Chapter 12: The Divine Word: For I So Loved Mankind

“Fucking hell, how is this possible? How?”

Within a villa in Su Province, Great Xia, a translucent figure solidified. Zhang Zihao’s face twisted in shock and rage as he yelled.

His eyes widened, mind reeling. Though not a Law Cultivator, he knew from online research that even the fastest spells required at least four seconds to cast nowadays.

But that guy... he cast instantly!

“Damn it, all my gear and weapons are gone! That cost me a fortune!” Zhang Zihao’s heart bled.

…

“A decent haul. Five Black Iron weapons, three sets of Black Iron armor, one pair of Black Iron boots, five spatial rings.”

Outside Tianqing Town, Wang Shikong examined the equipment stripped and retrieved by the skeleton minions, a faint smile touching his lips.

Gui Water Cleanse.

Li Fire Disinfect.

Satisfied after his meticulous cleansing ritual – he had a slight case of mysophobia – Wang Shikong stored all the gear. He cracked open the spatial rings one by one. Inside? Twenty thousand Yuan coins and five communicators.

“Massive profit. Perfect to sell to Tiger Vanguard.”

Wang Shikong’s mood soared as he sped up, propelling his wheelchair towards the entrance of the Rotting Manor dungeon.

“Too hard! This dungeon is insane! Freakin' wandering spirits inside nearly made me piss myself!”

“Those Flame Rabbits are disgusting too! Twenty Level 4 rabbits swarming? Impossible! I’m only Level 4, damn it!”

“Wandering spirits are nasty-nasty! Flame Rabbits are grumpy-grumpy—!”

“Looking for a Body Cultivator with decent weapons! Five-man party, need one more DPS!”

“985 University grad here! Lightning-fast casting! LFG for dungeon run!”

A sea of voices washed over Wang Shikong as he approached the unmistakable dungeon entrance, easily spotting the crowd numbering in the tens of thousands. Following the communicator’s ping, he steered his wheelchair towards Old Hu’s location.

He spotted Old Hu quickly. Standing beside him were several others.

A tall woman, easily 5’9″, stood out, short hair framing her face. She held a longsword with effortless grace. Her gear was basic Black Iron from the equipment shop, yet her presence was striking. The others also carried Black Iron gear – this was undeniably a top-tier party by current standards.

“Old Hu,” Wang Shikong called out as he drew near.

His gaze flickered over the tall woman. Unless he was mistaken, this should be Tiger Vanguard’s daughter. The future legendary “Thunderquake Queen Yao Yi,” ranked among the top three strongest women on Blue Star. Her power, influence, and reputation would far surpass even the Frostwind Queen, Ning Qingya.

“Ah, Brother Shikong, you’re here.” Old Hu turned, offering a smile. “I gathered some intel on the dungeon mechanics from reliable groups. Brother Shikong, you’re a Law Cultivator, right?”

The rest of Old Hu’s party turned their attention. Their eyes widened noticeably as they took in the man seated in the wheelchair.

Before Wang Shikong could answer, a young man blurted out, “Hold up, bro… you’re a cripple?”

Wang Shikong met the question with unnerving calm and nodded.

“Old Hu!” The young man named A Long whirled on Old Hu, eyes bulging. “You made me give up my spot… for this legless waste sitting in a wheelchair?”

“Yeah, Uncle Hu,” chimed in another youth. “This dungeon is brutal! We only get three attempts per day! What can a Law Cultivator like him even do?”

“Positioning and kiting are everything for a Law Cultivator!” A Long scoffed, voice dripping with contempt. “Dude thinks he can play a spellcaster from a wheelchair? Hah!”

“Bet there’s a ‘feeble old and infirm’ difficulty setting somewhere,” mocked a young man nearby who’d been eavesdropping while looking for a team. “Maybe wheelchair users get special access? Teehee!”

A Long’s companion snickered. Others nearby glanced over, expressions mingling with pity and open derision.

Wang Shikong’s brow furrowed slightly. Old Hu’s face instantly darkened.

“A Long!” Old Hu cut in sharply, voice laced with anger. “We agreed on this beforehand. What is this nonsense?”

“Nonsense? If you’d replaced me with someone normal, fine! But…” A Long jabbed a furious finger at Wang Shikong, his face twisted. “…this paralyzed trash?”

“SHUT YOUR MOUTH!” Old Hu roared, his embarrassment flaring into rage. He turned to Wang Shikong, mortification etched on his face. “Brother, I’m so sorry, I didn’t—”

Wang Shikong raised his hand, the “Divine Word” manifesting in his palm. He shook his head gently.

“No need for apologies,” Wang Shikong’s voice was soft, serene. “The Divine Word says, ​​‘For I so loved mankind.’ Should mankind mock me, I shall soothe their spirit, purify their bone, cleanse their flesh—’​​”

Old Hu listened, the initial words easing a fraction of his tension. But the calm lasted only a heartbeat.

Hmm?

A sense of profound wrongness seeped in. Old Hu’s eyes locked onto the rapidly coalescing light gathering before Wang Shikong.

Holy shit! Is he chanting?!

A Long froze for a crucial second, an instinctive dread washing over him. He saw the swirling motes of light solidify. Panic flared.

“What the hell are you doing?!” A Long screamed, wrenching his spellcaster’s staff free in a desperate defensive motion.

Wang Shikong met his gaze, utterly serene.

“​​Light Healing Divine Art.​​”

A torrent of blinding radiance erupted from Wang Shikong’s hand, lancing toward A Long. He had no time to dodge, no time to scream before the divine brilliance consumed him.

The holy light struck A Long like a physical blow.

​​*SHHHHHHKKK—​​*

White smoke began billowing from his skin, then his eyes, his ears, his nose. An unearthly, agonized shriek tore from his throat, a sound so raw it froze the blood of everyone nearby.

​​*THUD.​​*

The scream cut off abruptly. After just one second of excruciating torment, A Long collapsed face-first onto the earth, utterly unmoving.

“YOU BASTARD! YOU KILLED A LONG! I’LL END YOU!” The youth beside A Long exploded, face contorted with rage and shock. He yanked his longsword free, lunging at Wang Shikong.

Wang Shikong looked at him, a flicker of weariness crossing his tranquil features.

“The Divine Word says...” He paused, sighed almost imperceptibly. “…Forget it. The Divine One tires of words.”

SHIMMER.

A shimmering arrow of light, condensed pure and sharp, coalesced above Wang Shikong’s palm faster than thought. It shot towards the charging swordsman.

“IMPOSSIBLE!” The young man’s eyes widened in abject terror. He desperately tried to dodge.

But Wang Shikong didn’t need his precognitive Time powers. The boy’s telegraphed movements were child's play to anticipate.

​​*SWISH—THUD!​​*

The light arrow slammed into the swordsman’s chest. His body shuddered violently, eyes wide with sheer disbelief.

​​*THUD.​​*

Not even a gasp escaped him before he collapsed like a puppet with severed strings, landing hard beside his friend.

Wang Shikong watched their fallen forms, expression unchanging. He turned his gaze back to Old Hu, whose face was now pale, sweat beading on his forehead, eyes locked onto him with a mixture of profound fear and stunned disbelief.

“Apologies, Old Hu,” Wang Shikong said calmly. “Insolence demands punishment. I… lost my patience for a moment. Do you wish to avenge your companions?”

Demands punishment? Lost patience?

Avenge them?

Old Hu’s mind reeled. The words sounded alien, surreal. He knew these two companions well. Rich. Well-equipped. Talented. Among the best warriors and spellcasters of their rank.

And Wang Shikong had erased them… with two casual spells? That devastating power… that instant casting speed… It shattered everything Old Hu thought he understood.

“Av-avenge? Brother Shikong, you jest!” Old Hu stammered, forcing a nervous, shaky chuckle. He shook his head violently. “Th-this was entirely my fault! Insulting a master like you… that was their deserved fate! Again… my deepest apologies!”

“Hmm.”

Wang Shikong gave a slight nod. This was the Infinite Continent. For the weak to insult the strong… it was nothing but suicide. He sensed the raw truth in Old Hu’s fear, the lack of deception.

He looked back at Old Hu. “Are you still interested in tackling the dungeon?”

“O-Of course!” Old Hu’s eyes widened, a flicker of hope overriding the lingering terror. “I have other comrades ready! We can proceed immediately!”

Wang Shikong acknowledged him with a silent tilt of his head, his gaze sweeping over the remaining members of Old Hu’s group, then drifting slightly to encompass the crowd.

Nearby, the young man and woman who had earlier mocked him stared, mouths agape, their faces drained of all color. They caught his passing glance. Paralysis turned to panic.

“B-b-big brother!” the young man stammered, practically falling to his knees, the young woman beside him trembling violently. “M-mercy! W-we repent! We atone! S-spare us!”