Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 442 - 412 The last piece of the puzzle

Chapter 442: 412 The last piece of the puzzle

This is my first entry into the Void Realm since becoming Impermanence.

In the past, I was always unknowingly drawn into the Void Realm during my dreams, but now I can vaguely sense the process of being pulled in. Firstly, as I speculated, the Void Realm draws us Void Envoy into it through the Divine Seal Fragments.

Then...

I observed this space filled with gray mist. It seems that now, I can faintly grasp the reality and illusion of this space.

The feeling of the Void Realm is somewhat similar to the independently created reality space I experienced in the past, created by Ying Lingyun using the power of the Divine Seal Fragments.

No, it should be said that the independent reality space is similar to the Void Realm. Moreover, this statement might lower the dignity of the Void Realm. In reality, the differences between the two are vast. The independent reality space is essentially a snippet of reality maintained by the power of the Divine Seal Fragments, while the Void Realm is likely a phantasmal timestream created from scratch by the power of the Divine Seal Fragments.

The gray mist that shrouded my consciousness earlier is precisely a manifestation of the power of the Divine Seal Fragments. It probably enveloped my consciousness first, then traversed through time and space, connecting with the gray mist released by other Divine Seal Fragments. It seems that the current state of the divine seal is both fragmented and intact, and perhaps all the Divine Seal Fragments are one entity, and this phenomenon of connection possibly arises based on this reasoning. Coupled with this, the consciousnesses of the Void Envoy shrouded within it are also gathered together.

Thus, in a certain sense, the Void Realm could also be said to be located within the Complete Divine Seal.

I don’t know if my speculation is correct. It mixes many of my subjective feelings and unfounded reasoning. Perhaps it doesn’t even count as reasoning, as those who truly revere rationality and logic might consider these as mere figments of imagination brought about by supernatural forces. However, that is merely the view based on common sense. For me now, this kind of transcendental inspiration and intuition seems more trustworthy than any seemingly reliable reasoning. I decided to temporarily accept it as a conclusion.

I walked towards the depths of the gray mist, and before long, I arrived at the rocky seating area.

This area looked empty, but I was not the first to arrive. On the edge of the rocky seats, a woman’s shadow had already arrived ahead of time, sitting leisurely there. She was Seven. She did not comment on my arrival, merely lifted her head to glance at me, then withdrew her gaze, seemingly lost in thought to pass the time.

As for the Master of Divine Seal, he, as always, sat in the distance. One might suspect he’s never gotten up from the giant chair. He supported his chin, unmoving, seemingly reverting temporarily to a statue state, not casting even a glance at me.

Neither of them appeared to intend any communication. I am quite curious about Seven, but she exudes an aura that keeps people at a distance. Even if I initiate a conversation, she would likely ignore it, or respond with sarcasm - as if such words are written on the back of her head.

Nonetheless, I threw out a question: "Seven, are you with the Master of Divine Seal?"

From the start, Seven gave off the impression of having a preemptive understanding of the Void Realm and the Master of Divine Seal, even for the competition for fragments. Zhu Shi himself, upon hearing about Seven, once wondered if she might be an "alternate identity" inserted by the Master of Divine Seal among us, meaning she might be a manifestation or subordinate of the Master of Divine Seal.

Seven neither affirmed nor denied, not even turning her head, indeed treating my words as if they were wind by her ears. Can I regard her posture as acquiescence? However, if she is indeed the hidden manifestation or subordinate of the Master of Divine Seal, this seemingly acquiescent posture could be evidence that she isn’t. Because a manifestation or subordinate of the Master of Divine Seal would surely try to avoid such misunderstandings.

Or could it be the opposite, using my line of thinking against me? Such suspicion leads nowhere. I can only retract my thoughts temporarily and focus on my own matters.

I wanted to try if I can use my powers in the Void Realm now.

I raised my right hand, attempting to summon flames in my palm. Just like a stove with the gas turned off, my palm had no flames burning.

This attempt was not without gain. At least compared to before becoming Impermanence, I had new sensations.

First of all, it’s certain that the powers did not disappear within the Void Realm. I can now clearly feel that my powers still exist here, merely unable to manifest them correctly. This feeling is similar to past attempts to breach the firewall of the Human Bureau’s main base; clearly, I can perceive its interior but can’t channel my powers in.

However, the Void Realm and the independent reality space differ greatly on this point too. The independent reality space’s defense against external powers is limited to the boundary between inside and outside, like a hollow can with a hard shell. Once inside, powers can be freely wielded.

But the Void Realm is completely different; the Void Realm itself is a solid block of steel. Even if I am inside it, powers still remain "immobile."

Originally, not to mention whether they could "move," I couldn’t even bring my powers here. The reason this can be achieved is still due to the power of the Divine Seal Fragments.

Though I always say that I can’t use the power of the Divine Seal Fragments, a careful review of past experiences would reveal that I’ve actually been using the power of the Divine Seal Fragments all along. Whether in resisting the power of restart inside Dr. Silver Mask’s independent reality space or in invading the Human Bureau headquarters where Ying Lingyun is, the power of the Divine Seal Fragments has always been supporting me.

My difference from other Void Envoy lies in that they seem able to actively drive the power of the Divine Seal Fragments, while I can only passively receive support. Now I’ve established connections with two Divine Seal Fragments at the same time, making this feeling increasingly profound.

Fortunately, even this passive support seems to provide some assistance in using powers in the Void Realm. This indeed makes sense. Since the connection with the Divine Seal Fragments is the connection with the Void Realm; and as the connection with the Void Realm deepens, I can gradually have a moving body here and traverse the bewildering gray mist, so my powers of course should be able to enter here.

To wield them, I must find the correct means. In my view, there are two methods.

The first method is to elevate the powers to a level that can ignore the rules of the Void Realm, which I shall temporarily disregard as I don’t think I can contend directly with the power of the divine seal. The second method is to adjust my powers to a state that is harmonious with the Void Realm.

Just like a fish evolving legs to walk on land, if I can adjust my powers to synchronize with the Void Realm, I can move unimpeded here.

Therefore, the last piece of the puzzle is the "Right Positioning Heavenly Phenomena" that can emulate the heavens and the earth.

This is also the most challenging hurdle... As someone who is already Impermanence, how do I learn what only "the weak" can grasp, the Right Positioning Heavenly Phenomena?

While I was contemplating, I heard footsteps from afar. I reflexively raised my head to look, wondering if it might be Little Bowl coming. But I quickly determined that the source of the footsteps wasn’t a small girl like Little Bowl, but an adult male.

It seems that every time I enter the Void Realm, the first one I want to see is always Little Bowl.

The source of the footsteps passed through the gray mist, entering this rocky seat area while also revealing its body. Although it was just a vague black silhouette, you could still discern its identity from the body outline.

The newcomer was none other than Xuanming, who had recently attacked the Luoshan Branch Base under the guise of a Void Envoy, deliberately sullying the Master of Divine Seal’s name.

"...Seems I came early."

He muttered to himself while glancing at me and Seven, finally focusing his gaze on me.

"Number Three... no, Zhuang Cheng, right?" he asked.

It seems Xuanming already knows my real-world identity. Facing his casual revelation, I didn’t attempt to hide and directly nodded in response: "Yes."

"You feel different from before," Xuanming seemed to be observing my body, "I see, the first time we met, you hadn’t fully awakened yet."

At our first meeting, Xuanming was cautious towards me. With his ability to defeat both Fu Hongchen and Ming Zhuo, there was no need to present such an attitude to me, who was still at Great Success Rank then. Looking back, he might have mistaken me for already possessing the strength of Impermanence.

This is likely also related to the Void Realm’s highly peculiar environment. In this realm where powers cannot operate normally, even Xuanming couldn’t discern that, back then, I actually couldn’t exert my full power even in the real-world.

"I’ve heard about your deeds," Xuanming said, "You defeated Ming Zhuo and became the newly established Impermanence of Luoshan, is that correct?"

"That’s right. So what?" I asked.

Xuanming candidly stated, "If you choose to side with Luoshan, there might be a chance we’ll clash in the future."

I pondered briefly before asking, "I’ve also heard about you. Why have you positioned yourself against Luoshan? I don’t intend to accuse you for anything regarding Luoshan, actually, I don’t feel much belonging to it myself. I’m just very curious about your reasons for doing so."

"Different paths, not compatible. That’s all."

Xuanming succinctly answered, while casting a glance at the Master of Divine Seal who was seemingly asleep in the distance, hinting at some inner secrets he’d prefer not to be revealed to the Master.

Seeing this, I changed the subject: "You mentioned you came early... what does that mean?"

Hearing my question, Xuanming seemed to smile.

"I have something I wish to announce to everyone," he said, "As for what exactly, it’s better to wait until everyone is gathered before I disclose it."

He seemed to bring many secrets this time. Since he was unwilling to say, I didn’t press him further. Silence fell between us.

At this moment, footsteps echoed again from a distance. Turning my head, this time the steps were noticeably lighter than an adult man’s, perhaps a little girl’s.

Soon, a small figure entered the rocky seating area.

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