hsntnovel Chapter 2697 Between Gains and Losses
Chapter 2697 Between Gains and Losses
Chapter 2697 Between Gains and Losses
The reason Jin Ge and Song Yue'er found this world somewhat interesting was because the spiritual energy was rapidly dwindling.
Even in daily life, one can no longer perceive any spiritual energy; instead, another kind of energy has taken its place.
That energy is widely distributed between heaven and earth, existing in the form of waves. Jin Ge believes it is the result of the alienation of life frequency.
To put it simply, it's because enough lizardmen died in that world that this energy is increasing.
Even calling it "death energy" wouldn't be an exaggeration, but overall, it's basically harmless to people.
Another reason why Jin Ge and Song Yue'er believed it was worth taking action was that the world was rapidly declining.
From the previous abundance of spiritual energy to the current depletion of spiritual energy, it feels like we have entered the Dharma-ending Age at an extremely rapid pace.
The spirit stone mine still exists, but the spiritual energy has disappeared, which should be enough to explain the problem.
As for why it declined so quickly... social civilization has restarted several times already, it brought about its own demise, who can it blame?
Jin Ge and his companion did not believe that this world was of much reference value, but the other two worlds were even worse.
This world is at least a large world. Although it is not as large as the world where the Empire is located, it still has a vast expanse of starry sky.
Among them were some ominous celestial phenomena, as well as traces of cultivators' arrival.
They had spent the longest time in this world and originally wanted to investigate why the cultivators had arrived, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.
In addition, the two also brought back some technological products from that world.
Qu Jianlei looked at the products they brought back and was a little speechless—this was something that combined technology and cultivation.
It is likely due to the scarcity of spiritual energy that cultivators have been forced to adopt the path of combining their physical bodies with machinery.
The upper limit of cultivators in that world is not high; at most, they can only reach the pseudo-Nascent Soul stage—spiritual energy is scarce, and the quality of death energy is not high.
However, when cultivators combine with warships, the combat power they can unleash is extremely astonishing.
For example, in the great war that led to the restart of civilization, hundreds of planets were destroyed.
Qu Jianlei originally thought that if the technology was advanced enough, it would be good to stockpile a batch of weapons himself.
After all, every coin has two sides, and he had enjoyed the benefits of ordinary weapons before, so he was not averse to them.
But the direction this world is taking left him speechless—cut off the arm, install a prosthetic to enhance combat power?
This thing is basically similar to evil cultivation, and he feels it would be difficult to learn from it.
However, recalling how cultivators initially viewed mortal weapons with disdain but later came to appreciate them, he felt that his understanding shouldn't be too subjective.
When dealing with new things, we must be objective enough. A broad mind is like a vast ocean, and only in this way can we go further on our journey.
Even if it's truly a heretical practice, so what? As long as it's used for good, that's fine.
He accepted some of the products, intending to study them. As for whether he should go to this world... he was really torn.
Jin Ge and his team have already investigated the situation thoroughly, and it shouldn't take them too long to go there.
But what if we look at it the other way around? If it doesn't take long, it's because there haven't been any worthwhile things to do!
If you can't meet him, why bother making a wasted trip?
In other words, if something really happens, they might not be able to get back in time!
This painful choice... Qu Jianlei was speechless. Why did it have to happen at such an awkward time?
He has a great interest in exploring new worlds, but shouldn't one always have things they do and things they don't do?
However, it seems that this is possible? Qu Jianlei instructed Jin Ge to return to Lingyun Sect.
Five days later, a cloud of white mist appeared beside Jiuyou Island. "You actually ordered someone to summon me... You'd better have something important to say."
Qu Jianlei said in a deep voice, "I can tell the Great King what the sermon I held was about."
"Do you need to tell me now?" True Monarch Kanshui snorted disdainfully. "I've come to Houde, so of course I know."
Previously in the void, it offered a price for a verse of creation or the true meaning of birth and death, wanting to know the content of the sermon, but in the end, it wanted the meaning of the sermon.
Now that Houde has arrived, it doesn't even need to ask around to know what the other party said—this news is truly sensational.
"Times change," Qu Jianlei said with a relaxed attitude, "Information is priceless."
"Huh, this mentality?" True Monarch Kan Shui was a little surprised. "Aren't you heartbroken? It's a strand of true essence."
This person's mouth... is a bit cheeky too, compared to the experienced female driver, each has their own way of being cheeky.
But in reality, things are not viewed that way. When facing an ordinary True Venerable, it's already a sign of respect that a Great Lord can utter even a few words.
It's normal for someone to read your message but not reply. If the king is being sarcastic with you, it means he doesn't consider you an outsider.
"It'll save you some money, senior," Qu Jianlei said with a nonchalant smile; he genuinely didn't care.
It's not that he doesn't feel sorry for himself; he's not that wealthy yet. But after embarking on the path of cultivation, he knows that some things must be done in accordance with nature.
He wasn't sure at the time that the other party would come to Houde, so that was the price he was asking for.
Once they've decided to come, there's no point in him offering a price.
In terms of cost, the time spent by a great ruler making a special trip to Houde is worth a sincere gesture.
Since many things have already happened, let them go and there's no need to dwell on them too much.
"Then why are you telling me this?" Although Kan Shui Zhenjun was a little surprised, he didn't care much.
It impatiently stated, "The new path of astral projection... Yuxiu has little interest in learning about it."
The Jade Beauty Realm is populated by many people, and there are all kinds of innate spirits and wonders of nature. Many of these groups do not have the bottleneck of leaving the body.
Even if a species has a bottleneck, it's not human, so human thinking is almost useless to it.
Of course, it can listen if the other party is willing to talk for free, but it won't listen if it's charged.
"I would like to ask you, senior, to help analyze this matter," Qu Jianlei said solemnly.
"Heh, quite the big talker," Kan Shui Zhenjun chuckled disdainfully.
"Please, Your Majesty, make a move... Do you have the strength, or the influence?"
When a true lord makes a move, the price he asks for will definitely not be low. More importantly, you must first have the right to ask for it!
"I'm just giving it a try," Qu Jianlei said seriously. "We intend to take action and help Lian Xing save the day."
“I guessed it,” Bai Wu said calmly. “I don’t even need to calculate cause and effect!”
If it wanted to calculate the karma between this person and that True Venerable Lianxing, it would actually be quite easy.
However, it disliked that rotten smell and didn't want to be tainted by it at all, so it relied on its rich experience to make a random guess.
It's not hard to guess this at all. Both Han Li and Xiao You have powerful figures behind them, and this person's background is even more mysterious.
So why bother staying with Lianxing Zhenzun? Isn't it obvious?
Qu Jianlei didn't care. Those above the True Venerable realm can generally avoid lying when they act.
Many things are as clear as a mirror, right there in front of you. Expecting the other party to fall for it? That's underestimating people!
So it's perfectly normal that the other party could guess it.
"I have a matter to attend to and would like to trouble you, senior, to use your supernatural powers, such as the Water Mirror, to take a look."
He took out the product from the Lizardmen on the technology side, expressing his desire to know if there was any chance to turn the tide there.
If not, he doesn't need to go for the time being. If there is, he'll have to go and see what the situation is, and then decide whether to take action.
"This turbid air..." True Monarch Kanshui snorted disdainfully, then asked, "Do you think you have enough face?"
It has already decided that if the other party threatens it again with things like "slipping through cracks," it won't hesitate to take action and punish them.
That kind of joke is something Fellow Daoist Taiyuan can make, but you, a mere True Venerable... are really not worthy of it!
"As I said, it's just a trial," Qu Jianlei said seriously. "Could you name a price, senior?"
"I really don't know who gave you the courage," Kan Shui Zhenjun said, somewhat speechless. "What if I'm not interested?"
“Then forget it!” Qu Jianlei replied without hesitation. “I’m sorry to have troubled you to make this trip, senior. I’m willing to offer you a piece of the Golden Origin.”
"Ha, Jin Benyuan... can't afford to lose face!" Bai Wu scoffed disdainfully. "Fine, it's good that you have the intention."
After a pause, it spoke again, "I charge a lot, so be prepared."
“Okay,” Qu Jianlei nodded. In fact, for him, not refusing was a good thing.
"What treasures do you have?" True Monarch Kanshui asked without hesitation. "Well, they can't be less than what you gave to Fellow Daoist Taiyuan."
"My treasure... is Extreme Spirit alright?"
“Extreme Spirit? Hehe,” True Monarch Kan Shui chuckled, and before his laughter had even finished, endless spiritual energy surged toward this place.
The next moment, a crystal-clear, top-grade spirit stone appeared not far in front of the white mist. "How many do you want?"
Little guy, don't underestimate the True Lord like that!
Qu Jianlei scratched his head. "But the young lady has never accepted any favors from me and has helped me a lot."
"She...helped you for free?" Kan Shui Zhenjun was taken aback. When did Taiyuan become so easy to talk to?
However, this shock was only momentary, and it immediately regained its composure, "I want to use the Dao of Birth and Death."
“I’m sorry,” Qu Jianlei shook his head decisively, “I don’t have any, and even if I did, I wouldn’t pay this much.”
"It's not that you're not worth the price, but if you have the Dao of birth and death, I'd rather go to that world to save the money."
Your Great King's time is valuable, but our True Lord's time is not so valuable!
"Hmm?" The white mist trembled slightly. "So you're too lazy to make the trip yourself, that's why you're asking me to help?"
"Little guy, I don't know if you did it on purpose, and I don't want to know, but this isn't how you do it!"
Qu Jianlei replied seriously, "I don't know how you plan to calculate things, senior. All I know is that you're still talking to me!"
Upon hearing this, True Monarch Kan Shui fell silent for a long time before finally speaking, "Tell me about your new path of body separation!"
If it wants to help, it's basically just a matter of lifting a finger, so asking this question is a way to avoid putting each other in a difficult position.
(Updated, last three hours, calling for double monthly votes.)
(End of this chapter)