Otherworldly Affairs Office

Listening to Lin Junzhao's mocking in his mind, Pei Yan lowered his head, drank the last of the soup noodles from the bucket in one gulp, shook his head, and smiled bitterly, saying, "I'm pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger? Do I even have that in me? I'm really not the type to stir things up. Coming to this world was to train myself and gather evidence, I never intended for anything extra. For that purpose, I specifically sent my battle videos to these natives to show my strength, hoping they'd recognize their position and give us a chance for an equal dialogue. But I never thought that even after showing so much strength, they'd still try to manipulate me."

At this point, Pei Yan let out a long sigh and continued helplessly, "I really don't know if it's the image of us weaklings from our dimension being too deeply rooted, or if they really believe they can easily capture me, even with my combat strength!"

"So what do you plan to do? Not attend this dangerous banquet? Avoid them?" Lin Junzhao asked with a smile.

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow in disdain and said, "Go! Why not go? Knowing their plan gives us the upper hand. We always have to interact with the natives of the Hell Realm, and there might not be such a good chance next time. So even if it's a dragon's lair or a tiger's den, I have to break through. Whether I'm a soft persimmon or a hard bone, let them experience it firsthand. Some people just bully the weak and fear the strong, calculating on me, I'll smash their teeth and break their bones, teaching them the basic etiquette of dealing with people!" By the end, a fierce glint flashed in Pei Yan's eyes. He believed that those who were not of his kind must have different minds, and he had little patience for these alien types. Despite coming to this world with various purposes, his overall interests still aligned with those of the Hell Realm. Yet, being calculated against like this, if they don't see the bigger picture, then convincing them through force is the only way out.

"Very good! The current you makes me more and more satisfied!" Lin Junzhao said after a series of bell-like laughs.

Pei Yan waved his hand, opened a corner of the tent, threw out the bucket, then closed the tent again, wiped his mouth, and said sulkily, "I actually don't want you to be satisfied with me; I want to live a few more days, you know. Up till now, I do think it's necessary for us to have a good talk, don't you think? I generally understand why you brought me to this world, but why do you know so much about these invaders, so-called Calamities? Why is your Origin Power so similar to theirs and can even be absorbed? Even if you're using me as a tool, give me some hint?"

"Are you questioning me?"

"I wouldn't dare. I just think we should exchange information. If you don't want to tell me, then forget it." Having anticipated Lin Junzhao's displeasure, Pei Yan gently rubbed the ring on his finger, took out a blueprint, and said indifferently.

Just when Pei Yan thought Lin Junzhao wouldn't answer his doubts and had turned his full attention to inspecting the blueprint, her voice suddenly echoed in his mind, "If I say I'm not very much aware of the Calamities you encounter, would you believe me?"

Pei Yan put down the blueprint and responded, "I believe you. My life is in your hands; you don't have to lie to me."

"Sigh, but I'm not entirely ignorant about them. At the very least, compared to a few other dimensions, I was the earliest to sense their existence. Remember when I told you each dimension has a corresponding presence?"

Pei Yan nodded, and then suddenly understood the implication in Lin Junzhao's words, blurting, "You mean the dimensions these Red Calamities come to are the corresponding existences of the cornerstone dimension?"

"More or less. Before arriving here, it was only my conjecture. While converting and devouring origin leaked from other dimensions, I always sensed that some parts of the Origin were out of my control, disappearing into the world. Since then, I suspected the existence of a dimension responding to me." Lin Junzhao paused for a moment and then continued, "I believe this dimension should be very young, even younger than me. Based on the vague memory when I gained consciousness, I deduce this dimension could be an emergency product resulting from the adverse conditions caused by a major dimensional invasion last time, when the cornerstone dimension could not convert or deplete the surging multiverses' Power of Origin."

Pei Yan nodded in vague understanding. He was already very satisfied with this answer, knowing not to overstep, he secretly recorded this information in mind and then cautiously asked, "Can I ask another question?"

"Ask?"

"Why me? Or should I say why us, siblings?" Pei Yan leaned against the cushion behind him and asked the question buried in his heart.

Seeing Lin Junzhao not speaking, he continued, "If choosing us siblings back then was a makeshift solution, why did you enhance my and my sister's abilities after escaping divine control? I can feel the importance of those four dimensional fragments. Even now, I haven't fully consumed their power, and I know I'll benefit immensely from them in the future, right?"

"That's right. These four fragments will allow you siblings to automatically comprehend a new ability every two stages you advance. It's not something I can control; it's random." Lin Junzhao mused before responding.

Upon hearing this, Pei Yan trembled with excitement but soon calmed down, taking a deep breath and murmuring, "When I cycled through life and death, I realized the extraordinary nature of this power, but I didn't expect such great benefits. So these fragments should be quite valuable! Not something that can be easily traded for, right? You can no longer take over our bodies, so why invest so much in us?"

"Ah, you truly are a cautious person. It seems you're still wary of me. That's a normal reaction!" Lin Junzhao teased and then continued, "Indeed, I paid a great price to acquire these fragments, but that's not important; these fragments were prepared for you. It's just that you broke free from my control unexpectedly, as you siblings were my experimental subjects."

"Experimental subjects?" Pei Yan questioned.

"Exactly. I wanted to see if gathering multiverse Power of Origin could enable one to break through the final barrier, reaching the same realm as the Origin entity itself. This was an attempt other dimension origins also sought. For this, we exchanged our own fragments to nurture chosen talents. You siblings were my chosen targets. At that time, the fragments I gave you two were the largest, representing mechanical technology and biological technology, respectively. I just want to see how extraordinary ability users, based on the cornerstone dimension, would eventually grow."

"Why? Why do this? Why create a being that could threaten one's position? Just to find a suitable human shell?" Pei Yan asked incredulously.

"Because I'm bored!"