Absolute Gate

Chapter 32 The Price of the Embrace

Wu Zhong felt miserable; he just wanted to be an ordinary mercenary and give up.

He was delivering packages and running errands, but before he even started, a huge pot came crashing down on him.

For no apparent reason, the enemy has become incredibly formidable.

Needless to say, 985 universities are a given. Apart from that, I thought that as long as I guarded against ghosts and gods, that would be enough. But it turns out that the ghosts and gods stopped taking action themselves and started playing the art of war.

Countless mercenaries are now targeting him, searching for his whereabouts.

His name has spread throughout the supernatural world, making him a so-called super rookie and the target of everyone's criticism.

As for the Ruan family and Tijuana, they were deeply offended. The Day Wanderer killed members of their family, yet they sought revenge.

This is just the beginning... He won't have a peaceful life until he dies, or until the ghosts and gods of Mount Lu are dealt with.

"How could the Sun Wanderer, who is so weak, kill three Multi-Awakened Ones?"

"Those Ruan family and Tijuana, they shouldn't be that powerful, right?"

Wu was on the verge of tears, wondering if the three who had died were too weak. He figured these two families weren't exactly powerful forces either.

Unexpectedly, Xia Heng said, "It's hard to say how many enlightened families there are in the world, but the Ruan family and Tijuana are definitely in the top ten."

Wu Zhong's eyes widened. Two in the top ten? That's not weak at all.

"No... how did they die at the hands of the Day Wanderer?"

Luo Yi stroked his chin: "Young man, do you seem to have some misunderstanding about what an Awakened One is?"

"Without other means, even the most powerful enlightened being is no different from an ordinary person when they do not activate the multidimensional moment."

"The 'day-roaming deity' caused an accident while they were crossing the river by boat, triggering an explosion that killed three and injured two of the six people on the spot."

"Only one person was unharmed because he was a 24/7 multi-faceted individual."

Wu Zhong found it very strange that Xia Heng and Yang Chunsha would snap their fingers and activate a multi-dimensional moment before using their abilities.

Now it seems that it wasn't just showing off, but a necessary condition for activating the ability.

Moreover, depending on their abilities, enlightened beings may have additional conditions, such as Yangchunsha being unable to cast spells without a book.

The three unfortunate enlightened beings who died were instantly killed by the Day Wanderer before they even had a chance to activate their multidimensional abilities.

Thinking about it carefully, this is normal. With a planned attack and an unexpected surprise, unless a powerful multi-dimensional fighter keeps their body rigid, they will still die.

Even the truck assassination on the first day when the Sun God was at his weakest was still very intense. If Yang Chunsha had been there, she would probably have been dead.

It doesn't matter if someone survives; the ghosts and gods are just trying to offend people on their behalf, and if they fail, they can use the survivors to spread rumors.

Wu Zhong stroked his arm: "Is it possible that the multiverse cannot be kept open indefinitely?"

Luo Yi chuckled: "It's not that easy. The multidimensional moments have a time limit; they refresh every twenty-four hours."

"The amount of time available each day varies from person to person. Some people have more time, some have less. The shortest is twelve minutes a day, while the longest is a positive multiple of that number, with the highest being 120 times, which means you can use it 24 hours a day."

"This can be considered a special kind of 'aptitude and potential' unique to enlightened beings. Some people are born with only 1x the duration, while others are born with 120x the duration."

"The latter is the chosen one, after all, with 120 times the duration combined with daily refresh, it can maintain a variety of moments all day long."

Wu nodded, still holding Xia Heng's cyborg suit in his arm.

For the past few days, he could always feel something in his arm, and ever since he gave it to Xia Heng, he had never used the term "multidimensional moment" when using his abilities.

Clearly, Xia Heng was constantly in multi-dimensional mode in order to lend him this power.

"Brother Xia, you're an all-weather multi-talented individual, right?"

Xia Heng said softly, "I guess so."

“Besides the initial random ‘public duration’, the duration of a single host can also be increased later, and even the duration of a single ability can be increased.”

"It depends on your understanding of your past life. When we communicate with our past life, we can experience its life story."

"In theory, once you have fully experienced the life of a host, you can use any of his power for 24 hours, which means there is no time limit."

Wu suddenly realized.

Koro narrowed his eyes and said, "But that's only in theory."

"Sympathy is usually just a rough experience. If you want to experience it in detail and completely, the time required is basically the same."

"If the incarnation has lived for thirty years, then you would need thirty years to experience every single second of its life..."

"In this way, the idea that one can achieve 24-hour mastery by fully comprehending a host body is essentially an almost impossible task."

"Because the body is still living, life is still going on, and experiences are still growing."

"You spend thirty years trying to understand a person's thirty years of life, but by then he's already sixty. You've only really understood half of his life."

"Therefore, people with limited experience and skills specialize in one or two 'multi-methods'."

"In other words, you can choose a good skill, experience it in a specific area, and go through all the relevant content about that skill. Then, when you borrow that skill, you can be available for almost 24 hours."

"But it's only getting closer, because this ability, unless the host body stops using it, will continue to grow in experience."

Xia Heng shrugged and replied, "What you're saying is based on the premise that both of them think at the same speed."

"If his thought process takes 0.1 seconds, and mine takes 0.01 seconds, I am ten times faster than him."

"So what is called a thirty-year life? For me, it only takes three years to fully understand it."

Luo Yi lit another cigarette: "That's true, but understanding life is something that the power of multiple forces can't help with."

"I didn't think you were that fast at thinking. So, do you have some other strange artifact that can temporarily speed up your thinking and help you understand your past life in a short time?"

Xia Heng raised an eyebrow: "I guess so, but I'm sorry, I can't tell you."

"Tch... Never mind, cheers." Luo Yi took a big gulp of wine.

The two chatted and drank, but Xia Heng's alcohol tolerance wasn't that high. After a while, he couldn't keep up and signaled Wu Zhong to drink.

Wu remained silent and could only stay by his side.

Fortunately, Yang Chunsha was also a good drinker, and the two of them took turns drinking, so the atmosphere didn't get too dull.

After countless rounds of drinks, Luo Yi remained as calm as ever, while the other three were already quite tipsy.

Xia Heng, his face flushed, said, "...That's basically the situation."

"The mark of the ghost and the god is essentially just a mark of sacrifice. Now, another group of mercenaries is looking for us. What do you suggest we do?"

Luo Yi chuckled: "Given your characteristics, you can leave at any moment, yet you're asking me for help for a newcomer. This newcomer is definitely not simple. Can he really not command ghosts and gods?"

Wu Zhong had a bitter face.

At the same time, he wondered how many strange and calamity-inducing objects Xia Heng actually possessed. According to Luo Yi, he had hidden another one?
Even disregarding the status of an enlightened being, he already possesses three calamities: a ghost tattoo, teleportation, and a combination of mystery and thought speed.

He even went so far as to claim that the ghost tattoo was the only calamity-inducing object he possessed.

Xia Heng scoffed, "Why would I lie to you? I saved him not because he's so powerful, but to deal with ghosts and gods."

"Oh?" Luo Yi tilted his head.

Xia Heng, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, slumped on the sofa, his hands gripping wine glasses pressed against his chest: "These ghosts and gods get no benefit from killing people, unless Ji Meng marks them as special sacrifices first."

"Killing them later will bring huge benefits. I haven't investigated what those benefits are yet, but I'm certain that there can only be one sacrifice at a time. If the previous one isn't dead, the next one can't be marked."

"When I discovered this, I decided to stop Ji Meng's sacrificial chain, so I rescued Xiao Wu, also with a try-and-see attitude."

"Sure enough, the ghosts and spirits are getting anxious. They've even started spreading rumors, trying to use someone else to do their dirty work." "Unless absolutely necessary, I don't want Xiao Wu to die, because I know that if he dies, the next one marked by the ghosts and spirits will definitely be me!"

Wu nodded, his face full of gratitude.

He thought to himself, "Wow, Brother Xia, I still have to learn from you how to make up lies."

Luo Yi stroked his chin: "I see, that's interesting."

"Once a mark of a ghost or god is imprinted, it cannot be erased, and the person will be relentlessly hunted down."

"And the spirits and gods are growing stronger every day. Looking at it over a long period of time, the sacrifices are doomed to die sooner or later."

"Unless there is a way to completely eliminate the ghosts and spirits of Mount Lu."

"Xia Heng, I bought the information you uploaded. When you introduced the Ghost God Mark, why didn't you mention deliberately blocking the sacrifice chain?"

Xia Heng finished the rest of his wine: "Why am I saying all this? If people know that Ji Meng hates me, I'll definitely be his next sacrifice?"

"Wouldn't my enemies be even more eager to kill Xiao Wu so they could frame me? In a sense, Xiao Wu is my weakness."

Luo Yi glanced at Wu Zhong indifferently. What weakness? He was clearly a shield, a buffer.

"Okay, don't worry, Xia Heng. It's rare for you to ask me for a favor. I'm already here, so there's no way I wouldn't help you."

"Just tell me, which road do you want to take..."

Xia Heng finished his last glass of wine: "The key isn't which road we take, but that the mercenary world is full of hidden talents. With so many people, even if we rely on luck, we'll definitely be tracked down..."

"At that time, Xiao Wu won't be able to defend himself."

Xia Heng finally brought up the matter, and Wu Zhong was somewhat excited.

Luo Yi understood his meaning and frowned slightly: "You want me to turn him into a Berserker? Are you serious?"

“Yes, Luo Yi, I owe you a huge favor,” Xia Heng pleaded.

Seeing that the other party did not react and was just drinking, he said, "In addition, I will give you a two-meter-long 'Yu Mu' (a type of wood used for talking).

Luo Yi raised an eyebrow: "Yu Mu is a good thing, but it's not very useful to me."

"Xia Heng, you know the price I pay for possessing someone else, right? I will gain a random mental illness, which is a huge risk."

Xia Heng said, "I know, I know... Here's what I'll do: I'll give you another twenty kilograms of cinnabar wood and twenty kilograms of lightning-struck wood."

Yang Chunsha, standing nearby, was dumbfounded. She knew the value of these things and thought to herself that Xia Heng was far too rich.

Wu was more concerned about the so-called price. It turned out that turning others into members of the Mad Blood Clan would randomly result in acquiring a mental illness.

That's very dangerous.

It is clear that Luo Yi has no mental resistance. The reason he is able to live a relatively normal life is that the mental illnesses he uses are all within an acceptable range.

Disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction to tobacco and alcohol can help maintain a clear and rational mind.

However, with a random option, it's hard to say; it could very well ruin the whole thing!

Wu Zhong thought that becoming a member of the Mad Blood Clan would only require someone to help him. He never expected the price to be so high; if they weren't good friends, he probably wouldn't even have been able to ask.

“Xia Heng, I can get all those things you’re talking about if I have the money.”

"I will not embrace others for these reasons."

As expected, Luo Yi disagreed, and Wu Zhong understood perfectly; if it were him, he wouldn't have agreed either.

Xia Heng sighed: "Tell me yourself what conditions you want. Just name them. I'll do what I can, and if I can't, then forget it."

Luo Yi thought for a moment: "Sigh, I really don't want to contract some unknown mental illness."

"Conditions? I lack nothing. For me, being able to smoke, drink, and sleep all day is enough."

Wu Zhong found it hard to understand him: "I understand, Brother Luo. As for the Mad Blood Clan and all that, forget it. Brother Xia was just saying it."

"Actually, I don't really want this ability. Just thinking about it makes me nervous. Why would a normal person like me want to develop a mental illness?"

"Master Luo's help now is a life-saving favor to me, and I don't want you to pay such a high price for me."

He gave up first, which made Luo Yi glance at him.

Xia Heng frowned, somewhat dissatisfied.

The Mad Blood Clan is an excellent match for Wu Zhong because he possesses a strong mental fortitude. With the combination of the two, he will inevitably become one of the strongest Mad Blood Clan members in the future.

But he couldn't say that in front of Luo Yi.

"Young man, you're quite considerate of others," Luo Yi said with a faint smile.

Xia Heng said in a deep voice, "Don't listen to him, Luo Yi, think it over again."

Luo Yi smiled and nodded: "It's easy, really it's easy, you've already begged me..."

"It's just an embrace, nothing serious. Let me think about the terms, okay? Really, anything is fine?"

Xia Heng nodded, knowing there was hope: "Just think of it, I can do it, I'll agree to anything you want."

"Well, have we finished talking about the important matters?" Luo Yi stood up, stretched, and yawned.

Wu Zhong quickly stood up as well: "I'm done talking, Master Luo, you should get some rest."

Luo Yi was stunned: "Huh? Now that we've finished the important business, can't we start drinking?"

"..." Wu was stunned.

Looking at the two large empty wine barrels on the table, what does "can we begin?" mean?
"The four of us have already drunk twenty jin (20 kg)..."

Before Luo Yi could even speak, Xia Heng shook his head: "Only twenty jin? Didn't you see he was already sleepy from drinking?"

Wu was still puzzled. Wasn't being sleepy the same as being drunk?

"No...didn't you already yawn?"

Luo Yi scratched his head: "This white beer isn't strong enough. Drinking so little will eventually cause some withdrawal symptoms. I need to drink white liquor."

Wu Zhong's eyes widened in shock, and Yang Chunsha was also frightened.

Is this even human language? I knew he had a serious alcohol dependence, but I didn't realize it was this serious!
He drank six or seven kilograms of white beer by himself, and he still experienced withdrawal symptoms.

Wu Zhong felt a chill run down his spine: "No... Master Luo, just how much alcohol do you drink?"

Luo Yi flicked a finger.

"One hundred jin?" Wu Zhong felt he had already gone to extremes.

Luo Yi chuckled.

Xia Heng said, "He kept drinking. With his physique, he would drink beer to relieve his thirst. He once drank for three days straight, a total of 500 jin (250 kg)... mainly because it was impossible to buy alcohol nearby."

"Huh?" Wu was speechless with shock.

Luo Yi clapped his hands, his face beaming with excitement: "Let's begin! Let's officially begin!"

"It's more fun to drink with someone, let's go buy some wine."

He rubbed his hands together and went to the restroom: "Hurry up, get me some white stuff."

……

　P.S.: Sorry.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)