Chapter 107 107 Goodbye "Sorry... I thought...
One month later, November 5th, Jinwuyuan.
"Jinsong - let me show you this!" As soon as Gu Minghui stepped over the threshold of Jinwu Garden, he rushed to Feng Huang impatiently, his face filled with unconcealable excitement.
In his hand, the newly forged sword sparkled in the sunlight, and the light reflected from the sword was like flowing mercury, making it difficult to look away.
"It's ready now. I thought it would take a little longer." Phoenix took the sword and looked at it, with admiration in his eyes. "It is indeed a good sword."
Gu Minghui chuckled twice, his eyes gleaming with pride: "Master specially cast it before exploring the Dragon Abyss Illusionary Realm."
"Has Director Chi already told you about this?" Feng Huang raised her eyebrows and asked as she led the group towards the tea room.
Yan Xiaoling took a few steps forward and asked anxiously, "Will it be dangerous? We are following the Alien Bureau. If we are just exploring, we shouldn't need to make special preparations for battle, right?"
Wen Qingsheng muttered quietly: "Isn't it more than just the Abnormal Department that has come?"
Feng Huang continued to study the sword in his hand. He shook his head and said, "I've been there once before. The Dragon Abyss Illusion is not dangerous."
"So this is the second exploration?" The little fox keenly captured the key information in the phoenix's words.
Some things may indeed require the Yinglong fragments in Gu Minghui's body to be successfully stimulated."
Phoenix answered vaguely, and then gently put the sword back into the scabbard, "Otherwise, there would be no need to call you students to help."
The group sat down at the table. Bai Xian had already brewed tea. Steam was rising and the fragrance of tea was everywhere.
Feng Huang returned the sword to Gu Minghui and instructed him, "Bai Xian and I can't accompany you on this exploration. Be obedient after you go in. Don't run around or start a fight. Follow our instructions."
Gu Minghui was used to Feng Huang's nagging, but he did not expect that Feng Huang, who was always very protective, did not take the initiative to ask to accompany them to protect them. He blinked and asked in confusion, "Why?"
Phoenix sighed and explained, "After the last exploration, the Dragon Abyss Illusion was not very stable due to the stimulation. I need to maintain the stability of the transmission channel outside."
If Su Yunyao had been more careful, he might have noticed that Feng Huang was obviously distracted and was currently drinking over-scalded tea.
Phoenix put down the teacup and added, "Take care of yourself while you explore. I'll be waiting for you outside."
Gu Minghui responded with a smile and confidence: "We have become much stronger."
Wen Qingsheng nodded, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes: "After all, I have been fighting with the Phoenix all the time, and I have accumulated a lot of practical experience and cooperation."
Phoenix smiled gently: "Yes, I know."
Bai Xian brought over some snacks. Wen Qingsheng and Gu Minghui were passionately engaged in a heated discussion about whose sword was better.
Yan Xiaoling, with a helpless look on her face, was also drawn into the discussion. Even Bai Xian was attracted by the enthusiasm of the discussion and joined in unconsciously.
Only the master and the disciple were left sitting at the table, sipping tea quietly without getting up.
"Xiao Su," Phoenix suddenly spoke. He gently pushed the snack plate toward the little fox: "Take good care of them."
Su Yunyao, who later became the head of the Intelligence Department of the Soul Guarding Division, might have been able to discern more profound meaning from this vague statement. But at this moment, the young little fox just naturally picked up a snack and answered easily:
"Of course, I will take good care of them. After all, this is a combat mission of this level, I will ensure their safety. If it really doesn't work, we can all escape together."
October 5, the first year of the spiritual energy recovery, Chu Qingge’s system space.
The iron rule of the fast travel game: each world can only be interfered with once by the fast traveler.
If a world is executed twice or more times, not only will there be conflicts between wishes, but the butterfly effect caused by this will be enough to give the fast-travel game a headache.
You know, the fast travel bureau has the ability to travel freely in time. What if a fast traveler just solved the love dispute of a young couple in the urban background, and then another fast traveler took on another mission in the world to revive the glory of an ancient empire.
The world line was changed because of this, and the original urban couple simply no longer existed... so the quick-travel business could no longer be done.
Merits are written on the earth with their real names, providing objective evidence of mission completion. These traces left on the probability axis are eaten by the expensive causal machine in the Quick Travel Bureau, and can be restored to their original appearance before the world line was disturbed... There is no need to delve into these profound principles.
The crux of the matter is... "There is no hope for the bonus for the emergency mission, and the basic salary for this mission seems to be uncertain, not to mention the pile of wrangling with the quick-pass bureau and internal meetings afterwards..."
Ning Changkong complained with gnashing teeth: "If I had known that wishing for eternal life would result in such a mess, I would have died in that plane crash!"
Chu Qingge calmly analyzed: "Logically, we should not be held responsible for this matter. Who is responsible for the basic research of emergency tasks has always been a big problem."
There was a hint of helplessness in her voice. "Under special circumstances, mission executors and systems do not have the authority to view past mission history. If it weren't for the clear clues this time, we would never have known that Teacher Lu had ever been to this world."
"We are not at fault," Chu Qingge ignored his old partner's complaints and continued to summarize, "There will probably be no punishment for running away now. Let's stop the damage in time."
"No, I'm angry!" Ning Changkong gritted his teeth, "World Will - Get out of here!"
Chu Qingge expressionlessly took away the pillow that was squeezed out of shape by someone who was angry and said, "Pay attention to my things."
The world will remained silent, but they were no longer as convinced as they were at the beginning. The world will really fell into a deep sleep after issuing the mission because it was too weak.
Ning Changkong threatened the void with his fangs bared:
"If you don't come out, I will activate [Heavenly Judgment] and fill the whole world with evil spirits, letting those demons revel in it!
The World Will spoke slowly: "I am here."
"No wonder we can't get in touch with him—" Chu Qingge said grimly, "According to the requirements of issuing emergency tasks, you can't lie to the fast traveler, but you can pretend to be dead, right?"
Emergency missions are usually missions given to the Quick Travel Bureau in order to save the world when it is on the verge of collapse. Naturally, there is no reason for the world's will to hide anything from the Quick Traveler.
"The world is about to be destroyed, I have to try to save myself, right?" said the World Will stubbornly.
No, this is not just talking tough, Ning Changkong thought expressionlessly. The world's will has no concept of talking tough.
World will is an invisible force that transcends individual consciousness and influences or drives the entire world and the historical process. It is a manifestation of the absolute spirit.
According to the induction training when I just entered the fast-travel bureau, in order to communicate with the fast-travelers, the world will take the initiative to humanize and simulate the dialogue between humans.
Humans, ha—humans.
The first article in the Quick Traveler's Manual states: When we talk about "saving the world", we are always talking about "saving the human world".
Ning Changkong suddenly had an idea.
**
"Changkong--Changkong, are you feeling unwell?"
When Ning Changkong regained consciousness, what he saw was Bai Xian's concerned face. He was still holding Bai Xian's sleeve in his hand.
His heart, which had been repeatedly stitched, was beating wildly in his chest, as if trying to break free from its restraints. Ning Changkong resisted the bloody taste that surged up his throat due to his out-of-control emotions, took a few deep breaths, and finally managed to find his voice from the dizziness.
Phoenix's face was pale, but she still tried her best to show a gentle smile: "It's okay, I'm just a little too tired."
He gently loosened Bai Xian's sleeves and said softly, "I...I'll go wash up first."
November 7, the first year of the Aura's revival, the burial place of the gods in the demiplane.
When the mysterious half-plane passage slowly appeared under the guidance of Gu Minghui's spiritual power, and a rich spiritual energy surged out from the other side of the passage, Wen Qingsheng, listening to the suddenly heavier breathing of several seniors around him, realized belatedly what it meant to find what he needed in the Longyuan Illusionary Realm, and why so many powerful people from the cultivation world came for this exploration.
He followed the main force step by step into the demiplane. He raised his head and looked at the huge machine that covered the sky and the sun. He still didn't know where the faint enthusiasm of several seniors came from.
Director Chi seemed to know the place well. He seemed to be holding a map in his hand and led the group straight to the machine.
...Maybe there really is such a map. Wen Qingsheng noticed that the combatants of the Alien Bureau were whispering about the Eternal Night Society, which was controlled by the devil, and the mysterious informant.
The battle with the demons soon began. Magic and sword energy complemented each other, and evil spirits raged in every corner of the battlefield.
Monks in Taoist robes waved ancient magical instruments, the screams of demons cut through the sky, and fallen angels spread their huge black wings and swooped down from the sky.
The rainbow-like sword energy and the corrosive dark magic collided violently, emitting a deafening roar. Ancient curses echoed over the battlefield, and frost magic and fire spells competed with each other.
The amulet that Phoenix prepared in advance worked, and the members of the Alien Bureau seemed to be able to deal with the evil spirit with ease.
The pressure of actual combat hit them like a huge wave, but Gu Minghui and his companions adapted to this pressure better than they thought, and even felt like fish in water. This was probably due to the frequent clashes with the Immortal Birds over the past month.
Oh, the Phoenix - Gu Minghui noticed in his peripheral vision that the familiar figure, under the command of the fallen angel, released evil spirits several times, and then quietly left the battlefield, seemingly heading towards the mysterious machine.
Based on their previous experience, the Phoenix was probably exhausted and needed to retreat temporarily. He looked up and searched for his master.
"Ming Hui!" The master, whose collar was stained with blood, gave him a firm look, raised his chin slightly, and pointed at the machine.
Gu Minghui nodded imperceptibly and made a gesture. The other three followed in tacit agreement and headed straight for the Phoenix.
**
It is difficult to say whether this was the strongest and most powerful resistance of the Phoenix or the least resistance.
He was not distracted at all by the attacks from Gu Minghui and others. He just closed his eyes and focused on establishing a connection with the huge machine.
The flames around the Phoenix burned more and more vigorously. Even though Gu Minghui and his companions continued to attack, the flames did not weaken at all.
They were shocked by the unconcealed strength of Phoenix Silk. Gu Minghui's heartbeat became faster and faster in his chest. The pleasure of revenge made him forget almost everything, including the vague sense of unnaturalness.
Soon, I can kill my enemy with my own hands! He thought to himself.
Just when they were about to feel tired of this seemingly futile attack, a deafening roar suddenly rang out, accompanied by shouts and curses from the battlefield.
If Gu Minghui looked up at this moment, he would see that the huge machine as big as a mountain was collapsing.
But Gu Minghui was already accustomed to the strange, emotionless calmness that the Yinglong fragment brought to him. He didn't think about anything, nor did he look away, but just made his move without distraction.
His sword pierced the phoenix's heart without resistance.
At that moment, his calm mind quickly came to a strange conclusion: it seemed that the body of the phoenix had already fallen down before he made his move.
The slight fluctuation of spiritual power made Gu Minghui lower his head hesitantly.
What came into view was a very familiar face.
I seemed to hear Yan Xiaoling's scream and Wen Qingsheng's roar.
It's a lie, right?
It's absolutely, absolutely a lie, right?
The side belonging to Yinglong calmly came to a conclusion and ruthlessly sentenced Gu Minghui to death: that was indeed a sign that the transformation technique had failed.
The person he was frantically hugging seemed to be surprised and slightly widened his eyes. He uttered words full of apology: "I'm sorry... I thought... I could deceive you to the end."
At the same time, his body leaned weakly in Gu Minghui's arms, his breathing was weak and disordered, large amounts of blood gushed out of his mouth, and in an instant he was burned to ashes by the uncontrolled flames.
This is the Phoenix Fire that they are very familiar with.
Gu Minghui could hear the sorrow deep in his heart: Please, it must not be you - why should it be you!
But he stood frozen in place, holding up the man's completely exhausted body in a daze, unable to utter a word.
The sword didn't even have time to be pulled out from the opponent's chest.
I really didn't expect it to turn out like this...but the destruction of [Heaven's Judgement] has drained all of his vitality and spiritual power, and he can't even maintain the most crude transformation technique.
Ning Changkong tried hard to say something, to explain, to apologize, but his consciousness was like a thread being pulled away, drifting away uncontrollably.
The time is up. Never mind, the mission is successfully completed.
He closed his eyes contentedly.
The heart that had been sealed for a thousand years finally stopped beating, and the overly long story came to an end.
The Phoenix Fire burned again, and the body in Gu Minghui's arms was swallowed by the scorching flames in an instant. The white ash from the flames was swept up by the remaining spiritual power, and sprinkled down from the air, purifying the last of the evil spirit.
Gu Minghui was certain that before the self-immolation, there seemed to be a hint of smile between the other party's brows.
The sword fell to the ground.
Gu Minghui raised his bloodstained hand, and the fragments of memory flashed before his eyes again. The golden sycamore leaves on the ground were stained red by blood.
again.
He knelt there, slowly clenched his hands, trying to retain the last bit of warmth.
It's always me who should apologize.
**
At the same time, at Tiangong Technology Headquarters.
Yan Yian, with a folder under his arm, poked his head in at the office door and asked casually, "Isn't Teacher Chu coming to work today?"
Jiang Yunxiao nodded slightly, motioning her to sit down on the sofa, and said calmly: "She told me yesterday that she had something to do today."
Yan Yian sat down as he was told, and took out his phone from his pocket to check the time naturally: "I was wondering, why hasn't she come to work at this time..."
Her eyes fell on the screen of her mobile phone, and Jiang Yunxiao noticed that her face turned pale as paper in an instant. Then, she jumped up from the sofa, her voice trembling slightly: "What do you mean - Boss Jiang, read the news!"
At the same time, the capable secretary's face was equally pale. He hurriedly pushed open the door of the office, his expression revealing indescribable nervousness.
Jiang Yunxiao was unable to hear the other party's words clearly amidst the ringing in his ears.
I could only stare blankly at the other person's mouth opening and closing.
No, if it's just this information, it can't be said that...
He looked away stiffly.
The notification sound of a particularly concerned email message rang out, coming from that familiar email box. Jiang Yunxiao's heartbeat suddenly accelerated.
As a gambler, Boss Jiang opened the email with shaking hands. The first sentence of the email hit him like a heavy hammer:
"When you see this email, Phoenix will have died and Bluebird will have left."
Yan Yi*an had fallen back onto the sofa, covering her mouth, tears silently streaming down her face. She read the message over and over again in disbelief.
"I'm sorry for pulling you aboard, and I'm sorry for not letting you see more."
**
One month ago, Chu Qingge's system space.
Ning Changkong said seriously: "I think my salary can still be saved - I mean, what we did in the mission of 'saving the world' is completely consistent with Yinglong's wish for 'the prosperity of mortal civilization'!"
"Look, we left behind the technology to prepare spirit stones, broke through the upper limit of cultivation resources, and relied on the 'Skynet' system to almost develop the currency system of the cultivation era."
"We have completely eliminated the evil spirit that could create a monopoly on cultivation resources. Moreover, even in a thousand years, humans may not be able to create such a complex structure."
"I have written down the methods of cultivation and posted them online in an e-book. The knowledge monopoly on cultivation has also ceased - aren't we helping to achieve the perfect ending planned by Teacher Lu?"
Chu Qingge: "You are just making excuses."
"The client is dead, why bother so much!" Ning Changkong slapped his thigh in a carefree manner, "Let's go back to the internal meeting of the bureau. Yinglong can't crawl out to express his opinion. The world will is justified and dare not say a word. Isn't it still relying on my eloquence?"
"Come on, come on, whether or not your wages will be deducted depends on this..."
**
At the same time, in the demiplane, the burial place of the gods.
As the machine collapsed with the sound of a doomsday bell, a mournful and high-pitched cry broke through the sky, like a ray of light breaking through at dawn.
The evil spirit was swept away, and replaced by a warm and peaceful atmosphere, gently soothing every tired soul on the battlefield.
Before that terrifying thought occupied his entire mind, Chi Zhaoming raised his head, squinted his eyes and stared at the phoenix shadow flying across the sky, chaotic thoughts flooding into his mind.
"Classic of Mountains and Seas: Southern Three Classics" states: "There is a bird, its shape is like a chicken, with five colors and patterns, and its name is Fenghuang."
"This bird eats naturally, sings and dances by itself. When it is seen, the world is at peace."
If we see it, the world will be at peace.
Once it appears, there will be peace in the world.
There is a phoenix coming, he thought.
It's really a good omen.
**
Chu Qingge's system space.
Ning Changkong put his hands behind his head and opened his eyes on the familiar sofa.
"Finally I'm off work!" He stretched his waist and said excitedly, "I've been running back and forth between the Phoenix and the Immortal Bird every day this month. I'm really exhausted..."
Chu Qingge turned away from the computer and asked, "Have you thought about how to respond at the internal meeting of the Quick Crossing Bureau later?"
Ning Changkong: "I..."
Chu Qingge: "You said it yourself. You'll use your eloquence to argue for your salary and bonus back."
Ning Changkong: "Wait a minute..."
Chu Qingge added ruthlessly: "If you had stopped the damage in time a month ago, you wouldn't have had to use a pseudonym for the past half month and could have just left work early."
Ning Changkong: “…”
Chu Qingge turned her head back and started the return process: "Now, let's continue working overtime."