“Ah… ” Yang Zicang let out a long sigh of relief. “Alright, ah, well, at least I don’t have to worry too much about that side anymore. ” Breathing faster than both Qiao Bing and Kaden after a grueling ball game, he said with a relaxed tone, “From now on, I’ll be counting on you to take care of everyone over there. “

“Mm-hmm! ” Boboli nodded vigorously, then looked expectantly at the pendant hanging on Yang Zicang’s chest.

Having been together for so long, he knew all too well that thing was definitely one of those “mental chemistry ” treasures from a story rewritten by a distributor, the kind that could let you review the glorious moments of your life.

• ｛Distributor February. Di’an has improved my perception.｝
• ｛Distributor Di’an has regained confidence in acquiring the Radiance I nurtured.｝

Feeling that gaze—burning yet innocent—a spark of delight quietly rose in Yang Zicang’s heart, dispelling the tangled emotions of shock that had been churning within him moments ago.

Suddenly, he caught sight of the iron sword trembling on the ground like a leaf in the wind.

Yang Zicang let out a silent, scoffing laugh. The moment the demonic sword noticed this, all its pupils contracted sharply, and its blade, now covered in even more cracks, gave a more violent shudder.

｛I am making a continuous investment in the Qiqipo Double-Sided Golden Skeleton Gem Pendant.｝

Cadden watched in amazement as the Fogfolk man who had just taken off his gold pendant showed one after another secret glimmer of light appearing in the emerald greenstone seated in the gold eye socket of the pendant in his hand.

｛I begin to catalog my brand-new life experiences.｝

Boboli, witnessing this for the first time, couldn’t contain his curiosity as he tiptoed on the slightly soft ground, watching the light dots flicker across the gem.

｛I consumed 10… 40… 50N.｝

｛-Iridescent Brilliance: The Night Stalker Who Startled the Navy｝

｛-Iridescent Brilliance: The Bulletin Board That Ignited the Spark｝

｛-Iridescent Brilliance: The Gladiator Who Pen-Wrestled Fate｝

｛-Iridescent Brilliance: The Nameplate That Branded Itself Unique｝

｛-Iridescent Brilliance: The Unyielding Top-Tier Investigator｝

“That’s… five already? ” Qiao Bing, who best understood their true value, exclaimed in shocked disbelief.

“Hmm… no, only four. ” Yang Zicang, not sure what that ‘Iridescent Radiance’ was, and having no time to figure it out for now, saw the folded light pattern flicker again on the model attached to his chest.

｛I invested another 10N, 20N into the pendant.｝

｛-Iridescent Brilliance: The Protector of Researchers｝

｛-Iridescent Brilliance: The One Who Picked Up Ancient Gold…｝

Qiao Bing let out a sharp hiss.

“That’s it, just… six of them. ” Yang Zicang looked up at Boboli, who wore a hint of surprise. “But I still have… four saved up. “

“Oh~ Hoo-hoo. ” Boboli let out a huge sigh of relief. “Great, that’s just enough. “

A few veins twitched at the corner of Yang Zicang’s brow.

He couldn’t invest anymore; it meant that flash of brilliance hadn’t come yet… Perhaps because the widespread momentum was still brewing worldwide, and the truly pitiable plight of exploited laborers in various countries hadn’t yet been completely rewritten.

But it’s already good enough now… really good…

Yang Zicang grinned and bore it, displaying the “Radiance” he had extracted in the real world a few days ago.

Everyone looked at the ten needle-tip-sized bright spots on it, along with one spot that was constantly changing colors.

• ｛Distributor May·Valkyrie looks forward to purchasing my “Heroic Radiance” grade event.｝
• ｛May·Valkyrie opens at 70,000 strands of Five-Colored Moonlight.｝ “Let’s talk about that outside.” Yang Zicang said this while the few people beside him stared cluelessly, then frowned at Boboli. “So… did the Undersecretary ever mention another way to take this thing out? Couldn’t you just memorize it?” “It’s not valid if you relay the ‘Ancient Gold’ intel after discovery. So taking this book back would benefit the entire Mirage Company.“

Clearing his throat, Boboli suddenly squinted at him, and Yang Zicang shifted his gaze away.

“Ham… that’s right, this time the job was indeed given by Ma— Ah, er—” Boboli rubbed his nose, “—the Undersecretary. As for the other method… I only just found out about a second method, but you’ve already used it.“

“Mom? ” Yang Zicang’s eyes were skeptical, then one corner of his mouth twitched. “I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time—the bag on your back is a ladies’ backpack, right? “

“Ah, you see… big brother, actually I… ” Boboli bared his teeth, his hand scratched the back of his head without coming down.

“Haha… I didn’t mean it that way… ” Yang Zicang, realizing something, also bared his teeth. They were both making almost the same moves.

I really didn’t mean it that way—how had the subject suddenly shifted to this…?

Boboli suddenly turned, “Brother, I’ve got a bad feeling—feels like there’s some invisible force trying to mess with our relationship. “

Yang Zicang was also stunned.Right… ever since Boboli got his hands on that book, it’d be a lie to say there hadn’t been a moment of resistance or resentment in my heart… unless one was a true saint.And even though he’d earned those resources through his own “Flash ” investment, it was all legitimate…

Now their conversation had naturally drifted to Jiao Ma. And maybe that, too, seemed legitimate?

But…

Yang Zicang frowned.

He looked up at Kaden.

“Old Ka. “

“What? ” Kaden tensed up instantly. Why had their gazes suddenly fixed straight on him like that?

“You… know the detailed process of this assault on Ebiser and his daughter… and on me? “

Through a series of recollections, Kaden recounted all the details he knew.

According to him, his superior in the organization had assigned a mission requiring him and Sherry to find an opportunity, right before Ebiser Lanna planned to depart abroad, to capture the Secret Vault that their family had carefully guarded for generations.

To win the other’s trust and possible assignments, Kadden and Shirley even got surgery to sharpen their earlobes, disguising themselves as Fogfolk.

The minor episode of their first formal meeting was actually his way to get in touch with Ebiser and his daughter, while testing whether Ebiser would be interested in his identity as one of the Fogfolk, all in hopes of seeking help.

As it turned out, Ebiser directly sought aid from a national hero-level “Fogfolk,” who generously agreed.

“So you really know nothing about the Special Prisoner Exchange Affairs Bureau and Shirley’s situation?” Yang Zicang carefully sensed Caden’s demeanor.

The demon sword on the ground also stared at them with wide eyes, its gaze locked in a fog from earlier.

“Yes… I knew Shirley had received a new task, but I never imagined it would be this severe. I can’t believe she became the walking vessel of demon blood… Shirley… Because her will was particularly resolute, she ended up as such a sacrifice… I… Mr. Yang, Hero! Please help her, I believe you can absolutely do it!“

｛Caden was overwhelmed by my authority.｝

A flicker passed through Yang Zicang’s gaze. The old man sleeping peacefully under the campfire appeared in his heart. The effect from that roasted sweet potato, after his spiritual power improved, brought forth even better results at times like this—especially when others’ hearts were rippled by massive shock.

This was truly a treasure that only served him better the further he went.

{What… what the hell are you guys talking about? }

In the silent air, the demon sword spoke with extraordinary shock.

{What the hell are you guys talking about all this time… Why do you keep saying things like “before, ” “yesterday when you entered the force field, ” and such nonsense! You, we… Didn’t we meet many years ago? How could you only just be arriving here? }

“Oh, you’re talking about this… “

Yang Zicang’s aura suddenly turned icy. He turned his head, his gaze indifferent as he stared at the bundle of demon sword fragments on the ground.

“Do you know why I didn’t completely destroy you and almost let you get all cocky and turn things around? “

{Huh? I… I’ve explained already, I was just forced by the circumstances… }

“Didn’t you say that the reason this world ended up like this is because I left a gold coin right in front of you, encouraging you to turn the world into what it is now? “

{No, I’m s-s-sorry, my lord, I was just trying to please the Beauty Demon Lord, deliberately saying harsh words to provoke you. I didn’t mean it. I take back what I said. }

The demon sword on the ground trembled in fear, staring at the suddenly unsteady Undying King. How foolish of itself… Why couldn’t it hold back at a time like this, poking at a man who clearly had no outlet for his emotions?

“No need to apologize, ” Yang Zicang said coldly, eyes fixed on it. “Because you’re right. “

The few people around him abruptly widened their eyes, staring at the man beside them.

Yang Zicang’s voice turned extremely icy.

“Indeed… it was my wish that led to the… collapse of this world! “

{Wha—What? }

“Hero Sir, you haven’t gotten possessed by something, have you!“

Yang Zicang quickly raised a hand, halting the actions and questions of the people around him, as well as the skeletal Temple Keeper that had already frozen stiff in place.

At this moment, the Demon Sword felt a gaze far more chilling than its own usual demeanor bearing down upon it.

“Because before I prayed for the Saint’s will to evolve this world, I made a wish—to obtain the secrets deep within the real world in the safest way possible. “

The Demon Sword’s eyes widened in terror, one after another, like a cluster of blood-red spiral blossoms blooming in an instant.

“So the world revealed the true history to me. ” Yang Zicang walked over to the Demon Sword. “That’s why I planned to keep you until the end. You’ve done well on your mission, my friend. “

{Mission… done well? I, I, what will happen to me? How is this possible… Was it all fake? Ah, then, then what about the Beauty Demon Lord’s Father, and…and the Messenger, where did they go? }

A fold of light flickered in Yang Zicang’s hand as he whipped open a translucent postcard bearing a blurry image of the Messenger.

“The Beauty Demon Lord’s father, Wu Zheng, has already traveled to the lunar realm of the real world. His will is treated as an honored guest by the great monarchs—oh, excuse me, the lords of the lunar realm. As for the Messenger, I have also used my exchange quota to seal him away; he will accompany me to the real world. “

The Demon Sword stared at the radiant postcard in disbelief. As Yang Zicang unlocked the authority around it, everyone who laid eyes on it instinctively perceived its information blooming in their minds.

｛Special Reward, Prisoner: Emissary Yin.｝

Yang Zicang swept his gaze over the already shattered Essence Thought Courtyard around him.

“As an unstable psychokinetic being born from pure thought, it will likely collapse instantly from the intense mental shock when I release it in the real world. “

The Demon Sword, whose spirit was already teetering on the verge of collapse, heard this. Instantly, its entire blade emitted a fine, crackling sound, like porcelain cracking in a kiln.

{Undead… Great King… }

The Demon Sword’s aura faded into a thin, almost ethereal whisper, curling up from beneath a pitch-black abyss like a plaintive moan.

{Take me away… take me to the true world… I still know so much… I… I can… }

“What you know… ha, is worthless to me. “

{Wh… why… }

Yang Zicang stared at its slowly fracturing body and said in a detached voice,

“Because… what I want isn’t just one answer. “

Under the bated breath of the onlookers, the Demon Sword’s eyeballs wilted and decayed, like the drooping eyelids of a dying old man. A single crack split open from its largest, darkest crimson pupil.

{They… someone in the established parliament… has a secret… } the Demon Sword’s voice rasped with its final struggle, {This is absolutely critical information… please take me away… }

Standing upon the earth, the towering figure that blocked out the sun simply stared down at the body before it, offering no word of response.

In a mix of terror and a plea as pitiful as tears of blood, the demonic sword begged:

{…Give me a chance! }

{…Lord Undying King… the Council… isn’t just trying to evolve the real world… }

“Then what else are they aiming to do?“

A flicker of interest seemed to tinge that voice.

The Myriad-Eyed Demon Sword, like a drowning man finally gasping a breath of air again, felt even the faint, weakening power that coiled around it relax its grip slightly.

{…They want… to create a new continent that never existed in the old world… a land called “Fog Bang_”! _}

“？“

A stunned, frozen Yang Zicang, a trembling-to-the-point of silence Boboli stifling his own voice with his hands, and a dizzy-eyed Qiao Bing whose sight swam in circles, all felt as though a thunderbolt had struck them in unison.

“Create… a ‘bang’-‘land’… a continent?” Qiao Bing groaned, muttering the syllables through the pain.

“Good. You truly live up to your name as the sword that seduced the Demon Lord of Beauty.” Yang Zicang suddenly bared a bright, sharp grin. “I’ll take note of this information… these details. So now, you can rest easy… and die!!!“

{What?! You, you aren’t taking me with you?! Undying King! O, Undying King! Undying King, my lord!!! }

Without a backward glance, the figure retrieved all the statues from the skeletal guardian’s grasp, pulling along the people whose wills had been captivated by temptation, and departed.

The Demon Sword screamed itself hoarse, its voice growing fainter and more ethereal until the entire blade turned into a cracked, dust-gold color, losing all sign of life.

After a long moment, a tall and straight figure walked out of the Holy Temple.

Asena stood on the ground, gazing at the broken sword for a long time. In the clear sunlight, he crouched down and gently caressed the body of the broken blade on the sandy ground. Under the man’s tender touch, all those cracks gradually sealed up and restored themselves.

The demonic longsword, dark with traces of red, flowed and flickered, transforming into a steady, man-high greatsword.

“You’ve worked hard, old friend. “

{Huh? Uh… I’m fine. He actually didn’t choose to take me away, heheh. Guess I pushed it a bit too far. }

“It’s alright. This time, we’ve successfully passed the most important intelligence to the Chosen Ones. So, since he didn’t choose you, it can only fall on you to follow me and continue waiting. “

{But… the Nenrealm of the Saint… The time it can sustain our refined thoughts is already getting shorter and shorter… }

“It’s fine, Ruibo. Trust them. ” Asena stroked it, then suddenly seized the hilt, lifted it diagonally into the air with a sharp jerk, and gripped it firmly.

The white blade threaded with gold exuded a subdued, calm luster under the sunlight.

With no superfluous movements whatsoever, Asena sheathed it sharply back into the angled opening on his back.

Though sightless was the giant sword, it spoke in a beast-king’s resonant voice: “｛Radiance: How I long to feel the true sunlight once more.｝ “

……

“I think we can’t stay here any longer. “

“After leaving the mysterious realm, Yang Zicang held the novel in his hands and, after a long and solemn pause, uttered his words as if finally making that crucial decision. “

“Why? “

“This statement immediately shocked those around him, drawing everyone’s eyes to him—especially Boboli. One could say that the Martial Secrets perfectly harnessing the Five Primary Elements were presently, at most, just learned half-way in terms of multiple element practices; and our two allies directly before us haven’t even started soul de-attaching and extracting this. “

“You all know how urgent our incoming entry was this time, I need not hammer on that. At first I thought all this was Hong Haocheng’s scheme, but since that’s like its now… anyway, at least for now, that Origin Power ｛force｝ doesn’t exist, right? “

“Shouldn’t remain any longer. Since we’ve achieved what we had for goal, ” Boboli commented while bearing three ‘Bloodline Resonance Statues’ with an idled daze in his look.

Each of these statues allows direct entry into ‘True Presence Summons’ without authorization tokens for ‘first circle possession-level blessings.’