Chapter 457 - 261: Farewell to Zhong Nan
After the second battle concluded, the atmosphere started to change.
Winning five matches in a row seems like a lot, but when you count them, it isn’t actually that many.
Generally, three matches serve as a signal. If the opponent wins three rounds, it’s time to deploy the core forces.
Lin Chen and the others returned to the city and had a feast to celebrate Fang You and Wu Chen’s victory.
The two fought especially well. After the meal, the Great Elder and Sun Ji were present. When everyone returned to their accommodation, the Great Elder said, "All of you should rest, Lin Chen should stay behind."
Without further ado, the others understood the Great Elder must have something to say to Lin Chen.
Unexpectedly, after Wu Chen and the others left, the Great Elder and Sun Ji both bowed towards the open air in front of them, saying, "Welcome, National Preceptor."
Lin Chen paused, looking around, but found no sign of anyone.
In the next second, a figure stepped out from behind the screen, it was Zhong Nan.
Lin Chen noticed that Zhong Nan looked even better than when seen at the Beast Fighting Conference, and he hurriedly bowed saying, "Greetings, National Preceptor."
Zhong Nan nodded slightly, then looked at the Great Elder and Sun Ji, saying, "I thought you wouldn’t remember my presence."
The Great Elder and Sun Ji smiled wryly.
In the past, they had fought side by side and could never forget Zhong Nan’s presence.
"Then, I shall take my leave." Lin Chen bowed.
Surprisingly, Zhong Nan said, "You should stay."
Lin Chen was a bit startled, but didn’t say much.
The four of them sat down, and the Great Elder said, "You clearly stated you wouldn’t come to this conference, why?
Sun Ji had kept his eyes on Zhong Nan, as a physician, he had diagnosed Zhong Nan a year ago and understood his health condition well.
Seeing Zhong Nan looking so healthy now, it’s evident that he employed the Rejuvenation Skill.
But Sun Ji was aware, this Rejuvenation Skill is one of the Divine Arts, the more often used, the more severe the depletion of lifespan.
"Why would you do this?" So, when Sun Ji spoke, his expression was somewhat upset.
The Great Elder was also late to realize, upon hearing this, he understood.
Zhong Nan squeezed out a smile and said, "I know my lifespan well; even if I rest, I won’t live past three more years."
Sun Ji sighed.
So it is.
Zhong Nan must have many methods for life extension, like the Essence Blood of the Undying Phoenix, or Life-Extending Pill, and so forth.
But Zhong Nan’s illness is a destiny, even miraculous medicines can’t heal it.
"Three years is enough for you to train the next generation of National Preceptor..." The Great Elder spoke, "Now, Cangling Ancient Country is facing turbulent times, only you can stabilize the situation."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Nan said, "That’s precisely why I came."
Then, looking at the Great Elder, he continued, "This time I’m planning to use the Dragon Transformation Skill to meet this Great Demon; if successfully slain, Humans could enjoy a hundred years’ peace. If not slain, at least I can test its depth for posterity."
The three were taken aback upon hearing this, seeing Zhong Nan even use the Rejuvenation Skill, it seemed genuine.
"I came mainly to bid farewell to you, my old friends." Zhong Nan continued, the words caused the Great Elder and Sun Ji’s expressions to darken instantly.
Sun Ji’s eyes reddened, he stood up saying, "I will prepare some drinks and dishes."
Zhong Nan nodded, then said to the Great Elder, "You should go too."
The Great Elder was taken aback, but understood Zhong Nan had something to say to Lin Chen, so he stood up and left.
Once they departed, only Lin Chen and Zhong Nan remained. The latter said, "I know you have many questions, some I can answer, and some I can’t."
Lin Chen gulped.
Facing the National Preceptor he’d met just a few times, Lin Chen indeed had many questions but didn’t know where to start.
"You imparted the Dragon Transformation Skill to me, did you foresee Bai Ling being attacked beforehand? Do you know the assailant?" Lin Chen asked two questions back-to-back.
"Is this answer crucial?" Zhong Nan asked.
"Of course it is."
"Are you thinking, can I foresee the future?" Zhong Nan said.
Lin Chen was taken aback.
Internally, he didn’t believe in foreseeing the future, but Zhong Nan did display that ability.
Bai Ling’s attack required eleven drops of Phoenix Essence Blood and so forth.
Zhong Nan laughed, "Some say the National Preceptor is heavenly, we are also called heavenly beings, but essentially we just bear the word ’heaven’, in essence, we are humans."
Lin Chen seemed partially understanding, Zhong Nan continued, "I can foresee certain future aspects, but there are costs."
"What about the future?"
"That is my envisioned future, not yours." Zhong Nan said, "You must know that the future can be changed."
Listening to Zhong Nan’s cryptic message, Lin Chen exhaled, he discerned...
Even if some things were foreseen, Zhong Nan might not reveal them.
Yet Lin Chen still felt astounded.
This future...
Can it truly be foreseen?
"As for the matter of Bai Ling, she’s indeed been eliminated." Zhong Nan said, "The next National Preceptor is Gu Ning."
Lin Chen said nothing.
The competition for National Preceptor depends on ability and destiny.
Bai Ling’s destiny was adequate, only her skills were insufficient.
"Actually you should’ve known earlier, Bai Ling wasn’t the suitable choice, why did you take her to the Celestial Capital back then?" Lin Chen asked, perplexed.
Zhong Nan sighed, saying, "Maybe, I wanted to defy the heavens, change the future once."
....
That night, Lin Chen couldn’t sleep.
Zhong Nan’s presence provoked deep reflection in Lin Chen.
Judging from Sun Ji’s demeanor, even if Zhong Nan could slay the Great Demon King, he would inevitably die.
The succession of National Preceptors would undoubtedly stir great turmoil in Cangling Ancient Country.
Lin Chen only hoped Zhong Nan could indeed slay the Demon King, otherwise Zhong Nan’s downfall might signal a war outbreak between Humans and Demon Race.
But from that day forward, Lin Chen never saw Zhong Nan again.
Three days later, the conference continued, initiating the third match.
This time, the ten-level arena was still dominated by Demon Race, and so was the twenty-level one.
At the thirty-level arena, the Demon Race finally sent forth the Little Ghost Hunting Wolf King.
After Fang You deployed the Nine Tribulation Beasts the previous match, the Little Ghost Hunting Wolf King held grudges and couldn’t sleep well these few days.
"Seems this little wolf pup holds grudges." Lin Chen remarked to Fang You beside him, watching the Little Ghost Hunting Wolf King step onto the arena, "The opponent is strong, don’t underestimate it."
Fang You nodded.
In the past, Lin Chen, Fang You, and Zhang Suqing’s Spirit Beasts teamed up to defeat the Little Ghost Hunting Wolf King.
Today’s Lin Chen naturally didn’t take it seriously, but Fang You was different.
The appearance of the Little Ghost Hunting Wolf King sparked widespread discussion, as it was the first to appear with Beast King Bloodline.
"The Demon Race starts sending Beast King level Demon Beasts, it seems they plan to go all out.""