Chapter 175: The Truth: The End of the Dream [VIP]

Thanks to the doctors' efforts, Yaris's pulse gradually stabilized and he lay calmly on the bed, like a living marble sculpture.

Xiao Yun looked at Yaris like this, and felt pain in his heart again. He walked out of the room silently and stood on the balcony where the night breeze was blowing.

(I don’t know why… Every time I hold him in my arms, my heart always feels uneasy. I always feel that he will disappear like dew, like moonlight, like an elf in the next second…)

(From a human perspective, Yaris's body is too fragile to even be considered a human... but is made of a completely different substance. Any careless and rough action could result in his death...)

(Perhaps, Yaris truly doesn't belong to this world. He's as fragile as crystal, yet filled with an irresistible magical charm...)

"call……"

Xiao Yun sighed deeply unconsciously.

"His Majesty--"

Dr. Moss came over.

"Dr. Moss?"

"His Highness Yaris is in a very bad condition."

As if he had made up his mind, the old man said to Xiao Yun, "In fact, he doesn't have much time left. Even if we try our best—with our current medical level, it's impossible to save his life... Yes, as a doctor, I can't do anything... I can only watch his body gradually decline... and die..."

The doctor spoke softly, white tears quietly flowing down his old face.

"—Ever since I was a child, I aspired to be a doctor. However, even if I became a foremost physician, I was still powerless... Over a decade ago, when Grand Duke Elix had an accident, I was part of the rescue team. That day, we exhausted all our knowledge, working tirelessly day and night to save him, yet he still... Watching Lady Alice, weeping over Grand Duke Elix's body, I felt so sad. It turns out that medicine is so powerless in the face of death... I was powerless..."

"Dr. Moss... This isn't medicine's fault... Everyone will die one day. If you don't die now, you will die someday in the future. No one can escape this fate... Only God can escape death..."

Xiao Yun said comfortingly.

The old man smiled bitterly and shook his head. "In reality, even gods cannot completely escape the fate of death. It's just that they possess longer lifespans. Millennia of human years are but a fleeting moment to them. They also possess advanced technology and magical skills, able to heal wounds that would be fatal to humans as easily as a skin abrasion... At least, that's what I believe."

(They possess a much longer lifespan; thousands of years for humans are but a fleeting moment for them... They possess superior technology and magical skills, and can heal wounds that would be fatal to humans as easily as a scratch...)

(Oh my god! Why didn’t I think of that!)

As Dr. Moss described, the figure of Earl Kang gradually appeared in Xiao Yun's eyes.

(If it's Him... maybe...)

(Yes! He said that He felt pity and guilt towards Yaris. As long as Yaris or I asked, He would do everything in His power to prolong Yaris's life...)

(marvelous!)

Xiao Yun thought excitedly.

On the other side, Dr. Moss was completely immersed in his own thoughts and did not notice Xiao Yun's abnormality.

Of course, even if he discovered Xiao Yun's abnormality, he probably wouldn't be able to guess what Xiao Yun was thinking.

"...I know that life is doomed to end. But every time I send a patient off as a doctor, a deep pain still arises in my heart. And His Highness Yaris... he has always been the most special patient to me. I became his doctor when he was still a child, watching him fall and get up again and again..."

"Many people say he was a fragile and delicate person, a flower that would be broken by the wind... In fact, he was very strong. Even after being tortured by illness for so many years, he was still full of beautiful expectations and yearnings for the world... His heart will always maintain the innocence of a child and endless imagination... If he... I will build a small wooden house next to his mausoleum, become a hermit, touch his statue and talk to him every day, and treat visiting patients for free... Other than that, there is nothing I want to do, and there is nothing I can do..."

"Don't say that..."

Xiao Yun tried to comfort the old man.

The old man turned around and went back to his room with his cane.

Xiao Yun looked at the old man's calm back, and a calm smile gradually appeared on his face.

He reached into his waist pocket and took out the small doll he had obtained when he left the independent dimensional space.

(Count Kang, can you hear me? I need you! I need your strength! Only you have the ability to prolong Yaris's life!)

…

…

Then, Yaris and Xiao Yun boarded the carriage together and left the capital of the Kingdom of Light under the strict protection of the guards.

“I don’t know why, but I’m very excited at this moment, very excited, more excited than the first time I went out

While waiting for Earl Kang, Yaris grabbed Xiao Yun's hand and expressed excitedly.

In the eyes of people who are not familiar with Yaris, he looks no different from usual, except that his face is a little more rosy.

However, in fact, ever since M Yaris learned that Earl Kang would use a ship to take them to the depths of the Death Desert to visit the ruins of the capital of the Eternal Empire and his dream was about to become a reality, he tried hard to cooperate with the rehabilitation training every day, trying hard to eat and take medicine, so as to recover his strength as soon as possible.

"--If I am caught in the ruins of the Eternal Empire's capital in the deepest part of the Great Desert, my soul will remain unable to dissipate long after my death."

While taking the medicine, in order to achieve this dream, I will do my best to recover my strength. This is my last wish in life, and also my most... I, I..."

“What are you talking about!”

Xiao Yun said anxiously and angrily.

Everyone at the scene, including him, was clearly aware that Yaris's life would come to an end the moment they reached the ruins of the Eternal Empire's capital in the deepest part of the Eternal Desert.

But for Yaris, who has been bedridden for a long time and whose life is as shaky as a candle in the wind, isn't it fate's kindness to fulfill his last dream at the last moment of his life?

"I really regret agreeing to your request."

Xiao Yun said softly, "But if I refuse your request and you leave this world with great regret, I..."

"I've been in very good shape recently, so I shouldn't stop breathing right after arriving at the ruins."

Yaris said comfortingly, "Of course, even if you unfortunately died on the way to the ruins, I would not have any regrets... You are the most perfect gift fate has given me. Many of my dreams are gradually falling on track because of you... It would be even better if you could smile at me now..."

"I can't even laugh at a time like this!"

Xiao Yun said bluntly.

"I completely understand how you feel, but there's nothing I can do about it... My body is too fragile. Even if I hadn't experienced these bad things, it would still be difficult... Dr. Moss's medicine is still very effective. I can now see clearly, even though the medicine is bitter and unpalatable..."

Yaris smiled, tried to put his arms around Xiao Yun's neck, and left a wet kiss on his mouth.

"I ate a lot this morning, too. I ate all the food the kitchen prepared for me... It's been a long time since I've eaten so much at once. The doctors are very excited and think this is a sign of improvement..."

"Of course you will be fine, you will be fine soon."

Xiao Yun reached out and hugged Yaris tightly.

…

As night gradually approached and the sky darkened, a light appeared on the horizon.

A mysterious black carriage, surrounded by black knights, sped out in a white light and stopped in front of Xiao Yun and the others.

Xiaobai jumped off the carriage and glanced at Xiao Yun and Yaris who was leaning on his arms: "Your Majesty, the master said that the spaceship has limited carrying capacity and can only accommodate you and His Highness Yaris."

"His Majesty--"

Kelly cried out rapidly.

Dr. Moss also looked nervous: "His Highness Yaris's health——"

"Don't worry, Earl Kang has always been gentle and generous."

Xiao Yun spoke comfortingly as he carried the increasingly frail Yaris into the carriage. Earl Kang not only prepared a fairly large carriage for them, but the carriage also used space folding technology. From the outside, it looked like a large carriage that was one and a half meters wide and two meters long, but in fact, it contained a quiet and comfortable bedroom where Yaris could lie comfortably on the soft bed.

"...I'm so happy to think that I'm about to achieve my dream...I can't even believe this is happening...My heart is pounding, and my chest feels like it's about to be torn apart..."

Yaris, who was intoxicated with the realization of his dream, murmured with a happy smile on his face.

Xiao Yun was very depressed.

Because he and Earl Kang had an agreement - to fly a spaceship carrying Yaris to the ruins of the Eternal Empire's capital in the deepest part of the Death Desert. Together they would take Yaris into the center area, and after simply fulfilling his wish, they would immediately put Yaris into a life support capsule in the name of treatment, and use the life support capsule to save Yaris's life.

"Yaris——"

Xiao Yun gently held Yaris's hand and carefully reminded him: "You must stay calm, your heart——"

Yaris nodded in agreement. "Of course, without a doubt, I must remain calm now, lest my time stop before I get there..."

…

…

Even though he had read countless science fiction novels, experienced all kinds of bizarre journeys, and even fought many inhuman monsters, Xiao Yun still couldn't hide his shock when he saw Earl Kang's ship: "This is-"

"Yes."

Earl Kang smiled and signaled Xiao Yun to take Yaris on board the ship.

Xiao Yun nodded, picked up Yaris, walked to the bottom of the ship, and floated into the ship through a silver cylindrical passage.

Earl Kang then entered the ship and introduced it to the two, saying, "This ship is part of a starship mothership. There are multiple layers of barriers and barriers above the ruins of the Eternal Empire's capital, so a mothership capable of carrying a thousand people cannot enter smoothly."

"Thank you……"

Yaris looked at Earl Kang weakly and said, "Thank you for making my dream come true."

"I'm the one who should really say thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to atone for my sins."

Earl Kang said bitterly, holding Yaris's hand: "After only a few months of separation, the aura of death on you has become stronger."

"My body is the container of the original darkness..."

Yaris whispered.

"No... the truth is not... Anyway, we must rush to the Death Desert as soon as possible before the sun sets."

Earl Kang murmured.

Xiao Yun was puzzled: "Why before the sun sets?"

"because--"

Earl Kang paused and continued, "The area surrounding the Salt Pillar Forest is teeming with radiation. If a ship enters at noon, its surface will inevitably be contaminated by radiation. A trace amount of radiation is insignificant to you and me, but Yaris's body is too fragile. After sunset, the desert surface temperature will gradually drop, and the radiation and contamination covering the ruins will be relatively weakened."

"It was only after Kairusha went to the Great Desert of Death that..."

Xiao Yun muttered, and the now skinny figure of Kairusha appeared in front of him: "Yaris, we——"

"I wouldn't mind dying there..."

Yaris emphasized weakly.

Xiao Yun sighed and looked at Earl Kang.

Earl Kang nodded.

After a silent vibration, the ship rose steadily into the sky.

…

Xiao Yun took Yaris to stand in front of the ship's huge transparent window to admire the endless scenery below.

Rolling hills, lush green fields, rivers shining like silk, people moving like ants, and colorful rooftops of small towns like building blocks...

These were scenes that Yaris, who had been trapped in the palace for years, had never seen before. Although he could use the special senses of the ninth level to feel all kinds of things happening around the vast world, and even perceive the dark storms brewing beyond billions of stars, the birth and death of stars... but those were all vague sensations from other lives, not his personal feelings and real experiences.

“…If one day I could completely break free from the shackles of fate, I would build a ship and soar freely to every corner of the universe, experiencing all kinds of things and exploring the endless unknown.”

Gazing at the beautiful world below, Yaris shed tears of sorrow.

"I will do my best to make your dream come true."

Xiao Yun said quietly.

Upon hearing this, Yaris turned around and smiled a beautiful, almost unreal smile: "Thank you for making my dreams come true again and again."

"Because this dream is not just your dream, it's also my dream, our dream..."

"Yes, our dream...an eternal dream..."

Yaris repeated dejectedly, his weak head resting on Xiao Yun's shoulder. Xiao Yun reached out and hugged him gently.

suddenly--

There was something wrong with Xiao Yun's vision!

A huge fetus appeared in his sight!

The body is curled up tightly like a fetus in the mother's womb, and there are no organs such as eyes, nose and mouth on the big head.

Perhaps because the vision occurred during the day, the mysterious baby that suddenly appeared in Xiao Yun's vision was not as dark and translucent as the night sky, as the one he had seen at Goddess Sasha's place. Instead, it was extremely bright, with a translucent, shining ring surrounding its body.

Its limbs are also between hands, feet and tentacles, and in its arms it holds a black ball that sparkles with starlight.

As if sensing Xiao Yun's gaze, the baby suddenly opened his eyes and lowered his head to look at Xiao Yun.

Its eyes were pure gold, with neither pupils nor whites, like a ball of melted gold, sacred yet creepy.

(What a baby!)

(How does it relate to the baby with pure black irises and pupils that I saw at Goddess Sasha's place earlier?)

(Why am I...?)

The strange baby was still looking at Xiao Yun at this moment, its golden eyes motionless, as if it could hear Xiao Yun's thoughts, but also seemed to know nothing.

It was suspended in the air like a celestial body, but its body was translucent - Xiao Yun could clearly see the flowing sea of ​​clouds and the changing blue sky behind the baby, as well as the vague outer space in the distance - but this translucency also made the black ball of light in the baby's arms, which was shining with starlight, more unique.

(Who the hell are you?! Why are you staring at me?! Between you and me—)

"Xiao..."

Yaris's voice sounded softly, interrupting Xiao Yun's thoughts.

Xiao Yun blinked subconsciously.

In the blink of an eye, the figure of the mysterious baby hanging in the sky disappeared, as if everything just now was an illusion.

Xiao Yun couldn't help but rub his eyes - the baby disappeared completely, and no matter how hard he blinked, the strange baby did not appear again.

"What happened to you just now?"

Yaris asked, "My heartbeat suddenly became very intense, and my emotions became extremely excited, as if I had encountered an enemy."

"I just—"

Xiao Yun took a deep breath and decided not to tell him about the mysterious star baby for the time being: "I'm thinking about reform."

"Since ancient times, reform has always been a very hard and difficult task."

Yaris said soothingly.

…

…

The ship finally arrived at the heart of the Death Desert.

It was already dusk outside.

Standing in front of the huge windows of the ship, they could not only see the sun that was still dazzlingly strong in the evening, but also the dense forest of salt pillars emitting white glare below - countless snow-white salt pillars stood on the gray and black stones that had collapsed from weathering of the buildings, forming a huge dense circle, like believers praying around the holy objects in a temple, with an unfathomable black hole at the center of the circle!

"What is that?"

Xiao Yun pointed at the black hole and asked.

"Kairusha said that the black hole was the entrance to a super-structure that has become a ruin, and this structure was the reason why the gods destroyed the Eternal Empire."

"Why did the gods destroy the Eternal Empire?"

"The Eternal Empire attempted to gather all of Ella's resources to research human mechanical ascension and genetic modification, calling it the 'Gods Project.' Six thousand years ago, the building below was the experimental headquarters for the Gods Project."

Yaris murmured, "They firmly believe that once the experiment succeeds, humans will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods. Unfortunately..."

"I think they're great—"

Xiao Yun said, "Since the gods have never cared about the humans on earth, there is no need for humans to be slaves of the gods forever."

"Um."

Yaris nodded seriously.

The ship began to descend, passing through the artificial magnetic field storm and gravity pressure barrier, entering the underground part of the building, and stopped in front of an open and dark passage.

"There's almost no radiation inside the building, but it's still better to be careful, especially with Yaris."

Earl Kang pointed to a modified wheelchair and several pieces of protective gear nearby and said to the two, "The protective suit can protect your entire body. With the wheelchair's small protective shield and the protective suit added, even Yaris's body can withstand it."

"Thanks."

The two accepted the gift from Earl Kang.

…

After putting on protective gear, Earl Kang led the two men out of the ship and into the passage.

He seemed to be extremely familiar with everything here.

Under His guidance, they quickly arrived inside the ruins, stepping on the suspended discs one after another, passing through the long disinfection corridor until their entire body - including Yaris's wheelchair - had undergone seven scans and cleansings, and their body surface was covered with a thin film, and they successfully reached the central area of ​​the ruins.

"This is the place you've always wanted to see with your own eyes, Yaris."

Earl Kang muttered, pointing to the huge semicircular dome space that appeared in front of the two people after the three heavy metal doors opened.

Xiao Yun stood before the gate, gazing in disbelief at this magnificent building, spacious enough to accommodate at least a thousand people simultaneously. As the massive gate opened, the various conduits that filled nearly the entire metal wall began to glow as if resurrected. Five-colored light emanated from the conduits toward the center, illuminating the central area before returning along the conduits to the metal wall...

Over six thousand years ago, this was the center of civilization on the planet Ella. Countless people, filled with ambitions to rival the gods, came to this building, tirelessly pursuing the truth of the universe...

However--

It's all over.

The scholars who pursued the truth have all turned to dust, and the empty room is left with only heartbroken sadness...

"……ah!"

Yaris in the wheelchair suddenly made a sound.

He slowly stood up while holding the handrail, and with amazing fluency and absolute perseverance, he stretched out his slender and weak right hand towards the huge transparent cylinder standing in the middle of the building, with a diameter of more than ten meters.

"There...there...that's it..."

"Yaris!"

Xiao Yun was startled and quickly hugged Yaris: "Where are you going?"

"right……"

Yaris spoke weakly, struggling to lean on Xiao Yun's shoulder, and took a deep breath: "Can you take me there? Hurry up... I don't have much time..."

"But--"

"I've lived for this moment, just for this moment..."

Yaris spoke softly in a weak but firm voice, a strange innocence flickering in his hoarse voice.

"Yaris..."

Xiao Yun looked at him and nodded vigorously.

He knew the moment had come, but he decided not to try to force it.

Earl Kang's eyes were always fixed on Yaris's face, which was so pale that it was almost transparent.

Yaris also looked at Earl Kang and said in a weak voice: "Can you give me some water? I know you have medicine..."

“…”

Earl Kang looked at him, silently took out a small paper bag, put the medicine powder with a strange fragrance in the bag into the cup of water, stirred it gently, and handed it to Xiao Yun together with the cup of water.

Xiao Yun fed it to Yaris.

Then--

"let's go."

"Yes, we should go."

Yaris murmured, stretched out his hand and held Xiao Yun's hand tightly.

Xiao Yun picked up Yaris without saying a word and walked towards the cylinder in the middle.