76 – Strange Abilities
by spirapira“Is it possible…” At this moment, Chen Yao’s face was heavy as she slowly spoke, “The reason why demons haven’t annihilated humans is to raise them like livestock, using them as a source of blood.”
“Makes some sense.” Zhang Hu rubbed his chin, somewhat agreeing.
“It’s possible. But not very likely.”
Wang Ping shook his head and said.
“If demons wanted to raise humans, using them as a sustainable blood source, they should have exterminated all human Daoists, completely depriving humans of the ability to resist. Yet, they didn’t.”
“Perhaps they couldn’t… or maybe the demons don’t get along with each other, they don’t trust each other, or are even wary of one another.”
Cai Yonglong also shared his new speculation.
“It’s certain that demons are not harmonious. Even within the same tribe, perfect harmony is impossible. Humans can’t achieve it, let alone demons. However, if exterminating human Daoists was beneficial to them, they would set aside their differences temporarily to achieve that. Yet, they didn’t, so the previous speculations are not very likely.”
Wang Ping shook his head and shared his insights.
Everyone nodded, feeling it made a lot of sense.
“Regardless of the situation, we just need to use the ability one more time to find out.”
Wang Ping exhaled lightly and closed his eyes after saying this.
Seeing this, everyone quieted down, knowing Wang Ping was about to use the ‘Foresee the Future’ ability again.
“System, I want to perform a free simulation.”
Wang Ping said in his heart.
“Ding, Life Simulator activated. Host has eight remaining free simulations.”
The System’s voice sounded, and the familiar light blue screen appeared before him once more.
Immediately after, words began to emerge.
【On the first day, the high officials of the Profound Kingdom held a meeting and ultimately decided to trust you temporarily. However, because you didn’t reveal all your powers, they did not fully cooperate with your plans. You were indifferent to this.】
【In the following days, you hunted demons, displaying great strength, and several leader-level demons fell at your hands. You even killed a demon king.】
【This caused a worldwide sensation, shocking the entire world.】
【From then on, you continued to hunt powerful demons as in your memory. However, unlike in your memory, your displayed strength wasn’t overwhelming. When dealing with high-level demon kings, you didn’t find it easy, but ultimately, you still killed them.】
【Nevertheless, your power and achievements earned the reverence of all Daoists and praises from all of humanity. At the same time, powerful Grand Dao Masters and Dao Elders discussed whether to join forces with you to eliminate the remaining demon kings.】
【Some agreed, and some opposed. The opponents believed that if a full-scale war broke out, the demons would be infuriated, putting humanity in great danger. After all, the demon kings appearing now were just a small portion; there were still more terrifying demons yet to emerge.】
【These words caused a silence among the others. If the demons were thoroughly enraged, the consequences would be unimaginable. Even that mysterious entity might not be able to calm the demons.】
【For a moment, the high officials of humanity could only sigh and remain silent, deciding not to aid you. While your killing of demon kings alleviated great pressure on them, it didn’t solve the fundamental issue. If the demons became enraged, they could blame you, the outsiders, for their wrath, thus safeguarding themselves.】
Seeing this, Wang Ping squinted his eyes, his expression becoming much colder.
The high officials of humanity indeed knew of that mysterious being’s existence.
Moreover, they knew it was that entity who had soothed the demons, preventing humanity’s annihilation.
Clearly, the people of this world did not trust them, as they hadn’t disclosed this even in death.
Of course, this was understandable.
After all, who would trust travelers from another world all of a sudden?
“It’s fine if you don’t trust us, but we came to help you kill demons and solve problems… Yet, you’re ready to betray us even before the need arises. How efficient!”
Wang Ping’s face was cold, and he sneered.
Previously, Wang Ping thought to eradicate the powerful demons in this world while completing his mission, bringing peace back to it.
Now, it seemed there was no need.
Everything would be task-oriented. Killing demon kings, if required by the mission, would be done.
If not required by the mission, he would be considerate and ensure the number of human powerhouses and demons were balanced, letting them fight it out themselves.
Seeing Wang Ping’s expression change, Chen Yao and the others raised their eyebrows, thinking something bad had happened in the future, feeling somewhat uneasy.
【In the following time, you continued to hunt powerful demons. You finally angered all the mighty demons, and they jointly launched an attack on you.】
【In this battle, you continued to hide your true strength, appearing to struggle greatly on the surface, ‘seriously injured’. In the end, you had to use Zhang Hu’s Forbidden Spell: Infinite Thunder Destruction to kill all the demons.】
【Your achievements spread across the world, shocking and earning the admiration of countless people. Everyone celebrated you, calling you the savior. Even the powerful cultivators among humanity’s elites were stunned by your methods, their minds filled with thoughts.】
【Yet, despite all this, you felt heavy-hearted. Despite your elaborate act, that mysterious presence still showed no intention of revealing themselves… They had enormous patience. You realized your plan to lure out the snake had failed.】
【After thinking it over, you decided to resort to an even harsher method to draw that person out.】
【Ignoring the opposition of the human authorities, you forcibly broke the seal of a Demon Suppression Cave. In an instant, terrifying demons poured out, including those with Spirit Sea Realm combat power. Pretending to be overwhelmed, you used a Forbidden Spell Scroll: Angel’s Holy Shield to save your life and fled the scene.】
【Your actions enraged everyone to the extreme, and their hatred for you peaked.】
【Unmoved, you continued with your plan to force out that mysterious presence. Ultimately, that mysterious human could no longer stay hidden and took action, killing all the powerful demons that had escaped from the Demon Suppression Cave, even engaging in battle with the demon emperor of the Spirit Sea Realm.】
【Watching this mysterious human battle the weakened demon emperor filled everyone with both surprise and suspicion. They all wondered, if this mysterious human was so powerful, why would they need to negotiate with demons? With their strength, what demon king would dare act wantonly? In an instant, sharp-minded individuals sniffed out a conspiracy.】
【You seized this opportunity to launch a sneak attack on him. You fought fiercely, striking with all your might. He was horrified and furious, severely injured by your strike, and used strange methods to escape.】
【You felt heavy-hearted; letting him escape meant finding him again would be troublesome. Instantly, you deeply desired some technique or spiritual tool to seal the heavens and earth or some secret method to track him. Without such means, it would be impossible to prevent these bizarre zombies or this man from escaping your grasp.】
【At this moment, the demon emperor, seeing you suddenly appear and exhibit such formidable power, was terrified and tried to flee. Coldly, you controlled your sword and killed him.】
【In the end, peace was restored to the world. However, the impact of this battle was far from over. Human authorities and powerful daoists were filled with dread; they never expected you to be so powerful. They had even considered betraying you. Instantaneously, everyone swore that this must never reach your ears.】
【You then ordered humanity to track down his whereabouts, intending to kill him. However, it was all in vain.】
【On the hundredth day, just as you remembered, another Demon Suppression Cave erupted with sudden turmoil, and powerful demons emerged. You grew alert, suspecting that this outburst was related to that person. You could guess his general objective. This guy, who had previously fought against the demon emperor, ostensibly to prevent the extinction of humanity, was now releasing the demon emperor for the purpose of using him against you.】
【In essence, just as you had plotted against him earlier, he was now overtly plotting against you. Clearly, he had no regard for humanity’s survival anymore.】
【This gave you a severe headache. The enemy was in the dark while you were in the light; the situation was not looking good. However, you had no choice but to take action. If you stood by and did nothing, the demon emperor would be enough to annihilate all humanity.】
【Ultimately, you decided to take action and confront the demon emperor. This time, however, you did not fight to the death but merely displayed enough power to warn the demon emperor not to act recklessly. Simultaneously, you hinted that he was being used.】
【In the end, the demon emperor reconciled with you, promising not to wantonly devour humanity.】
【Afterward, humanity dispatched heavy forces to guard the remaining three Demon Suppression Caves and used numerous formations to protect them, preventing the mysterious person from breaking the seals again.】
【But all this was futile. Ultimately, one of the Demon Suppression Caves was broken open. Terrifying demons emerged. This new demon emperor had no intention of reconciling with humanity and devoured them rampantly.】
【Another demon emperor, seeing this, also tore up the agreement and attacked you, intending to kill and devour you to become stronger.】
【You could not escape and had to face them in battle, fighting two at once. In the end, that mysterious person resurfaced, taking advantage of the fierce battle. He launched a sneak attack on you, severely injuring you. Eventually, you were torn apart by the two demon emperors.】
【Due to your death, this simulation ends】
‘Still dead, huh…’
Wang Ping frowned slightly, feeling heavy-hearted.
This mysterious person was really troublesome.
If he couldn’t be eliminated in one strike, he would be a lingering menace, like a venomous snake waiting to bite when you were weak.
‘How did it go?’
Seeing Wang Ping frown, although everyone already had an answer in their hearts, they couldn’t help but ask.
‘Death as the conclusion.’
Wang Ping shook his head and said.
‘As expected, huh…’,
Everyone gave a bitter smile.
Without delay, Wang Ping recounted the simulation’s details.
‘An enemy in the dark while we are in the open… It’s really troubling.’
Cai Yonglong sighed.
‘The mysterious person has the strength of the Spirit Sea Realm, combined with the demon emperor from the Demon Suppression Cave… Honestly, it’s a bit too much to handle.’
Zhang Hu smiled bitterly.
‘It’s all our fault that we couldn’t help much. If I had the power of the Spirit Sea Realm, I could have shared your burden.’
Chen Yao also appeared dissatisfied.
“Spirit Sea Realm combat power, it’s not that easy.”
Zhang Jun sighed.
“No need to be so discouraged.”
Wang Ping shook his head, remaining calm.
“Through this premonition, I roughly guessed the purpose of that mysterious person.”
“What purpose?”
Everyone was shaken, looking over.
“This guy is most likely our mission target, the anomaly attached to humans.”
Wang Ping squinted his eyes and spoke slowly.
“The reason he doesn’t want humanity to be exterminated, it can’t be because he sees himself as a human now that he’s attached to one. Most likely, it’s because the existence of humans has more value than their extermination. But these weak humans, what value could they have for him?”
“Uh…”
Cai Yonglong, Zhang Hu, Zhang Jun, and Chen Yao all frowned, pondering deeply.
“At the same time, based on the future, I can also analyze that he hopes humans, especially me, could kill more demons. What is the purpose behind that?”
Wang Ping spoke again, his gaze deepening.
“Brother Wang, you mean that humans killing demons is greatly beneficial to him.”
Cai Yonglong, feeling a shock in his heart, said in a heavy voice.
“Specifically, the reason he can grow stronger so quickly is that he gains power by devouring demon corpses? If that’s the case, it perfectly explains his behavior.”
With these words, Chen Yao, Zhang Hu, and Zhang Jun also perked up, finding it very reasonable.
“Partially right, but not entirely.”
Wang Ping shook his head.
“What do you mean?”
Cai Yonglong asked in confusion.
“He might get stronger by devouring demon corpses, but it’s more likely that as long as the demon dies, he can obtain an equivalent amount of power. Otherwise, with the characteristics of my cultivation technique and my habit of making sure to finish off enemies, the demons would most likely be burned to ashes. How would he devour the corpse in that case?”
Wang Ping explained with a small smile.
Although, in the zombie world where Zhang Jun was, he had only made one strike.
In reality, he always reminded himself to have the habit of finishing off enemies, and not to let them go just because they seemed dead.
The reason he didn’t make sure to finish off enemies in the zombie world was due to the System’s notifications.
Since he knew the opponent was already dead, there was no need to make sure of it.
“Uh… In that case, his ability is likely as Brother Wang inferred.”
Zhang Hu stroked his chin, clicking his tongue in surprise.
“Damn, worthy of being an anomaly. Although this ability isn’t as powerful as rule-based ones, it’s strong enough, practically the most desired ability for a lazy person… growing stronger lying down.”
“Wait a minute. If he can gain equivalent power through the death of demons, with his strength, he can completely do it himself. Why go to the trouble of protecting humans?”
Cai Yonglong frowned, questioning again.
Such an ability, even more perverse than growing stronger by killing people, wouldn’t require such complicated planning.
“This brings us to the limitation of his ability. I suspect that if he kills the demon himself, he can’t grow stronger. Or, the power he gains would be minimal. That’s why he needs careful calculations.”
Wang Ping squinted his eyes, speaking slowly.
With these words, everyone’s pupils slightly constricted, their hearts roiling.
Indeed, if that’s the case, all the opponent’s behavior would make sense.
“Of course, I’ve thought of another possibility.”
At this moment, Wang Ping spoke again, surprising everyone once more.
Happy New Year to everyone! May the new year bring new beginnings~