Chapter 598 - 551: Bertutan: What? Huang Ji Is Dead?

Bertutan had always maintained a placid state of mind. As the master of wisdom and enlightenment, he had remained unflappable no matter the predicament.

But at this moment, a great dissatisfaction was brewing within him.

’What kind of teammates are these?’

’Heir of the Gods, Divine Warrior... Did they completely forget the most urgent matters the moment they entered the Cosmic Country? Have they all just gone off to seek their own opportunities?’

’One went to her own territory, paying lip service to nostalgia when she was actually just desperate to reclaim her old property.’

’The other followed the "guidance of fate," refusing to reveal a single detail. He even got himself impersonated by that punk Huang Mao, who made a near-perfect one-to-one copy of his appearance and skills. It’s an absolute disgrace.’

’Isn’t your bloodline and genetic code supposed to be one-of-a-kind in the Star Sea?’

’And you just let someone copy it like that?’

’They don’t step up when it’s time to act, but I bet they’ll pop up one by one when it’s time to divvy up the spoils, won’t they?’

Beyond his current dissatisfaction, Bertutan was more puzzled by something else. What exactly was that ability of Shi Ming’s that could perfectly replicate appearances and skills? ’Could it be the rumored numbered Nirvana Skill, [Mirror]?’

’That kid also seems to have the [Zero] skill... If that’s true, his real origins are worth scrutinizing, and he’s even more unforgivable. And according to previous intelligence, he also possesses the newly emerged Number 39 Nirvana Skill, [Moth].’

’Just how many numbered Nirvana Skills does he have?’

Bertutan felt his usually clear Brain Domain descending into chaos.

The more he thought, the more he resented Candela and Huang Ji’s irresponsible behavior, conveniently ignoring that he himself had previously been glad they left, as it gave him and Uncle Tian the chance to corner Amonev...

’But how is that the same thing?’

’Forget it.’

He tried to use the unique communication method of the council members within the [Pillar Stone of Truth] to contact the Divine Warrior, Candela, first. But the communication failed; the other party seemed to be rejecting all incoming messages.

Next, he changed his target.

He switched to Huang Ji, only to find it was still ineffective.

His brows furrowed deeply.

After a moment’s thought, he took out a supreme treasure with the fate attribute. He decided to use the properties of fate to resonate with the Time Giant Candela’s innate skill, [Entangling Sound], to force a connection. The [Entangling Sound] skill was, after all, designed for convenient contact and messaging.

Ripples spread through fate.

Finally, Bertutan received a response.

However, he faintly sensed something was wrong. This odd feeling gave rise to a sense of unease he couldn’t quite place—an indescribable chaos, like that from the dawn of civilization.

’What’s going on?’

...

...

...

HUMMM—

’Strange.’

Shi Ming felt a peculiar echo resonate in his mind.

’It’s coming from Candela’s fate. Is someone trying to contact Candela using a fate-based resonance?’ He transformed his body into Candela’s likeness and accepted the link from the Time Giant’s innate skill, [Entangling Sound].

It was Bertutan.

The voice that came through the Entangling Sound was simple and clear:

[Candela, return to the Primordial Star immediately.]

[Amonev has defected to Shi Ming. Herakrode was ambushed and is critically wounded, near death.]

[We need your help.]

The Entangling Sound did not break.

The old man was waiting for a reply from "Candela."

A smirk played on Shi Ming’s lips.

[I am following the guidance of fate. I am already near the Primordial Star and will soon reunite with you. Time and fate will make the traitors pay the price they are due.]

...

...

...

Bertutan breathed a sigh of relief.

’The path of fate may be mystical nonsense, but it has its uses. It can come in handy at critical moments, unlike Huang Ji, master of [Life], who only knows instinctive procreation. Her mind is probably still set on bearing offspring, isn’t it?!’

’It’s so obvious!’

’Hmph!’

’Who does she think he is? Some baby daddy she can toy with like any other male? A being who has become the [Heir of the Gods], no matter how young or weak, is not to be underestimated.’

Having finished communicating with "Candela," Bertutan continued trying to contact Huang Ji remotely. A three-on-two fight, while also dragging along Creator Uncle Tian who was too grievously wounded to recover anytime soon—Bertutan couldn’t guarantee victory. But if it were four-on-two, the scales of victory would quickly tip in their favor. Huang Ji, or rather, every New God, every ounce of power, was crucial at this moment and worth waiting for.

With normal communication methods failing, he began to take an indirect approach, hoping to contact the mother through her children.

As it happened, an epitome of a civilization founded by one of Huang Ji’s children was preserved in his Divine Country, the [Civilization Stele Forest].

He could make use of it right now.

Bertutan’s withered right hand stroked his third rib on the right side. The entrance to the [Civilization Stele Forest] was located within that third rib.

A hazy glimmer shone forth, symbolizing the dawn of wisdom. Countless monuments and tombstones of civilizations stood erect within Bertutan’s Divine Country, like a solemn and austere gray forest.

Both the monuments and the tombstones were inscribed with different proverbs.

Within these proverbs were epitomes of the civilizations themselves. They all held corresponding value: some could inspire living beings, others could pass on strange Secret Techniques, and still others were rare specimens and subjects for research, all exceptionally precious.

"The 22,190th monument."

"Titled ’Father of a Myriad Heirs.’"

In an instant, Bertutan appeared before a stone stele. This was the epitome of the civilization established by one of Huang Ji’s offspring, which existed within the 78th Cosmic Country.

"Hm?"

On what was once a monument, the civilization had withered. The hazy glimmer faded into a pale white light. Green vines crawled out from the soil and wrapped around the stone stele, casting shadows that made the proverbs on it look like an epitaph.

This civilization had fallen.

The monument had become a tombstone.

Bertutan’s expression changed drastically. For the first time, he truly lost his composure.

...

...

...

Previously, Bertutan had sensed the fall of two ancient civilizations.

There were countless ancient civilizations in the Star Sea, and at the time, Amonev was beside them, using stealth to help Shi Ming conceal information about Huang Ji. As a result, Bertutan hadn’t noticed any details worth his attention.

But now, within his own Divine Country, Bertutan’s grasp on civilizations was much clearer!

The fall of a single leaf,

reveals that autumn has come to the world!

Behind the decline of a minor civilization was the fall of an ancient titan! By unraveling the threads, it was not difficult for a wise man like Bertutan to find the truth hidden within the secrets.

Huang Ji, a New God who had lived for over a hundred thousand years, a New God who mastered [Life], a skill that made her nearly impossible to kill...

’She’s fallen? Just like that?’

’Without even the slightest warning?’