I stared uneasily at the orange-yellow clouds below, while the newly forged columnar sword stood quietly at my side.
I've been sitting here for days, reflecting on everything that's happened and thinking about countless things. My anxiety is overwhelming—I want nothing more than to return to the Living World, but Nuwa told me I must wait until the sword beside me has finished condensing.
I don't know what 'condensing' truly means, but I can only keep waiting. Nuwa said that when the sword's condensation is complete, I'll understand what it is.
The Chimera Beasts are still restless. Most of them seem exuberant, because they can accompany me to the Living World—at least, as long as the laws of the Illusory Realm permit it. I don't know why those laws allow us to cross over, but perhaps Will itself is an extension, a layering. Maybe the Yin-Yang World senses the crisis, so we're granted this exception—a single day in the Living World.
I quietly studied the colorful sword—this is the weapon meant to end the Wraithlord. There's only one chance. Nuwa warned me: unless absolutely necessary, never try to pierce the Wraithlord's heart with this sword. If the Wraithlord discovers it, he'll destroy the sword first, and its power isn't enough to withstand his attack. If it's destroyed, there will be no way left in this world to annihilate the Wraithlord's ghostly body.
So I have to find the right opportunity, but I can't do it alone. The Ghost Sovereigns, the Judges, and the Chimera Beasts must help. I've considered it—the Chimera Beasts are powerful, but if they use too much force, the Yin-Yang World will expel them. The Will of the Illusory Realm already warned me about this. When I return, I must first regain coexistence with my primal instinct; only then can I use my power without being banished by those laws.
I've strictly instructed the Chimera Beasts to use only twenty percent of their power—the maximum the Yin-Yang World's laws will tolerate. They can defend against the attacks from the Divine Sovereigns, while we focus solely on the Wraithlord.
Again and again, I rehearse the plan in my mind. But reality may prove different. Frustrated, I lay on the ground, gazing at the sky bathed in yellow light. What worries me most now is how to say goodbye to Rachel Lan.
Whether Rachel Lan can accept it or not, this is my last chance—our final meeting. Once I return to the Illusory Realm, I'll do everything I can to imprison the Will of Hell, never letting it have another chance to spy on the Yin-Yang World.
The best way is to trap the Will of Hell in the Illusory Realm forever—and I myself will do the same, remaining there for eternity. As long as someone remembers me, I can exist in the Illusory Realm forever.
I clenched my fists and sat up, gazing at Soulpiercer beside me. At that moment, the sword seemed to sense my turmoil—cloud-like currents on its surface began to tremble violently. I smiled faintly and looked up at the sky, just as Nuwa slowly moved to my side.
I lifted my head to look at Nuwa, who slowly bowed before me.
"Remember this: there's only one chance. If you're not absolutely certain, never let him know."
Another warning. I nodded, knowing exactly what Nuwa meant, and then shook my head.
"When it's all over, where will you go?"
I asked. Nuwa gazed distantly at the sky, then pointed toward it.
"I will leave completely—severing all ties with this place."
I responded with a quiet hum, stood up, looked at Soulpiercer in my hand, then turned to Nuwa.
"Can I ask you for one favor?"
I said, and Nuwa nodded.
"There are many things I want to tell Rachel Lan—but not now, and not after everything is settled. When it's all over, I hope you'll help me pass my words to her."
Nuwa nodded. I gripped Soulpiercer, instantly shifting position. Strands of glassy light swirled around me as I landed among the Chimera Beasts, those lights slowly drifting up into the sky.
The sword in my hand felt more and more familiar—or rather, it fit my body as if I'd wielded it for years.
"Sourcewell Arch, aren't you going over yet?"
The Blueflame Warden asked. I shook my head, raising the sword in my hand.
"It's not time yet."
I've decided to spend a few days with the Chimera Beasts, and once Soulpiercer has finished condensing, I'll head straight for the Yin-Yang World.
I told the Chimera Beasts to find some ingredients, and I'll cook them dishes they've never tasted before.
After making arrangements, the Chimera Beasts traveled through the passageway opened by Eugenia, heading straight to other Mirages to search for food.
I got busy, and Jade May approached me with a playful laugh.
Sourcewell Arch, are you really planning to stay here forever?
I hummed in response.
"Why not come live in our tribe when the time comes?"
I nodded, then started building a fire. Soulpiercer stayed by my side like my shadow, while Jade May helped carry over some wood.
The Chimera Beasts all got busy, and the place grew lively. Soon enough, one brought back food, and I began preparing it.
Hayden Orion asked, and I hummed in reply. He patted me on the back.
Hou Yi asked, and I hummed in reply. He patted me on the back.
"You're being foolish. Just deal with things when the time comes."
I shook my head.
"Impossible. If I stay in the Living World, things will turn out terribly."
Earlier, I'd considered another possibility, but over these past days, I've realized it truly exists. The Buddhist and Daoist powers within me make it clear—I could remain in the Yin-Yang World.
[Irrelevant system notice—skipping translation.]
As long as I have my instinct for coexistence, and the Buddhist and Daoist powers serve as proof of my existence in the Yin-Yang World, they can anchor my consciousness and keep me alive there. But I still rejected this idea. Maybe this time I can suppress the Will of Hell, but next time, I might not be able to.
"You should really think it over. This isn't a decision you can make alone—you ought to discuss it with your wife."
Hayden Orion spoke, shaking his head with a look of regret.
"Why did your wife leave?"
I smiled and asked. Hayden Orion sighed and shook his head.
"If you miss this chance, you might never be able to return to your wife's side. My advice is to stay in the Living World for now and figure things out."
I shook my head.
"There's no other way. I've already decided—I have to end this myself. If I want a permanent solution, the only way is to let the Will of Hell remain here forever. Even if I'm devoured one day, you'll still be here in the Mirage, won't you?"
Hayden Orion nodded.
"That really is a once-and-for-all solution."
I began cooking in earnest. Soon, the aroma wafted through the air, and the Chimera Beasts grew excited—some even brought out wine.
Before long, we were eating and drinking together. I smiled, holding a glass of wine, watching the happy Chimera Beasts—there would be many more days like this.
I glanced at Nuwa standing at the mountain's edge, then got up and moved over to her.
"Are you coming with me?"
I asked, and Nuwa shook her head.
"None of this concerns me, Ethan Zhang. From beginning to end, I've never wanted to interfere with this world—let it change freely. What is happening now was never my true wish."
"Come with me."
I repeated, and Nuwa stared at me coldly.
"You don't need to do anything—just keep witnessing the end. It all began with you, and it should end with you. At least, go and see for yourself what those you've created have finally become."
As I spoke, Nuwa finally nodded in agreement. I turned to look at the Chimera Beasts causing a commotion on the island.
"When it's all over, you'll be the master of this Mirage."
I nodded. Nuwa didn't plan to take the Mirage she created with her, but to leave it to me. That's fine—this place will be my home from now on.
The banquet went on. Even after the Chimera Beasts had finished all the food, they didn't leave. Many looked forward to what the Living World might hold. I began telling them what they could expect during their brief visit.
Even now, I still don't know how this world came to be. I asked the Will of the Illusory Realm, but she didn't answer. Just then, I sensed something strange—turning my head, I saw a colorful humanoid. The Chimera Beasts couldn't see her. I stood up, spoke with them a while longer, then walked straight over.
The Illusory Realm stared at the sword beside me.
"Can you really end it all with something like that?"
I shook my head.
"Maybe not."
A little drunk, I sat cross-legged on the ground. The Illusory Realm crouched down, her glassy eyes fixed on me.
"You could choose not to come back. No one needs you to shoulder this responsibility."
I shook my head.
"It's not because someone needs me to do it—it's because I must. If my birth has any meaning, maybe this is when I finally find it."
I smiled faintly, and the Illusory Realm shook her head.
"So what will you do when you're powerless?"
After thinking carefully for a while, I shook my head.
"This world is full of accidents and inevitabilities. When the time comes, there will be a way. I've prepared for everything. Even if Soulpiercer can't kill the Wraithlord, the outcome will be the same. That's why I must return to the Illusory Realm."