Chapter 582 - 228: Hmph, Dream On

"Although it’s a severed fault in time, you can think of it as a world completely identical to the current one."

Arnold subconsciously pinched his red nose with a white-gloved hand, speaking slowly as he mulled over the concept of a time fault.

"The same history, the same heritage. Besides some discrepancies in the people and events outside the point of fracture, everything else is identical!"

"Everything’s identical?"

Wei’en felt a flicker of understanding. ’That would explain the origin of those four Black Shadow Mages.’

"Not entirely. After all, it’s just a snapshot of the world from a specific period; many things couldn’t possibly exist there. For example, forbidden artifacts that have existed for ages, Era Relics, ancient ruins, and so on—none of those appeared during that time."

"But they possess Extraordinary knowledge?"

Arnold snapped, "As long as there are people, the knowledge will exist. The objects may be gone, but the knowledge can be written down, spoken of, and, more importantly, taught."

"I understand."

Wei’en lowered his head in thought for a moment. "You mentioned people... does that mean it’s possible for two identical individuals to exist?"

"Of course," Arnold gave him a surprised look, as if he hadn’t expected such a question. "But that depends on the one who severed that ’illusory’ world. If they wanted it to be so, it is. If not, it isn’t."

"But I can confirm that McCarthy didn’t create the time fault. He doesn’t have that kind of power! Even the True Gods might not possess such might!"

’Not even the True Gods?’

’So, there are beings even more powerful than the True Gods?’

Wei’en’s mind reeled. ’Right now, I’m no match for a "counterfeit god" like McCarthy, let alone a True God who rules over a kingdom. And above the True Gods...’

"I have no idea where that bastard stole that ’illusory’ world from," Arnold muttered, a maniacal grin then spreading across his face. "But this is good. A ’counterfeit god’ can’t protect both of those kingdoms. Little Mage, how about we find a way to steal his ’Slaughter’ kingdom?"

"How?"

"Hmm, with your current strength, it’s impossible, of course. You’d need to be at least beyond the Legendary rank. No rush, no rush... It’s enough that you’re willing to consider it."

Arnold began to dance and wave his arms. The tattered clown mask crinkled with his excited expression, making him look manic, savage, and terrifying...

A calm light filled Wei’en’s crimson eyes. "I can wait."

’Until he had absolute power, even if he came face-to-face with the Master of True Slaughter, McCarthy, he would still be butchered like a maggot, just like what almost happened today.’

’Therefore, he needed greater power—power that surpassed the "counterfeit gods," and even transcended the True Gods!’

’And Clelia... I hope she’s safe in that other world, just as she said she would be. Otherwise...’

At this thought, Wei’en scanned his surroundings. His Spirit perception swept over the ship, revealing the broken, filthy deck and the terrified pirates cowering belowdecks. It extended out to the gradually calming sea and the wreckage of other ships torn apart by the Storm.

The dark clouds in the sky scattered, revealing the red moon once more...

[You are illuminated by the Red Moon. As your Origin Power exceeds 100, you have resisted the Red Moon’s corruption. Special Reward: Survival Points +50, Origin Power -1 (Temporary), Spirit Level +1.]

[...]

[You are being guided by Forbidden Artifact 0-38, the Bell of Truth. Your general location has been exposed. Evaluation: A sea region covered by a Storm is likely to attract attention. Special Reward: Survival Points +50, Spirit Level +1, Resilience Level +1.]

Noticing the prompts on the panel, Wei’en immediately used his innate ability to alter his Origin Power, evading the forbidden artifact’s lock.

"Mr. Leonard, please take Tina back to the theater. I still have some things to take care of."

"Hee hee, of course."

Arnold gave a deep bow, like a curtain call at the end of a show, then led the quiet Little White Fur back into the theater dimension.

After they left, Wei’en gazed at the red moon in the night sky, his crimson pupils reflecting its scarlet glow.

’Clelia... wait for me...’

A bone-chilling killing intent, so tangible it was almost physical, radiated from him without restraint. The *Leonard* began to rock beneath his feet despite the lack of wind, startling the creatures of the Deep Sea into fleeing instantly.

"McCarthy—"

...

...

At the same time, within a void, a continent comparable in size to the Eastern Continent was starkly divided into two regions: one black, one white.

In the black region, everything—the soil, the trees, the rivers, the mountains, and the rocks—was black. Even the skin of the teeming creatures inhabiting the city-states was jet-black, their appearances savage and horrifying.

The white region, however, was enveloped by a colossal Rune Array. It formed a warm, silver-white aura that both illuminated the land below and defended against the encroachment of the black region that bisected the continent.

Along the border, city-states stood tall. More accurately, it was a defensive line stretching for tens of thousands of kilometers, composed of various fortresses, high towers, and towering city walls.

Every castle and tower bore signs of damage, great or small. Some had been so devastated by some terrifying force that only rubble and ruined walls remained.

Extraordinaries clad in all manner of defensive gear stood upon the city walls, their expressions grim as they stared out at the dark region opposite them.

The fact that they never removed their armor, not even to eat or sleep, showed that war between the two sides was a frequent occurrence, so brutal that no one dared to lower their guard.

Just then, a ripple spread through the endless void.

As the guards raised their alert, an enchanting figure emerged from the spatial ripple.