"I didn't find out. I only found out suddenly. If you ask me why, I can only tell you that I don't know!" Ling Yun's lips curled up with a slight mocking smile as he relayed back the annoying words that Kleist had just told him verbatim.
Kleist was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Very good, indeed a promising young man. Ling Yun, you are remarkable. I have personally witnessed your progress from an ordinary ability user to a lieutenant, then a colonel, and finally a super strongman. Although I am very jealous, I have to admit that you are the most incredible genius in the world. If you are given more time, your achievements will probably rival those of the strongest like Golden Miracle. So I can't sit still anymore. If you hadn't suddenly broken the artificial satellite, I would probably have taken action against you in the near future."
"You still haven't answered my question about why?" Ling Yun seemed to ignore his nonsense and simply repeated the same question.
“Sigh, why? Why do you always ask me these questions that I can’t explain?” Kleist sighed, seemingly troubled. “However, I think I can find some clues about this issue. Although monitoring you is also on the boss’s orders, I think it’s more related to the Heavenly Eye, because the Heavenly Eye also showed unusual activity at the same time you gained your superpowers.”
"But at that time, the Heavenly Eye wasn't in the hands of Golden Miracle, but on Xiao Rou. How did you know that the Heavenly Eye was acting strangely?" Ling Yun remembered all the details and immediately pointed out the loophole in Kleist's words.
“Good question.” Kleist smiled. “Your question touches on the relationship between the Heavenly Eye and the Golden Miracle. I shouldn’t tell you this, but there’s no harm in telling you. Although I don’t care about my boss’s affairs, at least one thing is certain: the original owner of the Heavenly Eye was my boss, the Golden Miracle, right?”
“Yes.” Ling Yun nodded, a little puzzled. The owner of the Heavenly Eye was Golden Miracle, so what did that have to do with anything?
“I think you’ve overlooked something,” Kleist said slowly. “While the Heavenly Eye is the bait we use to implement our hegemonic plan, its importance as a supreme treasure in the eyes of the Heavenly Eye Society and even all superhumans is self-evident. If you were my boss, would you be willing to use the Heavenly Eye as bait to let someone take it out? If the Heavenly Eye were to be stolen and hidden, or fall into the hands of a super organization like the Superhuman Headquarters, no matter how powerful the Heavenly Eye Society is, could it get it back? Wouldn’t that be a losing proposition?”
Ling Yun nodded silently. He had also considered the inconsistencies in this arrangement. If it were him, he would never use a rare treasure like the Heavenly Eye as bait. Once lost, no amount of reward could bring it back. However, he couldn't understand the Heavenly Eye Society's purpose. He simply assumed it was a grand gesture by the Golden Miracle, or that the Heavenly Eye was mostly useless, its wonders unknown and its secrets unfathomable. Based on this, they used it as bait. Now, hearing Kleist's explanation, it was clear there was more to it than met the eye.
"What I can tell you is that the Heavenly Eye and the Golden Miracle have a special connection. I don't know what that connection is, but what I'm sure of is that the Golden Miracle can summon the Heavenly Eye at any time if he wants to. So it doesn't matter where the Heavenly Eye is or who has it. The Golden Miracle can sense the Heavenly Eye's aura and location, and he can recall it immediately if he wants to. Therefore, we are not worried about the Heavenly Eye being lost, nor can we lose it. Placing it on you and Gu Xiaorou is just right as bait for our activities. The fact that the Heavenly Eye reacted to your changes was something the Golden Miracle didn't expect, which is why he had me monitor you," Kleist said slowly.
"Is everything I do under your surveillance?" Ling Yun asked.
“Of course not. Some of your experiences are very peculiar, even I can’t see through them. I think that’s the real reason for your growth. Although I’m surprised, I also think it makes sense. A person’s growth will match their experiences. The strength you have today is definitely not accidental. I think there must have been some very exciting and adventurous experiences in your training. It’s a pity that I can’t experience everything you’ve gone through. It’s really a pity.” Kleist looked regretful.
“There’s nothing to regret. Once you’ve seen power that’s hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of times stronger than the strongest, you’ll realize that what you’ve gained is really nothing. If it weren’t for some special opportunities, I don’t think I would even be standing in front of you. Or maybe I’m just lucky.” Ling Yun smiled faintly.
"Power a hundred times stronger than the strongest?" Kleist's eyes narrowed. Such a thing was simply a fantasy. If someone possessed such power, they would be like a god. But at his level, power was no longer a simple matter of cultivation; it was about comprehending the more ethereal Dao of Heaven. Although Ling Yun's words were shrouded in mystery, Kleist already believed them.
“Yes, General Kleist, you have seen the Heavenly Eye, so do you know what the true power of the Heavenly Eye is?” Ling Yun suddenly asked.
"I don't know." Kleist stared intently at Ling Yun. For some reason, the feeling of being in control of everything that he had just felt suddenly disappeared. Although Ling Yun's power was approaching his own, Kleist had always maintained the initiative. But all those feelings vanished with Ling Yun's question.
The Heavenly Eye is shrouded in mystery within the Heavenly Eye Society. No one knows its true secrets except for Golden Miracle. Even high-ranking members like Kleist only have a superficial understanding of the Heavenly Eye. Upon hearing Ling Yun's question, Kleist suddenly felt a strange sensation. In his view, there was only one master of the Heavenly Eye: Golden Miracle.
For Golden Miracle to reclaim the Heavenly Eye would be a piece of cake. Although the Heavenly Eye is not currently in Golden Miracle's hands, it would only be a temporary safeguarding process for anyone else. The Heavenly Eye wouldn't show any unusual behavior to anyone except Golden Miracle, but judging from Ling Yun's demeanor and questioning, it seems he has already figured out his own insights into the Heavenly Eye.
Thinking of this, Kleist's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in return, "I haven't, but have you seen me?"
"I've seen it." Ling Yun nodded. "Very powerful."
"Very powerful?" Kleist repeated, a hint of doubt creeping into his mind. Ling Yun's understated manner made it difficult to grasp the true meaning of "very powerful." As a general of the Heavenly Eye Society and a top-tier superhuman, nothing in the world could pique Kleist's interest anymore. If anything could, it would undoubtedly be the secrets of the Heavenly Eye and its higher-level power.
Thinking of the strange behavior that the Heavenly Eye had shown towards Ling Yun, Cressett's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he vaguely thought of an almost insane possibility: Could it be that this boy had already comprehended the secret of the Heavenly Eye, which was why he had grown so fast? No, that's impossible. Even the master of the Heavenly Eye, Golden Miracle, could not fully comprehend it. What makes this boy, Ling Yun, so capable?
Ling Yun gave a meaningful smile: "Yes, General Kleist, I have personally witnessed the power of the Heavenly Eye. It is unimaginably powerful. The Heavenly Eye should not belong to our world, and no one can control it. The so-called master of it is just a joke. In front of the Heavenly Eye, we are all just insignificant dust. Therefore, I do not believe that Golden Miracle can control the Heavenly Eye at any time. In fact, the Heavenly Eye is on my body right now. If you do not believe me, General, you can contact Golden Miracle immediately and see if he can summon the Heavenly Eye back."
Kleist fell silent, staring intently at Ling Yun. If the Heavenly Eye truly showed any unusual reaction to Ling Yun, then this young man would become a significant threat, potentially even to the Golden Miracle. He had to be eliminated before Ling Yun fully grew in power. In fact, Kleist had already made his decision the moment Ling Yun forced him out of the artificial satellite, the Heavenly Eye.
Since Ling Yun can see through his movements, it means that Ling Yun has the ability to contend with him, which is undoubtedly dangerous. Before the plan is completed, Ling Yun and Xiao Rou cannot die, because the two are part of the plan, but that does not mean that they should be trained into opponents of equal strength.
The European plan is complete, and the decoy role of the Sky Eye is coming to an end. Now, it's time to reclaim the Sky Eye and eliminate Ling Yun. Besides, Ling Yun already knows that the Sky Eye will arrange for the Japanese to attack the Superpower Bureau, so we can't let him go back and inform the Superpower Headquarters.
Chapter 391 Ling Yun's Trap
"You want to kill me, don't you, General Kleist?" Ling Yun said calmly, looking at Kleist.
When one's strength reaches the level of a super-strong individual, even the slightest thought of an enemy can be immediately sensed. Moreover, Ling Yun's perception far surpasses that of other superhumans. In fact, Kleist's killing intent towards him has never ceased. Although Kleist appears outwardly normal, and his mental field shows no fluctuations, this often indicates a deeper level of danger from the other party.
Ling Yun was actually on guard in secret. This was not land, but tens of thousands of meters in the air. Maintaining flight required consuming mental energy. The two seemed to be having a normal conversation, but in fact they were also in a contest of strength. So far, neither Ling Yun nor Kleist had shown any signs of weakness, which made Kleist even more wary.
“Yes, Ling Yun, I never imagined that the Heavenly Eye would have such a significant impact on you. In fact, you have already become a threat to me and my boss, and you are the biggest obstacle to the European plan. Before the American Superpower Agency clashes with the Superpower Headquarters, I must kill you to prevent you from leaking information to the American Superpower Agency. However, I don’t necessarily have to kill you. As long as you agree to one condition, I can let you go, and I might even give you something unexpected.” Kleist answered with the straightforwardness typical of foreigners, but the last sentence revealed a hint of temptation.
"No." Ling Yun refused without hesitation.
"Oh? You know what I'm trying to say?" Kleist's eyes darted around, seemingly surprised, but if the boy was smart enough, his reaction was understandable.
“I will not join the Sky Eye Society, nor will I leave the Superpower Headquarters,” Ling Yun said coldly. “Moreover, I will kill every member of the Sky Eye Society I see, including you.”
Kleist paused, then burst into laughter: "Very well, you're young after all, full of youthful vigor. But I'd like to ask you, why do you hate the Sky Eye Society so much? Is it because we used you as a pawn in our plan? You're a smart man, you should know that offending a big organization is not a good choice. Besides, I know you suffered some grievances at the Superpower Headquarters. For a super strong person like you, even if you walk alone, you should be respected. Moreover, what the Superpower Headquarters can give you, we can give you even more. There's a saying in China, 'A wise man recognizes the value of things.' Even if we had some unpleasantness before, it shouldn't be a reason for you to refuse benefits."
“I don’t want anything! Besides, what benefits can you possibly offer me?” Ling Yun smiled sarcastically. “General Kleist, you have no idea what I want, and what I want is precisely what your Sky Eye Society cannot give me.”
"What do you want?" Kleist asked noncommittally. He genuinely couldn't guess what Ling Yun wanted, but he had a general idea. At the level of a super strong person, their needs were completely different from those of ordinary people. Ordinary power, money, and women could no longer bring them better enjoyment, because these things were readily available. And those journeys seeking thrills and adventures posed no threat to a superhuman, so in reality, a super strong person didn't have anything particularly in need.
However, even the strongest are still human beings, with their own dreams and needs. It's just that these needs are mysterious or even absurd to ordinary people. When power reaches its peak, the needs often become very simple and singular: a higher level of realm and power. Because power ultimately brings everything. Without power, a super strong person is nothing.
"I just want to live an ordinary life, can you give me that?" Ling Yun said with a smile.
Kleist was stunned. He had already guessed seven or eight kinds of benefits Ling Yun wanted, each one roughly the same: higher-level power cultivation and greater wealth—things the Heavenly Eye Society could provide. If they could bring Ling Yun into the Heavenly Eye Society's camp, it wouldn't necessarily boost their strength significantly, but it would certainly be a great boost. However, he never expected that what Ling Yun wanted was just the most insignificant ideal, and the survival status of the vast majority of people in the world—the life of ordinary people.
This is precisely what the Sky Eye Society cannot provide, because the Sky Eye Society has everything from top to bottom except ordinary people. Even if there are ordinary people, they become extraordinary within such an organization. Therefore, while Ling Yun's request seems extremely simple, it is actually extremely difficult, or rather, simply impossible. Because for those with superpowers, their extraordinary lives are already destined from birth.
Kleist finally gave a wry smile: "You really are quite special... That's right, your request is exactly what we can't give you. Not only can we not give it, but even the China Superpower Headquarters can't give it, and no superpower organization in the world can satisfy it. You are a superpowered person, you are not an ordinary person, so why do you want to have such an unrealistic dream?"
Ling Yun said calmly, "Because I'm different from you born with superpowers... For the first eighteen years of my life, I was an ordinary person. After becoming a superpowered individual, I used to really enjoy the power it gave me. But now, I just want to go back to the past. I want to be free and live in a fair country, without having to struggle for survival every moment, or having to consider such complicated plans, where I might risk my life for profit. I'd rather be with my family, enjoying family life, living a slightly more affluent but peaceful life, unlike you and me now, fighting for life and death. I can eat whatever I want, and wake up naturally whenever I want. Do you understand? These are what I truly want, not the vague and ethereal power you imagine."
Kleist was stunned. As the most powerful figure in the Sky Eye Society, his life was destined to be extraordinary from birth. From his diligent training as a child to his gradual growth to the peak of his power, Kleist had seen and tried everything. But the one thing he had never experienced was the ordinary life that Ling Yun spoke of. The life that Ling Yun described was almost unheard of to Kleist. Although it was the most common way of life among ordinary people, it was often overlooked by those with superpowers because of their extraordinary lives.
Although Ling Yun didn't seem to have any higher interests at stake, for some reason, Kleist's heart suddenly stirred. From Ling Yun's simple and unpretentious words, he could tell that the other party wasn't lying or deceiving, nor did he need to. Kleist suddenly felt a longing for the world Ling Yun described. Perhaps behind the battles and conquests, everyone, even those with superpowers, needed a peaceful haven to rest their weary souls.
But immediately, Kleist regained his calm and indifferent inner world. Unlike Ling Yun, Kleist had never considered the world Ling Yun yearned for. Although he might have felt a fleeting fascination, he would never become obsessed. [Q]
Having said all he wanted to say, Kleist slowly raised his hand and reached out to grab Ling Yun. As his hand gesture changed, an enormous, transparent hand suddenly appeared in the air and, with incredible speed, grabbed Ling Yun in its grasp, then clenched its fist tightly.
With a crack, the fist grasped empty air, and Lingyun's figure in the large hand suddenly twisted and turned into a cloud of smoke in the blink of an eye.
Kleist's eyes twitched, and he involuntarily said, "Afterimage Technique?" A smile immediately appeared on his stiff face: "Good lad, you actually set up an afterimage without making a sound. So the real body has already left. I was wondering why something felt off."
He stretched out his finger and drew a shimmering rectangular plane in front of him. With a flash of silver light, the plane transformed into a different scene: still high in the clouds, a small figure was flying away in the direction that was far from him.