Chapter 00095: Hurry and Capture Qi Xinyue (Additional Chapter for Alliance Leader Jue Lian's Madness)
# Hurry and Capture Qi Xinyue (Additional Chapter for Alliance Leader Jue Lian's Madness)
Chapter 95
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 95: Hurry and Capture Qi Xinyue (Additional Chapter for Alliance Leader Jue Lian's Madness)
"I believe in you. Your cultivation isn't inferior to mine, so don't call me 'senior' anymore. You can just call me by my name," Zhong Chi said without hesitation.
Ding Huan's ability to tread on a log and make it here was no small feat, especially with the numerous ferocious sea beasts lurking in the waters.
Particularly, there was a type of fish called the knife-backed fish, which could leap out of the water and shoot unpredictable arrow-like projectiles.
"Alright, Senior Zhong, please come aboard," Ding Huan said as he landed back on the log.
"Haha..."
Zhong Chi laughed heartily, leaping into the air and landing on the other end of the log.
He carried nothing with him, his only weapon being the blade in his hand, so he was ready to leave at any moment.
Ding Huan channeled his true essence into his feet, and the log swiftly cut through the water, carrying them away.
"Impressive skill," Zhong Chi couldn't help but praise.
Ding Huan smiled.
"In terms of cultivation, I'm far behind you, Senior. I'm just younger. If you weren't injured, treading on this log and moving across the sea would be a breeze for you."
Zhong Chi shook his head and then said, "Ding Huan, if you consider me a friend, don't call me 'senior.' I'm only in my forties."
"Alright then, I'll call you Old Zhong," Ding Huan said casually.
He had called Zhong Chi "senior" out of respect for his efforts in protecting Earth from the ferocious beasts, not because of his cultivation level or age.
Zhong Chi nodded in satisfaction.
"If I weren't injured, my true essence wouldn't be much stronger than yours. And the way you tread on this log with such ease—I couldn't do that. Especially not now. What you're cultivating is truly remarkable."
As one of the earliest innate experts, Zhong Chi was well aware of the differences between genetic cultivation and martial arts cultivation.
He understood that Ding Huan was practicing genetic cultivation, not martial arts.
Both genetic and martial arts cultivation had their merits, but ordinary genetic cultivation paled in comparison to martial arts cultivation.
The only advantage of genetic cultivation was its speed—it didn't require the years or even decades of foundational training that martial arts did.
But how many decades does a person have in their lifetime? That's why those who excelled in martial arts were as rare as phoenix feathers.
"Old Zhong, I'll help you detoxify later. Once you recover your strength, we'll head ashore," Ding Huan said as he steered the log toward the rocky island where Qi Xinyue was.
Although he had severely injured the giant ape on his way here, it likely wasn't dead yet.
If both the giant ape and the dragon emerged, Ding Huan wouldn't stand a chance alone.
"Detoxification? Forget it. This poison is probably incurable. Once I get back, I'll settle the score with that scoundrel Shi Changyi first. Even if I die, as long as I take that bastard down, I'll die content," Zhong Chi said, shaking his head.
Ding Huan sighed.
"Old Zhong, you're too naive."
"What? Don't believe in my abilities? I don't even need to lift a finger to deal with that trash," Zhong Chi said, displeased with Ding Huan's apparent underestimation of him.
As the strongest cultivator in China, Zhong Chi had not only a reputation but also friends everywhere.
Why would he fear some foreigner?
Ding Huan chuckled.
"Old Zhong, it's not that I look down on you. If you weren't poisoned and were at your peak, maybe you really wouldn't need to lift a finger to suppress Shi Changyi. But now that you're poisoned, it's a different story. It's like when you're wealthy—people will offer you money without you even asking. But once you're down and out, most of those people will avoid you."
Zhong Chi fell silent upon hearing Ding Huan's words.
He knew the people in the Federation and the top ten academies of Blue Star all too well.
If he returned injured, what Ding Huan said might very well come true.
The reason the Federation and the Chinese Security Bureau had been lenient with the Genetic Alliance was because the alliance had two super experts: Shi Changyi, the alliance leader, and his shadow, Leng Qi.
Zhong Chi sighed.
"There's no cure for my poison. I know that. My meridians are poisoned. Even if I hadn't met you today, I wouldn't have lived much longer."
Meridian poisoning wasn't something modern medicine could solve.
Perhaps a genetic antidote could be developed, but by the time that happened, Zhong Chi's bones would have long turned cold.
Ding Huan smiled.
"I say it can be done, so it can. Whether you believe me or not is up to you."
Zhong Chi didn't respond.
It wasn't a matter of belief—it was simply impossible.
...
Qi Xinyue sat on the rocky island like a statue, staring blankly at the churning sea in the distance.
Her mind was completely empty.
She didn't know how long she had been sitting there, nor did she know how much longer she would sit.
When two figures appeared in her line of sight, her thoughts were still in a state of unconscious wandering.
It wasn't until the figures drew closer and she recognized one of them as Ding Huan that she suddenly stood up and rushed to the edge of the island.
Ding Huan stopped the log at the edge of the island and leaped off, landing in front of Qi Xinyue.
Seeing her tear-streaked face, he asked, "Miss Xinyue, what's wrong?"
"Ah..."
Qi Xinyue suddenly snapped out of her daze, realizing she shouldn't be acting this way.
She quickly wiped her eyes.
"I was just feeling homesick."
"Don't worry. As long as you work hard on your cultivation, there's still hope of returning home. Let's go inside and rest for a bit. We'll discuss how to leave this place," Ding Huan said.
He then remembered Zhong Chi and quickly introduced him.
"This is Zhong Chi..."
"Ding Huan, isn't she the girl who was captured on the spaceship? Why is she..."
Zhong Chi clearly recognized Qi Xinyue and knew where she came from.
Ding Huan smiled.
"Yes, what about it?"
Zhong Chi's expression turned serious as he looked at Ding Huan.
"Ding Huan, I suggest you tie her up now and take her to the Federation for imprisonment. This is no small matter."
Ding Huan looked at Zhong Chi calmly.
"Old Zhong, if you don't want to come with us, you can stay here. We'll be leaving now."
With that, Ding Huan ignored Zhong Chi and walked into the cave where his bag was.
Zhong Chi quickly followed.
"Ding Huan, I know you're not happy with what I said, but have you considered the consequences? If the Federation and the Genetic Alliance find out you're with an alien who invaded Earth, not only will you be hunted, but everyone around you will be too. You'll be public enemy number one."
Ding Huan turned to Zhong Chi and said word by word, "Old Zhong, I don't need anyone to tell me what to do, nor do I need the Federation or the Genetic Alliance dictating my actions. Alien invasion? Hah, ask yourself honestly—who was it that lured that spaceship here?"
"I know, but..."
Ding Huan waved his hand.
"Old Zhong, let me make this clear. The moment the Genetic Alliance sent out that signal searching for alien civilizations, the alien invasion was inevitable. No one could change that. She has nothing to do with it. In fact, she's a victim—victimized by the Genetic Alliance and the Federation. Of course, the spaceship is also partly to blame."
Ding Huan knew Qi Xinyue's background all too well.
In essence, she was just like him back in the day.
He had been captured by the Genetic Alliance and taken into space to be used as a test subject for genetic experiments.
Similarly, Qi Xinyue had been labeled a heretic in her homeland and taken into space to search for the planet where the divine race lived.
At this point, Ding Huan stopped and looked at Zhong Chi.
"Old Zhong, I used to feel some sympathy for you. After all, you were ambushed by Shi Changyi while fighting genetic beasts. But now I see—you deserved it. With your rigid thinking and tendency to follow the crowd, it's no wonder you were ambushed. The saying 'the pitiable have their own hateful traits' applies to you. Can't you think for yourself? Do you really believe the nonsense spouted by the Genetic Alliance? Have you forgotten who poisoned you?"
To be honest, Ding Huan was starting to regret bringing Zhong Chi here.
The man was so rigid, it seemed all his intelligence had gone into cultivation.
"Do you know why the Federation imprisoned her? It's because of that scumbag Shi Changyi. He wants the secrets she holds, but he also wants to play the saint. Well, today I, Ding Huan, will take Qi Xinyue back openly and proudly. Who dares to stop me? Who can stop me?" Ding Huan's tone left no room for doubt.
Seeing the argument between Ding Huan and Zhong Chi, Qi Xinyue felt uneasy.
From their tone, she could tell the dispute was about her.
When she had been captured and imprisoned, Zhong Chi had been there and had even approved of it.
Now that he saw her again, he wanted Ding Huan to capture her.
But from Ding Huan's resolute attitude and disdainful look, she knew he would never do such a thing.
She stared at Ding Huan's commanding presence, feeling a warmth in her heart.
Perhaps that was why she had unconsciously shed tears when she saw him return—she had unknowingly come to see him as a friend.
Zhong Chi was stunned for a moment before slowly coming to his senses.
He bowed to Ding Huan and said, "I was too rigid. I always thought that whatever the Federation and the two alliances decided must be right. Shi Changyi is a rotten apple, but he's just one among many. Now I realize I was wrong. Ding Huan, thank you for reminding me. I really did pour all my energy into cultivation and neglected the common sense of human relationships."
He also recalled Ding Huan's earlier remark about how his attempt to return and seek revenge on Shi Changyi while still poisoned was laughable.
Ding Huan sighed and said to Zhong Chi, "Someone like you shouldn't be the top expert, nor should you let a few flattering words cloud your judgment. Here's my advice: don't listen to the Federation, and don't assume the two alliances are always right. If you take my advice, after we return, join the Security Bureau. Stop wandering the martial world—it's not for you."
"Alright," Zhong Chi replied earnestly.
He didn't think Ding Huan's criticism was wrong.
His daughter had repeatedly warned him not to associate with the Federation or trust the Genetic Alliance.
"Fine, I'll help you detoxify later. Let's go," Ding Huan said, resigned.
(End of Chapter)