In the empty, deathly silent Solar System, one orbiting planet after another loses all vitality. The outward-to-inward collapse of detonated celestial bodies has forced the entire system into an untimely era of extinction, without warning.
To be here—
—is like standing in a star-sea graveyard steeped in cold.
"There will be a way."
"These are the Human Race’s top institutions. In some fields, they even surpass the Ancient Kingdom. They will definitely have a solution." Andrew kept repeating his reassurance, sounding full of confidence, but his lips trembled slightly. A storm of tangled emotions brewed in the depths of his heart.
Hiss.
He took another deep drag on his Zhonghua cigarette.
Miles Ning scratched his wrinkled chin, his pale face growing even weaker, as if he truly felt it too. "Even though I’ve had the privilege of facing death twice, when it really comes to this moment... I still feel reluctant to let go."
Sigh.
"I wanted to personally witness Lucy’s wedding. I even hoped to serve as her witness myself."
Most of the time,
objective reality does not bend to subjective emotion.
Andrew understood this. And with Bailey’s data to support him, he understood even more clearly the catastrophic consequences for a Sealed Celestial cultivator who detonates their celestial bodies for explosive power.
As a Hall Primeval, how could he not know?
He just didn’t want to think about it, didn’t want to believe it, didn’t dare to lift his head.
"Master."
"Please... please, just hold on a little longer."
Andrew lowered his head and spoke softly, gritting his teeth as he tried to smile—a pleading expression caught between laughter and tears.
Beside him,
Miles Ning sat cross-legged, his back straight as a pine.
Even in his twilight years, he still possessed a piercing spirit. It was as if, in a single instant, a towering green mountain had thrust itself up from the earth into the dim, blue-black heavens.
His faint breath of life faded into exhaustion and decay. He grew increasingly gaunt and aged, until only his clouded eyes retained a glimmer of clarity. The expression that should have been cold and distant through the ages softened into kindness and gentle reproach.
Kid.
"You're just too selfish," Miles Ning said with a gentle, satisfied smile. "What, you still want this old man to keep watching over Earth for you? I'm simply too tired now. I'm afraid I won't be able to help you anymore."
Hearing this,
Andrew slowly raised his head, his clear black-and-white eyes suddenly shining. "Who's selfish? Clearly it's you, old man. You never give yourself a choice."
Hmph.
Miles Ning tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Still won't admit it," Andrew retorted through gritted teeth. "You only needed to hold off that Light Clan Argo, but you insisted on killing it. Master, you really have to change that stubborn streak."
With that,