The end

A year had passed since Lin Mo's death.

Rainbow Company.

Li Ming looked at the young man handing in his resignation, his face full of regret.

"Cheng Yu, what are you doing? Is the pay not good enough? How about this? I'll double your current salary. No! Triple it! What do you think?"

Cheng Yu smiled bitterly. This was his third attempt to resign.

"Uncle, it really isn't about the money. I feel like I've earned enough. I want to see more of the world and experience all the beauty it has to offer."

Li Ming made a decision on the spot. "Then I'll give you another two years off. Come back whenever you've seen enough. How does that sound?"

Cheng Yu looked utterly helpless.

"That really isn't the issue, Uncle. How about this? I won't resign, then. Just transfer a little money for basic living expenses to this card every month. But let me make this clear: if you send too much, I won't take it!"

Li Ming smiled.

"All right."

Over the past year, Rainbow had become the leading company in the province where Jiangcheng was located. All of that had to do with Cheng Yu... and Mr. You, who stood behind him.

Why else would Li Ming be so reluctant to let him go? The saying that no businessman was without guile wasn't just empty talk.

Cheng Yu packed up all his things and headed downstairs. Along the way, everyone he had looked after said goodbye to him.

"Brother Yu, remember to come back and visit us!"

"Brother Yu, don't forget about me!"

"Brother Yu..."

When he reached the ground floor, a girl blocked his path.

"Cheng Yu, are you leaving the company?"

Cheng Yu shrugged.

"I couldn't manage to quit, but your dad gave me two years off."

The girl blocking his path was Li Ming's daughter, Li Xuehong.

"Two years?!" Li Xuehong was rather startled.

Cheng Yu smiled. "Yep. I'm going to see the world and experience its beauty."

Then Cheng Yu patted the girl's head and said,

"Be more careful when you judge men in the future. Don't lose your head over love so easily. One wrong move when you're lovestruck could get your whole family killed."

Li Xuehong swatted his hand away and said,

"I'm not a child anymore. Stop patting my head."

Cheng Yu chuckled. "You little brat."

Then he strode out of Rainbow Company.

As she watched Cheng Yu walk away, complicated emotions filled Li Xuehong's eyes. Ever since Lin Mo's true nature had been exposed, she had felt immensely relieved that she had never gotten involved with him.

Later, with her father's encouragement, she had discovered that Cheng Yu really was a good man. He was modest and polite, capable, and good-looking, too. Most importantly, he was upright and sincere.

What a shame. I still missed my chance.

Li Xuehong thought to herself.

Sitting in his car, Cheng Yu received a message.

"Do you have time to stop by the Café?"

It was from Le Shuya.

After a moment's thought, Cheng Yu replied,

"Yes. I'm already on the road, anyway."

It was the same Café.

Le Shuya asked with a smile,

"I heard you resigned from all your positions at Rainbow?"

Cheng Yu froze. How did this woman find out? Still, he answered honestly,

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Fuck, why this question again? 凸(艹皿艹 )

Cheng Yu said,

"I've earned enough money. I'm planning to travel around the world and experience its beauty."

As if. How could anyone ever earn enough money? If I weren't going to the next world with the big shot, why would I have such a childish idea? ~( ´•︵•` )~

Cheng Yu secretly grumbled to himself.

Le Shuya said softly,

"You transferred all your assets into Lin Mo's son's name and put a lawyer in charge of overseeing them. Until he turns twenty-two, his mother, Tang Tang, can only withdraw a hundred million yuan for his upbringing."

Curious, she leaned forward and asked conspiratorially,

"What's going on? Don't tell me that child really is yours?"

Cheng Yu rolled his eyes at her, then grew serious.

"There was no deep hatred between Lin Mo and me. We were just business rivals, but I bear a great deal of responsibility for his death."

Cheng Yu took a deep breath and continued,

"His child is innocent. You could even say that, without me, he could have lived a very wealthy life. But because of me, he lost not only all that, but his father as well. All I can do is compensate him materially."

Le Shuya smiled.

"That's over two billion yuan. Can you really bear to give it up?"

Cheng Yu pursed his lips.

"A real man knows what he must never do and what he must do. Money is nothing but a worldly possession. How could it possibly shake my iron will?" ︿(￣︶￣)︿

Smiling, Le Shuya clapped her hands.

"Well done!"

Cheng Yu's face darkened. Was this woman treating me like a child? →_→

Then Le Shuya called to the server,

"Two black coffees."

Cheng Yu turned around, too, and added,

"Make the other one orange juice!"

Le Shuya froze.

"Don't you drink black coffee?"

Cheng Yu curled his lip.

"That stuff is bitter as hell. What's so good about it?"

Le Shuya was still baffled.

"But back then, didn't you..."

Cheng Yu interrupted her.

"That was just an act to fool you and make myself look sophisticated."

Le Shuya's eyes widened as she continued,

"But you looked so practiced at drinking it."

Cheng Yu waved a hand.

"I was copying the way the big shot drinks tea. Well? Didn't it send my sophistication through the roof?" (*˘︶˘*)

Le Shuya looked completely bewildered.

"The big shot?"

Cheng Yu suddenly remembered that she didn't know the big shot, so he explained,

"Oh, I mean Mr. You. I usually call him the big shot."

Le Shuya looked exasperated and kept asking,

"Then why did I see you savoring it when I came back from the restroom?"

Cheng Yu continued,

"Oh, that? While you were in the restroom, I ate a sugar cube. It hadn't finished dissolving when I saw you coming back, so I took a sip of coffee to hide myself swallowing the sugar, in case you noticed anything. I held the coffee in my mouth until it turned sweet before swallowing it."

Le Shuya burst out laughing, then asked,

"Then what about all those things you said?"

Just then, the server arrived with the coffee and orange juice.

Cheng Yu took the orange juice and spoke as he drank.

"Who can't spout a couple of motivational platitudes these days? You're just too young." (๑¯◡¯๑)

Le Shuya shook her head with a chuckle.

Cheng Yu continued,

"If you ask me, all that inspirational crap I fed you back then was bullshit. If I can drink something sweet, why would I drink something bitter? Finding sweetness in bitterness? Why not just drink orange juice? Sweet and tart-how nice is that?"

"You're way too easy to fool. I can think of a hundred arguments to tear down that whole bitter-coffee sermon of mine."

Le Shuya smiled wryly. She actually couldn't argue with him.

Cheng Yu stood up and said,

"Well, I'll be going, then. Bye-bye." (ʃƪ ˘ ³˘)

Le Shuya froze, then said with some urgency,

"Let's get together again sometime."

Cheng Yu waved a hand.

"We're both free spirits. Let fate decide."

Le Shuya smiled bitterly.

She picked up the orange juice Cheng Yu had left behind and took a sip.

It really did taste better than bitter coffee.

On the drive home, the system popped up.

"Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement:

Women only slow down my sucking up to the big shot (not counted toward evaluation)."

Cheng Yu sneered.

Well, well, System. You've even got the nerve to make jokes about the big shot now.

"Uh..." (⊙o⊙)

"Sorry, sorry. That was careless of me."

"Let me change it."

"Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement:

Women only slow down my sword draw (not counted toward evaluation)."

Looking at the achievement before him, Cheng Yu decided to wait until he got home to open it. He could open the previous two at the same time. He would be leaving soon, after all. Hopefully, this world would give him a few parting gifts. (¬◡¬)✧

After returning home, Cheng Yu opened the system's message interface. First came the three achievements.

"Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement:

Fragment Collector (silver three-star)

Achievement description: You successfully collected three fragments for the big shot. The big shot is very pleased, so he specially raised your rating by one full tier. You barely contributed anything, after all, but your spirit was commendable. Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement:

Madman (bronze one-star)

Achievement description: For the first time, you drove a lucky individual possessing the big shot's fragment to such an extreme emotional breakdown that the fragment flew out of his body. You are now a qualified master of emotions. Congratulations, congratulations!"

"Congratulations, host, on unlocking the achievement:

Women only slow down my sword draw (not counted toward evaluation)

Achievement description: You successfully ignored a woman who showed interest in you. Growing stronger is all you care about. An unwavering will is the road to strength. Congratulations, congratulations!"

After reading all the achievements, Cheng Yu thought,

Convert to currency.

The familiar clinking of gold coins rang out. Cheng Yu opened the system panel.

"Host: Cheng Yu (black iron three-star)

Ability: Heart-Bewitching Spell (black iron three-star)

Equipped title: 'The Kid Watched by the Big Shot' (epic)

Title: 'The Kid Watched by the Big Shot' (epic). Ability effects: ... (click to expand)

Equipment: None

Achievements: None

Currency: 626,050

Items held: Carbon-Based Virus (black iron two-star), Big Shot's Aura (epic) ×5

Evaluation: You now barely qualify as a weakling. Although you relied on outside help, black iron is still black iron (lol). Keep working hard."

Hmm, not bad. I really do have a little money to my name now, Cheng Yu thought.

By then, it was nearly afternoon. Cheng Yu looked at Yog in the living room and asked,

"Big shot, shall we leave now?"

Yog lifted his teacup and said,

"I'd suggest waiting until tonight."

Cheng Yu nodded, then asked with a hint of anticipation,

"Big shot, which world are we going to next?" (oﾟωﾟo)

Yog took a sip of tea and said slowly,

"Mid-Magic World."

Cheng Yu froze. A mid-magic world? Was the range really that wide? He looked at Yog again and asked,

"Boss, roughly what rank is that world's power ceiling?" (oﾟωﾟo)

Yog set down his teacup.

"Silver One-Star to Epic."

What?! Epic?! Are you sure that isn't some super-sized world?! Cheng Yu inwardly ranted.

Yog glanced at him and said,

"That world is connected to this epoch's world-recycling organization. You can more or less think of it as the Abyss."

Holy shit! The number-one calamity! (,,#ﾟДﾟ)

How the hell am I supposed to fight that?! (,,#ﾟДﾟ)

Yog ignored him and continued,

"Also, that world's planar barrier is very fragile, so creatures from all sorts of other worlds can reach it through summoning."

At this, Yog looked at Cheng Yu and smiled.

"Don't worry. In the next world, you'll have a powerful helper."

Hearing this, Cheng Yu looked at Yog expectantly.

"Who is it, boss?" (๑╹ヮ╹๑)

Yog smiled without answering. Just then, Miss Puppet spoke softly from behind him.

"Your Highness, Apostle, it is me. By His Majesty's command, I will help you recover his authority in the next world."

Cheng Yu froze. When they had fought Lin Mo, this lady had scattered the gathered world consciousness with a single punch. Her combat strength had to be considerable.

Cheng Yu bowed his head without hesitation. "Then thank you, big sis."

Cheng Yu then learned more about the next world from Yog, and before long, night fell.

Yog stood up and said,

"Let's go."

Cheng Yu nodded, then looked at Yog. Boss, what now? (◍•͈⌔•͈◍)

Before Cheng Yu could react, he found himself on a deserted island, surrounded by a pitch-black sea.

Yog said softly,

"Begin."

Cheng Yu first glanced around. With no time to marvel at Yog's immense power, he nodded and took an iron rod from system space. One end was pointed, making it look like an oversized sewing needle. He had commissioned it specifically for drawing symbols. With his Black Iron Three-Star strength, carving into stone was ridiculously easy, but the precision required was simply too demanding.

The instant he finished drawing the Door Seal, Yog tossed a ball of light into the symbol.

Cheng Yu also finished his chant at that exact moment.

Hear my call! The All-in-One! The All-Knowing and All-Seeing! King of the Endless Void! Lord of Myriad Radiances! Starshifter! Firm Foundation! Controller of Earthquakes! Conqueror of Terror! Creator of Pain! Destroyer! Glorious Victor! Child of the Void and Chaos! Guardian of the Abyss! God of Primordial Darkness! Lord of Dimensions! Enigmatic Sage! Guardian of Secrets! Lord of the Labyrinth! Master of Angles! God of Night Hawks! Final Apex! Lord of Doors! Pathfinder! Omnipotent Immortal Lord of the Primordial Beginning! Yog-Sothoth NAFL'FTHAGN!!! Your apostle calls upon you!

(Hear my call! The All-in-One! The All-Knowing and All-Seeing! King of the Endless Void! Lord of Myriad Radiances! Starshifter! Firm Foundation! Controller of Earthquakes! Conqueror of Terror! Creator of Pain! Destroyer! Glorious Victor! Child of the Void and Chaos! Guardian of the Abyss! God of Primordial Darkness! Lord of Dimensions! Enigmatic Sage! Guardian of Secrets! Lord of the Labyrinth! Master of Angles! God of Night Hawks! Final Apex! Lord of Doors! Pathfinder! Omnipotent Immortal Lord of the Primordial Beginning! Yog-Sothoth NAFL'FTHAGN!!! Your apostle calls upon you!)

As Cheng Yu chanted the incantation, the world consciousness began gathering again, but before it could finish, Cheng Yu had already completed his chant.

The stars in the sky began shining with brilliant light, illuminating the world as brightly as day. Then Cheng Yu saw them: countless luminous spheres began appearing in the sky, glowing with light of every color.

Through these spheres, he saw other worlds, each wrapped in a transparent bubble and crowded together. They rose and fell like ocean waves.

The sight filled Cheng Yu with longing. This must be the Chaos Sea the boss mentioned, he thought. Then he witnessed a scene he would never forget for as long as he lived.

Above the Chaos Sea, where countless worlds floated, an unimaginably enormous purplish-black sphere appeared. Countless luminous spheres of every color floated around him. Compared with the number of spheres Cheng Yu saw above the Chaos Sea, those in the sky were truly just a drop in the ocean.

If the Chaos Sea was the ocean, then the countless spheres above it were the sky. Cheng Yu murmured to himself,

"King of the Endless Void, Lord of Myriad Radiances..."

The largest purplish-black sphere cast down a beam of light, drew the ball of light inside the Door Seal into himself, then vanished.

Cheng Yu came back to his senses and looked at Yog.

Having witnessed the great being's true form, he asked excitedly,

"That, that was your, your..."

Yog chuckled.

"That's right. My true body."

Then, without waiting for him to ask anything else, Yog said,

"Now, let's go."

With that, Cheng Yu and the others disappeared from this world.

Only the sound of waves breaking against the deserted island remained.

And the astronomical spectacle they had left behind for this world's scientists.

The world consciousness, meanwhile, remained utterly still, like someone scared senseless. With its intelligence yet to develop, it naturally could not understand what that had been. It merely kept silent out of instinct.