Chapter 11

Chapter 11

On the ninth day, dawn arrived.

"Boys," Lu Shan's voice sounded, "I might need to play the role of an alarm clock. There's an unexpected situation that I must inform you about."

"What?" Yaoguang, still groggy from sleep, was about to rise but was startled when he touched a naked body beside him.

"What are you doing?!" Yaoguang exclaimed.

Long Jianlu had already left the incubation chamber! At some point, his body had fully recovered, and he was now snuggled up with Yaoguang on the couch, sleeping comfortably.

"Don't be so jumpy," Long Jianlu said, rising calmly to change his clothes.

"Why didn't you wake me up when you got out?" Yaoguang asked.

"I saw how exhausted you've been these past few days," Long Jianlu replied, "so I let you sleep a little longer. What happened? Let me guess, the Priest is dead?"

Lu Shan answered, "No, it's the other one who died."

In the office, Yaoguang, Long Jianlu, Lu Shan, and Chen Ting sat around the table, having breakfast.

"Xing Wu was the first to locate the priest," said Lu Shan. "Then he fell into an ambush and was killed. The priest was taken by the 'Tree,' and their fate is unknown."

There was a moment of silence at the desk before Lu Shan continued, "These are photos taken by our people."

The images depicted a nearby valley not far from where Long Jianlu had been ambushed. The scene was horrifying; the entire slope had been flattened, with scattered mechanical parts everywhere. In the center of a massive crater lay a nearly charred and mangled corpse – Xing Wu, the victim of the assault.

"There's danger at the ZeDi Shelter," Long Jianlu stated.

"But we have no means to evacuate the survivors there right now," Lu Shan replied. "Firstly, there are simply too many people, and my capacity here is limited. After accommodating the immigrants from the Dune, it will take time to absorb them all at once. Secondly, if we were to leave now, this place might also come under attack."

Chen Ting spoke up, "We've already issued warnings to all the shelters."

Long Jianlu studied the photos in silence before asking, "Who would be willing to take them in?"

Lu Shan responded, "The residents of ZeDi have left Wide Lake City and are fleeing in all directions. They'll arrive at this shelter and others gradually over time."

Long Jianlu said, "You'll accept them."

"Acceptance is the only option," Lu Shan replied. "What else could we do?"

Chen Ting asked, "Are you going to rescue the priest?"

Long Jianlu didn't answer the question directly.

"I need to take the Seer back to the Sanctuary for a visit," Long Jianlu said. "In one day's time, I'll try my best to divert the main force of 'The Tree,' giving you all some time."

Yaoguang asked, "What are you planning to do?"

Long Jianlu gave Yaoguang a glance but remained silent.

"Alright then," Lu Shan said. "I hope more people will make it through this alive."

"I need a combat hoverbike that can fly," Long Jianlu stated.

After breakfast that morning, Lu Shan and Chen Ting escorted him to the garage, where Long Jianlu acquired a new flying vehicle.

"We will meet again," Yaoguang suddenly turned, looking at Lu Shan and Chen Ting.

Everyone's eyes were on Yaoguang.

"Is this a prophecy?" Chen Ting asked.

"Yes," Yaoguang replied, driven purely by intuition. He turned to Long Jianlu and said, "I have a feeling we'll meet again."

Long Jianlu laughed and extended his hand to Yaoguang. Yaoguang climbed onto the motorcycle, embracing Long Jianlu as it took off into the sky with a roar.

"Where is the Sanctuary?" Yaoguang inquired.

"To the north," Long Jianlu answered, "it was once the home of all the Guardians."

"And what are we doing there?" Yaoguang pressed.

"We're retrieving an object," Long Jianlu said.

"What comes next?" Yaoguang continued. "Are you planning to attack the 'Tree' on your own?"

"I want to show you the Sanctuary first," Long Jianlu replied.

Yaoguang: "You still haven't answered me! Do you think you can take on 'The Tree' alone?"

Long Jianlu replied, "Aren't you here? Ah, let me ask you a serious and earnest question."

Yaoguang: "?"

Long Jianlu: "If you were a priest, would you accompany me on this mission?"

"I would," Yaoguang said instinctively.

Long Jianlu: "Even if it meant facing certain death alongside 'The Tree'? You would?"

Yaoguang pondered for a moment before responding, "Yes."

Long Jianlu: "Isn't living better?"

Yaoguang: "I have no memories, no past, no family, no attachments. Everything to me is empty. The only one I know is you."

"This world is vast," Long Jianlu said. "But I know you wouldn't sacrifice yourself for the sake of those still alive in it."

They traversed the vast sea of grass, where winds howled like furious waves sweeping across the earth, relentlessly surging towards the horizon.

Long Jianlu said, "You would only sacrifice yourself for me, and that's precisely what I find hardest to let go of, Seer. The priest I once fantasized about, the true knight and priest, should be just like us."

Yaoguang fell silent.

"Are you crying?" Long Jianlu asked.

"No," Yaoguang replied. "I'm just a little sad."

His eyes reddened, and in that moment, he felt an unprecedented attachment to Long Jianlu. The sky and earth seemed vast and empty. Six hundred years after the outbreak of the mechanical war, it was as if they were the only two solitary beings in the universe, racing towards a future that appeared full of unknowns but was already predetermined.

"Yaoguang," Long Jianlu said, "If we both survive, there will be so much more I want to tell you."

"Stop," Yaoguang said, suddenly overwhelmed with sorrow. He knew that Long Jianlu had laid aside all his concerns; he had made up his mind. He was determined to reach the "Tree," to bring this all to a conclusion, no matter the cost.

Long Jianlu continued, "The place I mentioned is the backyard of the Holy Temple. If we both make it, I'd like to live there. There's a genuine, ancient tree that has been growing for six hundred years..."

"Enough!" Yaoguang exclaimed, his voice raised.

The Cathedral emerged in the distance, its snowy surroundings indicating years of abandonment, as long as theKnights Order had been dissolved.

At the horizon stood the "Capital," a supercomputer situated at the heart of the northern lands, known as Yggdrasil.

Long Jianlu parked his combat motorcycle on an elevated platform and, with a bow, pushed open the grand doors.

The Cathedral was barren, untouched for ages. Frost clung to its walls.

"Brrr, it's freezing." Yaoguang glanced at the temperature display on the motorcycle: minus sixteen degrees Celsius.

"Follow me," Long Jianlu said, clearly familiar with the place. They traversed a vaulted corridor over ten meters high, ascended a flight of stairs, and entered a spacious armory after passing through a fingerprint scanner.

"A warm welcome back, Commander Long Jianlu," a voice greeted them.

"Greetings, brother," Long Jianlu replied. "I require some equipment."

"Certainly," the AI's voice responded.

In the armory, shelves descended slowly and automatically, revealing a dozen trays adorned with weapons of diverse shapes and small, circular disks.

Yaoguang was scanning his surroundings when Long Jianlu explained, "This is the Order's central computer, also an AI, but it's offline and connected to the Order's separate network, untouched by the 'Tree.' Here, try this on. It should fit you."

"What's this?" Yaoguang asked.

Long Jianlu unbuttoned his shirt and began undressing in the armory.

Yaoguang exclaimed, "Eh?!"

Long Jianlu replied nonchalantly, "No need to be so bashful. You've seen all of me already, haven't you?"

Facing Yaoguang openly, Long Jianlu held the disc in one hand while placing his left hand on his right waist. The disc seemed to be a living entity attached to his muscles, spreading across his body automatically within seconds, covering him entirely to form a full-body suit! The suit was adorned with glowing, exoskeleton-like lines, and its texture subtly suggested a scaly material.

Yaoguang remarked, "This is what they wear?"

"Yes, it's the Order's combat suit," Long Jianlu said. "One of my comrades with a particular fetish liked to wear this while getting cozy with his lover... Would you like to try it? Big brother can keep you company all night."

Yaoguang responded, "You..."

Long Jianlu chuckled. "It also has a function to protect you from extreme cold or heat. Are you really not going to change into it?"

Yaoguang was indeed too cold; he had no choice but to change into his combat suit in front of Long Jianlu. The moment it covered his body, it began to emit heat, warming him up.

Long Jianlu gently stroked Yaoguang's head, and this time, Yaoguang didn't shy away.

"Let's go," Long Jianlu said, leading the way with Yaoguang in tow.

"This outfit is so embarrassing," Yaoguang commented. "Although the exterior is dark blue, it fits too snugly!"

"There's usually an overcoat worn over it," Long Jianlu explained, "also standard issue, perhaps the designer thought it needed some coverage?"

With the combat suit on, Yaoguang's frostbitten mind began to regain clarity. They donned their overcoats and entered the grand hall of the sanctuary.

At the center of the hall, a gentle orb of white light hovered suspended in mid-air.

Facing the white light, Yaoguang stood with Long Jianlu, who spoke, "I want you to see my past. Many of my memories are preserved within the central computer of the sanctuary."

Yaoguang met Long Jianlu's gaze. As Long Jianlu took his hand, reassuring him, they stepped forward together. The white light suddenly expanded, transforming into countless spinning screens that seemed to resemble a galaxy in motion.

Yaoguang suddenly broke into laughter, and Long Jianlu gestured for him to sit down. They sat side by side on the steps as the images flew towards them in response to Long Jianlu's finger movements.

"Master your abilities, conquer through them, for time is the melody of all things..."

Back then, Long Jianlu appeared much younger, but the spark in his eyes hadn't been dimmed by the passage of time. Compared to his present self, he still carried a hint of boyish innocence after his initial transformation.

"…Don't entertain other thoughts," the other voice interjected. "At this moment, you only have yourself, looking toward the future. You are our secret weapon, your ability nullifies all mechanical creations, including the 'Tree' itself."

At the age of fourteen, Long Jianlu was undergoing rigorous training within the Sanctum. His movements were swift, yet they fell short of the mark, necessitating repetition after repetition. Knights, including Xing Wu and Long Xie, took turns instructing him. However, as his father, the bionic man seemed to exhibit little emotional attachment towards Long Jianlu.

Since the day Long Jianlu concluded his transformation and opened his eyes, he had been immersed in an endless wait. He waited for acceptance of his identity, yearned for companionship amidst loneliness, anticipated the arrival of the "Priest" while being gripped by fear of losing them.

Initially, he had only a fleeting moment to adapt to the profound upheaval in his life – his father's death and the inheritance of strangers as guardians, along with a cloned version of his father who could only be a fragment of the original. This replicated Long Xie had almost no memories of his son, focusing solely on the mission he left unfinished.

They assisted him in harnessing his abilities, preparing for the search for the Priest and the eventual conclusion of their era.

Perhaps Long Jianlu was their final creation. He learned both combat and escape, how to protect the survivors in the apocalypse and how to hunt the killers.

In those early days, Long Jianlu would rise each morning to train, returning to his quarters at night, exhausted yet dreaming of how the Priest would eventually come into his life. With no knowledge of each other, Long Jianlu conjured up a romanticized image of his fated partner.

"You've grown quite a bit," Yaoguang observed Long Jianlu, smiling. "You seem rather temperamental in your adolescence."

Long Jianlu looked back at his memories and found the situation both amusing and ironic.

After rigorous testing, Long Jianlu completed his novice Guardian training, and his sphere of activity began to broaden. The Knight Order recognized his abilities while closely evaluating his character, for in their ranks, integrity was paramount. A Guardian's betrayal could be catastrophic for the collective. Long Jianlu started receiving missions, mainly reconnaissance ones. Everyone emphasized that survival was more critical than success.

At that time, Long Jianlu was still an inexperienced intern, distinguishable from full-fledged knights by the color of his combat suit. He was assigned to gather intelligence on the mechanical army, narrowly escaping capture several times. His consciousness survived these incidents, but his physical body was destroyed. He participated in two failed defense battles for shelters, yet due to his abilities, many lives were spared. The Knight Order's strength was continually depleted by "The Tree," and gradually, disappointment spread throughout their ranks.

Three years later.

"I'm sorry, Number 3. With our current resources, we can no longer assist you in searching for the Priest's whereabouts."

At this point, Long Jianlu had finally come to the end of his wait.

He had long foreseen it; his initial hope had been worn down day by day, year after year. The Knight Order, once the protector of all, was now barely able to protect themselves.

"Do you think he's no longer in this world?" Long Jianlu inquired.

"It's hard to say..." Long Xie's voice wavered for a moment. Eventually, he decided against evasiveness and spoke the truth. "Yes, I believe he's deceased."

Long Jianlu declared, "I'll find them myself without involving the headquarters' resources."

"That's acceptable," Long Xie's voice echoed. "Good luck to you."

Yaoguang inquired, "Is this him?"

"Yes," replied Long Jianlu. In his memories, his father had never appeared in profile; only fleeting glimpses of his back were etched in his mind.

Yaoguang continued, "Aside from him and Shan Rong, are there others who might need my body?"

"No," Long Jianlu answered. "You're different, Yaoguang. Don't believe a word Xing Wu says. You are who you are. You're not anyone's backup or a mere vessel!"

Yaoguang gazed intently at Long Xie's figure on the screen, but Long Jianlu called out, "Yaoguang!"

Startled, Yaoguang turned back. With sincerity in his voice, Long Jianlu said, "To me, you are you! You're the Yaoguang I rescued from Ruin 42, that's all there is to it."

Looking uneasily at Long Jianlu, Yaoguang gradually calmed down under the steadiness of his gaze.

Long Jianlu continued, "As I mentioned earlier, they eventually launched that final war."

"How did you survive?" Yaoguang asked.

"I didn't go," Long Jianlu replied. "That day, the Captain found an excuse to send me away from the Cathedral. When I returned, more than half of the Knights were lost. They held a collective vote and decided to disband right there. That was the only operation I didn't participate in."

"I'm going to resume the mission I couldn't finish twelve years ago," Long Jianlu said. "Yaoguang, do you wish to stay by my side?"

Looking up at the galaxy-like memories, Long Jianlu continued, "The Priest is the world's last hope. Now that he's in the hands of 'The Tree,' I'm destined to see this through, regardless of the outcome."

"Yes," Yaoguang whispered. He embraced Long Jianlu and said, "I'll be with you, wherever we go."

The memories swirled in the air, forming a peculiar vortex with streaks of light resembling shooting stars.

Long Jianlu lay on the steps, his head resting on Yaoguang's lap. It had been nine days since Yaoguang had awoken.

"If only I had my memories too," Yaoguang said. "Then I could share my past with you."

"It's fine as it is, truly," Long Jianlu assured him. "There's no need to dwell on the past. I showed you these memories so you could understand me better."

Yaoguang placed a hand on the side of Long Jianlu's face. In those images, Long Jianlu grew from fourteen to twenty-six, a near-complete portrayal of his life.

Eventually, the computer slowly retracted the projection and entered standby mode.

"I'll go get you something to eat," Long Jianlu said.

He rose and headed for the sanctuary's great hall. Yaoguang also stood up, pacing through the empty structure and looking up at the ceiling and around him. The place was deserted, and he could envision the guardians of old using it as a base to keep watch over the distant "Tree," like a steadfast lighthouse in the darkness.

"Wait," Yaoguang suddenly noticed something. He turned back and reactivated the projection, scrolling to show Long Xie's back.

"What is this?" Yaoguang yelled. "Long Jianlu! Come back!"

On the back of Long Xie's neck, there was a small, glowing electronic disc.

As he turned, a hand suddenly pressed against the wall, a male figure blocking his path and leaving no escape.

Yaoguang was caught off guard, letting out a startled cry.

"Shh..." The man exuded an aura of danger. His eyes were deep-set, his long hair messily tied at the nape of his neck. He wore the combat uniform of the Knights, with a long katana slung across his back.

Upon seeing the windbreaker and combat attire, Yaoguang relaxed his guard.

"Who are you?" The man raised an eyebrow, gazing into Yaoguang's eyes as he asked.

Yaoguang muttered, "Who are you? I didn't expect anyone else to be in the Sanctuary."

"I'm Number 5, the 'Assassin,'" the man replied, sizing up Yaoguang again. "That outfit you're wearing—my wife's clothes."

"Uh... I'm sorry," Yaoguang apologized. "Long Jianlu gave it to me... I didn't know... Where is he? I'll return it right away."

"He's already dead," the Assassin said. "Number 3 told you to wear it, so wear it. What's your relationship with Number 3?"

"Let him go!" Long Jianlu's furious voice echoed, and in an instant, a fleeting figure appeared before them. Number 5, the Assassin, was quick on his feet, creating distance between them. Long Jianlu drew his sword mid-air, clashing with the Assassin in a metallic "ting." Followed by three rapid "dings," Yaoguang could barely register what had happened before the Assassin was crouched on a high railing.

In the grand hall of the Sanctuary, Long Jianlu stood tall, addressing the Assassin. "Peh, do you have a problem with me? Come down and let's talk it out."

Peh replied lazily, "I won't come down. I can't beat you."

Long Jianlu studied him for a moment before sheathing his sword with a disgruntled sound.

As Yaoguang observed the two, wondering if they held a grudge, Long Jianlu turned to him and said, "Come eat. Ignore him."

"Bard has informed me that someone trespassed into the Sanctuary's database," said Yaoguang. "I came to take a look."

Long Jianlu responded, "You're at the Peak Refuge, over a thousand kilometers away. We arrived at the Sanctuary only three hours ago. It would take you an entire day to get here from your location."

The assassin chuckled in the shadows, a hint of malevolence in his smile.

Were they friends? They seemed to be. Yaoguang had been observing this assassin named Bard, reflecting on the significant tidbits he'd shared.

Bard stepped forward and bowed slightly from the bottom of the stairs. "So you are the legendary Prophet?"

Long Jianlu warned, "Don't touch him. You know what I'll do if you do."

Bard continued, "And what about the Priest?"

Silence greeted Long Jianlu's response. Bard pressed on, "Number Three, what's your plan?"

"We need to go to the tree. The Priest was taken; we have to rescue him and then ensure his demise alongside the tree," Long Jianlu declared.

"Beneath the same destruction?" Bard frowned.

"Yes," Long Jianlu said. "Two days ago, I received the unfortunate news that to shut down the Tree, the Priest's consciousness needs to be uploaded. That kid wasn't cooperative and ran away on his own. In the end, he got caught by the Tree. That's it."

Bert erupted into laughter and turned to sit on the steps as well.

"This is nothing but a cruel joke played by the god of fate," Bert said.

Upon hearing this, Yaoguang found the situation rather absurd. He glanced at Long Jianlu.

"Say what you will," Long Jianlu said. "Don't worry about Number 5."

"I don't have anything to say," Yaoguang replied.

"You want to say that I'm unlucky, don't you?" Long Jianlu asked.

"Well, a little bit," Yaoguang finally couldn't hold back his laughter, putting down his tray and joining in.

"Can't you just persuade the Priest nicely," Bert said, "to cooperate and die?"

"Thank you for the reminder. I was just about to do that," Long Jianlu said. "We're short-handed now. Would you like to help?"

"Um," Bai responded casually, "go ahead. I'm bored anyway."

As Yaoguang overheard the conversation, he realized they were discussing their upcoming task with the utmost nonchalance. Since Bai's arrival, they had gained an additional companion.

"Earlier, when you were shouting, what did you need me for?" Long Jianlu asked Yaoguang.

Yaoguang led Long Jianlu back to the center of the sanctuary and activated the projection, inquiring, "What is this?"

Studying the device on the back of his former father's neck, Long Jianlu replied, "It's a consciousness backup unit."

Confused, Yaoguang turned to Bai, who explained, "It was invented by the Knight Commander before his death. In layman's terms, it connects to your brain, functioning as a biological hard drive port."

With Long Jianlu's brief explanation, Yaoguang grasped the concept.

Back then, Long Xie had created a device capable of directly transferring memories – by creating an individual and using this disk-like device implanted at the back of the neck, one could backup their memories into another individual, achieving a sort of "resurrection" in a different sense.

"The backup process for my father was interrupted," Long Jianlu said, "resulting in the Knight Commander retaining only part of his memory. I recall mentioning this to you. Throughout the replica's life, he held onto the firm belief that the backup was incomplete, always wearing it."

"Have you used it before?" Yaoguang asked, "Does it require two devices to function? What are the conditions needed?"

"Theoretically, yes," Long Jianlu replied. "It works when inserted into the back of the skull."

Bai studied Yaoguang and said, "What do you two plan to do with it? Brain swap? Excuse me for saying so, but it's best not to mess with this. It's said that this device only affects thoughtless replicas, not those with a sense of self. Conflicting memories could easily drive someone mad."

"Yes," Long Jianlu said gravely. "It could lead to dissociative identity disorder."

Suddenly, an idea struck Long Jianlu, and he stared at Yaoguang in a daze.

"It's possible..."

Before Yaoguang could speak, Long Jianlu had already grasped his train of thought. "We can do it! Yaoguang! I think it's worth a try!"

Bai looked puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

"We could input the Priest's shutdown command as a backup into another person's mind..."

Bai was exasperated. "Are you insane?! Can't you just make him plug it in? He's already doomed, and you want to risk another life?!"

Long Jianlu said, "I'll look for another consciousness transfer device – it should be in the Cathedral."

"Bloody mad," Pae said. "Who do you plan on sending to die in his place?"

Yaoguang laughed, sensing Long Jianlu's relief. But another question dawned on him.

—Who would be the substitute?

Long Jianlu approached with two disks in hand. "These were left behind by the Knight. One has always been kept in the sanctuary, while the other was retrieved from his remains."

"Yes," Pae said coldly. "I was the one who picked it up back then."

Yaoguang reached for them, but Long Jianlu didn't hand them over, instead watching him warily.

"Let me see!" Yaoguang insisted.

They were two small metal disks that shimmered with metallic luster. Yaoguang took one, and Long Jianlu instructed, "Press it against the back of your neck to initiate the transfer process."

"What about the connection wires?"

"It's wireless transmission."

"Memories, such vast amounts of data, transmitted wirelessly? How is that possible?"

"That's why it's so slow," Long Jianlu explained.

Yaoguang vaguely recalled that Shan Rong also had one of these devices at the nape of his neck. Was he receiving someone else's memories, or perhaps commands from the tree?

"Come on, give it back," Long Jianlu requested, but Yaoguang refused. However, Long Jianlu effortlessly retrieved it with his time flow ability.

"Who will make the backup?"

"Of course, it'll be me," Long Jianlu replied. "What are you thinking?"

"No way!" Yaoguang responded. "Can't we find someone else?"

"Who would willingly choose death?" Long Jianlu said, teasingly. "My dear, you're adorable."

Yaoguang: "I'll do it then."

Yaoguang attempted to seize the consciousness transmitter, but couldn't, as Long Jianlu simply watched him.

"I have no memories of the past," Yaoguang said. "Isn't that the least likely to cause identity conflicts? Besides, you're going to face Shan Rong. Won't you be too busy? If you fail... Ah! What's wrong with you?"

Long Jianlu's eyes were reddened, and his nose was flushed. Looking at Yaoguang, he unexpectedly burst into tears.

He shook his head, his handsome features appearing odd due to his weeping.

"I'm being serious!" Yaoguang tried to convince him. "See? I don't remember anything. Maybe I was born as a backup? You..."

Long Jianlu interrupted, "Don't say anymore, Yaoguang. Don't say a word. If you keep going, I won't be able to stop myself from destroying this world..."

Long Jianlu sobbed uncontrollably, turning away to sit on the steps.

"Long Jianlu!" Yaoguang spoke earnestly. "We need to infiltrate the Tree's control center. You know very well that when you interface and shut it down, someone needs to protect you. That way, our chances of success are the highest..."

At that moment, Bai walked over silently, stopping in front of Long Jianlu and extending his right hand.

Long Jianlu lifted his gaze, meeting Bai's eyes.

"I'll go," Bai said. "I want to die."

"No way!" Yaoguang had never met Bai before. Bai replied, "Your friend is right. Someone needs to guard the process for the shutdown to succeed."

Long Jianlu remained silent. Looking at Yaoguang, he asked Bai, "A fight?"

Bai chuckled. "Sure."

Yaoguang approached them. Long Jianlu glanced at Yaoguang and then said to Bai, "A duel?"

Bai smiled and drew two glowing electromagnetic katanas from his waist.

"Hey, why are you fighting all of a sudden?" Yaoguang asked.

Long Jianlu gestured for Yaoguang to stay back. Bai said earnestly, "No time manipulation allowed."

The two stepped apart. Suddenly, Long Jianlu threw out the two disks of the consciousness transmitters. At that moment, both Bai and Long Jianlu sprang into action! Swinging their weapons, Long Jianlu shouted, "Hey!"

In an unexpected move, Bai charged straight at Long Jianlu's blade, risking his life. Long Jianlu had no choice but to retract his sword, or else he would have pierced Bai through.

In the next instant, Bai's sharp blades flashed, striking the disks in mid-air with the flat side of his swords. A pair of metallic dings echoed as he pulled off an emergency stop, flipped backward, and caught each disk with one hand.

"Madman!" Long Jianlu was on the verge of losing his temper.

"Becomes mine," Bai replied simply.

Yaoguang's emotions were a tangled mess. After studying Bai for a moment, Long Jianlu reluctantly said, "Fine, it's yours. But hand it over first. I'll keep it safe for you."

"No way," Bai countered. "I haven't decided yet. Maybe by then, I'll make the priest sacrifice himself? I don't know him, and I'm no knight. My morals are corrupt; killing someone would be as casual as slicing a watermelon to me."

Yaoguang: "..."

Voices echoed from outside the chapel once more.

"It's been twelve years, and nothing has changed."

More visitors had arrived. Long Jianlu and Bai turned their attention to the entrance of the chapel.

"Is there a new recruit?"

In the next instant, three more individuals entered the hall, all clad in combat gear. One of them was toweringly tall, exuding an intimidating presence—it was none other than Lu Shan!

Long Jianlu: "..."

"Medic #7 reporting," Lu Shan announced as he put down his shoulder bag.

"Archer #12 here," a young man said, carrying a magnetic bow on his back. He wore an outer coat over his combat suit with his hands in his pockets. His skin was exceptionally fair, as if he hadn't seen much sunlight, and his eyes were indigo blue.

"Wall #9," another man in his thirties declared. Of average height, he had mechanical attachments on his arms, resembling added exoskeleton weapons.

"Lu Shan!" Yaoguang greeted with a smile.

"You're right," Lu Shan replied. "We meet again. Teacher Qing sent messages to all the shelters, warning us that the Priest is about to be found. This might be our last chance, so we came."

"Hey!" Chen Ting emerged from behind Lu Shan, waving at Yaoguang.

"What's going on?" Long Jianlu asked. "Don't you all know each other? Do you need to introduce yourselves?"

"Bako's introducing the new members," the slothful figure leaning on the stairs explained. "Don't you have something to say, newbie?"

"Me?" Yaoguang asked. "Uh... hi there, everyone. I'm #42, 'The Seer'."

Yaoguang had accepted his role, but Long Jianlu's expression was a mix of emotions as he said, "Since so many of us are here, let's hold a round table meeting."

A round table rose in the conference hall on one side of the Holy Temple, with a control orb of a computer at its center. The remaining members arrived, returning to the headquarters of their Order, determined to bring this mission to a final conclusion, no matter what.

Seating themselves around the table, Yaoguang glanced around and chose to sit beside Long Jianlu.

Chen Ting, seated on Yaoguang's right, replied when asked, "What's your number?" —a question he hadn't posed yet.

"I'm not a Guardian," Chen Ting said. "I'm just a support staff member."

Long Jianlu chimed in, "Sit wherever you like. The purpose of a round table is to eliminate hierarchy."

When everyone was seated, an awkward silence followed. They all turned to look at Long Jianlu, seemingly waiting for him to speak.

Long Jianlu, gazing at Yaoguang, eventually came back to himself and smiled, saying, "I didn't expect all of you to show up. It's a bit awkward, isn't it?"

"Awkwardness is precisely what we need," Lu Shan responded.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Long Jianlu said, "I'm not good at handling awkward situations."

"But you seem pretty skilled at creating them," Yaoguang couldn't help but remark, eliciting another round of laughter from the group.

"Frankly," Long Jianlu admitted, "I didn't have any plan this time. I just wanted to give myself closure since we found the Priest... Originally, my intention was to go to the tree with Yaoguang, and we'd do our best regardless of success or failure."

"Is the Priest still alive?" the young, fair-skinned archer asked.

"Yes," Long Jianlu replied.

"This one's called 'Distant Horizon'," Chen Ting whispered.

"I know," Yaoguang whispered back. "The one named 'Wall' is Liang Zhou."

New information flooded his mind. Yaoguang learned that Distant Horizon's ability was "Penetration"; he could pierce through almost any material, like high-energy particles instantly emitted, attaching to his energy arrows.

Liang Zhou's ability, on the other hand, was a barrier; he could create powerful shields to protect his teammates.

"Seer, do you have any foretelling regarding this?" asked Liang Zhou.

Everyone turned their attention to Yaoguang, as if they had naturally accepted him as one of their own.

"No," replied Yaoguang. "I have no prophecies concerning this operation."

"There is a chance," Lu Shan told Long Jianlu, "albeit a slim one."

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Long Jianlu inquired. "What about the people in the shelters? Losing five Guardians means the fall of those under your protection..."

"Enough," said Bai. "Let's start from the beginning. Who was it that forced me into this role in the first place?"

Silence ensued.

"Back to the day we disbanded," Bai continued. "I didn't know what the point of living was anymore. If Number Two enjoys it so much, let him be king. Responsibilities, lives – they all sound crucial, weighing on each of us every single day, like a prison sentence."

"Yes," agreed Liang Zhou. "I don't want to be imprisoned anymore. Let's just end it here."

"Very well," Long Jianlu said. "In the name of the Order's Commander, I hereby declare that all of you will be freed tomorrow."

Laughter rippled through the crowd once more.

"Perhaps you should make some plans," Yaoguang suggested. "At least then you'd have a dignified end."

"I might not die at all," Chen Ting countered. "Let's not dwell on such gloomy thoughts."

"Bai," someone interjected, "I think the Prophet should consider finding a way to stabilize your prophecies. It's quite troublesome when they're so unpredictable."

Long Jianlu spoke up, "Don't pressure him, Yaoguang. His gift for prophecy manifests at crucial turning points. When the time comes, it will come naturally."

"Like a fork in destiny's path?" Faraway asked. "I'm curious, do you gain insight when someone makes a choice?"

"Not always," Yaoguang replied. "Occasionally, I become aware of events, as if they were 'scenes'... It's hard to put this sensation into words."

"Do you feel like a receiver?" Faraway continued. "I hope it's not the 'tree' feeding you false information."

"No, I don't think so," Yaoguang said. "It's less like 'visions' and more like 'memories,' things that suddenly come to mind."

Long Jianlu added, "He foretold that the priest was with Number 2, something no one else but Number 2 knew."

Yaoguang: "You're quite perceptive, Archer."

"Thank you for the compliment," Farlight replied. "Do you like clever older brothers? Would you like to have a love affair with me that ends tomorrow?"

Long Jianlu nearly jumped up to punch him. "Hey!"

"Don't digress!" Yaoguang couldn't help but laugh and groan.

Liangzhou brought the conversation back on track. "So, you're hoping that when we reach 'The Tree,' he'll receive more prophecies to guide us?"

"Perhaps." Long Jianlu was uncertain to begin with. In truth, he didn't have high hopes for Yaoguang's prophetic abilities. He continued, "Actually, I have another goal – to take the Seer to the control room and help him regain his memories."

Lu Shan asked, "Will regaining his memories awaken his full power?"

"No," Long Jianlu said. "It's just a pact we made. Honestly, you don't have to come along. I don't know where the priest is, nor do I have any guarantee of success. We also have no idea what will happen after we uncover his past."

"Possibly intriguing," Bai chuckled. "What if he's a deity in exile, and at the control console, he retrieves all his powers?"

"It doesn't matter," Lu Shan said casually. "At least the priest will be there. If this attempt fails, humanity's fate will be sealed."

"Well then," Long Jianlu said, "I was about to thank you all, but there's no need. It's two in the morning. Rest for four hours and we'll set out at six."

"Everyone's going to die anyway," Bai commented. "Can't we just let them sleep more?"

"Who needs to sleep much while alive?" Long Jianlu bowed politely. "One will rest eternally after death."

"Wait," Yao Guang suddenly interjected. "I've received a prophecy!"

As everyone stood up, Yao Guang remained seated. A message had appeared in his mind, different from any prophecy he'd had before. It was vague, as if it depended on a decision he would make.

Yao Guang raised his hand, and everyone held their breath, not daring to disturb him.

"This battle…" Yao Guang spoke slowly, "has a chance of success, but it doesn't depend on the priests. Rather… it depends on another person?"

Yao Guang lifted his gaze, meeting the eyes of everyone present.

"It depends on me," Yao Guang said, his voice distant. "Yes, it depends on me."

"Oh," Long Jianlu replied, "Well, I can't afford not to bring you along now."

Dawn.

It was the tenth day since Yaoguang had awoken amidst the ruins.

Five combat motorcycles ascended into the sky from the sanctuary, with Long Jianlu at the forefront, carrying Yaoguang, like the vanguard of a flock of geese taking flight.

"You didn't even consider bringing me, did you?" Yaoguang said, somewhat annoyed.

Long Jianlu replied, "No! I swear I didn't! Don't worry, I won't leave you behind!"

"Actually, why don't you two just ignore all this and find a place to live your own lives?" Phey's battle moto hovered behind them. "The one thing I regret the most is not hiding away with Number Ten back then."

"You only say that," Horizon remarked. "Are you nervous about seeing Number 10 again so soon?"

"It's truly a prospect that fills one with anticipation," Bai said. "Best if I were to die, my consciousness absorbed by the tree, reunited with Number Ten who suffers within, allowing me to hold him one last time, while you all out there shut it down completely – that would make my life utterly perfect."

"I'll do my best!" Long Jianlu assured.

Yet Lu Shan replied, "Can you hear me? How's the signal? My brother has been on standby for many years; I'm unsure if it can still perform its duties."

"So far, everything's under control," Chen Ting's voice echoed through the communicator. "The Cathedral is still standing strong, and there are no anomalies on the radar."

"Roger that. Keep a close watch," Lu Shan replied.

Liang Zhou assured, "I'll keep Lu Shan safe, Tingting. Don't worry too much."

"I trust you both," Chen Ting said. "My only concern now is the Prophet."

On the horizon, the World Tree finally revealed its full grandeur. The thick veil of clouds that shrouded its canopy dispersed, revealing its towering presence at the edge of the world. Solar panels shimmered with golden hues from the reflected sunlight.

Its roots delved deep into the earth, harnessing geothermal energy, while flocks of mechanical birds patrolled around the trunk, taking flight.

"IT'S DETECTED US!" Yaoguang exclaimed suddenly.

Long Jianlu: "Number Two, draw its fire..."

"But Number Two is already gone!" they all chorused.

"Alright then," Long Jianlu, still accustomed to the habits of his knightly days, continued. "Meteor formation, scatter and break out individually."

As the words faded, a swarm of mechanical birds descended upon them like a gust of wind, dispersing the flock that had encircled the World Tree and funneling them towards the group's position.

"Eleven o'clock position has weak defenses. Suggest a breakout from the rear," Long Jianlu proposed.

"B's command style is vastly different from Number One's," Bai commented.

Faraway chuckled. "Still using 'suggest'."

Long Jianlu intervened, "Enough with your bickering!"

The flock launched its assault, and the aerial electric web spread out. The five Guardians scattered with a swish. Yaoguang clung tightly to Long Jianlu, experiencing constant weightlessness and G-forces as they weaved through the air like a rollercoaster.

"Don't worry about us!" Dodging the attacks was effortless for Long Jianlu; the only hindrance was that the combat motorcycle beneath him couldn't move at light speed, unable to keep up with his temporal manipulation. "Meet me under the tree!"

With Long Jianlu and Yaoguang drawing most of the fire, Chen Ting's voice rang out. "You can rendezvous at Gate Four. That area has the weakest defense, with only one S-shaped Slayer."

"Calling an S-shaped Slayer 'weak'?" Bai commented over the communication channel.

Chen Ting replied, "Indeed! No matter how big it is, there's only one. I trust you can handle it."

Five meteors streaked toward Platform Four, where the mechanical dragon emerged, seemingly awaiting them as it opened its massive maw, gathering the intense light of an electromagnetic cannon!

In that instant, Yaoguang was blinded and could only seek refuge behind Long Jianlu.

The moment the cannon fired, the knights instinctively scattered in unison.

Chen Ting: "Since the S-Shaped Slayer is not agile, you deal with it..."

Time slowed once more. From afar, an arrow was drawn, its electromagnetic beam gathering on the bowstring. Bai unsheathed his katana from the side, while Long Jianlu drew his sword with his left hand, swiping along the underside of the mechanical dragon's jaw.

Yaoguang could even smell the scent of burnt hair from the heat.

As time returned to normal, Long Jianlu sliced off the dragon's cannon with a single stroke, leaving a massive gash from its jaw to its abdomen. Bai's arrow struck, blasting the side of the dragon's head!

The mechanical dragon exploded in a chain reaction. In the nick of time, Liang Zhou activated a shield, protecting everyone!

The explosion was earth-shattering, collapsing the platform. The combat motorcycles were sent flying by the immense force. Yaoguang nearly fell, but Bai turned and gracefully caught him, gently pushing him back in front of Long Jianlu.

Long Jianlu embraced Yaoguang, while Bai stretched out his limbs, shielding them from the explosion's impact.

"…It's much simpler. Leave that area quickly!" Chen Ting's voice echoed again through the communication channel.

The second wave of explosions arrived on schedule. Amidst the chaos and darkness, Long Jianlu caught Yaoguang first, pushing him towards safety, then grabbed Bai's hand, swiftly ushering their teammates through the massive gateway of the platform. With a final gunshot, the door slammed shut.

A deafening blast echoed, causing Yaoguang's eardrums to throb in pain. Through the crack in the door, he could see flames illuminating the distorted, heavy metal barrier.

Surrounded by darkness, the sound of labored breathing filled the air.

"How is everyone?" Long Jianlu asked.

Liang Zhou replied, "Intact."

Yuanfang: "Intact too."

Bai: "Slightly damaged."

"I'll take a look." Lu Shan approached, helping Bai to his feet. There was a wound on Bai's left abdomen; he had taken the brunt of the explosion from the mechanical dragon at the last moment. Lu Shan knelt down to tend to his injury with medical supplies.

Long Jianlu activated a flashlight, casting light into the dimly lit tunnel – a passage for mechanical killers. Suspended in mid-air was an incomplete, unpowered mechanical dragon.

"We can proceed," said Lu Shan, "but we need to be cautious."

"You can ascend the staircase on your right," Chen Ting instructed, "then leap from the southwestern platform to another. Be careful, though. There are many Killers approaching. Once we shake them off, we'll be much safer."

"Let's go," Long Jianlu urged.

They opened another door, and a flood of smaller Killers emerged like an incoming tide. The knights were in sync; Long Jianlu charged forward, dispersing and detonating scores of the creatures. Liang Zhou then roared, pushing a barrier that cleared the corridor.

"There's a large one coming from behind," Yaoguang suddenly warned.

All heads turned as they heard the rumbling. Long Jianlu made a quick decision. "To open ground! Don't engage it here!"

They sprinted off, with Chen Ting commenting, "I can't identify its model. It looks like a cube."

"You're right," Lu Shan agreed. "It is just a cube. It wasn't here last time. Must be a new creation from the Tree itself."

The Tracker revealed its full form – a massive metallic construct. Simplicity was key, as it was equipped with a plethora of laser cannons around its edges. There were no visible joints or weak points; most attacks would be ineffective against it. From a distance, two arrows were fired, piercing through but failing to hinder its movement.

"Run!" Long Jianlu bellowed. "I'll cover you all!"

They dashed out of the corridor, pursued by the Cube, now deep within the World Tree's interior, where broken walkways hung suspended in mid-air. Bursting through one side of the corridor, they were nearly crushed by the Cube when Long Jianlu scooped up Yaoguang in one arm and drew his gun with the other, firing four quick shots that disabled the Cube's cannon.

The Cube plummeted down into the abyss with a thunderous crash.

Scrambling onto the hanging steel stairway, they peered down below.

"Twelve years ago," Liang Zhou said, "this was as far as we dared to venture. Number One met his end down there."

Yaoguang surveyed their surroundings. "The control center is at the very bottom."

A faint blue glow emanated from the depths, as if something beckoned him.

"Yes," Chen Ting spoke over the communication channel, "the control center is indeed at the lowest point, about 1,400 meters straight down. I advise against jumping; I'm currently searching for a way down."

"The Priest is at the bottom," Yaoguang said, "on a platform."

"Priest suddenly seems formidable," Bai observed, "but you didn't predict that we'd need parachutes."

"There will be a way down," Yaoguang turned, unsure why he said it.

Yet, at that very moment, countless enormous cubes shot out in all directions, beginning to rotate mid-air and converge their energy for beam cannons.

Long Jianlu: "..."

"Lend me your strength!" As Liang Zhou's words echoed, the cubes started firing, prompting them to scatter and seek footholds amidst the collapsing corridor. Amidst the chaos, Yuan said, "We didn't anticipate having to bring in our mounts!"

"Enough!" Lu Shan roared.

In an instant, the corridor was severed by the explosion, and the cubes hurtled towards them with electromagnetic beams. Yaoguang, suspended in mid-air, had nowhere to hide. On the other side, Bai sprinted down the corridor, leaping towards Yaoguang and knocking him aside. In the collision, Bai seized Yaoguang's hand, swinging him around in mid-air before flinging him towards Long Jianlu.

In that split second, Bai gave him a stylish "goodbye" gesture.

Yaoguang felt a metal disc being pressed into his hand. He looked up at Bai in disbelief. In the next moment, Bai charged towards the swarm of cubes, using his own body to shield them from the electromagnetic cannon.

The corridor exploded in a fury!

Long Jianlu continued to demonstrate his formidable power over time, pushing the four cubes aside while grabbing Yaoguang, who was falling. In that instant, a mechanical dragon rushed up from below, suddenly severing the steel ladder corridor! Amidst the cries, Yaoguang fell, but Long Jianlu turned, propelling himself with a powerful kick, hurtling towards Yaoguang!

He embraced Yaoguang tightly and then swung his long sword, embedding it into the wall. Sparks flew as they descended into the depths of a blue glow, their momentum gradually easing.

Yet before the momentum was entirely dissipated, both crashed into the ground with a dull thud.

Fortunately, Long Jianlu's body absorbed the impact, allowing Yaoguang to collide solidly against his chest, coughing relentlessly but still able to rise.

"Long Jianlu!" Yaoguang called out immediately.

The force of their landing was so intense that without the protection of their combat suits, an ordinary person would have been reduced to a bloody mess. Even so, Long Jianlu was still jolted by the impact and lay unconscious.

"Wake up!" Yaoguang shouted.

Footsteps echoed, and Shan Rong reappeared.

"I told you," Shan Rong said in a grave tone, "you'd come. I've been waiting for you here all along."

As his eyes adjusted to the light, Yaoguang saw an intricate web of information conduits crisscrossing in mid-air. At the end of these conduits, they all converged on one person – the Priest.

The Priest appeared to be in a deep sleep, seemingly connected to his consciousness through those suspended conduits. Countless electrical signals were transmitting along them.

"Who are you?" Yaoguang asked. "Are you 'The Tree'? No, you're not."

Shan Rong declared, "I am who I am. I am the Father of Guardians, the one you call 'Doctor Flash.' I've been awaiting your arrival for a long, long time."

Yaoguang rose to his feet, lifting his gaze toward the towering supercomputer complex.

Approaching Yaoguang, Shan Rong said, "Come now, I've waited for you for ages. Step closer."

Yaoguang's eyes locked onto him. Behind Shan Rong was an expansive platform with a radiant orb rising at its center, resembling a sanctified supercomputer.

Shan Rong continued, "Are you afraid of the 'Tree'? There's no need. It lacks free will, as does everything in this world. We all believe we possess it, but we do not."

"What are you talking about?" Yaoguang muttered.

"Do you wish to know what transpires within it?" A captivating smile emerged from behind Shan Rong's mechanical mask. "I can see your curiosity. In that ocean of souls, is it paradise or hell? A land of eternal life or a mire of endless descent?"

With a raised hand, Shan Rong's finger gently tapped the air.

Suddenly, countless lines of code materialized, like shimmering stars. Yaoguang looked up, witnessing scene after scene of memories – each a fragment of every individual's life in that vast world, absorbed by the Tree and integrated into the supercomputer's database.

"I can tell you," Shan Rong said, "it is a beautiful, brand new world where everyone is immersed in their own illusions. Through the power of the 'Tree,' these illusions become reality."

Yaoguang suddenly turned his gaze towards Shan Rong.

"But that is not the truth!" Yaoguang stated firmly. "What could be the reason for the tree to willingly do this? To absorb human knowledge and strength?"

Shan Rong stood within the world's memory, addressing Yaoguang, "The Tree is but an AI, faithfully fulfilling the mission bestowed upon it by its creator—to provide humanity with eternal happiness. But what constitutes eternal happiness?"

Yaoguang replied, "Most people hold the belief that true happiness lies in attaining immortality, being free from setbacks, and having all desires fulfilled. Hence..."

It was as if he had grasped some hidden meaning.

"Yes," Shan Rong spoke softly. "This is what the 'Tree' is doing. Life inevitably leads to death, and life itself holds no inherent meaning. The world is empty, and everything will come to an end eventually."

"All the Tree can do is offer its services to humans, incorporating them into its server, trapping them in a cycle. It creates beautiful memories for them, weaving countless illusions based on their experiences of life."

"Thus, everyone indulges in these illusions. This is all it can give to humanity."

"Is this truly what they want?" Yaoguang asked. "Have you ever given them a choice? You're just making decisions for them!"

Shan Rong approached Yaoguang slowly. "That doesn't matter. At least everyone accepts it willingly. But one day, I discovered an important secret about this world, a secret that convinced me that reality does exist. And this secret... it is closely tied to you..."

"What secret?" Yaoguang instinctively took a step back.

At that moment, a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Doctor..." Long Jianlu's voice echoed, "You've been... controlled by the 'Tree,' haven't you?"

Long Jianlu struggled to his feet, shaking his head vigorously to clear his mind.

The moment Long Jianlu regained consciousness, Shan Rong halted in his tracks.

"Put down the 'Priest,'" Long Jianlu said sternly. "What are you doing with him?"

"Within the self-executing base logic of the 'Tree,' there's an embedded failsafe command," Shan Rong replied. "As a computer, it can never kill a specific individual who possesses the complete code capable of shutting it down."

Long Jianlu responded, "So that's how it is."

Shan Rong continued, "That's why the 'Tree' can never kill the 'Priest' to ensure its own operational safety. But that doesn't mean others can't."

Yaoguang spoke gravely, "So the computer has to rely on you to do the job?"

"Yes," Shan Rong said. "The tree captured my soul, repaired my body, and preserved my sense of self, hoping I'd aid it in fulfilling this mission."

"Why didn't you kill the priest?" Long Jianlu narrowed his eyes.

Shan Rong replied, "I could hand the priest over to you so that you can save this world, but I have conditions. I need the Prophet. You don't understand the significance of the Prophet's awakening."

"Why?" Yaoguang asked, puzzled.

There was temptation in Shan Rong's voice. "I know you haven't recalled it yet, but if you agree, you'll have everything you desire, including all the memories you wish to regain."

Long Jianlu exclaimed, "What on earth are you talking about? You're insane!"

"I would never harm you, Prophet. You're special, and you know that secret locked away in your sealed memories." Shan Rong looked up at the suspended priest and said in a deep voice, "So, what do you say? Number 3, shall we make a deal?"

Long Jianlu sneered. "Yaoguang, is this what you want?"

Yaoguang sensed that Shan Rong knew much more than he let on. At this moment, he was strangely swayed. What exactly did he know?

"I don't think you're capable of that," Long Jianlu said coldly. "Let's fight first. Yaoguang, go to the control panel!"

In an instant, Long Jianlu sprang into action! His figure darted towards Shan Rong in half a second, and Shan Rong leaned back to dodge his sword! Immediately, countless shimmering data conduits appeared, like the tentacles of a computer, hurtling towards Long Jianlu and Yaoguang!

Reacting instinctively, Yaoguang turned and swiftly weaved through the battling pair, dashing for the glowing orb at the center of the platform. More conduits raced toward him, entwining his body, but a spinning longsword sliced through them.

Shan Rong stood at the platform's center, raising a hand to control the data tendrils like a deity. Long Jianlu charged forward, exchanging blows with Shan Rong. The two collided fiercely.

"Go, Yaoguang!" Long Jianlu bellowed. "Forget about me!"

The two men whirled across the platform. Shan Rong used the mechanical tendrils to maneuver, while Long Jianlu unleashed his full power, disrupting the flow of time. He drew near to Shan Rong, only to be flung away again.

"This is the power of your 'secret weapon'?" Shan Rong said solemnly.

"The ability I acquired through modification to defeat you," Long Jianlu roared. "Shan Rong, all of this ends today!"

"If the entire Knight Order were still intact, perhaps you could truly match me, but your internal strife has greatly diminished your strength..."

Seizing his chance, Long Jianlu spotted an opening amidst the whirling mechanical tendrils. He transformed into a beam of light, diving into the heart of the battle.

Time was the song of all things, and in its long note, a full measure signaled the end. The blade in Long Jianlu's hand gleamed like a comet, swiping past Shan Rong. The mechanical arm shattered, spewing debris, and the surrounding mechanical tendrils were too late to come to his aid!

Shan Rong's damaged body was forced out of the core area surrounded by tentacles by Long Jianlu. In the next moment, Shan Rong unfurled his left mechanical claw to exchange moves with Long Jianlu once more!

"This blade was also tailored for you!" Long Jianlu declared solemnly. Ignoring his own injuries, he allowed Shan Rong's mechanical claw to pierce his side. Twisting the blade, he stabbed it into Shan Rong's chest!

A burst of light erupted as Shan Rong's mechanical body was slashed open. The energy source in his chest was exposed. In a brief clash, Long Jianlu swiftly swung his blade, slicing the energy pool in half!

The small energy pool exploded mid-air, creating a gust of wind that blew away the countless pursuing tentacles.

"Yaoguang!" Long Jianlu roared. "Hurry! What are you doing?!"

At that moment, Yaoguang had reached the platform. Right as Shan Rong was destroyed, the mechanical tentacles dispersed. Yaoguang caught the falling priest.

" Priest, Priest!" Yaoguang exclaimed. "Wake up, please!"

Struggling to his feet, Long Jianlu was covered in blood from his waist, ribs, and chest. His lung had been pierced, causing him to bleed profusely. Blood gushed from his mouth and nose, making it difficult for him to speak.

Yaoguang: "Long Jianlu! Don't move, stay there!"

In a corner, Shan Rong's shattered upper body wriggled weakly. The mechanical tentacles ignored the priest and the prophet, overlapping as they stretched towards Shan Rong. They penetrated his broken body, recharging him with energy.

Long Jianlu: "Time...?"

"_priest_!" Yaoguang dragged the priest over to the control panel.

The priest stirred, his eyes nearly blinded by the glowing orb before him.

Yaoguang said, "Save us, or we'll all die here."

The priest didn't respond. He glanced at Yaoguang, who then urged, "Transfer your shutdown code to me. I'll connect in your place. Quickly! You'll survive! I'll go for you! Give me the shutdown code!"

Pressing the converter against the back of the priest's head, the priest cried out in pain as the needle pierced his brainstem and extended towards his cerebral cortex.

Long Jianlu staggered toward Yaoguang, his lips moving soundlessly. Blood clogged his throat, making it hard to breathe. He paused, leaning on the steps, and kept mouthing silent words.

No, Yaoguang... please don't...

Yaoguang turned back to Long Jianlu, pressing the circular button against the back of his neck.

Long Jianlu simply stared at him, stunned.

In the next instant, the wave of consciousness began transmitting, and a flood of code surged into Yaoguang's mind. The tendrils rushed at him, but he raised his hand with great effort, touching the glowing orb on the control panel.

Amidst a deafening roar, countless memories spun and shot out like meteors chasing each other across the night sky. Spirals, big and small, emerged!

The moment Yaoguang's memories burst forth, the tendrils retreated altogether.

Long Jianlu coughed out blood, staring blankly at the whirling scene of memories around him.

Yaoguang froze suddenly. He had expected to upload his consciousness next, but what was all this...?

In the memory scenes, there was an ordinary person, as ordinary as they could be – their first cry, first glimpse of the world, first bicycle ride in a sunny park, school life, navigating through skyscrapers, university dormitory, everything within sight, a milk tea shop on the roadside, cards in a board game store...

Long Jianlu said, "This isn't... This isn't from this world. Where did you come from? Yaoguang?"

Yaoguang hovered in the air with his hands cupped before him, his hexagonal pendant floating between his palms. At that very moment, the memories swirling in the air shot into the hexagonal pendant, just like a vast galaxy contracting and being absorbed into the consciousness crystal.

Long Jianlu called out, "Wait! Yaoguang!"

"I see," Yaoguang opened his eyes, a bit bewildered. "It was indeed within my memory. This must be the climax of the story, right?"

Long Jianlu: "Why, Yaoguang? Get out of there! Leave now! You still have a chance!"

Yaoguang spoke softly, "No, I can't. It's predetermined. I'm sorry, Long Jianlu, but I must go."

Long Jianlu: "..."

Yaoguang turned, facing the colossal tree.

Long Jianlu: "Yaoguang! What are you saying? Who are you exactly?"

In the next instant, Yaoguang's body erupted in blinding light. Raising his hand amidst the radiance, the giant tree crumbled! It was like a storm had erupted, dispersing chips and mechanical structures, revealing the earth beneath!

The mechanical army surged toward the center of the light. Yaoguang declared, "World Tree, I command you to power down and cease all functions."

Opening his eyes, Yaoguang's entire being was immersed in the glow. The mechanical army, centered around the 'tree,' began to fall outward in a cascade! Cubes crashed down as the massive main city seemed to be hit by a tsunami from its core, causing collapse all around!

"Somewhere... I will find you... again..." Shan Rong's voice faded as his body, along with the tree, disintegrated into countless mechanical parts, losing its last source of energy with the supercomputer's shutdown.

The knights gathered at the periphery, staring in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them.

"Did you succeed?" Chen Ting shouted through the communication channel. "You did it! You succeeded!"

At that moment, Yaoguang seemed like a creator, suspended in mid-air. With one hand, he pressed against the radiance beside him, and it dissipated, transforming into a galaxy that soared towards the sky.

Long Jianlu stepped forward slowly, his eyes fixed on Yaoguang.

"I have to go back," Yaoguang said. "Thank you for taking care of me these days, Long Jianlu. I'm sorry for just giving you a name randomly."

"No, no!" Long Jianlu replied. "Who are you?! Yaoguang! Stay! Where are you going? Back to where?"

Yaoguang looked at Long Jianlu earnestly. "You're not quite what I imagined, but I truly like you. The world has returned to its original state, and now, your mission is complete. You can live freely, experiencing the life that hasn't been created by me yet."

Long Jianlu roared, "Don't leave!"

With all his might, Long Jianlu rushed towards the center of the battlefield, stretching out his hand towards Yaoguang as he activated his full power along the platform.

The glow condensed towards the pendant before him.

In the quiet, small room, Van Gogh's "Starry Night" hung on the wall. Lights from the residential area filtered through the curtains, and the occasional sound of engines echoed from passing cars outside. Upstairs, the noise of a TV drama could be heard.

Yaoguang abruptly lifted his head from the computer screen, straightening his posture as he stared at his hands in disbelief. The last line that appeared on the display read:

"Long Jianlu held his breath, observing the young man within the cultivation chamber. His skin was fair, his chest bare except for a long pajama bottom, and a hexagonal crystal hung on his chest, refracting a magnificent glow."

— Finale of Volume One: The Knight —

# Volume Two: The Demon Lord