412 Afternoon Tea (1/2)

Hundreds of years ago, the nine Dragon bloodline families went through countless experiments and sacrifices to finally succeed with the miracle of 'music theory inheritance.' They were then able to pass down their music theory to their descendants. This was how the talents were born. It was essentially a convergence of music theory and the prototype of a heart of sound, symphony of predestination, and even a scepter!

A man's life had a limit. Compared to the world, it was as insignificant as dust.

To explore the true nature of the Originator, the ancestors of the nine families created Deva's blood. They turned music theory into an inheritance that could be passed down the generations. Countless descendants carried the same theory. As long as the bloodline was not cut off, they would be able to develop into the Originator one day.

After revisions from dozens of generations, Ye Qingxuan's Heaven Ladder was practically flawless. Its ability to cross all seven schools went without saying. In addition, it even ignored the boundaries to resonate over extremely large distances. It had the terrifying ability to send its strength over thousands of miles.

All Ye Qingxuan had to do was combine the Heaven Ladder with his own music theory. After much thinking, Ye Qingxuan felt that he had learned too much. He decided to give up on Modifications, Summoning, and Choir and just focus on what he already grasped: Revelations, Illusion, Mind, and the core—Abstinence.

This was why he had a headache.

Trying to combine everything at once was very difficult. Furthermore, he also had the music theory of the Philosopher's Stone. If he abandoned it to complete his heart of sound, it would be like selling a gem to buy a stone. Not only would his research on the sub-originator go to waste, he would also lose the vast foundation brought by the Stone. Thinking this made his heart break…

So then there was another problem.

How could he combine such vast and complicated music theories and turn the chaos into a complete unit?

Ye Qingxuan's expression grew troubled. ”What…is wrong?” he murmured. He studied the countless music notes, trying to use the interpretation method to find any holes. But the music theory involved was too much. Even with the large tuning instrument for help, it was still a huge task. He could not do this by himself at all. It had already been close to half a month and he was still clueless.

Closing his eyes, he stopped thinking about it. He tapped against the wall and hummed a broken tune. It was okay. There was no need to hurry.

He still had a lot of time.

-

That same afternoon, two old prisoners across the hallway started talking behind the bars to pass time. The old man on a wheelchair drank his tea slowly. He smacked his lips and shook his head in dissatisfaction.

”Did they change the druggist? They didn't put in enough 'seasoning.' There's no taste.” Putting down the teacup, he sighed. ”I can practically smell my feet.”

In the cell across from him was a bald old man with his face buried in a porn magazine. He used the afternoon sunlight to peruse it with his bad vision. Hearing the other man's voice, he pursed his lips and looked up saying, ”Your foot's long gone. I cut it off myself, remember?”

”No, your memory's bad. I got a new one later. It's better than the old one.” The wheelchair guy lifted the blanket on his knee and shook his foot proudly at the other. ”See, look. Look…” There was nothing under the calf. However, the bald guy stared with his rheumy eyes and hit his forehead in realization. ”Oh, right. How did I forget?”

”Right.” The wheelchair guy put the blanket back. There was nothing under his calf but there was a bulge under the blanket. There seemed to be a writhing limb, squirming slowly.

”So itchy…” The wheelchair guy reached out and scratched the nonexistent foot over the blanket. As he scratched, his expression grew bitter. ”Hey, you know Old Tom is going to die tonight. Old George is going soon too. Probably the day after tomorrow.”

Stunned, Bald Guy closed his magazine. ”Wasn't he still fine yesterday?”

”He changed his heart too much back in the day. It's going to fail soon.” Wheelchair Guy shook his head. ”He won't be able to keep going for long.”

”I see…”