Sleeping Maiden Painting
"..."
Linsey glanced back at the figures.
Apart from Fenna, who walked up to her, everyone else's faces were in a state of confusion. Only the actress's image rapidly changed, collapsing from a void into the girl Linsey had once seen.
Fenna's friendly attitude remained unchanged.
As for the other awakened ones later.
They brought their skills and crossed world barriers to come.
Even with Linsey's careful examination, all he could see was a chaotic scene and the information of "Eighth Stage Powerhouse" confirmed by his Scouting Skill.
The owners of these Eighth Stage skills.
At this moment, it truly resembles the mythical allegory of 'not to be looked at directly'.
"Anyway, let's go back first."
At that moment, Fenna patted Linsey on the shoulder.
The emotional type buff that was originally created by the Emotion Spectrum and remained in Linsey's body was swept away by this gentle movement.
Linsey's Datafication approach also exited at the same time.
And at that very moment.
The surging will in his heart underwent a new transformation under the sunlight shining down from the sky.
[Will Source Material Advancement]
[Third Tier: Foundation (Courage) → Fourth Step (God/ Human Rights Established)]
Two paths lay before Linsey.
One path uses willpower as fuel to scorch powerful Essence, sublimating divinity and thus embarking on the supreme path of pure sublimation; the other path allows the power of courage to flourish and arouse the true, authentic human power that belongs to humanity itself.
Linsey didn't need to think; her choices naturally flowed out.
Everything that constitutes him as a person automatically extends the path to the latter.
Courage, a noble human will, burst forth within him, generating unprecedented power!
Will Source Material Advancement, Linsey did not gain any new skills.
However, with the enhancement of the Essence, all of his attributes increased by 30, which is a terrifying improvement that is currently difficult for any equipment to achieve!
"Good!"
"With the elevation of will, human courage will pave the way!"
Fenna noticed the change in Linsey.
She cheered loudly, affirming the manifestation of Willpower.
But Linsey ignored Fenna and, dragging his weary body, turned his gaze to the painting in his hands.
The name of the "Unfinished Painting" has already changed after the item takes effect.
[A Curious Object: Sleeping Maiden Painting (Under Development)]
A maiden born from illusion slumbers within, ascending to a new realm. Upon completion of this ascension, she will gain a fully realized status and new cognitive powers; her Essence, [Heart Surge], will transform into [Distant Shore Stars].
"Come here, look at me!"
"I am real!"
[This is a special item; its value is immeasurable.]
"Call--"
Linsey's body went limp, and she almost collapsed to the ground.
He finally breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming that Wala Wala was protected by the painting and might even receive a new level of advancement.
At this moment, he turned to look at Fenna beside him.
Linsey didn't speak, nor did he seem to lose his temper and provoke the Eighth Stage Awakened.
But these artists are born with the ability to read minds.
Without Linsey saying a word, Fenna immediately saw through Linsey's entire inner thoughts.
"Hey, hey, hey, I did help out!"
"Some people were hoping this guy would successfully advance, but they couldn't intervene. Linsey, do you think that's why?"
Linsey immediately realized:
"You, you guys, stopped the artists from the other Eighth Stage?"
Fenna leaned closer, striking a pose like a fan asking their idol for praise:
"Otherwise what?"
"So you'd better give me a good compliment."
Just then, another person from the group stepped forward.
"Fenna, stop talking."
He interrupted Fenna's actions, his image now fixed as that of a serious-looking middle-aged man, before turning a serious look at Linsey:
"Our choices are simply based on different positions."
"Ultimately—when these fates befell us, we did not step in to change them. As the administrators of this city, this is a dereliction of duty."
Upon hearing what the man said, Fenna's expression changed:
"Hey, hey, Kao Yi! Don't talk nonsense! What dereliction of duty..."
The man who spoke ignored Fenna and walked up to Linsey.
At this moment, he clapped his hands gently, offering praise to Linsey for her journey so far.
"Mr. Linsey."
"You are a brave warrior who conquers fate, a hero who defeats an incredible enemy."
"The stories that happened here may not be known in other parts of the world."
"However, please allow me to offer my praise!"
As soon as the man spoke, a new line of text appeared on Linsey's Attribute Panel.
[Critic's Approval: You have earned the recognition of a hero and a warrior; no one can control or interfere with your destiny.]
—A critic of the Eighth Stage.
Simply clapping and acknowledging has created a new status for me.
While Linsey's expression remained puzzled, Fenna's expression suddenly changed.
The actor stood up, looked at the sky behind him, and his expression turned extremely bored and annoyed.
"Huh? The chaos continues?"
"Is this never going to end?!"
As Fenna complained, she stepped forward and helped Linsey up, her body weak.
Linsey immediately felt her strength restored, while Fenna explained in a farewell tone:
"The previous chaotic timeline messed up these Hallucination Dream, and we still need to sort out the timeline."
"Linsey, be careful of the troubles that time brings on your adventurous journey."
"This thing is truly the most troublesome!"
Linsey also thought of the time chaos she had experienced in the Hallucination Dream.
Fenna was right; he had even met his child, whom he had never met before, in advance.
Linsey nodded, still shaken.
"I've got it."
"..."
"Alright, I'll take Mr. Linsey home."
At this point, the commentator spoke up again.
Under Fenna's watchful, intrigued smile.
The scene before Linsey shattered instantly, and the two traversed the void between worlds, returning directly to the edge of the city where the sea was floating.
The foundation of Linsey's house is right in front of us.
Not far away, the three-story building belonging to Wala Wala still stands here.
It's a pity about that talkative, dance-loving girl who loved painting and music.
At this moment, it must be restored slowly through drawing.
Linsey looked somewhat wistful, while the critic's voice rang out beside him:
"If you want to stay in the City of a Thousand Sails, we will guarantee your safety and no Eighth Stage Awakened will come to disturb your life."
"If you wish to leave immediately, I can grant you permission to open a teleportation portal."
"As for the City of Law... there are diplomatic risks there, and I cannot interfere."
Linsey wanted to leave immediately.
But looking at the Wala Wala little building, he still shook his head:
"No need."
"Wala Wala and I made a promise to enjoy this Art Festival together."
"I will leave on my own after the holiday."