Chapter 38 – The Thirty-Eighth Ray of Light

In the environment where disasters had struck, there was no place along the coastline that could be considered truly safe.

Even if there was, it would only be “relatively safe.”

Whale Crossing Port still held the corpse of a giant serpent, and Hulu Port still carried the lingering aura of a great demon. Although both creatures were dead, their residual power remained. Like a tiger that died in the forest—its body might rot, but its “presence” remained strong. And as long as that “presence” hadn’t dissipated, no animal dared to trespass its territory.

The death of the giant serpent and the demon might ensure the safety of these two places in the short term, maintaining the illusion of “relative safety.”

However, disasters and blessings were tied together. If a monster attacked during this “safe period,” it would most likely be a species stronger than the previous two.

But given the current resonance frequencies of the four regions, no matter who or what came, humanity would be able to hold its ground, as long as they didn’t go out of their way to get themselves killed…

Ji Si glanced out the window at the scenery rushing past, then caught sight of two small trucks trailing closely behind in the rearview mirror.

The trucks, one ahead and one behind, were maintaining a long distance from their off-road vehicle, with tarps covering what was likely some kind of cargo in their beds. They looked like delivery trucks traveling along the same road.

Ji Si had to admit, the disguise of those involved was subtle and successful—enough to fool anyone. However, these two trucks radiated the air of a “battleship,” full of determination and high-end energy.

Ji Si: …

He couldn’t help but twitch his lips, a forced smile on his face. Pretending not to see it was, indeed, very difficult.

For awakened individuals, recognizing people didn’t rely on looks but on the soul, the aura, and the accumulated virtues. Even if they were far apart in terms of sight, their spiritual perception still brought them very close.

“What’s behind us?” Si Nuocheng suddenly asked. “I feel a heat on my back.”

Ji Si calculated the distance between them and smiled. “You have good perception, remember that feeling.”

“When an awakened person comes into contact with a positive magnetic field full of energy, their own energy will resonate and warm up, creating a sensation of warmth and even heat. It makes you feel comfortable, exuberant, full of love and tolerance—it’s a gift worth being close to.”

“But when an awakened person encounters a negative magnetic field, they instinctively feel disgust.”

Ji Si explained: “It’s similar to how you feel when facing ghostly attacks, feeling cold and numb, anger and mental stagnation. In more severe cases, your limbs may freeze, and you’re forced to endure the erosion of negative energy until death.”

Qi Xinli took note of every word, feeling that Ji Si’s words were like the final exam’s key points.

“Of course, some people’s auras are frosty, but that doesn’t mean they have negative energy; some people’s auras are fiery and toxic, but that doesn’t mean they possess positive energy.”

“The only standard to distinguish them is yourself. If your character is upright, then the disturbance you feel is ‘negative’; if your character is flawed, the disturbance becomes ‘positive.’”

A person is like a vessel, and the quality of the vessel doesn’t depend on the external energies but on how the person shapes themselves.

Si Nuocheng pondered for a moment before nodding in understanding: “So, the ones trailing behind us are likely the police, right?”

Ji Si smiled: “What makes you think that?”

He found himself increasingly satisfied with Si Nuocheng, the “chosen one.” He understood things quickly, needed little explanation, and made teaching him about awakening a huge source of personal satisfaction.

“Seems like the police.” Si Nuocheng’s tone was firm.

Qi Xinli’s heart skipped a beat.

“I never had this feeling before. But last time when I went to the station to get Jiang Qining, I felt that same heat on my back.” Si Nuocheng recalled. “It disappeared once we left the station, and I thought it was just my imagination.”

“Now, the same part of my back, the same burning sensation. It’s not uncomfortable at all, quite pleasant. So, it must be the police.”

Qi Xinli tentatively asked: “Are we not shaking them off?”

Si Nuocheng replied: “No need. It’s better to leave a line of retreat for future encounters. The fact that they’re just trailing us and not blocking us or pulling us over means they’re just monitoring and following. If we tried to lose them, we wouldn’t be able to enter the next city. But if we let them follow, we’ll have a green light wherever we go.”

“Also, Old Jiang’s a bit scatterbrained, and if he gets injured, it’s better for the police to take care of him.”

Always thinking three steps ahead, turning disadvantages into advantages—that was Si Nuocheng’s usual method of handling things.

Qi Xinli: “Actually, the last part is the key, right?”

Si Nuocheng: “Mm.”

Ji Si: …

Today, Jiang Qining was still being completely dismissed by his respected brother Cheng.

“The key is, if we have forbidden zones we can’t enter, they’ll quietly make calls and communicate; if there’s something we can’t accomplish, they’ll use their connections to resolve it; if there’s news that can’t be spread, they’ll quickly redirect it; and if there are injuries or disabilities, they’ll be the best support and partners.”

Qi Xinli: “You really do make full use of everything, huh…”

“At the same time, this is also a period of adaptation between the awakened and the authorities.” Si Nuocheng’s words seemed directed at Ji Si but also felt like he was speaking to Qi Xinli. “The number of awakened individuals will increase, but most likely not surpass the number of ordinary people. If we don’t deepen our mutual understanding now, we’ll only add more misunderstandings.”

“I don’t want to be labeled as an ‘heretic’ by the authorities. Living uprightly is my style.”

“Let them follow us. It’s better for them to know the stance and attitude of the awakened, rather than letting the authorities guess blindly. As for whether to cooperate or not, we’ll have to adapt to each other for a while first. Being too hasty will only make things worse for both sides.”

Si Nuocheng’s balancing tactics were really quite shrewd, giving off a sense of a ruler managing family conflicts.

Hearing this, Qi Xinli felt more at ease. Being caught in the middle wasn’t easy, and being a spy required careful secrecy. The small group might be a bit unrefined, but he liked the atmosphere; the bigger picture was especially important, but personal feelings were inevitable.

Unless necessary, he didn’t want to take a clear side, nor did he want a conflict to arise between the two. However, with Ji Si supporting the small group and Si Nuocheng balancing things, it seemed there was no need for him to worry too much.

Tch, why bother? Less thinking, more focus on hair care.

Meanwhile, Ji Si again sighed, feeling that it was a pity Si Nuocheng hadn’t entered the reincarnation space. He couldn’t help but make a straight-man comment: “Si Nuocheng, I’m really quite satisfied with you.”

Finding a reliable Earthling wasn’t easy. Most Earthlings either focused on science and technology to strengthen the country or were busy fighting superstitions.

Si Nuocheng naturally replied in the same straightforward manner: “Mm, I’m quite satisfied with you as well.”

Finding a reliable alien wasn’t easy either. Most aliens were either secretly up to no good or recklessly invading Earth.

Qi Xinli: “…Seriously, are you two okay? Don’t you think something’s off about this conversation?”

…

Four hours later, the group, officially called “Glory” but secretly known as the “Single Dogs” group, entered the third largest city on the coast—Hai Luo Bay.

Hai Luo Bay was a big city, but its shape didn’t resemble a seashell, and you couldn’t even find seashells on the beach or in the commercial streets. The name “Hai Luo” was actually to honor the man who created the city’s predecessor.

Legend has it that a long time ago, Hai Luo Bay was just a small, dilapidated fishing village. One day, the fishermen dragged a broken ship back from the sea.

It was a vessel sent from the Nordic royal capital to explore the New World, but it had been wrecked in a storm. Countless lives were lost, and the wreckage had floated for an unknown amount of time before it arrived at Hai Luo Bay.

When the fishermen dragged it onto the shore, they found that there was actually a lucky survivor inside. He was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed young man, who was revered as a “duke” in another continent’s royal capital.

Of course, the fishermen didn’t know what a duke was. They only knew that if they didn’t save the guy, he’d be a goner. So, they called for the strongest young man in the village to help, and they picked up the young duke and shook him.

At that time, the young duke, being carried by his feet, spat out a belly full of seawater and weakly greeted the large fisherman with a “hello…”

Thus, the name “Hai Luo” was born.

The young duke, unable to return to his homeland, was forced to stay in the broken fishing village and live off his own resources. He stayed there for decades. By the time he passed away, the once desolate fishing village had transformed into a renowned fishing town.

He never married and had no children, and the person who stayed by his side throughout his life was the fisherman who had saved him.

They were a mismatch for society at the time, but today, Hai Luo Bay had become known as the “Holy City of True Love,” the place where countless single men and women came to seek love.

As a result, the streets were filled with couples and young married couples, and the air was thick with the scent of love. Only the “Single Dogs” group remained, exuding the fresh scent of bachelorhood.

Silently, the group turned their complicated gazes toward Laki, and everything was understood without a word.

Laki: “The looks in your eyes are filled with a kind of ‘thirsty’ desire. In this special city, I might really think too much. Though you guys are all excellent, sorry, I have to decline! I only like girls, cute ones around 1.6 meters tall!”

Everyone: …What are you thinking? We just want to gang up on you! You’ve got the mouth of a crow!”

Hai Luo Bay’s atmosphere was open-minded, and it truly was a “dog abuse” city. Even the luxury suites in five-star hotels were tagged with “romantic couples,” leaving no space for the single dogs.

Seeing this, Jiang Qining couldn’t help but complain: “Five single dogs are desperately trying to save a bunch of loving dogs, and then getting mocked by them for not having girlfriends. It’s too cruel! Brother Cheng, this city is too inhuman, so—who’s staying with me tonight?”

Si Nuocheng: “I’ll stay with Ji Si.”

Laki: “I’ll stay with Qi Xinli.”

Jiang Qining: …

It was so cruel! Why did no one want to share a room with him? This massage bathtub filled with warm water felt so cold, and the only warmth left was in the potato chips and little rubber duck in his hands.

The rubber duck was squeezed hard: “Quack!”

Jiang Qining: “I suspect you’re also mocking me and have evidence to prove it.”

…

At exactly 9:00 PM.

Ji Si logged into his Weibo account and, following the guidance of his sixth sense, scrolled down through private messages. After flipping through about twelve pages, he stopped at a gray profile picture. It was a freshly registered account from the day before, without any shiny verified badge, only the ordinary name “Huo Chengying.”

Just reading this name gave off an impression as sharp as a blade. Ji Si’s eyes turned golden, as he pierced through the fog and saw the person behind the name—

An elderly man with graying hair, a general soaked in blood throughout his life. The ruthless crimson aura wrapped around him, and his aura of virtue shone brighter than all his medals.

An old warrior of the battlefield, who had lived a life full of war. An upright and virtuous man standing proud in Lingdong, no wonder he was able to command the region.

Ji Si clicked on the conversation, noticing that each message was sent with a long time between them. The elderly man seemed unfamiliar with electronic devices, struggling to type each word painstakingly, but he still patiently completed his message.

Huo Chengying: “I am Huo Chengying, the highest commander of the Zhongzhou military. Whether my identity is real or not, I believe someone of your caliber should be able to tell.”

“It is an honor to meet you in my lifetime, High Priest.”

“I am old and weak, my body will not hold out much longer. But the current situation is changing, and danger is looming. One day, I may die on the battlefield. My successor has the ability, but lacks the necessary heart. If you come out at that time, you may face difficulties.”

“I hope to meet you before my death. Please accept the olive branch that Zhongzhou offers, and don’t refuse.”

What a rare person who understood the situation.

Perhaps having endured so much, Huo Chengying saw things clearly. He knew that the High Priest was not someone easily found, and while he could give prophecies in Zhongzhou, he could offer them just as easily in America or Australia, as long as the High Priest was willing!

Unfortunately, very few could match Huo Chengying’s level of thinking. As an elder, Huo Chengying couldn’t speak for all of Zhongzhou.

Most people only wanted stability and feared change. After all, Zhongzhou was too vast—one wrong move and it could trigger a chain reaction. Once a mistake was made, it was hard to undo it.

Ji Si replied: “General Huo, we will meet. Thank you for your trust, and I wish you safety and good fortune.”

The power of the words traveled with the language, and the High Priest’s protection swept away the deathly shadow hanging over the elderly man. While his lifespan couldn’t be altered, he was ensured a good end.

At the end, Ji Si opened the comment section, preparing to scroll through a few more messages from fateful individuals. To his surprise, the comment section was full of passionate declarations from fans.

[Chicken Si’s Biggest Fan]: “Ahh! Protecting the world’s best Chicken Si!” 106,000 likes.

[High Priest’s Darling Wife]: “Hubby, you’re the best! I love you, hubby!” 22,000 likes, with multiple comments about “stealing the hubby.”

[I Love Chicken Si for Ten Thousand Years]: “Thank you for the High Priest’s prophecy! I’m a local from Lingdong, and because of your prophecy, the losses in Lingdong were minimized, and my family didn’t get hurt. You and the soldiers are our saviors!” 123,000 likes.

[I Observe Your Astonishing Bone Structure]: “Begging the High Priest to take me as a disciple! Monsters keep attacking, I need skills to protect myself!” 81,000 likes, with more comments begging for the same.

As he scrolled down, the once abundant negative comments had vanished. It seemed the authorities, though not openly acknowledging it, were quietly taking action to regulate the discourse. But they lacked the courage to break the status quo.

Ji Si glanced at the sky and felt the time was near. He opened the editor and typed, word by word: “At 3 AM on January 15th, a monster will land on the shores of Hai Luo Bay in southern Zhongzhou. Please avoid going outside.”

He clicked send.

Then, Ji Si closed his phone and turned to Si Nuocheng: “Get ready, tonight I’m going to test your recent training results.”

“Got it.”

Si Nuocheng was a doer—he never shirked any training that could improve him. Even if this “test” meant a dangerous mission, he would rather face danger than feel useless.

He quickly stripped off his formal attire and put on a tight black T-shirt, followed by a durable leather jacket and running boots designed for protection. In two minutes, he was dressed and ready for battle.

Ji Si said: “The prophecy I gave was for 3 AM on January 15th, but the first wave of monsters will arrive tonight at midnight.”

Si Nuocheng paused: “Aren’t we going to broadcast it widely?”

“I’m not an alarm clock, why would I announce it at a set time?” Ji Si replied, “If every crisis needed me to give an early warning, humanity would never develop a sense of urgency.”

“They need to understand—relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself.”

He pulled open the curtain and looked at the bustling street below: “Counting the ghost attacks, there have already been four major incidents. I thought that coming to a new place would at least bring some people with a high level of awareness, but that’s not the case here.”

“Comfort has dulled their instincts, and replaced caution with luck, only to be doomed in the end.”

Si Nuocheng was silent for a moment, then said: “Human hearts are fickle. Sometimes, when you make a mistake, words of gratitude and worship turn into overwhelming blame.”

If the monsters attacked tonight and casualties were high, they would likely become enemies of the authorities. The victims in Hai Luo Bay would also blame Ji Si for “making a mistake,” even though he had saved many.

For some reason, even though Ji Si didn’t care about such things, Si Nuocheng didn’t want Ji Si to be blamed.

“Mm, exactly. So, in order to minimize the criticism I face—” Ji Si turned to him and smiled, “Si Nuocheng, you’d better stop those monsters at all costs! If you let even one slip by, I’ll be the one nailed to the pillar of shame.”

“Don’t ruin my reputation.”

Si Nuocheng: …

Suddenly, Ji Si felt like he was trapped. It seemed like Si Nuocheng had dug a hole for him to jump into, and he jumped in willingly?

Tsk! Getting tricked was annoying, but at the same time, being entrusted with such an important task felt oddly satisfying. What kind of twisted mentality was this?

“Aren’t you bringing Old Jiang and the others along?”

“Bringing along a burden like you is already exhausting enough.” His tone was sincere, and his eyes were full of honesty.

Si Nuocheng: …

Well, today was yet another day when the whole team felt especially disliked by Ji Si.

…

Around 10:00 PM, in the southern waters off the coast, the invisible ghost domain’s boundary began to show distinct spatial patterns.

It emerged like scales, in a diamond shape, swirling with the wind. After three breaths, it gradually turned into a 3D geometric shape, quickly rotating and joining together, transforming into the complex form of a Merkabah. Finally, it stretched and rotated, becoming the shape of an ouroboros, twisting again to form the spiral of a Möbius strip.

The transformation happened several times, and the vibrations slowly aligned. The next moment, a brown-gray bat-like ghost solidified into form, suddenly spreading its wings, avoiding the residual dark magic aura near Hulu Port, and instead choosing Hai Luo Bay, where the scent of young blood was most intense.

The hunt began that night.

Dozens of ghost creatures rushed toward their destination.

Five minutes before midnight, Ji Si once again stood atop the highest tower of the city. This was Hai Luo Bay’s unique “Tower of Destiny,” which had been imbued with various sacred meanings of fateful encounters and everlasting love. It had always been the top choice for couples to visit and reach the summit.

But now, deeply affected by the High Priest’s prophecy targeting Hai Luo Bay, there were very few couples who climbed the tower. Even if the prophetic time had not yet arrived, they did not want to stand in a place where escape was impossible.

The couples on the tower ignored him as Ji Si passed by two or three pairs, standing at the far edge and looking down over the whole city. Although the figures below were smaller than ants, he could still lock onto Si Nuocheng’s position at a glance.

A dazzling soul, it truly attracted attention wherever it went.

Ji Si touched his ear communicator, chuckling softly, “They’re coming. Now, open your dimension and use your heart to sense their positions.”

Si Nuocheng’s voice came low, “Understood.”

He remembered the sensation from his dream. When his thoughts were calm, a burning force began to surge through his veins. It felt like a wild beast that had been restrained for a long time, subtly showing signs of losing control.

Considering his nap time, Si Nuocheng had entered the dream realm six times.

Six times! The dignity of a heaven’s favored son would not allow him to lose, nor would it allow him to be clueless! He had always mastered anything on the first try, so dream training should be no different.

He could do it!

His powerful will controlled both his mind and body. Then, Si Nuocheng completely threw aside his usual caution, boldly immersing himself in the familiar yet unfamiliar states of “Ji Dao Ruins” and “Experimental Subject,” while firmly reminding himself of who he was.

Yes, this was the feeling.

It was like a seed breaking out from the heart chakra, like the physical shell could no longer restrain the soul, like the sealed power was being released, like a blue whale leaping out of the sea and flipping in the air!

Invisible, faint golden threads extended in all directions, crossing and interweaving through the air, creating a complex defensive line. Though Si Nuocheng had just recently awakened, his perception already covered a circular territory with a 300-meter diameter.

Maintaining this state, he recalled the sensation of holding a knife.

The clock at the highest point of the Tower of Destiny struck midnight, and a fierce wind suddenly rose, lifting Ji Si’s long hair and white robe. With the “dong” of the bell, Ji Si looked at the area enveloped by the faint golden energy field, his smile growing wider, “Time to start the test.”

“Clang!”

This was the sound of negative energy touching the faint golden threads. In sync with the bell’s chime from the Tower of Destiny, the two people at different locations had their heartbeats and breathing frequencies suddenly align.

Si Nuocheng’s gaze shifted. He abruptly reached out to sweep away the layers of threads, precisely grabbing one and pulling it tight! Suddenly, the bat-like ghost that collided with the thread was cut through like laser-cut mesh, the net turning into sharp blades that slashed down, and it was torn into pieces before it could even react.

The first one!

At the same time, two-dimensional lines rapidly crossed into planes, becoming countless light golden stepping pads. Si Nuocheng rushed upward, as though he’d practiced it countless times, reaching out toward the second bat-like ghost heading for Hai Luo Bay—

In an instant, the rotating geometric shapes merged into the form of a long sword. It swept through the lines, built into planes, stacked into 3D, sharp and thin, stretching out, and in a split second, it pierced the ghost bat’s throat.

Si Nuocheng forcefully twisted his hand, and the faint golden blade directly cleaved through the cold, dark energy body.

The second one!

“Dong—” The bell of the Tower of Destiny rang for the sixth time, and Ji Si stood motionless in the wind, his black eyes shining with a golden gleam. He had expected Si Nuocheng to be in a tough battle, but he never expected his progress to be this fast.

Only six training sessions, yet such talent—truly a once-in-a-thousand-years occurrence. Shortcomings due to lack of follow-up, the instability of dimensions, none of it was a problem for Si Nuocheng.

If his control over power was still unpolished, then he would focus on one point. Even if his dimension was weak, as long as he could survive, nothing was impossible.

Don’t look down, don’t think you’re in reality. Imagine… imagine the sensation of leaping to a great height in a dream.

The burning power gathered in his legs, and Si Nuocheng felt his body become lighter. Suddenly, he leaped high into the air, the space around him rippling like waves, layers pushing him up.

Yes, enjoy it, don’t fear it, steady yourself!

The long sword appeared, and Si Nuocheng slashed horizontally, cutting down the third bat-like ghost. With three hits, the fresh and tender energy stabilized the ghost creatures’ hatred!

“Dong!” The eighth ring of the Tower of Destiny echoed, and birds’ screeches echoed in the wetland park.

Si Nuocheng released his grip and fell, completely unconcerned about the possibility of gravity killing him. They were flying toward him, getting closer and closer, the chilling, disgusting sensation drawing near.

In the next second, the faint golden energy swept through his arm, and Si Nuocheng grabbed the bat-like ghost by the neck. Using its strength, he stood on its back, the dimensions of both sides colliding, blending between physical and illusionary forms, barely maintaining his balance.

Following the sensation from his first awakening, Si Nuocheng extended his fingers.

“Boom!”

The consciousness transformed into a blade, directly slicing through the fourth bat-like ghost. At the same time, another one collided with him, and as he crashed onto the rooftop of a building, his knees shook violently at that moment, Si Nuocheng felt like his body was falling apart.

The twelfth bell of the Tower of Destiny rang. Si Nuocheng gritted his teeth against the intense pain, rolling to avoid the bat’s attack, and using the gap in its spinning motion, he forcefully dragged his finger across the ground, leaving a bloodstained arc.

Crack, crack! The bat crashed into the edge of his protective circle.

“Damn it!”

“Young Master Si” cursed loudly as he fell. It was a pretty hard fall. The intertwining of reality and dimensions made his mind a bit muddled, but this confusion sparked an unconscious surge of power.

When the thought “I’m going to rip you all apart!” appeared in his mind, Si Nuocheng’s manifestation ability reached its peak. His brain went blank, and the only thought left was to make these filthy creatures pay the price.

Instinctively, he reached out toward a ghost bat. The pitch-black thing suddenly solidified into a tangible form, seeming thin and easy to tear, almost like paper?

“Rrrip—”

The faint golden protective circle spread outwards, like an octopus’s tentacles, grabbing the fleeing ghosts and dragging them one by one to Si Nuocheng. Rrrip! Rrrip! Rrrip!

Ji Si: …

The child of luck in an unconscious state seemed even more terrifying than the demon king Abaddon. He’d never seen a scene like this—ripping ghosts apart.

Si Nuocheng appeared to have lost his consciousness, acting entirely on instinct. He wasn’t aware that his dimension was expanding, nor did he realize his soul power was boiling. He couldn’t control the way his thoughts sank deep into the subconscious.

He was in a state of awakened, yet delirious, mind.

No, who was he? He was…

In the brief moment when his rationality returned, one of the ghost bats seized the opportunity to flee in a panic.

It had really been scared silly. Forgetting that it was a high-dimensional entity with wings, it awkwardly flipped three times on the rooftop before tremblingly unfurling its wings and soaring upwards.

It was truly terrified of Earth! The sight of its kind being torn apart was an experience that would haunt it forever!

It flew frantically, unaware that its “restlessness” was sinking Si Nuocheng deeper into a more profound subconscious state.

[If you miss even one, I’ll be nailed to the pillar of shame.]

[I’ll be nailed to the pillar of shame…]

[Miss even one…]

An indescribable frustration tangled in Si Nuocheng’s chest. His eyes, wide open with no focus, locked precisely onto the direction the ghost bat had flown. He leaped to the edge of the building, slowly raised his hand, and the golden threads quickly twisted into a block, weaving into a massive bow!

When he pulled the string, the faint golden power condensed into a long arrow. When he released it, the golden arrow shot out in a flash, making a “whoosh” sound as it tore through the air. The arrow’s residual force swept aside the strong wind, splitting the waves, and piercing the bat’s head with unwavering momentum.

The brown-gray mist dissipated into the air, while the arrow’s light vanished over ten thousand meters away in the sea.

Ten thousand meters away…

Ji Si, at the top of the Tower of Destiny, couldn’t help but tighten his grip on his staff. He narrowed his eyes, watching Si Nuocheng. He saw the other man expertly stow the bow, stand still for a few seconds, then suddenly sway before crashing down heavily from the building’s edge.

Ji Si: …

His pupils constricted! Oh no, he’d slipped and fallen off the building! Si Nuocheng had slipped right in front of him, a live slip!

This was beyond chilling! The High Priest’s PTSD was going to kick in!

…

“Mom, I saw a golden shooting star fly across the sky.” The young girl shook her mother’s hand and pointed to the pitch-black sky. “It went toward the sea, really fast, like an arrow.”

“Did you make a wish?”

“No.” The girl shook her head. “But now I feel really warm. Can I take off a piece of clothing?”

“No, you’ll catch a cold if you dress too lightly in winter.”

The couple, holding their daughter’s hand, walked across the street, unaware that, on the same night, there was more than one person feeling the “burning” sensation. A soul based on “stellar” power—when it made its first vibration in the world, everyone’s magnetic fields resonated with it.

Just like planets orbiting around stars, souls also vibrated in response to other souls. The voice of the world’s first awakened person reverberated as a “wave,” shaking the Earth back and forth, eventually dissipating into the universe.

At the same time, the spiritualists in Qianding City in Ura Country couldn’t help but look toward the south, while the practitioners in the Temple of Cherry Blossom City looked toward the north, full of uncertainty.

Suddenly, natural crystals exploded in a burst of colorful patterns, and heavy bronze bells rang with a humming and echoing sound. In a daze, some people seemed to hear the sound of arrows whizzing by their ears.

It was a very… strange feeling.

……

Si Nuocheng had a long, drawn-out dream.

In the dream, his name was “Adrian,” a long-eared elf with radiant golden hair and dark golden vertical pupils. He was born in a fantastical forest, where he and his kin leaped between giant trees aged thousands of years. Archery and swordsmanship were his specialties.

He had fought in over seven hundred wars, killing countless demons and monsters. Until one day, the sky collapsed, and eternal darkness fell upon this not-so-bountiful continent, completely breaking all defenses.

The elder told him, “Abaddon, the Lord of All Demons, will cause the stars to fall, the earth to sink, and darkness will conquer all living things. Light elves will fall to dark elves—this is the destined outcome. Will you still go?”

He nodded. “I will go.”

Afterward, he drained the last drop of his blood on the battlefield.

Breaking through the fog of his dream, Si Nuocheng wandered through layers of closed-off realms, like navigating a maze. He followed his senses toward the brightest place, and gradually, he heard a familiar voice.

“Si Nuocheng, wake up…”

Dazed, he opened his eyes and saw six dark nostrils above him. Qi Xinli, Laki, and Jiang Qining were standing around his bed, their faces full of curiosity.

Qi Xinli: “Do you know? You slept for an entire day!”

Laki: “Do you know? Ji Si’s long hair is impressive; he actually managed to carry you back like a giant seaweed roll. I thought you were some huge sushi roll.”

Jiang Qining: “Bro Cheng, did you slip on a banana peel or something? There’s a huge bump on the back of your head.”

Si Nuocheng’s mind was still hazy. He rubbed his confused head and propped himself up, feeling like he’d been run over by a big truck. He remained silent, his vision still a bit unfocused.

At that moment, Ji Si, leaning on a large staff, stood before him at a safe distance and smiled, asking, “Excuse me, what’s your name?”

The thousands of years of dreamlike experiences had left him with serious aftereffects. Almost instinctively, Si Nuocheng said, “Aidel…”

Ji Si: …

If I hit you with this staff, you might die.

Fortunately, Si Nuocheng’s out-of-control state didn’t last long. He quickly regained his sanity, but still felt dizzy and nauseous, his face as pale as paper.

“What happened to me?” He only remembered leaping into the air, but couldn’t recall what happened afterward.

Ji Si calmly replied, “You slipped and fell off a building.”

Si Nuocheng: “…Impossible. I wouldn’t do something this stupid, even if I threw my head into it.”

After confirming that Si Nuocheng wasn’t showing signs of a complete personality change, Ji Si relaxed. It was a blessing that his “big cabbage” hadn’t been replaced by some “pig” with a new core.

“Bro Cheng, what happened last night?”

“Sleepwalking. I just experienced what it’s like to log in to a big account in a game.”

Everyone: …