# 210
Chapter 210: Growth
At the word “Believers,” the body in front of him trembled almost imperceptibly.
“Who you were, what you did—I don’t care. None of it matters to me. In this world, no one can betray me.”
Yiyu’s voice was magnetic, calm and brimming with confidence.
“Die here in humiliation, or follow me and begin a new life? Tell me… your answer.” His eyes narrowed.
One second, two, three…
The body lay as if dead, motionless.
Just as Yiyu’s patience was about to snap, the charred frame swayed, shedding flakes of blackened flesh. His lips quivered, releasing a thread of sound.
“—Fine.”
It was faint, barely audible, but Yiyu heard it.
A smile bloomed across Yiyu’s face. He stood; the surroundings twisted grotesquely, kaleidoscopic visions swirling around him, everything hovering between dream and reality.
This was the Klein-level God’s Ruins, sequence 018: [Dreamfork].
In that seemingly non-existent world, the scorched body lifted gently, flickering light surging over him. Charred flesh revived, the severed right leg regrew, dying organs regenerated…
Itch and agony, as if knives flayed every necrotic scrap before forcing living tissue inside. Torture equal to the cruelest punishment, yet he clenched his teeth and uttered not a sound.
Time crept on; the illusory light faded, and a fresh, intact body was born.
Shen Qingzhu, restored, settled to the ground. His eyes narrowed as he studied the bewitching man, thoughts unreadable.
Yiyu dismissed the God’s Ruins and smiled. “I’d thought the first thing you’d do after healing was attack me.”
“I can’t beat you,” Shen Qingzhu answered evenly.
“Care to try running? You might escape.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I won’t run. I want to join the Believers.”
This time Yiyu was genuinely surprised. He looked Shen Qingzhu over, then nodded approvingly.
“Good, very good. I sense that among the top seats of the Believers, a place will be yours.”
He raised his right hand; a faint sphere glowed at his fingertip. It drifted free and hovered before Shen Qingzhu’s brow.
“This is the Believers’ soul contract, forged by me. Below deity level, anyone is branded. You’ll truly become one of my Believers.
But rest assured—you’re talented. I won’t interfere with your thoughts. As long as you don’t rebel, I won’t bind you with it.”
Shen Qingzhu stared at the light, no hesitation in his eyes. He seized it and pressed it into his brow!
White radiance swallowed him whole.
Yiyu’s brows rose at the decisiveness, admiration growing.
When the light dimmed, Shen Qingzhu stepped out. He inclined his torso, right hand over his heart, and spoke calmly:
“Believer Shen Qingzhu will forever follow your steps.”
Yiyu’s smile widened; he savored the moment.
“Excellent. Rise.” He lifted his gaze to the distant sky, mood buoyant. “Time to go. I’ll take you to headquarters. Stay longer and those pests will catch up.”
“Yes.” Shen Qingzhu bowed.
Yiyu turned; an illusory gate appeared. He strolled through and vanished.
Shen Qingzhu watched him go, the corner of his mouth curling.
“Idiot.”
He lowered his head, hand brushing his chest—
There lay a ring of shattered jade pieces.
He had gambled—and won.
The Reversal Jade had blocked Yiyu’s soul brand. He was now the only Believer free of Yiyu’s control.
Looks like… he owed that fat dead man more and more favors.
He looked back at the familiar mountain range, gaze seeming to bore through endless strata to the gleaming Coat of Arms far below.
“Good-bye… Night Watch.”
He murmured.
He stepped forward. At his foot a silkworm cocoon split; gorgeous wings struggled free of the torn shell, fluttering unsteadily into the distance.
Shen Qingzhu paused, watching. After a long moment he smiled faintly, shook his head, and walked toward the illusory gate.
His voice drifted on the wind.
“Growth… huh.”
…
Endless darkness receded; control of his body returned. In sleep, Lin Qiye slowly opened his eyes.
White ceiling, clean hospital bed, pale-yellow floor; gauzy curtains drifted in the breeze. Beyond the open window lay the familiar training ground.
The infirmary?
He tried to sit up, but soul-deep weakness flooded him; his body felt filled with lead.
Every wound had been carefully bandaged. Seeing his blue-and-white patient gown, Lin Qiye gave a wry smile.
Even the director ends up in hospital clothes.
He managed to sit, slipped on slippers, and shuffled to the door. As he opened it, Baili Pangpang’s shout came from the next room.
“Impossible! He can’t be dead! I gave him the Reversal Jade! Even King Yama couldn’t take him!”
Lin Qiye froze, bewildered.
Who died?
Instinctively he quickened his pace; his legs buckled and he almost fell.
“Lin Qiye!?”
Instructor Han Li cried out, rushing to steady him.
Lin Qiye gripped the doorframe, waving him off. Inside, Baili Pangpang wore the same gown, head wrapped like a giant doll.
“Qiye? You’re awake?” Baili Pangpang exclaimed.
“What happened? Who died?” Lin Qiye frowned.
Han Li and Baili Pangpang fell silent.
“Shen Qingzhu,” Han Li said slowly. “To save Instructor Hong and Baili Tuming, he took the instructor’s Coat of Arms and leapt into the burning cave.”
“He isn’t dead!” Baili Pangpang declared again, staring earnestly at Lin Qiye. “Qiye! Believe me! He isn’t dead!
Even if he were charred, buried under rock—he wouldn’t die!
He’s trapped somewhere underground… I’ll find him, dig him out!”
He scrambled from bed, barefoot, and hurried for the door.