Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The Vatican Star was situated within the constellation of Virgo, a system born from the young star "Holy Wind." It was a vibrant place, radiating light and warmth, its brilliant white glow resembling a sacred breeze amidst the dark cosmos.

In this system, there existed only one planet - the sole inhabitant. Thriving under its luminance, it was the location of the Holy See's headquarters. With the seasonal fluctuations influenced by the Holy Wind star's cycle, the Vatican Star experienced mild variations in its temperate climate, with a gravity level 60% that of Earth. Here, plants flourished, freed from gravitational constraints, as massive flowers and towering vines adorned the landscape, turning the Holy See into a celestial paradise.

"The Holy Wind System is approaching," the AI announced, "Caution: entry to this system requires special authorization. Verification of permit is required before..."

Long Xiao transmitted his identification number to the Vatican Star, and their spacecraft entered the stellar system, hurtling towards the green-blue planet.

"What are you doing?" Long Xiao asked. "We're almost there."

Yaoguang, lost in thought on the sofa, had been familiarizing himself with the U-System. Upon being questioned, his expression turned uneasy, and he turned to meet Long Xiao's gaze.

Long Xiao raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Accessing the U-System, Long Xiao projected its interface.

"No, no," Yaoguang fumbled, attempting to close the display, but their systems were fully shared, leaving their browsing history exposed.

"Don't look at what I'm doing!" Yaoguang felt embarrassed.

"You're the one who watched my adult film list," Long Xiao found it absurd.

The projection lit up, revealing Yaoguang was using a "Virtual Companion" feature, one of the entertainment software built into the U System. It could create a companion based on real-life appearance as a reference.

This virtual figure closely resembled Long Xiao in terms of physique and looks, the only difference being that it was naked.

But both were well aware of Yaoguang's motive.

"You're reconstructing my uncle?" Long Xiao asked.

"Yes," Yaoguang whispered, "I've been missing him these past few days."

Long Xiao responded, "What functions have you activated for it?"

Yaoguang replied, "I'm still experimenting. Right now, it can only say simple greetings like 'hello'."

"Delete it," Long Xiao suggested. "You'll get confused. If you need a virtual companion, I can chat with you."

"You're different," Yaoguang smiled, saying, "You're his nephew."

Yaoguang gazed at Long Jianlu's virtual image for a while longer and asked, "Where else can I see him?"

"What?" Long Xiao asked, puzzled.

"Surely he left some form of recording behind before he died?" Yaoguang continued. "His voice, an image, or even memory backups?"

Long Xiao didn't respond. As Yaoguang was about to ask more, Long Xiao said, "We're landing soon. Buckle up."

Yaoguang took his seat in front of the cockpit, settling into a chair beneath the window, with the gravity straps securing him in place. The view through the window showcased the landscape of Vatican Star—a vast expanse of swamps and greenery akin to a world-sized garden. At its center stood a golden structure.

"I want to see him one more time," Yaoguang said.

"What's the point?" Long Xiao sounded impatient. "He's gone. You need to accept reality."

Silence fell between them. Long Xiao wasn't Long Jianlu, despite their striking resemblance. There were moments when Yaoguang almost mistook him, but they were not the same person. He wouldn't accommodate Yaoguang as Long Jianlu once did.

"Do you think the Pope will help us?" Yaoguang inquired.

"That depends on you," Long Xiao corrected. "And notice, it's 'help you,' not 'help us.'"

"Our interests align," Yaoguang turned to him, "don't they? I thought you'd be willing to help me."

"It depends on the situation," Long Xiao raised an eyebrow, a gesture that seemed to dare, "So what if I do?"

"So, what's on your mind?" Yaoguang asked again.

"I refuse to answer," Long Xiao replied.

"Because of Long Jianlu, I always thought you were on my side..." Yaoguang said, "Isn't that so?"

Long Xiao: "To be honest with you, I'm just curious. Uncle didn't leave any instructions concerning you, and naturally, I have no obligations towards you."

"I understand," Yaoguang said, "That's why I'm grateful to you, Long Xiao."

Long Xiao: "I might as well lend a hand from time to time since I have nothing better to do, as long as..."

"As long as I don't consider it a necessity," Yaoguang responded, "I get it, no one apart from him has an obligation to do anything for me."

Long Xiao scoffed, "I believe that being in love doesn't necessarily entail such an obligation."

Yaoguang replied, "That's not consistent with the principles you hold for love."

Long Xiao was suddenly at a loss for words and fell silent.

"Spare me your apologies," Yaoguang sighed, realizing the trouble he had caused Long Xiao. "It's all my fault for making a mess of things."

"No need to apologize," Long Xiao assured him. "After all, you were unaware of everything."

After a moment, perhaps feeling that he had been too harsh on Yaoguang, Long Xiao softened his tone. "On the contrary, I should thank you. If not for you, I wouldn't exist."

The spacecraft approached the highest point of the structure and landed gently on an protruding platform.

The reception seemed grand, with numerous attendees stretching from the platform to inside the building, all clad in white robes as religious officials.

"Good day, Mr. Long," they greeted.

"I apologize for the lack of prior notice," Long Xiao said, surveying the welcoming party. "I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with the Pope."

"The Pope is currently in discussion with the Sixth Consul of the Republic," said the lead secretary. "Please wait here with your guest. He will be joining you momentarily."

Yaoguang glanced at the people around him, guessing that they were all diverse extraterrestrial beings, their appearances concealed and transformed by the visual effects of the U System.

"Wait here for a while," Long Xiao said.

Yaoguang and Long Xiao were led into a circular open space, resembling an indoor courtyard. At its center stood a lone tree with a flame-like shape, and before it was a chair. Behind them, a glistening golden statue caught the eye.

Looking up, Yaoguang heard Long Xiao's warning, "Don't touch anything here."

"Who's that?" Yaoguang suddenly found the statue familiar, standing with hands at its sides, looking down from a height as if overseeing all living beings.

"That's you," Long Xiao replied.

"Me?!" Yaoguang instinctively questioned.

"Yes, you," Long Xiao confirmed. "The Church of the Starry Heaven believes in the Creator as the one true God."

"But they've never seen me," Yaoguang found the irony amusing and said.

"Oh?" Long Xiao remarked. "In this universe, there were at least two people who have seen the Creator, right?"

Yaoguang instantly realized — yes, if they still retained their memories, then Long Jianlu and Shan Rong were the only two who had seen him.

"So it was Long Jianlu who made the statue of me?" Yaoguang asked.

Long Xiao replied slowly, "He sculpted you based on his memory of your appearance."

"I still remember the year when the great scholar crafted it," a voice echoed. "Right after the First Interstellar War ended, the God of Emptiness led his mechanical followers back to the Pillar of Creation, returning the Night of Stars to 'humankind' in the name of the Creator."

It was a very young child, perhaps around ten years old, dressed in a light blue protective suit with a flowing white robe draped over it. He emerged from a corner of the cathedral and flew toward the lone tree of flames at its center.

"This is Pope Sixteenth Clement," Long Xiao introduced. Then, turning to the pope, he said, "This is the person my uncle mentioned before, Duan Yaoguang."

Clement looked very innocent, but his eyes held a maturity that did not match his age. He gazed into Yaoguang's eyes, and in that moment, Yaoguang felt as if he could see swirling nebulas and galaxies within the pope's pupils.

"Answer me," Clement said. "Why does this universe exist?"

Yaoguang seemed to be drawn into the depths of Clement's eyes. He struggled to break free, regaining his composure after a moment.

"Because of my desire," Yaoguang said. "I apologize if this disappoints you, but I'm just an ordinary person from beyond this world."

"All greatness often originates from the mundane," Clementine replied. "And might I ask, what is the purpose of our existence?"

"There is no purpose," Yaoguang sighed. "You are all NPCs serving the protagonist, making this world seem authentic, providing a stage for me to meet Long Jianlu, my ideal love, and fulfilling my wishes."

Clementine's intimidating gaze softened, replaced with a warm, human expression.

"Greetings, Creator," Clementine said. "Our one and only God, it is an honor to stand before you in this lifetime."

As he bowed to Yaoguang, Yaoguang found the situation peculiar. As a powerless Creator, he was receiving respect from his own Pope?

Studying Yaoguang closely, Clementine seemed to be striving to understand him. After a moment, he addressed Long Xiao. "The Church has never prepared for the arrival of the Creator. We have no designated place for a deity. I don't know where to seat the divine."

Yaoguang burst into laughter. Long Xiao, exasperated, said, "Anywhere will do."

Clementine gestured politely, leading Yaoguang and Long Xiao to a window. Touching the wall, the entire cathedral rearranged itself, forming an extended platform.

"Please have a seat," Clementine said. "The Starry Night Cathedral was designed by a great scholar himself. He infused stardust into its construction materials, allowing the entire structure to transform into any form I desire."

"It seems my believers are quite affluent," Yaoguang said as he sat down. "Are you familiar with the Origin Crystal?"

Clementine nodded and replied, "The 'key' or 'compass' obtained by the God of Emptiness."

Yaoguang then recounted the entire story to Clementine, who listened silently.

"The Origin Crystal is the instrument that designed our world and countless others in this plane," Clementine mused. "I believe Shan Rong hasn't found a way to transcend this plane yet."

"Wait a moment," Yaoguang said. "How do you have more information about this pendant than I do? What's going on here?"

Pope Clementine raised an eyebrow at Long Xiao, signaling for an explanation.

"Yes," Long Xiao answered. "I haven't told him yet."

"What haven't you told me?" Yaoguang pressed.

"The functions and effects of the Origin Crystal," Long Xiao revealed. "To be honest, my late uncle had already uncovered some preliminary answers during these four thousand years. But there's just too much and it's too complicated, so I didn't explain it to you right away."

Clementine said, "In that case, we still have plenty of time. Are you sure you want to initiate another war four thousand years from now?"

Yaoguang spoke earnestly, "Are you aware that Shan Rong destroyed the space station?"

"CLEARLY," Clementine replied distinctly.

Yaoguang continued, "He's been searching for me. Though I'm unsure of his motive, it must be related to the Origin Crystal."

Clementine glanced at Yaoguang and offered an explanation instead, "I know his purpose. Under the crystal's power, the world you inhabit and the one you've created will fall under his control, depending on how much access you grant him."

"Wait," Yaoguang looked perplexed, suddenly realizing that the Pope seemed to know more about this than he initially thought, "How do I grant permissions? I don't even have any myself."

Long Xiao interjected, "That's because you never cared about it."

Yaoguang responded with confusion, "???"

"I can give him permission?" Yaoguang asked, "So, I possess the crystal's authority too, right?"

Long Xiao exclaimed, "Isn't that obvious?! What are you thinking?"

"Mr. Long, mind your words," Clementine found the situation amusing, "This is the supreme deity revered by the Triumvirate."

Long Xiao: "I don't acknowledge the Supreme God. All I know is that he's Duan Yaoguang."

Long Xiao's patience was clearly wearing thin as he continued, "Pope, let me remind you now. The Creator has appeared, and Shan Rong holds the Origin Crystal. If he gets his hands on Yaoguang and fully unlocks the crystal's power, our world will collapse."

Clementine spoke solemnly, "So what? All existence loses its meaning. Earlier, we received the Creator's answer firsthand. We are merely props on this grand stage, and even the stars will eventually fade away."

"You..." Long Xiao took a deep breath and looked at Yaoguang again.

These words were indeed his own. The purpose of this world was for Yaoguang to meet Long Jianlu, and nothing else mattered beyond that.

Clementine smiled, "Shan Rong understood this before us. Meaning is an illusion."

"But my existence has meaning!" Long Xiao lost his temper. "Do you think my sense of self isn't real? Look around, look at our Supreme God. He only set the initial state of the universe..."

"Right, right, right!" Yaoguang realized he had caused trouble. He chose honesty but exposed the facade of meaning. Now he tried to backtrack. "Actually, it's not accurate to say I created everything. I just assigned an initial setting, like the speed of light, pi, or... Anyway, I don't know where these settings came from. I referenced the reality we inhabit and used existing parameters."

Long Xiao calmed down slightly and asked, "Clementine, consider the experience all this brings you. Do you find it as meaningless as Shan Rong suggests?"

"There's still not enough persuasion in your argument," Clementine replied seriously. "But I have two more questions for you, my revered Creator."

"Um," Yaoguang knew that Long Xiao was striving for the Church's support, and his answer might influence the Pope's attitude. However, he couldn't discuss with Long Xiao what the best response would be, so he steeled himself and said, "Go ahead and ask."

Clementine inquired, "Do you know the purpose of your existence?"

"I don't," Yaoguang had to admit. "In our world, many people also ponder the meaning of existence and what constitutes reality. It's a rather... philosophical concept, often intertwined with 'living' and 'death.' Most people don't concern themselves with it in their daily lives."

While studying, Yaoguang occasionally pondered this question as well. Everyone would eventually die, and the universe would ultimately fade away. So, what was the point of it all? Philosophical schools of thought offered various explanations, but he still hadn't found an answer that convinced him.

It was an ultimate inquiry.

"Someone has to transcend their plane," Long Xiao said, "just as we discussed earlier. Only by reaching a higher plane can one understand the significance of their own universe."

"But what about the plane above that?" Clementine countered. "That's not the final answer. Even if the Grand Scholar's theory is proven, everything must have an underlying explanation."

Both Long Xiao and Clementine fell silent.

Yaoguang ventured, "Are you suggesting that the reality I inhabit is merely a book?"

"Not necessarily," Long Xiao replied. "It could be a story, an experiment, a program, or something else entirely. We base our understanding on existing experiences and can't speculate beyond those boundaries. But the Primordial Crystal allows us a glimpse into its essence. Your Holiness, I don't have time for theological debates. The Three Divine Thrones have sworn an oath. When the Creator manifests, we must assist in reclaiming the Primordial Crystal with all our strength, without reservation."

"Mr. Long, you still cling to reality," Clement said. "Then, one final question."

"Ask away," Yaoguang felt suddenly that the Long Xiao before him was like the Long Jianlu of old, guiding him through the world to battle against the colossal mechanical tree.

"If you were to regain the Primal Crystal," Clement said slowly, "what would you do?"

Long Xiao grew impatient. "He would put an end to all this and return to his own reality, where he would create a new dimension and continue to meet my uncle there."

"No," Yaoguang interjected abruptly. "I wouldn't, Long Xiao. I want to stay here."

Long Xiao was taken aback, then regarded Yaoguang with a strange look.

Yaoguang fell silent for a moment. Since learning that Long Jianlu had lived through countless years, given up on life, and died naturally, he had gradually come to terms with it. In these days, he had been reminiscing—recalling their moments together, the wishes Long Jianlu had harbored for him to stay by his side. Surely, in those four thousand years, Long Jianlu must have grown weary? Endlessly searching for him, only to be met with disappointment time and again.

In that spaceship, when he created a virtual lover using Long Xiao's appearance, an idea had slowly formed in his mind. He no longer wanted to return to reality and recreate the scenario of writing a book's beginning, only to enter it and fall in love with Long Jianlu. Wasn't that increasingly disrespectful to Long Jianlu? As an NPC, his existence was predetermined by his creator, solely to fulfill Yaoguang's desires and be his lover... nothing more.

He had resurrected Long Jianlu repeatedly across multiple books, allowing him to reincarnate, all for the sake of meeting him, only to abandon him at the end of each story.

Yaoguang felt a near-compulsive urge to atone, though he hadn't fully grasped it yet. He understood, however, what Long Jianlu had truly sought in that previous, fictional ancient world.

"I wish to be with him as an ordinary, mundane couple," Yaoguang finally replied. "Perhaps that's truly what he desires."

Clemont and Long Xiao gazed at Yaoguang.

"What does it mean to be a true lover?" Yaoguang pondered before answering, "I was supposed to meet him four thousand years ago, but due to an accident, I ended up in the future, where he had long passed away. If not for the Origin Crystal, I would have been just an ordinary person. I imagine I would have boarded a spaceship, searching for a way back to the past..."

"You can't return to the past," Clemont said. "That's a rule you yourself set. No method can take you back; only forward into the future."

"Then I would search for his traces among the stars," Yaoguang continued, "until the end of my days, until I die among the stellar sea. Isn't that the logical conclusion to this story?"

Long Xiao: "So even if you reclaim the Origin Crystal, you'll stay in the world you created? You're not joking, are you?"

"Of course," Yaoguang replied. "I made up my mind even before entering. Though I've lost him now, I still wish to renounce the ability to traverse between worlds as a creator and live as an ordinary person. I believe that's what he would want to see."

Long Xiao: "He's long gone. If you want redemption, there's no need. He won't even know."

"It's not solely about redemption," Yaoguang said. "I need a lifetime to reflect on my actions."

Clemont added, "We still don't know what happens when a Creator dies in this world."

"It might not be a collapse," Long Xiao replied. "This plane could perhaps enter into eternity. We've never experimented with it before."

"What?" Yaoguang asked, perplexed. "Eternity?"

Long Xiao responded, "You'll get your answer, I promise. That's all for now."

Clementine fell into thought, tapping his fingers lightly on the tea table.

Long Xiao didn't look at the Pope again but instead stretched out his hand towards Yaoguang.

"If I don't assist you," Clementine said, "Perhaps you would choose self-exile? Banishing the Creator to the void beyond the observable universe, where the God of Emptiness could never find Him— that's another option."

"I won't be exiled with Him," Yaoguang said, half-laughing, half-crying.

"Watch your words, Pope," Long Xiao said. "I am not my uncle."

Clementine then chuckled and said, "When the Creator manifests, the Three Thrones will unite to shatter the Pillar of Creation. This pact was valid in the past and remains so now."

"Thank you," Yaoguang said gratefully. The Pope was the first person to explicitly offer him help and support.

Long Xiao said, "I assume you won't mind informing the Khan that I'll notify the Academy later. They might issue an official declaration of war."

"Clementine," replied, "although the Republic and the Federation have lost much of their power, I believe they will still join the fight."

Yaoguang asked, "Do I need to meet with their leaders?"

"No, not anymore," Long Xiao said. "The Republic and the Federation were already willing to cooperate with the Papacy and the Great Astrological Association. It's not the world you once knew."

Long Xiao made a gesture as if removing his hat, bowing to Clementine, who returned the gesture by standing up. Taking Yaoguang's hand, Long Xiao waved goodbye to the Pope with his other hand, and the two leaped off the platform of the sanctuary together.

"You should probably tell me something, right? Where are we going?"

"First, we'll go shopping for some new clothes and supplies for you."

"And then?"

"Why do you always have so many questions?" Clearly, Long Xiao was running low on patience, unable to withstand Yaoguang's constant inquiries.

"I have to know! There's one more thing that piques my curiosity," Yaoguang said.

The resources on Celestial Temple were abundant, and it was a pilgrimage site for many sapient beings across the universe, making its tourism industry highly developed. The largest city, Meteorite City, was the first stop for tourists, bustling with commerce and entirely tax-free under the governance of the Church.

The entire city was a colossal shopping complex, spanning over four hundred levels with nearly a thousand commercial streets. Long Xiao rented a semi-enclosed vortex motorcycle, taking Yaoguang into the main city, "Meteorite," where they leaned against the main avenue for a moment to consult the navigation.

"Let's check out the weapons first," Long Xiao suggested. "If you're not hungry, that is."

Yaoguang was amenable but pressed on, "You still haven't answered my question."

"What?" Long Xiao turned to look at him.

Yaoguang replied, "The one from before."

Long Xiao responded tersely, "You have so many questions every day. How would I know which one?"

Yaoguang asked, puzzled, "Everyone keeps mentioning the 'Trinity Thrones.' What does that mean? Why are the Church, the Galactic Navigation Association, and the Academy City considered 'Thrones'?"

"It's because of you," Long Xiao answered succinctly.

"Me?" Yaoguang said in confusion.

"Why was the world born? Does the universe have its own purpose?" Long Xiao asked. "Any sentient being would ponder these questions. When no answer is found, they all try to explain it through their own understanding of the world."

"So what does that mean?"

"The Church believes that everything has a purpose; the Astrological Association thinks that all rules have origins; while the Academy believes in a Creator, albeit one restricted in the specifics of creation," Long Xiao explained.

He slowed down the vortex motorcycle, crossing several streets before ascending higher in search of an armory.

Yaoguang commented, "Seems like the Academy's explanation is the closest to reality."

In his mind, he thought, This must be why the learned Long Jianlu had witnessed the Creator more than once.

"Not the most crucial point," Long Xiao countered. "Although the Church, the Astrological Association, and the Academy have different interpretations, they share a common ground. From their respective theories, they all converge on the conclusion that there was a 'Being' who created our world."

"Oh," Yaoguang realized. That's why these three institutions essentially share a common faith.

"Therefore, these three establishments are the pillars of theism, also known as the 'Trinity Thrones,'" Long Xiao continued.

"Wouldn't the Pope be disappointed to see that the Creator isn't omniscient or omnipotent?" Yaoguang wondered.

"No, you don't understand... Here we are, get out." Long Xiao said. "It's a shared belief among the Triad of Gods that a higher power created this world. However, how that being is — that's a different matter altogether. Trust me, they don't care about who you are. You can tell by the reactions of Khan and the Pope."

"Why?" Yaoguang was perplexed.

"Greatness often resides in the ordinary," Long Xiao replied. "Apart from your uncle, no one else would bother about your identity."

Yaoguang had heard this before, but its meaning still eluded him. Nevertheless, Long Xiao had already entered the weapons shop.

It was a store run through holographic projections. After taking a seat, Long Xiao handed over his personal weapon for a robot to inspect and adjust. He then opened the sales interface to browse new stock. Most of the weapons were unfamiliar to Yaoguang, with peculiar designs; some resembled mechanical limbs, while others were semi-body-covering, all exuding a strong sense of machinery.

"Can I go out and explore for a bit?"

"No," Long Xiao replied. "For your safety, please stay close to me."

Yaoguang had no choice but to sit down again and ask, "Have you learned how to use these?"

Comparing the specifications with ease, Long Xiao answered, "I served in the Federation's military for a while."

"You're both a scholar and a soldier?"

"Not allowed?" Long Xiao asked. "I've been an explorer, banker, pioneer, ambassador, and mechanic. What's the issue?"

"Very much like your uncle," Yaoguang commented. "Something he would do."

Long Xiao didn't respond. After finishing his weapon's adjustments and purchasing some energy rounds, he stood up and left with Yaoguang. They headed to a clothing store where each customer had their own private space. They sat and browsed, using holographic projections of themselves to try on outfits.

"Are they all this revealing?" Yaoguang couldn't quite stomach the idea of his image, clad in form-fitting and alluring men's attire, being on display for Long Xiao.

"What's revealing about that?" Long Xiao said. "It's all covered up."

Long Xiao tapped to preview the outfits, allowing Yaoguang to view them on his avatar. The categories were mostly loungewear, with colors and fabrics that weren't excessively flamboyant. However, the lines, decorations, and silhouettes of the clothes often sparked imaginative thoughts, such as the thin straps across the thighs, the curved patterns around the waist, and the revealing designs across the chest.

"This set suits you well..."

"No way, I'll choose for myself!"

"You're too conservative!" Long Xiao commented. "It's only you and me on this spaceship. Why not wear a full-body armor instead?"

Yaoguang replied, "That was exactly what I had in mind."

Long Xiao: "..."

In the end, Yaoguang settled for a few outfits that seemed more reasonable. Long Xiao then took him to a restaurant with an exquisite atmosphere. Despite being a fully enclosed space, the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows was incredibly realistic, with a waterfall cascading down in front of a mountain in a paradise-like cathedral. Exotic birds could be seen flapping their wings outside from time to time.

"Are we going to the Academy later?" asked Yaoguang.

Sipping some sparkling wine, Long Xiao replied, "Yes, we'll make a trip back to the Academy."

Yaoguang inquired, "Do I need to give a speech to gain the scholars' support?"

Long Xiao responded, "The Academy will support you regardless. That's not the main purpose."

"Is it because of Long Jianlu?" Yaoguang asked.

Long Xiao didn't answer but instead said, "Uncle left you some messages."

Yaoguang paused, looking at Long Xiao.

"But I guessed you might not have been too interested," Long Xiao added casually, "so I never mentioned it. Do you want to take a look?"

Yaoguang replied, "Of course! Where is the message stored?"

Long Xiao responded, "In the Academy, but I still need to confirm with you—do you truly love him?"

Yaoguang didn't answer. Long Xiao looked at him in silence for a moment before saying earnestly, "You have to understand your feelings for him. That's something I can't help you with. If you don't love him, I believe it wouldn't be appropriate for you to access that message."

"No," Yaoguang said. "Silence doesn't mean hesitation; I'm just contemplating."

"What are you contemplating?" asked Long Xiao.

"How to express myself," Yaoguang said. "Have you ever put yourself in my shoes and thought about it? Suppose you were me..."

"I haven't," Long Xiao answered. "I don't know anything about your background, and you haven't shared it with me."

Yaoguang sighed and said, "Perhaps my lack of respect for him stems from the emptiness I felt before."

Long Xiao remained silent, simply observing Yaoguang.

"I was very lonely in the real world, or rather..."

"I must remind you, this is reality."

"Very well, in my world, I'm a good-for-nothing failure."

"I can see that," Long Xiao smiled.

"That's why, to alleviate my loneliness, I started writing." Yaoguang met Long Xiao's eyes. "Yearning for love, I created characters, falling in love with the fantasy I myself constructed. Is he real or an illusion? Am I in love with Long Jianlu or a fragment of my own split personality?"

At that moment, the star crystal rune on the back of Long Xiao's hand suddenly glowed, catching Yaoguang's attention.

"It's a communication?" Yaoguang said. "Someone's looking for you."

"Keep going," Long Xiao instructed.

Casually, he opened the communication and glanced at it, revealing a message.

"The Army of the God of Emptiness has left the Pillar of Creation. Suspected target: the Academy City."

The signature read: Khan.

But Yaoguang didn't see this message. He looked around and said, "So in the first three worlds, I resisted. I wasn't sure whether to treat him as a mere character or as a flesh-and-blood soul like me."

Yaoguang had sorted through his thoughts more than once. Perhaps this was the root of his previous attitude toward Long Jianlu. He couldn't help but think about him because he provided the function of love. Occasionally, in brief moments of clarity, he feared the falseness and emptiness of it all.

"So what now?" Long Xiao asked. "What's your judgment? Is everything here still an illusion to you? Maybe it's real while you're in it, but when you return to your world, this plane's so-called 'reality' will become an illusion too. Are you trying to tell me that existence is relative?"

"He is a real existence," Yaoguang said, noticing Long Xiao's use of the word "plane," but he didn't ask any further questions. He vaguely grasped the decisive reason behind everything.

Yaoguang tried to explain this reality: "Because we've developed feelings for each other."

Long Xiao: "Be more specific."

Yaoguang: "Because we love each other, we've given each other special meaning. I define him, and he redefines me, like...the 'purpose' that the Pope cares about? Sorry, my philosophical knowledge is limited, so I can't express it clearly..."

"…Just like how we used to talk," Yaoguang continued, "we give meaning to each other. The emptiness in the real world vanished because of meeting him. I started to believe that his existence isn't absolute, but relative. It depends on which world I'm in. When I stay in the world of the book, he's real. After leaving, he becomes illusory to me… So…now I'm here, and he's real. You, the Pope, everything that exists, is real."

"Reality is a relative concept," Yaoguang said. "It's not an absolute definition."

Long Xiao simply watched him in silence. At the same time, the star crystal chips on the back of their hands flickered again, the frequency increasing.

Yaoguang glanced involuntarily.

"I'll settle the bill first," Long Xiao said.

"Was it a message?" Yaoguang asked.

Their accounts were connected, so with just a glance, Long Xiao led Yaoguang back to their ship, programmed the route, and set their destination: the Academy City.

Yaoguang appeared somewhat uneasy. "Did he leave me any message?"

"Upon arrival, you'll see for yourself," Long Xiao replied, maneuvering the spacecraft through its trajectory.

Yaoguang inquired, "A visual transmission?"

This meant that he would finally have the chance to see Long Jianlu again.

"I'm not certain," Long Xiao said. "The message was encrypted. Uncle set specific conditions for its decryption."

The spaceship successfully made a quantum leap, traversing hyperspace and entering the vast 'Veil' star system. The star unfolded its radiant curtains on either side, like a backdrop on a stage. Below it, to the right, was a planet in deep space, its trajectory marked by an endless trail of vapor—Arrow of Destiny.

A torrential downpour blanketed the water planet where the Academy was situated, casting the sky into inky darkness punctuated by raging lightning bolts. Long Xiao's compact star shuttle soared towards the vast ocean, while the Academy buildings had retracted their solar panels and extended landing pads to receive the incoming vessel.

The Academy stood solitary, like a towering citadel in the cosmos. On clear nights, it resembled a cypress tree amidst a starry night, standing firm beneath the heavens. A dim yellow, swirling mass of fire - the massive star "Veil" - illuminated the distant horizon with its radiance.

Most of the time, it was engulfed in tempestuous winds and rain, with the star's tidal forces and ionized winds blasting ice and seawater into the depths of space.

A tall, partially mechanized butler, his body shimmering with an ethereal glow, came forth to greet Long Xiao.

"Mr. Long, welcome back," the butler intoned solemnly. "I've just received news of your return."

"Where are the others?" Long Xiao asked.

"The scholars are all in the lower districts," the butler replied.

Long Xiao instructed, "Close all access to the Academy. Notify the tour group from the Flute of Roland that no more visits should be arranged for now. Ask all extraterrestrial visitors to return early."

"Understood," the butler said. "Is there anything else you need?"

"I want the students to have a choice," Long Xiao continued. "Those who wish to leave the Academy may do so first."

"What do you want?" Yaoguang felt a sense of foreboding upon hearing this.

Long Xiao replied, "It's none of your concern."

Yaoguang asked, "Where's the person in charge here?"

"I'm the acting supervisor at the moment," Long Xiao said. "Come on, aren't you curious to see the information about my uncle before his death?"

With such urgency, Yaoguang had no time for further contemplation. He followed Long Xiao into the Celestial Dome at the pinnacle of the Academy City. As they entered, the storm covering the dome receded, revealing a dark, starry night.

Long Xiao raised his hand, and a spinning Star Crystal appeared in his palm. It flew towards the dome and transformed into a celestial pattern.

A beam of light descended slowly, landing in front of Yaoguang.

"This is his legacy, his final words, everything he left behind in his life," Long Xiao said. "Stay here, I have something else to attend to. I'll be back shortly."

Yaoguang suspected that Long Xiao might not wish to witness certain memories of his uncle, especially those related to their emotional ties, and was using this as an excuse to leave.

"Long Xiao?" Yaoguang suddenly called out.

Long Xiao stood at the entrance of the Celestial Sphere, not turning back, simply standing silently.

"Thank you, Long Xiao," Yaoguang said.

Long Xiao cast a meaningful glance and strode out of the Academy Tower with quick steps.

At that moment, the interstellar space outside the Arrow of Destiny was distorted by immense gravity. The water trail transformed; the tail of the arrow, once dragging massive waves, was compressed under the gravitational force, gathering half a planet's worth of water into a barrier.

The Academy now resembled a black, sharp sword standing behind the watery veil.

Then, the lights of jumps flickered on as grand starships emerged from hyperspace, forming a neat, three-dimensional array in the endless expanse of stars. The storm was pierced open, and the Pillar of Creation's army arrived at the outskirts of the Arrow of Destiny.

Small spacecraft ascended, scattering into the depths of the universe – those were the scholars' escape vessels.

"The third battle between us has arrived," Shan Rong's voice echoed across the entire planet. His tone held no emotion as he declared, "Long Jianlu, come forth to engage."

Long Xiao stood before the tower. Amidst the raging sea, his body radiated light and began to transform, taking the form of a knight clad in a windbreaker, with a demonic pair of wings unfurling from his back. In his hand, he held the shimmering Imperial Sword.

"What you once held dear has long been shattered," thundered Long Jianlu's voice, resonating through the heavens and earth. "Shan Rong, return to your nothingness!"