A Deal with Reverse-Flash

"What exactly happened? Why was I affected too when Barry traveled through the timeline?" Zhang Tianran frowned tightly and questioned Reverse-Flash.

Wells was taken aback. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes before he said calmly, "You should understand the consequences of time travel now. But unfortunately, some people don't understand—or rather... they do, but they don't care."

Zhang Tianran heard Wells's words but said nothing.

The timeline was like a river, flowing endlessly. If someone tossed a small stone into the upper reaches, the water would ripple and gradually spread outward.

But if the river were cut off, everything downstream would dry up and vanish.

As for the river's new course after being cut off, it might seem no different from before, but it was an entirely different world.

Zhang Tianran was not sure whether the previous world still existed. But in the scene before his eyes, everything had vanished completely, as though it had been erased.

"Every time a Speedster traveled through time, they destroyed one world and created another? No... that guess is too absurd. Even the Speed Force couldn't do that." Zhang Tianran shook his head, dismissing the thought.

"Your guess is correct, but incomplete. Only massive changes to the future could possibly cause such a result, and even then, the conditions are rather strict," Reverse-Flash added.

"As everyone knows, the future is uncertain. But if the future has been fixed and is then altered, what happens afterward is obvious."

"This is known as a Time Paradox. It will be erased by the timeline. The old future is erased, and a new future is born. Destruction and creation—this is the power of a god..."

A red glow gradually surfaced in Reverse-Flash's eyes. Zhang Tianran could not tell whether he hated this power, craved it, or worshipped it.

After quite a while, Reverse-Flash finally calmed down. A faint smile squeezed onto his face, which still carried traces of madness, as he said to Zhang Tianran:

"This is what I have been waiting for, and what you must experience yourself before you can understand. So? Isn't it shocking?"

Zhang Tianran shook his head. "No. It only makes me hate this world even more. It makes me want to leave."

Reverse-Flash had not expected such an answer. But he did not care and casually said, "Indeed, going to another world can effectively avoid the erasure caused by a Time Paradox. But you should have no need to do that now."

"Likewise, I have no need to remain in this world." Zhang Tianran had already begun to lose heart. He no longer cared about his deal with Reverse-Flash.

Reverse-Flash was not worried in the slightest. He merely said, "Yes, indeed. You can leave. Compared to ordinary people, Speedsters live rather long lives. Once you have hidden long enough, you can enter the Speed Force and enjoy eternal peace."

Reverse-Flash's words were actually a reminder to Zhang Tianran.

Though the Speed Force had granted him speed, his final destination would be within the Speed Force. He might even become one of the mindless Time Wraiths.

An ordinary Speedster might not mind merging with the Speed Force after their life came to an end.

But clearly, Zhang Tianran was unwilling to do that.

So Zhang Tianran had no interest in continuing to beat around the bush with Reverse-Flash and said directly:

"Enough. You don't need to remind me about that. I can work with you, but I need to see hope of success. So far, I can't find any way to deal with the Speed Force."

Reverse-Flash was very satisfied to get the answer he wanted. However, he did not actually have any specific plan for achieving his goal.

If he did,

he would have done it himself long ago. Speedsters did not lack time, nor did they lack helpers. "First, I need you to help me return to the future," Reverse-Flash said.

At first, Zhang Tianran had held great expectations for Reverse-Flash. After all, this guy could be considered The Flash's arch-enemy. Perhaps he really had some way to deal with the Speed Force.

But Reverse-Flash's first request immediately left Zhang Tianran deeply disappointed.

"If you want to return to the future, just run there yourself. Hasn't your Negative Speed Force always been roughly on par with Barry's? Barry can travel through the timeline now, so you should be able to as well," Zhang Tianran could not help saying.

"Of course I can do it, but not now. I do not merely want to return to the future. I want Barry Allen to send me back personally. I think you have already guessed what that means." A faint smile curled at the corner of Reverse-Flash's mouth.

In that instant, countless thoughts ran through Zhang Tianran's mind.

As the creator of the Speed Force, Barry Allen had the closest connection to it. If there truly was a way to take the Speed Force away, starting with Barry Allen was undoubtedly the wisest choice.

"You will fail," Zhang Tianran said calmly.

He was not tempted by Reverse-Flash's words. It could not possibly be that simple. Even if Reverse-Flash truly succeeded, it would not change anything.

"With your help, I won't. I did not choose just anyone to work with," Wells said meaningfully.

"You're so sure I'll help you?" Zhang Tianran asked in return.

"It is not helping me, but cooperation between both sides. Before I leave, I will completely drain Barry Allen's Speed Force. The rest will be up to you." Madness showed in Reverse-Flash's eyes as he finally revealed his purpose.

In truth, Reverse-Flash's target had never been the Speed Force itself, but Barry Allen. The Speed Force was nearly impossible to defeat, but Barry Allen was not.

Completely extracting the Speed Force from Barry Allen and returning to the future—that was Reverse-Flash's plan.

As for the true Speed Force... although the Speed Force had been born from Barry Allen, there were countless Barry Allens across different timelines.

"Completely? Drain? Those are interesting words. It seems your goal is not merely the Speed Force inside Barry. Fine. I can help you to a certain extent." After thinking it over, Zhang Tianran actually agreed.

In this deal, Zhang Tianran appeared to gain nothing.

But both Reverse-Flash and Zhang Tianran understood that if the plan truly succeeded, Zhang Tianran would be the one who gained the most.

"You're even smarter than I am, and your ambition is greater than mine." Reverse-Flash spoke with some emotion.

"Ambition? I am only doing what I believe is right. This world is truly terrible. If there is a way to improve it, that would be a good thing." Zhang Tianran's tone was calm.

"Oh, right. Why was I affected by Barry's timeline?"

"I don't know either. No Speedster has ever encountered an experience like yours..."

"Oh, I see."