It was as if the system existed in her mind, and if it had a physical form, Jian Lin would have punched it the moment it appeared before her.
How dare it say such things! If you can't play, don't play!
What did it mean there were no more chances to restart? This was a scam!
Jian Lin was furious and retorted disbelievingly, "Don't lie to me. You're the system. Didn't you create this world? This is a book, you told me I was a cannon fodder, and then I defied fate to change my destiny, isn't that how it works?"
The system replied in a cold, mechanical voice, "The system does not lie. Due to a lack of energy, the system can no longer support the host in restarting the world. Please understand."
Jian Lin had no desire to understand, but as she clenched her fists, unsure of where to direct her anger, she chose to understand.
"Fine, I understand," Jian Lin gritted out, "Then tell me, if the world cannot be restarted, what will happen to this world after the Demon Lord dies and I die?"
"It will collapse and be destroyed. Everyone will disappear together," the system answered emotionlessly.
"Where will I go?" Jian Lin asked.
"Into nothingness."
That answer was infuriating!
Jian Lin pondered deeply. Nothingness was truly terrifying.
"Where is nothingness?" Jian Lin asked stubbornly.
"It is a place outside the world, turning into chaos. After a long river of time, perhaps a new world will be brewed," the system explained dutifully.
Jian Lin seemed to understand a little. It meant everyone would be destroyed together, then start from single cells and go through the history of evolution again.
It wasn't necessarily bad, but she was more concerned about another question.
"In the new world, will I meet the people from now?" Jian Lin asked, primarily wanting to know if she would meet the Demon Lord again.
"No. Once this world collapses and returns to nothingness..." The system began to spout platitudes, essentially saying not to think about it, what's gone is gone.
Suddenly, Jian Lin had a new idea. "You said my original world and this world belong to the same level of worlds?"
"They do," the system replied.
"Then if I complete the mission," Jian Lin said slowly, "If I complete the mission and return to my original world, what will happen to this world?"
"When the host completes the mission, the host will be rewarded. This world will continue to operate with its existing order."
Jian Lin immediately thought of someone. No matter what, even if the Demon Lord sacrificed himself, righteousness would prevail over evil in this world. Ning Xiao and Jiang Xueyin would re-establish a new order.
She discovered a despairing truth: she had no ability to change the world line. The Demon Lord would face death no matter what.
Her purpose for existing was to be an executioner, assisting the system in completing its mission to gain energy and support this world's continued existence.
She was forced to become a savior, and the one she had to kill was the person she loved most in this world.
If she killed the Demon Lord, she would return to her original world, and this world would not disappear.
If she didn't kill the Demon Lord, the entire world would collapse together, and they would all return to nothingness, becoming chaos.
So, the Demon Lord was the only one getting the short end of the stick. What kind of situation was this!
Jian Lin let out a scoff, and as she laughed, she felt like crying. Why was she being treated like this?
There were always people advising others to do good, never forcing them to do evil. Let this world be destroyed!
Jian Lin was furious, so angry that she ignored the system's reminders and stormed along the back garden corridor.
As she walked, she gradually calmed down. She looked up, and in the night sky, a surging white light flickered in the west.
That was the living dead formation. They had left the underworld and were heading towards the Demon Realm.
Jian Lin looked up, her emotions churning, feeling particularly uneasy.
She didn't consider herself a great person and had never dreamed of being a superhero saving the world.
But as a person with basic conscience, she simply couldn't stand by and do nothing.
She felt as if she were on a train with two tracks ahead. One track had the Demon Lord tied to it, and the other had the entire world. Whom should she hit?
From a cost-benefit perspective alone, a smart person would choose to hit the Demon Lord.
Jian Lin was numb with pain, unable to move another step. She sank onto the ground at the corner of the corridor, staring blankly at the empty sky.
She inexplicably recalled her past life, which now seemed like a perfect existence.
She was born into a wealthy family, with a strict father and a loving mother, and a brother who doted on her.
She had never suffered any hardship since childhood, growing up smoothly. She graduated, studied abroad, returned to start her own business, and achieved success at a young age. Her company secured funding and could be listed the next day.
Once listed, her net worth would skyrocket, making her a young and beautiful female CEO, living a life that everyone envied, full of glory.
What sin had she committed to die the night before her company was listed?
And to reclaim her beautiful life, she had to become a great villain.
There was truly no justice.
Why had this happened?
Jian Lin questioned heaven and earth, her thoughts in a turmoil, unable to find an outlet, almost driving herself mad.
She wandered aimlessly, guided by muscle memory, back to her small courtyard.
The door to the main house was wide open. She thought she saw the Sword Immortal sitting inside, and next to him was Tao Niang.
Jian Lin remembered her master's aversion to demons and rushed over in fear, worried that the old man would fly into a rage and take Tao Niang's life.
To her surprise, when she rushed back into the house, she found the atmosphere to be very friendly.
Tao Niang was pouring wine for the Sword Immortal, who raised his cup to taste it and praised her winemaking skills.
"Master, you..." Jian Lin was bewildered.
The Sword Immortal glanced at her, seemingly understanding her thoughts, and said calmly, "What 'Master'? At this point, I can't be bothered to manage anything. My time is drawing near. Whether you're a demon or a human doesn't matter. I just want to live leisurely."
The Sword Immortal had come to terms with it. This was a great thing, and Jian Lin wanted to laugh, but couldn't.
It was good, but what was the use?
Her master said his time was drawing near, and it was indeed true.
Seeing the sadness on Jian Lin's face, the Sword Immortal comforted her, "Don't look so glum. I believe that after the chaos, the world will eventually return to the right path. After reincarnation, in the next life, I'll still take you as my disciple, alright?"
Hearing this, Jian Lin's nose stung.
Master, do you know there is no next life?
They would collapse with this world and vanish into nothingness.
Jian Lin swallowed, afraid of losing composure and upsetting everyone. She quickly made an excuse and ran out.
The cold wind blew, and she looked up at the sky filled with black mist, gradually making up her mind.
The Buddha said, "If I do not go to hell, who will?"
Jian Lin slowly walked towards the Demon Lord's sleeping quarters. If she became a villain, she could save the entire world.
If that was the case, then she would be the villain.
After everything was over, she would surely be tormented by her conscience.
She had decided. If she could endure it, she would. If not, she would die with the Demon Lord.
Their deaths would bring happiness to thousands of families. This trade was worth it, extremely worth it.
As she got closer to the Demon Lord's sleeping quarters, the head steward and Xie Jin spoke to her, but she didn't hear a word they said.
She walked straight to the Demon Lord's sleeping quarters, opened the bedroom door, walked in, closed it, and firmly bolted it.
The Demon Lord heard the movement and slowly opened his eyes. He leaned against the bed curtains, his face as pale as paper, looking fragile and vulnerable.
Jian Lin felt like a butcher about to strike a defenseless victim. Her heart was in agony, but she managed to maintain a smile on her face.
She sat by the bed, gazing quietly at the Demon Lord, unsure what to say.
She feared that if she said anything, she would break down immediately.
His pale face made his dark eyes even more striking.
The Demon Lord looked at her like a pitiable small animal.
"Why aren't you speaking?" the Demon Lord said weakly.
"I..." Jian Lin blinked, took a deep breath, "Will you... be alright?"
"I won't die, but it won't be easy to recover," the Demon Lord said with difficulty, grasping her hand. "Perhaps in the end, I will be killed on this bed by those righteous sects."
"Are you afraid of death?" Jian Lin asked.
The Demon Lord slowly shook his head and said softly, "No. Reincarnation is the way of heaven. In my next life, I wish to be a simple villager, farming every day, not thinking about anything, living a carefree life."
Jian Lin closed her eyes, afraid to speak the words. There was no next life.
There was no next life.
Her expression was pained, and the Demon Lord keenly sensed it, asking her softly, "Do you have something on your mind?"
Jian Lin opened her eyes, tears welling up in her eyes, and did not deny it. "Yes, and it's a very terrible thing."
The Demon Lord's gaze shifted, and he suddenly gently covered her forehead, giving her his last comfort with his remaining warmth.
"Speak, it doesn't matter," the Demon Lord repeated softly. "At this point, nothing matters."
Jian Lin clenched her fists fiercely, forcing herself to calm down, ensuring her words were clear. "Aren't you curious why I'm so strange and what my purpose is in coming to your side?"
The Demon Lord gazed at her tenderly, saying nothing.
Jian Lin gathered her courage and blurted it out in one go, "Actually, my purpose is to kill you, take your Xingtian Sword, and ascend to godhood."
The Demon Lord remained silent for a long time, not moving, not getting angry, just looking at her tenderly.
When he was sure she wasn't joking, the Demon Lord smiled with relief and said wearily, "Ah, so that's how it is. It's pretty much what I guessed."
He had actually suspected it for a long time. A mysterious and strange person suddenly appearing must have had ulterior motives.
His initial plan was to figure out her purpose.
And after figuring it out, kill her.
But as they spent more time together, his heart softened.
She was a kind and righteous woman, a lovely girl.
The Demon Lord's smile remained unchanged, and he asked casually, "What will you use to kill me?"
Faced with his calmness and tolerance, Jian Lin was overwhelmed with guilt. She looked at him and suddenly said sternly, "Now."
No more delays, or she would definitely be unable to go through with it.
Jian Lin stood up and questioned the system in her mind about how to retrieve the Xingtian Sword.
The system gave her an operation guide, saying it was simple. All she had to do was use the He Yi Sword to directly stab the Demon Lord's heart. The divine sword's power would attract the Xingtian Sword to appear.
The Demon Lord, stripped of the Xingtian Sword, would be like a human without a spine, becoming a cripple.
He might die quickly, but what of it?
As long as this world didn't collapse, he would reincarnate and have a new life.
There was no need to be sad. Just do it.
Jian Lin gathered spiritual energy in her palm, and the He Yi Sword materialized. She held it firmly.
She pointed the tip of the sword at the Demon Lord's chest, her eyes vacant and cold. She said softly, "Mo Chongyuan, hate me. I am a great villain."
With that, she didn't give herself a chance to regret it and used force, thrusting the He Yi Sword into his chest.