As Raven lifted her cellphone, Huai Shi quickly leaned in to scrutinize it, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"American bison having trouble giving birth? Urgent recruitment for support personnel across the territory…" He stared blankly for a long moment, completely failing to process it. "Are they asking me to deliver a calf?"

"..."

Raven stared at him as if he were an idiot for a long time before she finally sighed, unable to hold it back any longer. "I meant the line below that!"

Huai Shi's expression twitched. His gaze dropped, and then his brow furrowed.

"The Witch's Night is coming? What in the world is that?"

"A belated funeral for a Creator."

Raven said indifferently, "Forty-one years ago, a Creator died while exploring the Abyss. The laws and theorems she had created in her lifetime, once freed from her soul, began a slow ascent.

After forty years, they have finally reached Current Circumstances. Now, the Astronomical Society has urgently adjusted all border locations to welcome the return of her final 'bubble shadows.'

In a few days, a great storm will rage outside the entirety of Current Circumstances. Scholars at the Observatory, who have waited a long time for this, will select the rules she established. These rules will then be integrated into 'Chalatustra,' merging with all of Current Circumstances and, finally, flowing into the Sea of ​​Silver.

This is the ultimate fate of every Creator. Their lifetime of talent and achievements will lay the foundation for Current Circumstances, making the human world ever more perfect.

During this process, these illusory dreams—the bubble shadows—will sporadically emerge worldwide, creating the phenomenon known as 'the Witch's Night.'"

"That will be the illusory Dreamland formed from a Creator's lifelong obsessions—a Hell existing for only one night, and an out-and-out final carnival.

At that time, the goals the Creator pursued throughout her life will be realized in this brief, illusory dream...

Countless scholars and Sublimators across the globe are rubbing their hands in anticipation, eager to try and hoping to make some gain in this illusory dream.

Let me be clear: the laws and achievements this Creator mastered are still confidential within the Astronomical Society, so related information is entirely unknown. The dangers upon entering are extremely high. If you fail, your soul itself could be damaged… but if you successfully complete your exploration of the Witch's Night, you can receive the Creator's final blessing as 'The Anointed One.'

For you, if you want to speed up your advancement, this is the best opportunity."

This was the first time Raven had spoken so gravely about the consequences of failure, and Huai Shi suddenly felt the pressure.

Before this, wasn't Sister Crow always like, 'Go on, give it your all, I've got your back?'

Huai Shi swallowed hard, thought for a moment, and asked, "Are there... any success stories?"

"Oh, yes." Raven pondered for a moment, then said, "Twelve years ago, the Witch's Night was a phenomenon following the fall of a Creator specializing in Metallography. During the exploration, one of The Anointed Ones who received a blessing got an iron hen that laid golden eggs—one a day, and they could hatch into golden chicks… Pure 24K!"

Huai Shi's eyes lit up.

"Twenty-seven years ago, the Witch's Night was brought about by a Creator who specialized in thermodynamics. The Anointed One received an electric blanket that never needed plugging in…" Seeing Huai Shi grimace, Raven added, "It later sold at a Magic Gold Bank auction for the high price of 1.93 billion US dollars. It's now a treasured piece in the Astronomical Society's exhibition hall."

Huai Shi's eyes lit up again, filled with longing and hope for his life.

"And thirty years ago, a Creator specializing in both classical mechanics and geology bestowed the blessing of a brand-new half-Border—a massive underground base that can be opened anytime within Current Circumstances…"

"Oh, oh, oh, oh!!!!" Huai Shi exclaimed, jumping up in excitement.

"Forty-one years ago, the blessing left by a Creator of mechanical dynamics was a super-sized combat robot. Eight hours of charging yielded ten minutes of battle, and its destructive power was astonishing."

"That's amazing!!!!" Huai Shi's eyes were already sparkling like stars.

"It can also transform," Raven added. "And it has a combination feature, oh!"

Huai Shi was so moved he was on the verge of tears. What kind of god-tier Creator was this? He even felt like going to the Astronomical Society, finding a couple of portraits of that great figure, hanging them up, and offering incense to them daily.

He was utterly captivated by the prospects Raven described, already rubbing his hands together, eager to try.

The young man is still so naive, Raven tutted, looking away and silently keeping the last part to herself: Yes, apart from The Anointed Ones mentioned, most of the other participants are already dead…

So, deceiving an honest person like this… one really should feel a bit guilty, ah… But why do I feel like I want to do it a few more times? What is this feeling? It's irresistible…

Actually, apart from the super-giant robots, what shocked Huai Shi most was something he had never paid attention to before.

"Creators… can die too?" he murmured softly.

Even beings as lofty as Creators—who could alter Current Circumstances, the Border, and even Hell based on the laws they mastered, who could revise all existence like gods as long as they had enough Source Substance—even they ultimately had to face the arrival of death.

"Yes, they die. Everyone does," Raven sighed softly. "Including the great Great Spirits of the past. In the face of death, all are equal, human or not."

She paused, then suddenly said, "I'm nearly there myself."

Huai Shi was stunned for a long moment. He then abruptly looked up, eyes wide.

"What did you say?"

"Didn't you hear clearly? I said I'm going to die."

Raven said nonchalantly, "Lately, such premonitions have become increasingly clear. When I woke up last night, I already knew the specific time."

Observing Huai Shi's tense expression, she sighed wistfully. "Yes, probably in about two hundred years… Death is truly terrifying, Huai Shi. You absolutely must take good care of me, understand? Before I die, perhaps you could contribute some of your money…"

"..."

Huai Shi's expression twitched. He struggled to control the urge to grab her and throw her out. He averted his gaze. "Pretend I never asked."

Indeed, there must be something wrong with me for holding any expectations for this kind of woman…

He reaffirmed this thought and, not wanting to discuss it further, simply asked, "So, what's next? Do I need to prepare anything? Getting into that Witch's Night sounds like a hassle, right?"

"Yes, it's indeed quite troublesome."

Raven nodded and guided him step by step: "First, open your phone and register on the volunteer list. Check the box stating you voluntarily assume all risks and liabilities for injuries sustained while exploring the Witch's Night. Then, enter your phone number here. Finally, take a selfie holding your ID to prove you're participating voluntarily and without coercion… And, that's it."

After he completed a process much like applying for a card, Raven flapped her small wings and nodded. "Next is to wait for approval and permission from above. During this time… you can go do whatever you normally do."

Huai Shi nodded, got up, and started towards the living room. But Raven called him back, staring at him for a long moment with a look of utter disappointment before saying, "I didn't mean for you to continue hiding at home playing games."

"Then what should I do?" Huai Shi asked, bewildered. "I haven't even unwrapped the game I just bought!"

Raven shook her head. "How long has it been since you properly went out?"

"What do you mean I haven't gone out?" Huai Shi retorted. "Didn't I just today…"

Raven watched him quietly. After he finished, she sighed and said, "You should know what I mean, Huai Shi… Does going to the social security office to get a document, then coming straight home to hole up and play games, count as 'going out'? Can't you go out and have some fun for a change?"

"I have games, happy water, and air conditioning at home. Why would I want to go out?" Huai Shi said, clearly unwilling.

"Try not to become a total shut-in, okay?"

Raven looked at the boy before her, who seemed to have completely transformed into a listless salted fish, and felt a headache coming on. "Even if you don't go to school, you can't just always stay cooped up at home, alright?

As an adult, you need to learn to manage yourself, Huai Shi. Even if you don't have any young ladies to hang out with, don't act like some pathetic kid with no friends, okay?"

Huai Shi spun around where he stood. Finally, he tilted his head, the imaginary question marks practically popping up above it, aimed right at her.

He had absolutely no idea what on earth she was talking about.

"Anyway, just go out for a walk." Losing her patience, Raven flapped her wings, shooing him out of the Stone Marrow Pavilion. "Even if you don't find anything fun to do, it's better than moping at home. Don't come back before dinner…"

BANG!

The iron gate slammed shut behind Huai Shi.

Huai Shi turned back to see Uncle Fang, bustling about in the courtyard, cheerfully waving goodbye to him. He sighed helplessly and drawled, "Fiiine…"

But where should he go now? He couldn't think of anywhere.

Ever since his cello was taken by the luthiers of the Hell Symphony for repairs, he hadn't even had his instrument to practice. He could only mope at home every day. Actually, he had initially wanted to hang around school and see his idiotic classmates. But the Astronomical Society, as luck would have it, chose to process the transfer right when Huai Shi was in class.

There were over thirty transactions, each averaging eight million US dollars. The transaction notifications chimed one after another. His phone vibrated violently, drawing the stunned gazes of his teachers and classmates, as it announced in a melodious voice, "Your account has received a total of two hundred million US dollars… Please send him a message."

Send a message? What kind of message? I'll send his entire family to their graves!

Fortunately, apart from Fu Yi, no one took it seriously, just dismissing it as one of Huai Shi's pranks. This, however, caused Huai Shi's favorability with his teachers to plummet.

No, this kid is Gone with the wind; he needs to be properly educated…

He was left with a mountain of homework he couldn't possibly finish. Then Fu Yi also quietly went off traveling, leaving Huai Shi without a single friend to talk to at school.

It's practically 'The Lonesome Legend of Xinhai'...

Thinking about the various sorrowful stories from the past month, Huai Shi felt like carving the character for 'tragic' a hundred and eight times onto his own leg.

How did he, once the Prince of Paradise, happily riding his White Horse and singing songs, suddenly turn into such an old, dried salted fish?

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