What is the meaning of life and what is the purpose of living?

When people have wisdom, they will inevitably think about this problem.

Different people will have different answers, and the same person will have different answers at different times.

Darcy's childhood was not happy, but he still had a strong desire to live. Although he could not explain why he wanted it so much, he did not want to die.

It has to be said that rejection and fear of death are the reasons why most people live. This has nothing to do with being noble, it is just the most basic instinct of life.

Because death means everything is silent, you can no longer feel this wonderful world, and there will never be any changes. The absolute unknown also brings absolute fear, which whips life like a whip, forcing it to climb and move forward in the direction of survival.

As his body gradually became numb and cold, the shadow of death gradually spread over Darcy's body and consciousness. His remaining consciousness was gradually shrouded in fear.

Will I die here?

Will the teachers at school save me?

I am just a student from the slums. Will those masters really care about me?

Is there anyone waiting for my death because of Weilin's family background?

I don't want to die here

Will someone really come to save me?

I don't dare to gamble

I want to survive.

The coldness of death spread wildly in his heart like black weeds. He began to fear, afraid that this was not just a competition, but the real end of his life.

It is difficult for a drowning person to remain rational, and he will frantically grab anything he can grab.

The remaining consciousness began to move violently, like a fish swimming frantically in icy water, refusing to let this only place of refuge freeze and solidify.

The students on the platform looked down, holding their breath, nervous and expectant.

In the silent Jingyue Lake, Darcy sank silently to the bottom. Meanwhile, Weilin, exhausted, landed on a rock that emerged from the water. Her demonic features vanished, her scales faded, her horns vanished. She panted heavily, her body trembling under the weight, streaks of blood occasionally splattering, and waves of painful wails emanated from her throat.

Who will win this game?

Such thoughts surged through the students' minds. Some hoped it would be Weilin, for she was indeed very beautiful, the eldest daughter of an aristocratic family, and possessed excellent pedigree. Furthermore, she was so reckless, willing to sacrifice everything for victory. This determination to the death was truly admirable.

Some people expected it to be Darcy, because he was born in the slums and achieved his current position through his own hard work. If he can succeed, can I do the same? So a small hope unconsciously emerged in my heart.

On a winter night, the cold wind blows, carrying a few ice particles in the silence, falling on the lake under the moonlight. The lake is quiet and dark, and time seems to be blurred and solidified at this moment.

...

...

...

Wow——

A pale, thick hand stretched out from the lake.

Carrying the cold lake water, the hand pressed on the rock in the lake, the finger bones were hideous and protruding, the back of the hand and wrist were covered with scars, the light red flesh rolled outward, and the blue veins were exposed.

Slowly, accompanied by the sound of wet water, a dark and pale figure slowly climbed out of the water.

His once agile and strong body was now so heavy that every movement exhausted his body. He struggled to slowly surface, then fell on his back on the gravel, his chest heaving violently, and he breathed the ordinary and beautiful air again.

Every cell in the body seemed to be cheering for this moment. Although the bright moon in the sky was far away, it was reflected in my pupils with incredible clarity at this moment.

Even though the pain was still groaning throughout his body, telling him how uncomfortable it was, he felt a genuine happiness at that moment. At least he could still feel the pain, right? This was the symbol and meaning of being alive.

Darcy supported himself with his hands and slowly stood up on the gravel again, while the audience on the stone platform watched quietly as the final competition arrived.

He found Weilin's figure in the distance, looked at the girl lying on the ground, twitching and wailing, and slowly moved over.

The battle continues.

Darcy's steps were slow and he didn't move very fast. Sometimes he even had to find something to support himself to avoid falling. The distance that he could cover in half a second in the past took him nearly a pocket watch this time. It can be seen how horribly Weilin's attacks and poisons have damaged him.

But even so, he still got there.

Holding the picked-up stone in his hand, he gradually got a clearer look at the disheveled noble girl as he got closer.

The stone flew over, not at a very fast speed, but it was dangerous enough for Weilin at that moment.

Weilin endured the pain and suppressed the chaotic magic in her body. She kicked out, leaving a red mark and knocking the stone away. Then she swung her arm again, and five claw marks cut through the air and hit Darcy, causing a burst of blood.

But that was the end of it. The weak attack barely broke through the skin and could no longer move forward. Darcy approached Weilin again. When her knees and fists were about to hit Weilin, a reddish light curtain blocked the attack, making Darcy feel like he was hitting soft water.

"Dulcie wins."

The referee's announcement finally came from the sky, because Weilin's body could no longer withstand any attack.

Tsunami-like cheers came from the sky, and the sound of congratulations resounded throughout the earth. Darcy finally fell to the ground in satisfaction, watching the colorful fireworks rising in the sky.

What a beautiful world!

----------------------

On the eve of the Winter Festival Gala, the college competition ended.

Dulcie won the championship, becoming one of the ten champions, the "One Champion." Weilin came in second, Xingliu third, and Buyoudao fourth. After nearly thirty years, a student at Qiaodun Academy once again achieved the honor of being the "One Champion," and Dulcie became a hero to the academy.

This year's competition was thrilling, and the finals were incredibly challenging and difficult, a feat rarely seen before. The top few finishers also began to emerge from humble backgrounds. Not just Darcy, but also Nanna, Feili, and Lingxin, most of whom came from ordinary backgrounds and had no established connections.

Although individual efforts cannot defeat this huge trend and the background of the times, with the advancement of technology, the slow progress of civilization, and the gradual popularization of knowledge, when more and more fish are churning in the sea, one or two will eventually jump out of the water and approach the sky.

These small miracles that emerge from the ordinary, although still in small proportion, also indicate the changes in the world.

Just like a bird flying in the sky begins to fall, and a fish swimming in the sea begins to float up, perhaps one day, they will collide head-on.