Chapter 544: Nangong Yuhang

Li Hao was dragged back by Romero like an eagle carrying a chick and thrown into Base One. The massive base had long since been transformed beyond recognition; outside the perimeter of the original human fortifications, a vast number of Giant Insect structures stood tall. Each spiral building and charred patch of earth exuded an eerie aura, yet inside Base One, a strange, alternative form of civilization and advancement was on display. It was very similar to the situation in the ruins of the Nimeier Civilization; this had already become a testing ground for a composite-type civilization.

Nangong Yuhang looked at Li Hao with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. The Heavenly Eye on his forehead seemed as if it wanted to see right through Li Hao. Li Hao's injuries were still very severe—this was something that truly could not be faked—and there was nothing hidden inside his body. With human instruments, the olfactory senses of the Giant Insects, and the Heavenly Eye of the Nimeier Civilization, it was a testament to his ability that he could hide anything at all.

"Second Brother, we meet again. What's wrong with you? Why are you lying on the ground in such a grand display of courtesy? Is it because you know you were wrong?" Nangong Yuhang smiled slightly. "Polina, now that you've met your idol, why don't you hurry up and get a chair? What is this supposed to look like?"

"Understood, Master." Polina actually brought a chair for Li Hao, helped him up, and squeezed his arm. "Li Ge, long time no see. I've missed you so much. Once Master finishes his questioning, you'll be mine. I'll treat you very well." As she spoke, she licked her soft, pinkish-red lips.

The look in Polina's eyes made Li Hao unable to help but frown. She had gone from one extreme to another, or perhaps, this was her true self.

"You'd better forget it. I have a girlfriend; don't covet my handsomeness."

"Li Hao, you have a good mindset. Whatever plans you have left, use them all. Isn't it me you wanted to see? Well, you've seen me," Nangong Yuhang said. Li Hao's Mental Power still had some reserves, but at this level, he couldn't even beat Romero, so fighting him was a bit of a fantasy. Moreover, his body was already ruined; his bones were fractured in many places, and his internal organs were hemorrhaging. This was the fragile nature of humans.

Romero wanted to beat him to death; it couldn't be that cheap.

Li Hao raised his head to look at Nangong Yuhang, who was overflowing with vigorous life energy, and took a deep breath. "Give me a glass of water."

Nangong Yuhang was stunned for a moment. "Give it to him."

Li Hao drank it in one gulp, not caring at all if there was something wrong with the water, and let out a long sigh of relief. It really was comfortable.

Nangong Yuhang was not in a hurry. "You see, the human body is just troublesome. Now that we've reached this point, can we have an honest and open talk?"

"Sure. Ask whatever you want to ask." Li Hao also relaxed, sitting there lazily as if enjoying the final ease of his life.

"I like this attitude of yours. Actually, I've always been curious: where does your power come from? Given your situation, it shouldn't be possible for you to come into contact with this level of power. Is there something I don't know about?" Nangong Yuhang asked. He had always been curious how Li Hao, an orphan, could cultivate his power to this extent. He didn't believe it was just talent; the climb of power was filled with thorns at every step, and one careless move meant total destruction. He himself had braved several life-and-death trials to get where he was today.

"I obtained it in a dream," Li Hao said.

Nangong Yuhang frowned. "What kind of dream?"

Li Hao smiled. "Since we're at this point, I also have some things I don't understand. Let's trade one question for one question. Where did that 'Interpretation of Dreams' of yours come from?"

"In a dream, the visitation of a god gave me the inspiration. That content is true; it can provide guidance to humanity. And I believe that the end of life must take this form," Nangong Yuhang said indifferently. What he was actually worried about in his heart was not Li Hao, but... the god. Because Li Hao's situation was too similar to his own, especially after obtaining the god's power. He vaguely felt that the god had consciousness, but for some reason, that consciousness could not act as freely as an ordinary life form, so it needed to realize its purpose through their actions.

Nangong Yuhang had absorbed power and could feel... the threat. If the god were an ethereal, nihilistic, or even higher-dimensional existence, there would be no conflict between them, and both sides would get what they needed. But now, that was not the case. This was the real reason he had gone to such great lengths to see Li Hao without killing him.

It was just that, for the moment, he dared not act rashly. He wanted to claim that vast power entirely for himself, but his current body could not withstand it. Even with daily absorption, he

could still feel that power, vast as the ocean.

"Apart from that, have you ever received contact from surreal power?" Nangong Yuhang asked.

"Yes, but I don't know the source. This is also the answer I've always been looking for. We are being controlled by some kind of life form or something," Li Hao said with a bitter smile. "Actually, you know my personality to some extent. I'm a person with no grand ambitions; I just want to guard my own little plot of land."

Nangong Yuhang was silent, then nodded. This was also why he had chosen to support Li Hao back then. In essence, he could see through a person's character; Li Hao would not pose a competition to him. And in the years leading up to the S Tournament, there was no shortage of observation of Li Hao. He truly enjoyed the happiness of delivering food and earning a little money; such details could not be faked.

Content with mediocrity—although he absolutely did not agree with it. Life in this world should be lived with a bang, and obtaining an eternal body meant one should not fail this life. He could understand that Li Hao's life experiences had created this weak personality, but he mostly found it laughable.

"Is your so-called god Theseus, the last king of the Nimeier?" Li Hao asked.

"The name of a god is not something a mortal can discuss recklessly." Nangong Yuhang generally understood now. He was not the only one; he was one of the many chosen by Theseus. There had even been many in human history, but only those who reached this point were qualified to arrive at Kepler. Theseus... was just someone with more power than him, though it did indeed exceed his by too much.

"You're so smart, you should have realized it too. How great is Theseus's power? But he needs a carrier—a powerful physical body that can withstand his Spirit and move independently. We are all just test subjects. Have you ever thought that your constant strengthening of your body and your crazy experiments are very likely suggestions given to you by Theseus? Are you absorbing his power, or is he absorbing you? Once this condition is met, will you still be you?" Li Hao said. He knew Nangong Yuhang must have already suspected it; otherwise, he wouldn't have the leisure to chat with him. If nothing else, given Nangong Yuhang's personality, he would have wanted to wipe out anyone who threatened him.

The corner of Nangong Yuhang's mouth twitched slightly. What did he mean, had he not thought about it? He had thought about it way too much. Ever since coming to Kepler, he had constantly felt this threat. But what could he do? He could only keep making himself stronger and kill Theseus before the conditions were met. However, this thought was hidden deep in his heart; he could not have any fluctuations in his daily life. Fortunately, that powerful consciousness itself was quite sluggish, and its power could be extracted. He wanted to create countless Insectoids and clones; humans would all be his test subjects. Under the banner of building an army of divine servants, the reason he was so crazy was to drain Theseus's power. Although it seemed vast, as long as the quantity was large enough, he would eventually be able to drain it dry.

"Li Hao, you aren't trying to use your tongue to sow discord, are you?" Nangong Yuhang laughed. "My life and future were bestowed by the god; the god can naturally take everything from me."

Nangong Yuhang had already gotten what he wanted, so Li Hao no longer had any value. As for his and Theseus's affairs, it was not Li Hao's place as a loser to worry about it.

"Blee," Li Hao suddenly said.

Nangong Yuhang's expression changed. In an instant, both sides saw the look in each other's eyes. Li Hao understood, and Nangong Yuhang had also received it; he had received it too.

The entire hall was filled with an eerie atmosphere. Romero and Polina could feel the terrifying aura radiating from Nangong Yuhang. Speculation was just speculation, but when Li Hao said that word, everything turned into reality.

He had once believed that he was the only one. This was his pride; even if they were all chosen, he was the one at a higher level. Deep down, the worst result was just being merged by Theseus and becoming a part of him, but so what? The forms of life were diverse; besides, who knew what the final situation would be?

But when Li Hao said this, he realized another problem: would he become a sacrifice?

This was something he could not tolerate.

And Li Hao was also in pain. The moment he said it, he still held a sliver of luck. He hoped this wasn't the answer; he could fight Theseus to the death!

The person who had always influenced him, made him grow, and done many things was not Theseus. Yet he truly felt that Blee's arrangements were too targeted. From cultivating his power to executing various missions, and even when he went to save A Youyou during the Tianjing Martial Arts

days, all of this was like an invisible hand monitoring him, controlling him, arranging his life, gaining his trust, and then further manipulating him.

The purpose was too strong, yet there was no way to refuse.

I'm afraid Nangong Yuhang was in the same situation. Giving him power, helping him seize Xilian's body, completing the integration of Noah and Melafeisi, while providing advanced technology and guiding his direction—all sorts of arrangements were enough to gain their trust. By complying with the desires deep within a human's heart, the final result of this subtle influence was an inability to resist, complete obedience, and then the realization of Theseus's purpose.

It was highly likely that the shadow of Theseus's interference was everywhere in human development.

"Nangong, there is still one chance to stop all of this. If the two of us join forces to destroy Theseus, the Nimeier Spirit Fusion technology is feasible to a certain extent. But if millions or tens of millions of spirits are fused together, what will that produce? This kind of power is a monster. You know more than we do that there is no luck involved here. His formation is greed; how could he kindly cultivate you? Right now, his spirit must be loaded onto some object, which is also our only chance at the moment," Li Hao said.