Sitting on the chair, Lin Junzhao lazily swung his legs, showing a look of complete indifference to the outside world. At this moment, agents responsible for the raid on low-level personnel of the Divine Desire were gathering under the leadership of Elder Lin. The two groups met and reported to each other their respective situations. Pei Yan and others, upon spotting Zhao Yuanhu in the crowd, collectively sighed in relief and happily waved at her.

According to Elder Lin's description, when the battle commenced and they entered the base, he immediately noticed something was amiss inside and ordered a retreat. Although most of the agents were evacuated, some were left behind in the snake's abdomen. Subsequently, the Investigation Department, along with supporters from the Daoist Realm and the Magic Realm, jointly opened a gash in the snake's abdomen to rescue the trapped agents. Even so, six agents unfortunately perished within the snake's abdomen.

Gu Shenghui also thoroughly explained the situation here to Elder Lin. After listening to Gu Shenghui's account, Elder Lin frowned. The two whispered to each other but couldn't make a decision, so they reported the situation. Before long, Cen Xiaoran, the chief commander of the operation, and Major General Zhao walked over together.

Looking at Cen Xiaoran kneeling gracefully before him, Pei Yan, who was seated like he was on pins and needles, quickly stood up. This newly appointed chief of the Investigation Department was even older than his grandfather. Even though he knew the kneeling wasn't for him but for the Origin Maiden, he couldn't bear it. If his grandfather knew of his impoliteness, he'd likely get whipped.

Cen Xiaoran saw Pei Yan standing and waved a hand for him to sit back down, indicating with a smile that it was okay. Seeing their teacher kneeling, Elder Lin, Elder Zuo, and two other elderly figures unknown to Pei Yan also knelt down simultaneously, while others stood in formation at the back watching the proceedings.

Lin Junzhao squinted at the elders kneeling in front of him. After a while, he seemed to relent and sighed deeply, saying, "You're still alive, aren't you? Stand up."

Cen Xiaoran, however, did not rise after hearing this. He bowed his head in apology, "Even though I've benefited greatly from you, I couldn't save you from peril when you were in distress. I am too ashamed to rise," he said, bowing deeply.

"Forget it, your half-baked abilities couldn't deal with him anyway. Besides, me being trapped was in your best interests, was it not? Whether it's Divine Desire or the Investigation Department."

Hearing Lin Junzhao comment on Cen Xiaoran's half-baked abilities, Zuo Huaxian, who hadn't witnessed the Origin Maiden's display of power, was filled with dissatisfaction. He wanted to argue, but Elder Lin, standing beside him, clamped his hand on his wrist. Cen Xiaoran's deep, robust voice responded crisply and promptly, "Yes!"

"Good, after all these years, you haven't become as hypocritical as the others. I just don't get it; am I really that terrifying to you all!" Saying this, Lin Junzhao withdrew his hand from stroking Pei Jin and leaned forward to continue speaking to Cen Xiaoran, "I asked your subordinates two questions earlier. Can you tell them the answers?"

"To us ability users, you are akin to a god. Our relationship is between the bestower and the bestowed."

The crowd was taken aback, hearing such words that sounded like those of a delusional persona. A god? Could this energy entity before them be a god? The bestower and the bestowed? Were their abilities not innate awakenings but given by her? What a joke!?

Unfazed by the expressions of shock and disbelief around him, Pei Yan appeared as though he had just pieced together an important puzzle, bowing his head in deep thought, without a word.

"Hmph." Similarly silent was Zuo Huaxian, though his expression was one of disdain, letting out a cold snort.

Sensing this trace of dissatisfaction, Lin Junzhao leaned back in his chair, pointing at Zuo Huaxian with a smile, "What? Do you have any objections?"

"I...."

"Shut up!" Cen Xiaoran sharply interrupted Zuo Huaxian just as he was about to speak, with his head raised defiantly.

Lin Junzhao raised a hand and instructed, "It's okay, let him speak. I won't get angry no matter what he says today."

Seeing his teacher no longer blocking his voice, Zuo Huaxian straightened up, first bowing to Lin Junzhao, and then spoke frankly, "You are held in such high esteem by my mentor. I reckon you must be a person of great ability. I've heard about you. While your abilities might be unparalleled, claiming to be a god is a bit..."

"Too arrogant?" Lin Junzhao completed his unfinished sentence, "Indeed, in comparison to the gods in myths and legends from around the world, my abilities are insignificant. If I'm regarded as such a god, aren't powerful ability users who can move mountains and fill seas indistinguishable from gods?"

Zuo Huaxian said nothing, lowering his head and silently agreeing. Lin Junzhao looked at him and continued, "Just as you think, to others in this world, I might merely be an entity with strong abilities. But to you, ability users, I truly embody a god-like existence, as all your abilities derive from my understanding of this world. Without me, ability users wouldn't exist in this world. Do you think I am considered your god?"

"What?" This time, not just Zuo Huaxian, but even Elder Lin and the other Investigation Department members were left speechless in shock.

Seeing their reactions, Lin Junzhao turned and looked at Pei Yan, who wore a calm expression, smiling, "Why do you seem unsurprised?"

"Actually, since my sister handed me that pendant and I experienced the vibration ability from it, I suspected as much, though it was merely an unprovable theory. I am puzzled about how you managed to distribute abilities to everyone. You were captured for twelve years, yet I saw a young girl with recently awakened abilities. She should've awakened after you were captured."

"You're overthinking it. Except for those I intentionally bestow abilities upon, all others who awaken from within their source do so by randomly drawing from my subconscious understanding of this world, combined with their own abilities. I don't have the time to bestow capabilities upon people globally."

Listening to Lin Junzhao's sweet laughter, Pei Yan nodded thoughtfully, "That's why the sensed abilities of users vary so widely, from individuals to things, singular concepts, animals, and even household items?"

"Precisely."

"This can't be! Although you might have the power to bestow original abilities, what's the connection between us, the original source holders, and you? Our powers originate from a different realm."

As Lin Junzhao and Pei Yan were engaged in conversation, Zuo Huaxian abruptly looked up with bloodshot eyes, shouting defiantly as he couldn't accept this reality.

"What, you don't believe it?" Lin Junzhao turned to Zuo Huaxian with a mocking expression.

"I'm sorry, your words are just too hard for me to accept." Zuo Huaxian, who'd always been proud of his abilities, considering them a unique blend of innate talent and skill, could not fathom that his abilities were merely a sliver of consciousness in someone else's mind.

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