章節 80: Chapter 80: "I May Be Useless, But I'm Not Dead Yet!"
At this moment, Cain was sitting in a chair, eyes closed, a phantom book slowly taking shape in his hands, becoming solid and heavy. His eyes remained shut, his body hunched over as if he couldn't sit up straight, beads of sweat continuously forming on his forehead. Lira sat across from him, quietly observing this... old man.
The once-mighty figure known as the strongest below the Marquis level, now appeared nothing like the spirited warrior who once fought a "Frenzy" class deity. Instead, he seemed more like a flickering candle in the wind. Lira's eyes, which initially held caution and awe, gradually softened into a look of familiarity and even a touch of pity.
Though Lira had not interacted much with Cain before, she had always known him as a powerful, cunning fox of an old man. But over the past few hours, he hadn't spoken any grand words of wisdom, nor had he shared any secret tips for increasing a superhuman's power, much less tried to brainwash her. Instead, he resembled a lonely, empty-nester, reminiscing about the past, talking about old stories that no one cared to hear.
Lira never interrupted, quietly listening to every story he told.
Cain was nearing seventy. In his youth, he was known for his extraordinary talent, and his superpower was considered one of the most unique in human history. Back then, people believed he might be the first human to ever reach the Ninth Realm. But fate seemed to play a cruel joke on him. In his prime, when everything was perfect, a retaliatory attack by god-servants took his wife and daughter from him.
After that, his personality changed drastically, becoming ruthless yet growing stronger at a rapid pace. Finally, as the youngest superhuman to reach the Seventh Realm, he took on his first direct disciple. He gave this disciple everything he could offer but was also exceptionally strict. The tragedy of his wife and daughter's deaths constantly reminded him—without power in this world, one couldn't even control their own life and death. So nothing else mattered; power was everything!
Even though he cared deeply for this disciple, he tried to maintain a stern facade, fearing that his affection might lead the disciple to become complacent. He would praise the disciple in front of others but never to his face.
Under his harsh, even extreme tutelage, the disciple's power quickly surpassed his peers. However, the disciple also became obsessive, easily angered, and dismissive of his weaker teammates. Such a disposition naturally attracted the attention of god-servant organizations. Eventually, he was ambushed by two "Frenzy" class deity projections, leaving nothing of him behind.
After that, Cain isolated himself from the world. When he emerged years later, he had become the Santa Claus-like figure with white hair and a constant smile. His power had stagnated at the Seventh Realm, with no further progress.
Upon becoming the headmaster of Eastern Academy, he brought back a gifted little girl—his second direct disciple, Li Xi. She was an orphan, lacking affection from a young age, while Cain had been robbed of all his loved ones by fate. They supported each other emotionally, much like a father and daughter.
Cain had shed all his past obsessions. He advised her to train hard but never forced her, only hoping she could grow up healthy and normal. Yet, it seemed that the heavens had their own plans...
Lira was considered his final disciple, a form of redemption in Cain's heart.
"Alright, here you go."
Finally, the glow in his hands faded, and a book solidified in his grip. Cain smiled, the wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen.
"I'm a failure, you know. In my youth, I couldn't protect my family. In my middle age, I couldn't protect my disciples. Now in my old age, I can't even teach children properly..."
"So many years of mediocrity—no good at life, and no progress in strength. I'm actually afraid to teach you because I'm scared of leading another astray."
His face became noticeably bitter, and Lira's nose twitched slightly, unsure how to comfort him.
"But I have no choice. In this world, I might be the only one who can teach you. Your true power, which I call the Nine-Turn Phoenix, allows you to undergo nine rebirths in flames. After nine resurrections, you will become the only Phoenix in existence."
"I might not have any successful experiences to offer, but I certainly have plenty of failures. I've already shared those with you. Remember, seek to surpass yourself, but do not endlessly crave power. That often leads to nothing good. I was like that once, as was your senior sister..."
"This book is for you. It contains nothing. A thousand people will see a thousand different things in it. What it records will be your inner self."
After saying all this, Cain seemed to have set his mind at ease. He relaxed considerably and asked with a smile,
"Do you know, child? Fifty years ago, there wasn't a single Ninth Realm superhuman in this world. Guess how many there are now?"
"I... I don't know," Lira hesitated to answer.
Cain's next words left her stunned.
"There still isn't a single one!"
"No one has ever been sanctified! Nine is the limit of numbers, but it's also a wall that has blocked everyone in the world. I was once thought to be the most likely to break through, but I ended up a failure. Now, I think you have the best chance."
"Keep going. I believe in you. You are strong."
"Thank you, but I disagree on one point," Lira said, lowering her head. "I don't think you're a failure, and I don't think you're useless."
"I don't blame you for those things... teacher!"
Cain froze upon hearing Lira's words, and when she finally called him "teacher," something that had long been dormant in his heart seemed to light up.
"Hahaha! Thank you. In the end, someone still listens to an old man's ramblings and even comforts him."
"But, ah, it's a shame. I really am useless. I couldn't protect anyone all my life. And now, I can't even safeguard my own academy."
"Look, those rascals have come to mess with me again."
With that, Cain dissolved the spatial barrier, returning to the real world. His entire demeanor transformed. No longer the frail figure from before, a powerful aura surged around him, wrapping him like coiling dragons.
Before Lira could react, he soared into the sky.
A massive golden canopy spread outward from his body at light speed, covering the entire Eastern Academy. His hands stretched to the heavens, holding up the golden canopy that enveloped the academy. The terrifying energy radiated outward, as imposing as a divine mandate.
"You god-servant scum! I may be useless, but I'm not dead yet!"
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票