The King of Curses

Chapter 337 One Percent of Power

"Teacher Cen...has broken through?"

Jiang Yunmei found it unbelievable because her eyes had always been able to see clearly, and she had been paying close attention to which level Cen Dongsheng had reached.

Unless he can stumble upon a breakthrough opportunity within just a few minutes...

"There was absolutely no warning, which is very strange."

Song Yutang's expression was serious.

"Furthermore, a breakthrough isn't necessarily a good thing. We all heard what that person said. Although we don't understand her background, but..."

"There's no other way but to go and see for yourself."

Even though they might face a top-tier curse master, they did not back down.

Song Yutang had only one worry:

"What about Chen Jiu?"

After a moment of silence, Jiang Yunmei answered.

"...It seems that the battle has already been decided."

*
"With the power of 'Boundless Sea of ​​Suffering,' should we create a 'new me' while retaining the 'old me,' or should we merge the two into one, leaving only one 'me'? Both paths were once viable, but you consistently chose to walk the same path, ultimately leading to your demise..."

“You know the reason better than I do. Systems that lack diversity are generally prone to high risk and even collapse, especially for Meng Huafan. You have always relied on your own abilities to make all sorts of dangerous attempts, and your behavior is equivalent to an acrobat walking a tightrope on the abyss.”

The hosts chosen by Meng Huafan, and the "central hub" passed down from generation to generation, together weave a whole network and an entire clan.

However, homogenous populations will lose their ability to evolve. Just as gene mutation and recombination are the basis of natural selection, when all individuals have identical traits, the group cannot adapt to environmental challenges through evolution.

Such a group, even if it appears powerful and imposing on the surface, is still fragile in nature. Like a dam built of gravel, once the outside world seizes on the weakness of one of its members, the crisis will spread rapidly, leading to the collapse of the system and the risk of extinction for the entire group.

In addition, the homogenization of the ecological niche will lead to each generation of "Meng Huafan" needing almost the same resources and formulating almost the same strategies.

For the authorities, the stability of the guidelines is not a bad thing; but for Meng Huafan, who wants to rise to a higher level and has ambitions to surpass the special realm, this is a shackle that needs to be broken.

……

“You have been stuck at your current level for a long time, and you are more aware than I of the risks of this situation continuing.”

In the darkness, Chen Jiu continued his speech.

Because she, like Meng Huafan, is a researcher, the other party must know who is right.

In fact, every generation of "Meng Huafan" probably understands this...

"Singularity forges delicate but fragile porcelain, while diversity forges rough, but more malleable and evolving vines. Any system that refuses to embrace differences and stifles possibilities will eventually crumble into fragile tombstones in turmoil."

“The Meng Huafans of each generation are well aware of this matter, but you have always refused to make a change of mind—including you. The reason is not hard to guess.”

"You are afraid of the possibility. Every generation of 'Meng Huafan' worries that once a part is separated, you will no longer be the whole self; each individual seems to have a desire for self-destruction, but it is just the mark left by the first generation when setting this program, making you unable to resist; and deep down, you are unwilling to carry out the process of continuous reincarnation and give up your plan to be yourself."

In this world, nothing can eliminate the self's aversion to death, including antisocial individuals like Wan Dugu who are born without positive emotions, and even ghosts who have "died once"; they hunt living people and absorb their yang energy so that their remaining resentment can linger in the world forever.

"Meng Huafan" simply couldn't break the originally set program. "The Boundless Sea of ​​Suffering" is like a train rushing towards a bottomless abyss, and each generation of hosts is forcibly bound to it.

After each generation of hosts is transformed into a new "Meng Huafan", whether it is "he", "she" or "it", whether it is willing or not, once the real transformation is achieved, everything has become irreversible.

But Chen Jiu is the exception who might be able to escape the cycle of reincarnation.

She clutched her train ticket tightly in her hand, and just then, the train stopped right in front of her; she was the first candidate in line.

Meanwhile, the results of generations of research were taking root and sprouting in the young girl's tender yet brilliant mind.

Even before becoming "Meng Huafan," Chen Jiu had already keenly noticed the systemic contradictions.

Driven by personal preferences and aspirations, she didn't mind boarding a train and becoming a driver; however, she didn't want to be riding a train that led to no return, heading towards destruction and decay.

"Aren't you going to say anything in rebuttal?"

Chen Jiu's voice was calm, displaying a composure and maturity beyond his years.

She has already chosen her path in life, and there is only one way left for her.

Whether one is unable to become the next "Meng Huafan," is forced to become "Meng Huafan," or is even disposed of by "Meng Huafan" now—

Chen Jiu was fully aware of all the possible outcomes.

To be honest, about 80% of the content here goes astray or ends badly.

But she still had to speak out, because that was the truth.

She is the child who speaks the truth in the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes," but could "Meng Huafan" be the foolish king?

"If you agree with me, let's join hands to correct the fundamental errors in the 'Meng Huafan' system and get our future on the right track."

"This is not only for 'Meng Huafan,' but also for... 'you.' The 'Boundless Sea of ​​Suffering' cannot stop the birth of one's own will; this is a choice that only you in this moment can make."

……

"—Boom!"

There was a loud bang.

It was as if ten thousand bolts of thunder had exploded, and the surface of my heart was surging with waves.

Chen Jiu fell into a deep sleep early on, her consciousness focused on communicating with "Meng Huafan" hidden in the corner of her mind; but some amazing changes were taking place in the outside world, which still touched her senses.

Like a boulder falling into a lake, creating ripples, the intense vibrations reached the darkest corners of people's hearts, causing the young girl's mind to tremble.

Chen Jiu was surprised; she didn't know what had happened yet. But she knew that time was running out for both of them.

The previous generation of "Meng Huafan" is about to make a decision, and she is now facing trial.

"You've made your decision, haven't you?"

“I have no intention of giving you the position. In my opinion, you are not a qualified candidate.”

Chen Jiu's words clearly had a profound impact on Meng Huafan; even so, his tone remained indifferent.

"is it?"

The little girl remained calm as well.

So, who do you plan to choose?

"I won't choose anyone. This world doesn't need 'Meng Huafan' for now, so let this name fade into obscurity."

Chen Jiu immediately understood what he meant.

Meng Huafan chooses a host because the original body is damaged or cannot be used for some special reason; if he does not intend to interfere with reality from the beginning, then there is no need to change hosts.

Even after the death of his current body, he can still remain in a conscious state, curled up in the corner of the soul of different hosts, maintaining immortality and allowing time to remain on the same generation for a long time.

Of course, this situation could not last long, because Meng Huafan had his own ambitions and he would not be content to remain a spectator forever.

But at this moment, this was Meng Huafan's decision. "I understand."

Chen Jiu expressed his understanding and respect for his "father's" opinion.

Before she could ask about her fate, Meng Huafan continued:

"You will still receive one percent of my power as a reward for your courage to object, your ability to discern patterns, and for a whole new possibility."

The girl smiled happily.

Her persuasion was successful, and the process was perfectly logical.

"Are there other candidates? Perhaps you can discover more possibilities..."

"You are a test subject, and I will keep an eye on you."

Meng Huafan replied calmly.

“If you can find the hope that ‘we’ want to see in you, then let’s do it your way.”

……

In the real world, Chen Jiu, who was fast asleep in bed, had her eyelids trembling slightly, about to wake up.

Even from the most pragmatic perspective, one percent of "The Boundless Sea of ​​Suffering" is, if not "a meteoric rise to the top," at least half the sky.

After all, Chen Jiu was not even a first-class curse master before, but now, with only this "one percent" of his power, he can already contend with opponents at the level of supernatural sorcerers.

However, this also means that Chen Jiu's potential is locked. As long as this generation's "Meng Huafan" does not die, or does not agree with her conclusions and entrusts all his power to her to inherit, she will never be able to become a top-level curse master.

Unless... Chen Jiu can also master powers beyond "Boundless Sea of ​​Bitterness".

"Are you still planning to get involved in what's happening on this ship?"

As the girl realized she was about to wake up, she quickly questioned the figure in the darkness.

Meng Huafan's consciousness curled up again, slowly fading away from the host's soul.

He didn't answer the question, but Chen Jiu seemed to have already received the answer.

"Then I'll decide."

she murmured.

"I am Chen Jiu, and I am nobody else."

*
Chen Jiu finally opened his eyes.

What came into view were the faces of the two older sisters she had met before.

The female college student with her ponytail pursed her lips, making them almost a thin line, giving her a cool and serious look; but her gaze towards me still revealed concern.

"Are you OK?"

"I...I'm okay..."

The little girl smiled at them.

Having achieved her goal, she was indeed relaxed and elated, but the lingering effects of muscle soreness and a splitting headache had not yet subsided, so she looked somewhat strained.

Chen Jiu propped himself up on the bed sheet, trying to straighten himself; then he realized that his back was soaked with sweat, and his thin clothes were sticking to his body, making him feel uncomfortable.

"Ah, I should take a shower and change my clothes first... but we don't have time for that now."

Chen Jiu muttered to himself for a while, then turned his gaze to the sisters who were guarding him.

While communicating with "Meng Huafan," she was completely absorbed, yet she could still hear a deafening roar that shook her to her core. It seemed that something truly extraordinary had happened outside.

Judging from the expressions of her two older sisters, she could guess a little bit about it.

"Chen Jiu, are you sure you're okay?"

It was another older sister who spoke.

She stood next to the girl with the ponytail. She was a woman of similar age with slightly permed and dyed brown hair, and her makeup and hairstyle were very exquisite.

This person did not introduce herself to Chen Jiu, but Chen Jiu knew her name; she was Jiang Yunmei, and both of them were Mr. Cen's partners.

When I first met her, this woman always had a lazy expression, as if she had no enthusiasm for anything and didn't care much about Chen Jiu.
But now, even she has put on a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiu first looked down at his clothes, then reached out and touched himself all over before answering seriously:
"I am fine."

"I wasn't asking about your health..."

Jiang Yunmei paused here.

Her hesitation stemmed from what she had just witnessed with her "eyes":

Originally, the enormous extraterrestrial object, whose exact outline was obscured, extended a tentacle and invaded the girl's body; its source was immense and its connection stable, so Jiang Yunmei once thought that the little girl could not possibly escape on her own.

But at one moment, the extraterrestrial object gave up and retracted its tentacles; and in the next moment, whether it was her imagination or not, it seemed that a small part of its tissue remained in Chen Jiu's body, which then merged into one.

This situation doesn't seem like someone has been completely possessed by "Meng Huafan," but it also doesn't seem like nothing has happened.

"Just as I agreed with Mr. Cen, I succeeded. That's my answer."

Chen Jiu stared wide-eyed with curiosity as he looked at the girl's face.

"Can your sister's eyes see what's happening in the world of the mind?"

Jiang Yunmei stroked her eyebrows and nodded slightly.

"So that's how it is! There's such an ability, that's amazing."

The little girl exclaimed in admiration. Then she added:

“I don’t know what my sister saw. If you don’t want to believe me, you can imprison me first.”

Chen Jiu stood with her legs together and her back straight, placing her hands on her chest with a serious expression.

"—However, I'd rather go with you."

"……follow us?"

Song Yutang frowned.

Do you know where we're going?

"Something went wrong on Mr. Cen's end, right?"

Chen Jiu answered with a confident tone.

“If it were me… I might be able to help right now. Mr. Cen has helped me a lot; without him, I wouldn’t have been able to take this step. He is my great benefactor, and I want to do something for him.”

Jiang Yunmei and Song Yutang looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

(End of this chapter)