Volume 4: Twilight Galaxy
Shu Xun’s hand, mid-stroke of his beard, suddenly paused. He recalled the prophecy from the oracle regarding the method to deal with the invaders. Could it be that the world consciousness didn’t simply accept the situation but rather allowed it? Perhaps the subconscious of the world consciousness also wanted to rid the world of the unpredictable Transformed. Despite the countless tragedies unfolding, it stood by, watching as the situation spread unchecked. But what was the reason for the world consciousness to act this way? Was it truly just because pure faith would enable it to evolve more quickly?
The fluffy creature shook its head. From “Winter’s End” to “Deep Blue Sea”, although the world consciousness of each world was at different stages of evolution and had distinct personalities, they all worked tirelessly to protect the living beings of their respective worlds. It could be said that protecting the living beings of the world was the world consciousness’s instinct. So, no matter what, the ultimate goal of “Dusk of the Galaxy’s” world consciousness was also to protect the living beings. In its judgment, emotionlessness was more conducive to the survival of the Twilight Clan.
“In three days, the Twilight Galaxy will die. In that time, the world might experience significant changes. The Main Temple of the City shouldn’t have much time to chase us,” the fluffy creature explained as it distributed a stack of talismans it retrieved from a spiritual space. “These are camouflage talismans; they can weaken your aura and alter your appearance. This one is a ground-escape talisman. It’s more complex and has a stronger energy fluctuation, so don’t use it unless absolutely necessary, or you’ll attract divine punishment…”
In fact, Shu Xun’s suspicions were soon confirmed. After the group finished breakfast and left the tavern to gather information, the city was already buzzing due to a new announcement, quickly overshadowing the commotion of the previous night’s infiltration of the Main Temple.
Across the city’s public bulletin boards, an announcement about an upcoming global Baptism was posted. The announcement detailed the reasons, timing, personnel, and potential impact of the Baptism. According to the announcement, the Baptism had been decided after discussions between the continents and was also an oracle from the God of Life. According to the oracle, after the Baptism, the Twilight Clan would usher in a new era. The Baptism would begin today at noon, with full activation at dusk three days later.
Sitting on Ye Jian’s shoulder, Shu Xun stroked his beard in deep thought as he read the bulletin. What exactly did the new era in the oracle signify? Was it a leap to the next civilization or some other major upheaval? What was certain, however, was that the world consciousness truly had its own way of dealing with the end.
Due to the impending Baptism, the city fell into unprecedented busyness. Most of the city’s residents spent their time in devout prayer. And it wasn’t just the Zhu Si City—other cities and continents were in similar states. Pure faith energy rose from all corners of the continents, flowing into the endless sky.
In the Main Temple, the priests were also busy, preparing for the Baptism.
A jet-black butterfly fluttered gracefully, vanishing into the building so swiftly it seemed like a fleeting illusion. Meng Muyu, standing still, seemed to sense something. He glanced in the direction where the butterfly disappeared and calmly dismissed the priests around him before stepping toward the direction the black butterfly had flown. His figure soon vanished behind the white stone pillars of the courtyard.
Meng Muyu walked for a long time, passing through the main hall and into a secluded palace of the Main Temple. Due to the Eternal Light not yet being repaired, the side palace still retained a somber darkness, even though it was daylight.
The black butterfly quietly settled on a stone platform in the empty hall, lazily fanning its wings as if waiting.
Meng Muyu silently approached the edge of the stone platform and slowly raised his hand. The black butterfly gracefully flew up, obediently landing on Meng Muyu’s fingertip.
The desolate side hall was eerily silent, with no other movement except for the gentle flutter of the butterfly’s wings.
Meanwhile, Meng Muyu’s livestream chat was exploding. Ever since he had entered the game, the unique location he had landed in had caused intermittent broadcast signals. Thankfully, after a few days, the audience had gotten used to it. Still, Meng Muyu continually surprised them, pulling off shocking stunts, such as disguising himself as a Twilight Clan priest to infiltrate the Main Temple or attaining an incredibly high status, even performing ritual ceremonies. Each of his actions left his audience in awe.
But none of his past feats compared to the current scene. The meaning of the black butterfly was all too familiar to the viewers who had journeyed from “Winter’s End”. The black butterfly always appeared alongside the invaders, existing in a morally ambiguous state—neither fully good nor evil. Any life form it touched would instantly disappear. According to Shu Xun’s hypothesis, those who vanished were transported to a perfect timeline. Yet, Meng Muyu didn’t disappear!
“How did the clan leader do it?”
“Maybe it’s just a regular black butterfly…”
“Who exactly is Meng Muyu? Forget the butterfly—don’t all his previous actions seem to exceed the limits of what any individual can do? Fooling the world consciousness of Twilight Galaxy and bathing daily in the Eternal Light without a single flaw? How is that possible?”
“Oh, please, Shu Xun tricked the world consciousness multiple times too, remember?”
“…I can’t argue with that, but Meng Muyu is still too strong. His abilities seem to surpass even those of the Phantom Clan. It doesn’t add up.”
“Trust in the clan leader!”
“Honestly, I also feel something’s off about Meng Muyu. And, maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t it seem like Shu Xun already knows something? His silence about Meng Muyu’s bizarre actions speaks volumes. If we think something’s up, Shu Xun definitely does too.”
The livestream chat was filled with endless speculation and comments. In the quiet side palace, Meng Muyu skillfully stroked the black butterfly’s antennae, his eyes filled with a complex emotion—a mix of excitement, joy, and deep familiarity that no one else could comprehend. At that moment, black light began to seep from the dark corners of the side palace.
Suddenly, the livestream screen went dark and the broadcast signal was once again interrupted.
Everyone who had been eagerly waiting for the follow-up was left speechless.
“Ahhh! Why did the signal cut off at this exact moment?!”
“I feel like I’m choking—like I couldn’t catch my breath!”
“Signal! Signal! Signal!”
“…”
Shu Xun and his group had no idea what was happening with Meng Muyu. Although a large number of Meng Muyu’s livestream viewers had flocked to their stream, the players within the game couldn’t see the barrage of comments. The group was seated in a rest area along the street. The Twilight Clan members, regardless of what they were doing, all seemed unusually excited, their conversations entirely focused on the Baptism and the new era. There was not a trace of the impending doomsday.
As Lie Yang observed the surroundings, he asked with some curiosity, “Shu Xun, what do you think will happen in three days? If the Twilight Clan realizes the Twilight Galaxy won’t rise and the light will never return, do you think they’ll still be this calm?”
The fluffy creature, busy gnawing on a nut, rolled it around in its paws, unable to find a spot to bite into. Hearing Lie Yang’s question, it naturally chimed in, “Of course not. Unless the Twilight Clan truly transitions to the next civilization, they will certainly be affected by the end times’ upheaval. That’s precisely why, before the end comes, the world consciousness issued the oracle, organizing this global Baptism to clear out the invaders and provide the Twilight Clan with the greatest security as they face eternal darkness, to calm their emotions.”
Lie Yang asked, “So, have you figured out the world consciousness’s method for dealing with the end?”
“No, but it’s definitely not going to be a complicated method.”
“Why not?” Lie Yang asked, confused.
The fluffy creature finally found a spot to bite into and cracked open the shell of the nut. It glanced up at Lie Yang and said matter-of-factly, “Because the intelligence of this world’s consciousness is about the same as yours. It couldn’t come up with a complex method.” After saying this, the fluffy creature instinctively stroked its own whiskers.
Gray’s eyes lit up. “That… makes sense…”
Lie Yang: “…”
Just as Lie Yang was about to retort, a deep bell rang from the center of the Zhu Si City. The toll sounded twelve times, echoing throughout the entire city. It was noon! Everyone instinctively turned toward the city center.
After staring for a long while, there was no apparent change in the city. Just as people began to think that the start of the Baptism would come without any grand spectacle, a faint white radiance appeared overhead. Everyone lifted their heads to gaze at the sky.
Under the bright sunlight, it seemed as though faint, translucent white lines were slowly spreading across the deep blue sky. These lines were barely visible due to their transparency and height. If not for the occasional flicker of light, no one would have noticed them at all.
Something powerful was at work, drawing across the sky, etching intricate arrays of symbols and patterns. If nothing unexpected happened, this formation would spread above all the major cities. Within three days, it would cover the entire world, enveloping everything under this massive array.
Seeing this scene, the Twilight Clan was filled with frenzied faith and reverence. They stood still while gazing at the sky, praying devoutly, full of anticipation. However, to the Transformed, the invaders, and the players in the game, this was a countdown to death. Before the formation was complete, they had to make a decision or find a way to respond. If not, they would have nowhere to hide under the Baptism’s light. After divine punishment, they would be reduced to ash.
Everyone had their own thoughts. Everyone had their own hopes. And all of this would come to an end in three days. Whatever fate awaited the Twilight Clan, the death of the Twilight Galaxy was now inevitable.
