"I believe in you. Your cultivation won’t be inferior to mine, so stop calling me senior, just call me by my name," Zhong Chi said without hesitation.
For Ding Huan to tread on wood to get here was no easy feat, as there were quite a few Fierce Beasts among the fishes in the sea.
Especially one kind of Swordback Fish, which could not only fly out of the water but also shoot unexpected and unavoidable arrow-like spikes.
"Alright, Senior Zhong, please come aboard." Ding Huan landed on the log again.
"Haha..." Zhong Chi laughed heartily, leaped into the air, and landed at the other end of the log.
He didn’t have much with him, just a single blade in his hand, so he was ready to go whenever he pleased.
Ding Huan’s True Yuan surged out from beneath his feet, and the log instantly sped across the sea.
"Pretty impressive," Zhong Chi couldn’t help but exclaim.
Ding Huan smiled, "Speaking of cultivation, I’m far behind you, Senior. I’m just a bit younger is all. If you weren’t injured, treading on this log at sea would be easy for you."
Zhong Chi shook his head, then said, "Ding Huan, don’t call me senior if you consider me a friend. I’m only in my forties."
"Then okay, I’ll call you Lao Zhong," Ding Huan didn’t mind.
He referred to Zhong Chi as senior out of respect for his contributions in defending Earth against Fierce Beasts, not because his cultivation level was Innate, nor because of his age.
Zhong Chi nodded in satisfaction, "If I wasn’t injured, my True Yuan probably wouldn’t be much thicker than yours. And the way you stand on this log with such ease, I can’t accomplish that.
As for now, I can do even less. The thing you’re cultivating is quite remarkable."
As one of the earliest Innate Strong People, Zhong Chi was clearly aware of the differences in gene Cultivation Techniques.
He understood that what Ding Huan was cultivating must be a gene Cultivation Technique rather than a Martial Arts Technique.
Gene Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts Techniques each have their own strengths, but ordinary gene Cultivation Techniques are far behind Martial Arts Techniques.
The only advantage is that gene Cultivation Techniques can be cultivated quickly and don’t require the lengthy and complicated foundation building of Martial Arts Techniques, which might take years or even decades.
How many decades does a person have in a lifetime? That’s why outstanding individuals in Martial Arts Techniques are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
"Lao Zhong, let me help you with the poison later. Once you’ve regained your strength, we’ll go ashore," Ding Huan said while steering the log toward the reef island where Qi Xinyue was located.
Though he had gravely injured the giant ape on his way here, it was unlikely that the beast would die so easily. If both the giant ape and the Demon Dragon were to come out, he alone would not be a match for them.
"Forget about the antidote, I’m afraid this poison cannot be cured. Once I get back, I’ll first settle the score with that thug Shi Changyi. Even if it kills me, just taking out that scum would bring me peace of mind,"
Zhong Chi said, shaking his head.
Ding Huan speechlessly replied, "Lao Zhong, you’re really too naive."
"What now? Don’t believe in my ability? I don’t have to lift a finger myself to take care of that piece of trash," Zhong Chi retorted, somewhat displeased with Ding Huan’s underestimation.
As Hua Xia’s strongest, it wasn’t just about reputation. He had friends all over the world. Was he supposed to fear a foreign devil?
Ding Huan chuckled:
"Lao Zhong, it’s not that I look down on you. If you weren’t poisoned and at the peak of your strength, maybe you really wouldn’t need to do anything to suppress Shi Changyi. Now that you’re poisoned, it’s a different story.
It’s like being immensely wealthy right now, where people will offer you money without your asking. But once you’re truly down and out—well, let’s just say most of the people you know will start avoiding you."
Zhong Chi fell silent upon hearing Ding Huan’s words.
He was well aware of the Federation and the Blue Star Ten Great Colleges; if he returned injured, Ding Huan’s words might become reality.
The reason the Federation and Hua Xia Security Department had been indulgent toward the Genetic Alliance was because the Genetic Alliance had two superpowerful experts: Alliance Hierarch Shi Changyi, and his shadow, Leng Qi.
Zhong Chi sighed, "I can’t cure my poison, I know that. My veins are poisoned to the root. Even if I hadn’t met you today, I wouldn’t live much longer."
Vein poisoning was something that modern medicine couldn’t handle.
A Genetic Potion might be researched to counter the poison, but Zhong Chi wouldn’t live to see it developed.
Ding Huan smiled, "If I say I can, then I can. Believe it or not, it’s up to you."
Zhong Chi didn’t continue, it wasn’t a matter of belief, it was simply impossible.
...
Qi Xinyue sat on the reef like a statue, staring vacantly at the tumultuous sea, her mind a complete blank.
She didn’t know how long she had been sitting there, nor how much longer she would have to sit.
When two figures appeared in her vision, her thoughts still seemed to drift unconsciously.
It was only when the figures drew closer and she recognized one of them as Ding Huan that she suddenly stood up and rushed to the edge of the reef island.
Ding Huan stopped timely at the edge of the island, leapt down from the log, and looked at the tearful Qi Xinyue, puzzled, "Miss Xinyue, what’s wrong?"
"Ah..." Qi Xinyue suddenly realized that she shouldn’t be like this.
She quickly wiped her eyes, "I’m starting to miss home."
"Right, you don’t need to worry, as long as you work hard on your cultivation, there’s still a glimmer of hope of going home; let’s rest inside for a bit and discuss leaving this place."
After Ding Huan spoke, he suddenly remembered the presence of Zhong Chi and quickly introduced him, "This is Zhong Chi…"
"Ding Huan, isn’t she the woman who was captured on the spaceship? How could she..."
Clearly, Zhong Chi had seen Qi Xinyue before and knew where she came from.
Ding Huan smiled, "Yes, so what?"
Zhong Chi’s expression grew serious, and he looked at Ding Huan and said earnestly,
"Ding Huan, I suggest that you better tie her up now and take her to the Federation for detention; this is no small matter."
Ding Huan looked at Zhong Chi and said indifferently, "Lao Zhong, if you don’t want to leave with us, then stay here. We’re going to take our leave."
After that, Ding Huan didn’t bother to pay any further attention to Zhong Chi and entered the reef cave; his pack was still there.
Zhong Chi hurried forward and said, "Ding Huan, I know you’re definitely upset by what I said, but have you considered the consequences?
If the Federation and the Genetic Alliance find out that you’re together with an alien who invaded Earth, it won’t just be you, everyone around you will be wanted, and it could even reach the point where everyone is out to get you."
Ding Huan turned around and looked at Zhong Chi, speaking slowly and clearly,
"Lao Zhong, whatever I, Ding Huan, do, I don’t need someone else to teach me, and I don’t need the Federation and the Genetic Alliance to point fingers.
Alien invasion of Earth? Heh, ask your conscience, who attracted that spaceship here?"
"I know but..."
Ding Huan waved his hand dismissively, "Lao Zhong, let me make it clear to you, when those idiots of the Genetic Alliance sent out signals looking for alien civilizations, the alien invasion of Earth was already destined, and no one could change that.
This has nothing to do with her; on the contrary, she is a victim, and those who harmed her include the Genetic Alliance and the Federation. Of course, that spaceship is also one of them."
Ding Huan was, of course, clear about Qi Xinyue’s background; in fact, it was similar to his own past.
Before, when he was captured by the Genetic Alliance and taken into space, it was so that he could be experimented on with Genetic Potions.
And Qi Xinyue’s case was similar; she was called a heretic in her hometown and then was brought into space to search for planets where Gods could live.
Speaking of this, Ding Huan stopped and looked at Zhong Chi, saying, "Lao Zhong, before, I felt some pity for you because Shi Changyi had tricked you while you were dealing with a Genetic Beast.
Now, I understand, you really had it coming. Someone who’s set in their ways and just parrots others without thinking deserves to be schemed against.
There’s an old saying ’those who are pitiful must have something hateful about them,’ and it’s about you. Please, can’t you think for yourself? Do you believe whatever that bunch of scum from the Genetic Alliance says? Have you forgotten who poisoned you?"
To be honest, Ding Huan was now somewhat regretting bringing Zhong Chi here.
This guy was so by-the-book, it’s as if he had used all his wits for his cultivation.
"Do you know why the Genetic Federation imprisoned her? It’s because of that bastard Shi Changyi. He wanted to obtain the secrets she carried, and yet he pretended to be virtuous.
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Today, I, Ding Huan, am going to take Qi Xinyue back with me openly and aboveboard; who dares to do anything? And what can they do?" Ding Huan said with irrefutable firmness.
Qi Xinyue saw Ding Huan and Zhong Chi arguing, and she felt somewhat panic-stricken. From their attitudes as they spoke, she sensed it must be because of her.
When she was initially captured, Zhong Chi had been there and had even expressed his agreement. Now definitely seeing her, Zhong Chi wanted Ding Huan to capture her.
However, the resolve in Ding Huan’s attitude and the look of disdain in his eyes let her know that Ding Huan would definitely not capture her.
She watched Ding Huan’s imposing manner blankly, feeling a warmth in her heart.
Perhaps, this was why when she saw Ding Huan return, she cried without realizing it—because she had unconsciously come to regard Ding Huan as a friend.
Zhong Chi was stunned, and after a long while, he slowly came to his senses. He bowed to Ding Huan and said,
"I was set in my ways. I always believed that anything decided by the Federation and the two alliances had to be right. Shi Changyi is a piece of rat droppings, but after all, it’s just one piece. Now I feel I was wrong.
Thank you for reminding me, Ding Huan. I really had put all my energy into cultivating. Many things that were common sense to others, I hadn’t considered at all."
He also remembered Ding Huan’s previous comments about how his poison was incurable, and seeking out Shi Changyi would be a joke.
Ding Huan sighed and said to Zhong Chi, "You should not strive to be the number one fighter, nor let a few flattering words blow you off course.
Here’s a piece of advice: don’t listen to the Federation; you should not think everything the two alliances do is right.
If you take my advice, when you go back this time, join the Security Department; don’t mingle in the martial world anymore, it’s not suitable for you."
"Okay." Zhong Chi earnestly responded to Ding Huan’s words; he didn’t think Ding Huan’s rebukes were wrong.
His daughter had told him more than once to not associate with those people from the Federation and not to trust the people from the Genetic Alliance.
"Forget it, I’ll help you detoxify later. Let’s go," said Ding Huan with resignation.