Collapse Iron Live Broadcast Connects All Worlds, Scares Away Wuzhan at the Beginning

There was a rare hint of stubbornness in Catherine's voice.

"Okay..." Wei knew that there was nothing he could do to this young lady, so he put away his smile and thought seriously for a while.

"Maybe... it will be like Yukong, right?" Wei looked up at the painful and lost expression on Yukong's face. "Even though I know it's impossible, I will still run all over the upper and lower cities, looking for all the places where you might be. Until..."

"Until what?"

"Until the day I can accept reality."

Catherine was silent for a moment, then suddenly threw the coffee can in her hand at her.

"That's... a poor answer." She stood up and headed towards the more crowded park, her voice softer than before. "But... it's still honest."

-

"Thank you for bringing Tingyun's belongings back to Sichen Palace. We lost many comrades, brothers, sisters, and children in this astral catastrophe..."

Yukong took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and spoke slowly, "I'd like to invite you all to witness this battle and participate in the memorial ceremony held by the Tianbo Division for the fallen. What are your thoughts?"

"A memorial offering?"

"In the words of the short-lived, it's a funeral," Yukong explained, "but for the long-lived, afterlife is always a distant and vague concept."

"On ordinary days, before the signs of a demonic body appear, a guide from the Ten Kings would take the immortal boat person to the Hall of Karma, leaving behind a life story before returning to nirvana. People are accustomed to a brief farewell, rather than a lengthy burial ceremony."

"The lifespan of the Fox Clan is far less than that of the immortal race of the Immortal Boat, so they place great importance on posthumous ceremonies. Furthermore, there were so many Cloud Riders killed in action this time that the Karma Hall simply couldn't accommodate them all in time, so Yukong decided to give those who passed away a final resting place."

"Use the methods of the Celestial Port Service, the fox people's funeral rites. Place the deceased's belongings aboard the Star Raft, send the immortal boat out, and sail into the fixed stars, shining with them."

"I also hope to bid farewell to Tingyun with this ceremony. This is my selfish desire—although she was not a Cloud Rider who died on the battlefield, she is still a member of my Tianbo Division and a victim of this disaster."

"Although I still don't want to believe it. I will definitely find out Tingyun's whereabouts in my own way. But right now, I, I..."

Yukong slowly closed his eyes: "This is the only thing I can do for her."

-

Teyvat, Liyue.

In the Hall of Rebirth, candlelight flickers and the aroma of tea wafts through the air.

Hu Tao slumped over the table, swinging her legs, watching Yu Kong intently as he explained the memorial service. It was a rare moment where she didn't laugh, her plum-shaped eyes reflecting the sadness and loss of the crowd.

"I originally thought... none of these immortals on the Immortal Boat cared much about what happened after death, but I didn't expect they actually took it so seriously."

"Putting the relics in a star raft and sending them into the stars to be burned... It's romantic yet solemn, and it's indeed a good idea."

Zhongli took a sip of tea, his golden eyes flickering slightly. "Using a fixed star as a furnace and a star raft as a guide...it truly embodies the characteristics of an immortal vessel."

Hu Tao sat up and slid closer to Zhongli. "Guest, do you think this idea is good? Why don't we try it in the Hall of Rebirth?" Her eyes sparkled. "For example, we could transform the coffin into a small boat, and then light a fire—"

"Master," Zhongli said gently, setting down his teacup. "Liyue tradition emphasizes 'rest in peace'. It would be inappropriate to change it hastily."

"Hmph." Hu Tao curled her lips in dissatisfaction. "Guest, when did you become so rigid? Look at how creative Xianzhou's method is. This hall master is... learning from the best and choosing the best to follow! If Wangsheng Hall held a ceremony like this, it would definitely attract more customers!"

“…Hehe, Hall Master, why don’t you listen to me first.”

Zhongli smiled faintly and said slowly, "While this method may not work in Liyue, it may work in other countries. Hasn't the Hall Master recently hoped to bring the Wangsheng Hall's reputation to Fontainebleau? Fontainebleau is surrounded by the sea on three sides, making it perfectly suited to the Hall Master's funeral method."

"That's right!" Hu Tao's eyes lit up, and she hooked her arms around Zhongli's neck in surprise. "You're the one with the best ideas! When you pass away one day, I will definitely arrange the most luxurious funeral for you!"

"..."

Zhongli's hand holding the cup hesitated for a moment, and he sighed softly, "Thank you very much, Hall Master."

Chapter 202: Peaceful and Dedicated, the Sky is Clear and the Road is Long (Part 3)

"Everyone from the Yukong Hope Train Group can select some of Tingyun's belongings from his lifetime and place them on the Star Raft."

"Tingyun didn't have many belongings during his lifetime. Apart from some daily necessities, there were also some gifts that he hadn't given away yet, such as some tea seeds, kitchen knives, and bows..."

"Following Tingyun's idea, Xing gave the tea seeds to the boss of Buyehou and the kitchen knife to Yan Cui of Shangziwei. As for the last bow... Walter also has some ideas."

"Upon arriving at Star Harbor, everyone met Yukong, who was overseeing the construction of the Star Raft. After explaining their purpose, Sanyueqi handed the bow to Yukong."

"Looking at the bow, Yukong suddenly realized something. After a long silence, he gently shook his head: "She understands my pain, but there is nothing I can do for her anymore..."

"Thirty years ago, in the Fengrao Min War, Guangyuan was killed, Caiyi departed, and I was left alone. After the war, it was as if I was afraid to touch the scars left by the war. The Luofu Immortal Boat has been resting and recuperating along the route, conducting trade..."

"Although I've been promoted to helmsman, I come from a military background and am not good at these delicate business operations. Tingyun, on the other hand, is a natural businessman. Although she's my subordinate, she always enjoys discussing business matters with me and giving me advice."

"I once thought that times had changed, and so had the Immortal Boat. People like Tingyun were the future of the new generation of the Tianbo Division, and they could bring prosperity to Luofu. Unlike me, I was only good at running around in blood and fire."

Yukong's eyes suddenly grew stern, and his tone changed: "I was wrong. Before the antimatter legions are eliminated one by one, the Immortal Boat still needs me... It needs people like me who run through the sky for blood and fire."

-

grim Reaper.

The setting sun stained the wooden corridor outside the First Squadron's barracks amber. Kyoraku Shunsui leaned against the vermilion railing, lazily swishing his sake bottle. Yukong's hateful eyes against the sky were reflected in the sake, shattering into ripples.

"Since destruction is so disgusting, why not unite the forces that oppose Him? Even if we can't destroy the Star God, it would be good to get rid of the Lord of Extinction under His command." Looking at the eyes reflected in the wine, Kyoraku Shunsui sighed softly.

"A ridiculous idea." Kuchiki Byakuya stood quietly in the distance, his silver-white veil fluttering gently in the evening breeze.

"Among the forces that have emerged so far, aside from the mysterious Genius Club, the largest are probably the Immortal Ship Alliance and the Interstellar Peace Company. The Immortal Ship Alliance aims to conquer the bounty, while the company seeks neutrality in the cosmic struggle... Even though they both possess immense power, they will never stand together."

"As for the Star Core Hunters..." Byakuya's fingertips unconsciously brushed across Senbonzakura's blade. "They may have some skills, but they are still too insignificant in the face of the power of the Commander."

"And the various forces in these universes... remind me of the Noble Council of Seireitei."

"Oh?" Kyoraku Shunsui approached him with interest. "Captain Kuchiki actually uses such a poignant metaphor."

Kuchiki Byakuya leaned slightly aside, avoiding the drunken captain. "It's just the truth. In reality, even when facing a common enemy, these factions will calculate their own gains and losses, preferring to maintain a precarious balance rather than surrender power."

"Can you imagine that when fighting Nanook together, the Xianzhou Alliance would hand over the deployment of troops to the company or other forces? If the different forces are scattered... in a situation of disunity, the chances of victory are slim."

"If we want to fight Nanook together, I'm afraid we'll have to have the envoys knock on more doors."

-

"Tingyun, Tianbosi will never forget you..."

"Yukong stood at the end of the pier at Return Star Harbor, the wind swirling her skirt like a feather refusing to fall." She stared at the Star Raft, laden with objects destined for the Cloud Restoration, her eyes as cold and hard as iron, as if an eternal fire burned within them. "I will uncover the truth. If you are killed, I will avenge you."

"As we were speaking, it was time to hold the memorial service."

"Accompanied by the roar of the star raft engines, countless star rafts sailed away like shooting stars, flying towards the Jade Realm Gate at the edge of the sky. Each star raft here carries a name that cannot return home."

"Yukong stood on the Kunyu Terrace, gazing up at the heavens. The wind blew her skirt up, like a feather that refused to fall."

"As the star chariots vanished, the funeral ceremony concluded. Jing Yuan, whose injuries had not yet fully healed, approached the group. He ignored Yan Qing's dissuasion and insisted on speaking to everyone on the train."

"Before you leave Luofu, I have two things I want to give to the Star Train."

Sanyueqi's eyes lit up. "A gift? Has he finally found his conscience and wants to compensate us for all the hard work we've put in along the way?"

"Everyone arrived at the Shen Ce Mansion. After Jing Yuan reiterated his gratitude to everyone, he felt that Luofu could never repay them for all they had done. Therefore, on behalf of the Luofu Cloud Cavalry, Jing Yuan presented everyone with a jade omen symbolizing the [Alliance].

"Thousands of years ago, when the Alliance was founded, all the immortal ships swore an oath together, inscribed on the Jade Omen Covenant as a witness. Even if heaven and earth were to fall, this oath would remain unchanged."

"This jade omen is similar. It records Luo Fuyunqi's promise to the train group, and it also serves as a beacon. Hold it tightly, and it will send a message to the paired jade omen in my hand."

Jing Yuan looked solemnly at the train group. "No matter how vast the Milky Way is, or how arduous the journey is, the Luofu Cloud Riders will rush to rendezvous with the train and complete your requests."

-

overlord.

In the throne room of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz sat upright on the pitch-black throne, his crimson eyes flickering slightly, and his knuckles rhythmically tapping the armrests.

(A contract item for transmitting information across dimensions? If I had this item... wouldn't the train set be able to travel across the universe and the galaxy?)

(I'm so envious... I wish I could have something like this.)

Sigh. Ainz sighed deeply. Ever since witnessing the battle between those guys in the light curtain, the anxiety and confusion had been making his stomach ache. And the thought of being in the same universe as these guys who could easily crush stars made his stomach ache even worse.

Actually, the guild does have coordinate-type props, but the problem is that these props can only summon monsters above Lv80. Although looking at the world today, the combat power is completely sufficient, but once the sight is set on the universe and the galaxy... I am afraid they will be destroyed in a snap of the fingers of the messengers, right?

"Lord Ainz, there's news from Sebastian." Demiurge bowed respectfully.

"Oh…what did he say?"

"The Holy Kingdom of Roble's prayer ceremony to the Pharmacist of Abundance has concluded, and the result... is nothing."

"Pray... for abundance?" Ainz's voice froze for a moment.

(Could it be that these humans want to become the evil creatures of abundance? The secret teachings of the Holy Kingdom's native Medicine King? No, are they trying to lure the forces of the Luofu Immortal Boat here? And then attack me?)

In an instant, countless thoughts surged up, crowding into Ainz's empty skull.

Chapter 203: Peaceful and Dedicated, the Sky is Clear and the Road is Long (Part 4)

"Lord Ainz."

Demiurge suddenly said, "Please allow me to interrupt and share my humble opinion on the affairs of the Holy Kingdom of Roble."

At that very moment, a cruel thought flashed through Ainz's mind. In order to prevent these humans from achieving "abundance" forever, he wanted to destroy the Holy Kingdom once and for all.

Even if it is a relatively gentle approach, all those "Secret Medicine Kings" in the Holy Kingdom must be killed.

But Demiurge's words sobered him up a little from his murderous intent, and he looked up at the demon guardian beside him.

"...Well, Demiurge, why don't you tell me?"

"Yes! Lord Ainz, you also desire the Holy Kingdom, don't you? The Holy Queen is currently leading the ritual to pray to the Pharmacist. How about we use magic to impersonate [Abundance]?"

"Replacing the pharmacist of Abundance? Oh, that's quite a suggestion..."

...It's quite suicidal.

For a moment, Ainz felt as if Demiurge were pushing him further into the fire, as if the Immortal Ship's general was already knocking on the door of the Great Tomb. But he suppressed the urge to interrupt and raised a finger towards him.

"You go on."

"Yes! First, the Holy Kingdom's prayer ritual clearly failed. The Medicine Master didn't respond. Secondly, although we don't have the Medicine Master's power, we can still grant them a long life through the transformation of our followers. After all... all those humans wanted was immortality."

"Transformed into slaves of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick... There are many races with eternally long lives, but their appearance..."

From the perspective of human aesthetics, it can be described as horrifying.

"It's alright, Master Ainz. We can just tell them it's the 'Demon Yin Body'."

"Um……"

Those humans' power was far superior to theirs, so a casual cast of magic above the seventh rank should be enough to intimidate them. Impersonating the envoy of the God of Plenty to manipulate the kingdom's higher-ups... was feasible. The key point was that no actual Plenty creatures would be produced, so the patrolling immortal boats wouldn't be alerted.

After Demiurge stood straighter, he looked directly at the master on the throne and told him his conclusion.

"As long as we do this, we can effectively control the Holy Kingdom of Roble."

"...Interesting suggestion, Demiurge. I understand your idea, but what about the 'Longevity Plague'?"

"There's no need for that, Lord Ainz. The Longevity Plague Bane is a divine object that grants immortality to all citizens of the Immortal Ship. The Holy Kingdom's prayers are only for the immortality of a very small number of high-ranking officials."

“…Hmm, I see. It’s settled then.” Ainz’s crimson eyes turned towards the sky. “But there’s one thing. Don’t let them hold the prayer ceremony again, otherwise…”

He didn't want these humans to truly bring about the Dawn of Plenty. If any of the Star God's power descended upon this land, even the faintest force of destiny... it could bring about the catastrophic destruction of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick.

"I understand, Master Ainz."

-

"Wow, this gift is really expensive!" Sanyueqi was shocked.

"Uh... Of course, please don't misuse something this important for trivial matters or things that go against our alliance. Do you all understand that?" Jing Yuan added at the end.

"Thank you for your kindness, General." Walter also expressed his gratitude.

"Afterwards, the general pardoned Dan Heng's exile order, and from then on he could come and go freely in Luofu."

"After explaining all this, Jing Yuan went back, holding his old waist. Everyone can continue their activities on the immortal boat, or return to the train to discuss the next trip's goal."

"However, San Yue Qi certainly had no intention of returning. She approached Xing and expressed her desire to go with her to find Fu Taibu and use the Qiong Guan Formation to calculate the past."

"Okay, I'll go with you then."

"..."

"Meanwhile, in the Prison..."

““Da, da…”

"The soles of Rakshasa's boots tread upon the prison's bluestone slabs, each step evoking an unsettling echo."