Lord of Prayer

Chapter 235: Chapter 171: Prying Gaze

Charles had now regained his youth, shedding his old, frail body for a powerful physique. Rebuilding the Eternal Life Machine on his own would hardly be a difficult task for him.

’If I want to find the underground laboratory, I’ll need a professional information broker, like Antonio or the head of the underground black market.’

’The most direct method is to look for clues from the Li Clan. They sponsored the Eternal Life Project, so their involvement would have been essential for digging an underground lab. That’s a massive undertaking—Charles and Howard couldn’t have done it alone.’

’The final questions are why Charles was prowling all over Hong City before, and why he suddenly started spying on me…’

Zhou Chen couldn’t find a reasonable explanation for these two questions. Perhaps Charles had gained some kind of Ability after activating the Eternal Life Machine, or maybe the Forbidden Ancient Book had granted him a Mysterious Power. This might have allowed him to sense that he was being located through divination, which is why his gaze had turned toward him.

And the bizarre emotions contained within that prying gaze—hunger, greed, and even ecstasy—were enough to prove that Charles was now in a polluted state.

’The Blood Race and the Crimson Sect are also looking for Charles. I wonder if they’ll find him… I should probably contact the Li Clan’s upper echelon directly. That would be faster.’

After formulating his plan of action, Zhou Chen focused his mind and tried to connect with the other members of the Round Table Hall. As expected, the attempt failed. There was no one to contact on the other side; after all, this was the year 174 of the New Era.

His consciousness sank, returning to the real world. He got up, threw the empty lemon tea container into the trash, and prepared to go home and wait for nightfall.

Nighttime was when all the ghouls and goblins came out to play.

「The villa.」

Zhou Chen saw Li Xiye sitting in the living room, calling her parents. When she saw him return, she quickly ended the call and waved him over.

“The Star Association found the culprit who was keeping the Corrupters,” Li Xiye said. “He’s a deliveryman in his thirties, a follower of the Abyss Church who was secretly experimenting with human corruption.”

“He strangled himself to death at home. The people from the Star Association said his spiritual perception was too high and he saw something he shouldn’t have, which made him completely lose his sanity…”

As she spoke, she told Zhou Chen everything she had learned and showed him the bizarre painting, asking for his opinion.

Zhou Chen took the phone and looked at the photo, his brow furrowed.

’The massive energy fluctuation the Star Association detected was undoubtedly from the activation of the Eternal Life Machine. According to them, this energy tore through the real world, ripping fissures in the barrier between it and the Spirit Realm. Unstable spacetime turbulence was mixed in, and some people with high spiritual perception and special constitutions might inadvertently peer through these fissures and see incredibly bizarre things.’

The Star Association had received numerous reports over the past few days from ordinary people and Ascenders alike. Some claimed to have dreamed of a terrifying Hell. One person dreamed of a fantastical carnival amusement park, filled with lively song and dance, but when the other visitors noticed him, their expressions turned savage as they screamed and charged. Luckily, he woke up quickly, or the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Another dreamed they were in a magnificent Life Church, and it was later confirmed that their spiritual body had indeed appeared for a few seconds in the Rainbow City Life Church.

Another dreamed his wife was having an affair with her male best friend. He woke up in a rage, called his buddies, and went to the hotel, only to find it was actually true.

For the most part, the things people dreamed of were not dangerous. Those who were unlucky enough to see something dangerous were already dead.

Take the Abyssal Cultist, for example.

Because his spiritual perception was so high, he saw some indescribable monsters in his dream, causing his sanity to evaporate completely. In a fit of madness, he drew the last thing he saw and then strangled himself.

“So the Star Association is saying this is something that’s going to happen in the future?” Zhou Chen repeatedly examined the photo, trying to discern some clue from it.

“Yeah. They also said these twisted lines are Corrupters or something even more terrifying—enough to scare an Abyssal Cultist to death.” Li Xiye scratched her head. “You don’t think what’s drawn here is really me, do you?”

Zhou Chen secretly performed a divination and got an affirmative result. He sighed. “Unfortunately, that is you in the drawing. You should just behave and go stay at the Star Association. At least you won’t have to worry about your life while you’re there.”

“Alright then. I’ll take the dog with me. You can live here by yourself for the time being.” Li Xiye accepted this reality and generously agreed to let Zhou Chen continue staying there.

“Thanks. There’s one more thing I need your help with.”

“What is it?”

“You’re related to Howard, right? Once you’re at the Star Association, find a chance to see him. He’s probably recovering in the medical department. All I need is for you to let me talk to him on the phone,” Zhou Chen said.

It would be difficult for him to get into the medical department himself, but Li Xiye, as a relative, could give it a try.

“You’re looking for Howard?” Li Xiye thought for a moment, then tsked. “He deleted my contact info a long time ago, otherwise I could just call him now… How about I ask one of the family elders for his number?”

Zhou Chen pondered for a moment, then decided to be more direct. “Never mind. Just tell the elders of your family that I want to meet the old master of the Li Family.”

“Huh?” Li Xiye was stunned.

「Evening.」

「Outside Li Manor.」

Li Xiye stood there in a baseball jacket, hands stuffed in her pockets, chewing bubble gum. She looked utterly bored, clearly having no interest in coming home. If it weren’t for Zhou Chen, she wouldn’t have bothered.

At the manor entrance, the butler and servants had already been waiting for some time. Upon seeing Zhou Chen, the butler immediately broke into a smile, stepped forward, and bowed. “Mr. Zhou, the head of the family has prepared a banquet. Please, follow me.”

Zhou Chen nodded without any further reaction and followed the butler to the main hall.

This wasn’t a side hall, but the main reception hall, resplendent and filled with a dignified, elegant air. A line of the Li Clan’s core executives had clearly been waiting for some time.

It was clear how much importance they placed on an Ascender who was also an Alchemist.

The current head of the Li Family, Li Rong, stepped forward to shake Zhou Chen’s hand, smiling warmly. “You must be Mr. Zhou. Seeing you today, you truly are as distinguished as they say, and so accomplished at such a young age. It’s no wonder you won the Alchemy competition.”

“Xiao Ye, you’ve grown taller, too. Your parents will be over in a bit. Please, have a seat.”

Li Xiye nodded expressionlessly. “Hello, Uncle.”

The two sat down, and a servant immediately came forward to serve them tea.

Zhou Chen took a small sip. He found the tea’s aroma to be rich and fragrant, and after drinking, his Spiritual Power even increased by a sliver. He smiled. “This is excellent tea. No wonder you all look so rosy-cheeked and full of Essence, Qi, and Spirit. One would never guess you were in your forties or fifties.”

’Awakening Tea. It comes from Restricted Area No. 1899 and has the effect of refreshing the mind and enhancing Spiritual Power. It’s said that drinking enough of it gives one a chance to awaken as an Ascender, which is why it’s a favorite among the wealthy. But Zhou Chen knew this was just a marketing gimmick. Even if you drank it by the gallon every day, those who weren’t fated to awaken never would.’

“You flatter us,” Li Rong chuckled. “Mr. Zhou, may I ask the purpose of your visit to the Li Clan today?”

“To discuss a deal.”

Zhou Chen set down his teacup. “I want to see your patriarch.”

Going over the head of the current clan leader to meet directly with the patriarch was an insult to Li Rong. Yet, he showed no displeasure, merely smiling calmly. “Please forgive me, Mr. Zhou, but the patriarch has been in poor health. He caught a cold a few days ago, so it isn’t convenient for him to see visitors.”

Just then, servants approached with serving carts. They set out cutlery for Zhou Chen and Li Xiye and began serving platter after platter of delicacies: garlic Australian lobster, pan-seared foie gras, sablefish rolls, cream of mushroom soup…

Acting as if he were in his own home, Zhou Chen casually picked up a steaming lobster and began to peel it. He said nonchalantly,

“I can forge Extraordinary Armaments.”

Everyone in the room simultaneously held their breath.