Chapter 949: Chapter 817: Reversed Causality
When the Paranoid realized that Balrog’s student was the last A-level in the Laval Clan, his mood was truly terrible.
The Laval Clan was entirely his problem, and had nothing to do with Qu Jianlei!
Back then, when he annihilated the clan, he just wanted to vent his anger, and even when he knew there were survivors, he didn’t pursue them.
Unexpectedly, after he let it go, the other side came back for revenge, even implicating the Rhodiola rosea!
This was truly unbearable; the Paranoid, having lived for four hundred years, had never suffered such grievances!
However, although he was sometimes arrogant, he never lost his reason when faced with issues.
How could someone who couldn’t even manage their own temper dare to aspire to reach the Supreme level?
He nodded without revealing his emotions, "So what does Rhine mean by this?"
"Just a reminder," Qinghu answered calmly, "that Balrog guy..."
She pointed to her own head, "has a problem upstairs, so if you can avoid it, don’t quibble with him."
"Oh, really?" the Paranoid asked with interest, "Do you think we can’t take him on, or does Rhine herself want to avoid trouble?"
From his perspective, he naturally looked down on Rhine at this A-level peak; he was concerned about the attitude of the Supreme behind Rhine.
However, Qinghu’s response was flawless, "She’s already given you Niaoming Stream, so she won’t let others settle in."
"But she personally thinks there’s no need for you to have a conflict with Balrog... it’s not worth it!"
Although Rhine wasn’t intimidated by Balrog, she also made it clear there’s no need to argue with a madman.
"Haha," the Paranoid chuckled dismissively, saying nothing further.
Ordinarily, with Qinghu’s temperament, she could leave after delivering the message, but she didn’t; she sat there quietly.
The Paranoid was silent for a moment and then asked, "So where are Balrog and his followers now?"
Qinghu frowned slightly; the response wasn’t unexpected to her — this was indeed an arrogant team.
Still, she was a bit puzzled, "Followers?"
"There’s at least one more Supreme beside Balrog," the Paranoid replied in a deep voice, "someone called Cartel or something."
"Cartel?" Qinghu, as a Supreme, clearly hadn’t been in contact with Balrog and was genuinely unaware of this.
But given Balrog’s identity and influence, it’s unlikely he’d act alone, especially in a revenge matter like this.
So she just paused, then casually asked, "At least two Supremes... is it necessary to take them seriously?"
She was still very careful to maintain the other’s dignity, emphasizing that it’s "not worth it."
"Of course, it’s necessary," the Paranoid replied without hesitation, "Niaoming Stream is our place, why should he claim it without a word?"
Although Rhine refused, the ownership here had changed hands, and Balrog’s behavior indeed lacked respect for the new owner.
"Oh, I see..." Qinghu could also understand the reaction; it was like when the Starlight forcefully entered her Half-Star Island before.
Back then, how could she not have felt resentment? It’s just that the other party had official documents and warships at the ready, leaving her to respond passively.
Now, Balrog was acting out of personal vendetta, without any official backing; isn’t it reasonable for one to retaliate?
However, to be fair, Balrog isn’t easy to deal with, and killing this person might have serious consequences, "The Empire values him greatly."
"So what if they value him?" the Paranoid replied dismissively, "What’s valuable... are the living!"
Just like a deceased genius isn’t a genius, what use are Spiritual Attribute Supremes once dead? They’re worthless.
Hearing this, Qinghu could only shake her head, "Balrog himself hasn’t shown up at Celestial Handle, just sent someone to deliver a message."
The Paranoid looked at her mildly, saying nothing.
That’s it... Qinghu felt like a rat caught in a windmill, getting scolded from both ends.
But she could understand the other’s dissatisfaction; if it were her, she would be dissatisfied too.
Anyway, she had to provide an answer, "I can pass this message to Rhine; she can probably get news more conveniently."
The Paranoid blinked, asking flatly, "Who is the messenger for Balrog’s message, is it inconvenient for you to say?"
If you agreed to help inquire, why go to such lengths?
Truly unreasonable, Qinghu sighed internally; others said she was unfeeling, but she’s nothing compared to this.
She slightly shook her head, "The messenger was someone from the Haiyin Clan..."
This couldn’t be investigated further, but as the once-pride of Heaven, the Paranoid had faced numerous requests.
He dismissively remarked, "Since someone is mediating, there must be a client, right?"
I’m not asking to interrogate the Haiyin Clan, but that guy should at least say who instructed him!
Hearing this, Qinghu felt a headache; was this endless?
However, she knew what the other’s ultimate demand was, so she directly bypassed the perfunctory narratives.
"Give me some time, and I’ll definitely provide Balrog’s location to you; will that do?"
Seeing her promise so straightforwardly, the Paranoid couldn’t keep pressing and simply nodded, "Then hurry up."
Qinghu pondered for a moment, then spoke up, "I haven’t had the pleasure of your name, may I ask how to address you?"
"Just call me ’Elder’," the Paranoid responded casually, "Even Balrog has to address me as Elder, let alone you?"
Qinghu’s eyes shifted thoughtfully, "However, Elder... I still advise you both to be cautious."
"How are you so sure that it’s just the two of us?" the Paranoid smiled nonchalantly.
He sensed the probing nature behind the question but also recalled what Rhodiola Rosea had mentioned about some past interactions with this woman.
So, he didn’t mind speaking plainly, "Our team’s combat power far exceeds your imagination."
Qinghu was startled by this remark and then whispered, "Do you have any relationship with Ran Bingluan?"
"Shouldn’t it be you who has a relationship with Ran Bingluan?" the Paranoid waved his hand indifferently.
Qinghu smiled mysteriously, "Then you should be careful with the array you’re using, Elder."
"Array?" The Paranoid looked puzzled, "I wasn’t aware that we even have an array."
"The fluctuations of an array cannot be concealed from everyone," Qinghu stated calmly, "Moreover, you’ve recently bought a lot of materials..."
"If I’m not mistaken, are you attempting to construct a new array?"
Her words actually reversed the cause and effect, for Rhine became curious about the Rhodiola Rosea team’s reasons for staying at the Celestial Blade after discovering their whereabouts.
With a little inquiry, it became clear that the team was not only keeping to themselves but also purchasing a lot of materials.
The materials didn’t appear to have any obvious connection, making it a perplexing situation.
Upon hearing this, Qinghu speculated that the other party was likely constructing or calculating an array.
Before meeting Ran Bingluan, she had already delved into arrays quite a bit.
Searching for answers while working under an assumption is much simpler, even if Qu Jianlei had been quite meticulous in concealing the array.
With the help of precision instruments and the analysis of weather changes, the energy fluctuations and the gathering of elements could still be slightly observed.
Qinghu, after concluding her remarks, was reluctant to leave, eager to find out how they acquired Ran Bingluan’s Qi Gathering Array.
The Paranoid gave her a calm glance and shook his head, "You should go back and rest for a few more days."
"With hallucinations already appearing, who knows if it’s Balrog’s doing."
If it were someone else, he might have considered silencing them, but Rhodiola Rosea had said this woman was an exception.
You’re not turning hostile? Qinghu gave him a deep look; actually, the last time, she was suspicious of Rhodiola Rosea being Ran Bingluan.
But some tests should stop at the right moment, no need to seek trouble for oneself.
So she got up, "Thank you for your hospitality, Elder. I’ll pass Balrog’s information along promptly."
The Paranoid was well aware that the other party probably guessed something, but it didn’t matter, as long as they keep guessing and he doesn’t admit anything.
He cleared his throat, "Since that’s the case, might as well not bother you twice. We’re short on a few materials here, I’d like you to help purchase them!"
Qinghu looked at him lightly, then nodded simply, "No problem, is there anything else you need, Elder?"
The Paranoid made a dismissive hand gesture, "No, I’ll send the list to your wristwatch shortly."
My wristwatch, which isn’t something just anyone can send messages to! Qinghu nodded, "Alright."
After she left, the Paranoid went to see Qu Jianlei, "I think you might have been exposed."
Qu Jianlei, who had been paying attention to their conversation the whole time, shook his head in response, "Be confident, remove the word ’might’..."
"But since she already figured it out and chose not to expose us, let’s just play dumb; it’s for the best for everyone."
"This little girl is exceptionally gifted!" the Paranoid uncharacteristically praised.
However, in the next moment, he revealed his true intentions, "Since you two get along well, why not bring her into the team?"
"Are you kidding?" Qu Jianlei gave him a surprising look, "She’s a proper Supreme, why drag her into this?"
"You call this dragging someone in?" The Paranoid rolled his eyes in exasperation, "Frankly, there aren’t many people who catch my eye!"
Qu Jianlei understood that anyone this guy acknowledged had at least... the potential to be above the Supreme.
Qinghu indeed had the potential to go further.
But he shook his head again, "She already understands. If she’s willing to join, that’s her choice. We won’t solicit her."
Wandering around in the interstellar space every day, what’s so great about it? People enjoy the conveniences of a stable society, why not?
The Paranoid looked at him and laughed, "Are you saying you can’t afford resources for four Supremes?"
It must be acknowledged that the pressure of supporting cultivation resources for three Supremes is considerable, such that smaller organizations might not even afford it.
He was also aware that Rhodiola Rosea was never short of money because of "fighting to support fighting".
But this kind of gain is like water without a source, like a tree without roots; it’s not sustainable. It’s better to have a stable income.
"Four Supremes?" A middle-aged woman emerged, and it was Granny Jia, with a face of confusion, "Is there a newcomer?"
The Paranoid gave her a slight smile, "Not necessarily a new member, but there’s new work!"
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