"——What did you say?"

Yamada Machiichi's face flushed with anger, and if the distance weren't so far, he really wanted to punch the deity.

"The Nine Serenities is about to be sealed. If you don't want to die, leave," the deity floated down from the sky, spoke calmly, and then left. Meanwhile, the Holy Alliance Army also withdrew from the Nine Serenities.

...What on earth happened above?

The starry sky was extremely distant, and Yamada Machiichi couldn't see what was happening above. He turned his head and said, "Su Ming'an is still up there, we can't just leave him behind."

"Staying won't help him either," Lu said calmly.

"I wanted to fight desperately, but it feels like punching cotton. This is simply not something combat power can solve..." Isabella took off her glasses, revealing her reddened eyes: "We can't change anything."

The passage of the Nine Serenities was shrinking bit by bit. Just as Yamada Machiichi hesitated, Su Rin left straight away, as if he didn't intend to care anymore.

Next was Boris, who left the Nine Serenities, reciting something devoutly while holding his scepter.

Then it was Lu and Isabella. They knew staying wouldn't help, so they chose to leave.

Finally, Yamada Machiichi looked back at the people still standing there.

Lv Shu. Mo Yan.

Lv Shu was still looking up, gazing at the distant sky. His eyes were already bloodshot, and he always seemed to assume this posture: looking up silently, standing still without saying a word, but still staying longer than anyone else.

"...Lv Shu, you better leave," Yamada Machiichi said.

Lv Shu lowered his head. He had maintained this posture for too long, almost able to hear the sound of a statue cracking: "If I'm not around, there's only him left in the Nine Serenities. If he needs someone to help him, there can't be no one here."

His gaze was one hoping for something to arrive.

Yamada Machiichi was silent. They might be controlled by the deity at any time, but only Lv Shu's will belonged to himself.

The passage was about to close, and a white line streaked across the sky.

Lv Shu caught the falling white line — it was a sword, encrusted with frost and a blue-green blade. It was the Sword of Yarman.

The sword fell from hand... Is he still there?

Lv Shu's shoulders began to tremble. He saw a crack in the blade, with a word on it.

[Go.]

Carved crookedly, probably etched in a dire moment. Lv Shu gazed silently for a few seconds.

Then he hugged the sword and pulled Mo Yan.

"Go."

Mo Yan looked at him in astonishment — wasn't it you who insisted on staying?

"Go," Lv Shu repeated.

He insisted on staying because he was unsure if Su Ming'an needed help. If there was a clear request, he wouldn't go against it. He understood ten days ago that this isn't what Su Ming'an wants, and it wouldn't help him.

If a torch is to ignite and burn itself until it's completely consumed, there must be someone who needs it.

He would save himself for when he's needed the most.

...

"...Was the plea for help successful? Will the Exotic Species King help us against the deity?"

As soon as Su Rin left the Nine Serenities, he was met with anxious inquiries from people. They didn't know Su Rin, just noticed he was the first to come out.

The Holy Alliance Army had already retreated, and the battlefield became quiet, only the wails of the wounded remained.

Further away, players lay on the ground, surrounded by shattered health restoration potions and mana recovery potions. This battle was the most intense in history, the deity had practically fought to the death to prevent them from entering Nine Serenities. Fortunately, their Number One Player was skilled enough to still enter.

"How did it go? Did we succeed?" player Lu Meng called out loudly.

Now that the deity had retreated, the instance was finally going to end!

"Is the God still inside? When will He come out?" Wang Mingming pushed through the crowd and rushed forward. His arm was still bandaged, but he was happy — if the Old God won, the numb days of deity rule would finally end! The distant starry sky, beautiful poetry, and paintings... would return to people's lives again.

Agnes, Eli, and Zhang Daoxuan stood far away. To them, Su Ming'an's victory was good news, but Mizushima Kawa Sora's prestige was hit hard in this instance. Who would stand on the high platform next?

Prophet Aylan was indeed a good candidate, the resurging Lin Jiang was also a good choice, Iris had also laid a solid foundation recently, and Aylan from the Peak Alliance also had connections with them.

They didn't dislike Su Ming'an, but having only one power dominating wasn't good, a world with multiple strengths was more stable. Just like this time, if Su Ming'an truly died, there would be no successors, and humanity would instantly fall into extreme despair. There must be several lamps present at the same time, even if the brightest lamp went out, night wouldn't fall.

It's just that Mizushima Kawa Sora's competitive spirit was too strong, and she happened to collide with Su Ming'an in an instance, causing such a confrontational situation. This was not what most people wanted to see; they initially wanted Mizushima Kawa Sora to progress side by side, fostering healthy competition. Who would've thought the deity could lure her like this?

Su Rin looked at these people with various thoughts; he was never interested in exploring human diversity. These people weren't worth his observation.

"...It's over."

He directly took off, heading towards the edge of the world.

Until Isabella, Lu, Yamada Machiichi, and Lv Shu came out. They couldn't see what was happening in the starry sky. Facing the expectant gazes of the crowd, they didn't know what to say either.

"What should we do?" They exchanged glances.

The atmosphere was tense.

— Until a familiar voice came from afar:

"I have reached an agreement with the deity, and the deity has retreated. Dieying is the invader; do not trust a word from Him. As for the Exotic Species King, it has been sealed within the Nine Serenities. From now on, I will become your new god."

People looked up, joy instantly filled their eyes.

A silhouette stood atop the blue island-like command center. Familiar brows, familiar expression. He wore the ornate robe symbolizing the Old God, and anyone who looked at him would recognize — it was the Number One Player Su Ming'an.

It was their Old God.

Yamada Machiichi glanced in surprise at the entrance to Nine Serenities — Nine Serenities was already sealed, and Su Ming'an hadn't come out at the end, so who exactly was this Su Ming'an...

"Congratulations everyone," the Old God said, "The battle at the Lighthouse is over."

His voice was like crisp spring water, pouring into everyone's hearts. The effects of the Missionary Halo continued to play, and even the players deeply believed in it.

In an instant, cheers echoed across the entire battlefield, piercing the yellow sands like flying birds spreading. Amidst the electromagnetic sounds and the joyful broadcasts of the generals, thousands of small battlefields and rear battlefields... all learned this news.

Roaming refugees, stationed soldiers, country leaders, resident players, other era visitors... all learned this news.

— The Old God won.

— The deity retreated.

For a moment, joy covered the earth, and happiness filled both heaven and earth.

The war lasting five years, having experienced the death of the Old God, two continuous heavy rainfalls, the Union Government's collapse, nations dividing and merging... it had been too long, long enough for memorial forests to cover the mountains and fields.

Finally, it was over.

"Wow! The Number One Player is awesome! Entering the Nine Serenities solved everything!" The players shouted.

"It's finally over..."

"Can we start painting now, can we start singing..."

"Will those executed be exonerated? The Old God is merciful and will surely vindicate them..."

The cheers were deafening. Yamada Machiichi covered his ears; his eardrums were about to shatter.

The Old God's smile seemed warm and comforting, like a gentle sun... but he felt the smile was false, liable to shatter at a touch.

...Yes, indeed.

The Old God only said "The Battle of Lighthouse is over"...What comes after?

Afterwards, He never spoke again.

His smile made one feel... it was like the last golden ray of the sun before it completely sets, bright yet about to fall into a silent cold night.

Lv Shu ran straight over.

Amidst the overwhelming laughter, he ran with large strides. The entrance of Nine Serenities was far from the command center. When Su Ming was sent over, Chao Yan nearly exhausted all her strength. This time when Lv Shu ran over, he encountered no obstacles.

He passed by soldiers lying on the ground embracing each other, players celebrating with high fives, laughing general officers, and countless smiling faces... They were all smiling, even though most were bittersweet smiles, for the joy of victory did not surpass the pain of loss, but at least, they could be happy for a few seconds about the future they had won by their own hands.

He passed by countless smiles, countless sounds of laughter—until he reached the command center and climbed onto the command platform, panting.

The priest beside tried to stop Lv Shu, but the Old God waved his hand.

Frost still clung to Lv Shu's face, blue-green pollution lingered on his arm. Lv Shu didn't receive treatment; he ran over the first moment he could.

Lv Shu gazed at the Old God and asked:

"...Is it you?"

This question contained something unknown.

The Old God instructed others: "Go call some Healing Series Talisman Family over to treat him."

The priest immediately obeyed, and in less than a few seconds, several Healing Series Talisman Family members came running over, eyes burning with the fire of reverence.

Lv Shu still stood there, asking again:

"...Is it you."

The Old God smiled: "Who else could it be if not me? This is my last trump card. It might feel somewhat special to people, but indeed, it's me."

Lv Shu didn't press further.

He quietly received treatment, the sizzling sound resonated on his skin, as if flesh was being scorched on a fierce fire, yet he remained motionless, like a frozen statue.

...

[Due to the deity actively withdrawing, the Battle of Lighthouse has ended.]

[Victorious Camp: Old God Side.]

[Now calculating your faction contribution points...]

...

[With Nine Serenities sealed, the Exotic Species King cannot resurrect temporarily. The second tower is concluded.]

[Orderly Survivors: 2 people (Su Ming'an, Mizushima Kawa Sora)]

[Su Ming'an and Mizushima Kawa Sora's positional rank are upgraded to B-level. Other participants remain at C-level. (The winner of the third tower will continue to elevate, up to S level)]

...

[The third tower has been opened.]

[The name of this tower is: "Millennium Wish."]

[Task content: This tower will no longer reflect the past into the present. Participants may begin this journey by entering the tower.]

[Current backtrace time: Year 512 (Steam Age) — ?Year (Genesis Age).]

[Your actions will no longer synchronously change history.]

...

[Contestant list (a total of twelve people)]

[Su Ming'an, Mizushima Kawa Sora, Lv Shu, Noel, Yuanyuan, Xue Qixia, Eli, Agnes, Boris, Alger, Zhang Daoxuan, Lu Meng.]

[All may watch during the opening of the third tower.]

...

...

"—Divine Son sir. According to your plan, we used the name of the Supreme Mage to lure the Tyrant into The Abyss of Netherworld. The Tyrant is now at the end of his power; you only need to wield the Holy Sword to completely slay this demon," the priest said respectfully.

The oil lamp swayed with vigorous flames, the light spreading inside the sanctuary.

A golden-haired youth draped in a velvet robe, with blue earrings swaying like a slender blood vessel, looked indifferently: "Has the Tyrant really been lured into The Abyss of Netherworld?"

The priests said: "The Tyrant fears neither heaven nor earth, his disposition vile to the extreme. Yet he regards the long-vanished Supreme Mage as a deity. With just a small ruse, producing the Supreme Mage's personal item, he believed it and willingly stepped into the peril."

"We trapped the Tyrant at the cliff's edge with a row of Holy Shields, even if he can trigger Black Mist Disease among people, it's useless. But we can only hold him at the cliff, it requires you wielding the Holy Sword to slay him."

"Divine Son sir, please take the sword there and end this scourge of a demon!"

They bowed deeply, holding the Holy Sword aloft, eyes full of fervor.

Vigorous light flared in Noel's brow and eyes; he narrowed his eyes, finding it amusing.

...Is that "demon" really an incorrigible evil-doer?

Blackberry Kennit the Great Emperor, at the age of twenty-six, had brought most of the world's territories under his rule through his conquests. He unified the script, standardized the law.

He was indeed tyrannical in nature, which is why people feared him and why the war progressed so swiftly, sparing further sacrifice. He was truly hated because he forcefully prohibited the witch trials, allowing more people to awaken.

Formerly, to detest someone, putting a "witch" label could condemn them to being burnt alive. Now one must hassle for evidence, arguments, and defenses... to pronounce someone guilty—a bothersome procedure for any ruler.

His thinking was too forward, too advanced. Like a "witch."

"A witch" should not exist.

Noel only accelerated the historical process of this era, but had no interest in meeting Emperor Kennit. He waved his hand: "Let the Goddess handle it, she's more idle than I am."

He just received the system message, the third tower was opening. After all, besides him, the Divine Son, there's also a Goddess, an NPC who has more leisure time.

Thus, The Abyss of Netherworld welcomed a young girl.

The girl in a goddess attire, wielding a Holy Sword, made her way to the cliffside accompanied by church soldiers.

This was the year 342 of The Witch Age.

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