Hearts heavy with worry, the group rushed to the edge of the Sea of Desire, hoping to stop Li Wufang and discuss things further. To their surprise, the Sinking Land was even livelier than Dolgod — everyone who had left earlier was already assembled here.
Qin Xin had caught Li Wufang at the Sea of Desire's edge. The Prisoner, anwhile, had one hand clamped on Nangong's shoulder, silencing her in place.
Seeing more and more people converge on this dangerous place, Qin Xin flung Li Wufang back into the crowd, planted himself with his bow, and stood alone between them and the Sea of Desire with a grin.
"A single spark can set the prairie ablaze — and so it has.
That the universe has co this far ans the fire-passing is complete! I am at peace!
I can see the fla burning in each of your hearts. But the darkness of the road ahead still needs all of you to illuminate it. So today's journey — leave it to !"
Only then did everyone realize that the Torchbearers had left early because they, too, had their sights set on the universe's last uncharted crisis.
But what was the deal with the Prisoner and Nangong? Judging by the scene, the one who had initially tried to compete with Qin Xin for the "spot" was that frail little girl?
Indeed — Nangong had been fighting for it. And to explain everything, the story had to begin from the Torchbearers' departure.
Just as An Mingyu had guessed, after finding his other self, Qin Xin's confidence had grown boundless. He knew that in the universe's current state, his "original" would never die again. That ant the seat of War had a fallback.
He had imdiately taken the Prisoner and Nangong back to the Fire Passing Hall and solemnly placed his other self in their care.
He said:
"War must raise its voice at the right mont.
I've leaned toward the City Defenders for too long, but the Torchbearers aren't just Defenders — there are City Builders and City Breakers too. It's ti I leaned their way for once.
For the sake of the fire, I've always marched in silence. But now, I refuse to stay silent any longer.
After inheriting War, I could feel His indomitable Will. The mont He returned from the Sea of Desire, He hurled Himself at the Origin without hesitation. That wasn't rely a roar born of war — I suspect it was, even more so, a clue He left for the world in blood and fire.
Corruption within the Sea of Desire is very likely connected to the Origin. At this critical juncture before the future arrives, I cannot leave this threat lingering for the universe.
I will enter the Sea of Desire as War. If I fall..."
Qin Xin gripped Nangong's and the Prisoner's shoulders with solemn gravity, then turned around, put on a brilliant smile, and looked at his other self.
"You are . You are the new War!"
Like A Dream smiled too. He wasn't surprised by Qin Xin's choice — after all, he WAS him. The Torchbearer he had dread into being, the beast of War born from his own imagination.
If he himself could march willingly toward death, then the War known as Qin Xin would only be more "willing"!
So he did not refuse. He couldn't.
Qin Xin had done more than enough for the fire and for the world. He needed release. From here on, it was ti for these thin shoulders to carry his burden.
Like A Dream nodded and laughed. "You'd better not be getting back at
for how abruptly I left that first ti. Hahaha — go. Go boldly!
The Torchbearers will never fall because one person disappears.
A spark may fade, but the fire never dies. When the flas have already spread to fill the sky, this world's future will surely be one of light!"
The Sea of Desire mission was settled. Qin Xin turned to leave.
Yet the very instant he departed, Nangong vanished right behind him.
The Prisoner, still savoring the stirring mont, belatedly noticed both had disappeared. His face changed drastically as he raced after them.
Sure enough, he found Nangong at the Sea of Desire's edge, clutching Qin Xin from behind.
Qin Xin could plainly see Nangong's intent. He tried to dissuade her, but she looked at him with absolute resolve.
"If War enters the Sea of Desire, the only outco is death...
President, I'm not saying this to jinx us before the battle. The old god War's fall has already shown us the result.
So why not let
go instead? At least Decay and Corruption both belong to Descent — there's so connection. What if — and I an what if — I can resist its influence..."
Even as she spoke, Nangong's own confidence wavered. Against the enigmatic Sea of Desire, she truly had none.
But the uncertainty quickly faded from her face. She steeled herself, her expression fierce with determination.
"I've always felt this Divine Throne of Decay ca too easily. It's never sat right with . I'm grateful to everyone, and I want to help. Now I finally have the chance...
I have to be worthy of Cheng Shi's trust in . I have to repay the kindness of everyone who's helped . And I have to be worthy of the Authority I carry.
I am Decay. I need rcy. President — show
rcy, just this once. Let
be of so worth."
"..."
Faced with a plea that verged on begging, the gentle-hearted Qin Xin couldn't bring himself to refuse outright. But he knew he couldn't let Nangong stand in front of him. So he hardened his heart and began:
"Decay cannot—"
Before he could finish, Nangong cut in:
"Grandpa Cui!
When I inherited the throne, I purged the corruption pain the Container had left in his body and re-bestowed the faith of Decay upon him.
I know Old Cui is getting on in years and shouldn't have to suffer again. But if I truly fall in the Sea of Desire, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble him to walk a few more steps for this world.
I know he'd be willing. He said so himself — trading his old body's decay for the new world's prosperity is sothing he would be more than happy to do, because he is the indomitable Cui Dingtian!
So let —"
She didn't finish. Nangong was interrupted — and not rely that. She couldn't utter another word.
The Prisoner had stripped her of the right to speak, then shook his head at Qin Xin. Clearly, he too felt Nangong was not the most suitable candidate.
The heart of fire-passing never asured worth by rank or value. The Prisoner hadn't been with the Torchbearers long, but he felt this truth deeply.
With the Prisoner's help, Qin Xin smiled and gently pried Nangong's fingers from his arm. Without looking back, he strode toward the Sea of Desire.
But the company today was far larger than anticipated. Two steps later, he found himself doing exactly what Nangong had done to him — grabbing Li Wufang, who had been trying to rush past him into the sea.
"..."
"..."
The two n locked eyes, each understanding the other perfectly. Neither said a word.
Monts later, Zhen Xin, An Mingyu, and the rest arrived. The scene fell into silence.
Seeing this, the Prisoner scratched his head and offered a quiet remark:
"I only silenced Nangong. The rest of you CAN talk, you know. Say sothing, please — listening to nothing but the tides of the Sea of Desire is rather unsettling..."
What was there to say? Gazes crisscrossed, everyone knowing the others were working for the universe's sake. But to decide who should be the one to march to their "death"... perhaps no one could make that choice for another.
And just as the standoff dragged on, a clear voice rang out from behind the group.
"I'll go.
Looking across the entire universe, I'm probably the most suited for this right now.
Stop fighting. Trespassing on another faith's domain never ends well. This is my Benefactor's territory — naturally, I should be the one to go.
Besides, the Sea of Desire preys on desire. Everyone has desires. Can you withstand it?
Probably not.
But I can. Because I have no desires.
As a matter of fact, I'd like to go find so desire in this sea. And maybe, while I'm at it, find the aning of my life."
With that, a gradually greening silhouette entered everyone's view.
Poison!
This emotionless god of Corruption twirled the dagger Dance With Desire in his hand, walking step by step to Qin Xin's side.
...
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