Xiao Lu Yan gripped the surgical knife, his expression bewildered and fearful, utterly uncertain of where to go.
Behind him, all was silent. A dark mist continuously expanded, closing in.
Lu Yan instinctively understood; he couldn't let that dark mist engulf him.
The instinct for survival is etched into the genes of every creature; he didn't want to die.
This black mist spread everywhere, and in a daze, Lu Yan heard the cries of countless beings.
Corpses littered the ground, and lives were in ruins.
After the sunset, the world seemed to lose its source of light, visibility plummeting.
All warmth seemed to vanish with the setting sun, and the surrounding temperature dropped, Lu Yan sprinting on the road, as if traversing a glacier.
The cold slowed his movements gradually.
In the black mist, the mist congealed into a hand, grabbing Lu Yan's ankle.
Lu Yan swung the surgical knife, intending to cut off the hand. However, this hand had no substance; the black mist emitted a mocking, sinister laughter.
More hands reached out, attempting to pull Lu Yan into the abyss.
In the mist, a strange chanting could be heard: "Go home, go home, go home..."
The skin touched by the black mist quickly froze, becoming fragile like a thin layer of ice, ready to shatter with a gentle touch.
Lu Yan shivered uncontrollably, despair filling his heart.
A burst of flames erupted at this moment, soaring into the dark. It burned away the black mist entwining Lu Yan.
The black mist emitted a miserable scream.
Black-colored fine crumbs continuously fell around, like ashes from burning paper.
The flames intertwined into a burning figure. Without facial features, like a phantom crafted by the fire, warm and dazzling.
On his shoulder stood a red bird.
In this darkness, he was the only source of light.
The bird let out a melodious chirp. Taking flight from his shoulder, it left behind a long trail of flames, flying forward.
The burning man said, "Follow it, don't look back."
Lu Yan didn't know him, but there was an inexplicable trust in the man's tone.
He followed the burning bird, running forward in confusion, his heart starting to ache.
The burning man scattered into countless flames, radiating a brilliant light.
The flames constructed a high wall, blocking the encroachment of the black mist.
The fire wall extended for an unknown distance, like a beaconing Great Wall guarding the homeland.
The flames burned high, but the black mist grew thicker, the chill heavier.
The burning fire refused to yield, frozen by the mist into a bunch of blazing dead fires, like red, icy corals.
Even in death, they never extinguished.
The black mist sneered, continuing to roll forward.
The burning bird led Lu Yan to the edge of a cliff.
It was like a flower blooming to the extreme, withering in mid-air, turning into sparks and falling to the ground, disappearing.
At the cliff's edge stood a pitch-black dragon. This dragon had bright golden eyes, looking fierce.
The black dragon emitted a low growl, lowering its body and bowing its head.
Lu Yan's expression remained full of confusion; he felt his soul was like a broken piece of glass, about to shatter.
He turned around, and the black mist had already started to approach, more aggressive than before. Even from hundreds of meters away, Lu Yan could smell the strong scent of blood.
With no other choice, Lu Yan climbed onto the black dragon's back, tightly gripping its scales around its neck.
The black dragon soared into the sky, heading straight up.
The black mist stood at the edge of the cliff, letting out a resentful roar, like the howl of a fierce beast.
Lu Yan, sensing something, turned back and saw a person walking out of the mist.
He had the exact same face as himself, expression indifferent.
That person lifted his head, though they were quite far apart, Lu Yan felt as if he had been seen.
It was as if the person's eyes weren't in their eye sockets but in the sky.
The person extended his hand, using his index finger to lightly tap his own temple. A morbid smile appeared on his face.
In the next second, the black mist engulfed him.
Lu Yan didn't immediately understand the meaning behind the other person's actions.
His hands and feet turned cold, and his heart was filled with confusion and fear. Yet, he somehow felt that he had escaped danger.
Sitting on the back of the black dragon, he faced a wind carrying a hint of blood.
In the high sky, Lu Yan saw the world below him.
Vast ruins, land devastated, as if it had endured hardship, bodies riddled with countless wounds.
In the pitch-black night, occasional lights illuminated small areas.
Those were human survivor bases.
Lu Yan's brain began to ache again.
Gripping the surgical knife, he suddenly grasped the meaning behind the other person's final actions.
"I am Lu Yan."
Lu Yan's eyes, at some point, had turned silver, with fine blood vessels covering the whites of his eyes.
He raised the knife, pointing the tip at his own forehead.
"Find the right... brain? Somehow, I feel like I've failed many times already."
"Splurt."
Blood splashed out along the blade as Lu Yan spun the knife handle, hearing his own brain scream in agony.
It was his brain, yet not quite.
Unable to restrain himself, Lu Yan chuckled, "You're indeed here."
...
...
Divine Realm.
Many brains fell to the ground, emitting painful screams.
They were like overloaded computer hard drives, their surfaces burning red, scalding hot, quickly melting into a pile of white brain pulp.
Sprinkle some green onions, and it should taste good.
Souls working in the Divine Realm felt the earth violently tremble, cracks opening up, and many white souls being swallowed by the cracks, becoming nutrients to replenish the true god's energy.
When Brain 23 was dug out, the true god visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Initially, the true god could still see some images, but later on, the scenes transmitted by Brain 23 were torture for it. All it could see was a twisted mist, accompanied by murmurs from the abyss.
That thing was awakening, and almost woke up.
Having lived for so long, the true god, since becoming a pollutant, no longer understood what fear was. However, in that moment, it felt a chilling fear like falling into an icy cellar.
Who could peek at a deity without paying a price?
Not foresight, not omniscience.
Not even the true god with a pollution value exceeding ten thousand could.
Fortunately, it had enough brains, and there were enough souls in the Divine Realm. Even because the Divine Realm was isolated from the world, there was no need to worry about news of severe injuries spreading out, attracting human extermination.
The true god compressed itself into a solid meat pancake, curled up in a corner, and once again fell into a deep slumber.
Yanjing, Third Research Institute.
Three days ago, Lu Yan encountered an attack by the true god at the airport. He fell into a deep sleep and has not awakened since.
During Lu Yan's seventh hour of unconsciousness, the headquarters of the Prevention and Control Center, helpless in the face of the situation, transferred him to the Third Research Institute.
Researchers held a brief meeting, exchanging whispers only in low voices due to the tense atmosphere.
"Still not awake?"
"He hasn't woken up. We've already invited all available spiritual-type Harbingers," Researcher A took a drag of his cigarette, sighing deeply as he read the report. "B-level Harbinger, Bai Ze, with the talent of hypnosis. Attempted to use the hypnotic ability to awaken Di Ting, but due to backlash, he's currently in the ICU. Applied for 20,000 contribution points as compensation for work-related injuries."
"A-level Harbinger, Magician, reluctantly took on the task because of his acquaintance with the Tyrant. The Harbinger's mental body entered Di Ting's consciousness space. He was forcefully awakened a few minutes ago and is currently in a mentally disabled state due to excessive use of his talent."
Researcher B mumbled, "It's been 13 years since the 'Divine Realm Operation.' I thought we had resolved the hidden dangers back then. I didn't expect the true god to evolve to this extent. Just a deputy brain, and we are helpless."
Researcher C, lost in thought, said, "Considering the momentum of this pollution spreading, humanity is in a tough spot. Too desperate. I don't want to research anymore. While we're still alive, let's go home and spend time with our parents..."
A shook his shoulders, shouting, "Wake up, Little C! Our research is aimed at enabling ordinary people without abilities to survive! Don't give up on ideals and pursuits!"
Outside the intensive care unit:
Ji Wen held a record sheet, looking at the person in front of him. "Lu Yan's condition is very dangerous. The degree of deterioration continues to rise, and vital signs are weakening. We've tried many methods, but progress seems slow."
Tang Xunan remained silent, even seeming a bit absent-minded, lost in thought.
Ji Wen continued, "The true god's deputy brain lurked in a normal person's body for ten years without detection. I admit it's our negligence."
Over twenty years ago, subway stations, customs checkpoints, and other places requiring security checks nationwide replaced their gates with pollution value detectors. Even the streets of cities were equipped with real-time pollution value detectors.
But unexpectedly, this deputy brain controlled the parasite to live-stream as a virtual anchor at home, earning money, and it hadn't left the house in ten years.
After forcibly entering Lu Yan's consciousness space, this otaku died.
"Due to the true god's unique pollution method, besides spiritual-type Harbingers, others lack the ability to enter the consciousness space."
Tang Xunan asked, "So, you mean I can only wait to collect his corpse, right?"
Ji Wen's back instantly tensed. "Lu Yan's self-rescue consciousness is strong. I believe he can overcome this predicament."
Tang Xunan gripped the knife in his hand. "I'm going to the Divine Realm."
It was not a negotiation but an announcement.
"We all know that the entrance to the Divine Realm, although it's at sea, has been closed," Ji Wen calmly analyzed with him. "The Divine Realm is a highly polluted area. Although you're also an S-level, I don't think you can deal with the true god. Moreover, your mental state is more unstable than most people... Most importantly, even if you want to go, headquarters won't agree."
Tang Xunan remained silent for a long time.
"For so many years, someone has always asked me to stay rational, learn to judge situations correctly. I shouldn't have too many emotions because I am the hope against pollution."
"I am a used machine. And machines shouldn't have unnecessary emotions; they should choose the option that maximizes benefits."
"I've known people who constantly leave this world. And I shouldn't be too sad because it would cause my degree of deterioration to uncontrollably rise."
Ji Wen felt it was a major oversight not to have a psychologist present.
"No one thinks you're just a machine..."
Tang Xunan's golden eyes looked at him, narrating calmly, "I don't care what I'll become. Right now, I want to save him. If I do nothing and just wait here, I'll go insane."
Ji Wen's heart trembled, about to say something, when suddenly an alarm sounded in the monitoring room.
In the monitoring room, Lu Yan, connected to numerous tubes, slowly opened his eyes. He stared at the ceiling, which looked like an iron coffin, his expression momentarily lost.
In his ears, the system whistled like a rogue: [Awake now, my Sleeping Beauty.]
Unlock exclusive early access to 100s of Chapters before anyone else by becoming a valued member of my Patreon community.
As a cherished member of our Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For just $5, you'll receive:
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public. (You can find all the novels I'm translating HERE.)
- Your name will be prominently featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
If you decide to pledge $10, you'll get all the perks from the $5 tier, plus:
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
And if you're feeling generous with a $20 pledge, you'll unlock all the perks above:
- You get to recommend an abandoned Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
