Chapter 1524: Chapter 1522: Destiny Worm
Can’t leave here?
Hearing the elder’s words, Richard squinted slightly, his body tensed as he left the chair, muscles tightening under his clothes, assuming a battle stance.
Although he preferred peaceful resolutions, he was not afraid of conflict.
It was strange, however, that the elder did not mirror his stance, remaining seated and looking over, speaking softly, "Young man, do not rush. While I will prevent you from leaving, it will not be in the way you imagine—that’s too tiring. As an elder, I have my own, much gentler methods."
Richard listened but did not relax his guard, staring at the elder, ready to counter any attack.
The elder continued, "Do you wish to know the method I intend to use against you? If you’re curious, I’m willing to explain."
Richard did not respond.
The elder began to speak willingly, "As mentioned earlier, for the safety of the plane and to guide it onto the right path, the entire Truth Society is undergoing major corrections to the world. A key point is reversing the effects of life modifications under the Dusk Plan.
According to the Divine Punishment theory, altering life and enhancing its essence defies the role assigned by God, a grave sin. Therefore, the Truth Society initiated the Reverse Dusk Plan, also known as the Dark Seal.
In the Dark Seal process, we employ a series of measures to return many plane entities to ordinary human status, losing their ability to control Extraordinary Power, even their descendants are the same.
Of course, this is to mitigate the risk of Divine Punishment recurring, not to destroy civilization. We do not sever the fresh blood source for Extraordinary Power. Consequently, we retained some individuals outside the Truth Society for special treatment.
Although these individuals are sealed, we’ve left a small loophole, making the seal not so strict. This allows them and their offspring a chance to re-acquire Extraordinary Power through life modification. Though it may not match the Dusk Plan’s level—starting at First-level Wizard—effort can still yield strength, and we call them Seeds.
According to the plan, as the prolonged world correction project nears conclusion, the Seeds on the continent also reach a certain height, successfully becoming the core force of a new era. Guided, they’ll lead others and steer the plane in the right direction. At that time, few Truth Society members remain and can retire peacefully."
"But then again," the elder looked at Richard and smiled, "We cannot ignore risks. We anticipated scenarios where the new era Seeds fail to follow our guidance or repeat old paths.
More extremely, if Seeds realized the Truth Society exists and conspire against us, and Truth Society members weaken due to age, making it impossible to oppose the Seeds. If Seeds, like you’re doing, attack Heaven directly, wouldn’t that render the plan’s efforts in vain?"
"Thus, from the outset, we set a safeguard, one that wouldn’t fail. That is, while leaving loopholes for Seeds, we also cast a taboo spell called Destiny Worm.
This taboo spell generally has no impact on Seeds themselves but leaves a dual mark on their bloodline and soul, making it impossible to remove, even through extreme means like Undead Resurrection, and their offspring will inherit this effect."
The elder smiled wider, gazing at Richard as though staring at a dead man, "Here’s the most spectacular part—once activated, this taboo spell subjects the bearer to relentless assault from both bloodline and soul, rendering resistance or escape impossible. No matter how powerful a Seed, death in endless agony is the inevitable outcome. For Seeds are Seeds!"
"Bang!"
The elder thumped his staff heavily on the ground.
"Boom!"
The staff’s base shattered, unleashing a crimson light that rapidly filled every corner of the palace, enveloping both the elder and Richard.
"This is the signal for activating the Destiny Worm, and this is the card I reserved especially for you. Enjoy and feel the taste of Destiny Worm, relish in my elderly means."
Finishing his words, the elder leaned back in his chair, watching Richard with amusement.
Surrounded by red light, Richard hesitated initially, then smiled oddly, relaxing into his seat, mirroring the elder and sat facing him.
One second, two seconds, three seconds...
Three seconds passed, the red light faded slightly, and Richard showed no change, while the elder’s expression subtly shifted.
Four seconds, five seconds, six seconds...
As time passed, most of the red light faded, but Richard’s demeanor remained unchanged, not showing any signs of pain, and the elder began to frown deeply.
Seven seconds, eight seconds, nine seconds...
The red light dimmed almost completely, Richard seemed like he was about to fall asleep watching the elder, who had his brows furrowed deeply, finally couldn’t help but ask, "You...you’re unscathed?"
Richard opened his eyes, looked at the elder with a hint of a smile, "Mr. Gao Ge, I must say, had you used another method, I might have been hurt. But since you used the so-called Destiny Worm, I’m completely unharmed."
"How is this possible? Destiny Worm is effective on all Seeds, with no exceptions, no means of breaking it. That’s been repeatedly tested and you can’t defy..." The elder was noticeably unsettled.
Richard raised his hand interrupting, "Indeed, Mr. Gao Ge, you are right, Seeds cannot evade your Destiny Worm. Unfortunately, I...am not a Seed."
"Hmm?" The elder seemed to not understand.
"How to say?" Richard spread his hands gently, "Soul matters are complex, and I can’t explain clearly to you. But regarding bloodlines, let me assure you, I’m a pure ordinary person, not a Seed. Therefore, your Destiny Worm was never cast on me, so it’s naturally ineffective."
The elder’s face twitched, staring intently at Richard as if to decipher truth from lie, "If you’re not a Seed, how can you command such tremendous Extraordinary Power? If you’re not a Seed, how could you dismantle my organization beyond Heaven? If you’re not a Seed, how could you enter Heaven, standing before me?!"
"Indeed, I’m not a Seed, but through certain methods, I acquired Seed abilities."
"I don’t believe it!" The elder spoke rapidly, with agitation, "I refuse to believe there’s any despicable method to steal Extraordinary Power."
"Perhaps the method itself isn’t despicable, rather more Advanced than Extraordinary Power, capable of exploring, analyzing, mastering the world, and naturally, exploring, analyzing, mastering Extraordinary Power—everything follows naturally."
"Naturally? Explore, analyze, master the world?" The elder squinted and spoke, "Though I don’t fully grasp your words, I can perceive one thing—you resemble some of the most radical in Ancient Wizard Civilization. Its destruction has already proven people like you only bring disaster. Hence, I must prevent you, at all costs, from letting disaster occur again."
Upon finishing, the elder cast away his broken staff, slowly standing from the chair.
As he rose, his skin tightened quickly, wrinkles vanished, muscles emerged, his muddy eyes cleared, and gray hair turned black.
Like a rejuvenation, the elder aged from over a hundred years to around forty in one breath.
From Elder Gao Ge to Vigorous Gao Ge.
Gao Ge exhaled lightly and looked at Richard, sighing somewhat, "Didn’t expect we’d still have to act."
"I look forward to seeing your display, Mr. Gao Ge."
"I certainly won’t disappoint you," Gao Ge replied.
"Crack!"
The table between Richard and Gao Ge split open, Gao Ge stomped, making the entire palace tremble and rushed forward.
...
