Chapter 342 - 277: Opening the Box

That was a chance at godhood!

Yet Mr. Ke had turned it down, all for the sake of his duty.

Everyone searched their hearts and admitted they could not have done what Mr. Ke did.

Mr. Ke let out a laugh. In that aged sound, everyone could hear many things—nostalgia, deep emotion, even a sigh for what might have been—but not a single trace of regret.

Accepting the opportunity might have meant leaving Blue Star. But he could never abandon his sense of responsibility—not centuries ago when he joined the Lin Hua Army and first donned his uniform, nor now, as he sat in a wheelchair, finding it difficult to even stand.

Protecting the Lin Hua Continent and all of humanity was his duty.

This was especially true today. After Chen Suifeng told him about the impending alien invasion, he was immensely grateful that he had not chosen to leave, but had stayed behind.

After the spectral image of Lin Hua’s Legend turned into wisps of smoke, it didn’t dissipate immediately. Instead, it swirled and transformed, outlining a map.

It was the location of the land of inheritance!

Everyone present understood at once and quickly seared the map into their minds.

Su Ze was no exception. ’I don’t know if I’ll ever have a chance at that inheritance, but whatever. I’ll memorize it first!’

A moment later, the smoke dissipated, but by then, everyone had already memorized the map.

Then, the half-open metal box swung fully open, revealing a palm-sized puzzle piece at the bottom.

The puzzle piece was carved from a material resembling bluestone and appeared to be one corner of a larger symbol.

Lin Tiannan stepped forward, picked up the puzzle piece, and then presented it to Mr. Ke with both hands.

The puzzle piece was tied to a chance at godhood. It would be a lie to say no one was tempted by it, but Lin Hua’s Legend had explicitly stated it was for Mr. Ke, so Lin Tiannan didn’t dare to take it for himself.

Besides, Mr. Ke was old and didn’t have much time left. ’He could pass away any day,’ he reasoned, ’and when that happens, won’t the puzzle piece be left to the Lin Family anyway?’

Mr. Ke didn’t refuse. He actually reached out and took the puzzle piece.

Su Ze watched with envy. ’An item of this level isn’t something I can aim for right now,’ he thought. ’Even if it were given to me, I wouldn’t be able to use it yet.’

"Gentlemen." Lin Tiannan’s gaze swept over to Chen Suifeng and Su Ze. "I trust you will keep what happened today a secret for the sake of the Lin Family."

"Of course," Su Ze and Chen Suifeng readily agreed.

"Chen, I’m tired. Take me back to my room to rest," Mr. Ke suddenly said via voice transmission, specifically asking for Chen Suifeng to take him back.

This made Lin Tiannan tense up. ’Don’t tell me Mr. Ke is going to give the puzzle piece to Chen Suifeng,’ he thought.

Su Ze, however, knew that Mr. Ke likely wanted to continue his discussion with Chen Suifeng about the aliens.

Chen Suifeng agreed and pushed Mr. Ke’s wheelchair out of the Lin Family’s treasury.

The others followed them out.

Since Su Ze was waiting for Chen Suifeng, he couldn’t very well leave. Instead, he joined Lin Luo and Lin Yutong for tea and conversation while he waited.

"By the way, Mr. Su," Lin Luo said suddenly, "now that you’re a Saint-level Overlord, are you interested in seeing what the experts from the other continents are capable of?"

"Experts from other continents?" Su Ze blinked.

"You haven’t heard? Mr. Chen is planning an exchange tournament for Saint-level Overlords between the three major settlements. The Flame Emperor Continent and the Snowfield Continent will both be sending their own Saint-level Overlords to compete."

Su Ze really hadn’t heard about this. He did recall, however, that a few months ago Chen Suifeng had tried to organize a three-continent tournament for those at the Butterfly Stage. The other continents had refused, citing the long and dangerous journey; those at the Butterfly Stage lacked the strength to protect themselves in the wild.

At the time, the other two continents had suggested holding a tournament for Overlords instead, but Chen Suifeng had refused because he was afraid they would lose.

’So why is he organizing one now?’

’Could it be because I broke through and became an Overlord?’

"I’ll... think about it," Su Ze said, shaking his head. He wasn’t particularly interested in the tournament.

Right now, he was single-mindedly focused on upgrading his skills, increasing his power, and then heading to the Mu Country to perfect his ’Divine Grace of Evolution’.