Chapter 218
But no one expected that this "next time" would come so quickly.
In this life, when Xie Xubai was eighteen, Xie Yuchun, who was traveling through the river of time in search of human life, suddenly appeared. She looked anxious and flustered, and didn't even have time to choose a landing spot. She fell directly into the bustling base hall, and before she could even catch her breath, she flashed in front of Xie Xubai.
—All of this demonstrates that the news she brought was so urgent that there was no time to lose.
On that day, Xie Yuchun, the former CEO of the Global Joint Committee, dismissed everyone, including Pei Yuheng, and went to the spacetime rift for an emergency secret meeting with Xie Xubai, the supreme commander and first apostle of the "Silence Project".
There is no concept of time or space in the standard sense within the spacetime rift. It is theoretically infinitely vast and disordered. Ten minutes inside may be twenty years outside, or it may just be a moment.
The location of their meeting, the duration of their conversation, and the specific content of their discussion remain unknown even to the evil god.
Not long after, Xie Xubai returned to the base alone, appearing calm and composed without any apparent abnormality. However, in the next trial instance, while staring at the BOSS sent by the enemy, he made a surprising question to the little black octopus.
"Can I devour Him?"
The evil god, who had endured tens of thousands of years of turmoil, had become indifferent, but at the moment the young man uttered these words, a sense of absurdity and astonishment still arose in His heart.
No one knew better than the evil god how much the young commander resented the ability to devour. The emotional fluctuations he experienced when consuming Stephen's divine power were so bitter that the little black octopus had to use all its self-control to keep from spitting it out.
But now, the other party has actually brought it up on their own initiative?
In fact, whether the evil god answers yes or no, it won't make any difference.
Xie Xubai is a typical example of someone who thinks thrice before acting, and at the same time possesses an execution ability that is beyond the reach of others. Every "May I ask?" he utters when he is not being insincere is not a question, but a harbinger of his impending action.
After clearing the dungeon, the victorious team cheered and clapped at the exit. Under artificial sunlight, cannons roared in the central hall, confetti rained down, and messengers relayed the good news of their victory in conquering the intermediate dungeon along the streets. Shop owners offered free business for the day, and the atmosphere was filled with jubilation.
However, the young commander, one of the greatest contributors, missed the grand victory celebration banquet, citing physical exhaustion.
He arrived at the divine realm of the little black octopus, the Immaculate Sea. The energy body stripped from the enemy BOSS was cut into thousands of pieces, resembling small, constantly collapsing black holes, and neatly stacked on the beach.
At Xie Xubai's request, the little black octopus did not perform any harmless treatment on these energy entities.
He then learned that the young human wanted to learn how to remove impurities and to wield the knife himself, which meant that Xie Xubai had made long-term plans and that using the devouring ability was not a rash decision.
The little black octopus became increasingly uneasy.
After evolving, He possesses the ability to rewind. Theoretically, no matter how many times Xie Xubai has died, He can bring him back to life, except for one time—the life of the Buddha's disciple, which was unchangeable because it involved the opportunity for His evolution.
Xie Xubai's death became an indelible shadow in the heart of the evil god, and now, looking at the young man's calm face, He felt a fear that was exactly the same as before.
Under these circumstances, for the first time, the little black octopus abandoned its principle of "never interfering with human choices" and questioned Xie Xubai.
What exactly do you want to do?
His tone was so serious that if the youth dared to joke around or not give a direct answer, he would definitely intervene forcefully.
Xie Xubai noticed this, paused slightly, and replied in an equally serious tone: "From beginning to end, there has only been one thing I want to do: save the future of the world. I am willing to pay any price for it."
The emphasis on the individual indicates that, in Xie Xubai's mind, the "people" remain an inviolable principle and bottom line.
While both emphasize the individual, it means he unhesitatingly treats himself as a disposable asset, placing himself on the scales of victory.
The little black octopus briefly lost its voice.
The moonlight over the Immaculate Sea was serene and vast, shining down on Xie Xubai's beautifully sculpted cheeks, casting a soft glow. His eyes remained calm and unwavering.
He realized that Xie Xubai was serious.
Just like when a young man had thorns piercing his palms, he still knocked on the Buddha statue and wore its golden robe to enter the world and save lives.
Just as a young man perishes and his bones are shattered under the high pressure of the ocean at a depth of 50,000 meters, he still leaves behind his soul to persuade Him to establish a covenant.
but.
but.
but……!
You once told that executive officer surnamed Pei that you would attend his and your adoptive mother's wedding and be their best man.
Xie Xubai didn't expect that He would remember this matter, let alone bring it up. After a long silence, he said casually, "Even if Mom and Uncle Pei were to get married, it would only be after the victory. Without a future, it's all just empty talk. In this situation, they would only be more resolute and determined than I am."
"So you don't want to meet your biological parents?"
Xie Xubai's face tightened almost imperceptibly, and he forced a smile as he said, "I will ask my mother to erase their memories. They love each other and just want to live an ordinary life. They can live happily without me, and maybe I will even have two more younger brothers and sisters."
[So, what hobbies do you have: wanting to keep cats and dogs, growing orchids on your balcony, opening a lively community restaurant, experiencing the thrill of a live concert, playing chess and dancing with elderly folks in a garden, or seeing wildlife on the African savanna?]
"..." Xie Xubai said, "As long as the Infinite Game exists, these wishes cannot be fulfilled. Enabling it is just a self-deceiving illusion, not even a temporary peace."
【That--】
And what about Him?
Where is He?
This despicable liar, who formed a pact with Him but innocently revealed that he would not believe in any god, unknowingly stirred His emotions and then decisively withdrew.
They wouldn't even let Him help with something as trivial as removing energy impurities, acting as if they didn't want to involve anyone and wanted to sever all ties and die cleanly.
What did he take Him for?
Is it a tool to be summoned and dismissed at will? Or a burden that one can't wait to get rid of?
The little black octopus stared intently at the young human's face, trying to find a trace of hesitation or reluctance.
But He failed.
The young man's expression remained calm, damnably calm!
Violent emotions spread like wildfire, and reason seemed to be burned away.
Suddenly, the little black octopus heard the young man let out a suppressed groan, his voice filled with unexpected shock and anger.
"Wait, wait! What are you doing? Uh!"
He looked up.
Tentacle-like shadows surged in from all directions, covering the young man's thin body, leaving red marks on his porcelain-white skin in concentric circles, like bright plum blossoms blooming on a snowy field.
The tentacles apply pressure inch by inch, and the mucus seeps into the skin, causing a tingling sensation that makes the nerves feel weak.
The young man struggled to keep from collapsing completely, his slender fingers gripping the fine white sand, taut and trembling with tension from the effort.
He gritted his teeth and tried to reason with him: "Did I do anything to offend you? In any case, I absolutely did not mean to make you angry, please calm down!"
A hurricane suddenly swept across the calm, pristine sea, dark clouds obscured the moon, and the coastline was shrouded in thick gloom.
The little black octopus's body kept changing, and as Xie Xubai looked on in shock, it gradually transformed into the appearance of an adult man.
With sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his features were deep and his golden-red eyes were dark and unseen. He exuded a chilling and oppressive aura as he strode up to Xie Xubai.
Staring at Xie Xubai's utterly astonished face, the man's expression was icy cold, his tone ambiguous between a sneer and self-mockery: "As expected."
This little rascal whose mind is filled with nothing but the world and humanity will only take Him seriously if He becomes human.
The sea breeze howled in from the roaring, churning sea, carrying a salty, bitter scent in the air, damp and as if the sky were weeping.
It was at this moment that the evil god finally realized why he could not become a righteous god, because he was essentially a monster, a monster that disguised himself as righteous but was actually selfish, possessive, and extremely controlling.
He disliked that Xie Xubai no longer depended on him, was angry at Xie Xubai's fearlessness in facing death, and could not accept that the other party spoke of his sacrifice so lightly and casually.
"...You have to say it!"
Suddenly, Xie Xubai's roar reverberated across the Immaculate Coast. Perhaps sensing that the surging tentacles were about to bind him, he realized that if he didn't say something, the outcome would be something he didn't want to see.
"If your intention is not to kill me or hurt me, you must tell me why I angered you! Otherwise, it will never be resolved!"
Xie Xubai stared into His eyes, slightly out of breath, his trembling pupils filled with pleading: "Please, calm down... I can't breathe."
He gritted his teeth, using a goading tactic: "Are you really going to kill me?"
The tentacles trembled, gripped by immense panic, and released all grip as if electrocuted.
The young man, who had been lifted into the air, suddenly fell downwards. Not wanting to land face down, he quickly used his mental power, but the man caught him in his arms even faster.
—My heart is fine, my heartbeat is strong, my skin is undamaged, my bones and organs are all intact, and I am healthy enough to run 100,000 meters.
The evil god coldly glanced at the young man who was spouting nonsense.
【die? 】
Ten seconds ago, He had absolute confidence in His ability to control power.
Now that I've caught them red-handed, I can finally rebuild the confidence that was almost shattered.
Xie Xubai looked at Him.
The evil god's granting of every wish over several lifetimes had ultimately left a mark on the young man's heart. Normally, he would feign grievance and clutch his chest, saying, "Of course I'm dead. My heart is dead. I'm no longer your most beloved companion."
At that moment, he simply asked, lightly but earnestly, "Can you tell me why you're angry?"
Is this question important?
"How could it not be important?"
Xie Xubai's eyes widened as she thrust her wrist, marked with a chafing line, in front of the man, accusingly, "It's red! This is the first time you've treated me like this!"
[...]
The man met his gaze silently.
The young man was clearly the type who wouldn't utter a sound even if he lost an arm or a leg.
After a long while, He finally gave in to Xie Xubai's terrifyingly bright gaze: "I'm sorry..."
But he suddenly stopped when he was about to explain why.
How could He possibly utter those sordid, dark, vicious, and shameful thoughts to upright and honest humans?
My mind was in turmoil, and an indescribable feeling spread from the back of my tongue to my heart. A sea breeze swept by, and the astringent taste in the air became even stronger.
Xie Xubai stared at the man for a moment, then suddenly caught a whiff of bitterness. A completely new and absurd thought flashed through his mind, so absurd that his fingertips trembled slightly.
"you……"
You will not die.
The man suddenly interrupted Xie Xubai.
As if avoiding something, He averted the youth's astonished gaze, His voice resolute and unwavering, piercing through the surging waves: "No matter the cost, as long as I exist, you will never truly die."
Whoosh—!
The waves crashed fiercely against the shore, splashing white water everywhere.
Xie Xubai stared blankly at the man, hesitated for a moment, and couldn't say a word.
He was gently placed on the beach by the man, and was shocked to realize that the other man harbored some kind of secret and crazy feelings. A long-lost sense of helplessness and confusion welled up in his heart.
Turning his head, the man sat cross-legged, retrieved a piece of energy that had been cut into small pieces from a distance, and expressionlessly removed the impurities from it.
Before Xie Xubai could sort out his thoughts, he was once again struck by the virtuousness presented by the evil god.
The little black octopus, waving its eight tentacles and working diligently, is quite adorable.
But when this octopus becomes a real person/god, and you think about the feelings behind His dedication to helping, the feeling suddenly changes.
Xie Xubai opened his mouth.
Having received much care from the evil god so far, he naturally cherishes and respects this contracted deity.
This is why, after being swept away by the tentacles, he did not immediately retaliate, but instead chose to communicate and exchange ideas.
"..." After a long while, Xie Xubai pursed his lips and swallowed back what he wanted to say.
He unbuttoned his clothes and draped his coat over the man's bare body.
The evil god was probably becoming human for the first time and did not have the concepts of morality and shame of human society.
Feeling the extra garment on his body, He simply looked up at him without any emotion, then handed over the prepared energy body.
In the tense atmosphere of wartime, there was no time for formalities. It wasn't uncommon for groups of grown men to strip naked and jump into the river, their white skin practically exposed.
But when Xie Xubai saw that bulging mass, he was burned and hastily looked away.
Then I was immediately drawn to the man's well-defined, muscular physique, which was described as the "golden triangle."
Xie Xubai thought to himself that the evil god had a pretty good grasp of human appearance.
Why are you in this posture?
What stance?
"I mean, looks and figure."
The evil god replied without hesitation: "It was shaped according to your preferences."
Xie Xubai: "..."
You are my only companion; the standards of others are irrelevant to me.
Xie Xubai: "…………"
Realizing that Xie Xubai didn't treat him any differently because of his appearance, the man stopped paying attention to his human form. Noticing Xie Xubai's hesitation, he frowned and asked, "What's wrong?"
Sometimes He is sensitive enough to notice the subtle boundaries in human relationships, and sometimes He is as rigid as a stone.
Xie Xubai's lips twitched. He wiped his face, silently recited the Diamond Sutra, sat down next to the man, and looked at the energy object in his hand.
The air fell silent for a moment.
“I think,” Xie Xubai suddenly said, “I should be really looking forward to the moment you say you can keep me alive.”
The man froze, then turned to see Xie Xubai smiling gently and brightly at him.
The surging waves gradually subsided, and the Immaculate Sea returned to its former peaceful and serene state.
Under the bright moonlight, the sea surface reflected shimmering waves, which fell into the young man's eyes like a bay of sparkling stars.
Xie Xubai: "If there's a chance, perhaps..."
Perhaps something, Xie Xubai ultimately didn't say.
Thinking of his private conversation with Xie Yuchun, he shut his mouth, tilted his head back, and swallowed the energy body in one gulp, swallowing all the restless emotions that had been stirred up by the evil god in an instant.
The predetermined fate has already been written, and the bright and glorious future will surely be paved with the blood of individuals, without the slightest deviation.
A storm was approaching in the distance, and Xie Xubai silently raised his gaze.
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