174 The Word

Aixin’s eyes blazed like suns, her fury so intense it seemed ready to ignite the air itself. She stood close, Joan’s face stretched across her features like a cruel mask sculpted from desire and rage. Power rolled off her in waves, but I met her glare without flinching.

I clenched my right fist. “Come to think of it,” I muttered, “you still owe me a rematch.”

Without waiting for a reply, I planted my foot and drove my fist straight into her face.

The impact shattered the world of memories.

Glass-like fractures raced across the illusion as the forest canopy splintered into shards of color and light. The world broke apart and reformed into a new scene bathed in alien brilliance. We stood somewhere deeper in the past, back when Mao Xian’s home still stood untouched in the Greater Universe, far from the rot and ruin of the Hollowed World.

Mao Xian did not hesitate. He lunged with a blade drawn from memory, moving with the precision of a man who had practiced the strike countless times.

I simply whispered, “Divine Word: Rest.”

His body slowed, flickered, and dissolved into mist. The attack never came. The fog lingered where he had stood, curling around us like unresolved grief.

“That was easy.”

Aixin remained unmoved, her breathing sharp and her expression carved from hatred. Yet Joan’s face still lingered in her features from her eyes, her mouth, and the stubborn line of her chin. That was what made me hesitate.

I felt Dave stir within my soul, his sadness and unease echoing through our bond. That face had once smiled at him with warmth. It had never deserved to be stolen.

“Sorry, Dave,” I said quietly.

I raised a hand and invoked Summon: Holy Spirit.

Light surged from my palm as Dave emerged from a golden sigil. He appeared in full regalia, armor gleaming and sword already drawn.

“It’s fine, My Lord,” Dave said softly. “I don’t resent you.”

Aixin answered with steel.

Her staff appeared in a flare of light, and with a flick of her wrist she conjured the same golden sword that had once impaled me at the Promised Dunes. The golden sword soared with divine fury.

This time, I cast Castling.

Because whatever wore Joan’s face was still flagged as an ally, the skill worked with her. We exchanged places, and the sword meant for me pierced her instead. Blood burst from the wound, yet her eyes only burned hotter.

Dave charged. Their weapons collided with a ringing clash, but before he could press the attack, a massive golden hammer descended from above.

I used Castling again, pulling Dave out of harm’s way and taking the blow myself.

The impact rattled my bones, but I endured it and redirected the reflected damage back at Aixin.

She screamed as the backlash struck, blood spraying from her lips. A single rune ignited in the air, and she vanished in a pulse of divine light, reappearing farther away. Even while hurtling backward, she healed herself and stared at me as though I had murdered her family.

“I’m just glad I’m fighting beside you again,” Dave said. “Even if this may be the last time.”

“No fuss, no fuss,” I replied with a grim smile.

“I am willing to die for you, My Lord.”

I shook my head. “Not happening. You still have a long life ahead of you.”

He tilted his head. “So optimistic, My Lord.”

“Then live my share of it too, okay?”

Confusion rippled through him. I activated Zealot’s Stride and followed it with Flash Step, appearing directly before Aixin. The runes beneath us flared to life. Layer upon layer of divine circuitry wove together into a perfect trap. Some kind of minefield.

She tried to cast another spell, but I was already moving.

“Exorcise.”

Holy light tore through her projection like divine judgment made manifest. Fire, radiance, and purity surged through her, not merely damaging her but severing her connection to the world of memories itself.

The spell existed to remove things that did not belong.

Aixin screamed as the light consumed her. Her body unraveled into burning fragments of power before disintegrating entirely.

Hopefully, the bonuses from my increasing stats would be enough to expel her from the Hollowed World.

However, I knew that was wishful thinking.

“Her spells packed quite a punch.”

The price had been steep. My soul burned from within, frayed and cracked by the strain. I cast Divine Word: Life to stabilize myself, then renewed Blessed Regeneration to keep my body from falling apart.

Dave watched me, and the calm in his expression finally cracked.

“I want to fight beside you until the end, My Lord,” he said quietly. "Please, let me fight with you."

“Sorry. I really am.”

I managed a faint smile before whispering the final command and severing the link of Divine Possession.

“Here’s hoping I’m leaving this world a better place.”

My consciousness lurched. The world twisted as though I had stepped off a spinning platform. I felt the warmth of my bond with Dave fading behind me, like a home whose door I had just closed for the last time.

I did not want to leave him.

But there was no other way.

The plan had been simple, if unforgivable. Mao Xian's soul was forced into slumber, consumed by Divine Word: rest, leaving behind an empty vessel. I had intended to leave Dave there permanently, giving him a life, a future, and a body that could survive what was coming. In practical terms, it was theft. Even if the original owner was asleep, I had still decided another man's body belonged to my friend. I told myself it was necessary. That didn't make it right.

I returned to my body in the Summit Hall.

Everything felt cold, clear, and unnaturally still. My heartbeat thundered louder than the murmurs of the crowd. Before me stood Mao Xian—or rather, Dave in control of Mao Xian's body. The hurt in his eyes struck harder than any weapon.

“Dave,” I muttered. “Forgive me.”

I did not wait for a response.

Reaching into my Item Box, I pulled out a Scroll of Great Teleportation and pressed it into his hand.

“I command you,” I said, invoking my authority as his summoner. “Use it. Tear it open.”

His hand trembled.

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He wanted to stay. I could feel it as clearly as my own thoughts. Yet the scroll obeyed my will. Light engulfed him, and a moment later he was gone.

“Goodbye, friend,” I whispered.

Then Zai Ai rose from her seat.

Her killing intent crashed across the hall without warning. Her eyes gleamed with fury.

“What did you do?” she demanded. “Where is he?”

“He’s safe,” I replied. “I sent him somewhere safer.”

Her jaw tightened.

“And how am I supposed to accept that?”

“Nongmin sent me.”

She faltered for a brief moment before anger flooded back twice as strong.

“Do you really expect me to trust that man with my disciple’s life?”

I did not bother arguing.

“Divine Word: Rest.”

She staggered, but reacted instantly, digging a fingernail into her thigh hard enough to shock herself awake. However, I just cast another Divine Word, empowered with qi and mana at the same time.

“Divine Word: Rest.”

This time, she crumpled.

I caught her before she hit the floor and gently lowered her back into her seat. Her breathing steadied as the regeneration spell bathed her in a faint glow.

By then, the hall had erupted.

Cultivators leapt to their feet. Swords flashed from scabbards. Talismans ignited in trembling hands. Panic and hostility spread through the chamber as every eye fixed on me.

Tao Long approached, one hand resting on his spear.

“Lord Wei,” he said cautiously. “What’s happening?”

I looked down at my trembling hands. It was not caused by fear, but strain. The mana cost of my Ultimate Skills was piling up, and the real battle had not even begun.

“I’m giving the Hollowed World a fighting chance,” I said to Tao Long and raised my voice for everyone to hear. “If Aixin gets what she wants, it’s over. This loop, this timeline, everything breaks. And when it does, none of us will matter anymore.”

Their expressions told me they did not understand.

I had never expected them to.

“She’s trying to possess me. My body. If I die under the right conditions, she wins. So I can’t die. Not now. Not before this is over. If death comes for me, it will be on my terms.”

I walked toward the center of the hall.

Each step echoed through the silence.

The power of Exalted Renewal surged through my body, flooding every muscle with unbearable strength and equally unbearable strain. My breath alone stirred the air.

It was a ridiculous spell.

Originally, it had been a resurrection skill that consumed experience points. During the beta, each resurrection even made players stronger. Later, the developers changed it. Now, Exalted Renewal continuously converted experience into raw attributes with additional effects.

As long as I had mana and life to burn, I could cast Divine Word spells without worrying about limited spell slots. It was a resurrection spell that could kill me through overuse. There was something almost poetic about that.

Yi Qiu stepped into my path and his hand landed on my shoulder.

“You’re causing trouble,” he said, eyes narrowed.

“Could you please let go?”

I thought he would refuse. Instead, he slowly released my shoulder. Only then did I realize I was gripping his forearm. When I let go, a deep purple bruise marred his skin. I had not even noticed myself doing it.

Yi Qiu's fist came at me fast, driven by bloodlust, instinct, or pride. Maybe all three. I did not bother blocking, and let the blow land. Instead, his arm ruptured. He stumbled backward with a sharp gasp, staring at the mangled limb in disbelief. I gave him no opportunity to recover.

I tapped his chest with a single finger and activated War Smite.

The knockback did the rest.

Yi Qiu flew across the hall and crashed into a pillar with enough force to shatter it. Stone exploded into rubble, and dust rolled through the chamber.

The chamber fell silent.

“No fuss. No fuss.” I said unbothered.

Silence gripped the Summit Hall. Only the rustle of robes, the creak of polished wood, and the faint hum of restrained killing intent disturbed the stillness. I continued walking. My steps carried me to the one person who should have already been gone.

“Shan Dian,” I said softly, recalling the memories within Mao Xian about how he killed this particular cultivator. “I’m sorry I couldn't save you.”

A knowing smile touched her lips while madness flickered behind her eyes. Slowly, the curse returned. Black veins spread across my skin. Stone-like cracks crawled up my arms. This time, however, it failed. The petrification slowed, halted, and began to retreat.

Exalted Renewal devoured the affliction, converting its damage into resistance. Every pulse of the curse only strengthened me. Defense. Speed. Power. Will. The blessing transformed my body into something increasingly removed from mortality.

Shan Dian realized it too late, but she fought nonetheless.

Lightning flashed.

A short sword pierced the space between us and drove into the vulnerable spot behind my jaw. Her strike was flawless. The blade buried itself deep in my neck as divine electricity surged through my nervous system.

My Reflect passive did not trigger. Perhaps the attack had been too fast for Reflect to trigger.

“I’ll make it painless,” I whispered. “Divine Word: Rest.”

Her eyes widened as the tension left her body. She slumped against me, the sword still lodged in my throat. I pulled it free and watched the wound seal itself almost instantly beneath strands of glowing light. Carefully, I lowered her into my arms.

The cultivators watching the entire thing erupted.

“You monster!”

“Let her go!”

“Who do you think you are?!”

Tian En's voice cut through the chaos.

“Let her go.”

Her fan sliced through the air. Gravity collapsed around me. Space warped and compressed with terrifying precision. Shan Dian rose from my grasp, untouched by the distortion. Tian En's control was impeccable. However, it simply wasn't enough.

I exhaled and allowed Reflect to do its work.

The force rebounded.

Tian En stiffened. Her fingers spasmed, and then she collapsed. The backlash destroyed her from within. The light faded from her eyes, and her body struck the polished floor without another sound. Even the most foolish cultivator understood what had just happened.

I turned back to Shan Dian. She slept peacefully, her breathing calm and steady. With solemn care, I guided her own short sword to her neck and drew it across in a single clean motion. Her head separated without resistance. I caught her head before it could fall.

Placing it beside her folded arms, I wrapped her fingers around the sword and arranged her body upon the dais as though she had merely fallen asleep after a long journey.

I sat in Nongmin's chair and summoned an Extreme Mana Potion from my Item Box. The liquid burned down my throat as it restored my dwindling reserves. My heart beat steadily within my chest, like a war drum counting down the seconds.

Yi Qiu roared. His fury shattered the silence as he launched himself toward me.

I did not even bother to look his way.

“Divine Word: Rest.”

His momentum vanished instantly. He folded in midair and crashed back into his chair, sending dust and splinters into the air before slumping unconscious.

Several beast cultivators had already abandoned their transformed forms and fled for the exits. I recognized some of them. Quiet people. Humble people. Cowards, perhaps. But not evil. Let them go, I thought. Let the survivors survive.

More cultivators followed.

“Cowards!” someone screamed.

The hall split in two between those who fled and those who charged toward me with drawn blades, furious chants, and murder burning in their eyes.

I cast Designate Holy Enemy again and again until my mana strained under the burden. Every cultivator whose crimes I remembered from the lived memories, every monster wearing human skin, the traffickers, village burners, and tormentors of spirits, received the mark.

A reversed crimson cross appeared above their heads, glowing with divine judgment.

"Holy Smite."

Halos formed above each condemned soul. A chorus of chimes rang through the hall as arrows of pure light descended from the heavens.

Flesh, spirit, and memory vanished beneath divine wrath. Screams lasted only moments before dissolving into silence. When the light faded, nothing remained but charred gore and scattered remains.

The survivors froze.

No one ran. No one spoke.

They simply stood there, crushed beneath the weight of fear.

“Let’s end this long cycle of suffering and become better people together, my fellow Daoists.

“We've inherited grudges older than our names, fought wars we no longer understand, and sacrificed too many good souls on the altar of pride and power. I'm not asking you to forget your pain. I'm asking you to stop passing it forward.

“Cultivation was never meant to divide us. It was meant to refine us, to burn away ignorance through discipline and understanding.

“If your path has led you to hatred, then your foundation is flawed. If your strength comes from making others kneel, then you've already lost the heavens.

“Today, I killed not to dominate, but to draw a line.

“No more cruelty.

“No more excuses.

“No more rot dressed as righteousness.

“Look around. This is what happens when fear shapes the future.

“But it doesn't have to end this way.”

I raised an open hand.

“We can still rebuild. We can still move forward together.

“Not as enemies. Not as sects.

“But as people.”

With a wave of my hand, I cast Divine Word: Raise on Tian En. Life flowed back into her body like a river reversing its course. She gasped and pushed herself upright with trembling arms. She saw the hall, filled with corpses, blood, and the lingering traces of Holy Smite burned into the stone.

Confusion turned to horror.

The surviving cultivators dropped to their knees.

At first, the silence lingered. Then foreheads struck stone in unison.

One voice broke the stillness.

“We repent, Holy One.”

Another joined, and then dozens more.

“We repent, Holy One. We repent.”

The words became a chant, desperate and trembling. Holy One. The title twisted inside my chest. I wasn't holy. I had never been holy. Perhaps that was exactly why they believed I was. I drew a breath and addressed them.

“Spread the word.

“Leave this place and tell the world what happened here. Tell them there exists a creature willing to strike down anyone who knowingly chooses cruelty, exploitation, or evil.

“Teach them what is right. Not through fear, but through truth and choice.

“If lightning falls upon their heads, if misfortune follows their steps, let them believe it was me.”

I met their eyes. Some wept. Some trembled. All listened.

“But if a second chance finds them, if they become better than they were yesterday, then that wasn't me.

“That choice was always theirs.”

I pointed toward the exit.

“Now go. Before I change my mind.”

For a moment, nobody moved. Then one cultivator rose and fled. Swordlight flashed beneath her feet as she vanished into the distance. I did not stop her. The others followed, running, flying, and stumbling over themselves in their haste to escape. Within moments, dozens of figures scattered across the horizon like leaves caught in a storm.

Finally, I was alone.

Silence returned to the Summit Hall.

My body trembled beneath the strain of Exalted Renewal. I had pushed the skill beyond its limits. Every second drained more mana, more experience, and more of myself. Yet it had worked.

I released a slow breath.

If death was waiting for me, it was far quieter than I had imagined.

And for the first time in a long while, I wasn't afraid.

Not anymore.