You're right, I know nothing about the power system or the organizations that monopolize parts of it.
But… why are they so keen on hiding it?"
Xiao Ping fixed a penetrating gaze on the Entity. The black fireball had vanished, along with the strange characters and symbols. It was clear the Entity knew their contents, so he pinned his hopes on it.
"For two reasons!"
The Entity raised a finger as it explained:
"First, because some individuals might lose control and cause massive damage to civilians or towns. Some power levels, even intermediate ones, are capable of lifting mountains and shattering the very fabric of space. That's why organizations are determined to monopolize the higher tiers of power.
Moreover, each organization might only monopolize a single level… No one knows the full truth!"
It took a deep breath before continuing:
"As for the second reason, it's that power wielders seek authority, and one might betray the organization they once belonged to."
Hearing this, Xiao Ping nodded slowly, showing his understanding of the situation, and felt a chill run down his spine. The idea that intermediate levels alone possessed such power terrified him… let alone the higher tiers?! Could they cause cosmic effects like the Entity before him? He was beginning to realize he had truly been transported to another world, a world where the impossible was no longer impossible.
As for the second reason, it stirred a disturbing thought in his mind, one he hoped wasn't true. His expression changed as he sank into deep thought.
The Entity noticed his occasional trembling and smiled slyly:
"Everything going through your mind is correct… relatively. That person might have been a fugitive from one of the organizations, or perhaps he was fighting some of its members, sustained serious injuries, and searched for a safe place. Fortunately, he found the shack your current body used to inhabit!"
It laughed before adding to heighten his fears:
"And this means the death of the previous body's owner wasn't suicide but the result of supernatural action. Perhaps the organization sent some members to search for that injured person, stumbled upon the shack… and that boy… and silenced him."
Xiao Ping's heart raced, and his lips trembled, but he bit them until they bled to steady himself, then said in a strained but firm voice:
"According to you… you think the organization sent its members again to kill the fugitive, found the shack near the battle, tracked his trail until they reached him… and then silenced the previous body's owner!"
He fell silent for a moment before continuing slowly:
"But… why didn't they take the fugitive's corpse? They should have taken things, and even if they didn't notice the corpse like I did, that's impossible! They have supernatural powers, and their senses are far sharper than humans'. Not to mention that putrid smell, indicating the corpse had been there for days. As for my current body, its blood was fresh, meaning he wasn't killed until shortly before I transferred into it!"
"Hehehe… You're clever, human, and correct in your assumption."
The Entity laughed again before adding:
"But, what if he possessed something that could make time pass faster in a specific area?"
It raised its eyebrows slyly:
"Like that cube you found earlier."
"Does… he mean that cube with the strange inscriptions?"
Xiao Ping muttered to himself before adding softly:
"And perhaps he also had an amazing hiding ability!"
He couldn't help but eagerly anticipate returning to the shack to examine it, though he didn't know the cube was already on its way to him.
The Entity tapped its finger on the round table again, causing the flames above the blood candles to flicker, and the ripples reappeared.
But this time, it wasn't manuscripts but a small cube pulsating powerfully with inscriptions.
"It's it!"
Xiao Ping looked at it with half astonishment and half unease, appearing contradictory.
"But, shouldn't we continue examining the remaining manuscripts? I think you haven't told me everything about the first one yet!"
Xiao Ping looked at the Entity cautiously, mixed with a hint of distrust.
"Don't worry, human!"
The Entity smiled dismissively:
"I'll tell you everything about that first manuscript, so no need for these skeptical looks. What would I gain from deceiving you?!"
It then averted its eyes from Xiao Ping's gaze and continued:
"As for the other manuscripts, I'll keep them with me and won't tell you about them until you become stronger… perhaps in the future."
Xiao Ping's green eyes narrowed upon hearing this, but he restrained himself and avoided responding as much as possible.
However, the Entity didn't allow him to remain silent, saying:
"Human, do you know you're extremely contradictory?! Your looks, your expressions, your words… sometimes sarcastic, sometimes serious, sometimes sad, sometimes fearful. You're the first human I've seen like this!"
Its voice carried a hint of admiration.
"Hahahaha, you're right, Entity."
Xiao Ping smiled lightly:
"I might be contradictory, but that's what makes me human, unlike you!"
"Contradiction… what makes you human!"
The Entity pondered his phrase for a moment before saying:
"Hmmm, it seems you're right about this one, human. But remember, your contradictions won't help you in this world."
"Enough of this for now, let's return to our topic!"
The Entity swept its hair back and said in a serious tone:
"In short, what that paper contains is the sixth level, called Fate Reverser, one of the paths of the Void Gazer.
Those who reach this level can manipulate probabilities and destinies, reverse outcomes, and stabilize temporal pathways."
It then added in a heavy tone:
"Powerful abilities… but at a steep price. If the person loses focus, even slightly, they might detach from the timeline itself."
"What?! There are people who possess such power?! But the risk of losing control is extremely high!"
Xiao Ping was surprised, then continued eagerly:
"But since you said it's part of the Void Gazer's powers, if this is the sixth level, then there are other levels, right?"
"Yes. There are eleven levels in the Void Gazer path. But there are also other paths, with the same number of levels."
The Entity moved its mouth slightly before closing it.
"Eleven levels for the Void Gazer, and other paths with similar numbers…"
Xiao Ping sank into thought, his right hand holding his chin.
He began to realize that every time he uncovered something about this world, another discovery surprised him, completely new, perhaps beyond imagination.
And by taking those manuscripts and the inscribed cube, he now understood that he had become involved with an unknown organization that had been pursuing the man he buried… just yesterday.
He forgot to ask about the cube, but he inferred from the Entity's earlier words that it could accelerate time in a specific area. This meant the corpse's owner died before the previous body's owner due to severe injuries sustained while fighting the organization's members over the manuscripts and the strange cube.
Xiao Ping believed that man, before dying, had urged the previous body's owner to leave quickly if he wanted to survive, but for some reason… he didn't listen!
He set all that aside now and realized that if he wanted to survive, he must walk the path of supernatural power wielders.
He looked at the Entity and said seriously:
"Can I become one of the supernatural power wielders?"
"Hmmm…"
The Entity replied calmly:
"The path of supernatural power wielders isn't as easy as you think. You don't know this world yet. It has many villains and heroes, but they share one thing: the pursuit of power and authority, their readiness to do anything to become stronger… even if the path is littered with blood and corpses."
It then raised its eyebrows slightly:
"But looking at you, you don't seem to seek absolute power like others. I know why you aspire to become a power wielder. You want to protect yourself… and explore this world, don't you?"
"Yes, you're right."
Xiao Ping gave a simple nod:
"I don't seek authority. I want power to protect myself… and roam this world."
"But why do you think I'll grant your request?"
The Entity leaned back and cast a stern look at Xiao Ping.
"Perhaps… because I am me, and you… are me."
Xiao Ping smiled lightly, then mocked:
"Just kidding! Maybe because you've repeatedly said: when you become stronger in the future…
I've realized something: when you tortured me earlier, you extracted something from my heart, didn't you?!"
The Entity laughed lightly and said playfully:
"I like you more and more, with your sharp intelligence. You deduced correctly… and it's truly strange!
Yes, I extracted something that can temporarily stop power wielders from using their abilities, suitable for lower levels like the first and second."
It then continued in an explanatory tone:
"It was something called V-0, used to deal with fugitives from the lower classifications of hidden organizations, and also to handle unofficial power wielders."
The Entity sighed, then closed its eyes.
"Do you mean they thought the previous body's owner was one of the unofficial power wielders and also believed he collaborated with that man to escape with the manuscripts?"
"Yes, you're right. But… that's no longer a problem now!"
The Entity laughed loudly.
"What do you mean?! Come on, stop laughing and tell me what you mean!"
Xiao Ping cautiously tapped the table, afraid something might happen, but fortunately… nothing did.
"Don't act foolishly now, human. You know what I mean. But it seems you haven't remembered yet.
Do you remember when you heard the villagers' voices… while you were dying?"
"Oh… do you mean I became a power wielder at that time?! But… how?!"
Xiao Ping tried to recall what happened but couldn't find a satisfactory answer, so he asked the Entity.
"Simply."
The Entity smiled:
"You were on the verge of death and wanted to explore the world and understand it. Thus, you fulfilled one condition for obtaining supernatural power.
As for the other conditions, they involve touching the corpse of a power wielder… and perhaps other things the previous body's owner did."
It let its words hang in the void for a moment before saying joyfully:
"And that's why… you gained power for a specific path. And what a beautiful coincidence… you gained the same path as me: the Void Gazer path. And you are now… already at the first level!"
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!"
Xiao Ping screamed into the void, unable to believe what he heard—he had become a power wielder… unintentionally.
~End of Chapter, To be continued..