Mini World Game Console

At last, such a cruel yet beautiful word.

In the moments before a feast disperses, toasts are made; before a battle begins, blessings and requests are given; before students graduate, heartfelt words are exchanged... Why do all these things have to be done at the very last moment?

Because after the feast disperses, friends who lifted their cups in toasts will scatter to the ends of the earth, promising to gather again despite never finding the time.

Because once the battle begins, comrades-in-arms offering blessings for fortune and entrusting final wishes may not survive until the end. Those who live can only carry the deceased's blessings and requests.

Because after students graduate, those peers they have spent years with, and classmates they have secretly loved, might just become strangers in social circles, with only a polite smile exchanged upon meeting again.

They all understand that 'at last' means 'if not done now, there will be no chance,' 'if missed, there will be no next time.'

At the same time, the last is also the best opportunity. All the events of the past, all the emotions that have been felt, the myriad impressions that have been left, have all settled deeply. The unfavorable things are hidden and decomposed, while the beautiful memories become even richer and sweeter.

And in the final moments, the impulses in people's hearts also reach their peak, their emotions brewing to an eruptive climax.

In order not to leave regrets in their past, some people will follow this instinctual awareness, letting out all their emotions, seeking simply an unforgettable echo, satisfied even if the outcome is not beautiful.

Yun Wangshu was such a person.

At 1:53 AM, in a luxurious suite on the 20th floor of the Hua'an International Hotel in the Luohu District of Abyss City, the sound of shattering glass suddenly rang out!

In the neighboring suite, a white-haired man named Ba, who was sleeping on the bed, and the Little Bald Guy lying on top of Ba, were both jolted awake. They hurried to the floor-to-ceiling window and saw a figure in white Clothing flying through the air, crossing over the Diwang Tower, which resembled a giant stun gun, flying towards the Wanxiang City area!

On the other side of Wanxiang City, in the residential area, there seemed to be a fire. Black smoke and flames were clearly visible in the night sky. Most importantly, they saw a giant creature wrapped in Fiery Flames emerging from the dense smoke and fire. It was still clearly visible even from over six hundred meters away!

"The Source of Disaster! It's an extremely, extremely powerful Source of Disaster!" The Little Bald Guy, riding on Ba's head, watched with unblinking eyes, forcefully slapping Ba's head, "Baba, quickly take out your phone and take a picture! If you post it online, I can become famous!"

Ba didn't pay him any mind, his expression one of deep concern as he watched the distant Source of Disaster. The Little Bald Guy grew impatient, "Hey, Baba, if I Green Dragon, do you think I would treat you poorly? When I live in a mansion of several hundred square meters, eating a table full of spicy crabs, drinking a whole swimming pool of Sprite, I definitely won't forget you. You can be the chief of my villa's security team..."

Ba, annoyed by him, pointed off into the distance at the road. The Little Bald Guy looked closely. He saw several vehicles already stopped on the road outside the fire. Some looked like broadcast vans, with people carrying heavy filming equipment and closely recording the Source of Disaster—they were likely reporters.

Moreover, the nearby residential buildings were all brightly lit, many people crowding the windows to film the disaster scene. The Little Bald Guy also heard various noises coming from the hotel around them.

Realizing that he couldn't have the exclusive scoop, the Little Bald Guy pouted, shook his legs resting on Ba's shoulders, and said, "Ba, let's go back to sleep!"

Ba ignored him, still watching the distance.

Just then, the Flame Tyrant, already fully formed, standing nearly one hundred meters tall and like something out of a fantasy game, suddenly smashed its basketball court-sized fist heavily into the ground!

A crisp sound of clashing metal echoed through the night sky of Abyss City, followed by a steady, low roar. A frigid blue flame coalesced in the air, and a crescent moon blade nearly tens of meters long swept upward from below, instantly slicing off half of the Flame Tyrant's body!

"Cold Flame Mixed Origin Overflowing Roar of the Heavenly Sovereign!"

Three voices called out at once. Ba and the Little Bald Guy turned to look, only to find that Changsheng from the next room had somehow come over. His slender, cold face was at this moment filled with disbelief, "I just felt a familiar aura... It really is him. No wonder Yun Wangshu flew out directly..."

The Cold Flame Mixed Origin Overflowing Roar of the Heavenly Sovereign was unmistakable. Moreover, the burst of Spiritual Energy from afar far exceeded that of ordinary Cultivators. And the only person in this world who possessed both these traits was one man.

The dead man Ren Han, whom Fairy Palace had summoned back from the Netherworld's Yellow Springs.

The sixth-generation Family Head of the Han Ren Family, the ancient Ren Han.

The love of Yun Wangshu's heart, Ren Han.

At this moment, Ba hesitated slightly. "He, doesn't seem to wear white Clothing, right...?"

...

Four rounds of Cold Flame lunar slashes extinguished the Flame Tyrant's hands and feet. Even though it had no physical body and could quickly recover its form with Spiritual Energy, the Cold Flame flowing at the severed ends continually burned its wounds. This prevented the regeneration of its limbs!

The Flame Tyrant let out a roar of impotent fury but involuntarily knelt down, toppling towards the residential area below, causing a great many exclamations of alarm from nearby—its nearly hundred-meter body of flame would undoubtedly cause heavy casualties should it crash down!

Suddenly, a huge hammer of ice and flame appeared in the sky. It moved slowly but with irresistible Force, smashing into the Flame Tyrant's head!

The Flame Tyrant's skull burst apart. Its body also fell towards an unpopulated park area. Several more strikes of the ice flame blade followed, causing the Flame Tyrant's body to flare intensely. But because it had no head, it couldn't even cry out, like a delicate flower being ravaged by a violent storm.

In the second before it smashed into the ground, a figure slipped beneath it, using a shield to block its plummeting Force, ensuring it landed with the least amount of destruction.

"Ren Han!"

Propping up the terrible body of the Flame Tyrant with a small wooden round shield, wielding an ax-hammer suitable for both crushing skulls and chopping wood, and clad in an Ancient Chinese Robe, Ren Han turned his head. He saw a graceful figure standing on the grass not far away.

Dressed in a white garment as clear as the bright moon, it accentuated his body, radiant and fairer than snow. His long hair, like a waterfall of ink, was held up by a jade hairpin, leaving only two strands draping over his shoulders.

The Fairy in white stood on this side, and the shield-bearing Cultivator on the other.

It was as if they were back to the night they first met two thousand years ago.

"I deliberately dressed up in the way you like the most." Yun Wangshu felt a bit embarrassed as he brushed the hair near his ear. If the Little Bald Guy saw me like this, he would definitely doubt the reality of this world, he thought. "After my Shape-shifting, my face still looks quite similar to before. A little dressing up and it's just like the old days. The Clothing was more troublesome, though. I had to design it myself and then have someone make it."

"Two thousand years have passed, and I've changed a little. I wonder if you have changed as well."

Ren Han said nothing. Yun Wangshu looked at him, took a deep breath, and continued, "Back then, I missed the final opportunity. When I came back to the Ren Family, that was a hundred years after we parted... The Ren Family was no more.

"I had hoped that you would defeat Destiny, but in the end, you didn't overcome fate. So just one day after I awoke, I fell into a deep sleep again... until now.

"During my long life and acquaintance with you, I realized one thing—there are limits to an Earth Spirit.

"So, I became human, and then I thought about practicing Cultivation earnestly, to surpass you from those years, to surpass Immortals, until I could meet you again... Unexpectedly, the Fairy Palace brought you back to life before I could."

"I'm so happy."

Yun Wangshu looked at Ren Han and exhaled softly. "After the Spiritual Exchange, in those last moments of my deep slumber, I asked you once."

"But I didn't wait for the answer and became an Earth Spirit in slumber."

"Ren Han, I want to ask you again now, you—"

Having listened to these two 'bugs' chattering all this time, the Flame Tyrant finally regrew its head. Seizing the first opportunity, it emitted a fierce roar of Fiery Flames to interrupt their dull conversation. Its mouth brewed a Fireball, ready to blast the insects in front of it to ashes!

"Noisy."

Accompanied by a voice filled with chilling murderous intent, the Moonlight pouring down from the moon hanging high in the sky suddenly gained weight, gained a sharp edge, and focused on the Flame Tyrant. The parts of its body exposed to the Moonlight seemed pierced by a thousand swords in an instant. The Moonlight shaved off an entire layer of its body!

Lisao: "Before me, Wang Shu rode as herald, and behind me, Fei Lian hurried to attend."

Wang Shu, also a charioteer of the moon.

However, at this time, Ren Han blinked and released the hand that was propping up the Flame Tyrant.

Without support, the Flame Tyrant's enormous body naturally fell to the ground. This made Yun Wangshu, who had wanted to rush over, stop in his tracks. He watched as the Flame Tyrant's body erupted with successive tremors.

Yun Wangshu did not stop Casting Spells either, continuing to let the killing Moonlight press down on the Flame Tyrant, causing friction. A minute later, the Flame Tyrant's body, which was shrinking, let out an unwilling roar and completely dissipated into smoke, vanishing.

Ba, Changsheng, and the Little Bald Guy had arrived by this time. They saw nothing but scorched earth and burned flowers and park benches where the Flame Tyrant had disappeared.

Changsheng went over to inspect the ground. Ba looked at Yun Wangshu, who stood quietly to the side. The Little Bald Guy, perched on Ba's head, repeatedly opened and closed his mouth. He hesitated, torn between wanting to speak and not daring to, his expression incredibly conflicted, caught in a struggle between wanting to court death and fearing it.

Finally, the Little Bald Guy clenched his teeth. With an air of 'The wind soughs, the Yi River is cold,' his trembling hands took out his phone and launched the photo mode...

Fortunately, this phone had image stabilization. Otherwise, in his current state, all his photos would have been a blur. The Little Bald Guy couldn't help but feel grateful for the high-tech device.

At that moment, the Little Bald Guy saw Yun Wangshu turn his head to look over. Mustering all his Courage, he pressed the camera shutter!

However, Yun Wangshu just let out a light laugh and asked softly, "Do I look beautiful?"

The Little Bald Guy was so stunned he just nodded dumbly, "Beautiful."

Yun Wangshu reached out and took his phone. The Little Bald Guy also let go of the huge weight in his heart, secretly heaving a sigh of relief.

Who would have thought, who would have thought, this star of disaster changed his demeanor along with his Clothes! Ha, this time I won't get beaten...

SMACK!

The Little Bald Guy riding on Ba's head was slapped directly into the ground. He pulled his head out of the earth, spat out the mouthful of dirt, and said with a sense of grievance, "Why are you hitting me again!"

"Because your shot wasn't good. The image is all blurry," Yun Wangshu said expressionlessly.

It's because I was too scared, and my hands were shaking so badly! If you had told me earlier, I would have definitely taken a good shot!

Ba looked at Yun Wangshu and asked in a deep voice, "Nothing wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Yun Wangshu replied with a smile, his tone relaxed. "Ren Han, that coward, has bluffed his way through again."

"But it's okay. He still remembers me. I can confirm that, and that alone is enough to satisfy me."

Yun Wangshu tilted his head, closing his eyes as if recalling something. "As long as he is still in this world, and as long as I am still in this world, then we have countless opportunities to meet each other."

"If we missed this time, there will be a next time."

Yun Wangshu clasped his hands tightly in front of his chest and whispered, "Anyway, this is definitely not the last chance..."

Changsheng came back and glanced at Yun Wangshu, asking, "Do you really need him that much? Can't you live well on your own?"

"What kind of question is that? If you had the chance to see Guan Changsheng again, would you give it up?"

Changsheng's tone faltered, then he retorted, "He and I Fought Side by Side as comrades-in-arms, how can that be the same!?"

"He and I were lovers who had a Spiritual Exchange, much stronger than you," Yun Wangshu huffed. He still had the chance to meet Ren Han again, but Changsheng didn't. Besides, Changsheng was a blunt instrument, dull-witted and lacking emotional intelligence, so it was normal for him to speak tactlessly.

Therefore, he forgave Changsheng and didn't continue the Attack. Instead, he softly replied:

"It's not that I can't do it alone."

"It's just that I can't do it without him."

...

...

"I didn't sleep. I never did."

In the couple's suite bedroom of the Baishuichuan Hot Spring Resort, two people lay under the blanket on the right-side bed.

Ren Suo gazed at Qiao Muyi underneath the blanket, nodded thoughtfully, wrapped the blanket tighter, and reached out to embrace the slightly trembling Qiao Muyi.

"I won't leave. If you're scared, just hold on to me and sleep," Ren Suo said softly. "Even though I can't protect you if we compare Combat Power, sleeping together should be more comforting.

"Nothing will happen tonight. Sleep easy."

Ren Suo naturally didn't wear the "Listening Headphones" while sleeping, so he could only hear Qiao Muyi's very brief response: "Scared."

Scared that I might slip away? Scared that people from Martial Soul Hall might come to check the room in the middle of the night? Scared that another disaster might have occurred elsewhere?

As for suggestive thoughts and fantasies, Ren Suo did indeed have them for a second or two when he saw Muyi under the blanket. But as soon as he heard Qiao Muyi's response, his mind immediately cooled down, filled only with pity and an unspeakable heartache.

No one knew better than he did what Qiao Muyi was facing, and no one understood better the pressure she bore. He realized then that Qiao Muyi had seemed to let go of her worries in the past few days, enjoying the trip to Tokyo without restraint. In reality, it was self-abandonment. She never thought she could find all the clues, the person Behind the Scenes, or any evidence to turn the tables.

She had already become friends with Despair.

But through five days of investigation, a glimmer of Hope emerged amidst the Despair, and the seemingly certain peril had a chance of breakthrough.

It was normal for Qiao Muyi to be sleepless and uneasy tonight.

It's like a student who hadn't done their summer homework. Upon hearing that the teacher might not collect it tomorrow, they would also spend the last night before school starts in unease.

Qiao Muyi hummed softly without answering and curled up in Ren Suo's arms. It was a while before she said, "You should wear that mask tomorrow; I can make do with a regular one... You need to hide your identity more than I do."

"I'm already on the edge of a cliff, but you still have the chance to return to a peaceful life."

Ren Suo chuckled. "Jumping off a cliff alone would be too lonely, wouldn't it?"

"And you know what? I'm actually really proficient at jumping off cliffs."

Qiao Muyi's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Yeah, keep bragging."

"I'll have the chance to prove it to you."

"Hmm, when we get back, I'll find a big mountain for you to jump off."

"That's a bit too harsh..."

"Let's go to sleep early. We have to get up early tomorrow."

"Yeah, good night."

"Good night."

Staying in Ren Suo's embrace, enjoying the warmth and reassurance, Qiao Muyi clenched her lips, stopping her body from trembling, trying her best to calm herself, and preventing any sound from escaping her throat.

She was afraid that if she spoke another word, she might not be able to hold back any longer.

If Ren Suo hadn't comforted her first just now, she might have already given in.

She feared she couldn't help but confess her feelings, couldn't help but express her gratitude, couldn't help but... make a vow of life and death with Ren Suo.

She had never mentioned what would happen if they failed to find evidence. There was only one tragic outcome, or perhaps an even worse one: being hunted jointly by the six major forces. That she had managed to hide until now was all thanks to Ren Suo's luck.

Tonight might be her last peaceful night.

At such final moments, one's impulses reach their peak, and feelings ferment to their boiling point.

To avoid future regrets, some follow their instinctual awareness to vent all their emotions, seeking just a memorable echo in return, satisfied even if the outcome is not beautiful.

Whereas others use reason to suppress their sentiments, making the most correct, rational choices that benefit everyone involved.

It's like some students who, even after graduating, wouldn't confess to their secret crush. If rejected, they might not even be able to stay friends and could even become a joke among their peers.

Qiao Muyi believed that if she wished, she could become the most important person in Ren Suo's life so far—but she didn't want to.

She feared death, feared transforming into a Demon King, feared regret, and feared even more becoming a burden on Ren Suo's life.

As long as this relationship is maintained, even if I fail, he'll be sad for a while, and then continue on with Cheng Ling in this era of recovering Spiritual Energy.

If I crossed that line and then failed, he's so foolish, would he grieve for a lifetime?

Qiao Muyi didn't know, nor did she want to bet on it.

It was good this way, best this way. Being able to sleep in his arms tonight was already a huge gain.

So, the best choice was to endure.

But what if we succeeded? The thought flickered through Qiao Muyi's mind.

If we succeeded, then there would be a next time, so what if we missed this one?

Qiao Muyi's mood gradually steadied. She wriggled deeper into Ren Suo's embrace, rubbed against him, and Ren Suo, whether asleep or not, made a soft sound and held her a little tighter.

Awful, it's too comfortable, so comfortable that I just want to sleep like this until the end of time.

Qiao Muyi resentfully punched Ren Suo's chest, feeling incredibly shy inside. She didn't know about later, but right now, she felt that she probably couldn't leave Ren Suo.

If I left him, I'd surely think of him at work, while eating, even when killing. I'd pick up my phone wanting to chat with him... and then rush to find him as soon as work was over.

If I had never met you, I would have been fine on my own.