Chapter 178: The People on the Ground, Holding Up the Glorious Light of the Flame

Time flows like water, years like a river.

Rushing and surging, washing over the heavens.

Every universe, every world, has its own passage of time, converging into silent tributaries.

And when all tributaries merge.

The Mother River of Time, enveloping the multiverse, appears.

It is the essence of chaos, encompassing all, embracing everything.

Gods, demons, immortals, mortals, even the worlds themselves, are but insignificant droplets within it.

But now.

Two figures tread upon it.

Unfazed by the passage of time, their every move resonates with the roar of ten thousand paths.

One slashes out with sword light, severing heaven and earth, terrifying and unparalleled, even when deliberately restraining its power, causing the River of Time to surge and churn.

Ten thousand paths crumble, all things vanish.

The other extends a hand, five fingers condensed and pure.

With a slight exertion.

A segment of the River of Time, along with the sword light, is violently crushed.

“Again!” Xu Moli’s gaze is indifferent as she unleashes several divine abilities, stirring chaotic hurricanes that sweep across the multiverse.

Such turbulence.

Does not harm Wu Yingxue in the slightest.

“I feel a bit hungry,” she says, taking a light step forward, infinite laws and principles manifesting within her, forming a radiant aura that illuminates the heavens and stands alone through the ages.

Long spear against wooden sword.

Immortal path against martial path.

Stirring the River of Time to a boiling frenzy.

“……”

Cressa watches their battle, tilting her head in a daze.

She feels that at this point, the situation has little to do with her.

Rather than continuing to watch.

She might as well do something else.

“Mentor will be home soon… I need to prepare… New Year’s Eve dinner…”

Her delicate face, calm yet serious.

The witch divides her attention, her eternal and supreme form still tapping the world, while her projection on Earth steps into the kitchen, beginning to handle the ingredients.

The witch is clumsy.

She doesn’t know how to forever occupy the position of light.

She only knows that night is approaching, and she needs to do something for her mentor.

……

“Little Red, are you moved?”

“I dare not move! I dare not move!”

“Hmm?”

“No, no, I misspoke, I am moved, very moved!”

Capital City, Supernatural Administration Bureau Headquarters.

After bidding farewell to Li Wanshou, Xu Xi did not leave immediately but used spatial magic to teleport into the Red Dragon’s palace.

The Red Dragon seemed startled.

Dragon face filled with despair.

Only when Xu Xi spoke, saying he came to deliver a New Year’s gift, did the Red Dragon regain some vitality.

“Here, take it back and keep it.”

What Xu Xi gave was the Red Dragon’s favorite.

Shimmering and radiant, with a mix of various supernatural materials, a luxurious and dazzling “jewel.”

“Thank you for your great kindness!”

The Red Dragon was overjoyed.

Immediately patting its dragon chest, it declared that offering dragon blood was a dragon’s duty.

Xu Xi nodded, satisfied with the Red Dragon’s understanding, and instructed it to inform other dragons if encountered.

“Yes, yes, I understand, I absolutely understand!”

“Take care, watch your step!”

The Red Dragon rubbed its claws,

With a fawning expression, it escorted Xu Xi out of the palace.

Then, it eagerly moved its sturdy limbs, joyfully rushing into the pile of jewels, indulging in a sea of gemstones.

“It’s quite easily satisfied.”

Back on the surface.

Xu Xi’s overwhelming spiritual energy caught the Red Dragon’s excited expression, so joyful it made one want to laugh.

No wonder the Red Dragon was so thrilled.

Considering the Red Dragon’s blood contribution, Xu Xi had prepared a full load of jewels this time.

Any dragon that treasures wealth would be exhilarated by this bounty.

“Everything that needed to be done is done, everything that needed to be given is given.”

“Then, it’s time to return.”

Xu Xi took one last glance at the Capital City, the bustling streets filled with pedestrians, and numerous supernatural beings maintaining the stability and security of New Year’s Eve.

Very lively.

But this liveliness had nothing to do with Xu Xi.

For Xu Xi, only the familiar people and things of Yanshan City were truly related to him.

Though the Capital City was prosperous, with many admirers of Xu Xi, the connections were limited to his teacher and the Red Dragon.

Hum—

Spatial magic activated.

Xu Xi, holding the Jianmu Sword Staff, took a light step forward, his body merging into the world like flowing water, reappearing in a distant location.

After several rapid teleportations.

Familiar scenery once again appeared before Xu Xi.

“A Niu, quick, make the fire stronger!”

“Uncle, Aunt, step back a bit!”

“Everyone, let’s go!”

Excited shouts intertwined with rising flames.

Xu Xi returned to the outskirts of Yanshan City, arriving as the sky began to darken, with people preparing to celebrate the New Year.

The townsfolk of Qingniu Town.

The people of the Army of Survival.

They, as in the martial world.

Using the most common stones, arranged in specific patterns, built tall stone towers layer by layer.

Then, they threw dry wood or other burnable materials into the towers.

Once lit.

Flames leaped and rose.

The passionate red and warm orange intertwined, forming the colors of fire, adding the brightest “starlight” to this dark and cold world.

Not from the stars above.

But from the people on the ground, holding up the fire with their hands.

Making the dust shimmer with starlight.

“So good…” Xu Xi stood quietly, watching the simple and joyful smiles illuminated by the firelight.

Involuntarily, a smile also appeared on Xu Xi’s face.

As if infected by the people’s emotions.

“Ah, it’s Brother Xi!”

“Quick, quick, everyone, invite Brother Xi in!”

Soon, the people noticed Xu Xi’s arrival, and amidst enthusiastic invitations, they presented him with abundant New Year’s gifts.

Some offered food.

Some offered drink.

Or, handmade, seemingly simple yet heartfelt textiles.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

Xu Xi smiled, under the expectant gazes, accepting all the gifts.

The resources of the real world far surpassed those of the Great Qian Dynasty in the third simulation.

People would no longer starve.

No longer suffer from the cold.

Xu Xi could accept the people’s gifts without pressure, more importantly, knowing that only by accepting them could the people leave with peace of mind.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Xu Xi thanked them again.

Letting the people disperse, to do what they needed to do.

As for Xu Xi himself, he sat amidst the piled gifts, surrounded by them, watching the rising flames, glimpsing the new spring within the fire.

The intense flames always bring warmth and light.

From the hazy blossoming.

Xu Xi recalled many things.

The hardships in Pingshui County, the struggles leading the Army of Survival out of the borderlands.

And along the way, the joys and sorrows of lively figures.

“Sir, sir, wake up.”

A voice called from beside him.

Summoning the slightly distracted Xu Xi.