Afternoon.
Wen Qimo was sitting idly in the Forbidden Ruins experimental field, glancing at the time.
"Why aren't these kids here yet?"
As soon as he finished speaking, two figure slowly pushed open the door and moved towards him like zombies...
"Holy crap!" Wen Qimo exclaimed upon seeing the newcomer, "Qi Ye, Xiao Chen you...you guys are...!"
Lin Xi Chen didn't look much better off than Lin Qiye, though she still appeared to be in slightly better shape than her brother. She had a limp and a bandage on her cheek, and was holding an ice pack against her forehead. And Lin Qiye, his face bruised and swollen, waved his hand, about to say something, when he stumbled and almost fell to the ground.
Wen Qimo quickly stepped forward to support him, "You guys were sparring with the captain?"
"Right."
"Hmm...it seems you have some talent."
Lin Xi Chen: You sure....?
Lin Qiye stared into his eyes, "You call this 'okay'?"
"The first time I sparred with the captain, I was so badly beaten that I lay on the training ground for a whole day and night before I recovered," Wen Qimo sighed. "Now, the only one who can barely hold her own against the captain in close combat is Hongying."
"I heard Zhao Kongcheng is a master of close combat? Is he not good enough?"
Wen Qimo was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "His fight with the captain wasn't a forced one; it was a draw, provided neither side used any forbidden techniques."
"All right..."
Lin Qiye endured the pain in his body and barely managed to stand up. If you lifted his clothes, you would find that his body was covered with bruises and welts.
Chen Muyi's sword was too fast, too heavy, and too ruthless!
Moreover... he didn't seem to intend to show any mercy.
"Don't worry, you guys will go see Xiao Nan for treatment in a bit, and then both of you can go get beaten up again tomorrow morning," Wen Qimo comforted him.
Lin Qiye:...
Lin Xi Chen:...
"Now, let's begin class." Wen Qimo cleared his throat.
Lin Qiye straightened up.
"First, let's start by explaining what the Forbidden Ruins are..."
"Zhao Kongcheng told me about this before."
"Alright, then let's talk about the Divine Ruins..."
"This has already been mentioned."
"Alright, let's talk about the forbidden ruins created by objects..."
"I already said that."
Wen Qimo:... "How about you, Xiao Chen did you kno-"
"No worry, Qiye had already explained it to me!"
"..."
"Just how much did this guy secretly tell you...?" Wen Qimo sighed, rubbing his forehead. "What about the Forbidden Ruins sequence? Did he even mention that?"
"No, we don't have that."
Wen Qimo breathed a sigh of relief and began to explain, "The so-called Forbidden Ruins Sequence is a list of levels of danger that humans have assigned to Forbidden Ruins. It's like a code name for gods, starting from 001. The earlier in the sequence, the more dangerous it is."
"Is this the same as the code name for a deity?"
"They're different. The god's code name is the order in which humans discovered the gods, and it has nothing to do with the god's own combat power or level of danger. The Forbidden Ruins sequence, on the other hand, is a ranking based on the level of danger."
"I understand."
"Forbidden Ruins with a sequence number after 600 are called 'harmless forbidden ruins'. These forbidden ruins have very little effect; at most, they can help water plants, kill cavities in people's mouths, or create spicy strips out of thin air."
"Sequences between 400 and 599 are called 'low-risk forbidden zones'. These forbidden zones are lethal but not very dangerous, and if used properly, they may have miraculous effects."
"Sequences 200 to 399 are called 'Dangerous Forbidden Ruins', which pose a large-scale threat to human society and possess the ability to fight against the mysterious."
"Sequences 90 to 199 are 'high-risk forbidden zones', which can pose a large-scale threat to human society and possess extremely high combat power. Those who possess this part of the forbidden zone sequence are mostly high-end combat forces, such as the captain who is in this segment."
"As for sequences prior to 89... these are called 'ultra-high-risk forbidden ruins'. These forbidden ruins either possess extremely powerful, massive destructive force or inconceivable special abilities. In short, these forbidden ruin sequences have completely transcended the realm of 'humanity,' often possessing the power to destroy an entire city!"
Wen Qimo reiterated, "This is not an exaggeration. Several years ago, a powerful mythical creature appeared in the Northwest Desert. This creature, possessing the Forbidden Realm Sequence 063 [Luo Tian Mi Sha], nearly buried several surrounding cities with its sandstorm. It was only after a special team arrived that it was killed."
Lin Qiye was taken aback. "I remember Zhao Kongcheng saying back then that his Forbidden Ruins sequence was 083..."
"[The Vanishing Moon] ranks among the highest-risk forbidden ruins. Although it's one of the lowest, it's still extremely rare." Wen Qimo's expression was somewhat melancholy. "If he had truly been born with this forbidden ruin, perhaps... he would have already joined a special team and become a general."
"These are the rankings of the Forbidden Ruins? What about the Divine Ruins?" Lin Qiye asked curiously.
"Divine Ruins are also a type of Forbidden Ruins, so they are also in the sequence." Wen Qimo paused, then looked at Lin Qiye with some envy. "Of the first 30 Forbidden Ruins in the sequence, 23 are Divine Ruins."
"The power bestowed by the gods is naturally beyond the reach of mortals; its danger and uniqueness far exceed our imagination."
"So, does that mean there are still seven forbidden zones for humanity within the first 30 sequences?"
"Yes." Wen Qimo's eyes gleamed. "Even among the top five forbidden ruins, there's one that belongs to a human!"
"Which one?"
"I have no idea."
"..."
"Don't look at me like that. I've only been with the Night Watch for a few years. How would I know about such a confidential matter?" Wen Qimo spread his hands innocently.
"And what about my Forbidden Ruins?" Lin Qiye pointed to himself. "What's its sequence number?"
Wen Qimo glanced at him and said softly:
"The divine ruins of Seraphim Michael, codenamed 003, are called [Mortal Realm of Gods]."
"The Forbidden Ruins sequence is also 003. But about your Forbidden Ruins, Xiao Chen..."
Wen Qimo glanced at the data readout and saw that Lucifer's Ruin was designated as the "Abyss of the Fallen." Its energy radiated dark, ominous hues—blacks and reds—and exuded a heavy aura; it was clearly a Forbidden Ruin capable of inflicting status effects on enemies. Yet, in Lin Xi Chen's hands, it seemed vastly different... utterly different...
"... Hm? What is it?"
Wen Qimo glanced back at Lin Xi Chen and saw her hair floating in the air; this appeared to be a passive ability—one that even she did not know how to deactivate. He recalled descriptions of Lucifer's appearance prior to his fall—how he had once been the most beautiful and radiant angel, the embodiment of perfection and wisdom. Hadn't Lin Xi Chen been endowed with the power Lucifer possessed before his fall?
So, isn't this twin a "Miracle"?
"Nothing... There aren't any informations except for your Forbidden Ruins with Sequence 004."
"Uh huh..." Lin Xi Chen raised one eyebrow slightly but asked nothing further. Perhaps Wen Qimo didn't yet realize that she could easily spot a liar with her power...
"Forbidden Ruins Sequence 003, [Mortal God Realm]..." Lin Qiye murmured to himself.
"But don't get too excited yet. 003 is the Seraph's Forbidden Sequence, not yours, Lin Qiye," Wen Qimo added. "Only in the hands of the Seraph is it truly 003."
"In the hands of a newcomer who has just stepped into the mysterious realm, its power might only be considered a high-risk forbidden zone."
"When you reach a level of enlightenment high enough to rival the gods, that is 003."
Lin Qiye nodded. "I know what I'm doing."
"Oh, right, I have one more question."
"Go ahead and ask."
"Is it possible for the same person to act as an agent for several different gods?"
"Impossible." Wen Qimo shook his head without the slightest hesitation. "At least in human history, there has never been such a precedent."
"Oh." Lin Qiye nodded.
From this moment on, it will be available.
Besides the Seraph's [Mortal Realm], Lin Qiye also possesses the [Starry Night Dancer], which he obtained from the Goddess of the Night.
Lin Qiye and Lin Xi Chen exchanged glances, both thinking about how she had managed to reach his mental asylum the previous night—and had even inadvertently activated [Starry Night Dancer] in the process. Did this not mean they were both agents of Nyx?
Of course, this is something he can't tell anyone yet. If the Night's Watch higher-ups grab him and investigate, he'll be finished.
At least, he's too weak right now. Maybe when he's strong enough, he won't be afraid of being exposed anymore.
"Now that we've covered the basics, let's talk about your guys Forbidden Ruins. Let's start with Xiao Chen, what special ability you had discorvered from your Forbidden Ruins?"
"Well, if we're talking about passive abilities, my power has a rather large potential, right? Lately, I've discovered that I can see through illusions, detect lies, perceive hidden enemies, be immune to divine corruption, ignore restraint and suppression, and ignore others' forbidden abilities. Oh and regeneration too."
"Because I'm influenced by Lucifer, you could say I'm... a perfectionist? I can do pretty much anything. I'm not exaggerating at all!"
"I think it's thats all! Hehe..."
That's all!?
Lin Xi Chen chuckled, feigning innocence and ignorance, even though she knew Wen Qimo had lied to her.
Lin Qiye:...
Wen Qimo:...
"Ahem.... At least you know your strength, Xiao Chen. Qiye, how about you? What level can your [Mortal Divine Realm] achieve right now?"
"Within a circular area 20 meters in radius centered on me, I can perceive everything."
"Oh?" Wen Qimo raised an eyebrow. "What color is Hongying's underwear today?"
"White."
In the testing ground, the two men briefly stared at each other...
They looked at each other and smiled.
Lin Xi Chen:..... I will go rat them out later.