The finger felt as soft as silk, but Liang Chen's entire body froze up the moment it landed on his spine. Part of the reason he froze up was the surprise of being caught unaware like that, but the main reason was that every inch of his being was screaming at him, his instincts themselves were going haywire in the presence of whoever it was that had arrived behind him.
Liang Chen bit down on his tongue and used the momentary pain to override his instincts and shock, quickly throwing himself forward and past Elder Chaotic. He spun around at the same time, his right arm vanishing and turning into his spear, already crackling with energy and ready for a fight.
Standing where Liang Chen had just been was a white-robed youth who looked to be in the middle of his twenties. The youth had ocean-blue hair that hung loosely down to his neck and verdant green eyes, his skin was somewhat pale and his frame seemed somewhat frail, not a shred of Qi or even lifeforce radiating from his body. The youth was currently inspecting his outstretched finger, a somewhat curious light flashing through his pupils before he turned his gaze onto Liang Chen.
"Why run like that, aren't you the one who called for me?"
Liang Chen didn't immediately respond, his eyes somewhat narrowed as they swept over the youth in front of him. His thoughts were quickly racing, his haywire instincts and thumping heartbeat quickly restrained and returning to normal. He quickly tried to figure out just who this youth was, and how he supposedly called for him. But he couldn't find anything about him even after searching all his memories, so he could only come to one conclusion.
"You're Chang Yun?"
This was the only explanation that Liang Chen could come up with in such a short amount of time, but even he found that it didn't make much sense. He had just unconsciously muttered the name, was it really so coincidental that Chang Yun was actually nearby to hear it? And if it really was the truth, then Liang Chen felt like cursing his luck, why was it that he kept getting involved with these Universal Heart realm people? The youth clapped his hands after Liang Chen responded, seemingly somewhat pleased by the swift response.
"Correct! You're much faster than the last guy I spoke to, had to give him a beating to understand. But looking at your reaction, could it be that this old thing here didn't tell you anything?"
The youth, Chang Yun, pointed at Elder Chaotic, who had no choice but to somewhat awkwardly stand at the side, he was not qualified to speak up in front of a person like this. Chang Yun guessed at the truth by seeing Elder Chaotic's reaction, slapping his forehead.
"Oh for Pete's sake. Old thing, if you're going to take on the role of a teacher then you've gotta at least make sure to teach others properly. This is the exact reason that Little Ying hasn't come to pick you up yet, you gotta grow a bit more, otherwise, you'll just be wandering forever. Little Voidling, let me warn you right now, you should never speak out any of the names on that list. Those nine names, well, seven at the moment only, and anyone who has Empyrean or Sovereign in their title will immediately notice whenever someone speaks their actual name. They can then immediately detect who spoke their name, and in cases like with me, travel there in less than an instant. I'm pretty laid back, but I know some really cranky fellas, if you annoy them then they'll just kill you with a slap."
Liang Chen's pupils shrank when he heard Chang Yun's casual words, this was the first he ever heard about anything like this. He also quickly realized that this meant that if he ever spoke the Sealing God Empyrean's real name, then he would instantly become aware of Liang Chen's location. He couldn't help but let out a quick sigh of relief, at least he hadn't learned the Sealing God Empyrean's name yet, otherwise he would probably be dead by now. But just as Liang Chen let out the sigh, Chang Yun appeared in front of him, a curious grin on his face as he placed his finger against Liang Chen's forehead.
"But really, you've even managed to fuse that terrifying thing into your body and soul, I actually have to touch you to see your memories."
Liang Chen felt a vigorous energy pierce deep into his mind the moment Chang Yun's finger touched his forehead, it felt as if all his secrets were laid bare. To just blatantly go through someone's memories like this was considered an extremely rude thing, but this Chang Yun had clearly reached a stage where he didn't care about something like that. He pulled his finger back after only a short second, letting out a chuckle that slowly grew into laughter as he mimicked Liang Chen's way of talking.
"'If the heavens aren't just, it simply means that someone else will have to take over their role?' 'I will become the wrath that the heavens have always been too lazy to deliver?' Hehehe, Little Voidling, you've got big balls and big ambitions, I gotta give you that. But as your senior, let me tell you something. Just like you said, the heavens aren't just, there is no justice to be found within them, it's just a selfish desire of the universe. But in that very same vein, that justice isn't found within you, it's nothing but a delusion created by a different selfish desire, I should know, I walked the same path once. Even if you step onto that grand peak and take on that duty, you won't ever find that justice, all because you have emotions. As long as living beings and emotions exist, true and proper justice won't exist, killing someone will just make someone else sad in turn, that is just how life works."
Chang Yun was still chuckling as he finished his words but Liang Chen could tell that he wasn't trying to be cruel, he was honestly trying to teach Liang Chen a lesson. But Liang Chen simply nodded his head, his expression not changing in the slightest.
"I know, there is no perfect justice. Killing one evildoer will only create another evildoer in the eyes of another person, perhaps only an emotionless and mechanical god would be able to deliver justice in a manner that won't result in him getting hated. But just as I was told once, I'm not a god, I don't have to save and please everyone, just saving those I can see and reach is more than enough. I'm just a normal person, there's nothing wrong with me choosing to be selfish. I don't want to step onto that grand peak to deliver perfect justice, I just think that if I ever do step onto that grand peak, I'll be able to see further than ever before, my hands will be able to stretch out further than ever before. If I do that, I will be able to save more people, I can prevent more people like me from ever being created."
A soft smile couldn't help but appear on Liang Chen's smile as he spoke. It was Yan Ling herself who had smacked some sense into him, it was she who shattered his delusions of grandeur and perfect justice, she was the anchor that prevented him from getting lost. Chang Yun had skimmed through all of Liang Chen's memories, but even he hadn't expected Liang Chen's answer, his laughter once again growing in intensity as he gave Liang Chen's shoulders a few pats.
"Hehehe, you are an interesting little kiddo, you really are. I wanted justice for all mankind in those dark ages, but only mankind, guess that's the difference between us."
Chang Yun restrained his laughter and pulled back his arms, taking a few steps back and moving away from Liang Chen, a slight grin still visible on his face. His body started to shimmer and fade, he had already spent a bit too long here, he would get more than just an earful if he stayed here for much longer for no good reason. But just before he completely vanished, he left behind a few words for Liang Chen.
"You're heading to that Zookeepers main universe soon, aren't you? Let me tell you something as a sign of respect for managing to merge with that horrifying little thing. If you want to walk that path of yours to the very end then you should enter the Heaven and Hell Dominion once you enter that universe. Who knows, maybe you'll be the first person who'll manage to tame purgatory? As that Little Black Snake would say, I'll be watching you, show me your determination."
The finger felt as soft as silk, but Liang Chen's entire body froze up the moment it landed on his spine. Part of the reason he froze up was the surprise of being caught unaware like that, but the main reason was that every inch of his being was screaming at him, his instincts themselves were going haywire in the presence of whoever it was that had arrived behind him.
Liang Chen bit down on his tongue and used the momentary pain to override his instincts and shock, quickly throwing himself forward and past Elder Chaotic. He spun around at the same time, his right arm vanishing and turning into his spear, already crackling with energy and ready for a fight.
Standing where Liang Chen had just been was a white-robed youth who looked to be in the middle of his twenties. The youth had ocean-blue hair that hung loosely down to his neck and verdant green eyes, his skin was somewhat pale and his frame seemed somewhat frail, not a shred of Qi or even lifeforce radiating from his body. The youth was currently inspecting his outstretched finger, a somewhat curious light flashing through his pupils before he turned his gaze onto Liang Chen.
"Why run like that, aren't you the one who called for me?"
Liang Chen didn't immediately respond, his eyes somewhat narrowed as they swept over the youth in front of him. His thoughts were quickly racing, his haywire instincts and thumping heartbeat quickly restrained and returning to normal. He quickly tried to figure out just who this youth was, and how he supposedly called for him. But he couldn't find anything about him even after searching all his memories, so he could only come to one conclusion.
"You're Chang Yun?"
This was the only explanation that Liang Chen could come up with in such a short amount of time, but even he found that it didn't make much sense. He had just unconsciously muttered the name, was it really so coincidental that Chang Yun was actually nearby to hear it? And if it really was the truth, then Liang Chen felt like cursing his luck, why was it that he kept getting involved with these Universal Heart realm people? The youth clapped his hands after Liang Chen responded, seemingly somewhat pleased by the swift response.
"Correct! You're much faster than the last guy I spoke to, had to give him a beating to understand. But looking at your reaction, could it be that this old thing here didn't tell you anything?"
The youth, Chang Yun, pointed at Elder Chaotic, who had no choice but to somewhat awkwardly stand at the side, he was not qualified to speak up in front of a person like this. Chang Yun guessed at the truth by seeing Elder Chaotic's reaction, slapping his forehead.
"Oh for Pete's sake. Old thing, if you're going to take on the role of a teacher then you've gotta at least make sure to teach others properly. This is the exact reason that Little Ying hasn't come to pick you up yet, you gotta grow a bit more, otherwise, you'll just be wandering forever. Little Voidling, let me warn you right now, you should never speak out any of the names on that list. Those nine names, well, seven at the moment only, and anyone who has Empyrean or Sovereign in their title will immediately notice whenever someone speaks their actual name. They can then immediately detect who spoke their name, and in cases like with me, travel there in less than an instant. I'm pretty laid back, but I know some really cranky fellas, if you annoy them then they'll just kill you with a slap."
Liang Chen's pupils shrank when he heard Chang Yun's casual words, this was the first he ever heard about anything like this. He also quickly realized that this meant that if he ever spoke the Sealing God Empyrean's real name, then he would instantly become aware of Liang Chen's location. He couldn't help but let out a quick sigh of relief, at least he hadn't learned the Sealing God Empyrean's name yet, otherwise he would probably be dead by now. But just as Liang Chen let out the sigh, Chang Yun appeared in front of him, a curious grin on his face as he placed his finger against Liang Chen's forehead.
"But really, you've even managed to fuse that terrifying thing into your body and soul, I actually have to touch you to see your memories."
Liang Chen felt a vigorous energy pierce deep into his mind the moment Chang Yun's finger touched his forehead, it felt as if all his secrets were laid bare. To just blatantly go through someone's memories like this was considered an extremely rude thing, but this Chang Yun had clearly reached a stage where he didn't care about something like that. He pulled his finger back after only a short second, letting out a chuckle that slowly grew into laughter as he mimicked Liang Chen's way of talking.
"'If the heavens aren't just, it simply means that someone else will have to take over their role?' 'I will become the wrath that the heavens have always been too lazy to deliver?' Hehehe, Little Voidling, you've got big balls and big ambitions, I gotta give you that. But as your senior, let me tell you something. Just like you said, the heavens aren't just, there is no justice to be found within them, it's just a selfish desire of the universe. But in that very same vein, that justice isn't found within you, it's nothing but a delusion created by a different selfish desire, I should know, I walked the same path once. Even if you step onto that grand peak and take on that duty, you won't ever find that justice, all because you have emotions. As long as living beings and emotions exist, true and proper justice won't exist, killing someone will just make someone else sad in turn, that is just how life works."
Chang Yun was still chuckling as he finished his words but Liang Chen could tell that he wasn't trying to be cruel, he was honestly trying to teach Liang Chen a lesson. But Liang Chen simply nodded his head, his expression not changing in the slightest.
"I know, there is no perfect justice. Killing one evildoer will only create another evildoer in the eyes of another person, perhaps only an emotionless and mechanical god would be able to deliver justice in a manner that won't result in him getting hated. But just as I was told once, I'm not a god, I don't have to save and please everyone, just saving those I can see and reach is more than enough. I'm just a normal person, there's nothing wrong with me choosing to be selfish. I don't want to step onto that grand peak to deliver perfect justice, I just think that if I ever do step onto that grand peak, I'll be able to see further than ever before, my hands will be able to stretch out further than ever before. If I do that, I will be able to save more people, I can prevent more people like me from ever being created."
A soft smile couldn't help but appear on Liang Chen's smile as he spoke. It was Yan Ling herself who had smacked some sense into him, it was she who shattered his delusions of grandeur and perfect justice, she was the anchor that prevented him from getting lost. Chang Yun had skimmed through all of Liang Chen's memories, but even he hadn't expected Liang Chen's answer, his laughter once again growing in intensity as he gave Liang Chen's shoulders a few pats.
"Hehehe, you are an interesting little kiddo, you really are. I wanted justice for all mankind in those dark ages, but only mankind, guess that's the difference between us."
Chang Yun restrained his laughter and pulled back his arms, taking a few steps back and moving away from Liang Chen, a slight grin still visible on his face. His body started to shimmer and fade, he had already spent a bit too long here, he would get more than just an earful if he stayed here for much longer for no good reason. But just before he completely vanished, he left behind a few words for Liang Chen.
"You're heading to that Zookeepers main universe soon, aren't you? Let me tell you something as a sign of respect for managing to merge with that horrifying little thing. If you want to walk that path of yours to the very end then you should enter the Heaven and Hell Dominion once you enter that universe. Who knows, maybe you'll be the first person who'll manage to tame purgatory? As that Little Black Snake would say, I'll be watching you, show me your determination."
