Chapter 51: Chapter 51: National Academician, Defying Fate!
The next day.
The entire nation was nervous and on edge.
Online forums were buzzing with discussions about yesterday’s announcement on the rankings.
The new rules of the rankings were causing unease among many.
Because the top ten can kill others to gain cultivation, and without limit, many low-level cultivators are afraid.
Afraid that strong individuals might quietly eliminate them to boost their power; if those ten people want to kill them, it would be effortless.
Originally, ordinary people were afraid of cultivators, but now the whole nation fears the top ten.
Afraid that if any of the top ten get unhappy, they might kill others to enhance their cultivation, just like the Demon Cultivators in novels.
Besides, another matter is spreading widely online, creating quite a stir.
That’s about Elder Chen Mingyuan, a Huaxia Academician, aged one hundred and thirty, whose bodily functions have almost ceased, and is on the verge of passing away.
"Alas, is there truly no one who can save the elder? He has contributed so much to our nation."
"I heard the Maintenance Department has already intervened; last night, they invited Daoist Qingfeng to take a look. But Daoist Qingfeng refused to act, saying it would involve significant karmic consequences, and changing fate might incur the wrath of the heavens!"
"That’s right, even with the Soul Reviving Pill, there would still be tribulations to endure. Because altering fate goes against the heavens, and fate cannot be defied."
"I see, I thought consuming the Soul Reviving Pill would immediately bring him back. I didn’t expect hardships were also involved."
"The hardships are none other than the heavenly tribulations, specifically Thunder Tribulation. If your strength is sufficient, you can contend with the heavens."
"It shouldn’t be this way, Elder Chen has performed great deeds; his knowledge advanced Huaxia’s fighter jets by thirty years. He’s lived this long relying on his great merits, how can it be said he’s leaving just like that."
"No choice, no one dare defy fate unless Celestial Venerable Xiao Yao intervenes."
"Indeed, if the Celestial Venerable were to save him, he shouldn’t fear the heavens, for he’s someone who even Thunder Tribulation fears!"
...
Longdu City, Military District Hospital.
In a spacious hospital room, a bed was placed; an elderly man with yellowed skin, emaciated, white-haired, and sunken eyes lay with his eyes closed, silently.
From his colorless skin and weak breaths, it was evident the man had little time left.
Beside the man was a young girl, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at the elder.
"Grandfather, I went to the temple today to pray for you. You will surely live longer, and I’ve posted online that if anyone dares to save you, I am willing to spend my entire wealth."
The girl’s name was Chen Xi, the granddaughter of Chen Mingyuan, and now she was the chairman of Longdu Creek Cosmetics, with a net worth of billions!
"Cough, cough."
At this moment, the man lying in bed coughed twice and opened his eyes dazedly.
"Grandfather, you’re awake. Are you hungry, thirsty?" Upon seeing her grandfather wake up, Chen Xi asked hastily.
"I’m fine, not hungry or thirsty." The elderly man painfully curled up his lips, smiled kindly at his granddaughter.
"Grandfather, rest assured, I will definitely find a way to save you. I heard that the Water Fairy has the Soul Reviving Pill; I’m willing to spend all our family fortune just to buy it, as long as they agree to sell it." Tears streaked Chen Xi’s pretty face, stirring pity in others.
"Silly child, life has always ended in death for anyone, what’s there to fear about dying? Moreover, I’ve lived more than half a life, I should have lived enough." Chen Mingyuan smiled reassuringly, tremblingly raised his hand, and touched his granddaughter’s cheek.
He showed no fear of death; rather, he seemed a bit carefree.
At fourteen, he was recommended to the National Defense University due to his genius, at eighteen, he made outstanding contributions in aeronautics, at twenty, he tackled various fighter jet challenges while foreign countries spent massive amounts to recruit him.
He rejected them with just one sentence.
"I am a Huaxia citizen."
Then decisively joined the National Defense Institute to research and immerse himself in the fighter jet field.
Now, over a hundred years old, he still made numerous contributions to the nation’s aeronautics and fighter jets field.
His great achievements were unmatched.
A few years ago, he was awarded the national honor medal.
However, he still had a slight regret for not seeing Huaxia become the most powerful nation, and not seeing his granddaughter get married to someone.
These were his regrets; he still did not want to die.
But now, who can save him?
No, who dares to save him?
At this point, Chen Xi’s phone vibrated; she picked it up and saw it was a call from the secretary, surely with important matters to report.
"Answer the call first." Chen Mingyuan smiled.
"Hmm." Chen Xi nodded, walked to the balcony, and answered the call.
"Speak, what’s the matter."
"Chairman, the Water Fairy has responded; she’s willing to give the Soul Reviving Pill, but on the condition that someone comes out to defy fate and resist the Thunder Tribulation; otherwise, the entire Chen Family will be destroyed by the Thunder Tribulation."
Hearing this, Chen Xi’s face drastically changed, realizing resisting fate was that serious!
Any mistake would implicate the entire family.
This... she herself couldn’t make this decision alone.
"Okay, I understand."
Chen Xi hung up the phone, returned to her grandfather’s side, and forced a smile: "Grandfather, there’s some company matter I need to deal with, I’ll return to see you shortly."
"Hmm, go quickly." Chen Mingyuan nodded, watched Chen Xi leave.
The moment the hospital room door closed, his eyes dimmed.
Having lived for over a century, can he not discern a person’s emotional change?
It seems that his life has come to an end.
...
Qindu University, Dorm.
Chen Lan meditated for the entire night and returned to the dorm at noon, immediately hearing a sigh.
"Alas, why are there so many things today, it’s truly a heart-wrenching day."
Luo Tao was sitting on a chair, looking at his phone and sighing, seemingly troubled by many worries.
"What’s up?" Chen Lan casually asked.
"Ah, you’re back, not returning home, don’t tell me you secretly started dating without telling me!" Luo Tao, seeing Chen Lan return, immediately jumped up and approached Chen Lan.
"What are you thinking?" Chen Lan rolled his eyes.
"I’m telling you, you’re my future brother-in-law, don’t get a girlfriend."
"Huh? When did I become your brother-in-law?" Chen Lan was stunned; puzzled, he raised his eyebrows and played along with a smile: "Besides, didn’t you not want me to be your brother-in-law? What’s going on today?"
"Of course, it’s because my sister likes you; last night, I saw her blushing and saying why didn’t Brother Lan come for dinner." Luo Tao said with a bit of anger.
Chen Lan was taken aback; it seemed Luo Tao wasn’t joking, maybe Lan Lan truly liked him.
But thinking about it, it made sense; Lan Lan is so young, it’s common for young girls to harbor love interests.
"Stop, stop, let’s not talk about this; Lan Lan is still young, we’ll talk about it later. First, tell me why you’re sighing, has something happened?"
He hasn’t paid attention to what’s been happening on Blue Star all day, fully immersed in his meditation.
"Alas, of course, it’s the matter of Academician Chen."