Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo Chapter 145 - 139 Master of Divine Seal Awakens

"Number One thought I was from the Doomsday Era?"

I quickly realized that last ti, in front of him and Number Four, Xuanming, I had allowed Number Two, the small bowl, to mistakenly think I was a person from the Doomsday Era. I hadn’t had a chance to correct this misunderstanding, letting it continue indefinitely.

I didn’t actually intend to keep using this misunderstanding. Although the true purpose of this Mist Dream Realm was still unclear to , considering it had gathered so many people from different abnormal worlds, even those like Number Four, Xuanming and Number Six at the Great Impermanence Level, it might beco a platform for exchanging information about the abnormal world. Eventually, the ill-suited "Person from the Doomsday Era" disguise could beco cumberso.

Like how I enjoyed playing the mysterious person and liked the atmosphere of mysterious organization gatherings, this ill-suited disguise did have its own appeal. However, if it hindered my information gathering, it would be better to voluntarily cast it aside in front of those who misunderstood and show a straightforward attitude.

"I am not from the Doomsday Era," I said.

"What? But you clearly..." Number One was surprised.

Observing his reaction made feel sothing was off, so I then looked towards Number Four, Xuanming.

Number Four, Xuanming hadn’t presud I was from the Doomsday Era as Number One had. It seed like he naturally treated as though we were from the sa era while conversing...no, that was a test. I had been baited into talking.

He was also looking at now and glanced at Number Two’s reaction, then said to , "I see, you had no intention of using the identity of soone from the Doomsday Era for deception. It looks like I’ve misjudged you by assuming malicious intent."

I finally understood that he probably never fully believed I was from the Doomsday Era. So, previously, while I inquired why he collected Divine Seal Fragnts, he simultaneously and unnoticeably drew information from . He had at least tested twice. Once by initiating the conversation as if we were from the sa era and another by intentionally using the example of Number Two, who wasn’t present, when discussing people from the Doomsday Era. He was observing my reactions.

Although he acted with integrity, he also had a worldly-wise side.

However, this matter also involved my indifferent attitude. Initially, the identity of soone from the Doomsday Era was just an exterior put on to attract Number Two, and after I shed that identity in front of Number Two, the role of that identity ended. Yet, surprisingly, both Number One and Number Four, Xuanming, were still concerned about this identity and even specifically tested it, which I found both admirable and ironically amusing.

"Number One, I have a question for you too. May I speak with you privately?" I asked.

"Just say it here."

He still didn’t let down his guard and didn’t intend to interact with in private.

"Alright," I nodded, "do you know Ying Lingyun?"

"—You an Ying Lingyun?"

Number One indeed reacted.

"Why are you asking this? No..." he suddenly beca extrely wary, "why did you choose to ask ?"

"I’ll just say it directly, I suspect you are Ying Lingyun, are you?" I cut straight to the point.

Number Two’s ability to detect lies had limitations, like the last ti I didn’t directly tell her I was from the Doomsday Era, but rely showed my knowledge of it. She concluded by herself that I was from that era. This shows that although others can’t lie to her, they can still lead her to the wrong conclusions.

Moreover, I believed there were other ways to circumvent her lie detection chanisms. Thus, instead of indirect probing, a direct approach usually leaves fewer gaps.

"I am not. How could I possibly be Ying Lingyun?" Number One answered without hesitation, then added with an angry tone, "To prevent more disgusting and pointless questions, such as whether I am his ’possibility avatar’ or his clone, or so other nonsensical stuff, and then due to this and that accident a rebellious self-awareness was born... none of that. I am just ."

"It seems you know quite a bit about Ying Lingyun..." I said.

Number Two, the small bowl, stood silently by my side without any particular reaction. We had a code – if she heard a lie, she’d signal . Therefore, this implied Number One had not lied.

"It’s my turn to ask," Number One asked coldly, "why are you asking if I am Ying Lingyun? Where do I look like that beast to you?"

"You have a similar build to him," I replied.

"Not just that. He has a Divine Seal Fragnt, which I am well aware of. You must have learned about it through so channel, which is why you suspected he might also be a visitor to the Mist Dream Realm, is that correct?" he asked with a cold smirk.

The conversation seed to draw Number Four, Xuanming’s attention again. His purpose for collecting Divine Seal Fragnts was unknown, but he would surely be interested in any other person possessing Divine Seal Fragnts. This was also why I had initially asked for a private conversation with Number One.

If Number Four, Xuanming, targeted Ying Lingyun, he might outpace . Although it wasn’t a big deal—I and Mazao aid to investigate the clues of the Doomsday, with the bigger objective being the Human Bureau organization. Although I would like to confront Ying Lingyun again, I wouldn’t spend more effort to cover for him, as that would be an insult to a rival I once acknowledged. If Number Four, Xuanming’s actions caused great trouble for the Human Bureau, it might instead facilitate creating opportunities for and Mazao.

Unlike , who was rely suspicious, Number One seed quite certain that Ying Lingyun possessed a Divine Seal Fragnt. It appeared that owning a Divine Seal Fragnt didn’t necessarily an becoming a visitor to the Mist Dream Realm.

No.1 was still persistently questioning about Ying Lingyun; it was clear he harbored significant hatred towards Ying Lingyun. I, however, didn’t engage much and kept the promise I had made previously to No.2 Little Bowl, deciding not to probe too deeply into No.1’s information.

At the sa ti, the others were not idle. No.2 Little Bowl was providing lie detection assistance beside , while No.4 Xuanming was observing the conversation between and No.1; although No.6 showed interest in and No.2 Little Bowl, he didn’t rashly co forward to strike up a conversation but first asked No.5 about the general situation of the Mist Dream Realm, to which No.5 disclosed everything he knew, which was essentially what I had told him.

I turned my attention to the venue. Besides the giant, there were already six newcors. The seven stone seats designated for the newcors now had just one empty seat left. Once that was filled, the giant would awaken.

"I guess we’ll have to wait until next ti."

Seeing that direct questioning was futile, No.1 hadn’t given up, but adopted a roundabout approach. First, he began by addressing what I was concerned about, "First it was you and No.2, then you and Xuanming, followed by No.5 and No.6... This place’s newcors seem to always arrive in pairs. This ti there are probably also only two newcors; the final ’No.7’ might not arrive until a few days later."

"Is that so?"

The respondent was not but No.6.

Suddenly, this individual, seemingly at the Great Impermanence Level, turned his head toward the depths of the mist and said, "It seems it’s not as you said."

"What?" No.1 was taken aback and then his expression changed slightly.

Because just two seconds after No.6’s words fell, footsteps once again sounded from the depths of the mist.

Soon, a new dark silhouette appeared within our field of vision.

This person looked slender and tall, with a distinctly female form.

Her stride was strong and vigorous, and despite seeing so many of us here, she did not show the slightest sign of surprise but silently, with great strides, went to the rock seat on the very edge and naturally sat down.

"The third newcor... No.7?"

No.1 read in astonishnt and then quickly gathered himself and looked towards another direction.

I followed his gaze, looking at the giant sitting far away.

There were now seven newcors present.

As the stone seats filled up with their corresponding inhabitants, the giant, whom No.1 had nad "No.0," finally stirred.

—He ca to life.

Like us, he was shrouded in shadows, making it theoretically impossible to discern any change in expression. Yet, at that mont, even though he had no physical movents, I felt as though he was slowly opening his eyes.

This statue-like "deity," seemingly without any life, appeared to have gained true life.

Soon, he made definite movents.

He seed to shift to a more comfortable sitting position, very slowly propping his arms on the armrest of his stone seat and resting his chin on his fists. He also slightly turned his face, bringing all of us into his field of view, observing each in turn. I felt as though his tangible gaze swept over my body.

After making a round, his gaze returned to and stayed there.

Was he observing ?

I was very clear that I was probably an anomaly in this Mist Dream Realm, and being scrutinized by the being who likely ruled here, I inevitably felt imnse pressure and danger.

What would he say to next? What did he plan to do to ? I could not use my superpowers right now, and facing a threat from a giant who stood at least four ters tall, I indeed had no capacity to retaliate. Forget whether he possessed supernatural power, his sheer size alone was enough to slaughter everyone present without resistance.

While waiting for his further reaction, I also observed my surroundings, considering if there was a way to use the existing conditions to kill him instead. I found it sowhat humorous that even before he had a chance to express anything, I was already contemplating how to kill him.

This thought was not born of rationality or maturity, but rather of naivety and reflex. The inability to use superpowers made it easier for to lose my usual composure than I had imagined. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that I am most myself when I can use my superpowers. But I don’t intend to use this as an excuse. I won’t look for any excuses.

Because being unable to maintain composure in such situations was precisely the thing that I tirelessly pursued.

Contrarily, No.4 Xuanming, who had always shown anger and malevolence towards the giant, stepped forward first, initiating a dialogue, "Are you the Master of Divine Seal?"

The giant—Master of Divine Seal—ignored him, continuing to gaze at , the anomaly.