El deliberately chatted with her to attract her attention. Losing magic and perception would make her reactions sluggish. Being too concerned about his condition would cause her to neglect the situation at the Angel Temple.
The gods successfully destroyed the statue.
Although Bai Xi didn't know the exact purpose of the statue, she knew it was definitely a method used by the world's consciousness against her. Perhaps El had also realized this, which was why he destroyed it at all costs.
When El saw Bai Xi's expression change, he was stunned for a moment. He subconsciously wanted to say something to Bai Xi, but Bai Xi covered his mouth with her hand.
In an instant, he heard Bai Xi speak to the depths of the mist in a cold tone.
"You haven't succeeded in getting me yet, and you can't bear to let him really die."
Although Bai Xi was still holding him, her expression and voice seemed to have become those of a different person. Her coldness was unsettling. El stared blankly at Bai Xi's expressionless face, as if the physical pain was nothing compared to the heartache in his heart. In the end, he could only manage a bitter smile.
It seems that all of this was just wishful thinking on his part, and Bai Xi disliked his unilateral decision.
Unfortunately, in the end, he didn't win her any favor or pity.
El could clearly feel his consciousness gradually becoming blurred, and the sounds he heard became increasingly indistinct.
"He broke the rules; the world doesn't need an unruly maintainer of order."
The voice of world consciousness rang out again, as always inorganic and emotionless, like a sophisticated instrument.
Its existence is solely for the purpose of ensuring the eternal existence of this world, maintaining the optimal balance, and preventing its demise. It is willing to pay any price for this. As tiny creatures within the world, as long as the world continues to exist, the number of deaths is insignificant to the world's consciousness.
Its meaning is clear: even if it needs El to continue as archangel, it will not continue to use him because he is disobedient.
Disobedient puppets have only one fate: annihilation.
"But you still need me, you need me to fight against the abyss."
Bai Xi was equally eerily calm, peacefully negotiating terms with the world's consciousness.
You couldn't tell at all that she had just broken down in tears and couldn't speak; she was completely different.
The world consciousness was silent for a moment, then realized that Bai Xi intended to negotiate, and spoke again after a long while.
What do you want?
It asked.
"I will no longer resist you, but I want them all to live."
Bai Xi is not only referring to El, but also to the gods in reality who attacked the Temple of Angels. The world's consciousness will not let them off the hook for doing such things, and Bai Xi does not want them to become like El.
"..."
The world consciousness was silent for a while, probably judging whether the deal was appropriate.
If it succeeds in making Baixi a puppet god, then other gods should not exist, including powerful beings that can affect the balance, such as the Demon King, the progenitor of vampires, the King of Elements, and the Archangel. They should not continue to live. However, Baixi's condition is that they will be protected before she will accept her manipulation.
This will introduce many uncertainties into its plans.
However, since Bai Xi's soul does not belong to this world, it cannot directly manipulate or control Bai Xi. In other words, its rules do not apply to Bai Xi, and it cannot put shackles on her without her consent.
Of course, it is precisely because Bai Xi is a soul that does not belong to this world that she is able to fight against Tartarus and is able to gather different powers without being repulsed.
She is the most suitable to become the puppet god, but she needs to actively cooperate.
Now, with these conditions placed on both sides of the scale, after a moment of weighing, the world consciousness analyzed and determined the best solution.
"Can."
It agreed to Bai Xi's request.
"don't want......."
El struggled to stop Baixi, but Baixi acted as if she hadn't heard him and accepted the deal without hesitation.
"Okay, I'll cooperate with your plan from now on, but I need to make sure they're all okay."
Bai Xi nodded, agreeing easily, as if she herself wasn't the one being sold.
With the world consciousness disappearing and the transaction completed, Bai Xi could feel as if an invisible thread had appeared on her body. As long as she broke the agreement, this thread would manipulate her to actively fulfill the demands of the requester, leaving her no room for resistance.
Bai Xi then looked at El, who was looking at her with pleading eyes.
He had desperately helped her break free from her shackles, but he never expected that Bai Xi would be bound by those same chains again for his sake.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine, and neither will you."
Bai Xi suddenly relaxed, let out a heavy sigh, and her expression was no longer as cold as before. It seemed to have regained its warmth, and could even be described as gentle.
She gently touched his forehead, her gesture meant to comfort him.
However, the credibility of this statement is extremely low.
El knew the pain of being manipulated by the rules, a pain that would only end with death.
He didn't believe Bai Xi's words; he only felt despair.
"Don't forget, I'm someone who never suffers a loss. When we were making a deal, didn't I look like I was getting the short end of the stick, but I still managed to turn the tables, didn't I?"
Bai Xi looked at El with a smile and even gave an example in a serious manner.
Although El used moral blackmail to prevent her from confronting the Duke, she ultimately perished alongside him.
But not only did she not die, she also successfully transformed from a ghost back into a human, winning beautifully.
Having received forgiveness from the world's consciousness, El's body gradually returned to normal. His wounds shrank, and even his wings slowly grew back. However, the sorrow he felt was even more intense than when he had just been tortured.
He knelt before Bai Xi, head bowed, murmuring softly.
"No, this is not the same."
This fog will soon dissipate, and Bai Xi and El will be separated in two different timelines. They don't know if they will ever have the chance to meet again. This is their last time together.
"Alright... since you like me so much, you should trust me."
Bai Xi sighed helplessly. In fact, from the moment the statue shattered, she had already guessed what was sealed inside: a part of her emotions.
If it were the old her, even if she saw El shed tears for her, she wouldn't feel a shred of emotion, only a little guilty and embarrassed. But now she probably understands what love feels like, and at least now she thinks El is truly moved.
Her heart was beating fast and hot in her chest, or perhaps it was the suspension bridge effect, but for some reason, Bai Xi found herself enjoying the feeling.
She didn't want to deny it, after all, it hadn't come easily.
If this is what liking someone means, then she must have developed a bit of a crush on El.
"...Okay, I believe you."
The surrounding mist began to dissipate, and the final moment arrived. El looked into Bai Xi's bright eyes, forced a smile, and whispered to her.
As space shifted, the two eventually returned to their respective times and spaces.
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