Chapter Thirty: Truth and Falsehood

Wang Yuan and his companions were stunned by the news from Shen An. Such precise information—even the authorities could not achieve this level of accuracy. Their eyes brimmed with questions, and their hearts were filled with deep astonishment.

“Of course, whether you believe it or not, this is the news I received.”

“No.” The woman’s voice trembled; she could barely control her emotions. “Your information is too important. With our current technology, we can't fully determine the location you described.”

Seeing their reactions, Shen An wondered silently, Is what I said really so frightening? Why are they so scared? He had no idea how astounding his news was.

“That’s good then,” he said quietly, nodding.

The group sat inside the house, discussing for a long time. Every change was different—they could not predict what would happen, so they could only make rough judgments and carefully plan the distribution of benefits.

After lengthy negotiations, they agreed that the others would claim the changed area, which Shen An had no objection to, while he wished to absorb the surrounding elemental oxygen after the transformation. The others had no reason to oppose Shen An’s request; in fact, they found it almost too modest—so simple that any faction would likely agree to it.

With consensus reached, Shen An stepped out of the house.

Inside, Wang Yuan set fire to the place, exhaling a burst of flame. “He’s such a poser, that kid. Who knows if any of what he said is true?” Wang Yuan seemed dissatisfied and spat on the ground. Instantly, sparks shot up, scorching the earth black and sending up white smoke that vanished in moments.

“There’s no choice. Too many factions have come this time. If we want to gain anything, we must cooperate with him. I heard he defeated Lei Jin, and he’s got some connections with Bai Weiwei from the authorities.”

“Hmph, just a pretty boy. If he can survive this ordeal, then he’ll be worth something.” Wang Yuan clenched his fists, his eyes blazing.

“Wang Yuan, whatever you plan to do is your business, but if you disrupt the plan, you know the consequences.”

Ripples spread through the air, footsteps echoed—tap, tap, tap—growing fainter until they disappeared.

Wang Yuan stared at the open door, undisguised murderous intent blazing in his eyes. “Damn woman, just wait—your day will come.”

Boom—a burst of flames erupted, and the house in the courtyard was instantly engulfed.

“Fire! Put out the fire!” Villagers rushed out, and in a blink, everyone was busy fighting the blaze.

Standing atop a tree, Shen An looked toward the flames, then turned and headed into the distance.

“Be careful. They want to bury everyone. This organization’s motives aren’t pure,” said Future.

“I know. I’ve been wary of him all along.”

“By the way, you haven’t told me what you gained this time?” Shen An asked.

“You’ll find out soon enough. It’s a benefit for both of us,” Future replied mysteriously, unwilling to say more, his intentions unclear.

Time drew ever closer, and Shen An never stopped moving, agile as a monkey leaping through the mountains.

“Where are you?” A message appeared on his phone. It was He Zhouzhou, and a gentle warmth stirred in his heart.

“Busy,” he replied.

“Oh, there’s a fire here. We’re putting it out.”

Shen An read He Zhouzhou’s message and glanced toward the blaze, catching sight of her lovely face.

He asked Future, “Will Wanyuan Village be affected?”

With a vague sense of worry, Shen An inquired.

“It seems that Wanyuan Village was burned by a great fire then,” Future replied.

“Then…”

Just as Shen An was about to ask again, Future sent another message.

“There was never another Zhouzhou livestream after that.”

Future clearly understood Shen An’s concern, sending this message.

In an instant, a bleak sadness filled Shen An’s heart.

He gazed at her avatar on his phone, sensing she was waiting for his reply.

After a moment’s thought, Shen An messaged He Zhouzhou: “Go back to Silver City, please? Leave tonight—take your family and go far away.”

Ding.

He Zhouzhou looked at the reply, puzzled.

“There’s danger here. Take your family and leave,” Shen An messaged again.

“What are you looking at? Don’t look anymore—the world has changed. Your village is finished!”

He Zhouzhou scanned around, but couldn’t see Shen An anywhere.

“Are you joking with me?” she asked.

“No, I’m not joking. I beg you—leave.”

No matter how many times He Zhouzhou replied after that, Shen An never messaged again.

He Zhouzhou returned home, and her father, He An, had also come back. She told him about the messages.

She was uncertain, unable to decide if Shen An’s warning was true. She wanted to trust him, but rationally, it seemed impossible—Wanyuan Village was fine, how could it suddenly catch fire?

But the courtyard had already been burned.

Her father, He An, smoked silently for a long time.

“Go to bed. We’ve lived here for so many years, we can’t just move out because of some kid’s words, let alone leave overnight.”

“Besides, the whole village.”

Such a thing—no one would believe it if told. That kid couldn’t possibly know the future.

She lay down fully dressed, but couldn’t sleep.

…

The time was almost here.

Shen An sighed, withdrawing his senses from He Zhouzhou’s home.

He had been too naive—He Zhouzhou would never leave just because of a few words from him, much less in the middle of the night.

Time waits for no one.

He quickly chose a hollow in the mountains and concealed himself.

It was the best spot.

Future had told him that after the great change, the elemental oxygen would be most abundant here, and this place would undergo incredible transformations. All he had to do was wait.

Boom!

Rock exploded into countless fragments, covering Shen An completely—no one passing by would notice anything.

He held his breath, silent as a mystic tortoise, lurking and waiting.

Time flew by. Suddenly, ominous clouds appeared on the horizon.

Night fell unusually early.

The sky was abruptly shrouded in darkness.

Then the earth trembled, rumbling loudly.

The whole world could feel the shaking.

And this time, the tremors were clearly stronger than ever before.

Outside, countless houses collapsed in the quake.

People screamed, wailed.

In the face of nature’s fury, none could escape unscathed.

Yet, in the barren mountains of Wanyuan Village and Wanyuan Mountain, a strange phenomenon descended.

Beams of light rose from the earth like rainbows—brilliant and multicolored.