Welcome to Rewind World Game
Chapter 554 - 551 · TE · Day of Blossoming (Part 1)

Chapter 554: Chapter 551 · TE · Day of Blossoming (Part 1)

[I can’t tell you: In my confrontation and compromise with this world.]

[You are all part of it.]

[So I remain at a loss,]

[unable to account for this pain that cuts to the bone.]

[Just thinking of you, the world reverses in a bright halo of light.]

[Some things we thought eternal, including time,]

[are easily shattered.]

[—(Yu Xiuhua)]

...

"—No matter how they see us as ’heretics,’ you won’t give up, will you?"

Su Ming’an looked into Xiber’s eyes.

Her eyes still held a wilderness-like calm—reminding one of soaring eagles, prairies, and wind.

In the blink of an eye, his gaze intersected with hers, locked by the night wind, as if a sudden tug-of-war had begun.

She stared at him intently, her eyes meeting his, those pale eyes brewing a solitude that could watch through the night.

"I really shouldn’t hesitate."

She let go of his restraining hand.

"Go," she said,

"—Become a god among madmen."

Su Ming’an glanced at her, his hand reaching out further.

Finally, he touched that authority.

"Whoosh—!"

The moment he grasped the authority, it turned into a ring of black crow bracelets, hanging on his wrist.

"Tinkle—tinkle—"

Three black bracelets, swaying on Su Ming’an’s wrist, clinked with a crisp sound, carrying a strange rhythm.

Prostrate bleating black lambs, twisted crawling black pythons, and nearly soaring black crows.

The protruding inscriptions, as if suddenly coming to life, emerged, a mysterious and profound aura rushing forth, as if one could see ancient paintings of man and hunt, and glimpses of knives and fire in the primal forests.

They opened three pairs of blood-red eyes.

Su Ming’an’s heart was filled with immense emotions in an instant.

At that moment, he felt he could perceive the joys and sorrows of the people of Qiongdi, touching their rich and flourishing emotions.

The sorrow of losing relatives, the anger tortured by destiny, the despair of the canopy curse invasion, the oppression of a blind tomorrow...

He seemed to hear their hearts’ wailing, hearing the unbearable load of their souls—

—Why must we be born to bear a curse!?

—Why is devoted faith mocked? Why do those who truly uphold faith not meet a perfect end?

—Why, no matter how we struggle, are we only clipped of wings, forbidden from glimpsing the sunlight?

—If the deity can hear us—come quickly, come quickly—

—We offer our faith, will, life, soul—all to you—

—We beseech you—

—Redeem our indomitable wild souls.

Around him, powerful white tendrils spread outwards, rapidly breaking through the ancient castle.

They tore through the atmosphere, burned the sky, almost breaking through the layered black veils, like the primordial light of ancient times, a thousand falling meteors, raising a howl that the entirety of Qiongdi could hear.

At this moment, the living-like Canopy Curse was pressing down over the entire Qiongdi, the heavy rain cascading in dark granules, like rolling waves of deep black rain, akin to the apocalypse.

He was lifted by a force, flying high into the sky along the broken castle, staring directly at the descending Canopy Curse—

—’Tower of London’ broke.

—A black raven cried out and soared into the boundless canopy.

...

[—Five years ago, the Canopy Curse descended.]

[—Qiongdi fell into destruction, people panicked and fled as if the end of the world was upon them.]

...

In the forest, a little boy clutching candy looked up at the sky.

At that moment, as the Canopy Curse descended, his ears filled with the crackling of fires, the roaring of curse-laden rain, the sizzling of the Canopy Curse pressing down, the hoarse screams of people, cries of despair, and sounds of fleeing.

"Feng Qiqi, let’s go, we have to return to the tribe! The Canopy Curse has descended, it’s very dangerous now!" The Great Elder beside him reached out to pull him.

However, Feng Qiqi did not move.

"Great Elder, look, what is that?" he pointed towards the sky.

He saw a brilliant white figure in the sky.

That dimly visible white figure, standing over the high forest, like a bird soaring into the sky, like the brightest sun.

So bright, so very bright.

It was like a beam of light tearing through the endless darkness.

It rose from the direction of the castle, getting closer and closer to the Canopy Curse.

The daylight was so intense that Feng Qiqi’s eyes blurred, and even the burning scars felt no pain.

"...Is that the legendary Bai Shen?" he said.

...

[—At that time, Bai Shen appeared before the people’s eyes, transformed into a shield with his divinity, blocked the Canopy Curse, blessed the tribesmen, and perished henceforth.]

...

[—This is the eternal ending.]

...

At that moment, a silent but imposing aura enveloped the area.

The fleeing people heard a sound like a whisper on the wind.

When they looked up, they could see their deity—standing amidst the high skies.

The people and He watched each other across a brilliant white mist for a long time, His radiant glow dyeing the Qiongdi into a dazzling bright white.

The white light obscured His face, and they couldn’t make out His features.

However, the people knew.

—That was the Deity.

—That was Bai Shen, whom they had believed in for a century, who would protect them, dispel curses, and symbolize perfection.

The air seemed to freeze.

The daylight abruptly stopped, the black mist frozen.

In the heavens and earth, countless creatures...

Seemed enveloped in still amber.

No one fled in panic anymore; they uniformly knelt on the ground, bowed their heads, prayed, and devoted a loyalty that could almost ignite their souls to that descending figure.

Their lifetime of piety was especially clear at this moment.

In the sky, the only moving white figure, slowly ascended further into the high heavens.

This was the sole movement in the stillness, carrying a sense of spatial displacement, brushing past numerous frozen figures.

In the endless silence, only He ascended toward the firmament, as if stepping on invisible stairs.

Following Him was a figure, slender and petite, like a shadow following its form.

...

[Long, long ago...]

[There was a kind, just, and merciful deity.]

[He represented unity and perfection and would descend to Qiongdi in times of disaster to protect the people.]

[Thus, the land of Qiongdi was fertile, the winds fair, and the rains timely. The pious clanspeople lived in peace and happiness, with bountiful wheat harvests.]

[He was Bai Shen.]

[Five years ago, He first appeared before the people, as fleeting as an epiphyllum.]

...

The black canopy curse was drawing ever nearer.

Xiber could feel the emotions of the Qiongdi people—so vivid, so clear... their fear of disaster, their faith in the Deity, their confusion about the future, their sadness at losing loved ones...

She followed the brilliant white deity—Bai Shen Su Ming’an.

Fine light and shadows scattered and shimmered on him, it was not hard to imagine the halo kissing his shadow. Though he was near her, he seemed as distant as a fragile dream.

He stood in the air, supported by white tendrils, getting closer to the Canopy Curse devastating Qiongdi.

Just now, upon receiving the Black Crow Authority, he heard a faint murmuring voice.

...

[You will bear the evil of Qiongdi, carry all the pain, and share every curse afflicted.]

[You will accept all faiths, whether good or evil, and you will love each person equally.]

[—You must forget your pain, sorrow, and joy.]

...

[Bai Shen Laersas grants you the role of ’Bai Shen’.]

[—My dear ’Successor’.]

...

Su Ming’an knew what role he was playing now.

Xiber’s faith was not enough to create a powerful Fantasy Creation—it was Bai Shen’s favor that secretly helped her create this Fantasy Creation together.

—This Fantasy Creation was a suited adapter for Bai Shen.

—Just as Yuan Shuangshuang was to Jiu Shen.

Now, as Su Ming’an returned to the past, Bai Shen’s will merged within him—now, he and Bai Shen were one.

Step by step, he ascended upwards, with Xiber following behind him, obscured by the radiant light, like a twisted shadow.

Su Ming’an extended his hand, his wrist moving.

He was an outsider, a traveler; he would eventually leave this place. He became Bai Shen only to perfectly pass the game.

When it was time to leave, he couldn’t take anything of Bai Shen’s with him, or he would lose his status as a Player.

"Ding-dong—"

He removed a pitch-black bracelet, which was engraved with a dark lamb.

The Black Lamb bracelet moved, like a galloping black goat, accompanied by endless white light, transformed into a barrier, and soared into the sky—

[Black Lamb Authority, turned into a firmament barrier, blocking the Canopy Curse.]

If it wasn’t turned into a barrier to block the Canopy Curse, Qiongdi would perish at this moment.

—This is why, five years later, it lay in no one’s hands.

He took off a second bracelet and tossed it toward the sky.

The climbing Black Python came out and fell toward the forest, searching for the boy most suited to it—

The boy let go of the colorful candy in his hands and picked up the bracelet that had fallen to the ground.

"Bai Shen has granted me authority; I shall be the deserving ’Son of Bai Shen.’" He closed his eyes and murmured:

"...Cici, when we meet again, I’ll be able to protect you."

"Plop," the candy in his hands fell to the ground, slowly sinking into the hot mud.

[Black Python Authority, possessed by Young Tribe Leader Fengchang, maintains tribal peace.]

The third bracelet lay for a while in Su Ming’an’s palm.

He stared at this bracelet engraved with a black crow, recalling the girl’s quiet and gentle smile, and after a moment, still released his hand.

...

[Su Ming’an, this is of course a loan.]

[—Because, you will eventually return it to me.]

...

"Swish—" The Black Crow soared, darting towards the ancient castle.

In front of a window of the ancient castle, a girl with purple hair quietly stood there, receiving the Black Crow Authority, and curved her lips into a smile.

[The Black Crow Authority is held by "Yuan Shuangshuang" to suppress the density of the curse.]

Su Ming’an raised his hand and looked at the inscription on it.

...

[Reincarnation Line limited prop: Silver Star Replica recording inscription (this prop will play a role in later processes).]

...

This was the reward for the Shadow Authority’s patrol mission; after pushing the patrolling progress to one hundred percent, Shadow traversed Qiongdi and acquired this.

This inscription recorded all the minor Silver Star replicas of Qiongdi including their content, rules, and reward schemes.

He slowly dropped it.

The next moment,

it turned into a flowing light and dispersed, condensing around Qiondgi, forming the various minor Silver Star replicas.

[Cursed Ghost and Human], [Black Lamb and the Night of Dawn]...

Five years later, they would become essential elements of war, becoming battlegrounds for people.

Su Ming’an closed his eyes.

Around him, radiant white tendrils bloomed like petals; they "clustered" and detached, turning into a stream of light rushing toward the direction of the final altar—

[Bai Shen energy, embedded in the final altar as a reward for the Hundred People War.]

To onlookers— it appeared as the white light of Bai Shen suddenly dimmed, turning into nothingness, with only the bright light of the Black Lamb Authority forming a barrier.

This barrier light soaring into the sky, as if it was the body of their revered Bai Shen transforming.

"Swish—!"

The barrier lighted up, expanding, spreading, stretching like a transparent wall, resisting the oppressive terrifying curse, like a lid secured over Qiongdi.

The Canopy Curse ceased its invasion; the barrier halted all calamities beyond protection.

The splendid barrier light, slowly taking shape, like a towering wall, blessed the people below.

And the Bai Shen in the sky had already faded into the darkness, no longer visible to the naked eye, seemingly vanished.

Thus, henceforth the elders of Qiongdi would earnestly teach their children—

...

[Five years ago, a large curse resembling a living creature abruptly appeared in the sky, and Qiongdi was on the brink of danger.]

[Bai Shen, who previously existed only in legends and oracles, truly appeared before the tribe’s people, enshrouded in a strong white light, with an unclear face.]

[Amid the prayers of the tribal people, He transformed into a Canopy blocking the curse, sacrificed Himself, and saved all the believers...]

[...]

[He is our protector—a kind, just, and merciful God.]

...

Su Ming’an breathed lightly, filled with an indescribable emotion.

At this moment—everything in his view seemed clear and pure.

After he had returned everything, a small line of letters spelling [Su Ming’an] gradually condensed in midair, reappearing above his head, representing his player identity.

His long-missing ID since stepping onto the path of Bai Shen now peacefully returned.

In the brilliant, dazzling light, he and Xiber together watched the three dispersed authorities, the energy buried into the final altar, and the gradually forming Silver Star replicas.

The golden radiance, like scattered stars, fell upon the people who watched the white light, representing Bai Shen, rush towards the Canopy Curse, embedding this scene deeply in their hearts, never to be forgotten.

Countless beliefs converged at this moment—the devout tribespeople truly saw the "Deity" they had long believed in.

The five-year mythology was recorded in the oracles passed down by word of mouth, passing on this epic scene—

[Five years ago, Bai Shen descended.]

[Its authorities are—Black Lamb, Black Python, and Black Crow.]

...

At this moment,

Dawn broke across the sky,

Light shone through the ages.

The light illuminated Qiongdi, the tribespeople wept in gratitude, as if all things were revived.

[Bai Shen—descended.]

...

—Thus, a perfect loop.

...

[Perfect Completion Progress: 100%]

...

...

Having done all this, Su Ming’an turned to look at Xiber.

She should have felt despair, for the outer world was doomed, and she had no method left to dispel the curse.

But at this moment, she radiated a calm demeanor, vividly alive.

"Xiber, are you hiding something from me?" he said.

"What?" Xiber looked at him.

Su Ming’an paused for a moment, then said,

"I know, my becoming Bai Shen still doesn’t solve the problem. The reason Qiongdi is cursed is that people’s belief in deities attracts curses from the void.

Bai Shen and Jiu Shen, deities born from the void, as long as people believe in them, the void will reflect the curse back."

—— "So, the only solution is for people to have no faith, or to believe in a deity not from the void. That way, the curse will not be born."

Xiber remained silent, watching him.

She stood within the light shed by the barrier, her pale hair slightly fluttering behind her as if light and heat had never left her.

This indeed was why she wanted to become a deity on her own. Because deities born from human form, not from the void, would not generate a curse as long as people believed in her.

However, she was a heretic; even if she possessed "Authority" and "Energy," she could not gain the final "Faith" needed to become a deity.

This was the reason for her ultimate despair.

"So..."

Su Ming’an took out the rusty key from his backpack.

—— This key had dropped in front of his door at the start of the game.

The key was a physical representation of the "Faith" element; he himself had a white Bai Shen faith key, already collected to 10000/10000.

But this rusty key was at 9850/10000.

A few days ago, while blocking the catastrophe of toxic rain, as he appeared before the people as an incarnation of Bai Shen, it had increased from 9800 by 50 points to 9850.

He thought this was a Jiu Shen faith key that Xiber alone had contributed to a full 9850 points of faith value.

However, when he had just become Bai Shen, the rusty key suddenly increased from 9850 points to 9900 points.

So, it wasn’t a Jiu Shen faith key—it was—

He stared into her eyes.

And Xiber looked back at him calmly, her gaze serene and peaceful.

In that moment, Su Ming’an could no longer see through her; she was like an onion, layer after layer peelable yet endless.

—— "Xiber, this is your own key, right?" he said, looking into her eyes.

By touching the key and noting its numerical change, he deduced a truth.

A truth... he had never imagined.

A sense of terrifying hindsight surged up, gripping his heart.

This rusty key.

It was Xiber’s own key.

—— Xiber created her fantasy creation. Thus, every time her creation became Bai Shen, she gained a portion of the faith points feedback from her creation, a principle similar to the feedback for deities from the void.

—— This was the only way for her to obtain "Faith."

Su Ming’an clutched the key in his hand:

"...Every time you get to this point, every time your creation becomes Bai Shen and successfully appears before people, you get the feedback of ’Faith’, right?"

Each success brings in 100 points.

And currently, the count is at 9900.

—— Thus, this isn’t Xiber’s first time breaking through the Black Wall, coming here, seeing her fantasy creation succeed in becoming Bai Shen.

—— This is her ninety-ninth success.

Su Ming’an was speechless.

Possibly after hundreds, thousands of cycles of failure, she would succeed once.

These ninety-nine successes, who knows how many ten thousand failures they accumulated from.

If the rusty key could move from 9900 to 10000 points, she would fulfill her long-standing wish, gain "Faith," and become a deity not from the void.

Before the ultimate despair, the situation reversed.

The one who was so desperate just before, it turns out she was only shy of one last success.

At that moment, bright red inscriptions spread from Xiber’s arms, those were the ancient fantasy inscriptions of "ninety-nine."

Su Ming’an suddenly remembered when he first met her, listening to her words.

...

[Her arm lifted, revealing an arm inscribed with eerie blood-colored runes.]

[For some reason, Su Ming’an suddenly felt as though ’he was being watched by a deity.’]

["My goal is not just the ultimate victory. I... want to become a deity in this closed world, on this piece of land..." she said:]

["...to become a deity."]

...

Su Ming’an felt that he was probably going mad too, driven mad by her deception.

The little liar full of lies, deceiving him right up to the last moment.

Did she only just remember that this was her ninety-ninth time overthrowing the Black Wall, seeing her fantasy creation become Bai Shen, or did she really think she had never overthrown it before?

The part of her driven by the manic despairing desire for salvation, which believed she could never become a deity, and this part of her remembering that there is still a way ahead, even missing only 100 points to become a deity, which one is her real self?

Her path ahead is not void; she is merely one step away from becoming a deity independently.

Su Ming’an recalled the name of the Eighth World.

[The name of the Eighth World - Divine Festival.]

A festival for deities, not a festival to worship deities.

—— The festival is for deities, not for people.

He seemed to understand the significance now.

If Xiber completes her hundredth Bai Shen coming, moving from 9900 to 10000, gaining complete "Faith," she would be able to shed her heretic status and become a deity.

The cycle would end, and she would gradually change the belief system of Qiongdi—ultimately, utterly breaking superstition.

She would sacrifice herself as the "deity," killing the deity she morphed into, shatter the ignorant faith, and make Qiongdi match the outside world.

Perhaps, this would take a long time.

But that’s alright; what she has in abundance is time.

—— She found that one best "tomorrow."

Divine Festival.

She is the "deity" being sacrificed.

...

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.