warning—This coordinate simultaneously points to—the slumber place of the "True Chessplayer" mentioned by The Tamperer before his death—]
[That Old God whom Atum dared not kill—is right there—]
[Traveling to the Soul's Destination—will both retrieve Hannah's soul—and awaken that slumbering ultimate Old God—]
[The choice—belongs to the host—]
Li Heng looked at that prompt—light flickered within his dark golden slit pupils—
There was no choice—
There never was a choice—
Hannah had to come back—even if the cost was facing an Old God that even Atum dared not kill—
He stood up—a dark golden portal tore open before him—the other end of the door—pointed to a certain coordinate deep within Earth—
"Wanda—"
"Come with me—"
Wanda wiped away her tears—stood beside him—the golden light and tearful shimmer coexisted in her green eyes—her tone as firm as iron—
"Always."
The two stepped into the portal—
The moment they vanished—the setting sun above Palenque finally set—nightfall enveloped the entire rainforest—the Feathered Serpent relief on the pyramid shimmered with a silvery-white light in the moonlight—like a silent watcher—
And in a certain place deep within Earth—
A pair of eyes—were slowly opening—
Those eyes—were not purple—not dark red—nor were they pure white—
Instead—they were dark golden—
Exactly the same color as the ancestor core—
Chapter 67: Soul Destination! Three Billion Years of Waiting — — Progenitor True Source · Awakening!!
Deep within the crust.
One thousand kilometers — — two thousand kilometers — — three thousand kilometers — —
Li Heng and Wanda pierced through the crust — — pierced through the mantle — — pierced through the deepest forbidden zone of Earth that humanity had never touched — —
The temperature was soaring — — the pressure was skyrocketing — — any ordinary person here would be compressed into a single atom within a microsecond — —
But they were not ordinary people — —
The dark golden Ancestor Power flowed across Li Heng's body surface — — like an invisible armor — — isolating all high temperature and high pressure outside — — the crimson-golden Chaos God-Slaying Power burned around Wanda — — like a moving star — —
The two of them went all the way down — —
Until — —
Four thousand kilometers deep — —
Everything stopped abruptly.
The temperature disappeared — — the pressure disappeared — — even the direction of gravity became blurred — —
They stood in a space that did not belong to Earth — —
The dark golden void — —
The endless — — boundless — — dark golden void — —
Like a Universe emptied of all matter — — only pure dark golden light slowly flowed in the void — — like breathing — —
"Here is — —" The golden light in Wanda's green eyes flickered slightly — — the perception of Chaos God-Slaying extended all around — — and then her expression changed — —
"Souls — —" Her voice trembled slightly — — "There are souls everywhere — —"
Li Heng also saw it — —
In the dark golden void — — countless points of light were floating — — like fireflies — — like stars — — like countless sleeping lights — —
Every point of light was a soul — —
He reached out his hand — — a dark golden point of light drifted close slowly — — the moment he touched it — — a segment of memories flooded into his mind — —
The memory of a young man — — the 19th century — — London — — fog-shrouded streets — — he had just been turned by the Progenitor — — running under the moonlight for the first time — — excitement — — freedom — — then — — a demon hunter's silver stake nailed into his heart — — darkness — —
He withdrew his hand — — the point of light continued to sleep — —
This was the soul destination of all perished blood kin — — the ultimate destination of the Progenitor Bloodline — — every vampire who sacrificed their life for the clan — — would eventually come here — —
"Hannah — —" Li Heng whispered this name — — the ancestor core hummed in his chest — — the authority of bloodline tracing scanned in all directions like a radar — —
Among the countless points of light — — there was one that was particularly bright — —
Not dark golden — — but carrying a hint of warm orange-red — — like the color of the setting sun shining on tomato stewed beef brisket — —
That point of light flickered slowly in the depths of the void — — as if waiting — — as if calling out — —
"Found it — —" Li Heng's dark golden slit pupils suddenly lit up — — he took a step and walked toward that point of light — —
But after walking only three steps — — he stopped — —
Because — —
Directly behind Hannah's soul point of light — — at the absolute center of the void — —
A throne.
A dark golden throne — — reaching a height of one hundred meters — — as if carved from an entire star — — the throne was carved with unrecognizably ancient runes — — every rune slowly flowing with dark golden light — — like blood flowing in blood vessels — —
And on the throne — — sat a figure.
That figure had a human silhouette — — but the volume was like a mountain — — he sat upright on the throne — — his eyes tightly closed — — like a sleeping deity — —
The aura emanating all over his body — — made Li Heng's ancestor core beat wildly — —
Not fear — — not vigilance — —
But — — resonance — —
As if seeing — — own kind.
"This is — —" Wanda's Chaos God-Slaying Poweractivated autonomously — — the crimson-golden light burned on her fists — — she blocked in front of Li Heng — — the golden light in her green eyes was like two warning searchlights — —
"Old Gods — —? No — — the aura is not like Chthon — — not like Set — — even less like Mephisto — —"
"Older than all of them — —" Li Heng said softly — — "Much older — —"
He extended his Progenitor perception — — cautiously touching that sleeping figure — —
The moment he touched it — — he saw it — —
Three billion years ago — —
Life was just born on Earth — — single-celled organisms slowly divided in the primitive ocean — — natural magicpower brewed in the Earth's core — — surging like magma — —
Then — — power condensed — — consciousness was born — —
The first Old God — — not Chthon — — not Set — — not Gaea — —
It was him — —
The figure on the throne — —
He was the first consciousness bred by Earth's natural magic power — — earlier than Gaea — — earlier than Chthon — — earlier than all Old Gods — —
He was — — the Origin — —
The head of the Old Gods — — the God of Origins — —
He existed at the very moment Earth was born — — he was the "blood" of this planet — — just as the ancestor core was the blood of the vampire clan — —
He created Gaea — — Gaea was the Mother Earth — — while he was the bloodline beneath the Earth — — the most primitive power of life — —
Then — — Atum was born — —
Gaea and the God of Life gave birth to Atum — — Atumbegan to hunt down the Old Gods — — becoming the God-Slayer — —
But Atum did not kill him — —
Not dare not — — it was — — could not — —
Because he was the source of Atum's power — —
The essence of God-Slaying Power — — was not the power of the sun — — was not the power of light — — but — — the power of bloodline — —
The primitive — — most ancient — — flowing in Earth's core — — power of bloodline — —
The reason Atum was able to kill the Old Gods — — was not because of the sun — — but because he inherited the bloodline of the God of Origins — — that primitive power capable of devouring all other bloodlines — —
And the vampire's Progenitor Bloodline — — was precisely the faint echo of this power — —
The darkhold created the first vampire Varna — — but the darkhold was merely a tool left behind by Chthon — — what truly allowed vampires to gain the ability of "bloodline rule" — — was not Chthon's Black Magic — — but the bloodline echo left in Earth's core by the God of Origins — —
This was why the Progenitor could rule all vampires — — not because of magic — — but because of bloodline — — the source of that bloodline — — came precisely from this being on the throne — —
The God of Origins — —
Li Heng abruptly withdrew his Progenitor perception — — panting heavily — — his dark golden slit pupils surging violently like two storms — —
"You perceived it — —" A voice resounded in the void — —
Not issued from the mouth of the figure on the throne — — but vibrated out from the dark golden void itself — — like Earth speaking — — like bloodline speaking — —
"My child — —"
The figure on the throne still had his eyes closed — — but his voice was as low and profound as crustal movement — — every syllable causing the entire void to produce a faint resonance — —
"I have waited for you for three billion years — —"
Li Heng gritted his teeth — — the ancestor core in his chest felt like it was going to burst — — he forcefully suppressed that crazy sense of resonance — — his voice hoarse yet firm — —
"Who are you — —"
"What my name is does not matter — —" The sleeper's voice was like an ancient bell — — "In your cognition — — there is no name of mine — — because Atum erased me — —"
"He erased all records of me — — from the history books of the Old Gods — — from the darkhold — — from human memories — —"
"But he could not erase my very self — — because I am not consciousness — — not soul — — I am the blood of this planet — — as long as Earth still exists — — I exist — —"
"He cannot kill me — — just as you cannot kill your own blood — —"
"So he sealed me here — — deep within the Earth's core — — the place of soul destination — — letting me sleep — — until eternity — —"
"But eternity is too long — —" The sleeper finally moved — —
His eyelids trembled slightly — — like two mountains moving — — and then — —
Slowly opened — —
A pair of dark golden slit pupils — —
Exactly the same color as Li Heng's ancestor core — —
The same slit pupils — — the same dark golden color — — equally profound as an abyss — —
"Three billion years — —" The sleeper's voice carried endless exhaustion and loneliness — — "I have slept alone here for three billion years — — no companions — — no dialogue — — only the souls of countless perished ones accompanying my long sleep — —"
"Until you were born — —"
"A human possessing the ancestor core — — a descendant of the God-Slayer chosen by the system — — a vampireProgenitor who inherited the right to rule bloodline — —"
"Your ancestor core — — is a fragment of my bloodline — — that piece Atum stripped from me three billion years ago — — passed down through countless generations — — finally falling upon you — —"
"So you and I — — flow with the same blood — —"
[Ding!! ancestor core · Bloodline Tracing — — Deep Awakening!! Detected Progenitor True Source — — God of Origins · Dark Golden Bloodline!! Host's ancestor core and the God of Origins have a direct bloodline connection — — Connection degree — — 97.3%!!]
[The ancestor core is resonating with the bloodline of the God of Origins — — Host's Ancestor Power is about to undergo a qualitative change — —!!]
The system panel refreshed frantically — — dark golden prompt characters surged out like a waterfall — —
Li Heng's body trembled uncontrollably — — the ancestor core erupted in his chest like a supernova — — dark golden blood spewed out from every crack in his entire body — — like millions of dark golden threads in the void — — extending toward the God of Origins on the throne — —
Bloodline resonance — — Progenitor and Origins — — reconnecting like child and mother bodies — —
"Stop — —!" Wanda stepped forward — — the crimson-golden Chaos God-Slaying Power stood like a barrier across between Li Heng and the God of Origins — — "What on Earth do you want to do — —!"
The dark golden slit pupils of the God of Origins slowly turned toward Wanda — — like the gaze of two stars focusing on a tiny point of light — —
"God-Slayer — —" There was no hostility in his voice — — even carrying a hint of tenderness — — "Do not be nervous — — I will not harm him — —"
"He is my child — — the child I have waited for for three billion years — —"
"I just — — want to talk to him — —"
"After speaking — — he will leave — — taking the soul he wants — —"
Wanda did not relax her vigilance — — the crimson-golden barrier still lay between the two — — "Speak — —"
The God of Origins seemed to smile slightly — — that expression on his mountain-like face was like a minor fold of the crust — —
"Do you know why Atum was able to kill the Old Gods — —?"
Wanda did not answer — —
"Because he inherited my bloodline — — 'the primitive power to devour all other bloodlines' — — Chthon's Black Magic, Set's snake venom, Mephisto's hellfire — — in front of the power of bloodline, they are all food — —"
"But Atum used my bloodline to kill my other children — — this made me very sad — — so when he sealed me here — — I did not resist — —"
"I am tired — — my children devoured each other — — degenerating into demons — — my bloodline was used for slaughter rather than nourishment — — this planet turned from the Garden of Eden into a slaughterhouse — —"
"So I chose to sleep — —"
"Until — — a new Progenitor was born — —"
His dark golden slit pupils looked back at Li Heng — — "You are different from them — — Chthon, Set, Mephisto— — they rule and plunder with power — — but you — —"
"You only want to lie on the sofa — — eat the food cooked by your wife — — and live an ordinary life — —"
"You never actively conquer — — never actively demand — — you are not even willing to save the world — — only wanting to protect one person — —"
"This is the first time in three billion years — — that my bloodline has been used to 'protect' instead of 'devour' — —"
"This makes me — — very gratified — —"
His voice was like an ancient wind — — blowing across the dark golden void — — blowing across countless sleeping souls — —
"So — — I give you two gifts — —"
"The first — — Hannah's soul — —"
He raised a mountain-like finger — — and gently tapped — —
Hannah's soul point of light floated up from the void — — the orange-red light flew toward Li Heng as if summoned — — condensing in mid-air — — taking shape — —
A girl's phantom — — short brown hair — — bright eyes — — with that forever warm smile on her face — —
"Father — —" Hannah's phantom looked at Li Heng — — her voice coming from a very distant place — — "Do not cry — — I do not regret it — —"
"You said — — family is not a tool — —"
"So—let me go home—"
The orange-red light surged into Li Heng's ancestor core—like a warm little sun slowly settling within the dark golden ocean—finally—stopping at the deepest part of the ancestor core—
[Ding!! Soul Return · Hannah Newlin—Successful!! Hannah's soul has been permanently bound to the ancestor core—Once the ancestor core is repaired to 100%—Hannah will be reborn as an Ancestor Kinsman—!!]
"She will come back—" The God of Origins's voice was like a promise— "As long as your ancestor core is fully repaired—she will be reborn from your bloodline—not the original Hannah—but her memories and soul are the same—"
Li Heng clenched his fists—his dark golden slit pupils burning like two raging fires— "What about the second gift—"
The God of Origins's dark golden slit pupils narrowed slightly—
"The second gift—is the truth—"
"Before The Tamperer died, he said— 'The true chess player was never me'— Do you want to know who the chess player is—"
"I'll tell you—"
"The chess player—is Gaea—"
These two words struck Li Heng's mind like two dark golden meteorites—
Gaea—Mother Earth—Goddess of Earth—the only benevolent deity among the Old Gods remaining on Earth—the Guardian who guided the evolution of life—the common mother of the second generation of gods—
How could she be the chess player—?
"You don't believe it—" The God of Origins's voice was like a sigh— "Then I'll let you see—"
He raised his hand—dark golden light flowing from his fingertips—weaving into a scene in the void—
In the scene—
Three billion years ago—
Gaea stood beside Atum, who had just finished sealing the God of Origins—a gentle smile on her face—like a loving mother—
But after Atum left—
Her smile vanished—replaced by a cold, abyss-like expression—
She squatted down—her palm pressed against the Earth's core—dark green light flowing from her palm into the seal—
Not reinforcing the seal—but adding a "valve" to the seal—
This valve allowed the seal's energy to leak slowly—like a faucet secretly turned open—
The leaked energy flowed to seven locations—seven sealing nodes—
Three billion years of slow accumulation—allowed the seven sealing nodes to store enough energy—
And The Tamperer—was merely Gaea's agent—he was responsible for opening the valve—allowing the accumulated energy to be released instantly—reversing the seal's logic—
"Gaea—" The God of Origins's voice was like a groan from deep within the Earth's crust— "She began plotting three billion years ago—her goal is—"
"To awaken me—"
"Because—I am this planet's blood—and she is the Earth's flesh—blood and flesh should be one—but Atum sealed me away—causing her to lose her blood—for three billion years—she has been slowly weakening—"
"She needs me to return—to merge with her once more—so she can restore her complete power—"
"But my awakening requires the ancestor core as a key—so she has been waiting—waiting for an ancestor to be born—"
"Waiting for you—"
The scene vanished—the void returned to dark golden silence—
"So—" Li Heng's voice tightened slightly— "The second gift you mentioned—is to let me know—that everything I've walked along this path—from awakening my Ancestor Power until now—has been within Gaea's calculations—?"
"Yes—and no—" The God of Origins's voice was like an ancient bell— "Gaea is indeed plotting—but she cannot control your choices—she can only create conditions—to let you walk here—"
"But today you can choose—to awaken me—or—not awaken me—"
"Awaken me—my bloodline will completely merge with yours—your Ancestor Power will transform to the ultimate level—enough to contend with Gaea—but the price is—I will no longer slumber—my existence will affect Earth's core—potentially triggering global geological catastrophes—"
"Not awaken me—you take Hannah's soul and leave—go back to live your ordinary days—but Gaea will continue plotting—until she finds the next ancestor—and then forcibly awakens me—by then she will obtain the complete me—the entire Earth will become her nourishment—"
"Both choices—are not good choices—"
"But I am giving you a third one—"
A cunning light flashed in his dark golden slit pupils—like an old fox that had slumbered for three billion years finally finding someone to mess with—
"You don't need to awaken me—nor do you need to not awaken me—"
"You can—absorb a portion of my bloodline—enough for you to contend with Gaea—but not enough to make me fully awaken—"
"I will continue to slumber—but a bit lighter than now—occasionally waking up—stretching—turning over—it won't trigger catastrophes—at most causing somewhere to occasionally have an earthquake—"
"And you—will obtain the essence of the Power of Origins—transforming your Ancestor Power to the ultimate—the only price is—"
"From now on, coming to chat with me once a month—"
"Three billion years is too stifling—"
Li Heng was stunned—
He looked at Wanda—Wanda was also looking at him—both saw the same emotion in each other's eyes—
This old fellow—hasn't spoken in three billion years—he must be suffocatingly bored, right—
"Every month—" Li Heng's mouth twitched— "You want me to cross four thousand kilometers of the Earth's crust every month just to chat with you—?"
"You can also project me into your living room—" the God of Origins said righteously— "Although I am slumbering—my soul's destination and the ancestor core are connected—as long as you use the ancestor core as a router—I can act as the Wi-Fi signal—"
Li Heng: "…"
Wanda: "…"
[Ding!! Origin Bloodline · Partial fusion plan has been generated—Host can execute upon confirmation—!! After fusion, Ancestor Power will transform to the Origin level—Comprehensive combat power breaks through SSS+—!! Additional effect—Origin Projection · Living Room Wi-Fi—!!]
"Fine—" Li Heng took a deep breath— "Deal—but there is a condition—"
"Speak—"
"When you project into my living room—you are not allowed to steal my wife's braised brisket—"
A trace of grievance flashed in the God of Origins's dark golden slit pupils— "...I've slumbered for three billion years—I haven't even had a sip of hot soup—"
"No—that was made by my wife—if you want soup, make it yourself—"
"...Deal."
Dark golden light surged out from within the God of Origins—like a dark golden long river—crossing the void—passing through Wanda's barrier—straight into Li Heng's ancestor core—
Origin Bloodline · Partial Fusion—Initiated—
[Ding!! Origin Bloodline · Fusing—1%—5%—15%—!!]
[ancestor core Transformation—Ancestor Power → Power of Origins—!!]
[Host Comprehensive Combat Power Assessment—SSS → SSS+ → Breaking through SSS+—!!]
[Ancestor Dharma Image · Upgrade—Origin Dharma Image · Unlocked—!!]
[vampire Clan Resonance · Upgrade—Origin Resonance · Unlocked—All vampire units permanently gain a weak Origin Bloodline bonus—!!]
[Soul Covenant · Upgrade—Origin Covenant · Unlocked—Wanda Maximoff's and the Host's soul connection is permanently solidified—No matter how far the distance—the Soul Covenant will never be interrupted—!!]
[Fusion Progress—87%—93%—99%—!!]
[Fusion Complete!! Origin Projection · Living Room Wi-Fi—Connected—Signal Strength—Excellent—!!]
Li Heng stood within the void—light intertwined with dark gold and crimson erupted around his body like a supernova—then slowly converged—returning to calm—
He lowered his head to look at his hands—dark golden light, even more profound than before, flowed within his palms—like liquid stars—
Power of Origins—he had finally touched this primordial power from three billion years ago—
"How does it feel—" Wanda walked to his side—reaching out—her fingertips lightly touching the back of his hand—
"Like—" Li Heng grasped her hand—his dark golden slit pupils reflecting two warm stars— "Like drinking a bowl of hot soup—warming from the stomach down to the feet—"
"Let's go—home—the braised brisket should still be hot—"
A dark golden portal tore open in the void—on the other side of the door—Brooklyn Villa—the sofa—the television—tomato braised beef brisket—
The moment before stepping into the portal—Li Hengturned back to glance at the God of Origins on the throne—
That mountain-like figure had closed his eyes once more—but a barely perceptible arc hung at the corners of his mouth—like an old man who had finally waited for his child to come home—
"Next month—remember to come chat—" The God of Origins's voice was like the wind from afar—
"Got it—" Li Heng stepped into the portal—
Dark golden light swallowed everything—
Brooklyn Villa—
Li Heng and Wanda stepped out from the portal—
The living room was intact as before—the television was still playing Friends—the tomato braised beef brisket on the coffee table was surprisingly still steaming—as if time had stagnated here—
Wanda collapsed onto the sofa— "I'm exhausted to death—"
Li Heng sat beside her—picked up the bowl—took a bite of the brisket—
"Mhm—delicious—"
"Of course—" Wanda closed her eyes—the corners of her mouth turning up— "This young lady's craftsmanship—"
At this ultimate moment of ordinary peace—
The system issued the final prompt—
[Ding!! Power of Origins · Awakening Complete—Host's Current Comprehensive Combat Power—Origin Level · SSS+—!!]
[Global Old Gods Seal Status—Stable—MephistoPassage—Permanently Severed—The Tamperer—Eliminated—Gaea's Plot—Seen Through—God of Origins—Ally—]
[Current Threat Level—Low—Host Can Peacefully Slacken Off—]
[Also—Hannah's Soul Repair Progress—37%—Estimated Completion Time—7 Days—By then Hannahwill be reborn as an Ancestor Kinsman—Please look forward to it, Host—]
[Furthermore—Origin Projection · Living Room Wi-Fi · First Connection Request—Allow or Not—?]
Li Heng looked at that final prompt—his mouth twitched—
"Allow—"
Dark golden light shot out from the ancestor core—condensing into a translucent figure in the corner of the living room—the mountain-like physique compressed to normal human size—dark golden slit pupils—like two gentle stars—
The God of Origins's projection—stood in Li Heng's living room—looking at the two people on the sofa—looking at the brisket on the coffee table—looking at Friends playing on television—
"Three billion years—" His voice was like a sigh in the wind— "Turns out the mortal world has become so interesting—"
"Can you let me taste a bite of that—" He pointed at the brisket—
"No—" Li Heng and Wanda said in unison—
"…"
Outside the window—New York's night sky was dotted with stars—no dark red light pillars—no dimensional doors—no aura of the Old Gods—only the city's neon lights and the distant ferry foghorns—
Li Heng snuggled on the sofa—Wanda in his arms—a bowl of brisket beside him—the thirty-billion-year-old God of Origins's projection opposite them—the television playing the seventh season of Friends—
Everything had returned to the way he was most familiar with—
But he knew—
Gaea was still plotting—
That pair of gentle yet cold hands—were still slowly moving chess pieces in some corner of Earth—
She needed the God of Origins—needed the complete him—
And Li Heng had only given her half—
This chess game—was far from over—
Chapter 68: Hannah Reborn! Progenitor Kin · Dark Gold Slit Pupils — — Gaea Declares War!!
Seven days later.
Newlin City, vampire stronghold apartment.
Six o'clock in the morning — — sunlight slipped through the gap of the curtains — — painting a thin golden line on the wooden floor — —
Li Heng sat in the chair by the bedroom window — — having sat there for a full seven days — —
Seven days — — 168 hours — — 10,080 minutes — — he hadn't closed his eyes once — —
His dark gold slit pupils were bloodshot — — his chin was covered in cyan stubble — — and he was still clutching a neatly folded white coat — — Hannah's favorite one — —
Wanda leaned against the doorframe — — holding a cup of cold coffee — — looking as if she wanted to say something but stopped — —
She had been trying to persuade him for six days — — "You need rest" — — "Hannah wouldn't want you to be like this" — — but every sentence was warded off by Li Heng's head shake — —
"I'll wait a bit longer — —" he always said this — —
The ancestor core throbbed slowly in his chest — — the repair progress climbed day by day — —
[Beep!! Hannah Newlin Soul Repair Progress — — 91% — — 93% — — 95% — —]
Every time it throbbed — — the system panel refreshed once — —
97% — —
98% — —
99% — —
The fingers with which Li Heng gripped the white coat trembled slightly — — his dark gold slit pupils stared fixedly at the virtual panel in the air — — like someone staring at a lottery ticket about to draw results — —
99.5% — —
99.8% — —
99.9% — —
"Beep — —!!"
A prompt tone crisp to the extreme — — like crystal cups colliding — —
[Hannah Newlin Soul Repair — — 100% — —!! Progenitor Kin · Rebirth Protocol Initiated — —!!]
Dark golden radiance burst from Li Heng's chest — — not expanding outward — — but collapsing inward — — like the reverse process of a supernova — — all the dark golden light tide surged from the air, from the walls, from the ceiling — — converging into the ancestor core — — and then at the center of the ancestor core — — condensing into a point of light — —
That point of light, like a seed — — took root and sprouted in the dark golden void — —
A skeleton formed — — a meridian extended — — a muscle fiber wove — — a piece of skin covered — —
Like 3D printing — — a girl's figure gradually became clear in the dark golden radiance — —
Short brown hair — — bright eyes — — a petite nose — — the arc of the corners of her mouth slightly upturned — —
Exactly the same as in his memory — —
But also different — —
Her eyes — — no longer the gentle brown of before — —
But instead — — dark gold slit pupils — —
Exactly the same color as the ancestor core — —
The mark of a Progenitor Kin — — an individual who directly inherits the core of the Progenitor Bloodline — — not an ordinary vampire — — but the "blood relative" of the Progenitor — — an existence higher than the patriarch, closer to the Progenitor itself than the Elders — —
Throughout the history of the vampires — — a Progenitor Kin had never appeared before — — because no vampirehad ever returned their own soul fragments to the Progenitor — —
Hannah was the first — — and also the only one — —
The dark golden radiance slowly dissipated — — Hannah's body fell from the void onto the bed — — like a sleeping princess who had just awakened — —
Her dark gold slit pupils slowly opened — — like two dark golden stars lighting up in the morning light — —
Then — — she saw Li Heng, who had guarded the bedside for a full seven days — —
"Father — —"
Her voice was as if waking from a long dream — — hoarse — — soft — — but carrying an indescribable warmth — — like the first cup of hot cocoa in winter — —
"I had such a long dream — —"
Li Heng reached out — — and tousled her hair — — his fingers trembling slightly — —
"It's good that you're awake — —" his voice was hoarse — — something was flashing in his dark gold slit pupils — — not Ancestor Power — — it was tears — —
"Let's go home — —"
Just two words — — but Hannah understood all the meanings — —
Her nose soured — — she threw herself into Li Heng's arms — — tears bursting the levies in her dark gold slit pupils — —
"I thought I would never see you again — —" she hugged Li Heng's waist — — like a drowning person hugging a driftwood — — "In that dream — — it was so dark — — so cold — — there was only a little bit of orange-red light — — I kept looking at that beam of light — — because I knew — — that was you — —"
"That's the color of braised beef brisket — —"
Li Heng hugged her — — resting his chin on top of her head — — a smile carrying in his voice — — but tears had already fallen — — dripping onto Hannah's short brown hair — —
Wanda stood at the doorway — — the coffee cup slipped from her hand — — shattering on the floor with a "clatter" — — but she didn't go to pick it up — — instead covering her mouth — — weeping tearfully — —
The family — — was complete again — —
[Beep!! Progenitor Kin · Hannah Newlin — — Rebirth Complete!! Bloodline Type — — Origin Kin · Dark Gold Bloodline!! Comprehensive Combat Power Evaluation — — S-Rank!! Special Ability — — Progenitor Resonance · Independent Channel — — Can directly exchange energy with the ancestor core without loss — — No need for the whole clan network — —!!]
[Host ancestor core Repair Degree — — Due to Hannah's soul return — — replenished to — — 100% — —!! Power of Origins · Completely Stable — — Comprehensive Combat Power Maintained — — Origin-Tier · SSS+ — —!!]
[vampire Clan's Current Status — — Total Population 2417 — — Progenitor Kin 1 person — — Patriarch-tier 3 people — — Elder-tier 12 people — — Ordinary vampire2401 people — — Clan Average Combat Power — — B+ Rank — — Overall Strength Rating — — S-Rank — —!!]
The system panel refreshed frantically — — but Li Hengonly looked at one line — —
Hannah is alive — —
The rest — — didn't matter — —
"Let's go — —" he stood up — — pulling Hannah with one hand — — and Wanda at the door with the other — — "Home — — to eat braised beef brisket — —"
Hannah blinked her dark gold slit pupils — — "I want to eat it too — —"
"You just resurrected — — drink blood first — — there's plenty of beef brisket in the future — —"
"I don't care — — I want to eat beef brisket — —"
"...Fine — — you have the final say — —"
The three walked out of the apartment — — a dark golden portal ripped open at the end of the corridor — —
But just stepping out one step — —
Li Heng stopped — —
His dark gold slit pupils suddenly contracted — —
Not because the other side of the door was wrong — — but because — —
The sky had changed — —
Above Newlin City — — the originally clear morning sky was as if torn apart by an invisible hand — — revealing the dark green underneath — —
Not an aurora — — not clouds — — but — —
Power of the Earth — —
Gaea's power — —
Like a layer of dark green film covering the entire sky — — sunlight filtered into a sickly yellowish-green — — like looking at the world through rotted leaves — —
Everyone in the entire city stopped in their tracks — — looking up at the sky — — fear spreading like a plague — —
[Beep!! Global abnormal energy fluctuations detected — — Source — — Power of the Earth · Gaea — —!! Threat Level — — SSS- — —!!]
[Gaea has activated "Earth Will · Global Declaration" — — She is broadcasting to all humanity — —!!]
Then — — the voice sounded — —
Not coming from the sky — — not coming from the ground — — but coming from beneath every person's feet — — from the foundations — — from the soil — — from the rocks — — as if the Earth itself was speaking — —
"Children of Earth — —"
A gentle and deep female voice — — like a mother's whisper coaxing a child to sleep — — but the volume covered the entire Earth — — every inch of land was shaking — — every rock was resonating — —
"I am Gaea — — your Mother Earth — —"
"Three billion years ago — — I was born from the flesh and blood of this planet — — I nurtured all things with my body — — I watched you stand up from the mud — — go from savagery to civilization — —"
"I have never harmed you — — I only protect — —"
"But now — — there is an existence — — threatening the tranquility of the Earth — —"
"His name is Li Heng — — a vampire — — a parasite that stole the bloodline of the Earth — — he stole the power belonging to me — — the bloodline of the God of Origins— — that is the heart of the Earth — — it is he who makes this land wither day by day — — it is he who causes frequent earthquakes — — it is he who makes volcanoes restless — —"
"If he is not stopped — — the Earth will wither — — every inch of land beneath your feet will turn into a wasteland — —"
"So — — I ask you — — children of Earth — — help me — —"
"Hand him over — — let me take back my bloodline — — and the Earth will return to tranquility — —"
The voice dissipated — — the dark green sky slowly returned to normal — — but fear had already been planted — —
Globally — — every country — — every city — — every television — — every mobile phone — — was frantically spreading the same name — —
Li Heng.
vampire.
Thief.
Public Enemy of the Earth.
Newlin City apartment corridor — —
Li Heng stood in place — — two balls of cold flames burning in his dark gold slit pupils — —
"Gaea—" He whispered the name—there was no fear in his voice, only a rage suppressed to the absolute extreme—
"Laying your plans three billion years ago—closing the net today—and you've even learned how to pin labels on people—"
"Saying I stole the bloodline of the Earth—saying I am a parasite—"
"Take a look at yourself—who secretly added valves to the seal three billion years ago? Who fostered The Tampererand almost destroyed the entire world? Who is jumping out now to harvest the complete bloodline of the God of Origins—"
"A thief crying thief—what a fine trick—"
Wanda walked to his side, the golden light in her green eyes flickering slightly. "What she said—ordinary people will believe it—"
"Of course they'll believe it," Li Heng sneered. "Who wouldn't believe the words of the Mother of the Earth? If she says the Earth is weakening, then it must be weakening. If she says I did it, then I did it. When it comes to public opinion, Gaea plays it better than anyone else—"
"But—" Hannah clenched her fists, a trace of worry flashing in her dark gold slit pupils. "She doesn't just want public opinion—she is summoning—"
Li Heng sensed it—
At the same time Gaea's voice dissipated, a dark green energy surged from all corners of Earth—not towards ordinary people, but towards those beings possessing divine power—
The new generation of deities—descendants of Gaea—
In different corners, they felt Gaea's summons—that was a call on the bloodline level, resembling an ancestor's call to vampires, but older and more irresistible—
Asgard—
Thor stood on the Bifrost Bridge—dark green energy wound around the storm-ax like vines, and Gaea's voice echoed in his bloodline—
"My child—the Earth is weeping—go—bring back my bloodline—"
Greece—
Hercules was practicing punches on the ruins of Mount Olympus—dark green energy coiled around his arms like a snake—
"My child—the Earth is bleeding—go—bring back my bloodline—"
Mars—
Ares sat on the ruins of a war-torn battlefield—dark green energy covered his entire body like armor—
"My child—the Earth is burning—go—bring back my bloodline—"
Three dark green pillars of light soared into the sky from three directions of Earth—like three nails, nailing Gaea's will into the firmament—
[Ding!! Detected three S-Rank or higher divine powers responding to Gaea's summons—Thor—Hercules—Ares—moving towards the host's current location—!!]
[Estimated arrival time—17 minutes—!!]
Three gods—
Two S-Ranks—one SS-Rank—
Coupled with Gaea's global public opinion pressure—
This is not a battle—this is an encirclement and suppression—
Li Heng took a deep breath—
The Power of Origins flowed slowly within his body—like a dark golden long river—calm—profound—containing mighty power sufficient to overturn everything—
But he did not move—
He simply reached out—taking the hands of Wanda and Hannah—
"Are you scared—" he asked—
Wanda tightened her grip on his hand, the golden light in her green eyes burning like a star. "As long as you are here—I am not afraid—"
Hannah clenched the corner of his clothes, tears and fury alternating in her dark gold slit pupils. "She portrays you as a bad person—I am not afraid of her—I want to be jealous of her—"
"...That's not what being jealous means—"
"Anyway, I want to be jealous—"
Li Heng laughed—
That kind of unfettered, ultimate laugh—
"Fine—then let her see—" He raised his head to look at the sky—his dark gold slit pupils reflecting two burning planet—
"Who is truly the bloodline of this land—"
Then he paused—his expression changing subtly—
"Wait—I suddenly thought of a question—"
"Gaea said I am a parasite—that I stole the bloodline of the Earth—"
"But the God of Origins said—my ancestor core was a bloodline fragment stripped from him by Atum three billion years ago—passed down through countless generations to land on me—"
"In other words—this bloodline—I didn't steal it—it was given by Atum—"
"Atum—Gaea's own born son—"
"So—if we trace the root—this bloodline was a legal inheritance from the very beginning—what right does she have to call me a 'thief'—"
"Gaea—you are lying—"
He lowered his head to look at the Earth beneath his feet—a sharp light flashing through his dark gold slit pupils—
"You are not trying to take back the bloodline to save the Earth—you just want to swallow the God of Origins—to make yourself stronger—"
"Mother of the Earth?—You even want to devour your own creations—do you deserve to be called a 'mother'—"
The Earth beneath his feet trembled slightly—as if stepping on a sore spot—
Gaea did not respond—but the dark green sky appeared once more—thicker than before—more oppressive—as if the entire firmament was covered by a layer of emerald pus—
This was her answer—
She didn't care about the truth—
She only wanted the result—
Seventeen minutes countdown—
[16:58—16:57—]
Three gods were rushing over—global public opinion was fermenting—Gaea was upping the ante—
And Li Heng stood in the center of the corridor—holding Wanda with his left hand and Hannah with his right—a somewhat helpless arc hanging on the corners of his mouth—
"I really just wanted to eat a bowl of brisket—why is it so hard—"
[Ding!! System prompt—Host's current Origin-level combat power·SSS+—sufficient to head-on contend with SSS-level threats—but Gaea's true body combat power is unknown—Suggesting Host—handle with caution—]
"Caution—?" Li Heng let out a sneer, "I have never known how to write those two words—"
He released both of their hands—turning to face them—
"Listen to me—things might get very messy next—Gaeadumped the blame on my head—everyone in the worldwill come looking for trouble with me—"
"But I don't care—"
"I only care about two things—"
"First—you are safe—"
"Second—today's noon brisket must be eaten—"
"Therefore—I plan to resolve this matter in the fastest way—"
Wanda looked into his eyes, suddenly understanding something— "You are going to—"
In Li Heng's dark gold slit pupils were like two dark golden sun—
"Instead of waiting for them to fight their way over—I might as well proactively go find Gaea—"
"Since she wants the bloodline of origins—"
"Then let her see with her own eyes—whose bloodline this actually is—"
A dark golden portal tore open behind him—but this time it did not lead to Brooklyn—
But to—
Deep within the Himalayas—where Gaea's consciousness core is located—
[Ding!! Coordinates locked—Himalayas·Kangchenjunga·30 kilometers underground—Gaea's consciousness core—Detected S-Rank divine power response—!!]
Li Heng stepped into the portal—
Wanda and Hannah closely followed behind—
The figures of the three disappeared into the morning light of Newlin City—
And the exact same second they left—
Three dark green meteors streaked across the horizon—
Thor—Hercules—Ares—
The three gods descended upon Newlin Citysimultaneously—
But—
The place was empty—
Thor gripped his storm-ax tightly—a trace of confusion flashing in his blue eyes—
"He is not here—?"
Hercules frowned— "The Mother of the Earth said he was right here—"
Ares drew his battle saber—a trace of bloodthirsty smile hanging on his face—
"The monk can run, but the temple can't run—when he comes back—"
"We—will wait right here—"
The three deities—blocked the exits of Newlin City—
Deep within the Himalayas—
Li Heng was already standing in front of Gaea—
His dark gold slit pupils looked at the female figure before him, as if condensed from the Earth itself—dark green long hair hung down like a waterfall—her gentle face resembled a Renaissance Madonna statue—but the depths of her eyes were a bottomless dark green—
"Hello—Mother of the Earth—" Li Heng's mouth wore that iconic, somewhat roguish smile—
"Let's chat—what on Earth are you trying to do—"
Gaea looked at him—in her dark green eyes, there was no surprise—not even hostility—only a nonchalance as if looking at a chess piece—
"I have already made it very clear—" Her voice was like the whisper of the Earth itself—gentle and irresistible—
"Return the bloodline of origins to me—and then—go die—"