Forge a path to success

Chu Hengkong couldn't help but laugh, and everyone else followed suit. In this unreasonable and hopeless world, these clueless idiots were practically a godsend.

The black-armored samurai stood among them, wearing stylish sunglasses and a fiery cloak. He laughed triumphantly, "That's how it should be! Now that we've won, let's celebrate to our hearts' content!"

Chongming drew his sword and casually slashed at the air.

In an instant, waves surged, the water level rose, and immeasurable seawater vanished, instantly severing the illusory sea. A blade of light, solid as a tangible object, pierced through the ocean, carving a bottomless abyss within it!

The sea surged in raging fury, yet its momentum held it back. A storm, carrying a blinding white light, swept in, creating a wide, open path of light in the sea. His movements were utterly casual; a mere flick of his wrist was enough to tear apart the shackles of fate.

That road transformed into a ray of hope, shining into the eyes of the weary and desperate, and even the most silent among them cheered loudly. Gulibo laughed and jumped, "Commander Chongming, I didn't know you were so strong, Bo?!"

Chongming wiped his nose, beaming with pride: "What a joke! I told you long ago that I'm awesome, but I was restricted from showing my skills before! Hurry up and make your way now, or I'll throw you back into the Blood Plains to continue fighting."

"No, no!" Gulibo screamed and jumped into the road. Vande was the first to jump in, laughing heartily in the light.

With this single slash, the settlement was divided into two distinct parts. Chongming and the people in the mist stood on the opposite side of the passage, while the warriors, the brave men, and Fenya naturally stepped into it. Chu Hengkong was about to praise Commander Chongming's excellent swordsmanship when he saw that the other man stood still, without making a move.

"Hey, Chongming!"

The samurai sheathed his sword, his smile unusually gentle.

“There’s no reason for the commander to leave the battlefield,” he said. “There are many important people waiting for me inside.”

Qingxia, with her sharp eyes, spotted a fluffy head behind Chongming and quickly called out, "Grandpa!"

“Young people should go on adventures in the vast world.” Silar jumped out from behind Chongming and said with a smile, “We are enough to stay in this small battlefield.”

It was already a being within the mist, a life form that could only exist in the Heavenly Prison, and had no right to go to the outside world. Qingxia realized this and sadly lowered her hand. Silar stretched out its little paw and stroked her orange hair.

"After you go out, take care of your health and go to bed on time. Don't always overeat, and make sure to eat nutritious food."

"Ah."

"Make sure you get along well with everyone and don't argue with your friends," the old man gently advised. "You might encounter unreasonable situations, but don't lose your temper. Think of solutions together, and you'll always be able to resolve things."

"Yes." Qingxia nodded vigorously.

Slar raised his paw, patted his granddaughter's cheek, and gave his child a big smile.

"You can be a knight if you want, or even a lustful demon if you want."

Don't worry about identity or race. You will always be our proudest warrior!

"I will, Grandpa!" Qingxia wiped away her tears and smiled at the old man. "I will become stronger! And once again, I will fight alongside you in the Heavenly Prison!"

The suppressed tide surged once more, and the light from Chongming's blade began to flow. He smiled at Chu Hengkong, then turned and walked towards the sky, towards another battlefield belonging to the past. The people in the mist followed Chongming's footsteps, trailing behind his fiery cloak. He raised his hand high before the crimson vortex, his index finger pointing to the rising sun.

"Final command from the officer!"

You carefree, undisciplined guys, live happily ever after!

The 35th Resistance Army is hereby disbanded!

People from the past step into the vortex and head to another ancient battlefield.

The seawater swallowed their footprints, and the road to the future began to turn.

The warriors stepped into the light.

Leaving the desolate wilderness, we step towards the land of hope.

Chapter 251 The Present Moment of Change

The Sea of ​​Illusions, near the sea surface.

The cowardly demon swam past the numerous mangled corpses, restraining its urge to devour them. In a short time, the cursed Lord of Misfortune surfaced a second time, leaving the sea littered with carcasses once more. Everywhere were fragmented pieces of corpses; who knew which great demon might be swimming by now? It dared not move; those were delicacies reserved for the adults of the colorless realm. If any small fish or shrimp dared to open their mouths, they would become its next meal.

But it was hungry, and hunger always requires a way out. So it cautiously swam past the carcasses, heading towards the only safe current. The end of this current was that strange demon, its fire burning fiercely in the sea.

"My ambitious lord," he timidly uttered a few words he had practiced for a long time, "Hungry. Hungry."

The winged flame—an undying ambition—turned its head and smiled at it.

“You have come before me, so you should also know my rules.”

“I know. I know.” The little devil wiggled his tentacles. “I owe you, my lord.”

“A favor,” Ambition corrected. “I’m glad you know how to respect people. Now go.”

The cowardly demon bit off a large chunk of the corpse, its body instantly swelling. It frantically swung its tail, fleeing the treacherous sea. The adults wouldn't mind this rudeness; once a contract is made, what's owed must be repaid.

Ambition cheerfully exhaled a ball of flame, donning a burning top hat for itself. It turned, removed the hat, and bowed gracefully and politely to the desolate sea.

"At your beck and call, Lord Chaos."

The demon's fragment emerged from the ocean currents, its form shaped and transformed by the deep purple water, creating an illusory wolf's head.

“You always come up with something new,” said the Chaos Demon. “Using little things as your eyes and ears.”

"With the death of the evil god and the opening of the Heavenly Prison, the world is becoming increasingly interesting, and the pace of change far exceeds everyone's imagination. Only by making thorough preparations can we have a better chance of getting a bigger share of the pie." Ambition bowed.

"Whatever, the more chaotic the situation, the better," Chaos chuckled. "But you yourself still have a piece left on the shore; do you really think you're doing comfortably now?"

Amidst the chaos, they fanned the flames, their ambitions remaining unwavering.

"As you said, one can't remain an incomplete demon forever. Although playing with fire is too risky..."

It gazes at the sea with anticipation, like a fledgling bird about to take flight.

"However, fortune always comes with danger!"

Its gaze pierced the sea, looking towards the vast land. Not long ago, that bay was the land called Yingshi Town, and even though the migrating dragon had taken away the soil, the mists of history still lingered above this dead land.

·

The Netherworld Kingdom, once the capital.

The monks parted to make way for the high priest who had traveled a great distance to return. The resurrected evil god was an indelible rift in the eternal flow of time, and witnessing his return to time was a tremendous achievement in the entire funeral procession.

But Bernhard felt no joy; instead, he seemed ashamed. He went into the church, knelt before the statue, and prayed devoutly with the sacred texts in his hands.

He recounted in detail every action and thought he had taken after the Yingshi Town incident, explaining how he planned to use the evil god to correct his fate, how he miscalculated and caused the events in the wilderness, how he secretly helped the hero and his companions, and how he tacitly agreed to one side defeating the other.

“God, I have acted with selfishness and bias, and moved the scales of fate with foolishness. I am no longer worthy to stand in your ranks, no longer worthy to serve your principles.”

I am guilty, and I pray that you will grant me just punishment. May the sinner be deprived of freedom of action, and may the wicked soul return to time.

Bernhard laid down his religious texts and clasped his hands together. He knew he was going to die, yet his heart was filled with clarity. His repentance was over, his duty fulfilled; he only needed to await God's judgment, and this was a peace he would never experience again.

Soon, he heard the voice of God. That emotionless, cold, ashen voice offered him the words of the god of burial.

—Your actions have caused the evil god to perish, and your contribution has atoned for your sins.

—Effective today, Brother Bernfar, the Bone-Praying Brother, is promoted to the rank of Death-Proclaiming Priest.

The deity fell silent, the church doors opened, and the monks knelt behind him.

Bernfar stared blankly at the faceless statue, as if looking at a cold machine.

For the first time in my life, a crack appeared in my faith, which was as hard as steel.

·

It was already night.

Beyond the mist that pervades the divine realm, and through the still clear sky, lies the deep space bathed in moonlight.

The Cradle of Oblivion still lies in the depths of space tonight, singing joyful songs to the world. The Fallen dance and revel to the song, their forms transforming into countless enormous tentacles that twitch and roar across the lunar surface.

Amidst this world-shaking clamor, only one person sat serenely. That person sat atop a mountain piled high with rotting flesh and black blood, gazing at the distant, dusty islands dotted with stars, enveloped by the ocean.

“You’re back, old man,” the man said.

The mountain of flesh and blood split open, revealing a huge mouth from which emerged a well-to-do old man. The benevolent old man used the mountain as a backrest and sat down comfortably.

"Vansara's wish has finally come true. Your fellow countryman is a truly remarkable child."

"On our Dust Island, he is the only legend," the man said. "He is unique, unprecedented, and unparalleled. You can search every inch of the world and find no other life as ethereal as him..."

He was passionate about torturing himself, yet he also craved meaning with a frenzied thirst, and it was precisely because of this that he shone brighter than anyone else, like an empty star!

"Shall I go see him for you?" the old man said with a smile.

"Thank you, but it's not necessary. This is between us; please let us handle it ourselves."

The assassin from Earth lay down, letting out a cheerful laugh.

"I really look forward to seeing you again, you sacrificial serpent!"

Undercurrents surge within the abyss.

The changes brought about by the death of the evil god have only just begun, and countless people all over the world are working hard to prepare for the changing situation.

Among the many dust islands, one was a little slower in its actions. They were the first to take action, but precisely because of this, they were a step behind and failed to receive the news immediately.

·

The cleanroom headquarters, VV Laboratory.

The magic scholar removed her helmet. A distorted flow of time arrived upon her awakening, slightly disorienting her sense of time. She sat quietly for a while before realizing that her blonde secretary was standing beside her, lecturing animatedly on an analysis report:

"...I admit that this projection experiment yielded a lot of intelligence, but it was far too dangerous for you. I can't understand how the leader could approve of such a radical attempt. Indeed, your calculations are correct in terms of conclusions, but once the deviation of the time flow exceeds 0.1 standard units, your ghost body will be completely trapped in the Blood Plains, which is statistically...can you hear me?"

The magic scholar stared out the window, saying nothing. The secretary had never seen her with such an expression before, as if she were lost in a dream from long ago.

“I had a memorable dream,” she said.

The female secretary, puzzled, exchanged a glance with the surrounding technicians. She cautiously said, "If you need a break, I'll help you cancel your meeting..."

“The data transmission is finished. I need to see the first version of the analysis report by 8 a.m. tomorrow, and the academic process must be completed by 12 p.m. and sent to Longquan Township simultaneously,” the scholar said. “The city-state’s arrangements need to be accelerated. I need to see our supporters in the parliament within 15 days. The situation is different now, and those little animals can no longer be so self-righteous… my coat.”

The secretary quickly handed her a suit jacket; in the past, this kind of thing wouldn't have required special instructions. She put on the jacket, gripped her cane, and a schedule accurate to the minute popped up on the virtual screen. She canceled all her appointments and was pleased to see that the pre-selected drawings had all been acquired at her desired prices. She sent the new list to her secretary.

"Prepare the materials by noon tomorrow, and I will be promoted after the training session ends."

Commands rained down like a storm, and the secretary felt her auxiliary processor was about to overload. She frantically responded to the endless stream of instructions. The awakened scholar was like an energetic tyrant, and everyone in the lab began to run at his command. An ingrained sense of obedience made them respond in unison.

"Okay, boss!"

·

Then, let's return to the present.

It comes down to the trendsetter who triggered all the changes.

"—Cough! Cough cough!!"

Chu Hengkong knelt on the beach, coughing violently, the bright sunlight making him feel feverish. The waves tossed him onto a patch of wet land, his hands covered in mud, surrounded by a noisy crowd.

"Divine Child..." "Child of the Tide!" "Great!" A series of inexplicable praises rang out, and Chu Hengkong immediately felt a sense of foreboding, thinking he had stumbled upon some kind of cult stronghold. The Sea of ​​Illusions was teeming with currents; he might have transmigrated again, arriving at a desolate and savage dust island...

"Please have some mushrooms. Delicious mushrooms." "Oh, bless the Inspector!" "Celebrating the return of the Divine Child..."

Chu Hengkong let out a long sigh of relief. He could clearly hear Ji Huaisu's relieved breathing beside him. Amidst the bizarre swamp people and wildly growing mushrooms, he saw the military scouts rushing towards him, each shouting more excited than the last: "Detective, get up!" "Brother Chu, let's get out of here! Quick!" "If we don't run now, it'll be too late!!"

"...?"

An eerie buzzing sound filled the air, as if a large machine was starting up. Water curtains lit up throughout the swamp, emitting a warm and considerate automated announcement: "Dear citizens of the Bize District, several high-intensity alien entities have been detected attempting to land in the swamp. The 'Dragon's Wrath' urban defense system has been activated. Lord Dragon's wrath will purify the contaminated area in 30 seconds. Please use the divine teleportation to evacuate in an orderly manner..."

Ji Huaisu, with her sharp eyes, spotted a cannon high up gathering power and quickly raised her hand: "Mom, don't fire! They're on our side!!"

A long, pure white dragon descended from the sky, flying straight towards the cannon in the city center: "Huaisu, all of you hold your horses, let me adjust the presets of this thing..."

"Could you hurry up? That thing is glowing! I feel like it's about to crash down on us... It's getting bigger! Holy crap, it's really getting bigger!!" Vande screamed.

"Don't make a sound, I'm adjusting something I never expected—ah!"

"It launched! Aa ...

"Ji Qiufeng, come quickly and manually correct the track!!"

"it is good!"

"Help me, I'm flying!"

A blinding flash of light, a violent storm, and a chaotic commotion swept in all at once, blowing the poor little animal and a whole bunch of mushrooms into the sky. Chu Hengkong closed his eyes and passed out contentedly.

He came home.

Chapter 252 History in the Fog

Chu Hengkong was diving in his dream, countless phantoms drifting past his eyes, the dazzling and psychedelic scene feeling somewhat familiar to him.

This time he was truly exhausted and about to sink into the deep sea, but a claw-shaped black skeleton happened to be drifting nearby. He grabbed the skeleton and, with the push, rose to the surface.