Chapter 1144: A Lifetime

“Of course.” Gao Xin produced a black recorder and pressed the power button. Nothing happened.

“Did your magic fail again, Uncle Xin?” Gao Xin produced a black recorder and pressed the power button. Nothing happened.

“Most likely out of battery,” Gao Xin explained.

Qing Ling summoned the recorder to her by manipulating its metal casing and held it for more than ten seconds. Then she turned it on. The screen flickered to life.

She returned it to Gao Xin, who made a few clicks before pressing play.

Gao Shou's bright laughter filled the room.

“Hahaha! Congrats, Brother. You’re an awakener now. What Talent did you acquire? I’m talking about the voice in your head. Yours can’t be better than mine. I have Absolute Defense, ranked ninth!”

“Brother, I’m likely gone when you hear this. Don’t be too sad. This is an ending Lin Yue and I chose for ourselves. We have no regret.”

“Seriously, compared to an old bachelor like you, I’ve had a hell of a life. I married a beautiful wife and raised two good children. And I got to play hero before my death. I’ll have a nice story to tell on my way to the netherworld.”

“Alright, I’ll stop dawdling. You must be eager to know what’s happening to you. Don’t worry. I’ll give you all the answers.”

“It’s going to be a long explanation. You’re going to think it’s insane and difficult to accept. Well, when my son told me everything, I was on the verge of a breakdown as well. Listen carefully, maybe several times...”

A long explanation followed, then:

“Alright, I’ve told you the necessary stuff. I don’t think I’ve missed anything.”

“Since you’ve awakened, Brother, I’ll entrust Yang Yang and Xinxin to you. But don’t push yourself too hard. The kids will find their way. We, as adults, will just do our best and see where fate leads them.”

“The rest of the recording is meant for my boy. Stop here, and give him the recorder if you can...”

Gao Xin paused the playback and slid the device across the smooth table. Gao Yang picked it up slowly, as if it weighed a thousand kilograms.

Everyone had gotten a review of the Mist World from the half-hour recording—although much of the understanding had been proven wrong.

Vermilion Bird broke the silence. “I have no other question, Uncle Xin.”

“Neither do I,” Gao Yang said.

Dragon quietly sipped his coffee, lifting his hand slightly.

“Same for me,” War Tiger rushed to add before giving Gao Xin an ingratiating smile. “Uncle Xin, we’re soon carrying out our plan to concentrate our power. Let me explain it to you first.”

War Tiger gave a brief explanation.

“It’s a good plan,” Gao Xin approved.

“So what’s your decision?” War Tiger’s gaze remained fixed on him. He might as well have boldfaced texts on his face announcing,

I want your Talents.

Gao Xin thought about it carefully. “I’ll stay.”

“Why?” War Tiger pressed.

“My judgment is still ongoing until the day of the duel. I’m not sure what will happen if the Talent is transferred halfway.”

Vermilion Bird scoffed. “You’re welcome to try, War Tiger. But receiving Judge will come with Uncle Xin’s injury. There may be other side effects, too.”

“Ahaha,” War Tiger laughed awkwardly. “Let’s not. I’m not worried about the side effects. I just worry that something may go wrong and hurt Uncle Xin. Then Little Yang Yang’s gonna fight me to death.”

Vermilion Bird didn’t seem surprised. “Then let’s conclude the meeting. Dismissed.”

The awakeners filed out one by one, leaving Gao Yang alone with his uncle in the meeting room.

Gao Xin looked at his nephew, wondering what he should say. Only now did he realize his meek, considerate nephew had been an illusion, an act meant to spare his uncle worry.

This quiet, brooding young man with an intense gaze was the real Gao Yang—leader of the awakeners, hope of the Mist World, the Divine Scion tasked with salvation.

Gao Xin knew he had no right to offer advice, neither as uncle nor as a newly awakened wanderer.

“Hey.” Gao Xin rose to his feet and gently patted Gao Yang’s shoulder. “If you need me, Yang Yang, just seek me out.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Gao Yang said calmly. “Look for Hong Xiaoxiao. She will give you a tour around the base and arrange a room for you.”

“Okay.”

Gao Xin walked out of the meeting room.

Gao Yang stared at the recorder in his hand. He did nothing but look at it.

...

Single Room in Snake Room, two o’clock in the morning.

There was no bed in the room, but only an old sofa. Gao Yang sat there, sleep eluding him.

He hadn’t returned to his room until early morning. Then he sat there with the recorder in his hand, unable to turn it on.

In the dim silence, whispers of fate seemed to settle like dust motes. Finally, Gao Yang found the courage to push the button.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Pzzt.

“Yang Yang, it’s me, Dad—”

Gao Yang stopped the recording, face pale and chest heaving.

He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t listen to the recording without using Psychic Armor. But he didn’t want to cheat with the Talent. He wanted to face this head-on.

If he couldn’t even bear to listen to his father’s last words, how was he going to face Wang Zikai and Gao Xinxin? He had been running away, but there was a point from which he couldn’t keep on running.

The door creaked open. A tall, slim figure entered with soft steps. Qing Ling, wearing pink bear pajamas from the dorm, carried a seafood sandwich and milk carton. Without acknowledging Gao Yang, she crossed to the kitchen counter and placed the sandwich in the microwave. Only then did she join him on the sofa.

“My microwave isn’t working,” Qing Ling explained.

“Yeah.” Gao Yang turned to her. Her hair had gotten a little longer, the slightly damp tips sticking to her fair neck. He could smell the faint shampoo. She must have just showered after a training session, feeling peckish.

With quick and precise motions, Qing Ling opened the milk and downed it in one go. As usual, drops lingered at the corners of her mouth.

Needing no reminder, though, she licked her lips clean.

Gao Yang watched her, feeling a little dazed. It was as if a lifetime had passed.

“How was the training?” Gao Yang asked.

Qing Ling said, “Slow, but effective.”

Gao Yang simply nodded.

The power concentration plan was proceeding. With Vermilion Bird limited to one trade per day, they had to start now to complete all Talent transfers before the final battle.

John Doe had volunteered first. Her primary Talent was Default, serial number 177, Buff-type.