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Chapter 122 Nothing in this world is predetermined
The merchant's smile was somewhat irritating, as if he had admitted to the crime of being perfunctory with Cheng Mai.

The two searched the seabed for a while and only found the button-shaped signal transmitter; otherwise, they found nothing.

As for whether Shang Xingjian has made any other discoveries, Cheng Mai doesn't know. After all, it would be a lie to say that Shang Xingjian can spout eight sentences out of three.

And they lie openly and honestly, clearly telling you, "I'm lying to you, so what?"

Cheng Mai had already seen through it all, so naturally he wouldn't hold a grudge against him over this matter; otherwise, he would only be the one who got angry to death.

Back at the base, Mr. Smith immediately followed, "Mr. Shang, Mr. Cheng."

In sub-zero temperatures, Mr. Smith was sweating.

Cheng Mai glanced at him briefly before following Shang Xingjian back to his room, and Mr. Smith naturally followed as well.

"Are you two looking for a way to save Lan?" Mr. Smith asked urgently.

Shang Xingjian returned to his room, took off his gloves and threw them on the bed. After sitting down, he rubbed his temples and closed his eyes to rest. "Is Mr. Smith really going to save him?"

Smith paused for a moment, then said, “Of course, it’s true.”

"Then let's dig out the heart," Shang Xingjian said calmly.

Smith was completely stunned. "Wh-what?"

"Didn't you say you'd do anything to save him?" Shang Xingjian suddenly opened his eyes and stared directly at Smith.

Cheng Mai also looked at Smith, noticing the increasing beads of sweat on his forehead.

Smith raised his hand to wipe his sweat, but then, as if remembering something, lowered it again. "Can my heart really save him?"

This seems to indicate that they have made up their minds.

Shang Xingjian looked at Smith until sweat dripped from his forehead before looking away. "I was just kidding, but we did find something. We're not sure what it is, Mr. Smith. Can you help us find out?"

The merchant explained briefly, then tossed the button to Smith.

Smith caught it with both hands, and the button landed in his palms. He looked down at it, without any sign of anything amiss.

"It looks like a marine signal transmitter, which can simulate the sound waves emitted by marine life. This model looks quite old; it should be an early generation," Mr. Smith explained as he examined it. "However, this thing was banned later because it had too much impact on marine life. Where did you find this, Mr. Shang?"

Mr. Smith sincerely asked for an answer.

At least Cheng Mai could not see any problem.

Shang Xingjian was also watching Smith's every reaction. He seemed to only start listening to Smith when Smith asked him a question. He put his button back on and said, "I saw it at the iceberg. I've never seen it before, so I'm asking."

Mr. Smith murmured a response, then asked, "When can Lan be saved?"

"The day after tomorrow." Shang Xingjian gave him a time and let him leave amidst Smith's repeated thanks, as he needed to rest now.

After Mr. Smith left, Cheng Mai closed the door and asked, "The day after tomorrow? Are you sure?"

“No.” Shang Xingjian twirled the small button in his hand. “But this Mr. Smith is quite amusing. He seems to be performing flawlessly, but in reality, he’s full of loopholes. Do you think he did it on purpose, or is he just naturally stupid?”

Cheng Mai pulled up a stool and sat down, watching Shang Xingjian, who looked like he was watching a show.

"So, will Si Lan save him or not?"

“Of course we should save him.” Shang Xingjian looked at Cheng Mai, “But it depends on how to save him in a way that is most valuable.” “For example…”

"For example, I'm sleepy now and need to sleep." Shang Xingjian yawned, tossed the button on the table, and fell asleep very quickly.

Cheng Mai: "...I don't believe you for a second."

However, instead of waking the person, he picked up the button and mimicked the bio-waves of marine life, which is why the orca took the risk of leaving its territory.

But what kind of biological waves did it emit that attracted the orcas here?
The underwater palaces look like designs from the last few decades, so killer whales were the dominant species in that area at least thirty years ago, yet they have been frequently appearing in shallow waters.

What happened in those ten years?
Cheng Mai put down his button, sat down in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, and stopped thinking about the orca. Instead, he thought about the business manager, Jian, and what Jian did.
At this moment, Shang Xingjian returned to the Void Realm. The branches of Zhongqiu looked a bit more than before, but they were still not lush.

Shang Xingjian infused it with spiritual power, which allowed Zhongqiu's roots to better stabilize the Void Realm.

“My Lord, since it’s all in vain, why bother with all this futile effort?” Zhongqiu sighed.

"No one can say it was all for nothing until the result is in." Shang Xingjian withdrew his hand. "If the result is the same, at least I tried."

Zhongqiu twitched its branches, saying, "The destruction of heaven and earth is predetermined."

"Isn't everything in this world subject to change?" Shang Xingjian stood with his hands behind his back, watching the Void Mirror collapse in the distance. The collapse wasn't fast; it was both annihilation and rebirth.

Is a new life gained at the cost of destruction truly meaningful?
“Zhongqiu, we have known each other for millions of years. Everything in this world has been changed by you and me. Do you really think that the destruction of heaven and earth and the birth of new life is true rebirth?”

"This is ordained by Heaven and Earth," Zhongqiu insisted.

Shang Xingjian chuckled softly, but did not continue the discussion with Zhongqiu.

Zhongqiu seemed to sense something from his low laughter, and a sense of unease filled its heart. "What is the Divine Lord planning to do?"

"Haven't I been doing this all along? Why do you feel uneasy now?" Shang Xingjian turned to look at Zhong Qiu. "Si Lan Shenjun's soul is unstable, so I naturally cannot keep that orca. I just came to inform you."

"Orcas are ferocious beasts, created by heaven and earth. They are destined to overturn the Arctic. If the Divine Lord wants to subdue an orca, I'm afraid..."

"Is it going to kill me? Who in this world can take my life?" Shang Xingjian scoffed. "There aren't that many predetermined things in this world."

……

With little to do in the afternoon, Shang Xingjian went fishing in a very good mood.

Cheng Mai really couldn't agree with this kind of hobby of the elderly, especially when it was obvious that they couldn't catch any fish.

Cheng Mai sat in the makeshift shack. The insulation was so-so, but it was just enough for the business to keep warm.

"You really like eating fish that much?" You're going to fish for fish to eat here?
"No, no," the merchant said mysteriously. "Fishing is a hobby, eating fish is a way of life. They are not the same thing."

Cheng Mai rolled his eyes, looking at the empty bucket, "Are you going to starve to death with this lifestyle?"

"You won't starve," Shang Xingjian continued fishing. "At least you won't go hungry."

Cheng Mai sat cross-legged on the cushion, while Smith stood not far away watching them, seemingly afraid to approach, probably because he was extremely anxious.

Shang Xingjian enjoys this kind of anxiety.

(End of this chapter)