Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 602: The Possibility of a Win-Win With the Blind Woman

Zhao Changhe, still basking in his “sage mode,” found no real regrets about the current state of affairs. This was truly a time to settle down and digest the fruits of their voyage and its many blessings.

Xia Chichi’s rushed enlightenment on Skyrim Island had indeed been a wasted opportunity. With the insights gained from defeating the Sea Emperor and the power unlocked through their recent dual cultivation, she would surely reap great benefits by revisiting it with a clearer focus.

As for himself, staying here was the logical choice. Lady Three still needed healing, and there was no point in debating which side to accompany. For now, the seas were calm, and with Xia Chichi’s strength, she faced no dangers venturing out alone.

Turning his attention inward, Zhao Changhe examined his own progress. Chichi’s vital yin was not far behind Lady Three’s in quality, and it had given him another significant boost.

His advancement through the second layer of the Profound Mysteries was now about two-thirds of the way done. If each layer could be divided into early, mid, and late stages, he was just brushing against the threshold of the late stage. It still fell short of where Tang Wanzhuang, Vermillion Bird, or Lady Three had been when he first encountered them.

However, this was no surprise. After all, his breakthrough into the second layer of the Profound Mysteries was recent, occurring only three months ago when he left the Ancient Spirit Tribe. From the perspective of such a short timespan, his progress was simply extraordinary. He would’ve been hard-pressed to get enough XP even in a normal game, let alone something as monumental as the Profound Mysteries. The energy required was leagues beyond what was needed for the Profound Gates, not something that could typically be amassed in just a few months.

Take Hai Changkong, for instance. At this same stage, his physical body had already begun to age, and he had lost hope for further breakthroughs. He understood the vast amount of time and energy required for the next step—a task beyond his body’s capabilities.

This was why early cultivation and rapid progress were critical. On the Ranking of Hidden Dragons, age and cultivation speed were key indicators of potential.

Given the efficiency Zhao Changhe had displayed, it was downright absurd. Two months of progress like his? If Hai Changkong knew, he might just cry. What Hai Changkong treated as a lifelong, unattainable goal, Zhao Changhe had nearly closed the gap on in mere months.

The difference came from his circumstances: the heavenly treasures of Skyrim Island, the dual cultivation with Lady Three and Xia Chichi, and the crucible of high-stakes battles. In just two months, Zhao Changhe had experienced challenges that others might never encounter in their lifetimes, resulting in a monstrous level of growth.

As for what came next...

His body was now so infused with vicious blood qi that it had practically become a tangible energy, deeply integrated into his flesh and blood, amplifying his physical strength. Within his soul sea, the vicious qi had even coalesced into the image of a vengeful spirit—a manifestation of the vicious blood qi born from his feat of slaying a god. This was the true essence of Scattering the Gods and Buddhas. This should have brought qualitative improvements to the aura that he could release when using the ultimate technique. If he unleashed that very aura now, weaker cultivators would likely be unable to withstand it at all.

He believed that this was also the key to breaking through to the third layer of the Profound Mysteries. With this foundation having already been established, there should no longer be any barriers left to stop him.

In hindsight, it was sheer fortune. After all, where would someone even find a god to kill? At best, killing someone at the Profound Control Realm might suffice, but the Sea Emperor had been the perfect target.

It was not hard to imagine the frustration that the members of the Blood God Cult would feel upon learning about these conditions. Having to kill someone at the Profound Control Realm in order to advance from the second layer of the Profound Mysteries to the third? What was different from asking elementary school students to solve advanced calculus? Back in the Blood God’s prime, when those in the Profound Control Realm were abundant, perhaps such conditions were achievable. But in this era? Good luck.

Even his Dragon Soul Bow seemed affected by the transformation. Now faintly wreathed in blood-colored energy, it exuded a divine aura. It had become a god-slaying weapon, and it was likely in the process of developing its own spirit within. Zhao Changhe made a mental note to retrieve the arrow he had used to slay the Sea Emperor. That particular arrow, steeped in its triumph, would undoubtedly surpass the others as a trump card.

With everything in place, the only thing he lacked was time—time, time, and more time.

The ideal plan would be to remain here, continuing dual cultivation and refining the medicinal ingredients brought from Skyrim Island. Another two months of such routine would not guarantee a breakthrough to the third layer, but it would easily bring him to the level of Vermillion Bird or Black Tortoise when he had first arrived in this world.

However, if he lingered here for two months, the world would move on without him.

He glanced over at Lady Three, who had already drifted off to sleep. Settling himself, Zhao Changhe took out the five pages of the Heavenly Tome he had, directing his spirit into its world. He wanted to see what new insights the Heavenly Tome might reveal.

The moment Zhao Changhe stepped into the world of the Heavenly Tome a foot flew out of nowhere and kicked him flat on his back.

Who was this fierce general, to kick a god-slayer so hard he could not even dodge?

Zhao Changhe rolled over and got up quickly. He looked up and saw that it was none other than the blind woman.

The gap in their power was still enormous as ever.

The blind woman expressionlessly rubbed her fist. “Before, when you used that thing, I could at least pretend you were experimenting. No matter the method, I didn’t mind, and I held back. But now that you clearly know it’s me and you still pulled that stunt, this is intentional disrespect. Do you want to die?”

Her words were elegant, but the truth was simpler: back then, she could not reveal herself, so she had no choice but to endure.

Zhao Changhe chuckled. “It’s a habit, just a habit. The Heavenly Tome is soft now—wouldn’t it be a waste not to use it like that?”

Her teeth ground audibly. “Do you really think I won’t kill you?”

Of course, you won’t kill me—at least, not now. You still need me to get stronger. Zhao Changhe thought to himself, though his expression remained disarmingly frank. “Now, now, it’s not disrespect, blindie—”

“I’m waiting for your excuse,” she interrupted icily.

Zhao Changhe said, “I actually think that... uh... that stuff might be nourishing the Heavenly Tome. When I first got the golden foil, it never reacted. But after I started, well, using it, the Heavenly Tome began to show signs of life. You said it was anger that awakened it, but clearly, that was not true. The spirit of the tome is standing right in front of me—what need was there for rage to unseal it? After thinking it through, I figured that stuff might have provided some kind of nourishment.”

The blind woman’s mouth twitched as her laughter turned into seething fury. “Nourishment?! What, protein or something?!”

Zhao Changhe leaned back defensively. “Oh, so you’re a scientist now?”

She snapped, “The golden foil was inert back then because you weren’t even remotely qualified to use it. That page is the cornerstone of all martial arts—it encompasses the principles of everything under heaven. Even now, you’re using it to deduce the Sea Emperor’s techniques. Do you think someone merely at the fourth layer of the Profound Gate, like you back then, had the right to even make use of its functions? No! I simply tolerated your nonsense, bent the rules, and forced it open for you! You think your antics worked? It had nothing to do with your ridiculous experiments!”

Zhao Changhe winced internally. What a pitiful blindie... To endure such humiliation, smeared with... well, you know, and still swallow her pride to help me unlock the golden foil. The mental image alone is...

Bang!

Another kick sent him tumbling backward. Groaning, Zhao Changhe muttered, “So when you said the tome grew furious and wanted to kill me after unsealing, that was actually true, huh...”

She responded with a cold sneer, offering no further comment.

“Fine, fine, I won’t do it again, okay? Forgive me for being a clueless bumpkin who didn’t know what kind of energy the tome actually needed. I thought it was helping, so I kept doing it. If you’d told me earlier it didn’t work, I would’ve stopped right away.” Zhao Changhe sighed. “So this was all just a misunderstanding...”

Both of them knew better.

Zhao Changhe had done it on purpose. After all, who would not have a temper if they were grabbed from their world and forced into life-and-death struggles as a pawn, all while painfully aware that one day, when his usefulness ran out, she might discard him to take the Heavenly Tome by force, or worse. Who could say what other sinister schemes she was hiding?

Still, for now, he kept his face neutral and his tone calm, even though the tension between them lingered like a storm waiting to break.

If Zhao Changhe were to be killed, it would not be over something as petty as humiliation or anger. Whether she was furious or not, the end result would remain the same.

Still, emotions are always at play. After spending so much time with the blind woman and benefiting greatly from her help, Zhao Changhe could not deny the truth. He had profited immensely in this world. His name resounded across the land, he had unmatched beauties like Lady Three and Xia Chichi by his side, and he stood on the cusp of being revered as a king. Back in his old world, what were the odds of such a life? Of attracting such companions or commanding such respect?

His initial resentment and defiance toward her had waned. Now, his thoughts turned toward the possibility of mutual benefit, of finding a way to achieve a balance between their goals. He was starting to wonder if there might even be a win-win outcome for the both of them.

Constantly provoking and angering her was childish and meaningless—a rebellion without a cause.

With this clarity, Zhao Changhe spoke, “Blindie, I know I’m just a tool in your eyes right now. But I’m on track to challenge the Ranking of Heaven within the next two years. Even with the Heavenly Tome’s aid, you must admit I’m not lacking in my own abilities. Give me two more years, and I’m confident I’ll reach a point where no one can look down on me. When that time comes, I hope you’ll speak plainly. We might find a way to work together.”

The blind woman’s expression remained neutral, her tone calm. “Why the sudden turn to sweet words? Where was this attitude before?”

Zhao Changhe sighed. “When it came to saving Lady Three, you could have easily stayed silent, pretended to know nothing, and let me fend for myself. There’s no way I could have forced you to intervene. Yet, you taught me what I needed to save her. Just for that, you’ve earned my respect. So, if you ask me to show you respect, I will.”

The blind woman’s expression did not change, nor did she respond immediately.

“But. As I’ve said before to both Wanzhuang and Yangyang, understanding goes both ways. I hope to have your respect as well.”

She let out a faint chuckle. “That depends on whether you’re worthy of it.”

The blind woman had only come to settle her grievances over the incident with the Heavenly Tome. Now that Zhao Changhe had promised not to repeat it, she did not see the point in lingering. Her form began to fade as she spoke one final time.

“These two pages of the Heavenly Tome are no less important than the general outline or Xia Longyuan’s page. And what did you do with them after obtaining them? Just wasted your time playing around...”

Her voice was cold as she disappeared completely. “Whether you deserve my respect is not something I can answer at this time.”