Chapter 179: Awakening and Forgetting

Yan Emperor, you aren't mistaken, are you?

Zhu Zhengzhi, unable to laugh or cry, let slip a blasphemous line, "Isn't Lin Chuan your illegitimate son?"

Yan Emperor: "…"

Gazing at this upright old minister, the Yan Emperor fell into contemplation.

"You…"

"You probably haven't said such a thing in front of Senior Lin Chuan, have you?"

If the senior were angered, the Yan Chao's downfall could occur in an instant.

"No, no." Zhu Zhengzhi shook his head repeatedly, giving a wry smile, "Could you tell me exactly what's going on?"

"The specifics cannot be told to you."

Yan Emperor teased, "Just keep pretending you know nothing; being allowed to have the senior work under you is enough for you to brag for a whole life."

Zhu Zhengzhi's heart trembled, "Please stop mocking your humble servant."

"You stay here; I'll go visit the senior."

The Yan Emperor, delighted, selected several rare treasures from the state treasury and in an instant arrived at the gate of Lin Fu.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Yan Emperor, not daring to overstep protocol, knocked on the gate.

Inside the residence, Lin Chuan naturally sensed Yan Emperor's arrival and projected his voice, "Please come in."

Only then did Yan Emperor dare to enter Lin Fu, arriving at the Lin Family's courtyard.

"Congratulations, senior! Congratulations, senior! Re‑entering the Supreme Realm!"

Yan Emperor's demeanor grew increasingly modest, never daring to regard himself as an emperor, obediently placing himself in a junior position.

No wonder he's the Old Ancestor's friend; in just a few years he rebuilt himself to the Mortal Dust Supreme Being.

Terrifying indeed!

In contrast, my decades—nearly a hundred years—of cultivation feels like I've been training on a dog's body.

"Thank you, Yan Emperor, for your concern."

Lin Chuan smiled politely, showing no airs.

Seeing Yan Emperor, he couldn't help recalling his old friend Yan Beicheng from the Forbidden Love lifetime dream‑reincarnation.

The Challenger whom he had tormented for a lifetime.

If I'm not mistaken, Yan Beicheng's strength should lie between the Legend Second Realm and Third Realm, and it won't be long before we encounter that fellow.

"Has Yan Chao been uneventful lately?"

Lin Chuan poured Yan Emperor a cup of tea and said casually.

Yan Emperor sat down with utmost respect, "Since you resolved the Red Lotus crisis last time, everything has been stable."

"That's good."

Lin Chuan nodded.

"By the way, I recently received news that a new Three Thousand States Genius War is about to commence; I wonder what instructions you have, senior?"

Yan Emperor handed over a scroll.

Lin Chuan scanned it with his divine perception and instantly grasped the information about the Three Thousand States Genius War.

The so‑called Three Thousand States Genius War is a talent selection contest organized by the top forces of the Nine‑phase World, where any state may send more than five geniuses to compete.

The exact number of participants will be determined based on previous results and the state's land area.

Contestants are unrestricted in cultivation level, limited only by age.

For the Human Race, age is limited to one hundred years or less.

As for the various beast tribes, ages will be adjusted up or down according to racial traits, and the same applies to Mixed Blood.

Lin Chuan has no interest in any Genius War; the tournament's rewards hold little appeal to him.

What truly matters to him is only one thing,

Among the top hundred winners of the Three Thousand States Genius War, there will be a chance to enter the Nine Major Star Regions and contend for supremacy in the Celestial Domains.

The final nine victors can enter the Ancient Ruins for cultivation.

"Do the Nine Major Star Regions truly still exist?"

In that lifetime of the Heavenly Demon Chaos dream‑reincarnation, the Nine Major Star Regions and Mortal Earth were split into two realms yet could still exchange resources.

But in the real Nine‑Phase Realm, the Legend is a phenomenon that leaves people speechless.

Usually, it's rare to see a Legend Realm strongman appear.

To the world, the Legend is as mysterious as an Immortal.

As for the Nine Major Star Regions, the vast majority of Mortal Earth cultivators know little; one must at least reach the Saint Realm or Supreme Realm to grasp a bit.

"What are the Ancient Ruins? Are they the remnants left by Tianmo Chuan in that lifetime?"

Lin Chuan harbored intense curiosity.

This is what truly piques his interest.

What exactly happened after the Heavenly Demon Chaos?

Lin Chuan originally wanted to ask his sister Lin Yangyang, but she and Ye Xue went to the Tianlong Star Domain, so it's currently unknown.

Perhaps some things even his sister doesn't know.

As for the Ancient God Absolute Realm dream‑reincarnation, Lin Chuan has yet to find any connection to the real Nine‑Phase Realm.

The cultivation systems are vastly different, with no common ground at all.

According to his speculation, the Ancient God Absolute Realm dream‑reincarnation includes the Ten Great Ancient Gods, including the Human Ancestor, who likely all reached the 'Immortal' level in the Heavenly Demon Chaos reincarnation.

There are still many mysteries awaiting Lin Chuan to unravel.

Lin Chuan asked, "Yan Emperor, when does the Three Thousand States Genius War start?"

Yan Emperor said, "In five years."

Five years is not long.

Lin Chuan thought briefly, "Reserve a spot for me; I should be able to attend."

"Alright."

Yan Emperor smiled, "If a senior joins, it will certainly be a one‑horse dust‑clearing."

It was just flattery.

Yan Emperor also knew that now the Human Race was flourishing, geniuses were countless, and the number of astonishingly talented ones was incalculable.

To stand out in the Genius War is far too difficult!

What is the Genius War?

The title of genius is nothing more than an entry ticket.

Only a peerless Heavenly Pride can become famous in a single battle.

The two talked for a while, and Yan Emperor took his leave.

Lin Chuan did not continue to dwell on the so‑called Genius War; his consciousness sank into a dream.

Because in the dream he was constantly in a coma, his influence on reality became extremely slight, allowing Lin Chuan to cultivate in peace.

Now in the dream, he shows faint signs of awakening again.

……

【He has been asleep for an unknown length of time; you have awakened.】

【You struggle to open your eyes; harsh light forces its way into your sockets, stinging you, forcing you to close them again.】

【After repeated attempts, your vision gradually returns.】

【"How could I have become so fragile?"】

【A piercing pain spreads through your body; memories surge wildly in your mind, freezing on the final scene of the Tribulation Crossing Battle.】

【"Yun Baobao!"】

【You can't care about the pain covering your body, you sit up in a disheveled manner, swing your legs off the bed and stagger outward.】

【A figure descends and steadies you.】

【"Chuan! You finally woke up!"】

【The Fox Clan Empress looks at you with compassion, "Your current condition is poor; you must not act rashly."】

【You urgently ask, "Empress, how is Yun Baobao?"】

【"She is still alive."】

【The Fox Clan Empress's voice deepens, "But the situation is somewhat unfavorable."】

【"I must go see her!"】

【You feel guilty; Yun Baobao has silently accompanied you for thousands of years, only for a promise, and this is the result.】

【The Fox Clan Empress says, "Chuan, you must prepare yourself mentally; the Yun you now see may differ from the Yun you imagined."】

【Your face turns pale, you stare blankly, "What happened to her?"】

【"She…"】

【The Fox Clan Empress sighs lightly, "She may have already forgotten you."】