Apocalypse: I Build A Doomsday Train Chapter 1191 - 460: Jump

Lin Xian, observing the rapidly decreasing timer, realized his initial suspicion was correct. This countdown was indeed connected to the Black Gear, yet he couldn't fathom why it hadn't reacted similarly when he acquired it from Chen Yanshu earlier. He had thoroughly examined it then, so what was different now?

48, 47, 46...

The numbers descended like a ticking time bomb before Lin Xian's very eyes, causing his heart rate and blood pressure to spike dramatically!

What should he do? It was reaching its end.

What would happen when the countdown concluded?

It certainly wouldn't be good. If this countdown was intrinsically linked to the Black Gear, it strongly implied that Chen Yanshu orchestrated this situation, and that could never bode well!

Lin Xian's mind raced, his breathing becoming noticeably shallow and quick.

44, 43, 42...

"Why is the acceleration of time so rapid? It defies logic. If speed-up was possible, why didn't Chen Yanshu initiate it from the very beginning?"

"Did I inadvertently trigger something?"

At this critical juncture, Lin Xian's mouth felt parched. He retrieved the Black Gear, bringing it closer to his eyes, compelling himself to maintain composure. He then meticulously scrutinized the artifact.

The Black Gear wasn't uniformly black; it possessed a hue reminiscent of metal intensely tempered by fire within machinery or devices, displaying exactly 68 distinct teeth. Upon more focused examination, its dark surface exhibited a fluid, almost shimmering quality, imparting a peculiar sensation.

Lin Xian recognized this anomaly as a consequence of the Dark Energy Fluctuation emanating from it, yet despite his persistent observation, no breakthrough insight emerged.

39, 38, 37...

With each passing second, Lin Xian's tension intensified.

"What is this? What did I do to cause this?"

"Calm yourself. There must be something you've overlooked."

Lin Xian drew a deep breath, manifested a chair with a thought, and settled into it. He then fixed his gaze upon the Black Gear in his hand, lost in profound contemplation.

"If Chen Yanshu orchestrated this, what is his ultimate objective? He claimed eliminating me was an order from the Master, but that order was rescinded. Therefore, his primary goal isn't my demise, is it?"

"The leader of the Holy Revelation sect presumably possesses significant knowledge regarding Taboo Items, but how did he become aware of my Flashing Bullet? Or did he have another means? Logically, since the Flashing Bullet isn't in my possession, the Holy Revelation's Forbidden Object Detector shouldn't have detected it..."

30, 29, 28

Lin Xian closed his eyes, gently massaging his brow with his fingers, swiftly attempting to organize his scattered thoughts.

"Taboo Item, the Master's power, linked to the Giant Ocean God? No, that doesn't seem right."

"Flashing Bullet, I entrusted it to Grace using the Brain-Machine Conversion Device. Could it be connected to Grace?"

"Wait a moment..."

Lin Xian's gaze drifted around the surroundings as he pondered, a sudden thought striking him: "Gamma-ray burst!"

"Grace mentioned encountering a gamma-ray burst. Is this somehow related to a Taboo Item or perhaps other forms of energy?"

"Why did my connection with Chu Yan abruptly sever..."

"The link is broken..."

Lin Xian silently repeated those words, his brow knitting together slightly as he suddenly recalled a previous statement made by Chen Yanshu.

"[It seems... you too are deeply captivated by the potent abilities of Taboo Items. You must surely comprehend that these are all... divine gifts bestowed by the Master.]

"[We shall meet again, Sword Holder]"

Boom!

Like a sudden flash of lightning illuminating a dark sky, Lin Xian's mind was struck by a terrifying realization.

Chen Yanshu's true objective wasn't to eliminate him, but rather he harbored a grander ambition far exceeding Lin Xian's current comprehension.

South Heavenly Gate!

"Grace!"

No response came.

A communication breakdown at the South Heavenly Gate!

Lin Xian felt a jolt of alarm, his breath catching in his throat, a chill spreading through him.

20, 19, 18...

The loss of contact at the South Heavenly Gate, effectively severing his own connection and that of Chu Yan, also signified that the Phoenix Society had lost its vital link to the South Heavenly Gate.

"Damn it all..."

Lin Xian had harbored these very doubts previously. After all, as a Sword Holder who relied on the potent capabilities of the dark Flashing Bullet, he possessed the ability to breach the Heavenly Veil and establish contact with the South Heavenly Gate. If this unique power were to be discovered, this crucial advantage might be entirely nullified, for Lin Xian was acutely aware that the formidable power inherent in Taboo Items did not originate from humankind.

From the previous night until this very moment, he had regrettably not found the opportune time to connect with Grace. Unexpectedly, within the span of a single night, all communication had been completely lost.

"No, I cannot simply stand by and await impending doom."

Lin Xian clenched his jaw, focusing his spiritual energy intently between his brows, attempting to locate the Flashing Bullet.

An empty void met his senses.

15, 14, 13...

Lin Xian persisted in his efforts, and gradually, a faint connection to the Flashing Bullet began to re-establish itself. It was incredibly subtle, as if separated by an invisible barrier, yet Lin Xian knew with certainty that he still maintained control over the Flashing Bullet.

"Found it!"

In the next instant, a wave of emotion washed over Lin Xian. He understood that once he teleported to the South Heavenly Gate, his predicament would turn perilous. Firstly, he was uncertain if the South Heavenly Gate still existed or in which space the Flashing Bullet might reside. Even if everything were as it should be, he would still be confronted by the impenetrable Heavenly Veil. Should he be unable to return to the surface, his only recourse would be to hope that the South Heavenly Gate possessed sufficient supplies to sustain him, preventing starvation in near-earth orbit.

However, as the countdown relentlessly approached zero, maybe relocating himself to another location could also offer protection to his teammates?

Pondering this, Lin Xian drew a deep breath, his eyes closing directly as he concentrated his Spiritual Power at his brow, preparing himself to accomplish a traversal of near-earth orbit.

Yet, mere seconds after shutting his eyes, Lin Xian's eyes snapped open, his body motionless while his gaze flickered.

"Strange, I am clearly still containing the Flashing Bullet, so why can I not contact Grace?"

Lin Xian gazed down at the Black Gear held within his hand, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Grace, can you hear my voice?"

There was no reply.

10, 9, 8...

With only 10 seconds left.

Lin Xian persisted, continuing to focus his consciousness and make his call.