Above Destiny

Chapter 788 Light Originates from All Things
When you rise again from the depths of despair, when everything that has become numb awakens once more.

Driven by the will of the people, the crimson light that gathers in a mighty torrent is this overwhelming force.

The outcome between them was long ago over.

Fernand could no longer succeed when the aberration of his decline came to an abrupt end, and when that leaflet fell from the sky, everything he had painstakingly prepared fell into Ji Jue's hands.

All that remains is the question of victory or defeat.

So, just as Ji Jue was determined to end all of this, Chi Xiao finally ushered in the final process and tempering!
Boundless radiance shines everywhere.

When Ji Jue's soul rose from his body, responding to the call of the blazing sun and plunging into that intense light, what he saw was an ocean formed by countless figures.

Within this projection of the Heavenly Order, blurry figures raised their hands in a frenzy, as if they were already moved to tears of excitement.

Calling for the arrival of heroes, calling for the coming of the ruler, calling his name.

Before Ji Jue, a long, long staircase finally appeared.

The highest point leading to the sky.

All things revolve around this principle, and heaven and earth take this as their axis.

Under Chi Xiao's control, this magnificent undertaking of recreating everything and the power to control the seven cities is within reach.

The phantoms of Tianyuan and the Tower flowed within the crimson light, the position of ruler had been vacant for far too long. As long as Ji Jue stepped forward, no, as long as Ji Jue changed his mind, the position of ruler would welcome its true master.

But when he subconsciously reached out his hand, his palm froze in mid-air.

Stagnated.

Regardless of the urging and calling of the highest good or the greatest evil.

It's like hesitation and indecision, making it difficult to decide.

He just suddenly felt...

"...This is a bit troublesome."

Every day, so many people jump around in front of me, raising their hands and cheering non-stop. Just thinking about it makes my eyes and ears hurt.

It's like I've found myself a job, one that I have to be on duty 24/7. Every now and then, I get interrupted by all sorts of random things while I'm working on my research, which is incredibly annoying.

I have a lot of things to do myself, okay!
Please, I just want to open a factory!
You can't expect me to sell my blood, my strength, my youth for you for the rest of my life just because I occasionally do a good deed. And after I sell my youth, I'll sell my children and grandchildren.

It is simply contrary to Tiangang!

I just handed out a few flyers and did something normal. Would things have been any different if someone else had done the same thing?
Why did it have to come to this!

"why?"

Ji Jue raised his head, looking at all of this with a blank expression, and asked.

Must a savior appear for us to have a future? Must a ruler control everything for everyone to continue to survive?

Aren't there enough tyrannical rulers who have caused endless harm?
But no one responded.

Only a series of thunderous, fervent shouts pleaded with him to reign supreme over all, to rule over everything, and to eternally guide them forward on the path of peace and tranquility.

Just as the former Lord of the Abyss rightfully considered Luo Island his property, just as Fernand today rightfully pushes the Seven Cities into the quagmire.

With the convergence of all forces at this moment, why should Ji Jue rightfully hold all of this in his hands?

The Heavenly Origin Way of the former Eternal Empire has long been completely severed by the Mohists.

Even if he reaches the end, he will only become another tyrant, the very thing he despises most, waiting for the next Ji Jue to come before him and challenge him.

This should not be the case.

That shouldn't be the case either.

If he shamelessly reaches out and assumes that he is responsible for all of this, then what difference is there between him and Fernand, who spouts the idea that everything decays on its own?
"How about, forget it?"

Ji Jue proposed all of this.

In the dead silence, there was no sound.

Those fanatical figures seemed to freeze, staring at him in astonishment.

"It just goes to show that sometimes, people really don't learn from their mistakes. Even with Kengen's example right before me, when it came to my turn, I still ended up in a dead end..."

Ji Jue scratched his head and sighed self-deprecatingly, "In the end, was it myself who couldn't let go?"

All of this may have originated from myself, but at this moment, it is not something that I alone have accomplished.

If that's the case, why is there a need for someone to control everything forever? Nor is there a need to find someone else to take over and bear all the glory.

The remnants of the Heavenly Origin are ultimately not the same.

From the perspective of the likes of Tianyuan, such an opportunity is rare, and since all things have the chance to return to order, they might seize it without hesitation. But for the craftsmen, all of this is simply a natural occurrence.

Why should one take credit for oneself?

The Heavenly Origin achieved by the seven cities is not my exclusive Heavenly Origin. The Crimson Sky, built by the collective, is not my Crimson Sky alone!

The truth has always been this simple, but only now does Ji Jue finally understand...

"After searching high and low, did you finally figure it out in Tianyuan?"

The moment the realization dawned on Ji Jue, he finally couldn't help but burst into laughter:

"—All things are formed by themselves; therefore, all things transform themselves!"

If all of this is natural, then perhaps the fall of the seven cities is natural, the ascension of the masses is natural, and the final outcome is also natural...

This is the real, and right thing to do!

Therefore, Ji Jue chose to let go.

The crimson sky, suspended in mid-air, trembled and shook, as if responding to Ji Jue's will, as its radiance slashed down! A series of cracking sounds rose and fell, echoing throughout the ocean where countless souls had gathered.

That was the vast echo of shackles being loosened, the deep resonance of order being rebuilt, the final lament of a collapsing throne and crumbling staircases...

The lofty throne, the absolute authority, the power of life and death—all vanished completely before Ji Jue's eyes.

He gave up.

Having completely severed his absolute authority within the Crimson Sky, he dismantled the omnipresent power and control, and erased all laws and regulations.

This power, which originated from Tianyuan, will once again be returned to all those who constitute Tianyuan…

You are self-made, you are self-transformed.

What you have received is the reward you deserve.

Stop worshipping gods, stop searching for a savior. There are no heroes in this world who can promise salvation.

You have already chosen to save yourselves.

Why then is there a need for the eternal guidance of a savior and a hero?
"It is up to you to choose whether or not you should take action."

Ji Jue smiled, waved to the bewildered figures, and made a final promise:
"If one day you no longer need me. If one day all that I have created as a craftsman can no longer satisfy you."

Therefore, there should be no more hesitation...

"It's only natural that you abandon me!"

In an instant, the blazing sun roared, trembling once, then trembling again!

The foundation of the universe cracked open, and then the damage intensified, plunging everything that was about to be accomplished into a chaotic storm, causing it to completely disintegrate.

The blazing sun expands, leaving no trace of restraint.

But when all coercive power was lost, the countless glimmers of light that should have completely dissipated remained in place, and even gathered together, more so than before!

It was as if... when he decided to let go, all things seemed to reach out to him.

It has once again taken on a completely new appearance, revealing a new order and form.

All things are formed and transformed on their own.

A transformation as smooth as flowing water, a change that is only natural.

It reveals its final form.

Never before has the Heavenly Origin been so fragile, completely losing its absolute dominion and control over its interior, yet never before has the Heavenly Origin been so bizarre, causing all things to naturally converge.

They willingly submit to his guidance and command!
This also caused the expectant onlookers in the distant darkness, atop the lonely tower, to fall silent, their smiles frozen on their faces.

He was almost furious!
For a fleeting moment, he resolutely reached out his hand, disregarding the heir's obstruction, to correct the course of events. But as he reached out, for some reason, a familiar face appeared before his eyes.

The advice and pleas from the only person he could once call a friend. Those were the 'nonsense' he had dismissed as jokes.

"Give birth to them, raise them, shape them, bring them to maturity... nurture them, raise them, mature them, and ripen them; care for them and cover them..."

His face was hidden in the darkness, and he sighed disdainfully: "Clothing nourishes all things but does not serve as their master?"

Is it that the foolish and shallow-minded remain unchanged, or is it that you Mohists are all inherently naive and dull-witted?

No one responded.

Only the laughter that had long since faded away seemed to ring in my ears once again.

So pleased with himself.

He withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes, and stopped looking.

They're all a bunch of stubborn fools anyway.

I'm annoyed!

Only amidst the transformation of the crimson sky, as the traces of the Imperial Seal faded, did an ancient line of silver characters rise from the banner.

Like a flame passed down through generations, it has been reignited.

[To give birth without possessing, to act without relying on one's own power, to nurture without dominating—this is called profound virtue.]

The flame flashed and disappeared in an instant.

I don't understand it, but it seems really impressive!

After messing around with it haphazardly and writing an operating system with my eyes closed, and then completely open-sourcing it... it seems like maybe nothing went wrong?
That proves I was right!

As for the rest, it doesn't matter!
Why do you want to control life and death, why do you want to act like a tyrant? It's just a factory. I'll pay you to work, that's all. Why all this nonsense?

"That's the best way."

At this moment, Ji Jue sighed softly as the brand-new Crimson Banner appeared between heaven and earth.

So light, like a phantom.

Gone was the terrifying prestige and magnificent aura that once gathered the seven cities' Heavenly Origin; it felt utterly unreal.

Yet this very banner, so light and delicate, when casually waved, seems to cause the entire world to collapse, heaven and earth to sway, and the world to respond with a thunderous roar.

Just like the axis of heaven and earth, it naturally guides everything.

There's no need to grasp everything; everything will naturally come together!

Heaven and earth are both bright.

Even though the scorching sun is nowhere to be seen, everything still shines!

Why bother with the Crimson Sky?

(End of this chapter)