At the peak of the Divine Enlightenment Tree Court, the sound of the wind shattered, leaving only two solitary, lofty figures.
Phainon took a step forward, walking towards the self that had burned through thirty million cycles of reincarnation.
"You've worked hard."
His voice was gentle, "Now, let me bear some of it for you."
The moment his words fell, countless musical notes vibrated and resonated in the air, appearing out of thin air, surrounding the two, weaving into a barrier that isolated everything.
The authority of Harmony, at this moment, tightly connected the two souls.
In an instant, a torrent of thoughts flowed through each other.
All of Phainon's experiences, all his encounters, all his beliefs since embarking on his pioneering journey, like the most brilliant galaxy, poured into the Flame Reaver's already parched sea of spirit.
Hope and despair intertwined at this moment.
the Flame Reaver understood everything in an instant.
He saw a new journey, no longer solitary, filled with hope.
At the same time, the despair and dead silence of thirty million cycles of reincarnation once again crashed into Phainon's consciousness like a tsunami.
He pressed his forehead against the back of his hand, his soul trembling again from the immense weight.
Fortunately, Nothingness quietly activated, dissolving that maddening torrent of emotions into nothingness.
Before "Nothing," all meaning would return to nothingness.
"So… that's how it is…"
On the Flame Reaver's shattered face, a faint light ignited in his hollow eye sockets.
He nodded slightly.
"You… for us, specifically… rushed here."
"You've done well enough," Phainon lowered his hand, responding earnestly to his other self, "Truly, it's already good enough."
the Flame Reaver's body trembled slightly.
On his terrifying face, through the cracked fissures, he actually forced out a twisted smile, "I only hope that in the next life… everyone can achieve their wishes."
"They certainly will." Phainon extended his hand, palm upwards, "Together, we will witness the arrival of tomorrow."
the Flame Reaver gazed at that hand, remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised his charred arm.
In the end, it was Phainon who took another step forward, actively grasping his hand.
Two hands, tightly clasped.
One whole, one shattered.
One warm, one cold.
Two Phainons from different timelines, yet making the same choice, achieved unity.
"Currently, we have three clear enemies." Phainon's voice regained its calmness and sharpness as he began to outline the plan, "Erudition, Lord of Silence, and the Iron Tomb."
"Erudition's schemes will be handled by the Chrysos Heirs led by Teacher Anaxa."
"As for the three of us…" He paused, "We need to deal with the remaining two. But before that, we must first completely eradicate The Senate, our biggest internal threat."
His tone was calm, "As for Lygus, there's no need to worry. From the very beginning, his arrogance and conceit destined his failure. Though he is headstrong, he is also a genius, and someone needs to keep him in check."
Phainon's gaze deepened, "Just like in the first reincarnation, we will do our utmost to protect the lives of every companion."
the Flame Reaver nodded heavily in silence.
He turned, raised his hand, and slashed at the space in front of him, and a dark rift silently opened.
"Go…"
That single word was his complete response to this trust.
Phainon smiled slightly, and side by side with him, stepped into that profound void.
— —
The next day.
Okhema, the marketplace.
The light of the Dawn Machine was warm and gentle, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of spices and baked pastries.
Phainon, from this reincarnation cycle, stood before a bustling dessert stall, his expression focused.
"Mydei has already entered the Titan's trial. Although that guy is fierce in a fight, when it comes to thinking…"
He pictured Mydei facing the trial, deep in thought, scratching his head, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"His brain cells are probably burning out."
He pondered for a moment, then pointed at several items on the stall.
"Boss, this one, this one, and also this one… Yes, please pack one of each for me."
Hmm… I heard Teacher Anaxa say before that eating sweets helps with brain function.
It's a good choice to give Mydei some brain food.
A moment later, Phainon, carrying a large bag of sweets, left the shop, preparing to return to Cloudstone Sky Palace.
After just a few steps, his gaze inadvertently glanced behind him.
Then, he changed direction and approached a roadside stall.
An old man sat on the ground, and the cloth in front of him was covered with various objects that looked quite old, from rusty metal parts to ancient-looking bottles and jars, everything imaginable.
His inherent hobby was piqued, and he naturally squatted down, beginning to browse with interest.
"Oh, young handsome man!"
Seeing a customer, the old man immediately leaned in eagerly.
"You also like these ancient trinkets? Feel free to look, feel free to look! My items here are guaranteed to be genuine, every single one!"
Phainon picked up a celadon porcelain bottle, weighed it in his hand, and then held it up to the light to examine their body.
"Hmm… Boss, this porcelain bottle of yours, wasn't it just fired last week?" He looked up, asking with a serious expression, "How about you sell it to me cheaper?"
The old man's smiling face instantly fell.
"Young man, you look so distinguished, how can you speak like that? I guarantee these are all ancient artifacts, thousands of years old!"
He pointed at the porcelain bottle, boasting confidently: "Especially this one! This is said to be the bottle the pink cloud goddess used to drink water from back in the day!"
"Ha…"
Phainon couldn't help but burst out laughing.
pink cloud goddess? The promotional work of Stelleand Dan Heng is really thorough.
"Alright, alright, boss, give me a discount, I'll just treat it as a decoration."
During the conversation, Phainon's gaze subtly flickered towards the other end of the street.
There, a figure leaning against a wall instinctively shifted when he looked over.
At this moment, Phainon was certain that someone was following him.
He bought that "last week's" porcelain bottle, along with the sweets, and slowly left the stall.
Phainon did not return directly to the Sky Palace, but continued to stroll through the market, his steps unhurried, as if truly enjoying the leisurely afternoon.
However, the route he took, inadvertently, became more and more remote.
The crowds gradually thinned.
Until he turned into a narrow, long-abandoned alley.
Here, sunlight was blocked by the high walls on both sides, casting large shadows, and it was silent.
Phainon stopped and slowly turned around.
He gently placed the items in his hand to the side, his gaze fixed on the empty alley entrance.
"You've been following for so long, you must be tired."
His voice echoed in the alley, clear and steady.
"I specifically found a cool place for you to rest well."
However, his only answer was the crosswind stirring up dust.
"Hmph."
Phainon snorted coldly, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp.
"Not coming out?"
"In Okhema, under Aglaea's golden threads, you still dare to be so presumptuous."
"It seems I'll have to personally invite you out."
The next moment!
Buzz—!
A heavy greatsword suddenly appeared in Phainon's hand, their blade shimmering with a cold luster.
At the same time.
At the other end of the alley, a shadow writhed.
A figure slowly emerged from it.
He wore a large, hooded cloak that enveloped his entire body.
But a corner of the attire revealed from the hem of the cloak made Phainon's heart skip a beat.
It was… the same white and blue uniform coat as the one he was wearing.
Under Phainon's grave gaze, the person at the other end of the alley slowly raised his hand and removed his hood.
A face was exposed at the intersection of shadow and faint light.
It was a face identical to Phainon's own.
The only difference was that on the back of the other's hand, a cold, ticking countdown was branded.
"We, at last, meet."
The newcomer spoke, his voice calm, yet with a hint of glee, "Phainon."
Phainon's brows furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the sword hilt, "Cipher?"
He uttered a name in a deep voice, "You actually… returned to the Holy City?"
Phainon said this, but his entire body's muscles were already tense, power surging within him.
He knew that the real Cipher had left nearly a millennium ago and could not possibly appear silently at this moment.
More importantly, the aura emanating from this "self" before him was as deep as an abyss, as vast as the sea, terrifyingly powerful!
The other "Phainon" ignored his wary posture and slowly walked towards him, step by step.
His pace was not fast, yet it carried an oppressive force that seemed to crush everything.
"Don't worry."
He stopped ten paces from Phainon, a chilling smile appearing on his face.
"I merely… borrowed your identity!"