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Chapter 1678 Final Chapter: Crossing the Shore [22] "He seems to be truly fearless now."

Chapter 1678 Final Chapter: Crossing the Shore [22]: "He seems to be truly fearless now."

Rowasa, East District, Desert National Highway.

A dilapidated heavy pickup truck sped across the sand, with a group of young people crammed inside, looking around curiously.

Cigarette ash occasionally drifted out of the window. The driver was a scarred man with a stubble beard, one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on the window, smoking.

"Holy crap, what's going on? It's dawn!"

A round, brown head peeked out and saw the flickering lights in the distance.

"Brother Wang, pull your head back, don't bump it!" Chen Yuhang quickly pulled the curious Wang Xingkong back into the car.

The escort team heading to the Central Kingdom passed through several teleportation arrays and defensive lines without incident. However, as dusk fell, the sky grew increasingly bright. From a distance, Wang Xingkong spotted the enormous eye.

Si Nian glanced at it, then slowly lit a cigarette: "What's the panic? It's a battle of gods, the fire won't touch us."

Wang Xingkong nodded immediately.

The world was in chaos and disorder, and their smooth journey was all thanks to Si Nian. Shortly after they left the battlefield, a group of emaciated refugees blocked the road, and it was Si Nian who persuaded them to pass.

During this period, Si Nian fully demonstrated what "survival wisdom" means. Robbers disguised as refugees, unscrupulous merchants who demanded exorbitant prices, petty officials who took advantage of the chaos to extort money, and people seeking help whose identities were hard to discern... almost every time, Si Nian turned danger into safety thanks to his unbelievable survival rules as a seasoned veteran.

Feigning ignorance, playing dumb, showing weakness, acting shamelessly, cheating and swindling...

The others in the team went from initial shock to gradually getting used to it.

They stood too high, blinded by lofty words like "civilization," "gods," "destiny," and "freedom," never imagining that the lower levels of Rovasa would be like this.

Finally, the dilapidated pickup truck arrived at a large city with a teleportation array. After being teleported, they arrived at a settlement near the Central Kingdom.

Now that they've arrived, all they need to do is wait for Su Ming'an's signal. Once Su Ming'an has the Holy Sword, their group will head to hand it over.

"Why not go now?" Wang Xingkong asked naively.

"It's a complete mess over there, the whole place is full of sacrifices, are you sure you can survive?" Hang Xin, with her golden ponytail and air of a young lady, snorted, "Of course I'll wait for them to come out."

...Okay. Wang Xingkong raises his hands in surrender.

This settlement is a small, chaotic community located outside the city, making it easy to hide.

The group entered the settlement.

The towering palace of the world's ruler lay in the distance, occasionally punctuated by the thunderous flashes of sword light. The sky was sometimes as white as day, sometimes as dark as night, and occasionally a hot wind carrying the smell of burning would blow. But the people in the settlement seemed to have grown accustomed to it all.

The streets were narrow and muddy, crammed with crooked shacks, tents, and makeshift shelters. The air was thick with the stench of cheap alcohol, cheap spices, and food. People's faces bore the sallow complexion of long-term malnutrition, their eyes filled with a numb, busyness.

Chen Yuhang saw people exchanging moldy bread for necessities. There were also groups of people arguing loudly over a small, clean patch of land. The sharp cries of children and the shrill curses of women could often be heard.

"Ugh……"

He covered his ears.

Mo Yan frowned, clearly not used to the environment. Wang Zhenzhen, holding her books, calmly surveyed the surroundings.

Chen Yuhang felt uneasy; this place was completely different from the "land of heroes" he had imagined.

"Why... why is this place so... mediocre, even though it's not far from the place that determines the fate of the entire world..." He thought to himself.

He subconsciously touched his pocket; the note was already burned, but the phrase Su Ming'an had written, "slaying gods," weighed heavily on his heart. Waiting for fate's call in such a place felt... utterly absurd.

Is this the kind of humble place where heroes wait to be handed over?

Where is the temple? Where is the underground sanctuary? Where is the graveyard filled with crosses? Where is Sky Island? Why does this place look nothing like the grand final scenes depicted in so many games?

So this is what the bottom of Rovasa looks like... The colorful legends in his mind gradually began to fade.

Suddenly, Xiaoxiao stopped in her tracks.

"Look..." he said, trembling, "isn't that person...?"

Their gaze fell upon a three-story building. Through a gap in the curtains, they could see a warm light shining inside, and two people sat at a wooden table. A mother who looked to be in her forties was gently feeding something to the young girl opposite her.

The girl, about ten years old, had braids and was smiling up at her mother while eating, her eyes sparkling.

Simple food was laid out on the table, with steam rising from the bread and soup.

Tranquil and warm.

This is enough to show how happy this mother and daughter are.

However, both Xiaoxiao and Wang Zhenzhen's bodies stiffened.

The others were somewhat confused: "Who are they?"

Wang Zhenzhen covered her mouth, her face showing disbelief: "Brother Xiaoxiao...that, that's not...Su Ming'an's...mother?"

Chen Yuhang, who was standing nearby, felt his heart leap. He immediately focused his gaze. Su Ming'an's mother was actually in a place like this?

why?

Why is his mother raising other children, seemingly indifferent to his life or death? Even at a time like this, she's still feeding him soup?

Doesn't she love him?

"Shh..." Xiao Xiao reacted quickly, immediately pulling the group away, "This is none of our business."

Their primary task was to keep a low profile. Although he was indignant—how could a mother be so biased, preferring to raise a child from another world rather than her own son—he knew he couldn't control it. He only hoped Su Ming'an wouldn't find out.

They lit a fire and waited for news.

As the cold night deepened, the rumbling from the direction of the distant palace seemed to subside somewhat.

"Eat up, have something to eat." Si Nian distributed the food to everyone.

Wang Xingkong was already starving, and he immediately wolfed down his food, saying indistinctly, "Brother Si Nian... you're amazing. If it were me, I couldn't even get a moldy pancake... how did you do it?"

Si Nian lifted his eyelids and glanced at him: "Here, money isn't always useful. You have to understand the rules, know who you can deal with, and who you should avoid. I saw a one-armed old man. He used to be a kitchen helper. He loves to smoke. I traded half a pack of tobacco for this pot of soup."

Wang Xingkong was stunned. He had always thought that Si Nian was just a cunning old soldier, but along the way, he suddenly realized that in such an extreme environment, Si Nian's survival wisdom, which he had learned through hardship, was probably more practical than Mo Yan's upright swordsmanship.

"Hey, did you guys really come from the Mingxi Campus instance?" At this moment, Wang Zhenzhen, who had been curious all along, couldn't hold back any longer and asked Wang Xingkong and Chen Yuhang.

Chen Yuhang opened his mouth, feeling that once he came out of the dungeon, he was just an NPC in the eyes of the players, as if he were inferior...

"Slap!" A sunny voice rang out, and Wang Xingkong patted Chen Yuhang on the shoulder. "Yeah! I'm Chen Yuhang's good buddy! Life is so routine, going to school, taking exams, listening to my parents nagging, it's so boring. I thought life can't be so predictable, so we came down."

"It really is Brother Wang!" Xiao Xiao also peeked over. "We met in the third dungeon. Do you remember me? I'm the healer. I found your human skin. Zhenzhen is the student I rescued."

"Hahaha... Hahaha... Well..." Wang Xingkong scratched his face, "Actually, everyone says that the Disciple Game is a fake of World Game. So, I guess I'm not the real thing..."

He had no memory of Xiaoxiao or Wang Zhenzhen, and he knew he was probably not the Wang Xingkong that the players were familiar with.

He might just be... an imposter.

Both his parents are from Zhai Xingren, while his true nature is that of an NPC, so they can't possibly recognize each other...

Seeing this, Mo Yan quickly came to the rescue, saying, "It's my turn! Um... Hello everyone, I'm a swordsman, and I'm pretty good at it. I heard there was an escort mission here, so I came to help."

"I know! I know you!" Wang Zhenzhen immediately ignored Wang Xingkong's embarrassment. "Sword Sect! Xiaoyaozi!"

Mo Yan's cheeks instantly turned bright red.

Before he could stop her, Wang Zhenzhen jumped up, picked up a wooden stick, and swung it around vigorously, shouting:

Youthful days and old age pass in the blink of an eye. The way of Heaven is constant, endlessly cycling—

Ahhhhhh—Mo Yan's hands froze, his cheeks flushed red.

He waved his arms, trying to tell Wang Zhenzhen to stop performing; he didn't want to watch this!

"What do we have to fear in a contest of the Great Dao!" Wang Zhenzhen raised her wooden stick straight up, as if piercing the sky, and shouted, "Mo Yan, disciple of Xiaoyaozi of the Sword Sect, will learn from your superior skills!"

"Alright, alright, alright!" Mo Yan's cheeks flushed, and she quickly pulled Wang Zhenzhen down to sit. "No, no, no, I called you 'sister' already. Sister! Stop. It's not something you can use in every situation; I only say it when I'm absolutely determined to die. I've only said it twice!"

"But Brother Mo Yan survived, so it's more like a sure-fire victory statement!"

"Hmm..." Mo Yan suddenly felt a little smug, but also a little embarrassed. "That's right, a sure-win phrase!"

However, if he hadn't won, he wouldn't have gotten this far; this should be called survivor bias...

His master taught him that in battle, one must be single-minded, casting aside all concerns and focusing solely on the sword. It was this swordsmanship that allowed him to face death without fear.

The mother and daughter, Talia and Hangxin, listened attentively. Talia looked at the crowd and solemnly said, "I am incredibly grateful for your arrival, warriors from another world. Please do not heed the words of some selfish people. As long as you can save this world, I don't care even if it means taking my life."

"You're too kind. We're not as great as you imagine." Mo Yan quickly waved his hand. "Of course, Big Brother is very great!"

“So, I can’t understand it either…” Talia squeezed her daughter’s hand back, “How could a mother… treat her own child like that? He’s not a sinful child, why would she do that?”

The silence lasted for a while.

No one could answer that; perhaps only Lin Wang'an himself knew the answer.

"What about you two? You haven't said anything yet?" To break the silence, Wang Xingkong set his sights on Xiao Xiao and Wang Zhenzhen.

The young couple looked at each other and laughed.

“Zhenzhen and I are just ordinary players.” Xiaoxiao put her arm around Wang Zhenzhen’s shoulder. “There are no earth-shattering stories or epic love and hate tales. We’re no different from most players, just adventuring peacefully and living our lives peacefully. Today’s escort mission is probably the most remarkable event we’ve ever participated in. We’ll be able to show our face to our neighbors and relatives in the future.”

"Hehe, we came here to accumulate points for buying a house in the future," Wang Zhenzhen laughed. "If we want to live well in the future, we need to accumulate more points. We're willing to take a little risk."

"I will protect Zhenzhen." The new dad patted his chest solemnly. "Even if a higher dimension stands in my way, even if the heavens and earth collapse!"

Wang Zhenzhen laughed and patted his shoulder: "If the sky really collapses, you have to be the first to hold it up!"

"From now on, I promise I will never let Zhenzhen get hurt!" Xiaoxiao raised her finger and swore.

His confident assertion caused a burst of laughter from the crowd, the fire crackled, and everyone's face turned rosy.

Different worlds, different origins, different reasons, yet a group of people have gathered here.

A yearning for adventure to escape the mundane, a chivalrous spirit to repay kindness and keep promises, a heavy responsibility entrusted by friends, and a sweet desire for happiness... A group of companions who have gathered here for their own goals share food, warmth, and love.

Beside the small campfire, Chen Yuhang listened quietly, a strange warmth welling up in his heart.

He came from an ordinary high school classroom, without the epic tales of players traversing the world and witnessing countless tragedies, without the power and heritage of the local Rovasa. He was just an ordinary teenager who was accidentally drawn into the situation.

Fortunately, he had Brother Wang by his side, just like him.

Sitting here, listening to these people from all over the country chatting, the boy seemed to gradually understand why adults liked to sit together and talk about everything under the sun during the New Year. Under the boundless sky, no matter how strong the winds and waves in the distance, the world seemed to shrink into a tiny dot. Only the simplest language could gently lift up countless kinds of pain, persistence, longing, entanglement, wishes, and ideals...

Yes, even if it's just a fleeting moment, even if humanity is only a fleeting moment compared to the vastness of the universe... it's not meaningless.

Even in a sea of ​​sand destined to be buried, even if no footprints are left, the warmth and emotion felt at this moment... are still meaningful.

Was that savior, Su Ming'an, also harboring similar thoughts and visions, and therefore never giving up?

They just wanted to do something for the world, even if it was dangerous, even if they were just immature kids, so what?

He doesn't regret coming here. His good buddy Wang Xingkong is still by his side, always making a ruckus, and he'll be able to safely deliver the "key" entrusted to him by Su Ming'an. As long as he can walk this path together with these genuine and lovely people...

He seems to have truly become fearless.

Saints are high above, sinners are far away.

They are a group of ordinary people who yearn for happiness and are always smiling.

……

Rovasa, Central Country, Temple Square.

"boom--!"

The magnificent temple, which had stood for countless ages, crumbled with a long, resounding roar. The stained glass turned to dust, raising clouds of dust and golden light that blotted out the sky.

Before the dust had settled, a figure emerged from the ruins.

He treads upon broken grape blossoms and the remains of holy icons, as if echoes reverberate behind him.

The crown on his head had long since shattered, and the elaborate holy robes had been transformed into a tattered cloak, with white and gold light flowing behind him.

"call--"

The soft sound of wings spreading.

A pair of pure white, enormous tentacles, composed of countless shimmering tentacles, gracefully unfolded from behind him, gently closing to protect him at the center.

As he slowly raised the holy sword in his hand, the first ray of light pierced through the dust and mist—

All eyes are on this.

The players, battered and bruised from the fierce battle, raised their heads; the spectators in the distance held their breath.

In his perception of external time, he had only been in the "House of Saints" for a short while. When he emerged again, the entire temple, which symbolized the core of the faith of the old era, had completely collapsed, as if a glorious yet somber era had come to an end behind him.

Su Ming'an lightly touched the ruins with his toes, and his figure shot into the sky like an arrow released from a bow.

Closely following him was a figure with black wings flapping, white hair stained with undried blood, flying backward in the wind.

"...It's Su Ming'an."

"It's Su Ming'an and Lü Shu."

"They've come out; they seem to be safe and sound."

What happened when Hui Chi killed Hui Bi? What conspiracy or trickery was involved?

"Fortunately, Su Ming'an is alright."

Whispers drifted on the wind amidst the ruins. The moment they saw Su Ming'an, almost every player relaxed, as if they had seen a reassuring savior.

Su Mingan steadied himself in mid-air and looked up.

He saw that figure.