TOMWDET Chapter 211

Final Chapter (3)

Long ago, Egbert had been wondering where Lord Su Li had come from and where he was going.

Whether his appearance had some special meaning. Whether his existence was equivalent to the delusion that existed only in his fantasies…

The role of savior, in Egbert’s view, couldn’t have been more fitting for Su Li.

However, being suitable didn’t mean one had to accept it.

When he had been Su Li’s age, he had been within the Church of Light, enjoying the resource allocation of an entire power organization, being admired by countless people. His daily thoughts and concerns had been only about how to make himself stronger to protect those believers who had faith in the God of Light.

Compared to himself, everything Lord Su Li had done seemed less pure.

But this impurity hadn’t originated from Lord Su Li himself.

Rather, it was because of this world.

Because this world was too terrible, it had caused Lord Su Li to be unable to remain as pure as his past self.

Because of intelligence, and because of wisdom, that young man had always walked ahead of humanity’s collective consciousness.

Egbert had always thought this way.

As a pursuer, he should have made himself valuable enough to follow beside Lord Su Li.

“World consciousness.” Egbert sat at one end of the long table, repeating this term that Su Li had casually mentioned before and lightly set aside.

“A unique existence that exists above monster beasts.” When not beside Su Li, Egbert, whose expression had grown serious, had always possessed enough superior aura to suppress others.

“Previously we had never understood that there would be even higher-level beings.” Egbert lightly tapped the table surface with his right hand. “This means we need to face something equivalent to the unknown, and within the unknown is destined to be filled with dangerous terrible circumstances.”

“That Lord Su Li would go explore information together with a giant dragon was something I had never imagined.”

“In a situation where monster beasts couldn’t be completely defined as companions, that Lord Su Li would choose to unite with monster beasts and set out could only be because current humanity was too weak.”

“We were so weak that we simply had no way to provide effective help to Lord Su Li.”

“Facing monster beasts, humans could still rely on crushing them with group numbers, but if facing higher-level existences above monster beasts, then humans simply didn’t possess the possibility of having an advantage.”

“I think everyone present should understand this situation.”

“Understanding is one thing, targeted solutions are another matter.” Julius, sitting on the other side, said quietly. “Only being able to watch helplessly as Su Li and monster beasts, equivalent to synonyms for danger, go explore those even more dangerous existences together – this seems terrible to me.”

“But reality gives me absolutely no way to refuse.”

“King versus king, general versus general. A survivor of another system that exists above monster beasts – His appearance, besides Su Li’s unexpected discovery, also gives me the feeling of the other party actively declaring themselves.”

“Then the question comes again: what is the other party’s purpose in declaring their existence to other beings?”

Ever since coming to monster beast society, the human side had rarely conducted meetings that belonged exclusively to humans as a group.

Those monster beasts were subtly positioned in a peculiar place where they could be trusted but also couldn’t be completely trusted. No one could guarantee that in the process of trusting the other party, they wouldn’t suffer a backstab one hundred percent of the time.

This meant there was no possibility of humans and monster beasts uniting to oppose higher-level life forms.

But judging from the current situation, those dark clouds seemed to be directly declaring that if they didn’t unite, forget about wanting to participate in battle – not dragging down Su Li would already be the limit they could reach by giving their all.

“I believe everyone also has guesses about this question.” Dean Asa turned to look at his old partner.

The Dark Pope naturally took over the topic. “Possibility one: the other party’s survival can no longer continue to be built upon the monster beast civilization system. And there’s a high possibility they will build their survival upon humans and human civilization.”

“Possibility two: declare their existence and attempt to kill all intelligent life.”

Looking at everyone’s instantly shocked expressions, the old fellow naturally raised his eyebrows and said, “Compared to the first, I’m more inclined toward the second possibility.”

“The reason? It’s also easy to understand – that would only be because the other party already has no way to continue living.”

“Monster beasts choose to let humans exist long-term because they have needs from humans – that is, they need to exploit humans.”

“But higher-level existences clearly don’t need people to continue civilization. That the other party could survive until now, and had never revealed their existence before, already proves they don’t need it. Whether it’s monster beast civilization or humans, for the other party, the value possessed by these two is simply insufficient to make the other party expose their identity.”

“The other party lives only to live, not to complete some specific targeted goal.”

“In other words, if the other party thinks it’s necessary to expose themselves, that’s basically equivalent to being unable to continue maintaining the characteristic of ‘living in secret.’ At this time, exposure is equivalent to the other party being unable to continue living.”

After confirming everyone understood, the Dark Pope placed his gaze on Dean Asa.

The kindly-faced old fellow supplemented: “We don’t know why the other party has determined they can no longer continue living. But we can approach the current situation from another angle.”

“Namely, how to make correct and qualified response preparations when facing a higher-level existence that wants to slaughter and destroy the remaining monster beast civilization and human civilization.”

“What do you mean?” Ophelia only felt these two old men had said a whole lot of nonsense. “If what you’re referring to is just that we need to unite with monster beasts and raise our strength to a higher degree, then I think whether it’s the mermaid or that Winged Tribe queen, they would choose to strengthen human bodies and raise human power to another level in a short time.”

“All the above nonsense would only seem meaningless.”

“No.” Mavis shook her head. “Our Pope was indeed indicating the need to unite with monster beasts and strengthen humanity’s overall strength. As for the other part of his hidden subtext…”

“Didn’t the Dean already tell you?”

“Correct and qualified response preparations don’t refer only to improvement at the power level. What we need to do more is make the monster beasts understand that this incident is no longer just enemy affairs related to Su Li personally.”

“You mean to say, have those monster beasts also worship the little master?” Roy looked at Mavis uncertainly.

“Faith enhancement at the human level was already enough to make [Tiger] die. Then adding faith enhancement from monster beasts under another civilization system would be sufficient to let Su Li possess the power to directly contend with the other party.” The Dark Pope said.

This old man was enthusiastic about having Su Li replace faith in the God of Darkness… and the God of Light, and hoped to make him become a new faith to walk ahead of both humans and monster beasts together.

Just as the young man had said, to some extent, humans were just “monster beasts” that couldn’t transform into animal forms and were relatively weaker in power.

Unless they wanted to research Su Li.

But this was impossible. No one would be willing to see that young man have his blood drawn and be sliced up for research.

Therefore, there was nothing more suitable than directly placing the young man above this world.

“But this is also just your imagination.” Ophelia still questioned.

“You have no way to prove that if monster beasts truly worship Su Li, it would enable Su Li to possess even more powerful strength.”

“Although these words shouldn’t be said by me, I still sincerely feel that after the incident where Castor kidnapped Qi ended, that fellow not being directly executed by Euphia was something to be thankful for,” the Dark Pope said with a smile.

“The research results on the [Spirit] are already available.”

After these words appeared, everyone on both sides of the long table fell into silence.

That was humanity’s consciousness collective. Although there had been some indiscernible conspiracies at the beginning of its birth.

But was that kind of thing… really something that could be casually researched?

At that moment, the conference room door was also pushed open by Castor bringing the mermaid, unicorn, and Matilda together.

The three monster beasts other than humans looked at each other. Whether their gazes were teasing or cautious, all three collectively indicated: “We agree to implement the [Deification] plan.”

In the sky.

Su Li was confronting those “Su Lis.”

Their sudden stop wasn’t because the young man lying on the giant dragon’s back had awakened, but because when the young man awakened, behind the countless “Su Lis,” another figure had also appeared.

If each “Su Li,” though an equal-scale replication of Su Li’s current image, had eyes and consciousness that were only mechanically puppet-like rigid things…

Then the “Su Li” that had suddenly appeared now was truly identical in meaning.

He spoke.

“Using the body He created, enduring the pain brought by His disapproval, presumptuously thinking you can save this world’s humans.”

“You… are indeed a foolish person from another world.”

“Who are you?” Elvi gazed with resistant eyes at that figure who looked identical to Su Li.

“Who am I?” That “Su Li” asked back, then answered, “I am Su Li, but also not Su Li. If you must use a name to address me, you can call me Ji Xing.”

He smiled, his smile plainly carrying ambiguity, like the ultimate seductive smile that could be achieved after systematic training.

But this only made Elvi’s hair stand on end.

Beneath that ambiguous smile was revealed the unguarded ferocious devouring intent of a predator.

“I was created by Him. To be precise, I was created by Him using Su Li as a template.”

“I have only one purpose: leading these ‘Ji Xings’ to kill all monster beasts and humans.”

“Consciousness from the world despising the tiny lives surviving on its body and attempting to perform a self-cleansing of its body – this is perfectly normal.”

“Although regrettably, the result of this self-cleansing will cause Him to fall into eternal slumber as well.”

“But if there’s no way to continue possessing self-awareness and living, then it’s better to have all lives born because of Him accompany Him in death together.”

Ji Xing looked very much like a stage actor, constantly and subjectively revealing various information about himself.

“What a pity, Su Li. Your world doesn’t have another Him, otherwise things wouldn’t develop like they are now, and I wouldn’t have appeared.”

“I should thank you. If there were no you, there would be no me. But with you, it also made Him understand He would never be able to grow.”

“I feel regret for Him.” The ambiguous smile still floated on Ji Xing’s surface. This behavior also completely separated him from Su Li, who had the same appearance.

“Speaking of which, do you know that the collective human consciousness you mentioned is actually another you?”

Ji Xing was referring to the [Spirit] also being pulled from another world.

These words made Su Li’s pupils suddenly contract.

Ji Xing noticed and laughed mockingly.

“Too bad the other party’s soul isn’t complete and has no way to let Him peek into another world through the soul. A failure that looks successful but failed – of course it also has value for waste utilization.”

“Adding the concept of collective human consciousness to that pitiful child could use the soul from another world to spy on the growth path of higher life forms in another world, thereby judging whether the path He was walking was correct…”

“What a lovely experiment.”

“Too bad that other you didn’t have time to let Him reach an answer before He successfully brought you to this world. A complete soul from another world – using you to spy on others in another world that He could devour and gain growth from…

Your existence, whether for those humans around you or for this world, is equivalent to a miracle——“

It was just too bad that the young man who should have symbolized a miracle brought only despair to the “world.”

Devouring was hopeless because the other world simply had no world consciousness.

Growth was impossible. World consciousness would only be world consciousness, restricted to death.

The future didn’t exist. He was like humans whose future had been imprisoned by monster beasts – millions and millions of years later, he would still only maintain his current state.

No growth at all.

The curve at the corner of Ji Xing’s mouth became increasingly sweet.

“You’re really disgusting.”

“What can trying to use continuous words to influence Su Li bring you?” Elvi sincerely felt Ji Xing was sick.

“At the beginning, I thought you were going to directly kill us both on the spot. I didn’t expect that before taking action, you could still say such a long-winded pile of nonsense.”

“Or is it that you also don’t think you have the power to keep us both here, so you chose to vent your excessive desire to perform?”

The giant dragon didn’t give Su Li a chance to speak and immediately began verbal assault output against Ji Xing.

Ji Xing’s expression instantly became ugly.

That kind of gloominess would never appear on Su Li’s face.

Elvi sneered. “I thought you simply didn’t have the ability to get angry.”

“Showing disdain toward the miracle you mentioned – what is that? Pitiful self-important heart?”

“But clearly the fellow who created you developed the idea of wanting to destroy humans and monster beasts because of Su Li. As for you, you’re just a ridiculous thing born because of influence that Su Li himself never even paid attention to.”

Ji Xing was almost driven mad by the retorts.

Su Li was also somewhat amazed by Elvi’s verbal assault output ability.

But the amazement didn’t last long, as Ji Xing chose to launch an attack against them.

It was still that disgusting power system mixing five elements together.

Having already sensed the disgusting degree of that attack method from the numerous “Ji Xings,” Elvi dodged very awkwardly.

Elemental attacks mixing five elements together – pure wind elements simply didn’t possess defensive power.

Elvi could only choose to dodge hastily while struggling to counterattack.

Until Su Li, who was on her back, suddenly used elements to set up defenses for Elvi.

This made the giant dragon stunned for a moment while watching Ji Xing’s swinging fist get shocked into redness and swelling by the rebound force of the defensive elemental barrier.

“Should we break through or continue to kidnap one of you? No, I should say kidnap one ‘Ji Xing’?

…You’d better not be easily influenced in mindset by that kind of thing. If the already dead Clemens and that so-called [Spirit] knew you might be influenced by this trash, they’d probably cry.”

Su Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

A sense of relaxation rose from his body for no reason. Elvi sensed it and gradually lost that feeling of difficulty.

Then the giant dragon heard Su Li’s voice ring out from her back.

“No need to pay attention to those ‘Ji Xings’ anymore. We just need to go back.”

“Compared to me who you think might be influenced in mindset, you’re the one who ignored the purpose of our coming to the sky.”

“I’m a monster beast.” Elvi didn’t accept that statement.

“Besides, frankly speaking, what we understand now is just that Ji Xing’s existence is to follow that so-called His instructions to destroy monster beasts and humans, right?”

“His strength, His appearance, His abilities, and even if humans and monster beasts resist those Ji Xings, isn’t there still Him behind it all?”

Ji Xing’s eyes were gloomy. “You seem to not take me seriously at all.”

Su Li on the dragon’s back was blocked from hearing by the giant dragon who, despite knowing it was useless, still habitually wrapped herself with wind elements for defense, which indirectly blocked her hearing.

Su Li hadn’t heard that sentence at all and only replied: “I already know how to target Him.”

After Elvi once again dodged Ji Xing’s attack and swept away a large group of “Ji Xings” with her tail, she frowned and replied, “Is it because of your sudden fainting earlier?”

“It’s because He simply hasn’t discovered what growth and future actually refer to.” Su Li said. “Even the point about living for the sake of living – He equally doesn’t understand.”

“I don’t believe that in my domain, I cannot defeat a ‘child.'”

Like a declaration, Su Li looked at Ji Xing ahead whose mouth was opening and closing but couldn’t let him hear the sound, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faint smile as he said word by word: “We will win.”

Elvi listened and began to laugh.

The young man’s voice continued: “Now, trust me. Release all the wind elements on your body, give up flying, let your body fall freely.”

Elvi didn’t reply, only did exactly as Su Li said.

This kind of trust that shouldn’t exist on a giant dragon stunned Su Li.

It wasn’t until the two quickly fell out of the cloud layer that Elvi said, “I’ve worried more than once whether, when letting my body fall downward, I might be struck by lightning in the clouds.”

“Now you don’t need to worry about that.” Su Li wiped away the rain that had poured over his head and face, directly soaking him, and continued flowing down along his cheeks.

The young man was expressionless. “What you should worry about now is how you’re going to explain to others that I’m in this state.”

Elvi turned her dragon head around. The young man behind her had hair drooping on both sides of his cheeks, hair ends continuously dripping rainwater. His clothes were soaked by the rain, and because of his overly rapid growth, his shoulder blade area showed distinct bone joints that were even more visible through the soaked clothes, with bone joints faintly protruding.

Very bedraggled, but also very good-looking.

Elvi turned her head back, her voice neither rising nor falling. “No, I think it’s you who needs to worry about whether those humans will once again treat you like a pitiful little thing.”

“You weren’t like this before.”

“Where does a human get the qualification to define dragons?”

“I indeed don’t know what red dragons are like. But the most beautiful moment of the Crystal-Winged Dragon is enough for me to remember until I completely die.”

The conversation suddenly fell silent.

After the giant dragon carried Su Li flying to the ground, amidst the chaotic splashing of muddy water, Su Li only saw Elvi turn her head back in the rain mist and say word by word: “It had better be as you said.”

Both knew.

Su Li had been asking whether Elvi had recovered her emotions.

After Clemens’s death.

Elvi’s answer was also telling Su Li that response:

Yes.

Dragon or human?

Transformed monster beast or aristocratic family heir?

None of this mattered anymore.

Elvi remembered again that period she had spent with Na’an in the monster beast forest.

When Elvi encountered the crystal-winged dragon, the former already had no way to continue trusting humans. The latter was a young female dragon who yearned to be able to combine with another crystal-winged dragon and reproduce offspring.

Elvi asked her: “Crystal-winged dragon reproduction is too extreme. In this situation, why would you still have thoughts of wanting to combine with another crystal-winged dragon and give birth?”

Na’an had been lying in the cave then, not far from the human-form Elvi sitting on a fallen tree trunk, her form bedraggled. Her clothes were tattered, and her arms, calves, and cheeks all bore various scratches from sharp plants.

Na’an said: “Because I don’t want to accept that the crystal-winged dragon species would completely disappear in my generation. So I can only selfishly choose to give birth to offspring with my bloodline. And then put such a burden into their hands.”

“I’m very selfish, aren’t I?” The crystal-winged dragon’s tail gently patted the depths of the cave, and the dust behind her lightly covered that body that sparkled like gems.

But Elvi only felt it was ridiculous: “What kind of selfishness is this?”

The price for crystal-winged dragons to hatch offspring was their own lives.

“But if it’s not selfishness, then what would it be? Greatness?”

“I don’t think using life to reproduce offspring is anything great. That’s very foolish.”

“But in my view, this is my selfishness.”

In the dimness, the crystal-winged dragon’s scales emitted faint light.

Elvi heard her say: “Compared to other monster beasts’ or other lives’ evaluations of me, what I care about most is only my own evaluation of myself.”

“Whether good or bad, those processes of recognizing oneself…”

“Are always more joyful and pleasant than certification from any other life.”