The once-calm surface of the black curse-powered sea suddenly surged, a massive swirl of water rising up. Gradually, I saw a depression forming in its center.
Suddenly, I cried out in shock—a massive mouth was opening, aiming to bite down on Lan Yin's falling form. It was a turtle's head, its crimson eyes emerging from the black water.
"You can't escape, Lan Yin."
Despair Origin roared, nearly reaching Lan Yin. The overwhelming impact made it impossible for Lan Yin to steady himself in midair. Though flames were repairing the Vermilion Mantle, it was already too late.
With a whoosh, Despair Origin suddenly swung the Fatebound Blades in his hands. The blades, like black ribbons, spun and flew toward Lan Yin, once again wrapping around his arms.
With a thunderous crash, the giant turtle snapped its mouth shut, swallowing Lan Yin whole. Despair Origin collided with the turtle's head, vanishing without even a ripple, as if sinking beneath the water's surface.
"Lan Yin..."
I shouted, the sound echoing. The giant turtle retreated into the sea, the sky gradually darkening. The surface of the water grew calm again, but Lan Yin's figure was nowhere to be found.
"It'll be alright. It must."
Rachel Lan gazed quietly at the sea, hope shining in her eyes. I nodded, continuing to watch.
"Heh, so this is your power, Lan Yin."
An evil, shrill cry echoed from the surface of the sea. The water began to converge, gradually engulfing the Black Tortoise's body until only its enormous head remained above the waves. Despair Origin stood atop it.
At that moment, Lan Yin crouched on the golden Vermilion Bird's forehead, his right hand gripping something and pressing it against the bird's head.
"Yes, this is my power."
Lan Yin's face was expressionless, his voice low and somber.
"Trying to kill me again, Lan Yin? Just like you abandoned everything. But this time, you'll fail again—just like you've always failed in life."
With a thunderous roar, Lan Yin remained silent as the Vermilion Bird shrieked and dove straight toward the sea. In an instant, blinding light erupted, flooding the world in gold. I grabbed Rachel Lan tightly beside me and shut my eyes.
A deafening rumble filled my ears, but suddenly, the sound stopped abruptly. The rushing air was blocked outside. Squinting, I saw a silvery membrane forming around us. I glanced in confusion at Qi, who stood nearby with one hand raised.
As the golden light faded, I could finally see: a silvery membrane had appeared across the entire city wall ahead, completely blocking the immense impact. The wall remained unharmed.
"What happened?"
I stared wide-eyed into the distance. As the flames dissipated, the bright moonlight faded like the curtain call of a stage, and thick, dark clouds gathered again overhead.
Lan Yin quietly faced Despair Origin in midair. A black thread pierced through Lan Yin's heart. I saw Despair Origin's two swords joined together, stabbing through Lan Yin's chest.
"Another failure, Lan Yin. You couldn't accomplish anything. I bet you're wondering why I possess such strength!"
Blood trickled slowly from Lan Yin's mouth. He shook his head, a look of sorrowful resignation on his face.
"I'm just wondering why I didn't notice you sooner."
Lan Yin gripped the Phoenix Altar in his right hand. With a sharp crack, the Phoenix Altar shattered completely, and the power within Lan Yin vanished.
"In the end, you are still yourself—a life of constant defeat, never a victory, Lan Yin. You abandoned your faith so easily, and the power of the Four Guardians is inseparable from faith. Deep down, you never truly believed in these sacred spirits, did you?"
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Lan Yin raised his head slightly, revealing a pale, exhausted smile.
"Qi..."
I called out. In an instant, Qi had rushed to face the two, holding the silver-blue Wishblade, pointing it at Despair Origin.
"The outcome is decided. I guess it's my turn next."
Despair Origin sneered, suddenly flicking his sword. With a sharp sound, Lan Yin was freed from the blade. Qi caught Lan Yin with one hand, then flung him backward. Lan Yin flew toward us, and I immediately floated up, catching him steadily in my arms.
"Lost again, Qingyuan. Once more."
I said nothing, quietly landing on the city wall. Rachel Lan stared at Lan Yin, her eyes showing not a trace of sorrow, but rather a deep respect.
"There's no need for me to fight you, little girl."
Despair Origin spoke lightly. With a whoosh, Qi darted in front of Despair Origin, slashing with her sword. With a swift motion, Despair Origin's head flew high, but instantly his body turned into a black stream and merged into the sea.
"Come out."
Qi shouted, but immediately laughter echoed all around us.
"I'm not planning to fight you. When this world ends, you'll leave too. Everything is already settled. We were never meant to cross paths. Even if you kill me, nothing will be solved. What must be accepted still must be accepted. In these last days, let Lan Yin reflect on everything he's been through."
The voice gradually faded away. Qi, frustrated, sheathed her sword and floated over to us.
Lan Yin lay quietly on the ground, a look of confusion in his eyes. Rachel Lan knelt beside him, reaching out to wipe the blood from his face.
"Why do you fight so desperately?"
Lan Yin said nothing, closing his eyes.
"I don't know. Maybe I've never fit with the Hades Circle, even after joining it."
"You never even believed in the sacred spirits, yet you forced yourself to use their power. That's foolish."
Lan Yin opened his eyes, smiled, and nodded. I noticed black lines exposed on his torn shirt, embedded in his skin, slowly flowing like liquid darkness.
"What is this?"
I immediately knelt down, about to reach out, but Lan Yin brushed my hand away.
"When this world dies, I will die too. That guy will die. It's all over. I've already secured the passage. In three days, you'll have a chance to leave."
Lan Yin glanced at the Spirit Serpent. Rachel Lan shook her head.
"Were the things you said to me before just on a whim? Or do you say that to every woman?"
Rachel Lan smiled gently at Lan Yin. Lan Yin smiled back, then pushed himself up with both hands, shaking his head.
"It's been so long, I can't remember anymore."
I know only a little about Lan Yin; there's so much I don't understand. I sat quietly before him, just watching.
"Can you tell me, after Miss Mo Yu died and you chose Lan Miao as the successor, what did you go through?"
Lan Yin stood up silently and walked away, step by step descending from the city wall. His figure seemed lonely and desolate. Maybe no one could truly understand all that Lan Yin felt. I have experienced the loss of a loved one, and once is enough. But Lan Yin has watched those he loves leave again and again, powerless to stop it.
"Why are people of the Lan family so stubborn? Maybe it's inherited from Lan Yin."