NOVEL NEXT Ch. 267
Translator: AkazaTL
Proofreader/Editor: JWyck
***
Chapter 267
The subsequent plot was straightforward—Zhou Renjie was gravely injured, and everyone agreed to head to Vixi Holy Land early to seek a cure through the All-Knowing Conch.
Notably, Si Zhaohua’s initial proposal sparked heated discussion in the comments. Some supported him, others found it problematic.
Su Bei didn’t need to look to know the controversy. Si Zhaohua’s plan to hire test subjects was essentially buying lives with money.
Legally, it wasn’t restricted, especially in the Ability world, where laws were looser and wealth abundant, making such acts common.
But it wasn’t without issues. Basic reasoning said it should be stopped for the majority’s benefit. The rich were few, and “voluntary” was subjective. Together, they harmed ordinary people’s interests.
For Si Zhaohua, it was a desperate measure—he couldn’t sacrifice Zhou Renjie’s life for principles. He could ensure his hires were truly voluntary. If others misused the precedent, was that his fault? Zhou Renjie’s life outweighed that.
Rationally, Su Bei disapproved, viewing it from an ordinary person’s perspective, despite his class leap. It undeniably hurt the masses.
Practically, he wouldn’t stop Si Zhaohua. In a pinch, he’d do the same—what else could Si Zhaohua do?
Su Bei didn’t forget Si Zhaohua’s initial arrogance despite his current approachability. He was a good person, but his upbringing shaped him indelibly.
The author clearly wanted to touch on this issue lightly, not dive deep, or they wouldn’t have offered a third option. Su Bei guessed it was riffing on a real-world hot topic for clout.
Closing the manga, Su Bei opened the forum. New posts abounded—Mo Xiaotian’s mole reveal fueled high engagement. Of five posts, three were about the shock. Surprisingly, his Prophet post from the last update was a hot thread, with tons of replies.
No surprise there—he’d nailed the prediction.
Though he knew the direction, he checked it. His own post needed monitoring.
[Prophet Post: Mole Speculation]
[ProphetNo.0: … (Review yourself)]
[No.1: Wow, Prophet! Long time no see!]
[No.2: So many words.]
[No.3: Prophet backs Xiaotian as the mole? Did I guess wrong?]
[No.4: Such detailed analysis. This is the best take I’ve seen on this.]
[No.5: If it’s Prophet posting, why bother? Drop a conclusion, and scholars will debate for you.]
[No.6: How’s it Xiaotian? So sunny—how’s he a mole?]
[No.7: Hahaha, knew it was Mo Xiaotian! Su Bei’s moves scream not-a-mole.]
[No.8: Yes! Su Bei’s cleared!]
[No.9: So glad Su Bei’s not the mole!]
[No.10: Happy Su Bei’s clear, sad Xiaotian’s the mole. I’m torn.]
[…]
[No.42: So, settled? It’s Mo Xiaotian? Why trust Prophet? His analysis is solid, but it’s just one view. Some parts feel conspiratorial.]
[No.43: North fans, don’t pop champagne early—you might get slapped.]
[No.44 replying to No.42: It’s Prophet! His [Prophet Post] never misses. Every guess comes true.]
[No.45: Questioning who? Prophet’s predictions?]
[No.46 replying to No.44: That accurate?]
[No.47 replying to No.46: Check his post history.]
[…]
[No.121: Boom! Prophet’s prediction holds, as always.]
[No.122: Worthy of Prophet—Mo Xiaotian really is the mole…]
[No.123: Looking back, Prophet’s analysis was spot-on!]
[No.124: Revisiting this a week later, so many feelings.]
[No.125: Xiaotian’s the mole—how many got slapped?]
[No.125: Author, how cruel to make Xiaotian the mole.]
[No.127: Who’ll doubt Prophet’s accuracy now?]
[No.128 replying to No.127: Nobody’s doubting ()]
[…]
No issues in the post. Su Bei relaxed, checking new threads. Mo Xiaotian’s posts offered nothing new—readers knew less than him. He skipped the shock posts, opening one about himself.
[Su Bei’s in Destiny. Never Confirmed Before, But It Feels “Of Course”]
[FlowerWorldDazzlesNo.0: A comment said, “Destiny fits fate, perfect.” It does! When Destiny appeared, people guessed Su Bei was in it. He’s a total intel dealer!]
[No.1: Super fitting.]
[No.2: My North’s no longer a lone wolf!]
[No.3: Fanfic became canon. So much Destiny-Su Bei fanfic—now it’s real.]
[No.4 replying to No.3: Like a diploma upgrade.]
[No.5 replying to No.4: Hahaha, spot-on!]
[…]
[No.36: Am I the only one shocked? Su Bei’s 15—how’s he that good?]
[No.37 replying to No.36: It’s Su Bei, duh.]
[No.38: How’d Destiny find him? Feels like they nabbed him right after awakening. Their intel game’s unreal.]
[No.39: Wanna know what Destiny’s like inside. Su Bei, spill?]
[No.40: No wonder Su Bei casually drops knowledge bombs. Backed by an intel group, he knows everything.]
[No.41 replying to No.40: Not quite. Destiny provides knowledge, but learning it’s on you. I went to my city’s best school—didn’t get me into top junior high.]
[No.42 replying to No.41: Ouch, but true. I’m at a big firm, still not a millionaire.]
[…]
[No.73: Why’s joining Black Flash betrayal, but Destiny’s fine?]
[No.74 replying to No.73: Different natures. Black Flash is villainous; Destiny’s neutral. Plus, Destiny’s members are free agents.]
[No.75: Can I say? I thought Destiny was a villain group at first.]
[…]
[No.133: Nobody talking about Su Bei knowing Mo Xiaotian was the mole, and Black Flash knowing Su Bei’s Destiny?]
[No.134 replying to No.133: Expected.]
[No.135 replying to No.133: Borrowing OP, it’s “of course.”]
[No.136: They’re close—part-time pals bonding?]
[No.137 replying to No.136: Part-time, my ass!]
[No.138: They’ve cooperated forever. Knowing each other’s identities is normal. Probably even knew Ye Lin was a mole early.]
[No.139: Su Bei: I know everything, I just won’t say.]
[…]
[No.166: Isn’t Destiny an intel group? Feels like Su Bei’s not just providing info—he’s acting.]
[No.167 replying to No.166: A chapter mentioned Destiny members take tasks.]
[No.168: Curious what tasks Su Bei’s done. Only know the Nightmare Egg.]
[No.169 replying to No.168: Bet he helped hide Xiaotian’s identity. Why else stay silent when asked?]
[No.170 replying to No.169: I think he just wants to watch the show…]
[No.171: If I had a big secret, I’d spill first. Holding it this long is wild.]
[No.172 replying to No.171: So Su Bei’s paid a huge price to watch the drama (?)]
As expected, his Destiny membership didn’t sway readers’ views. They found it natural, not even surprised.
His Black Flash cooperation seemed even more reasonable post-reveal. Everyone knew Destiny was a free intel group—members worked with whomever, just sharing info.
Done with his plot, curiosity led Su Bei to a Mo Xiaotian shock post.
[A Little Girl’s Heart Shattered T^T, Mo Xiaotian’s the Mole???]
[LockHeartSealLoveNo.0: Look at my new name—I’m done trusting the author’s plots. Sob, how’s Mo Xiaotian a mole? My sunny boy, a mole? Who gets my collapse? I didn’t believe forum claims he was the mole. How’d he outdo Su Bei to be the mole? Where’s his mole brain?!]
[No.1: OP’s really broken.]
[No.2: Can’t tell if OP’s a Xiaotian fan or hater.]
[No.3: I get you! How’s he a mole? I’m collapsing.]
[No.4: The author played me. Fine, but how’d Mo Xiaotian fool me? What’s he got?]
[No.5: Haha… Mo Xiaotian’s a mole… haha… great, he’s got a main plot… haha… I’m so happy… haha…]
[No.6 replying to No.5: One’s gone mad, carry them away.]
[…]
[No.54: How many posts like this today? The author blew up all Xiaotian fans.]
[No.55 replying to No.54: Not just Xiaotian fans—Su Bei fans, Wu Mingbai fans, and drama lovers (me).]
[No.56: Who’s not shocked?]
[No.57 replying to No.54: Xiaotian fan, heartbroken. I didn’t believe Prophet’s post—Prophet’s still Prophet…]
[No.58: Xiaotian hiding so long, I wanna cry and laugh.]
[…]
[No.97: Xiaotian as the mole’s kinda cool. Everyone’s sunny puppy is Black Flash’s Saint! Not classic fake-nice, but a sunflower blooming in darkness!]
[No.98 replying to No.97: Well said!]
[No.99 replying to No.97: Now I kinda wanna stan.]
[No.100: Gotta say, the contrast is maxed.]
[No.101: How many dropped Xiaotian after this?]
[No.102 replying to No.101: I did. Loved him as a classic shonen sunny hero, a diehard good guy fan. Now…
But not many dropped. His personality’s unchanged. If Black Flash were good, he’d be that shonen hero. Just a villain group…
Most fans are just digesting, but they’ll accept soon.]
[No.103 replying to No.101: Didn’t drop. OP’s right.]
[No.104 replying to No.101: Didn’t drop. Xiaotian’s just brainwashed from youth. I pity him more. He didn’t choose his roots.]
[…]
[No.142: Check Xiaotian’s fan page—his popularity’s clear. Down some, but still growing, just slower than losses. Some dropped for the mole reveal, but new fans joined for it.]
[No.143: Manga villain fans are plenty. Don’t worry about Xiaotian’s popularity.]
[No.144 replying to No.143: True. Checked Black Flash’s fan page—they’re celebrating.]
[No.145 replying to No.144: A popular character joining brings fresh blood.]
[No.146 replying to No.145: Like a small game collabing with a hot IP.]
[No.147 replying to No.146: Too accurate.]
Done with the manga and forum, Su Bei focused on reality. He checked the map—not just Vixi’s terrain, but project locations marked in bronze, black, silver, and gold for different access levels. Higher ranks could access lower projects, not vice versa.
With his gold badge, Su Bei could visit every project. A one-time VIP visit—he’d experience them all.
Ten projects, five days—two per day was doable. Su Bei planned his route and left his room.
He didn’t invite others—most were part of the protagonist group, prone to trouble. His goal was boosting strength via projects, not getting tangled up in their chaos.
But avoiding them didn’t mean they’d avoid him. Leaving his room, he bumped into Si Zhaohua.
Their rooms were adjacent. Seeing Su Bei, Si Zhaohua paused, then smiled, “Heading to projects? Should we go together?”
For convenience, same-rank people should stick together. Six VIPs: Jiang Tianming’s trio was one unit. Not wanting to go alone, Si Zhaohua invited another.
Why not all six? Some projects were solo, and six would waste time.
Su Bei’s face fell. Forget trouble—out of six VIPs, Jiang’s trio grouped together, so pairing with Si Zhaohua would leave Feng Lan alone.
Not that Su Bei felt guilty or thought Feng Lan would feel isolated.
Feng Lan’s knack for getting nabbed pre-trouble meant going solo was risky. They’d soon hear he’d vanished, complicating things.
But not isolating Feng Lan meant Su Bei, wanting to go solo, had to trio up?
He shook his head, “Wait for Feng Lan to pair with him. I’ll go—”
Si Zhaohua cut in, smirking, “I was gonna invite Feng Lan after you. But you going solo? No way. What if people say we isolated you?”
He wasn’t clueless—he wouldn’t leave Feng Lan alone. Nor Su Bei. Like Su Bei's worries about Feng Lan, he knew Su Bei going solo meant trouble for others.
Dragging Su Bei in ensured if danger hit, he’d be in it too.
Si Zhaohua finalized, “It's settled! The three of us will go together. If problems arise, we’ll get help fast. It's an unfamiliar place—I'll worry if you go solo.”
Su Bei eyed him suspiciously. Si Zhaohua, worried about him? Most likely a scheme.
But he wouldn’t harm him. Su Bei relented, “Fine, let’s get Feng Lan.”
They knocked on Feng Lan’s door, planned briefly, and headed downstairs.
At the hotel entrance, the receptionist reminded, “Lunch is free at the hotel.”
They nodded, knowing they didn’t need to save money with the academy covering their expenses.
Following the map, they reached the first project—behind the hotel, a beach.
It was no ordinary beach—stepping in after scanning badges, Su Bei felt tangible pressure. Moving was tough; his breathing strained.
A sign explained: “Gravity Beach.” Gravity here differed, making bodies heavier.
Perfect for physical training. Long-term training here would make you feel light as a feather elsewhere, like shedding weights post-training.
Since visitors couldn’t stay long, a time-accelerating item made one hour equal three outside, enhancing the experience.