Chapter 1379: Gathering the Nine Lords

Chen Ling looked at Yang Xiao's calm yet resolute eyes, wanting to speak but holding back.

Capturing souls was perhaps the most perverse ability of the Magnetic Field Theory. Chen Ling didn't know if the captured souls had any chance of regaining freedom or if they simply vanished completely.

It was like Pandora's Box. If it fell into the hands of someone unable to control their desires, they could likely become a complete Ninth Order within a mere month by capturing a large number of souls. They could then eliminate the other Nine Lords and go on to dominate the world.

At that point, humanity would face extinction or become mere playthings for one individual, even without an invasion from the Gray Realm.

But Yang Xiao was different. He outright refused to continue capturing souls. He believed that even without taking innocent souls, he could still become a complete Ninth Order Aurora Lord, step by step. And indeed, he seemed to be the first among the Nine Lords to achieve this full potential.

When the Aurora Realm faced imminent destruction, Aurora Lord Yang Xiao chose not to implement the "Reappearance" plan, which involved killing many citizens to capture their souls. Instead, he proactively embraced the "Hand of Redemption," transforming his own soul into aurora to nurture and protect his people.

He had declared that Tongzhou was the first and last time, and that his aurora would be born for protection. He truly lived up to his word.

Chen Ling felt immensely fortunate that Yang Xiao was the one who had gained this ability.

Thankfully, the Aurora Lord was Yang Xiao.

Chen Ling leaned against the deck railing, the hem of his stage robe fluttering in the sea breeze. He looked at Yang Xiao's face, illuminated by the distant sea of fire, and spoke sincerely:

"Having you is humanity's good fortune."

Yang Xiao was startled, seemingly unprepared for Chen Ling elevating him to such a degree. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond and could only offer a shy smile.

He gripped the railing and slowly sat down on the deck, his hair disheveled by the sea wind, his expression one of profound weariness. He lowered his head and pulled a wallet from his pocket. Tucked inside was a photo of a smiling girl with her arm linked through his, giving a big "V" sign to the camera.

Yang Xiao seemed lost in thought.

Experiencing a nuclear strike, enduring the pain of losing his wife, witnessing millions of lives vanish instantly, then integrating these souls, and single-handedly challenging the Seventh Fleet—everything had happened so suddenly. He hadn't even had time to grieve before one problem after another arose.

Humanity was fortunate to have the Aurora Lord, but the Aurora Lord had lost everything he once possessed.

"My condolences," Chen Ling said softly, seeing the photo in his hand.

Yang Xiao kept his head down, and after a long silence, he murmured, "Perhaps they haven't truly disappeared... they are always with the aurora."

Chen Ling nodded slightly.

"May the aurora never fade."

Minutes ticked by. The flames burning on the distant sea gradually died out, and the floating debris of the fleet sank into the ocean, as if nothing had ever happened. As the sun set, only two figures stood silently on the destroyer.

Chen Ling slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, another month had passed for him in the Ghost Mockery Abyss.

He walked directly into the destroyer.

Yang Xiao didn't know what he was doing and simply remained seated. A few minutes later, Chen Ling emerged with a pile of cans, stewed beef, and milkshakes, apparently scavenged from somewhere. He began to eat frantically on the deck, as if he hadn't eaten in a month.

Yang Xiao was bewildered. From his perspective, Chen Ling had just been calmly talking to him, and then suddenly, he was like a starving ghost reborn, frantically rummaging for food on the ship. This abrupt shift was perplexing.

While eating, Chen Ling suddenly asked, "If humanity ever faced complete annihilation, what would you do?"

Yang Xiao didn't understand why Chen Ling brought this up so suddenly, but he replied without much hesitation, "Of course, I'd do everything in my power to stop it. I think all humans would choose that, wouldn't they?"

"Yes... humans would likely choose that," Chen Ling sighed softly.

"What's wrong, Director Chen?"

Yang Xiao sensed that Chen Ling was acting a bit strange today.

"Yang Xiao."

"Here."

"If there's anyone in this world who can save humanity... it's only you all." Chen Ling looked at him seriously. "Listen carefully to every word I'm about to say, alright?"

Though puzzled, Yang Xiao nodded firmly.

Chen Ling slowly recounted everything, explaining the arrival of the Gray Realm, the Six Great Extinctions, and the subsequent establishment of the Nine Lords' base. He particularly emphasized the return of the Scarlet Star over three hundred years later, the characteristics of Y012, and the impending catastrophe humanity would face.

In Chen Ling's timeline, only two months remained until the Scarlet Star's return.

Chen Ling didn't care about the fate of humanity's realm, but he also didn't want humanity to be annihilated. Figures like the "Generation 6," the Twilight Society, Han Meng, the Fusion Faction, and many others lived in the human realm. If humanity truly perished due to the Scarlet Star's return, everyone he cared about would vanish completely.

Moreover, if the world truly became nothing but realms of disaster, wouldn't he lose access to human food? Where would his expectations come from then? Would he really have to rely on tormenting the venomous creatures in the Ghost Mockery Abyss to pass his days?

Chen Ling was the King of the Ghost Mockery Abyss, a world-ending calamity in the eyes of humans. He couldn't step forward to save humanity. He knew well that if he did, it would not end well for him.

Therefore, having humanity save itself was the best option.

After listening to Chen Ling's words, Yang Xiao froze for dozens of seconds before coming back to his senses, his expression grim.

"Director Chen... every one of these matters is too significant. I... I can't do it alone."

"Of course," Chen Ling paused. "But you're not the only Nine Lord in this world."

"You mean..."

"Talk to your colleagues. At this point, most of them are likely still lost and uncertain. Someone needs to take the lead and make them realize their abilities and responsibilities."

Chen Ling was speaking the truth. If Yang Xiao hadn't been by his side, he might not have known where his abilities came from, what Scarlet Star Wish Power was, what disaster meant, or where this catastrophe was ultimately headed.

The Nine Lords needed to be awakened. The sooner they awakened, the greater humanity's chances of victory would be.

Yang Xiao pondered for a long time before finally making up his mind.

"Alright, I'll contact them now!"

For an introverted person like Yang Xiao, actively inviting others was rare. Getting the Nine Lords together might be easy for Lu Xun, but for Yang Xiao, it was undoubtedly a challenge. He didn't even have contact information for some of them, but thankfully, Lu Xun could help.

"By the way... there's chaos everywhere outside right now. Where would be best to meet them?" Yang Xiao asked.

Chen Ling paused.

"Then... let's go back to where it all began."