Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

Chapter 446 An Inspiring Speech

[Star: My little white rabbit has grown up, waaaaah.]

[Mimi: He's always been like this, silently shouldering everything alone. Bai'e, we feel sorry for you.]

[Bai Er: Partner, the way you put it makes me feel like a pet.]

[Fufu: I remember Xilian was telling a romantic story, but where's the romance? Aglaia, who represents romance, is no longer here.]

[Ring: Speaking of which, will Bai'e end up fighting Lai Gushi with all his relics with him?]

Back at the Golden Bath, the citizens were terrified by Aglaia's departure and were lost, unsure of where to go next.

Amidst the unease and commotion, Bai E stood tall and proud before the crowd, displaying the emerging qualities of a leader, neither sad nor happy.

"Not long ago, I gave a speech at the citizens' assembly at Dawn Cloud Cliff."

"At that time, in order to continue the hope of the Golden Descendants chasing the fire, I racked my brains to think of what kind of rhetoric I could use to win people's support."

Bai Er delivered his speech in a methodical and progressive manner, accurately conveying his thoughts to every anxious citizen.

"Finally, I am reminded of a teacher's teaching: In situations where words are weapons, anger and blind rage are far more powerful than reason."

"So I adopted his strategy. I denigrated my opponents as insects, attacked their character, and listed their crimes."

“My strategy worked. It garnered me enough votes to achieve my goal. But afterwards? I felt no joy whatsoever.”

He thoroughly reviewed his previous actions, saying, "I am very clear that the apparent victory masked a greater failure. When I used any means necessary to incite conflict in order to win, I had already gone against my original intention of joining the Fire Chaser."

"This journey should have united us, not divided us; it should have made us stronger, not weaker."

“In the past, it was golden threads that mended our cracks. Some might compare it to surveillance, a tool of control, but no one can deny that… it was Aglaia who stitched this city, and even this fragmented world, back together.”

Bai'er's gaze swept across the area. "But she is no longer here—yes, just as you have heard—Aglaia, who has protected the Holy City for a thousand years, has indeed fallen."

The crowd's emotions were building.

"Who murdered Lady Kanori?"

"Find the murderers! Punish them severely!"

Faced with the crowd's anger, Bai E shook his head, "At first, I felt the same way as you all."

"At first, I also wanted to join you here to condemn human sins and discuss how to bring them to justice and punish them..."

"...But my mind has changed."

Bai E clearly succeeded in appealing to emotions and reasoning with people.

"At this moment, the golden threads in the city have dissipated, but I see no one cheering for the escape from control. In the empty market and bathhouse, I see only one emotion: unease."

"Because everyone present knew that the last safeguard against being hurt by the darkness in each other's hearts had disappeared. From now on, apart from the moral imperatives we have made up for ourselves, there is no divine power that can protect us from malice."

Mimi, who had been watching for a while, whispered, "Bai E is so good at talking."

"Cultural people are just different," a stand-in said proudly.

[Nicole: Bai Er's debating talent is amazing. Even I actually think he makes sense. I'm impressed.]

[Bai E: Sincerity is always the ultimate weapon.]

[Walter: You really are becoming more and more like them. I see in you the most representative characteristics of every Golden Descendant: an astonishing ability to adapt and learn.]

[Sai Fei'er: Him? I don't see any resemblance to me at all.]

[Xia Die: Even Teacher Xia praised Lord Bai'e's comprehension many times back then, and I trust the teacher's judgment.]

[Gallach: Honestly, I can't see any flaws in you besides your taste.]

[Star: Haha, maybe our understanding of the yellow and purple color scheme is different from his.]

Bathed in the light of the Dawn Machine, Bai'er was like a newborn dawn, his eyes filled with only the determination to lead everyone to a new world.

"The journey to the fire is nearing its end, and the only Titan the Golden Blood need to conquer is Aegler."

He took a big step forward, “But before I ascend to the sky, I will first challenge you—I challenge the possible darkness and malice in your hearts, so that your souls may clear up before this sky!”

"Allow me to bear witness: even without the romantic divine authority, Ohma will still be an ideal land in the end times. Here dwells the new world that Aglaia longed for, the new world that the oracle foretold..."

"A better person!"

After a passionate speech, the unease in people's hearts was dispelled by the radiance emanating from Bai E, and they cheered: "A better person!"

"A better person! A better person!"

Tibo looked at Xiaobai in the crowd. What Aya had hoped for had become a reality, and even better.

“I am grateful that you accepted the challenge. You made me realize that what Aglaia left me with was perhaps the most basic duty in the world.”

With great emotion, Bai Er said, “To bear the destiny of creation, I only need to give one thing. It is a gift that she generously gave me, and I will pass it on to each of you: unwavering faith.”

"There is still a long way to go before the rebirth of Onphalus. But we will not forget the past as we move forward, because the memory of Onphalus will always benefit those who come after."

Bai'e, with his back to the crowd, gazed into the distance: "Please lend me this moment. I wish to borrow a few minutes of your time to commemorate a demigod who has protected the Holy City for a thousand years..."

"She is the tailor of Ohma, the leader of the Golden Blood, Golden-Weaving Aglaia. And her greatest feat in life—"

"—It is about becoming a selfless person."

People commemorated this great woman in their own ways, expressing their gratitude for her selfless dedication.

[Hu Tao: See you tomorrow, Ms. Aglaia.]

Wendy: Though we never met, I wish your spirit would live on forever. O winds of Onphalus, carry her epic tale in the form of poetry for eternity.

[Bai'er: Thank you for everything you've done, Aglaia.]

[All Enemies: We will eventually reunite at the end of the west wind.]

Thank you, Lady Aglaia.

[Aglaia: A long-lost romance. Even as I depart, my face will be radiant with the most beautiful smile. Aglaia, I have lived up to your expectations.]

[Little Candle: Your contribution is irreplaceable. Lord Jinzhi, Caesar pays you the highest tribute.]

[Little Fish Knight: Beautiful little golden trout, may all the beauty in this world belong to you.]

[Sephiroth: Seamstress, you weren't just my light, you were the light for everyone in Onphalus. Waaah, I don't want you to leave.]

[Potio: Good heavens, I peed in my eye!]

[Star: If it weren't for the Black Swan, I probably wouldn't have met you all. Golden Blood, eternal companions of the Star Train.]

[Black Swan: So I took action.] (Who dares to question me!]

Chapter 447 Saying Goodbye to Everyone

Under the blue sky and white clouds, Bai E held the morning dew in his hand, his gaze heavy.

Tian and Na Kexia stood at the farthest point, leaving only faint silhouettes. Xia Die faced the two, her hands naturally behind her back.

Aglaia stood quietly behind Bai'er, gazing into the distance.

Tian said in a childlike voice, "This song...it sounds so familiar! It's our song, Little White used to love it the most!"

“Yes, Teacher Tian. For that child whose heart is filled with anxiety... your songs can always dispel the clouds in my heart, even if only for a short moment.”

"Hehe...Little Bai was so cute and kind when he was little!"

Tian closed one eye: "Now... hmm, it's become so big, not as cute anymore? But it's still kind!"

Bai E laughed loudly, "Hahaha... Time flies and people grow old, there's nothing anyone can do about it. But kindness... you've helped me nurture it."

"You're welcome! Your brilliance is dazzling! Keep it up! Goodbye, Little White~"

Goodbye, Teacher Tian.

At the same time, Tian gradually disappeared from the scene.

[Tian: Little White is still very cute, we will always love you.]

[Bai E: Haha, three teachers, I'm truly flattered.]

[Star: White Calamity, this scene... can't be real, can it?]

[Bai Er: My partner is as clever as ever. This is my fantasy; in reality, I couldn't possibly say goodbye to them.]

Xia coldly said, "Judging from what you just said, do you think the debating skills I taught you are heretical or unorthodox?"

“I didn’t say that, Teacher Xia.” Bai E smiled helplessly. “After all, without the skills you taught me, it’s questionable whether the Journey of Chasing Fire would even exist.”

"Hmph... Luckily, you're clear-headed enough."

Although Xia's tone was cold at that moment, the concern in her words was genuine.

"The golden descendant of the Coronavirus, huh... I never imagined you'd be this talented when I was making you memorize formulas by pressing your head down in the classroom."

Bai Er sighed, "Who could have imagined, teacher? By the way, I've completely forgotten those formulas now."

"Ha, you are truly incorrigible. In the next life, let me teach you properly how to fulfill your divine duties."

[Bai E: I look forward to being your student again in the next life.]

[Magic trick: No, I'm afraid you'll ruin my reputation. You've actually managed to graduate late, even under the tutelage of the greatest scholar in the Divine Enlightenment Tree Garden.]

[Bai Er: Ha... Does this count as offending two teachers?]

Xia's figure vanished at that moment.

Bai E looked at the girl's retreating figure, "Miss Xia Die...aren't you going to say something?"

"Lord Bai'e, you... are always so approachable."

Xia Die whispered, "Ever since we met, you've always treated me like a partner... I experienced what true friendship is for the first time through you."

"But that... is also very dangerous."

"Danger?" Bai E asked, puzzled.

"Because when I'm laughing and joking with you, I sometimes forget who I am... That's very dangerous for someone with power like mine."

"Ah... I didn't realize there was that other meaning. Sorry, I forgot to put myself in their shoes."

"Please don't apologize... because even so, the time we spent together... still makes me very happy when I think back on it."

"And what about me?"

Goodbye, Bai'e.

Goodbye, Xiaodie.

[Xia Die: Your Excellency Bai E, it's a pleasure to be your friend.]

[Bai Er: Me too.]

[Star: My beloved Butterfly, will we ever meet again?]

[Xia Die: At the end of the re-creation, we will meet again, Your Excellency.]

Finally, there is Aglaia, the romantic demigod who has protected the holy city for a thousand years.

“Remember, Bai'er… after completing the fire-chasing, you must entrust the decision to initiate the miracle of creation to the people of Onphalus.”

"The Golden Blood are the agents of the divine oracle, and they—they are the true masters of this world."

Bai E assured him, "Don't worry, I'll always remember your teachings—"

"A self-proclaimed hero is only a hair's breadth away from being wicked, isn't he?"

“You remember very clearly…that’s good.” Aglaia nodded slightly.

"It's come to this...don't you have anything else to say?"

“As for other things…” Aglaia thought for a moment, “Even just in your imagination… I’m not good at showing my vulnerable side.”

Bai E chuckled, "Ha... It's alright. I already knew how difficult it was for you to say a truly candid and honest thing."

"Thank you for bringing me here, Aglaia...you saved me."

Aglaia shook her head. "Ha...maybe what I want to save isn't you, child...but this crumbling world."

The two were silent for a long time.

Goodbye, Bai'e.