Wei's grandfather gazed at him with pride, but his expression soon turned stern, laced with concern. "Don't be foolish, Wei Wei. I didn't send you here to rush headlong into death. While I'd love nothing more than to see those wretched demons pay, surpassing this lower realm alone is no small task, let alone wiping out their entire kind. I'd be content if you could carry on the bloodline, even if you stayed here and lived quietly. I have enough resources in this alchemy world to guide you to Earth Supreme and ensure a comfortable life."
Wei's heart swelled with gratitude for his grandfather's care, a warmth that reminded him how fortunate he was to be his grandson. But the old man's resolute expression made him hesitate.
After a moment, he steeled himself and spoke, his voice low. "Grandpa… there's something I haven't told you."
His grandfather waited patiently, floating before him, his translucent form calm as Wei gathered his courage. Looking down, hands clenching nervously, Wei began. "When I used the second level of the soul technique, I gained memories of another life—one with knowledge beyond anything I, or anyone in this universe, could know."
Dread gripped him, and he froze, eyes fixed on the floor. "As expected," his grandfather said gently. "Raise your head, Wei." Wei lifted his gaze slowly, only to flinch as a translucent fist rapped his head in playful rebuke, followed by a gentle ruffle of his hair. "You silly child," his grandfather said, his voice warm. "I knew your soul might carry another's essence when I gave you that technique. I told you then, and I'll say it now—no matter what, you're my grandson. Now, tell me about this knowledge. Where does it come from, and what's its origin?"
Tears pricked at Wei's eyes, but he held them back, moved by his grandfather's unwavering acceptance. He began to speak of Marco, a man from a place called Earth, and the novel The Great Ruler, its sprawling plot unfolding in his words. He explained the story's events, its battles, and its stakes. His grandfather listened intently, occasionally humming or asking a brief question, which Wei answered as best he could.
"I see," his grandfather said when Wei finished. "So, you're saying a battle for the universe's survival looms in the future, and your reincarnation—or time travel—makes you fear the destined path has shifted. Strength is indeed the only truth in such a reality. I'll reluctantly support your pursuit, but everything must go through me. We need to plan carefully, with my experience guiding you."
Wei nodded, his heart lighter. Out of habit, he pulled his grandfather's favorite tea from his storage ring, feeling parched after so much talking. He prepared two cups, setting one before the old man—then froze, realizing his grandfather was a remnant soul. Embarrassed, he reached to take the cup back, only to gape as his grandfather casually sipped the tea. "Huh? Grandpa, how are you drinking that? Can souls taste? Wait—does this mean you… poop?"
Dan Chen burst into laughter, swatting Wei's head again. "You rascal! What kind of talk is that for your grandfather? As for your question, powerful souls can emulate bodily functions, including taste. The food or drink is refined into energy without waste. No need for crude nonsense." A strange look crossed Wei's face at the phrase 'emulate bodily functions', but he quickly banished the thought, wary of another smack. The blows hurt more than he'd expected from a soul.
Seeing Wei behave, his grandfather nodded, satisfied, before his tone grew serious. "This tragedy might hold a silver lining. I sent your mother and Uncle Jin to Diqian Palace to deliver those pills before the attack. They likely survived. I just hope Jin can protect Yu'er—she'll take this loss hard, even with the encrypted message I left about your safety."
The news that his mother and Uncle Jin were likely alive filled Wei with relief and joy, though it was quickly tempered by grief for his father and the fallen clan members. He shook his head to clear the sorrow. "That's good to hear. I'll work hard, seize every chance to reach Earth Supreme."
His grandfather agreed but cautioned, "We know little about this lower realm, so you must be extra careful to avoid trouble. I can't help you craft pills here, so reaching Earth Supreme could take thirty years, even with luck. If we play our cards right and gather key information, we might shorten that time."
A spark of inspiration hit Wei. "Wait, Grandfather—those resurrection pills. Do you have any left?" His grandfather caught his meaning instantly. "I have three remaining, but finding someone worthy of them is no simple task. I lost five of the original ten because the recipients' characters were lacking. Even if we find remnant souls, ensuring they're trustworthy is the challenge."
Wei's mind raced, the details of Battle Through the Heavens flooding back. "Coincidently, I know the future of this continent, and there are several remnant souls here," he said, launching into an explanation of the novel's plot. He detailed its key figures and events until his grandfather interrupted, a strange look in his eyes. "Wait—this world's son practices a technique that devours and combines exotic fires?"
"Yes," Wei replied. "Emperor Yan's Burning Technique was supposedly used by the last Dou Emperor of this world, equivalent to an Earth Supreme, I think." He understood his grandfather's skepticism—even in the Great Thousand Worlds, refining a single exotic fire was perilous, let alone combining multiple.
He continued the story uninterrupted, laying out the full narrative. When he finished, his grandfather spoke thoughtfully. "I assume you're planning around this Yao Chen. He seems trustworthy enough, desperate to join a cause like ours, but we'll need careful strategy to reach that point. I also need to study this realm's energy so you can harness it, learn to interact with it, and display your true power—perhaps even beyond. Stay here for a month. Learn more about this continent, pick up soul tricks from that old lady, and I'll assist with what I can."
Wei nodded, yawning as exhaustion crept in. They'd been talking for hours, possibly days, and he'd been running on fumes for nearly a week. "Alright, Grandpa. Knowing this continent's story gives us an edge, but there are still gaps to fill. I'll rest now and visit you later." He bowed and exited the alchemy world, realizing it was nearly noon outside. He collapsed onto the bed, this time sinking into sleep without nightmares.
In the alchemy world, Dan Chen's eyes held that strange glint again. He lowered his gaze to his hand, murmuring, "Coincidence, huh?"