All around was an endless white void; there was no solid ground beneath my feet, no sky above my head, and I couldn't even feel the air moving around.
Here again, in Void World.
Luo Ge has been here more than once.
In the distance, a figure emerged that looked as if it were covered in mosaic, its outline blurred, its features indistinct, and its appearance forever obscured, yet it exuded an undeniable presence.
"Hey, little Luo Ge, we meet again."
Upon hearing that sleazy voice, Luo Ge didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, slumping to the ground and sighing, "It's you, Hitogami."
"If we look at the timeline, it's been three years... no, a full four years, hasn't it?"
"What do you want from me this time?"
"Oh, don't be so cold. I'm just here because I care about you."
The figure of the Hitogami drifted closer, tilting his head to examine Luo Ge, his tone carrying a kind of satisfaction that was hard to tell whether it was genuine or an act, "Hmm, your strength has improved quite a bit over the years. You've reached the Sword King Sword God Style style, and you've also touched the King Rank with the North God Style. Your magic power is almost catching up to that guy Demon God Laplace."
"You look really great, you're working so hard!"
"Of course."
"Who told the Dragon God to want to kill me? To avoid being killed, I have no choice but to desperately become stronger."
Luo Ge raised his head, finally looking directly at the blurred face of the Hitogami, his tone suddenly becoming more serious. "Can I defeat the Dragon God now?"
"..."
The Hitogami were silent for a moment.
That brief silence spoke volumes more than any answer.
"I'm sorry."
No, you can't.
The Hitogami's voice, unusually devoid of its usual frivolity, said, "Right now, you are still just an ant before the Dragon God, though you are certainly much stronger than you were four years ago."
"In terms of magic, you have not only mastered God-Rank Healing Magic and reached the Advanced Rank in all four basic attribute magics, but your magic reserves are second only to Laplace."
"As for swordsmanship, you have made even greater progress. Both the Sword God Style and the North God Style have reached the King Rank... Objectively speaking, your current overall strength is already the best among the great powers, and your combat level... even most Emperor Rank experts cannot be your match."
"So, I've become this strong without even realizing it?"
Luo Ge muttered to himself.
"Hmm... In this world, you're already very strong, but compared to that monster, the Dragon God..."
The Hitogami shook his head. "It's far from enough."
Luo Ge clicked his tongue. Although he had expected it, his heart still sank when the Hitogami said it so bluntly.
He quickly composed himself and looked up at the Hitogami: "Excuse me, is there any way to defeat him?"
The Hitogami's voice regained its confident lightness. "Don't worry, I will create the perfect opportunity for you to strike. In the right place at the right time, as long as you make your move, the Dragon God will definitely lose."
"..."
Luo Ge narrowed his eyes, somewhat skeptical.
"Alright, alright, enough chit-chat... From now on, just continue to follow my advice."
"Okay, go ahead."
"I'm listening carefully."
Luo Ge sat up straight, his gaze focused.
The Hitogami figure nodded in satisfaction, his pixelated features seemingly smiling, "First, you have three things to do. First, cultivate all three major styles— Sword God Style, North God Style, and Water God Style— to the God Rank."
"Only when you master all three styles of swordsmanship to God Rank will you be qualified to stand before the Dragon God; otherwise, all your plans will be in vain."
"All three styles have reached the God Rank?"
Luo Ge couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Hey, you really think highly of me. I'm not even that confident myself."
Believe in yourself.
"You are far more powerful than you realize." The Hitogami's voice carried an unwavering certainty that was difficult to fully trust. "Secondly, to defeat the Dragon God, you need to find three people to assist you."
" Sword God Gal Farion, Water God Reida, North God Kalman III Alexander Raibaku."
He held up three fingers. "Third, find the King Dragon Sword and the Battle God Armor; neither is dispensable... Then, you will obtain absolute power sufficient to contend with the Dragon God."
After listening, Luo Ge remained silent for a long while.
He lowered his eyes, as if carefully considering the weight of those words.
After a moment, he looked up at the Hitogami, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "By the way, these three people... could they also be your apostles?"
The Hitogami smiled, offering no direct answer, but simply said in a nonchalant tone, "You just need to trust me."
"Alright, although you seem to be hiding some crucial clues, none of that matters anymore."
Luo Ge didn't press further, he simply nodded.
In any case, the suggestions given by the Hitogami all sounded like practical ways to improve his strength, and they wouldn't do him any harm.
As for what the Hitogami are plotting, that's for the future. Right now, becoming stronger is the only thing that matters.
Can we really win?
"It's a guaranteed win."
The Hitogami spoke with an almost roguish certainty, "Trust me, little brother Luo Ge, I, the Hitogami, never deceive my apostles."
Luo Ge chuckled. "You'd better be telling the truth."
"Alright, alright, take my advice and work hard to become stronger."
Goodbye then!
The figure of the Hitogami began to fade slowly from the edge, as if it were being absorbed little by little by the white light.
A knowing smile seemed to linger on that blurry face as it gradually disappeared from sight.
Luo Ge stood alone in the pure white, watching the last trace of his figure disappear from view.
He lowered his head, looking at his outstretched hands, and after a moment muttered to himself, " Sword God, Water God, North God... have I mastered all three major styles to the God Rank?"
He withdrew his hand and let out a soft breath.
"It sounds simple... but it'll probably take several years to do."
When Luo Ge opened his eyes again, he was back in that simple bedroom.
Moonlight streamed through the window onto the edge of the bed, and the snow-covered eaves gleamed faintly in the night.
No one knew that just now, he had a dream.
Luo Ge rolled over, stared at the ceiling for a moment, then rolled over again and wrapped the blanket around himself.
He yawned and quickly drifted into a deep sleep.