Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

He dragged his weary body, his gaze sweeping around, his panting growing louder with each heartbeat.

"Where are you all...?"

A writhing, dark creature beneath their feet hissed, "White...Evil..."

"…What?"

"What's wrong with you?"

Bai E's eyes widened in disbelief, "You..."

"Are you... talking to me...?"

"■■I■■don't■■■die■■…■■Aren't we■■best■■friends■■?"

Amidst the monster's roars, Bai E vaguely heard a familiar voice.

“That scarf… Livia…”

A tear rolled down his cheek, his voice trembling, "So it really was you..."

"Please, please, please, please..."

“■■■■■……”

Bai E wanted to reach out and touch her but couldn't find a way. The girl's face was already unrecognizable, and her body was covered with a black, viscous substance. He could still vaguely see the pulsation of flesh and blood.

"no no……"

A sword light flashed.

He cried out in anguish, "Livia..."

"And...these monsters..."

"Why...why...?!"

The anger and resentment in his chest felt like they were about to burst out of his heart. Bai E still remembered meeting this girl not long ago; how happy and optimistic she looked when she smiled…

Tears mingled with golden blood as he flowed down, numbly raising his sword... to deliver them from their suffering.

Why... wasn't my sword meant to protect the village?

[Star: Damn it, why did they have to do this to Shiro! The Black Tide... corrupted everyone in the village into monsters, so he personally killed the person he swore to protect!]

[The Robin: How much pain must he be in?]

[Hu Tao: Guest Elder, that little girl still retains some consciousness...]

[Zhongli: Sigh, so this is what Bai E recounted at the citizens' assembly—his relatives and friends turned into twisted monsters before his eyes. He was just a boy who had just come of age.]

[Nicole: This is so painful... If it were me, I would go crazy.]

[Feng Jin: Lord Bai E... are you alright?]

[Bai'er: ...It's alright. After my speech at the Citizens' Assembly, I understood that stagnation would only lead to destruction. At that moment, Teacher Xia, Aglaia, Teacher Tian...you taught me acceptance, moving forward, and hope.]

[All Enemies: I believe in you, Savior.]

[Gui Naifen: And this is only a glimpse of his despair. He has witnessed thirty million reincarnations...]

[Ju Fufu: Ahh... Junior sister, I'm scared.]

[Rin: He even remembers the name of every villager... even after he's turned into a monster.]

In the pitch-black scene, Ragushi's voice rang out again.

"On the day the Black Tide struck, the hesitant boy finally set off, heading towards the first battlefield with his companions."

"And in the distant future, on the land of Onphalus, the footprints of heroes will be etched: he will wield his sword and inscribe an immortal epic in the golden history."

"As the first rays of light rose over the horizon, the wounded boy stood on the scorched earth, silently burying the victims one by one..."

"Just like his hometown, his past, and his name."

"With his frail legs, he embarked on his journey, traversing the rocky ridges [the earth], crossing the overflowing cups [the ocean], and walking through the cold, deathly fog of the gray hands [death]..."

Chapter 508, Act Two: The Trial

"He walked aimlessly, like a withered leaf falling in the wind. He passed through countless cities, etching the smiling face of the white-haired swordsman."

"He was not aimless. In the depths of the boy's heart, there was always a voice guiding him forward: to follow his heart's desire, to brave dangers and perils, just to do what he could to save all those who deserved to be saved."

"Just like the day we set out, the voice of my companion in my ear..."

Bai E: "Go protect those who deserve protection."

"That's what the man said. He didn't hesitate; he simply carried it out resolutely."

Bai Er: "Only by doing this can mediocre people make extraordinary choices."

"He continued his journey, until he knew that the cry for fire would resound across the land. In the storm described in the prophecy, mankind would defeat the gods, seize the fire, and bring a new dawn to Onphalus."

Bai Er: "However, the pursuit of fire is a journey of constant loss, and in all of that, life is as insignificant as dust. Only those who learn from the world can bear its destiny—are you ready?"

"The voice in his heart whispered, and he whispered back."

Bai E: "It's alright. My life is insignificant anyway."

"He made up his mind to answer Jin Zhi's call and go to the Holy City. But when faced with the young warrior, the elders only showed disdain and threw him into the army with a sneer."

"However, what the world, and even he himself, could not have imagined was that this new recruit of unknown origin would shine brightly in a battle not long after, becoming famous in one battle..."

"That was also the moment when he first encountered all the companions in his life."

[Yanqing: This is the story of Bai'er after leaving Ai Li Mi Xie, walking numbly through Onpharos, and finally becoming a warrior of Ohma at the call of Lady Aglaia.]

[Star: Did the White Calamity of his first life bury his name?]

[Aglaia: That marked the beginning of the Second Journey to Fire, when, with divine guidance, people once again challenged the gods.]

No matter the cost, humanity will ultimately defeat the Black Tide!

[Jean: Though the people of the Age of Fire were as insignificant as dust, the heroes who emerged from them shone like stars, guiding Onphalus toward a hopeful future.]

[Xia Die: Your Excellency Bai E, your life is not insignificant at all; you are a hero to all of us.]

[Star: That's right, partner, don't underestimate yourself so easily.]

Kiana: From a naive boy to the savior of Onpharos, you've worked harder than anyone else. Beelzebub, stand up! Let's say no to fate!

[Kevin: Humanity will prevail.]

Act Two: The Trial

Xing opened her eyes again, and the scene of the Abyss of Fate unfolded before her, with the priests and believers of the Temple of the Three Phases of Fate behind her.

Not far away, there was Wan Di...Tining...Bai E?

The voice of Lai Gushi rang in my ears, "Now, the immersive theater has moved into the second act."

The young priest was puzzled, "Why the sudden evacuation of the entire Temple of the Three Fates..."

The elderly priest exclaimed in panic, "Are you out of your mind? That blond-haired man is the prince of Suspended Peak City! If we anger him... the entire city-state will be doomed!"

The elderly priestess was very rational.

"Don't panic. With the Holy Maiden in charge, we just need to wait patiently..."

In the empty abyss of fate, only she could hear the words of the ancients.

"The scene you are witnessing took place in the month of Gate in the year 4926 of the Light Calendar. At that time, Prince Medmos of the Suspended Blade led a lone army to the gates of Ohma."

“As you know, Medemus is proud, but he is not a violent person. He challenged the elders of the Holy City to a gladiatorial contest only to fight for the rights of his people and to prevent them from living in a foreign land as inferiors.”

"Through Aglaia's mediation, Bai'er accepted Medemos's challenge as his representative. This gladiatorial combat will change the course of the Fire Chase..."

"So, as the most important partner throughout Bai'er's life, please continue to bear witness to his memories."

[Danheng: We descended upon Onpharos in the year 4931 of the Light Calendar. Of course, our current memories are not from our current reincarnation, but they can serve as a reference.]

[Rin: Is this the beginning of Bai'e and Wan'di becoming friends? I like it.]

[Bai E: Hey, isn't this my good brother... the necessary pain of this world, Brother Bi Tong? You really have a reputation, but it's all negative.]

[Wan Di: HKS! You still have the nerve to joke around? Do you even have the ability to fight against Lai Gu Shi?]

[Bai E: Uh… let’s keep things separate.]

[Keqing: Haunted has only been part of Ohmar for less than five years, no wonder she doesn't get along with the locals. As someone born on the battlefield, she naturally looks down on city-states that are under the protection of Kefal.]

[Star: My partner throughout Bai E's life, I need to see carefully what happened between you two.]

Wan Di spoke to Bai E.

"…You intend to use this method to replace the glorious gladiatorial combat?"

Tinning put her hands on her hips and said softly, "Fighting and killing are not good. Aya and we don't want to see the Golden Descendants hurt each other."

“A true warrior knows when to lay down his weapon. The impartial Tarantun will preside over this duel and decide the victor; you only need to each place one thing on its scales…”

"Something heavier than the fate of the world."

[Star: Isn't this the same problem that Titan of Time used to make things difficult for us?]

[Fufu: I remember too, Xia Die also said that Bai E's answer was too cruel to him.]

Bai E's gaze turned solemn. "Only by understanding the weight of the world can we be qualified to bear it... Is this a test of our beliefs?"

He then smiled and said, "Hanging Man, it seems that this time, your most proficient brute force will be useless."

"Whatever." Wan Di scoffed. "New recruit, I'll give you one last chance: turn around and leave, and I promise to spare your life."

"Otherwise—come along and face me, and I will grant you an end befitting your courage!"

Xing, watching from the sidelines, pondered, "These two used to be so irreconcilable..."

Bai E lowered her head. "Your Holiness, I feel like I've been drawn into a political game."

Tinin did not answer directly, saying, "Every hero was once a child, and they all grow up."

"Really? But I'm not even sure why I'm standing here." Bai E's eyes were downcast, unable to see the road ahead.

"I am but a soldier. If it were not necessary to determine who is superior through swordsmanship, Lady Kaneki could have fought herself. As for the will to defend the Holy City to the death, how could I possibly compare to her?"

Tinin: "What if we said that the significance of this match lies not in winning or losing, but in your choice?"

"Do you mean this is Lady Kanori testing me?"

"Every member of the Golden Clan is indispensable for the journey to the Fire. Whether it is you or the Prince of the Hanging Peak, you both appear in the picture depicted by the oracle."

Chapter 509 The Scales of Tarantun

Tinin watched Wan Di's retreating figure. "This duel is not the end, but the beginning. So, listen to your heart. All we await is your answer."

Bai E raised the corners of his lips into a slight smile.

"That's right, it's always been my inner voice, it's always been my guide. No matter the outcome, I will give it my all."

Tinning smiled with satisfaction. "This is the attitude that a Golden Descendant should have. Go, Bai'er, your journey has only just begun."

The abyss of fate is exceptionally quiet in the darkness of night.

Bai'e turned to face Xing and laughed, "That's right, comrade. We must work together to defeat that arrogant prince."

"You will become comrades-in-arms in the future."

"...Me? With him? Ha, don't be ridiculous, friend..." Bai E completely disbelieved that the prince of the Hanging Peak would become his comrade-in-arms.

[Paimon: Hahaha, Little White, the Trail Blazers really weren't joking this time.]

[Zhe: This is not a joke.]

[Feng Jin: If Xing is now the hero in Bai E's heart, then who was the companion that Lord Bai E once fantasized about?]

[Fireworks: I guess... it's Little Gray Fur.]

[Qingque: No, no, the cycle Xing is in is so different from the first one, could it be Miss March?]

[Danheng: A pioneering spirit... March 7th brought a new destiny to Onphalus.]

[Long Night Moon: Heh, I'll just watch and not say anything.]

Bai E admired the magnificent temple before him, "However, let's return to the Temple of the Three Phases of Destiny..."