Chapter 492: with translation of chapter title

"He bestowed meaning upon all people in the world, and all things in heaven and earth were made complete. He ceased all the work of creation."

"Xingqiri's voice in the vast grand theatre sounded solemn and holy: 'However, all beings again cried out to the Supreme One: You defined order for all peoples, yet you made us realize we are merely your puppets! Therefore on that day, the myriad masses united as one, casting the god into the pit of destruction.'"

"This…… is the seventh day."

"Cheers and chants then rose in unison——"

"The holy anthem poured down like a heavenly river, surging from the golden light cascading from the vaulted dome; each note seemed to have been tempered over ages, echoing in the ancient theatre with a celestial harmony."

'"Universal harmony, stars shining together!"'

'"Supreme merit praises the Divine Lord!"'

'"Order is dead! Order is dead! Order is dead!"'

"Sanyue Qi stared agape at the newly renewed grand theatre, feeling only incredulity; they followed the red carpet to the centre of the stage, and indeed saw the long-awaited Xingqiri."

'"All concerning order ends here; I wonder what you all think?" Xingqiri asked with a smile.'

"Everyone exchanged a glance, but no one answered."

'"However, this is merely an insignificant episode in galactic history, not important; what matters is where this great river will head from now on…… You have come at just the right time. The Harmony Gala is about to commence, and if the opening of harmony (order) lacks your presence, that would truly be a pity."'

——

"Dragon Clan."

'"I always have a foreboding feeling."'

"Miyamoto Shigio pushed up his glasses, his brows slightly furrowed. From the moment the train crew arrived at this grand theatre, a gloom has lingered in his heart. Although Xingqiri and Phantom Ridge differ, he is not an envoy, yet a strange sense of dissonance makes him feel quite uneasy."

"After much thought, he could only attribute this unease to 'composure'."

"Xingqiri is very composed, just like Phantom Ridge. It seems as if he could foresee the outcome of this confrontation; the train crew is merely a trivial stumbling block before his grand ideal. As the head of the Miyamoto family, one of the Sabaki Eight Houses, and also the person in charge of the family's highest technology, he has continually pondered the source of Xingqiri's composure. He seeks to seize the authority of 'harmony'—which he has not yet taken; for now he remains merely a wayfarer. Yet the aura and pressure he exudes make it seem as if his grand plan has already been accomplished."

'"This battle, Mr. Walter is not present either." Yuan Chisheng followed the skyline's view and scanned the whole venue; lacking Zhigengniao and Walter, Yuan Chisheng also felt this great battle seemed to lack a bit…… of safety.'

'"Yeah, but now we can't count on Mr. Walter either; we probably have to resort to delaying tactics." Fengmo Xiaotaro said lightly, "The two biggest variables are: first, Xingqiri's trump card—the Resonant Chorus he summoned, just how powerful it is and how he will seize the authority of harmony; second, Xingqiri doesn't know the train crew's trump card—since Dan Heng plans to use the Alliance Jade Omen, Xingqiri's opponent will therefore be General Jingyuan."'

"Upon thinking that General Jingyuan would actually serve as the train crew's 'surprise troop', the air inside the Sabaki Eight Houses' Japanese-style room instantly filled with mirth, and the earlier tension dissipated considerably."

"If Ms. Huangquan could also lend aid, then the train crew would effectively have two envoys assisting them, and they wouldn't know how Xingqiri could win."

'"How, could he possibly summon the star gods?"'

——

'"Welcome to the Pinokangni Grand Theatre—the heart of beautiful dreams, the location of the star core, the absolute stage of the Harmony Gala…… and also…… the place where we have decided Pinokangni's future deadly battle will take place."'

'"Moreover, this is where your schemes are thwarted." Star said bluntly.'

'"I respect your pioneering conviction." Xingqiri smiled faintly, "However, to behold the star core, you must also demonstrate to me a conviction worthy of its great power. Only by holding fast to conviction can we bring true blessings to this world."'

'"Please allow me to point out, falling into eternal sleep cannot be equated with happiness, especially when people still have to be manipulated in their dreams." Jizi said.'

'"Xingqiri's eyes sank: "Ms. Jizi, even now, do you still believe that order only wishes to turn the entire universe into His marionette?""'

'"Jizi: "No matter how perfect your depicted paradise may be, a cage remains a cage.""'

'"Xingqiri sighed deeply: "It seems you have continually misunderstood my intention. I hereby formally announce: my ideal is neither to resurrect the star gods nor to ascend to godhood—I have but one goal: to create a paradise devoid of star gods, possessing only order, capable of embracing everyone's dignity and happiness, belonging solely to humanity.""'

'"Jizi: "You are wrong. If people are to live with dignity, then no person or thing should ever stand above them…… and in your so‑called paradise, that person is you.""'

——

"Original God."

'"Ms. Jizi's remark is quite insightful."'

"In the Mist Foam Palace, Lai Ousi Li was holding a cup of red tea and sitting together with Na Wei Lai Te; steam mingled between them, blurring the sharp gaze of the warden."

"Actually, regarding the 'paradise' matter, Lai Ousi Li does have some say; although Mei Luoyang Peter Fortress is far from Xingqiri's ideal homeland, it is also an independent, self‑governing underwater stronghold—early on it was chaotic precisely because it lacked order, but ever since he, as a criminal, gradually rose to the top of this prison, this 'disorder' has slowly improved."

"In Lai Ousi Li's view, if a land lacks a ruling elite that holds power and stands above the people, the people will also fight and select someone on that land to ensure the establishment of subsequent order. But if such a figure truly exists in the paradise, then that paradise is not genuine 'freedom' but rather 'conditional' and 'restricted' freedom."

'"This probably is the difference brought by the perspectives of the ruling elite and ordinary people; Ms. Jizi's paradise and Xingqiri's paradise are utterly different." Na Wei Lai Te nodded, "Although that is what you say, I believe that, given Xingqiri's character, the paradise under his rule will be a land of peace and tranquility."'

'"The problem lies here, Na Wei Lai Te." Lai Ousi Li chuckled lightly and slowly set his teacup back on the table, "If the perfect maintenance of a paradise hinges on a single person's character, that is truly the most terrifying."'

——

'"It seems we cannot convince the other side no matter what. Fate has destined us to clash; now that it has come to this, let us each use our respective paths to show the universe a righteous way. However, before the future overture is formally performed, please again take some time to ponder the question I have raised——"'

'"Xingqiri slowly raised both hands, ascending into the sky; his white robe fluttered in the divine radiance. At the same time, countless monsters leapt down from above, wielding shackles and swords, blocking the train crew's path."'

'"Are day and night equal? Are the righteous and the sinners equal?"'

'"If humans are born weak—where should the weak seek solace from which deity?"'