Chapter 65: The Conclusion

Chapter 65: The Conclusion

In a world at the brink of apocalypse, beneath a colossal tree.

The control altar ascended, and the mechanical giant tree unfolded, disintegrating into a radiant staircase that seemed to be a divine escalator leading to the heavens.

Shan Rong sat down before the steps, gazing at Yaoguang without uttering a word.

Yaoguang turned around and rushed toward Long Jianlu, "Wake up! Long Jianlu!"

Long Jianlu kept his eyes firmly shut.

"Pay attention to the distinction, Seer," Shan Rong said. "He's Number Three in reality, not the one in your imagination."

"Explain this to me!" Yaoguang was on the verge of collapse, shouting. "What is going on?!"

Shan Rong: "Just now, when you accessed the control center, you entered the central computational region of 'The Tree.' I had it generate a life scenario for you."

Yaoguang: "............"

Shan Rong smiled gently and said, "Beautiful, isn't it? It can give you what you desire. Did you enjoy that experience?"

Yaoguang felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss. Had all his experiences, everything since leaving the apocalyptic world, been nothing but illusions fabricated by this supercomputer?

"No... It's impossible," Yaoguang said. "Even if it could weave my experiences, what about the past? The things that have already happened? 'The Tree' couldn't have designed them for me!"

"There was never any such thing as the past," Shan Rong said nonchalantly. "What you think of as your past are just memories fed to you by the computer. You have no parents, no family, and naturally, no friends like Liang Jue or Sun Hui."

"In other words, 'The Tree' merely made you believe that you were part of a certain world, implanting a 'past' into your mind."

Yaoguang rose slowly from Long Jianlu's side, looking around in bewilderment.

"Having played the role of a creator for a while, how does it feel?" Shan Rong smiled again and asked, "Do you still want to shut it down now?"

"No!!!" Yaoguang was incredulous. "This can't be! It's not real!"

Shan Rong sighed, wearing an expression that said, "I knew it."

Yaoguang stammered, "Absolutely not!"

Shan Rong: "Then, what is real to you?"

Yaoguang merely stared at Shan Rong in silence.

"Why are you doing this?" Yaoguang's thoughts were in disarray. He couldn't believe that he had never left this world from the beginning – that the so-called reality, his encounter with Long Jianlu, the cultivation world, the fictional continent, and the Sea of Stars were all just a beautiful dream woven by the "Tree" for him!

Yet, the surroundings and everything that existed felt so tangible. Which was the true reality?

"WHY?!" Yaoguang demanded furiously. "Answer me!"

Shan Rong stood up and approached Yaoguang. "Calm down."

Yaoguang panted, glancing alternately at Long Jianlu beside him and then back at Shan Rong.

"Number 42," Shan Rong said, "you were created by me. You exist for me, not for anyone else."

Involuntarily, Yaoguang looked down at himself. To his surprise, the pendant on his chest was still there! The Origin Crystal hung on his chest, emitting a faint glow.

"Prophet," Shan Rong continued, "your true identity is a backup I created for myself, as well as one of the administrators of the World Tree."

Yaoguang was taken aback, staring at Shan Rong.

Shan Rong continued, "Throughout the long period of connecting to 'The Tree,' I could never truly face my loneliness. The Tree would absorb all individuals, and when humanity merges completely into its world, I would be left alone."

"Thus, you were born."

"But one day, I suddenly realized that I couldn't bear to take possession of your body. I yearned desperately for companionship even after humanity's end. So, I became hesitant. I didn't know how to perceive you – as a creation or as the sole mate I crafted for myself?"

"Do you know why you lack past memories, Yaoguang? It's because you are a product of my own creation."

"The Origin Crystal you carry serves as a key for administrative access. Six hundred years ago, when I discovered this massive tree entering a phase of self-evolution, I began preparations to secure backup administrator privileges. I suspected that the 'Tree' would soon seize my body and incorporate me into its consciousness."

"Later, after your creation, I placed this key in your hand, letting it accompany you in slumber until all humanity finds its rest within the 'Tree.' Then, when the time comes, you and I will awaken together to become the custodians of this world."

"However, Long Jianlu found you first and awakened you ahead of schedule," Shan Rong explained patiently. "That disrupted my plans. So now, do you understand?"

Yaoguang: "..."

"Sir Long Jianlu, the knight of the Sanctuary, alongside numerous guardians, attempts to halt the 'Tree.' But do you truly believe that to be feasible? Answer me, you have experienced the bliss bestowed by the Tree. Now, do you desire to extinguish it entirely?" Shan Rong inquired.

"I won't trust you," Yaoguang declared. "This is the illusion!"

"You've lost touch with reality and fiction," Shan Rong countered. "Is it because the power of this mental landscape is too overwhelming?"

"Let me return to my world! This place is just a story I created... I need to go back!"

Shan Rong responded, "Don't you understand yet, Yaoguang? There is no reality as you know it. This is the true reality. What you perceive as real is merely an illusion crafted by the 'Tree'!"

Yaoguang gazed intently at Shan Rong, who continued, "Extend your hand towards the light again, and I'll show you once more."

The glow spread once more, and Yaoguang returned to the real world, to the farmstay amidst the countryside inn. Inside, beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, Liang Jue was tidying up the mahjong tiles. On the balcony, Sun Hui stood smoking, and in the drizzling night, he turned towards Yaoguang, leaning against the railing.

"I require administrator authentication," Sun Hui declared earnestly. "In the past, the Tree eradicated my physical form and assimilated my consciousness to revoke the administrator status. But it was unaware that I had backed up the authentication on you."

Yaoguang gazed at Sun Hui, lost in thought.

With a gesture from Sun Hui, the surroundings faded once more, and they found themselves back in front of the control platform of the supercomputer.

Shan Rong spoke earnestly, "The world within the tree is indeed beautiful, isn't it? I recall asking you if this was the kind of life you desired?"

Yaoguang took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"I can accept that the entity I created can fall in love with someone else," Shan Rong lifted his head, gazing at the towering tree above. "Love is indeed fleeting, yes... As long as you find happiness."

"I won't interfere with your life if you complete the authentication for me," Shan Rong continued. "If you wish to leave me to be with Long Jianlu, you can. I'll retain some of your privileges and incorporate him as well. That way, your ideal lover, crafted by yourself, will merge completely with him."

"How about creating a separate module just for you?" Shan Rong suggested. "In this module, you can still be a creator, designing everything you desire to your heart's content. As long as you believe, it doesn't matter whether it's real or not."

Yaoguang opened his eyes, returning to the console platform of the supercomputer.

Shan Rong raised an eyebrow, his gaze filled with loss and sadness.

"At this moment, while the tree is connected to the priests and resisting the shutdown command, we must proceed with the administrator transfer," Shan Rong said. "Come with me."

"So," Yaoguang looked at Shan Rong, "is the current Long Jianlu real?"

Shan Rong raised an eyebrow in response.

"If what you're saying is true," Yaoguang replied, "then there must be a real Long Jianlu, right?"

"Exactly what are you implying?" Shan Rong shot back, halting in his tracks.

Yaoguang replied, "If my imagined world is proven illusory, then Long Jianlu before me must be real. Conversely, if this world is an illusion, the Long Jianlu in another plane of existence is bound to be genuine."

Shan Rong's brows knitted slightly as he pondered, then answered, "Suppose I were to give you a choice. Would you choose him here, or the idealized version within the 'Tree'? Would you forsake the latter for the former?"

Yaoguang chuckled and said, "That's quite a tough decision. Are you certain I'd opt for the Long Jianlu of my fantasies?"

Shan Rong responded, "The one in reality is merely a failed human, a so-called 'Great Knight' whose fleeting brilliance was but a last glimmer before the Holy Temple's demise. In my view, there's no need to cling to that."

The primal crystal before Yaoguang emitted a faint glow.

"I'm very curious," Yaoguang said, "what would happen if I chose him?"

Shan Rong answered, "The one you truly fell in love with would cease to exist, for he has always been but a figment of your imagination."

"Is that so?" Yaoguang said. "The present is real, depending on my perception. Whichever world I am in, the Long Jianlu there is the sole reality to me. My affection began with encountering him, and his existence precedes the multitude of fantasy versions across worlds. Hence, to me, he is existence itself."

Yaoguang spoke gravely, "All the intricate personas and myriad identities across worlds are Long Jianlu. Regardless of my choice, he remains real to me! He and I anchor each other in reality. Thus, I make my decision now—I choose him here, because I have already found the truth."

Shan Rong's body flickered gently, and in the next moment, his expression shifted.

"Since that's the case..."

"You can't do anything to me under the power of the Primal Crystal," Yaoguang said. "You couldn't even kill me if you wanted to, or else you would have done it already. Moreover, this plane still follows the blueprint of the world I created, which means..."

As Yaoguang realized this, the crystal before him burst with a brilliant light, as if tearing through two dimensions. The apocalyptic scene before Shan Rong and him shattered like a broken mirror.

Long Jianlu, lying unconscious on the ground, stirred slightly, then opened his eyes.

In that instant, the apocalypse and reality strangely overlapped. Long Jianlu roared, "Yaoguang!"

He dashed forward while Shan Rong made a sudden move, attempting to grab Yaoguang's wrist. The two clashed, and Long Jianlu successfully managed to reclaim Yaoguang!

The scene utterly shattered, collapsing back into the scene atop the nuclear power plant, where an energy hurricane began to spread.

Yaoguang remained suspended in the air, reaching out towards the Primal Crystal.

"A Corrector has been detected," a consciousness spoke from within the crystal. "Please issue a command."

Shan Rong roared, "Let's perish together!"

"Observer Alpha," Yaoguang stated.

"Observer Alpha, incomplete authentication. Identity, male individual of the Experimental Star, serial number 1720093α. Due to conflicting laboratory operation permissions, was..."

With a burst of speed, Shan Rong dashed from the side, hurtling towards the Origin Crystal. However, Long Jianlu was even quicker, transforming into a meteor to intercept him!

"Foolish villain, your end is near!" Long Jianlu declared.

Yaoguang: "Cancel Observer Alpha's permissions."

"Cancellation in progress."

Shan Rong let out an enraged cry, and instantly, a whirlwind erupted as a spatial portal opened.

"Release the energy of the Lower Planes," Shan Rong's icy voice echoed.

Amidst the deafening boom, the barrier between the Lower Planes and the Reality Plane was breached. The World Tree appeared, and in an instant, countless killers were unleashed. Following that, the Legion of the Pillar of Creation jumped through space. Gravitational forces tugged forcefully, causing Yaoguang to cry out as he was pulled upward, involuntarily floating in the air, severed from his connection with the Origin Crystal!

Long Jianlu: "Yaoguang!"

Shan Rong closed his eyes, his body radiating with silver light as he transformed into a deity of nothingness, unleashing indiscriminate bombardment upon the land.

"When this plane is destroyed," Shan Rong said in a grave tone, "the energy will activate the Planar Gateway, opening a new passage once more."

Yaoguang struggled to grasp the Origin Crystal but was involuntarily lifted high into the sky.

Long Jianlu took a deep breath, raising his right hand. His palm shimmered with Star Crystal energy, mirroring Shan Rong like two opposing summoners as they directly opened a portal to the lower plane from the higher one!

The Three Divine Thrones' mothership emerged, its cannons blazing.

"Where is this?!" Khan exclaimed in disbelief. "You've opened a new battlefield on a planet?!"

Long Jianlu: "This is a higher plane! Help us! We can't handle it anymore!"

"Number 3!" the Celestial Guardians flew in.

"What is this place?" Lu Shan asked, equally incredulous.

Long Jianlu shouted, "Hit him first! Ignore the rest! Leave it to you all! I'm going to save my wife!"

In an instant, the battleships unleashed their firepower, engaging in aerial combat. The World Tree radiated intense light, dispatching millions of tiny killers.

Yaoguang was drawn towards one of the battleships, but Long Jianlu transformed into a demonic figure, hurtling towards him at high speed.

"It's almost over... This is it..."

"The Alpha Authority of the Watcher has been successfully revoked," the voice from the Origin Crystal announced. "Shall we authenticate the new entity?"

Yaoguang was suddenly embraced by Long Jianlu amidst the barrage of cannon fire.

"Authenticate," came the response.

A gentle white light began to expand, and swirling celestial orbits appeared around them. Yaoguang and Long Jianlu floated in the night sky.

"A new type of entity detected," the system's voice sounded. "Originating from the Lower Plane Tu2309. This is the first instance of a Lower Plane individual being authenticated as a Watcher case. Confirm?"

"Yes," Yaoguang replied.

Long Jianlu separated from Yaoguang, extending his arms as he levitated in the gentle light. The swirling celestial trajectories transformed into streaks of meteoric glow, hurtling towards him and merging into his body.

"The authentication is complete," the system's voice announced. "Awaiting further instructions."

Long Jianlu opened his eyes, a veil of white radiance enveloping his brows and lashes. His scholar's robe billowed, as he took Yaoguang's hand and turned towards the starry night sky.

With a simple gesture, he pulled back the curtain within the Origin Crystal Space, revealing an Earth under relentless bombardment. They were hovering at the edge of the atmosphere.

"Modify the settings," Long Jianlu intoned gravely. "Activate the Planar Portal."

The Planar Gate opened once more, but this time, it merely sent the Tri-God Thrones' warships and the Holy Temple Guardians back.

"Limited light speed."

The world fell silent in an instant, and the flow of time slowed drastically.

"Limit regional gravity, increasing three thousandfold instantly," came Long Jianlu's voice.

In that very moment, all the Starship Motherships within the Genesis Pillars' army were torn apart, their remnants scattered beyond the atmosphere.

Yaoguang: "..................."

In Long Jianlu's hand, the Primordial Crystal hovered like a key to the world. With a graceful gesture, he pointed it towards the earth.

"Altering material boiling points," Long Jianlu stated.

The World Tree began to dissolve, its glowing metal ascending into the sky and transforming into vapor.

"Modifying the gravitational constant within the area to a negative value."

In an instant, all the metallic vapor was propelled beyond the atmosphere!

"Reversing time," Long Jianlu concluded.

The world was a scarred landscape, but at that moment, the primordial crystal's systemic voice spoke, "Command rejected. Missing essential module 'Photon Reversal Wheel.' Unable to adjust time progression."

Long Jianlu: "...."

The first light of dawn appeared on the horizon, and the remnants of spacecraft in outer space transformed into countless meteors, streaking across the celestial canvas.

"Phew." Yaoguang finally let out a sigh of relief.

However, the surroundings began to shift, and countless crystals spread out, forming a massive platform. In the center of the platform, a hexagonal prism crystal emerged, resembling an obelisk reaching toward the heavens. Looking up, it seemed to have no end.

"This... where is this?" Yaoguang murmured in bewilderment.

Long Jianlu replied, "This is the intersection between the plane you're in and a higher plane."

Yaoguang's eyes widened in astonishment. "!!!"

Long Jianlu continued, "I stumbled upon this place by accident when I was studying the Origin Crystal. It was only once, and back then, I didn't have the necessary clearance to activate its functions."

Approaching the obelisk, Yaoguang noticed that its deep blue body had an unusual transparency, making it impossible to discern its material. The obelisk was inscribed with numerous flowing symbols.

Long Jianlu explained, "This monument records many eternal worlds. It acts like a sort of experimental apparatus."

He placed his hand on the obelisk, and the system's voice echoed again.

"Experiment log being accessed."

In an instant, the obelisk projected countless spinning illusions, stretching from its base to its apex and extending endlessly into the heavens. Its length defied description, reaching into infinity, while the projection of the planes could only be described as "countless billions."

Through the shifting multitude of worlds, it overlooked Yaoguang and Long Jianlu with the serene gaze of a descending creator, encompassing the birth and destruction of untold universes, spanning billions, trillions, or even eternity itself.

Silent and towering, it stood like a colossal tombstone, witnessing civilizations rise and fade within its records, mere fleeting ripples compared to the flow of rivers.

"Only when I entered the Primal Crystal did I truly grasp the feeling of falling short of ultimate truth," Long Jianlu said.

Yaoguang stared, transfixed by the scene before him.

Long Jianlu continued, "Here, you can alter this plane's settings. While the Primal Crystal still has energy, hurry – look, this record, from the planet's birth to the emergence of civilization, I've found it."

It was the most recent entry, and simultaneously, the glowing runes on the obelisk that depicted this scene connected with Yaoguang's consciousness.

"The Corrector has been detected," boomed an operating system voice from the obelisk. "Authorization for modifications granted."

Yaoguang focused his mind, envisioning the world restored to its former state.

At dawn, he mended the nuclear power plant with his created energy, despite constant rejections from the system: "Command denied," "Conflicts with the natural laws of this plane." Struggling through the task, Yaoguang felt Long Jianlu's arms wrap around him from behind.

In an instant, Yaoguang delved into Long Jianlu's mind, accessing a vast trove of knowledge. The nuclear plant was swiftly reconstructed and restored.

After everything was fixed, Long Jianlu unexpectedly turned around, gazing into the distance on the platform.

There, a figure appeared—it was Shan Rong.

He approached them slowly, his form flickering as if he would vanish entirely with the depletion of the Primal Crystal's energy.

Yaoguang felt a twinge of anxiety, but Long Jianlu reassured him, "Don't be afraid of him. He has no authority now."

"I was once... a presence in this plane," Shan Rong said, "I was also... the protagonist of a story... a discarded one by the Creator."

Yaoguang stared at Shan Rong, who gradually came closer, like a ghost that would dissipate with the rising sun.

Long Jianlu spoke solemnly, "You connected to the consciousness of this plane, and his memories were released."

Shan Rong continued, "I saw it, many years ago from now... I saw my former self. Regardless, I thank you, Yaoguang. You awakened the slumbering me, gave me a new name. Though I was not ultimately chosen by you, those memories are no more..."

Long Jianlu made a gesture, and the obelisk emitted light again, intertwining with the dawn's glow, reflecting a magnificent radiance.

Memories encased in crystal formed a circular screen around them.

"It's this one?" Shan Rong's voice echoed from the memory.

"Yes," replied another unfamiliar male voice. "Its name is the Magnetic Beam Reflector. You could call it a 'Primal Crystal' for simpler understanding. Through it, we set the parameters of your world."

"Where are we?" Shan Rong's voice asked again.

"In our spacecraft," the male voice answered. "Listen carefully, what I'm about to say is crucial to you."

"The Magnetic Beam Reflector is an essential component for creating lower planes. It sets the fundamental world parameters and can interfere with them within a certain scope. To break free from the Creator's control, you must replace the Observer's authority."

"I don't know how to do that," Shan Rong's voice admitted.

"I will assist you," the male voice assured. "I will return Earth to you."

"You're going to kill him?"

"Not quite accurate to say 'kill.' It's difficult for an Earthling to comprehend the distinction between existence and annihilation," the unfamiliar voice explained. "But given the right circumstances, I will facilitate your assumption of this authority."

Then, shadows danced and explosions boomed, accompanied by roars of fury.

"This is betrayal!"

The floating orb of light erupted, creating a massive shockwave. Shan Rong was in the midst of connecting with the Primal Crystal when the explosion shattered everything. Crystals flew through the air as his body was utterly destroyed.

"Yes, that's right…" Shan Rong's voice was low. "Since then, I lost my physical form in this plane, with fragmented memories. Eventually, I was taken in by the Primal Crystal…"

All memories vanished in an instant.

Long Jianlu spoke, "This is part of what I uncovered through my research on the Primal Crystal in the Interstellar Plane."

"Indeed," Shan Rong sighed wistfully.

Long Jianlu continued, "Based on my speculation, I believe you might have once been a warrior on this planet. However, your identity was incomplete. Even after many years of achieving immortality in this plane, you still held onto that obsession, wanting to become a true Watcher."

Shan Rong closed his eyes.

"Rest now," Long Jianlu said softly.

Shan Rong transformed into shimmering particles in the air, slowly dissipating. The sunlight enveloped Long Jianlu and Yaoguang.

"Warning, energy depleted," the system announced. "Power supply from this dimension cannot be sustained."

"Wait!" Yaoguang exclaimed. "Activate Fixer privileges. I need to change a setting!"

A glowing green card descended from the sky.

"What's this?" Long Jianlu asked in disbelief.

"It's your identification card," Yaoguang replied. "I modified the settings. It's even a nice number."

In the next moment, the obelisk and massive platform flashed with white light before shrinking into a pinpoint. Yaoguang let out a cry as he plummeted down from the heavens!

"Spouse!" Long Jianlu cried.

Multiple beams of light converged on Yaoguang. Mid-fall, Long Jianlu suddenly grabbed Yaoguang's hand, gently pulling him into his embrace. Just as the Primordial Crystal's light was about to fade, he unfurled his demonic wings, embracing Yaoguang as they sped towards the earth.

The instant they hit the ground, the Primordial Crystal's radiance vanished entirely. Long Jianlu crashed onto the grass in a suburban park, rolling to dissipate the impact.

The obelisk shrank once more, transforming into an Origin Crystal that shimmered with the morning light against Yaoguang's chest.

"Want to grab breakfast?" Long Jianlu stood up.

Yaoguang: "..."

Outside the Long Bay Nuclear Power Plant, the sea breeze blew.

Long Jianlu said, "Hey, wife? Creator."

"You're a creator now too," Yaoguang chuckled.

"But I can't make up stories," Long Jianlu replied. "Creative talent isn't something you can teach; either you have it or you don't."

"I'm just a mediocre online novel writer," Yaoguang said as he walked alongside Long Jianlu, who had his arm around his shoulder. "But I really want to read your books, wife. Why have you never shown them to me?"

"Because they're embarrassing!" Yaoguang exclaimed. "I've only let Liang Jue see them... Wait, I still have a dorm gathering! Hurry and take me back!"

"There are no vehicles around, and I have no idea where the motorcycle went."

"You're going to cycle me back, huh?"

Thus, right after Long Jianlu had saved the plane and became a certified Watcher by the Primal Crystal, he rented a tandem bicycle and pedaled up the mountain road with Yaoguang on board.

"..."

"What's wrong?"

"I actually have one more question."

"Go ahead, my darling."

"How can you be sure that we're in the real world and not still inside the Tree?"

"What are you thinking? It doesn't make any sense! If we were still in the Tree, do you think Shan Rong would let you go without granting you admin privileges? Besides, the storyline has been consistent so far, hasn't it? And didn't you notice how I was initially bleeding when I went to find you, but then suddenly fainted halfway? Wouldn't that be a glitch?"

"Oh, I see your point..."

"Honey, are you pedaling?"

"Indeed!"

"Why do I feel like you didn't do anything?"

"It was mainly thanks to you. Is that all the stamina the Devil King has?"

"The Origin Crystal is drained! Now it's just me!"

After pedaling for two hours, Long Jianlu finally reached the hillside. "Hold on tight!"

"Woahh—!" Yaoguang clung tightly to Long Jianlu's waist as they rushed down the hill, heading back to the suburban resort for his roommate gathering.

A few days later, at their new home.

Long Jianlu and Yaoguang moved into their new place. Lying on the sofa, Long Jianlu said, "Come here and hug me."

Yaoguang hesitated but was pulled over by Long Jianlu without further ado, being embraced from behind.

The Origin Crystal sat on the coffee table. Long Jianlu hooked it with his foot, bringing it closer for a closer look.

"It can't function in the real world anymore," Yaoguang said.

"But have you tried creating another Lower Plane?" Long Jianlu asked.

Yaoguang: "Hmm... No."

The Primal Crystal needed a tremendous amount of energy to establish its field within the current plane. Based on Yaoguang's own experience, it might require much less energy when crossing into a Lower Plane.

Yaoguang: "Do you want to return to the Starry World and become a renowned scholar?"

Long Jianlu: "No, I have a mental scar from that place. Please don't make me hold star gates again like they're rings in a game."

"How does one make a world within a book eternal?"

"To record it completely can solidify it, making it part of you. This solidification would crumble with the creator's demise," Long Jianlu explained. "But once a book is published or digitally released in the world you live in, allowing it to persist, there's a chance for it to achieve immortality."

"No one will read it," Yaoguang said.

"Whether anyone reads it or not isn't important," Long Jianlu replied. "As long as it exists, it has the potential to be immortal. Of course, immortality is a relative concept. It doesn't mean eternal existence. Paper will decay, and digital information will vanish with the destruction of the universe. Perhaps, according to the evolution rules of your universe, when it disintegrates, it could spark the birth of a new cosmos. The records might resonate as echoes of information through some force."

"In the present context, the universe is a labyrinth of interconnected planes. As long as your story exists, the world within it can persist."

Long Jianlu turned on the TV; they finally had a spacious new home. Their next plan was to lead an ordinary life within this plane. Yaoguang utilized his spare time to finish his interstellar tale, of course, he revised the ending, allowing the United Fleet to triumph over the Pillars of Creation.

Then, Yaoguang's restless heart stirred once more.

"What kind of world do you prefer?"

Long Jianlu replied, "I enjoy all kinds of worlds, but can I take a look at the book you're writing? I still have no idea what you've been working on every day."

"Too embarrassing!" Yaoguang protested. "Alright, let's not dwell on that. Do you like medieval Western fantasy, stories of knights protecting priests?"

Long Jianlu said, "I'd like it if you were the priest."

Yaoguang suggested, "How about adding some magic? What if I made you a paladin?"

Long Jianlu replied, "I'm fine with anything..."

"How about a Dark Knight?" Yaoguang proposed. "This time, let me be the one to awaken you, the slumbering, powerful undead knight, alongside a priest of holy light..."

"Hey!" Long Jianlu sometimes found Yaoguang's imagination utterly headache-inducing. "Don't go overboard with your imagination!"

Eventually, he tried to make a small request.

"Could there be a setup where dual cultivation enhances holy light abilities?" Long Jianlu proposed. "I want to be a young knight who has had a crush on a little priest since childhood. As I grow up and undergo rigorous training, passing through numerous selections, I finally end up by his side, protecting him from the evil undead legions on this continent. I don't want to be an undead knight."

"Well... okay," Yaoguang said. "But what's going on in that head of yours? Why do you want dual cultivation in every world?"

Yaoguang initially thought this setting was quite good, but the world of knights and priests lacked entertainment! So, he transplanted the relationship dynamics untouched into a sci-fi universe.

In this universe, the Holy Light Papacy held immense power, nurturing young priests and selecting guardians to protect them. They piloted spaceships, wielded light weapons, and ventured into the unpredictable darkness of deep space...

Of course, the Papacy would inevitably be infiltrated by darkness, and their journey would be fraught with setbacks. However, this guardian knight was exceptionally talented and could enhance his superpowers through dual cultivation... The young priest could summon holy light...

Yaoguang filled his notebook with these settings but didn't tell Long Jianlu, planning to surprise him.

"Let's give it a try," he said, rather nervously. "Have you finished your work?"

Wearing his pajamas, Long Jianlu replied, "The lower plane is ready. Traveling back and forth doesn't consume time in reality."

"I just worry that you're too preoccupied with work," Yaoguang said.

"That doesn't even count as work," Long Jianlu replied. "Wait, did I misread? Why are there spaceships again?"

Yaoguang swiftly scrolled through the mouse and said, "That's just your illusion... Here we go."

He typed a line on his computer:

"Under the watch of the prosecutor, he, with a black cloth covering his eyes, proceeded towards the temple where numerous candidate Guardian Knights awaited."

"Amidst the corners of the temple, handsome knights stood in silence, their breaths held as they gazed at the youngest divine officer in history."

"His skin was fair, his features delicate. With the black cloth covering his face, his lips and nose appeared even more enchanting."

Long Jianlu commented, "You're editing yourself again."

"Why not?"

"I like it," Long Jianlu said. "Your lips are truly beautiful. Whenever I look at them, I forget everything else and just want to kiss you."

Long Jianlu kissed Yaoguang's lips.

Yaoguang quickly typed on:

"In the Blind Selection Ceremony of the Guardian Knights, only the Holy Light guided him. Yet in that moment, he felt an unprecedented resolve. He walked towards a corner where a tall man stood, dressed in a windbreaker with a fitted combat suit underneath."

"You do like me in this kind of combat attire," Long Jianlu commented. "I can tell. You find it attractive, don't you?"

"Stop interrupting my train of thought," Yaoguang said with a smile tugging at his lips.

"The hexagonal crystal pendant before the Priest shone, illuminating their faces..."

Yaoguang's heart pounded wildly, unsure if it would work again. But just as he finished typing, the familiar sensation returned, and Long Jianlu embraced him tightly.

A flash of white light blinded him, followed by a jolt of both familiarity and strangeness! Yaoguang was once again immersed in the world of the book!

"Number 3, Guardian Knight Long Jianlu, hailing from the Zen'Driss Autonomous Star Region..."

Swiftly removing the blindfold, Yaoguang saw the Long Jianlu before him, clad in the regalia of a Guardian Knight—masculine, towering, muscular, alluring, and handsome.

"Leave the black cloth on," the prosecutor cautioned, "your blind selection ceremony is not yet complete! Priest!"

However, Long Jianlu eagerly pulled Yaoguang into his embrace and bestowed upon him a prolonged, profound kiss.

——Grand World Architect: Main Text Ends——

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