Chapter 502: Swept Into the Vortex (Two in One)

"How did it feel?"

Ning Wei remained expressionless. "It didn't feel like anything."

Yan Jing nodded in deep agreement.

"I thought you would feel something special."

"Like seeing a certain someone, or remembering a certain event..."

"Stop." Ning Wei held up his hand.

"If I had to say, at that moment, only one thought remains in your head, and that is reaching the Summit."

"You really didn't see anything else?" Yan Jing asked with a smile.

"Do you think we're in a cartoon?" Ning Wei's expression was cold.

"That all it takes is a memory popping into your head to gain unrivaled power?"

"Alright." Yan Jing nodded, appearing to believe Ning Wei's words, but his distinctly teasing gaze made Ning Wei profoundly uncomfortable. "So, what are you planning to do next?" Yan Jing asked.

"Help your father? Or help beat him up?"

Ning Wei's gaze was calm.

"I'm not planning to take a side."

"Most of the matters here have nothing to do with me. Whether the Great Prison eventually returns to peace or welcomes a rebirth, it's all the same to me."

"Alright." Yan Jing nodded.

"Then that's that. See you later."

"..." Seeing Yan Jing turn around to leave, a hint of surprise flashed in Ning Wei's eyes.

He had originally thought that Yan Jing would use some means to keep making him work for him.

But looking at it now...

It seemed like everything was over?

This was a good thing.

After thinking for a moment, he pulled the sphere he had picked up from the constructor out of his pocket and tossed it to Yan Jing.

Yan Jing didn't turn his head. He simply reached out his hand, and the Crystal Ball automatically appeared in his grasp.

"If you think memories can actually do something, this is that guy's relic."

After speaking, Ning Wei turned and disappeared into the dense forest.

Yan Jing looked at the Crystal Ball in his hand, smiled, and put it away.

"I also thought you'd make him keep helping you."

Huo Tong stepped out from behind a tree and looked at Yan Jing.

Yan Jing smiled.

"He wasn't willing. Could I really force it?"

Huo Tong fell silent.

She was now trying to understand the deeper meaning hidden in Yan Jing's words.

After spending these past few days together, she felt that Yan Jing's way of speaking was a bit strange.

It wasn't that he was being secretive or beating around the bush, but rather that some of his words carried implied meanings.

You had to follow his words and think a layer deeper to truly understand them.

For example, this line about him not being willing...

It held profound meaning.

"Are you saying there will come a day when he is willing?"

Huo Tong looked at Yan Jing, hoping to verify her thoughts.

Seeing the somewhat surprised look in Yan Jing's eyes, she smiled, knowing she had guessed correctly.

"I've already mastered your way of speaking."

Huo Tong smiled triumphantly.

Yan Jing laughed.

"That's not a good sign, beautiful lady."

"When you start studying a person's words and actions, it means you might be starting to fall for them. This is a dangerous sign." "So full of yourself," Huo Tong said speechlessly.

Chattering back and forth, the two of them soon vanished into the jungle as well.

Sky Domain.

Two figures hovered high in midair, looking down from above.

The woman on the left was exceptionally tall. A tube top barely the width of a palm bound up a small half of her magnificent chest, while thigh muscle lines that looked as if they had been chiseled by a carving knife were vividly displayed through her black leather pants.

Her most striking feature was her head of white hair, which formed a perfect contrast with her dark skin.

The man on the right wore a loose hoodie and had a string of earrings on his right ear. He wore a mask over his face, making him look like some sort of niche indie music fan. Black tattoos spread from his neck down into his hoodie, the specific pattern impossible to discern.

Although their facial expressions were different, they both revealed a similar coldness. They looked down at the Sky Domain below as if looking at some sort of garbage. "Retreat."

Above the Sky Domain, a figure wearing a Black Robe received the message. With a dark expression, he ordered everyone to sound

"How did it feel?"

Ning Wei remained expressionless. "It didn't feel like anything."

Yan Jing nodded in deep agreement.

"I thought you would feel something special."

"Like seeing a certain someone, or remembering a certain event..."

"Stop." Ning Wei held up his hand.

"If I had to say, at that moment, only one thought remains in your head, and that is reaching the Summit."

"You really didn't see anything else?" Yan Jing asked with a smile.

"Do you think we're shooting a cartoon?" Ning Wei's expression was cold.

"That as long as a memory pops up in your heart, you can gain unrivaled power."

"Alright." Yan Jing nodded, appearing to believe Ning Wei's words, but his distinctly teasing gaze made Ning Wei profoundly uncomfortable. "So, what are you planning to do next?" Yan Jing asked.

"Help your father? Or help beat up your father?"

Ning Wei's gaze was calm.

"I'm not planning to take a side."

"Most of the matters here have nothing to do with me. Whether the Great Prison eventually returns to peace or welcomes a rebirth, it's all the same to me."

"Alright." Yan Jing nodded.

"Then that's that. See you later."

"..." Seeing Yan Jing turn around to leave, a hint of surprise flashed in Ning Wei's eyes.

He had thought Yan Jing would use some means to keep making him work for him.

But looking at it now...

It seemed like everything was over?

This was a good thing.

After thinking for a moment, he pulled the sphere he had picked up from the constructor out of his pocket and tossed it to Yan Jing.

Yan Jing didn't turn his head. He simply reached out his hand, and the Crystal Ball automatically appeared in his grasp.

"If you think memories can actually do something, this is that guy's relic."

After speaking, Ning Wei turned and disappeared into the dense forest.

Yan Jing looked at the Crystal Ball in his hand, smiled, and put it away.

"I also thought you'd make him keep helping you."

Huo Tong stepped out from behind a tree and looked at Yan Jing.

Yan Jing smiled.

"He wasn't willing. Could I really force him?"

Huo Tong fell silent.

She was now beginning to try and understand the deeper meaning hidden in Yan Jing's words.

After spending these past few days together, she felt that Yan Jing's way of speaking was a bit strange.

It wasn't that he was being secretive or beating around the bush, but rather that some of his words carried implied meanings.

You had to follow his words and think a layer deeper to truly understand them.

For example, this line about him not being willing...

It held a profound meaning.

"Are you saying there will come a day when he is willing?"

Huo Tong looked at Yan Jing, hoping to verify her thoughts.

Seeing the somewhat surprised look in Yan Jing's eyes, she smiled, knowing she had guessed correctly.

"I've already mastered your way of speaking."

Huo Tong smiled triumphantly.

Yan Jing laughed.

"That isn't a very good thing, beautiful lady."

"When you start studying a person's words and actions, it means you might be starting to fall for them. This is a dangerous sign." "So full of yourself," Huo Tong said, speechless.

Chattering back and forth, the two of them soon vanished into the jungle as well.

Sky Domain.

Two figures hovered high in midair, looking down from above.

The woman on the left was exceptionally tall. A tube top barely the width of a palm bound a small fraction of her magnificent chest, while thigh muscles that looked as if they had been chiseled by a carving knife were vividly displayed through her black leather pants.

Her most striking feature was her head of white hair, forming a perfect contrast with her dark skin.

The man on the right wore a loose hoodie and had a string of earrings on his right ear. He wore a mask over his face, making him look like some sort of niche indie music fan. Black tattoos spread from his neck down into his hoodie, the specific pattern impossible to discern.

Although their facial expressions were different, they both revealed a similar coldness. They looked down at the Sky Domain below as if looking at some sort of garbage. "Retreat."

Above the Sky Domain, a figure wearing a Black Robe received the message. With a dark expression, he ordered everyone to sound the retreat and pull back their forces.

The plan had failed. A very serious accident had occurred over in Elite City.

Two Eighth Tiers had died, and an unexpected person had appeared.

The higher-ups had already ordered them to retreat.

Just because that person's son had shown up, all their plans were now thrown into chaos and required further consideration.

"Fuck."

Looking at those two figures in the air, the man in the Black Robe spat, malice surging in his eyes.

"Sooner or later, I'm going to make that bitch kneel in front of me and suck it, and make that guy stand on the side and watch."

"That person's son..."

Thinking about how long they had prepared for this time, he clenched his fists.

Yet he also knew this was a good thing.

If the two sides were still playing a game of chess before, what they needed to do now was much simpler.

As long as they controlled that person, everything would become crystal clear.

Sky Domain.

"Here are your apples, and bananas."

Ning Wei looked at Cen Ji lying in the hospital bed and took out the fruit he had just gone to buy.

But Cen Ji didn't look at the fruit. She only looked at him with a complicated gaze.

"What do you want?" Ning Wei felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at.

"Those things I said before were just nonsense. Don't take them to heart."

Since he had now broken free from Yan Jing's control, there was no need for him to maintain a good relationship with Cen Ji.

He was ready to clear up the misunderstanding.

"Do you have any idea how many people are looking for you right now?"

Cen Ji asked in disbelief.

"And you actually chose to come deliver fruit to me?"

Great, she hadn't listened to a single word he just said.

The misunderstanding still wasn't cleared up.

Ning Wei sighed.

"That's exactly why I came here. Your place is the quietest. No one will come here."

Hearing this, a trace of loneliness flashed across Cen Ji's face.

Everyone knew that she had already been abandoned by the Great Prison.

Or even taking a step further, she was now the sort of 'invisible person' in the Great Prison.

She should have died, but she hadn't.

Which made things very awkward.

To the point where, since coming to the medical wing, she hadn't seen a single doctor aside from a nurse who treated her wounds at the very beginning.

If this had been a month ago, she absolutely wouldn't have imagined falling to such a state.

A candidate, now living worse than a criminal...

"Stay then," Cen Ji put away those petty thoughts in her heart and said calmly.

"You're the Young Master. I can't control how long you want to stay here."

"Thanks."

Ning Wei did a kip-up, lay down on the small bed on the other side, and started reading a book.

Cen Ji also took out her phone and began browsing some news.

Neither said a word to the other.

But this peace was quickly broken.

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of knocking echoed.

Two figures appeared in the doorway.

A woman with a head of white hair and a proud figure, and a man in a hoodie with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

They were exactly the two people who were in the Sky Domain earlier.

"Why are you here?"

Cen Ji's face darkened. She put down her phone and propped herself up to sit on the bed.

"If you've come to laugh at me, then you've come to the right place."

"But please leave quickly once you're done."

But the two didn't even look at her.

Instead, they looked to the side at Ning Wei.

"Young Master."

The woman spoke, her voice seeming to contain ice.

"Please come with us."

Ning Wei put down the book in his hand.

"Do I have the right to refuse?"

The man said flatly.

"It is the will of the two Deputy Wardens."

"If you don't go, we will have to force you."

Ning Wei laughed.

"Is this how you two communicate with this so-called 'Young Master' of yours?"

The woman's expression was icy.

"The two Deputy Wardens are doing this for your own good."

Beside him, Cen Ji shot Ning Wei a look, gesturing for him not to go.

But the woman curled the corners of her lips and turned to look at Cen Ji.

"If you are pinning your hopes on rising up by kissing up to the Young Master, your wishful thinking is about to fall flat."

"The two Deputy Wardens have already found a prominent daughter for the Young Master."

"They will be married in about a month."

"...What?"

For a moment, Ning Wei thought he had misheard.

But the woman didn't repeat herself. She only reached out her hand, gesturing once more for Ning Wei to follow them.

Ning Wei's mind spun rapidly, and he quickly understood.

Instantly, he laughed out of sheer anger.

"You sold me out."

"To use me for a political marriage with another Domain?"

"You're treating me as a hostage, just to get another Domain involved in the Great Prison's gamble?!"

"My identity was exposed three hours ago, and three hours later even my future wife is already arranged?!"

"No wonder you two are so fearless. Heh heh, after I'm gone, the successor will indeed have to be chosen from you two."

"Don't waste time, Young Master." The man spoke calmly.

"Everyone is very busy."

"Fine, great, very well."

Ning Wei said "fine" several times in succession. Finally, with a dark expression, he nodded.

"Fine, I'll go with you."

"Please."

The two of them stood in place without the slightest hint of respect, looking as if they were waiting for a criminal.

Ning Wei stood up from the bed, gave the two a cold look, and then pushed the door open and walked out.

"Sooner or later, you'll end up just like me."

Just as the two were about to walk out the door, Cen Ji suddenly sneered and spoke.

"You think everything is fine right now, as good as it gets."

"But this is as far as it goes."

"In this game, there are people playing chess, and people watching chess, but we are all chess pieces."

Hearing Cen Ji's words, the two exchanged a glance, both seeing the mockery in the other's eyes.

Then, the woman smiled and said, "Your voice right now is sounding more and more like those criminals—that very same garbage voice you used to hate the most."

"So noisy."

With that, the woman reached out her hand. Even though there were still two or three meters between them and Cen Ji, a loud slap echoed. Cen Ji's face instantly swelled up, her hairband was slapped right off, and one side of her face puffed up high.

The two ignored Cen Ji and walked straight out the door.

But the moment they pushed the door open, their eyes both narrowed.

Where was there any trace of Ning Wei in front of them?

Looking around, there were only densely packed, illusory souls wandering the hallway.

The instant the two appeared, those souls slowly turned their heads and looked at them, a fierce glint flashing in their eyes.

"You're here again!"

In the dimly lit cell, a woman jumped off the bed, ran to the bars, and looked at Ning Wei, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Did you bring me a letter from Xiao Xu again?"

"No."

Ning Wei panted heavily, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

He had just sprinted to the Special Prison Cell at top speed, knocking out several staff members before finally seeing the woman.

"Oh."

Disappointment flashed across the woman's face.

She was like a teenage girl, never hiding her emotions.

"Then why were you running so fast?"

"...I... I want to make a deal with you..."

Listening to the faint sirens coming from outside the Special Prison Cell, Ning Wei spat out his words like a machine gun.

"I've advanced now, but I've gotten into trouble. Now they're treating me as a hostage, trying to make me go and..."

Several minutes later.

The white-haired woman and the hoodie-wearing man found Ning Wei at the entrance of the Special Prison Cell, sitting slumped against the wall with a despondent face.

"Let's go, Young Master. Hide-and-seek is over."

Neither of them had any wounds on their bodies, but one could still tell from a few details how disheveled they had just been.

For example, the messy hems of their clothes, their slightly disordered breathing...

"Heh heh."

Ning Wei sneered twice and stood up as if accepting his fate.

"Apologies."

The man expressionlessly pulled a pair of translucent shackles from his pocket and cuffed one of Ning Wei's hands to his own.

"I'm very curious, Young Master, what exactly did you go to do just now?"

The woman's lips curled up slightly, her tone like she was interrogating a prisoner.

"Tan Yan and I spent quite a bit of time trying to find you, Young Master."

"You didn't take a trip outside, did you?"

"Of course, you don't have to answer, but this is also what those two meant to ask."

The next second, Ning Wei suddenly jerked his head up, startling the woman so much her eyelids twitched.

"Giant Vein Immortal Sect."

Ning Wei spat out a name.

"What?"

The woman didn't quite catch that.

But Ning Wei merely smiled and didn't say another word.

"Now, everyone practice on your own."

Yan Jing ordered the Wizard Tribe to practice their Ice Pathway abilities independently.

Then he stepped through the white snow, walked to an empty clearing, and sat down on a wooden stump to play with the Crystal Ball that Ning Wei had given him.

A few seconds later, as if having made up his mind, he called out Fei Yu.

"Thanks for your hard work, Xiao Yu."

He said with a smile.

Fei Yu nodded.

"Go ahead, I'll keep watch."

Saying that, Fei Yu carried over a large rock and sat down beside Yan Jing.

Soon, Weird Energy surged around Yan Jing's body and sank into the Crystal Ball in his hand.

Seeing Yan Jing's breathing gradually return to normal, Fei Yu stopped forcing herself to act calm and happily began humming a tune.

When it came down to it, her Young Master still trusted her the most.

"Xiao Xu!"

A woman's voice drifted over.

Yan Jing lowered his head and looked at his now-tiny palms, then raised his head again and looked at the large woman across from him.

The woman had wavy, orange-red hair that reminded one of the newly risen, warm sun upon a snowy field, while those eyes that curved slightly even when she wasn't smiling brought to mind the waning moon in the night sky.

Seeing that Yan Jing didn't answer her, the woman called out "Xiao Xu" once more, her eyes revealing a hint of worry.

"Ah, I'm here."

Yan Jing said.

The next instant, a warm palm touched his forehead.

The woman asked with a touch of concern, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

"No."

Yan Jing shook his head. Soon, he was picked up by the woman, held in her arms, and gently patted on the back.

"That's good then."

The woman's body was exceptionally soft, almost completely enveloping Yan Jing, and a faint fragrance drifted into his nose.

"I'm already nine years old, Sister Wen Qiao."

Yan Jing said.

"Even if you were nineteen, Xiao Xu, I'd still be older than you."

Wen Qiao smiled as she spoke, acting as if she hadn't understood his point.

"How was playing with your friends today?"

Wen Qiao asked softly.

According to the contents of Wen Xu's memories, Yan Jing answered:

"No, they still aren't willing to play with me."

"I'm too afraid of pain, and sometimes when I fall, the wounds take a long time to heal."

Hearing this, Wen Qiao grew a bit angry, though that tranquil face of hers was still so gentle even when carrying a hint of irritation.

"They clearly pushed you down on purpose, Xiao Xu!"

"It must be because I scolded them last time that they're using this kind of excuse."

"It's fine, Sister Wen Qiao."

Yan Jing shook his head.

"I'm already used to it."

"Let's study after we finish eating."

"Okay."

Wen Qiao nodded, placed Yan Jing on the sofa, and smiled.

"I'll go cook first."

Yan Jing nodded.

Just as he was getting ready to look around the room...

Suddenly, Wen Qiao, who had gone to the kitchen, ran back out, poked her head from behind the door, and looked at Yan Jing.

"You're acting a little weird today, Xiao Xu."

"Am I?"

Yan Jing subconsciously rubbed his nose.

He really wasn't playing the role very seriously. First, because these were only memories awakened by the Crystal Ball, and second, because he was here to find the catalyst for the Heart of reaching the summit; only by substituting himself in would the results likely be the best.

"It's true." In the cell, the woman leaning against the wall with her eyes closed murmured, and suddenly burst into laughter.