Chapter 565: What Is Your Relationship with Jiang Chen? A Difficult Parting

Fan Emperor gave Jiang Ruo a deep glance, signaling her to remain silent. Jiang Ruo moved her lips as if she had something to say, but in the end she chose silence.

Fan Emperor turned to Antares again, solemnly saying, "Lord, may I ask whether you are willing to accept this transaction?"

He understood that dealing with Antares, only a transaction could move it; everything else was idle talk.

Antares was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "You know, letting me split off a fragment of will means what to me."

"I understand, Lord," Fan Emperor replied, "but you also know that regarding Human Race affairs, I have never forced you to intervene. I only hope that at the crucial moment you can protect my disciple."

"As for the specifics of protection, I trust you have your own insight."

A flicker of contemplation flashed in Antares's eyes, as if weighing pros and cons.

Striking to eliminate enemies is protection; rescuing people is also protection. As long as it does not directly join the battle, it does not count as meddling in Human Race affairs.

Antares stared at Fan Emperor, his voice deep, "Have you truly decided to go to that place?"

Fan Emperor nodded, his voice firm, "Time is pressing; I must go. Even if it is a nine-deaths-and-one-life ordeal, it is my destiny."

"Destiny?" Antares sighed, "Indeed, your lifespan is near its end; if you do not act, there may truly be no chance. Yet even if you go, the chance of success is minuscule."

Fan Emperor gave no rebuttal, merely said lightly, "This is my choice."

Antares was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, "Very well, I accept this transaction. Give me the Dragon Pearl, and I will protect your disciple until she becomes a Half-step Super God."

Fan Emperor heard this and rejoiced, immediately pulling an ancient plain box from his bosom.

Jiang Ruo saw the box, shock flashing in her eyes. She had seen the box many times and knew its importance to Fan Emperor. Whenever she asked what was inside, Fan Emperor always replied, "This is your fate."

Now she finally understood Fan Emperor's words. Inside the box was the hope that could preserve her life.

The box opened slowly, and a crystal-clear Dragon Pearl appeared before everyone. Though it seemed unremarkable, Antares's gaze instantly flared with heat.

The Dragon Pearl shot out of the box, turning into a streak of light that flew into Antares's mouth. Antares's massive body trembled slightly, and the entire space quivered with it.

The spatial ripple spread like waves of the Sea, layering and expanding. Jiang Ruo felt as if she were in the Sea, her body engulfed by surging waves, completely losing control.

The feeling shocked her heart; she realized Antares's power was far beyond what she could imagine. Such a presence was terrifying, evoking awe.

If one truly wished to kill her, even without a hand, perhaps a single glance could scatter her soul countless times.

"In this world, such a chilling power exists," Jiang Ruo thought, shocked, feeling unprecedented fear toward Antares's existence.

"How many secrets does this world still hide?" Her gaze was full of curiosity and awe; Antares's existence far exceeded her comprehension.

Since becoming Fan Emperor's disciple, as the only Human Race being hopeful of reaching Half-step Super God, Jiang Ruo received Fan Emperor's meticulous instruction. Fan Emperor owned a private library; though its collection was not as abundant as the Royal Secret Treasury, everything it held were Human Race treasures, some knowledge even absent from the Royal Secret Treasury.

Over the years, Fan Emperor imparted his knowledge and experience to Jiang Ruo without reservation, from basics to profundities, from theory to practice, pouring it all into her. Jiang Ruo found it taxing, yet understood it was Fan Emperor's expectation and trust.

At this moment, facing the news of Fan Emperor's imminent departure, Jiang Ruo finally grasped why he hurriedly taught her. Her teacher was going to a nine-deaths-and-one-life place, perhaps never to return.

Fan Emperor's voice was full of emotion and kindness as he said to Jiang Ruo, "When I leave, I may never return. You must diligently cultivate to reach the Half-step Super God realm soon. The Human Race cannot be without a Half-step Super God; fortunately Jiang Yi is about to revive, and I can sense his Spirit."

"With Lord Antares's protection, your safety should be assured," Fan Emperor's words were full of concern and hope.

After absorbing the Dragon Pearl, Antares finally turned his gaze to Jiang Ruo. To it, Jiang Ruo had been too insignificant, barely catching its attention before. Now, a hint of surprise appeared in its eyes.

Then Antares suddenly brought his massive head close to Jiang Ruo, sniffing her with his enormous nose. Each breath roared like a gale, nearly toppling Jiang Ruo.

Jiang Ruo felt fear, but more curiosity and awe. She knew Antares harbored no malice toward her, only curiosity about her existence.

Antares's voice was low and powerful, "On you, there is his scent."

Jiang Ruo was startled, asking bewildered, "His scent? Whom do you refer to?"

Fan Emperor also showed puzzlement, not understanding whom Antares meant.

Antares continued, "What is your relationship with Jiang Chen?"

Jiang Ruo's expression grew odd; hearing her younger brother mentioned, she answered loudly, "Jiang Chen is my brother."

Antares nodded, his voice lingering, "No wonder, no wonder your Bloodline carries Jiang Chen's foul little scent; it turns out you are siblings."

Jiang Ruo asked curiously, "Lord, do you know Jiang Chen?"

Antares hummed, disdainful, "Of course I know him; that kid is no easy mark."

Jiang Ruo felt some displeasure, but facing a being like Antares, she could only remain respectful, daring not a hint of discontent.

Antares hummed again, continuing, "That kid is cunning, though his talent is decent. As for you, although your combat power is slightly lower, your advancement speed is quite fast, which is not bad."

As soon as the words fell, a transparent illusory figure appeared before Antares, a miniature Antares materialized in Jiang Ruo's sight.

"This is a fragment of my will; it usually sleeps in your Spirit world, awakening only when you are in danger," Antares explained.

"According to our transaction, I will protect you fully, but I will not kill for you. So normally you must be careful yourself, and not bother me without cause," Antares's voice showed a hint of impatience.

Although cursing Jiang Chen, Antares still split off a fragment of will, shaping it into a transparent figure that slipped silently into Jiang Ruo's Spirit world, quietly sleeping.

Fan Emperor, seeing this, breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully said to Antares, "Thank you, Lord Antares."

Antares waved a hand, "Our relation is merely a transaction; you need not thank me. However, I am aware of your secret hoarding of the Dragon Pearl for a hundred years."

Fan Emperor's face tightened, forcing a smile, "Lord, calm your anger; I also had to act so to complete the transaction."

Antares hummed, "Although a hundred years is but a flick of the finger to me, your action indeed displeased me."

"However, considering you are about to depart, I will not argue this time," Antares's voice showed a trace of helplessness.

Fan Emperor felt gratitude; he knew that although Antares's words were harsh, they were in fact lenient.

Jiang Ruo looked at Fan Emperor, her eyes full of reluctance and worry, and asked softly, "Teacher, truly cannot you stay?"

Fan Emperor shook his head, his tone firm, "This step I must take. Only by going for a gamble can I possibly break my destiny."

Antares also agreed, "Indeed, going is nine-deaths-and-one-life, not going is ten-deaths-no-life. You have lived 200 years; your end approaches. If you do not fight, there truly will be no chance."

Jiang Ruo's eyes were moist, tears swirling, and she did not know what to say.

Fan Emperor smiled brightly, comforting, "Do not cry; you are already a Divine-level Strongman; be strong. Though my departure is extremely perilous, it is not without hope. Perhaps in the future, when you become a Super God Strongman, we may meet again."

"Jiang Ruo, remember, beneath the stone table in my cultivation chamber lies a box. When you reach the Half-step Super God realm, you can open it; it holds the deepest secrets of this world," Fan Emperor's voice was calm and solemn.

Antares hummed lightly beside, his tone bearing slight discontent, "You Human Race always like to make things so mysterious. Not only now, but in the previous era as well. Why can't you state it directly instead of complicating it?"

Fan Emperor smiled faintly, replying, "This is our way; you may not understand."

At this moment, Fan Emperor's aura became unusually calm, as if all burdens and attachments were set down. He turned to Antares, respectfully saying, "Lord Antares, could you see me off on my final journey?"

Antares nodded, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness: "Considering you are about to depart, I'll see you off."

Before the words fell, the space around Fan Emperor suddenly twisted, and a Space-time Portal slowly emerged.

Fan Emperor gave Antares a deep bow: "Thank you, sir; if fate allows, we shall meet again."

Then he turned to Jiang Ruo, his eyes filled with reluctance and hope: "Jiang Ruo, you must be strong, cultivate diligently, and strive to reach that realm soon. The road ahead is still long; you must walk it yourself."

Having spoken, Fan Emperor did not hesitate, stepped into the Space-time Portal, and his figure gradually vanished within the warped space.

"Teacher!" Jiang Ruo's tears could no longer be held back; the moments spent with Fan Emperor over the past three years replayed in her mind like a film.

She deeply understood that Fan Emperor's teachings to her were not only the transmission of knowledge and power, but also a greater understanding of life and the world. Now, as they part here, it may truly be a final farewell. Yet Jiang Ruo believes that as long as she continues to strive, one day she will meet Fan Emperor again.