Dark Moon Era

“What? Don’t you like it? It might sound powerful, but since it only seals one type of ability within, it’s also a one-time use only. However, stopping time is considered a high-tier technique even to people who possess time talents. Do note that before they truly develop their talents, they are practically useless.”

“Their survivability is far weaker than other people with other talents, and because of the complexity of the world, there are only so many people with time talents who can become strong.” Kun sounded like he was having an after-meal talk, but the hints and secrets in between the lines were obvious.

Tang Ling pondered about the hints and immediately understood the darkness behind it all. There were only two viable options for a person with high growth potential but lacked the abilities to protect himself living in such a cruel world with many powerful factions around.

Only by compromising and submitting to some powerful faction with the harshest condition in exchange for resources and protection could one could grow stronger. Otherwise, he or she would be murdered in the cradle.

However, even if one chose the first option, he would still have to face the endless murder attempts from other factions since no one would want a powerful enemy, would they?

From there, Tang Ling thought of himself and he understood why Su Siao had told him to keep his Perfect Genetic Chain a secret. Those who had learned his secrets acted strangely as well. There might not be any back-slapping, but they were willing to offer a helping hand as Boss Huang did.

Recalling what he had been through, the path that led him to where he was now might be tough and always pitched him against death at all times, but whenever there was a truly deadly situation, there was always a mysterious force that protected him. Was it just an illusion?

Kun raised a confused brow when he saw Tang Ling in deep thought. “What? Isn’t the ring good enough for you?”

“No, it’s great actually, to the point that it raises questions.” Conversely, Tang Ling remained calm despite such a powerful ring.

Kun stared at Tang Ling deeply. The kid was certainly a despicable one. He always had the urge to beat him up, but at times, the kid was likable and admirable such as at this particular moment.

A few seconds of silence later, Kun said, “Don’t worry. It’s good but not great. It gives you a second and unless you have some special means, you won’t even be able to kill a healthy Rank 3 Purple Moon Warrior. Anything below Rank 3 is garbage, so it’s really not that great.

“Besides, people with powerful talents such as speed and whatnot can smartly utilize their talent abilities to break the time freeze of the ring. Of course, unless those below Rank 3 are very powerful to the point that they can earn my acknowledgment, it’s impossible. But…anything is possible, am I right?

“Lastly, if you ever met someone with time talent, even if he is the lousiest one there is, it’s difficult for you to stop his time, get it?” Kun explained the flaws of the ring.

Tang Ling slightly heaved a breath of relief. If it was really invincible, the situation that he would have to face in the future might be cataclysmic for him.

“I get it.” Tang Ling answered and put the ring on his thumb. Its size was perfect.

Maybe because Tang Ling knew his time at Mysterious Store was limited, when he put on the ring, he simply grumbled, “Actually, I realized Dream Domain isn’t as random and chaotic.”

Kun was actually going to send Tang Ling off, but when he heard what Tang Ling said, his hand froze.

“How so?” The kid might be crazy and never played according to the rules, but Kun was an observer, so how could he not see through the plans and calculation behind the craziness?

Did Tang Ling really find something out, thus the tiny complaint?

“Yeah. It’s only my second time, but I realize the incidents and the worlds between dreams might seem unrelated. However, there’s actually something in common: they are all about beings that don’t exist on this planet.

“Since they never existed on this planet, they must be extraterrestrial. Like the first dream, the hints were obvious: that spaceship, a different kind of living being, and an entirely different ecosystem.

“The two dreams that I had are similar and they gave me some reference. I’m not sure, but I can say that the Dream Domain is focusing on extraterrestrials. Regardless of worlds and incidents, everything is connected to them.

“On top of that, the worlds are so real and it’s recreated very similarly to the original. The development of the incidents also hinted at a certain course and it won’t simply change outrageously. There might be a little…” Tang Ling rubbed his chin and furrowed his brows.

Kun did not interrupt. He just allowed Tang Ling to deduce and ponder.

“Yeah, there might be a little reality mixed into it.” Tang Ling was not sure but he managed to come up with a conclusion.

Kun reacted differently, but he did not let it show on his face. He remained calm and asked, “What is this ‘reality’ that you are referring to?”

“It’s like the history of this planet, something that really happened before. It’s used in the Dream Domain.” Tang Ling tilted his head. He did not really take his conclusion seriously, so he did not analyze it any further.

For example, if the dream was a part of history that happened on this planet before, there were no superhumans like the Purple Moon Warriors in the old civilization, so how were the incidents stopped? Who or what stopped them?

Kun’s fingers beneath the counter trembled for a moment but his anxiety did not reflect on his face. He said without much concern, “Maybe. Who knows?”

“Yeah, who knows? The point is why the Dream Domain’s settings revolve around these extraterrestrials? This must be…” Tang Ling was concerned about the settings. If he could get a clear picture of the Dream Domain’s goal, would it be easier for him in the next dream?

Frowning, Kun looked at Tang Ling with a ridiculing gaze. “So, are you trying to save the world by figuring this out?”

“Huh? No, I’m not thinking about that. I can’t anyway, but if I get stronger in the future, maybe this world-saving responsibility rests on my shoulders. Who knows, right?” Tang Ling awkwardly scratched his head. Although it was a purely self-aggrandizing thought, it somehow felt shameless and embarrassing.

“Get out!” Kun waved his sleeves and sent Tang Ling off to the Mysterious Store. Similar to the last time, Tang Ling was sent rolling out of Mysterious Store, literally.

What followed was Kun’s echo. “You can let Boss Huang have a look at your bag of junk. If you don’t know how to use the Demon Infant’s body, don’t touch it.”

Tang Ling was getting dizzy from the rolling, but he bore Kun’s reminder in mind.

After Tang Ling left, the Mysterious Store quietened down. The frustration Kun had for the kid was replaced by a complicated look mixed with a tinge of disbelief.

Is the kid’s insight that strong? The extraterrestrial theme might not be a secret to the veteran Dream Seeds but what about finding out at the second entry and asking for the purpose? 

Kun was scared. He was scared that Tang Ling would soon find out about everything. If Tang Ling was the ‘destined one’ and not just an elusive and resilient pursuit, then if he saw through everything, according to the strange rule in this mysterious universe, it would certainly happen when the time came.

Kun sighed. Was it good or bad news? Or did it render a certain persistence of his useless? Was destruction the only law of the universe that never changed?

Not even Kun had answers to those questions.

It was then that several sets of footsteps appeared in the Mysterious Store.

Kun regained his composure. Trouble had arrived at his doorstep and it was very timely of them.

“Kun, everything you’ve been doing recently has been getting more and more interesting, but do you think it’s the right way?” an aged voice echoed in the Mysterious Store.

Kun could not simply humor the question and he dared not lie, so he answered honestly, “I don’t know.”

“You gave him the Delay Ring and interfered with his reality. You’ve been breaking the rules since the last time.” The aged voice sounded cool. Even though he was talking about the rules that Kun broke, anger was absent.

“It’s not entirely against the rules.” Kun always reserved some space for himself to make a comeback.

“Hmm, you don’t need to explain it to me. You’ll face the Elder Council. Let’s hope you have strong facts to convince everyone.” Then, a blurry figure wearing a white gunny robe appeared in the Mysterious Store.

Behind him were several more figures, and upon a second look, Liu He was among them.

“I will.” Kun was calm when he stood up from the counter.

“That’s not the only problem. Wei Ying is close to locating us. We are not the only ones who are paying attention to the Dream Seeds. Your bias for Tang Ling has finally revealed its flaws. That kid is a trouble magnet, his insight caused one of the Folded Space to appear.” The figure with the white gunny robe stopped 5 meters in front of Kun.

Around the figure was a mysterious force that made him look obscure and blurry. It looked like the energy field from the ring when Tang Ling first touched it but countless times stronger.

“What does Tang Ling’s suffering have to do with me? Conversely, that woman, Wei Ying, is a pain.” Kun rarely showed his emotions but when he mentioned Wei Ying, his eyes revealed disgust and resentment.

“Between us and them, we don’t stand differently. It’s just that our timings don’t match. Keep your emotions away. You have strayed far from your initial self,” the elderly said strictly.

“Hmm.” Kun did not argue or comment.

Liu He stepped up. His hands were still tucked in his sleeves and his kind smile still hung over his warm face. He said softly, “I actually don’t have the right to speak, but please understand Lord Kun sometimes. Wei Ying did ruin Lord Kun’s hope once.”

“Shut up.” Kun glared at Liu He. It was not that he did not want to accept Liu He’s kindness, but sometimes, he would rather that no one defended him and he preferred to keep this past buried as it was.

Emotions were troublesome. Among frustration, pain, disappointment, and sadness, the most unacceptable one was as Liu He said whereby hope was ruined. It had been far too long, and no one longed for a result more than Kun did.

“Hmph, that Dream Seed?” The elderly grunted coldly and the disdain between the lines was obvious.

Liu He dared not speak anymore.

“After the test, whether he’s the one or not, all doubts shall be dropped. Your emotions are really getting…” The elderly’s voice grew softer to the point it was inaudible.