Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 296 I Really Want to Kill You

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow.

Tianjizi?

Head of the Heavenly Secrets Academy?

That mysterious figure who claims to know everything in the world but never participates in any struggles?

This old man has never left the Tianji Academy in his entire life, yet he actually came to find me in person today?

Moreover, Lin Chen couldn't quite see through his cultivation level, which was different from the rumors.

Lin Chen's mind raced, but his expression remained unchanged as he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"So you are Senior Tianji, I've heard so much about you."

Tianjizi smiled, his smile as gentle as that of a kind old neighbor.

"You're too kind. I've come here without permission to invite the Prince of Zhenbei for a chat. Would that be alright?"

Lin Chen readily agreed, "Alright, senior, lead the way."

Tianjizi nodded and turned to lead the way.

Lin Chen winked at Yuan Tiangang—You wait here, I'll go and meet him.

Yuan Tiangang nodded slightly and remained standing still.

Lin Chen followed Tianjizi and flew into the nearby mountains and forests.

The two flew low, skimming the treetops, moving slowly.

Tianjizi flew ahead without saying a word.

Lin Chen followed behind without asking any questions.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, we arrived at a secluded valley.

The valley is not large, surrounded by mountains on all sides, with a small stream flowing through the middle.

Beside the stream, there is a huge rock, shaped like a millstone, on which tea sets are placed, steaming hot.

Tianjizi landed on the boulder and raised his hand in a gesture:

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please have a seat."

Lin Chen landed, sat down opposite him, and picked up his teacup to smell it.

The tea has a clear and refreshing aroma, making it no ordinary tea; its scent brings a sense of tranquility.

He took a sip, put down the teacup, and looked at Tianjizi:

"What brings you here, senior?"

Tianjizi also picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly looked at the distant mountain shadows.

"Fellow Daoist, are you aware that this world experiences a tide every ten thousand years?"

Lin Chen remained calm. "I'd like to hear the details."

Tianjizi slowly spoke:

"The so-called tides are the fluctuations of the rules of heaven and earth."

When the tide rises, spiritual energy surges, all things revive, the strong become stronger, geniuses abound, and even celestial beings are no better than dogs.

When the tide recedes, spiritual energy dries up, all things wither, the weak perish, and those who once dominated the world vanish along with the spiritual energy.

"This tide has been cycling for countless millennia."

With each rise and fall of the tide, countless civilizations are born, and countless civilizations are destroyed.

Lin Chen listened, secretly surprised.

Isn't this just like the "Great Filter" in those science fiction novels from my past life?

Format it every now and then. Those who can survive will continue, and those who can't will be gone.

He looked at Tianjizi and asked, "What's different about this tide?"

Tianjizi turned to look at him, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Good question."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious:

"This tide is not an ordinary rise and fall, but rather—the world is about to change its masters."

Lin Chen's eyes flickered slightly.

It has changed owners.

Bai Mei also said this.

But Bai Mei's words were vague, and he only half understood them.

Tianjizi continued:

"Those beings that have been dormant for ten thousand years, those ancient cultivators sealed in the rifts of time and space, and those civilizations that have disappeared in the long river of history will all be awakened in this tide."

"They have waited for this day for far too long."

He looked at Lin Chen and said meaningfully:

"Why are those major sects in Zhongzhou so eager to expand outwards? It's not because they want to seize territory, it's because—they're afraid."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of those who have awakened, and I'm afraid of being among the first to be eliminated."

Lin Chen fell silent.

It turns out they were also preparing an escape route.

Tianjizi looked at Lin Chen and suddenly said:

"Fellow Daoist, do you know why the Eastern Region has been peaceful and tranquil in recent years?"

Lin Chen thought for a moment: "Because...we're poor?"

Tianjizi paused for a moment, then smiled.

He laughed so hard his beard trembled.

"Fellow Daoist, your words are indeed interesting."

He suppressed his smile and said seriously:

"It's not because we're poor, it's because it's not worth it."

The Eastern Region is sparsely populated with spiritual energy and lacks resources, so those beings look down on it.

But this time is different. After this tide recedes, the Eastern Region may very well become the last sanctuary.

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

Tianjizi shook his head: "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

Lin Chen: "..."

Alright, the riddle teller is at it again.

He took a deep breath and asked:

"Then why did you tell me all this, senior?"

Tianjizi looked at him and smiled:

"Because I have high hopes for you."

Lin Chen was taken aback: "You think I'm a good candidate?"

Tianjizi nodded: "Although you are young, your fortune is more than I have ever seen in my life."

The people around you—Guan Yu, Li Bai, Yuan Tiangang, Dugu Qiubai, the Eighteen Arhats…etc.—are not people this era should have.

He stared into Lin Chen's eyes, his gaze seeming to see right through him.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, who exactly are you?"

Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat.

What did this old man see?

Even his wives didn't know that he had traveled through time.

Could this old man really be able to figure it out?

But Lin Chen remained outwardly calm, picked up his teacup and took a sip, concealing the turmoil in his heart.

Then he smiled, a smile that was both calm and serene:

"You flatter me, senior. I'm just an ordinary person who's been lucky."

Tianjizi stared at Lin Chen for a long time.

That gaze, like an X-ray, swept over me from the inside out.

Then he suddenly laughed.

"Ordinary people? Ordinary people wouldn't have the strength of a Celestial Being at the peak of the Celestial Realm at the age of eighteen, nor would they have so many people who are not in the River of Destiny following them."

He paused, stood up, and patted his robes:

"Alright, I'm just here to give you a heads-up. After the great changes in the world, the Eastern Region may very well be the last pure land."

"If you, fellow Daoist, can protect this land, perhaps in the future... there will be a glimmer of hope."

Lin Chen also stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Tianjizi nodded and turned to leave.

After taking two steps, he suddenly turned around:

"By the way, that Dugu Qiubai did not die young, so the Prince of Zhenbei need not worry."

He's currently hiding in a very safe place to recover from his injuries. He'll come looking for you once he's healed.

Lin Chen was taken aback: "Senior, do you know where he is?"

Tianjizi smiled but did not answer.

He vanished from the spot in a flash.

It was as if it had never existed.

Lin Chen stood there, looking at the empty valley, lost in thought.

What does this old man mean by telling me all this?

Doesn't he know that he hates riddlers and prophets the most?

They don't say what they mean directly; they have to use cryptic language.

I really want to beat him to death.

But I don't know if I can win.

Using the Celestial Fairy Trial Card would be a bit inappropriate!

Lin Chen took a deep breath and swallowed it.

Never mind, there's always another day.

He leaped into the air and rushed back.

Yuan Tiangang was still waiting in mid-air. When he saw him return, he went up to greet him and asked:

"My lord, what did Tianjizi say?"

Lin Chen waved his hand: "We'll talk about it when we get back."

The two continued flying back.

Lin Chen kept pondering Tianjizi's words.

The world has changed hands.

Those who exist must awaken.

The Eastern Regions are the last pure land.

Why does this sound like a post-apocalyptic movie?

He looked at the distant sky, his eyes slightly narrowed.

In any case, we need to get started on preparations.

It was already afternoon when they returned to the Prince's residence.

As the sun began to set, it bathed the rooftops of the palace in a golden light.

Lin Chen had just entered the study and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when someone came to report:

"Your Highness, Miss Qingluan has arrived."

Lin Chen frowned slightly. "Let her in."

Qingluan entered quickly, still dressed in green, with a long sword at her waist, looking heroic and dashing.

She bowed and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence in the palace."

Lin Chen nodded: "Okay, let's go."

Qingluan stood still, hesitated for a moment, and asked in a low voice:

"Your Highness, did you... go to Dongshan again yesterday?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "How did you know?"

Qingluan blushed slightly: "His Majesty is in a particularly good mood today and has rewarded many people."

Lin Chen chuckled, "So, how is His Majesty's mood today?"

Qingluan thought for a moment: "It was so-so in the morning, but just now... it was fine."

Lin Chen nodded, understanding the situation.

"Let's go, into the palace."