"Lucifer..." Lin Qiye stood there, stunned, trying to process the flood of information Zhao Kongcheng had just shared.
"So, you're saying… that after the mist appeared, mythical gods started manifesting one by one?"
"That's right. The higher-ups have been researching the cause of this phenomenon, and they've developed two theories." Zhao Kongcheng held up two fingers:
"One, these gods didn't exist before, but when the mist appeared, some mysterious change caused them to materialize from myths.
"Or two, mythology wasn't just the ancient people's imagination—these gods were real. But after humans became more active, they went into hiding somewhere on Earth. The sudden appearance of the mist awakened them."
Lin Qiye nodded. "So, when you said not all gods exist, what did you mean?"
"The number of gods on Earth is limited. Not all mythical beings have shown up here. Only a small fraction of the vast mythological pantheons has appeared, and we don't know why it's them specifically. It doesn't depend on their power, popularity of the myth, morality, or national borders. Their arrival seems… completely random.
"This includes beings from the Bible, Greek myths, Norse legends, even the Cthulhu mythos… all mythologies humanity has known are represented among the gods we've encountered."
"If all mythologies are included, then what about the gods of Daxia?" Lin Qiye asked curiously. "The Monkey King, the Third Prince, the Four Heavenly Kings, the Jade Emperor… if they existed, they'd totally outshine the Western gods, right?"
Zhao Kongcheng fell silent, then shook his head. "We've thought the same thing. Over the past century, we've searched all over Daxia, trying to find a trace of them…
"But in a hundred years, we haven't found any sign of them—not even the humblest earth god.
"Some people believe that it's because the mist hasn't overtaken Daxia yet, so Daxia's gods remain hidden.
"And some people say…"
Lin Qiye couldn't help but ask, "What do they say?"
"Some say… they've always been here."
"Always been here?"
"Why do you think the entire Earth is engulfed in mist, yet Daxia survives unscathed? The mist has reached our borders but hasn't crossed the national boundary by even an inch."
Lin Qiye's mouth fell open. "You mean…?"
"It's only a theory—or perhaps, wishful thinking," Zhao Kongcheng shook his head. "Either way, we've yet to see any real evidence of Daxia's gods."
"I see."
Just absorbing this information made Lin Qiye feel like his worldview was crumbling. If he hadn't personally witnessed the Seraph's existence, he'd probably be calling a mental hospital to come take Zhao Kongcheng away.
"This guy's crazier than I ever was."
"So, what was that golden light that came out of me last night?" Lin Qiye asked next.
"Forbidden Ruins," Zhao Kongcheng answered. "After the mist enveloped Earth, the changes weren't limited to the gods appearing. The mist itself seems to have an effect on the human body.
"Although the mist hasn't entered Daxia's territory, it contains some kind of radiation-like energy. This energy seems to catalyze certain latent abilities in some people. Children born after the mist's arrival sometimes develop a unique power within their bodies.
"When exposed to certain environments, this power can activate, allowing the person to create a field that can alter the surrounding reality. Each power is different, unique to the individual.
"And this supernatural field that allows the user to influence the environment around them… is called a Forbidden Ruin."
Lin Qiye pondered over what he had just learned.
In simple terms, a "Forbidden Ruin" was a kind of supernatural field granted to a lucky few.
So, based on that, his ability to sense everything within a 20-meter radius, coupled with his sharp dynamic vision and access to Seraphic power, was all part of his Forbidden Ruin's unique abilities.
"Can a Forbidden Ruin grow?" he asked.
"Yes," Zhao Kongcheng confirmed. "The abilities, range, and unique traits of a Forbidden Ruin grow with the user's mental power. Mental power is a critical factor in strengthening one's Forbidden Ruin.
"We categorize Forbidden Ruin strength into six levels, based on mental power:
"Level One, known as the 'Cup Level,' where mental power is like a small amount of water in a cup, still and limited.
"Level Two, the 'Pool Level,' where mental power is like water in a pond—still, but greater in quantity.
"Level Three, the 'River Level,' where mental power flows like a river, abundant and circulating.
"Level Four, the 'Ocean Level,' where mental power is vast and boundless.
"Level Five, 'Limitless,' where mental power feels infinite, vast as a starry sky.
"Level Six, 'Klein,' where mental power becomes inexhaustible, breaking spatial dimensions, akin to a Klein bottle."
"So what about me?" Lin Qiye asked. "What level am I at now?"
"You? You're just at the Cup Level—a newcomer, barely able to use a Forbidden Ruin." Zhao Kongcheng seemed to relish teasing him. "Basically, you're just a… well… a slightly impressive ordinary person."
Lin Qiye was speechless.
So, it seemed that he had broken through to the "Cup Level" just last night, allowing him to unlock the doors in his mind, including the one to Nyx's cell.
Did that mean every time he reached a new level, he'd be able to release another patient?
"What about you?" Lin Qiye glanced at Zhao Kongcheng. "What level are you at?"
Zhao Kongcheng turned away, slightly embarrassed. "I… I don't actually have a Forbidden Ruin, so I have no mental power."
"You don't have a Forbidden Ruin?" Lin Qiye's eyes widened. "Then how did you kill that creature?"
He was genuinely shocked. That creature had given him a hard time despite his enhanced vision, yet Zhao Kongcheng had easily overpowered it. And this guy had no Forbidden Ruin?
"That creature is called a 'Ghost-Face.'" Zhao Kongcheng corrected him. "I killed it by relying on years of training and extensive combat experience. Before joining the Night Watchers, I was a special forces soldier—an expert in close combat."
Zhao Kongcheng continued, "There are three ways to gain access to a Forbidden Ruin. First, like I mentioned, a small number of people are lucky enough to be born with the ability to use one.
"The second way is by using an object that possesses a Forbidden Ruin. It's not only humans who can be affected by the mist; certain objects can, by chance, develop a Forbidden Ruin too. These items are rare and often have unique abilities. If a person can wield one, they can harness its power.
"That's how I do it. My Forbidden Object isn't offensive—it's an auxiliary item unique to the Night Watchers. It's called the 'Signboard,' and it has one function…
"To open The Zone of No Fear!"