Chapter 67: The Gaze of Ke Li's Observation, Shocking the Tornado

"Just because of you? Arrogant..." A Lei Qi Nuo sneered.

"In my eyes, deities are merely higher‑level beings; the essence of a deity's life and a human's life are, to me, no different." Duo Tuo Lei was not angered by A Lei Qi Nuo's cold sarcasm; a calm smile still hung on his face.

"According to my observation, the destructive Nanuq surpasses the Archons of Teyvat... a more distant, even more majestic existence; some star gods can even grasp certain universal laws. Its power is beyond the reach of the Seven Archons."

"But star gods also have a beginning; the intellectual star god originally was merely a human creation, and some star gods started as humans... What did they experience to finally become star gods? Aren't you curious about that?"

Duo Tuo Lei's tone grew regretful and disappointed: "I believe... the star core is a crucial entry point for studying star gods, yet Ke Ke Li Ya abandoned research on the star core—utterly foolish."

A Lei Qi Nuo sighed: "Researching everything will only harm you."

"On the contrary," Duo Tuo Lei said calmly. "Ceasing curiosity about the unknown... is the only way to erase me."

——

"Xing moves forward again, this time accompanied by Ke Ke Li Ya and Bu Luo Ni Ya."

"Bu Luo Ni Ya, worried, said, 'Mother, I still don't understand... the Rift's erosion has spread to the lower levels. If we withdraw all Iron Guard, how will those remaining below protect themselves?'"

"Ke Ke Li Ya patted the girl's shoulder: 'The automaton defense line will ensure their safety. The most crucial line is in the upper region; if we collapse, the underground will be instantly annihilated. We must maintain the line at all costs.'"

"This is a trade‑off... Bu Luo Ni Ya, as a leader, you must have the courage to decide. You, I, we still have a more important mission... Sooner or later, you will also have to make a choice."

"A more important mission?" Bu Luo Ni Ya raised her head in doubt.

"It's too early, Bu Luo Ni Ya... it's too early. One day you will understand," Ke Ke Li Ya said soothingly.

"Xing continues onward, and this time she sees a little girl ahead."

"The little girl's appearance seems common throughout Beloberg, yet when she speaks, countless voices across the veil of time overlap, echoing throughout this universe."

"That is... the will of the successive Guardians."

"This city is crying out... the power of Preservation is fading. In the end, we still cannot resist the will of the star core."

"It was Ke Ke Li Ya who abandoned Preservation," Xing said.

"Exactly... but we have no right to blame. For the past seven hundred years, the Rift has expanded every minute. What we left to our successors... no belief or wealth, only boundless despair."

"Watching the homeland pledged to Preservation fade before our eyes is tormenting. Add to that the lingering, whispering that sways hearts..."

"It seems every great Guardian throughout the ages sensed the problem, even though Ke Ke Li Ya held fast to her heart, untempted; yet the next great Guardian, and the one after, will inevitably reach a day they cannot endure."

"Kai Se Lin suddenly realized, 'Even if the one who betrays Preservation isn't Ke Ke Li Ya, it will be someone else.'"

"Even the firmest will can waver, it seems this cannot be wholly blamed on Ke Ke Li Ya," Wei thought, finding it hard to imagine the pressure on the shoulders of one bearing an entire planetary civilization.

"However, while I can understand Ke Ke Li Ya's choice, that doesn't mean I endorse it."

"Kai Se Lin said firmly, 'A decision that concerns the very spark of a civilization cannot be made by a single person. In Piiertewofu, such matters require a parliamentary vote. The star core issue... should never have been hidden from others, at least not from Bu Luo Ni Ya and the others.'"

"... This Ms. Ke Ke Li Ya is rather overconfident," Kai Se Lin grew increasingly angry.

"Alright, little cupcake, what's there to be angry about? Look, Xing and the others are here to 'fix' her, aren't they?" Wei comforted, patting her shoulder.

"But Xing..." Kai Se Lin recalled the scene of Xing being pierced by a spear, shaking her head worriedly.

"At least she's someone with a star core; wanting to die... probably isn't that easy."

"Even the firmest will will waver; that day is destined to come. His protection... is destined to leave us," the Guardian's will lamented.

"Xing closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she wore a brimming confidence: 'Then let others handle Preservation!'"

"\"You... \" the Guardian's will said with surprise for the first time, \"A mere passerby, yet insists on bearing the fate of an entire world... \""

"But soon the Guardian's will had no other choice; she lowered her head and said, 'Fine. What is there left to lose... what cannot be pursued?'"

"\"Go touch the amber light, Pioneer. See if the will of Preservation in your heart is strong enough... strong enough to attract His gaze. \""

"Following her direction, beneath the amber‑hued glow lay a red lance."

"Xing slowly extended her hand, gripping the lance's hilt with unwavering resolve."

"But the instant she grasped it, as if in an unseen distant corner of the universe, the Amber King dropped a heavy hammer; a \"clang‑clang\" struck, accompanied by a wave of heat that pushed Xing's body back a few steps."

"Yet the next second, she seized it again with an even more resolute posture!"

"In an instant, countless scenes flashed before Xing's eyes: Xi Er, Bu Luo Ni Ya, Jie Pa De, Xi Lu Wa... In this far from beautiful world, they all strive to change it."

"Silver‑mane Iron Guard fight the Rift monsters with their lives; people in the lower region toil for a morsel of food, while the Rift expands every second without cease."

"This world has no hope, nor a future."

"Then let her become this world's hope!"

"Ugh—ahhh!!"

"Accompanied by a roar, Xing yanked the lance out in one swift motion; a dazzling amber light shot upward, as if to illuminate the entire universe!"

"Deep within the boundless cosmos, a colossal statue‑like object raised its massive hammer; in its eye, a blinding light gradually flared..."

"This... this is the Preservation Star God! Xing is being gazed upon by Him!"

At this moment, Long Juan lifted its head amid the heroes' shouts, staring in astonishment at the deity‑like colossus.