Chapter 719: Contemplating Change

Embrace Change

The void, the Fire-Passing Hall.

A towering figure sat at a table, forearms planted on the surface, both hands clasped into fists and tapping the tabletop in a steady, rhythmic cadence.

His brows knit tight; after a moment he picked up a brush and wrote two characters on the paper beside him:

【Prosperity】.

But soon he crossed those two characters out and wrote two more:

【Decay】.

Looking at these two divine names, his expression grew somewhat solemn.

"What, still haven't made your choice?"

Just as that figure sank wordlessly into thought, a sudden voice rang out above his head.

He started and looked up, only to find a figure outlined in candlelight hanging upside-down in midair, also tilting its head to look at him. The man blinked, then shook his head with a rueful laugh:

"Why do you always like sitting upside-down in midair? And we agreed—you knock before you come in."

"Qin Xin, do you have any idea who you're talking to? Standing before you is the great 【Fire of Hope】, who has been throwing itself before the gods to shelter you all!

You're really hurting my feelings here."

As it spoke, the candle-flame figure actually began to sob, tears welling up—except its tears were not water, but fire.

Those tear-flames slid quietly past the hair on its brow, like dripping wax, and landed on top of Qin Xin's head.

A small, seemingly cheerful flame instantly set Qin Xin's hair alight. Qin Xin gave a helpless, wry smile, shook his head, and reshaped his hair into flames to fend off this prank from the other party.

Usually, the pity-play ended right about here, because the candle-flame figure also knew its fire couldn't actually harm Qin Xin. But today was different—watching Qin Xin's reaction, it actually burst out laughing, holding its belly.

Qin Xin also realized something was off. The fire on his head seemed to be burning hotter and hotter, and the flames of 【War】 had for the moment failed to suppress the "Fire of Hope."

???

Qin Xin froze. He remembered the other party saying its strength had not fully recovered, that sheltering the Fire-Passers had already pushed it to its absolute limit, so the flames on its body had the form but not the substance—truly an ethereal, insubstantial Fire of Hope.

But today this fire... how did it suddenly have warmth!?

"You've recovered!?"

Qin Xin was first startled, then overjoyed. He sprang to his feet, stepped aside to clear his line of sight, then looked at the upside-down 【Fire of Hope】, gazing at the brilliant firelight radiating from its body, feeling the fierce warmth within that radiance, his expression growing ever more delighted.

"You've recovered the power you lost out there?"

"Part of it, only part. Don't make such a fuss." Though the 【Fire of Hope】's words were modest, the firelight on its body growing ever brighter betrayed that it was happier than anyone.

"What happened?" Qin Xin was happy too. What could be more delightful than the 【It】 who sheltered the Fire-Passers growing stronger? He instantly cast aside his earlier worries, perched on the edge of the table, arms folded across his chest, and asked with a broad smile.

"It's complicated, involves too many of Them. For the sake of secrecy here, I'll have to keep it short.

Simply put, while They were pushing forward the fusion of faiths, I managed to pick up some scraps and recovered a portion of my power. Now, I might be able to offer you all a little bit of help during the trials."

"Really!?" Qin Xin's eyes flew wide open. He felt that having one of Them helping would be incredibly important for the Fire-Passers.

Of course, he wasn't thinking of himself—after all, whether it was the disguised Mirror-People or the real Hawk-Eye Scouts, he had enough strength to handle every trouble in the trials.

But not every Fire-Passer was Qin Xin. The vast majority of them were ordinary players the Seekers had unearthed from obscurity, and these players were the ones who truly needed the 【Fire of Hope】's help.

"Of course it's real." As it spoke, the candle-flame figure hopped down from its upside-down seat, waved a hand in front of Qin Xin, and let a few more drops of flame fall.

Those flames gradually cooled as they fell, and by the moment they hit the tabletop, every drop had transformed into glittering flame-colored crystal diamonds radiating a mysterious firelight.

"These little trinkets are for you all. Whenever you're in danger, remember to throw them as far as you can—then the firelight of hope will help you burn away every obstacle and reach the shore your eyes can see."

"An offensive item?" Qin Xin picked up one flame-colored crystal diamond and examined it closely.

"Not just that. If you're wounded, you can crush it and apply it to the wound—the little flames will soothe your pain and reignite hope. How about that, impressive, right?" As it said this, the candle-flame figure's gaze at Qin Xin carried a certain depth.

"Impressive!"

Qin Xin's "impressive" was no flattery. Just how valuable an item that served both attack and defense was—any player would know. He nodded, carefully tucked those flame-colored crystal diamonds away, then asked one more question:

"Any more?"

"?" The candle-flame figure's blazing flames stuttered for a beat, and it stared at Qin Xin darkly. "What did you say? You don't seem like the type who'd say something like that."

Qin Xin froze for a moment, then suddenly realized he seemed to have been influenced by someone. He gave two dry laughs, patted his own face, and apologized with hearty laughter: "Sorry, we really do need this kind of thing."

The candle-flame figure sighed: "I'm not an inexhaustible mine either. I really can spare you some more, but use them sparingly. Until I recover my power next time, I can't arm this many of you."

There really are more!?

Qin Xin's face was full of astonishment. He suddenly realized that occasionally asking a question like that seemed pretty good too?

"Praise the great 【Fire of Hope】, who has once again raised hope from within the dust."

"... So fake. Forget it, you're really no fun. I'm going to find Qingqing—she's a little cuter."

"Shi Qing? She's here?"

"Mm, just came in. Want to see her?"

Qin Xin's expression hardened, and he nodded solemnly: "Yes, there are some things I need to discuss with her properly."

The candle-flame figure shot Qin Xin a disgruntled glance, but had no choice. It still chose considerately to play the role of a messenger. Before long, Fang Fang Shiqing walked into the Fire-Passing Hall looking thoroughly puzzled, and the moment she stepped through the door she asked curiously:

"What's wrong with It? How is It both happy and unhappy at the same time?"

"?" What kind of description was that?

Qin Xin laughed, shook his head without answering, beckoned Fang Fang Shiqing over, drew her close, and then with a grave expression began to discuss with her:

"The Fire-Passers can't do without the Seekers. I'm planning..."

"!!??" Hearing this, Fang Fang Shiqing went completely dumb. She grabbed Qin Xin's hand in a panic and asked fearfully, "What happened to Mingyu?"

"... Relax, she's fine. She just has some other matters to attend to recently, so I have to find you a new companion."

Qin Xin's expression was somewhat complicated, but his tone was not grief-stricken, which made Fang Fang Shiqing breathe a sigh of relief.

She shot him an annoyed sideways glance and scolded: "When did you start picking up other people's habit of holding out on people?"

"... My bad." Qin Xin smiled. "So, want to meet them first?"

"Mingyu, she..."

"I told you she's fine. She'll still be our fellow traveler — she's just temporarily setting down the role of Fire-Seeker, that's all."

Fang Fang Shiqing furrowed her brow. She was puzzled, but she knew everyone was entitled to their secrets, so she nodded, then asked curiously, "Who's the new Fire-Seeker? It's not another newbie you just pulled into the Torchbearers, is it?"

Ah, recently I did pull in one newbie, but that newbie isn't suited for the Fire-Seeker position. He... is better suited to being a pure thug — a silent thug against our enemies.

"It wasn't me who pulled her in — it was you who pulled her in.

She's right next door. Go take a look at her, say hello to this new City-Builder. I'm tired too — time to get some rest."

Fang Fang Shiqing didn't suspect a thing. She waved goodbye to Qin Xin and headed to the room next door, where, in the center of the seats arranged in a circle, she saw a silver-haired beauty wearing a fiery-red ceremonial robe.

"Long time no see, Fire-Seeker, my lord."

The instant she saw the other turn around, Fang Fang Shiqing covered her mouth in shock: "It's you — Ji Yue!?"