Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 572 City of Stars

Chapter 572 City of Stars
"When you leave hell, you think you've entered heaven."

But the gates of heaven always open from below.

—The Tower of the End: Ascension Record: Prologue

The sky below was gray.

The bloodstains on the stone slabs were still wet, the buildings collapsed, and the smell of decay mingled together.

On the ruins shrouded in gray fog, the sound of the wind was mixed with the low hum of the system.

This is the base of the tower.

Tens of thousands of players die, are reborn, and die again in this world.

And today, upon this hellish ashes,
Three figures stood silently.

Si Ming, Natasha, and Selene.

They stood before the giant portal.

It was a building that seemed to be cast from stars.
A hundred-meter-high metal holy ring floats in the air.
The ring is engraved with constantly rotating runes.
The light flows along the metal lines, like liquid time being reorganized.

The air vibrated, and light and shadow trembled slightly beneath their feet.

This door was unlike any teleportation device they had ever passed through.

It has no cold energy waves, nor any mechanical interfaces.

There was only an indescribable solemnity.

The wind suddenly stopped.

The next instant, that familiar system voice rang out in the air.
Cold, holy, and imbued with a ritualistic majesty.

[Player: The Lie Weaver - Si Ming]

Natasha, the Gambler of Fate

【Bloodline Progenitor - Serian】

[Points accumulated meet promotion requirements, check complete.]

[Is the promotion confirmed?]

The sound echoed in the void.

It was like some kind of sacred call, or like a judgment.

Si Ming slightly raised his head, his expression calm.

"confirm."

His voice fell.

The three of them simultaneously raised the Star Calamity Card.

The light spread from the card surface.
Fate, blood, and reason intertwine in the air to form intricate patterns.

Natasha crossed her two pistols, their cold light reflecting off her face.

A crimson halo appeared at Serian's fingertips.
In that instant, the red light in her eyes overlapped with the golden glow of the Holy Ring.

Promotion confirmed.

[Points required: 1000 points per person.]

[Cataclysmic level greater than LV39.]

[Detection passed - Promotion teleportation initiated.]

The metal ring began to rotate.

The air became stagnant.

The ground beneath my feet was shaking.

A streak of light emerged from beneath Siming's feet and spread across the ground.
A huge teleportation array was drawn.

Particles of light rose from around his feet.
Like a reversed meteor shower, each star rushes into the sky.

The wind was drawn away.

The air lost its weight, leaving only breathing and heartbeat.

At that moment, even the gray fog held its breath.

The light gathered at their feet.
Like a tide, it lifted the three of them up.

The gray ground gradually receded into the distance.
The ruins and blood mist at the bottom collapsed and shrank beneath their feet.
Until it becomes a single point.

A whisper from the system reached my ears.

Promotion channels are now open.

[Coordinates confirmed: Floor 101 - The Beginning of the Final Calamity.]

[Transmitting.]

The light spread throughout his body.

Natasha closed her eyes and felt the illusion of her body being torn apart and then reassembled.

Selene opened her palm, and light streamed through her fingers.

At that moment, she felt as if she had fallen into a dream.
Yet it was lifted to an even higher place by some force.

"Good...bright."

she murmured.

Then, the light exploded.

When Selene opened her eyes again

The world is no longer gray.

She stood on a suspended platform of rubble.
The ground beneath my feet was as smooth as a mirror.
All around was endless void.

The void is not darkness.

There, a sea of stars mingled with deep blue and golden light.
Floating islands drift among them.
The islands are like shattered stars, connected by bridges of light.

There was no sky above.

There was only a churning sea of energy.

Silvery lightning flowed through it, yet made no sound.

Dragons soar among the stars.

Their scales reflect light and dreams.
Each flap of its wings stirs up layers of starlight.

Selene stared blankly at the city composed of stars and dragon shadows.

Her eyes reflected countless points of light.
Each one is like a heartbeat from another world.

Her voice was soft, filled with shock and awe:
"……What a nice view."

Natasha stood behind her.

He chuckled softly: "It looks like heaven."

Si Ming remained silent.

He raised his head, his gaze passing over the shimmering floating city.

It fell into the far reaches of the void.

There was a light there, cold and ancient.
It was as if they were being watched.

"This is not heaven."

He said calmly.

"It is the beginning of disaster."

The wind swept past them.
It carries the scent of starlight.

The floating islands in the distance slowly rotated.
The whole world seemed to be welcoming their arrival.

Holy light poured down.

Their shadows stretched extremely long.

Like three silhouettes that have just crossed through a dream.

Suddenly, a shadow fell on the gravel platform beneath their feet.

A deep dragon's roar came from afar, its sound waves sweeping across the clouds like a storm.

Almost simultaneously, golden light tore through the void—a giant silver dragon, pulling a carriage, slowly descended from the sky.

A woman was sitting on the carriage shaft.

She wore a cloak adorned with golden scales.

Soft dragon horns grew from his sideburns.
The skin was a pale bluish-gray, with a faint sheen under the light.
His eyes were golden vertical pupils.

She is like a human, yet not like a human.

He is more like the tamed son of an ancient dragon from mythology.

The woman rose gracefully from the car, her wings slightly outstretched.

The voice had a metallic echo, calm and polite.

"A promoted individual? Please confirm your identity."

Her tone was gentle, yet it conveyed an undeniable sense of order.

Si Ming raised the Star Calamity Card, and the card's brilliance flashed in the air.

Natasha and Celian also revealed their cards.

The woman with golden eyes nodded slightly.

"Confirmed."

Her tone was like a machine reading commands.

"I am Kololo, a courier from the Dragonkin race. My job is to guide newly promoted individuals to the main city."

She paused, then smiled slightly, "Transportation service fee: 100 points per person."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Star Calamity Cards in front of the three of them glowed faintly.
Each person will have 100 points deducted.

The light particles flickered, and the cabin door of the Longma vehicle opened automatically.

"Get in the car."

Selene stared wide-eyed at the dragon.

"Oh my god...we're sitting here?"

“Of course.” Natasha raised an eyebrow. “First time taking a taxi high in the air?”

Selene whispered, "It's a little scary... but it's also so beautiful."

Si Ming didn't speak, only nodded slightly, and boarded the carriage first.

They settled into the metallic cockpit.
The vehicle shuddered slightly, and the giant dragon spread its wings.

The sound of the wind rushed towards us.

The silver dragon spread its wings and plunged into the ocean of light and clouds.

The vehicle swept across a bridge of light, its surface composed of energy lines.
It flows like a river beneath their feet.

The floating islands in the distance emitted a soft golden glow.
Some are as tall as mountains, while others are as flat as cities.

The islands are connected by light bridges, resembling the veins of stars.

Selene leaned out, the wind ruffling her long, scarlet hair.

"So spectacular..."

Her voice was carried away by the wind, but it still carried a hint of laughter.

Below is the sea of islands.

Countless flying dragons weaved through it.

Their scales shimmered, like flowing fragments of the Milky Way.

The island's surface is made of cities of light.

The building is completely transparent, like a tower sculpted from crystal.

On the streets, the flow of people is like points of light in a data stream.
Orderly, bright, and indifferent.

Kororo, holding the dragon reins, turned back and smiled.

"Ahead is the main residential area, and over there is the residence of nobles and high-level players."

Further north is the commercial district, where you can exchange all kinds of goods.

The East Zone is a casino and arena.
The quest lobby and instance portals are located on the bottom island.

Her tone was unhurried.
Every sentence carried the mechanical politeness of an official customer service representative.

"In the City of Stars, everything is based on points."

Air, accommodation, transportation, information, dreams,
"As long as you have points, you can enjoy it." Selene listened intently.

Her eyes lit up when she heard the words "commercial district".

"Are the things there... really worth buying?"

Kololo nodded: "Of course, Miss."

"As long as you have enough points, even the starry sky will serve you."

Selene's breathing became rapid.

She gently tugged at Si Ming's sleeve, her eyes sparkling.

"Siming~ Shall we go for a walk?"

Her tone was so sweet it almost melted in the wind.

Si Ming was taken aback.

He coughed and turned his gaze to the window.

"...The scenery here is truly spectacular."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Our card magician is actually blushing."

Selene chuckled.

"That means you agree."

Si Ming sighed helplessly.

Their reflections were mirrored on the walls of the dragon carriage.

Three figures moved through the torrent of light.

Like a traveler floating in a dream.

The silver dragon swept across the sky above the main island.

The Star Core Tower in the distance shone with a star-like brilliance.

That is the heart of the entire City of Stars.
The light pulses flowed from the center of the tower to each floating island.
Like a pulse sustaining this false life.

Selene leaned against the window.
At that moment, her eyes were filled with amazement and innocence.

She didn't know that every light on this floor...

They were all illuminated by the "existence" of others.

The light danced on their faces.
Warm, beautiful, dazzling—

It is also cold, hollow, and silent.

The dragon spiraled down.

The carriage landed on a floating platform.

The bridge of light extends ahead.
The city's towers were reflected in their eyes like the spires of a temple.

Ke Luoluo turned around and smiled slightly.

Welcome to the City of Stars.

From now on, you are a resident of the middle class.

Her golden eyes shone in the light.

Her smile was gentle, but devoid of warmth.

The dragon carriage slowly descended.

On the floating island of the main city, the streets are paved with transparent light stones.
A faint fragrance filled the air.

The crowd was neatly dressed and had bright smiles.

But their eyes were empty, like mirrors.

The three of them followed the light bridge and the flow of people into the heart of the city.

Ahead was a large, golden-white hall, its exterior walls as if cast from crystal.

The signboard at the entrance flickered with floating, illuminated characters:
[Registration Office & New Resident Reception Center]

They pushed open the door and entered.

The interior of the lobby was so clean it was almost unreal.

A row of dragon-human women stood behind the counter.

Their smiles were uniform, their eyes gentle yet devoid of emotion.

Every movement is standardized.

Like a perfectly trained receptionist.

Their tails swayed gently, making a melodious yet cold sound.

"Welcome, all those who have ascended to higher levels, to the middle level of the Tower of the End."

"Please show your Star Calamity Card."

The God of Fate handed out the card.

The light swept across.

"Registration complete." The dragon man smiled.

"Two rules to remind everyone."

She raised her hand and pointed to the light screen floating in the air.

【Rule 1】

All attacks and combat are prohibited on this floor.

If you wish to engage in combat, please proceed to the Arena.

Rule Two

All actions on this floor require points.

Selene repeated softly, "All actions?"

"Yes." The dragon-man waiter maintained his smile.

"Walking, breathing, lodging, eating, trading, entertainment... all require points to maintain."

"If the points are exhausted, the system will enter a frozen state."

Her tone was as flat as if she were reading the weather report.

"Frozen state?" Natasha frowned.

On the other side of the counter, an old man smiled.

He sat on a bench in the corner, dressed simply, holding a worn-out Star Calamity Card in his hand.

"Points, young man... that's fate."

He slowly raised his head, his tone as gentle as if he were telling a joke.

"Your breathing, walking, and talking all take a toll on your life. When your life is used up, that's what you'll end up like."

He pointed out the window.

The streetlights illuminated several "statues".

Those "people"—or players—had strange postures.

Some stretched out their hands, as if trying to grab someone;
Some were kneeling, their eyes still reflecting tears.

Their bodies were grayish-white and transparent.

It was as if time had been frozen in an instant.

A faint "data crackling" sound came from the air.
So soft it was almost inaudible.

Like frozen time, it still groans softly.

The passing players and dragonmen were already used to it.

They passed by these "statues".

Some people even rested on one of their shoulders.
The laughter was crisp and clear, as if it were part of the world.

Selene's smile froze at that moment.

She looked at those "people".
The light in his eyes dimmed little by little.

The old man continued:
"But don't be afraid, the tower is merciful."

You will automatically receive 1,000 points after each monthly lunar cycle.

He lifted the worn-out card.
"Enough to keep you awake for half a day, take a few steps, and then freeze back into the cold."

He finished speaking and smiled.

That smile was gentle, yet colder than ice.

Selene did not answer.

She simply reached out and touched her Star Calamity Card.

My fingertips felt a little cold.

Natasha scoffed, "What a pathetic life."

Si Ming quietly gazed out the window.

The frozen "statues" reflected white light in the sunlight.

Like a row of enshrined deities.

A thought flashed through his mind:

"People in dreams never question dreams."

Because they were afraid—that when they woke up, they wouldn't even have had a dream.

He didn't say it.

The waiter closed the register, his smile unchanged.

"Welcome to the three of you to the middle level of the Tower of the End."

Wishing you a pleasant and rewarding experience in the world of points.

As she walked out of the hall, Celian was clearly in low spirits.

Her pace was much slower than usual.
I felt as if the city's lights were suffocating me.

Natasha glanced at her and said softly, "So, are we still going to shop?"

Selene bit her lip.
She said softly, "Never mind... I'm not in the mood anymore."

Si Ming glanced at her sideways.

She kept her head down, her red hair falling loosely over her shoulders.
Sunlight streamed down from the sky, illuminating her hair.
Like an angel trapped in a cage of light.

Si Ming remained silent for a few seconds.

Then she said softly, "How about... we don't buy anything, we just look around?"

At that moment,

Selene suddenly looked up.

"Really?"

Si Ming nodded.

"Take a look, it doesn't cost points."

"That's great!" she exclaimed, her smile returning.

Like a kitten breaking free from a dream.

She took Natasha's hand, her eyes shining.

"Hurry up, let's go shopping!"

Natasha smiled and shook her head.