Lying Down to Win, No to Saving, Bright Future Go Go Go!

A single sentence exploded in Xie Xie's mind.

It was like a sudden awakening, like a strong wind tearing through the fog.

He stared blankly at the Space-Time Dragon, the confusion of self-doubt in his heart vanishing without a trace, like snow melting under the scorching sun.

That's right.

If their souls had merged, then he had returned to his rightful place.

Since he could feel that love, ache with that regret, and live out a life uniquely his own in this world—

Then he, was Xie Xie.

His nose stung again, but this time, it wasn't bitter tears that welled up, but the relief and stability of having survived a catastrophe.

Xie Xie slowly raised his head; the confusion in his eyes dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented firmness.

"I... am Xie Xie."

He repeated softly, his voice not loud, yet every word was clear. "I am not anyone else."

[Very good.]

The Space-Time Dragon's voice grew a fraction gentler.

With his mental knot untied, Xie Xie suddenly thought of something. He slapped his forehead and asked a question that had lingered in his mind ever since he read the original work in his past life:

"Space-Time Dragon, I have a question."

"Since the future Xie... since the future me has already mastered the power of space and time, why can't I travel through it freely?"

"For example, going back to the past to change the future, or taking the other six Shrek Monsters to see Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena's wedding."

That was a regret shared by countless fans of the Dragon King series.

[...]

The Space-Time Dragon remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly, its gentle voice tinged with a hint of hoarseness.

[The space-time power you master in the future is but a drop in the ocean; you do not even possess the qualifications to touch the origin of space and time.]

[Even as the Master of Space-Time, I cannot recklessly reverse the flow of time.]

[The laws of space and time cannot be transgressed. A single deviation would trigger the collapse of the plane and the destruction of space-time. Both the mortal realm and the God Realm would be reduced to nothingness.]

Its voice remained indifferent and calm, without a ripple, yet those ancient, deep dragon eyes flashed with a trace of imperceptible desolation.

[Even though I am a god, I do not have the right to deprive life at will.]

[Naturally, I would not treat life as a part of some private romantic play. If I were to use your past life's terms, although I am of the demon race, I am a prime candidate for the Path of Ruthlessness.]

Xie Xie: "..."

We're having a sentimental moment here, big guy, could you not break character so suddenly?

Xie Xie looked at the Space-Time Dragon, speechless; he hadn't expected this creature to have such a humorous personality.

[As for my King...]

The Space-Time Dragon's gaze seemed to pierce through endless time, landing on a figure far beyond reach.

[Summoning you to this world was my only selfish act.]

After a long while, it looked slowly at Xie Xie, but changed the subject. In its indifferent eyes, there was finally a trace of obsession and hesitation it was unwilling to admit.

[I govern the origin of space and time and have seen all the heavens and myriad domains, yet I cannot see through your future—because it is a unique blank slate, filled with indescribable, infinite possibilities.]

Its dragon pupils suddenly turned into a chaotic white, as if swallowing endless years.

Always prioritizing reason above all else, it now carried the mindset of a gambler.

[You are the variable, and you are the only hope.]

[I cannot alter the fixed past and future, but you, with your blank future, can.]

[This is my only expectation, and my only exception.]

"Me, me?" Xie Xie pointed at himself in disbelief. "But my future is supposed to be smooth sailing; I just wanted to lie flat and ride the coattails of the strong. And you're telling me you want me to save the future?"

"Isn't that just pure nonsense?!"

The Space-Time Dragon looked steadily at Xie Xie, a hint of relief appearing in its eyes.

[You will.]

[From the moment you arrived in this world, this world has already begun to change for you.]

As the words fell, the figure of the Space-Time Dragon began to fade and dissipate. Pure white dragon scales turned into specks of starlight, merging into this white mental space.

[Time is running out, Xie Xie. It is time for you to return.]

As the last trace of consciousness vanished, the empty white space began to twist and shatter.

Xie Xie felt the world spin, and then, the heavy night and the cool evening breeze enveloped him once more.

He took a deep breath.

He slowly raised his head, only feeling...

The sky has collapsed!!

Family, who can understand this? The future main questline has inexplicably added a new column: Change the ending, save the future!

Why on earth should he be the one to save it?

After the Abyss War, the demigods, quasi-gods, and Titled Douluos were either dead or wounded, and with no Tang God King pressing down from above, even the more formidable Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena had gone off to be frozen in eternal ice.

Relying on this power of time and space, he could practically cover the sky with one hand, couldn't he?

If he were pushed to the brink, he could simply unleash his ninth soul skill, Super-Space-Time Crossing Stab, and drag his entire opponent down with him in a self-detonation.

Forget trading one-for-one; he could trade one-for-many.

He had the strength, the status, and the wife—why the hell would he want to change the future?

Xie Xie didn't hesitate for a second to pull up his main quest interface and directly hide the golden, glowing main quest: "Change the Future."

Having finished this, Xie Xie skipped his way back.

His greatest ambition in this life was to cling tightly to Tang Wulin's thigh, marry Yuan En Yehui, and then lie his way to the pinnacle of life.

Save the Dragon God? Change the future?

Whoever wants to do it can go ahead; he certainly wouldn't.

Stepping back into the beef stew shop, Xie Xie waved happily at Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena, "Hello, hello, I'm back!"

Looking up, the three portions of beef stew on the table remained untouched, still steaming hot.

Tang Wulin flashed to Xie Xie's side, his tone laced with obvious concern, "Xie Xie, were you... alright just now?"

"What could possibly be wrong? I was just catching some air to clear my head," Xie Xie said with a wave of his hand.

As he spoke, he sat back down in his seat with a carefree air, picked up his drink, and took a large gulp to calm his nerves.

Uncle Li watched the revitalized Xie Xie from the side, a relieved smile appearing on his face as he turned to bring out a few more plates of freshly roasted beef stew, the aroma instantly filling the small shop.

Xie Xie immediately cast all his worries to the back of his mind, picked up his chopsticks, and began to feast, his mouth stuffed full as he shouted vaguely:

"Mmm! Delicious!"

"What are you two staring at? Eat!"

Seeing that Xie Xie didn't seem to be faking it, Tang Wulin relaxed, stopped overthinking, and joined in with his own chopsticks.

As for Gu Yuena, sitting across from them, her gaze had never left Xie Xie since the moment he walked through the door.

An invisible ripple quietly coiled around him.

For some reason, from the second Xie Xie pushed the door open, that aura that attracted her had inexplicably split.

The attraction was no longer one-way; it faintly echoed back.

From Xie Xie's body emanated an extremely faint aura that made even the depths of her soul tremble slightly.

It was a kind of...

It was like the only piece of driftwood in a vast ocean, or the only light in an endless darkness.

The attraction wasn't intense—it was even much thinner than the aura on Tang Wulin that made her want to get close instinctively—but it was exceptionally pure, and exceptionally... steady.

This feeling caused ripples that were impossible to describe to stir within her usually cold and detached state of mind.

Gu Yuena withdrew her wandering gaze and looked at Xie Xie once more.

She saw that guy being forced by Tang Wulin to drink hot water, looking utterly miserable with a smudge of grease on the tip of his nose—the very picture of a carefree, heartless fool.

Was it... just an illusion?