Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 702: Chapter 329: Cause and Effect

“But the Immortal Palace hasn’t opened,” Li Yelai asked, “and we outsiders haven’t been able to enter it. Could it be someone inside ignited the Green Fire?”

“Possibly,” Yin Fire said, “but more likely, it’s something that’s about to happen.”

“About to happen?” Li Yelai was puzzled.

“Do you remember that Ranger who had contact with you in Border City No. 2?” Yin Fire reminded.

“Of course, I used his help to eliminate Qin Zhi and severely injure Fen Xiao. Although he is a Chaos believer, I indeed owe him a favor,” Li Yelai responded. The authorities didn’t trouble him and even revoked the wanted order.

This was, among Chaos believers, a singular case.

“Our people had brief contact with him. Hmm, mainly we dug him out of the ruins. He claimed to be Zhang Zhong. After pocketing some of our medicines, he left Giant City. Before leaving, he said that in times of despair, one should pray to the Fifth God. As the Green Fire ignites, Wilderness Rangers the world over will arrive instantly, no matter where!”

“I’ve heard similar conversations in Chu He,” said Li Yelai.

“Hmm, you’ve reported that,” Yin Fire explained, “This is likely a doctrine of the Fifth God. However, in reality, we believe it’s impossible for the Rangers to arrive instantly unless the so-called Green Fire has a teleportation ability similar to an ark, teleporting all Rangers before it.”

Li Yelai thought so too, unless true teleportation ignored any distance, making the mighty scene of ‘an arrow piercing the clouds summons armies in a blink’ possible.

“Yet now, it seems the Green Flame does possess a special ability. Wilderness Rangers around the world receive a signal at different times and rush to the intended destination. The place where the Green Flame is ignited…

If a Ranger is extremely far away, reaching the ignition point might take months or even a year; they will receive the signal a year in advance.

If a Ranger is nearby and needs only a few hours to reach the ignition point, then they’ll receive the signal just a few hours before. When all Rangers arrive, the Green Fire ignites! Thus, meeting the condition of instant arrival.”

The moment the Rangers arrive, the Green Fire ignites… but the Rangers come because the Green Fire has been ignited…

This causality…

Li Yelai asked, somewhat incredulous, “Could this be… causality?”

“Yes, this is our most reliable conjecture so far. After all, Chaotic Divine beings hold very high positions and have manipulated causality before. Especially Deceit Dao… And aside from Chaos, there are other dangerous and powerful beings in the Void Realm, some even on par with the Chaos Gods… The more one understands, the more despairing it becomes,” Yin Fire said with a trace of helpless laughter.

Humans seem too inconsequential before these beings. These entities haven’t even fully turned their attention to mankind, and the world is already riddled with holes.

“But why would I receive this message?” Li Yelai asked, “I’m not a Ranger. Could it be that, in their eyes, anyone recognized by the silver coin is a Ranger?”

“After all, the coin is to be inherited from the previous generation of Rangers. The previous generation of Rangers chose you, so in their eyes, you are a Ranger… Or perhaps…” Yin Fire paused, “It carries a greater causality.”

“You may not be a Wilderness Ranger now, but you received the signal and will arrive at the site where the Green Fire ignites. After many events, you will reach the battlefield with the status of Wilderness Ranger!”

“You mean, even though I’m not a Ranger now, I will become one in the future, and that’s why I can receive this signal? Is this a sort of opportunity?” Li Yelai was astonished; this causality was rather interesting.

An image unconsciously surfaced in Li Yelai’s mind.

A child whose father was once a Wilderness Ranger had died in action.

Years later, the once-young child had grown into a mature adult.

In pursuit of his father’s footsteps and wishing to understand why his father chose to abandon his family and leave alone…

He embarked on the path to find the Wilderness Rangers.

Until he saw that wisp of green flame, believing it to be his father’s companion.

Following the direction of the flame, he moved ever forward, through countless adventures and trials.

He made like-minded friends and encountered enemies who wanted to stop him.

By the time he reached where the Green Fire was ignited, he had become a qualified Wilderness Ranger.

He would pick up his father’s weapon and head towards the dazzling Green Fire, becoming a new kindling…

This vision penetrated deep into the soul, as if experienced firsthand.

It made Li Yelai realize suddenly, then he became alert.

‘Whoa, is this the corruption of the Fifth God? I almost believed it was real,’ Li Yelai mused to himself.

Just knowing this belief almost convinced Li Yelai he was a Wilderness Ranger, as if it were a life he was meant to live…

The corruption of the Fifth God was truly dangerous…

Too dangerous…

“However, this is just my speculation,” Yin Fire said, “We still need to verify it within the Immortal Palace.”

“I do hope it’s true. I’ve long coveted the Fifth God’s blessing,” Li Yelai grinned.

Indeed, from Chu He, Li Yelai had learned of a blessing of the Fifth God.

It was a damage bonus against non-human species, a bonus terrifyingly reaching up to 150%

Such a blessing was enough to make any Spiritual Ability User envious.