A plane leap—this was a phenomenon unique to small- and mid-sized planes.
When a plane's origin changes, the plane is prone to leaping to another level, and its nature also changes. This process is called a leap.
During the plane leap, the entire plane would be in a special high-speed state, and the time flow would also be particularly fast compared with the outside, which was the reason for the twenty-year time skip.
The tragedy of Radiant Tower was that once their reincarnators left, they lost this plane's coordinates and could no longer re-enter.
However, the people inside wouldn't be able to receive any news from outside. They could only watch their companions leave but never re-enter.
There was no time limit for reincarnation, but the soul itself had limitations. No human soul could persevere in reincarnating for 20 years.
"In other words, we're the only two reincarnators left in this world?" Gu Nan understood the meaning of a plane leap and why Radiant Tower's situation was tragic. The result was truly a pleasant surprise.
"Not necessarily." Lu Zhanyu splashed cold water on his thoughts. "This is equivalent to a newly-formed plane. There are many missions. It's normal to bump into other reincarnators."
Gu Nan nodded slightly. No wonder they came here unexpectedly. It turned out that the probability was relatively high.
...
Two days later, Gu Nan and his party came to Azure Dragon City, the junction of the North and South regions.
"To think that an outside force can build a city. The dynasty's power is indeed weak!" Lu Zhanyu looked at the towering city in front of her and shook her head with a smile.
She was also a senior reincarnator and had seen other worlds with a feudal civilization background before.
Zhang Yueying immediately glared. "When the old hall master was here, Azure Dragon Hall was a first-class world power. The Chen Dynasty's emperor even wanted to confer upon her the title of prince, but the Hall Master refused!"
"An organization built entirely upon one person's prestige is doomed to fall eventually. This current result is clear evidence!" Lu Zhanyu remarked lightly.
"You…"
"Alright." Gu Nan waved his hand. "There's nothing to argue about. Take us to Azure Dragon Hall."
Zhang Yueying gave Lu Zhanyu an angry glare and led the way again. On the other hand, the disdain in Lu Zhanyu's eyes suddenly disappeared after Zhang Yueying turned away, replaced with a thoughtful expression.
She whispered beside Gu Nan, "This woman… is hiding something."
Gu Nan smiled and didn't reply. He only needed a guide. As for anything else, he didn't care.
...
Inside Azure Dragon Hall's headquarters in the center of Azure Dragon City.
A majestic man in purple and gold robes was sitting on the throne and looking around calmly.
"Xue Haoran, you traitor!"
"Xue Haoran, you colluded with the Jin Dynasty and betrayed the country for glory. You are pushing Azure Dragon Hall into a place of eternal doom!"
"Xue Haoran…"
The accusations echoed throughout the conference hall, but Xue Haoran never said a word and responded to everyone with silence. He didn't speak until everyone had stopped after they grew tired of criticizing him.
He spoke slowly, "I didn't summon you here to discuss what to do next."
Xue Haoran scanned the crowd with calm eyes. "I just came to inform you that the Jin army will enter the city in the afternoon."
"What did you say?!"
"Xue Haoran, have you gone crazy!?"
Everyone immediately exploded in anger.
Xue Haoran finally pulled a smile onto his face, but his eyes were cold. "If you have time to criticize me, you might as well use that time to think about how you're going to survive."
His words silenced everyone at once.
The Jin army was about to enter the city. At this time, it was probably too late to evacuate. Besides, all their families and roots were in Azure Dragon City. How many people would be willing to leave everything behind?
'The country comes first—of course anyone can say that when they're safe, but once they have to gamble with their own lives, how can you expect everyone to be a saint?'
Xue Haoran understood this truth, and the other three deputy hall masters who criticized him also understood, so they began to hesitate when they heard his words.
Xue Haoran's smile became even more apparent.
He didn't give the three any time to respond and struck while the iron was hot, "Han Youchan, you said I sold my country for prosperity. Tell me, exactly which country did I sell?"
Han Youchan, the only female deputy hall master, answered coldly, "Of course, it's my Southern Chen!"
"Southern Chen, very good!" Xue Haoran sneered, "Han Youchan, look around you. Of the people present here, how many are southerners, and how many are northerners?"
This question was powerful. Not only Han Youchan, but the other two deputy hall masters also changed expressions, while the people present became even quieter.
Azure Dragon Hall first rose up in the north. Those who could stand in this hall today were all high-ranking members, many of whom were elders. Naturally, most of them were from the north.
Strictly speaking, they all belonged to the present Jin Dynasty.
It's just that the old hall master supported Chen and opposed Jin, so no one thought about this at all until Xue Haoran pointed it out.
With this, many people wouldn't even have a guilty conscience from switching sides… More importantly, once these words were spoken, Azure Dragon Hall could no longer be as united as before.
The three deputy hall masters' hearts sank, and they felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
Xue Haoran watched the people's expressions change. He knew that the plan to sow doubt into the people's hearts had been successful. Now, he just had to issue a call for action…
"As long as the hall master doesn't return, the Jin army won't even think about safely entering my Azure Dragon City," a soft but dignified voice came from outside the door, and a beautiful shadow figure slowly walked into the hall.
"Miss Lin."
"Miss Lin…"
As soon as she appeared, someone rushed forward to greet her. It was obvious that she held a high status Azure Dragon Hall.
Han Youchan was one of them. She happily watched Lin Jun appear. "Miss Lin, you're just in time! We'll work together to control Xue Haoran first, and then discuss how to resist the Jin army."
Xue Haoran was the strongest of the four deputy hall masters. Even if the other three joined hands, they could at most defeat him. It'd be difficult for them to stop him from escaping.
But if Miss Lin also joined, then it would be completely different.
Everyone who followed the old hall master back then knew that Miss Lin's strength was unfathomable. Even the old hall master said that she might not be able to win against Miss Lin either.
If there really were other hidden Prodigious Realm masters besides the three at the top, then Miss Lin might just be one of them.
Xue Haoran watched Lin Jun approach step by step, but there was not much panic on his face. "Miss Lin, you should know who can save Azure Dragon Hall."
Lin Jun was as calm and indifferent as before. "I only know that you have attracted a major enemy to Azure Dragon City now."
Seeing this, Xue Haoran couldn't help sighing. He wanted to respond, but another voice traveled over.
"Since Miss Lin insists on being the enemy of my great Jin, why should Deputy Hall Master Xue persuade her any further?"
This voice made the three deputy hall masters simultaneously turn pale, and even Lin Jun frowned slightly. There were so many people present, yet no one was aware of this person's arrival. Even if he spoke already, they still couldn't find his specific location…
A Prodigious Realm grandmaster had arrived!
'Is it Qi Lengxuan, the Jin Dynasty's advisor?' This was the first name that appeared in Han Youchan's head, while the other two deputy hall masters had the same thought.
Everyone's hearts froze. They then saw Xue Haoran step aside with a smile. A figure was standing there quietly.
'It's a woman, not Qi Lengxuan.' The three deputy hall masters had just breathed a sigh of relief when they quickly reacted, 'No wait! Even if she's not Qi Lengxuan, she's still a Prodigious Realm master…"
The woman's eyes swept over the people and finally fell on Lin Jun. "Goddess Sect's Fairy Lin?"
Lin Jun looked up with some surprise. Nowadays, few people could recognize her roots.
Which family was this woman from?
It seemed that she saw Lin Jun's thoughts. The woman sneered, "Of course Fairy Lin won't know me. Even Yan Xiaoxiao probably doesn't remember me anymore."
"But it's different for me." The woman glared at Lin Jun coldly. "Azure Dragon Hall slaughtered my Yin Pagoda Sect—not once have I forgotten this hatred throughout these twenty years!"
Devotee's Game System Inspired Note
» This section of the chapter is a Fan based created system to mock-up or simulate the 'Status Information' of our MC - Gu Nan. This implies that you are free to skip reading this and continue your journey onto the next chapter.
» All catalog data below is a summary of various information achieved by Gu Nan that corresponds till the end of the related chapter and is compiled into a singular 'Status Screen.' Additionally, the invented system below would continue to evolve as we progress and learn more about the novel itself.
MC's Status Information
Name: Gu Nan
Current Location: Gu family's residence, Ruby Fish Star
Current Soul Location: Azure Dragon Hall's headquarters, Immortal Demon World
Status: ⟪ Evil God ⟫
Advancement Direction: Agility Type
Current Evil God Rank: Tier 3
Equivalent/Current Martial Art: Prodigious Realm
◈ Comprehension of Innate ability: Infinitesimal Stage
Chosen Core Skill: The Law of Shadow
Current Evil God Temple Quest:
→ Main Mission Objective/s:
-— Evil Event: Ruby Fish Star's Martial Arts Competition. - Evil God Temple Issued
◈ Status: On Going
-— Protect Zhang Yueying for 30 days. - External Source
◈ Status: On Going
→ Side Quest Objective:
-— None. - N/A
◈ Status: N/A
Current Evil Points: 1500
Overall Evil Points: 3775, Overall Evil Value: 97
Core Skill Acquired
— Shadow. ｢Also known precisely as 'The law of Shadow' - its one of the highest-ranked laws in the game. Skill 'Power of Shadows' LVL +1｣
Normal Skills Acquired:
— Locked ｢N/A｣
— Locked ｢N/A｣
— Locked ｢N/A｣
Exclusive Skills Acquired:
— Deceitful Steps. [ Passive Ability ] ｢Movement Speed increased by 30%. Attack Speed increased by 50%｣
— Power of Shadows. [ LVL 2 ] ｢Allows the players to activate the skill "Hidden Shadows" at LVL 1 and unlocks the skill "Shadow Form" at LVL 2..｣
▸Hidden Shadows. ｢The power to manipulate shadows to a fine degree.｣
▸Shadow Form. ｢An incomparable handy skill that allows the player to manipulate shadows to create things, like weapons and armor. At the highest level of mastery, it could even create a humanoid clone.｣
Equipment being worn
→ Armor
-— Dawn Sage's Robe. ｢Basic level defense. If you are not attacked within 3 seconds, you will receive the "Praise of Dawn" effect.｣
→ Weapon
-— Four Element Crossbow. ｢A Tier 2 crossbow weapon that can generate four types of elemental arrows—earth, water, wind, and fire—based on the user's needs and does not need to load arrows.｣
→ Accessories - Facial Accessories, Necklace, Earrings
-— Observer Eyepiece. ｢An eyepiece that have a fixed Tier 2 magic 'Insight' inscribe in it.｣
-— Dragon Heart Pendant. ｢Allows players to activate the skill "Dragon Power". This skill cannot be upgraded｣
-— Shadow Earrings. ｢Skill 'Power of Shadows' LVL +1｣
Equipment Skills Acquired:
-— Insight. [ Passive Ability ] ｢Ability to obtain high-precision data analysis when looking at people or objects.｣
-— Dragon Power. ｢Greatly enhances the player's strength and physique. Duration: 5 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes｣
-— Praise of Dawn. [ Passive Ability ] ｢Increases self-healing ability by 300%｣
Item/s owned:
→ None.