Chapter 1040: Wengfalusuosi 3.0 (86)

As Bai'e reached his hand into the spring, his figure quickly vanished along with the echo of the Titan's divinity.

"Lord Bai'e... has he left?"

"He has already stepped onto the battlefield; that is a battle only he can win alone." Aglaea gazed at the white vortex deep in the vortex's heart, "All we can do is wait…and believe."

"What a…mysterious ritual. Besides waiting, is there really nothing we can do?" Dan Heng said, "I don't like the feeling of sitting idle while fate decides. I don't know how the others present would view it."

Xing walked toward Aglaea, asking her opinion on Bai'e's trial.

"Bai'e's fate is in his own hands. If he can overcome his fear and return as a demigod, we will be extremely close to the miracle promised by the oracle."

"What if he fails?"

Aglaea shook her head slightly: "…That means his time has not yet come, and there is an even more arduous mission he must bear." She paused, her gaze unconsciously turning to Xiaodie not far away, "You must have noticed already—each of the Golden Heirs here bears some kind of…flaw. Whether it's an undying curse, or a gradual loss of humanity, or…"

"... But Bai'e is different. He is a flawless Golden Heir, a perfect vessel of divinity. One day…he will lead everyone—the remaining ones—to knock on the door of the miracle."

——

The Legend of Luo Xiaohei.

"A vessel…" Nezha repeated the word with interest, "This word is dangerous—those who can become vessels usually don't have good outcomes."

"That's not how to put it." Jiu Lao twirled the small tuft of beard on his chin, "If we look at it rationally, which of the currently emerged Golden Heirs isn't a vessel? Either a vessel of the existing fire seed, or a vessel of the future fire seed. Isn't that little girl who constantly thinks about the whereabouts of the Death Titan also a vessel of the Death Fire Seed?"

Nezha tilted his head, thinking: "... That's also true."

"I guess Bai'e's uniqueness lies in his perfect adaptability. Since he has no flaws, it means he can adapt to all fire seeds, and he can take over any demigod position in Wengfalusuosi. If Aglaea hadn't appeared, with the Romantic Fire Seed scattered abroad, Bai'e could also take over its fire seed and become a demigod…In short, whatever demigod Wengfalusuosi lacks, Bai'e can become that demigod—that is his talent."

"This is too cruel for them." Wuxian silently took a sip of tea.

Jiu Lao let out a soft sigh: "Yes, so the best way is to let a genius break through that layer of chaotic substance and thus resolve the source of the Heichi…no, we also need to clarify who issued that oracle. If a messenger is pulling the strings behind everything, then this oracle that incites humans and gods to slaughter must also be that person's doing."

——

Wandi arrived at the vortex's interior at this moment, looked around, and found no trace of Bai'e: "Have I come too late, then…?"

"Bai'e said you wouldn't come."

Wandi lifted his gaze to the depths of the vortex: "The stars of the Heaven's Punishment Spear have already been lit, which means…"

"The return of the fire seed has been completed, but the trial for Lord Bai'e is not yet over." Xiaodie said, "The oracle has sent down its spokesperson; it acknowledges Lord Bai'e's power and character, but still doubts his will. He must overcome his fear…and prove himself to the oracle."

"... That confirms my worries."

"Wandi, what do you mean by 'worry'?"

Wandi looked at Xiaodie: "They still don't know?"

Xiaodie silently shook her head.

"Hmph, that guy—he's always been tormented by his past. Perhaps it's not proper for me to relay this…but if you want to continue fighting side by side with Bai'e, you need to know his past."

Xiaodie stepped forward: "Lord Wandi…let me handle it."

"... Well, that's fine."

"Before being chosen by the oracle, Lord Bai'e had everything taken away: homeland, family, close friends…all he had sworn to protect. The young him became an empty shell, driven only by the fire of revenge in his heart to walk the earth."

"The oracle granted him a new mission, allowing him to restart his life as a Golden Heir. But compared to that new mission, which is heavier—his desire for revenge?" Xiaodie lowered her gaze somewhat despondently, "Perhaps only he knows the answer…no, perhaps even he himself is undecided."

"I acknowledge his strength, but fear—a sharp blade cannot cut through fear. I hope you have steadied your resolve, Savior…" Wandi looked up at the totem symbolizing conflict, glittering amidst the river of stars.

"... Because only a will as firm as stone can shatter the deepest nightmare."

——

Honkai 3.

"Is this Bai'e old—no, Bai'e little brother's past?" Paduo drooped her ears, face full of bitterness, "... This is too miserable. I saw him so sunny and cheerful, I thought he had a happy, fulfilling childhood."

One whose body had been hollowed out, with nothing but revenge in his chest, actually smiled warmer than anyone…Paduo for a moment couldn't imagine what kind of mental journey he had gone through.

She secretly glanced at Old Big Kevin.

Kevin remained silent as ever, his gaze seeming to sink into the depths of the Genesis Vortex's heart, into a farther, colder place where even starlight cannot reach. In that memory he made a large loop, reaching the age when ice and fire coexisted, then looped back.

... A hint of indescribable sorrow seeped from the depths of Old Big Kevin's eyes.

To this day, he still hasn't emerged from that endless, endless winter, yet he must watch helplessly as another 'himself' walks into winter.

"Old Big Kevin…"

"Shh——" Eden raised a finger to her lips, "Paduo, let's go out first and let him quietly have a look for a while."

——

"The golden wheat field stretched all the way to the edge of Bai'e's vision."

"The wind came from afar, passing through one wheat field after another, the ears bending down in turn and then rising again……that was Aolixie's gentlest breath."

"The pink-haired girl sat beneath the tree, holding a stack of cards in her hands; young Bai'e drew one from her and handed it to her for interpretation."

"The girl examined the card closely: "Hmm…""

"Young Bai'e didn't understand: "What's wrong?""

""Huh…?""

""…Ah, stop keeping us in suspense. Tell me quickly—what did you see?""

""Haha, I just wanted to see your reaction. Come, let me tell you——" The girl flipped over the card he had drawn, showing a picture of a person holding a sharp blade,""—Is this the card? Its name is 'Savior.'""