It has been twenty-three years since I entered this world.
In this world, there is only ever battle.
At times, even Wang Teng felt a sense of numbness.
He no longer cried for the deaths of his comrades. Of the companions who once fought alongside him, only the eldest sister, Zhuang Hongxia, remained.
He and Xiao Long were, of course, still alive. Xiao Long's cultivation had already broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage.
This cultivation speed could not be considered slow.
They had no time for secluded cultivation. Even breakthroughs in their cultivation realms required them to go out and fight.
This was because the lightning tribulation could help them kill their enemies.
In this environment, Xiao Long had truly changed a lot.
He was originally just an immature child. When first pursued by the Sky-Slaying race, he was so terrified that he could barely speak.
However, his face was now weathered and ancient, and he was too lazy to even trim his stubble.
Transforming from a schoolboy into an uncle had indeed involved experiencing a great deal.
Wang Teng remembered saying when he first arrived that he would never develop deep feelings for the people of this world.
As it turned out, he was spouting nonsense back then. The camaraderie forged through shared life and death was difficult to conceal.
Even the eldest sister, Zhuang Hongxia, though she always acted as if she didn't care about anyone, and even mocked her teammates for being incompetent when they died.
However, Wang Teng knew that the eldest sister would hide away at night, drink alone, and weep.
Once, when Wang Teng discovered this, he was then overpowered by the eldest sister.
He didn't know what kind of relationship he and Zhuang Hongxia had now, but he felt he absolutely could not let this woman die.
On Blue Star, before he began cultivating immortals, Wang Teng was also a notorious player.
He had been with many women. He had thought he would never fall for a woman in this lifetime.
But twenty years of fighting side by side, coupled with those physical intimacies, made it difficult for him to deceive himself any longer.
Sometimes, when Zhuang Hongxia saw Wang Teng gazing at her with lingering affection, she felt a chill.
"We're just seeking pleasure through our bodies in the apocalypse, little brother. You haven't actually fallen for this old lady, have you?"
Wang Teng didn't want to discuss this issue. He felt that given his persona, it would be embarrassing to speak romantic words.
...
"The Pillar of Heaven, is it about to give out?"
He remembered that when they first arrived, the Pillar of Heaven could only sustain them for twenty years.
Counting the time, it was almost up.
This timing was like a sharp blade, piercing the hearts of everyone.
Who could face death with equanimity?
Looking at the gradually weakening barrier, the people within wept, while the demons outside roared with laughter.
Zhuang Hongxia, who had always appeared optimistic, let out a bitter laugh and said, "It's almost over, hahahaha. This damned world. I've killed so many Sky-Slayers, I must have made a good profit, right? Do you think they won but lost?"
As she spoke, she could no longer hold back her tears.
In fact, in the end, not many people were willing to team up with her anymore.
This was because Zhuang Hongxia had become increasingly reckless in battle. Perhaps it was the approaching apocalypse that made her anxious.
There was nothing more that could be changed. With just the few of them, what difference would it make to kill a few more Sky-Slayers?
These Sky-Slayers were as dense as locusts, seemingly endless.
In the end, everything would be destroyed. No one would remember you, and no one would weep for you.
A hero is someone who is remembered.
Wang Teng held Zhuang Hongxia in his arms. Gritting his teeth, he said in anger, "I wish I could take you away from here, but I can't!!!"
The teleportation mark was on his own body. As long as he activated it, he could return to Blue Star.
However, with these attachments, such a farewell would make Wang Teng feel like a coward!
"Hold me tight..."
Wang Teng held her tightly. His gaze pierced through the golden barrier and fell upon the Sky-Slayers outside, who were chatting and laughing.
He had never hated this damned race as much as he did now. He wanted to firmly remember their disgusting faces. He swore that he would not stop fighting until he had annihilated the entire Sky-Slayer race!
The next day, Su Tianye sought out Wang Teng.
As the Grand Commander of the "Kingdom of Hope," Su Tianye's strength was also at the peak of the Great Vehicle stage.
He stared at Wang Teng and said, "The Pillar of Heaven is about to collapse. Conservatively estimated, the barrier will completely shatter tomorrow afternoon."
Wang Teng clenched his fist and asked in a hoarse voice, "Why are you telling me this?"
Su Tianye's expression was unreadable, devoid of joy or sorrow. He held over a hundred storage rings in his hand and gave them all to Wang Teng.
Wang Teng was stunned. He didn't understand Su Tianye's intentions.
Su Tianye said, "You are right. All humans from all planes are kin. I have watched your actions over the past twenty years. You mourn the fallen of our kin, you grieve and cry for them, and you are even willing to put yourselves in mortal danger for them time and again. This is what you deserve."
"I can't accept this..."
Su Tianye looked at him deeply and said, "This is the last of what our world's human race can leave behind. Take it. At least let our kin remember that a civilization fought to the last moment against the Sky-Slayers, that they existed and strived..."
Wang Teng's pupils contracted, and he took two steps back: "How did you know..."
Su Tianye looked up at the sky and said, "I knew from the first day you arrived. Your eyes were so bright, showing no trace of despair. Therefore, you could not have come from other apocalyptic worlds."
He let out a bitter smile: "But why... why does the god behind you use our place as a trial ground for your geniuses, yet refuse to save us!"
Wang Teng remained silent for a moment and replied, "He is not omnipotent. He can only send us to other planes, and he cannot come himself. And another thing, even if all the humans from my world were moved here, it wouldn't be enough to save you."
"Why?"
"Because aside from the one who sent us here, I am perhaps the strongest person in that world. And if the people in my world are not strong enough, their fate would not be much better than yours."
Su Tianye was taken aback. He hadn't expected Wang Teng's world to be so... peculiar.
But he still sighed deeply and said, "Regardless, take these remnants of our civilization with you. This is our last wealth. It includes cultivation techniques, magical treasures, immortal herbs, and the like. They will surely be of use to you. I do not wish for the human race of this world to perish without leaving anything behind."