Above Destiny

Chapter 545 Moving Forward
A broken sound sounded.

Within the sealed borders of the Prison and the Paradise, the scene was one of utter devastation, with countless sharp crystals crisscrossing the earth and sky, spreading out and cracking everywhere.

The only thing that remained intact was Ji Jue's petrified remains.

tick-

Thick blood slowly seeped from the cut on his arm, dripping onto the ground and pooling in the blood, but no crimson was visible; only wisps of fluorescence, like dissolved crystals, quickly solidified.

boom!
The Fist of Desolation once again pierced through the air, smashing that aged face to pieces and crushing the body into dust.

Under the chain of the Trinity, the old man Wen Sheng was quickly reborn. With a flick of his finger, Wen Wen was sent flying backward and crashed to the ground, the cracks on her body spreading once again.

"I originally thought you would be the strongest of all."

Therefore, I felt jealousy, fear, and confusion, tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep. I never imagined you would fall into such a wretched state, it's almost like…

Wen Sheng looked down at her and sighed softly:
"Like a clown."

Among the three figures that were constantly shifting and coming together, the demon of the abyss, the evil of the boundless, and the tainted demon, three completely different auras, actually emerged and flowed in turn as the three changed.

Facing Wen Wen's swung fist, he casually raised a finger to block it: "As solid as a rock, unshakable for eternity. You have clearly embraced the true essence of the desolate ruins, so why are you so fragile?"

boom!
Amidst the deafening roar, the sound of crystals shattering rang out.

The left arm, nearing its limit, was severed at the elbow and fell apart!
But at the cut, there was no flesh or blood, only sharp edges that resembled jewels.

Wen Wen remained indifferent and silent, as if she felt no pain. She simply clenched her remaining right fist again and stood in front of Ji Jue.

Unwavering.

"I see."

Wen Sheng sighed in realization, then laughed mockingly: "You didn't tell him at all, did you?"

Why did you appear in this dream of transformation, in the desolate ruins that embody matter, and why were you captured and bound by this illusion?

If it were purely made of iron and stone, how could it be attracted by dreams?
Why would a desolate wasteland, devoid of fantasy, be captured by Huang Liang?

If Ji Jue is an unexpected intruder, as a transcendent-level chosen one of the Desolate Ruins, he should already be cut off from advancement and the Heart Pivot. Why would he appear here?

Ji Jue had been completely fooled by Wen Wen's calm facade, so much so that he never thought of, or rather, never imagined, the answer that she had hidden.

The seemingly eternal and solid rock is already riddled with cracks.

Wenwen, who resists the encroachment of dreams, is herself a severe sufferer of dream disorder!
"A monster like you, hiding your claws, concealing your true nature, denying your true nature, futilely postponing the deserved outcome, to the point that your soul and matter are almost completely separated? Hahaha, hahahahaha, hahahahaha!"

Wen Sheng couldn't help but burst into laughter again, leaning back and forth: "After wearing the mask for so long, you've even managed to fool yourself, Wen Wen?"

Back then, my father slaughtered all the Stone Clan members beneath the vortex, desecrated the altar, destroyed the dragon's remains, and searched everywhere. In the end, he cultivated the Seed of Primordial Matter from his own blood.

Ultimately, he created the monster before his eyes.

Wen Zheng had always poured countless efforts and love into her, hoping that she could surpass him, but he never expected that Wen Wen would be so rebellious.

Despite being born inextricably linked to the vortex, they turned away from it. Despite being able to transform into a calamity and create a scourge for the world if they achieved the status of a celestial being, they instead trapped themselves in their own web.

The so-called "Minerva" is less an auxiliary matrix and more a carefully selected constraint, a shackle that directly opposes her nature!

Why should there be stillness? And what need is there for eternity?
It is obvious that simply breathing will naturally attract disasters; storms, thunder, droughts, and even floods are nothing more than trifles.

As long as this pure essence of the desolate ruins exists, it will naturally attract and catalyze the budding of natural disasters within hundreds of thousands of miles, drawing them towards itself.

It's like matter coming together under the influence of gravity.

Furthermore, once they have grown to a certain level, they are able to penetrate the vortex and use themselves as a fulcrum to throw the world beneath the vortex into the present world.

It becomes a natural disaster that has been given life.

Such terrifying talent was sealed away by Minerva, who also belonged to the desolate ruins, with the so-called stillness and eternity, like a rock blocking the crater of a volcano.

It appears to be towering and majestic, but in reality it is so fragile that it would break at the slightest touch.

Day after day of suppression and blockade, futile delays, and even becoming a guinea pig for hospitals, all in an effort to completely erase the very foundation upon which one's existence rests.

As a result, they reaped what they sowed and suffered the consequences of their own actions.

In the end, it has degenerated into such a ridiculous state.

Consciousness is like duckweed floating on water, and the soul is like a flower on a stone...

In the midst of endless contradictions, the rock crumbles and eternal collapses. When the two can no longer coexist, the spirit and the object are separated and can no longer coexist!
Just thinking about this made Wen Sheng laugh until tears almost came out; he couldn't help it.

He not only mocked Wenwen, but also couldn't help but mock himself.

He gave it his all, almost burning away all his resentment and obsession, and came back from the dead. What he wanted to defeat and conquer was this kind of thing?

That's absurd and ridiculous.

boom!
That smiling face was shattered into pieces.

From the crack in the Spirit of Ascension, sharp crystals pierced out, and the stasis of Minerva spread, almost freezing the movement of the spiritual matter.

"Don't misunderstand, Wen Sheng."

Wen Wen coldly raised her hand, wiped the dust off her face, and said without wavering, "Even if I only have Minerva and have fallen to a wretched state, trash like you is still no match for me."

"Burning oneself, suppressing one's true nature?"

Wen Sheng sighed disdainfully, pulling out the crystalline thorns that had grown from his body: "So skilled, sister. If I didn't do this all the time, I would have almost been fooled by you. But how long can your weak soul, which can't even resist the spiritual plague, last?"

"To grind you to dust is enough!"

The Fist of Desolation roars forth once more!

"Then let me see—"

Wen Sheng's three faces sneered, and he raised his hand again: "Now that your heart is made of stone, how much love and hate can you still feel!"

In just a moment, he discerned Wen Wen's weakness.

They launched a fierce attack.

The mesmerizing rainbow light reappears, endless love and hate converge, joy and sorrow condense, like a torrential rain, rushing towards us, and then, before iron and stone, disintegrating into fragile raindrops.

like water off a duck's back.

But then, among the countless fragments of spiritual matter, those loves and hates were given form and pierced through the precarious soul!

In an instant, it penetrated through and easily shook the very foundations of consciousness and self.

But more importantly...

—The Soul-Burning Thorn?!

"No, this kind of skill, is it Asu's?"

Wen Wen, suddenly realizing what was happening, could hardly contain her anger: "Where is Asu?!"

"You only remembered now?" Wen Sheng grinned. "How cold-hearted, Wen Wen. She was still talking about you until the very end! I could hardly stand it anymore!"

Beyond the realm of bliss, the giant serpent coiled atop the dreamscape slowly writhed, its long tail rising to reveal a skeleton coiled within.

Countless moths have risen and fallen, already devouring the souls of countless creatures.

Only that face, filled with resentment and hatred, remained in the dream, its empty eye sockets devoid of any light.

Until the very end, the Pope dutifully carried out all of Wen Sheng's orders—including the most thorough surveillance of Wen Su.

Once you sense that Wen Su might waver or show signs of betraying the contract, then act ruthlessly in advance!
"She truly loves you, Wenwen."

Wen Sheng's snake tail swayed slightly, displaying the broken remains: "Look, on the surface, they pretend to be obedient and cooperate, but in the end, they are willing to bear the consequences of violating the contract and the annihilation of their souls. They are also secretly poisoning me through the cycle of their own nature."

And who could have imagined that her beloved older sister wouldn't be able to come to her rescue in the end? How tragic.

"..."

In the deathly silence, Wenwen stood there, dazed and speechless.

Sister, why didn't you come to save me?
It seemed as if a venomous question and a choked sob echoed in the wind.

For a moment, Wenwen wanted to speak, but no sound came out, and she didn't know what to say to say goodbye.

They were clearly irreconcilable enemies.

Even before this, she had already tried to control herself and turn herself into a puppet who obeyed her every word.

But for some reason, she suddenly remembered the day she left everything behind.

So many years have passed, and I thought I could get away from the past and break free from its constraints, but I never imagined that the past would still follow me like a shadow, and the constraints would still be wrapped around me.

Unable to find relief.

The only thing she left behind was the child who clung to her clothes, following her every step.

She remained in hell, quietly waiting, hoping that one day her sister would return. So day after day, she endured endless torment.

Therefore, they hate, and therefore go mad.

Even though Wen Wen had never promised her anything, she still couldn't help but wonder... if everything would have been different if she had left with Wen Su back then?
Even if someone's nature is inherently bad, surely it can be changed if it is corrected early on?
They might become more obedient, or they might not, or things might even get worse.

perhaps.

In that instant, she finally realized what she had missed.

Perhaps the hope to change everything was right in front of her, but she ran away. Her seemingly rebellious departure was nothing more than a wishful escape.

They didn't even dare to look back.

Because of his own fear and cowardice.

"I'm sorry, Asu, this is my fault. Please, curse me."

She closed her eyes and murmured silently. When those eyes opened again, a dark shadow appeared within the crystalline purple light, reflecting the figure in the sky.

"Wen Sheng, it was my mistake that I couldn't kill you completely back then!"

"Sorry?"

Wen Sheng's voices overlapped, contemptuous and cold: "You won't have another chance like this!"

"very good."

Wenwen laughed, so happily that she no longer had any inhibitions.

"Then let's die together!"

The cracking sound rang out once more, from her face, from her soul. Just after the shackles were loosened, her cruel and violent nature seemed to awaken from a long dream, opening its eyes.

Complete liberation!

Thus, the illusion shattered, and the bliss collapsed.

After breaking the eternal impenetrable barrier, the dragon's phantom appeared.

This time, what rose from behind her was no longer tiny stone wings and flames, but a natural disaster born from the vortex after all matter had been completely destroyed!

The unborn dragon roared in fury.

The torrent surged skyward, heading towards the enemy before them.

Come to death!

"..."

Ji Jue was stunned. In a moment of confusion, he seemed to hear shouts from afar. He subconsciously turned around, but outside the window there were only dappled shadows of trees. In the distant square, children were still playing football.

Nothing happened.

Nothing can be seen.

"Ji Jue, Ji Jue, stop spacing out."

Across the table, his mother raised her hand and waved it in front of him, raising her voice until he finally snapped out of his daze and looked at the table.

Cured pork and sausages, stir-fried pork kidneys, Mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, braised pork belly, fish with broad bean paste... the table was completely filled, and there was almost no room to put a bowl.

There's too much of it, and it's too spicy.

His chopsticks hesitated for a moment, which his mother noticed, asking in surprise, "Is it not to your taste?"

"Ah, no, no!"

Ji Jue shook his head, picked up a piece of the least spicy braised pork belly with his chopsticks, and started eating rice.

Then, the mother smiled and said, "You're always away from home and rarely come back. Eat more."

"Ah."

Ji Jue paused for a moment, hesitating, "Mom, I..." He trailed off, then subconsciously changed the subject:
"Hmm, where's my dad?"

"Oh, downstairs? In the garage." The mother sighed, "He ate a few bites and left. He's still busy with his old car."

These past few days, he's been fiddling around all day, I don't know what he's up to. Men are so strange.

Ji Jue hesitated again, not daring to speak, and lowered his head to eat his rice. He then noticed his mother's gaze on his wrist and asked in surprise, "You're wearing your grandfather's watch?"

"what?"

Ji Jue glanced at his wrist; the hands on the watch face were still turning silently. Even though he knew it was just a dream, he couldn't suppress his curiosity: "This watch..."

“The watch,” the mother sighed softly, then smiled. “Your grandfather gave it to me mysteriously, like it was a family heirloom, and he fooled me for a long time.”

Then one day, your grandma told me that he forgot to buy me a birthday present, and fearing I would cry, he used something he had just received for twenty yuan to pretend it was an heirloom to trick me.

"what?"

Ji Jue was bewildered, completely confused, incredulous, and unable to comprehend it.

"Wear it if you like it, and it's okay if you lose it if you find it troublesome. It's just a watch, after all. Compared to this..."

The mother shook her head, seemingly unconcerned, but when she looked over, her gaze suddenly sharpened: "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Uh……"

Ji Jue hesitated, then instinctively rambled on, "I don't know."

"do not know?"

His mother was amused, but showed no sign of letting him off the hook: "I wonder if it's there or not?"

"..."

Ji Jue lowered his head, and after a long while, sighed: "I don't know."

"Then let's rephrase the question."

The mother's smile grew even brighter as she pressed, "Do you have someone you like?"

"..."

Ji Jue remained silent, speeding up his eating, seemingly oblivious to what was happening, but he could hear his mother's laughter, playful and cheerful, full of teasing.

I don't know what I've actually understood.

She simply rested her chin on her hand, watching his disheveled appearance, and smiled:

"Then you should keep it up!"

"...I, I'm full."

Ji Jue avoided her gaze and put down the bowl: "I'm going to see my dad."

"go Go."

The mother shook her head with a smile, cleared the dishes, and couldn't help but laugh out loud when she heard the footsteps fading away.

You can hear it even through the door!
In the hallway, Ji Jue sighed helplessly.

He looked up at the steps leading to the rooftop, but couldn't take the first step. When he came to his senses, he had already subconsciously followed the stairs back to the ground.

Return to the starting point.

No matter how much encouragement they received, they remained stagnant. Looking up, they stared blankly at the rooftop, unable to shake off the hesitation and wavering within them—if they jumped from here, would they be heartbroken?

Or should we go somewhere else?
But can I really not hesitate at all?
he does not know.

Even if all of this is fake, isn't it better if it's fake?

He just wanted to see.

Take another look...

Under the blazing summer sun, Ji Jue wandered aimlessly through the neighborhood. Finally, he stopped in front of the garage, squatted on the steps, and watched the busy figure hunched over the hood of the car.

Several times, he wanted to speak, but didn't know what to say.

Even if one wants to get closer and understand their father better, they always feel at a loss for words when facing their father who passed away when they were young.

It wasn't until his father turned around, looked at him, waved, and pointed to the hood that he finally understood.

"Give me a hand."

Ji Jue reached out and held the hood, peering down curiously: "Aren't you wearing gloves?"

My hands were covered in engine oil, and when I rubbed it on my face, it left black marks.

"It's so hot, I'm covered in sweat." The father held out his hand: "Wrench."

So Ji Jue handed over the wrench.

To act as an assistant, to follow commands and instructions, and to do the work.

While I was observing, I suddenly heard my father's voice. As he was engrossed in repairing the equipment, he asked abruptly, "It's about time. Shouldn't we go back to work?"

"...I want to stay at home a little longer."

After a moment of silence, Ji Jue reached out and said, "The belt is a bit worn, but it's actually fine. It's probably because the valve clearance is too large."

"Ok?"

The father paused for a moment, squinted and leaned closer, then suddenly realized: "Indeed, I was only paying attention to the piston and the oil cup."

Ji Jue added, "The hydraulic tappets also have some problems."

"Impossible, right?" The father shook his head. "I found the original design drawings; it's this model number."

"That means there's a design problem. This strut has been used for too long, and the internal hydraulic pressure is insufficient." Ji Jue shook his head: "The car's mileage is too high. The designer probably didn't expect that someone would drive it for so long."

The father paused for a moment, then realized.

A sigh.

"It's a minor problem, I can handle it."

Ji Jue took the tools, switched tasks, and skillfully adjusted the linkage mechanism of the engine valves, moving smoothly and quickly.

I never imagined that I would be able to resume my old profession in my dreams, which makes me sigh with emotion.

I always feel like this car is constantly being repaired wherever it goes, it's always under repair, it never stops.

Who knows, I might actually be good at car repair.

"It's done, look."

Ji Jue laughed, turned around, and looked to the side, only to find his father watching him, silent and serene, so focused.

That kind of gaze inexplicably made Ji Jue feel a little uneasy.

"What...what happened?"

"No, it's nothing."

The father raised his hand, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and closed the hood: "Well done."

He thought for a moment and said, "Much better than me."

They were washing their hands by the water pipe downstairs. The father was scrubbing the machine oil off his hands with great effort when he suddenly asked, "If we don't leave now, we'll miss our afternoon shift, won't we?"

Ji Jue paused for a moment, wanting to speak, but then heard his father's voice.

He said, "It's time to go."

"..."

Ji Jue paused for a moment, then nodded: "I'll go tell Mom..."

The father waved his hand, "I'll talk to her."

As he spoke, he dried his hands on his pants, then with some difficulty removed the car keys from the keychain and handed them to Ji Jue.

"Everything moves so fast these days, and everyone's busy outside. Let's not waste any time, let's drive my car."

Ji Jue hesitated for a moment, then didn't answer: "What about you?"

"We're all retired now. A bicycle is enough for buying groceries. Why waste gas?"

His father put the car keys into his hand. "It's an old model, but don't mind it. This is the car your mother and I drove when we got married. We paid off the loan for a long time."

"That's true, it's been around for quite a while."

"I was originally planning to give it to you when you grew up," the father said. "Unfortunately... I didn't live to see it."

He paused for a moment, then said softly:
"sorry."

"..."

Ji Jue froze, paused subconsciously, and looked up at him.

I could barely contain my trembling and shock.

It's hard to be sure.

His father looked at him, as dull and silent as ever.

Just watch.

Watch.

"Let's go, Ji Jue."

He stood in the shadow of the past, gazing at Ji Jue's figure in the sunlight. His usually restrained expression revealed neither relief nor sorrow; he simply bid farewell calmly.
"Let's go."

Ji Jue stood there dumbfounded, clutching the car keys, watching him turn and leave, his figure disappearing into the stairwell.

He instinctively wanted to chase after him, but an invisible wall rose up in front of him, impossible to cross, and not allowing him to turn back.

The gate, so close yet so far, now seems so distant.

Only the car next to me started on its own, its engine roaring as if urging me on.

The car door opened, and we waited.

It's time to go, Ji Jue. Don't delay any longer.

But, do we really have to leave?
The moment he boarded, the vehicle started moving on its own, carrying him slowly forward.

For a fleeting moment, Ji Jue wanted to slam on the brakes and turn around for one last look, but he seemed to sense a gaze directed at him from behind.

Calm and serene, I watched him leave, wishing he would not hesitate or waver any longer.

Don't look back, keep moving forward.

So the car accelerated...

faster and faster.

He heard a shattering sound, one after another, the sound of a dream collapsing, endless and continuous, but why did it seem to be coming from the deepest part of his soul?

From faint echoes, it gradually transformed into a deafening roar.

Everything was dimming, fading, and rapidly disappearing.

I can't tell if it's the dream fading away or the blurring from my tears.

In the fading remnants of a dream, on the balcony, a pair of figures silently watched the car drive away, sighing softly.

"He must have gone very far."

"Ah."

"We'll go a long way, won't we?"

"Ah."

"It's too hard for one person," the mother sighed softly.

The father thought for a moment and shook his head, "It can't be just one person."

"that would be great."

The mother smiled, filled with relief, and looked at the person beside her. Seeing his gaze, she said, "It's so good to see him again, to see you again."

"Ah, me too."

And so, the departed phantoms clasped hands and nestled together.

Gradually, they disappeared, vanishing into the distance along with the fading dream.

They went to places Ji Jue couldn't go.

The car continued forward, speeding along as if soaring through the air. Everything outside the window had turned into a streak of light, and everything seemed to be blurred through my tears.

It was a beautiful dream from which she could never escape, yet she took the initiative to let go of Ji Jue.

They let go of each other's hands.

No matter how tightly Ji Jue held on.

We said goodbye with laughter, then pushed him forward, ever forward!
So Ji Jue went forward.

Only the sound of shattering echoed, from the deepest recesses of Ji Jue's soul. Something awoke from a long dream, opened its eyes, struggled, crawled out, and roared.

They rushed towards the dreamlike illusion that was so close at hand.

Its claws and teeth are ferocious!

boom!
The sound of shattering echoed as it crashed to the earth once more, leaving it riddled with holes.

"How many more times do we have to repeat this, Wenwen?"

Wen Sheng looked down at that shattered face and sighed regretfully, "It's too late, and too weak! How much of your self do you still have left to sacrifice and burn?"

No matter how many times you kill Wen Sheng, it won't make a difference.

It's just a temporary period of glory and advantage.

No matter how brutal the power, if it cannot instantly overturn the essence of this illusion with absolute violence, it will only be in vain in Wen Sheng's repeated rebirths.

If the blockade had been lifted earlier and the cycle broken from the outside, Wen Sheng would still have felt a headache and a problem. Unfortunately, it was too late.

She has been imprisoned for far too long in meaningless repression and constraint.

Seventeen counterattacks killed Wen Sheng twenty-one times, all in vain.

But his soul was already on the verge of collapse.

"How pathetic, Wenwen."

Someone as weak as you will ultimately be unable to live up to your father's expectations. Why are you unwilling to turn back?

Wen Sheng sneered and mocked, like a true god occasionally showing mercy and extending a helping hand to an opponent who posed no threat.

“Come home, sister, and apologize to Father.”

He looked down at you with pity and said, "For my father's sake, I might even forgive you."

"Family?"

Wenwen was amused.

Does such a thing really exist in this world?
But for some reason, despite the unfamiliar words, so many familiar figures and smiling faces came to mind.

He trusts and relies on his younger sister, his obedient and sensible younger brother, his lazy but always reliable old man, and even... a sleazy guy who always leaves people helpless.

She'll laugh and raise a glass to herself, get drunk by her own side, and make excuses to designate the day she met herself as a holiday, then secretly prepare a cake.

Home is a perpetually messy office piled high with all sorts of odds and ends, a folding bed hastily set up, the outside is filled with the noise of variety shows and games, the sound of water being used to make tea, the idle chatter of people eating melons, the occasional cheers and complaints, and the reassuring sound of footsteps...

And so, I couldn't help but miss and reminisce.

Unable to contain herself any longer, a smile appeared.

Perhaps Ji Jue was right before; he had been avoiding the trust of others all along.

In the moment of realizing that one is trusted, relied upon, and cared for, one feels a blissful sense of redemption and an unprecedented peace.

I am indeed on a completely different path from the one that person arranged!
"I already have my own family."

She glanced at that hypocritical face: "Families are tens of thousands, millions, even tens of millions of times better than you and Wen Zheng, those stinking scum!"

That's why they struggle tirelessly and suffer the torment of self-inflicted hardship.

I don't want anyone to see my ugliest side, I don't want to become a monster with nothing but destruction, I don't want to degenerate to the pathetic level of trash in front of me!

"Stubborn!"

Wen Sheng's expression turned ashen. His hypocritical compassion, now discarded like worn-out shoes, could no longer conceal his contempt and disgust: "A weak piece of trash like you, living in this world will only disappoint your father!"

"Then let your father die!"

Wen Wen laughed nonchalantly, raising her head: "In my whole life, I've fought tooth and nail against people, snatched from them, and compared myself to them—not to become a monster like you!"

"I'd rather die than do that!"

Is it because the impression was too deep?
Before you know it, you might have infringed on some bastard's copyright.

But it doesn't matter.

I've protected you so many times, let me use this cool line too!

And so, she clenched her fist once again.

Facing the opponent before them.

Challenge Wen Zheng's puppet!

Even after being defeated once again and falling to the ground, there was still no fear or hesitation.

"Then, as you wish, die!"

The Soul-Destroying Sword, which pierced through heaven and earth, rose into the sky along with the true essence of the Abyss, the Unending, and the Filth, and ruthlessly struck down at the last soul.

Wenwen smiled and closed her eyes.

Waiting for liberation.

In the final moment, besides regret and reluctance, there was also an indescribable sense of relief and joy that arose in my heart.

I'm so glad he didn't see me like this in the end...

Ok?
Was this final moment a little too long?

As the wait dragged on, she grew increasingly tense and uneasy, eventually stiffening up.

...Suddenly, I was afraid to open my eyes!
In the brief silence, the Soul-Destroying Sword failed to arrive, as if it had gotten lost and completely broke its promise!

Then, as if something approached, it lowered its head, looked down and examined her closely, admiring her conflicted and nervous appearance, and silently grinned.

"Why do I feel like someone doesn't really want to see me, Sister Wen?"

(End of this chapter)