Chapter 294: The Land of Birth (End)

Chapter 294: The Land of Birth (End)

It felt as though the chaos of the universe's birth was rekindling, an expanse without end.

The white dragon opened its eyes, seemingly perplexed about recent events, its eyes roaming.

But it quickly grasped the situation—

Why?!

In truth, when the "President" contemplated using a vessel to store the "Three Thousand Worlds" system, the dragon deity's corpse was his first thought.

But he couldn't achieve it.

In the case of Jie Fangcheng, when the master of a mindscape shatters and loses control over it, the Chairman can effortlessly copy the game data into Jie's mindscape.

However, the Dragon Deity couldn't.

Being the Creator God, even in death, his remnants could never be trespassed by anyone.

But Ji Chaoyang's approach was not to occupy the Dragon Deity's mindscape but to possess it.

Much like a ghost possessing a body, his specter held a natural advantage.

The distinction is vast. What the Chairman did is akin to performing surgery on a dead fish's brain to revive it, while Ji Chaoyang's action resembled inserting a stick into the fish, controlling the stick, and thus, the dragon.

Of course, Ji Chaoyang as we know him is gone now.

The dragon's body was as vast as the combined volume of the Six Main Zones of the Three Thousand Worlds. Ji Chaoyang, using himself as the controlling stick, seemed inadequate. He used the admin panel left by his wife, extracting the data she left behind, and infused both it and himself into the dragon's corpse.

Ji Chaoyang indeed did not deceive Ji Ge; he found Ji Ge the strongest body.

However—

Ji Ge's soul emitted an inhuman scream. The game's admin interface, belonging to the "Madam," authenticated his identity. While pouring the Madam's data into the dragon, it was simultaneously copied into Ji Ge's mindscape.

It felt as if two entities vied for control over "Ji Ge".

One was "Ji Ge", and the other, "Madam".

No, it wasn't a contest; it was a devouring.

How could someone as shallow as Ji Ge contend with the data left by Madam?

Although Ji Chaoyang was dead, when "Madam's" data voraciously consumed Ji Ge's mindscape, even the dragon's body seemed to resonate with joy.

Madam...

He existed solely to resurrect her.

While Ji Ge repeatedly attempted to kill Zhang Daowu in the past, Ji Chaoyang, who used to be indifferent to Ji Ge's victims, explicitly forbade him from killing Zhang Daowu, even allowing Ronghua to grow to a point where it overshadowed the Chaoyang Guild.

Baffled, Ji Ge always questioned, "Why let him grow unchecked? It benefits neither of us!"

Zhang Daowu's character was crystal clear. With his intense hatred for evil and gentle kindness, he shone like a pristine morning sun, illuminating many.

In a game environment like "Do Not Respond", he diligently dispelled darkness, establishing human societal norms amidst chaos, protecting the weak, and promoting virtue.

The Ronghua Guild became the utopia for many, and its Chairman, Zhang Daowu, played a monumental role.

The moment he uncovered the game's truth and the schemes Ji Chaoyang and Ji Ge were orchestrating behind the scenes, Zhang Daowu would inevitably become their greatest adversary.

But... the resemblance is uncanny.

Both Zhang Daowu and Madam, they blossomed with such passion, willing to bleed dry just to light up those around them.

Ji Chaoyang missed the days when his wife was still with him... Just like the days of glory, members of their guild had once united for the same ideals.

Back then, everyone was happy. Even though they didn't know when they might die in the instance, the satisfaction of doing something for the game, for countless beings, was fulfilling enough.

That's why Ji Chaoyang couldn't bring himself to act against Zhang Dawu. Even if Zhang discovered something, Ji Chaoyang didn't treat him as he would other players.

He merely placed Zhang Dawu in the [Reincarnation Trials]. In hopes of giving him a better chance of survival, Ji Chaoyang even painstakingly tossed half the players from Ronghua into the trials.

Eventually, when Ji Chaoyang and Ji Ge returned to "Three Thousand Worlds," Ji Chaoyang, wanting to keep Ji Ge from revealing the secret and prevent the guild leader from learning that the Dragon's Heart was with Zhang Dawu, absorbed Ji Ge's blood immediately.

He did cherish his younger brother.

In the beginning, when they were both alive, Ji Ge was his family.

Later, in "Do Not Respond," before their memories were restored, Ji Chaoyang looked out for him, valuing him dearly.

But once their memories returned, Ji Chaoyang came to see Ji Ge merely as a "blood vessel" for his wife.

Such a contemptible person, holding the essence of his wife? Was he even worthy?

And now, the time had come for his wife to be resurrected.

Although she might not live as a vampire anymore and, existing as data, might be more system-like, Ji Chaoyang didn't care. He believed his wife wouldn’t mind either.

With the body of the dragon enhancing her powers, she'd surely realize her dreams, right?

What kind of beautiful world would she create?

With these thoughts, Ji Chaoyang met his end, dreaming of his wife's return.

But just as his wife's data was about to completely consume Ji Ge, the data resembling her suddenly vanished, as if strangled out of existence.

Ji Chaoyang had only considered that the Dragon God was a creator deity and, like the guild leader, would try to occupy his mind space. Restarting the dragon's body was impossible.

Thus, he didn't use the Dragon God's cognitive realm, thinking this precaution would ensure safety.

But he forgot that the Dragon God had once merged with the most powerful technological creation.

Even if the original system had followed the Dragon God, the traces it left behind were enough to annihilate any data daring to invade the Dragon God's body.

Ji Ge's soul, on the brink of consumption, was finally liberated. The memories of both his wife and Ji Chaoyang surged into his mind at that moment.

The image of Ji Chaoyang, once a brotherly figure from the orphanage, merged with the Ji Chaoyang who, to resurrect his wife, had coldly turned against him.

A loud laugh escaped Ji Ge.

"Hahaha... So, you saw me as a clown, Ji Chaoyang! Is that it? You want to bring your wife back? She will create a better world, you say?"

He found it utterly laughable: "Wasn't my wife one of the six administrators in 'Three Thousand Worlds'? Wasn't she the strongest guild leader? What did she achieve back then? Do you think she'd do better if she were revived? What dream are you living in?! How absurd! Hypocritical! You think I'm despicable, cruel, revolting... but what about you, who's always supported and covered for me? Aren't we both in the same boat? Are you the righteous one? The atrocities you committed in 'Do Not Respond'—are they simply erased? Weren't the people of the starting land humans too? Stop deluding yourself! You're no different than me! Both of us have been walking the same dark path with no turning back!"

"You wish to forsake your sword? You expect to attain enlightenment just like that? Impossible!"

"In the end, I am the victor! I am the one who survived till the last! Ji Chaoyang!!"

Ji Ge cursed vehemently, and amidst her swearing, she burst into tears.

But Ji Chaoyang had already perished. He didn't even witness the demise of his wife's data. The Ji Ge he looked down upon turned out to be the ultimate winner.

Naturally, he couldn't hear what Ji Ge was saying.

"You wish to resurrect the mistress? And she aspires to be the savior? Ha."

The white dragon awkwardly raised its head.

The dragon was so immense that, as it lifted its head, the main zone of Area A1 near the dragon's head experienced severe turbulence.

At this moment, system alerts sounded for every player.

A foreign electronic voice echoed throughout "Three Thousand Worlds."

[Alert – Emergency situation! Please evacuate the main zones immediately and seek refuge in the subsidiary worlds!]

Players weren't required to queue at teleportation points; the system seemed to have undergone an upgrade, the interface transformed, and a teleportation button appeared.

Zhang Daoan was almost entirely mechanized. He replaced the system with the assistance of the now-withered Tree of Life.

Vast streams of white data flickered on him, and countless mechanical tendrils connected him to an even vaster array of unseen data commands.

Zhang Daoan's complexion was nearly ashen. He wasn't a full-fledged system, and processing the teleportation commands for so many players simultaneously was no easy task.

But Zhang Daoan was well aware that the real danger wasn't here.

The dragon stirred its body; its long tail inadvertently swept over Area F. Those in Area F known as the Devourers screamed and vanished like bubbles.

And as the dragon stretched its form, the Origin Land it once encircled and shielded was revealed.

Ah.

Is this the Origin Land the Dragon God devotedly crafted?

Is this the core of "Three Thousand Worlds"?

If this place is destroyed, then everything will come to an end, right?

The dragon's eyes fixed on the Origin Land.

It seemed so far away, but in this moment, it saw.

Rain was falling on the Origin Land.

A torrential downpour, darkening both sky and earth.

The streets are bustling with traffic, and the gloomy weather seems to dampen everyone's spirits.

At the street intersection, only two cars managed to cross during the green light, and the drivers behind them are cursing out of frustration.

"Damn! Do you even know how to drive?!"

Along the sidewalk, two students fresh out of school are conspiring about which excuse to use to visit each other's homes to watch anime; inside a store, a shoe seller idly scrolls through videos on her phone.

A girl who accidentally stepped on a loose brick is splashed with muddy water, while a child waits for the bus on a bench at the stop...

It can see the faint dimples on a baby's cheek, and the feathers on a bird's wing wet from the rain.

It can hear the sound of raindrops hitting the puddles and smell the sharp scent of plants in the rain.

With a mere wave of its hand, it can make the rain stop.

And with another wave, it can take every life.

But that's not all.

It can disperse the dark clouds, level the mountains, stir up winds that cause waves to flood lands, and also crack the earth open, burying every living creature!

This is — God.

A God of such might can create civilizations and can also destroy everything.

The dragon gazes upon the street where an apparently influential middle-aged man alights from a car, promptly shielded by an umbrella held by an attendant.

Ah, is this one of the influential figures of the mortal realm now?

No.

This is — a mere ant, whose fate God can decide with a thought.

The dragon watches with malevolent intent; with a single thought, its immense power of law surges toward the Origin Land, targeting the one it wishes to kill.

Maybe I'll just kill a few to start.

It thinks nonchalantly.

Kill a few, then create a new game in the Origin Land for its amusement.

Not just the Origin Land but also "Three Thousand Worlds".

With so many souls, it should have enough to create an intriguing new game, right?

The current levels... are just too easy!

Why can't there be a level where only one can survive?

Mortals strive to resist the power of the dungeons, and yet they turn on one another.

There are no more friends or lovers; everyone can be an enemy, everyone must be an enemy!

Look, even his beloved "brother" sees him as a foe. Why shouldn't others?

Their bond was the closest kind. He gave his "brother" everything. If his love remained unwavering and he wished for my demise, I'd gladly oblige.

Which of these beings shares a bond as deep as ours?

If such emotions are feigned... then what's genuine in this world?

Ah...

The dragon sighed contentedly, witnessing the fate of these beings. He, after all, was the origin of their destruction.

Such a formidable, exalted deity, sacrificing his life for mere ants?

How laughable!

Just then, he faintly heard the chime of a bell.

Boom...

The surge of power heading for the Origin Land dissipated with the bell's resonance.

The dragon's brows furrowed, its colossal eyes turning toward the source of the sound.

A figure in dark robes hovered in mid-air, standing between the dragon and the Origin Land.

He looked as insignificant as a speck of stardust, which a gentle puff could turn to ash.

It's... ah, the reincarnation of the Dragon God.

And that same Jie Fangcheng who once confronted him in "Do Not Answer".

The dragon wanted to laugh.

It addressed Jie Fangcheng: "You don't really think you're still a god, do you?"

The reincarnation of the Dragon God?

Yes, reincarnated.

But he isn't the Dragon God.

Without the dragon's form, without such a powerful command of laws, he's just a slightly stronger ant.

And he dares to obstruct me?!

The dragon observed leisurely, eager to see what comedic spectacle this ant would present next.

As the dragon observed Jie Fangcheng, Jie too was intently watching the dragon before him.

This creature stands atop the hierarchy of all living beings. Even Jie Fangcheng, when confronting the "dragon", would shiver instinctively.

So, this is how they felt standing before "me" back then.

No wonder no one dared to speak out in my presence, not even the Elf Queen Soliya, a companion spirit of the Tree of Life.

When he created the 01 World, the Dragon God wished to hear the genuine voices of the beings living there. But all he heard was silence.

There were only praises, hymns, and fear-stricken reverence.

The Dragon God knew they were afraid, but he couldn’t comprehend the root of their fear.

When initially creating the "Three Thousand Worlds," the Dragon God envisioned being its eternal guardian, forever protecting its players from any harm.

But now, standing opposite the “dragon”, Jie Fangcheng understood.

Even if the Dragon God was benevolent and kind, acting solely in the players' best interests, the outcome remained inevitable.

Either he would die, or the players of "Three Thousand Worlds" would "rebel".

And the reason? His overpowering might.

So dominant that no one could ever dare to defy him.

The crux wasn't whether someone would resist him; it was that no one could. No one could oppose him.

All players feared inciting his wrath, just like in the 01 World.

Hence, the fate of "Three Thousand Worlds" mirrors that of the 01 World. After his demise, the six great guilds wreaked havoc, nearly fracturing the game.

The Dragon God once contemplated voluntary demise, hoping to demonstrate through his death that even the mightiest creators could be defeated, heralding an era of "human rule".

They no longer needed to live in fear, and rebellion wasn’t an insurmountable task. As long as they willed it, they could prevail.

The Dragon God wished to give them that final push.

But back then, he failed.

The chosen dragon-slayer still relied on the power of the creator. In the end, the Dragon God was too formidable; they couldn't fathom any other means but to harness his power against him.

And their ultimate ambition was to become gods, not mortals.

However, through a twist of fate, the Dragon God has now become human.

A being, who despite being formidable, seems as insignificant as an ant in front of the colossal dragon.

He trembles in the presence of the Dragon God, acutely aware of the chasm of power that separates them.

Devoid of his formidable physique and the godly ability to create and alter rules, he now solely relies on the strength of being a "human."

What the chosen successor of the Dragon God failed to accomplish... now, he intends to achieve.

Facing the familiar giant dragon, Xie Fangcheng couldn't help but chuckle.

He always carried many burdens, each one he dared not abandon.

He made numerous mistakes, each one he painstakingly tried to rectify.

All along, Xie Fangcheng could not claim to have a clear conscience.

On the contrary, as a crown prince, he obstinately challenged the heavens, leading to the execution of eight hundred generals; as the manager of the underworld, there were times he failed to arrive promptly, causing innocent deaths. And in "Do Not Respond," his negligence resulted in the undeserved death of the innocent.

Once he regained the memories of the Dragon God, he was constantly reminded that he handpicked his own successor.

That successor was inadequate.

He made countless mistakes, though many would argue that none were truly his fault.

As a crown prince, he acted for the welfare of his subjects, not for himself; as a manager, he was hindered by various obstacles, not due to his own laziness; and in "Do Not Respond," his cognitive abilities were compromised, limiting his foresight.

As for the Dragon God... he single-handedly crafted the "Three Thousand Worlds." For the sake of this game, and countless other beings, he gave everything, even his own heart. It was the players who let themselves down.

While these reasons seemed valid, he could never let go.

Because he was formidable.

Heaven and earth revered him, choosing him as the guardian, forging him with unparalleled strength, granting him talents beyond ordinary mortals.

He was bound to hold up the collapsing sky.

But now, the weight on his shoulders feels a bit lighter.

Aside from his perceived "mistakes," he could indeed... assert without shame: he didn't do too badly.

He was the one who mended the heavens, created the game, and saved people from calamity... right here, right now.

The one who will slay the evil dragon is also him.

Boundless ghostly energies suddenly manifest here, in this vast cosmos—

All souls fallen here, heed my command!

The Ghost King's chains, which kept his ghostly aura in check, shatter one by one, and his eyes, one black and one white, turn a deep shade of crimson.

A chilling wind arises, filled with the wails of spirits.

The three-headed ghost hound, the spectral ferryman surrounded by ghostly flames, the broken-winged bird of lament... All spirits obey, rallying around their king.

The Ghost King unsheathes his clumsy longsword—forged from the weapons of his eight hundred ghostly generals. In this moment, the sword fragments into eight hundred blood-stained blades, floating behind him, all pointing towards the massive dragon before him.

The dragon sneered in disdain.

Did this mere specter truly believe it could stand in his way?

Boom—

The bell tolls again.

An ethereal palace materializes behind the Ghost King, as the eyes of a colossal deity statue flutter open.

Not enough— still not enough—

Boom—

The death knell sounds its final chime, and the immense soul-soothing bell unexpectedly shatters.

Simultaneously, the meritorious golden light surrounding the Ghost King, which already seemed vulnerable under the influence of the ghostly aura, suddenly fractures and disperses.

The meritorious golden light acted as a charm to prevent his soul from being obliterated by the heavenly law, but it also suppressed the ghostly aura within him.

In this moment, with the complete abandonment of the meritorious golden light, the fierce ghost's white hair dances wildly, and the ghostly aura forms a second set of regal robes upon him.

On the intricate black robe, clusters of blood-red otherworldly flowers bloom profusely, stretching from the fabric onto his body, even his forehead is covered in vivid crimson patterns.

In the boundless primordial cosmos, the wrathful heavenly law sends down divine lightning, aiming to banish this aberrant specter to hell.

The deity statue behind the Ghost King wields a slender, regal sword, dispersing the heavenly lightning with a single strike.

He arrogantly raises his head, confronting the enraged heavenly law directly.

Heavenly law?

Since it's the law of heaven—

The Ghost King gestures with his sword.

He might be a fierce ghost, but he is also the original guardian— the protector of the "Three Thousand Worlds"!

Heaven! How could it not stand by my side?!

"Command— Heaven! Aid me!"

Thunder rumbles throughout the vast cosmos!

Only now does the dragon before him truly sense fear.

This fear does not stem from the specter in front of it, but from its surroundings.

The dragon twists its head, gazing around in bewilderment, failing to discern the source of this looming threat.

What is it?

Whatever it is! First, crush this insignificant ant before me!

The dragon lets out a skyward roar, causing the surrounding microcosms to tremble and quake.

From its brow, a surging, wave-like power of slaughter charges towards the figure before it.

Yet, the seemingly ant-like ghost in front of it simply swung its sword.

Just one swing.

The sword, infused with both thunder and ghostly aura, pierces straight into the dragon's skull. Thunder, mingled with chilling winds, courses through the dragon's body.

Roar—

The dragon manages only a single cry of agony before the eight hundred razor-sharp blades and surrounding menacing spirits swarm upon it.

The white dragon, like a fleeting shadow, struggles as it's gradually consumed.

The Ghost King in front of it gently touches the luminous dragon horn one last time.

"Farewell," the Dragon God murmurs a goodbye.

Once the dragon vanishes, Xie Fangcheng can no longer hold on.

Being a ghost, the power of thunder is the very bane of his spectral energy. He channeled the thunder into himself, harnessing the power of the heavenly law to slay the dragon. Now, without an adversary, this newly crowned King of All Ghosts, fresh from his monumental feat, couldn't even grip his own sword.

The sword drops first.

Then, Xie Fangcheng, like a weightless stone, plunges uncontrollably downward.

Though he feels the sensation of free-fall, Xie Fangcheng isn't overly concerned.

For he knows well someone wouldn't let him fall to his doom.

In a blink, countless mechanical tendrils from the Tree of Life extend, weaving into a soft net, catching him in his descent.

Swiftly, Xie Fangcheng is gently placed beside the Tree of Life.

Waiting there, Zhang Dao'an abandons his task and pulls him into a tight embrace.

Xie Fangcheng, with his life force seemingly severed and enveloped in ghostly auras, takes solace in knowing that Zhang Dao'an, now a machine, need not worry about the ghostly energies affecting him.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Xie Fangcheng coughs weakly, his soul appearing fragmented and unstable, as if on the brink of disintegration.

Yet, the ghostly energy binds him together, and the meritorious golden light he had scattered returns, enveloping him—it seems even denser now.

Perhaps it's thanks to the unwavering devotion of the Dragon God's followers even to this moment.

Zhang Dao'an gently patted his back, "You've worked hard, rest now."

At those words, Xie Fangcheng confidently rested his chin on Zhang's shoulder, and before losing consciousness, a thought crossed his mind.

If struck by lightning again, he wouldn't fear it in the slightest.

After all, even his inner demon was gone—what could the heavenly laws do to him?!

Strike! Go ahead! Only cowards hide!

As if sensing such defiant thoughts, distant thunder rumbled in indignation but eventually refrained from striking down.

Zhang Dao'an chuckled while patting Xie's back, continuing to work tirelessly, crafting avatars and controlling the entire game, aiming to purge every black data stream of corruption.

But the Tree of Life had withered, and the energy it could provide was diminished...

Perhaps it was time to return to the starting point?

Just then, a tattered figure staggered into view from a distance.

It was the ghost of Ji Ge.

Limping, his eyes fixated intently on Zhang Dao'an and Xie Fangcheng.

He was so close!

He had practically become a deity!

Had he known... he should've killed that young man at their very first encounter!!!

Revenge!

Zhang Dao'an, engrossed in his work, didn't even spare a glance or a moment's attention through his data streams.

Instead, he reopened a portal.

The next moment, countless figures materialized all around.

Nie Shuangshuang, nearly frantic after being teleported, dashed over and cautiously placed a finger under Xie Fangcheng's nose, then immediately exclaimed in alarm.

"Brother Xie isn't breathing!"

Qi Chanyang looked at her, baffled, "Did Brother Xie ever breathe? Isn't he a ghost?"

"Oh, right!" Nie Shuangshuang sighed in relief.

On the other side, the Fourth Hall's Yama arrived in person, immediately noticing Ji Ge.

The Yama, endowed with the power to judge good and evil, immediately ordered, "Seize him!"

Workaholic Cui Jue was already by Zhang Dao's side, inquiring, "Did you call us here for some task? Oh!! It's all sorted out? We can now establish the Underworld Branch in 'Three Thousand Worlds'? Should some of us start by detaining the notorious players? You're giving us back-end access? Sure! So... uh, is Manager Xie..."

"He needs to rest."

"Oh!" Cui Jue continued, "Will he join us to work after recovering?"

With Manager Xie here, it seems to matter little whether the system gives special access or not.

Manager Xie's power level is like the stabilizing Sea God's Needle.

Zhang Dao didn't hesitate: "No, he needs a break."

"Ah... okay then... about the report..."

"I'll handle it."

Cui Jue was persistent: "After he recovers, he really can't help? Not even for a day? When does Manager Xie start his vacation?"

Zhang Dao finally looked up.

He first glanced around.

After the filter of "Do Not Respond" and recent simulation instances, the players and ghost messengers seemed to get along well.

In front of him, at the very least, were twenty to thirty thousand beings... twenty to thirty thousand ghosts.

Ghosts.

They neither need sleep nor food, the chosen corporate slave 007.

Manager Xie has been active for so many years; it's time for someone else to take up the mantle of 007.

This many 007s should suffice for now.

Besides, in the future, they could hire players from 'Three Thousand Worlds' to work.

Absolutely perfect.

Zhang Dao glanced down at the unconscious Xie Fangcheng in his arms, his expression tender.

"As for Manager Xie's vacation... it starts now."

————End of Main Text——————