C8 The Legend

Despite harboring doubts about the young man's commands, the elder with the surname Song carried them out with unwavering resolve and speed. He promptly directed the medical team to move Jun Lindao to an exclusive cabin for round-the-clock surveillance.

Once injected with the purple medication, Jun Lindao's awareness grew hazy. He offered no resistance during the transfer by the medical staff, assuming it was a routine check-up. It wasn't until he was lying in the exclusive cabin that he sensed something was off.

Had he been granted some sort of special treatment?

But why?

The cabin he now occupied was clearly outfitted with the most advanced equipment, a stark contrast to the ordinary medical beds and devices in the main hall. The cabin brimmed with an array of unnameable instruments, and the entire space was in a constant state of purification and sterilization, maintaining the highest safety standards.

Additionally, two dedicated medical personnel attended to him ceaselessly, fulfilling any request he made, provided it didn't involve sending him back to the surface. They were like two attentive and dutiful caregivers.

He was experiencing the pinnacle of care.

Yet, Jun Lindao's internal unease intensified. This peculiar shift signified that he was being watched. Regardless of the watcher's intentions, it was clear that his destiny was no longer his to command, but in the hands of the person orchestrating these events.

Anxiety gave way to fear, and fear escalated to terror.

Three days flew by.

In that time, aside from his two caretakers, no one else paid him a visit.

"Any abnormalities?" Old Man Song scrutinized the report before rushing to a secluded chamber to brief his superior.

"Xiao Song, there's no need for updates. I'm already aware that the Demon Blood has no effect on him," Crick's voice emanated from within, carrying an air of absolute authority—as if he could manipulate any aspect of the world at his whim.

"So, what shall we do with him?" Old Man Song inquired cautiously. Truth be told, he had no strong ties to Jun Lindao. He wouldn't object to the renowned scientist's plans for Jun Lindao. And even if he wished to object, to protect Jun Lindao, did he possess the necessary qualifications, authority, or power?

In the presence of overwhelming power, he had no choice but to submit.

Crick was no run-of-the-mill scientist at the Great Academy of Sciences. His name bore the prefix "Spirit," signifying that he was a titled great scientist—a cut above the rest!

His mastery was extraordinary, his prowess nearly divine, akin to the legendary deities of the cosmos!

Should he decree the sky to shatter, it would crumble!

Should he command the earth to split, it would fracture!

He could traverse the stars in the blink of an eye, shatter planets with a flick of his wrist. His lifespan matched the heavens, his freedom boundless!

"As for how to handle him? Honestly, I haven't fully decided. But now that I'm aware of his presence, I can't turn a blind eye. I must control all his information, and his future will be directed by me," Spiritual Crick remarked nonchalantly, his wine glass levitating above his palm, morphing slowly with the movements of his fingers.

"Do you know what the Nine Difficulties Body is? Have you ever heard the legends surrounding it?" the young man inquired.

After a moment of reflection, the elder with the surname Song responded, "All I know is the most basic information. As for the legends you speak of, they are beyond my knowledge."

The young man seemed to be musing to himself, "Legends, yes, they've become distant tales now—absurd and far from reality."

Shifting the conversation, he continued, "Young Song, you are a talent cultivated by our Spiritual type. In no more than three years, you'll earn the title of an official academician at the Academy of Sciences. Give it another fifty years, and with another significant breakthrough in your cultivation and some notable achievements, I can nominate you to join the Great Academy of Sciences and become a true great scientist."

"I will diligently contribute to the Spiritual type, and to your cause," the elder named Song replied, bowing his head in humility.

"Technically, you weren't supposed to be privy to these matters yet. But as a promising talent of our Spiritual type and someone I trust implicitly, who is on the cusp of becoming an academician, sharing some information ahead of time isn't really breaking the rules. After all, we are the ones who make these rules," Spiritual Crick paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, "This universe is filled with ancient legends that have been forgotten over eons, yet some stories have endured. We, who have lived so long, are privy to most of the universe's mysteries, and I still recall some of those ancient tales."

"Do you know who was the first Nine Strife Body in the cosmos?"

"I... don't know."

"And do you understand why the Nine Strife Body ranks as the lowest among those with ninth-level aptitudes?"

"I... don't know."

Spiritual Crick suddenly rose, his voice laden with the weight of ages, "Legend has it, the very first Nine Strife Body in the universe was 'him'!"

"Him?"

"Who else but 'him'?"

"I can't believe it's 'him'!" Old Man Song's face was a picture of shock. "But aren't Nine Strife Bodies incapable of cultivation?"

"You're correct, Nine Strife Bodies are indeed unable to cultivate, yet 'he' is a genuine Nine Strife Body!" Spiritual Crick asserted with unwavering conviction, "Others, even esteemed scientists, might doubt this, but I am certain 'he' is the true Nine Strife Body. My ancestor, the progenitor of our spiritual type, was a direct disciple of 'him' and heard 'him' discuss his own constitution. 'He' himself confirmed that he was a Nine Strife Body."

"But as you say, even if 'he' is a Nine Strife Body, what connection does that have with this young man? 'He' himself is a walking miracle, turning the impossible into the possible, spawning countless wonders and legends. But that doesn't apply to others, and this young fellow surely has no link to 'him'," Old Man Song maintained his skeptical look.

"No, you're mistaken. Our spiritual type's forebears had their own theories. They believed that the so-called Nine Strife Body was misclassified. This constitution isn't of the ninth level but rather the first level of mythic physiques, a legend within legends, a miracle of miracles! Only this can account for 'his' immense power. It's not that 'he' is inherently miraculous, but because he is a Nine Strife Body, a mythic constitution, that he has continually wrought miracles," the young man explained.

"Yet our current cultivation theories, the foundational principles, they were all imparted by 'him'. By 'his' own standards, the Nine Strife Body is indeed the lowest in terms of cultivation potential. Didn't the Great Academy of Sciences expend vast resources to confirm this tens of thousands of years ago?" the old man questioned.

Tens of thousands of years ago, it was our spiritual type that spearheaded the experiment, which indeed demonstrated the Nine Difficulties Body's inferior aptitude. Yet, it sparked new hypotheses and lines of thought among us elders. We suspect that the Nine Difficulties Body might actually be the strongest physique, but it was intentionally sealed by 'him.' He locked away its potential, forging a formidable shackle to bind it tightly."

"On what grounds do you base this speculation?"

"At that time, bolstered by our boundless resources, the Nine Difficulties Body advanced from the second major stage to the third. In that instant, his genes underwent reorganization, or rather, chaos ensued. Amidst the endless turmoil, a flash of terrifying pressure emerged. It was fleeting, but since we old timers were monitoring him with our spiritual sense, we detected the source of that pressure. His genes had been warped by some immense power, concealing and severing his potential. This power is beyond the realms of us elders, and remember, we are considered gods! There may be beings stronger than us in this universe, but surely not by such an overwhelming margin. That mere trace of pressure inflicted internal injuries on us, requiring a millennium to heal. Little Song, can you fathom the magnitude of such force? If there is an entity in the universe with this kind of power, I believe it can only be 'him.'"

"So, what is it that you seek now?"

"I aim to shatter the shackles, to break the ones binding him and lift 'his' seal! I intend to bring forth a new 'him' into this world, to prove that I am mightier than 'he' is. He represents the pinnacle of the cultivation path, yet we, the gods and the mightiest, feel we stand at the end of our own journeys, still far outmatched by 'him.' 'He' has become our shackle, and the Nine Difficulties Body is our chance to break free! This is a struggle that spans ages, a contest of realms, a clash of the Great Dao! You, in your current state, cannot grasp the emotions of us old ones."

"What you speak of is profoundly esoteric. My level is too modest to comprehend fully. However, I understand one thing—I need only follow your commands."

"That's exactly why I appreciate you. The world is full of gifted researchers, yet there are so few who truly get things done like you do. It's for this reason that I've been nurturing your talent, with the hope that you'll live up to my expectations," Crick said with a slight smile.

"With my soul and spirit, I pledge my unwavering loyalty to the spiritual type and to you, Lord Crick!" Old Man Song declared with fervent conviction.

"Very well, let us commence with our initial strategy."

"At your command, my lord."

"We shall call the plan 'Genesis of the Divine.'"