CHAPTER 350: CHAPTER 350: THE BIG MUSHROOM THAT MISSED THE BUS_1

When faced with Wang Linchi’s question, Zi Guang remained silent. What kind of bizarre question was this? He was expecting inquiries about his power, longevity, or wealth, or perhaps some covetous curiosity about his abilities. Instead, he was asked how he ate and what he consumed. The question was simply absurd.

"Of course, it’s the Sky God."

"I hope you’re satisfied with this answer," Zi Guang replied, having guessed Wang Linchi’s thoughts.

The response surprised Wang Linchi. He had not expected such a direct and unequivocal answer.

"I didn’t expect such an exciting answer, but it does indeed resolve my doubts." Wang Linchi indirectly confirmed the truth of this world.

"So, ancient times indeed hosted extraordinarily powerful Transcendent civilizations. You must be a member of one of them, right?" Wang Linchi continued asking.

"Not exactly. By the time I arrived in this world, the Transcendent Era had already ended, and the Sky God was gasping for his last breath."

"Back then..." Zi Guang started to narrate his story, describing the grandeur of ancient times to Wang Linchi.

During that period, he was not dwelling in the third layer beneath the surface but up above, contending with giant beasts and giants. The Elemental Giants weren’t particularly powerful during ancient times. The Lizardmen were barely cannon fodder, surviving purely because of their large numbers. Huge beasts blotted out the sky and sun.

Eventually, the Sky God died, bringing a great catastrophe upon the surface world. Consequently, the giants and giant beasts began migrating to the subterranean world they initially despised. Between pride and survival, most species chose the latter.

After arriving below the surface, the colossi struggled to adapt. They either died due to the cramped subterranean environment or were forced to shrink in size. Lower-ranking species with smaller bodies, like the Lizardmen, were pushed down to even more confined levels beneath the surface.

The worst off was Zi Guang. His power depended on the quantity of Illusionary God Mushrooms. In the face of the surface catastrophe, he, originally a force to reckon with, suffered the most devastating blow. The unsuitable environment caused the Illusionary God Mushrooms to die en masse. When he had to flee, his weakened condition led to him being spitefully thrown into the smallest third layer of the underground. He was bound there by a seal, in hopes of confining him to death.

Nobody expected that this supposedly prison-like third layer would, through fortuitous circumstances, enable Zi Guang to avoid the cataclysmic changes that befell the layers above, thereby allowing him to survive.

It was certain that the underground was littered with the remains of the Sky God, a consequence of his lingering soul after death. The third layer was actually the location of the Sky God’s skull. Though not fully developed, the residual materials there were still ample for Zi Guang’s extravagant use.

"So, you’re saying the Titan King is from the same era as you?" Wang Linchi asked.

"Well, you could say so," Zi Guang answered, his tone contemptuous. It seemed that the Elemental Giants were not considered a major clan during ancient times.

"So, were all beings evolved from the Sky God? Is that true or not?" Wang Linchi asked again.

Zi Guang paused briefly. "I’m not sure. When I arrived in this world, the ancient era was already ending." He meant that he hadn’t witnessed it himself.

"But it’s highly likely. Back then, although all species were fighting against each other, they all worshipped the Sky God and Mother God."

"If it weren’t for the Sky God’s soul mysteriously disappearing, ancient times wouldn’t have ended." After finishing his words, Zi Guang asked, "When are you planning to leave?"

"I can promise that as long as you live, I will not step out of the third layer. Nor will I intentionally pit my spawns or parasites against you."

Zi Guang knew he couldn’t kill or otherwise harm Wang Linchi. However, he also had his own methods; if Wang Linchi refused to give up, they could torment each other indefinitely. Besides, he doubted Wang Linchi was an immortal being. A temporary retreat was no great loss, as he could reclaim his position once Wang Linchi died. After all, time was what he possessed in abundance.

"It seems you aren’t aware of what’s happening outside," Wang Linchi spoke jestingly before continuing, "Since you’re from outside of this world, have you heard of Erroneous Sin?"

"Erroneous Sin?" The pitch of Zi Guang’s voice rose sharply. "My Fungus Lord above! How could this world possibly contain Erroneous Sin? Damn it, I must leave as soon as possible."

Wang Linchi noted the term "Fungus Lord." Obviously, this being, like the Goblin he had encountered earlier, must have someone above it. However, in terms of abilities, it seemed to be at a disadvantage compared to the Goblin. The Goblin had previously shown no fear of Erroneous Sin, even capable of stepping onto a vehicle and leaving unimpeded. But Zi Guang was trapped underground with no means to move.

"It seems you’re aware that the world has at most one year before it comes to a halt," Wang Linchi dropped another bombshell on him.

"Damn it! No wonder I haven’t received any updates from the second underground layer recently. It has been cut off by the error!" Zi Guang appeared rather irate but then conceded, "I’ve lost contact with the fungus colony. I can’t leave."

"Well, considering the information you’ve given me, I’ll tell you this: a bus will pass by in a month. You’d better find a way to scrape together a ticket."

Upon hearing the term "bus," Wang Linchi found it somewhat familiar. "Are you referring to the two celestial bodies—one black, one white?"

"How did you find out about them? The last time the binary celestial bodies passed this Void was before this world was even born!" Zi Guang had a sense of foreboding.

"Some time ago, I saw a Goblin and his mischievous child catch this bus and leave," Wang Linchi kindly reminded him.

"AAAH!!!"

"How can those skull-collecting spirit creatures be here!!!" Zi Guang’s voice was one of panic, evidently recognizing the other party’s species.

"I heard they were swatted over here after persuading a dragon to steal the leaves of the World Tree," Wang Linchi remarked.

Zi Guang’s panic suddenly stopped.

"Ah? Oh, then never mind." This time, his voice seemed a bit evasive.

"You wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with this, would you?" Wang Linchi asked curiously.

"No... no way! How could I be involved?" Zi Guang lacked conviction.

"So your bus..." Wang Linchi asked again.

"It’s already left! What bus are you talking about? I can only think of a way on my own now." At this point, Zi Guang no longer cared about outlasting Wang Linchi. If he couldn’t escape, he really would become a dead mushroom.

"Oh? When are you leaving? I plan on taking this place over," Wang Linchi finally spoke.

"In a few days. I’ll leave in a few days! I swear I won’t stay here a moment longer!" Zi Guang increasingly felt that something was awry with this world, as if some horrific entity was gestating.

He was well aware of how he got here. Like all fungi, he had wanted to ferment the leaves of the World Tree; as they decayed, they could become his nutrients. So he had joined in for a share of the spoils. Of course, it wasn’t just him and that spirit creature who got involved initially. There were also other Families of incomprehensible entities. Thankfully, their respective patrons all had connections with that individual, so it was merely a lesson. All the Families involved were scattered into various worlds by that mighty slap, though their lives were not endangered.

Now they just had to figure out how to get back. The simplest way was taking the "bus," but he had missed it. No matter, as a member of the Family of a transcendent entity, escaping shouldn’t be a problem.

If I just leave like this, will I be swatted back halfway? Zi Guang thought and glanced again at Wang Linchi, asking, "Did that spirit creature leave you anything when it left?"

Zi Guang vaguely felt like he had grasped something important. The other must have done something to atone for his mistakes to successfully catch the bus; otherwise, he would have been kicked off, even if he had managed to board. The endless Void was a paradise for his Fungus Lord and those other incomprehensible entities, as other forces had been almost entirely eradicated.

"He left me an inheritance, which is..." Wang Linchi gave a brief overview.

"This... I need to think." Zi Guang felt this was too coincidental. The other left something, and then the bus arrived. If there was no connection, he had lived all these years for nothing.

"So, you want to leave me a big gift package too?" Wang Linchi never expected the situation to turn out like this. He had been prepared to fight to the death.

"I’m busy now. Let’s chat later," Zi Guang finished speaking and went silent.

Wang Linchi couldn’t find Zi Guang’s true body, nor could he see what he was doing. Ultimately, he could only sit bored in the third layer of the underground, pondering the shift in Zi Guang’s attitude.

Did I snatch someone’s opportunity again...?