Chapter Eleven: Abu Li's Resolve (Part One)

Zhou Yu opened his eyes. The light in the room was not strong, yet it still felt piercing to him. He turned his head, discovering he was lying on a rosewood bed. His nose twitched slightly as a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air.

He tried to sit up, but found himself utterly powerless. In fact, he could feel nothing from his body except his head. Paraplegia? Zhou Yu was startled.

“They all exploded. I came to check on Zhou Yu. That’s it.”

Following the voice, Zhou Yu saw Abuli gesticulating as he spoke with the old man. Abuli spoke in an African dialect the old man could not understand, but his hand gestures for “explosion” were vivid: both fists pressed together, then suddenly flung open, accompanied by a “BOOB” sound. The old man understood—he was talking about an explosion.

“Abuli…” Zhou Yu tried to speak, only to realize his voice was as hoarse as an old, broken bellows. His throat felt as though it had been torn apart.

“You’re awake?” The old man hurried to his side.

“I’ll go find someone to take a look,” Liu Yueming said, rising and going out.

“Yes, I’m awake.” Zhou Yu managed a smile. “I’m fine.”

The old man’s eyes grew moist. “Yes, you’re fine… you’re fine… As long as you’re awake, it’s all right.”

“Master, I’d like to say a few words to Abuli.” Zhou Yu’s raspy voice made the old man’s heart ache.

The old man turned away quickly. “Right, you two talk. I’ll go get some air—this bird fragrance in the room is unbearable!” He was already weeping.

“Abuli, come here.” Zhou Yu tried to move, but his body still showed no response.

Abuli walked to the bedside. “My Chinese brother, how are you?”

“Not bad. What was that about explosions?” Zhou Yu forced a relaxed expression, changing the subject.

Hearing Zhou Yu say he was all right, Abuli relaxed, grinning wide to reveal his white teeth. “Those who died in the battle exploded just now, so I came to check if you were all right. You’re fine—it’s wonderful!” Abuli beamed with joy.

Zhou Yu felt warmth in his heart at that smile. Abuli truly cared for him. The explosion must have been the self-destruction protocol of those wristwatches, Zhou Yu thought.

“Abuli, how are the others?” Zhou Yu asked.

Abuli sat at the edge of the bed. “The other brothers are fine. They’ve settled in, separated from the white people now—not crowded together like before.”

Zhou Yu frowned at this.

“What’s wrong? Are you unhappy, my Chinese brother?” Abuli asked with concern.

“Let me ask you, Abuli, since you arrived here, have you always lived together with them?” Zhou Yu inquired.

Abuli nodded. “Yes, always with the white people.”

“People here know you have conflicts—why did they keep you together?” Zhou Yu pressed.

Abuli thought for a moment. “You’re mistaken, my Chinese brother. The locals didn’t know we had conflicts or would fight. That’s why they put us together.”

Abuli was simple-hearted. What kind of place was the Spirit Realm? How could they not notice the possibility of conflict among the travelers? Zhou Yu kept his thoughts to himself. Even if true, it was not something to be spoken—a thought that pierced the heart.

“What are your plans, Abuli?” Zhou Yu asked. Talking with this innocent African brother lifted his spirits; Abuli radiated optimism.

Abuli gently touched the white bandage on his chest. “Of course I want to go home.”

“Where to?” Zhou Yu asked.

Abuli’s expression grew solemn. He looked at the blood-stained bandage and replied, “When I came here, the mountain split open, and water from the sea surged up. I thought I would die, but instead, I arrived here. After coming here, though I became powerful, I miss my mother and siblings dearly. Without me, they won’t have enough to eat.” As he spoke, tears welled up.

Zhou Yu’s heart twisted with sorrow. He could only comfort Abuli, “Abuli, you will grow stronger—strong enough to return home.”

Abuli choked, “This wristwatch says I’ll become a supreme deity, but I only want to go back—to my mother and siblings, to protect them and let them eat their fill. I’ve been here almost a year now. I wonder how my mother and siblings are. Before I came, the mountain at home had cracked, and sea water flooded in. It was terrifying.”

With that, the tall, thin young man burst into loud sobs—a boy yet.

Zhou Yu was deeply moved. Yes, to return to family and protect them.

Suddenly, Zhou Yu’s expression shifted. He asked seriously, “Abuli! What did you just say? The last sentence!”

Abuli raised his head, wiped his tears, and answered, “The mountain split open, and sea water surged in. It was terrifying.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yu’s mind buzzed as if it had shattered.

Zhou Yu had been transported at the onset of the earthquake in City A. He’d always doubted what Baidu had told him. Now, Abuli’s words clearly described a volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Abuli wouldn’t lie—he spoke the truth. That meant Baidu’s words were true as well!

Zhou Yu could no longer deceive himself into believing Baidu was lying. Earth had truly suffered catastrophe! Father, mother—are you all right?

Tears burst from Zhou Yu’s eyes. He clenched his teeth, refusing to sob aloud. Those who think themselves clever always deceive themselves, unwilling to face harsh reality.

Baidu’s voice echoed in Zhou Yu’s mind: “I can sense your pain now. Your brainwaves are in chaos.”

Zhou Yu ignored her, biting his teeth and enduring pain more profound than the destruction of his meridians.

“I told you before—I didn’t lie to you about this. Actually, it’s not entirely hopeless,” Baidu said.

At last, Zhou Yu couldn’t bear it and cried out, though he kept his voice as low as possible. His tears soaked the pillow, the muffled sounds in his throat unbearably oppressive.

“Chinese Zhou, why don’t you cry out loud? You’ll feel much better.” Abuli wiped his tears and reached out to help Zhou Yu wipe his own.

Zhou Yu shook his head, took a few deep breaths, and quickly calmed himself. In his heart, he asked Baidu, “Why do you say it’s not entirely hopeless?” He didn’t ask about Earth’s condition—he dreaded that answer, which would break him completely.

Seeing Zhou Yu’s composure return, Baidu said, “The place you’re in now, the Road of Rebirth, is ten years before your crossing on Earth. In other words, you haven’t just traveled through space—you’ve traveled through time as well. I told you this before—it’s the truth.”

“Is ten years enough? Enough to become a savior?” Zhou Yu roared inwardly.

Baidu sighed. “Though I should encourage you, I must say—it’s nearly impossible, unless one among you is truly the reincarnation of the Ashura King and awakens quickly. Achieving such power through cultivation alone is absolutely impossible.”

“Awakening?” Zhou Yu asked.

“But that’s impossible too. No one knows how to awaken the Ashura King’s power,” Baidu replied.

“Isn’t there any other way?” Zhou Yu pressed.

“There is one—acquire a divine persona and accept the power of faith,” Baidu said.

“Divine persona? You said it’s hard to obtain—that it takes tens of millions of years of cultivation?” Zhou Yu retorted.

Baidu was silent for a moment. “Yes, but a divine persona can be inherited. If you inherit one, you can gain the power of faith.”

“How can it be inherited?” Zhou Yu asked.

Outside, Liu Yueming returned with Hua Queyue. The old man sat on the porch, wiping his tears.

Liu Yueming exclaimed in surprise, “What’s wrong with Zhou Yu?”