Chapter 540: The future has been changed
After a while;
Mark, in his spirit form, was scrolling the inventory, skills, and other things in various holographic screens in his mindscape.
"So, I retained everything that I had, including some of the system's functions and the items, but can no longer get quests, or rewards, can't use lottery wheel, or create anything new, huh?"
The Artificial Intelligence's consciousness nodded, "Yes. That is correct. I don't have the ability to create something out of nothing, Master. My creator also locked in some materialistic rewards in your mindscape, which can only be acquired by the Master after completing those pending quests.
The quests that offer non-materialistic rewards such as credits, gallery unlocks, and random rewards were removed."
"Well, I suppose so." Mark nodded in understanding.
"Okay, let's see the Quests that I can still complete…"
*Quest*
The Quest panel was opened in a new window, displaying a set of quests and their respective rewards.
Main Quests & Side Quests:
1) Become Rank-10
Reward: Mythril grade item, Primeval bloodline unlock.
2) Create a missile with 100 km range
Reward: Warhead models (HE, Fragmentation, Incendiary, and Chemical)
3) Earn a total of 10,000,000 gold coins from selling the weapons excluding all types of ammunition, through the weapon store (Progress: 1%)
Reward: Battle Tank-IV (gold grade), Rocket launcher (gold grade), Battlesuit (gold grade)
4) Expand the business to 10 cities and sell atleast 1000 weapons through each branch excluding ammunition
Reward: Upgrade crystal (Superior)
Emergency Quests:
1) Eliminate the New Threat
Description: Due to the failure to stop the ritual, the founder of the Church of Doom has been resurrected. Kill the Founder and Supreme Pontiff of the Church of Doom.
Reward: Cosmic Essence Absorption (skill)
"So, these five are the only ones remaining? Surely, it was generous to leave me with such quests. Well, it indeed wrote off those 10 billion gold coins of debt. So, I won't hate it, but it doesn't mean I would leave it unpunished. From this day on, my life goal is to destroy that system, or I guess I should call it, Orb of Creation. But, before that, the Dragon Empire must face the consequences…"
*Haaa*
Letting out a gasp, Mark woke up from his sleep and found Song Yue sitting on a chair, by the side of his bed, and sleeping.
His inner feelings of hatred vanished away for a moment and a smile appeared on his face as he reached out to her face.
Just as his hand touched her cheek, her eyes opened abruptly. "Markie…" She lunged forward and hugged him tightly, making him caress her hair, "It's alright. I'm sorry for worrying you." He spoke in a soft tone.
"I never thought Lin Xue would betray us. It is my fault. If only…" As Song Yue started her self-blaming once again, Mark interrupted her, "No, I don't hate her. Maybe, it is because the system… the orb of creation left me; I could see some things a bit clearly. It's neither of your faults. She indeed has a right to pursue her revenge against mine.
After all, I'm guilty of their deaths. I had the power to take him down at any time but I decided on toying with him. I shouldn't have done that. This time, I won't make the same mistake again."
"Same mistake?" Song Yue leaned back and looked at him in a bit of confusion.
"The Dragon Empire must pay for what they did to you," Mark replied coldly.
Song Yue immediately hugged him once again, "No, please don't. I beg you to forgive them. They didn't do it out of greed for a treasure. The Tang Dynasty's founder was sick and he needed the cosmic orb to heal himself. Auntie, Zheng, and Mr. Eol were ready to start the war but Emperor Tang sent various herbs, treasures, and also a letter of apology to prevent it.
If forgiveness from you will save millions of lives, then, please do so. At least, do it for Steve and James who saved your life."
"Eol is alive?" Mark asked in surprise.
Song Yue went on to explain what happened during the past three days.
First of all, Lan Jingyi's true strength was revealed to everyone as she visited the Dragon Empire's capital for the explanation.
She fought against the Tang Dynasty's founder until she was joined by Zheng and Eol, whose soul was transmigrated into Fu Sheng's body. Since it hadn't been that long since the Imperial Sovereign died under Mark's hands, Deity Yujiang made sure Eol retained Fu Sheng's demigod realm cultivation.
Secondly, Mark's secret was also revealed to be the true prince of the empire. Lan Jingyi's outburst at the Dragon Empire became the source of this rumor.
To cover up the fact that Shang Wei was an illegitimate son of Emperor Shang Fu as he was slated to become the Emperor of the Northern Phoenix Empire, rumors were circulated among the citizens that he and Lu Zhen were fraternal twins. Lu Zhen was abducted in the young and eventually ended up in the hands of a commoner couple.
Since it has only been three days, the news hasn't passed to every citizen of the Empire yet. But, so far, people seemed a bit positive, upon learning that their dear prince saved the Empire from extra-terrestrial forces as well as the Dragon Empire.
However, Lan Jingyi's reputation took a hit. No one is voicing it yet due to fear but everyone is blaming her in their hearts for hiding her cultivation and living like a normal lady.
Shang Fu was the one who was affected the most. He feels betrayed by his wife and doesn't know how to act around her.
Thirdly, the changes in Song Yue's body. She revealed to Mark that she suddenly found herself in the 5-circle realm upon regaining her consciousness. There was a strange power inside her where she could control the matter in her surroundings at will, although she would faint if she did it for more than 18 seconds. It was the remnants of Chaos energy that fused with her ether particles.
And finally, it is about Steve and James. Song Yue didn't know of their identities. The only thing she knows is that both of them saved his life when his body was disintegrating away.
She explained what she heard from the others. One cut his body and the other inserted a cube-looking object into Mark's chest before healing him up together while Lan Jingyi provided her life force during this procedure to keep him alive.
After that, the teenage supreme beings as well as the Orb of time were taken away by Deity Yujiang, who said that he would be sending them as well as the treasure to their world.
Mark let out a sigh as he nodded and leaned back to rest his head on the headboard of the bed, "I understood that much, already when I saw that artificial intelligence in my body. After all, apart from me, only you two could understand modern technology in this world. It's too bad that we might not be able to see them ever again, but it is for the best."
After a brief pause, Mark sighed once again, "Since they gave me a new life, I will respect their wishes and forgo my revenge for their past deeds."
*
Future timeline;
19 years from the present;
Earth 43, Plane of Ice and Fore;
"Sssshhhhh"
A blinding flash of light filled the surroundings, all of a sudden, followed by the appearance of the time ship.
Steve and James got out of the timeship only to find Mark, who looked very young to the point that he didn't seem aged anymore. However, there was one little change from the one they lived until now. It is that he was wearing round spectacles and a white lab coat.
"Dad?" "Dad?"
Both of them were quite surprised when they saw Mark standing outside to welcome them.
"Welcome back and congratulations on your successful time travel, Steve, James," replied Mark with a pleasant smile on his face. As their lips widened in happiness, Mark added, "Based on my calculations, you have gone to Year 1784 of the Era of Ether, Earth 192, my home planet. Did you learn something new?"
They looked at each other in the realization that they had indeed changed the future, and James awkwardly smiled and replied, "Yes, but I believe it should stay a secret."
"Oh, you must have messed up a little, haven't you?" Mark nodded calmly as he commented before adding, "It is not a problem even if you create another branch of the timeline. Lu Shan will fix it as always."
"Nah, there is nothing to fix. We seriously didn't do anything else, haha, Dad," Steve also awkwardly laughed, trying to be normal.