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Chapter 360 - Chapter 360: The Seed of Deception

"This... this..."

Zhao Ri stood there, speechless, dumbfounded.

Even though something felt off, the evidence before him was undeniable. Who else but the Ancestral King could command the Nine Golden Crows and wield the Heaven-Scorching Mirror?

"Zhao Ri pays his respects to the Ancestral King!"

In the end, logic won over emotion, and the young man knelt before Qin Chuan.

Crack, crack, crack!

At that moment, the bronze coffin began to tremble violently, as if the coffin lid could no longer contain what lay inside.

Above, thunder rumbled through the sky. An invisible emotion seemed to permeate the rising sun.

Zhao Ri, however, did not notice any of this.

But Qin Chuan did.

Instantly, he understood. The young man now kneeling before him was likely the reincarnation of the Ancestral King!

The coffin was empty.

It probably contained the Ancestral King's inheritance and memories, waiting for the reincarnated body to find it and regain his true self.

Otherwise, how could someone with such weak strength have entered this mystical sun?

What seemed like a lucky accident was actually fate, or rather... something predestined!

Realizing this, Qin Chuan's heart raced. After all, he was currently using Qin Zi's face. If the Ancestral King regained his memories, Qin Zi would be seen as his enemy!

As Qin Chuan understood it, the so-called Ancestral King was once one of the most terrifying figures of the Xuanhuang Heaven—a titan among titans!

And now, not only had Qin Chuan taken the Ancestral King's treasure, but he had also tricked him into kneeling. Once this giant recovered his memories, he would surely harbor intense hatred for Qin Zi and a deadly thirst for revenge.

When that time came, wouldn't Qin Zi's power skyrocket under the pressure of such a foe?

"Your name is Zhao Ri, correct?"

Qin Chuan asked with a smile.

"Yes, Ancestral King!"

Zhao Ri responded respectfully, still kneeling.

Qin Chuan smiled again and said, "Do you know why I summoned you here?"

"I do not."

Zhao Ri answered honestly.

Qin Chuan continued, "I have just been resurrected and have not yet regained my full strength. I need a close protector, and you are a perfect fit. So... will you serve as my guardian?"

Zhao Ri hesitated for a moment.

Normally, this would be an exciting opportunity, but for some reason, he didn't feel any enthusiasm now.

"Zhao Ri, you can't be ungrateful now. This is the Ancestral King! Serving him is the highest honor."

He thought to himself.

Finally, his rational mind overcame his inner conflict, and he respectfully replied, "It would be my honor to serve the Ancestral King."

For the first time, he felt as if his words didn't align with his true feelings, and he was ashamed. Could it be that I am not as devout a follower of the Ancestral King as I thought? Why don't I feel honored?

"Very good."

Qin Chuan nodded in satisfaction and then produced a golden contract, saying, "This is a master-servant contract. Just sign your name."

Zhao Ri took the contract.

After looking it over, he asked in confusion, "Qin Zi? Isn't your title the Heaven-Scorching Supreme?"

Qin Chuan's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm as he answered smoothly, "Qin Zi is the name of this life. Contracts like this follow the current life, as they are bound to karma and fate. It's too profound for you to understand at your current cultivation level."

Zhao Ri didn't fully comprehend, but he was awed nonetheless.

Even if it didn't make sense, it sounded important!

He scanned the contract further and asked, "Why is it for only one hundred years? Shouldn't it be permanent?"

Qin Chuan smiled and said:

"No matter the contract, it is still a form of constraint. I do not wish to bind you forever. You will serve as my guardian for one hundred years. After that, whether you wish to continue will be your choice."

Hearing this, Zhao Ri felt unexpectedly reassured. It was as if a burden had been lifted—like he had been given a way out.

Without further hesitation, he signed his name. The contract glowed and then burst into flames, burning in the air.

Hum!

The contract was sealed!

Qin Chuan smiled slyly.

The one-hundred-year limit had a hidden purpose!

This time period would allow Zhao Ri to grow in secret while the contract made it clear that he was being enslaved by Qin Zi.

When Zhao Ri eventually regained his memories, he would realize he had been duped. However, because of the contract, for a hundred years, he wouldn't be able to seek out Qin Zi. If he got too close to Qin Zi, the contract would activate, putting him under Qin Zi's control.

Thus, Zhao Ri and Qin Zi would never meet, leaving no chance to resolve the misunderstanding.

Instead, the hatred would only fester, growing stronger with each passing year. And after a century, when the contract dissolved, Zhao Ri's rage would erupt, and he would become Qin Zi's relentless pursuer!

By then.

Zhao Ri's cultivation would have returned to its peak, and the explosive power of his hatred would skyrocket Qin Zi's strength!

In essence, Qin Chuan had planted a seed today that would grow, and when it blossomed, he would reap the benefits.

"Ancestral King, what should we do now?"

Zhao Ri asked.

Qin Chuan gave him a mysterious smile and said, "You should sleep for now."

"What?"

Zhao Ri looked confused.

"Like this."

Qin Chuan reached out, and his hand seemed to fill Zhao Ri's vision until everything went black, and he lost consciousness.

With a wave of his hand, Qin Chuan stored Zhao Ri in his inner world. He planned to release him once he left the Forbidden Divine Mountain.

The reason for knocking him out?

It was simple: Zhao Ri couldn't be allowed to see the real Qin Zi. Otherwise, with two Qin Zis existing at the same time, the deception would be exposed.

"It's time to leave."

Qin Chuan glanced at the bronze coffin and the nine golden crows one last time before walking away.

He didn't plan to take the bronze coffin with him. It was too heavy to move easily, and taking it might prevent Zhao Ri from recovering fully.

If Zhao Ri couldn't regain his strength, it would be a huge loss for Qin Chuan, considering this was a giant-level powerhouse!

Hum!

The heavenly path reappeared, and Qin Chuan retraced his steps, quickly leaving the rising sun.

At the shoreline, Xuan Yuzi was still waiting. He had indeed stood in the same spot the entire time, as there were no footprints in the sand.

"Young master, you've returned?"

By now, Xuan Yuzi was acting extremely subservient. The sight of Qin Chuan boldly entering the sun had left him in awe.

Even the sun itself had seemed to bow before Qin Chuan. Words spoken became law. This was the power of a true titan!

In Xuan Yuzi's mind, Qin Chuan had to be one of the giants!

Clinging to Qin Chuan's leg would surely let him walk freely through the heavens.

"How long have I been gone?"

Qin Chuan asked. He suspected there was a difference in time between the sun and the outside world.

While inside the sun, the system had been constantly notifying him of Qin Zi's achievements, happening at such a rapid pace that it was impossible to ignore the disparity.

Surely, only a difference in the flow of time could explain this.

"You've been gone for three days, young master."

Xuan Yuzi replied respectfully.

Qin Chuan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Let's go. It's time to see how that kid is doing in his trial."

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