Chapter 99: A Divine Miracle of Resurrection
"This village is called 'Siren Song Village,' located two hundred kilometers outside the Great Wall." The teacher's tone grew cautious. "Over the past twenty years, the Alliance has sent three separate teams to investigate it."
"Every single time, as soon as the team members stepped within a hundred meters of the village, they would hear a hazy, indistinct singing."
"The song has no specific melody, nor any lyrics. Yet, the moment it is heard, regardless of the Awakener's rank, they will lose consciousness within ten seconds and collapse. They only wake up after being dragged back to the safe zone by their teammates."
"We tried using soundproofing equipment. We tried sealing our hearing. Nothing worked."
"It's as if the song is transmitted directly into the brain; it is impossible to block."
"To this day, no one has been able to enter the village. No one knows if there are actually people living there, or what exactly is singing that song."
The following photos were equally bizarre and eerie.
One captured a deep-sea region. In the image, a seahorse glowing with a faint blue light was suspended in the water.
[Note: ID 017 — Deep Sea Mirage Horse. Hearing its cry causes memory loss. Victims feel an uncontrollable compulsion to remove their diving gear and walk toward the seahorse, eventually drowning.]
"These are merely the tip of the iceberg of the Divine Phenomena recorded by the Alliance." The teacher turned off the projector, and the screen returned to a blank white.
"Some Divine Phenomena are harmless, like the Pillars of Heaven."
"But the majority are fatal. Like the song of Siren Song Village or the cry of the Deep Sea Mirage Horse. Once encountered, even high-tier Awakeners may not be able to retreat unscathed."
"Teacher!" Long Aotian suddenly raised his hand, his voice booming like a bell. "Is there... you know, a Divine Phenomenon that can help us? Like one that makes people stronger?"
This was the question many had been burning to ask. The eyes in the classroom snapped back to the teacher in unison.
The teacher remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke slowly, his tone even more solemn than before. "Yes."
"In fact, there are some Divine Phenomena that can even achieve... Resurrection."
"What?!"
The word 'Resurrection' exploded in the classroom like a thunderclap. Everyone wore expressions of sheer disbelief.
Su Qingqing paused in the middle of taking notes, her eyes wide with shock.
Chen Yu's body stiffened slightly.
"Resurrection..."
Is there really such a miracle?
I've never seen something this broken even in One Piece. There were rumors of the Perpetual Youth Surgery, but bringing the dead back to life?
"Teacher, are you serious?" Chen Yu couldn't help but speak up. It was the first time he had actively asked a question that day. "Is there really a miracle that can bring the dead back to life? Does it matter how long they've been dead?"
The teacher gave Chen Yu a deep look. "I remember you. You're Chen Yu, correct?"
Chen Yu, already accustomed to his fame, nodded. "Yes, Teacher."
The teacher smiled faintly. "Good child, do not seek to touch such things lightly."
He shook his head gently. "Not all death can be reversed. And not all miracles of resurrection are easily accessible."
He paused, then continued, "According to the Alliance's latest records, the Flying General Squad discovered a valley. ID 055 — Valley of Returning Souls."
"As long as the body of the deceased is placed inside, there is a probability that they will come back to life."
"But this miracle is not free." The teacher's gaze swept across the room, his eyes carrying a warning. "Those who are resurrected cannot leave that valley."
"Furthermore, that valley has been claimed by a Tier 8 Grandmaster-level Beast Emperor. Entering it is no easy feat, so the information we have is limited."
"Enough. It is sufficient that you know of the Valley of Returning Souls."
"Ahem, back to the main topic." The teacher cleared his throat. "In this world, there is no such thing as a free lunch."
"These so-called 'Divine Phenomena,' these so-called 'Gods'... whether they are humanity's hope or another abyss, no one can say for sure."
The classroom fell into silence again, but this time, the silence was heavy.
Everyone was digesting the teacher's words—Gods, Miracles, Resurrection, the Abyss...
Vocabulary that previously only existed in fantasy novels had now become a reality they had to face.
Looking at the students below, the teacher smiled and offered some comfort. "I didn't tell you these things today to make you afraid."
"I told you so that you understand clearly: what we will face in the future is far more difficult than you imagine."
"The first lesson of the training camp is not to teach you how to improve your abilities, but to teach you Awe."
"Awe for nature, awe for the unknown, and even more so, awe for the responsibilities we shoulder."
He checked his watch and said, "That's all for today's class. There will be combat training in the afternoon. Go back and prepare well."
"And think carefully about what kind of person you want to become in the future, and what you want to do for the Alliance and for humanity."
"Uh, Teacher!" Chen Yu called out to him. "You haven't told us your name yet!"
The teacher turned back, a look of realization on his face. "Did I not mention it? My surname is Gao. You can just call me Mr. Gao."
After Mr. Gao left, the classroom didn't immediately return to its lively state. It remained quiet.
Gu Yunxi slumped in her chair, mumbling, "Is there a Divine Miracle that can just download knowledge directly into my brain?"
Zhuge Jing closed his notebook and looked at Chen Yu. "Brother Yu, do you think that Qu Tian person you're looking for might be on a mission in the Valley of Returning Souls?"
Chen Yu simply nodded slightly. "Perhaps..."
Ling Yue sat beside him, gently poking his shoulder, and whispered, "I'll go with you to find her."
Just then—
Bang!
Long Aotian suddenly slammed the table and shouted, "Who cares about Gods or Miracles! As long as I get strong enough, I'll fight a God if I have to!"
"During the combat training this afternoon, nobody stop me! I'm going to fight the strongest..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Chen Yu, and his tone took a sharp turn. "The second..."
Then he spotted Ling Yue beside him, and finally declared with certainty, "I'm going to fight the third strongest person!"
His outburst finally broke the heavy atmosphere in the room.
Quite a few people chuckled, and the previous oppression dissipated significantly.
Gu Yunxi rolled her eyes. "You?"
"You'd better save that energy you used to inhale a whole pig at breakfast for tanking hits from Ferocious Beasts this afternoon."
"Who are you looking down on?!" Long Aotian yelled back, unconvinced.
"Hwaaah..." Bai Han finally lifted his head from his desk, asking with sleepy eyes, "Is the teacher not here yet?"
"Pfft..." Zhuge Jing couldn't hold back a laugh.
Ling Yue patted Bai Han's head. "Sorry, I forgot to wake you up."
"The teacher has already finished the class."
"Huh?!" Bai Han's eyes went wide. "I left a bad impression of being a student who sleeps in class again?"
"It's okay," Shen Lie comforted him earnestly. "Your presence is so low that the teacher probably didn't even notice you."
"..." Bai Han smiled painfully. "Thanks for the comfort. I feel much worse now."
Zhuge Jing chuckled. "Lie, if you know how to talk, you should probably keep your mouth shut."
Watching the group chat during the break, Chen Yu felt an illusion of returning to his school days.
This illusion lasted until the afternoon combat training.
____________________
Open-Air Training Ground.
"Next, student Chen Yu will give everyone a lesson." Feng Qi stepped aside, revealing Chen Yu behind him.
Chen Yu: "???"
Me?
Aren't I a student?
(To be Continued)