Infinite Terror: Infinite Reversal

Chapter 398 Redemption from Depravity

"Don't die! I promised we'd all live together. We'll find a way to fix our health problems, and then we'll be happy together for the rest of our lives, playing, working, and traveling together... Ruikong, we promised to travel the world together, we promised to grow up together... I don't want to be alone, I don't want to live a lonely life..."

Zhao Yingkong's hoarse cries had woken Zhao Zhuikong countless times in the middle of the night, and after getting up, only that one angry rebuke would linger in his ears.

"Zhao Zhuikong! I hate you, I will always hate you!"

Only when she recalled those words did Zhao Zhuikong remember that, apart from being the strongest, Zhao Yingkong was only about the same age as Zhao Ruikong, and was just a child... In the end, she couldn't be that resolute. Before the life-and-death separation from her closest person, she no longer had the demeanor of a leader and the strongest, leaving only the sorrow of a child losing everything.

"Brother, thank you... Goodbye..."

Zhao Ruikong's trachea had been severed, so she couldn't say anything. She could only use her last bit of pure spiritual energy to say goodbye to Zhao Zhuikong.

“My sister is too close to her true inner demons. I will absorb all her violent thoughts… She’s just a child. These pains, regrets, and resentments are not something she can bear. They will only make her sink faster… Since she subconsciously wants to escape, I will help her. I will seal all these memories and powers, and let her live on with a new identity, carrying my share…”

"Brother, remember your promise, she is still your sister..."

Zhao Zhuikong's smile froze, his body and spirit seemingly completely separated, leaving only numbness. He watched Zhao Ruikong slowly die, and only when Zhao Ruikong said these words did he remember that seemingly joking remark he had made before.

A frantic roar exploded in Zhao Zhuikong's heart: "If she can't bear it, how can I?"

“I believe in you, brother, I’ve always believed in you… Their memories will be sealed and distorted, but I will imprint the purest spirit onto you…” Zhao Ruikong’s voice in his mind grew weaker and more fragmented, “Sister Yingkong is right, you are the most talented among us, you can’t forget that, because only you can stop all of this…”

“We who shouldn’t exist are born with flaws in our souls, making it almost impossible for us to overcome our inner demons… But with your ability to suppress them, you still have a long time… If one day, your brother also succumbs to his inner demons, this mark can at least allow you to retain a sliver of self-awareness. I believe your brother can do it, at least salvage something…”

At this moment, Zhao Zhuikong's eyes were filled with weakness and pain. Feeling the infusion of spiritual power, he wanted to cry, but Zhao Ruikong, on her deathbed, smiled at him. Controlled by spiritual power, Zhao Zhuikong also forced a smile onto his lips.

"That's it, brother, keep smiling like that from now on... That's the kind of smile we love..."

"Brother, remember your promise. Promise me that she, the newborn girl, will still be your sister... okay..."

“I promise…I promise…” Zhao Zhuikong said blankly.

"That's good, goodbye..."

This was the last thing the little girl said to him before she closed her eyes.

These resurfaced memories faded once more, and Zhao Zhuikong finally broke free from his inner demons for the time being. His own consciousness floated above his sea of ​​consciousness, below him was the grinning demon, and outside were the members of the Central Continent Team, but at this moment he was completely calm.

"I'm sorry... Ruikong..."

"I promised you, but I didn't keep my promise..."

When Zhao Zhuikong entered the Main God Space, he could no longer suppress his power; he openly possessed the strength of a third-tier being and was even capable of unlocking the fourth-tier gene lock. But this was not a good thing; it meant he was about to completely fall into the abyss.

Because of such strength and potential, Zhao Zhuikong was copied when he entered the Main God Space... His memories as Zhao Zhuikong end here. Now, he is just a copy that has inherited Zhao Zhuikong's memories and strength.

Why, why... This isn't my true past... Why do I still feel such heart-wrenching regret even in my moments of depravity...?

The clone Zhao Zhuikong knew his past was nonexistent; everything about him began with a sphere of light called the God of God. Therefore, he quickly succumbed to despair. The moment he learned he was a clone, he slaughtered the entire demon team; even the so-called captain was nothing more than an ant in his hands.

He no longer bothered to suppress his strength; everything he did was for amusement… Killing these self-important members of the Demon Team was fun, watching a new batch of breeders enter the Demon Team and do whatever they wanted, watching that fool named Reinhardt go from indulgence to destruction, and watching Zheng Zha and the others rebuild a stronger Demon Team—all of these were part of his fun.

Perhaps his true self is still seeking hope, but who cares... that's something he should be worrying about, isn't it?
However, when Chu Xuan and Li Xiaoyi told him that his sister might also be in the Main God Space, all these self-deceiving thoughts shattered. He suddenly felt a pang of regret; perhaps he shouldn't have given up so early… He even prayed that his true self wouldn't fall so low, so that when they met again, he could still make some plans…

"Chu Xuan, can you help me?" This was the first time he had shown such weakness in front of others since entering the Main God Space.

So he started helping Chu Xuan with his work. The others might not be surprised, because Chu Xuan always had people helping him with whatever he asked, even Zheng Zha, the team leader... Only he himself knew how incredible this was.

In this team battle, the clone Zhao Zhuikong finally saw her, saw this new Zhao Yingkong… What reassured him was that this Zhao Yingkong's strength and memories had clearly been sealed. Perhaps this strength was somewhat insufficient in the Main God Space, but it also gave her a greater chance of overcoming her inner demons. After all, the exchange in the Main God Space was truly incredible, far superior to the real world.

That's why, when he exposed a weakness by using the Light of the Mind and was subdued in one move by the mental controller of the Central Continent Team, his inner demons roared and he was unwilling, but the real him had no intention of struggling.

When he woke up and was questioned by Zhao Yingkong, he just smiled faintly and said things that made her extremely angry.

Well, Ruikong really did it, keeping Yingkong away from that danger... Even if in her distorted memories, this Zhao Yingkong directs all her hatred at him, so what?
The cruelest truth has been covered up by Zhao Ruikong, and let her bear these virtual hatreds... Only in this way can we prevent her from falling back into depravity.

No matter how Zhao Yingkong questions him, he will only admit to these non-existent crimes without hesitation... Even if he is just a clone, he will do more for this sister.

But I am no longer the older brother I used to be, and you are no longer the younger sister who knew us well... The clone Zhao Zhuikong thought to himself.

Watching Zhao Yingkong walk out of the temporary interrogation room, which was heavily sealed off by telekinesis and mental power, the clone Zhao Zhuikong finally revealed a genuine smile before leaning back in his chair.

This was the best outcome he could imagine. Let Zhao Yingkong live on with her new memories… even if it all hinges on her hatred for him. Only in this way can she continue to grow until she returns to the fourth tier, only then can she accept his spiritual light and complete the completion Chu Xuan spoke of…

Speaking of which, we should thank the super mental controller of the Zhongzhou team, otherwise, in his demonic state, he might have killed Zhao Yingkong... Now that he has confirmed Zhao Yingkong's condition and helped her maintain her false memories, he no longer cares about team battles or even life and death.

Being killed by Zhao Yingkong might be a good ending...

"Sometimes, lies allow people to survive more than revealing the truth, don't they?" The boy named Mu Xiang walked up to him and said this.

indeed……

“You’re definitely going to die, there’s no doubt about that… Although this kind of injury is nothing to you, if you resist, I don’t mind turning you into pieces.” Mu Xiang said calmly, “However, your death can help Ying Kong. Would you like to hear about it? Of course, it doesn’t matter if you disagree, I have plenty of ways to do it.”

As he spoke, the clone Zhao Zhuikong could no longer maintain his nonchalant attitude... His explanation was similar to Chu Xuan's, although there were some differences, the fundamental logic remained the same.

"The God of Replication's principle is quite interesting. It values ​​both strength and potential... and you and Zhao Yingkong both meet this requirement. However, due to the overlap in combat styles, you have taken Zhao Yingkong's place without replicating similar talents." Mu Xiang spread his hands and said, "This is my deduction, and the accuracy rate is about 70%... Since you can accept Chu Xuan's 50%, you should be able to accept this."

It sounded like a classic Chu Xuan joke... The clone Zhao Zhuikong felt a little helpless.

“But since you have to die today, it’s worth a try, even if the chances are slim…” Mu Xiang said calmly. “The clones Chu Xuan and Li Xiaoyi may have told you that you should combine the original and the clone into one, and then guide the Light of the Soul to her to complete the Light of the Soul that was incomplete from birth, right?”

"In fact, the combined light of your souls is merely a matter of quantity, thus completing Sakura's soul... But what if the light of your souls used to complete her souls were more in harmony with her true self?"

"So what do you mean?" the clone Zhao Zhuikong asked.

"You die, making room for Sakura to be copied into the Demon Team... Ultimately, I and my copy will merge them into one. In this process, no new transmission is needed, and the mind can be restored."

The clone Zhao Zhuikong frowned: "No... According to Chu Xuan's calculations, even if I merge with my original self, it won't complete my mind. I still need to introduce a new level of the same spiritual light. Isn't that enough?"

“Because you don’t know one thing,” Mu Xiang whispered in his ear, “that is, her two personalities, after merging with each other, will possess two portions of spiritual light… and with her clone, both the compatibility and the quantity will be better than your plan.”

"You still want that her to wake up?" The clone Zhao Zhuikong looked coldly at Mu Xiang.

Mu Xiang sneered: "Do you think she can avoid this once she reaches the fourth tier again?"

The clone Zhao Zhuikong fell silent.

"Whether you believe it or not, I won't explain any more to you... Whether you agree or disagree, you're going to die. Or are you actually clinging to some illusion?"

“No, I agree.” The clone Zhao Zhuikong closed his eyes. “Just as you said, I have no choice, so let’s give it a try.”

“Anyway, you can revive once more, right?” Mu Xiang smiled. “Alright, it’s settled then. Although your teammates may not agree to this, it doesn’t matter if they disagree… because the Demon Team will soon be my clones.”

"So ambitious... How can I trust you?" The clone Zhao Zhuikong sneered.

Mu Xiang shrugged: "Like I said, it's okay if you don't trust me... but if you're of sound mind, you should understand that I'm not lying to you about dying, because killing you would be too easy for me. If I didn't have that thought, why would I bother telling you all this?"

"Whatever... Remember your promise."

Mu Xiang shook his head: "I didn't promise anything. I'm just doing what I want to do. Why should I make promises to others? Get ready, she'll be sending you on your way soon."

"Is that so... It seems she hates me a lot."

The clone Zhao Zhuikong, who had been mired in inner demons for so long, seemed to experience a final burst of energy at this moment, revealing the most serene and pure smile from amidst endless malice and filth. Under the control of powerful mental energy, even the long-rampant inner demons had to be temporarily suppressed.

It's been so long since I've felt myself again... Living with this awareness again feels like being reborn.

The clone Zhao Zhuikong smiled like that, and he looked at Mu Xiang with the clearest eyes, letting the invisible short sword pierce through him without offering any resistance.

If sacrificing myself as a clone can salvage something... then let's do it.

Goodbye, my dear sister...

(End of this chapter)