Chapter 290: Layout

Inside the bookstore.

Lin Chao sat casually, flipping through books.

Today, one of his martial arts had broken through to the Innate realm, and he was in a good mood.

When ordering takeout, he added two extra eggs.

Inside the bookstore, quite a few people were browsing through books.

At this moment, a young man walked over: "Boss, are there any more of those ancient texts on Qi-Blood Martial Dao?"

The young man was named Cheng Yang, a Resident of the Tianyun Residential District.

He had always been interested in those Qi-Blood martial arts.

"None left; the stock was all bought up by you," Lin Chao replied casually.

Jiang Weizhi's original bookstore did indeed have over a dozen books related to Qi-Blood Martial Dao.

However, they had all been scavenged by the young man before him.

"What a pity," Cheng Yang sighed.

At this time, the young girl beside Cheng Yang said: "Cheng Yang, you've already been admitted to the First Immortal Academy, why are you still looking for these Qi-Blood Martial Dao books?

Qi-Blood Martial Dao is a scourge; it is only because the Qi-Blood Martial Dao is gone that we now have the opportunity to walk the Immortal Dao."

Nowadays, Saint Emperor Yusu's eradication of the Qi-Blood Martial Dao is met only with praise.

In the eyes of the masses, the Qi-Blood Martial Dao is like a parasitic Evil God, draining the life and will of all living beings.

For some reason, hearing the young girl's words, a nameless sorrow arose in Lin Chao's heart.

However, this sorrow came quickly and went just as quickly.

"Every system has aspects worth learning from," Cheng Yang said, a look of confidence on his face, "It's a pity there are none left in the bookstore."

He was also very passionate about the Qi-Blood Martial Dao.

Of course, he also yearned greatly for the Immortal path from beyond the heavens.

After reading in the bookstore for a while, Cheng Yang and the young girl left.

Lin Chao's gaze remained calm throughout.

Cheng Yang left the bookstore and returned to his own room.

His expression became calm.

"This Xu Ling... is he the same Xu Ling mentioned there?"

The young man Cheng Yang was a Resident of the Red Fish Building.

In the Red Fish Building, he had experienced over a dozen missions.

He also knew that in this world, there were many buildings like the Red Fish Building.

Inside them were many Residents like him who had survived death.

Among them, one building was extremely miraculous: the Qijiao Building.

Residents of all other buildings were very envious of the Residents of the Qijiao Building.

The Residents in the Qijiao Building had the lowest casualty rate in all missions.

Moreover, some Residents in the Qijiao Building even displayed powerful strength, much like those Immortals.

Most importantly, they also possessed a type of legendary item: the God Fighter.

Possessing that kind of item, even an A-rank mission was nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, Cheng Yang had never seen that kind of item.

Other buildings were filled with gloom, accompanied by death.

Only the Qijiao Building was flourishing.

All of this was related to one Resident of the Qijiao Building.

Residents of other buildings only knew that the person was named Xu Ling; they did not know much about his specific details.

It was only a while ago that Cheng Yang discovered the bookstore next to the residential district had changed owners, and the owner shared the same name as Xu Ling.

These days, he often came to this bookstore.

Through his observations, he found that the bookstore owner, Xu Ling, was either truly Ordinary or a master.

"Should I..." A decision vaguely formed in Cheng Yang's heart.

In recent years, Outsiders have been very popular.

Various martial arts competition livestreams were highly sought after.

However, judging solely by the performance of those students at the First Immortal Academy, they were not even as good as some Residents in the Qijiao Building.

Cheng Yang naturally felt that the buildings were not that simple.

That Xu Ling must certainly be extraordinary.

While Cheng Yang stayed in his room, city officials would come from time to time to express their warm concern for him.

After all, he had become the only student from Wangjiao Shi admitted to the First Immortal Academy this year, so it was normal for him to receive attention from the city.

It wasn't until it was nearly dark that Cheng Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked at the sky; the setting sun had already scorched half the sky red.

He glanced at the location of the bookstore and ran out.

Inside the bookstore.

Lin Chao continued reading, appearing very patient.

It was late now, and the bookstore's location was not very good; the bookstore was empty, with only him inside.

Lin Chao lived such days in a leisurely and carefree manner.

Just then, however, footsteps could be heard.

A youth entered the bookstore.

The youth was none other than Cheng Yang from before.

Lin Chao did not look up and continued reading his book.

At this moment, Cheng Yang hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt on the ground: "Please, sir, take me as your disciple!"

He was gambling.

The person before him was that very Resident of the Qijiao Building.

If the gamble failed, it was nothing, just a bit embarrassing.

If the gamble succeeded, that would be a huge profit.

As a person with aspirations and ambition, he was willing to gamble.

Only then did Lin Chao look up, gazing at the youth before him: "Weren't you already admitted to the First Immortal Academy?"

The First Immortal Academy was, for the people of this world, the only opportunity to shed their mortal status and turn their lives around.

According to the propaganda of the First Immortal Academy, in the Ancient Origin Realm, there exist mighty beings with lifespans of a thousand years.

To the people of this world, this held a massive attraction.

After all, by achieving excellent results at the First Immortal Academy, one could even go to the Ancient Origin Realm to study.

The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the Ancient Origin Realm far exceeded that of this world.

As a student of the First Immortal Academy, Cheng Yang could be said to have a boundless future.

"Opportunities come in different sizes." Cheng Yang's expression was firm, and he felt even more that his choice was correct.

"Are you also a Resident of a Building?" Lin Chao wore a smile on his face, though it was unclear what he was thinking.

Hearing this, Cheng Yang's expression changed drastically.

The Building was a taboo.

When in the outside world, one absolutely could not mention any information regarding the Building, otherwise, one would be erased.

Yet, the Xu Ling before him had mentioned it, and nothing had happened.

Facing Xu Ling's question, Cheng Yang fell silent.

He dared not admit it, nor could he deny it.

After all, he did not have the formidable strength of Xu Ling.

If he mentioned the Building, he would be erased.

Lin Chao's eyes held a smile; he saw through Cheng Yang's worry: "Speak plainly, it is fine."

It was as if, by speaking of the Building now, Cheng Yang would not be harmed.

Cheng Yang took a deep breath.

Thinking of something, he spoke: "I am a Resident of the Red Fish Building."

After speaking, there was still sweat on Cheng Yang's forehead.

The terrifying erasure did not come, and he felt a sense of relief in his heart.

Toward Xu Ling, he felt even more awe.

After all, the existence of the Building was absolutely terrifying.

Such a method was something even ordinary Immortal Cultivators could not achieve at all.

"The Red Fish Building, is it?" Lin Chao narrowed his eyes, "I do not wish to take on a disciple, but I am lacking a few chess pieces. Are you willing to be my chess piece?"

Lin Chao looked at Cheng Yang, neither sad nor happy.

A chess piece?

Cheng Yang did not have any hesitation.

"Senior, I am willing!"

The thoughts of a big figure are difficult to fathom.

However, what Xu Ling brought to the Qijiao Building was hope.

Following such a big figure was certainly better than being in the Red Fish Building.

After all, he did not know when he might die in a mission for the Red Fish Building.

Those missions were likely extraordinary; even if the teachers from the First Immortal Academy participated, it would likely be difficult to survive, and they would die on the spot.

"Becoming my chess piece carries great risk; perhaps... upon returning to the Building, you will be erased," Lin Chao said.

He was also very interested in the other Buildings.

However, for now, he only occupied one Building.

What he was thinking of was to take over all the other Buildings.

As for the gods behind these Buildings, Lin Chao did not pay them too much mind.

His strength was also constantly growing.

And these gods acted in a secretive manner and dared not appear.

Having had their Building snatched, they likely dared not come here.

Even if they came here, Lin Chao would not fear them.

These Buildings, however, counted as a special treasure to Lin Chao.

Even though he walked the path of Qi-Blood Martial Dao, the more God Positions he had, the better, of course.

Sweat flowed down his back as Cheng Yang gritted his teeth: "I, Cheng Yang, am willing to follow Senior."

"Good." Lin Chao nodded and placed a finger on Cheng Yang's forehead.

Within Cheng Yang's body, a strand of Innate Power appeared.

This was the method Lin Chao used to take over the Red Fish Building.

Watching Cheng Yang leave, Lin Chao's gaze was calm as he muttered to himself.

As of now, he had been walking the path of Qi-Blood Martial Dao.

If he were to cultivate all varieties of Qi-Blood Martial Dao to the Innate Realm, his strength would reach a terrifying level.

However, that meant his own personal Qi-Blood Martial Dao still had no direction.

By then, if he lacked the Qi-Blood Martial Dao that represented himself, Lin Chao estimated that his strength would likely reach at most the Half-step Main God Realm.

Therefore, he had not given up on the God Position either.

In the event that the Qi-Blood Martial Dao could not reach the end, he would use the God Position to elevate himself and reach the Main God Realm.

Of course, he was currently unable to cultivate other systems simultaneously.

He needed to wait until his Qi-Blood Martial Dao was cultivated to the supreme realm, where the Innate Power could be retracted and released at will, not originating from an Innate God, but possessed by himself.

At that time, he would be able to cultivate other systems simultaneously.

……

Three years later.

First Immortal Academy.

"Congratulations, Senior Cheng Yang, for successfully achieving Enlightenment and stepping into the Body Refining realm after only three years of enrollment."

Nearby, many young boys and girls revealed expressions of envy in their eyes.

Body Refining is the first of the nine tiers of Immortal Cultivation.

Stepping into Body Refining signifies truly becoming an immortal cultivator, transcending the category of mortals.

"It is nothing, merely Body Refining." Cheng Yang was neither arrogant nor impetuous, his expression calm.

Body Refining, indeed, did not count for much.

He recalled that Resident Luo Yu of the Qijiao Building, who cultivated the Wood God Path, had already reached the fourth tier.

According to the classification of the Ancient Origin Realm, it was already the realm of Supernatural Power.

This kind of strength was extremely terrifying.

Behind the First Immortal Academy was a medium-sized sect of the Ancient Origin Realm, the Fengxue Sect.

The ancestor of the Fengxue Sect was only at the sixth-tier Great Heavenly Venerable Realm.

That Luo Yu had reached the fourth tier in such a short time; if placed in the Fengxue Sect, it would be enough to serve as an Elder with real power.

How could this not make Cheng Yang jealous?

Therefore, breaking through to the Body Refining realm did not bring him much joy.

Of course, more importantly... actually, following the path guided by Senior Xu Ling, he had already reached the second tier.

Reaching the second tier in this world, as long as he spoke of it, the Dean would know and send him directly to the Fengxue Sect.

He would become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Fengxue Sect.

But he was not interested in these things.

Over these past three years, he had also learned a lot about the Fengxue Sect.

He also knew quite a bit about the classification of realms.

A cultivator at the Great Heavenly Venerable Realm could not produce such terrifying things as the Building.

Senior Xu Ling's methods were also far superior to those of a powerhouse at the Great Heavenly Venerable Realm.

"Alright, Wang Shu, I should head back." After Cheng Yang finished speaking, he dragged his slightly weary body and left this place.

Nearby, Wang Shu watched Cheng Yang's back, a look of longing appearing in her eyes.

However, after a while, the look of longing vanished.

She took out her smartphone and sent some messages on it.

Half an hour later.

Inside the Building, in a conference room, seven or eight people were sitting, and Wang Shu was among them.

A woman spoke: "Report everyone's recent work progress."

"Tracking target, Zhang Yu is dead, cause of death... suicide."

"Target Yu Kai, same as usual, no difference.

He stays at home all day and rarely sees anyone."

"Target Cheng Yang, has now broken through to the Body Refining realm."

Wang Shu reported truthfully.

The people in this room belonged to a special department of Zhonglian Country, named Investigation and Elimination.

The main work task of this special department was to be responsible for observing some special personnel and investigating some special events.

This department was founded by a mysterious woman.

The people of the Investigation and Elimination department did not know the identity of this woman, only that she was likely an Outsider.

Her status was noble; even the Dean of the First Immortal Academy was incomparably respectful toward her.

The scale of the Investigation and Elimination department was not large, but its authority was very high.

When necessary, other departments had to assist.

At this time, a man spoke: "According to the information we have obtained so far, through analysis and judgment, we can currently conclude that these people will leave the world we are in at certain times and go to other places.

The places they go to possess a high degree of danger and it is very likely they will die.

Moreover, there seems to be a Rule restricting them; they are unable to speak about the situation where they go."

The people present nodded one after another.

The targets they were observing numbered over a hundred.

As a result, in just one year, of these hundred-plus targets, fewer than ten were alive.

The survival rate among them is too low.

The people present are all communicating.

In another room, Yusu watches the discussion of the crowd on the screen and knits her brows.

"The whereabouts of these people are definitely related to the Evil God Alliance.

It seems the Evil God Alliance has truly laid its hands on this world.

It's just... what could this world possibly have that would attract the attention of those Evil Gods?"

Yusu is puzzled.

The resources of this world are limited; the Great Heavenly Venerable Realm might still have some interest in this world.

Why would those Evil Gods be interested?

Beside her, Xu Xiaojing tilts her head, not very interested in these things.

Having returned to her old home, she was very excited at first.

Unfortunately, there are no old friends in her old home.

Having stayed here for a long time, she is also quite bored and now wants to return to the Tianfang Alliance.

"Perhaps those Innate Gods from the past left something behind," Xu Xiaojing says casually.

"Master once said that the Innate Gods never truly awakened and never truly appeared in the world, so they did not leave anything behind," Yusu rejects this speculation.

Now that she has come into contact with the world of Immortal Cultivation and received the Yuan Shi Legacy, she has a greater understanding of the world.

In some worlds that are ancient battlefields, as the world recovers and living beings are born, there may be powerful beings from the ancient era who devour the Spirituality and bloodlines of the newborns to be reborn.

The Qi-Blood Martial Dao of this world was the opportunity for those Innate Gods to awaken.

Now, the Qi-Blood Martial Dao is severed, and the living beings of this world have cast off the calamity and gained a new life.

These Innate Gods have not truly awakened either.

"These Evil Gods live in the Void, killing countless, and are the thieves of worlds; one must be on guard against them," Yusu frowns, her words carrying a look of wariness.

After all, this is the world that gave birth to her and raised her; in this world, there were once many beautiful memories of hers.

She does not want those Evil Gods to cause destruction in this world.

As for the people observed by the Anti-Evil Department, Yusu is currently also observing from a long distance.

Of course, she has selected one who is steeped in evil and performed a soul search on them.

However, just as the soul search began, that woman died.

She searched and found nothing.

Yusu waves her hand.

Countless pieces of data appear in her field of vision.

Her gaze falls upon these names.

Above them, there is also various information.

"This Zhao Ting..." After looking at the data for a while, Yusu frowns.

"What's wrong with her?" Xu Xiaojing asks curiously.

"She should also be a person chosen by the Evil Gods.

However, according to the data, she should have been chosen for some time.

But the evaluation of her in the data is somewhat ordinary."

The people observed by the Anti-Evil Department are mostly people chosen by the Evil Gods.

According to their deductions, these chosen people are sent to do certain things, and the casualty rate is extremely high.

Such matters, generally speaking, are very good at tempering people.

The people they observe are mostly very cautious, or rather, calm.

Yet this woman named Zhao Ting has been chosen by an Evil God for about a few years, and her personality is still the same as an Ordinary person.

This makes Yusu somewhat surprised.

"She... might be a breakthrough point," Yusu knits her brows, not knowing what she is pondering.

Five days later.

Feiyan City.

In the library.

Zhao Ting looks at an ancient book, occasionally stealing a glance at the quiet woman opposite her.

Finally, Zhao Ting cannot hold back: "Beauty, has anyone ever told you that you look really similar to Saint Emperor Yusu?"

Zhao Ting is a hardcore history buff and is also majoring in history.

She is also a fan of that Saint Emperor Yusu.

Once, she saw a portrait left behind by Saint Emperor Yusu.

Her appearance and charm are very similar to the woman in front of her.

"Oh? Is that so?" Yusu is quite surprised.

She has been back in this world for a few years, but unfortunately, she cannot integrate at all.

The people she faces are all strangers.

"Yes, really similar, but it's a pity that the painting is very expensive, and I didn't have a phone that could take pictures at the time," Zhao Ting says.

Otherwise, she would definitely show the photo of that portrait to the woman in front of her.

"I am a fan of Saint Emperor Yusu," Zhao Ting says, and she adds another sentence, "I was one even before Zhonglian Country was established."

It was only after the First Immortal Academy was established that Saint Emperor Yusu's reputation among the people improved.

Before that, however, she was steeped in iniquity.

This made Zhao Ting feel proud.

This feeling was just like following an internet celebrity before they became famous.

"That is indeed rare," Yusu said, parting her red lips slightly. "At that time, her reputation must have been terrible; I fear there was no one in the world who liked her."

"You can't say it like that." For some reason, Zhao Ting thought of the day she first met Xu Ling, and she said, "A few years ago, in the library, a classmate of mine held a bias.

However, at the time, a very impressive... handsome man said that Saint Emperor Yusu was not muddle-headed... just a bit silly."

Beside her, Yusu was slightly stunned.

In this world, there are many who call her vicious, but it is very rare for someone to call her silly.

Presumably, only the master would.

"He is quite interesting," Yusu said, while also observing Zhao Ting.

From this Zhao Ting, she did not sense any aura related to the Evil God.

However, this also demonstrated the cleverness of the Evil God.

She chatted with Zhao Ting in the library for a long time, mostly about Saint Emperor Yusu, showing quite a bit of concern.

As night fell, Zhao Ting looked unsatisfied: "Sorry, I have to go back."

"Alright." Yusu looked at Zhao Ting and exchanged contact information with her.

A dozen breaths later, the figure of Xu Xiaojing appeared: "How was it? Did you get any useful information?"

"No," Yusu shook her head.

It seems the Evil God has placed many restrictions on these chosen ones.

"However, I did catch a trace of a special aura on her."

"What kind of aura?"

"She should be different from ordinary people."

"Is she an Immortal Cultivator?"

"No, she should be following a different system."

The Tianfang Alliance is very large.

Within it, there is not only the Immortal Cultivation system, but also other systems.

"Isn't that normal?"

"The path she walks is very special, different from those of the Evil Gods."

"That is indeed worth noting." Xu Xiaojing frowned, wondering what she was contemplating.

But thinking of something, Xu Xiaojing asked: "Sister Yusu, when are we going back?"

In Xu Xiaojing's heart, this place was already unfamiliar.

The Tianfang Alliance was her new home; that was where more familiar people were.

"Wait... a little longer." Yusu sighed softly.

She herself did not know what she was waiting for.

"Alright." Xu Xiaojing smiled, "By the way, sister, in half a month, it will be the Spring Sacrifice Day of Zhonglian Country. The king of this world has invited us to a banquet. Shall we go?

Oh right, the ancestor of this world's king was once a martial scholar of our Holy Dynasty, seemingly from the Weiyang Palace.

It's a pity that among the martial scholars in Weiyang Palace, I only remember that Chang Sheng Sanren who said he wanted to force a kiss on you, sister. As for the others, I have no impression at all."

Yusu's gaze was calm: "Let's go."

……

Inside the bookstore.

Lin Chao put down his book, his gaze calm.

"Have those buildings finally been discovered by the Outsiders?"

"Investigating the evil?"

"But what does that have to do with me?"

Lin Chao did not care.

He was not even afraid of those gods, so why would he fear those Outsiders?

"It is probably clear now that there are 17 buildings in total.

This also means there are 17 gods."

Over these years, Lin Chao had figured out the number of buildings.

Among them, 5 buildings were already secretly under Lin Chao's control.

The God Positions obtained were no longer so scarce.

During this period, Lin Chao had also participated in a few missions and obtained quite a few God Positions.

Nowadays, the God Positions he had obtained could probably create one Demigod.

To Lin Chao, it was still incredibly scarce.

But this was already quite good.

After all, for gods, there are endless years.

Every step forward in strength is fraught with difficulties.

If these God Positions were given to Qijiao, Qijiao would probably wake up now.

However, Qijiao's condition seemed to be getting worse and worse.

Many scapegoats were being dumped on his head.

"Boss, delivery." At this moment, a man wearing a delivery uniform knocked on the door outside.

Lin Chao was slightly stunned.

Had he received a delivery?

In this world, there was no one left to send him a delivery.

Thanks to 【Obsessed with Lactobacillus-flavored Abalone】 and 【Jade Pit】 for the tips, thank you!

(End of this chapter)