Chapter 477: No NTR

After a cursory glance at the 【Traveler】 talent refresh notification, Li Ang returned his attention to Yize.

Unlike before, when it would summarize major events, the Main Universe this time didn't even bother putting on a show—it was practically spelling out the words "as if."

However, based on the name of this major event 【Desperate End of the Madman】, Li Ang inferred that Yize's current state was probably not good, and that his advancement to the Seventh Energy Level had most likely failed.

'But just from the looks of it, it doesn't really seem like a failure.'

Listening to the manic laughter echoing in his ears, Li Ang couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease.

Within the rift, Yize felt the terrifying power from his talent surging through his body, his entire frame trembling with excitement.

"Seventh Energy Level... hahaha! Seventh Energy Level!"

【Ultimate Life · Chimera of the Stitched Abomination: For every biological trait you possess, your strength will increase slightly.】

This was the new talent born after he merged with Manfred all those years ago, and it had been his mainstay ever since.

Unfortunately, the class-change ritual for the Eighth Energy Level had failed; otherwise, Yize felt he could have easily become one of the foremost among the Eighth Energy Level the moment he advanced.

Thinking of this, the wild joy in Yize's brow swiftly turned to venomous resentment.

He would make that stinking rat hiding in the shadows die without a burial place!

A sudden chill made Li Ang's figure pause; he knew in his heart that Yize was most likely "missing" him again.

Although 【Da Luo Dong Guan】 and the Main Universe had let him successfully evade the search of a Ninth Energy Level, Yize was different—the man already had a grudge against him, so even if he didn't know it was Li Ang who had sabotaged the class-change ritual, Dagailu Society would still take it out on him.

Realizing this, Li Ang said nothing more and simply accelerated.

Just then, a piercing scream suddenly rang out.

Li Ang turned his head toward the sound, and saw the creatures within the phantom image behind Yize constantly gnawing and tearing at him.

"?"

At this moment, he finally understood why this major event was named 【Desperate End of the Madman】.

The sudden backlash caused Yize's aura to weaken continuously, looking as though he was about to fall back to the Sixth Energy Level.

Failing to advance to the Eighth Energy Level was one thing, but he hadn't expected that he would even fail to advance to the Seventh Energy Level.

But soon, the tattooed bald man realized why this had happened.

An utterly absurd expression first crossed his face, and then he couldn't help but call out a name:

"Yize!!"

Hearing this, Li Ang couldn't help but be startled.

The one in the rift... wasn't that Yize? Who was he calling?

Just as Li Ang was puzzling over this, a name suddenly flashed through his mind.

Manfred.

Recalling the centipede's address for "Yize" not long ago, a dawning realization gradually rose within him.

Back then, the struggle between Yize and Manfred—the latter had probably won; he just didn't know why this great designer belonging to 【Immortal Evolution】 would choose to continue using the identity of "Yize."

At this moment, a faint, almost imperceptible sigh echoed within the rift.

"Sigh... so it's already been so many years?"

As he spoke, the massive phantom that had been gnawing on Manfred suddenly stopped moving, then transformed into a human figure that looked extremely similar to Manfred's current appearance—the only obvious difference being that the figure had a head of very flowing long hair.

He looked at the bald man before him, whose eyes were practically splitting with rage, and an expression—whether mocking or wistful—crossed his face as he said softly: "What a long detour we've taken."

"Honestly, until today, I thought my contingency had failed."

"Fortunately..."

Fortunately, you stupid dog didn't know who you'd offended, and got screwed over at the critical moment of your class change, causing your state to go awry—otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to regain consciousness.

Of course, Yize wouldn't tell Manfred any of this.

For a Sixth Energy Level professional, death was no longer much of a threat; sit-ups were perfectly normal.

Yize was no exception, and 【Hundred Aspects Refinement】 was the contingency he had left behind.

The only thing he hadn't expected was that Manfred, as a great designer of 【Immortal Evolution】, actually had a stronger talent for alchemy than he did.

Just a little more, and he would never have been able to return to this world.

Fortunately, with the help of some kind soul, this 【Hundred Aspects Avatar】... no, after Manfred's years of research, it could even be described as 【Ten Thousand Aspects】.

The 【Ten Thousand Aspects Avatar】 had been severed from its connection with Manfred, and had even been split into independent existences.

After satisfying these two conditions that under normal circumstances simply could not appear, he was finally able to use his contingency to complete his return.

If Yize weren't absolutely certain that this wasn't the doing of my lord 【Truth】 or my lord 【Perfection】, he would have thought the two of them were preparing to give him another chance.

In his past career, he had never seen a similar ability.

'Truly terrifying methods; fortunately, I'm the beneficiary.'

Thinking of this, Yize couldn't help but curl the corner of his mouth slightly, deciding that once he found out who had struck from the shadows, he would give them a little something in return.

Actually, he already had some guesses in his heart; he just needed some evidence to confirm them.

"Yize! You bastard!"

Looking at his nemesis acting like this, Manfred nearly spat blood.

More critically, he had lost control of the 【Hundred Aspects Avatar】.

This was the foundation he had painstakingly accumulated over many years, and now it had all become a wedding dress for someone else—what was the difference between this and a face-to-face NTR!?

Thinking of this, Manfred's vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

Fortunately, the willpower of a Sixth Energy Level powerhouse was beyond that of ordinary people; he actually gritted his way through it.

Manfred took a deep breath to steady his emotions, then said somewhat aggrievedly: "Yize... I am willing to become your servant."

A wise man knows the times; if he could overcome today's hurdle, he didn't mind bowing his head.

Seemingly worried that the man before him wouldn't agree, he even added: "There shouldn't be anyone in this world who understands your alchemy better than I do."

Hearing this, Yize first smiled, but didn't respond; instead, he looked toward the figure in a black robe in the void: "It's been a long time, my lord Hewitt."

Hewitt was the name of that Rank Seven professional of 【Taiyi Miracle】.

He looked at the long-haired man with a faint smile within the rift, and his tone, rare for him, wavered slightly: "I never thought we'd meet again, Ize."

Hewitt had originally been somewhat puzzled as to why 【Truth】 my lord wished to get involved in this matter, but after seeing the scene just now, he understood.

Without a doubt, Ize's return was something beyond all expectation — calling it a miracle would not be an exaggeration.

Moreover, after this battle, the other's alchemy would likely make tremendous progress, and might even have a chance to glimpse Position of Rank Seven.

Although the combat power a Rank Seven alchemist could provide meant little to 【Taiyi Miracle】, the Truth he himself carried was worth its weight in gold.

Every piece of Truth that could fill in a blank was what 【Taiyi Miracle】 needed.

'I see. As expected of 【Truth】 my lord.'

Hewitt believed he had already guessed the truth of the matter, and a flash of comprehension crossed the face hidden beneath his hood.

Of course, this Rank Seven alchemist could still vaguely sense that something was not quite right.

For instance, why 【Truth】 my lord did not act to drag out the one behind the scenes, and why he had never shown himself from start to finish.

But 【Truth】 my lord surely had his own reasons for acting thus; it was better not to speculate too much.

Since events had exceeded everyone's expectations, Afra and Gavin had long since stopped fighting.

The two frowned as they watched the two figures within the rift, unable for the moment to judge whether the target was putting on an act.

As if sensing their suspicion, Ize spoke up: "You two my lords need not be like this. As compensation, I am willing to hand over all my past research materials to you — I only ask that the Federation spare my life."

Hearing Ize's words, Afra and Gavin exchanged a glance, then the female-devil councilwoman stepped forward and said in an icy tone: "Who knows if you're just acting."

But although she spoke thus, she showed no intention of making a move.

Emotionally, Afra wanted nothing more than to dismember the man limb from limb, but reason told her it was best not to.

Hearing this, Ize could not help but sigh, then laid out the condition he had long prepared in his heart: "Since you two my lords fear I am putting on an act, then from today forth I voluntarily submit to Federation supervision — even signing a contract would be acceptable."

The moment these words fell, the scene instantly fell silent.

Manfred stared at the long-haired man beside him, his expression calm, his eyes full of disbelief.

How was this any different from selling oneself off?

But for Ize, the life he had now was truly one picked up for nothing — even signing a contract and accepting Federation supervision was better than being dead.

Besides, as an alchemist, where one researched was not the same as researching; he happened to need a quiet place to digest all that Manfred had researched over so many years.

One could only say that when it came to being human, Ize was far stronger than Manfred.

Faced with the latest condition he had offered, Afra and Gavin could not help but fall into thought.

It had to be said, agreeing at this point was the best choice.

After all, what had happened had already happened — even if they killed him there was no way to recover the situation; better to seize the chance to recoup some losses.

But—

Such enormous casualties were ultimately not a topic one could brush past with a single stroke; they had not yet reached the iron-hearted level of Chairman Schine.

Just as Afra and Gavin hesitated over whether to refuse, Ize suddenly made a move against Manfred.

Caught off guard, the bald man was instantly gravely wounded.

His eyes bulged, and fresh blood gushed from his mouth: "Ize—?!"

Manfred could not understand — clearly One has already submitted, so why did the other still press for total extermination?

Fortunately, Ize soon resolved his confusion.

Looking at the old foe still putting up a stubborn resistance before him, he said softly in a voice that betrayed no emotion: "Your loyalty is worthless to me, after all—"

"What you know, I know it all."

!?