Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 275 - 276: Three Lifetimes [1/3]

what do you think about the new cover? is it good or bringing back the old one?

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"What did you say!?"

These arrogant, disdainful words echoed in Xue Tianao’s ears. Normally, he wouldn’t tolerate such contemptuous behavior from the other person. Even if he didn’t resort to violence, he would at least respond with biting words. However, this time, after hearing those words, Xue Tianao remained silent, his gaze fixed on the gradually enveloping black-haired man, radiating an ever-darkening aura.

No, to be precise, Xue Tianao was staring at the weapon suspended beside Xiao, resembling both a gun and a staff...

"That gun..."

The familiar shape, the eerie blue gem, and the ominous aura surrounding it...

In an instant, memories buried deep within his mind for over thirty years surged to the surface.

The Son of Destiny, with shock filling his cerulean eyes, exclaimed,

"It was you?!"

---

Fifteen years ago, Xue Tianao, the son of a farmer in a small country, had a chance encounter that awakened fragments of his past lives. Along with these memories came the awakening of the powers of the Chosen one within him. An unknown golden emblem emerged on his back.

Realizing his mission to save the world, Xue Tianao began rigorous training, striving to enhance his abilities. With the innate talents of the Son of Destiny and the assistance of a system, he quickly embarked on an extraordinary path, where his cultivation progressed smoothly.

His relationship with his childhood sweetheart deepened, and even his influence within the small country grew, earning him a notable reputation.

Everything seemed to go perfectly, a stark contrast to his first life. His future appeared bright and hopeful, at least according to Xue Tianao’s own beliefs.

Two years passed in this manner. When Xue Tianao successfully broke through to the sixth stage and confidently led his subordinates on a mission to exterminate monsters, an unexpected incident occurred.

Upon reaching the lair of the demonic beast Black tiger, Xue Tianao was surprised to find the creature already dead, its body scattered in a pool of blood. Standing before the carcass was a mysterious masked man.

Initially, Xue Tianao assumed it was another adventurer competing for the bounty. However, when the man released a murderous intent and launched an attack, Xue Tianao quickly realized the gravity of the situation and attempted to retaliate.

Yet, the power displayed by this enigmatic man was unlike anything Xue Tianao had ever seen before. In the blink of an eye, dozens of his battle-hardened subordinates perished under the onslaught of his magical attacks, and Xue Tianao himself lost his right arm.

Xue Tianao, knowing he had no chance of winning, quickly made a decisive decision and used the teleportation item he had obtained from the system to escape the scene. However, before he could fully grasp the joy of surviving the ordeal, Xue Tianao realized with terror that he had been betrayed by his comrades.

Back at his secret base, he encountered the hooded figure once again. This time, Xue Tianao wasn’t as fortunate; he couldn’t escape and was impaled through the heart by the man’s black spear. Filled with anger, unwillingness, and despair, Xue Tianao’s consciousness plunged into infinite darkness. Thus, he lost his second chance.

Two years later, when Xue Tianao was reincarnated into the body of the dethroned prince in the Snow Night Empire, his memories resurfaced.

Remembering the mysterious person who relentlessly pursued him and the inexplicable attack that followed when he first revealed his identity as the Son of Destiny, Xue Tianao grew suspicious. Someone had their eyes on him; there were people in this world who wanted to take the life of the Son of Destiny! He had received three opportunities for rebirth from the goddess, but he had already lost two.

This time, he absolutely couldn’t fail! He was determined to succeed at any cost and complete his trial.

With his resolution, Xue Tianao seared his own back with intense fire, concealing the mark of the Son of Destiny. Taking advantage of his identity as the dethroned prince, he hid within the palace of the Snow Night Empire, silently cultivating his power, secretly developing his influence, and closely monitoring the changes in power across the continent and the movements of the Northern Abyss Demons. After quietly developing for ten years, Xue Tianao finally broke through to the seventh stage and expanded his influence to a certain extent.

Feeling that his wings had grown strong, Xue Tianao gradually began to reveal himself, aiming to complete higher-level system missions. It was then that his identity as the Son of Destiny became known to the world.

---

After ascending to the leadership of the Snow Night Empire, Xue Tianao dispatched people to conduct a series of investigations.

Naturally, the investigation focused on the incident where the Helmel Mercenary Corps was annihilated. Xue Tianao wanted to find out who the hell had killed him back then! He believed that someone who could find and kill him twice must belong to a powerful organization.

Previously, out of fear of drawing attention, Xue Tianao didn’t dare to investigate. But now, with the backing of one of the Four Great Empires and his alliance with the Church, he no longer needed to fear any force. As a result, Xue Tianao began a large-scale investigation.

Although he had yet to gain any significant findings from the investigation so far, Xue Tianao remained firm in his belief.

"There must be a powerful force hiding in the shadows, wanting to kill me!"

And now,

Xue Tianao’s long-held suspicions seemed to be validated. He stared intently at the staff or rather the spear floating beside Xiao. The final moments of his first and second lives played like a slideshow, repeatedly cycling through Xue Tianao’s mind.

The more he recalled, the more convinced he became.

In his second life, the black spear that pierced his heart was none other than the one held by the Duke of Black Roses standing before him now! Even in his first life, though his memory was unclear, it seemed that the weapon that blew his head off while he was out for a walk was also this same black spear!

Realizing this, the figure of the Duke of Black Roses before him gradually merged with the masked man from his previous life who had killed him.

In that moment of realization, Xue Tianao’s eyes revealed an expression of "so that’s how it is." He was certain that the enemy who had killed him twice was none other than the Duke of Black Roses standing before him now!

After the sudden realization passed, an uncontrollable rage and hatred erupted within Xue Tianao like a volcanic eruption, spewing molten lava of resentment into every corner of his heart.

Unprecedented fury caused his veins to bulge, his beautiful blue eyes turned ferocious and terrifying from bloodshot congestion, and drops of crimson blood fell from his clenched fists.

’I am the Son of Destiny! The prophesied savior of the world and the protagonist of this world! I should have glorious life, enjoying dominance and authority! But because of you, you bastard, I died senselessly twice! And the past ten years have been like hell for me! I even had to beg and grovel just to survive?! It was all because of you, you damn bastard!’

’And isn’t it enough that you killed me twice?! Now you come again?! Do you want to destroy everything I’ve painstakingly built? Including my army and the trust of the people?! Do you want to kill me again?!’

"Why... why are you doing this?!"

"Doing? What am I doing?"

Facing Xue Tianao’s sudden gaze fixed on the black spear and his gradually losing control of his emotions, Xiao squinted his eyes slightly.

"Why are you specifically targeting me?! Killing me once wasn’t enough, and twice wasn’t enough either?! And now you want to kill me again?! Aren’t you human?! Why do you keep opposing me, the hope of humanity?! Are you trying to bring about the extinction of humanity?!"

"Hmm?"

Upon hearing these words, a glint flashed in Xiao’s eyes. In that moment, the years of doubt in his heart were finally answered.

And so,

Under Xue Tianao’s fiery gaze, Xiao slowly raised his hand and rested it against his chin, speaking thoughtfully:

"I was always curious before, why does the Son of Destiny keep coming back to life again and again? So, you’ve been reincarnating, huh? That’s quite interesting. However... considering your recent behavior, it’s somewhat expected."

"What?"

Xue Tianao, who couldn’t detect any hint of guilt from Xiao’s tone, couldn’t help but question loudly again,

"I’m asking you! Why are you targeting me like this?"

Faced with Xue Tianao’s second question, Xiao’s eyes gradually turned cold.

"Why? Because only when you’re dead, can the people we cherish sleep soundly without worries."

Before he finished speaking, Xiao raised his hand once again. The pitch-black spear instantly erupted with a violent and dense dark attribute magic, causing the surrounding space to distort as the magic became turbulent.

Seeing that the other party had no intention to continue speaking, Xue Tianao didn’t want to pursue it further either. As he accumulated his anger within his heart, the abundant magic power of the Son of Destiny began to surge. Xue Tianao’s blue water attribute magic gradually transformed into a faint golden holy attribute magic, and his aura further soared.

At this moment, Xue Tianao undoubtedly abandoned the idea of conversing with the Duke of Black Roses and disregarded his inner desire to join forces with Miss Yu. The only thought left in the mind of the Son of Destiny was revenge.

The man before him, with black hair, had destroyed his influence, so Xue Tianao would uproot his Black Rose family as well! This Duke had killed him twice, so Xue Tianao would make sure he couldn’t live and couldn’t die!

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!

"Shackles release "

"Don’t think I’m still the little kid you could toy with before! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

In an instant, a frenzy of pale golden light surged...