Chapter 201: Chapter 201: I saw that I was going to die
Chapter 201: Chapter 201: I saw that I was going to die
In Cloudview County, adjacent to the Endless Forest, there stands a towering mountain with a city at its base.
Here, a Psychic guards a high tower, at the top of which, even in broad daylight, sits a massive gem—an exceptional ability weapon, coveted by many yet guarded only by a Foundational Energy Psychic.
Especially at the very top of the tower, reaching into the clouds, there is a formation.
At this moment.
Stephen, the former head of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, stands against the wind at this spot.
The kindly old man, dressed in flowing white robes, has his pale hair whipped back by the fierce wind.
He looks older than before, yet his stature remains imposing.
"Sigh."
Suddenly, a figure appears beside Stephen.
It's Olivia!
But this time, she isn't sitting in a wheelchair; she stands shoulder to shoulder with Stephen.
The two stand at the highest point in Cloudview County, overlooking the vast, lush forest that stretches endlessly.
No one knows what secrets the forest hides.
Across from the Endless Forest lies the entirety of Cloudview County—a collection of cities that symbolize the prosperity and glory of the county.
But from this height, all of Cloudview County seems so small, so fragile, as if they could easily crush it all with a mere gesture.
They stand in silence for a long time.
Ethan, watching from his screen, also remains silent for a long time, quietly observing the beautiful scenery of Cloudview County with Olivia and Stephen.
After a while.
Stephen extends his hand as if trying to grasp the wind of Cloudview County in his palm.
His aged voice rises, filled with pride.
"Across from Cloudview County lies the Endless Forest, home to the Druids who are close to nature and practice their unique arts."
"Thirteen hundred thousand years ago, at the beginning of the dynasty's turmoil, the Druids emerged with their mythical beasts, aiming to take over the pure lands of Cloudview County. Only the Azure Cloud Pavilion stood in their defense."
He then points to another area, "Look there, Dawn's master, that was once a county under my dynasty's rule."
Olivia looks.
That area... is now covered by forests.
She can't help but wonder how prosperous that county must have been, possibly home to various sects and families like Blackwood.
Olivia shakes her head, "The energy locator of The Oracle Chamber, did you tamper with it?"
Ethan's fingers tap on the desk in front of his screen.
Over the years, Blackwood has always been scheming.
Back then, he and Olivia hadn't thought much about it; they wanted to bring the descendants of Blackwood back to their forebearer lands, to let them live out their lives in peace, making Blackwood invincible in Cloudview County.
That had always been Olivia's plan, but gradually, they realized that a dark hand in the cloudy skies was suffocating Blackwood.
And that person was not The Oracle Chamber as a whole, but one individual—Stephen!
This man, with his multiple identities, had once released William, even leading the people of Blackwood to believe he was a reasonable and kind man.
"Yes."
Stephen gives a bitter smile, "It was a tactic of The Oracle Chamber, allowing me to find Dennis and obtain items from your Blackwood family. Through the destiny energy locator, I was able to track you down. Thus, Blackwood has nowhere to hide."
"The ultimate result is that Blackwood, Sky Sect, Black Tortoise, and Duke's Mansion will engage in a life-and-death struggle against the nine major forces."
"That's exactly what The Oracle Chamber wants, not my desire."
"I just didn't expect..."
"It turns out that you at Blackwood had been prepared all along, with the remnants of twenty-three ancestors from Azure Cloud Pavilion. Even I, once the master of Azure Cloud Pavilion, was unaware of their existence. It seems I overstepped."
Olivia furrowed her brows, "Thank you."
Her feelings were mixed; Blackwood had always been searching for the forces secretly targeting them over the years.
Now that she had found them, she discovered that Stephen was targeting Blackwood but also helping them. Such contradiction left her unsure of what to do... after all, she didn't want to lay a hand on a dying man.
"In Cloudview County, the original players in this game of chess were only two, Duke's Mansion and The Oracle Chamber."
"The Oracle Chamber's goal is simple; they want to destroy Cloudview County. Duke Michael... he's a beast, willing to do anything to gain complete control over Cloudview County."
Upon hearing this, both Olivia and Ethan nodded.
They had uncovered this through years of investigation.
The real answer lay in the endless forest. Michael was waiting for chaos in Cloudview County, waiting for the major forces to fight to the death!
Thus, the druids would gather masters, taking advantage of the deaths of Cloudview County's masters, a disaster like the one Thirteen hundred thousand years ago would reoccur.
The survivors would then dominate Cloudview County!
When Ethan first heard this news, he couldn't believe it. Later, he understood more clearly; Michael, now over seven hundred years old, could even break through to become a divine being after dominating Cloudview County.
"That day, when you Blackwood were building the Jingguan outside Azure Cloud Pavilion, I saw it."
Stephen smiled, "I saw that you Blackwood were different, like awakened lions. Similarly, I saw..."
"I saw that I was going to die."
Stephen's expression gradually darkened.
"I know that Azure Cloud Pavilion can no longer command the whole of Cloudview County like it did Thirteen hundred thousandyears ago; they've decayed, and so has the whole of Cloudview County."
"Cloudview County needs a cleansing, and you Blackwood are doing well, driving the people from other sects of Azure Cloud Pavilion away."
"I also know that The Oracle Chamber and Duke's Mansion will never miss such an opportunity."
Stephen sneered, "They want to be the players in this game, treating the lives in Cloudview County as if they were mere ants. Well, I, Stephen, will not let them have their way!"
"When you Blackwood were slaughtering, they were happy."
"But they don't know that this is also our opportunity, to remove those truly greedy, and Cloudview County can see clear skies and bright days again!"
"The siege outside Sky Sect caught the three greediest scoundrels!"
Upon hearing this.
Olivia and Ethan's mouths twitched simultaneously across the screen. No wonder the three Competent Forces arrived so quickly that day; it seemed like the major forces of Azure Cloud Pavilion instantly knew about the troubles caused by Blackwood, all thanks to Stephen, that treacherous dog.
He must have been secretly watching Blackwood since leaving Azure Cloud Pavilion.
"Aren't you afraid that Blackwood will be destroyed?" Olivia's brows merged into a single line, now wanting to send Stephen's soul to her father.
"What's there to fear?"
Stephen laughed, "If Blackwood truly perishes, then I need not worry. They'll divide up your Blackwood, and Cloudview County will still be the same old Cloudview County. Either way, I win, and I can return to Azure Cloud Pavilion to purge those other sect forces that have shown themselves."
Regardless of Olivia's expression.
Stephen quietly said, "I am glad that everything has gone as I contemplated. Gary, Abbot David, Donald are all dead, and the major forces of Cloudview County have no internal worries."