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Chapter 448 The 'Curse' of Immortality [4000 words]

At the top of the pyramid, at the altar plaza

The moment the Heavenly Dao's vector light blade struck the ancient tree trunk, it was as if a sharp blade was slicing through silk. There was no loud noise as expected, only a soft 'sizzle'.

The next second, golden vector energy spread wildly along the veins of the tree trunk, tearing the 'Tree of Laws' that supported the Libra domain from the inside.

‘Boom! ’

The ancient tree broke in the middle, and the upper part, covered with chrysanthemum and rose petals, collapsed with a crash against the stone wall of the altar square, stirring up a cloud of dust.

As the ancient tree dealt a severe blow, the entire pyramid began to tremble violently, and spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the stone walls. Dark green sap seeped from the cracks, as if the ancient building was weeping.

Libra let out a shrill scream as the core of the law in his chest shattered completely, and pale purple energy gushed out from the wound.

The vines and wings on his back lost their support, turning into countless points of light and dissipating. His tuxedo was soaked with blood, and he collapsed to the ground, his once majestic gaze now unfocused.

He could sense that his connection with Changsheng Island was rapidly severing.

Surprisingly, Libras felt no anger or resentment at the impending 'death,' only boundless tranquility.

After all, similar situations had occurred countless times since he became conscious.

As a manifestation of the 'laws', Libra Exchange is destined to be 'immortal'.

Just like the things he values ​​most, namely 'vitality' and 'memory'.

The newborn 'Libra' possesses the same abilities as him, but will not inherit his memories from this life.

Without 'memory', even if life were to be reborn, it would be no different from 'death' for him.

Libra's voice was breathy, and his vision began to blur: "I'm very curious. How did you learn my 'Exchange' in such a short time? You're only a Level 3 Star Envoy."

In that fleeting moment of the Heavenly Dao's domain, Libra saw a familiar 'trace'—it was their own 'Law of Exchange'.

Faced with Libra's question, Tiandao did not rush to answer, but instead adjusted the surging blood and qi within his body.

That attack had almost drained all his star energy, and his Star Eclipse Eye was stinging from overuse, with faint black halos appearing at the edges of his vision.

He raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, his silver-gray hair sticking to his forehead with sweat.

Looking at the curious Libra, Tiandao smiled and gave an explanation.

"Because anything that 'exists' leaves a trace, including the special energy flow of a 'domain'."

"And my 'vector control' is just right to control all the flow."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ground beneath the Heavenly Dao's feet suddenly collapsed, revealing the internal structure of the pyramid.

It was a massive energy core, gleaming with a pale golden light, with countless vines connecting it to the monster on the outside like blood vessels.

The Heavenly Dao, suspended in mid-air, gazed at the enormous 'heart' below and spoke:

"Is this the truth about the Island of Immortality? You placed your true form here, using the life force of the island's creatures as fuel to maintain the time loop."

"Ah."

Now that things have come to this, Libra has nothing left to hide and directly reveals some of the secrets of the 'Path to Immortality'.

"Most living beings have short lifespans. From the moment I was born, I have witnessed the birth and death of countless 'living beings'."

"At first I didn't feel anything about it, until..."

"Until you discover that 'they' in your memories don't disappear with death, right?"

"Yes."

Libra nodded, a complex expression on his face.

"I don't know when it started, but I found that I was somewhat resistant to death, or rather, resistant to parting from familiar things."

"So I began to try to trade with other beings, exchanging precious lifespans from them and giving them to those beings I 'valued'."

"only."

"But people are all subject to change."

The Heavenly Dao took over the conversation, and through Libra's words, it seemed as if he saw those beings he had once granted 'immortality' ultimately transformed into something he couldn't comprehend.

Libra nodded in agreement.

"Yes, they have all changed, become unfamiliar, become...distorted."

"The long years have changed their mindset; the more they have, the more they want."

"But every transaction is fair, and the moment their needs exceed what they can offer, they are no longer the people I know."

At this point, Libra's tone suddenly became somewhat tired.

He did not say exactly what these people did.

But Heaven knows without a doubt that when people want to obtain something but cannot afford the corresponding price, there is only one possibility: they will try to forcibly 'snatch' it from Libra.

From the moment they had this thought, their relationship with Libra was no longer one of friendship, but rather one of 'enemy'.

Therefore, throughout his long life as a Libra, he must have experienced countless such 'betrayals'.

Just thinking about the Way of Heaven makes one want to shake their head inwardly.

Being betrayed by the person you once trusted most is a terrible feeling.

"Then when did you build this Island of Immortality?"

“I can see that the creatures on this island are actually part of your body.”

"You've essentially dispersed your power; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to defeat you so easily."

In response to Tiandao's question, Libra calmly replied, "When was this Island of Immortality built? I don't recall."

"But one thing I remember very clearly is that Wilford was the first inhabitant of this island."

"Then why didn't you choose to grant him immortality?"

From Libra's tone, Tendou knew that his relationship with Wilford seemed to be something like 'friends'.

Although the 'Wilver' who appeared before him now behaved exactly like the Wilver recorded in the Star Envoy Association's documents, Tiandao knew very well that he was not 'Wilver', but 'Libra'.

As for the question about the Heavenly Dao, Libra's answer surprised the Heavenly Dao. After all, it had assumed that Libra, after a long period of time, had refused to grant lifespans to other living beings, but the result was not so.
"It was Wilford who refused."

"He refused?"

"Ah."

Libra looked up at the sky, a rare hint of confusion in his voice.

"When he was nearing the end of his life, I said that I could give him a longer life."

"But Wilford, upon hearing this, said that death is also part of life, and a long life is not always a blessing; it can sometimes be a curse."

“He had witnessed the deaths of many old friends and the transformation of everything that was once familiar into something unfamiliar. He did not want to, and dared not, experience anything like that again, so he rejected my ‘deal’.”

Upon hearing this, Heaven fell completely silent.

Because he understood Wilfred's choice; this old man, born in the old era, had already experienced the pain brought by 'longevity' time and time again.

At the same time, he had no more 'attachment' to the world, which is why he decisively chose to embrace death. But clearly, Libra did something afterward, otherwise he wouldn't have appeared before him as 'Wilver'.

Perhaps he had thought of something, or perhaps he understood Wilford's choice back then.

Libra spoke up again.

"As you can see, after Wilford's death, I inherited everything that originally belonged to him."

"It's funny, I asked him before that I did something that might offend him."

"His answer surprised me greatly. He said that he was already dead, and I could do whatever I wanted, even if I scattered his ashes in the flower field to nourish the flowers."

"I have indeed witnessed the death of countless lives, but he knew he could survive, yet refused and faced it with equanimity, which is something I have never seen before in my life."

"In order to find out this, I built this paradise of immortality and constantly traded valuable memories with others, hoping to find the answer to the question from these memories."

"Then have you found it?"

When asked by the Heavenly Dao, Libra remained silent for a moment before saying, "It didn't exist before, but now I've found it."

As they spoke, Libra looked at their crumbling 'paradise' and a hint of relief appeared on their expression.

"Death is indeed terrible, but sometimes it is also a relief."

"Just like you said before, the 'memories' in my mind don't slowly 'disappear' with the death of familiar people. Instead, they become thicker and thicker over the years, eventually making me resist change and fear the arrival of tomorrow."

"After all, I don't want to go through that feeling again, where the person you care about can only live in your own memory. It's not a pleasant experience."

“Wilver is right. Immortality, in a sense, is indeed a curse.”

"Everyone thinks the future is destined to be 'bright,' but in reality, the longer people live, the more nostalgic they become."

At this point, Libra turned to look at the Heavenly Dao and said in a deep voice, "You should be able to tell that I actually prefer to live in the past, in the 'past' that I am familiar with, rather than in the future."

Tiandao nodded.

Time on Changsheng Island is frozen in a certain period of the old era, and it cycles endlessly.

Is it that Libra cannot advance time on the island of immortality?
Obviously not, he just prefers this 'period'.

As for Changsheng Island's rejection of outsiders, Tiandao estimates that this is because Libra refuses to change.

Subconsciously, they chased away the 'strangers' who came to the island.

After learning the true nature of the Immortal Island, the Heavenly Dao asked other questions.

A question about the doctor, and about the president, Ennett.

After all, he remembered very clearly that the Doctor and the President had arrived here long before he did.

With their capabilities, conquering Changsheng Island would not be difficult.

If Tiandao wants to control the core of Changsheng Island and make the 'Miracle Stone Exchange' the core of his future domain, then he must find out exactly what the Doctor and the others have been doing here.

Thinking of this, the Heavenly Dao spoke again.

However, this time, his conversation with Libra was deliberately hidden by the production team of StarCraft, who were quite mischievous and kept him in suspense.

Because the camera in the anime focused on other characters.

[Outside the Pyramids]

"The toxins in Liu Ma's body have stopped spreading, and the time fluctuations on Changsheng Island have returned to normal!"

Isabel exclaimed in surprise as she watched the black toxins under Liu Ma's skin rapidly recede and his vital signs gradually stabilize.

The screen of the game console in Mi Yao's hand returned to normal, the energy warning disappeared, and in its place was a message from the Star Envoy Association.

'The Longevity Island trial has ended; the crisis level has been lowered to high risk.'

Looking at the information on the game console, Mi Yao looked up at the others.

"Have you all received the association's message?"

Everyone nodded, their expressions relieved.

This not only means that they have been freed from the previously isolated Longevity Island, but also that the association's power can now influence this area.

In other words, they are completely safe.

Thinking of this, everyone looked towards the top of the pyramid.

Above the pyramid, a pale golden stone radiated a soft light that enveloped the entire Longevity Island.

A familiar figure was standing beneath the light. Although they were far away, they could clearly sense the figure's presence.

That person was none other than the Way of Heaven.

Seeing this, Chen Kong spoke first.

"Let's go see what Brother Tiandao has done."

Dust Void walked toward the top of the pyramid, the Void Weaver humming softly in his hand, as if celebrating a victory.

Isabel and Mi Yao followed closely behind, while Vivian supported Liu Ma, who had just regained consciousness, and they slowly followed behind.

When they reached the top of the pyramid, Tiandao was sitting on the remains of an ancient tree, holding the Miracle Stone in his hand.

Although his face was still somewhat pale, his eyes were exceptionally bright.

Caroline stood beside him, quietly organizing the documents in her hands, just as she always had.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Jing Liuli and Chen Xing were talking about something.

Upon noticing the arrival of Chen Kong and the others, Chen Xing stopped talking with Jing Liuli and turned to look at them.

But that one glance immediately made Chen Kong tense up reflexively, clearly terrified.

"sister"

Upon seeing Chen Xing walk up to him, Chen Kong subconsciously lowered his head.

"You're not hurt, are you?"

"what?!"

After a moment of surprise, Chen Kong said, "It's nothing, I'm just a little exhausted."

"That's good."

Chen Xing nodded, then came to Tian Dao and looked at the golden 'stone' in his hand with curiosity in his eyes.

"This is the Miracle Stone - Exchange? Its law fluctuations are so gentle, completely unlike the predatory nature it had before."

"Because it has returned to its original state."

The Heavenly Dao smiled, raised the Miracle Stone, and a strange glint flashed in its eyes.

With this, he can now do many things that he couldn't do before.

The future is just around the corner.

(End of this chapter)