Above Destiny

Chapter 540 Dreams and Gods

"The Seven Heavens have already begun to collapse, and the Heavenly City is probably about to fall as well."

"Ah."

"The four directions and seven passes have begun to fall. The move to introduce the Supreme Goodness was truly brilliant. Once believers began to detach themselves from their faith, the situation became difficult to control."

"I know."

“Ekonzo is dead too.” Guangwen gazed at the flames rising in the distant city and sighed softly, “In the end, he didn’t even get to eat a single thing. How pitiful.”

"..."

The Pope then fell silent and said nothing more.

His slightly aged face, covered with wrinkles and sunburn scars, now resembled a stone, reflecting the approaching firelight.

There was no fear, no anger, and no wavering.

Just watch.

The building crumbled inch by inch...

"Speaking of which, there's something I've always been curious about."

Guangwen leaned lazily against a pillar and suddenly asked, "Ekunzo, is that your adjutant?"
"Back when you were in the army, you personally promoted him and placed high hopes on him, grooming him as your successor. In the end, he died at your hands…and his family was all killed in the coup, right?"

The Pope did not answer whether it was yes or no.

"Regardless of the hidden story, he has clearly betrayed you, so why keep him around?" Guangwen laughed: "And why regret it?"

"Regret? No regrets."

The Pope shook his head slightly, still indifferent: "As for betrayal... it's just betrayal, nothing special. There's too much poverty, plague, hunger, and suffering."

Every Punabantu person lives in such a hellish environment, so it's not surprising that they would do anything.

He just…

The Pope paused, as if recalling the emaciated and humble appearance of the young soldier, and said softly, "...I was too hungry."

Hunger and thirst are normal; everyone gets hungry.

Having been hungry my whole life, I want to eat everything I see. Once I've had my fill, I start to fear the hellish past.

So I ate and ate and ate until I couldn't stop, and I didn't dare to stop.

There are too many such people.

Guangwen paused for a moment, then sighed in surprise, "...Only at times like this can I feel that you were once a president."

"It makes no difference, and it doesn't matter. Aren't presidents or popes just a joke?"

The Pope remained unmoved: "In comparison, it is the derogatory term 'beggar' that feels more real."

Begging for loans, begging for investments, begging for food, begging for aid... As a democratically elected president who is a joke, one must learn to be humble and have a praying smile, and get used to those eyes that look at one as a beggar.

Undeterred by setbacks, they remained steadfast despite insults.

Clutching meager supplies to get by, they run back and forth, or are used as tools and mad dogs, tearing each other apart among the islands for petty gains... In the end, they lick their wounds in a sorry state, having nothing left.

Looking back, hell is still hell, nothing has changed.

boom!.!
The sanctuary collapsed, and the heavenly city crumbled.

The burning flames spread rapidly, engulfing everything.

Hell appeared before my eyes once again.

"Are you really not considering leaving?"

Guangwen sighed, "Honestly, you're a pretty good person. It's such a pity that you were buried with this kind of thing."

"What you're talking about is the closest I've ever come to success in my life, and the advice you're offering is something I've never even considered in my entire life."

The Pope finally looked over, his expression calm and indifferent: "If you want to leave, then leave, Guangwen. Why regret it? It's just another betrayal, isn't it?"

Guangwen shrugged slightly, unconcerned by the mockery and contempt.

"So, in accordance with the agreement, I helped you complete the framework of the divine kingdom, until this dream could no longer continue. Now, the agreement is over."

It’s time to wake up from the dream.

Unfortunately, some people choose to wake up from their dreams.

But some people would rather die before they wake up from their dream...

He turned back one last time, took one last look at everything before him, witnessed the end, and his figure vanished silently from the hall, as if he had never existed.

Just leave.

The Pope remained indifferent and unconcerned.

Amidst the constant sounds of collapse, he remained silent, his hand resting on the scepter on his knee, sitting in his designated spot, awaiting the arrival of the enemy.

One minute and one second.

Until screams and wails rose from outside the palace, and the sound of steel scraping against steel was incessant, all fell silent amidst the slaughter.

Footsteps could be heard coming from the darkness beyond the flames.

Still unhurried and unhurried, as if taking a leisurely stroll.

"Sorry, I was busy admiring the scenery and I'm late."

Ji Jue stepped through the final door, raised his head, and looked up at the cold, seemingly invincible enemy surrounded by celestial radiance on the steps.

"How do you feel, Your Holiness?" he asked curiously. "Do you lament the sight of your creations burning in the flames?"

Lamentation? Wavering? Pain?
Or is it despair?

No, absolutely none.

Throughout, the Pope remained remarkably calm—no, more like numb.

Witnessing the painstaking efforts of a long time being reduced to ashes before my eyes.

It's as if I've already gotten used to it.

So, there's no need to waste any more words...

He raised his scepter, pointed it at the face of his opponent, and without hesitation, summoned all the Radiant energy to launch an attack.

The pale light from the sky converged here, condensing and collapsing without limit. In an instant, it seemed as if millions of suns appeared out of thin air, overlapping each other and turning into a torrent that could completely evaporate everything.

The divine power of the entire world was gathered in one place, as if by an arm.

As if a holy deity had descended, it surged toward Ji Jue!

Just like a gentle breeze.

All divine power and destruction were reduced to insignificant illusory light, not even enough to make Ji Jue take a step back. It could only shatter in vain and flow out to both sides, leaving a trail of decay after cutting through the night sky.

At this moment, no matter how large the value is, it no longer has any effect on Ji Jue.

As the Supreme Goodness and the Great Evil cycle and develop, the power he, as the controller, can mobilize has long surpassed that of the Heavenly City.

This expansion and development has continued unabated even now!

At the same time, perception is constantly expanding, and understanding is constantly emerging.

Everything that every user of the Shangshan System feels and understands is constantly converging towards Jijue.

In the outside world, everything is ultimately good, but in this dream, everything belongs to Ji Jue.

In other words, everyone who uses the Shangshan system is continuously providing Jijue with their own understanding and insights, as well as a completely new perspective on perception and understanding.

It was almost like helping Ji Jue level up his alternate account for free, exploring the possibilities within this system, and adding to its structure.

Even though this understanding is so shallow and crude, the flashes of inspiration and insights it reveals cannot be denied. While the subtleties are hard to attain, the basic understanding is being solidified and improved at an alarming rate.

Piling up earth to form mountains, gathering sand to form seas, in the end, it became a long river that almost burned Ji Jue's soul!

Endlessly.

The only pity is that there are too few people who are compatible with the Path of Ember, and craftsmen rarely improve their understanding through combat. Old Deng himself is like a thief, resolutely refusing to connect to the system. Now, it is impossible for Ji Jue to go back and find him and forcibly stuff him into Paradise. Otherwise, he could have taken another bite out of him.

However, now is not the time for regret and lamentation.

"It's time to end this, Your Holiness the Pope."

Ji Jue sighed in boredom and looked at the last stubborn stumbling block.

In just a few seconds, Tianhui had already transformed into countless forms: flames, light, ice, and swords, relentlessly attacking Ji Jue with all its might and without pause.

Even if it was all in vain, there was still no sign of retreat or hesitation in those eyes.

Their fighting spirit is commendable.

Unfortunately, all that's left is fighting spirit.

Perhaps the opponent in front of you is a very good manager, a leader, but not someone who is good at this kind of struggle, and is even a bit clumsy.

No, perhaps he also knew that when it was his turn to go to the battlefield, the cult was already doomed to defeat.

To be fair, he is a truly rare talent.

He is rational and clear-headed, makes decisive judgments, and his organizational skills go without saying.

After the Holy Spirit disappeared, it maintained the world to this day, forcefully suppressing all resistance. If it weren't for Ji Jue, it might have been able to continue until the end of this dream.

"Pity."

Ji Jue waved his hand, dispersing all the radiance. Then, the Sage's Hand reappeared, pointing from afar with absolute control. It tore through all of the Pope's defenses, sending him flying and crashing into the intricate relief wall, splashing a crimson stain before slowly sliding down to the ground.

No more power to resist.

But he continued to struggle, dragging his broken arms, trying to get up. "With your abilities, there are plenty of places you could go," Ji Jue stepped forward. "Why waste your time dreaming with a madman?"

"madman?"

Amidst the spreading crimson, a face stained with blood rose, the forced indifference shattered, and uncontrollable rage and resentment erupted: "You bunch of self-important bastards, aren't you the lunatics?!"

He asked hoarsely, "What's wrong with the world of dreams!"

"What's wrong with faith?!"

The Pope roared, shouting, "What's wrong with spending forty years in peace, dying happily together?!"

Forty years!
Forty years!!!
Forty years may seem short compared to those born into wealth and comfort, but for everyone struggling in hell, it is long enough.

It was long enough to make one feel a happiness and joy that one would never experience in a lifetime!

There was no plague, no famine, no exploitation by the Federation's giant corporations, no interference from the Empire's agents, and no strife and bloodshed in the Thousand Islands.

In this secluded and pristine land, everyone can live in peace, and even if they face destruction, it doesn't matter, for destruction is already inevitable.

But if destruction is inevitable, at least there is still a peaceful and happy dream... Deformed children born with terminal illnesses can grow up healthy, those who are tormented to the point of death can live in peace, and everyone can spend this beautiful time that they would otherwise never have had in their lives with dignity and tranquility.

Everything was as good as heaven!
The vast majority of people have already attained happiness and peace.

It was just a tiny dream, yet you irrelevant outsiders trampled it into mud!

"……really."

After a brief moment of contemplation, Ji Jue slowly nodded, giving an affirmative answer.

There was no mockery, only solemnity and seriousness.

But this left the Pope stunned and unable to comprehend it.

"Although it is too humble and ridiculous to seek illusions because of so much suffering, I can understand it."

Ji Jue thought for a moment and told him, "Compared to the pain of reality, sometimes, being able to have an endless dream is indeed a good thing."

No, it should be said that it was simply beautiful, like a dream.

I was just a simpleton who thought of you as Wen Sheng's lackey and a fool. I'm really sorry, I never imagined you would have such determination.

I underestimated you.

"..."

The Pope stood frozen, his blood-stained, disheveled face trembling as he stammered, utterly bewildered: "Then why...why..."

"But when did I ever say that I came here to save the world?"

Ji Jue remained unmoved, his tone still colder than steel: "No matter what your heavenly brocade is woven with, what rainbows it has, or how dazzling it is... since your dreams are blocking my way, I will step over them, otherwise I will not be able to move forward."

And so, in those dim eyes, the last hope shattered, leaving only a scarlet resentment.

"You really are a devil in disguise..."

"Maybe, I don't care."

Ji Jue scoffed and retorted, "Is your god a real god? Has he ever brought you even the slightest bit of salvation or hope?"

Even if you paint hell as heaven, hell is still hell. Nothing has changed. The essence remains the same: a parasite is crawling on everyone's head, constantly sucking their souls!

The so-called forty years of happiness is the real joke.

The pope before him was not blind or unaware of this; he was merely wishfully seeking a way out.

For this, everyone's soul was sold.

"From beginning to end, you've just been dreaming, haven't you?"

Ji Jue raised his foot and coldly crushed the scepter that had rolled to his feet, stripping it of all its divine power and completely reducing it to its original form.

"That's why I hate people who dream."

No matter how wonderful the dream is, once you wake up, you have nothing left.

No matter how much you dream, you can't change reality, and you're not even willing to change yourself.

"It's time to wake up from the dream, Your Holiness the Pope."

Ji Jue slowly reached out and pressed his hand against that face, bringing down judgment: "Now, take a good look—are your actions and the consequences of them good or evil?"

In that instant, the artificial benevolence completed the connection, forcibly pulling him into this system, and coldly began its judgment.

Then, a mournful wail rang out, tragic and piercing.

In Ji Jue's hands, the Pope's body convulsed violently, roaring, laughing wildly, or howling in fear. A massive amount of intensified spiritual energy surged out of his body, dyeing everything a mottled, pitch-black color.

However, his body quickly transformed into finely crafted iron and stone, like a puppet, with every detail lifelike. Yet, no matter how gently it was touched, cracks and distortions would appear.

The abyss and stagnation have come at the invitation.

Amidst arrogant singing and cheering, they plummeted off a bottomless cliff, endlessly falling into a false paradise of happiness.

When I came to my senses, everything was already riddled with holes.

Those days are gone.

The self that once died outside the paradise, and now, clinging to life in the illusion, only an ugly reflection remains.

And now, it's all over.

Ji Jue let go of his hand.

Immediately afterwards, boundless divine power burst forth, opening the final gate and tearing apart the fragile seal. Thus, at the very top of the dream, in the realm that belonged exclusively to the gods, a bloated soul corrupted by countless selves appeared.

Eyes as vast as the sky looked down, filled with madness, despair, and venom.

They kept calling his name.

Next, there should be a thrilling battle. In the end, Ji Jue will defeat his opponent, wake up from his dream, and live the life he wants.

Like a dream.

But it was still just wishful thinking.

He coldly observed this hollow facade and asked impatiently, "The same tricks you've played time and time again, Wen Sheng, are you ever going to stop?"

And so, in that instant, all illusions crumbled once again.

He returned once more to the crumbling Heavenly City, to the great hall before the dying Pope.

However, this time, there was one more person in the hall.

Like a child, like a middle-aged person, like an old person.

The overlapping phantoms kept changing, but when the three faces overlapped, the outlines gradually became clear, revealing a face unique to young people, with a gentle smile.

It was as if they were looking down from a high place, looking down on everything with disdain.

He lowered his eyes and gazed at the followers at his feet.

"God, God..."

Amidst the pool of blood, the distorted pope stretched out his hand with difficulty, pleading and praying: "Please give me another chance... just once, just once..."

"In accordance with our agreement, 'Beggar,' with the establishment of faith as a prerequisite, I entrust this world to you and will never hinder anything you do, whether you succeed or fail."

Wen Sheng sighed softly and asked in return, "But all of this is over now, isn't it?"

The pope froze on the spot, having lost his last bit of strength.

Numb, I closed my eyes.

No more sound.

Now, his gaze is fixed on Ji Jue, and his smile remains unchanged.

It was unlike any of the giant snakes Ji Jue had ever seen, and it was completely different from what he had imagined.

"Long time no see. No, unlike the out-of-control remnant spirit and the reflection in the border prison before, this should be the first time we meet after our souls are complete, right?"

Wen Sheng grinned, as if teasing, "Having fun in my world, Ji Jue?"

"Your world is a pile of stinking dog shit, including you."

Ji Jue remained indifferent.

Everything was so quiet, as if all sounds had disappeared, and everything insignificant had vanished—the fighting, the struggle, the shouting, the roaring—all had come to a standstill.

At this moment, the entire world, from the heavenly city to the borderlands, ceased all activity, whether angels, believers, heretics, or sinners.

Like a puppet whose switch has been turned off.

They stood still, raised their heads, looked up at the sky, at Tiancheng, and at this place.

He looked at Ji Jue.

Under the watchful eyes and observations of countless people, Wen Sheng appeared before Ji Jue's eyes.

Ji Jue's heart sank to the bottom.

The reality was even worse than I had imagined—that perhaps it was all just a dream.

From the very beginning, Wen Sheng never disappeared, nor did he ever go far away.

he is.

He has always been there.

It resides within everyone's soul...

(End of this chapter)