Chapter 44: The Price of Power and a Glimmer of Hope

“Master, should we keep this green-haired one?”

Little White’s conflicted voice echoed in Lin Ling’s mind.

Although Little White intensely disliked the repulsive green-haired creature who had constantly tried to disembowel her, the fact remained that this individual was now a Demigod. Such a being was considered a pinnacle existence in the entire Origin Star Universe.

Blue Star desperately needed to enhance its combat power, and killing him outright seemed a genuine waste. Even if Little White wished him dead, reality suggested he might still be useful.

“There’s no need to keep him,” Lin Ling replied, gently stroking Little White’s back as he explained.

“He is merely a half-step Eighth-tier, possessing only a fraction of a Demigod’s abilities. He is expendable.”

“But even a peak Seventh-tier is incredibly rare, and Blue Star doesn’t even have a single Seventh-tier now,” Little White countered, seemingly trying to persuade Lin Ling to reconsider.

Lin Ling gazed at the green-haired cripple—no, Wang Qingxu, as he had learned his name when reading his memories.

Based on Wang Qingxu’s life experiences, particularly those after receiving the treant’s inheritance, he was utterly devoid of conscience and consumed by extreme greed. The innocent lives he had ruined were not few, and among them were even his own relatives.

Having gained unrestrained power, he had lost all fundamental human morality.

With Lin Ling present, he might not dare to act recklessly. However, after the three-year protection period ended, if Lin Ling were restricted by precepts from interfering in the internal affairs of various races, this man would become a ticking time bomb.

For power that was immense yet unconstrained, the human heart was the only path to limit it. From this perspective, Wang Qingxu was utterly unqualified.

Moreover, there was an inexplicable void in his memories. Had Lin Ling struck him too hard earlier, scattering a part of his soul?

Lin Ling felt a peculiar sensation.

“Keeping him would be a disaster. And you don’t need to worry; Seventh-tiers will appear very soon.” Having informed Little White of his decision, Lin Ling prepared to eliminate this hidden danger.

Seeing that Lin Ling’s mind was made up, Little White said no more. In truth, this outcome was exactly what she desired.

Approaching Wang Qingxu, who was now a mental wreck, a mere shell of a man, Lin Ling slowly raised his hand. Silver-white spiritual energy instantly coalesced within it, forming a cold, sharp blade.

Clearly, the young man intended to perform a major operation first.

He would deal with Wang Qingxu, but not before extracting the Star Origin. Furthermore, preserving the inheritance within his body would yield immense value.

It could be used to cultivate a Sacred-tier. Unlike those who became Sacred-tiers by accepting Star Origin, an heir who received an inheritance gained not only power but also the knowledge and combat experience of the original owner.

This meant Lin Ling wouldn’t need to teach the successor basic common sense or how to wield their power. Adding to that, the selection requirements for this particular inheritance didn’t seem to be very high.

It was simply a pity that so few powerful beings could form an inheritance. Thus, Lin Ling was quite surprised by the inheritance he could acquire today—a welcome unexpected gain.

Without further delay, the silver blade mercilessly pierced Wang Qingxu’s body, reaching deep into his soul.

At the moment of penetration, an indescribable agony caused the now zombie-like Wang Qingxu to unleash a horrific wail.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!…”

****

Blue Star,

At the ruins of Dawang Plaza, after Lin Ling and Qingfeng Immortal suddenly disappeared, the government officials were plunged into anxious contemplation.

Their investigators had no way to verify where the green-haired man, who called himself an immortal, had emerged from. They only knew he seemed to have some connection with Major Wang, so they sent people to inquire.

After a long wait, the investigation report arrived on the conference table. The surrounding dignitaries eagerly flipped through the documents.

It had to be said that the efficiency of Huaguo’s investigators was truly admirable. In such a short time, they had collected testimonies from everyone in the Wang family, clarified their relationship with Qingfeng Immortal, and compiled it into a report for the higher-ups’ reference.

“A young man who got an ancient tree inheritance from who-knows-where, actually calling himself an immortal… Hmph, this is truly fantastical. And his character isn’t much either.” A robust, white-haired old man threw down the report, his voice openly expressing his disappointment and dissatisfaction.

Another middle-aged man with glasses interjected, “Calm down, Minister. No matter what, he is still a Huaguo citizen, a Blue Star native. It’s just what he said…”

“So what if he’s a Blue Star native? We’re not short on scoundrels! I refuse to believe anything such a person says!… However, we still have to consider the possibility.”

Another bespectacled man slowly spoke, “Yes, and didn’t Wang Qingxu and that young man from the Zhang family secretly go to find the silver-haired girl? It seems that girl indeed lives in Cangyang City.”

“Hmph, such a major matter, and they didn’t even inform the country. I don’t know what they were thinking. Xiao Zhao, go check their movements. Perhaps you can really find that silver-haired girl.”

“Also, ask the Zhang family if they know anything.”

The young man called Xiao Zhao quickly responded, “Yes!” He then hurried out of the conference room.

“Alas…”

The old man, referred to as the Minister, leaned back exhaustedly in his chair, sighing. From the previous footage, it was clear that Wang Qingxu was absolutely no match for the silver-haired girl. His defeat was practically a certainty.

But if the fellow died, then so be it. He was a menace alive anyway.

Furthermore, what was with the two giant beasts that appeared at the time? Was it truly as he claimed?

Utterly helpless, he could only pray in his heart that the beast had been spouting nonsense. For if they truly made an enemy of that silver-haired girl, humanity’s future would be grim indeed.

****

Lin Ling’s home (semi-destroyed state)

Following a series of investigations and inquiries, Zhang Xiuxin led his team to successfully locate the origin of the battle: this residential area. The team members immediately began a meticulous investigation and sampling. Most were both nervous and excited, for according to Qingfeng Immortal, this was very likely the exquisite girl’s boudoir!

A boudoir!

If they discovered something extraordinary, the thought itself was thrilling!

Of course, most maintained a rigorous and serious attitude.

However, unlike the hormone-laden individuals beside him, Zhang Xiuxin had no interest in anything inside the house. His sole focus was on the long-dead male corpse lying at the doorway.

The relative he knew all too well.

After Zhang Xiuxin tremblingly straightened the body, the resolute and courageous man could no longer hold back his painful tears.

A man’s tears do not fall easily, but when faced with the anguish of losing a beloved kin, who could endure it?

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have let you come here!” Looking at his son’s corpse, Zhang Xiuxin was filled with boundless regret and unbearable pain.

Just then, a sound abruptly reached his ears. It sounded like someone falling? And more than one?

Perplexed, Zhang Xiuxin quickly rose and turned to shout at his subordinates inside the house, “What are you doing? Be… careful…”

This…?

The scene before him stunned him once more, and the words on his lips were swallowed back into his stomach. All of Zhang Xiuxin’s subordinates had inexplicably fainted. This eerie sight put Zhang Xiuxin on high alert, causing him to quickly draw his pistol and warily scan his surroundings.

“Don’t be so tense. I mean no harm.”

The sudden, melodious, sacred, yet authoritative female voice caused Zhang Xiuxin to involuntarily relax his guard. But when he looked towards the source of the voice, his heart once again grew uneasy.

In the hallway, just a few meters from Zhang Wu’s corpse, countless silver light particles were converging towards a central point, gradually forming the figure of a young woman.

The figure and face that Zhang Xiuxin would never forget.

Seeing this suspected ‘culprit’ who had killed his son, Zhang Xiuxin dared not be careless. He quickly raised his gun to confront her. Although he knew the gun’s effect would be minimal, it brought him some peace of mind.

While she disliked being pointed at with a gun, it was understandable. The young woman decided to overlook it.

Looking at the middle-aged man who had just experienced the pain of losing a child, Lin Ling calmly spoke the words that would bring him the greatest surprise and the most disbelief.

“I can bring your son back to life.”