190. The Launch of Seed of Light
"Thank you for your hard work, thank you for your hard work." Looking at the fallen guest, Xiling offered applause and cheers to the strongest person.
Kali sheathed her weapon, glancing with a complex expression at the grinning man beside her. She had been temporarily pulled from her busy work to take on this new task—"welcoming guests."
This job did have some value to her; at least while expressing friendliness to the guests, she could learn about the dramatic changes happening outside.
And these changes seemed far more unbelievable than what the man and others described.
"Would you like a drink of tea?" Xiling invited Kali.
"No, I prefer alcohol to tea." Kali shook her head, refusing.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
"Suit yourself." Xiling nodded.
Soon, only Xiling remained in the library.
"The collection is nearing completion; the Seed of Light is just one last bit away." Xiling leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
The contamination of the Seed of Light had entered its final stage, but the backlash from this power was becoming increasingly severe.
This manifested itself in the increasingly noisy voices in his mind.
"Almost done," a man's voice echoed in Xiling's mind.
"Yes," Xiling agreed.
"But are you really going to choose this method? There must be other ways, right?" another woman's voice followed.
"Then, announcer, do you have a better way?" Xiling raised an eyebrow and asked in return.
The woman's voice immediately fell silent.
"I still prefer your stubborn self from before, don't I, Ein?" Xiling smiled.
A soft laugh followed, immediately drawing an annoyed response.
"Don't laugh!"
Ein and Carmen, a cybernetic male ghost and a cybernetic female ghost.
When Xiling's collection of the Seed of Light reached a certain level, their voices appeared in his mind. The original Carmen wasn't like this. She had fiercely cursed Xiling, accusing him of being a despicable thief who had tampered with the plans. However, under the corrupting influence of Xiling's power, her personality subtly reverted to its former state.
As for Ein, he played the role of the incompetent husband, silently observing everything.
Ignoring the recurring arguments of the cybernetic lovers in his mind, Xiling began editing invitations again, preparing for the arrival of the next guest.
-----
When the leader personally intervenes in this war sweeping The City, any resistance seems futile—this is a deeply ingrained consensus among all city dwellers.
In the past, they knew the leader knew everything, yet they never interfered. But now, the leader has entered the fray.
The girl clad in the robes of a tuner is the most powerful proof.
She knows everything about the enemy and wields a singularity power they have never heard of.
The rebels' scheme crumbled instantly; their attack was as futile as hitting a wall of sighs.
Even their only potential threat, the hostage, was quietly moved without their knowledge.
Silver churches rose from the ground, and former villains were hanged high above streetlights.
Gangs, World Wings, back alley rats… death swept through the city like a reaping scythe.
However, panic did not spread; instead, it was replaced by excitement, cheers, and rotten eggs thrown at the corpses.
The chains of order have been firmly nailed to The City's foundations by the Fire Moths. When the last World Wing declared its surrender, a semblance of peace finally descended upon The City.
In the grand plaza, the crowd surged like a tidal wave. They gazed in awe at the enormous light screen that unfolded in the sky—a replay of the images of the Fire Moths' initial declaration of war against The City.
At this moment, everyone's eyes gleamed, their gazes fixed on the figure at the center of the light screen—Houraiji Kyuushou.
Within the light screen, Houraiji Kyuushou's figure was clear, her voice echoing throughout the city, piercing every corner of the city:
"Order will be the new taboo," her voice resonated in everyone's soul, "and the only law! Those who violate it, whether hiding in the shadows or disguised in the light, must accept the sharp blade of punishment!"
"People of The City! From this day forward, you no longer need to worry about tomorrow—worry that your precious lives will be used as playthings by some gang, worry that your children will be kidnapped by some secret organization of the World Wings, becoming cold experimental data! That dark age is over!"
"But I'm never naive," Kyuushou frankly admitted.
"I know the darkness has never truly disappeared. Like a maggot crawling on bones, it retreats into deeper crevices, lurking, panting, and waiting for its chance to retaliate behind the veil of order."
In the light screen, her voice suddenly rose, carrying a resolute determination:
"However, remember! When darkness rises again, when shadows attempt to devour the light, the Fire Moth will appear! We will become the sword of judgment, bringing down the final verdict on all injustice and evil!"
"You rats cowering in the dark corners…"
"I sincerely hope you never show your faces. Because only in this way can you barely… preserve your lives!"
"Finally," a clear smile appeared on Kyuushou's face on the light screen. Her voice clearly resonated throughout every corner of The City:
"Welcome to… the new city!"
-------
Half a month later. The city seemed truly transformed, and people's faces were filled with long-lost smiles. The world changes so fast it's breathtaking.
Houraiji Kyuushou changed out of her uniform, the symbol of her leadership, and disguised herself slightly, wearing ordinary casual clothes. She strolled down the street with several colleagues who had just been relieved from their arduous work, carrying street food they had just bought.
"Ah, finally, I can catch my breath," Luo Tianyi sighed sincerely.
"Hmph! You're tired?" Kyuushou chuckled, easily picking Luo Tianyi up in her arms, weighing her in her hand before setting her down, and said with feigned seriousness, "Tianyi, you've gained weight."
Luo Tianyi rolled her eyes and turned her head away:
"I'm naturally thin! Don't try to fool me."
"How could you be naturally thin? Let me feel if you have a little belly!" Elaina grinned mischievously, imitating Kyuushou by picking up Luo Tianyi and spinning her around.
"That's too much! You guys are going too far! Elaina, Kyuushou, you're all bullying me!" Luo Tianyi landed and angrily hid behind Lemuen.
Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
"Sigh, work is finally over." Kevin put his hands behind his head, his tone more relaxed than ever before.
"I agree." The Tarnished rubbed his aching back, echoing the sentiment.
The group boarded the subway provided by the Silver Church, which connected to all the nests.
They watched the scenery flow by outside the window, some playing cards, others fiddling with game consoles, all heading to the same destination—L Nest.
They chose public transportation instead of using the chat group's teleportation function because, after being busy all this time, they hadn't yet witnessed the new cityscape they had personally reshaped.
Of course, the view from the subway windows was limited. They planned to embark on a road trip after picking up their last companion.
Upon arriving at L's Nest and pushing open the familiar library door, they encountered Xiling.
However, Xiling's transformation far exceeded their expectations. His appearance hadn't changed much, but a certain inner quality was different.
An almost indifferent calm had replaced his once gentle expression.
Faced with their astonished gazes, Xiling smiled:
"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
The group hesitated to smile. Lemuen's voice was filled with worry:
"Xiling, what...what's wrong with you?"
"It's alright, just a minor side effect of the Seed of Light." Xiling put down his book and slowly stood up from his chair.
"You don't look alright at all." Kevin frowned, his sharp gaze scrutinizing Xiling.
"Yeah, you're not really suffering from kidney deficiency, are you?" the Tarnished asked anxiously.
This time, Xiling didn't retort as usual. He simply shook his head and walked to an empty space deep within the library.
"Alright, everyone, it's time to finish what we need to do last."
He stopped and turned to face the group.
"The Seed of Light has been collected."
"Now, it's time to execute the final step of our plan."
"Because of my change, the moment the Seed of Light is launched, the world will undergo an irreversible upheaval."
"I need you to stop all the adverse changes over the next seven days."
"Is that alright?" Xiling winked at the group, a hint of relief after exhaustion on his face.
The group looked at his tired yet incredibly determined face and nodded silently.
Houraiji Kyuushou, who knew everything, stepped forward with a confident and radiant smile on his face.
"Leave it to us!"
"You're really reliable," Xiling responded softly, with a touch of relief.
He turned away, no longer facing the group.
His companions gazed at the figure with his back to them, knowing the path he was about to embark on; they could no longer offer direct assistance.
But they would fulfill this final request. It was a silent promise.
"Are you ready?" Ein's voice echoed in Xiling's mind.
"Once it launches, there's truly no turning back." Carmen's voice carried a hint of worry.
"I've already prepared. As for turning back?" Xiling's closed eyes suddenly snapped open, her pupils reflecting two vastly different trees—the Kabbalah Tree of Life and the Inverse Kabbalah Tree of Life—intertwined and swirling, radiating a profound light.
"I never intended to turn back."
"Come on!"
In an instant, an indescribable light erupted from Xiling's body! Pure, gentle, yet containing a world-changing power.
Instinctively, everyone raised their hands to shield their eyes, but the light easily pierced the library's dome, reaching straight to the heavens! Throughout The City, everyone who witnessed this light involuntarily recalled the "day and night" that changed everything.
Almost at the same moment the light rose, a vast warmth, absolute peace, a sense of security like returning to the womb, instantly swept over everyone's soul.
It was as if an ancient hymn was gently humming a lullaby deep within their souls.
An irresistible weariness, originating from the deepest recesses of life, surged forth like a tidal wave.
The entire city seemed to have been paused.
All machinery ceased operation.
Pedestrians collapsed one after another on the streets like harvested straw. The most resilient finishers gritted their teeth, resisting the drowsiness; Roland was one of them.
He knelt on one knee, clutching the scallion pancake he had just bought.
"Hey! What the hell!" He looked in disbelief in the direction from which the light had risen.
"It's that light!" A powerful intuition struck him like a hammer blow, telling him that the source of all this was that soaring, all-changing radiance.
He looked at the densely packed crowd of people collapsed around him, his vision blurring until he finally succumbed, his consciousness sinking into boundless darkness.
The entire city fell into an unprecedented, deathly silence, a sea of slumber. Only on the top floor of Company A, a figure stood motionless. He gazed at the pure, immaculate, soft white light, so different from the Seed of Light he had once known, a hint of indescribable satisfaction crossing his face, as if admiring a masterpiece finally completed.
------
People had a dream. A very long, very long dream.
In the dream, everyone was the protagonist of their own life. They followed similar life trajectories, yet faced drastically different crossroads.
They began as innocent children, growing anew.
At each crucial crossroads in their lives, they felt an unseen figure silently accompanying them, guiding them without a sound.
People couldn't see this figure, yet instinctively trusted it, following this unseen guidance onto a path drastically different from their past destinies.
Some became heroes, saving lives; some poured their souls into the canvas and notes of art; some found happiness in the kitchen; some became courageous warriors, braving the flames; and some chose to immerse themselves in their own little world, or become ordinary office workers. But these were all their own choices.
Others rejected that guiding light, stubbornly stepping into the mire of sin, convinced they were born to be this way.
However, with the fall of a cold bullet, these sinful souls also slumbered forever in their dreams.
How many people are there in The City?
Over six billion souls.
At this moment, Xiling, whose consciousness had merged with the Seed of Light, became this invisible guide.
He accompanied each slumbering soul on this long and new journey of life.
When the moment of awakening quietly descends, this dreamlike, drastically different life experience will, like a silent drizzle, gently nourish their souls, reshaping the soil of their hearts.
In dreams, Xiling guides one life after another.
But in reality,
"Judgment of Shamash—Unsheath!" A devastating torrent of flames erupted from the giant sword in Kevin's hand! The earth cracked inch by inch amidst the roar, and the monstrous, black tide-like creatures surging upon it were instantly incinerated, turning into ashes that danced in the air.
"Why are there so many?" Kevin frowned, gazing beyond The City—from the seemingly boundless dark plains, more twisted figures were pouring in, their target the towering pillar of light in the city center.
They were like moths drawn to light.
However, Kevin's greater unease came from the depths of the starry sky. A familiar, cold, sticky gaze, like maggots crawling on bones, locked onto him. He abruptly looked up, his gaze piercing through the chaotic battlefield, straight into the deep void—it was the indescribable thing he had encountered on the outskirts!
It hadn't made a move, but Kevin could clearly sense the malice and oppression in that gaze rapidly increasing with time, as if some enormous shadow was moving rapidly through the void… those inhuman eyes were getting closer and closer!
"Kevin! That thing is definitely not right!" Kyuushou's voice pierced through the roar of the explosion, a gravitational singularity crushing thousands of giant monsters into a pulp.
"We absolutely cannot let it continue watching!"
Without further words, Kevin made a decision instantly.
"I'll leave this place to you!" Before the words were even finished, he had already transformed into a dazzling stream of light, tearing through the air like dawn, instantly disappearing from everyone's sight.
The next moment, a new sun suddenly shone brightly in the distant starry sky!
Kevin's departure caused the pressure on the ground to increase dramatically! Abyssal fissures, like a breeding ground for monsters, spewed forth countless twisted demons, howling in terror. Ignoring death, they surged forward relentlessly, frantically attacking the city, chasing the pure light, like moths drawn to destruction.
Thousands upon thousands of beams of light erupted from Elaina's body, sweeping across the battlefield like giant slicing rakes, instantly clearing an area.
However, the void was swiftly filled by a new wave.
"Witness the stars!" The Tarnished raised his staff, and a meteor shower tore through the clouds, its fiery tails crashing down upon the earth. Luo Tianyi's a cappella singing transformed into invisible threads, attempting to manipulate the monsters' minds, causing them to kill each other.
Dan Heng, transformed into the Imbibitor Lunae, tilted the ancient jade cup in his hand—
"Noble Phantasm Unleashed: The Eternally Flowing Cup!" In an instant, a torrent of water surged forth, transforming into a colossal water dragon that blotted out the sky, crashing violently into the monster sea! The clear water was instantly stained a glaring crimson by the filthy blood.
Radahn, Morgot, the Thirteen Heroes, the Ancient Dragon Clan led by Placidusax… everyone was fighting a bloody battle, building a dam of flesh and strength, desperately holding back the tide of darkness.
"Judging from this situation, holding out for seven days… should be feasible." Ranni calmly analyzed the battle, constantly summoning meteors, her tone tinged with cautious optimism.
However, she ultimately underestimated the abyss beyond The City.
Or rather, no one had ever truly seen the endless darkness beyond The City.
But one person knew—the Leader.
"Truly... breathtakingly powerful..." The leader gazed up at the undying "sun" in the starry sky, uttering a heartfelt sigh.
But then, he slowly shook his head, his eyes deep and thoughtful.
"But... It's not enough."
On the fifth day after the Seed of Light bloomed.
Another anomaly! A chilling, tearing sound echoed from the depths of the earth! Deep fissures appeared out of thin air, as if some ancient and evil entity was bursting forth from the very foundation of the world! The next moment, seven figures, each with a distinct and terrifying aura, slowly rose from the cracked earth!
They were not physical entities, but rather the embodiment of some primal concept—the scorching flames of anger danced on one, its greedy, thirsty gaze seemed capable of sucking away souls, the venom of envy flowed in the gaze of another, its arrogant figure looked down upon all living beings, its lustful whispers stirred the soul, its gluttonous maw seemed capable of devouring everything, and its sluggish vortex sluggishly slowed all life around it.
The Seven Deadly Sins! The embodiment of the seven original sins!
Their greedy and fanatical gazes were fixed on the pure light emanating from the top of the library!
Their appearance instantly caused a profound unease in the very souls of everyone present on the battlefield!
"What...what are those things?!" Elaina's pupils constricted, a primal, physiological disgust sweeping through her.
The members of the chat group felt the same intense repulsion and unease.
However, for the others on the battlefield, the appearance of these seven figures was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the darkness hidden within them!
A primal, violent, and irresistible torrent of desire, as the Seven Deadly Sins drew near, frantically washed over everyone's will!
Anger burned in their veins, greed gleamed in their eyes, envy gnawed at their souls, arrogance distorted their perception, lust blurred their reason, the hunger of gluttony surged in their throats, and the paralysis of sloth eroded their limbs… It was the deepest darkness of humanity being ignited!
Just as some were about to be consumed by their inner malice, their eyes bloodshot, behind them, the light that everyone had fought so hard to protect gently and firmly shone upon them.
A warm and unwavering power, the complete opposite of their raging malice, flowed like a spring into the depths of their nearly boiling souls—it was the benevolent source of the Seed of Light!
Good and evil, light and darkness, in this battle for survival sweeping across the entire city, on the battlefield of every individual's soul, unfolded the most intense and primal struggle!
Those seven terrifying beings, symbolizing the original sin of the world, continued their unwavering march forward. With each step they took, the stench in the air grew thicker, like a tangible, poisonous miasma, corroding people's will and The City itself.
"We can't let them get near the city's core!" Kyuushou's voice was filled with unprecedented urgency, Revelation shrieking in her mind, "They are a disaster in themselves!"
The next second, Kyuushou had already made her move! The singularity device from G Company hummed in her palm, resonating violently with the gravity magic she controlled! A simulated black hole instantly tore through space in front of the Seven Deadly Sins, the terrifying suction force instantly pulling the surrounding horde of monsters into nothingness! However, the seven figures were like illusory projections, not even the hem of their clothes fluttering—they were not physical entities made of flesh and blood, but the very concept of evil that constituted the foundational logic of the world! How could a black hole devour a concept?
But in the next second, a blood-stained water dragon that blotted out the sky, carrying Dan Heng's cold and resolute will, slammed violently into the twisted and alluring body of the Shadow of Lust! The immense kinetic energy contained in the water slammed him away, embedding him heavily in the surging horde of monsters behind him!
Dan Heng stood at the forefront of the battle, facing seven avatars of the concept alone.
"Ordinary attacks probably wouldn't harm these things, but... I should be able to."
The world's power was supposed to be stagnant, but the existence of the chat group changed that.
The Path Energy, originally confined to the Honkai: Star Rail Universe, could still be exerted by Dan Heng at this moment.
Path is will, and the power Dan Heng wielded was the power of will.
As if sensing the threat Dan Heng posed, the Seven Deadly Sins turned their gazes towards him.
The next second.
The Seven Deadly Sins' murky, greedy gazes instantly locked onto Dan Heng! An unprecedented sense of threat caused these seven conceptual aggregates to let out a silent shriek! The next second, seven distinct yet equally deadly torrents of original sin—merging into a chaotic beam of destructive light—torn through space, rushing straight towards Dan Heng!
Dan Heng's eyes narrowed, his fingers forming a sword, pointing skyward! The vast currents of water surrounding him responded, instantly transforming into three even larger, more solidified azure water dragons, roaring as they met the destructive torrent!
The three water dragons fiercely withstood the combined attack of the Seven Deadly Sins! Dan Heng's hand seals changed again—
"Break!" The water dragon exploded violently, transforming into ten thousand rapidly spinning water blades, instantly engulfing and tearing apart the seven sinful figures!
However, Dan Heng, who had "successfully severed" them, showed no joy on his face, only solemnity.
His perception was crystal clear; the water blades had indeed shattered those figures.
But in the next breath, the seven figures reformed perfectly intact on the spot!
It was as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion!
At that moment, a calm yet extremely penetrating voice resounded throughout The City:
"They are the manifestation of evil, the stain on the foundational logic of this world. As long as evil remains in people's hearts, as long as evil exists in the world, they will be immortal ghosts."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, which originated in The City center—where the leader resided.
"The modified Seed of Light is blooming, possessing the effect of purifying souls and spreading goodwill… This is shaking the very foundation of their existence."
"That hero is doing something they absolutely cannot tolerate, so they rose from the abyss to stop the Seed of Light."
"To completely kill these conceptual monsters is nearly impossible, but you, Kyuushou, have a way to stall them."
"I have a way!" Kyuushou's brain began to work rapidly, and with the knowledge she had gained from the other party, she quickly locked onto her target.
"Spatial Domains."
"Exactly." The leader's affirmation was like the sun breaking through the clouds.
"They are the underlying logic of this world. Within this realm, you cannot kill the 'rules' that constitute the world itself."
Kyuushou was about to ask if it was possible to completely end them in other worlds when the leader's voice interrupted:
"Even if you can kill them in other worlds, as long as the foundation of evil in this world remains, they will eventually be reborn from the abyss of the human heart..."
"As expected, things are not that simple. However, once Xiling is better, let him kill you all!"
Kyuushou took a deep breath and shouted towards the core of the battlefield:
"Dan heng! My turn!"
Using the power of singularity technology, Kyuushou ripped forward, instantly creating a dark spatial rift between the Seven Deadly Sins and the battlefield!
Appearing in the center, Kyuushou shouted, "Expand domain!"
An invisible, absolutely isolating spherical force field suddenly expanded from her center! Wherever its boundaries swept, everything in reality—soil, air, light, even the texture of space itself—was eerily distorted and stripped away!
"Expand domain!"
Dan Heng understood her intention! He and Placidusax transformed into two streaks of light, charging into the alien on the battlefield—forcedly cleaved apart by the Kyuushou, independent of the rest of the world—just before the domain completely closed!
Also drawn in was the land where the Seven Deadly Sins resided, and the countless monsters swarming upon it—they, along with that space itself, were forcibly cut from the canvas of reality!
Above the stars, Kevin was embroiled in an absurd and suffocating battle.
Was the enemy powerful? To be honest, in terms of pure attack power… is not strong.
But the opponent possessed a characteristic that could drive any warrior mad—unkillable.
Kevin had given it his all. The blazing spear of light in its Dawn form was enough to pierce stars; every attack struck, each one utterly destroying, annihilating, and reducing the enormous, twisted, and repulsive mass of flesh to nothingness.
However, it was all in vain.
The next second, the worm-like... monster composed of flesh and countless cold eyeballs regenerated perfectly from the void.
It was as if it were part of this void itself, a cancerous growth bred from the universe.
Its massive, bloodshot main eye, occupying most of Kevin's field of vision, remained fixed on him, its gaze like materialized malice, clinging to him.
The monster's counterattacks were primitive and clumsy, like a deep-sea octopus lashing out with its tentacles, or a primordial beast ramming and crushing him with its heavy body.
These attacks posed little threat to Kevin, but the sense of being locked on grew clearer and heavier.
Worse still, Kevin's senses warned him—there was more than one.
From the deeper, more distant darkness of the void, more gazes were being cast upon him!
Though distant, that greedy and malicious attention was approaching at an alarming speed!
"One is disgusting enough, and you're calling for reinforcements?!" Kevin roared, and the Cleaver of Shamash in his hand erupted with dazzling light. An attack powerful enough to cleanse the earth slammed into the monster, instantly vaporizing it!
But as the light faded, the familiar writhing shadow slowly reformed on the spot.
"Damn, that's disgusting!" Kevin cursed inwardly; this was the first time he'd encountered such a frustrating battle. He definitely preferred a head-on clash with his enemies.
Meanwhile, Roland had a nightmare.
In the dream, his wife was dead, and despair and rage consumed him. Guided by a certain color, he joined an organization called "The Library," working for a woman named Angela.
During this process, he felt his life was like a strategy game, with two options appearing before him at certain points.
Like now, knowing the whole truth, he collapsed before his superior, who, with an air of profound understanding, spouted some bullshit about severing the cycle of reincarnation.
"You're the one who caused my tragedy, so why are you acting like you've let go of everything? Where's your patience? Where's your perseverance? Where's the suffering of millions of years of reincarnation? Making this choice at the end—are you kidding me?"
Roland wanted to accuse his superior. He wanted to hurl insults at his opponent, kill him with his sword, but… he couldn't.
As the light vanished into the radiance, the two options in his mind made their choice. He gritted his teeth and rose from the ground; his battle wasn't over yet.
---------
Inside the Seed of Light, the concept of space had already distorted.
In this space purely composed of will and light, a being purer and more dazzling than the core itself slowly opened its eyes.
The form of the sleeve was difficult to describe in mortal language; it was more like a life form woven from the purest light.
Time lost its meaning here, yet it carried an unimaginable weight.
During the seven days the Seed of Light bloomed, his consciousness, connected to billions of dreams, had survived countless cycles in the spiritual dimension.
Now, the seven days had passed. The final tick of time quietly passed its end.
He also reserved his last day for himself.
-------
"Um… are you really alright?" Carmen's voice, filled with concern, stood out clearly in the empty Seed of Light.
"It should be nothing serious," Xiling replied calmly and distantly.
"What you possess now is probably what we ordinary people understand as divinity," Ein explained from the side.
"It's using positive emotions to overwhelm negative ones, guiding people towards good. But your choice..."
"...Pulled everyone's emotions, including those that should have been distorted negative ones, into the torrent of your dreams. This enormous positive and negative energy clashed and reconciled within you, ultimately forcing your personality to split into three levels: the divinity you represent now, the evil waiting for you at the end of the steps, and...the true humanity that can only be awakened and stabilized when the two of you merge back into one."
Ein's gaze became exceptionally solemn:
"You must continue, confront the evil born from your own darkness, overcome it, or...accept it. That is the necessary path to your return to wholeness. Are you...ready?"
There were no grand pronouncements, no impassioned speeches, only a calm and matter-of-fact composure.
Xiling nodded.
"I've already made my preparations."
"Then step onto these steps. Your companion is waiting for you at the end."
"Thank you." After a brief thank you, Xiling didn't hesitate for a moment, stepping onto the cold staircase that stretched downwards, seemingly leading to endless nothingness.
His steps were steady and resolute, his long white hair trailing behind him like flowing stardust, leaving a faint trace of light on the empty steps.
"...He didn't even hesitate for a moment," Carmen murmured, watching the gradually shrinking figure.
This divine incarnation, who should be the most devoid of emotion and coldly calculating, displayed a will purer than humanity, almost martyr-like, as he stepped onto this path that might lead to no return.
"Will he win?" Ein couldn't help but shout at the figure about to be swallowed by the darkness below.
The answer was the unwavering echo of Xiling's footsteps, and words that remained calm yet contained undeniable power:
"I will win."
One step...two steps...three steps...
Time lost its meaning on the boundless staircase. The path behind him had long since vanished in the faint light above, and ahead lay only an ever-deepening, thick, inky darkness.
Only forward.
Xiling's face remained unchanged; he walked calmly, his long hair trailing behind him on the stairs.
How long he walked was unknown—perhaps a moment, perhaps eternity.
Xiling finally stepped into that pure, seemingly all-absorbing realm of darkness.
At the very center of the darkness, a figure stood silently, a part of the darkness itself. Only when Hiling approached did the figure's outline emerge in the extreme contrast.
It was another Xiling.
The same outline, yet radiating an opposite, chilling aura of malice and chaos.
On his face hung a wicked, playful smile—a smile that would never appear on the white-haired Hiling's face.
"Yo, you've arrived? I've been waiting for you." Black Xiling's voice carried a hint of lazy mockery.
"I've arrived." White Xiling's reply remained flat and emotionless.
"Tch, so bland." Black Xiling curled his lip, scratching his hair in frustration.
"But then again, it makes sense, after all, it's me with divinity." He then flashed an almost roguish smile.
"Damn it, what do we do now?"
"We merge." White Xiling stated succinctly.
"Fine, merge!" Black Xiling agreed with unusual decisiveness.
White Xiling's face showed no surprise.
Because the other was himself. No matter how deeply tainted this self with malice, no matter how sinister his smile, his core will, that yearning originating from the deepest part of life, had never changed.
"Salvation." The two words were like a vow branded onto their souls.
Both extended their hands to each other simultaneously.
The wicked smile on Black Xiling's face suddenly widened, carrying a mad, near-destructive brilliance:
"Hey, you, my divine self, tell me... after we merge, does that mean we're both dead?"
White Xiling didn't waver in the slightest, calmly nodding:
"It should count."
The human Xiling was neither pure divinity nor extreme malice; it was a rebirth after harmonization. Merging meant that both "white" and "black" would cease to exist at this moment.
"Ha! Boring!" Black Xiling laughed loudly, the sound echoing unsettlingly in the darkness. He waited no longer, stepping forward and forcefully grasping White Xiling's faintly glowing hand with his jet-black hand!
In an instant!
Pure black light and pristine white light erupted from their clasped hands! Darkness was no longer darkness, and light was no longer merely light; they collided, swirled, and permeated each other violently… ultimately merging into an indescribable, pure radiance, chaotic yet brimming with boundless vitality!
This fused radiance pierced the core barrier of the Seed of Light, bursting forth with a fiery intensity a thousand times greater than its initial eruption, like a colossal sword splitting the heavens and earth, tearing through the sky that shrouded the city, and surging down with overwhelming force!
Warm and boundless light instantly enveloped every blood-soaked soul fighting on the battlefield.
Almost simultaneously, a clear, calm, yet supremely majestic voice resonated as if directly within the depths of everyone's soul:
"Feel, listen, I will… guide you."
-------
"That guy... finally got it done!" The moment he heard that voice, the Tarnished's tense body instinctively relaxed. Then, a strange change occurred within him—it was the Seed of Light.
At that very moment, deep within the consciousness of everyone on the battlefield, two completely different options clearly emerged:
Divine Armor—Distortion.
And the guidance was clearly telling them.
"Choose Divine Armor!"
Everyone in the chat group smiled in unison.
The next moment, it was as if the entire world had been slowed down, then instantly collapsed and rebuilt!
The seed sown by the Seed of Light was completely ignited and catalyzed in everyone's heart by this merging will!
The power belonging to the ideal self, that potential hidden deep within the core of the soul, like a dormant volcano, erupted with a roar! This was no longer a phantom dream projection, but a miracle manifested—will igniting reality, its form changing!
"A moment is eternity!"
Savior of Light—Houraiji Kyuushou: A holy radiance unfolds around her, pure light becoming an extension of her will.
The Mage—The Tarnished: Clad in a robe woven from starlight, a vast tome flowing with countless ancient runes, and the light of truth floats before him.
Angel of Light—Lemuen: Her holy radiance coalesced into six enormous, tangible wings, a soft yet purifying halo hovering above her head. The gun in her hand seemed imbued with a divine will.
Mysterious and Beautiful Witch—Elaina: Her form became hazy and ethereal, as if separated from reality by a flowing crystal veil. Her face was obscured, only a transcendent mystery and power emanating from her, as if she had traversed a higher dimension.
Sound Spirit—Luo Tianyi: Countless musical notes, shimmering with different colors and emotions, danced and leaped around her like tangible spirits. Her voice possessed the power to directly shake the soul and weave reality.
The Idealist—Dan Heng: His dragon horns and tail were not visible, but his will to protect reached an unprecedented peak. Not wielding a dragon's body, but commanding the forces of water and fire with pure human will.
"It's our turn to fight back!" Houraiji Kyuushou's smile was arrogant and confident. Pure white light condensed in her palm, instantly rewriting the gravity laws of her domain!
Dan Heng took a step forward, and the twin dragons of water and fire roared, tearing through space! Placidusax's dragon wings flapped, stirring up turbulent currents that tore through space!
The cold, numb will of the Seven Deadly Sins finally fluctuated violently!
The Seed of Light had fully bloomed! The foundation of their evil, upon which they depended for existence, was being frantically washed away and weakened by an unprecedented purifying power of light! They sensed a fatal threat! Not from the attack before them, but from the purification of the entire world!
Without the slightest hesitation, the figures of the Seven Deadly Sins suddenly exploded apart, not in resistance, but choosing the most complete "annihilation"—self-annihilation, returning to the deepest, most filthy, and darkest abyss.
The horde of monsters, like a black tide, continued to frantically assault the defensive line.
The Faded One gently raised his hand, hovering above the Book of Truth. He extended his index finger and casually snapped it.
*Whoosh—!!!*
A colossal, gigantic magic circle instantly unfolded in the sky! Intricately detailed runes shone like stars, and the immense magical energy surged, causing space itself to groan.
"Meteor Shower."
Countless meteors, as if precisely guided by an invisible hand, rained down from the sky! They avoided all friendly forces with pinpoint accuracy, as if guided by eyes, crashing into the densest concentration of monsters!
*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*
The continuous explosions were like sacred salutes! In the vast area he was responsible for, in less than three seconds, all the filthy monsters, down to their ashes, were completely purified.
"...Ugh." On the other side, Elaina glanced at the still noisy, surging horde of monsters in the distance, and the distorted shadows of the mountains on the horizon, frowning as she muttered a complaint only she could understand.
The Seed of Light gave everyone a choice, and they were no exception. Their dreams, under the protection of the merged will, were condensed into a single moment that determined their future.
She gently raised her wand, and a beam of light shot from its tip.
Where the beam passed, everything—nearby monsters, the mountain ranges on the horizon… everything—matter, energy, even space itself—was silently and utterly annihilated, as if erased by the most skillful eraser, leaving a chilling trail on the earth.
"Die," Luo Tianyi murmured, her gaze fixed on another surging wave of monsters in the distance. With her will, the surrounding musical notes instantly coalesced into a silent melody.
Thump…thump…thump…
The monsters in the distance seemed to have their bones removed; their charge halted abruptly.
The raging red light in their eyes quickly faded, their bodies went limp, and an unprecedented, infantile sleep appeared on their faces.
Above, Lemeun, with six wings on her back, descended like a true angel of judgment. She made a gun-like gesture with her hand, coldly aiming at the monster below, a soft yet deadly light gathering at her fingertips.
*Whoosh!*
A pure beam of light descended from the sky! The monster enveloped in the light turned to ashes with a piercing scream. After the light passed, apart from the vanished monster, the earth and vegetation remained intact, as if the destructive beam of light had been nothing more than an illusion.
Above the starry sky.
"Might of An-Utu, unsheathed!" Kevin's roar ripped through the silence, and terrifying flames roared forth.
The flames struck the seven eerie figures precisely, instantly engulfing them and reducing them to ash.
However, the void twisted, and those monsters that should have been annihilated suddenly reappeared in their original positions!
At that moment, a sharp sword light slashed across without warning.
Where the sword light reached, those creatures that seemed to have no concept of death were completely wiped out, leaving not even a trace of their existence.
This single sword strike halted the advance of all the monsters still rushing towards this location.
Kevin looked on in astonishment, only to see a figure with waist-length hair appear before him—it was Xiling, who had arrived just in time.
"Not too late, aren't I?" Xiling turned back and smiled slightly.
"This time…just in time." Kevin's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Leave the rest to me." Xiling turned back, his gaze piercing, casting a beam of light across the vast universe.
An invisible pressure spread out.
He could clearly sense countless cold, emotionless gazes focused on him from the depths of the cosmos.
Faced with these probing gazes from unknown dimensions, Xiling revealed herself without reservation, willingly exposing her true nature.
In the visions of those beings, Xiling's essence manifested as pure white light, a blazing, burning source of light, and the profound shadows around that source, clearly illuminated by the pure light—the boundary between light and darkness was an insurmountable limit.
"What did you want?" Xiling spoke softly.
Although he didn't understand the monsters' language, his thoughts automatically translated his words into a form that could be directly imprinted on their senses.
After hearing his declaration, the enormous figures turned without hesitation and disappeared into the depths of the void.
As they departed, Kevin suddenly realized that the gazes that had once sent chills down his spine had completely vanished from him.
"What did you do?" Kevin asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
"Just told them that this area is under my control." Xiling put his hands on his hips, smiling matter-of-factly.
"Huh?" Kevin looked incredulous.
"Just that simple?"
"Yes, that simple." Xiling's tone was relaxed.
"Beings like them wouldn't have much interest in this corner anyway. Plus, I happen to possess the power to make them realize they'd better not mess with me. So, they left."
Kevin had a feeling things wouldn't end so easily, but…
"Is it… over?" He asked tentatively.
"Yes," Xiling looked at the now calm starry sky and nodded.
"At least for now, it's over."