The Day Faith Said Farewell, the Hour Wills United (I)

Cheng Shi felt betrayed again.

His friends so "easily" "gave up" on themselves and chose "death".

He clearly didn't want it to be this way, but reality pushed him step by step to this point, Predestination was slowly becoming completely integrated into him.

He recalled the "Final Decree" left by [The Hope's Flame], examining again and again the future that [Deception] had painted for the world...

That's not the future he wanted.

But the future is already here, and he has no choice.

If we don't take this step, all our previous efforts will be in vain.

He might deny himself for the sake of his friends, but he could not deny [Deception], deny [Death], deny the Fear Faction, deny the Fire Keeper, deny all the friends who had always stood silently behind him and supported him...

He couldn't do it, neither moving forward nor backward.

So Cheng Shi "stopped" here.

He wished time could stand still at this moment, so that he wouldn't have to face that future that wasn't even a future, nor bear the cost of the world's failure. He would still have his friends, and even hope in his heart.

This is the present moment, the most "beautiful" present moment.

However, time never stops for anyone; it is far fairer than any other Order.

Cheng Shi wasn't sure if he was being influenced by Sea of Desire; his emotions were amplified to an extreme degree today. He stood there, speechless for a long time, not even daring to look up at his friends, until night fell...

?

Where does the darkness of night come from in this Land of Depravity?

Cheng Shi looked up in astonishment, only to find that he was no longer beside the Sea of Sea of Desire, but had become a pitch-black Void. The empty darkness enveloped him, and an uncontrollable fear surged in his heart.

Then his fear intensified, not because of anything else, but because he saw a figure walking towards him.

Hu Xuan.

The Sage was still dressed in her familiar elegant manner. She walked slowly to Cheng Shi, looked at his slightly pale face, and a trace of pity flashed in her eyes, but it quickly turned into determination and trust.

She said with a smile:

They knew you couldn't make up your mind, so they came up with this way to persuade you.

I know you understand everything, and I also understand that this is not a word of comfort, but a farewell, so I volunteered to come first.

After all, I am [Birth], their 'boss', and should rightfully be number one."

Upon hearing the word "farewell, "Cheng Shi felt even more helpless. He wanted to retreat, but found there was nowhere to go. Hu Xuan tried her best to maintain a smile and said:

"Cheng Shi, you have never been a hesitant person, otherwise I would not have had a chance to survive when the Dagger of Stars was under Zainjil's nose."

Your decisiveness saved me... Now, it's time to use your decisiveness to save the world.

Cheng Shi lowered his eyes, avoiding looking at Hu Xuan, as if this meant it wasn't a farewell.

"Saving the world won't save you," he said.

Hu Xuan is Pragmatist Faction; she stated frankly:

"Saving the world won't save us either, but saving the world can at least save everyone's hope."

They've resisted for so long, shouldn't there be some kind of outcome?

Although I am different from them, I also have hope. As long as new life continues to emerge in the new world, isn't [Birth] also accompanying you in this way?

I am no longer Sage, nor merely Hu Xuan; I am [Birth], the ceaseless [Birth].

"..."

The Sage's smile became increasingly Divinity, but Cheng Shi couldn't sense it; he only felt sorrow.

He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly raised his head, looked into Hu Xuan's eyes, and then, to her surprise, reached out his hand to her.

His meaning was clear: this was a plea for them to stay.

Hu Xuan was taken aback, then smiled and shook her head, saying, "I'm very happy, but I can't be so selfish as to leave this child in the new world, if I still have that honor."

As she spoke, she reached out and took Cheng Shi's hand.

However, nothing happened.

"Tell me what to do." Hu Xuan's smile was pure and charming. "Cheng Shi, don't let them laugh at me. I came here with no intention of going back."

My will is always with you, with [Birth], through all times and Cosmos, I will always believe in you.

"..."

Cheng Shi suddenly felt a Change within himself. He could see a faint, almost imperceptible burst of Divine Power in his vision. This Divine Power was not from any of the sixteen Faith. If he had to describe it, it would be like a wisp of undyed, seven-colored power.

Strange, why do I feel that it is the power of seven colors, when it clearly has no color?

At that moment, Cheng Shi recalled [Time]'s words: As long as you believe, the Power of Trust will be unleashed.

Is this the Power of Trust...?

But this trust is pulling me further away from the source of trust and closer to the [Origin].

Cheng Shi fell silent again, this time for a very long time. Hu Xuan stood quietly in front of him, not disturbing him. She knew he needed time, time to accept, time to "compromise."

The Sage thought, if time cannot be wasted, then let himself bear the blame for wasting time; it was because he hadn't urged them, and it had nothing to do with the current Cheng Shi.

A long time passed, Cheng Shi "woke up" from his silence. He seemed to have made a decision and made up his mind. He changed his previous expressionless face and became that confident Clown again.

Hu Xuan was stunned, feeling as if the Fate Weaver had saved her back then had returned.

"It seems you're ready." Hu Xuan smiled with satisfaction.

Cheng Shi smiled too, a smile he hadn't shown in a long time, but he still shook his head:

No, absolutely not.

But what good will it do if we don't have it?

You're right. I have the hopes and aspirations of so many people behind me. I can't let them down. I have to give them an explanation.

Sage, do you still believe in me?

Hu Xuan replied without hesitation, "I said I've always believed."

Cheng Shi laughed heartily, then asked, "Then, Sage, are you afraid of death?"

"[Death] is the end of [Life], and this journey carries not fear, but nature."

I was born of nature, and I will return to nature; what is there to fear?

Cheng Shi kept smiling and nodding, hiding all his sadness behind his back, and took out the "Blueprint" again.

The Divine Throne unfolded in mid-air, Cheng Shi pointed to the traces left by the [Birth] Faith within it, saying:

"Like infusing divine Divine Power, I pour the will of [Birth] into it. Believe me, Sage, we will surely meet again in a new era."

Hu Xuan's face blossomed into the most beautiful smile, "I've been looking forward to it, I've always been looking forward to it."

After saying that, she closed her eyes, clasped her hands in front of her, and said:

"I am the [Birth] that gives rise to and perpetuates the lineage."

The elegant figure instantly disintegrated, turning into specks of starlight that flowed towards the Blueprint. The dazzling light illuminated the entire Void, and the blank traces of Faith were once again filled in with substance.

The true essence.

Cheng Shi clenched his fists, remaining silent, but his ferocious expression clearly showed that a branding iron shaped like the character for "Birth" was directly imprinted on his heart.

The Divine Throne were pieced together, and the Void returned to silence.

Not long after, Tao Yi arrived. Those outside seemed to know about the situation in the Void. Shortly after [Birth] left, [Prosperity] spread to them.

She looked at Cheng Shi, whose hands were still trembling slightly, and offered no words of comfort. She simply lowered her red eyes and forced a smile:

Can I make a wish?

Cheng Shi took a deep breath and replied casually, "What wish? I can't guarantee it will come true."

"I want a new world where everyone prospers, everything prospers, and all things prosper, where no one has to suffer the pain of Decay, no one has to endure the agony of separation..."

Halfway through her sentence, she looked up at Cheng Shi, her tears turning into a smile, "Was I too greedy?"

Greed is a blessing.

If I hadn't been greedy, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Cheng Shi comforted Tao Yi, then thought of the Big Cat still outside.

"She..."

When Hong Lin was mentioned, Tao Yi's smile finally warmed up a bit, but her eyes became even redder:

She knew I didn't want to lose her, so she waited outside and saw me off first.

It's a pity A'tu can't go to the new world, but luckily I didn't go either, so how can this not be considered a reunion?

Cheng Shi, tell me what to do. A'tu taught me to be strong; now it's my turn to be strong.

"... Believe me, you will be reunited."

Tao Yi smiled brightly, "Of course I believe you. From the moment you saved me, I have never doubted you."

"... Thanks."

Cheng Shi suddenly felt a little afraid of this trust, but he still took out the Vessel.

The Blueprint reappeared, the starlight faded again, and the fleeting moment of light transformed into the second fragment of the Divine Throne.