Chapter 154

Song Shuhang: "Is it an illusion? I always feel I've heard that phrase from Senior Su before, as if another person with the surname Su said it, but I can't recall who."

Zhang Chu'ar: "So elegant…"

Zhang Chu'ar sincerely envied Su Lin's bold demeanor and the starlight-as-swordlight power—had he possessed such strength, many things would've become far easier…

"Forget it, focus on what's before me—what others do has nothing to do with me…"

Zhang Chu'ar was conversing with Ma Xianhong; having learned the future's trajectory, he now set his sights on Old Ma—the furnace, of course, would still not be left for Old Ma.

After conversing with others in the chat group, Zhang Chu'ar had also gained a clear sense of his own world: though their world lacked those world-shattering powers, its abilities and spells held considerable value in other worlds.

In short, the quantity was insufficient, but the quality was excellent.

Close human bonds either form through time's refinement or require demonstrating one's value to shorten that time; though the group's big shots probably wouldn't care much, if possible, Zhang Chu'ar wanted to gather as many chips as he could.

He now tried to be as honest as possible in his interactions—after all, when even his underwear had been seen, hiding deep motives in every word and action would harm long-term relationships; Zhang Chu'ar understood himself well—he likely couldn't outplay those figures.

This was an opportunity—even with partial knowledge of the future, he could never achieve perfect foresight.

Pull one hair and the whole body moves; when he tried to alter the future using foreknowledge, he might only stir up chaos, which would harm him even more.

Currently, there were two ways to face it.

The first: continue hiding, pretend to know nothing, observe from the outside, occasionally intervene with minor adjustments.

The second: introduce external forces, like Lu Mingfei in the group.

"Zhang Chu'ar!"

"Huh?"

Zhang Chu'ar suddenly snapped back, quickly rubbing his head in apology: "Haha, sorry, Old Ma, didn't sleep well last night—I'm not used to your village's bed."

Ma Xianhong shook his head: "You're so distracted—I think you'd better go rest early. I'll have Ruhua adjust your room."

"Got it."

Zhang Chu'ar waved goodbye to Ma Xianhong with a smile, then turned his gaze back to the chat group.

Zhang Chu'ar: "By the way, why did Senior Su Lin fight his future self?"

Song Shuhang: "Maybe something like Emiya Shirou's situation? A clash of ideals—I feel so fired up! My whole body is boiling with passion!"

Weigong Shilang: "No, I don't feel any passion."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan: "As for the reason…"

Ye Fan: "Naturally, it was a conflict over the ideal of protecting all life—future Su Lin wanted to abandon some people to preserve those with greater value, while present Su Lin refused—he believed he possessed enough power to protect Earth and save the world."

Ye Fan: "Future Su Lin sees the present as immature, childish; present Su Lin has the chat group and is bursting with confidence—but who are the enemies? The countless worlds! And the Emperor of All Worlds, at the apex of countless realms, has set their sights on this world. To save more people in the coming conflict, you must inevitably abandon something."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan: "Right. I saw a deep, indescribable sorrow and grief in future Su Lin's eyes—alas, these past months since returning, he's been haunted by memories, his old wounds reopened."

Weigong Shilang: "So that's how it is!"

Yi Leina: "Exactly! I can vouch for it!"

Weigong Shilang sat resting in his room; outside the window, no stars were visible—only rain drizzled continuously, as if a curtain hung beyond the glass.

Today, on Dawn Island, there was heavy rain—caused by Beimoxi.

He had now preliminarily mastered alchemy, and his learning efficiency kept rising. For some reason, he always felt that since Constantine became his teacher, things he'd once struggled to learn suddenly clicked—simple concepts he'd previously failed to grasp now made perfect sense.

Slight mastery of projection magic, preliminary command of alchemy, Foundation Establishment stage cultivation—Weigong Shilang's heart brimmed with confidence for the future.

It can be done.

He told himself so.

In Su Lin's world, Weigong Shilang had not only learned about those works centered on himself but also encountered FGO—the complex, dangerous timelines and events made him realize how many hidden dangers lurked in his own world.

During this journey wandering through other worlds, he had also come to understand: even if he kept shifting worlds to cultivate, becoming strong enough to save every Parallel World was nearly impossible—could his talent truly achieve it?

But if he could, he at least wanted to be like Mr. Zhongli—protect a corner of this fleeting world.

So no matter how hard or tiring, he gritted his teeth and persisted—he'd been lucky enough. Compared to those Weigong Shilangs in Parallel Worlds who vanished with regrets, already possessing this chat group was a tremendous stroke of fortune.

"Su Lin's life wasn't easy either."

Weigong Shilang sighed inwardly—he couldn't say future Su Lin was wrong, but he preferred to support the Su Lin he knew.

The future…

Do people always become the very thing they despise?

Weigong Shilang heard Lao Lu's earlier words in his ear, picked up the pen on the wooden table, and spun it once in his hand.

"Power." He must grow stronger faster—after resolving his own world's problems, if he could lend a hand, he wanted to help Su Lin.

"The wish to save everyone isn't wrong."

God's Grave World

The Purple Gold Divine Dragon had been silent for a long time, quietly observing the chat group and the others.

Better to keep a low profile.

Dragon Dada won't go to the admin's world—it's too dangerous! All worlds in chaos? Damn it, he'd rather charge straight into the Western Pure Land to fight those baldies than set foot in that world.

He glanced at Chen Nan—should he swallow his pride and ask others about the situation here?

He had a feeling this Chen Nan guy resembled the "protagonist" in mortal literature—but wait, he, Dragon Dada, was the one who joined the chat group! What's going on? Could Dragon Dada actually be the protagonist? Hehehe.

Dragon Dada stays silent, yet none of you will take the initiative!

How could human hearts become so rotten? The world is cold and cruel!

————————————

Water Mirror Peak

Su Lin temporarily ignored how his actions had altered human society on Earth—he sat beside a waterfall by the lake, listening to the rushing water, nodding slightly at a few people nearby as he read messages in the chat group.

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan leaned over, slinging an arm around Su Lin's neck, wearing a shrewd grin.

"Senior Su, how do you rate my business skills?"

Su Lin nodded: "Acceptable."

Ye Fan sat cross-legged on the ground, fully absorbed in the chat group, continuously typing messages.

From the beginning to the end, even the smallest details, Ye Fan portrayed them all with clarity and depth; Su Lin's story, under Ye Fan's pen, could make viewers weep and observers heartbroken, instantly elevating his personal image among the group members.

A hero!

A hero needed by the times!

A supreme being who defied fate, turned his back on all beings, and fought alone against the myriad worlds!

Ye Fan felt he was truly hitting his stride—he could write another hundred thousand words; inspiration surged like a spring, and with Kleen's subtle guidance, Su Lin's character instantly became vivid and three-dimensional.

"Cough, cough." Su Lin coughed twice, somewhat embarrassed: "That's enough, that's plenty, really."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan was just having fun; for real PR, you still need Ye Fan.

Hearing this, Ye Fan reluctantly closed the chat group and smiled at Su Lin: "We've signed the contract, and I've spoken your words for you. Hehehe."

Ye Fan rubbed his fingers together, giving a look that said, "You know."

"Master, rest assured—I've always kept my mouth shut." Kleen made a zipping motion across his lips, then used his Faceless ability to conceal them: "Mmmmm." (See? Very shut.)

"."

Su Lin sighed inwardly.

"So tired."

"This isn't a place to talk. Come with me." Su Lin opened a spatial passage and stepped through first.

Zhongli, Ye Fan, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, Yi Leina, and Kleen followed one after another.

In an instant, they arrived in a room with jade walls and a smooth floor, roughly a thousand square meters in size. Array patterns adorned the walls, keeping the chamber brightly lit, while a few pieces of Spirit Stone lay scattered on the ground.

Ye Fan picked up one and found it still contained Spirit Qi—usable.

"You're not saying the hush money is this, are you?" Ye Fan tossed the Spirit Stone in his hand and teased: "Zai ye bu ai di Su Jue."

"This was the sect's secret vault before Water Mirror Peak. If you mention that name again, you can take the Spirit Stone and leave." Su Lin forced a smile.

"You were the one who volunteered to pay hush money—we didn't force you." Ye Fan tucked the Spirit Stone into his pouch, then suddenly remembered something and asked Su Lin: "Speaking of the sect, Master, do we elders and peak lords receive stipends?"

"He's Ye Fan. He's Ye Fan. He's Ye Fan. Don't move."

Su Lin quietly turned up the volume of the imprint playing music for a wounded boy, and slipped in a song called "iyou."

He held an empty hourglass in one hand and a handful of yellow sand in the other.

No one spoke; they simply watched Su Lin's next move. He poured the sand into the hourglass, sealed it, and tossed it to the group.

"What is this?" Zhongli caught the hourglass and asked curiously. He had sensed chaotic temporal energy in the sand from Su Lin's hand, but it vanished once inside the hourglass.

In truth, even if Su Lin hadn't offered hush money, Zhongli would never have revealed this matter—but the others?

"Chrono Sand," Su Lin explained calmly. "Under undisturbed conditions, it creates a temporal differential for the user, up to a maximum of fiftyfold. The higher one's cultivation, the lower the differential—minimum is one and a half times."

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the hourglass in Zhongli's hand.

"Didn't you wonder why my talent is average—even poor—but my cultivation speed is so fast?" Su Lin pointed at the hourglass. "Now you know."

"I've actually been cultivating for over twenty years."

The group was startled—this unassuming hourglass had such power.

Yi Leina and Kleen remained calm, but Ye Fan, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, and Zhongli all wore expressions of surprised delight.

They knew full well the value of this artifact—though only if one had sufficient resources and talent.

For someone lacking talent and resources, using this item would be pointless; better to enjoy life and travel. Only if one is certain of breaking through does this item hold meaning.

"The sand inside is a Consumable. Filling one hourglass takes roughly one shichen."

Minimum purchase: twelve shichen. Cost: 60 Mr. Points.

Su Lin glanced at his current Mr. Points.

Based on the information he'd extracted from that guy, manifesting divine miracles in front of mortals clearly yielded more System Points—just as he'd tested in Lu Mingfei's world. So during battle, Su Lin casually performed another miracle of healing. And due to this Earth's peculiar nature, the returns were slightly higher than in Lu Mingfei's world.

He also shorted a pharmaceutical company on the US stock market with leverage.

Su Lin profited handsomely in every aspect—except his dignity.

He suppressed the smug grin of a Dragon King with a crooked mouth, letting only a faint smile curl his lips. The future was clear. Points? Hehehe. Easy to come by.

With a wave of his arm, he exchanged for Chrono Sand: 【-100】

Shhh-shhh-shhh—

Golden sand surged from the space behind Su Lin, quickly filling a quarter of the room.

If before was surprise, now it was shock.

Ye Fan swallowed his saliva, eyes blazing as he stared at the mountain of sand behind Su Lin—not sand, not even gold could compare!

"I mean… Su, all this… is for us?"

"Each of you take one hundred and seventy days' worth."

Yi Leina showed little interest, hesitating: "I don't want to end up an old crone from cultivation."

"There are many pills that extend lifespan and preserve youth—you needn't worry," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan said beside her. "Er—if you're willing, I can trade you some of these pills for your share of the sand."

"I still have some Divine Spring Water from forbidden zones," Ye Fan said. "One small vial for zero days—friendship price."

"There's someone in the group named Lu Mingfei. Contact him and find someone called Old Lu," Su Lin said. "Acquiring cultivation systems from other worlds won't be a problem."

"Of course, I have some too—it's up to you to choose."

Zhongli used his power to divide the sand into five portions and stored his share in a Storage Bag.

While Yi Leina was lost in thought, Kleen stepped beside Su Lin and said: "I'd like to trade something with you. I don't know if you have it, or if this sand is enough—I can offer Supernatural Items as payment."

"We'll talk later."

This was Kleen's main reason for coming to Su Lin.

Su Lin fell silent for a moment, then said: "Within a certain tier, as long as you can pay the price, I have everything."

Kleen froze, then asked instinctively: "What about Source Matter and Uniqueness?"

Su Lin thought for a moment and said, "Yes."

The premise is that I open the limited shop in your world, and my points have to be sufficient.

End of chapter