Chapter 349

Chapter 349

Even if the black hole loses its magic supply, the gradually contracting universe will eventually merge with the black hole.

At the moment of convergence, a massive explosion will destroy everything, bringing about new life.

This is the theory of the Golden Hammer, but His theory also has its limits.

No matter what, the Pillar God's perspective is confined within the universe; His theory cannot encompass the next universe.

No one knows what the newborn universe will be like... For humans, for the old humans belonging to the previous universe, it might not be suitable for survival.

Old humans might be annihilated instantly upon entering the new universe.

That is certainly not the outcome the Pillar Gods desire, but it indeed exceeds their scope of influence.

"Indeed, a perspective higher than the universe is needed," thought the Golden Hammer.

Now, this universe has only seven Pillar Gods left, plus a wandering poet. If they unite their powers, it would be equivalent to the former Supreme Heaven.

However, conflicting authorities cannot simply be united. When the Dragon was still the Dragon of Light, the Bellringing Frost Crow would always perch at the farthest point from Him during meetings.

Only after the Dragon successfully transformed into this form did the Golden Hammer have new ideas.

"Just the Dragon alone is insufficient, but there is a way to solve it." Speaking vaguely, He knew most of His companions could understand His hints.

A few... the only one who couldn't understand didn't need to worry, as the black hole cannot choose not to absorb.

The only concern now is the gravitational time delay phenomenon.

The closer one gets to the black hole, the slower time flows. He hopes to enter the black hole at high speed, but to observers in normal spacetime, He would appear to slow down more and more.

"But I am..." The mechanical swarm, torn by gravity, was already sparking.

"I am," ignoring the error messages, tens of thousands of speakers said in unison, "the Golden Hammer."

No, that is not His name.

Lin at least exchanged something for using His name, but the Golden Hammer's name, due to polluted vibrations, had been erased from all records of the mechanical swarm.

But that doesn't matter; memory and name are just external things.

He needs to know only one thing.

The path He walks must be the one that the self with name and memory desires to walk.

Lingfei Ge and many believers of the Golden Hammer were praying, reciting the divine titles.

"Sustainer of reality, conductor of energy, manager of elements..."

The mechanical swarm, which can bear these titles, formed a golden giant.

Projected pages flew around the golden giant, who extended his hand and grasped a heavy, golden hammer.

Swinging this hammer almost silently, when it struck a page and nailed it to the universe, the entire universe changed because of this hammer strike.

He briefly modified the rules of the universe, opening a passage that could enter the black hole without being affected by gravitational time delay.

This is something only the Golden Hammer can do. As the trailblazer, He must be the first deity to enter the black hole.

The explosion of tens of thousands of mechanical swarms illuminated the blood rain falling on humans.

Under the firelight, the crimson raindrops momentarily seemed to be golden.

No, what turned yellow was not the blood rain! It was the Golden Hammer's practitioners dissolving in the blood rain! Their bodies were mottled, yet inside, they radiated a brilliant gold!

They did not transform into yellow diamonds like Solomon, but they hammered themselves into gold!

The black hole, which had stopped expanding, began to grow again. The Dragon's panicked questions echoed throughout the universe.

Lin wanted to shield the voices of the Dragon for those who could not concentrate, but the seemingly frozen Hui Cui walked over and held his wrist.

Lin was just a projection.

But he could make those who touched the projection feel as if they were touching a solid object.

This illusion made Hui Cui's face even more terrifying, but despite this, he found himself unable to scold or shout.

"...Don't do this," he suppressed the tremor in his voice, "if something must be sacrificed, at least let us remember..."

Lin, who had been looking at the sky, lowered his head to see the trembling fingertips gripping his wrist.

In the brief moments of these words, a sudden cold wave swept through the entire barrier ruins. The Bellringing Frost Crow flew toward the accretion disk it despised, flames igniting on its frost-patterned black feathers, as well as on the bodies of the Bellringing Frost Crow's practitioners.

They were carbonizing, while simultaneously being compressed and dehydrated by magic. Coal jade, with an appearance of asphalt and metal, emerged from the fire! Just like the blazing Bellringing Frost Crow, they were swallowed by the bright accretion disk!

Next were the Resin Crafters and their followers. Viscous resin flowed from their orifices, enveloping them and sinking into the sea of blood, where they were polished into beautiful amber by the flowing water. They collided with the rubies at the bottom of the sea, which belonged to the Mother of Sourceblood's practitioners and all ordinary people recently connected to the Mother of Sourceblood.

After the rose-colored tide receded, these gems were left among the sand. The Mother of Sourceblood, sweeping up the entire sea of blood like a long skirt, nodded to the gentle wave that remained unchanged, then turned and walked toward the black hole.

The Dragon no longer emitted panicked sounds; He simply hadn't reacted, not opposing His companions' decisions.

The accretion disk took on a faint red hue, but the black hole, surrounded by a halo, remained deep and dark, merging with the lightless universe.

The Contradictory Twins looked at the wandering poet.

In space, where there is almost no air, the wandering poet, struggling to maintain himself and the Wind Sylphs, pushed the Wind Sylphs away from him.

The Wind Sylphs were unwilling, but how could they resist the gale coming from their creator?

"I do not ask..." the wandering poet said, his eyes blazing with fierce electric light, "I do not ask that you ensure my kin will surely survive, but if the humans you protect can safely reach the new universe, they must be treated the same!"

"As we merge," the contradictory twin voice rumbled, "you can do it yourself."

These words, which seemed to dodge responsibility, calmed the electric light within the wandering poet.

It seemed eager to take a more active role in the fusion; its figure even appeared impatient as it plunged into the black hole.

The black hole expanded more rapidly, and even as dragons... and the gods who had already entered the black hole moved further away, the increased gravity caused the remnants of the barrier left by the glue craftsman to tremble violently.

Now, only two gods remained outside.

The contradictory twin turned to Hui Cui and Roubo Vapors, saying, "Transforming humans into gems or minerals is because their physical strength is insufficient. As apostles, you two are tougher than ordinary gems.

"Since we don't know the specifics of the new universe, for safety, someone must remain in human form. The environment in the new universe might initially be harsher than living in the underground city. Be prepared for battle."

Roubo, who had been picking up the gems, stood up and agreed.

Hui Cui nodded silently, watching as the contradictory twin turned and strode toward the black hole, his tattered armor disintegrating as he walked.

Once all the armor was gone, the remaining void could no longer prove the existence of the contradictory twin.

Roubo picked up a brand-new longsword from among the gems, its iron-black blade reflecting a cold white light as it turned.

She looked around at various iron weapons embedded among the colorful gems.

These were the followers of the contradictory twin.

The black hole had expanded to occupy most of this cramped universe, its vastness enough to awaken nightmares in every sentient being.

But those who had been transformed into gems and minerals did not look away; they stared intently, determined to engrave this massive entity in their hearts.

A few still gazed at the snow-haired Dover Birdman standing at the base of the barrier's ruins and the last god who had not yet merged into the black hole.

Time was distorted here, impossible to measure.

Lin, who had been unable to speak since appearing, finally spoke now.

"After the Big Bang, all matter entering the black hole will form the foundation of the next universe."

He continued, "At that time, I and the other gods will be every electron leaping from our energy levels, every atom or larger molecule. No matter what, we are not truly gone—"

Hui Cui, looking at the black hole, turned back and looked down at him, interrupting Lin's words.

There seemed to be moisture in his pink eyes, but upon closer inspection, the familiar pink eyes remained frozen.

"You," Hui Cui said, each word deliberate, "must say such cruel things at this moment?"

After speaking, he took a deep breath. Though there was no smile in his eyes, a smile appeared on his face. "Well, it doesn't matter. Every apostle of the contradictory twin has died from mental trauma. Once everyone is settled in the new universe, you won't have to wait long."

"...Hui Cui?"

"There's no need to wait, you can go." Hui Cui stepped back, his smile fading, his face cold and icy. "Your Majesty, please leave."

As he turned, many of the gems and minerals around him let out an "Oh—" in unison.

Lin pounced and hugged him, his hands passing under Hui Cui's ribs and grabbing the front of his shirt.

Fortunately, he had just changed... Hui Cui almost laughed at the thought.

He raised his hand to pull Lin's hands away, but Lin clung tightly to his shirt. Knowing it was just an illusion, he couldn't bring himself to use force.

Hui Cui took a deep breath, but the tears he had held back overflowed his eyes.

Lin might be watching him through those tears... Hui Cui had never hated his own weakness so much.

Just shoot him, Hui Cui thought, reaching for his gun.

Lin quickly grabbed his hand from behind, but in close combat, a ritualist-turned-god was no match for an apostle of the contradictory twin. They grappled for one move before Lin shouted.

"Hui Cui... Hui Cui! Listen to me first!

"When I said the gods aren't gone, I didn't mean you should wait—uh, that's not what I meant. What I mean is, we will be scattered in the Big Bang, very small, but... but there's a chance we can reassemble!"

Hui Cui, who had grabbed Lin's hand, stopped moving.

Lin's other hand still clutched the front of Hui Cui's shirt, and he could feel Hui Cui's heart rate suddenly quicken.

Lin lifted his head from behind Hui Cui.

He knew that not only Hui Cui, but many others were holding their breath, listening to his explanation.

"Professor Jin's models and theories only calculate matter and energy," he said softly, "but miracles of emotion are in my domain.

"The old humans will carry information from the old universe into the new one, and in the new universe, the gods... we, have not disappeared, we are everywhere.

"Your... your feelings, your faith, thoughts, and love, will draw us back. There will be a moment, Hui Cui, when I will reappear before you."

Lin slowly turned Hui Cui around.

He looked up at him, tiptoed, and cupped Hui Cui's face in his hands.

The traces of tears were still visible, and the pink tear mark below Lin's left eye grew warm.

"Teacher Moses... and Snow Claws, I've sent them into your dreams," he said earnestly, indeed, cruelly earnestly, "you must endure all hardships until we meet again."

Hui Cui looked at him.

"Will the you who returns be the same you?"

This time, it was Lin's turn to smile and answer indirectly:

"This time, I... will not say sorry to you."

The silver-eyed god's illusion dissipated.

Several pearls fell onto the pile of gems, and in the distance, the bright accretion disk surrounding the black hole suddenly burst into brilliant silver light.