"What are these things? Such huge eggs!"
As the group traversed the fantastical scenery of the Scalegorge Waterscape, gradually venturing deeper into its heart, they encountered countless egg-shaped objects that seemed to grow on plants and flowers, neatly arranged in rows.
Carefully observing the eggs sprouting from the foliage and blossoms, March 7th couldn't resist reaching out to touch one. Instantly, a cool sensation traveled from her palm to her heart.
After briefly marveling at the peculiar texture of the eggshell, curiosity drove the girl to wrap her arms around it, as if intending to pluck it from the plant.
March 7th's actions naturally caught the attention of Jing Yuan, Dan Heng, and the others. At this, our Mr. Welt hurriedly spoke up, "March, don't mess around!"
"Huh?! Oh, okay!"
Startled by Welt's sudden reprimand, March 7th was momentarily dazed but obediently withdrew her hands from the eggshell.
Seeing this, Welt stepped forward, carefully inspecting the egg to ensure it hadn't been damaged.
"There's no need to be so cautious, Mr. Welt. The Vidyadhara eggs are not as fragile as you might think," Dan Heng said, stepping forward and shaking his head as he noticed Welt's overly careful demeanor. "As descendants of an immortal race, the resilience of the Vidyadhara far exceeds that of ordinary species by dozens of times. Even in their egg form, they won't be damaged by a mere touch."
"Dan Heng… are you saying these things are actually Vidyadhara people?" March 7th asked.
"In a way, yes," Dan Heng nodded slightly. Seeing that March 7th was about to say something more, the Dragon Sovereign quickly waved his hand. "The depths of the Scalegorge Waterscape lie ahead. Let's keep moving. I have a bad feeling… I'm afraid Phantylia…"
— — — —
"The hero's epic has reached its final chapter. I should make some preparations as well, lest something unexpected occurs."
Sensing the movements of the Astral Express crew, Yun Fan adjusted the strands of hair across his forehead in front of a mirror and straightened his collar.
After attending to these minor details, the youth closed his eyes. In the next moment, his figure appeared in a strange alternate dimension.
"Full House—Win!"
Several massive jade tiles flew from the girl's hand, streaking through the air like meteors and crashing heavily toward a red-haired man on the other side of the alternate dimension.
"Cough, cough…! Blazing Inferno!!"
The red-haired man, clad in molten armor, coughed heavily. The dwindling power of Destruction within him surged into his sword. With a whoosh, a massive fiery python bared its ferocious fangs and lunged toward the dazzling meteors.
Meteors and fiery python, Causality and Destruction.
The two forces collided, sending a massive shockwave of energy rippling outward, causing the very structure of the space to emit a faint wail.
After the clash, both figures appeared visibly exhausted. The man and the girl stood suspended in the air, facing each other from a distance.
"Why? Why?! You're just a newly born Emanator! Even if you wield the power of Causality, there's no way you should be stronger than me!" Zephyro roared.
In this alternate dimension created by Qingque, their battle had raged for a full day and night.
Compared to Qingque, whose clothes were barely damaged and whose hair was only slightly disheveled, Zephyro's current state could no longer be described as merely disheveled—it was utterly wretched.
His robes, imbued from the power of Destruction, had once been imposing and majestic. Now, after enduring countless attacks, it was torn and broken. The fragmented cloth clung to Zephyro's body like scattered flames, making him look particularly pitiful.
Moreover, unable to draw energy from the surrounding space, he was nearly spent. His reserves of Destruction energy were almost depleted, and the only thing keeping him fighting was the indomitable will bestowed upon him by Nanook.
"This alternate dimension was created by me. In this space, you cannot absorb energy. Zephyro, let your sinful life end here," Qingque said, shaking her head, a trace of regret in her eyes, as if mourning the fall of a once-great warrior.
"Damn Xianzhou people! Damn Phantylia!! That traitor betrayed me!!" Zephyro cursed the Xianzhou and Phantylia furiously, his eyes bloodshot, every capillary in his pupils ruptured.
"Hahaha!! To think that I, Zephyro, would fall to such a state! Hahaha!!" Covering his mud- and blood-stained face, Zephyro let out a maniacal laugh, as if lamenting the fickleness of fate or mocking his own carelessness.
"As long as the concept of existence persists in this world, the march of Destruction will never stop!"
"I am Zephyro, Lord of Extinction under Lord Nanook! Here, I will fight to my last breath!"
Zephyro issued his proclamation, fully prepared to meet his death. Win or lose, this battle would end in either his destruction or self-destruction.
Like Duke Inferno, who fell to the hands of the underworld, Zephyro was making his final stand.
"Qingque, Emanator of the Lord of Samsara."
In response to Zephyro's defiant words, Qingque silently summoned another jade tile and declared her title.
"All Same Suit!!"
— — — —
Some time later, as the alternate dimension returned to calm, Qingque stared silently at the spatial barriers being scorched by flames.
Everything before her felt like a dream. Her thoughts drifted back to a few months ago.
That day, the girl had met an outworlder from beyond the Luofu and, under the influence of his exceptional "card skills," incurred a massive debt.
Later, perhaps due to fate's whims or his manipulation of Causality, their destinies became entwined after a somewhat reckless decision. The girl became an Emanator of an Aeon, and now, a new chapter of fate had begun.
As Qingque's thoughts wandered, a pair of strong arms suddenly pulled her into an embrace, followed by a familiar and warm sensation flooding her heart.
"You're here. I knew you were always watching me," Qingque said, gently turning her head to gaze at the handsome youth with a smile playing on his lips. A radiant smile spread across her face.
"Of course. How could I stand by and watch my little Qingque face danger alone?"