Chapter 1339: Weng Falos 3.4 (374)

Bai E nodded and said to the opposite Wandi, "That also includes you and your people, the Xuanfeng."

Wandi let out a light laugh, "Put the weight of both sides on the line? But don't forget, the Xuanfeng are mortal enemies of you, drowning in idealism, which will only make you die beneath the enemy's spears."

Bai E's expression was rather relaxed, "That's fine; I never claimed to be on par with the 'Savior' in the cards. I'm just a soldier, and if dying on the battlefield is my fate, I have no complaints and will swing my sword until the very end. I believe you are the same…"

"The so‑called 'hero' is merely a group of people who hold such resolve. And the 'Savior'—that is just their sum, nothing more."

—

Zero Zone.

So impressive… Bai E really knows how to speak!

Qianxia's eyes seemed to sparkle with stars, and the unmistakable envy was written brightly on her face, nearly sending the cat‑ear headpiece on her head flying off with her vigorous movements.

But that envy lasted only a moment; the light in her eyes quickly dimmed, turning into a heavy sense of inferiority.

…like the faint bitterness after a sip of matcha.

If it were me, I'd definitely stutter when saying these words, maybe even be too nervous to speak at all, and then be harshly mocked by Wandi… Ugh…

Pfft—

As Qianxia's voice grew softer, Nangong Yu could no longer hold back a laugh.

Nangong! Wh‑what are you laughing at?

Oh dear, just seeing you like that, Qianxia, I can't help but want to pinch you~" she said, throwing an arm around Qianxia's shoulder, her right hand instinctively brushing the soft cheek, "If you keep belittling yourself, I'll pinch—hard~"

Bai E has his own talent, and you, Qianxia, have yours too. If you were made to give a long‑winded speech on stage, that would be a waste of talent! Haven't you forgotten that the piece you composed is the soul of Ai Rui's song?

Um…" Hearing Nangong's praise, Qianxia's cheeks flushed slightly. She lowered her head shyly, murmuring, "I‑I'm not as amazing as you say, Nangong…"

Nangong chuckled, pressing two fingers lightly, "Still belittling yourself, I'll pinch—!"

Ugh… that hurts! Nangong, be gentle!

—

"Brilliant answer."

The moment Bai E finished speaking, Aglaea appeared in the Hall of Three Fates, accompanied by a wind jade.

"As the divine decree states: 'The Fire Pursuit Journey's expedition will, today, welcome the final two heroes.'"

Seeing Aglaea in the distance, Wandi sneered, "…huh, so your target was me and him from the start. People say Goldweave's miss is clueless, yet you're the first to try persuading Xuanfeng warriors with a divine decree."

"If you want to bind the mighty lion, I have a thousand methods. But this lion before us didn't come for a slaughter, did it?"

The wind jade added, "Aohema and the lone Xuanfeng forces are vastly mismatched, yet none of our side has fallen. That can't be mere coincidence."

Wandi: "Do you truly think the war‑like Xuanfeng would show mercy?"

Tingning: "But the lone Xuanfeng are also renowned for strict discipline. *We* can only assume this is your order."

Wandi, however, gave them a grudging respect: "It seems Aohema isn't as pedantic as rumors suggest. Compared to the Elders of the Holy City, everyone here grasps the nature of power better."

"Fate has already been set in motion; why not host a banquet to welcome our guests and add another stroke to this encounter?" Aglaea turned, "Please follow me, two foreign warriors—heroes in this world are as numerous as stars, and now we are gathered by the night's firelight… History will record this moment; the golden offspring spoken of in the decree are now all in place, heralding the dawn of Weng Falos."

"…"

Watching Bai E walk away, Xing felt an indescribable oddness.

"You must have realized by now: that scene just now is entirely different from the Fire Pursuit Journey you experienced." Laigushi suddenly appeared behind Xing and, with a courteous bow, addressed her.

"Who exactly am I portraying?"

Laigushi gave a faint smile, "Perhaps I'm not a truly existing 'someone'. After all, aside from two specific individuals, the other heroes don't seem to perceive your presence. Do not be impatient; the play is nearing its end."

"I have said, this is a man's first memory. Its significance is especially special for the upcoming Recreation of the World."

—

Sword Art Online.

"The 'first memory'… what does that even mean? Does Bai E have any other memories of the Fire Pursuit Journey besides this one?"

Asuna looked up at Laigushi against the sky, her brows slightly furrowed; she always felt there was a deeper layer to his words, yet she couldn't guess it.

"Hmm, in my view, the memory Laigushi mentions probably resembles something we're very familiar with," Tongren said beside her.

"What?"

"A save file."

Asuna froze for a moment, then asked, "Tongren, what does that mean?"

"If we liken the Imperial Scepter to a game server, Weng Falos is a game generated by it, and that complete Fire Pursuit Journey is akin to a full clear save file." Tongren paused, his tone turning icy, "And there should be more than one such save. The one Xing experienced was one, and the one Bai E is now experiencing is another. The 'first' memory Laigushi mentions is probably Bai E's experience the first time he cleared Weng Falos."

"No, Tongren, you're overlooking the Fire Thief," Asuna suddenly realized, pointing out Tongren's flaw, "If the Fire Pursuit Journey were cleared successfully, the game would end. But the journey continues, which means…"

Tongren nodded gravely and continued, "The Fire Thief appears as a BOSS, kills Bai E, and records that 'save file,' causing the Fire Pursuit Journey 'game' to restart from the beginning."

"But Tongren… this explanation still has gaps," Asuna propped her chin, saying seriously, "If the Fire Thief recorded those 'save files,' then the Fire Thief should be the one who knows them. So why does Laigushi speak of 'this man's' first memory?"

"This man… who exactly does it refer to?"

—

"Exactly at this moment, under Talandon's witness, the Demigods have all gathered… this is the moment calculated by the gods. The journey ahead will be no different from everything you know. Some will arrive, some will depart, and the Fire Pursuers, bearing a faint light, will struggle forward through the long night."

"Come, your seat is prepared, please be seated: after thirteen heartbeats—"

"The heroes' vessel will ferry to the final scene."