Lian Han retreated several steps, but with the killing intent from the other side increasing rather than decreasing, she finally had nowhere to avoid it. Her S-level mental energy leaked out to protect her, and she finally felt a little better.
“I’m not lying.”
The girl looked directly into his eyes, her clear, bright pupils staring intently at him. Her alluring face was slightly pale, yet her brows held a resolute determination that made her all the more endearing. And she was only 15 years old, yet she already possessed S-level mental strength?
If they grow up—
Bei Ting finally withdrew his mental energy. "You'd better give me an explanation."
Killing someone online, aside from inflicting 50% pain on the victim and at most half a month of recovery in reality, offers no other benefits.
Lian Han breathed a sigh of relief. She could have logged off, but the other party already knew her real-life identity. If she didn't explain clearly, she was afraid he would target her directly, or even the Ling family.
The old man's voice rang out at this moment. Lian Han took a deep breath and said, "I know you, Xing Xiting."
When Bei Ting was called by his real name, he was taken aback. The girl had already rolled up the sleeve of her right arm, and the mark reappeared in his sight.
The lower half of the silver cross star shattered, turning into many dark silver specks of light that scattered in all directions, as if they had been smashed, or as if they were following the cross star—the shattered stars, with their positions and the number of shattered stars being exactly the same.
That was a secret known only to him and that person.
If not, why would he so easily entrust his trust to someone else?
"It was indeed him who tricked me into printing it there. At that time, I had just awakened my spiritual power and he tricked me into crushing the thorn grass and the blazing flower and using my spiritual power to carve it on my arm. It hurt terribly at the time, but I thought that the old man who pulled me back from the brink of death wouldn't lie to me."
"I only realized how awful the old man was when I grew up. It was completely useless. I was almost out of money for nutrient supplements at that time, but he tricked me into buying the alien plant tattoo and getting the mark. I suffered for nothing."
Perhaps it was because her expression was too calm as she told the story, or perhaps it was because she revealed the method of engraving the mark, but Bei Ting's brows relaxed slightly as he waited for her to continue.
"For a long time, he taught me how to survive and conduct myself in society, and occasionally he would give me advice. The old man is the elder I respect the most and the person I trust the most. Of course, it would be even better if he wasn't so talkative and didn't gloat over other people's misfortunes."
“It’s unrealistic to expect him to change,” Bei Ting said.
"Actually, I find it strange. The entire Federation knows that His Majesty Juecheng is dead, so why don't you believe it?"
Bei Ting paused for a moment, then said, "Because his body was not found."
[Holy crap! They didn't even spare my corpse?!] Old Xing was furious.
[So? Are you sure you want me to continue?] Lian Han asked.
This person didn't believe he was dead for 12 years; the old man must have been a very, very important person to him.
Do you think I'll have a chance to see him again?
Lian Hanmo. She harbored some hope and considered resurrecting the old man her ultimate goal—but bringing the dead back to life was an incredibly difficult feat. Even she herself didn't know if it was feasible, and what if she could make others wait?
Old Xing's voice was resolute: "[Rather than waiting hopelessly, it's better to let him give up sooner.]"
Lian Han pursed her lips.
"The old man talked a lot, such as how he used to be the Federation's strongest card maker and how high-spirited he was; how he received orders from the military to go to the front line, only to be met with certain death; how the Zerg and humans joined forces to kill him in that battle; and how he died."
Death? The killing intent that had just dissipated from Bei Ting returned. "I thought you'd be smarter."
"I wouldn't be foolish enough to lie to a 3S powerhouse." Lian Han paused, then recounted the scene described by the old man in his mind's eye. "In that battle, the Zerg deployed three Royal Zerg, but due to incorrect information, he didn't bring any special-grade cards like character cards. Three Royal Zerg would have been manageable; he could have escaped even with serious injuries. But—the humans arrived too, six 3S mechs deployed outwards from him, launching indiscriminate bombardment. How could he possibly escape?"
Lian Han lowered her eyes. This was the first time she had heard the old man recount the events of that time, and her dislike for the military intensified once more. "Never be a soldier," Lian Han thought.
Bei Ting remained silent, his dark eyes swirling with turbulent emotions. The numbers were correct: 3 Royal Insects and 6 3S Mechs.
"So if the body isn't found, there's another consequence—" Lian Han's voice was icy cold, "...nothing remains."
She won't let those people get away with it.
"My encounter with Old Man Xing was purely accidental. The mental energy suppressant I had been injected with failed, causing a mental energy outburst. Under normal circumstances, I should have either died or become an idiot. But in a daze, I was drawn to a wisp of mental energy floating in the void, and when I woke up, my mental energy had dropped to C level."
"After that, a voice appeared in my head. He taught me a lot and told me that my mental power had been sealed by him and would be gradually unsealed later."
It's not uncommon for someone to die and still retain their spirit. But for such a spirit to remain after so many years—how strong must it be? However, Bei Ting quickly recalled that the person was widely recognized as "the closest to a god."
"And then what?"
"It dissipated. Spiritual power without a carrier cannot exist for long. I was only lucky to attract his spiritual power back then."
The girl lowered her eyes, "I just watched him disappear little by little, and there was nothing I could do."
"A very reasonable explanation, but I need evidence. Even that person's disciple could create a Soul-Gathering Card."
Lian Han thought for a moment, "I know some secrets, but I'm not sure if he told you. His character cards are famous, but so are his beast cards. The only difference is that the beast cards disappeared after he died, right?"
Do you know why?
"The monsters on the monster cards were originally living beings. The old man used the original cards to capture them, which is how the corresponding monster cards appeared. Before he died, he released the cards, and the monsters returned to their original world."
"What about the character cards?"
Lian Han raised an eyebrow at him, then said, "Both involve capturing with one's life, but those who choose to become character cards are either desperate or extremely vicious. The cards nurture them, allowing them to reach 3S. Releasing them back into the wild, without restraint, would be the end for the Federation. At least in this respect, beasts are simpler than humans."
"Is that what he was thinking?"
“I think so too. If you still don’t believe me—I’m not at the level to make character cards yet, but I do have monster cards, I’ll bring them to show you next time.”
Bei Ting closed his eyes briefly; he couldn't believe that person was dead. But when the evidence was laid bare before him, his years of rationality forced him to accept the fact.
"He said anything about me?"
"He mentioned that he lost a bet and owes someone a hundred Spirit Gathering Cards, and he'll have to pay them back when he gets the chance. Since you accepted them before, that should be that person."
"I'm sorry." Bei Ting looked at her apologetically.
Lian Han breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Now it's my turn to ask."
"Xing Xiting—who is he?"
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