Chapter 1798: My Disciple

My Disciple

Li Leider moved swiftly through the Ruoshui Base.

After that Domain flashed just now, there was no longer any aura fluctuation of the two clashing, not even Chen Ling's aura had appeared... He didn't know what had happened in the base, but given Chen Ling's personality, it shouldn't be this quiet here.

Li Leider's speed was extremely fast. In just a few seconds, he rushed to the deepest part of the base. Just as he was about to pass through the corridor, another mysterious radiance flashed!

Buzz——!!

The Lord of Ruoshui's Domain expanded once again.

Li Leider's pupils shrank abruptly. By the time he regained his senses, he had returned to the entrance of the base...

He was still maintaining the posture of stepping one foot into the door, his black British Overcoat fluttering silently... Behind him, the many Dusk Society members and Fire-Stealers were all stunned.

"King, why did you come back?" Lan Yu asked blankly.

In everyone's eyes, Li Leider had charged into the base menacingly just now, but not long after, he appeared out of thin air at the entrance. This scene was truly baffling.

An unprecedented solemnity surfaced in Li Leider's eyes.

Just like the rumors said, this power did not originate from the Fourteen Divine Paths; it was so mysterious that it was completely unpredictable. Furthermore, when the other party's Domain activated, he didn't even have the slightest time to react... Was this the power of a "Monarch"?

Everything that had happened just now further confirmed the ominous premonition in Li Leider's heart. After all, if nothing had happened in the base, why would the Lord of Ruoshui stop him?

"...I really want to see what kind of abilities you actually have!"

Li Leider snorted coldly, his eyes like Torchlight in the darkness. This time, he directly pushed his speed to the absolute limit, stepping right through space into the base in a single bound!

Buzz——

Another radiance of the Domain flashed.

Li Leider's figure once again returned to the base entrance.

"...King?" This time, even Chi Tong couldn't help it, calling out cautiously.

Li Leider's face was extremely ugly.

This time, he still failed to enter the depths of the Ruoshui Base... He hadn't even seen the door to the depths of the base before he was forcefully rebooted by that mysterious power and returned to the starting point.

Anger surfaced on Li Leider's face. Being so proud, how could he accept acting twice in a row, yet not even seeing the other party's shadow?

He directly raised his hand and grabbed at the void. The power of the Path of the Thief activated, and his figure disappeared without a trace!

This time, he directly stole "space."

Stealing "space" to teleport was undoubtedly the fastest method, but its flaws were also very obvious. First, he needed to ensure that there were no solid obstacles like walls or floors at the destination space, otherwise he would get stuck directly inside them. Second, the environment around the destination couldn't be known in advance. If it was full of danger, it would be like a sheep walking into a tiger's den.

But Li Leider could no longer care so much...

The instant he crossed through space and arrived at the deepest part of the base, he immediately opened his Domain. Stealing Arts filled every corner of the void, and his Rank 8 aura exploded unreservedly like a mighty ocean wave!

Beneath the brim of his hat, those deep blue eyes swiftly scanned the surroundings. In the next second, his entire person froze in place.

A figure in a Theatrical Robe and a figure in a white coat were quietly sitting on chairs to the side, looking in this direction in astonishment...

There was no slaughter, no stalemate, no tension. They were like two old friends who hadn't seen each other in years; the scene was quiet and peaceful.

Li Leider's aura was surging, yet in this bizarre atmosphere, he stood blankly in place like a sculpture.

Li Leider: ???

The two of you...

Li Leider didn't know how to describe his current feelings. It was like a fully armed swordsman charging into the battlefield with the resolve to die, only to find that it was just a massive live-action reality show... This sense of powerlessness and shame made his mind go completely blank for a moment.

"This is..." Wen Ruoshui looked at Chen Ling in confusion.

Chen Ling glanced at the utterly embarrassed Li Leider and replied calmly:

"My Disciple."

Li Leider froze.

Having been looking for a hole to crawl into just a moment ago, he suddenly became somewhat composed. He silently deactivated his Domain, letting his British Overcoat drape down naturally. He then took off the hat on his head with one hand and elegantly bowed to Wen Ruoshui.

From the unbearable awkwardness to polite elegance, it only took him one second.

"Disciple?"

Wen Ruoshui was also stunned. It was as if he realized something. "So, he is the next one you chose..."

Chen Ling smiled faintly but didn't answer.

Li Leider couldn't understand what they were talking about, but he could feel that the way Wen Ruoshui looked at him had suddenly changed... From confusion at the beginning, to scrutiny, and then to anticipation...

Wen Ruoshui stared at him for a long time before a touch of gentleness appeared in his gaze:

"What is your name?"

Li Leider glanced at Chen Ling. Seeing no reaction from the other party, he responded, "...Li Leider."

Wen Ruoshui nodded slightly:

"Then... please take good care of the me in the next world, Mister Li."

The confusion between Li Leider's brows grew heavier. Although he couldn't understand Wen Ruoshui's words, he could sense no malice from the other party. After hesitating for a moment, he still nodded.

"You head out first," Chen Ling slowly said. "Doctor Wen and I still have matters to discuss."

Li Leider looked at Wen Ruoshui, then looked at Chen Ling...

After a brief silence,

He turned and left without saying a word.

Only when Li Leider had gone far away did Wen Ruoshui turn back to look at Chen Ling:

"Why does it feel like your relationship... isn't very harmonious?"

"Not all masters and disciples need to be happy and joyous," Chen Ling answered unhurriedly. "The current relationship is what's most beneficial for his future."

"...How complicated."

Wen Ruoshui smiled bitterly. "In order to fight for a future, you have to stay awake at all times, even needing to fake your emotions. Director Chen... aren't you tired?"

"No matter how tired, someone always has to do it." A complicated look flashed in Chen Ling's eyes. "Sometimes, perhaps only by standing in that position can one truly understand the people who stood here before..."

Wen Ruoshui still wanted to say something, but in the next moment, he began coughing violently.

His hair visibly turned pale, falling silently like snowflakes. Amidst the weak coughing sounds, his life force was like a candle flickering in the wind, threatening to extinguish at any moment.

Chen Ling's expression changed. He immediately stood up and reached out his right hand...

Smack——

Wen Ruoshui's wrinkled palm forcefully gripped Chen Ling's wrist.

"Director Chen..." Wen Ruoshui's eyes looked at him earnestly. "There's no need to waste time on me. Only when I die will humanity have a chance to reboot. Only by obtaining the Timeline Save File will you all have the chance to lay out your plans in advance..."

"Even though over three hundred years have passed, I am still the me from back then. The words I've spoken will not change..."

"To be able to become the final line of defense for humanity's fate, I, Wen Ruoshui..."

"Consider it my utmost honor."