Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 394 The Battle of Star Destiny
"When the stars fall and the fire of judgment falls,"

The world will be swallowed up by fate.

The only thing that can defy fate

It is the person chosen by fate.

—From *The Dream Weaver's Notes: The Stars*

Inside the operating room, eerie starlight surged like a tide, as if the entire space were placed under a distorted alien starry sky.

The air was filled with the smells of decay, blood, and eeriness. Si Ming's body was tense, his eyes sharp as blades, staring intently at his completely alien self—the alien host, Si Ming.

“Begin,” the alien host’s voice was a mix of madness and mockery, “Let me see if the power you possess can escape the judgment of fate.”

The moment the words left his mouth, the alien host surged forward at an unimaginable speed, its slender, twisted limbs instantly extending sharp, blade-like bone spurs.

Starlight danced across its surface, like deadly shooting stars in the night sky.

Before Si Ming could think further, he quickly activated the Illusory Corridor, and several illusory clones instantly split off from his side, attempting to interfere with the enemy's perception.

However, the alien host's attack was precise and ruthless; he was able to instantly identify Si Ming's true location.
With a wave of his arm, sharp bone spikes pierced through two of the illusory clones and hurtled towards Si Ming.

Siming's pupils contracted sharply, and he dodged to the side, but the bone spur still grazed his arm, the intense pain burning his nerves like flames.

He staggered back a few steps, shock and disbelief flashing in his eyes:
"How is that possible... How could he see through my deception so easily?"

"Have you forgotten?" the alien host chuckled coldly. "I know all your tricks and abilities perfectly well. Because I am you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding space trembled violently again, and countless fine cracks suddenly appeared on the ground.

Pale purple starlight mist slowly seeped from the cracks, and countless tiny parasitic spores rapidly spread, accompanied by dizzying murmurs and whispers, beginning to frantically erode the surrounding corpses and fragments.

In an instant, the infected corpses began to writhe and mutate rapidly, gradually transforming into several ferocious and swift Star Hunters, which pounced fiercely on Siming.

Closely following behind were two enormous and terrifying symbiotic carrion beasts, emitting chilling growls, their bodies exuding corrosive slime, and their heavy footsteps causing the ground to tremble continuously.

Si Ming was horrified and quickly took out his playing cards, throwing them out rapidly in the manner of a gambler of destiny.

The cards instantly split and transformed in mid-air, becoming a dense illusory barrier that temporarily blocked the Star Hunter's attack.

But the symbiotic carrion was completely unaffected, roaring as it smashed the defensive line that Siming had just set up. The huge impact instantly sent Siming flying, crashing heavily against the wall in the distance.

"Cough..." Si Ming felt a sharp pain in his chest, and blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. He scrambled to his feet, his gaze growing increasingly grim, and his fear intensifying: "Can I really resist such power?"

At the same time, the alien host let out a mocking laugh and strolled toward Si Ming, the starlight around him growing brighter and more terrifying with each step.

He raised his arm, and countless bone spurs suddenly grew, their pointed poison needles emitting a cold and eerie blue starlight, stabbing towards Si Ming without hesitation.

Si Ming tried his best to dodge, but his injuries were getting worse and his movements were slowing down. The Star Erosion Poison Needle grazed his shoulder, and a sharp chill quickly spread throughout his body.

He could clearly feel an evil and cold toxin rapidly eroding his flesh and mind, and his vision gradually became distorted and blurred.

He tried again to activate the Illusory Corridor to create more clones, but the illusory clones shattered instantly under the Star Hunter's claws as soon as they appeared, and the battle was gradually pushing towards a desperate situation.

His breathing grew heavy, and the fear of failure began to creep into his heart:
"Is this the true fate? Is all my struggle in vain?"

The alien host seemed to sense the change in Si Ming's resolve, and grinned with a sinister satisfaction:

"You finally understand that all resistance is merely a delay in the process of defeat. You will eventually become your own victim, forever sinking into the whispers of the stars."

Si Ming gritted his teeth, struggling to sit up, his eyes filled with complex emotions—pain, resentment, and fear intertwined. He slowly raised the playing cards in his hand, his gaze resolute:
Even so... I will not give up easily!

He used his last bit of strength to throw out the cards, and the hearts, spades, clubs, and diamonds simultaneously burst into brilliant light and flames.

But the alien host had already seen through all of this. He easily dodged Si Ming's attack, waved his hand to release more parasitic spores, and instantly infected the illusory barrier created by Si Ming.

Si Ming's counterattack became meaningless.

He was completely overwhelmed by despair, and his body gradually gave way, causing him to kneel down on one knee.

Looking at the horrific scene before him, and seeing himself about to be completely swallowed up by the alien power, he finally understood that what he was facing now was not just a simple enemy, but the true self that he had always feared, avoided, and found difficult to confront.

"Now, do you finally see clearly?" The alien host slowly approached, sneering, "You have no power to resist your own destiny. This is your fate!"

Si Ming's breathing became increasingly rapid, her mind was on the verge of collapse, and she was struggling with immense inner pain.

Am I truly destined to be devoured by fate?
Blood gushed from Siming's wounds, the scalding pain and the icy despair simultaneously eroding his will.

He knelt on the ground, his vision blurring, the cold, mocking voice of his alien host echoing in his ears:

"Look, this is your true face. Your struggles and resistance will ultimately be in vain."

Si Ming struggled to stand up, but felt as if her limbs were filled with lead, and her consciousness was on the verge of collapse.

However, just as his will was about to completely crumble, a deep and familiar voice suddenly resounded from the deepest part of his heart, like a faint but firm ray of light piercing through the boundless darkness:
"Are you really going to give up like this, Si Ming?"

Siming shuddered violently, abruptly opening his almost closed eyes, and murmured, "The Thousand-Faced One..."

"Yes, it's me." The Thousand-Faced One's voice was deep and calm, carrying a reassuring power.

Have you forgotten? He's not a real monster, but a reflection of your own heart. He can see through your actions not because of his power, but because of your fear and weakness.

Siming's breathing became rapid, and a strong sense of self-doubt and confusion welled up in his heart: "But... his power is so terrifying, how... how can I defeat him?"

The Man of a Thousand Faces remained silent for a moment, then spoke again, his tone more composed and certain:
"The answer is already deep in your heart. The reason you are in such a predicament is because you keep seeing yourself and the alien host as different beings, but in fact, he is yourself."

You fear his power only because you refuse to acknowledge that it is a part of yourself.

The Thousand-Faced One's words were like a sudden awakening, giving Si Ming a jolt.

He stared at the arrogant alien host before him, and suddenly realized what he had been running away from all along—

It wasn't that the host was so powerful that he couldn't be defeated, but rather that he himself was filled with fear, doubt, and hesitation.

Si Ming slowly raised his head, the confusion and pain in his eyes gradually fading away, replaced by a firm and clear expression.

He stood up again, and although his wounds were still painful, he felt a clarity he had never experienced before.

The alien host sensed the change in Si Ming, its eyes suddenly darkening. It waved its tentacles and said sharply, "A pointless struggle! Do you think this will change anything?"

This time, however, Si Ming smiled slightly, a hint of calm and sarcasm in his eyes: "Perhaps you are right. But since you and I are the same person, I am also aware of all your powers."

After speaking, a deck of cards quickly appeared in Si Ming's hand. With a slight thought, the cards danced at his fingertips like shimmering starlight.

His eyes shone brightly, like awakened stars, his gaze fixed firmly on the alien host.

"Since that's the case, then let me defeat my fear with my own hands!" Si Ming flicked his finger, and a spade flew out swiftly. As it cut through the air, it suddenly burst forth with a sharp edge, precisely severing the tentacles that the alien host had extended.

The host let out a sharp roar and involuntarily took a step back.

For the first time, shock appeared on the alien host's face: "How is this possible... How did you know?"

Si Ming replied softly, "Because I am you."

Immediately afterwards, several plum blossoms shot out from between Siming's fingers, quickly transforming into a pale green mist in the air, instantly enveloping the area around the alien host.

The toxins rapidly erode the host's skin, causing the host's tentacles to gradually slow down and its movements to become sluggish and chaotic.

The host angrily swung his arm, attempting to retaliate with the Star Eclipse Poison Needle, but Siming had anticipated this move and swiftly dodged, the red heart card in his hand flying out rapidly.
The explosion beside the host unleashed a fierce burst of fire, completely disrupting the opponent's counterattack rhythm.

The alien host roared, "How could you possibly possess these powers?"

Si Ming's eyes were calm as still water, and his voice was filled with a complete awakening to himself:
"These powers originally belonged to me. The reason you were able to control them was simply because my weakness and doubt made you powerful. But now, I will no longer give you that chance."

The alien host roared and continued to release parasitic spores, but Si Ming was already prepared and quickly set up an illusion barrier with the square tiles.
The confused alien host hesitated for a moment in the disorienting illusion, instantly missing the best opportunity to attack.

Si Ming began to gradually take control of the battle, with each attack and defense precise and efficient.

He gradually discovered that he had a complete understanding of the alien host's behavior patterns, and that every attack and reaction of the other party seemed to be within his expectations.

What was originally a desperate situation gradually turned into a counterattack by the God of Fate, and the alien host gradually showed signs of fatigue and anxiety in the Star Realm.

The host's voice began to fill with rage and fear: "Impossible... You can't defeat me! You can't defeat your destiny!"

Si Ming's gaze was piercing, and he responded calmly and firmly: "It is precisely because you are my destiny that I have the right to end you with my own hands!"

The host's eyes twisted and went mad, his body began to tremble violently, and the power of the stars erupted with terrifying fluctuations, seemingly about to unleash an even more powerful force.

But Si Ming felt no fear at this moment. He took a deep breath, as if he had completely merged with the playing cards, and the cards in his hand shone with a dazzling light like stars.

The voice of the Thousand Faces rang out again, carrying both praise and a reminder:
"Very good, you have finally grasped the key to destiny. But remember, this battle is not only a contest of strength, but also a contest of will. The real battle for destiny has only just begun."

Si Ming nodded slightly, the rearranged playing cards in his hand swirling around him like guardians of the stars. He took a calm and resolute step towards the alien host and said in a low voice:

"Now, let me put an end to this fated battle."

The alien host's face twisted into an extremely frenzied expression, and the stellar energy surging throughout his body erupted wildly.

He roared hoarsely, as if the madness and chaos of the entire universe had gathered within him at that moment:

"Enough! Let me show you the true power of the stars, and let you witness the end of destiny!"

With his frenzied roar, space trembled violently. Si Ming watched in horror as the void seemed to be torn apart by an invisible hand.
Giant and eerie star eggs emerged, each eggshell engraved with indescribable cracks and runes, emitting a suffocating dark light.

Before Si Ming could react, the Star Egg suddenly exploded, unleashing a torrent of ferocious and crazed star insects.

It instantly engulfed the entire space. Countless insects and ants swarmed frantically towards Siming, their sharp mouthparts and claws tearing at his body and will without hesitation.

Intense pain spread throughout his body like flames, and Si Ming's consciousness was almost completely overwhelmed by immense fear and agony.

He used all his strength to activate the Illusory Corridor, instantly creating several illusory clones in an attempt to escape the frenzied attacks of the insects and ants.

However, the number of insects and ants was so large that it was impossible to count them all. The illusory clone was quickly devoured, and the true body of the God of Fate gradually fell into danger.

As her body was about to be completely torn apart, Si Ming's heart strangely calmed down.

At this critical moment between life and death, he suddenly realized: rather than hiding and fleeing, it is better to confront the deepest fear in his heart head-on.

He looked down at his palms, his eyes gradually hardening, and he murmured to himself: "Fate may be inescapable, but I will never fear its judgment again."

Si Ming suddenly closed his eyes, letting the insects and ants tear at his body, a firmness he had never felt before surging in his heart.

His consciousness delved into the deepest part of the corridor of illusion, capturing the card that had never been used—the Colorful Clown.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, and his lips uttered resolute words: "If fate is destined to burn, then let me ignite it with my own hands!"

The colorful clown card flew from his fingertips in an instant, its dazzling light instantly engulfing the entire space.

Terrifying flames burst forth amidst the brilliance of stars, completely engulfing the entire operating room with this incredible power. All the insects and star eggs were annihilated in the dazzling explosion.

The alien host roared and struggled madly amidst the violent shockwave, but his power rapidly dissipated in the raging energy storm.
His body was gradually torn apart, his scales and tentacles turned to ashes, and he finally collapsed to the ground, falling into weakness and collapse.

As the aftershocks of the explosion gradually subsided, Si Ming staggered to his feet, his body covered in wounds, and walked step by step toward the fallen alien host.

His gaze was calm and resolute, his heart undisturbed, as if all the pain, fear and struggle had been completely purified in the explosion just now.

The alien host struggled to look up at Si Ming, his voice hoarse and weak, yet still carrying defiance and despair:
Do you really think you can get rid of me like this? I will forever exist in your fear, tormenting you forever!

As Si Ming gazed at the host's twisted and frenzied face, a sudden surge of pity and relief welled up within him.

He slowly crouched down, placing his hand on the alien host's shoulder, which was covered in cracks and wounds, his tone gentle yet firm:
"No, you're wrong. You're just a failure of mine. What I fear is only myself."

The alien host's pupils trembled slightly, his eyes revealing disbelief and fear.

Si Ming said softly, "And now, I finally understand that I don't need to run away at all. My true destiny is to defeat myself with my own hands."

Before he finished speaking, a gentle yet firm starlight appeared in Siming's hand, slowly seeping into the alien host's body.

The host let out a shrill and desperate roar, his body gradually crumbled and disintegrated, and finally turned into specks of starlight and disappeared into the void.

The operating room fell silent once more. Si Ming slowly stood up, and the surroundings had become ruins.

The fear and hesitation deep within him finally vanished completely at this moment, replaced by an unprecedented peace and clarity.

He dragged his battered body slowly toward the closed door of the operating room. He gently pushed the door open; the darkness behind it remained unknown, filled with oppression and danger.

But this time, Si Ming had no more hesitation or fear.

The door slowly opened, and from the darkness of the next floor, a low and indistinct roar could be faintly heard, as if some being about to be unsealed was patiently waiting for his arrival.

Si Ming took a deep breath, his gaze as bright and resolute as the stars, and stepped into the darkness without hesitation:

"The judgment of fate is far from over. But I am no longer afraid."

"The flames of fate will eventually devour all the brave who fight back."
But only the most resolute soul can find a way out of that illusory labyrinth.

Every fall is a chance to build strength for the next time you stand up.
Every failure is a necessary step on the road to the end.

—Excerpt from "Notes of the Dream Weaver of Destiny: The Labyrinth of Illusion"

(End of this chapter)