CHAPTER 136 – The Void Tears Apart
The void snapped open—
not in a single crack, but in millions of fractures spreading like spiderwebs across the black expanse of eternity.
The conceptual prison was failing under the pressure of Gu's impossible will.
Xiao Xi felt her entire being jolt, her Core reacting violently to the tearing of space around her.
"Yanzhou—stop—! You're tearing space—you're going to delete us both!"
Gu's eyes glowed bright white, a pure, scorching light that held both desperation and resolve.
"I said I'm coming to you.
And I don't take orders from a collapsing timeline."
The First Root screamed, its chained form distorting violently as the integrity of the seal failed.
"YOU ARE NOT A ROOT—YOU CANNOT COMMAND THE VOID—YOU ARE MERELY A VESSEL!"
Gu stepped closer to Xiao Xi, ignoring the deafening collapse of conceptual space.
"Then explain why it listens to me.
Explain why the prison your master built is failing because I walked in."
The First Root thrashed, its shadows lashing out like cosmic storms.
"BECAUSE SHE TAINTED YOU—BECAUSE HER POWER WARPED YOUR FATE—BECAUSE SHE IS THE ANOMALY—"
Xiao Xi snapped, her voice filled with pure, protective fury.
"SHUT UP!"
Chaos exploded from her hands, a blinding pulse of violet and gold, slamming into the First Root's grotesque, shadowy face.
The chaos chains pulled it back, sizzling as the energy countered its being.
Xiao Xi stood before Gu, trembling with effort and righteous anger.
"He belongs to himself.
Not you.
Not fate.
Not the Core.
He is his own choice."
Gu smiled—a soft, loving, and profoundly proud expression.
"You heard her.
I am my own."
The void pulsed, groaning under the contradictory force.
Even the First Root recoiled, truly shaken.
For the first time in its existence—
the prison bent to two wills that were perfectly aligned.
And it couldn't handle the stability mixed with chaos.
Reality itself began to break apart, piece by piece.
----------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 137 – Shen and Ling Arrive
A blinding, perfect tear in the void snapped open behind them, stable for only a fraction of a second.
Xiao Xi swirled, panic surging at the sight of familiar lights.
"No—NO—Shen?! Ling?! Why did you come?! You'll be destroyed!"
Ling stumbled out first, her wings flickering in and out of existence as her light struggled against the oppressive blackness.
Behind her, Shen materialized, holding her steady, coughing up small amounts of golden, conceptual blood.
He forced a weak smile, his human form straining against the impossible environment.
"…We followed you, idiot.
Wouldn't miss the end of the world for anything."
Xiao Xi's heart twisted painfully, the love and guilt overwhelming her.
"You complete idiots—!! You are not supposed to be here! Get out!"
Shen wiped his mouth, his voice rough but steady with resolve.
"You think we could stay behind while you two… you know… had a lovers' spat with the apocalypse? Not a chance."
Ling nodded, her eyes shimmering with fierce, unwavering friendship.
"You're our friend.
You don't face the void alone.
We came to stabilize the prison, not join the fight."
Gu looked at them, his white-hot focus softening to warmth.
"…Thank you.
I owe you everything."
The First Root snarled, sensing its predicament worsen.
Four wills, four anchors, in one place.
"FOUR OF YOU—IN ONE PLACE—YOU WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING! THE ENTIRE TIMELINE WILL COLLAPSE!"
Shen cracked his knuckles, pulling out a hidden, light-infused blade.
"Then we destroy you first.
Ling, chaos-light on my position."
Ling immediately summoned stabilizing light.
Xiao Xi reluctantly summoned chaos threads.
Gu's soul burned brighter, the anchor of their presence.
The First Root hissed, recognizing the formidable balance of forces.
"FOOLS.
FOUR DESTINIES CANNOT OCCUPY THE SAME ROOT DOMAIN—THE CODE WILL REJECT YOU—"
But none of them cared about the code anymore.
For the first time—they stood together, a shield of friendship and love against the forces of cosmic entropy.