Chapter Fifty-Three: The Watcher

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"The Savior Project was first initiated after World War II. You certainly know about the war, but you don't know the real reason it broke out," Morrison said.

"I have some idea; my watch once told me about it," Zhou Yu interjected.

"I see," Morrison said, as if suddenly enlightened. He continued, "What's the story with your watch? You're not part of the Savior Project."

Zhou Yu clutched his head in frustration. "Talking to you is exhausting. How about this: I ask, you answer, and after you're done, you ask, I answer."

Morrison rubbed his bald head and nodded. "Go ahead, ask."

"The specifics of the Savior Project."

"Among humanity, those with the bloodline of the Ashura are chosen, according to prophecy, and sent here. The hope is that one of them will become the Ashura King, though it's only a hope, not a certainty."

"If that's the case, why did you provoke conflict back then? Why did you strike so ruthlessly during the duel?"

"In order to gain recognition from certain powers in this world, I had to do so. Besides, I believe the true savior cannot die."

"What kind of nonsense is that? Who are you, really?" Zhou Yu cursed, clutching his head.

"I am the Guardian."

"What is a Guardian?"

"The Guardian is not a thing."

"Damn..." Zhou Yu tugged at his hair desperately. "Are you trying to lighten the mood, or is this some kind of Western humor?"

Morrison rubbed his gleaming scalp and finally explained, "A Guardian is someone chosen to help the Ashura King reincarnate and grow. That's me. I'm fully human, but with immense potential. I'm part of a secret force trained by the United Nations and the Ashura, meant to oppose the Heavenly Dao. I was selected for this task as a Guardian."

"So who is the Ashura King?"

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"I don't know..." Morrison admitted sheepishly, rubbing his mouth. He added, "Actually, the United Nations doesn't believe in the reincarnation of the Ashura King, but the Ashura are convinced. Since we're allies, and humanity has to rely on them, that's why the Savior Project exists."

"Isn't there any useful information? Like specific conditions to meet, or any distinguishing traits of the Ashura King?"

"There is a bit..." Morrison's gaze involuntarily drifted to Abuli, who lay unconscious on the ground. He continued, "It's said the Ashura King is a great monarch, with incredible abilities. He can inspire and influence others, making them more positive, healthy, and bright... Well, that's what the Ashura say. There might be some exaggeration," Morrison shrugged.

"You mean Abuli is the most likely candidate?" Zhou Yu asked, a faint sense of disappointment rising in his heart—a natural reaction, not out of jealousy.

"But... He's black," Morrison said, his face twisted with awkwardness.

"Enough! I could just as easily say you white people are an inferior race!" Zhou Yu understood Morrison's meaning and retorted mercilessly.

"Say whatever you want," Morrison shrugged again.

"So why, among so many people, am I the only Chinese?" Zhou Yu asked.

Morrison seemed to recall something. He turned and glanced at a circular pit, three meters across, not far away. White smoke was billowing from it—actually, it was cold air, as the surface of the pit was covered in thick ice.

Following Morrison's gaze, Zhou Yu saw the pit, which looked out of place amidst the surroundings. His heart skipped a beat, recalling what Zuo Hao had said before dying: the Sacred Kirin!

"Sacred Kirin?" Zhou Yu asked in surprise.

Morrison nodded. "The reason I worked with the Beast Sect at all costs is because there's an important aspect in the Savior Project. The prophecy mentions divine beasts. According to my intelligence, there are only four sacred beasts in this world, so the divine beast in the prophecy likely refers to a sacred beast. The Beast Sect has the most information and methods for capturing them, so I had to infiltrate their ranks."

"Divine beast? What exactly does that mean?" Zhou Yu asked warily, eyes fixed on the pit.

"The return of the Ashura King requires powerful energy. The prophecy says he will absorb the power of the sacred beast to enhance himself."

"Why is the Sacred Kirin here?" Zhou Yu's initial ignorance had turned to an inexplicable fear of sacred beasts, naturally, since they were too powerful. Zhou Yu knew he was as weak as an ant before such a creature—he had barely survived just now, so his fear was normal.

"That’s precisely why I infiltrated the Beast Sect. Zuo Hao had a secret method to locate the Sacred Kirin. But when we arrived, Abuli and that girl were already here, leading to the events you witnessed."

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"If Zuo Hao had a secret method, how did the Spirit Realm beat them to the Sacred Kirin?"

"It was a trap set by the Beast Sect. The Sacred Kirin is too strong to capture directly; it has to be defeated first, but the Beast Sect doesn't have that strength. So, the Spirit Realm was used as a pawn."

Zhou Yu fell silent. People say travelers have an intelligence advantage, but damn, everyone here seems more cunning than the last.

At first, it seemed Jin Buhuan had tricked Zuo Hao, but later it turned out the Spirit Realm wanted to trick not only Zuo Hao but also Liu Wujian. However, Liu Wujian wasn’t fooled.

Now, it appeared the most tragic and foolish Beast Sect was actually the most scheming.

"That tornado—you must have been caught in it too. How did you escape?" Zhou Yu suddenly remembered the old man and asked urgently.

"The tornado was very powerful, but by then the Sacred Kirin was already spent. Plus, Hua Queyue used her power, so the tornado’s damage wasn’t as great. Didn’t you survive as well?" Seeing Zhou Yu’s confusion, Morrison explained further, "Hua Queyue infused the tornado with a huge amount of life energy. Those caught in it suffered damage, but also received life energy replenishment, so most people should be fine."

Zhou Yu let out a gentle sigh. These are all masters—when would he ever have that kind of power to change the course of battle? As he thought about it, his gaze unconsciously returned to the pit.

Staring at it, Zhou Yu suddenly felt a jolt of alarm. He said, "If Zuo Hao could find this place, then there’s no reason Liu Wujian, that black-robed demon, and other strong ones couldn’t also locate it. What should we do now?"

Just then, the thick ice covering the pit suddenly let out a cracking sound. A jagged fissure snaked across the surface, followed by countless tiny cracks spreading outward.

Zhou Yu and Morrison were drawn by the sound, nervously watching that direction.

PS: Beeep beeep beeep... The third update has arrived. Good night, everyone, and thank you for reading! Bowing as I step off the stage and head to bed~