My bizarre resurgence: My price is the ability to trade everything.

"You've come." The Seventh Apostle looked at me, his silver eyes showing no surprise, only a calm that seemed to have seen through everything. "I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Waiting for me?" I remained vigilant, gripping the jammer tightly. "Why are you waiting for me?"

"Because I wanted to see you." The Seventh Apostle slowly approached me, his white robes fluttering in the altar's light. "Lin Zhengyang's son, the successor of the seventh Balancer."

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I want to give you a chance," the Seventh Apostle stopped three meters in front of me, "a better chance than your father's."

"What opportunity?"

"Join the Ruins," said the Seventh Apostle. "Become one of us."

I was stunned.

Join Guixu?

"You're kidding, right?" I said.

"I never joke," the Seventh Apostle said seriously. "Lin Xiaofan, you should know very well that your father stood in this position back then, facing the same choice."

"He chose to refuse, and then he died."

"And you will face the same fate."

"Unless you make a different choice."

"My father chose to protect this world," I said. "I will carry on his will."

"Protect?" The Seventh Apostle chuckled. "What do you think you're protecting? A bunch of ants destined to be eliminated? A world on the verge of collapse?"

"This world is terminally ill." He spread his arms wide. "The rules are chaotic, the energy is unbalanced, and all life is struggling in agony. This is an irreversible end."

"What you can do is not to protect in vain, but to—"

"Destroy everything, rebuild anew." I interrupted him. "I know. I've heard all about your theories of the Void Reversion."

"But I don't agree."

Why?

"Because your methods are wrong," I said, looking at him. "Destruction cannot bring new life; it can only bring more destruction."

True balance is not achieved through destruction.

"Oh?" The Seventh Apostle became interested. "Then tell me, what is true balance?"

I remained silent for a while.

"I don't know," I said honestly, "but I do know one thing."

"What?"

"My father was researching methods for 'cost-breaking' before he died," I said. "He wanted to find a way so that the Balancers wouldn't have to sacrifice their lives to maintain the world."

"Has he found this method?" The Seventh Apostle's tone changed.

"Found it." I nodded. "Although it's incomplete, he's found the direction."

"Which direction?"

"The third layer of the cost-benefit balance—resolution."

A strange light flashed in the Seventh Apostle's silver eyes.

"You know more than I thought," he said. "It seems your father left you more than just blood and talent."

"What he left behind was his will."

"Then why don't you accept his will?" the Seventh Apostle countered. "Your father's research is also available in the Void. If you join us, I can give you his research in its entirety."

"I can even personally guide you."

"To save you decades of detours in your cultivation."

His voice was seductive, like a devil whispering in your ear.

"Your father refused my help back then, which is why his research progressed slowly. If he had chosen to collaborate, he might have succeeded much earlier."

"But he refused."

"He chose a more difficult path, which ultimately led to the end of his life."

Are you going to walk the same path too?

I looked at him, a fierce internal struggle raging within me.

To be honest, the Seventh Apostle's words weren't without merit.

He is indeed very strong. If I could receive his guidance, my cultivation speed would definitely increase significantly.

Moreover, the research on Guixu is indeed more advanced. Their understanding of the rules far surpasses that of the General Administration.

but......

"I refuse," I said.

"reason?"

"Because your methods are wrong," I said. "The third layer of the cost-benefit scale is not for destroying the world."

"Your father... no, my father, he researched the method of neutralization, not to prolong his own life, nor to make the Balancers stronger."

"His true purpose in conducting research is to make the world a better place."

"To enable all life to survive in balance, rather than by sacrificing some to sustain others."

I clenched my fist: "This is the true meaning of the scales of cost."

The Seventh Apostle remained silent for a long time.

Then he smiled.

"You're just like your father," he said. "The same stubbornness, the same naiveté."

"Since you're unwilling to accept my kindness, then I'll have to resort to other methods."

His silver eyes suddenly turned cold.

"Lin Xiaofan, I'm giving you one last chance."

"Join the Ruins, or—"

"Die here."

"I choose the latter," I said.

"Very good." The Seventh Apostle nodded. "Then let me see just how much of your father's skill you've inherited."

He moved as soon as he finished speaking.

His figure disappeared from my sight, and then—

It appeared behind me.

"Hurry!" his voice rang in my ears, "Too slow."

I turned around abruptly, trying to block, but it was too late.

A hand was placed on my back.

boom!

A terrifying force surged into my body, and I felt my internal organs trembling.

"Cough!" I spat out a mouthful of blood and was thrown back by the shock.

It hit the wall and then slid to the ground.

"Is that all the strength you have?" The Seventh Apostle stood rooted to the spot, not even moving. "You've disappointed me greatly."

I struggled to my feet and wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth.

He's too fast.

It was so fast that I couldn't even react.

"This is the power of the rules of numbers." The Seventh Apostle slowly approached me. "One is the origin of all things. Two is the existence of opposites. Three is the standard of balance. Four is a stable structure. Five is the rhythm of life. Six is ​​the end of reincarnation."

"And seven..."

He stopped and stared directly at me with his silver eyes.

"Seven is the perfect cycle."

"Under these rules, no one can beat me."

I mobilized the energy within my body to form a protective shield.

But this protective shield was like paper in front of him.

"It's useless." The Seventh Apostle shook his head. "Your scales of calamity, though powerful, are still only at the initial stage of the first level."

"You are no match for me."

He disappeared again.

This time, I could see his movement clearly.

He circled around from the right, ready to attack my back again.

I turned around and raised my fist to meet the attack.

Tai Chi Returning to Origin Exercise, Second Form – Tai Chi Life!

A surge of energy erupted from my fist and hurtled toward the Seventh Apostle.

"Oh?" The Seventh Apostle raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

He reached out and gently blocked it.

He easily neutralized my energy attack.

But it was this momentary pause that gave me the opportunity.

I threw the jammer at the altar.

"go!"

The jammer traced an arc in the air as it flew toward the crystal on the altar.

"Overestimating yourself." The Seventh Apostle sneered and waved his hand, unleashing a silver beam of light.

The jammer was shattered into pieces in mid-air.

"You only have one jammer in your weapon?" He looked at me. "You think that thing can destroy the formation?"

"Innocent."

That's really naive.

The jammer was specially designed by Su Mingyue, but it was completely ineffective against the Seventh Apostle's own protection.

"What other tricks do you have up your sleeve?" The Seventh Apostle slowly approached me. "Use them all."

I took a step back and my back hit the wall.

There is no way to retreat.

What should I do?

The Seventh Apostle's attack was too strong; my defense was completely ineffective.

The jammer was also destroyed.

Now......

"Father..." I cried out in my heart, "Tell me what to do!"

no respond.

The father's voice disappeared.

Perhaps he had no other choice.

Maybe......

Just then, I felt a warm sensation in my pocket.

I instinctively reached in and touched the one-yuan copper coin.

My father's belongings.

One dollar...

All things return to one.

Suddenly, the copper coin emitted a dazzling golden light and flew out of my pocket.

"This is—" The Seventh Apostle's expression changed.

The copper coin hovered in the air, radiating an ancient and powerful aura.

Then, it flew toward the crystal on the altar.

"No!" The Seventh Apostle tried to stop it, but it was too late.

The copper coin struck the crystal, and a burst of intense light erupted between them.

hum-

A terrifying fluctuation of power emanated from the center of the altar, instantly filling the entire hall.

"The very source of the rules..." The Seventh Apostle took a step back, his expression one of shock. "It's actually responding to you?"

I felt my body being enveloped by a force.

That power wasn't an attack, but rather...

call.

It felt like something was calling to me.

It calls me to the place where the rules originate.

"No." The Seventh Apostle's face darkened. "This isn't an ordinary summoning..."

"It is the origin that is choosing its successor!"

He suddenly charged at me, silver energy condensing in his hand.

I can't let you succeed!

I closed my eyes and felt the power of that summoning.

The one-yuan copper coin spun on the altar, its golden light growing brighter and brighter.

I can feel that the balance of my costs is shifting.

The image of the scales came to mind, but it was different from before.

The scales used to be blurry, only having an outline.

Now, it has become incredibly clear.

The left side of the scale is inscribed with "cost" and the right side with "balance".

In the center of the scales, a line of words was faintly visible:

"All things return to oneness; balance is eternal."

This is......

What is the true form of the cost-benefit balance?

"Get out of my way!" The Seventh Apostle's attack arrived.

The silver energy struck me.

But strangely, I didn't feel any pain.

The attack passed through my body and struck empty air.

"What?" The Seventh Apostle was stunned.

"I have established a connection with the Source." I opened my eyes. "Your attacks cannot harm me."

"Impossible!" The Seventh Apostle took a step back. "You've only been in contact with the Source for a few seconds, how could this be—"

"Because I inherited my father's will," I said. "My father dedicated his life to researching the cost-of-life cracking method. Although he didn't succeed, the path he took was the right one."

"I followed his path, which is why I was able to reach the source so quickly."

"This isn't genius, this is legacy."

The Seventh Apostle remained silent for a long time.

Then, he withdrew his energy and stood still.

"It seems..." he murmured, "that you are indeed closer to success than your father."

"But that didn't work."

"The Source has chosen you, but it has not yet acknowledged you."

"You have only touched the very edge of the source; you have not yet truly obtained its power."

"And I..."

His silver eyes gleamed with an eerie light.

"I've waited thirty years for this day."

"In order to obtain the origin."

"To restart this world."

"Lin Xiaofan, do you think you can stop me?"

"You have only established a preliminary connection with the Source. To truly unleash its power, you will need at least three days."

"And I only need to wait another six hours."

"Six hours later, the Seven-Pointed Star Ritual will be completed. At that time, all the power of the Origin will flow into this world."

"And I will become the sole ruler of this world."

He turned and walked toward the altar, silver energy surging from his body and forming a huge barrier.

"You just stay here and watch."

"Watching this world perish."

"Then--"

"Reborn in a new world."

As I watched the Seventh Apostle's retreating figure, my heart sank to ashes.

He was right.

Although I have touched the source, I have not yet obtained its true power.

All I can do now is forcefully maintain a standoff with him.

But six hours later...

"No..." I clenched my fists. "I can't give up like this..."

There must be another way...

"must......"

Just then, a voice rang in my mind.

It was his father's voice.

"Xiao Fan..." the voice was weak, "Listen to me..."

"Father!" I cried out in surprise, "You're still here!"

"I've been here all along," the father's voice trailed off, "but my strength is almost gone..."

"The one-yuan coin has been activated...it will help you..."

"Help me? How can I help?"

"Copper coins...contain the power of the Lin family's balancers throughout history..."

"When you establish a connection with the Source... the copper coins will transmit these powers to you..."

"But these powers can only be maintained for a very short time..."

"You have to make a choice during this time..."

"What choice?"

"The third layer of the cost-benefit balance... resolution..."

"Resolving the issue doesn't mean eliminating the cost... but rather..."

"But..."

The father's voice grew weaker and weaker.

"Instead, the cost... is transformed into..."

"Transform into..."

Then, the sound completely disappeared.

"Father? Father!"

no respond.

The father's strength... has been exhausted.

I knelt on the ground, holding the now-dimmed copper coin in my hand.

The father's last words were left unsaid.

What is resolution?

What exactly is the third layer of the cost?

"Xiao Fan." Another voice rang in my mind.

This time it wasn't his father's voice.

It is an older, deeper voice.

It was as if the whole world was speaking.

"Did you hear that?" the voice asked.

"Are you... the origin?" I asked.

"Yes," the voice said, "I am the source of all rules. The origin of all rules in this world."

"Why...why are you talking to me?"

"Because you are looking for answers," the Source said. "You are looking for a way to mitigate the costs."

Do you know what "resolution" means?

"I don't know," I said honestly. "My father didn't finish his sentence."

"Then I will tell you," said the Origin, "the secret to resolution lies within the One."

"One dollar?"

"All things return to one." The Origin states, "The essence of the cost is the imbalance of rules. And the essence of resolution is restoring balance to the unbalanced rules."

"But this requires a medium."

"What medium?"

"It's you."

"I?"

"The reason why balancers can use the cost-benefit scale is because they are the 'scale' of the rules."

"They can weigh the costs and decide how those costs are transferred."

"And resolution means that the one who maintains the balance ultimately pays the price with their own life."

"To use your life... to bear the consequences of all the imbalances in the world's rules?"

"It's not about taking responsibility," the Source said, "but about resolving it."

"Bearing the burden is only a temporary suppression, while resolution is a complete dissolution."

"If you can resolve this, all the imbalances in the world's rules will completely disappear."

"The cost will also cease to exist."

I was stunned.

"But will the cost disappear forever?" I asked. "Then... will the Balancer still need to exist?"

"It's no longer necessary," the Origin said. "The day the cost disappears, the Balancer will have completed its mission and will leave this world forever."

I was silent.

It turned out to be the case.

The third layer of the cost balance is not to prolong the life of the balancer, but to completely eliminate the cost.

But once the cost is eliminated, the balancer will also disappear.

This was the father's discovery.

This is the secret he has never revealed.

"Lin Xiaofan," the original voice sounded again, "are you willing to accept this choice?"

"Now?"

"No, not now," the Source said. "You are still too weak. You cannot bear the cost of resolving this."

"If you try to force it, your soul will immediately collapse."

"What does the Source want me to do?"

"I just want you to know the truth," the Source said. "As for the real choice, save that for when you're strong enough."

"Before that..."

The original voice gradually faded into the distance.

"Remember, the balancer is not a victim, but a guardian."

"Don't live to eliminate the cost, but to protect the world."

"When you truly understand this..."

"The door to resolution will open for you."

My consciousness returned to reality.

The seventh apostle was still standing beside the altar, with his back to me.

And around me, everything returned to calm.

The one-yuan copper coin had become dull and lifeless, resembling an ordinary ancient coin.

The father's legacy has come to a temporary end.

"Have you thought it through?" the Seventh Apostle's voice rang out. "Then make a choice."

"Will you continue to fight against me, or—"

"Wait for destruction in six hours."

I watched his retreating figure and clenched the copper coin in my hand.

"I choose—" I said.