522: Ants? Games?

Zheng Qiong gave Xiao Fan a basic introduction to elements.

Elements are divided into three forms:

One is released elements.

One is pure elements.

One is stored elements.

Stored elements, as the name suggests, are powers stored within various intelligent beings. After various attacks or elemental actions, they are released and eventually dissipate into the world. With the help of nature, after many years of immersion, they return to pure elements.

Pure elements are those that can be absorbed into the body and transformed into power, and they are also the kind that the Black Hole Rune can absorb.

At this point, Zheng Qiong continued, "Actually, these three types of elements are not incapable of mutual conversion."

"However, the elemental power stored in that super-large hard drive within you carries a personal imprint. When it's released, it will interact with the world, undergoing a series of changes and eventually becoming impure. If you then absorb it back into your body, the conversion rate won't reach 120%."

"Therefore, what we ultimately pursue is pure elements, which is the power of nature."

Xiao Fan frowned and said, "nature... From your words, it seems this isn't an adjective, but a form of power?"

"Of course." Zheng Qiong nodded slightly and said, "Rather than nature, it's more accurate to say it's the fundamental, unobservable rules of the world."

Xiao Fan was again puzzled, saying, "The rule of equivalent exchange? But when the conversion rate reaches 120%, shouldn't this rule have already been broken?"

Zheng Qiong's expression was complex as he said, "Perhaps, this is also part of the rules, or rather, from a certain day, the rules were suddenly changed by someone."

"A long, long time ago, people couldn't achieve a 120% conversion rate. Neither the Blood Clan nor the Demon Clan could reach this upper limit; it seemed to be constrained by the world."

"But suddenly one day, people discovered that this was feasible; we could convert less power into more power."

"Yet it was still considered taboo, and only a very small number of the most top-tier individuals dared to perform such conversions."

"Later, everyone realized that this didn't seem to cause any adverse effects, so it gradually became widespread."

"I've also researched this."

"I discovered something very frightening, but also... seemingly quite good."

Xiao Fan's brows were tightly furrowed.

Zheng Qiong said solemnly, "Perhaps from the very beginning, the pure law of equivalent exchange was a deception!"

"Because we all know that when energy interacts with energy, some 'Impurities' will inevitably volatilize, and some consumption will definitely occur."

"It's just very little, so little that it's almost negligible, so no one ever paid attention to it."

"But as time passed, the number of intelligent beings in the Universe grew, and in every corner of the world, every moment, a large number of 'energy interaction' behaviors were occurring."

"The consumption increased more and more."

"This means that the overall resources of the entire Universe are declining!"

"The equivalent exchange we once understood should not have been true equivalent exchange, but merely a superficial rule."

"Now, with more and more Martial Arts having a 120% conversion rate, I suddenly find that the total resources of this world are no longer decreasing, but increasing."

"Because that 20% appears out of thin air!"

"But can we truly say that it's something out of nothing? Could it also be considered that the part we once consumed has returned?"

Zheng Qiong looked at Xiao Fan with a question, because he himself had no answer.

Xiao Fan couldn't help but ask, "The source of such abnormal Martial Arts that can achieve super-conversion should be that Lord of the Temple, right?"

Xiao Fan could almost confirm this, because he had learned it!

Zheng Qiong remained silent, looking up at the starry sky, his eyes slightly narrowed.

He muttered to himself, "You haven't been out."

"So you don't know what the Lord of the Temple has done to this world."

"He is a madman who commits all sorts of evil, treating the entire Universe as his playground."

"He is the greatest evil in this world."

"He is the source of all disasters."

"But you're right, Martial Arts with super-conversion really did come from his hands."

"So I really want to ask him face to face, what exactly do you want to do?"

"Destroy the world?"

"Save the world?"

"Create a new world?"

At this point, Zheng Qiong scoffed and said, "I lean towards the most idiotic answer."

"Perhaps all of this is truly just a game to him. He doesn't care about good or bad; he just finds it fun, so he does it."

"And we are merely ants in his game that he can manipulate at will, no matter how many die, he doesn't care."

"How terrifying?"

Xiao Fan stood beside him, looking up at the sky with Zheng Qiong.

But the once brilliant starry sky now made him feel incredibly dim and oppressive, sending shivers down his spine.

During his conversation with Zheng Qiong, he came to know the greatest enemy of the Hall of Gods Execution, the strongest in the Universe.

But Xiao Fan only knew what the opponent had done, and he couldn't understand from Zheng Qiong's words what kind of person that enemy truly was.

Because Zheng Qiong didn't know either.

But these were not things Xiao Fan needed to ponder at the moment.

If he couldn't figure something out, he wouldn't think about it.

He just needed to know that the enemy wanted to destroy the Galaxy, destroy everything he had.

So, just kill him!

The confusion in Xiao Fan's eyes flashed and disappeared, and he quickly clenched his fists again.

Zheng Qiong's peripheral vision noticed all of this, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He always mocked others for their simple starting hardware, but he was more envious.

They wouldn't be plagued day and night by these unanswerable questions, feeling gloomy and unhappy.

They always had a strange kind of determination, and their behavioral logic was very clear; he couldn't refute it at all.

Zheng Qiong always wanted to know the truth of all questions.

What if the Lord of the Temple was actually a good person?

What if killing the Lord of the Temple instead led to the complete destruction of the Universe?

Would it?

He didn't know, so he had to find the answer.

But Miles and the others didn't search.

Their logic was simple and crude.

The Lord of the Temple wants to kill us, so let's kill him first!

What kind of person he is is none of my business!

The truth held no appeal for them either!

Zheng Qiong always said they were short-sighted, only seeing three feet in front of them.

But in fact, that was truly enviable.

Because facts had already proven that those who lived in the present were the happiest and least confused.

Finally, Zheng Qiong taught Xiao Fan how to create an Element Seed, then told him to go find Shao Tianhua to receive the Legacy of the Black Hole Rune.

He himself remained alone on this cold balcony, recalling his past like an old man.

He looked down at Xiao Fan, who was walking down the street in a black robe, and couldn't help but shake his head.

Because he still didn't understand.

Why the Fire of Resistance was inherited by Xiao Fan.

Xiao Fan and Miles were completely different people!

There were only one or two similarities; most of their other personalities and characteristics were completely different, even opposite!

But Miles had clearly said back then that his will would help him find the person most suitable for the Fire of Resistance.

What a strange world...

Finally, Zheng Qiong propped his chin, pondering with a frown.

I have so many doubts I cannot resolve.

Is my starting hardware really luxurious?

In some people's eyes, am I also just as simple?

The more I think, the more annoyed I get... But Miles had already told him a way to escape from the quagmire of thought.

That is... look at pretty women, look at their legs, and your mood will instantly improve.