The five known hopes from the Dark Continent for humanity are:
Unmanned Rock, which generates electricity when submerged in water.
Herb for All-illnesses, capable of curing any disease.
Trinity Elixir, which can serve as the base liquid for all fluids.
The special alchemical plant known as Metallion.
And Nitro Rice, the food that grants ultimate longevity.
For human society, whether at an individual or national level, the value of these five hopes is self-evident.
Beyond's deliberate emphasis on the importance of Nitro Rice at this moment was not only to reiterate to Netero his unwavering determination to explore the Dark Continent.
It was also because witnessing Netero and Linne's advanced age filled him with emotion.
That father he once revered and admired had ultimately succumbed to the erosion of time, falling heavily from his throne as the world's strongest.
Faced with Beyond's pointed remarks, Netero merely sighed softly, unwilling to respond.
He naturally understood the deeper meaning in Beyond's words.
It was both an accusation against his decision to designate the Dark Continent as forbidden by the Hunter Association and a complaint about his years of obstructing exploration efforts.
That's why Beyond was now using Nitro Rice as a verbal weapon.
As if to say: If you hadn't obstructed back then, or had been willing to lead the Hunter Association toward the Dark Continent, with your experience of traveling there twice, perhaps you would have already obtained this ageless longevity substance.
How could you have ended up in such a decrepit state now?
Seeing that Netero had no intention of responding, Beyond was unwilling to let it go.
He flung his cloak aside, strode up to Netero, and sat down unceremoniously.
His armor clanked with the movement, accentuating his imposing presence.
"Humanity is still too insignificant before the Dark Continent... but this time, I will definitely bring back one of the hopes."
Beyond sat in a bold posture, leaning forward as if to pressure Netero with this stance, declaring in an impassioned tone:
"As long as we succeed once, there will be a second time. One day, I will conquer the entire Dark Continent."
"..."
Netero remained silent.
He didn't think Beyond was boasting.
The Dark Continent was indeed vast and boundless, but it contained countless extraordinary hopes.
Within them truly lay the possibility for humanity to conquer that land in the future.
Take Nitro Rice, for example, it could at least give humanity more time to continue the challenge.
But the prerequisite was... while obtaining "hope," humanity must possess the capability to handle the accompanying "calamity."
Without such ability, recklessly attempting to seize hope from the Dark Continent would only bring immeasurable disaster to humanity.
This principle had always been clear.
But this time, Netero was truly tired.
He no longer had the energy to repeat those long-useless admonitions.
Nor did he have the power to place stronger shackles on Beyond.
This was why Netero could only remain silent now.
Just then, Linne slowly emerged from the kitchen.
She wore an apron, her figure small, yet an intense aura faintly emanated from her, like a master chef of unparalleled skill preparing to precisely dissect fresh ingredients.
Beyond could clearly sense Linne's undisguised hostility but paid it no mind. His gaze remained firmly fixed on the silent Netero.
"Silence won't solve anything, my dear father."
The fervor in Beyond's tone abruptly faded, replaced by an icy calm.
"You now have two choices: remove the Limitation from me, or... I'll kill you right here."
He paused slightly at this point, his eyes as still as a deep pond, showing not a ripple of emotion.
Though he presented choices, he knew all too well in his heart.
This stubborn old man before him, who had once left him helpless, would never compromise.
Even so, he wanted to try... to see if whatever motive had driven Netero to seek Linne for physical recuperation could shake the long-standing restraint placed upon him.
If Netero was willing to yield.
Then he wouldn't have to walk the path of patricide.
"..."
The response to Beyond remained silence.
Beyond watched Netero's persistently silent form with an expressionless face.
"I'll wait for you outside."
Without another word, he suddenly stood up and walked toward the door without looking back.
If Netero had been willing to remove the Limitation, this conflict could have been avoided.
Now it seemed... he had thought too much after all.
A stubborn old man remained a stubborn old man.
He would rather give his life clinging to meaningless principles than yield even slightly.
Utterly ridiculous and pointless.
Beyond had confirmed Netero's choice and clarified what he needed to do next.
He would end his father's life here with his own hands.
About this, he felt not a shred of hesitation.
Conquering the Dark Continent had become the most important thing in his life.
Nearby, Linne frowned deeply, first glancing at Netero's profile before turning her gaze to Beyond's retreating back.
She knew exactly what was about to happen.
Logically, as an old friend, what she should do now was persuade Netero to remove the Limitation on Beyond to avert this imminent father-son death match.
However... Linne had no intention of persuading anyone.
She knew Netero too well.
Precisely because she knew him so well, what she chose instead was to suddenly launch herself at Beyond's back in a surprise attack.
Though aged and physically declined, compared to Netero in his current state, she still surpassed him in both physical strength and Nen intensity.
Moreover, her ambush was sudden.
And when she struck, she completely concealed her aura.
This was fundamental skill for a top Gourmet Hunter like her.
Beyond was striding toward the door, his aura and footsteps unchanged, as if completely unaware of the danger approaching from behind.
His completely unguarded posture allowed Linne to easily bring the poisoned thorn held between her fingers to within threatening distance.
This poisoned thorn came from a toxic creature.
Linne possessed exceptional culinary skills, not only could she transform waste ingredients into treasures, but she could also skillfully handle poisonous ingredients.
By knowing how to separate deadly toxins, she could unlock the healing properties hidden within such ingredients.
Now, the poison thorn separated from such an ingredient had become the most threatening weapon in Linne's hands.
Unfortunately... the sharp tip of the poisoned thorn suddenly froze dozens of centimeters away from Beyond's body, unable to advance even a fraction further. From the scene before her, it didn't seem like the poison needle had struck an invisible barrier. Rather, it appeared as if an unseen hand had firmly caught the poisoned thorn held between Linne's fingers.
"Have you grown senile too, Linne?"
Beyond paused his steps but didn't turn around.
In his view, this Gourmet Hunter standing behind him, who had once journeyed to the Dark Continent with Netero and could be considered the most senior member of the Hunter Association, posed absolutely no threat.
She was ultimately just an elderly woman.
"You deliberately used Zetsu before attacking... Were you afraid I'd react too slowly, so you gave me this warning?"
Leaving behind these slightly mocking words, Beyond didn't pursue the matter of Linne's sneak attack, continuing to walk toward the door without looking back.
Linne slowly widened her somewhat clouded eyes, her brows furrowing deeper.
Her entire right arm now felt as if firmly restrained by an invisible force, a powerful binding sensation making it impossible for her to break free even slightly.
She knew this was Beyond's ability.
A troublesome ability whose presence was difficult to detect and even harder to interrupt.
In her youth, she could have relied on instinct or intuition to sense its trajectory and respond in time.
But now she was old, her perceptions dulled in every aspect... faced with an ability like Beyond's, she probably couldn't last even three exchanges.
That sneak attack just now could be said to be her only chance to resolve Netero's troubles.
But ultimately, she failed to seize it.
Netero was now walking toward the door as well.
As he passed by Linne, he raised his withered, wood-like arm and gently patted her shoulder.
Then, with a calm expression, he followed in Beyond's footsteps.
"Isaac..."
Linne watched Netero's aged back and couldn't help calling out his name.
But before she could continue, Netero waved his hand behind his back without turning.
"..."
Linne hesitated to speak, ultimately letting out a soft sigh.
After having lived for so long... in the end, he remained an Enhancement-type fool.
Linne slightly lowered her head, able to feel the binding force on her arm had disappeared, yet for some reason, she was unwilling to retract her perfectly straight right arm.
—--
A moment later.
After collecting her emotions and stepping outside the cabin, her eyes fell upon Netero and Beyond confronting each other on the grassy shore of the lake.
Linne was powerless to stop this scene from unfolding.
In her view, given Netero's current condition, there was absolutely no way he could withstand Beyond's assault.
She could even guess that Beyond had specifically chosen this timing to seek out Netero.
Linne stared intently at Beyond.
This detestable man... still so cautious, still so cunning and cold.
Always resorting to any means to achieve his goals.
Isaac, wouldn't some appropriate compromise... be better?
Linne's gaze shifted to Netero's deeply sunken eye sockets, finding herself unable to detect even a glimmer of light within them.
If only he would accept the choices Beyond offered...
Just as Linne was filled with sorrow, the auras of Netero and Beyond by the lakeside suddenly surged, then collided across the distance.
The two moved almost simultaneously, but the golden light was still faster.
Even though Netero's body was severely depleted, the speed of his 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva had never failed him.
The moment the golden light flashed, the palm strike had already blasted toward Beyond.
Boom!
A thunderous roar erupted by the lakeside.
Visible white shockwaves of aura exploded layer upon layer before Beyond.
Yet the golden light accompanying the palm strikes amidst those shockwaves shattered like glazed porcelain, dissolving into scattered starlight.
The palm strikes had indeed landed.
But Beyond stood firm as a mountain, utterly unmoved.
"Nothing External to the Mind"
This was an ability that could interfere with reality through sheer willpower.
Once applied in combat, it condensed will into energy entities detached from reality.
It was like a pair of massive hands invisible and untouchable to others.
Only during offense or defense would its form abruptly manifest.
Now, this power was employed by Beyond to withstand the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva's palm strikes, with remarkably effective results.
But the fundamental reason lay in Netero's significantly diminished current state.
Though he could maintain the 100-Type Guanyin's speed through his ability's mechanics, the decline in raw power and destructive force was beyond what mechanics could compensate for.
Feeble and weak.
Beyond's expression remained indifferent.
This duel brought him no sense of accomplishment.
For he had not come to defeat Netero, but simply to break the Limitation restraining him from journeying to the Dark Continent.
That mattered more than anything.
The 100-Type Guanyin's palm strikes lacked the power to breach Beyond's Nothing External to the Mind.
This meant Beyond could assault Netero without restraint.
Thus, judging solely by the first exchange, the battle's outcome seemed clear.
Naturally, Beyond thought so too.
Yet, he had oversimplified matters.
Just as he deemed the 100-Type Guanyin's lethality no longer a threat, conceived an offensive plan, and prepared to act... his strategy shattered the instant he intended to strike.
"100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva: 99th Hand"
Netero assumed a prayer gesture, his gaze tranquil as still water, fixed upon Beyond who had been poised to attack.
Following his line of sight came the 100-Type Guanyin's torrential barrage of palm shadows, relentlessly hammering against every inch of Beyond's body.
Boom, boom, boom...!
Golden palm strikes overflowing with light clashed fiercely with invisible hands concealed within dust and smoke, two opposing Nen abilities, one visible and one hidden, colliding mid-air and sending visible, turbulent waves of air rippling outward.
The potency of Nothing External to the Mind ultimately blocked all of the 100-Type Guanyin's assaults.
In theory, so long as Beyond's will remained steadfast and unshaken, he could sustain this ability at its peak intensity.
Conversely, should his will waver... the ability would lose its required strength, potentially failing to activate at all.
This was the Limitation of Nothing External to the Mind.
But to Beyond, such a restriction was meaningless.
For he was supremely confident, certain nothing in this world could shake his resolve.
Boom, boom, boom...!
The dense sounds of impact reverberated across the field.
Though Nothing External to the Mind could parry the 100-Type Guanyin's attacks, the relentless palm onslaught forcibly stifled Beyond's attempts to counterattack.
Merely a matter of time.
Sheltered within the invisible barrier, Beyond abruptly lifted his head, gazing at the solemn golden Guanyin.
For now, he was indeed powerless, forced into continuous defense.
But he felt no impatience.
For once Netero's aura was exhausted, the outcome would remain unchanged.
Beyond did not seek to defeat Netero, nor did he care about the process of the battle.
He only cared about the outcome.
Thus, the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva's fierce assault poured down like a torrential storm, while the defense of Nothing External to the Mind remained as solid as a rock.
The two were locked in a stalemate.
Until the final moment arrived.
Alas.
Netero let out a soft sigh.
As the last of his Nen was exhausted, the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva behind him slowly dissipated.
Netero paid no mind to the scattering golden light, merely tilting his head to gaze at the sky, his eyes filled with unfulfilled regrets.
An aged body, after all, could not achieve all that he desired.
Watching the 100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva vanish, Beyond still did not retract his Nothing External to the Mind ability, demonstrating extreme caution.
"It ends here, father."
At the final moment, Beyond addressed him as father.
Then, with a wave of his hand, "Nothing External to the Mind: Power Strike"
An invisible force, like an arrow released from its bow, shot straight through Netero's chest.
Netero remained in his skyward gaze, as if having calmly accepted the outcome.
In front of the wooden cabin.
Linne's expression changed abruptly, but she was powerless to intervene.
However, just as the invisible impact was about to pierce through Netero's body, a figure appeared before him as if materializing from thin air.
It was Morrow.
He had long understood why Beyond was so determined to kill Netero.
So when Netero resigned and left the Association building, Morrow naturally had no intention of participating in the so-called chairman election. Instead, he remained vigilant, suspecting that Beyond would likely strike at Netero at this critical juncture.
Originally, his visit was primarily to meet Sanbica in Swardani City.
But as a precaution, he could only apologize to Sanbica and then quietly monitor Netero's movements.
Thus, upon confirming that Beyond had the capability to kill Netero, Morrow immediately took action.
His figure materialized out of nowhere, his gaze sharp as if it could pierce through space, capturing the invisible impact about to emerge from another layer of reality.
Then, he raised his hand and swung his palm.
Without any warning, the lake to the side suddenly erupted with towering waves, as if slashed open by an invisible blade of aura.
It was Morrow, at the very moment the Power Strike manifested in reality, swatting it away. The dispersed remnants transformed into aura waves, directly affecting the lake.
"Hmm?!"
Witnessing this, Beyond's eyes narrowed involuntarily, his heart shaken.
The Power Strike of Nothing External to the Mind had been so easily... swatted away?!
Sensing the tangible pressure emanating from Morrow, Beyond inexplicably recalled their encounter two months prior, feeling an intense sense of unfamiliarity welling up inside him.
Was this really the same person?
No wonder Beyond was so astonished.
Because after dispersing the Power Strike, Morrow did not retract his brilliance but instead allowed the aura around him to surge continuously.
It was an aura stronger than Netero at his peak, and naturally, one that Beyond could not match.
Although he knew Morrow had played a significant role in the Chimera Ant extermination incident... the scene before him far exceeded Beyond's comprehension.
—--
In front of the wooden cabin.
Linne's mind reeled, straining to widen her eyes as she stared at the incredible young figure in the field.
So young, yet possessing such terrifying power... Linne could directly conclude that the aura alone, which stirred the surrounding air currents into turbulence, had already surpassed Netero's peak period.
Splash...
The turmoil on the lake surface gradually subsided, leaving only faint ripples of water sounds.
Netero gazed at Morrow, who had suddenly appeared to resolve the situation for him, feeling equally surprised.
To appear abruptly at this critical juncture... as if he had long anticipated Beyond's actions.
Morrow paid no attention to the gazes from Netero and Linne, merely looking calmly at Beyond, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather:
"Should I give you some time to call that sailor-suited robot girl from last time to help you?"
"..."
Beyond's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.