Chapter 1448: The Bustle Beside the Sea of Desire

The Bustle Beside the Sea of Desire

With heavy hearts, everyone gathered beside the Sea of Desire, intending to stop Li Li Wufang for further discussion, but they never expected the Place of Degradation to be more lively than Dol Guldur; those who had just departed had now all appeared here.

Qin Xin grabbed Li Li Wufang at the edge of the Sea of Desire, while Chen Shu placed one hand on Nangong's shoulder, silencing her in place.

Seeing the dangerous place grow more crowded by the moment, Qin Xin flung Li Li Wufang into the crowd, stood with his bow drawn, and blocked the way beside the Sea of Desire with his own body, smiling as he said:

"A single spark can start a prairie fire, just like this.

The Universe can achieve what it has today; the passing of the torch is already secure!

I see the flames in everyone's hearts, but the darkness ahead still needs you all to illuminate it, so let me handle today's journey!"

Only then did everyone realize that the Torchbearers had left early because they too had spotted the last unknown crisis in the Universe.

But what about Chen Shu and Nangong? Judging by the situation, the one who initially wanted to compete with Qin Xin for the "spot" was actually that thin and weak young Miss?

Yes, Nangong was indeed competing, and to explain all of this, we must start from when the Torchbearers departed.

Just as An Mingyu had guessed, after Qin Xin recovered himself, he gained infinite confidence in his heart; he knew that given the current state of the Universe, his "true form" would never die again, and since that was the case, the Seat of 【War】 now had a retreat.

He immediately took Chen Shu and Nangong back to the Torchbearer Hall and solemnly handed over his other self into their hands.

He said:

"【War】 must always speak its voice at the right moment.

I have leaned toward the City-Defenders for too long, but among the Torchbearers there are not only City-Defenders, but also City-Builders and City-Breakers; I must lean toward them this once.

For the sake of passing the torch, I have moved forward in silence, but now, I no longer wish to remain silent.

Since I succeeded to 【War】, I have felt His unyielding will; upon returning from the Sea of Desire, He resolutely launched a charge against 【Origin】. This is not just a roar from war; I suspect it is more likely a warning He left for the world in blood and fire.

The 【Corruption】 within the Sea of Desire is very likely related to 【Origin】; at this critical moment when the future is approaching, I cannot leave this hidden danger for the Universe.

I will go to explore the Sea of Desire as 【War】; if I perish..."

Qin Xin, his face full of solemnity, patted the shoulders of Nangong and Chen Shu, turned around, put on a brilliant smile, looked at his other self, and said:

"You are me; you are the new 【War】!"

Huan Ru Yimeng also smiled; he was not at all surprised by Qin Xin's choice, after all, he was himself, the Torchbearer dreamed up by himself, the 【War】 beast imagined by himself.

If he himself could face death generously, then 【War】 Qin Xin would only be more "generous"!

So he did not refuse, nor could he refuse.

Qin Xin had done enough for the Torchbearers and for the world; he too needed to vent, and next, it was time for himself to take up his heavy burden with these thin shoulders.

Thus, Huan Ru Yimeng nodded, smiled, and replied: "You better not be doing this to retaliate for my decisive departure back then, hahaha, go, go boldly and without worry!

Torchbearers will never fall because one person disappears.

Sparks may fade easily, but the passing of the torch never ceases; when the flames have already spread to light up the sky, the future of this world will eventually be bright!"

The journey to the Sea of Desire was thus settled, and Qin Xin turned and left.

However, the instant Qin Xin left, Nangong vanished as well.

Chen Shu, standing nearby, was still reliving the intense moment; seeing that the two people beside him were gone, he suddenly froze, then his face changed drastically as he followed after them.

As expected, he found Nangong, the one who had grabbed Qin Xin, beside the Sea of Desire, behind Qin Xin.

Qin Xin could naturally see Nangong's meaning; he wanted to persuade her, but saw Nangong say with determination:

"The outcome of 【War】 entering the Sea of Desire is only death...

President, I am not speaking words of despair before the battle lines; the fall of the Old God 【War】 has already shown us the result.

Since that is so, why not let me go? At least 【Decay】 and 【Corruption】 both belong to 【Degradation】 and share some connection; what if, I mean what if, I can be immune to its influence..."

As she spoke, Nangong herself became somewhat unsure; regarding the mysterious Sea of Desire, she indeed lacked confidence.

But soon this lack of confidence vanished from her face; she returned to determination, her expression resolute as she said:

"I have always felt that this 【Decay】 divine seat came too easily, never bringing me peace; I am grateful to everyone and wish to help everyone, and now I finally have the chance...

I must be worthy of Cheng Shi's trust in me, I must repay the kindness of all who have helped me, and I must be worthy of the authority upon my body.

I am 【Decay】; I need mercy. President, show me mercy once, let me have some value."

"..."

Facing this near-pleading "request for battle," Qin Xin, whose nature was gentle, could not bring himself to refuse, but he knew he could not let Nangong stand in the front, so he ruthlessly refused, saying:

"【Decay】 cannot..."

Before he could finish, Nangong quickly interrupted:

"Cui Lao!

At the time of succession, I had already removed the pain of decay left by the vessel upon him and re-granted him the faith of 【Decay】.

I know Cui Lao is old and should not suffer this pain again, but if I truly perish in the Sea of Desire, I will likely have to trouble him to take two more steps for this world.

I know he is willing; he said so himself, exchanging the decay of an old body for the prosperity of a new world, he is infinitely willing, because he is the towering Cui Cui Dingtian!

So let me..."

The words were not finished; Nangong interrupted herself, and moreover, she could no longer speak at all.

Chen Shu directly deprived her of the right to speak, shook his head at Qin Xin, clearly indicating that he also felt Nangong was not the most suitable candidate.

The heart of the Torchbearers never measures by the level of value; although Chen Shu had joined the Torchbearers not long ago, he deeply understood this.

With Chen Shu's help, Qin Xin smiled, patted Nangong's hand, released the hand she was gripping on his arm, and walked toward the Sea of Desire without looking back.

But the number of people accompanying him today far exceeded imagination; after two steps, just as Nangong had pulled him, he grabbed Li Li Wufang, who was attempting to rush into the Sea of Desire ahead of him.

"..."

"..."

The two looked at each other, each knowing the other, and remained silent in their gaze.

Immediately after, Zhen Xin, An Mingyu, and others arrived, and the scene fell silent at once.

Seeing this, Chen Shu scratched his head and said in a low voice:

"I've only silenced Nangong; you are free to speak. Say something, or listening solely to the surging tides of the Sea of Desire is rather chilling..."

What more was there to say? The gazes of the crowd crossed and intertwined; they all knew they were striving for the Universe, yet if one had to be chosen to "go to their death"... perhaps no one could easily make that decision for another.

Just as the crowd remained deadlocked, a clear voice came from behind them.

"I will go.

Looking across the Universe, at this very moment, perhaps only I am most suitable.

Stop arguing. Those who trespass on another's sacred ground of faith meet no good end. This is my Patron's domain; naturally, I should be the one to go.

Besides, the Sea of Desire drags at the desires of living beings. Everyone has desires; can you withstand them?

I fear not.

But I can, because I have no desires.

Perfect. I also wish to find some desires within this Sea of Desire, and along the way, find the meaning of my life."

As she spoke, a figure in a gradient of green-blue hues stepped into the crowd's view.

Poison!

This 【Corrupted】 Chosen One, no longer possessing emotions, twirled the Desire I Dance With in her hand and walked step by step to Qin Xin's side.