Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 718

"You mean, that old Mr. Chen can foresee the future?"

Jin Chanzi's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"More or less, it should be some kind of privilege brought about by that stone."

"impossible!"

Jin Chanzi interrupted Xiao Ran's conjecture: "Even an A-level professional divination master like Cheng Yanshi cannot achieve such a predictive effect."

Predicting the future is too incredible; Jin Chanzi didn't believe anyone could do it.

"Couldn't it be some kind of serendipitous opportunity?"

"No, even an A-grade cursed object cannot have the ability to foresee the future like this."

Jin Chanzi said to Xiao Ran with great certainty.

The weight of the phrase "predicting the future" is something most people may not understand.

However, in Taoism, this supernatural power is something that cannot exist.

Even the so-called art of divination is nothing more than a calculation based on cause and effect.

The past cannot be changed, the future is limitless. This is an unchangeable rule.

Perhaps someone might catch a glimpse of the future by chance, but once they do, the future they see will never exist.

"The future is like Schrödinger's cat, full of variables."

If someone could foresee the future, then all the rules of this world would come to a standstill.

Jin Chanzi explained the reason to Xiao Ran in a meaningful way.

"Do you know what will happen once the rules stop?"

That is, everything will change from a random state to a constant state, and everyone will gain some kind of superpower.

For example, a basketball player might gain the ability to make 100% of their shots.

Even if he is 100 kilometers away, the basketball he throws will definitely go in, because that is the result that will be observed in the future, and it cannot be changed.

Conversely, the same logic applies: the ability might be 100% inaccurate, meaning even if he stands in front of the basket, he can't make the shot.

If the future is predetermined, then there is no future.

Xiao Ran never imagined that simply predicting the future would be so complex and terrifying.

"If that's the case, is it possible that what Old Chen saw was something that anyone who obtains the 'opportunity' will see?"

Xiao Ran naturally believed Jin Chanzi's deduction one hundred percent, so at this moment, Xiao Ran couldn't help but start to question the motives of this Old Chen.

"That's a possibility. After all, Huang Chao can create a sandbox world like this, so it would be a simple matter for him to add some edited information as guidance."

"That's good."

Xiao Ran breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, what he was most worried about was whether Jin Chanzi would be affected.

Once Xiao Ran was certain that the Golden Toad wouldn't be affected by this so-called future, she felt much more at ease.

But Xiao Ran soon faced a dilemma: "Since this is clearly a trap, should I go or not?"

"Of course we're going. If you don't take the bait, how are we supposed to get out of trouble?"

Jin Chanzi said without hesitation, and then added, "As long as you find a way to lure Huang Chao out first, and then find an opportunity to release Plum Blossom Taoist to kill him, that will be fine."

Jin Chanzi's words were simple, but they were a last resort.

They originally thought that if they fought their way up, they would be able to see Huang Chao.

Unexpectedly, Huang Chao insisted on making things so complicated and hid himself away. To this day, Xiao Ran still has no trace of Huang Chao, which is really frustrating for them.

Right now, no matter what trap Huang Chao is setting, if Xiao Ran doesn't go inside, Huang Chao will definitely not show up.

"Ugh!"

Xiao Ran sighed.

"Don't sigh. Your opponent is Huang Chao, a Celestial Being. You've never been pushed to this point before. Although those images are fake, the evil spirits that appear in them may not be fake. Be careful on your journey. If necessary, I will also take action."

"You?" Xiao Ran looked the stone-turned golden toad up and down, rolled her eyes, and said, "Forget it, it's not worth it if you get dragged into this mess."

After saying that, Xiao Ran stood up and walked out of the shrine.

"Hey, take the tiger away. If this thing comes along, at least it'll have something to eat. If it stays here, it'll start eating people."

Jin Chanzi called out from behind Xiao Ran.

"understood."

Xiao Ran waved her hand and called over Shao Hongzhang, who was still squatting on the ground and doing something.

"Let's get ready to leave."

"Walk?"

Shao Hongzhang raised his head and looked at Xiao Ran with a blank expression.

"Of course, otherwise are you planning to stay here and eat dirt?" "Oh, okay, okay, okay."

Shao Hongzhang finally came to his senses and began to help Xiao Ran move the bodies of the Tan brothers onto the tiger demon's body.

Before dawn, the two men and the tiger left the village.

When Xiao Ran arrived at the valley where the 'examinees' had gathered, she found that there were twice as many examinees as the night before.

Looking around, there was a dark mass, each with a ferocious face, like a demonic beast.

Some candidates with lower aptitude managed to sneak into the line, only to be immediately torn to pieces by the others with middle aptitude and stuffed into their mouths as food.

"These guys, I think they're almost turning into animals."

Seeing this scene from the distant shrine, Shao Hongzhang couldn't help but sigh.

In those days, every candidate in the imperial examinations was a handsome and talented scholar, a dashing prince or nobleman.

Even when people are just sitting together and drinking water, they all raise their hands in a respectful gesture, demonstrating a rich but orderly system of etiquette.

But the current imperial examination system has turned people into beasts and devils. This stark contrast inevitably made Shao Hongzhang sigh and feel a surge of resentment.

He only regretted that he didn't have extraordinary abilities to destroy that beast Huang Chao.

Standing to the side, Xiao Ran heard Shao Hongzhang's complaints and rants, and for some reason, she felt a little unhappy.

The image of Li Xiao's father's disheveled appearance when he came to take the imperial examination in his youth involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

So what if one studies hard for ten years? What seems like an unattainable dream to ordinary people is just a formality to those aristocratic and wealthy families.

Some don't even bother with formalities; a letter of recommendation is enough to arrange everything for their children and grandchildren.

What? No channels??

Then create a channel, come up with some fancy names, like targeted support or special talent supply—just get the name over with.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ran couldn't help but feel a bit of resentment.

At this moment, Xiao Ran suddenly turned her head and saw that Old Chen from last night was leading the Tan family brothers toward her.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Ran immediately became alert, placing one hand on her cane and squinting as she sized up the three people.

Noticing the hostility in Xiao Ran's gaze, Old Chen, who was walking in front, quickly waved his hand and said, "Don't misunderstand, we mean no harm."

After saying that, he gestured for the Tan brothers to wait behind him, and then stepped forward alone.

Then, with his hands clasped together, he bowed to Shao Hongzhang, who was sitting on the tiger demon: "Are you the Director of the Imperial Observatory?"

Now it was Shao Hongzhang's turn to be stunned. He looked at the inhuman old man in front of him with a puzzled expression, and bowed with his hands clasped: "You are...?"

"Haha, so it really is Brother Shao. I am Chen Cheng."

"Chen Cheng? Qimen Chen Cheng?"

Shao Hongzhang stared wide-eyed, scrutinizing the person in front of him with an expression of utter disbelief.

"You two know each other?" Xiao Ran turned to look at Shao Hongzhang, who nodded and introduced him to Xiao Ran: "Don't you know Mr. Chen Cheng, who is skilled in Qimen Dunjia, Bagua, Five Elements, Yin and Yang, and can predict the past and future?"

"Haha, I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it at all."

Chen Cheng waved his hand: "I heard about Wenzhu's matter from the Tan brothers yesterday. It was all a misunderstanding, so please don't take it to heart. I brought the two brothers here today to apologize to them."

After saying that, Chen Cheng turned to the Tan brothers and said, "Why don't you come and apologize to Supervisor Shao?"

Although the Tan brothers were unwilling, they did not complain at all upon hearing this. They bowed respectfully and stood aside without saying a word.

Chen Cheng then turned around and looked at the writing staff in Xiao Ran's hand, his eyes immediately burning with fervor.

"I never expected to meet such a renowned person here, Group C, number thirty-six. My apologies for my ignorance."

"You're too kind. Please feel free to speak your mind, sir."

Xiao Ran didn't stand on ceremony and directly asked the other party's purpose. He didn't believe that this old guy came to see him just to catch up with Shao Hongzhang.

"I dare not beat around the bush with you, young hero. I only ask you for one thing. This staff is mysterious and extraordinary. Could you please use it to help me break through this world and lead everyone to fight our way out?"

Xiao Ran was not surprised by this; the only thing she could offer right now was this Wang Wen staff.

"How are you going to cooperate?"

Xiao Ran did not refuse, wanting to hear what the other party's plans were.

However, before Chen Cheng could speak, a commotion suddenly broke out in the distant ranks.

The commotion grew louder and louder, and soon a man with superior physical abilities rushed over.

"Old Chen, something terrible has happened! The road ahead is blocked!!"

Chen Cheng seemed unsurprised upon hearing this, and nodded lightly, saying, "Understood."

Then Chen Cheng turned to Xiao Ran and said, "Only if you use your staff to help clear a path, will none of us be able to get through..."

"What if I don't help?" Xiao Ran asked, squinting.

Chen Cheng wasn't surprised by Xiao Ran's question. He simply leaned closer to Xiao Ran and whispered, "I know you are incredibly powerful, but I can tell you a secret about your brother, the one who topped the sword rankings, the nameless one!"

(End of this chapter)