Chapter 143: Departure

"I will not force any of you. If you are unwilling to go, please step forward now. This mission carries great danger, and I can understand your hesitation."

Zhou Changsheng gazed at the group of young people before him, a strange look flickering in his eyes.

The group exchanged glances. Zhou Tian stood his ground firmly; he certainly wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity to court death. As for Zhou Xunchuan, the fighting spirit in his eyes was already boiling over, not to mention the others.

After a long silence, three individuals shifted their feet and stepped forward. One of them bowed to Zhou Changsheng and said, "Senior, I..."

Zhou Changsheng waved his hand, cutting him off. "No need to explain. I understand."

The man breathed a sigh of relief, but Zhou Changsheng’s eyes narrowed as he spoke again. "However, I do not accept it. After this matter is over, you may return to Futian Province and find a patch of land to grow dragon rice!"

"Senior, we..."

"You may leave now."

Zhou Changsheng’s tone was indifferent. The three wanted to say more, but as they met his deep, penetrating gaze, they felt a shiver run through their bodies. Too terrified to speak, they walked away dejectedly. They knew that there would likely be no place for them in Tianqin anymore.

Zhou Tian shook his head. Since they lived under the protection of Tianqin, they were obligated to contribute. Did they not understand that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact? Afraid of danger? If they were afraid, they might as well go home and farm; at least that would count as a contribution.

These people were not much different from those in his past life who grew up under the red flag, enjoying the protection of their nation while simultaneously disparaging it.

"Since that is the case, we shall depart as a group in twelve hours. Make your preparations."

After saying this, Zhou Changsheng vanished from the great hall. Although the Pantheon had already appeared, experts stationed at the base deduced that it remained in a peculiar state, constantly flickering between the cracks of time and space and reality. It was impossible to enter just yet; they had to wait for the state to stabilize, which was estimated to take twelve hours.

Once Zhou Changsheng disappeared, the others did not linger. After all, they were about to face a great battle, and they could not afford to be careless; there was much to prepare.

Zhou Tian bid farewell to the others and escorted Tian Ling to her residence. There, he encountered an acquaintance: Zi Xu, the young man possessed by the remnant soul of a Saint King. Zhou Tian did not pay much attention to how things were progressing between him and that soul.

He had originally intended to slack off for a while and discuss the serious implications of the Pantheon's emergence on the God-Forsaken Land with Tian Ling. However, no sooner had he rested his head on her soft, porcelain-white lap than a look of helplessness crossed his face. A voice echoed in his ears:

"Tian'er, come see me."

It was Zhou Changsheng’s voice. What else could he do but go?

"Ling'er, Grandfather is calling for me," Zhou Tian said helplessly, rising from her jade-like lap.

"Then you should hurry," Tian Ling said softly, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Then next time, we shall continue our discussion on the reproduction and inheritance of void creatures," Zhou Tian said, straightening his clothes with a serious expression.

"Just go!" Tian Ling glared at him in shy annoyance, urging him on.

Zhou Tian chuckled, pinched her soft cheek, and walked out. He guessed there was only one reason Zhou Changsheng wanted to see him: the Great Emperor-level combat strength he had displayed during his fight with Zheng Yusheng.

Entering Zhou Changsheng’s chambers, he found two people sitting at the head of the table. One was Zhou Changsheng, and the other was someone Zhou Tian recognized—the grandfather of Wei Chuan, and one of those who had escorted them to the God-Forsaken Land.

"Grandfather, Senior Wei."

Zhou Tian bowed to the two men, and they nodded, signaling for him to sit.

Once he was seated, a kind smile appeared on Zhou Changsheng’s face. "Tian'er, I heard you reached the Great Emperor realm?"

"..."

Black lines appeared on Zhou Tian's forehead. He replied helplessly, "Grandfather, that was merely a technique I used; I could only maintain it for a few dozen seconds."

"Are there any aftereffects?" Zhou Changsheng’s brows furrowed, naturally thinking of forbidden arts that provided terrifying boosts but always exacted a heavy toll.

"Uh... does being unable to use it again for two days count?" Zhou Tian asked, scratching his head.

A smile blossomed like a chrysanthemum on Zhou Changsheng’s face. He cast an intentional glance at Wei Chuan’s grandfather and said, "Very well, that’s all. Tian'er, you may go."

Zhou Tian was baffled. He had expected Zhou Changsheng to grill him, and he had even prepared a series of ultimate excuses, which ended up being completely unnecessary.

Since Zhou Changsheng didn't ask, that was for the best. Zhou Tian bowed once more and walked out.

After he left, Zhou Changsheng laughed heartily and looked at Wei Chuan’s grandfather with a smug expression. "White-faced Wei, my grandson is impressive, isn't he?"

Wei Chuan’s grandfather looked at Zhou Changsheng’s gloating face and replied, "Is this supposed to be interesting?"

His tone was cold, and two scarlet fangs protruded from his mouth as a fishy, sweet scent filled the air.

"Of course it’s interesting. Even if your son and grandson were tied together, they couldn't beat my grandson. Now, put away your disgusting stench," Zhou Changsheng said with disdain.

The corner of the old man’s eye twitched as he took a breath, and the scent vanished.

"You should be thinking about the battle for the Pantheon instead. That fellow from the Light faction and I are still suffering from old wounds and cannot even exert half our strength. Besides, those youngsters are still just fragile seedlings. What if they break?"

Zhou Changsheng replied nonchalantly, "If they break, it only proves they lack the qualifications to grow. Besides, there are other methods. Don't worry, just consider it a training exercise."

Just as the old man was about to speak, a flush suddenly appeared on his pale face. He hurriedly pulled a glowing, golden, spherical object from the void. It was a drop of blood—though what creature it belonged to was unknown. It was entirely gold, surrounded by a swirling aura of clouds that formed the shapes of various mythical beasts roaring at the sky. Its power was astonishing.

He opened his mouth, and the golden drop turned into a streak of light and drifted into his throat. The roaring of the beasts was deafening, but they were helpless, forced to become nourishment for his body.

Seeing this, Zhou Changsheng laughed with schadenfreude.

Time passed quickly, and twelve hours vanished in the blink of an eye. Above the main city of Tianqin, a massive black-gold ancient ship hovered. It was a thousand zhang long, its hull covered in profound, mysterious runes. Instead of feeling ominous, it possessed a certain haunting beauty.

The sails, crafted from the hide of some unknown beast and specially treated, still radiated an overwhelming aura that suppressed the very void.