Chapter 54: Discussing That Predator… 【Contains a Lot of Forum Content】

Chapter 54: Let's Talk About That Predator... "Contains Extensive Forum Content"

When Hao Youqian slowly regained consciousness, he found himself transformed into a nightmare manifestation, floating in a pitch-black dreamscape.

He touched the two hollow eye sockets on his face, his fingers scraping off powdery flakes of dried blood. The lingering pain—both mental and physical—still pulsed behind his eyes, making him shudder involuntarily.

"Strange, what exactly did I see...?"

Hao Youqian wiped his face in a daze, using the power of the dream to fashion a new pair of undamaged eyes. Instantly, his vision cleared again.

Reason told him that he should neither recall nor dwell on things beyond his comprehension, but as a nightmare hybrid who had barely been a few centuries into adulthood, he was at that age where his kin were still recklessly curious.

The residual swelling pain in his eyes triggered muscle spasms, unconsciously dragging his thoughts back to the moment he had raised the "Lens of Laplace's Demon."

At that moment, beneath the unfamiliar shell of a low-tier Ability user, Hao Youqian had not only glimpsed the shadow of the familiar Doomsday Prophet Wu Suer but also sensed a titanic, overwhelming power enveloping Wu Suer's very soul.

That power was like a fixed, eternal star, radiating dazzling silver-white brilliance that had blinded Hao Youqian instantly.

The searing pain had even traveled along his optic nerves, searing deep into his mind, melting the structures of his brain and fracturing his very consciousness...

"Could it be that Wu Suer wasn’t lying? Is he truly now a servant and follower of 'Fate'?"

Recalling that excruciating agony, Hao Youqian trembled uncontrollably again. He frowned, muttering in confusion:

"But that terrifying, oppressive force... was it really just divine blessing?"

"Is the newly enthroned Lord of Fate truly so generous—not only sparing a former competitor but also forgiving past grievances and bestowing such unprecedented, overwhelming protection?"

After all, when new divine beings ascended to the Divine Throne in the past, without fail, they would slaughter all contenders—the fastest and most convenient way to claim the complete scepter of authority.

To Hao Youqian’s knowledge, when the Silent Singer ascended to divinity millennia ago, the bones beneath their feet became the stairway to divinity. Countless worlds were swept by the power of "Silence," where "sound" ceased to exist, forever plunged into stillness.

Some went even further, exterminating not just the contenders but anyone connected to them—whether by blood or even passing strangers—ensuring their rivals were erased from existence in the truest sense.

The lives extinguished in these divine competitions would accumulate into a staggering number, yet across the nine-layered dimensions and countless worlds, they were but a drop in the cosmic ocean.

"Tch, I just don’t get it."

Hao Youqian scratched the back of his head, talking to himself. "If 'Fate' truly favors him so much, why would Wu Suer still be stuck in such a weak vessel?"

"These Fate Domain Ability users are so cryptic—I can’t decipher their relationships..."

After some thought, Hao Youqian concluded that his own intellect was unlikely to unravel cosmic truths.

In the mystical world, ignorance was often the safest path. So why bother overthinking?

Guarding his gold coins was what truly mattered!

Hao Youqian shot upright like a released spring, reverting to human form, then instinctively sought the coordinates of the material world to return to his advertising company.

However—

*System: "We regret to inform you that you have been stripped of control over the C+-ranked instance 'Kaleidoscope Advertising Company.'"*

*System: "The original C+-ranked instance 'Kaleidoscope Advertising Company' has been renamed 'The Nameless Land' through administrative override."*

*System: "Detected large-scale environmental modifications in progress within the instance. Status: Under reconstruction - access suspended."*

The string of system notifications left Hao Youqian dumbfounded, as if his brain had been clubbed by a divine hammer, his ears ringing.

What had happened while he was unconscious?

Where was his instance?

Where was his company?

And most importantly—where were the gold coins he had painstakingly accumulated over the years?!

Hao Youqian confronted the system in disbelief: "I can’t enter my own instance? Since when?"

*System: "Per the Divine Statutes, ownership of this instance has been transferred—this is no longer 'your instance.' Please adjust your terminology."*

"I—I—"

Too furious to speak, Hao Youqian’s face flushed red with agitation. After a long pause, he finally choked out: "Fine, forget the instance—what about my money? My money is still inside!"

*System: "You may submit a formal petition to the current instance controller. A response will be provided within 2 to 5 business days (time measured by standard celestial time)."*

Great. Now, to reclaim his own wealth, he had to petition some upstart...

Suppressing his rage, Hao Youqian swiftly filled out the system-provided access request form and sent it off within three minutes.

The ensuing wait felt like an eternity for the gold-fixated Hao Youqian.

An hour later, a terse reply appeared in his system inbox.

Taking several deep breaths, Hao Youqian eagerly opened it—

*System Default Template Reply:*

*REQUEST DENIED. Appeal process available after cooldown period.*

At this, Hao Youqian’s world went black. His eyes glazed over as he collapsed backward into the dreamscape.

Like a corpse with eyes wide open, he drifted aimlessly through the endless abyss of darkness.

Occasionally, nightmares floated past—choice nourishment for a nightmare hybrid—but Hao Youqian paid them no mind, listlessly adrift in the currents.

Oh no, his hard-earned fortune, his precious wealth—all gone...

All that remained was the boundless, chaotic darkness of the dreamscape and the cold, mocking smile of Wu Suer flashing before his eyes...

The concept of time grew hazy within the dream.

After an indeterminable period, Hao Youqian suddenly warped into his hybrid form, waving arachnid limbs as he furiously typed on the forum, each word seething with bitter resentment.

[Forum Interface]

>> Gods' Playground >> Restricted Zone >> Secrets

Access Level: Divinity clearance required

"Secrets" OP's been robbed blind and can’t sleep at night, so...

Post #0 (OP):

As the title says, so OP wants everyone else to share my misery. *smug grin*

Post #1: Seriously? That’s it? You summoned the divine congregation for petty grievances?

№2:

If the Original Poster (OP) has so much free time, they should just head over to the casual chat section next door. Maybe someone there will listen to your nonsense.

№3:

Wait, am I reading this right? A divine being like OP actually got robbed?

№4 Conflict Instigator:

"Robbed" is such a hilarious word to use for a divine being, seriously? You're so weak—have you ever reflected on your own shortcomings?

№5 Forever Adoring Life:

No need for such harsh words, everyone. I can sense through the forum that OP is just a little one, probably just came of age not long ago...

What a beautiful and vibrant life! I’d gladly offer motherly understanding (^_^).

№6:

Uh, @№5, you... (trails off)

№7:

No offense but, doesn’t №5’s comment make OP even more creeped out? (laugh-cry)

№8:

Welp, I bet OP won’t sleep at all now.

№9 (OP):

A divine being getting robbed—doesn’t that deserve sympathy? And if it were any of you, you’d have been robbed just as easily...

№10:

For real?

№11:

Kinda curious who the culprit is. Someone that powerful must’ve made a name for themselves.

№12 Conflict Instigator:

You actually believe that? OP’s just weak—don’t drag the rest of us into it (¬_¬).

...

Meanwhile, Hao Youqian deliberately let them argue, waiting until the thread grew long enough and enough divine beings had been drawn in before casually revealing the crucial details.

№45 (OP):

The one who robbed me is a very powerful "so-called friend." He left for a while to pursue a higher position, so we lost contact.

He was always arrogant and domineering, pushing around a weak, helpless half-blood like me. But now that he’s back, he’s become even more monstrous...

№46 (OP):

That bastard, relying on his powerful backer, straight-up seized control of the company I’d built up over years and took a fortune that was rightfully mine!

Hao Youqian intentionally vaguely described the competition for divine promotion as just "a higher position."

He knew this phrasing would make divine bishops think of papal elections, divine followers think of leadership struggles, and high-ranking Ability users think of battles for roles like Inquisitor or Judge... Least suspicious approach.

Heh. Hao Youqian chuckled inwardly. If these people realized something was off too soon, how could he string them along the way Wu Suer had toyed with him?

The forum was full of clever folks, so he had to take it slow.

Hao Youqian wanted them to debate, then suddenly notice inconsistencies in the details—and join him, the deeply wronged, in losing sleep over it.

Sure enough, the forum ran with Hao Youqian’s hints, spinning their own theories—

№47 Conflict Instigator:

Tsk tsk, just childish drama, huh? OP, get stronger. Can’t even protect your own stuff (laughs).

№48:

Way to live up to your ID, huh? So harsh.

№49 Reason, Reason:

Why is everyone mocking OP? Sure, posting bait like this in the Secrets section is trollish, but no need to pile on like this...

№50 Reason, Reason:

From OP’s description, their "friend" at least qualified for advancement. That’s no joke—definitely not child’s play.

№51 Ordinary Recorder:

Pfft, OP mentioning a "company" rang a bell.

My colleague recorded that the infamous Kaleidoscope Advertising Company changed ownership hours ago. The original boss, Hao, got kicked out of the instance...

№52:

Kaleidoscope Advertising? That money-grubbing Boss Hao?

№53:

Damn, I’ve been to his instance. Guy's a notorious cheapskate.

Who’d have thought? The money-lover lost it all...

№54 Ordinary Recorder:

Not just that—Boss Hao got kicked out flat broke. He even appealed to the system, but it got shot down immediately. My colleague and I got a good laugh.

№55:

Boss Hao’s been at this for centuries. Surely he had connections and fallback options. How’d he get overthrown so fast?

№56:

Maybe his mass-produced employees finally had enough of being exploited and rebelled?

№57 Ordinary Recorder:

No idea. According to instance logs, an intense burst of psychic contamination flared up suddenly, spiking in power—an energy signature reminiscent of Fate Domain energy.

#58 Ordinary Recorder:

Then Boss Hao probably didn’t even have time to resist before he fell (sigh).

#59:

Truly, fate is fickle. Farewell, Boss Hao (lights a candle).

#60:

I’ve met Boss Hao before. Though he’s half-human, half-nightmare, with his financial power and equipment bonuses, he was no pushover…

So, what kind of existence could take him down in an instant?

#61:

The deeper you think, the creepier it becomes. All this happened right under Boss Hao’s nose, yet he couldn’t even fight back.

#62:

Wait, what? A hybrid???

#63 Conflict Instigator:

Why the freak-out, #62? Did you just discover punctuation?

#64:

Ignore the trash-talker above. #62, what clicked for you?

#65:

Don’t you think it’s a freaky coincidence…

Boss Hao is a hybrid; OP is also a hybrid.

#66:

Holy—!!

#67:

Dear gods, it’s true! Never noticed before.

#68:

Now that you mention it, Boss Hao was just kicked out, and then OP posts about their “company” being stolen…

#69 Not Renaming Until I Become Inquisitor:

I initially thought OP might just be some kid talking nonsense, but the ad agency incident just happened. Only a few Recorders would know, yet OP’s info matches perfectly…

#70:

OP, is this really you? Damn, Boss Hao!

#71:

If OP really is Boss Hao, then I apologize for mocking you earlier. This post truly should be in the Secrets section (facepalm).

#72:

I haven’t heard of any powerful newcomers rising in the Fate Domain? So OP’s “old friend” is…

#73:

I might have a guess—it’s *her*, that terrifying White Peacock (shudder).

#74:

…Oh no, is *she* back? Did she succeed in the ascension trial?

#75:

Hugging you, OP—confirmed, we’re both survivors of the prophet’s beatings (ugly crying).

#76:

If it’s *that* one, then Boss Hao’s loss isn’t surprising. High Lords of the Fate Domain are just too unstoppable…

#77:

Compared to the prophet, I’m more curious about *that* one… the “Divine Predator”…

#78:

By Twilight’s grace, may that Predator never return to terrorize us!!

#79:

Who’s that? This post seemed so straightforward—how did it turn into something I don’t understand?

#80:

Can’t say much, but to answer #79: the entire Doomsday Deathcrow clan was wiped out by Him.

#81:

And the followers of the Cursefather, the “Curse Worms,” were also caught and gobbled up completely…

#82:

Dear gods, is He really from the Fate Domain? His lethality matches Death and Calamity Domains (dumbfounded).

#83:

Now you see why we’re panicking?

Some of us in this thread might just become the next meal…

#84:

Is this intel reliable? If those divine fanatics really are back, I’m holing up for the next few centuries to avoid disaster (lights a candle).

#85 Ordinary Recorder:

Damn, no wonder it's the Secrets section—only here can posts nonchalantly mention godlike entities…

#86 Ordinary Recorder:

So which previous successor in line is the current Lord of Fate? Is it the same person as the "Narrator" recently mentioned on the forum thread?

#87:

Damn, I feel like I was just casually posting and suddenly got sucked into a huge whirlpool of secret info.

#88:

+1, knowing so much at once makes me feel like I won’t survive till morning...

#89:

Where’s OP? Come out! Now I can’t sleep either!

#90:

Looking back at OP’s earlier comments, he’s really good at being vague. He only said "striving for a higher position," but didn’t specify that it was the top god position!

#91:

If OP had said this drama was this intense, I wouldn’t have touched it... Divine thrones? Is this even my pay grade?

#92:

Any gods here feel me? For nearly a millennium, I’ve had to keep all ten eyes open while resting, afraid I’ll be devoured in my sleep (wry smile).

#93:

Analyzing OP’s psychology—maybe the loss of his company and money hit him too hard, and now he’s stirring up panic on the forum to take revenge on society...

#94:

Without realizing it, OP’s scheme has succeeded—not a single god here dares to sleep tonight. (Laughs)

#95:

Insomnia? Let’s all have insomnia! Divine beings won’t die from lack of sleep anyway! Let’s all lose it together, hahaha!

#96:

What kind of new predator-defense strategy is this from the above poster?

Imagine the predator: "This one's gone nuts. Might wanna pass to avoid ruining my appetite."

#97:

Everyone, calm down. That predator isn’t even around yet—no need to panic prematurely.

#98:

Heh, I’ll just ask the above poster: You gonna risk sleeping tonight?

#99:

...Never mind, I’m wide awake. I'm a night owl anyway.

#100 *Conflict Instigator*:

OMG, if the sky falls, the above poster’s mouth will hold it up—hard as diamonds~

...

Watching the panic spread across the forum, Hao Youqian finally felt smug and plopped back down like the dead, sinking into his nightmares.