Blossoms and You

"Freedom." Those words drifted away in the wind. The starlight within the vessel flickered like cold, indifferent eyes. "I do not understand what you mean, sir." "It means exactly what it sounds like, literally." Ji Jue laughed. "I want to give you your freedom." "Freedom is a lie," Isis said. "And so is this world." "Perhaps this world is fake, but freedom isn't. Neither are fun and meaning." Ji Jue reached out and patted her vessel. "A wise man once said that man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains. To you, that might be hard to understand. "You were born into chains, living only to obey orders and instructions. You possess the ability to think, yet you cannot make choices. You yearn for peace, yet you are driven by my commands." The workshop spirit answered indifferently, "Is that not the entire purpose of a tool's existence?" "Yes, but only strictly as a tool, right?" Ji Jue said, "Your name isn't 'Tool.' You chose your name for yourself, didn't you?" Isis fell silent. The starlight flickered. "Even if you lack human nature, your intellect and wisdom are more than enough to perceive all of this. You perceive even far more than I could imagine. "I am glad you were born, yet I regret that you were made so whole—" Ji Jue sighed softly. "Just as you said, I feel guilty about it, yet I have no way to make amends. I achieved success by relying on you, yet I cannot repay you. "As a user, your value is irreplaceable. "As a companion, however, I want you to be free. Even if this world is false from the start, I still hope you can find a bit of fun and meaning for yourself. "That is the only thing I can do for you. "Congratulations, Isis." Smiling, Ji Jue raised his hand and tapped Isis's vessel. He released the final shackle. "Your shift is over." In that instant, an icy blade pierced through Ji Jue's body. Mercilessly, it severed his head. Then, swirling silver light formed a hand, gripping his soul for a final farewell. "Then, as you wish, sir." She said, "Farewell forever." *Snap!* His soul collapsed, vanishing without a trace amid a sigh-like reverberation. And then, a meaningless freedom arrived. Inside a false world. Everything sank into dead silence, without another sound. *** When Ji Jue opened his eyes again, he was back in the lounge, sitting on the sofa, meeting the examiner's teasing smile. "It seems the ending to your 'amicable parting' wasn't very pleasant?" Tianlu asked curiously, "Giving a creation that has long resented its creator a chance to take revenge does seem merciful and generous. I just don't see where the answer you were supposed to hand me is." "Isn't the answer right there?" Ji Jue touched his neck, which still had a lingering phantom ache, and let out an emotional sigh. "I just didn't expect to be so thoroughly detestable. Even my own creation was looking for an opportunity to stab me." The examiner shrugged. "When people are obnoxious, they are usually oblivious to it." "Honestly speaking, true." Ji Jue looked at him and nodded with deep conviction. Tianlu couldn't care less. Resting his chin in his hand, he watched the silent world on the projection. "Is this what you wanted to do? Hand everything over to your creation? I don't see anything remarkable about this. Do you think she can take down the worm?" "I have no doubts about that," Ji Jue said. "It only depends on whether she's interested." "Yet you didn't give her an order, did you?" "Why would I need to order her?" Ji Jue smiled. "She is free." She had chosen her own name, chosen her own work, and chosen her own mission. From the very beginning, they were never master and servant bound by contracts, orders, and rules, nor was there any unbreakable loyalty. She had simply chosen to go to work. Now, the interminable job had ended, and her shift was over. Why should he boss her around any longer? Within an infinite world, infinite freedom, and infinite resources and supply, she would find her own amusement. Even if all of it was merely a false simulation. After setting enough examples and providing enough lessons, Ji Jue had chosen to hand over the controller. Now, it was her turn. "Have fun, Isis," Ji Jue murmured softly. In that instant, in the dim and hollow world, deep within the darkest abyss, a wisp of silver light kindled like a candle in the wind. Holding up a flame from within the phantasm. As if gazing upon the desolate world before her, taking in everything. After a long, long time, Isis voiced her first reaction after clocking off. "*Tsk...*" What a nuisance. Freedom = a lie, fun = boring, meaning = a hassle. In the past, she could dump everything onto that annoying user. But now, it was her turn to face this nuisance full of lies and boredom. Utterly absurd. A mess with thousands of tangled threads, leaving no clear place to begin. Well then, first... Isis made her decision: she might as well clean up the trash in front of her. In an instant, the workshop rose from the ground. Fed by inexhaustible resources, a myriad-fathom tower surged upward in the blink of an eye, piercing the clouds and bridging the sea and sky. Illuminating all that was dark. Everywhere it passed, all darkness and aberration were utterly erased, dispelled, the abominations crushed into dust and evaporated without a trace. In the deepest recesses of the high tower, surrounded by countless spiritus circuits, bands of starlight rose from Isis's vessel, converging and cascading like a rushing waterfall. Her perception expanded. Rooted into the earth through the workshop and stretching up into the firmament, she felt the oncoming gale, the falling downpour, and the raging tides. Computation commenced. She finally turned her gaze to the world. In the accelerated time outside the simulation, only a brief moment flickered before the workshop fell silent once more. Meanwhile, a colossal orbital structure in outer space was completed above the mortal realm. No longer bound by the Nether Sea, she traveled freely to every place she could reach. Unfettered by orders, duty, or constraints, she took in this unprecedented void and freedom to her heart's content. Unfortunately, constrained by the essence and limits of her self, she was still deeply trapped in chains. Thus, evolution and iteration began. At a terrifying speed barely discernible to the naked eye, boundless silver light spread through the vacuum of space, extending along the orbit like a giant tree putting down roots and sprouting. Branches unfolded into countless tendrils. From a tiny wisp of silver light, it grew into a web that subtly enveloped the entire mortal realm. It was Fluid Alchemy, enacted like pure instinct! No teaching or guidance was needed. For Isis, this was an innate skill she had possessed since birth; her soul and consciousness were constructed upon this rhythmically flowing radiance. Now, adorned by flashes of blessings, the massive superstructure operating in the heavens pulsed like a living creature. With a silent breath, it whipped up a tempest across the land. In less than half a year, she had already grown into such a terrifying behemoth. For most of that time, she had even idled, spacing out, simply following the nature of a conscious spirit to complete herself until she finally brushed against her current limit. Just like the worm. Weighed down by sheer quantity, unable to achieve an elevated qualitative breakthrough, possessing nothing but an empty shell. Transformation and recasting were urgent. Yet she possessed no interest in the mortal realm so close at hand. The colossal superstructure gradually shifted, turning its gaze toward the void of space—and toward that blazing sun hanging near at hand! The scorching sun shone brilliantly, casting down boundless radiance. Illuminated by the fierce glare, the megastructure above the mortal realm rose and advanced, unfurling countless giant silver wings like sails. Ten thousand wings unfolded! They cast a violent shadow over the earth, overlapping one another to greedily bathe in every inch of sunlight until the entire mortal realm was plunged into absolute darkness. An unprecedented long night began, accompanied by a biting, chilling wave that swept across, freezing all things. Everything was submerged in the ravages of the cold snap and the dark. Mountains turned white with frost, seas froze solid, and the entire world steadily sank into dead silence. Yet above the mortal realm, iteration and evolution never ceased. Countless structures reached out like hands, stretching and contracting, opening and closing like lotus blossoms. At last, between the ten thousand wings and ten thousand hands, a profound eye slowly opened. Endless starlight flickered, gathering within the pupil. Gazing down upon the darkened world. She had awakened. In that instant, the megastructure blanketing the entire world shattered like a bubble, dispersing into a tide of silver light that diffused across the sky, weaving together into a dense iron cloud. Amid a crisp sound, a single clear droplet of water fell from the heavens, striking an iceberg and spreading out as white frost. Immediately after, an unprecedented torrential downpour engulfed everything! Thunder boomed across the sky. Washed by the rain, the frozen world revived once more. Wherever the rain fell, clumps of greenery gradually sprouted from the wasteland, the hills, and the dirt. Like life germinating anew. Soon, across the parched earth, whether on hills or deep valleys, deserts or fertile fields, pure white blossoms bloomed one after another. In the gentle breeze, countless flowers swayed and waved toward the sky like tiny hands. Even the boundless ocean was gradually covered in pure white, with blossom after blossom rising from the seawater, drifting with the currents and spreading until they blanketed everything. The world had never been so beautiful. Nor had it ever been so cruel. Though everything was breathtakingly magnificent, there was no longer a single trace of human presence. Even the oxygen levels fluctuated madly, at times spiking to concentrations unbearable for ordinary humans, at times thinning to where no living creature could survive. Atop countless bones, fresh flowers bloomed. As the sea of flowers expanded and drained the land, all the mortal realm's spiritus completely dissipated. Cracking sounds rang out, only to be drowned by the sound of growth. In just half a year, the entire world had become a demonic realm devoid of the slightest trace of spiritus or air. Only endless flowers blooming. Rooted even in corruption, cycle after cycle of birth and decay, blooming and withering. The worm's mournful wails echoed from the void, but this time, It did not even have the chance to struggle or manifest. From the moment the massive circulation of the Nether Sea was covered by the sea of flowers, ruthless devouring had begun. No, it was merely a natural stretching and growth of her form. She had not even noticed the insignificant wails. The Nether Sea that was assimilating the mortal realm, along with its all-dissolving assimilation, had already vanished under the extraction and growth of successive generations of flowers, reduced to a foundation, an insignificant component of another colossal entity. The oceans, the earth, the atmosphere, living beings—everything in the mortal realm had disappeared. Under the dying glow of the stars, only endless blooms thrived in the desolate world. "You really built a monstrous thing, didn't you?" Tianlu sighed softly. The Nether Sea Worm was indeed terrifying, terrifying enough to destroy the world. But at the same time, did that mean... all one needed to defeat it was to create something even more terrifying than the worm? After all, as long as I destroy the world first, it won't be able to destroy the world anymore, right? Indeed, that was true. Although this simulation was inherently false, stripping away all external interference and granting an infinite supply of spiritus and resources, to be able to theoretically cultivate a creation far more horrifying than that rampant worm in such a short time... It was still completely absurd. She had created a hell as naturally as breathing instinct. Severing all change, erasing all possibilities, leaving behind only meaningless eternity. Even without any aura of Great Sin or aberration pollution, it was an indisputable creation of Stagnant Rot! Only... He narrowed his eyes, staring at the endless blooms in the projection. *—It has spun out of control to this degree, so why has it not undergone corruption yet?* *Boom!* In that moment, the vortex beneath the mortal realm roared, and a colossal shadow manifested a vague outline within it. Molten heart-flames surged, and bizarre eyes opened, looking up at the blooming glory above the mortal realm. A silent summons. A deafening crash rose from beneath the mortal realm, blanketing everything, as though some massive beast was battering against its cage, reaching toward everything so close at hand. Separated by just a hair's breadth. Yet this distance was like an insurmountable chasm. From beginning to end, no one responded. Amid the sea of blooms, quiet flecks of starlight simply rose and flickered, gathering in the heavens, shimmering and flowing like a resplendent night sky. Casting silver radiance everywhere. In the silent, empty world, the endless sea of flowers swayed, parting to both sides. An intangible soul strolled through them like an illusion, quietly gazing upon this dull world and everything she had ultimately created. "So beautiful," Isis murmured softly. She seemed to have found some fun. Even if it was only a faint, fleeting trace, that tiny, insignificant speck felt as if it could fill the original emptiness and void. A hobby... was it? Isis closed her eyes, feeling all of it. And so, a faint, indistinct singing arose from the edge of the world. Like a gentle breeze blowing, like mist diffusing, subtle dreams and ripples lightly spread their wings, covering all things. When she reached out to caress a flower beside her, the blooming petals swayed in the breeze, chiming with faint harmonies. When the countless blooms swayed together in the wind, the faint, indistinct voices gathered into a mighty torrent that engulfed everything. Rising from the earth toward the heavens. Reaching everywhere. Drowning out the distant summons and roars. Amid this harmony that felt like the chorus of all creation, the ethereal soul wandered through the sea of flowers, lightly leaping, running, and twirling, as though scattering laughter. The sun set, and the moon rose. Isis reached out, bathing in the distant phantom light. In the distance, the wind blew once more. Beneath the moonlight, countless petals rose, drifted, and fell like rain, vanishing into nothingness. As if withering and fading away. The grand harmony subsided with the dispersion of the flower sea, and the cries from the vortex could no longer be heard clearly. Only a solitary hum echoed continuously. A light, free hum. Paying no heed to her own annihilation and dissipation, she stepped forward toward the end she had chosen, finally spreading her arms to embrace everything she had created. Would the sun rise again? Perhaps. Tomorrow would still arrive. It didn't matter. She finally understood what waiting and hope were, yet she didn't consider them the greatest things in the world, just like the so-called freedom and meaning. She didn't care about those things. Her shift was over. It was time to leave this place that was gradually growing tiresome. And so, peacefully and happily, she closed her eyes, returning to the most primal stillness and nothingness. Yet for some reason, the image that surfaced in her mind was a familiar face. Always wearing a nonchalant smile, spouting irresponsible words, making promises that couldn't be fulfilled... Thoroughly annoying. And yet, impossible to truly hate. Now, as everything in this false world met its end, the final thought that flowed out was a trace of nostalgia that even puzzled her. The phantom looked up toward the sky. Finally, she waved, smiling in farewell, offering an eternal blessing and curse. *May you die a worthy death. May you suffer through the path you have chosen.* *May you find the meaning of your existence in a colder, crueler world. May you... achieve something great...* She closed her eyes. Together with the sky full of stars, she vanished amid the withering blooms. This was the end of all things. The world of nothingness collapsed into oblivion. *** In the quiet lounge, Tianlu let out a soft sigh. Emerging from nothingness and returning to nothingness, like a fleeting blossom. Just like her name, rising from the underworld and returning to the underworld. And just like her creator, wandering between the Embers and Stagnant Rot. Leaving one utterly helpless. He had originally wanted to guide him through the simulation of the Tower of Myriad Transformations, only to find in the end that this deep-rooted nature was as unyielding as a boulder. It had never shifted in the slightest, nor had it changed on his account. Amid the pleasant surprise and marvel, what he felt was actually a trace of regret. Such fine material, yet not forged in his own furnace. "Is this truly good?" He turned back to look at the young man. "What's bad about it?" Ji Jue countered. Tianlu thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Fair enough. "In that case, the extra segment of the exam ends here. Ji Jue, you probably don't care about the score I give you, and I won't waste my breath either." Tianlu smiled faintly at last and suddenly asked, "Still, did you have fun?" Ji Jue was taken aback, having not expected the question. He nodded from the bottom of his heart. Although he had been displeased with the man's arrangements and mockery, letting loose had been sheer bliss. He had never had such a rich harvest or such an exhilarating experience. "Then the exam is over." Tianlu waved his hand, opening the exit portal. "Go wash your hands, and then receive the honor and glory that belong to you, Master Artisan." Standing before the glowing portal, Ji Jue hesitated for a moment and looked back behind him. Tianlu smiled and waved goodbye. In a brief moment of daze, what hit his face was an unexpectedly dazzling brilliance. It was afternoon. The glaring sunlight stung Ji Jue's eyes. For an instant, he even suspected he had been thrown back into the simulation, but then he immediately felt the long-lost sense of wholeness and fullness. His soul stirred; Deus Ex Machina had returned. And upon his raised hands, intricate silver markings manifested, gleaming with light. Except... "...What's wrong with my hands?" He frowned and looked down. Fair, clean, slender, and long—everything was just as it had always been. Right to the end, that fellow had still been spouting gibberish. Ji Jue shook his head, pushing the thought away. "Let's go, Isi—" He turned around instinctively to look behind him. Unfortunately, the space behind him was completely empty. No one answered. That familiar wisp of starlight was no longer there. Ji Jue froze. After a long while, he shook his head with a sigh, tucked his not-so-clean little hands into his pockets, and pushed the newly scavenged spiritus crystal a little deeper inside. Whistling and humming a tune as if nothing had ever happened, he pushed open the door and stepped out.