Chapter 120: Nie Li's death
Yan Jin stepped out of his room a week after that night feeling refreshed and his body humming with newfound power. The journey east had been eventful, and he couldn't yet tell if the gains outweighed the losses.
As the number one target on the Pi Continent, his circumstances condemned him to stay within the Babel Tower for a while. " I have become, very strong since I have accepted, the heretical god legacy. I can hold my own against the miracle generation, but when it comes to the old masters. I don't know if I can escape unhurt. I need to push myself to understand the limits of my power."
Eli's memory transfer of the Heretical God Race's dual cultivation method—soul and blood—had opened new paths for Yan Jin. He had much to integrate into his routine over the next six months, at least until he set off for the east. The memories and knowledge would provide the foundation for his next steps, both in power and survival.
"I will test myself against the tower. That way I can refine my archery, and maybe breakthrough the next level"
However, his mind wasn't only on cultivation. As usual he waited for news from Lee Ann, a piece of information that would have shaken the Babel Tower.
Like clockwork, Lee Ann arrived, her expression grim yet composed. "Nie Li is dead," she stated, her voice heavy with the weight of the revelation.
Yan Jin's eyes narrowed as she continued. "The Golden Warriors announced that Nie Li succumbed to his injuries a week ago, and Nie Yang is pointing to you as the killer."
The accusation didn't surprise him, but the timing did. The perfect opportunity had been laid for Nie Yang. He expected him to act swiftly but not this fast. Someone else had intervened, Nie Li didn't lack enemies, it wasn't surprising someone took advantage of the situation to eliminate him.
Lee Ann went on to explain that, under the guise of his brother's funeral, Nie Yang removed the Golden Guards from the tower for a martyr's convoy.
That same night, He Chen and his Phantom Division struck, launching a devastating assault.
Without the immense pressure of the Golden Warriors, the remaining Miracle Generation members couldn't withstand the Phantom Division's attack.
He Chen's reveled to the public is Perfected Celestial State, coupled with his resonance cultivation, he had overwhelmed the opposition, leading to what seemed like another crushing defeat. But Yan Jin knew better, this was an orchestrated loss.
The following day, a mass exodus happened as the Miracle Generation members left the tower. The power structure within Babel Tower shifted entirely in the spam of a week.
The Lotus Division and the Treasure Pavilion quickly rose as the new dominant factions, filling the vacuum left behind.
Zhang Chi had departed as well, leaving Wei Xi and Zhang San to oversee operations as vice generals.
Yan Jin wasn't surprised by this reshuffling, but what caught his attention was that Luo Li of the Lotus Palace had chosen to remain, along with Yan Bai, who had quietly stayed in the shadows after the reshuffle.
The atmosphere in the tower settled in and stabilized after a couple days, the number of residents had drastically reduced, the hall were empty, and it was much simpler to navigate between floors incognito.
After defeating Nie Li, Yan Jin officially claimed the title of the strongest in the lower regions of Babel Tower. He could finally move on to the middle levels.
Unlike the lower levels, where the focus was on dueling and public spectacles, the middle floors offered individual challenge types. These floors rarely attracted public attention due to the lack of direct and bloody competition, as the Tower itself administered the challenges and distributed rewards based on performances.
For Yan Jin, it was the perfect time to dive into intense training. In the dead of night, he left his room, heading for the 60th floor.
His mind was focused on what lay ahead, but as soon as he opened the door, he stumbled upon someone pacing nervously outside. A lost soul, hovering at the threshold of his quarters.
Yan Jin immediately recognized the figure and rolled his eyes internally or figuratively.
Fate, seemed to enjoy casting him as the caretaker of orphaned souls. The intruder was a young boy dressed in the golden warriors signature attire. His demeanor was completely opposite to what it was the last time Yan Jin encountered him. When he caught sight of Yan Jin, his body trembled before he rushed forward, tears streaming down his face.
"I'm sorry!" the boy cried, his voice breaking with guilt. "He was there... he said he would kill everyone... and my hand just moved... I didn't think you'd take the blame!" The boy's sobs came fast, and his words muffled with each breath.
Yan Jin sighed, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder to steady him. "It's not your fault," Yan Jin said, pulling the boy into a reassuring embrace. "That bastard was going to die anyway. There were many forces at play. You were used. It's not your fault."
The boy trembled, tears soaking Yan Jin's chest. "I killed him... I choked him like a coward," he whispered, his voice barely audible between sobs.
Yan Jin patted his back gently. "It's okay," he said softly. "Nie Li did terrible things. He paid the price for his actions. But listen to me carefully—one action doesn't define you. What matters now is how you move forward from this.
Nie Li was a coward who refused to take responsibility for his crimes. He cared for no one but himself. You don't have to follow that path. What you do next will determine the person you become."
The boy looked up, his tear-streaked face filled with confusion and shame. "What about you?" he asked. "What will happen to you?"
Yan Jin smiled, a mixture of warmth and strength in his expression. "What about me?" he said, ruffling the boy's hair gently. "This older brother is strong enough to handle whatever comes. Don't worry about me."
The boy still seemed lost, like a ship without an anchor. "What do I do now?" he asked, his voice small. "I have nowhere to go."
Yan Jin tightened his grip on the boy's shoulders. "It's okay," he said firmly. "When we reach the eastern region, I'll make a plan for you. I'll take care of it. You're not alone in this."
Yan Jin sat in the quiet of his room, watching over Yan Bai as the boy finally drifted into a peaceful sleep beside him.
The events of the night had forced Yan Jin to reconsider his plans. Though his mind was set on climbing the tower, the presence of this young soul, fragile yet resilient, sparked a new thought within him—it was time to build his own division. He had crossed paths with enough aimless talents to understand the value of proper mentorship.
Yan Bai, with his pure heart and raw potential, was the kind of individual who needed that guidance most.
The boy had endured the influence of narcissists and manipulators who sought only to exploit his strength and notoriety for personal gain. Without true role models, it was no wonder his mind had been left so fractured. Yan Jin knew this was the time to intervene, to provide Yan Bai with the mentorship and structure that would allow him to grow, not just in power but as a person.
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With that in mind, Yan Jin began drafting a detailed letter for Yan Bai. He took his time, his thoughts flowing steadily onto the page. He wrote about what was expected of the boy in the coming months, laying out a clear path that would shape both his mind and his strength.
The first task he assigned to Yan Bai was to spend time volunteering with the old man in the blood pool hall. Yan Jin knew that the old man, with his age and wisdom, would grind away at the rough edges of Yan Bai's fractured mind. The boy would learn patience, gain clarity, and—most importantly—heal. The work in the blood pool hall was grueling but rewarding.
It was the perfect environment for Yan Bai to refine not just his skills but his spirit.
The second task was more logistical. Yan Jin instructed Yan Bai to allow Lee Ann to plan his journey through the tower. With adversaries like Wei Xi and Zhang San, Yan Bai needed structure, direction, and a clear sense of purpose. Lee Ann's meticulous nature would provide exactly that.
She would ensure that his climb was both strategic and safe, giving him a better chance at success in the hostile environment of Babel Tower.
Once the letter was written, Yan Jin left it on the table next to the sleeping boy. The boy had potential—great potential. And Yan Jin would see to it that it was properly cultivated. With his mind now clear, Yan Jin turned toward the door.