Pain Immunity: Worried the Villains Aren’t Twisted Enough

Chapter 880: The Flame Ignited Early, The Calm of the Chess Player

Seeming to realize that her laughter had been a bit too villainous, Xie Antong cleared her throat slightly, reining in her runaway expression and straightening up a little.

"Um... sorry about that, I really did get a bit too excited."

"Back then, you were a true genius. Founding Divine Punishment at that critical juncture, and using your incredibly high popularity to boost its reputation—that laid the groundwork for today."

As she spoke, she looked at Lu Ce with a smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Perhaps it was because he had seen her smile too many times, but Lu Ce suddenly noticed that after absorbing that Divine Power so intensely, although she had started to act like Pleasure, always wearing a mocking grin in her smiles...

There still seemed to be a difference. It felt like there was a little less coldness and a bit more brightness and directness.

He frowned instantly. After dealing with his seven masks for so long, his perception of such things was sharp. He felt that this one difference might be the biggest opportunity!

After all, if she were completely imitating Pleasure, then she really wouldn't stand much of a chance of defeating him.

However, before he could think further, he was abruptly interrupted. A face suddenly appeared right in front of him—Xie Antong had leaned in close.

She looked at Lu Ce with a serious and somewhat suspicious expression, then spoke:"This is such a coincidence..."

"Could it be that you already foresaw this day back then? Or did Agony tell you something?"

"Did you already know that my future path was Pleasure, so you prepared this as a way for me to level up?"

Lu Ce: ...

Her powerful mind had already sent Xie Antong's imagination spiraling wildly; she was probably about to connect this event to the entire universe with a full cause-and-effect chain.

She probably didn't even realize it herself, but in this state of complete concentration, she was actually quite intimidating.

Lu Ce looked at the face pressed up against his and couldn't help but lean back a little.

"No... I suggest you curb your imagination a bit. Your mind seems a little too powerful."

"I didn't think about any of that back then. At the time, it was just for the convenience of boosting our strength. Also... it was fun."

"It was probably Greed's masterpiece..."

Xie Antong listened to his denial, but she wasn't disappointed at all. Instead, her expression turned playful as she repeated:

"What did you just say? Fun?"

*Smack!*

Xie Antong clapped her hands heavily and gave Lu Ce a thumbs-up.

"Good! That's it. I like that word."

"Fits the situation perfectly."

Lu Ce: ...

Beside them, Grand Elder Nie Jiu Tian's gaze slowly focused, as if he had been thinking a lot, and he spoke slowly:

"It does seem like... a decent operation."

"Oh? You've made up your mind, old man? That's quite decisive. Compared to your previous actions, this is much more resolute. I guess deadlines really are the greatest motivator." Xie Antong turned her head and said.

"Emergency calls for extraordinary measures. When there's time, one naturally takes the long view."

"Alright, alright. Then let's do it like this." Xie Antong waved her hand excitedly.

"But, let me give you a heads-up. Those wannabe human traitors that I just toyed with are probably in an uproar right now."

"Back then, that God side also set up an organization... called 'Apostle,' was it? They'll probably make their move around this time too."

"As for how to handle things on the specific world level, how to deal with igniting this flame early, and what to do with these human traitors—that's all your problem. I can't help much with that."

The Grand Elder's expression turned solemn upon hearing this. He knew full well what would happen after this, but the time had come; there was no more running.

So he simply replied:

"Alright!"

"Wait, hold on a second. I think my brain's a little fuzzy." Xu Long suddenly interrupted, looking confused as he scratched his head.

"Um, even though I didn't understand most of it, I do know that Divine Punishment was meant to absorb people who wanted to betray humanity, right?"

"So, why are we publicly dissolving Divine Punishment and provoking conflict?"

"They have all the information at the Xie family head's place. Couldn't we just follow the addresses, go straight there, and..."

As he spoke, he made a cutting motion across his own neck.

"No!" This time, Long Jiu and the Grand Elder spoke simultaneously.

"That kind of action is for normal times, to maintain stability and hope those people won't disturb public morale."

"But this is already a special period. God's descent won't change just because your public morale is stable or not."

"A room full of cockroaches—do you want to kill a few selectively, or do you want to force them all out and fight them head-on?"

The Grand Elder sighed and finally said:

"It's like treating a cancer patient. You have to use heavy-handed measures."

"Miss Xie, thank you for your help during this time. Go ahead and do it."

"But..." Nie Jiu Tian revealed a smile. "I imagine you've already made up your mind. Whether we agree or not, you were going to do it anyway."

Xie Antong chuckled, not denying it at all. This was her first big opportunity to ascend to the divine throne of Pleasure.

"That's fine!" the Grand Elder suddenly exclaimed.

"We can't stop you anymore, and I hope nothing in this world can stop you either."

"It really does feel good to be surpassed by the younger generation..."

Xie Antong walked over to Lu Ce and naturally took his hand, saying:

"Well, let's leave it at that for now. You can deal with the specifics of the operation."

"As for us... we'll be going first."

"Leader Blank." Suddenly, Long Jiu spoke up again. "You seem... very calm."

"What should I look like, then?" Xie Antong retorted.

Long Jiu: ...

Xu Long might not have understood before, but Long Jiu understood all too well.

This operation was like performing chemotherapy on the world.

It was equivalent to igniting an internal apocalypse of infighting within humanity before the actual apocalypse arrived.

To weed out the parasites, and at the same time, to screen out those with blood in their veins and a will to resist, giving them time to adapt to the world's upheaval in advance.

One could only imagine how terrifying a movement this would be.

And yet, the chess player who was personally lifting the veil on all of this was so calm, as if everything was as natural as... a god!

"Long Jiu, right?" Lu Ce suddenly spoke up. "For all your questions, I have one piece of advice—absorb that Divine Power of yours as soon as possible."