In the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace, Xing returned to her private bathhouse and discussed the current situation with Dan Heng and March 7th.
" The Spear of Divine Retribution '... was a gift from Ye Yan; you've all witnessed its effects."
"This weapon is far too lethal... It's best not to use it unless absolutely necessary."
Seeing this scene, Dan Heng was reminded of the time when Ye Yan helped him modify the Cloud-Piercer Spear. At that time, Ye Yan had specifically instructed him not to press the button on the spear shaft unless absolutely necessary.
Now... it's true that Cloud-Piercer is always with him, but the Cloud-Piercer Spear is another story.
"Xing, Teacher Ye Yan is so good to you!"
March 7th's eyes lit up; this was equivalent to having a copy of the " Edge of Divine Retribution " located above Castrum Kremnos. Who wouldn't be tempted by that?
Dan Heng stopped investigating Xing's new weapon and recalled Aglaea's recent words about the Black Tide:
"Indescribable," "of unknown origin"... what comes to mind when these keywords are combined?
"Um... ancient beast? A gigantic galactic octopus?" " The Voracity ' Aeon Oroboros'?" This was March 7th's answer.
"Indeed, that's a possibility. Recall the characteristics of Amphoreus —a world 'trapped in eternal night,' 'isolated from the world,' and 'being devoured by an unknown force'..."
"I've been concerned about this for a while now; all the signs indicate that Amphoreus is definitely not a world that has never been in contact with the universe."
Dan Heng stroked his chin. "Neither the birth of the Titan nor the arrival of the Black Tide can be explained by the natural development of civilization."
Xing put her hands on her hips; clearly, she was thinking too far ahead. The correct answer should be--
"Of course, it's the ' Cancer of All Worlds ' Stellaron!"
"Hmm. Its current 'closure' must have other hidden reasons. If the cause is also the Cancer of All Worlds... some direct or indirect signs have not yet been confirmed."
Upon hearing this, Xing and March 7th both fell into deep thought. It wasn't Aeon or ancient beast, nor Stellaron —a substance that threatened the universe—so what could it be...?
"Ah, I know! It was probably done by the ' Stellaron Hunters '!"
"We're on the same page. Based on experience, any world with Stellaron will inevitably have Stellaron Hunters. Moreover, there are other unresolved questions. My intuition tells me it's probably not that simple..."
Xing had a different idea; she actually preferred that it was the " Antimatter Legion " who did it. This was typical " Church of Eternity " thinking, mindlessly shifting the blame to the " Destruction " forces.
" Penacony's history also proves that the shape of a world is not necessarily the result of a single Path."
On March 7th, hands on hips, he said, "Whatever, ' Trailblaze ' will take on ten!"
"Hmm... this is probably a kind of All-Star game. Maybe it's even something Akivili produced and sold himself."
"Sigh~ It's good that March 7th has momentum." Dan Heng then looked at Xing, who also had her hands on her hips, "But what you said... I think even History Fictionologists wouldn't dare to use that kind of setting so easily."
"Things have come to this point, let's just wait and see. We'll use the Black Tide as a breakthrough point. Nikador has fallen, and the forces suppressed by him will inevitably begin to fight back..."
"The good news is, the ' Spear of Divine Retribution ' is in our hands. The bad news is, we can't use it unless it's a critical moment."
"It seems... our ' Trailblaze ' journey is becoming increasingly significant..."
The first " Eternal Recurrence," the Aedes Elysiae
"Let it flow. I should get going."
"Oh? Even if it's a road of no return?" Blake asked.
When have we ever had the option to turn back?
"... Are you afraid? After understanding your true nature..."
Ye Yan gave Phainon a meaningful look:
Will you perceive the motivation I give you as a seductive whisper of " Destruction "?
"Those designs that stem from one's own heart, I don't believe they are designs of some kind of ' Path '..."
"If we are born merely a string of numbers simulating life, then you are the image I aspire to be, the person I want to become."
Khaslana turned around. "A real, living person. A true 'hero.'"
"Then why say goodbye here?" Blake handed the soap to Khaslana. "You can take me with you on your journey. I will stay by your side, guiding you, as always."
"No," Khaslana shook his head, "I'm afraid I'll have to go alone."
"Why?"
"Because there's no such thing as having it all in this world. Cyrene has already embraced her destiny..."
"And I, too, will throw myself into my very essence— 'Destruction' —to rebel against its creator and unleash endless fury upon the darkness that sweeps across the world."
He looked at Ye Yan, "If you were by my side, I would hesitate... but this world can no longer tolerate an indecisive soldier."
"Remember when we were kids? If we drew ' Sovereign ' or 'Warrior,' we'd cheer and jump for joy. If we drew 'Demon' or 'Drunkard,' we'd yell, 'That doesn't count! Let's try again!'"
"You can always back out if you want; children are always lucky... but for adults, there's never a choice to turn back."
Upon hearing Khaslana's reply, ' Ye Yan ' seemed to recall something, took back the bar of soap, and smiled slightly:
He lightly brushed his fingertips across the blade of the ceremonial sword, and a wisp of light, as condensed as stardust and flowing with an aura of " Eternity," detached from the blade and silently disappeared into Khaslana's chest.
In that instant, Khaslana felt a strange sense of anchoring, as if a lone boat in a raging storm had been moored to an Permanence rope, or as if the last embers of a moth had been embedded in Eternity amber.
It feels like a profound imprint of 'existence' that transcends linear time; this is the most essential ' Eternity ' blessing of the ' Church of Eternity '.
"Then go, Khaslana. As you promised: deceive the world, seize the Core Flame, and reverse fate..."
"Burning yourself into flame, wielding futility as your sword, rebel against the gods!"
Khaslana nodded, placing his hand on his chest. "In the name of ' Worldbearing,' I assure you..."
" Kephale will never forget."