Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 335 - 312 The Power of Impermanence 32

Chapter 335: 312 The Power of Impermanence 32

At the same time, her soul was extensively refined by me, and its corresponding material appeared within my flames.

Previously, I had killed Water Navy Xuanwu, and after the automatic refinement of its soul by the flames, what I received was still "slag". It was just overwhelmingly massive in size, essentially no different from the substance obtained after killing Chen Long and the Divine Spear. However, this time, I deliberately showed mercy towards Yinyue, with the intent of not killing her. Firstly, killing Yinyue would mean Changan could not be saved; secondly, I also wanted to conduct an experiment to see if, with the intention of Artifact Refining in mind while wielding the flames, a different outcome could be achieved.

Whether "slag" is obtained from an enemy has nothing to do with whether the enemy is dead or not. As long as damage is done to the soul, "slag" will appear. The Artifact Refining Power inherently within the Vermilion Bird Seed likely follows the same logic.

Unfortunately, what appeared within the flames this time was still the black "slag".

I had burned so many high-Rank souls, including exceptional cases like Water Navy Xuanwu and Yinyue, and now my "slag" inventory has become quite substantial. But what use do I have for so much "trash"? In the past, I might have thought the "slag" could possibly have some special function, but ever since I understood my true power should be focused on Artifact Refining, I found it hard to hold any expectations for the "slag".

I could only loosen my giant flaming hand, and Yinyue, having been burned to the point of complete unconsciousness, looked no different from charred remains; her slender body fell to the ground. If it were someone else, they might think it was already a corpse, but since I burned her with the thought of "do not kill" in mind, even though my flames were of Impermanence, it was impossible to actually kill her.

Since she was not willing to willingly revert to Changan, then I would find a way myself. Taking advantage of her soul’s unprecedented weakness, I pulled out the Fake Water Moon, then leaned over, stretched out my hand, pried open her eyelids with a finger, and aligned the mirror surface of the Magic Artifact with her glazed eyes.

"Lofty pillars once stood, in an instant, toppled—"

I imitated Mazao’s past methods and clearly recited the spell, then activated the power of the Fake Water Moon: "—Mirror Flowers and Water Moon, aimlessly coming and going."

Yinyue’s eyes and the mirror surface of the Fake Water Moon aligned, forming an interreflecting mirror, within which there appeared to be an endless, mysteriously attractive corridor maze. And I, without any struggle, wholeheartedly gazed at this corridor maze, allowing my Spirit to be drawn in like a magnet, and entered into this illusionary realm of Mirror Flowers and Water Moon.

When I came back to my senses, I was no longer atop the half-destroyed Moon Concealing Mountain.

The surrounding scene turned into a mysteriously familiar mansion garden. The sky was dim, and it was about sunset; the western sky was filled with crimson clouds, while the other half had already become tile blue. With a quick survey of my surroundings, I realized where I was.

This was the Zhu family mansion.

The real Zhu family mansion was already destroyed during Chen Long’s invasion and had been abandoned by Mr. Zhu. Clearly, this mansion garden was a dream scenario. Judging from the sunlight and ambient temperature, the dream’s setting was in the spring-summer season, and the surrounding plant species and growth conditions were also somewhat different, so at first glance, I almost didn’t recognize it. It seems I have successfully entered Yinyue’s Spirit World.

However, the fact that Yinyue’s Spirit World would be the Zhu family mansion was unexpected to me. Mr. Zhu would never allow Yinyue into the Zhu family mansion, and even if Yinyue had really sneaked in in reality, the mansion should not appear in her dream.

When I entered Mazao’s Spirit World in the past, the reason I saw the Evangelical Institute of the Doomsday Era was that the Doomsday Era was the most impactful memory for Mazao, and the Evangelical Institute was where she had received training from the Blessed Monk, possibly similar to one’s home or school. Even if she gradually forgot under the corrosion of Frenzy, it would undoubtedly hold a significant place unconsciously.

For Yinyue, is the Zhu family mansion really so important that she would even dream about it?

Upon this thought, an answer appeared in my mind. Perhaps this place is not "Yinyue’s Spirit World," but rather "Changan’s Spirit World."

Changan’s spirit is indeed still alive within Yinyue’s consciousness.

Although Yinyue said she could erase Changan’s memory, it seems she hasn’t done so.

There are two conceivable reasons: either she can’t do it, or she can, but there would be an unacceptably high price to pay.

It could also be because even though she could do it without any cost, she was caught by me before she had the chance; or perhaps because she still has some feelings for Changan, the son she had with her adopted son Ying Lingyun, and couldn’t bear to erase him... Whichever possibility, both seem highly unlikely.

Since she already sees me as an enemy that must be fully restored before she can deal with me, she shouldn’t leave any psychological weaknesses. To say that such a cold and cruel demon would have extra feelings for a son she has never met, who she sees as a "revival" vessel, feels like an excessive fantasy just thinking about it.

I put aside these distracting thoughts and decided to investigate this dream first, then ventured deeper into the garden.

Soon, I arrived at the gate of the Zhu family’s residence.

Speaking of investigation, what exactly should be investigated and in which direction? I am completely clueless about this and can only take steps as they come, combining them with my own limited knowledge to grope for the correct approach.

First of all, since this is Changan’s Spirit World, then Changan should be somewhere here.

Perhaps I should find him first, then motivate him, help him overcome Yinyue’s spirit. Although this is Changan’s Spirit World, considering that Changan is now Yinyue’s host, Yinyue’s spirit should also be hiding in some corner of this Spirit World.

In many fantasy stories, there’s the "protagonist defeats their evil side in the Spirit World" trope, which should be a conventional development up to this point. Although it is wrong to apply fantasy stories to the real world, I can’t find any other references right now and have to go ahead with it anyway.

Just then, I heard footsteps from afar. They were coming from the direction I came from. Looking towards there, I saw a child walking over from the narrow path in the middle of the garden.

It was a boy wearing a primary school uniform and carrying a black schoolbag. He seemed to be in low spirits, head bowed, staring at the tips of his shoes as he walked.

At first, he didn’t notice me, until he got close and my shadow caught his eye, then he looked up in surprise, revealing his face.

It was Changan.

To be exact, it was Changan as a child.

Although I met Changan in university and had never seen his primary school appearance, this primary school boy bore many trademarks of Changan. Considering the location, it couldn’t be anyone else.

Wait a minute... it might not be without other possibilities. Could this primary school boy be Ying Lingyun? I heard that Ying Lingyun and Zhu Shi had been childhood sweethearts, and they knew each other since primary school. Since they were childhood sweethearts, it seems normal to visit each other occasionally.

Moreover, since Yinyue would have been Ying Lingyun’s mother from that time, it’s possible she secretly observed Ying Lingyun’s activities, so the memory of her son’s frequent visits from a young age was deeply imprinted, occasionally surfacing in the dream.

The story of a Great Evil mother and demon hunter childhood sweetheart feels like it would have many tales... But there are more pressing matters at hand, so I shouldn’t dwell on that now.

Looking at the young boy before me, just to be sure, I specifically confirmed: "Changan... is that you?"

"Who... who are you?"

The little boy took a fearful step back, seemingly not recognizing me.

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