Chapter 568: Periphery

Le Wen Qin, double-tap the screen to auto-scroll: lwshuku

The palace's lofty towers were adorned with vine stems, ice patterns, and ten-thousand-river architectural styles, symbolizing endless life and continuity, exuding a grandeur that embraces all seas and rivers.

"We've prepared a new version as you requested; this time, we've engraved the true spirit's legacy within it. Please review."

The God of Space and Time held in both hands a black metal object inscribed with intricate incantations.

Within it were stored various forms of cultivation legacies—techniques, profound truths, divine abilities, martial insights, essentials, and more—carried on different media.

"Heh." Su Lin held it, sensed its contents, and smiled: "There's even more variety and quantity than before—looks like you've dumped all your old treasures in."

"With your help, the ancient beings have resumed their journey from stagnant time; in these years of contact with the myriad realms' spacetimes, they've also made progress." The God of Space and Time placed his right hand over his chest in a slight bow, as if expressing gratitude.

"Pizi Long's suggestion was to give them a quick end." Su Lin gripped the inscription stone and turned to push open the newly built "Heavenly Dao Library" within an hour.

The opposing doors, blending mechanics and classic design, slowly opened, revealing the first layer of ink-wash paradise: pavilions, terraces, winding bridges, flying corridors, flower-paved paths, cloud-walls and moon-gates—all present.

"You're not my subordinates; our relationship is at most you acting as temporary actors—cooperation or enmity is based solely on mutual interest."

Su Lin, with his back to the God of Space and Time, smiled and said:

"I just prefer a livelier atmosphere. Since no real consequences arose, and given Pizi Long and Chen Nan's faces, I'm too lazy to pursue it—after all, I enjoyed killing back then; such warm-ups suit stress relief."

"Besides, pursuing ambition, wishes, beauty, happiness—these make fine stories."

"Only to be destroyed in the end by me, the villain."

The God of Space and Time kept his eyes closed, head lowered, maintaining his respectful posture, silent.

Within the paradise, the ever-vibrant scroll, guided by its master's will, painted freely, giving birth to myriad creations designed to carry matter.

"Speaking of which, you must have regrets and wishes too—yet more than half still chose not to oppose me."

Su Lin's voice carried a hint of curiosity: "Why?"

"Past regrets forged who I am now." The God of Space and Time spoke without inflection, low and detached:

"If I must name a wish remaining, it is solely to repay your aid to us—that is the only wish left in my remaining life."

Su Lin withdrew the corner of his gaze; the black metal inscription stone slipped from his hand.

Sacred chanting arose from nothingness; white-hot light spilled from the tear in the sky, as if a divine palace flickered faintly amid the clouds.

The white light descending from high heaven shattered the inscription stone; all its contents—immortal arts, demonic techniques, magic, divine arts, Buddhist powers—were sorted and drawn into separate dimensions.

"Looks like our friendship boat hasn't capsized yet—next time you stab me in the back, maybe I'll see some unexpected new tricks."

Su Lin walked into the cross-shaped light amid the clouds; the intricate latticed doors slowly closed: "By the way, since you've progressed so much, don't slack off on the Heaven-Toppling War filming."

The gates of the Heavenly Dao Library gradually sealed; the dense spiritual aura of Water Mirror Peak swirled, starlight threads descending, yet the earlier revelry and noise had faded, leaving only quiet emptiness.

"I swear to you," the God of Space and Time lifted his aged face, slowly opening weary but clear eyes, "there will be no next time."

Starry night, serene and beautiful.

The God of Space and Time looked behind: "Come out."

Chen Nan and Long Baobao stepped from beneath the tree shade; on their chests, the Yin-Yang Taiji diagram illuminated, and countless ancient immortal and divine soul-shadows emerged.

Pizi Long pressed a watermelon knife against the sweating God of Fury's neck and asked: "Aowu! Can we start now?!"

The God of Space and Time shook his head.

"You should know how to proceed from now on." The God of Space and Time waved his hand.

Only then did the figures encircling the layered battle formations within the diagram relax their attack stances; those at the center—including the God of Fury—preparing for judgment—all exhaled in relief.

"Tch." Zi Jin sheathed his cleaver with regret: "Damn, I thought Dragon Grandpa could finally go on a killing spree."

"Then what now?" the God of Fire probed.

"Isn't the simulated universe still running? The Grand Heavenly Dao wants excitement—go work as NPCs." The God of Space and Time spoke like a modern man, tossing out contemporary terms: "If there's another time, don't expect me to plead for you—I'll be the first to strike."

Countless divine and vast living souls flew out of the diagram; soon, only Chen Nan and a few others remained.

"After returning, quickly locate the others and prepare to launch the assault on the False Heavenly Dao," the God of Space and Time reminded.

"Remember: prepare thoroughly—no mutual destruction, not even heavy casualties. I suspect this is His test."

Zi Jin Dragon lazily gnawed a fruit, expression odd: "Dragon Grandpa feels he just wants to watch a movie. Old man, you're overthinking."

"Our mission now isn't just to topple Heaven—it's also to repair the world after Heaven's fall," the God of Space and Time shook his head.

"Clearly, the Grand Heavenly Dao has never intended to absorb us."

"Help from the Grand Heavenly Dao is essential—even to gather methods from countless worlds, we require His permission."

"His mention of the Heaven-Toppling War is surely a trial for us—we must win it perfectly, or we'll be deemed unworthy."

The Evil Heavenly Dao repeatedly shattered worlds, cleansing all life, damaging the universe's primordial source—this has fundamentally limited the upper bounds of life in our world.

It is both the reckoning of ancient and enduring calamities and hatreds, and the necessary step to move forward after all ends.

"When that time comes, perhaps our universe will finally have value—able to leave behind a pure land untouched by interference. What do you think, Zi Feng?"

"Dragon Grandpa just asked—he really just wants to watch a movie."

Zi Jin Dragon watched the God of Space and Time and the other ancient gods vanish from the spot, clearly not believing him at all.

"Are you all idiots?!"

Zi Jin Dragon, stunned by this turn, turned to Chen Nan beside him: "Why aren't you saying anything?!"

"I'm just thinking… my child is about to be born."

"And then?"

"I heard those great ones talking about recruiting disciples for their sect."

"So?"

"Could we trade our universe as tuition for five admission slots?"

You're even more extreme than the Heavenly Dao.

Sometimes Su Lin also wondered.

Are the identities that forged him only Lord Haotian, Tai Chu Shangdi, Tian Fo Zun, the God of Light, the Star God of Hope, and the Tianyi Sect Sect Master?

No, these are all empty titles, mere external possessions.

Su Lin, dressed in casual clothes and riding a bicycle, prepared to head to the gathering site for the simulated universe cultivators—the former outdoor filming location left behind after movie shoots.

"Senior Su Lin, why are you riding a bicycle?"

Inside the single-use flying sword launch test site, Song Shuhang, just strapped onto a flying sword and lifted into the air, was deeply confused.

"Ordinariness is the true way."

Su Lin pedaled, glancing at Song Shuhang beside him in the clouds, and said: "I thought you'd all gone back."

"Everyone just left Water Mirror Peak and is taking new group members on a tour of the simulated universe," Song Shuhang said, spinning midair. "Since you were fully focused on rebuilding Wangshu Pavilion, we didn't disturb you."

"Is that so?" Su Lin nodded, half-understanding.

Come to think of it, where else could you better bring new group members for team-building than the simulated universe—where you can experience advanced powers and die without actually dying?

For instance, Song Shuhang lingering here right now surely waits until White Zunzhe and White Two have calmed down before returning; until then, he can do anything without dying.

"Everything in my bedroom was burned to ashes—it's completely empty now, so I need to buy some things," Su Lin said.

"Senior Su Lin, I've wanted to ask this before," Song Shuhang said. "About the reconstruction—you can control time reversal, right?"

Su Lin tilted his head. "Then how would I make Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan pay to rebuild a bigger place?"

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan will cry. He really will cry.

Song Shuhang fell silent for a long while.

"I'm almost there," Su Lin asked curiously, glancing aside. "By the way, did you cure your acrophobia?"

"No no no no no—!"

Song Shuhang, spiraling skyward with his startled shout, vanished from view along with the meteoric flying sword's trail. Su Lin turned his bicycle around and entered the cultivator gathering via spatial folding.

Here, the flow of cultivators remained immense; indeed, cultivators preferred this place for non-Tiancheng-related essential transactions.

After all, certain techniques and treasures are produced only in the simulated universe, and trading here exempts you from taxes.

In a sense, Tiancheng is just for fun—the true nexus of myriad worlds lies in the simulated universe created by Mr. Guangming.

"Electronic entertainment products are easy—just move them from Kleen's rental apartment."

Then open the window and leave a monocle at the crime scene—claim it was a break-in.

"As for figurines and posters, let me see."

Most cultivators from Song Shuhang's world are highly modernized, and with the Human Evil from Chaldea occasionally bringing Servants here to run side businesses for resources, this cultivator gathering area

Apart from occasional dragon roars, someone yelling "I'm unzipping my pants," flying sword ride-hailing, monocle enthusiasts, self-detonating fireworks, and other such things, it's otherwise nearly identical to a modern metropolis.

Thanks even to the long-lived, idle, and highly efficient spirits, cultivators, and transcendentals, new secondary creations and bizarre artifacts and treasures update daily—plentiful, satisfying, and capable of blowing your mind.

"My mud-head car flying sword!?"

Su Lin shattered the flying sword attempting to send him to another world as a hero with a single finger, then entered a merchandise store. He didn't have to decorate his room in otaku style—he simply wanted more ordinary, everyday decorations.

Come to think of it, it would've been better to just order online.

The large store had few people—only a few self-checkout puppets and one or two customers.

The shop owner's shipped couple had come true, praising the Day of Heavenly Destruction—every poster and merchandise item featuring the Dimensional Witch and Lord Haotian was marked down to one-tenth!

Su Lin's eye twitched as he tore his gaze from the banner and scanned the other merchandise.

"Excuse me, why is that ahoge king figurine selling for a hundred spirit stones?"

"S-Senior Su Lin?!"

"I am Mr. Guangming 777."

"Oh, Mr. Guangming? Give me ten Guangming commemorative coins."

The young otaku cultivator handed over a bag of spirit stones calmly. "That's an officially licensed King Arthur figurine—with the original's signature and a micro-light-cannon function."

"Why is the Iron Man figurine selling for two hundred?" Su Lin asked again.

"Stark Industries product—comes with a signed photo of Tony Stark."

"Alright, I understand."

You guys understand copyright and image rights.

Su Lin handed the ten commemorative coins to the shopkeeper, then silently stared at the merchandise—all items, including Zhongli's, priced in spirit stones.

Then there was only one answer.

Under pressure for value and with no alternatives, Su Lin casually picked up a stack of one-tenth-off Yi Leina anime-style posters.

"There's a regular ACG section over there, just upgraded with shatterproof and dustproof features,"

the otaku cultivator pointed elsewhere, but found Su Lin walking away without looking back—he suddenly felt puzzled: "Does Mr. Guangming have a No. 777?"

Su Lin stood expressionless, waiting as the three-eyed, five-foot immortal in sunglasses and mask checked out a "Lord Donghuang Exclusive Edition" item via an automated puppet. Once he confirmed no one else was around, he stepped forward and placed the item on the counter.

"Check out."

"Check out."

At the same time on the register appeared several posters printed with the six-winged image of the God of Light—apparently each designed in a different style matching the various Light Immortals.

Su Lin followed their gaze and saw a witch with gray hair and lapis-lazuli eyes staring back at him, wearing a soft-pointed magic hat.

Her gaze shifted from Su Lin to the posters, then back again, studying them.

"You really like Yi Leina," she said, surprised—but her voice carried no strength.

Su Lin, expressionless, asked: "What a coincidence—depressed Yi Leina."

"Yes, what a coincidence," the depressed Yi Leina stared at Su Lin for a moment. "The Great Niu Mowang asked me to buy things for her."

"Are there no special limited editions? I only found these—like ones with slightly softer facial lines, or the true form of the God of Light."

"What do you mean?" Su Lin smiled. "I don't understand."

"Alright." The depressed Yi Leina glanced at Su Lin's posters. "You first?"

"Don't be polite, you go first." lwshuku recommends (Black Night's Pupils) (Yan Yan Xiao Mo) (Spirit Little Brother) (Please Let Me Go Viral) (Brush Tap Tap) (August Snow)

by, Le Wen lwshuku