Chapter 98: Is Feng Tianlin Dead?

As the painting burned down to its final moment, the entire sky seemed to be torn open by a massive rift.

From the rift emerged eight points of light, hovering in midair as if disdainful of everything beneath them.

As the light faded, the true forms of these beings were revealed—eight individuals.

Among them were men and women, old and young.

One was plump, with a round belly, holding a palm fan.

Another was handsome, clad in a Taoist robe, a long sword strapped to his back.

There was an elderly man, stroking his beard with his left hand and dragging a fishing drum with his right.

One had hair tied with a red cord, holding a conspicuously jade flute.

Another appeared disheveled, a large gourd hanging at his waist.

One bore delicate features, carrying a basket brimming with flowers.

There was a man dressed entirely in red, smiling while holding a pair of jade tablets.

And finally, a woman of extraordinary beauty, with blossoms that seemed to bloom behind her like lotus flowers.

These eight figures were unmistakably the legendary Eight Immortals of Earthly folklore.

Recalling what Fan Tianxing had said earlier about the Immortals’ Painting, it was evident that these were celestial immortals.

Their gaze fell upon Feng Tianlin below, and one of them demanded, “Where is the army of aberrant creatures? Why are there only a few?”

Feng Tianlin shook his head helplessly. “The owner of the aberrant domain does not play by the rules. The aberrant creature army was not fully formed before the aberrant resurrection began.”

He then pointed at Feng Tianlin. “Kill him first. He is the owner of the aberrant domain!”

Feng Tianlin almost instinctively wanted to protest, but before he could utter a word, a massive energy storm swept toward the ground.

In an instant, his world was plunged into darkness.

“System detected host life status at zero. Given the host’s previous highest-level performance evaluation, the following options are now available:

A. Return to Earth, erasing all memories of this place.

B. Gain unimaginable power but lose everything.

C. Restore all life states at the cost of five million Fear Points.

Time in the external world is currently paused. Please choose carefully.”

Hearing the system’s words, Feng Tianlin fell into deep thought. This system had never disappointed him in terms of traps.

Return to Earth?

What a joke. He had finally ascended to the top echelon in this world, ready to rule it and terrify all humanity. Now he was being told to go back to Earth as a globally wanted assassin?

In his previous life, he was a top-tier assassin—no family, no friends. Such a life was utterly bleak, so much so that when he arrived in this world, he never considered returning.

Gain unimaginable power but lose everything?

He did not know how powerful this unimaginable power might be, but it could surely crush those Eight Immortals. Yet, losing everything was too steep a price; better to return to Earth as an assassin.

Restore all life states at the cost of five million Fear Points?

He barely had over five million Fear Points in total; the system wanted to devour them all at once. But even if he restored everything, what good would it do if he ended up dead again?

For now, returning to Earth seemed the best fit, but could he resign himself to that?

Who could accept having their memories stripped away? Who could accept abandoning everything they had fought for?

Unless he could conceive a way to turn the tables, his only option was to return to Earth—or else kill those Eight Immortals and Fan Tianxing, even if it meant losing everything.

But what could he rely on to overturn the situation?

What did he have?

An aberrant domain, a ghost train, and a few skills.

Wait! The ghost train?

At this thought, Feng Tianlin’s spirit surged. He had made his choice.

“I choose C.”

Light returned to his eyes, revealing a scene of utter devastation.

Long Mengting and the others were rushing toward him. The Eight Immortals hovered in the sky, still looking down on everything with disdain. Fan Tianxing’s smile was one that begged to be wiped away by force.

As soon as Feng Tianlin regained consciousness, he rolled up his sleeves and swiftly carved coordinates and time into them with his other hand.

Then, in his mind, he poured a torrent of thoughts into himself.

“Future me, if you ever gain the power to come help me, come quickly!”

He was gambling—risking his life.

He was betting that his future self would arrive piloting the ghost train, which could traverse space and time, to save him.

But time waits for no one. Although the Eight Immortals were puzzled by the sudden revival of the aberrant domain owner, they were too lazy to concern themselves and launched their attack on Feng Tianlin.

Just as the energy storm was about to strike him, it seemed to collide with something, instantly swirling together before gradually dissipating.

When the energy storm cleared, all eyes saw a figure—small in stature but like a mountain standing before Feng Tianlin.

He had short white hair, wore a flowing red suit, a red-and-white crown upon his head, and wielded a jeweled sword embedded with a red gemstone.

Around him fluttered countless red blossoms. Beneath black eyelids gleamed a single sparkling eye, as clear and precious as a gem.

Feng Tianlin stared in shock at this larger-than-life doll before him. Was this his future self? Where was the ghost train?

He intended to greet him, but the future self seemed uninterested in pleasantries. Instead, he soared into the sky to confront the Eight Immortals head-on.

The Eight Immortals narrowed their eyes at this inexplicable newcomer. Han Zhongli fanned himself with his palm fan.

“Who are you?”

They could scarcely imagine such an aberrant creature possessing such power.

But the future Feng Tianlin ignored them, speaking calmly. “Release him.”

The Immortals were taken aback. “So you really are on that side? Just to protect this aberrant domain owner who doesn’t even have an aberrant creature army?”

The future Feng Tianlin sneered with disdain. “What does ‘that side’ even mean? Or what do any of you mean?” He cast a glance over the Eight Immortals. “Release him, or I’ll make you release him. Choose.”

“Such arrogance! They truly think themselves something special!” Iron Crutch Li roared, exchanging looks with the others. They all readied their treasures, prepared to attack.

The future Feng Tianlin merely shook his head. “History?” Then he opened his eyes. “Game on! The Era of Divine Ice!”

The moment he finished speaking, mysterious marks appeared on the Eight Immortals, glowing with blue light. Their positions shifted.

For once, the Immortals wore unprecedented solemnity.

Though brief, it felt as if countless events had transpired.

The future Feng Tianlin casually waved his hand. “Wrath of the Celestial!”

At his command, several thunder dragons descended from the sky, landing directly above the Eight Immortals.

Their radiant light illuminated the entire heavens!

Yet the Immortals would not yield. Though scorched and smoking from the thunder dragons’ strikes, they quickly regained their composure and fighting spirit.

“The struggles of ants only serve to highlight the strength of the mighty,” the future Feng Tianlin said with a helpless shake of his head. His eyes suddenly widened, glowing brilliantly. “I just like when others highlight my power!”

With that, he swung his jeweled sword, and he and the Eight Immortals vanished from this space.