After absorbing the remnants of the demon god, Chen Meng turned to look at the trapped Osial and his wife.
"I'll move you to a different place."
With those words, he knocked them unconscious and used his power to hurl them near the current location of Yunlai Sea, sealing them away in the process.
Once this was done, Chen Meng returned to Guili Assembly. The place was in ruins, but fortunately, everyone had survived.
Chen Meng glanced at the Yakshas gathered by Zhongli and spoke.
"Relax, the battle is over. Now, I will cleanse your karmic debt."
As he finished speaking, Chen Meng released a purifying energy that enveloped all the Yakshas. Soon, their karmic debt transformed into a dark mist and entered Chen Meng's body.
Exhaling lightly, Chen Meng cleared his throat and said,
"Your karmic debt has been cleansed. I'd like to ask you to join Morax in protecting our homeland. Thank you."
All the Yakshas looked up at Chen Meng and Zhongli, shouting in unison:
"We pledge our loyalty to the Emperor!!!"
Chen Meng smiled faintly at them. At that moment, Guizhong stared at Chen Ming in shock and cried out,
"Chen Meng, your... your body!"
Cracks had begun to spread across Chen Meng's neck, extending outward. He rolled up his sleeve and saw that the cracks had nearly reached the base of his thumb. Lowering his sleeve, he said calmly,
"Ah, it seems time is running short. We'll have to hurry."
With that, he descended from the sky.
"Wait, you—"
Guizhong tried to chase after him but was stopped by Zhongli.
"He'll be fine. Right now, our task is to help him accomplish what he needs to do."
Letting go, Zhongli also descended. Guizhong sighed and followed.
By then, Chen Meng had already gathered everyone together—ordinary people in the center, with Yakshas and adepti forming the outer circle.
Seeing Zhongli and Guizhong land, Chen Meng asked,
"Zhong— Morax, Guizhong, do you have any magical artifacts? Lend me one."
Zhongli thought for a moment before producing an item.
"Will this work?"
Chen Meng took a closer look—it was the "Memory of Dust," an artifact containing all of Guizhong's wisdom.
"Yes."
Hearing his reply, Zhongli handed it over. Using the Memory of Dust as a medium, Chen Meng created a massive platform beneath everyone's feet.
"Rise!"
The platform lifted into the air, a protective barrier forming around it. Once everything was ready, they flew toward Mount Tianheng.
Soon, the platform landed near what would later become Liyue Harbor.
"With your wisdom, the two of you will quickly establish a new home here. Morax, go and make the necessary arrangements. I need to speak with Guizhong alone."
Without another word, Zhongli turned and left. Guizhong stared at Chen Meng, whose cracks had now spread to his face, and trembled as she spoke.
"Chen Meng, you...!"
Chen Meng cut her off.
"I'm fine. Now, listen carefully to what I'm about to say..."
While Chen Meng and Guizhong talked, Zhongli finished his preparations.
The Five Yakshas and the other adepti gathered around Zhongli. Unexpectedly, Xiao was the first to speak.
"Your Majesty, what's happening to Lord Chen Meng?"
Zhongli was about to comfort Xiao, whose voice was shaking, when Chen Meng and Guizhong rejoined the group.
"Let me explain. Because I've purified too much, my body can no longer hold together and is about to dissipate. But don't worry—in a few centuries, I'll be able to reform my body."
Hearing this, everyone felt slightly reassured.
"So, wait for me, alright?"
Chen Meng looked at them, and they nodded in response.
Crack, crack.
His body was now completely covered in fissures.
"It seems my time is up. You must wait for me. You must..."
Before he could finish, Chen Meng shattered into a ball of light that flew away. Zhongli instinctively reached out to grab it but stopped mid-air.
Taking a deep breath, he withdrew his hand.
"Don't worry. He'll return."
With that, he turned and left. The others gazed in the direction the light had vanished before steadying themselves and departing to fulfill their duties.
The ball of light floated to Mount Tianheng, where it created a cave and hid inside, concealing the entrance with an illusion.
Inside the system space, the System watched as Chen Meng's consciousness fell into slumber. It then pulled out a dark orb formed from karmic debt, demon god remnants, and other impurities.
"This can serve as material for a new body."
With that, it began crafting Chen Meng's new form.
———————————————————————————
Chen Meng stared blankly at the steamed bun and soy milk in front of him.
"What, did you space out while eating?"
He turned to see Jiang Han beside him.
"If you're not eating, I'll take it."
After slurping a mouthful of noodles, Jiang Han moved his chopsticks toward Chen Meng's bun in a teasing gesture. Chen Meng immediately blocked them with his own.
"Who said I'm not eating? I was just thinking."
Letting go, Chen Meng picked up the bun and took a bite.
"Were you thinking about next week's rent? (???)"
Jiang Han retracted his chopsticks with a grin.
"..."
Chen Meng gave him a deadpan look before resuming his meal.
"I'm heading back first."
After finishing breakfast and paying, Chen Meng returned to his room. Sitting at his computer, he muttered to himself,
"No work today... Guess I'll play some games."
He booted up his PC, eyeing the icons for Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Honkai: Star Rail before clicking on Genshin.
Staring at the game's gate, he frowned.
"Why do I feel like something's about to happen?"
Shaking his head, he clicked—and instantly, a blinding white light filled the room.
"Ugh, why is there a flashbang in broad daylight?!"
And just like that, Chen Meng vanished again.
———————————————————————————
Once more, Chen Meng found himself floating above the sea.
"Chen, lend me some of your power."
A shadowy figure appeared behind him, holding a dark orb.
Chen Meng turned and flicked a surge of energy toward the figure, who caught it and infused it into the orb.
"An, what are you planning now?"
Chen Meng studied the shadow—An—who excitedly explained,
"I've got an idea. Gonna test it on a world."
Chen Meng shook his head.
"Fine, do what you want."
As they spoke, a leaf fell from a tree—but mid-air, it transformed into a glowing sphere.
"Huh?"
Chen Meng reached out and caught it. An peered at the sphere curiously.
"Hey, it's developed a consciousness. A pretty strong will to live, too."
"Chen, what're you gonna do with it? If you don't want it, hand it over."
Chen Meng examined the sphere before absorbing it into himself.
"I'm keeping it. Don't even think about it."
An smirked.
"Aw, what, you wanna raise a kid now?"
"Piss off. Go do your own thing."
With that, Chen Meng disappeared.
"Boring. Back to research, then."
An sighed, eyeing the orb fused with his and Chen Meng's power.