Chapter 1798: My Apprentice

Li Laide moved rapidly through the Ruoshui Base.

After the domain flashed just now, there had been no further aura fluctuations of a battle between the two, and not even Chen Ling’s aura had appeared... He didn't know what had happened inside the base, but given Chen Ling’s personality, it shouldn't be this quiet.

Li Laide’s speed was extremely fast. In just a few seconds, he rushed to the deepest part of the base. Just as he was about to pass through the corridor, another mysterious radiance flashed!

Hum—!!

Lord Ruoshui’s domain opened again.

Li Laide’s pupils shrank. When he came to his senses again, he was already back at the entrance of the base...

He was still in the posture of having one foot inside the gate, his black British-style coat fluttering silently... Behind him, many Dusk Society members and Fire Usurpers were stunned.

"King, why are you back again?" Lan Yu asked blankly.

Li Laide: ...

In everyone’s eyes, Li Laide had just charged into the base aggressively, but not long after, he appeared at the entrance out of thin air. This scene was truly baffling.

Li Laide’s eyes revealed unprecedented gravity.

Just like the rumors, this power did not come from the Fourteen Divine Paths and was so mysterious that it was unfathomable. Moreover, when the other party’s domain was activated, he didn't even have the slightest time to react... Is this the power of a "Sovereign"?

Everything that had just happened confirmed the ominous premonition in Li Laide’s heart. After all, if nothing had happened in the base, why would Lord Ruoshui stop him?

"...I want to see exactly what you are capable of!"

Li Laide snorted coldly, his eyes like torches in the darkness. This time, he pushed his speed to the limit and stepped into the base in a flash!

Hum—

Another domain radiance flashed.

Li Laide’s figure returned to the entrance of the base again.

"...King?" This time, even Chi Tong couldn't help it and called out cautiously.

Li Laide’s expression was extremely ugly.

This time, he still hadn't been able to enter the depths of the Ruoshui Base... He hadn't even seen the door to the depths of the base before being forcibly restarted by that mysterious power and returned to the starting point.

Anger appeared on Li Laide’s face. He was so proud; how could he accept failing twice without even seeing the other party’s shadow?

He raised his hand directly, grabbed at the void, activated the power of the Thief God Path, and his figure vanished without a trace!

This time, he directly stole "space."

Stealing "space" for teleportation was certainly the fastest, but the drawbacks were also very obvious. First, one needed to ensure that the destination space didn't have physical obstacles like walls or floors, otherwise, one would get stuck directly inside; second, the environment around the destination couldn't be predicted in advance, and if it were full of danger, it would be like walking into a trap.

But Li Laide couldn't care about that anymore...

The moment he crossed space and arrived at the deepest part of the base, he immediately opened his domain, his theft technique filling every corner of the void, his Tier 8 aura exploding like a vast ocean wave without reservation!

Under his hat brim, those deep blue eyes swept rapidly across the surroundings. In the next second, he froze on the spot.

A figure in a theatrical robe and a figure in a white lab coat were sitting quietly on chairs to the side, looking at this direction in surprise...

No fighting, no stalemate, no tension; they looked like two old friends who hadn't seen each other for years, the scene quiet and peaceful.

Li Laide’s aura surged, and in this eerie atmosphere, he stood frozen like a statue.

Li Laide: ???

You two...

Li Laide didn't know how to describe his current feelings. It was like a fully armed swordsman charging into the battlefield with a determination to die, only to find that this was just a large-scale reality show... This sense of powerlessness and shame left his brain blank for a moment.

"This is..." Wen Ruoshui looked at Chen Ling in confusion.

Chen Ling glanced at the extremely embarrassed Li Laide and answered calmly:

"My apprentice."

Li Laide was startled.

He, who had just been wishing for a hole to crawl into, suddenly became a bit more composed. He silently deactivated his domain, his British-style coat falling naturally, and then he took off his hat with one hand and bowed elegantly to Wen Ruoshui.

It took him only one second to switch from embarrassing awkwardness to polite elegance.

"Apprentice?"

Wen Ruoshui was also stunned. He seemed to realize something. "So, he is the next one you chose..."

Chen Ling smiled slightly and didn't answer.

Li Laide didn't understand what they were talking about, but he could feel that the look Wen Ruoshui gave him had suddenly changed... from initial confusion to scrutiny, and then to anticipation...

Wen Ruoshui watched him for a long time, a gentleness appearing in his gaze:

"What is your name?"

Li Laide looked at Chen Ling, and seeing no reaction from him, replied: "...Li Laide."

Wen Ruoshui nodded slightly:

"Then... I’ll leave the me of the next world to your care, Mr. Li."

The confusion in Li Laide’s brow deepened. Although he couldn't understand Wen Ruoshui’s words, he could feel that there was no malice from the other party. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded.

"You go out first." Chen Ling said slowly. "Dr. Wen and I still have things to discuss."

Li Laide looked at Wen Ruoshui, then at Chen Ling...

After a brief silence,

he turned and left without a word.

After Li Laide had gone far away, Wen Ruoshui turned back to look at Chen Ling:

"Why does it feel like your relationship... isn't very harmonious?"

"Not all master-apprentice relationships need to be happy." Chen Ling answered unhurriedly. "The current relationship is what is most beneficial for his future."

"...It's really complicated."

Wen Ruoshui gave a bitter smile. "To fight for a future, one must remain clear-headed at all times, and even emotions need to be disguised. Director Chen... aren't you tired?"

"No matter how tired, someone has to do it." A complex look flashed in Chen Ling’s eyes. "Sometimes, perhaps only by standing in that position can one truly understand the people who once stood here..."

Wen Ruoshui wanted to say something more, but the next moment, he began to cough violently.

His hair visibly turned white, falling silently like snowflakes. Amidst the bouts of weak coughing, his aura was like a candle in the wind, about to be extinguished at any moment.

Chen Ling’s expression changed. He stood up immediately and reached out his right hand...

Slap—

Wen Ruoshui’s wrinkled palm grabbed Chen Ling’s wrist tightly.

"Director Chen..." Wen Ruoshui’s eyes looked at him seriously. "Don't waste time on me. Only when I die will humanity have a chance to restart. Only by obtaining the era save file will you have a chance to plan ahead..."

"Even after three hundred years, I am still the same me, and what I said will not change..."

"To be the final line of defense for humanity’s fate, I, Wen Ruoshui..."

"Am honored."