Bart's Dream

Lin Feng glanced at Bart lying on the ground and strode over.

"Bart, wake up!"

Lin Feng hurried to Bart's side, a trace of worry on his face. He crouched down and gently patted Bart's cheek.

"Cough, cough..."

Bart coughed twice and slowly opened his eyes, his gaze somewhat unfocused.

"Where am I?"

Bart looked at the unfamiliar surroundings and asked weakly, clearly not yet fully recovered from the fierce battle.

"We're still in that underground space."

Lin Feng spoke calmly, with a hint of barely noticeable concern in his voice.

"You... you subdued that Demon Blade..."

Bart suddenly remembered something. His pupils constricted sharply as he asked anxiously, his tone full of shock and disbelief.

"That's right. I've already subdued it."

Lin Feng nodded, sheathed God Slayer in his hand, then held it out before Bart so he could see it more clearly.

"This... how is that possible?!"

Bart's eyes widened as he stared fixedly at God Slayer in Lin Feng's hand, his face filled with shock, as though he had witnessed something unbelievable.

"You actually subdued it?!"

His voice trembled, filled with disbelief. Clearly, he could not accept this fact.

"What's impossible about it?"

Lin Feng grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "I'm going to become the strongest man. How could I fail to subdue even a sword?"

"You..."

Bart opened his mouth. Looking at Lin Feng's utterly confident expression, he did not know what to say for a moment.

He had originally thought Lin Feng would be devoured by the Demon Blade and become a madman who knew only slaughter.

Yet Lin Feng had truly subdued the Demon Blade. Moreover, it seemed he had gained some kind of powerful strength. This completely overturned Bart's understanding.

"Bart, how are you feeling now?"

Lin Feng put away his smile and asked with concern.

"I... I'm fine."

Bart shook his head, his gaze complicated. "I just won't recover so quickly."

"That's good."

Lin Feng nodded. "Let's get out of here first."

"Mm."

Bart took a deep breath and slowly stood up. Though his body was still somewhat weak, he could already walk on his own.

Seeing this, Lin Feng nodded and gestured for Bart to follow. The two headed toward the exit together.

As they walked, they vigilantly watched their surroundings, wary of any unknown traps or dangers still lurking within the ruins.

"By the way, Bart, you said before that you had an unfinished dream. What was it?"

Along the way, Lin Feng suddenly asked, his tone full of curiosity.

"A dream..."

Bart stiffened. This word was far too unfamiliar to him.

His only "dream" had once been to become the most powerful weapon.

But now, he was no longer a weapon.

He was a person, a person with free will.

"I..."

Bart opened his mouth but did not know how to answer. Confusion flashed in his eyes.

"I... want to find them..."

Only after a long while did Bart slowly speak, his voice hoarse and low, carrying an almost imperceptible tremor.

Trembling, he took a pocket watch from his clothes and gently opened its cover. Inside was a worn black-and-white photograph.

The photograph showed a young woman and a little girl. Their smiles were bright, radiating happiness.

"They are..."

Lin Feng looked at the woman and little girl in the photograph. His heart stirred, and he vaguely guessed the truth.

"My... family."

Bart's voice was soft, but it carried deep longing. His gaze also became gentle.

"I... want to find them. I want to know whether they... are doing well..."

Lin Feng fell silent. He had not expected Bart to have such a past and did not know what to say for a moment.

"Don't worry. I'll definitely help you find them!"

Lin Feng suddenly spoke solemnly, his gaze firm.

"Really?"

Bart abruptly raised his head. Hope burst forth in his eyes as he stared intently at Lin Feng.

"Of course!"

Lin Feng nodded heavily.

"We're partners!"

"Partners..."

Bart murmured to himself. These two words felt both unfamiliar and warm to him, as though a warm current had flowed into his heart.

"Thank you, Lin Feng."

Bart looked at Lin Feng, his eyes full of gratitude and his voice slightly choked.

"What are you thanking me for? We're partners!"

Lin Feng grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth, and patted Bart's shoulder hard.

"Mm, partners!"

Bart nodded firmly, his eyes full of determination—the anticipation of the future.

The two exchanged smiles and continued toward the exit, their steps resolute.

"Lin Feng, do you really believe that Demon Blade won't backfire on you?"

Bart suddenly asked, a trace of worry in his voice.

"Of course I do." Lin Feng grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "The old man said that true powerhouses are never controlled by external things! How could a mere Demon Blade make me submit?"

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Besides, I feel that sword seems to be hiding some secret..."

"A secret?"

Bart froze. "What secret?"

"I don't know yet."

Lin Feng shook his head. "But one day, I'll figure it out!"

"When that day comes, you'll know!"

Confidence gleamed in Lin Feng's eyes. It was a thirst for the unknown and a determination to explore it.

"Mm, I believe you!"

Bart nodded, his eyes full of trust.

The two continued onward. Their destination was the vast, boundless sea!

Meanwhile, far away in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

Inside a room, beneath dim lighting, a crystal ball floated silently in midair. Strange patches of reflected light danced across its surface, illuminating the cold, twisted patterns on the mask of the black-robed figure and sending chills down one's spine.

"Lin Feng... Demon Sword Demon God..."

The black-robed figure's voice was low and hoarse, like two rough stones grinding together. Every syllable carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"Interesting. Very interesting..."

"Joy Boy... It has been a long time since I heard that name..."

The black-robed figure narrowed his eyes slightly. His tone was calm, but a trace of barely perceptible wariness flashed through his gaze.

"Hmph. No matter who you are, no matter what your purpose is, don't even think about disrupting this world's balance!"

A chilling gleam burst from the black-robed figure's eyes, and his voice suddenly turned icy. "This world can have only one order!"

"Someone!"

The black-robed figure suddenly shouted sharply, his voice echoing through the empty room.

"Your subordinate is here!"

A shadow instantly appeared in the room, dropped to one knee, and respectfully lowered its head.

"Pass down the order. Keep a close watch on Lin Feng's movements. Have CP8 investigate first. If necessary, deploy CP0." The black-robed figure's voice was cold and emotionless.

"Yes!" The shadow accepted the order and swiftly vanished into the darkness. The room returned to silence, leaving only the black-robed figure standing beneath the dim light, his silhouette exceptionally sinister.

The crystal ball floated quietly, strange light flickering across its surface and reflecting off the black-robed figure's mask. Its twisted patterns seemed to come alive, hideous and terrifying.

"Joy Boy... Will the prophecy you left behind truly come to pass? Or is this the beginning of another cycle?"

The black-robed figure looked at Lin Feng's image in the crystal ball, his gaze profound and contemplative.

"Joy Boy's will, Demon Sword Demon God's destiny... This world does not need a second variable..."

The black-robed figure's voice carried a trace of barely perceptible wariness and... anticipation?