Xing Tie: Wait a minute! How come Weng Xing has two saviors?

“Imagine if, under the new rules of reincarnation, the Golden Descendants no longer need to fuse with the Fire Seed, but simply ‘submit’ it to a specific location after obtaining it, and then they can immediately gain the corresponding powers? What would happen?” Bai Mo put forward the core concept.

Bai E's pupils contracted slightly as he quickly deduced: "The fire seed... will become a 'certificate' or 'currency' for exchanging power."

“Since one can gain power simply by ‘submitting,’ naturally no one will risk absorbing the fire seed anymore, and the tragedy of the Golden Descendants… may be fundamentally avoided…”

“That’s right!” Bai Mo affirmed. “The journey of ‘Chasing Fire’ will continue, and the twelve fire seeds will still be collected by the Golden Descendants.”

"But ultimately, these sparks will not remain in the body of any Golden Descendant, but rather... will be concentrated in the hands of one person, or gathered in a special safe location."

“But there’s a crucial problem,” Bai’er immediately pointed out the flaw, “how should the powers corresponding to the Fire Seed be granted to those who submit it? Without the Fire Seed, how can they wield their power?”

"The power of 'romance' allows one to understand another's true thoughts, and I possess over a hundred thousand such powers." A sly smile curved Bai Mo's lips.

“What is the essential difference between the power that I temporarily ‘lend’ to them and the power they use themselves in terms of its effectiveness in fighting the Black Tide and saving the world? What they need is power itself, not the form in which power originates.”

“A… complete and utter 'deception' that spans the entire cycle of reincarnation.” Bai E’s eyes lit up completely, a light that seemed to gleam with hope.

"In this way, the Iron Tomb will no longer be able to obtain any supplies from the fire, and the Golden Blood will no longer have to pay any price for the Titans' trials."

"We just need to... slightly 'misinterpret' the 'oracle' that will descend in the next cycle, guide the Golden Blood to understand the new 'rules,' and then wait for the twelve flames to be gathered," Bai Mo concluded.

Bai E fully understood Bai Mo's plan, and his mind went straight to the point. "You, use your ability to forge the power effect granted by the Fire Seed to maintain the fighting strength and hope of the Golden Descendants."

“I, on the other hand, transformed into the ‘man in black’ who snatched the fire seed, constantly pressuring them to ‘submit’ it immediately once they obtained it, so that they had no time to delve into the essence of the fire seed, and thus they had no chance to embark on the path of fusion.”

"In this way, efficiency and safety... might actually be achieved at the same time."

Seeing the two men's eyes growing brighter with each discussion, almost completely absorbed in the details of their new plan, Wan Di finally couldn't help but interrupt them:

"As you have described, combined with the so-called truth of reincarnation and re-creation... this may indeed be a feasible solution to break the deadlock."

His deep voice carried a calmness untouched by fanaticism.

"But what about the cost?" He stepped forward, his gaze sharp, sweeping over Bai Mo and Bai E in turn. "Have you both calmly considered what the real cost of this plan will be?"

"Huh?" Bai Mo and Bai E, who were deep in thought, were both startled and turned to look at Wan Di, who had a serious expression.

Looking at the two of them, who seemed completely oblivious to the consequences, Wan Di felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. He pointed out in a heavy tone:

"If you choose to carry out this plan, doesn't that mean—Bai Mo, you will never be able to close your eyes again? Your mind will have to be constantly kept focused on that massive 'deception' that covers the entire world, never able to relax for a moment, never having any real peace?"

“And Bai’er,” he turned his gaze to another savior, “you became the man in black who stole the fire, enduring the misunderstanding and hostility of your former companions. Doesn’t that mean you will forever bear the infamy and never gain their understanding and forgiveness? Is this a price that can be easily accepted?”

Bai Mo and Bai E exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of... almost "bewilderment" in each other's eyes.

So, in Wan Di's eyes, being unable to sleep and being despised by everyone... are such unacceptable things?

Never a break, always on edge? Perhaps... it's better than having countless memories of the dead flooding back every night when I close my eyes, leaving me no peace for a moment?

Bai Mo had long forgotten the taste of slumber.

To be hated by one's comrades and never be understood? Perhaps... that's better than personally wielding a blade against those comrades one swore to protect, and enduring that heart-wrenching pain?

Bai E had long since disregarded personal honor and disgrace.

“Medemos,” Bai Mo gently shook his head, his tone calm yet carrying an unwavering determination.

"Don't worry about us. Everything... is for the survival of Onphalus, for everyone to have a future. Compared to complete destruction, this is perhaps the better outcome we can achieve."

"To survive? Through a carefully crafted lie? By deceiving those who trust you?"

Wan Di frowned, feeling a strong sense of unease.

His belief in the glory of the "Conflict" demigod, which valued direct confrontation and despised trickery, made it difficult for him to accept this situation.

Chapter 187 What is most important to life?

P.S.: Happy National Day everyone! Here's the fourth update for you all today!

Bai Mo gazed at him quietly, his eyes, which had witnessed countless cycles of rise and fall, remained completely calm.

He spoke slowly, "If a deer runs desperately to escape a lion, does that make its behavior despicable?"

"If a hermit crab hides in its shell for fear of being eaten by a predator, should it be called a coward?"

His gaze seemed to pierce through all enemies, looking towards the even more vast and cruel laws of the universe.

"Life is simply struggling to survive in every way it can think of. No matter how pathetic or wretched it may seem to an observer... all the efforts that life makes to continue itself are right and worthy of respect."

“This…” Bai Mo’s tone remained calm, yet carried immense weight, “is the final answer about survival that I found at the end of more than 100,000 reincarnations.”

Silence filled the air.

Wan Di opened his mouth, only to find that his arguments based on honor and rules seemed so pale and powerless in the face of this naked philosophy of survival, which stemmed from countless sacrifices and struggles.

What Bai Mo didn't say was that when the thought "existence itself is above all else" first clearly surfaced in his endless cycle of reincarnation, he vaguely felt that his connection with the scepter of Onphalus had suddenly deepened.

This connection is mysterious and difficult to explain. Originally, there was absolutely no way he could have so easily "deleted" Bai Er's attack, which contained destructive power.

But as he repeatedly prioritized the continuation of the world or his companions, a certain level of authority seemed to be quietly growing.

Now, aside from the underlying structures like the Black Tide and Re-creation that he cannot directly touch, almost everything in the world has become a "variable" that he can re-weave.

With a slight thought, he could transform Crydella from the land-dwelling Caesar into a sea siren princess of the deep sea.

He could also persuade Hathaway to lay down her sword and become the King of the Strings, who would wield music and law.

He could even, with a gentle push, make Saifeier a "rational" sage revered in the Divine Tree Garden, building upon Aglaia's status as a "romantic" demigod.

This force is so powerful that it is almost like the Creator, yet it is so clearly derived from the outside.

Where did it come from? Bai Mo couldn't be completely sure yet, only some vague guesses based on clues, pointing to that supreme being in the sea of ​​stars.

However, in the present moment, perhaps this is... a good thing?

At the very least, this means that the "oracle" of the next cycle will have a great deal of room to maneuver, guiding the story in a direction that may not be so tragic.

The 108643rd cycle.

Tirispeius, after enduring countless hardships, traversed the wasteland eroded by the Black Tide and the perilous city-states, finally arriving at the gates of Ohma with the spark of the "path".

She looked up at the towering city walls and the dazzling dawn machine at the center, her tired face glowing with hope.

Tirispius repeated in a low voice the oracle she deeply believed: "As long as the spark of the 'Gate' is safely delivered to the dawn machine of Cephale and returned with piety... one will gain recognition and become a demigod who wields the 'Gate,' thus initiating the prophecy of 'recreation' for this world on the verge of destruction..."

“Mother, can you see it?” she murmured softly, “I’m about to… succeed. We will become the hope that saves the world.”

She lowered her head and gazed at the flame in her palm, a flame as beautiful as a deep blue star, which had accompanied her for nearly a century.

"Thank you," her voice softened, filled with reluctance and gratitude.

"Although I don't know if you can truly understand me... there were several fatal crises along the way, and it was actually you... who quietly used the power of the 'Gateway' to silently open a path to safety beneath my feet and lead me away from danger, right?"

The flame burned silently, without response.

"No answer? Hmph, that's true... the fire doesn't have a mouth."

She chuckled self-deprecatingly, but her eyes grew increasingly resolute. "But every time I'm truly in dire straits, a life-saving 'Gate of a Hundred Realms' always appears right beneath my feet. This is no coincidence, is it?"

She took a deep breath, suppressing the last trace of lingering affection in her heart, and her gaze became firm and resolute.

"Finally... farewell, 'The Gate.' May your power truly open a door to dawn for this world."

Holding the flame in her hands, she walked step by step toward the dawn machine that radiated a warm light.

The year 3870 of the Guangli calendar, the month of Freedom.

With the "Path" fire being formally submitted to Ohma and "transformed" into corresponding powers that were granted to Tirispius, humanity's journey to pursue fire in this cycle began in an unprecedented manner.

【>>> Eternal Recurrence #108643: It was observed that the subject, Kamerslana, used unknown means to severely interfere with and reshape the experimental process.】

[A large number of critical experimental parameters were abnormally altered, and the modification involved a very high level of privilege, suggesting it may have originated from a high-level field marked ███.]

[Warning: A high-dimensional energy reaction related to the Star God has been detected gradually increasing outside the barrier of the Onpharos world... Related fluctuation data has been logged and archived. Continue the observation protocol.]

The 2825638st cycle.

At the center of Ohmma, the Dawn Machine radiates a constant, warm glow, illuminating the surrounding halls as if it were daytime.

Eleven Titan Flames, each with a different shape and containing different laws of power, floated on the platform in front of the machine like stars surrounding the moon, just one step away from being gathered together.

Xi Lian stood alone at the edge of the platform, holding the "Years" spark that flowed with the ripples of time in her hands.

Her fingertips trembled slightly, her face was somewhat pale, and her gaze lingered on the eleven flames of hope entrusted to her by her companions.

"Xiao Lian, what are you still hesitating for? As long as we submit this last spark of 'Years' to the Dawn Machine, our mission will be complete."

A gentle voice sounded from behind. Tirispius 2865638—the teacher who had always played the role of guide—walked slowly to Xilian's side, her eyes filled with concern and a hint of confusion.

Chapter 188 The Learned Master: The Forgotten Old Computer is Running Again? Let's Take a Look.

“I…I just…” Xi Lian pursed her lips, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, “This is ultimately the last spark that needs to be submitted in this world. I think…I should wait a little longer.”

She looked up and gave Tirispius an apologetic, somewhat forced smile.

"Pfft," Tirispius chuckled, amused by her appearance, his tone light as he tried to dispel the tension, "So our little Lian was nervous all along?"

She affectionately put her arm around Xi Lian's shoulder and lowered her voice, saying, "Let me tell you, Aya was even more nervous than you when she submitted the 'Romantic' spark!"

"She wanted to pray to the fire for a pair of eyes that could see through all the truths of the world, but she was also afraid that she would lose her own beautiful eyes, which were as beautiful as jewels. She was so conflicted that she almost tore the hem of her skirt."

“But what was the result?” Tirispius’s smile grew even brighter. “The spark of romance responded to her with unparalleled tenderness!”

“Aya is no longer just the most skilled weaver in Ohmar; she’s also the most famous painter in the entire Holy City!”

Seeing Xi Lian's still furrowed brows, she assumed she was still afraid, so she continued to comfort her in a lighthearted tone:

"Xiao Lian, I'll tell you a secret: because of this, Aya still can't win an argument with Heather."

"Every time they bicker, as long as Heather mentions how scared and on the verge of tears Aya looked when she submitted the fire seed, Aya is immediately 'defeated'! Haha, it's still so funny to think about it now."

However, these comforting words did not ease Xi Lian's mind; instead, they felt like tiny needles gently pricking her heart.

The flame would gently respond to its companions? What a wonderful experience! But it was precisely this beauty that made her feel an indescribable bitterness and heaviness.

“Hmm…I believe that the spark of ‘time’ will also gently respond to me.” Xi Lian responded softly, but her eyes uncontrollably warmed slightly, and she tried hard to suppress the urge to cry.

"That's good!" Tirispius patted her back with satisfaction. "Then, Xiao Lian, I won't bother you any longer! Take your time, there's no rush."

"Don't worry, Ohm is now guarded by several demigods, making it impregnable. That elusive man in black will definitely not be able to break in." She considerately decided to give Xi Lian some time alone and turned to leave the hall.

In the empty hall, only Xi Lian and the twelve sparks that were about to converge remained.

She remained motionless, standing quietly like a frozen statue.

She wasn't afraid, nor was she hesitant about submitting the document. She was waiting for a response she had longed for countless times.

Time ticked by, and the place was so quiet that only the faint hum of the fire's energy flow could be heard.

Finally, a very soft sigh came from behind Xi Lian.

Xi Lian's body trembled violently.

She hurriedly raised her hand, forcefully wiping away the still-wet tears from the corners of her eyes, and tried to bring out that familiar, slightly playful smile on her lips before slowly turning around.

"Little Bai Mo, who has avoided me for so many lifetimes, is finally willing to see me?...?"

She was still laughing, her voice trying to maintain its usual lightness, but inevitably revealing a hint of trembling and grievance.

“Xi Lian…” Bai Mo gazed at the stubborn girl in front of him, whose stubbornness pained him, his voice filled with endless weariness and confusion, “Why… are you so stubborn?”

This is the 2825638th cycle.

Having gone through nearly three million cycles of reincarnation, his eyes had long been weathered and profound by time and the weight of life. Yet, the robe he wore remained remarkably clean.

Despite being covered with numerous stitches and patches, it didn't accumulate much dust.

Xi Lian did not answer his question. Because she knew that at this moment, any verbal answer would be pale and unable to explain this persistence and waiting that had spanned astronomical cycles of reincarnation.

"Xiao Bai Mo," she suddenly rushed forward, hugged him tightly, buried her face in his chest, and answered his question with a sob in her voice, "How could you bear to... not come to see me for so long? How could you bear to?"

The warmth seeped through his clothes, and Bai Mo's body stiffened for a moment, but he couldn't help but soften.

He sighed softly, raised his hand hesitantly, and finally placed it on her soft, short pink hair, stroking it very gently.

"So that the lie won't be exposed... so that all living beings can continue to exist." His voice was low, carrying an irrefutable and heavy reason.

"The best way to ensure that this lie, which has deceived countless reincarnations, is not exposed is to make me, the 'mastermind behind the scenes,' disappear from the public eye forever, and never let them know of my existence. Only in this way will they not suspect anything."

"But...why did you do this?" Xi Lian looked up, her eyes blurry with tears, gazing at his face so close to hers, searching for the answer deep within those eyes, "Why did you have to bear all of this alone?"

Bai Mo looked up into the void. "I sensed... the gaze of the Venerable Master Bo Shi."

He murmured, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. “No, not a direct gaze, it was more like a… blessing.”