Chapter One Hundred Fifteen: The Chasm of Controllers
In Jiangbei, far from the city center of Jinling City, surrounding farms had, in recent years of economic development, transformed into swathes of industrial parks and factory buildings. However, due to uneven development, some areas were still temporarily abandoned and idle.
Jiangbei was home to Jinling City's petrochemical and heavy industries. Before the 1980s, it epitomized old state-owned enterprises: a large one was like a city within a city. Tens of thousands of workers commuted daily to the production area, and the residential area had everything, from hospitals and shops to barbershops and kindergartens.
Each large state-owned enterprise was an independent mini-society.
However, after the nineties, this place gradually fell into decline.
Many old state-owned enterprises' lands and workshops were, amidst the wave of restructuring, sold off or acquired, becoming part of new industrial parks.
In a somewhat dilapidated residential area of an old state-owned enterprise, the wall on the left had white oil paint that read "Crane Machinery Factory," and on the right, "Work Hard for Three Hundred Days."
The writing was mottled and unclear; some of the paint had peeled off, and even many of the red bricks of the wall had crumbled away.
Out of ten street lamps, eight were unlit.
In the residential area, the once-bustling clinics, shops, and barbershops had mostly closed. The few that remained open were rented by private individuals operating small restaurants, but business looked bleak.
In the distant boiler room, fires still roared.
Behind this boiler room was the large bathhouse of the old factory area, which, of course, had been closed for a long time.
The bathhouse was pitch-black inside, but looking in, a tiny sliver of light peeked through the transom windows.
Deep inside, in the furthest room—this place originally served as the hot water transfer room.
In the center of the room was a huge cement pool, about one meter deep and covering an area of a dozen or so square meters.
At the moment, it was full of water. The room was too dark to see clearly, but one could discern that the surface of the water seemed to still be bubbling.
Finally, after an unknown amount of time, the churning on the water's surface suddenly ceased. The previously roiling water instantly became as still as a mirror.
Soon, from the depths below, a hand emerged, gently resting on the edge of the cement pool.
A figure rose from the water.
The Wizard, entirely nude, slowly sat up. His half-closed eyes seemed to shoot out a cold glint. Opening his mouth, he exhaled a long breath.
This breath was lengthy and profound. After exhaling, the Wizard's upper body, which had been taut, suddenly relaxed.
As he exhaled, the air in the room suddenly roiled. A few CRACKING sounds echoed as fissures spiderwebbed across the glass of the transom windows at the top of the walls. The cement pool also developed several cracks, and water began to seep out.
The cement floor was quickly muddied by the leaking water.
With this single exhalation, the Wizard's facial expression finally eased, and the cold light in his eyes gradually faded... but his entire person seemed to have aged several years. His previously smooth skin now showed more obvious wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth.
Beneath the Wizard's skin, a few spots that seemed to conceal lightning-like glimmers finally dissipated with this exhalation.
The water around him flowed quietly. The Wizard sat in the pool, leaning back with his eyes closed.
"Star Sky Empress, truly worthy of the name Star Sky Empress," the Wizard muttered to himself, finally rising from the pool, dripping wet.
He gently stretched out his hand, and the clothes hanging on a steel rack in the distance floated over on their own, then automatically dressed the Wizard piece by piece.
The droplets on his hair naturally separated and hovered in the air before dispersing in all directions.
The Wizard exited the cement pool, his feet hovering about twenty centimeters above the ground as he floated leisurely from the room. When he landed outside, a pair of shoes and socks flew to his feet and slipped on automatically.
The door outside opened, and an old man with a hunched back shuffled in. He looked up, saw the Wizard, and his face filled with fear and horror. "Sir... Sir, you've come out?"
"Hmm," the Wizard nodded.
"That's good, that's good." The old man's eyes were full of awe. "These past few days, we've used up fuel for three boilers."
The Wizard quietly looked at the old man, then shook his head. "Was the money I gave not enough?"
"Enough! Enough, enough! It's enough!" The old man gulped forcefully.
The money given was more than enough to fuel three boilers; it would have been enough for ten days, even half a month.
The old man would never forget that night two days ago when this person had suddenly appeared outside his boiler room, breaking in!
At the time, the old man thought he had encountered some dangerous man and was so frightened he cried out in terror.
Yet all this person did was flick his finger, and the old man found himself flying up, suspended in mid-air, unable to move, a choking sensation tightening around his neck.
Just as he was about to suffocate, the man flicked his finger again, and the old man fell to the ground, gasping desperately for air.
Afterwards, this person threw him a thick stack of money and issued a command, "Boil water!!"
The old man was a factory worker left to watch over the boiler room... actually, he was already semi-retired. Whether he retired or not didn't really matter, since the factory had shut down many years ago.
With fear and trepidation in his heart, after he boiled the water and it poured into the cement pool, this person actually stripped off his clothes and jumped right in!
That scared the old man half to death, almost causing a heart attack!
It was freshly boiled water!!
As this person jumped into the water, however, the tension on his face seemed to ease considerably.
Turning his head, he tossed a phrase at the old man.
"Keep it burning! The water temperature cannot drop. And... if you speak out, you will die."
For a full three days, the old man was so scared he didn't dare step outside, staying in the boiler room the entire time. For meals, he just haphazardly cooked some dried noodles.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought about calling for help or the police.
But remembering how he had been lifted into the air with a mere flick of the man's finger, and remembering the thick stack of money thrown down, the old man ultimately didn't call anyone. He kept silent.
The Wizard finished dressing. Finding a broken mirror in the room, only half of which remained, he raised his hand to straighten the disheveled hair on his forehead.
This battle not only left me injured, but more importantly, I also lost one of my Soul Devices... All things considered, my strength has diminished by a good fifteen percent.
Healing in the water for three days had finally allowed him to expel the Star Sky Empress's lightning power, using the water's conductivity. But although his wounds had healed, the loss in strength would take at least a year or two to recover.
Now, without a Soul Device and with his strength diminished, the Wizard, though furious, made a decision: leave!
If he were to encounter the Star Sky Empress again, or meet another expert of his caliber, with his strength reduced by fifteen percent and a Soul Device destroyed... another confrontation between Controllers could mean he might perish on the spot.
The desire for revenge burned strongly, but the precondition was to survive and recover his peak strength.
Controllers do not lightly engage in warfare; that is under the premise that neither can overcome the other!
He had been tricked by that despicable brat and then, already injured, encountered the Star Sky Empress. In such a major battle, compounding his injuries... that truly courted mortal danger.
He couldn't flee far that night because his injuries had flared up. If he didn't find a place to heal promptly, forcibly suppressing them would lead to even greater losses.
Now... The Wizard stood before the mirror and sighed.
He turned to glance at the old man from the boiler room behind him, then suddenly smiled. "You must be very scared, right?"
"Uh..." The old man took a trembling half step backward.
"Don't worry, I won't touch you," the Wizard said, shaking his head. "I damaged the pool inside; go fix it. And remember, don't tell anyone about what happened these past few days."
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"
The old man breathed a sigh of relief, then picked up a broom and headed into the pool room...
The Wizard squinted as he watched the man walk in, waiting until a muffled grunt suddenly came from inside...
A faint smile appeared on the Wizard's lips.
I won't touch you...
However, the countless threads of lightning power from the Star Sky Empress that I had just released from my body... are still lingering in that room, mingling with the steam...
How could a mere mortal resist such power?
The Wizard shook his head, turned around, and his body gently floated away from the room, disappearing into the night.
* * *
That night, Li Qingshan could not sleep.
Several times, he even thought about packing his things and leaving Jinling City to hide elsewhere for a while.
But he didn't dare!
If I really left... wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting I'm an "insider"?
They might not have planned to kill me to silence me initially, but if I run...
And with Brother Haonan's methods... could his junior brother be any less capable?
If I run and can't get away, and they find me...
The old man tossed and turned all night in his Tangshan hot spring villa.
It wasn't until late into the night that Li Qingshan suddenly felt a premonition and jolted up from his bed.
There was an extra person in the room!
Long hair flowing, dressed in a white hoodie.
Under the faint light coming through the window, that exquisitely beautiful face entered Li Qingshan's eyes...
Hall Master Li was in no mood to appreciate beauty at that moment; he immediately felt a cold chill from his toes to the back of his neck!
I'm going to die!
Li Qingshan lay there, completely powerless, his teeth chattering, his throat seemingly blocked; he couldn't even utter a sound.
Lu Xixi stood at the foot of the bed, quietly watching Li Qingshan.
An unknown amount of time passed...
"You recognize me, don't you?"
"No, no, no, I... I don't recognize you..."
"No, you do."
"No, no, no! I really don't!" The old man almost burst into tears. Suddenly finding some strength, Li Qingshan rolled off the bed. He scrambled up from the floor but didn't dare to stand, just knelt there. "I... I can pretend I don't recognize you! I really saw nothing tonight!!"
"You saw." Lu Xixi narrowed her eyes.
"I..." Li Qingshan was frantic inside.
Lu Xixi let out a light sigh. "What should I do with you..."
Li Qingshan jolted and blurted out, "I would never dare to speak recklessly!! Whatever is between you and Mr. Chen, I will take it to my grave! Not a word will I leak!!"
As he spoke, Li Qingshan kept kowtowing and begging, "Madam! Whatever is between you and Mr. Chen, I really don't know... Stumbling upon it today was accidental!
"I... I'm very tight-lipped! Not a word, no, not even a punctuation mark will I dare reveal!!"
"Oh? What's between me and Chen Nuo?" Lu Xixi asked with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
This...
How can I say such a thing?
Saying it would mean death, wouldn't it?
"..."
Li Qingshan, his face mournful, didn't dare raise his head. Keeping his forehead pressed to the ground, he cried out, "You and Mr. Chen are together... Your affairs, I don't know, I'm not clear about them!! I really don't know anything!!!"
After a long time without a response, Li Qingshan tentatively raised his head in fear.
The room was empty; the woman's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Li Qingshan's heart pounded, but the only sound was his own heavy breathing.
After a while, Hall Master Li's body went limp, and a wave of relief washed over him. Collapsing on the floor, he was covered in cold sweat...
But inside, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't kill me...
I've survived!
* * *
Chen Nuo sat quietly on the living room floor; the coffee table had been moved to the side of the sofa.
In the middle of the night, a breeze seemed to stir outside. Chen Nuo opened his eyes slightly, and with a thought, the half-open glass balcony doors gently closed on their own.
His strength had recovered to the peak of a Destroyer.
It had been just half a year since he returned to this timeline... a quick recovery indeed.
But for some reason, after the initial rapid progress and recovering to the peak state of a Destroyer, there had been no further advancement.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so passive when confronted by the Star Sky Empress and the Wizard.
However, being stuck at this point without further progress made Chen Nuo somewhat dissatisfied.
Though in this life, he might not necessarily want to provoke the experts from his previous world...
It's just like a person who could score a hundred settling for eighty—there's always a lack of satisfaction.
Besides... it's easy to talk about avoiding them, but can I truly avoid them?
Lu Xixi wouldn't really become his enemy.
While the Wizard was a cunning schemer who cherished his life dearly, he wasn't willing to risk it all—though malicious, he wasn't ruthless enough.
But aside from those two, there were other big players in the Underground World...
There was no guarantee he wouldn't encounter others this lifetime.
There would always be someone vicious and ruthless, willing to risk it all.
What would I do if I encountered one?
He closed his eyes and carefully sensed his Consciousness Space.
Spiritual power gathered. In the void-like space, it was already quite dense and substantial.
But it seemed there was always a constraint limiting it.
This method was somewhat similar to the legendary "introspection," yet different.
Power, in its most important aspect, is all about [Control].
A Controller, as the name suggests, understands the rules of power to control them at will.
Power and rules...
And the foundation is oneself!
At this moment, Chen Nuo had largely gained control over his own body. Even if he sustained any injuries, he could enter a state of inner vision to microscopically observe his body's healing process and even accelerate it.
And Chen Nuo was well aware that his power... was actually somewhat different from those experts of the Underground World.
He was essentially a BUG.
All his powers stemmed from his own brain.
To put it simply...
Chen Yanluo's brain development level was innately different from that of ordinary people.
In his past life, he watched a movie starring Scarlett Johansson called "Lucy."
It depicted a woman who, through a bizarre encounter, developed her brain capacity from the normal level to one hundred percent within a single day...
And then she became an omnipotent, omnipresent, God-like being.
Chen Nuo's situation was somewhat similar to that movie, but also not quite the same.
In his previous life, starting from his teenage years, Chen Nuo's brain began to develop without limit... As he aged, his strength grew increasingly stronger.
What countless Underground World experts dream of their entire lives is the [Perception] of the power of this world and all its rules, including the material.
You must first [Perceive], understand what's going on, and then you can try to [Control].
But [Perception] stands as an insurmountable chasm in front of all the experts of the Underground World.
Even for Lu Xixi, even for Controller-level experts like the Wizard, it was the same.
The so-called Controllers hadn't really crossed the chasm of [Perception]. They relied on a talent or strength that transcended those of ordinary people to leap across, catching a fleeting, terrifying glimpse of a specific substance or a rule governing a certain direction...
But that was merely a fragment.
The Wizard perceived Telekinesis, the psychic power of humans. Therefore, the Wizard was a Controller of the Mentality Series.
As for what Lu Xixi perceived... Never mind Lu Xixi.
But!
For Chen Nuo, the chasm of [Perception] simply did not exist by nature!
Because his brain domain would develop without limit, continuing to expand...
With the progression of his brain development, he could theoretically, eventually, know and control everything in this world. There would be no need to struggle to glimpse, no need, like other experts, to leap at some critical point for a fleeting insight...
To put it this way.
Once his brain domain developed to a certain level, Chen Yanluo could just sit on a small bench right on the edge of the chasm, leisurely smoking a cigarette and sipping wine while casually observing all the secrets of the world behind that chasm!
Just like Scarlett Johansson's character in "Lucy" who, in the end, became all-knowing and all-powerful, with the entire world within her perception.
No secrets.
But unfortunately, a BUG also has its flaws.
In his last life, it was probably after his brain domain developed to a certain extent...
It seemed even the heavens couldn't tolerate the existence of this BUG.
Chen Nuo, whose brain development was so powerful, developed brain cancer.
Chen Yanluo, who had not yet evolved to omniscience and omnipotence, died of brain cancer midway on the path to godhood, just like Scarlett Johansson's character in "Lucy."
So when he awoke in this life, Chen Nuo didn't really seriously think about cultivating, or enhancing his own strength, or actively promoting the development of his brain domain... even though it was slowly growing on its own.
Chen Nuo did not try to speed it up.
Because...
What if I get brain cancer again?!
But this time... Chen Nuo became a bit more vigilant.
It was as if some force was at work in the dark, making him want to just settle in Jinling City and live an ordinary, down-to-earth life.
However, he still encountered the same people and events from his past life.
Li Yingwan and Niveer were sought out by Chen Nuo himself... to make up for past regrets and change their tragic fates.
But it was unexpected that the Abyss Organization would hire the Wizard to seek revenge on him.
The problem at hand was...
With Lu Xixi gone, I'll definitely have to face the Wizard's revenge... even if not immediately.
What about the future?
"The rules of Psychokinesis, huh..." Chen Nuo mused.
He closed his eyes.
Suddenly, a golden Rune emerged in the palm of his hand.
The light of the golden Rune seemed to dim slightly, but in the dark room, it was still striking.
The golden Rune seemed to be pulsating subtly, but within Chen Nuo's palm, his own power naturally enveloped the disobedient Rune securely.
This golden Rune was one he had quietly collected during the battle that day, from the Wizard's explosive power.
The Wizard's power.
Focusing a wisp of his consciousness into the Rune, he carefully sensed the fluctuations of the Telekinetic force within...
Chen Nuo's eyebrows furrowed tighter and tighter.
He could sense the abundant and powerful fluctuations of Telekinesis. But the might of the Telekinesis couldn't hide the myriad impurities within it.
Normally, such jumbled power went against the commonly accepted principle of cultivators: Purer power is better, and the Purer the power, the easier it is to sense and control its operational rules.
And this jumbled Telekinetic power...
Suddenly, Chen Nuo understood the Wizard's unusual interest in Mentalist experts.
Damn it...
Wizard, are you trying to emulate the Old Freak of Xingxiu, or Linghu Chong?
The Drawing Energy Technique?
Or the Beiming Divine Art?
Or the Star Absorption Technique?
This mixed Telekinetic power clearly originated from different individuals.
But in the Wizard's hands, he could utilize it, and it moved with such power...
That was the function of this Rune.
To put it this way.
Different sources of Telekinetic power are like various high-speed trains with different shapes, colors, power, speeds, and sizes, all utterly unlike one another.
Yet, these diverse trains obediently operated according to the Wizard's commands.
All because of the presence of the Rune.
This Rune... was the track the Wizard laid for these disparate [trains]!
No matter if you're a steam engine, a maglev train, an old-fashioned green train, or a bullet train...
You all have to operate on the 'tracks' of this Rune!
Chen Nuo's brows unwound from their tight furrow, relaxing completely.
A thought crossed his mind, and the spiritual power he had infused into the Rune suddenly became violent…
In Chen Nuo's palm, the Rune started to crumble bit by bit, transforming into strands of golden light. These strands repeatedly coalesced in his palm before drifting towards the spot between his eyebrows…
If the Wizard had been here, he would have been furious and cursed Chen Nuo for stealing his method of using Psychokinesis.
But Chen Nuo indicated…
What Chen Nuo does has nothing to do with me, Chen Yanluo!
Can the deeds of Lord Yanluo be called stealing?
* * *
Early in the summer, dawn broke very early.
By a little past five, it was already light.
Chen Nuo, who hadn't slept all night, looked surprisingly energetic.
After washing up, Chen Nuo put on a jacket and went out.
As he was going downstairs, he saw a woman looking haggard, sitting in the stairwell, leaning against the wall.
As he passed by, Chen Nuo recognized her as his female neighbor from across the hall.
She reeked of alcohol and cigarettes.
Her eye makeup was smudged, as if she had been crying.
Chen Nuo didn't greet her and quietly walked past.
Qu Xiaoling was awakened by the sound of Chen Nuo's footsteps as he descended the stairs. She lifted her eyelids for a glance, recognizing the young man who lived across from her…
They didn't have much interaction on normal days, and there was no need for greetings.
She looked down at her phone… no missed calls, no messages.
Qu Xiaoling got up from the ground, steadying her shaky body, turned around, and went back upstairs to her home.
* * *
Chen Nuo went downstairs and started jogging, adjusting his cardiopulmonary function in the process and guiding every muscle in his body to actively adapt to the changing rhythms during the run.
This was also a way for Chen Nuo to train himself regularly.
Passing by an early-opening breakfast shop, Chen Nuo bought several buns—filled with meat, vegetables, and sweet red bean paste—packed them in a paper bag, and continued jogging with it in hand.
Half an hour later, Chen Nuo arrived at a small grove and from a distance saw a group of elderly men and women exercising in the morning.
A group of them were practicing qigong with lively shouts and calls.
An old man stood in front, hands on his hips, belting out instructions with robust energy.
Chen Nuo approached, nodded in greeting, his young face carrying a polite and shy smile, which was endearing, especially since he had met them many times before.
"Little Chen is here… we haven't seen you around these days."
"Oh, you brought breakfast for your master, eh?"
"Little Chen, weren't you going to show me that internet thing to watch TV dramas last time?"
Chen Nuo chuckled along as he greeted the elderly men and women, then made his way to the edge of the grove.
Old Jiang, already dressed in a traditional Chinese-style jacket, was practicing his kung fu, having already gone through his Tai Chi forms twice.
Chen Nuo didn't interrupt; he leaned against a tree and quietly watched until the end.
Old Jiang concluded his practice and, upon opening his eyes and seeing Chen Nuo, frowned.
"How many days has it been since you last came? I almost forgot I even had a disciple like you."
"No, no!" Chen Nuo said with a grin, "Master might forget, but I cannot."
Old Jiang shook his head and casually took the paper bag that Chen Nuo handed over. "Buns?"
"Yeah, the meat-filled ones are for you, Master, and I'll take the red bean paste ones back for Xiao Yezi to eat later."
As he spoke, Chen Nuo looked up and around. "Where's my senior brother?"
"Ah, I told him not to come these past two days," Old Jiang sighed. "The college entrance exam is almost upon us, isn't it? Put a stop to the training for now, and we'll talk after the exams. I don't want him to get distracted."
Chen Nuo chuckled silently to himself.
Given Brother Haonan's state... he was lovesick just a few days ago.
Distracted by training? Impossible!
His heart was already long gone.
Old Jiang took out a dry towel he had brought with him, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then started to instruct Chen Nuo on his boxing.
This time, Chen Nuo was no longer playful; he performed his forms, which, although not particularly remarkable, were executed with precision and order.
Nevertheless, Old Jiang still had a stern look on his face.
After finishing, Chen Nuo smiled proactively. "How about that, Master? I did well today, didn't I? Why the long face?"
"Nonsense! A month has passed, and you've only managed to perform one form like this; should I praise you for that? Your senior brother Lin Sheng can already perform two sets! You can barely get through the basic stances, so if you ask me, kid, you really shouldn't waste time practicing anymore. Wouldn't it be better to sleep a few extra hours at home every day?"
Chen Nuo laughed and chuckled, deliberately not engaging with the criticism. Instead, he magically produced a bag of soy milk from his pocket and handed it to Old Jiang, saying cheerily, "Master, has my sister been any trouble for you lately?"
Old Jiang took the soy milk, unscrewed the cap, and took a few sips; his expression grew more serious. "Ye Zi is very well-behaved, not troublesome at all. But you... Any changes with that Gu Kang matter?"
"Nothing, he hasn't been looking for me recently," Chen Nuo replied with a smile. "That kind of thug, who knows, he might have found some other fresh entertainment and gone to cause trouble elsewhere."
"Can't take it lightly, though," Old Jiang frowned. "No way, we can't keep leaving this matter unresolved; we need to find a way to put an end to it!"
"Your martial arts are so advanced, why don't you go give him a harsh lesson? Break a few of his bones, and he won't dare to come around anymore."
"Pah!" Old Jiang glanced sideways at Chen Nuo. "What nonsense are you talking about! I'm just an old fellow who practices boxing for health and fitness. Have you been watching too many martial arts films? Studying well is what's important; don't watch that kind of stuff when you're free."
After a pause, Old Jiang seriously added, "Practicing for health and fitness is okay, but using martial arts to break the law is forbidden! Remember this rule! Young people shouldn't be rash or seek fights, and definitely shouldn't get physical with others without good reason! Nothing good will come of it."
Chen Nuo nodded on the surface, but in his heart, he was thinking: If I hadn't fought back... you would've been beaten to death by Lu Xixi a few days ago, you know.
Old Jiang continued to direct Chen Nuo's boxing for a while, and when it was about seven o'clock, Old Jiang packed up and headed back with Chen Nuo.
"In a couple of days... well, after your end-of-term exams are over, let's have a meal together."
"Huh?" Chen Nuo was intrigued. "What's the occasion for the meal?"
"Nothing special, just taking some time for everyone to get together, have a meal. You just need to show up when the time comes. Hmm, next Tuesday."
Chen Nuo counted the days; it would indeed be the second day after the end-of-term exams.
"Alright!"
Back at Old Jiang's house, Chen Nuo greeted his master's wife, Song Qiaoyun, and then spent some time talking to Xiao Yezi.
That morning, Chen Nuo personally took Xiao Yezi to kindergarten. He had intended to skip class, but Old Jiang personally supervised him and escorted him to school.
Upon arriving at school and entering the classroom, Chen Nuo's face suddenly changed!
Sun Keke was sitting at her desk, a large, red swelling on her forehead, and even the corner of her eye was bruised!
After one night without seeing her...
A pretty girl, beaten to look like a pig's head?!!