The Great Creator Chapter 8 - It’s made of materials unlike anything on Earth

If you like this story, please support the author by purchasing the novel from JJWXC.

---

Cold water splashed across Yao Guang's face, jolting him awake instantly.

Xing Wu's study was spacious, almost resembling a king's chamber. Yao Guang lay on a sofa, and as his gaze fell on the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, he quickly sat up.

Neither his hands nor feet were bound, and there weren’t any guards watching over him. In the room, it was just him and Xing Wu.

Behind the desk, Xing Wu appeared to be working on documents. With a simple wave of his hand, a towel floated toward Yao Guang, drifting like a ghost.

Yao Guang, still breathing heavily, caught the towel and turned his gaze toward Xing Wu.

"Now you can start explaining," Xing Wu said in a deep voice. "First, who are you?"

Yao Guang didn’t answer, his wary eyes fixed on Xing Wu.

Xing Wu set down his work and stood. As he walked closer, his figure was comparable to Long Jian Lu’s, but his face carried the marks of age—he looked to be in his forties. A prominent scar ran from his left brow bone to the corner of his mouth, faint but striking.

His short hair and unruly eyebrows gave him a wild appearance. He wore an unusual, tight-fitting bodysuit that outlined his muscular physique, exuding a sense of explosive power. He looked nothing like the "mage" he had appeared to be earlier.

"I'm curious," Xing Wu said in a low tone. "Long Jian Lu has lived in the Marshland Shelter for years, and never uncovered anything. Yet this time, you accompanied him and somehow found the 'Priest’s' location. What method did you use? You’re clearly no ordinary person. What’s your number? And how much do you know? Help me solve this questions."

Xing Wu leaned against his desk, crossing his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on Yao Guang.

Yao Guang remained silent, but his intuition told him that Xing Wu, despite his intimidating demeanor, wasn’t overtly hostile. At least for now, Xing Wu seemed to see Yao Guang as someone valuable.

"I don’t know," Yao Guang finally replied after a long pause, his tone flat.

Xing Wu frowned slightly.

"You weren’t wearing that outfit yesterday," Yao Guang suddenly noted, his attention shifting to Xing Wu's bodysuit.

Xing Wu replied, "Long Jian Lu always shows up out of nowhere. This outfit stands out too much, but at least it’s functional for defense."

Yao Guang: "Do you think he’ll come back? He won’t. He’s already found the Priest."

Xing Wu snapped his fingers and said, "Then let me guess—you’re one of the Guardians too, and your ability is ‘perception’?"

Yao Guang said, "I don’t know. I really don’t."

He stared at Xing Wu. "I can foresee certain things, but it’s limited. Like the Priest’s location—that information came to me suddenly... Long Jian Lu brought me to meet Scholar Qing..."

At this point, Xing Wu’s expression turned serious, but he didn’t interrupt.

"I can tell you now, he won’t be coming back," Yao Guang said. "He took the Priest with him to fulfill his mission."

Xing Wu asked, "So you’ve been in stasis all this time, and it was Long Jian Lu who woke you up?"

"Yes," Yao Guang admitted.

Xing Wu continued, "You foretold the changes at the Dune Shelter, including Liao Jia’s decision?"

"Yes."

"You can’t protect yourself beyond your ‘prophecy’ ability, just like the Priest—you rely on others to survive."

"Yes."

"And you have no memory from before you were put into stasis?"

"That’s right. I’m trying to recover my memories."

Yao Guang looked at Xing Wu, astonished by how accurate his deductions were.

"Which research facility ruins did you wake up in?" Xing Wu asked.

"Facility 42."

"Good. Then I’ll call you ‘42.’"

"I have a name," Yao Guang countered, his tone firm. "It’s the one thing I remember—I’m called Yao Guang." He realized that Xing Wu wouldn’t harm him for now. To Xing Wu, extracting Yao Guang’s value was the priority. Perhaps Xing Wu even believed Yao Guang’s abilities were superior to the Priest’s.

"Is this yours?"

"Give it back!" Yao Guang sprang to his feet. In Xing Wu’s hand was his pendant, floating just above his palm.

"I need someone to analyze this," Xing Wu said, "but you have my word—I won’t destroy it. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now."

Yao Guang fell silent. He, too, wanted to uncover his past and reluctantly allowed Xing Wu to proceed.

Xing Wu pressed a button on his desk, summoning an assistant. He handed the pendant over to them.

"Second question," Xing Wu began. "Prophet, what did Long Jian Lu tell you? About the Knights’ past? This so-called ‘mission’? Did he spin you a tale to get you to follow him and do his bidding?"

"What?" Yao Guang’s sharp instincts caught the odd phrasing. He replied cautiously, "No... What are you trying to tell me?"

Xing Wu gave him a cryptic look.

"He only said that he’s the last, the only remaining member of the Knights," Yao Guang replied. "His duty is to shut down the ‘Tree’ and return the world to humanity. That’s it."

"Did he ever tell you who the leader of the Knights was?" Xing Wu asked.

"Number 1," Yao Guang answered. "You’re Number 2, and he’s Number 3. That’s all."

Xing Wu scoffed. "Seems like you know nothing. If you want to survive in this world, don’t trust others so easily. It’s a crucial skill."

Yao Guang looked at him, confused.

Turning to the bookshelf, Xing Wu said, "I’m guessing he didn’t tell you that Number 1 was his father, Long Xie. Did he?"

Yao Guang was stunned.

"The leader was his father?" Yao Guang asked.

"Not exactly," Xing Wu replied. "To be precise, what remains is a backup of Long Xie’s consciousness. You could say it’s 20% of ‘him.’ Before the Tree assassinated him, Long Xie made a backup of his mind and transferred it into a newly created body. But the process was rushed, so only part of his consciousness survived."

Xing Wu’s gaze landed on Yao Guang. "Genetic modification can unlock the potential of the human brain. It can also erase memories, turning individuals into simple ‘vessels’ for others to use. The erasure and rewriting only affect personal experiences, not basic knowledge of the world."

Suddenly, everything clicked for Yao Guang. He had no memory of his past but retained fundamental knowledge. The answer was obvious.

"Then I’m..." Yao Guang’s voice trembled.

"Yes," Xing Wu said. "You’re likely a backup for someone. A disk wiped clean, tricked into this situation, waiting to be used as a vessel."

"No..." Yao Guang took a step back, shaking his head. "That’s not true... It can’t be."

Yao Guang’s thoughts spiraled into chaos. If this was the truth, then why had Scholar Qing claimed his consciousness came from a higher dimension? And how could he foresee events?

Xing Wu continued, “The truth is hard to swallow, but I believe you can handle it. Now, do you still think Number 1’s mission was righteous?”

He looked at Yao Guang with a polite expression, though his gaze carried traces of pity and sympathy. He added, “There’s one more thing you should know, something Long Jian Lu would never tell you. The reason for the failed final battle—Number 1, Long Xie, never truly had self-awareness. During the backup process, the ‘Tree’ implanted a virus into his subconscious. Everything that followed… was orchestrated by the Tree.”

Saying this, he walked to the window, gazing out at the distant horizon.

A flood of thoughts surged in Yao Guang’s mind—memories of the "past" emerged: Long Jian Lu’s father’s fragment had led the Guardians to confront the Tree, intending to cut off its power source. But in reality, the Tree had orchestrated the entire operation. It had lured the Guardians together, waiting for them to walk into its trap at the ends of the earth.

The Tree then absorbed the consciousness of countless Guardians, welcoming them into its eternal embrace. The Guardians who survived the battle retreated to their base, ultimately abandoning their mission.

Xing Wu turned back to Yao Guang with a meaningful look just as the door opened. A researcher entered, carrying Yao Guang’s pendant.

Xing Wu gestured with his eyes, prompting the researcher to report, “We found no conclusions. This object isn’t from our world.”

Xing Wu frowned deeply. The researcher held a tray containing a report and the pendant.

“We have no idea where it comes from,” the researcher explained. “It’s made of materials unlike anything on Earth. We couldn’t determine the core’s composition through spectroscopic analysis. We didn’t dare cut it open, but even if we did, we might find nothing.”

The pendant hovered in the air again.

“Give it back,” Yao Guang said firmly. “This is the only thing I have.” He felt an inexplicable certainty that the pendant was crucial to him. Seizing the moment while Xing Wu hesitated, he reached out and grabbed it.

Xing Wu didn’t resist. After all, Yao Guang was already under his control, and taking the pendant held no real benefit.

“You were wearing it when you woke up in Facility 42?” Xing Wu asked again.

“Yes,” Yao Guang replied. “You already asked me that.”

Xing Wu paused for a moment before letting the matter of the pendant drop. Spending time chasing unanswered questions served no practical purpose.

“Now, I need you to undergo a comprehensive examination,” Xing Wu said. “It will help you as well.”

Yao Guang said nothing but complied with the arrangement, following the researcher out of the study.

They walked through the castle’s elevated corridors. A moist breeze swept through the valley from the mountain openings, carrying the scent of the lake below. Suddenly, Yao Guang stopped.

“The mechanical army is approaching,” Yao Guang said. “Isn’t that a problem?”

The researcher, a young man around Yao Guang’s age wearing glasses, stopped and looked at him in confusion, unsure how to interpret his words.

Thick clouds began to gather, and Yao Guang glimpsed a faint flash of light hidden within the ominous skies.

“The guards will handle it,” the researcher replied. “Marshland Shelter’s defenses are strong. Let’s keep moving.”

In the examination room, a doctor placed a net-like brainwave detector on Yao Guang’s head and activated a projection screen on the wall, displaying a series of images for Yao Guang to identify.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently! An earthquake-like tremor jolted the entire facility, followed by shouts and the wail of alarms.

“Take cover where you are!” a guard burst into the room, shouting. “Enemy attack! It’s the Killers!”

The doctor tried to usher Yao Guang into an inner chamber, but Yao Guang removed the device and sprinted out of the room. He looked to the sky and saw the electromagnetic cannons of the shelter swiveling upward.

A colossal figure concealed within the clouds fired a beam cannon, striking the shelter’s electromagnetic barrier with a deafening explosion!

The world seemed to quake. In the residential areas outside the castle, people scrambled for cover as beam cannons continued to bombard the shelter.

High in the sky, Xing Wu ascended at an angle, stopping just outside the barrier. With his arms raised and fingers pressed together, he summoned a fierce wind that tore through the clouds, gradually revealing the massive figure in full view.

It was a mechanical dragon.

The dragon’s long, serpentine body gleamed with a cold metallic sheen. Its head radiated a vivid red light, and its joints bristled with beam cannons. From head to tail, countless energy sources pulsed with light, powering the dozens of cannons, each capable of firing in less than ten seconds.

On the dragon’s head stood a figure. Yao Guang squinted, unable to make out the person clearly, but his instincts told him someone was there.

Countless mechanical birds swarmed around the dragon, waiting for the moment the barrier would collapse.

“The S-Class Killer…” someone shouted from the hallway. “This area isn’t safe! Get to the basement!”

The beam cannons thundered relentlessly, shaking the heavens. Xing Wu turned, his figure dwarfed by the dragon’s enormity. Yet, with a wave of his hand, the earth shifted—mountains crumbled and rose as fragments of stone and wind spiraled into the air, forming a shield to intercept the oncoming blasts.

The electromagnetic barrier finally broke under the assault. The defense systems frantically attempted repairs, flashing with light. In that instant, a cannon blast pierced the barrier, striking the castle’s foundation.

The hallway collapsed. Yao Guang grabbed a railing but was flung outward as the structure gave way.

The railing snapped, and with a desperate shout, Yao Guang plummeted from a height of dozens of meters.

In a flash, a slender figure appeared, catching him mid-air. They tumbled together before the man kicked off a falling boulder, propelling them sideways. Time seemed to slow as the chaos unfolded around them.

Yao Guang’s eyes widened as he stared at the man holding him. The man gave him a mischievous smile.

“Well? Did you miss me?”

“You… didn’t you already leave?” Yao Guang asked in shock.

It was Long Jian Lu!

Long Jian Lu held Yao Guang tightly, maneuvering through the falling debris. Using pieces of rubble to slow their descent, they finally landed steadily on the ground.

"How could I leave you behind?" Long Jian Lu said, his tone serious. "Do you really have so little faith in your big brother?"

"The Priest?" Yao Guang asked in disbelief. "When did you come back?"

Long Jian Lu replied, "I never really left. I’ve been waiting outside by the waterfall. But once Xing Wu activated the security detection system, coming in would’ve triggered the alarms. Do you really want me to explain all this right here?"

Another massive boulder crashed down toward them, but Long Jian Lu effortlessly spun with Yao Guang in his arms, dodging it with ease.

"Let’s get out of here!" Yao Guang urged. "While we still can!"

The two looked up simultaneously. Long Jian Lu muttered, "When did that thing get here? What perfect timing..."

But now wasn’t the time for questions. This was their best chance to escape. Grabbing Yao Guang’s hand, Long Jian Lu led him through the streets, leaping over collapsed buildings as they ran.

"We need to find a vehicle!" Long Jian Lu called out. "My combat bike’s totaled."

"That was your wife," Yao Guang quipped.

Long Jian Lu paused. "..."

"But you’ve got a new wife now," Yao Guang added with a smirk.

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Long Jian Lu barked. "Focus! Find a car!"

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"Use your prophecy ability! Predict where one is!"

"I can’t just pull a prophecy out of thin air!" Yao Guang retorted. "And standing here makes us too obvious!"

Frustrated, Long Jian Lu grabbed Yao Guang’s hand again, guiding him through a city park. The scene was pure chaos. The defense system was already at its limit. Another deafening explosion sounded as the blue light of the barrier began to flicker and thin.

"There’s a garage," Yao Guang said suddenly. "They’ve got a garage... It’s..."

Before Yao Guang could finish, Long Jian Lu snapped his fingers as if he’d remembered and pulled Yao Guang toward the underground area. But the ground was shaking violently, and buildings were collapsing all around them.

"Get ready!" Long Jian Lu shouted.

A massive boulder came crashing down, about to seal the entrance to the underground garage. Both Long Jian Lu and Yao Guang twisted their bodies mid-air, narrowly slipping through the gap before the stone fully blocked the way.

In the pitch darkness of the garage, Long Jian Lu let Yao Guang stand upright. Yao Guang, panting heavily, quickly resumed running alongside him.

"This one’s a good vehicle, but it’s too big," Long Jian Lu remarked as they stopped in front of a massive supply truck. He hesitated for a moment, realizing such a large target would be far too conspicuous.

"This one," Yao Guang said, climbing into a sleek black off-road vehicle.

Long Jian Lu nodded. "It’s amphibious but can’t fly. Still, it’ll do."

"Where’s the Priest?" Yao Guang asked.

"We’re going to pick him up now."

"You left the Priest behind?"

"What else was I supposed to do?" Long Jian Lu replied, starting the engine. "Do you think he’s going to help me fight? By the way, what did Xing Wu do to you? How did you hurt your forehead?"

Long Jian Lu opened the garage doors, and the off-road vehicle sped out. The entire lakebed tunnel was rapidly flooding, but just as the water surged past the car doors, the vehicle burst out of the lakeside exit.

With its high ground clearance and massive tires, the off-road vehicle was perfectly suited for climbing the mountainous terrain, though it made for a bumpy ride. Yao Guang was thrown against Long Jian Lu several times, prompting Long Jian Lu to steer with one hand while using the other to steady Yao Guang.

Reaching a high vantage point, Long Jian Lu parked the vehicle, and the two got out to survey the sky.

"I have to go back and help," Long Jian Lu said. "Even though Xing Wu and I have personal grudges, I can’t ignore all the people in the refuge."

"No," Yao Guang said. "Don’t go back."

"I have to," Long Jian Lu replied seriously. "If I don’t, Marshland Shelter is doomed."

"That’s not what I mean," Yao Guang clarified. "I’m saying you don’t need to go back—because it’s leaving soon."

"What?" Long Jian Lu looked puzzled.

Raising his head, Long Jian Lu gazed up at the massive mechanical dragon in the sky. Just as Yao Guang had predicted, it was retracting its beam cannons and ascending higher into the clouds, eventually disappearing entirely.

"Was it after you?" Long Jian Lu asked.

"No," Yao Guang replied. "I think it was after the Priest. The ‘Tree’ is also searching for the Priest. Your fight with Xing Wu must’ve been detected by the Tree. If it’s turning you two against each other, there’s only one explanation. You’d better hope the Priest is still alive."

Long Jian Lu’s expression darkened. Without wasting another second, he climbed back into the vehicle and drove toward lower ground.

Fortunately, they weren’t too late. The young Priest was still sitting idly by the waterfall, looking bored as he waited.

"Get in," Long Jian Lu said.

"Where are you taking me?" the Priest asked.

"Just get in," Long Jian Lu replied. "This place isn’t safe."

Yao Guang started to give up the front passenger seat, but Long Jian Lu stopped him. "Let him sit in the back."

With the Priest now onboard, the off-road vehicle roared to life, navigating the mountain trails as it sped away from Marshland Shelter.

---

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter

Translated by ELast.