"So, the same goes for when you're being recorded."
[Iris] said in a retort-like tone, "According to your hierarchy, the World Tree is both a recorder and the highest-level narrator—or something like that?"
But in reality, it doesn't quite understand the hierarchy the other party is talking about, but judging from what it can do...
The World Tree is roughly located in this position.
"Generally speaking, we don't drag the narrative layer into debates," Shion explained.
It's not that she can't, it's just that she doesn't like it.
Like Deadpool breaking the fourth wall in comics and killing comic book editors, etc.
What's the difference between this and just messing around?
It's basically the same as telling a child, "I'll deflect your attack, deflect it, deflect your attack."
Shion's first reaction to any battle involving narrative layers is that it's a terrible work.
It's like they're forcing themselves to do something when they have nothing to do.
This includes things like the protagonist in a novel killing the author.
If you have the guts to commit suicide after you finish writing, then Shion is willing to admit that the characters in her work have invaded the narrative layer.
He simply drew a comic book editorial department that was wiped out by Deadpool, and said that he had transcended the narrative level.
It's completely messed up.
Of course, Shion was not a pedantic person.
If the narrative layer is used well, it can also produce good works. For example, a female ghost crawling out of a TV in a horror movie is quite interesting.
The main point is that it can truly scare people to death in real life.
Saying that the female ghost transcends the narrative level isn't an exaggeration, since she genuinely terrified people.
I suggest that everyone who claims their characters transcend narrative boundaries should take this approach; either scare people to death or commit suicide.
[Iris] seemed to sense Shion's disdain, and added, "As you said, this isn't a matter of power, but a difference in status. Regardless of whether it's a narrative layer or not, as long as we're within this system's framework, we can't violate the rules of the World Tree."
"It still needs a burn."
"It's difficult."
The Beast of the End shook its head. "I don't even know how long I've been gnawing on these tree roots, I can't chew any more."
Shion was slightly surprised. "I didn't expect you to be a vegetarian."
"Tree-eating?" someone End a lisp repeated, "... occasionally a little meat."
"Doxxing?"
"Anything is fine, I'm not picky about food."
Shion nodded. "I still have to kill you."
"Because I eat people?"
Because you are not a long-term vegetarian.
They chatted intermittently.
The effects of their previous exchange were still lingering.
A flower is a world, a leaf is a Puti.
Even the runic snowflakes of Shion spread into the outer universe.
Shion's gaze fell upon the roots of the World Tree. Her own snowflakes landed on the barely visible roots, causing no ripples whatsoever.
Each snowflake, containing the power to create dense, scorching singularities at will in the universe, melts rapidly upon landing on the tree roots, as if becoming nourishment for the World Tree.
She could only see a small portion of the World Tree's roots here; she couldn't see the complete World Tree.
The Beast of the End, contemplating becoming a vegetarian, added, "To see the complete World Tree, you must at least become Observer —although you already possess some Observer rank, you can only see this much for now. If you want to see more—"
Shion slightly raised her head.
To elevate one's status, the requirements are likely to be quite complicated, and one might even need to be careful not to forget them.
She even secretly prepared a small note below, intending to write down the conditions the other party mentioned.
Improving one's power is simple; improving one's rank, like Full Bloom potential, requires utilizing various rules and luck, and demands complete focus.
The Beast of the End paused for a moment, then continued, "It is about to destroy even more worlds."
"Another grand sacrifice to all living beings."
Shion casually tore up the note she was going to write down and threw it away.
Boring; typical animalistic thinking.
It was wrong of her to have expectations for the world's upgrade system.
Indeed, the process of advancement in this world is very simple and straightforward.
A bunch of magic country bumpkins who have no idea about comprehending the Heavenly Dao or understanding the rules of the Great Dao.
Shion originally thought that sitting down and discussing the Dao with a fellow Daoist of the same level would lead to more exchanges and insights into Daoist traditions and mental techniques.
In the end, they still resorted to direct destruction.
She had previously fantasized about many ancient ancestors, such as Hongjun and Puti, Lu Ya and Zhenyuan, Zheng Zha and Chu Xuan, Yang Qi and Aotian, Wang Meng and Mingren, Lin Meng and Hongmeng, Fang Han and the Immortal King, the Sea God and the True Man, Huang and Ye, etc., hoping that the two of them could say something about the supreme heavenly way, yin and yang chaos, Hongmeng creation and so on based on their respective understanding.
Okay, let's save face and say that this place embodies the principle of simplicity.
"Forget it, I'll try the methods of our ancestors instead."
Shion shook her head, but [Iris] asked curiously, "Do you have other ways to improve your rank?"
"It's just an old method; the results are uncertain, but we have to give it a try."
The Dragon Lord blinked, tilted his head, and revealed an innocent smile, "However, I may need to borrow some of your talent at that time."
"It is an honor."
Shion felt gratified. What a born beast! He was a promising Seedling for the Azure Cloud Sacred Sect.
We cannot let her great honor go to waste; we must arrange for her to be given opportunities such as driving stakes, Grotto-Heaven position, launching rockets, and climbing ladders to the Other Shore, to ruthlessly extract her potential.
Then, use the methods of name and form to seize her vital energy. I don't know if this Beast of the End is male or female, but even if it is male, as long as the power is sufficient, use the methods of life cultivation to use it as a seedbed to let it conceive a fruit of the Great Dao, and fiercely stack its rank—there are as many insurance methods as you need. This kind of born beast cannot be wasted.
While planning for her future, Shion still wore a warm smile, as if chatting with an old friend, and asked, "Is this how you've been eating all this time?"
"I was born to be Observer."
"Oh, a born Daoist god? How do you know this will work?"
"Someone did indeed use this method to elevate their status to that of Observer." The Beast of the End, perhaps having encountered a rare being capable of confronting it, became quite talkative. "So it should be fine."
Shion looked up again and saw Jiang Si, Keke, and Black Keke still discussing something.
The person you're talking about, is it Black Keke?
[Iris] showed a surprised expression for the first time. "She told you?"
"It's just a technique of the Great Destiny Technique. The only people you'll remember are Iris and Black Keke." Shion didn't flaunt her superior intelligence, but simply demonstrated the sparks created by her hand gestures. " Iris, as a magical girl, wouldn't do something like that, so it's only Black Keke."
He had only shown a little skill, yet the Beast of the End was already somewhat impressed.
"I never imagined you possessed such keen insight, in addition to your strength."
"Not 'keen'," Shion corrected, tapping her temple. "It's 'brain,' understand?"
"Oh, I didn't expect you to be so quick-witted."
It seems to be completely brainless.
This is the consequence of relying on superpowers.
learn a lesson.
"If Black Keke becomes Observer, wouldn't that mean that everything she sees in the future and the past will also be fixed?"
"Yes, but there's also the issue of how much magic power there is. If the magic power isn't enough, it will still be crushed by something stronger. For example, the perfect future she saw will still be destroyed by me."
"I see. All abilities and rules are ultimately tied to the issue of scale."
Shion immediately understood; the topic of Absolute Defense Space Slash and the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception death long ago.
If it's not big enough, it's all just laughable stuff.
The principle that "one force can overcome all methods" is an unspoken rule applicable throughout history and across cultures.
"What about the Magical Kingdom? What rank do they belong to?"
Magical Kingdom? Never heard of it.
Shion turned her head and glanced at [Iris]. "Never heard of it?"
"No."
Shion fell into deep thought.
It only appeared in this cycle? Magical Kingdom?
Or is it that even the Beast of the End cannot be seen?
No further questions were asked. In reality, although the two could have a decent conversation, it only went as far as basic communication.
Ultimately, they are only sitting down and talking patiently because they can't fully unleash their power right now.
Once the restrictions imposed on the future are lifted, neither the Beast of the End nor Shion will be interested in continuing the conversation.
"However, regarding those two Keke..."
Although Shion didn't intend to continue the conversation and was preparing to leave, the Beast of the End took the initiative to start another topic, "Have you decided which one you want to recognize as your younger sister?"
Why are you asking this?
"They were the same person, but now they are two. This means that both Personal Reality and the miracles that can be achieved are separated. If there are two Keke, the world cannot be reborn."
Shion was already aware of this.
Keke and Black Keke are actually the same person, sharing Personal Reality, and even their powers are interchangeable.
However, all the power ultimately rests with Keke.
If Keke doesn't want to, Black Keke can no longer use Keke's powers and can only act as an ordinary person.
I wonder how she climbed to the position of president of the Witch Association. Although as a reincarnator she must have more information and the ability to control Calamity Beast and create witches, her own strength was insufficient, so it would be difficult for her to maintain her position.
The Beast of the End spoke indifferently, "Most importantly, Black Keke, as Observer, will only interfere with each other, causing all possibilities to disappear."
"Let's focus on just one Keke as early as possible; that's how we can change the future."
The Land of the End, surrounded by Keke corpses scattered everywhere.
Keke clung tightly to her older brother, standing atop the high pile of corpses, both of Black Keke gazing nervously at the sky.
The falling snow Freeze the surrounding nothingness and chaos, and all the galaxies that touched the snow were silently annihilated and disappeared.
In fact, just a short time ago, Black Keke had said that she would seal away Shion.
The pupils of numerous Beast of the End appeared from all directions.
Immediately following was a flurry of snowflakes, obliterating pupils; two terrifying forces, silent and still clashing nearby.
It was as if they had transformed the Land of the End into a new, independent New World. They watched as the universe outside was destroyed and reborn, and as the deadly power collided and rippled around them.
It was so quiet it was like a graveyard—no, it was a graveyard.
In the past, when Keke looked at the starry sky, she would realize how insignificant she was.
But later, as she became a magical girl, grew stronger and more knowledgeable, she gradually realized that the distant starry sky was not actually that vast.
Especially after arriving at Chongxu, the overall scale of Chongxu became even larger, with celestial factories visible everywhere, and even in such a place...
Keke still possesses the confidence and strength to control everything.
Therefore, the sky of the New World is more like a canvas she longed for as a child, which she, as a magical girl, can paint and change at will.
Sometimes when you look up, the sky seems narrow and low.
She could touch it without reaching out; power had a different effect on one's mindset, a point that Shion- sensei had taught her long ago.
The more powerful one becomes, the more abnormal one's perception of the surrounding world becomes. This misalignment between self-perception and the environment can easily lead one astray without proper psychological guidance.
For example, I've increasingly lost interest in communicating with the sky, or with my classmates and teachers at school.
This powerful sense of being in control made Keke almost forget what it felt like to be weak.
And even now.
When the power of snowflakes intertwines with the power of the pupils, that immense force that transcends time and space, that oppressive feeling, seems capable of destroying everything in its deathly stillness.
This allowed Keke to rediscover her sense of insignificance.
She felt as if she had returned to her childhood, gazing at the pitch-black night sky, where only the stars twinkled.
Profound fear, longing, and a reinforced sense of one's own insignificance.
Even with the power of Dream Marrow Full Bloom, it couldn't bring him any confidence.
Only when everything disappeared did Keke's throat move as she slightly loosened her grip on her older brother, who had been protecting her.
Having witnessed that cataclysmic scene, she was terrified that it might hurt her older brother, so she clung to him tightly, refusing to let go. However, from the outside, it seemed as if she was simply scared and running to her brother for support.
"See?"
Black Keke finally broke free from the oppressive force.
Because she failed to hold onto Jiang Si, she crawled directly into the pile of corpses.
Instinctively, he hid among the corpses and pretended to be dead.
Since this place is full of Keke's corpses, she can Return to Truth be spotted if she disguises herself a little.
Having crawled out, she was also pale-faced. "I said, Shion, like the Beast of the End, is the cause of inevitable destruction of the future. We must seal her away—"
Keke pursed her lips. "Ms. Shion isn't that kind of person."
"Then let me ask you, do you know why Shion agreed to let me replace you?"
Keke was somewhat taken aback by Black Keke's question, "Why?"
"Because I know how to make her stronger. She's willing to let me replace you just because she wants to know how to surpass the Full Bloom. She'll do anything to become stronger."
"Nonsense!"
Black Keke then looked at Jiang Si, "What do you think, bro?"
Keke immediately stepped in front of her brother, "This has nothing to do with you, brother!"
I think so too.
After being betrayed, Jiang Si actually nodded in agreement with Black Keke, saying, " Shion is indeed like that."
"Ruthless and indifferent, the Great Way is singular."
Keke was a little confused for a moment. If it were someone else, she could easily refute them.
But what my brother said----
"Without evidence, we can't just casually label Ms. Shion as an enemy, can we?"
She still managed a weak rebuttal to her brother.
Suddenly, Black Keke clapped her hands.
"Of course there's evidence. Do you know that besides being a reincarnator, I have another identity?"
"Because I died countless times in front of the Beast of the End, and thus became assimilated with it, I acquired the identity of Observer."
With a wave of her hand, Black Keke caused images to gradually appear in the sky above the Land of the End.
Although it was blurry, it could still be vaguely seen.
"One of the Observer's abilities is the ability to see a glimpse of the future. Although the Beast of the End cannot see it, lest the future be fixed, since I am just an ordinary person, not a magical girl or a Calamity Beast, and have no power whatsoever, I can see a future that can be changed—uh, do you understand? No translation needed, right?"
"I see. So you deliberately lowered your level to avoid having your observed future fixed, which is why you've maintained the identity of an ordinary person, right?"
Black Keke immediately clapped, "As expected of my brother, you understood so quickly."
Keke wrinkled her nose. Although she was annoyed that the other person called her "brother," she didn't have a reason to stop him for the time being, and her "brother" didn't seem to care at all.
He could only stare sullenly upwards.
This sight left her stunned.
In the future depicted by Black Keke, Shion stands above the New World.
All the other worlds have been reduced to nothingness and a sea of fire!
Shion reached out and, as if popping Bubble wrap, burst the myriad worlds one by one.
Even the Chongxu were annihilated in her massive hands.
Then, Shion in the scene turned her head and looked over, and the entire scene suddenly shook and disappeared.
Black Keke also knelt down on the ground, her eyes bloodshot, with traces of blood trickling from the corners of her eyes.
"See that?" Black Keke said, completely disregarding her eye injury, "In the future, Shion will do something just like that."
Keke was silent for a moment, then said, "It might be fake, or there might be other reasons. Teacher Shion— "
Black Keke wiped the blood from the corner of her eye as she coldly interrupted, "You don't actually think you're special to Shion, do you? Idiot. It's a little weird to call yourself that, but whatever, I am you. I know what you're thinking. You think Shion is different, that you understand Shion well, that she wouldn't do that kind of thing, right?"
Keke paused for a moment, but still said, "No, I just feel like I understand it better—"
"Listen, you don't actually understand anything. You presumptuously trust others and make decisions based on your own assumptions, but you can't bear the consequences at all. You make a mess of everything, causing everyone to suffer and die in despair. Then you pretend to be a savior, doing everything you can to save everyone. You don't really think you're so noble, do you?"
As Black Keke spoke, she walked up to Keke and kept tapping her shoulder with her finger.
"No, listen, Keke. That was just self-satisfaction through sacrifice. You didn't change anything, you couldn't save anyone, and from the very beginning, the disaster was your responsibility, you know? You clearly had the ability to nip it in the bud, but you didn't, and that's your responsibility. That's why you killed everyone, you understand!"
By the end, his tone had become somewhat hysterical.
It even rendered Keke speechless.
After a long silence, Keke finally spoke, "Is this based on your experience?"
"Heh, your silver tongue is better than any of my previous selves." Black Keke chuckled. "Don't tell me you're different. I've reincarnated so many times, and countless Keke have told me the same thing: we're different. But in the end, it turns out we're all the same."
"If you believe that none of this will change, that everyone will always be the same, then how exactly are you going to change the future?" Keke stared intently at her. "Can the same people really produce different results?"
"Well said, but it's meaningless," Black Keke said calmly. "You and I are the same. You only need to say one thing: do you want to seal Shion with me?"
"I want to find out the situation myself before making a decision."
Scratching his head, Black Keke did find it rather strange.
Because in the past, whether I agreed or refused, my other self would never have been so resolute.
It was full of confidence and self-assurance.
However, she also knew why this Keke was different from the Keke in other reincarnations.
His gaze fell on Jiang Si beside him.
Having family and not having family are two different things.
"And what about you, bro?" Black Keke asked. "What do you think, bro? Should we seal away Shion? You can tell I wasn't lying to you, right?"
Jiang Si nodded slowly.
Keke didn't take it to heart. "Brother and Teacher Shion are a couple—"
"I think it's better to seal away Shion."
As the snowflakes slowly fell in the Land of the End, Keke shivered in the silence as they landed.
It was later discovered that the snowflakes that Ms. Shion wore turned into ordinary snow when they landed on her.
It has no lethality.
She looked up at her older brother and at Black Keke, who was beaming with joy.
Teacher Shion and my older brother are a couple.
Although they broke up later, causing quite a stir, it was all in order to win back the Prince and princess and resolve the troubles in the Land of Mirrors.
Although they didn't resume their romantic relationship afterward, Shion- sensei and her older brother's relationship should still be quite good.
Because the Azure Cloud disciples still respect their elder brother and have a good relationship with him.
It's only a matter of time before the two become lovers again, or even husband and wife.
Keke has always thought this way.
Furthermore, because Shion- sensei had previously agreed to let Black Keke replace her, Keke even felt that she should cause Shion- sensei some trouble.
Later, she'll play the role of a wicked mother-in-law, causing difficulties for her after she marries into the family, even sowing discord between her older brother and her, to exact revenge on Teacher Shion.
However, Keke never thought of that from beginning to end.
The older brother will suddenly agree to seal away Shion- sensei.
After a long, stunned silence, Keke asked, somewhat dazedly, "Are you... are you serious, bro?"
"Since there's danger, let's seal it off." Jiang Si's answer was devoid of any extra emotion. "Otherwise, leaving it as a potential threat is unsafe."
"Right, right!" Black Keke suddenly became excited. "I told you I was right, bro, I love you to death!"
"Wait, wait!" Keke suddenly panicked. "But it's not confirmed yet, we're only relying on her side of the story— Shion- sensei, aren't you and my brother a couple? What's your relationship—"
We broke up a long time ago.
"And there's more, everyone in the Azure Cloud Sect has always been very kind to you, brother----"
" The Azure Cloud Sect is my own network of connections; it has nothing to do with Shion."
Yeah, right! Without Teacher Shion, how would you communicate with those magical girls from the Azure Cloud Sect? They're so arrogant, they wouldn't even acknowledge a strange boy!
Jiang Si looked at Keke, "Are you scared? Afraid that you can't beat Shion, so you don't dare to be her enemy?"
"No." Keke shook her head. "I just don't want to become enemies with Ms. Shion without sufficient reason. If it's a misunderstanding on our part, whether we succeed or fail, if we wrong Ms. Shion, wouldn't she be pitiful?"
"You should worry about yourself first."
Jiang Si sighed, rubbing her forehead. " Shion doesn't need your pity. Even if you successfully seal her, she won't blame you. It just means she's not as skilled."
Black Keke nodded immediately, "Yes, yes."
"No, it's not about whether I'll be resented or blamed," Keke bit her lip. "It's about right and wrong. Shion- sensei didn't do anything wrong. I shouldn't have hit her—regardless of whether I could have won or not, I shouldn't have done something wrong. Besides, Shion- sensei once taught me and saved my life, brother—"
His final words even carried a hint of pleading.
But Jiang Si seemed oblivious, simply walking to the center between Black Keke and Keke, and asking again, "I'm saying this one last time, Keke, listen to me, go seal Shion, I'll be with you."
Keke's face turned pale. "What do you mean, brother—"
"I'm just letting you make the decision."
Black Keke immediately added, "Is your teacher Shion, more important than your older brother?"
"I, I—" Keke trembled, her voice stammering as she tried to explain, "No, brother, to me, you're my only family, the most important person. But, Teacher Shion isn't like that—"
Before she could finish her explanation, Jiang Si took Black Keke's hand.
It's like choosing another younger sister.
Keke tried hard to get there and grab her older brother.
Even so, you're still unwilling to choose to seal away Shion?
"Because that's wrong—"
After giving that answer, Keke put her hands down and stood still, looking somewhat at a loss.
I don't want to be abandoned by my brother, but I also don't want to betray Shion- sensei for no reason.
She's willing to stand by her brother and make amends for his mistakes, even if it means dying together as atonement.
But we can't go and make mistakes with my brother and hurt others.
This isn't about being a magical girl, but about the basic principles of being a person and a younger sister.
Jiang Si didn't blame her or sigh; she simply nodded and said, "Then I'll go with her. You wait here."
Keke immediately got up to chase after them, but when she saw Black Keke hugging Jiang Si, she suddenly asked in a low voice, "Brother, am I your sister?"
"Um."
When Jiang Si agreed, Keke suddenly felt something disappear from her body.
He stumbled and fell to the ground, almost buried under the corpse.
As Coco struggled to crawl out of the pile of corpses, Keke suddenly realized something—all along, Black Keke had been trying to take her place. In the New World of Beihai, many of her friends and acquaintances had forgotten her and only recognized Black Keke.
Now, just as Jiang Si nodded in acknowledgment of Black Keke's identity as her younger sister.
His own identity seemed to have vanished completely.
She opened her mouth to call out "Brother," but the words wouldn't come out.
Suddenly, the term "brother" felt incredibly unfamiliar, even embarrassing to utter.
Immediately afterwards, the magical armor began to disappear, the fiery red color vanished, making it impossible to fly, and even running was difficult in the canyon filled with corpses.
The Personal Reality that carries the miracle is constantly stripped away and diminished, to the point that even the red Miracle Seed disappears completely.
Looking up, she saw the vanished red Miracle Seed reappear in Black Keke's hand. Looking back at her, she smiled ambiguously, still holding her older brother's hand, and as if in a provocation, kissed the red Miracle Seed she had just obtained, her lips slightly moving.
"The identity swap on the third day was finally successful."
She lost her identity, her family, and her name and power as the Magical Girl Liuli.
Keke, now penniless, stands amidst the corpses that litter the ground Land of the End.
The staggering little girl was still running through the corpses, chasing after a figure that had long since disappeared.
Give me back my brother!