I! Cleaner!-Chapter 1096 - 1011: Since Things Have Come to This... All In!
"Yesterday's Residence?"
Reflecting for a moment on the peculiar building he had visited while impersonating an Ophiuchus board member, Leon frowned and said:
"That doesn't seem right?
If the Old King has returned, then sealing the present world temporarily might be understandable, but for it to block the entire present world from an unknown distance within the Old Soil, simply by using a palace imbued with truth? Are the Supreme Four Pillars Gods that powerful?"
"The Supreme Four Pillars Gods alone certainly can't do it. However, besides their own truths, they possess some 'treasures' that originally belonged to us humans."
Taurus board member said helplessly:
"The Old King holds the 'Link' snatched from our ancestors, so it didn't lock the present world. It merely used a treasure originally ours to temporally dislodge human time.
So this seal is specifically targeted at humans. Only humans get sent 24 hours back when going through the 'Yesterday's Residence,' while other species remain unaffected, and can come and go normally."
Only targeting humans?
After some thought, Leon proposed:
"If it only restricts humans, I remember there are plenty of anomaly items in the secret vault capable of temporarily altering one's race, transforming humans into beasts or even demons; perhaps using those anomaly items…"
"Cancer has already tried this method, but it was still returned by the temporal aspect of the 'Yesterday's Residence.'"
Taurus board member shook his head and said:
"The Old King, using the 'Link,' directly locks onto humanity itself. Those anomaly items can change one's race, but it's still humans who 'use' them. The core entity remains unchanged, unable to escape the lock of the 'Yesterday's Residence.'"
"I see…"
Leon nodded slightly upon hearing this, and then with a look of realization, he said:
"So you urgently called me here to test if the Serpent's Secret Skill can deceive the 'Yesterday's Residence'?"
"Yes."
Seeing Leon come up with the idea even before they suggested it, the two board members exchanged a glance, and then the Cancer board member nodded, answering with admiration:
"Joan and I indeed think so… The Old King locks onto humanity, so anomaly items driven by humans naturally can't escape this lock. However, users of the Serpent's Secret Skill can integrate themselves into the anomaly item, even almost perfectly transforming into another race.
And Olivia told us you once used the transformative effect of the Serpent's Secret Skill to disguise yourself as an Ophiuchus board member, entering the 'Yesterday's Residence,' and maintained it until the point of ascending to godhood when you were exposed. So this time you should be able to bypass the lock of the 'Yesterday's Residence,' hence…"
"So the candidates to support Heavenly Mountain this time are just me and the Ophiuchus board member?"
"Actually… the candidate is only you…"
Noticing Leon's slightly furrowed brows, the Taurus board member said softly with a guilty expression:
"The Ophiuchus board member has already begun creating the divine kingdom on earth and has integrated with the old site of East Carleighwen Kingdom, making it impossible for him to leave from there, so he likely can't offer you any support."
"..."
"Aquarius, whether or not to go to Heavenly Mountain, you should decide for yourself, without considering our thoughts."
The Cancer board member seriously advised:
"Although the fragment of 'Lifespan' that could let humanity live an additional forty years is important, you are the future of the Zodiac Bureau and humanity. A piece of 'Lifespan' isn't worth risking your life for.
Joan and I are uncertain of your current strength. If, after assessing the situation, you feel it's feasible to try, we'll fully support you. If you find it too dangerous, we completely understand as well.
Also, don't feel pressured. The notion that the Serpent's Secret Skill can bypass Yesterday's Residence is only known to the three of us. If you decide it's inappropriate to support, we'll keep this to ourselves and won't ever speak of it."
"Indeed!"
Upon agreeing, the Taurus board member looked at Leon, who appeared to be pondering, and added with slight concern:
"Additionally, even if you decide to go to Heavenly Mountain, remember not to take unnecessary risks! It doesn't matter if the 'Lifespan' fragment can't be retrieved, but your safety is paramount."
"I'll seriously think about it… though there are some things I need to confirm."
After listening to the advice of the Taurus and Cancer board members, Leon thought it over and then asked:
"You both mentioned that the Blue King and Red King also chased from the Old Soil; if I don't go, will the board members Virgo and Scorpio, who are returning with the 'Lifespan' fragment, along with Capricorn and the directors at Heavenly Mountain, be in danger?"
"You don't need to worry about their safety."
The Cancer board member shook his head upon hearing this:
"Although not as strong as you, the senior board members have been part of the Zodiac Bureau for several decades, each possessing at least one means of surviving danger.
While they aren't a match for the Blue King and Red King, they can easily escape by discarding the 'Lifespan' fragment, regardless of your decision to intervene or not."
"Understood."
Nodding slightly, Leon continued to inquire:
"For the next matter… I want to know about the strength of the Blue King and Red King. Exactly how powerful are they?
If a third-generation director without the augmentation of the Twelve Star Palace, unable to utilize the Sunshine Wheel, and with a Contamination Value reduced to my level, were to face them one-on-two, could they compete?"
"That's difficult to say…"
After listening to Leon, the Taurus board member hesitantly replied:
"While the Supreme Four Pillars Gods haven't surpassed the Pillar God level, the world principles they control are far more dangerous than ordinary Pillar Gods. Even a third-generation director in peak condition would struggle to escape their truths.
However, conversely, both you and the third-generation director possess the 'Colorful Palm' ability, which can easily tear through or destroy regulations. If they fall into your trap, they will also suffer greatly."
I see, the 'Root of Color' and 'World Principles' are basically equivalent in level. Whoever gets caught by the other's ability first is doomed—even if they don't die, they'll be severely weakened, losing the ability to counterattack shortly afterward.
Nodding to indicate his comprehension of the situation, Leon's eyebrows slightly raised.
"If I can conceal my identity and find a way to sneak up on them, taking down either the Blue King or Red King preemptively, wouldn't that imply a guaranteed victory for us?"
"..."
"..."
Huh?!?
Upon hearing Leon's plan to launch a surprise attack on the Supreme Four Pillars Gods, the minds of the two board members went blank momentarily before they collectively stared at Leon in amazement.
After waiting several seconds and receiving no response, Leon frowned slightly.
"What's wrong? Isn't ambushing a normal tactic? What's so strange about it?"
