Chapter 1081

"The longing to return home has become the root of our tribe's illness! You are so wise, I cannot believe you fail to see the simple truth."

"Kelatus lowered his head: 'You are clear-headed, therefore you are terribly lonely. Intelligent people can only choose to sink with the mundane. If you truly can lead your people to break this blood-stained fate, then prove it to me again, Maidemos.'"

"'Just as you did back then...'"

"'……'"

"The setting sun was like blood."

"Gun smoke clung to this dead land like burial wrappings, the air reeking of strong blood and earth; everywhere lay severed limbs, broken weapons, as if the very ground had drained its last drop of blood in this slaughter."

"The wind lifted Wandi's bright cloak, carrying the distant cry of vultures. He held a spear, stepping on the old king wearing a crown, looking down at him from above, as if gazing upon a corpse that still breathed."

"Oulipang gazed at the spear about to pierce his chest, showing no fear: 'What a brave warrior… weak Aohema people, yet possessing such heroism. Fulfill the victor's duty, state your name, warrior! I demand a glorious death from you!'"

"'What does 'glory' have to do with you?' Wandi sneered at his words, 'Listen closely! I am the leader of the Xuanfeng lone army, Maidemos—I will pierce your chest, father!'"

"Oulipang froze, his face rapidly turning from white to blue, his whole body trembling uncontrollably: 'It's you… the despised beast, you truly refused death. The prophecy is true… my Xuanfeng dynasty will ultimately end in your hands...'"

"'Refused? You're wrong—death fears me. Thanks to him, I have this steel body.'"

——

One-Punch Man.

"Wandi was thrown into the River of Death and did not die; walking out of the waters, he gained an immortal body… This sounds like some myth. If I hadn't seen it myself, I would hardly believe it."

"The zombie man took a deep drag of his cigarette; the scarlet ember flickered uncertainly in the dim room."

"'Do you think Wandi's 'immortality' and your 'immortality' share some commonality?' Yuanzǐ Wushi asked."

"'No, there is no commonality; my 'immortality' is the result of the Evolution House experiment, a product of technology. I am merely wondering whether, besides 'technology' and 'fate,' there exists a third power in the universe capable of granting humans immortality."

"'You seem quite interested in Wandi."

"'Who isn't interested? The powers currently appearing in Wendelos seem related only to memory—whether it's the distant butterfly's 'death' ability or Wandi's 'defying death' ability, they are not easily answered by the power of fate.' The zombie man exhaled a smoke ring, 'Moreover, the 'River of Death' is also intriguing; King Oulipang can reach there, showing it is a river flowing through the mortal world. Since Wandi, has no one else entered the River of Death to try to obtain that immortality?'"

The zombie man narrowed his eyes, finding the topic interesting: "Wendelos has plenty of golden descendants—does nobody else dare to try? Or is it that only Wandi is special?"

"'You're right, maybe they really are special.' Yuanzǐ Wushi shrugged, 'How does that saying go… "The golden descendant in the prophecy." Just like Bai'e is the savior.'"

"'You know I never believe this.' The zombie man stubbed out his cigarette, watching the green smoke dissipate in the air, 'That black-clad swordsman also has the ability to heal wounds—did he also return from the River of Death? Is he also a golden descendant?'"

"'This…' Yuanzǐ Wushi laughed and shook his head. He couldn't answer."

The zombie man always believed that among Wendelos's myriad and varied powers there must exist some common underlying logic; those exaggerated and inconceivable powers can be explained, studied, and replicated. It's just that Wendelos is limited by its era and technological level, unable to conduct deeper exploration.

For example, what substance in the River of Death makes Wandi immune to death? Could this substance affect ordinary people who are not golden descendants?

Wendelos is like a mine full of countless secrets, eagerly awaiting the geniuses of the universe to come mine it… No wonder the Lady of the Black Tower is interested in this planet.

——

"'And you, you are beyond cure, father. The one who cast me into the Death Sea is you; the one who dreams of enslaving the Titans and desecrating the divine body is also you… HSK! Weak king, even the most vile hyena is a thousand times nobler than you!'"

"'And now, fate's vengeance has found you!'"

"The spear pierced Oulipang's armor, blood surging from the wound. He choked on blood in his throat, yet still laughed hoarsely:"

"'Then swing your sword! Take my crown, crown yourself with the former king's blood, inherit everything… rightly and properly, become the new king of Xuanfeng.'"

Wandi dismissed his words with contempt: "No, I don't want the crown. Listen—if the king of Xuanfeng has only one destiny, it means nothing to me… I only want your life! Solely to avenge my mother and comrades."

"'But the walls of Xuanfeng will not collapse with me… my son, do you think you can escape fate's grasp?'"

Oulipang seemed to have heard a joke, blood welling from his mouth; he kept coughing, yet laughed louder and more wantonly.

"'…hahaha! It's all the same, you and I… we both treat conflict and fear as nourishment… now, kill me!'"

"'Son of Geerge, destined to bathe in blood and inherit the crown——!'"

"'……'"

After breaking free from the memories, Wandi still felt uneasy about what had just happened.

"'That guy said maybe we could get advice from the Master Artisan… Hatonoos, go see him.'"

Wandi arrived at the blacksmith's door and saw the burly mountain folk clanging away at metal; facing his sudden visit, he was not surprised.

"'The king of Xuanfeng is you. I had a premonition you would come.'"

"'You knew I would come?'"

"'I've heard about you. Your direction forward, you are seeking; your questions, many.' Hatonoos reached into his pocket and pulled out a gleaming gold ring engraved with the pattern of the conflict's fire seed, handing it to Wandi."

"'But before that—take this.'"

Wandi stared in surprise at the exquisite ring: "What is this…?"

"'The Xuanfeng king's seal, belonging to your mother. I will reforge and repair it.'"