Chapter 88: Possibility of Foreseeing the Future, Fifth Fishing Attempt!

Whether it’s the Devil Fruits, the Zanpakutō, or the Divine Eyes, they all have their own limits; though they can rapidly boost the user’s strength in the short term, over time, once they hit a bottleneck, their rate of growth slows down.

But abilities—at least for now—no one knows where their upper limit lies.

Gu Che and others who have awakened abilities are undoubtedly more promising than single-power users or holders of Celestial Treasures.

The middle-aged man nodded slightly; he had already known these things long ago, but they had to be mentioned again in the meeting.

“In that case, the Science Research Institute will continue its investigations, and the Tian Shu Bureau will prepare the training and deployment of relevant personnel.”

He was about to dismiss the meeting when, suddenly, an elderly man around fifty sitting in the corner slowly raised his hand; his face was solemn, his fingers bony and distinct, radiating the authority of years.

“Old Master Zhao, what are your thoughts?”

The middle-aged man immediately halted his motion and asked respectfully.

Old Master Zhao’s gaze settled on Li Cheng’an, his voice low and steady:

“I have no objection to the arrangement, but I have a question I’d like to ask Old Master Li.”

The conference room fell silent at once, even the faint rustle of turning paper vanished; all eyes turned to the two elders.

“You’ve always said your precognition can only glimpse one of countless futures, and only in fragments.”

“Yet Gu Che, Lu Jing, and others became holders of Celestial Treasures because of your guidance; that means you saw their futures of obtaining those Celestial Treasures.”

“Then, what about the young man who recently emerged in Hangcheng—have you ever seen him in your visions?”

“If you have, why didn’t you mention him? Why not recruit him alongside Gu Che and Lu Jing?”

“If you haven’t—”

Old Master Zhao sneered.

“Given the commotion he’s caused, I find that hard to believe.”

The air seemed to freeze; all eyes turned to Li Cheng’an, awaiting his answer.

Many believed Gu Che, Lu Jing, Lin Ruoxi, and others became holders of Celestial Treasures because they chose them and bestowed upon them the Celestial Treasures gathered by Great Xia—but that wasn’t true.

These Celestial Treasures were theirs all along; they simply didn’t know it, and Old Master Li merely guided them to discover the ones they already possessed.

But as Old Master Zhao said, if Old Master Li saw the futures of Gu Che, Lu Jing, and Lin Ruoxi, then what about Ye Xuan?

He reached the fifth tier in just seven months since the Qi revival, so much so that Zhong Lao said he held power stronger than his own.

With such terrifying strength and talent, why has Old Master Li never mentioned Ye Xuan?

True, Ye Xuan didn’t wish to join the Tian Shu Bureau—but that was because the timing was wrong.

When the Tian Shu Bureau invited Ye Xuan, he had already obtained the Wang Quan Baye template; the Bureau held no appeal for him. But before he acquired that template, had they invited him, he had no reason to refuse.

If Old Master Li saw Ye Xuan in his visions, why didn’t he speak up?

If he didn’t see him, that could be explained—but who would believe it?

Li Cheng’an, upon hearing Old Master Zhao’s words, merely glanced at him coldly, his aged eyes showing no emotion.

“You have no right to know.”

His voice was as still as stagnant water, yet the entire conference room plunged into absolute silence.

He rose slowly, gave the middle-aged man a slight nod, then left the room alone; his footsteps echoed clearly down the corridor until they vanished entirely.

Inside the conference room, the air seemed frozen; Old Master Zhao’s face darkened instantly, his fingers tightening unconsciously, knuckles turning white.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man immediately said sternly: “That’s all. Dismissed.”

The attendees, as if released from a heavy burden, rose and left quickly, their footsteps hushed, none daring to speak or even glance at Old Master Zhao.

Old Master Li’s words just now were too heavy.

Remember, before the Qi revival, Old Master Zhao and Old Master Li were equals; even now, Old Master Li is only half a rank above him.

But that half-rank crushes the heavens.

In the corridor, a few who walked slower exchanged glances, each seeing shock on the others’ faces; no one dared speak, but all understood: today’s meeting would surely stir up greater turmoil.

Though Zhong Lao stands above and would suppress any storm, even if the wind rises, it won’t be great—but at this level, even a breeze is enough to affect many.

The conference room door slowly closed, leaving only Old Master Zhao seated alone inside.

The water in his teacup had long gone cold, reflecting his now-calmed face.

“If your concealment causes Great Xia to suffer losses—”

“I won’t let you go.”

No right to know?

At his level, how many things in this world are beyond his right to inquire about? It’s merely that Li Cheng’an relies on his unique ability and the current need for his skills to act so recklessly.

Old Master Zhao rose slowly, straightening his robe.

Right now, he truly cannot touch Li Cheng’an—but—

You’d better never make a mistake.

You’d better always have a reason.

He cast one final glance at the empty conference room, then turned and left; the corridor’s light stretched his shadow long, like a coiled blade.

【Host: Ye Xuan】

【Level: Fifth Tier】

【Abilities: Template·Wang Quan Baye (Youth), Three Thousand Flame Flames, Wang Quan Sword Intent, Rat Talisman (Optimized), Space Ring】

【Fishing Attempts: 1】

“Before I knew it, four months have passed since I gained the system.”

Ye Xuan looked at the personal template generated by the Celestial Fishing System, feeling a quiet sense of wonder.

So much has happened in these four months.

Most obviously, his strength has risen from an ordinary person to the fifth tier—power enough to stand against a nation—his life’s essence has transformed, granting him greater power and a lifespan far longer than that of a common mortal.

Such terrifying growth speed would have been impossible without the system.

The sixth month has arrived, and I’ve gained another fishing attempt; I wonder what I’ll pull this time.

That said, since obtaining the Rat Talisman (Optimized), items from lower-tier worlds are hardly useful to me anymore.

I hope this time the item I fish up is of higher rank—at least higher than the upper limit of the Rat Talisman.

“System, use fishing attempt.”

As Ye Xuan spoke, darkness engulfed him; an invisible force slowly enveloped him, and when he opened his eyes again, he stood amid an endless river of stars.

Countless stars dotted the black night sky, shimmering brilliantly like radiant jewels.

(End of Chapter)