Lin Yu felt the mark on his wrist burning intensely. He closed his eyes, sensing the energy surging within him. Suddenly, he saw more fragments of memories: countless Chosen Ones disintegrating after completing their experiments, their energy absorbed and becoming part of the experimental data.
"No," Lin Yu opened his eyes, his gaze resolute, "I will not be your tool."
Xing Yu's expression instantly twisted into a snarl. "Then don’t blame me for being rude!"
She raised her hand and unleashed a powerful wave of energy. Lin Yu immediately put up his defenses, but the impact still knocked him back several steps.
"Lin Yu!" Old Mo tried to step forward to help, but was stopped by members of the Shadow Council.
"Wait," the leader of the Shadow Council said, "let them fight. We need to see who is right."
The leader of the Mechanical Cult also signaled for his subordinates not to act rashly. "Perhaps we have all been blinded. Let us see what the truth really is."
Lin Yu and Xing Yu faced each other in the center of the hall. The Original Energy Core above them pulsated violently, causing the entire ruins to tremble.
"You don't even understand your own power," Xing Yu sneered, "let me teach you!"
She quickly formed seals with her hands and released countless energy blades. Lin Yu barely managed to dodge, but his arm was still grazed, leaving a wound. Blood dripped onto the ground, merging with the runes on the floor.
Suddenly, the runes throughout the ruins began to glow. Lin Yu felt an unprecedented surge of power flowing into him. His eyes turned pure gold, surrounded by a dazzling halo of energy.
"This is..." Xing Yu's expression turned to one of shock, "Complete Awakening? Impossible!"
Lin Yu raised his hand and effortlessly neutralized Xing Yu's attack. He felt his consciousness resonate with the entire Phantom Realm, able to sense the flow of energy in every corner.
"I see it now," Lin Yu said softly, "the Phantom Realm is not an experimental site; it is a complete ecosystem. Every life is an indispensable part of this system."
Xing Yu's expression became frantic. "Nonsense! That's just an illusion created by energy!"
She unleashed her energy with all her might, causing the entire hall to begin collapsing. But Lin Yu simply raised his hand gently and stabilized the rampaging energy.
"Enough," Lin Yu said, "it's time to end this."
He brought his hands together and released a pure wave of energy. Xing Yu attempted to resist, but her energy seemed so insignificant before Lin Yu.
When the wave struck Xing Yu, a silver sphere of light was forced out from within her body. Xing Yu collapsed weakly, caught just in time by Old Mo.
"No!" An angry scream echoed from within the silver sphere. "You can't do this! The experiment isn't finished!"
Lin Yu gazed at the sphere. "Your experiment is over. The Phantom Realm does not need to be controlled; it needs balance."
He raised his hand, and the Original Energy Core suddenly erupted with brilliant light. The silver sphere gradually dissipated in that radiance, finally transforming into twinkling starlight.
The entire ruins fell silent. The Original Energy Core returned to calmness, emitting a gentle glow.
The leader of the Shadow Council was the first to break the silence. "So... the power we have been seeking is actually the source of destruction?" The leader of the Mechanical Cult also showed a look of shame. "We almost made a grave mistake."
Lin Yu walked over to Xing Yu, who slowly opened her eyes, her gaze regaining clarity. "Lin Yu? What happened? It feels like I suddenly fell asleep..."
"Just now..." Lin Yu hesitated on how to explain, opting for a kind lie instead. "The energy was too strong; you fainted."
Old Mo also sighed in relief. "The energy is now balanced, and you have awakened. Welcome back, child."
At that moment, the Phantom Spirit Fox jumped onto Lin Yu's shoulder, letting out a crisp cry. Lin Yu felt a warm energy emanating from the mark on his wrist.
"I think I know what to do," Lin Yu said. "The Original Energy Core needs a new guardian."
He approached the crystal ball and placed his hand on it. The light from the mark merged with the crystal ball. When the light faded, a small figure appeared inside the crystal ball—it was the Phantom Spirit Fox!
"From now on," Lin Yu announced, "the Phantom Spirit Fox will be the guardian of the Original Energy Core. It will maintain the balance of the Phantom Realm and prevent energy from going out of control."
Everyone was stunned by this decision, but soon both leaders of the Shadow Council and Mechanical Cult expressed their agreement.
"This is a wise choice," said the leader of the Shadow Council. "We are willing to assist in maintaining the balance of the Phantom Realm."
The leader of the Mechanical Cult nodded as well. "Perhaps we should rethink our relationship with technology and nature."
Lin Yu looked at the now calm Original Energy Core and let out a long sigh. He knew that for now, the Phantom Realm was safe, his mission was complete, and he could go home.
Old Mo noticed his expression. "Lin Yu?"
Lin Yu admitted, "It seems that the cost of Complete Awakening is... I may not be able to stay in the Phantom Realm for long."
Xing Yu grasped his hand tightly. "No, there must be a way..."
Lin Yu shook his head. "My energy is too in tune with the Phantom Realm; if I stay here any longer, it might disrupt the balance." He looked at everyone. "But I believe you can maintain peace in this world."
As Lin Yu's body began to transform into specks of golden light, the Phantom Spirit Fox let out a reluctant cry. Lin Yu smiled and patted it gently. "Take good care of this place, my friend."
Finally, he turned to Xing Yu and Old Mo. "Thank you both. This journey will forever remain in my heart."
As the last speck of golden light faded away, Lin Yu felt as if he had passed through a long tunnel. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing on a familiar city street.
Night had fallen, and neon lights flickered around him. Lin Yu looked down at his wrist; the mark had disappeared, but he knew that experience had changed him forever.
He took a deep breath and smiled. Although he had returned to the real world, he was ready—if the Phantom Realm ever needed him again, he would not hesitate to return to that mysterious world.
Comment 0 Comment Count