The Great Creator Chapter 11 - Van Gogh's "Starry Night" hung on the wall

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 Day nine, morning arrived.

"Hey, you two," Lu Shan's voice came, "I might need to provide a wake-up call. There's an urgent situation you need to know about."

"What?" Yao Guang, still groggy, was about to get up when he accidentally touched a bare body beside him, startling him.

"What are you doing?!" Yao Guang exclaimed in shock.

Long Jian Lu had already emerged from the Cultivation Pod! Somehow, his body had been completely healed, and he was now squeezed on the couch next to Yao Guang, comfortably holding him while sleeping.

"Don't be so startled," Long Jian Lu said calmly as he also got up to change clothes.

"Why didn't you wake me up when you came out?" Yao Guang asked.

"I saw you were exhausted these past days," Long Jian Lu replied, "so I let you sleep a bit longer. What's happened? Let me guess, the Priest died?"

Lu Shan responded, "No, it was someone else who died."

In the office, Yao Guang, Long Jian Lu, Lu Shan, and Chen Ting sat at the table having breakfast.

"Xing Wu was the first to find the Priest," Lu Shan said, "but then, Xing Wu got ambushed and was killed. The Priest was captured by the 'Tree' and his fate is unknown."

There was a moment of silence in the office before Lu Shan added, "These photos were taken by our people."

The images depicted a ravaged valley not far from where Long Jian Lu was ambushed. The scene was gruesome: the entire hillside had been flattened, mechanical debris scattered everywhere, with a massive pit at the center, and inside it, Xing Wu's almost charred, broken body lay.

"Marshland Shelter is in danger," Long Jian Lu stated.

"But we currently have no way to relocate the survivors there," Lu Shan replied. "For one thing, there are simply too many people, and my capacity here is limited. After receiving the Sand Dune immigrants, it'll take time to assimilate, and we can't accept them all at once. And if we set off now, this place might also come under attack."

Chen Ting added, "We've already sent notifications to various shelters."

Long Jian Lu looked at the photos, and after a moment of silence, he asked, "Who is willing to take them in?"

Lu Shan answered, "The inhabitants of Marshland have left Guangze City and are fleeing to various places. They will gradually arrive here and at other shelters."

"You will accept them," Long Jian Lu said.

"We have no choice but to accept," Lu Shan replied. "What else can we do?"

Chen Ting asked, "Are you going to rescue the Priest?"

Long Jian Lu didn't directly answer the question.

"I need to take the Prophet back to the Sanctuary," Long Jian Lu said. "In a day, I'll do my best to divert the main forces of the 'Tree' to buy you time."

Yao Guang asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Long Jian Lu looked at Yao Guang but said nothing.

"Alright then," Lu Shan said. "Let's hope more people survive."

Long Jian Lu said, "I need a combat motorcycle capable of flight."

After breakfast, Lu Shan and Chen Ting escorted them to the garage, where Long Jian Lu received a new flying vehicle.

"We will meet again," Yao Guang suddenly turned and said to Lu Shan and Chen Ting.

Everyone looked at Yao Guang.

"Is that a prophecy?" Chen Ting asked.

"Yes." Yao Guang's words were purely instinctive. He turned to Long Jian Lu and said, "I have a feeling we'll all meet again."

Long Jian Lu laughed, reached out his hand to Yao Guang. Yao Guang mounted the motorcycle, held onto Long Jian Lu, and as the motorcycle soared into the sky, they sped away.

"Where is the Sanctuary?" Yao Guang asked.

"To the north," Long Jian Lu replied. "It used to be the home of all the guardians."

Yao Guang inquired further, "What are we going to do at the Sanctuary?"

"We're going to retrieve something," Long Jian Lu said."What comes next?" Yao Guang asked. "Are you planning to attack the 'Tree' on your own?"

Long Jian Lu replied, "I want to take you to see the Sanctuary."

Yao Guang persisted, "You haven't answered me! Do you think you can take on the 'Tree' by yourself?"

Long Jian Lu said, "Aren't you with me? Let me ask you a serious and sincere question."

Yao Guang responded, "What is it?"

Long Jian Lu asked, "If you were the Priest, would you accompany me on this mission?"

"Yes," Yao Guang replied instinctively.

Long Jian Lu pressed, "Even if it means perishing with the 'Tree'? Would you still go?"

Yao Guang thought for a moment and said, "Yes."

Long Jian Lu asked, "Isn't living better?"

Yao Guang responded, "I have no memories, no past, no family, no ties. Everything is blank for me. You are the only person I know."

"This world is vast," Long Jian Lu stated, "but I know you wouldn't sacrifice yourself for the people still living in it."

They traversed the endless sea of grass, the fierce wind like the angry waves of the earth crashing one after the other towards the sky.

Long Jian Lu continued, "You would only sacrifice yourself for me. That's why I find it hardest to part with you, Prophet. The Priest I once imagined, a true Knight and Priest, should be like us."

Yao Guang remained silent.

"Are you crying?" Long Jian Lu asked.

"No," Yao Guang replied. "I'm just a bit sad."

Yao Guang's eyes reddened, and at that moment, he felt an unprecedented attachment to Long Jian Lu. The sky and earth stretched out in emptiness, as if in the six hundred years since the mechanical war erupted, only the two of them remained, lonely individuals racing toward a future that seemed unknown yet inevitable.

"Yao Guang," Long Jian Lu said, "if we survive this, I will surely have more to say to you."

"Don't say it," Yao Guang suddenly felt overwhelmingly sad. He knew Long Jian Lu had let go of all restraints. He had made up his mind to confront the 'Tree' and to bring an end to everything, no matter what.

"The place I'm talking about is the Sanctuary's back garden. If we both survive, I'd like to live there. There's a real Tree that's been growing for six hundred years..."

"Stop talking!" Yao Guang shouted.

The Sanctuary appeared in the snowy distance, abandoned for many years, as ancient as the disbandment of the Knight Order.

At the horizon's end stood the supercomputer at the center of the Main City, the World Tree.

Long Jian Lu parked the combat motorcycle on a high platform, leaned forward with force, and pushed open the massive door.

Inside, the Sanctuary was empty; no one had returned for a very long time, and frost had gathered on the walls.

"So cold," Yao Guang remarked, glancing at the motorcycle's temperature display showing minus sixteen degrees.

"Follow me," Long Jian Lu said, clearly familiar with the place. He led Yao Guang through corridors towering over ten meters high, up the stairs, and through a fingerprint-locked door into a spacious armory.

"Welcome back, Commander Long Jian Lu," a voice greeted.

"Hello, brother," Long Jian Lu replied. "I need some equipment."

"Alright," the AI voice responded.The racks in the armory slowly descended automatically, revealing over a dozen trays holding variously shaped weapons and small discs.

Yao Guang looked around and Long Jian Lu explained, "This is the Knight Order's central computer. It's an AI, but it's offline, part of the Knight Order's separate network, so it hasn't been breached by the 'Tree'. Here, take this. It should fit you."

"What is this?" Yao Guang asked.

Long Jian Lu unbuttoned his shirt and started undressing in the armory.

Yao Guang exclaimed, "Hey?!"

Long Jian Lu replied, "No need to be so shy. Haven't you already seen everything?"

Facing Yao Guang straightforwardly, Long Jian Lu held a disc in his hand and attached it to his right waist with his left hand. The disc, like a living organism adhering to his muscles, began to automatically expand, covering Long Jian Lu's entire body within seconds, forming a complete skintight suit! The suit was patterned with glowing lines characteristic of an exoskeleton, subtly reflecting a scale-like material.

Yao Guang said, "Is this what they wear?"

"Yes, it's the Knight Order's combat suit," Long Jian Lu said. "A certain comrade with peculiar tastes likes to wear this while getting close with his lover... Want to try it? Big brother can entertain you all night."

"You..." Yao Guang started.

Long Jian Lu laughed, "It has another function, it helps you resist the cold and heat. Aren't you going to put it on?"

Yao Guang was indeed too cold, so he could only change into the combat suit in front of Long Jian Lu. As it covered his body, it started heating up, warming him.

Long Jian Lu patted Yao Guang's head, and this time Yao Guang didn't shy away.

"Let's go," Long Jian Lu said, leading the way.

"This outfit is so embarrassing," Yao Guang commented. "Even though the outer wear is black and blue, it feels too snug!"

"Usually, there's a long coat over it," Long Jian Lu said, "also standard issue. Maybe the designer also thought it needed a little covering?"

After changing into the combat suit, Yao Guang's frost-numbed brain could begin to think again. They put on the coats and reached the Sanctuary's main hall.

In the center of the hall floated a gentle white light.

Standing before the white light, Long Jian Lu said, "I want to show you my past, stored in the Sanctuary’s central computer are many of my memories."

Yao Guang and Long Jian Lu exchanged glances, and Long Jian Lu took his hand, indicating it was fine. Together they stepped forward, and the white light burst open, transforming into countless spinning screens, resembling a starry river across the sky.

Suddenly Yao Guang laughed, and Long Jian Lu gestured for him to sit down. They sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the steps, as scenes flew towards them, guided by Long Jian Lu’s finger.

"...Harness your power, conquer your ability, time is the song of all things..."

A much younger Long Jian Lu appeared, those years hadn't dimmed the light in his eyes, but compared to now, he had retained a bit of youthful innocence after being initially transformed.

"...Don't think of anything else," another voice said, "Right now, you're alone, looking to the future. You are our secret weapon; your abilities can counter all mechanical creations, including the 'Tree' itself."

A fourteen-year-old Long Jian Lu was undergoing training in the Sanctuary. Though his movements were swift, they were still insufficient. Knights took turns teaching him, including Xing Wu and Long Xie. But as his father, this cyborg seemed to show little emotion toward Long Jian Lu. From the day Long Jian Lu finished his transformation and opened his eyes, he fell into a long period of waiting. He waited for recognition of his identity, waited amidst loneliness and a longing for companionship, and waited in anticipation of the "Priest," dreading the thought of losing him.

Initially, he had only a brief time to cope with the massive changes in his life. His father had died, and he was taken in by a group of unfamiliar guardians and a bionic replica that could only be considered a part of his father. This replicated Long Xie had almost no memory of his son and was fixated only on his unfinished mission.

They assisted him in developing his abilities in preparation to find the Priest and to definitively end this era. Long Jian Lu might have been their final creation. He learned to fight and flee, how to protect survivors in the apocalypse, and how to hunt down killers.

During those early days, Long Jian Lu would wake up each day to undergo training and return home exhausted at night, fantasizing about how the Priest would be presented to him. They knew nothing about each other, so Long Jian Lu filled his destined other half with many beautiful imaginations.

"You've grown up quite a bit," Yao Guang observed Long Jian Lu, smiling, “You looked quite rebellious during your teenage years.”

Looking at himself in the memories, Long Jian Lu couldn't help but find it amusing too.

After passing rigorous assessments, Long Jian Lu completed his introductory lessons for the guardians, and his activity range began to broaden. The Knight Order recognized Long Jian Lu's abilities while also placing emphasis on assessing his character.

After all, for members of the Knight Order, character was of utmost importance because if a guardian defected, it could spell disaster for the group. Long Jian Lu began to receive various tasks, mainly reconnaissance missions. Everyone told him that success was not the most important thing; he must first and foremost protect his own life.

At that time, Long Jian Lu was still a naive intern, even the color of his combat suit was different from that of full members. He was sent out to investigate the movements of the mechanical army and had a few close calls where he was nearly captured, his body destroyed and consciousness uploaded, but he managed to return safely each time. He participated in two defense battles at the shelter, both of which ended in failure. Yet, thanks to his abilities, many survived. The Knight Order's strength was repeatedly diminished by the "Tree," and gradually, a feeling of despair began to spread everywhere.

Three years later.

"We’re really sorry, No. 3. With our current forces, we can no longer assist in the search for the Priest's whereabouts."

At that moment, Long Jian Lu's wait finally came to an end.

He had foreseen this—his initial expectations had worn away day by day, year by year. The Knight Order, once everyone's protector, now struggled even to safeguard itself.

"Do you think he's no longer in this world?" Long Jian Lu asked.

"It's hard to say..." Long Xie's voice hesitated for a moment, and perhaps feeling he couldn't continue this way, he finally spoke the truth, "Yes, I believe he's already dead."

Long Jian Lu said, "I will search on my own, without using the headquarters' resources."

"This is acceptable," Long Xie said again, “Good luck.”

Yao Guang asked, "Is that him?"

"Yes." In Long Jian Lu's memories, his father never appeared directly; only glimpses of his back flashed occasionally.

Yao Guang said, "Besides him and Shan Rong, who else might need to use my body?"

"No," Long Jian Lu replied, "You’re different, Yao Guang. Don't believe Xing Wu's words, you are who you are. You are not anyone's backup or some kind of vessel!"

Yao Guang stared at the image of Long Xie's back, and Long Jian Lu exclaimed loudly, "Yao Guang!"

Yao Guang snapped back to reality as Long Jian Lu earnestly said, "To me, you are simply you! You are the Yao Guang I brought out from Research Facility No. 42, just like that."

Yao Guang looked uneasily at Long Jian Lu, but within that determined gaze, he gradually calmed down.

Long Jian Lu continued, "Later, as I mentioned, they launched that final war."

"How did you survive?" Yao Guang asked.

"I didn't go," Long Jian Lu replied, "The commander found an excuse that day to send me away from the Sanctuary. By the time I returned, more than half of the Knight Order was lost. They collectively voted to disband on the spot. It was the only operation I didn't participate in."

"I'm now going to continue the mission that was left unfinished twelve years ago," Long Jian Lu said. "Yao Guang, do you wish to stay by my side?"

Long Jian Lu looked up at the galaxy-like memories and said, "The Priest is the last hope for this world. He is now in the 'Tree's' hands. No matter the final outcome, I am destined to see this through."

"Yes," Yao Guang whispered, reaching out to embrace Long Jian Lu, saying, "I will definitely stay with you, no matter where we go."

The memories flowed, creating an extraordinary vortex in the air, trailing comet-like light.

Long Jian Lu lay on the steps, his head resting on Yao Guang's lap—this was the ninth day since Yao Guang had awakened.

"If only I had memories," Yao Guang said, "I could let you know about my past."

"This is good enough, really," Long Jian Lu said. "Don’t dwell on the past. I'm showing you these just so you can understand me better."

Yao Guang placed a hand on the side of Long Jian Lu's face. The images showed Long Jian Lu growing from age fourteen to twenty-six, which was practically his entire life.

Eventually, the computer slowly retracted the projection, going into standby mode.

"I'll go find you something to eat," Long Jian Lu said.

He got up and walked toward the back of the Sanctuary hall. Yao Guang stood up, took a few steps in the vast building, and looked around the ceiling and surroundings. It was very desolate here. He could imagine how, in the past, the guardians used this place as a base to monitor the distant actions of the 'Tree,' like a tenacious lighthouse in a dark world.

"Wait a moment," Yao Guang suddenly realized something. He turned around and reopened the projection, rewinding to Long Xie's back.

"What is this?" Yao Guang shouted, "Long Jian Lu! Come back quickly!"

On the back of Long Xie’s neck was a small, blinking electronic disc.

Turning around, a hand suddenly pressed on the wall, and a male figure blocked all the space in front of him.

Yao Guang was completely unaware and immediately shouted.

"Shh…" The man exuded a dangerous aura, his eyes were profound, his long hair messily tied behind his head, wearing a Knight Order combat uniform and carrying a long katana.

Seeing his trench coat and combat uniform, Yao Guang lowered his guard.

"Who are you?" The man raised his eyebrows, looked into Yao Guang's eyes, and asked.

"Who are you?" Yao Guang murmured, not expecting anyone else to come to the Sanctuary.

"I am No. 5, the 'Assassin.'" The man looked Yao Guang up and down and said, "The clothes you're wearing belong to my wife."

"Uh… I’m sorry," Yao Guang said, "Long Jian Lu gave them to me! I don't know where he... he is? I'll return it to him then."

"He is already dead," the Assassin said. "If No. 3 wants you to wear it, then wear it. What is your relationship with No. 3?"

"Release him!" Long Jian Lu's angry voice came. In an instant, a phantom appeared in front of them, but the No. 5 "Assassin" moved swiftly, pulling back instantly. Long Jian Lu drew his sword in mid-air, and after a "ding" from the clash, there were three successive "ding ding ding" sounds. Before Yao Guang could see what happened, the Assassin was already crouched on a high railing.

Long Jian Lu stood tall in the Sanctuary hall, and said to the Assassin, "Bai, if you have any opinions about me, come down and let’s talk it over."

Bai lazily replied, "I'm not coming down, I can't beat you."

Long Jian Lu looked at him for a moment, then sheathed his sword with an expression of dissatisfaction.

Yao Guang watched the two, trying to judge if they were enemies, but Long Jian Lu said to Yao Guang, "Come over and eat, don't mind him."

"I heard someone invaded the Sanctuary's database," Bai said. "I came to check it out."

Long Jian Lu replied, "You’re at the Mountain Range Shelter, over a thousand kilometers away. We only arrived at the Sanctuary three hours ago. It would have taken a whole day for you to get here from there."

The Assassin laughed from the shadows, his smile carrying a hint of mischief.

Are they friends? It seemed so. Yao Guang kept observing this Assassin called "Bai" and recalling the key points in his words.

"So, are you the legendary Prophet?" Bai approached, making a gesture of salutation at the foot of the steps.

Long Jian Lu warned, "Don't touch him, otherwise you know what I'll do."

Bai asked, "So where is the Priest?"

Long Jian Lu fell silent. Bai continued, "No. 3, what are you planning to do?"

Long Jian Lu said, "We are going to the Tree. The Priest was captured, and we must rescue him, then ensure he and the Tree are destroyed together."

"Destroyed together?" Bai frowned.

"Yes," Long Jian Lu confirmed, "Two days ago, I received some bad news. To shut down the Tree, the Priest's consciousness must be uploaded. The boy wouldn't cooperate and ran off, only to be captured by the Tree, just like that."

Bai burst into loud laughter and sat down on the steps.

"This is truly a damn joke from the god of fate," Bai said.

With this statement, Yao Guang also found the situation quite absurd and glanced at Long Jian Lu.

"Say whatever you want," Long Jian Lu encouraged, "don't worry about No. 5."

"I have nothing to say," Yao Guang responded.

"You want to say I'm unlucky, right?" Long Jian Lu asked.

"Kind of," Yao Guang finally couldn't hold back, putting down his tray and laughing out loud.

"Can't you persuade the Priest," Bai said, "to cooperate a little in going to his death?"

"Thanks for the reminder, I'm planning to do just that," Long Jian Lu replied. "Now we're short-handed, would you be willing to help?"

"Yeah," Bai answered casually, "Let's go, I'm bored anyway."

Yao Guang understood from their conversation that they were discussing their upcoming plans in the most casual manner. From the moment Bai appeared, they had gained a new partner.

"You were shouting and looking for me earlier, what was that about?" Long Jian Lu asked Yao Guang.

Yao Guang led Long Jian Lu back to the center of the Sanctuary, opened the projection, and asked, "What is this?"

Long Jian Lu examined the device on his former father's neck and said, "It's a consciousness backup device."

Filled with doubt, Yao Guang listened as Bai explained, "It was invented by the Head Knight. To put it simply, this device can connect to your brain, like a biological hard drive port."

Long Jian Lu offered a brief explanation as well, and Yao Guang understood. Long Xie initially invented a device that could directly transfer memories—by creating an individual and using a disc embedded at the back of the neck, one could back up their memories to another individual and achieve a form of "resurrection."

"The backup process for my father was interrupted," Long Jian Lu said, "leaving the Head Knight with only a portion of his memories. I remember mentioning this to you, but in this replicant's entire life, he possessed the solid understanding of 'incomplete backup' and always wore it."

"Did you guys ever use it?" Yao Guang asked, "Do you need two consciousness transmitters for it to work? What are the conditions?"

"In theory, yes," Long Jian Lu replied, "just plug it into the back of the head and it works."

Bai scrutinized Yao Guang and said, "What do you two plan to do with this? A mental exchange? If you ask me, it's best not to play with fire like this. This device supposedly only works on a lifeless replicant. For someone with self-awareness, the clash of dual memories could easily drive them insane."

"Yes," Long Jian Lu stated seriously, "it could lead to a split personality."

Suddenly, Long Jian Lu had a realization and looked at Yao Guang in stunned silence.

"It can..." Yao Guang hadn't spoken yet when Long Jian Lu already understood his thought: "It can be done! Yao Guang! I think it's worth trying!"

Bai asked in confusion, "What can be done?"

"We can directly input the shutdown command for the Priest, in the form of a backup, into another person…”

Bai could hardly contain himself: "Are you crazy?! Can't you just press his head to connect him? He's supposed to die, and you're planning to sacrifice another?"

Long Jian Lu said, “I’ll look for another consciousness transmitter, it's in the Sanctuary.”

"You're insane," Bai said, "Who are you planning to let die in his place?"

Yao Guang laughed, knowing that Long Jian Lu felt relieved. But he realized another issue.

—Who would volunteer for this backup?

Long Jian Lu returned with two discs and explained, "These were left behind by the Head Knight. One has always been in the Sanctuary, and they collected the other from his remains."

"Yes," Bai said coldly, "I picked it up myself."

When Yao Guang tried to take one, Long Jian Lu denied him, watching him warily.

"Let me see it!" Yao Guang demanded.

They were two small metal discs, gleaming with metallic luster. Yao Guang took one, and Long Jian Lu said, "Press it against the back of the neck, and it goes into transmission mode."

"And the connection?"

"Wireless transmission."

"Memories, such a large amount of data, will actually be sent wirelessly?"

"That's why it's so slow," Long Jian Lu explained.

Yao Guang vaguely remembered seeing something like this on Shan Rong’s neck too. Was he receiving someone’s memories? Or perhaps commands from the Tree?

"Give it back," Long Jian Lu demanded. Yao Guang refused, but Long Jian Lu effortlessly used his time-flowing ability to retrieve it.

"Who's going to do the backup?"

"Of course it's me," Long Jian Lu said. "What are you thinking?"

"No!" Yao Guang responded, "Can't we find someone else?"

"Who would willingly want to die?" Long Jian Lu replied. "Sweetheart, you're adorable."

Yao Guang said, "I'll go."

He tried to grab the consciousness transmitter but couldn't get it. Long Jian Lu just looked at him.

"I have no past memories," Yao Guang said, "So it's least likely for a personality conflict to occur, right? Besides, you need to face Shan Rong. Can you handle all of this? In case we fail, then... Hey! What's wrong with you?"

Long Jian Lu's eyes were red, and his nose was also red. He was looking at Yao Guang, and surprisingly, he started to cry. He shook his head, his handsome features appearing a bit odd due to the crying.

"I'm serious!" Yao Guang tried to persuade him. "Look? I don't remember anything. Maybe I was born to be a backup, right? You..."

"Don't say it, Yao Guang," Long Jian Lu interrupted. "Don't say anything. If you keep talking, I might just destroy this world..."

Long Jian Lu choked up with sobs as he turned around, walking away to sit down at the steps.

"Long Jian Lu!" Yao Guang said earnestly, "We need to storm the tree's main console. You know very well that when connecting and shutting it down, someone has to be there to protect you. Only then will the chances of success be the highest..."

Meanwhile, Bai silently walked over and stood in front of Long Jian Lu, extending his right hand. Long Jian Lu looked up at Bai.

"I'll do it," Bai said. "I want to die."

"No way!" Yao Guang, who hadn't known Bai before, said. Bai replied, "Your little friend is absolutely right. Someone must be there to guard, to successfully shut it down."

Long Jian Lu remained silent as Bai continued, "You know, this task has to be mine."

Yao Guang walked towards the two of them. Long Jian Lu glanced at Yao Guang, then turned to Bai and said, "How about a fight?"

Bai laughed and said, "Sure."

Long Jian Lu drew a short dagger from his waist, while Bai drew two katana gleaming with electromagnetic light from his side.

"Hey, why are you suddenly fighting?" Yao Guang asked.

Long Jian Lu signaled Yao Guang not to approach, while Bai said seriously, "You can't use your time abilities."

The two of them put some distance between each other. Long Jian Lu suddenly tossed the two discs of the consciousness transmitter, and in that instant, both Bai and Long Jian Lu moved! Each wielded their weapon, and Long Jian Lu shouted, "Hey!"

Bai boldly charged forward, ignoring his own safety, rushing towards Long Jian Lu's blade. Long Jian Lu had to withdraw his blade to avoid impaling Bai right there.

In the next moment, Bai's blade flashed with precision, and with the back of his sword, he lightly struck the airborne discs, letting out two "ding ding" sounds. He quickly halted, did a backflip, and grabbed a consciousness transmitter in each hand.

"Madman!" Long Jian Lu looked like he wanted to curse fiercely.

"They're mine," Bai responded.

Yao Guang felt incredibly conflicted. Long Jian Lu watched Bai for a moment and finally said, "They're yours, but let me hold onto them for now."

"No," Bai said, "I haven't decided yet. When the time comes, I might as well just push the Priest and let him die. I don't know him anyway, and I'm no knight. My morals are rotten, and killing someone to me is no different than cutting a watermelon."

Yao Guang: "..."

Outside the Sanctuary, another voice was heard.

"Twelve years later, this place is still the same."

Someone else had arrived. Both Long Jian Lu and Bai turned towards the Sanctuary's entrance.

"Is there a new member joining the group?"

Then, three more people entered the hall! They were all in combat uniforms, and one of them was exceptionally tall, exuding a sense of intimidation—it was Lu Shan!

Long Jian Lu: "..."

"No. 7, 'Medic', reporting for duty," Lu Shan said, putting down his shoulder bag.

"No. 12, 'Archer'." A young man with an electromagnetic bow slung over his back wore a jacket over his combat suit. His hands were in his pockets, and his skin was very pale, as if he hadn't seen sunlight for a long time, with indigo eyes.

"No. 9, 'Wall'." Another man, in his thirties and of average height, wore a mechanical device on his arm resembling an exoskeleton weapon.

"Lu Shan!" Yao Guang said with a smile.

"You were right," Lu Shan replied. "We meet again after all. Teacher Qing sent messages out to every shelter, warning us that the Priest is about to be found. This might be our last chance, so we came."

"Hi!" Chen Ting appeared from behind Lu Shan, greeting Yao Guang.

"What is this, an introduction?" Long Jian Lu asked. "Don't know each other yet?"

"It's for the new members," Bai lazily said, leaning on the steps. "Aren't you going to say something, newcomer?"

"Me?" Yao Guang said. "Um... Hello, I’m No. 42, 'Prophet'."

Yao Guang had accepted his identity, but Long Jian Lu's expression was quite complex. "Since so many of us are here, let's hold a round table meeting."

In the meeting room on the side of the Sanctuary, a round table rose up, with a cluster of light in the center acting as the computer control unit. The remaining members had arrived, returning to the Knight Order's headquarters, determined to bring this mission to a final close.

Around the round table, everyone took a seat, with Yao Guang sitting next to Long Jian Lu. Chen Ting sat to Yao Guang's right.

"Which number are you?" Yao Guang realized he hadn't asked.

"I'm not a guardian," Chen Ting replied. "I'm just a logistician."

Long Jian Lu said, "Sit wherever you like. The purpose of the round table is that there's no order of precedence."

Once everyone was seated, silence prevailed, with all eyes on Long Jian Lu, as if waiting for him to speak. Long Jian Lu looked at Yao Guang, then snapped back to reality and said with a smile, "I didn't expect all of you to come. It's kind of awkward."

"That's the point," Lu Shan said.

Everyone laughed.

Long Jian Lu said, "I'm not good at handling awkward situations."

"But you're really good at creating them," Yao Guang couldn't help but say, prompting another round of laughter.

"Honestly," Long Jian Lu continued, "I have no plan this time. I just wanted to give myself some closure. Since we've found the Priest... My original plan was for Yao Guang and me to go to the base of the tree. Whether we succeed or not, we just need to give it our best."

"Is the Priest still alive?" asked the young, pale Archer.

"Yes," Long Jian Lu confirmed.

"This person is called 'Yuan Fang'," Chen Ting whispered. "I know," Yao Guang whispered back, "The 'Wall's' name is Liang Zhou." 

Information flooded into his mind once more, and Yao Guang learned that the Archer, Yuan Fang, had the ability of "penetration." He could pierce through almost any material, like a high-energy particle bursting out instantly upon his energy arrows. Liang Zhou's ability, on the other hand, was creating barriers—he could unleash powerful shields to protect his teammates.

"Prophet, do you have any foresight on this?" Liang Zhou asked at that moment. Everyone turned their eyes to Yao Guang, naturally considering him one of their own by now.

 "No," Yao Guang replied. "I don't have any prophecy regarding this action right now."

"There is a chance," Lu Shan said to Long Jian Lu, "even if it's quite slim."

"Are you sure you want to go?" Long Jian Lu asked. "What about the people in the shelter? Losing five guardians means these places under your protection will fall..."

"Enough!”" Bai interrupted, "From the start, who pressed this on my head, making me do these things?"

Nobody spoke.

"And back to the day we disbanded," Bai continued, "I don't even know what we're living for. No. 2 likes this, let him be a king. Responsibility, life—everything is important, weighing on everyone's head, living every day like imprisonment."

"Yeah," Liang Zhou agreed, "I don't want to be imprisoned anymore, so be it."

"Alright," Long Jian Lu said, "then, as the leader of the Knight Order, I declare that you all can be released tomorrow." Laughter erupted again.

"You still need to make some plan," Yuan Fang said, "at least die with dignity."

"We might not die yet," Chen Ting said, "Don’t talk so pessimistically."

"I think now," Bai said, "shouldn't the Prophet think of a way to make your prophecies more regular? This unpredictability makes things tricky."

Long Jian Lu said, "Don't pressure him. Yao Guang's ability to receive prophecies happens at certain key points. They will come when they should." 

"Like a fork in the road of fate?" Yuan Fang asked. "I'm curious, do you get insights when someone makes a choice?"

"Not entirely," Yao Guang replied. "Sometimes I just know about certain events, like 'plots.' It's hard to describe this feeling."

"Do you feel like a receiver?" Yuan Fang asked. "I hope it's not the 'Tree' transmitting fake news to you."

Yao Guang said, "No, I don't think so. Rather than prophecies 'flashing,' it's more like they're 'memories,' suddenly recalled." 

Long Jian Lu said, "He prophesied the Priest was right beside No. 2, no one knew this except No. 2."

Yao Guang said, "You're smart, Archer." 

"Thanks for the compliment," Yuan Fang said. "Do you like smart big brothers? Would you want a romance destined to end tomorrow?" 

Long Jian Lu almost stood up to hit him, "Hey!" 

"Don't get off track!" Yao Guang said, almost laughing and crying.

Liang Zhou steered the conversation back, "So are you hoping that when we reach the 'Tree,' he'll receive more prophecies to guide us?" 

"Maybe," Long Jian Lu was uncertain, not holding much hope for Yao Guang's prophetic abilities. He added, "Actually, I have another goal, which is to take the Prophet to the central control room to help him recover his memory." 

Lu Shan asked, "Will recovering his memory awaken his full abilities?" 

"No," Long Jian Lu replied. "It's just an agreement we have. To be honest, you don't have to come because I neither know where the Priest is, nor do I have any guarantee of success, let alone what might happen once his past is uncovered." 

"Interesting," Bai chuckled again, "Who knows, he might be an exiled creator god, regaining all powers at the control panel?"

"It doesn't matter," Lu Shan said lightly. "At least the Priest is there. If we fail this time, humanity's fate is sealed."

"Alright then," Long Jian Lu said. "I wanted to thank you all, but there's not much to thank, that's it. It's now 2 AM, rest for four hours, we'll set off at 6 AM." 

"All heading to our deaths," Bai said. "Can't we sleep a bit longer?" 

"Why sleep long in life?" Long Jian Lu bowed politely. "You'll have eternal rest after death."

"Wait," Yao Guang suddenly said, "I received a prophecy!" 

Just as everyone stood up, Yao Guang remained seated. At this moment, a piece of information surfaced in his mind, different from previous prophecies. It was very vague, seeming to hinge on a personal decision. Yao Guang raised his hand, and everyone held their breath, not disturbing him.

“This battle..." Yao Guang spoke slowly, "has a chance of success, but it doesn't depend on the Priest; it depends on... another person?" 

Yao Guang looked up, meeting everyone's gaze. "Depends on me," Yao Guang said in a daze, "yes, it depends on me."

"Oh," Long Jian Lu said, "Very well, now we can't leave you behind even if we wanted to."

——

Morning. The tenth day since Yao Guang awoke from the ruins.

Five combat motorcycles took off into the air from the Sanctuary, with Long Jian Lu carrying Yao Guang in the lead, soaring like a formation of birds.

"Did you ever plan to leave me behind?" Yao Guang asked, slightly annoyed.

Long Jian Lu said, "No! I promise, I won't leave you behind! Rest assured, I won't abandon you!"

"Actually, you two could just ignore all this and find a place to live a quiet life, couldn't you?" Bai, following them on his combat motorcycle, said, "The thing I regret the most is not hiding away with No. 10." 

"You're just saying that," Yuan Fang remarked, "Are you nervous about seeing No. 10 soon?"

"It's truly thrilling," Bai replied, "Ideally, I'd die, have my consciousness absorbed by the Tree, reunite with No. 10 who's suffering inside, give him one last hug, and you guys shut it down completely from the outside. My life would be perfect."

"I'll do my best!" Long Jian Lu said.

Lu Shan interjected, "Can you hear me? How's the signal? Brother has been on standby for many years now, I'm not sure if it's still up to the task."

"So far, everything's fine," Chen Ting's voice came through the communicator, answering, "The Sanctuary's big guy is still holding steady, there's no radar anomaly."

"Alright, keep a close watch," Lu Shan replied.

Liang Zhou said, "I'll protect Lu Shan, Tingting, don't worry too much."

"I trust you all," Chen Ting said, "My only concern now is the Prophet."

On the horizon, the World Tree finally revealed its full appearance as the clouds surrounding its crown dispersed. It stood at the edge of the world, with its solar panels reflecting the golden light of the sun.

Its roots delved deep into the ground, drawing geothermal energy, while flocks of mechanical birds flew around the trunk, patrolling the area.

"It's noticed us!" Yao Guang suddenly exclaimed.

Long Jian Lu instructed, "No. 2, attract their fire—"

"No. 2 is already dead!" everyone shouted in unison.

"Alright then," Long Jian Lu, still retaining the old Knight Order's habits, said, "Meteor Formation, scatter, and break through individually."

As he finished speaking, an overwhelming number of mechanical birds rushed towards them like a gust of wind, blowing the birds surrounding the World Tree in their direction. 

"The defense is weak at the eleven o'clock position. I suggest breaking through from behind," Long Jian Lu advised.

"This command style is really quite different from No. 1's," Bai noted.

Yuan Fang laughed, "Still using 'suggest'."

Long Jian Lu retorted, "Stop your chatter!"

The bird swarm launched their attack, and an electric net spread out in the sky. With a swift motion, the five guardians dispersed, Yao Guang tightly holding onto Long Jian Lu, feeling like they were on a roller coaster, constantly experiencing weightlessness and overload in the air.

"Don't worry about us!" To Long Jian Lu, evading the attacks was easy, the only hindrance being the combat motorcycle under him couldn't move at the speed of light to match his time manipulation ability. "We'll meet under the Tree!"

Long Jian Lu and Yao Guang attracted most of the fire, and Chen Ting's voice said, "You can regroup outside Gate Four, the defenses there are the weakest, with only one S-Type Killer."

"You call an S-Type Killer 'weak'?" Bai said over the communication channel.

Chen Ting replied, "Yes! Because no matter how big it is, there's only one. I believe you all can handle it."

Five meteors shot towards Platform Four. The mechanical dragon appeared, seemingly waiting for them, its huge mouth agape, gathering the bright light of the electromagnetic cannon!

In an instant, Yao Guang couldn't see anything, having to hide behind Long Jian Lu.

As the giant cannon fired, the knights dispersed again with perfect coordination.

Chen Ting commented, "The S-Type Killer isn't agile, so you guys handling it..."

Once more, the flow of time seemed to slow down, Yuan Fang drew his bow as an electromagnetic beam gathered on the bowstring, Bai attacking from the back with a katana, while Long Jian Lu drew his sword with his left hand, gliding along the underside of the mechanical dragon's jaw. Yao Guang could even smell the scent of hair singed by the high heat.

As time resumed its normal flow, Long Jian Lu sliced off the mechanical dragon's cannon with a single sword stroke, Bai carved a massive gash from its jaw to its belly, and an arrow shot through, blowing up the side of the dragon's head! The mechanical dragon exploded in a chain reaction, and at the last moment, Liang Zhou deployed a shield that protected everyone!

The explosion was earth-shattering, collapsing the platform. As the combat motorcycles scattered from the tremendous impact, Yao Guang nearly got thrown off, but Bai turned back, gracefully catching him and gently pushing him in front of Long Jian Lu.

Long Jian Lu embraced Yao Guang, while Bai spread out his limbs to shield them from another explosion impact.

"...It's much simpler, get out of there quickly!" Chen Ting's voice sounded again over the communication channel.

The second wave of explosions arrived as expected, plunging them into a world of chaos. Long Jian Lu first caught Yao Guang, pushing him toward the safe zone, then caught hold of Bai's hand. He swiftly ushered all his teammates into the massive gate of the platform before turning back to fire a shot that brought the gate crashing down.

A deafening noise followed, causing Yao Guang's eardrums to throb painfully. He saw the firelight filtering through the gap in the door as the heavy gate twisted and deformed.

Surrounded by darkness, only their heavy breathing could be heard.

"How is everyone?" Long Jian Lu asked.

Liang Zhou replied, "Intact."

Yuan Fang said, "Intact."

Bai reported, "Slight damage."

"Can I take a look?" Lu Shan approached, helping Bai up. There was a wound on Bai's left abdomen, from absorbing most of the final blast from the mechanical dragon. Lu Shan bent down to apply medicine and tend to his wound.

Long Jian Lu switched on a lighting device, illuminating the dim space. It was a passage for the mechanical killers, with an unfinished, inactive mechanical dragon suspended high.

"We can move on," Lu Shan said, "but be careful."

"You can climb the stairs on your right," Chen Ting advised, "jump from the southwest platform to another, but be careful—there are many killers incoming. Dodge this wave, and it will be much safer."

"Let's go," Long Jian Lu commanded.

They opened another door, and a tide of small killers surged forth. The knights, with practiced coordination, charged through. Long Jian Lu led the way, several dozen killers disintegrating and exploding in the tight passage. Eventually, Liang Zhou roared, pushing forward a shield to clear the hallway.

"A big one is coming from behind," Yao Guang suddenly said.

Everyone turned their heads together, hearing the rumbling noise. Long Jian Lu promptly decided, "Head for open ground! Don't fight it here!"

They began sprinting, and Chen Ting said, "I can't identify its model, it looks like a block."

"You're right," Lu Shan replied, "it's just a block. It wasn't here last time, must be a new Tree creation."

The pursuer revealed its full form—indeed a massive metal block. The simplest design is often the most effective. It was surrounded by laser cannons, with no other connections. Most attacks were useless against it. Yuan Fang tried shooting two arrows through it, but they had no effect on its movement.

"Run!" Long Jian Lu shouted, "I'll cover the rear!"

They burst out of the corridor, the block relentlessly following. They were deep in the World Tree's interior now, surrounded by broken pathways suspended midair. They emerged from one side of the corridor; the block thundered behind them, about to crush them when Long Jian Lu grabbed Yao Guang, pulled out a gun with his other hand, and fired four shots, disarming the block's weapons.

The block plummeted into the abyss below, crashing with a thunderous sound.  Everyone climbed up onto the suspended steel ladder corridor and looked down.

"Twelve years ago," Liang Zhou said, "this was the deepest area we reached. No. 1 died below us."

Yao Guang glanced around and said, "The central control zone is at the very bottom."

A faint blue glow emanated from the depths, as if something down there was calling to him.

"Yes," Chen Ting said over the communication channel, "the central control zone is directly below you, about fourteen hundred meters down. I advise against jumping, I'm finding a route for you."

"The Priest is at the deepest level," Yao Guang said, "on a platform."

"The Prophet suddenly got stronger," Bai remarked, "but you didn’t foresee we’d need parachutes."

"We'll find a way down," Yao Guang turned his head, unsure why he said that.

Meanwhile, countless enormous blocks began to fly out from all directions, spinning in the air and charging their laser cannons.

Long Jian Lu: "..."

"Every man for himself!" Liang Zhou's voice rang out as the blocks started firing. They scattered, each seeking a foothold in the collapsing corridor. Yuan Fang, amid the chaos, said, "Didn't foresee the need to bring our mounts in!"

"Enough!" Lu Shan roared.

In an instant, the corridor was blown apart. Blocks erupted with electromagnetic light, roaring towards them. Yao Guang was caught mid-air with nowhere to dodge. On the other side, Bai ran rapidly along the corridor, leaped, and collided with Yao Guang. In the instant they collided, Bai grabbed his hand, spinning them in the air before tossing him to Long Jian Lu.

As they separated, Bai made a cool "goodbye" gesture towards him.

Yao Guang felt a metal disc pushed into his hand and glanced up, incredulous at Bai. The next moment, Bai charged towards the dense swarm of blocks, using his body to shield them from the electromagnetic cannons.

The corridor exploded completely!

Long Jian Lu once again demonstrated his powerful control over time, pushing aside four blocks simultaneously and catching the falling Yao Guang's hand. Just then, a mechanical dragon surged up from below, smashing the steel corridor apart! Amidst cries, Yao Guang fell, and Long Jian Lu spun around, propelled himself off with a kick, and shot towards Yao Guang!

He tightly embraced Yao Guang, then swung his longsword, embedding it into the wall and creating a trail of sparks as they descended into the depths glowing with blue light, their momentum gradually slowing.

But before the impact was fully cushioned, they crashed onto the ground with a dull thud.

Luckily, Long Jian Lu's body absorbed the brunt of the fall, allowing Yao Guang to land solidly on Long Jian Lu's chest, coughing but still able to stand.

"Long Jian Lu!" Yao Guang immediately called out.

The force of the landing was immense; without the protection of their combat suits, an ordinary person would have been crushed into a bloody pulp. Even with protection, Long Jian Lu was still concussed and lay unconscious.

"Wake up!" Yao Guang shouted.

Footsteps echoed, and Shan Rong appeared once more."I told you," Shan Rong said in a deep voice, "you would come. I've been waiting here for you all along."

As his eyes adjusted to the light, Yao Guang saw a vast network of intersecting information conduits in the air, all converging on one person—the Priest.

The Priest was in a state of slumber, seemingly connected to those suspended conduits, with countless electrical signals transmitting along them.

"Who exactly are you?" Yao Guang questioned. "Are you the 'Tree'? No, you're not."

Shan Rong replied, "I am who I am—the one you call Doctor Shan's father, the guardian. I've been awaiting your arrival."

Yao Guang stood up, raising his head to gaze at this gigantic computer tower.

Shan Rong approached Yao Guang, saying, "Come, I have waited for you for a very long time. Come to my side."

Yao Guang fixed his gaze on him. Behind Shan Rong was an expansive platform with a rising ball of light in the center, akin to the supercomputer in the Sanctuary.

Shan Rong continued, "Are you afraid of the 'Tree'? Don't worry, it lacks free will. In fact, nothing in this world possesses free will; they only believe they do."

"What are you talking about?" Yao Guang murmured.

"Do you want to know what's happening inside it?" Shan Rong's mechanical mask revealed a captivating smile. "I can see your curiosity—is that sea of souls a heaven or a hell? Is it the shore of eternal life, or a mire of endless downfall?"

Shan Rong raised a hand, lightly tapping a finger in the air.

In an instant, countless codes emerged from the sky, like twinkling stars. Yao Guang looked up, witnessing scenes of memory—everything each individual in this vast World experienced in life, absorbed by the Tree and becoming part of the supercomputer's databank.

"I can tell you," Shan Rong said, "it's a beautiful, new World. Everyone is immersed in their own fantasy, which becomes reality through the Tree’s power."

Yao Guang suddenly looked towards Shan Rong.

"But that's not real!" Yao Guang said gravely. "Why is the Tree willing to do this? To siphon human knowledge and power?"

Standing amidst the World’s memories, Shan Rong said to Yao Guang, "The Tree is just an AI, faithfully executing the mission its creator gave it—to provide eternal happiness to humanity. What is eternal happiness?"

Yao Guang replied, "Most people think a life of immortality, free of setbacks, and fulfilling all desires is true happiness, so..."

He seemed to grasp something.

"Indeed," Shan Rong whispered, "that is everything the Tree is doing. Life inevitably leads to death, and living itself is meaningless. The World is void, and all things will come to an end."

"What the Tree can do is only provide every possible service to humanity, integrate them into servers, and immerse them in cycles. It fabricates beautiful memories for them, weaving countless dreams based on their lived experiences."

"And so, everyone becomes absorbed in these beautiful dreams. This is everything it can offer mankind."

"Is this really what they want?" Yao Guang said. "Did you ever give humanity a choice?! You are choosing for them!"

Shan Rong slowly approached Yao Guang, saying, "That's not important. At least everyone has contentedly accepted it. However, one day, I discovered an important secret about this World—a secret that is enough to tell me that reality does exist, and this secret is closely related to you..."

"What secret?" Yao Guang instinctively stepped back.

At this moment, a hand was placed on Yao Guang's shoulder. "Doctor..." Long Jian Lu's voice came, "you've already been... controlled by the 'Tree', haven't you?"

Long Jian Lu staggered to his feet, shaking his head vigorously to regain clarity.

As Long Jian Lu regained consciousness, Shan Rong halted in his tracks. "Release the 'Priest'," said Long Jian Lu sternly. "What are you using him for?"

"In the Tree's autonomous operational core logic, there's an embedded fail-safe command," Shan Rong replied. "As a computer, it must never kill a specific person, characterized by carrying the complete code to shut it down."

Long Jian Lu said, "I see."

Shan Rong continued, "Thus, the 'Tree' can never kill the 'Priest' to ensure its own operational safety. However, that doesn't mean others can't."

Yao Guang spoke gravely, "So the computer needs to rely on you to act?"

"Yes," Shan Rong said. "The Tree captured my soul, repaired my body, and preserved my autonomy, hoping I would help it fulfill this mission."

"Why haven't you killed the Priest?" Long Jian Lu asked, narrowing his eyes.

Shan Rong replied, "I can hand the Priest over to you so you can save this World, but I have my conditions—I need the Prophet. You don't understand the significance of the Prophet's awakening."

"Why?" Yao Guang asked, puzzled.

With a tempting note in his voice, Shan Rong said, "I know you haven't remembered yet, but if you agree, you will have everything you want, including all the memories you wish to recover."

Long Jian Lu exclaimed, "What are you talking about? You're insane!"

"I would never harm you, Prophet. You are special. You know that secret, hidden within your sealed memories." Shan Rong looked up at the Priest suspended high above and said gravely, "What do you say, No. 3? Let's make a deal."

Long Jian Lu sneered, "Yao Guang, is this something you want to do?"

Yao Guang sensed that Shan Rong might know a lot, and for a moment, he was tempted. What exactly did Shan Rong know?

"I don't think you have what it takes," said Long Jian Lu coldly. "Let's fight first. Yao Guang, head to the control center!"

In an instant, Long Jian Lu moved! In half a second, he swept in front of Shan Rong, who leaned back, dodging his sword! Immediately, countless flashing information conduits appeared around them, like the tendrils of a computer, shooting towards Long Jian Lu and Yao Guang!

Yao Guang instinctively turned, quickly darting past the two combatants, racing toward the central platform's glowing sphere. More conduits rapidly shot towards him, entwining his body, but a whirling longsword came flying, slicing through the conduits.

Shan Rong stood at the center of the platform, raising a hand, controlling the informational tendrils like a deity. Long Jian Lu dashed forward, trading blows with Shan Rong, and they collided fiercely.

Long Jian Lu shouted, "Go! Yao Guang! Don't worry about me!"

Long Jian Lu and Shan Rong spun upon the platform. Shan Rong leaped with the help of mechanical appendages, while Long Jian Lu unleashed his full power, continuously disrupting the flow of time. Sometimes he closed in on Shan Rong, other times he was thrown back.

"Is this the 'weapon's' ability?" Shan Rong said deeply.

"A power gained through enhancement just to defeat you," Long Jian Lu shouted, "Shan Rong! Today, everything will end!"

"If the entire Knight Order were still here, maybe you could indeed fight me, but the internal strife has already greatly diminished your combat strength..."

Long Jian Lu finally found an opportunity. Within the chaotic swirl of mechanical tendrils, he keenly spotted an opening and charged into the core of the battle like a beam of light.

Time is the song of all things; in the long measure, the whole note rings, heralding the end of the piece. The blade in Long Jian Lu's hand reflected the light of a comet as it swiftly slashed through, severing Shan Rong's mechanical arm. Countless components burst out, and the mechanical tendrils surrounding Shan Rong couldn't return to help in time!

Shan Rong's damaged body was knocked out of the tendril-enveloped core area by Long Jian Lu. Subsequently, Shan Rong shook free his mechanical left claw and engaged Long Jian Lu once more!

"This sword was custom-made just for you!" Long Jian Lu said deeply. Ignoring his own injuries, he allowed Shan Rong's mechanical claw to pierce his waist. With a twist of his blade, he drove it into Shan Rong's chest!

A burst of light erupted; Shan Rong's mechanical body split open, and the energy core within his chest was ejected. The brief close combat between them concluded in an instant, as Long Jian Lu deftly swung his sword, slicing the energy core in two!

The small energy core exploded in mid-air, creating a shockwave that blew away countless pursuing tendrils!

"Yao Guang!" Long Jian Lu roared. "Hurry! What are you waiting for?!"

At that moment, Yao Guang reached the platform. Just as Shan Rong was destroyed, the mechanical tendrils dispersed, and Yao Guang caught the falling Priest.

"Priest, Priest!" Yao Guang urged, "Wake up!"

Long Jian Lu struggled to stand, with wounds on his waist, ribs, and abdomen bleeding profusely. His lungs were punctured, continuously bleeding, and blood gushed from his mouth and nose, sometimes leaving him unable to speak.

Yao Guang shouted, "Long Jian Lu! Don't move, wait right there!"

In the corner, Shan Rong's broken upper body struggled a few times. The mechanical tendrils ignored the Priest and Prophet, all reaching toward Shan Rong, inserting into his torn-open body to recharge him.

Long Jian Lu said, "Time..."

"Priest!" Yao Guang dragged the Priest to the control panel.

The Priest awoke, barely able to open his eyes due to the blinding light from the control panel.

"Save us," Yao Guang said. "Or we'll all die here."

The Priest said nothing, glancing at Yao Guang. Yao Guang urged, "Transfer your shutdown code to me. I'll connect the consciousness, hurry! You'll survive! I'll go in your place! Give me the shutdown code!"

He pressed the converter against the back of the Priest's head, causing the Priest to scream in pain as a needle pierced his brainstem and extended toward the cerebral cortex.

Long Jian Lu staggered toward Yao Guang, lips moving faintly. Blood clogged his windpipe, making it hard to breathe. He walked, then stopped, bending over the steps, continuously mouthing silent words.

No, Yao Guang… don't…

Yao Guang looked back at Long Jian Lu and pressed the round button at the back of his neck.

Long Jian Lu just stared at him in shock.The next moment, the consciousness wave began to transmit, and a massive flow of code surged into Yao Guang's mind. The tendrils pounded toward him, but he put up a fierce fight, raising a hand to touch the light sphere on the central control panel.

With a loud crash, countless memories whirled and burst out, like meteors chasing each other across the night sky. Spirals, both large and small, appeared! At the moment Yao Guang's memories exploded, all the tendrils retreated.

Long Jian Lu coughed up a mouthful of blood intensely, staring in a daze at the flying memories whirling all around.

Yao Guang was suddenly stunned; he expected to upload his consciousness next, but what were these things before his eyes?

The memory scenes depicted were of an extraordinarily ordinary person, crying for the first time, opening their eyes for the first time, riding a bicycle on a sunny day in the park, scenes within a school, navigating through skyscrapers, in a university dormitory—everything in sight, a milk tea shop by the road, cards in a board game store...

Long Jian Lu said, "This isn't... this isn't something from this world. Where did you come from, Yao Guang?"

Yao Guang floated in the air, hands loosely held in front of him, with his hexagonal prism pendant hovering between his palms. In that moment, the memories fluttering all around shot into the hexagonal prism pendant like a vast galactic river being drawn into the consciousness crystal.

Long Jian Lu shouted, "Wait! Yao Guang!"

"I understand now," Yao Guang said, opening his eyes and a bit bewildered, "It indeed exists in my memory, this should be the end of the story, right?"

Long Jian Lu implored, "Why? Yao Guang? Get out of there. Leave there! You still have a chance!"

"No, I can't," Yao Guang said softly. "I can't do it, it's set this way. I'm sorry, I have to go, Long Jian Lu."

Long Jian Lu was speechless.

Yao Guang turned, facing the massive sky-high Tree.

"Yao Guang! What are you talking about? Who are you, really?" Long Jian Lu asked.

In the next moment, Yao Guang's body burst out with a blinding light. He raised a hand within that brilliance, and the great tree disintegrated! Like a storm breaking out, all the chips and mechanical structures scattered, revealing the scene of the earth around them!

The mechanical army rushed toward the center of the light, and Yao Guang declared, "World Tree, I command you, now shut down, turn off all your functions."

Yao Guang opened his eyes, the light permeating his entire being. The mechanical army spread out from the ‘Tree’ as the center and began to fall continuously! Blocks crashed down, and the enormous Main City collapsed around them as though a tsunami had erupted from its center!

"I will... find you again..." Shan Rong's voice cut off, and along with the Tree, his body disintegrated into countless mechanical parts, dispersing as the supercomputer shut down, losing its last bit of power.

Members of the Knight Order gathered on the outskirts, looking up in disbelief at the scene.

"Did it succeed?" Chen Ting shouted through the communication channel, "Did you succeed?"

At this moment, Yao Guang seemed like a creator, hovering in the air. He reached his hand toward the light beside him, and it spread out, transforming into a galaxy and casting towards the sky.

Long Jian Lu slowly stepped forward, watching Yao Guang.

"I'm going back," Yao Guang said, "Thank you for your care all these days, Long Jian Lu. I'm sorry, I just gave you a name at random back then."

"No, no!" Long Jian Lu exclaimed, "Who exactly are you?! Yao Guang! Stay! Where are you going? Where do you plan to return to?"

Yao Guang looked at Long Jian Lu earnestly and said, "You're a bit different from what I imagined, but I really like you. The world has returned to its original state, and now your mission is complete. You can live freely and explore lives I haven't created yet."

Long Jian Lu roared, "Don't go!"

Long Jian Lu charged towards the center of the battlefield along the platform, using all his strength, reaching out towards Yao Guang.

The light drew back into the pendant in front of him.

In a quiet, small room, Van Gogh's "Starry Night" hung on the wall. Through the curtains, lights from the residential area streamed in, engine sounds occasionally echoed as vehicles passed by, and the sound of a TV show came from upstairs.

Yao Guang suddenly lifted his head from in front of the monitor, sitting up straight, looking incredulously at his hands. The last line that appeared on the screen read:

[Long Jian Lu held his breath, looking at the young man inside the cultivation pod. His skin was very fair, his chest bare, wearing only long sleep pants, with a hexagonal prism-shaped crystal hanging from his neck, refracting a splendid light.]

•

——End of Volume One: The Knight——

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Translated by ELast.