"Then allow me to explain our setup. The platform is made from Mingxia Resonant Stone and Cor Lapis. The stone stools and the ceremonial altar are also crafted from Mingxia Resonant Stone, but we used Noctilucous Jade for embellishments on the altar. I won't go into further detail—when the time comes, I guarantee my design will leave you speechless."
Liu Yun Jie Feng left the others to imagine the grandeur.
A'Ping, remembering the scene she'd witnessed, turned to glance at Ming Hai Qi Xia, who had quietly slipped to a corner and was weeping.
"Wu wu (╥_╥), my Resonant Stones..."
A'Ping could only sigh silently.
"So, when will the ceremony start?" Gui Zhong asked.
"Well..." Xue Yue Zhu Yang pondered aloud.
"Tomorrow," Liu Yun Jie Feng interrupted, not giving him time to overthink.
"We'll begin tomorrow. There are still some finishing touches we need to handle today."
Liu Yun declared confidently.
"But didn't we already—" Li Shui Die Shan started to speak but fell silent when Liu Yun gave him a glare sharp as ice.
"In that case, Liu Yun, let us know once the setup is complete tomorrow."
Morax said slowly.
"Then I'll go prepare a room for Chen Meng."
Makoshus, noticing the sky had already darkened, headed toward the house.
"Then, Lord, we'll take our leave as well."
Fu She and the other four yakshas bowed to Morax before departing. Even though Morax's presence deterred most hostile Archons, monsters could still appear, and it was their duty—and penance—to protect the people of Guili Assembly.
As Liu Yun pondered what else still needed arranging, he felt someone tug at him.
It was Yi Xiao Dao Tian. Noticing most people had already left, he subtly motioned that it was time to go.
Liu Yun understood and nodded.
"Lord, we'll go tend to the ceremony preparations now."
With that, the immortals departed together—though Ming Hai Qi Xia was gently pulled along by Yi Xiao Dao Tian.
"It's already so late. I should rest too. Bye-bye, Morax, Gui Zhong, Chen Meng!"
A'Ping waved as she summoned her Teapot of Serenity and vanished into it.
Chen Meng stared at the teapot, curious what entering it would feel like in the real world.
Gui Zhong noticed his interest and explained.
"That's Ping'er's Teapot of Serenity. Only she can craft them. Don't let its teapot appearance fool you—the inside is vast. When there's time, ask her to show you."
Chen Meng nodded. He was indeed curious how large it was inside.
"Alright, I'm off to work on my mechanisms. Bye, Morax, Chen Meng!"
With that, Gui Zhong vanished toward her abode.
Morax stood up as well.
"It's getting late, Chen Meng. You're newly born, so rest early. Even if your Authority is incomplete, your power is considerable. Try exploring it on your own. Once the contract ceremony is done, I'll help you master it fully."
Morax slowly walked toward his palace.
Chen Meng remained seated on the stone bench, looking up at the sky.
"System, has anyone noticed I've disappeared?"
'…Host, don't you already know the answer to that?'
Chen Meng stared at the false sky.
"Yeah. Probably only the landlord—when it's time for rent."
'Host, the system has been upgraded, by the way.'
"(☉?☉) When did that happen?"
'While you were eating. As the saying goes: no talking while eating or sleeping. So I didn't interrupt.'
"And you didn't mention it afterward?"
'You never asked ︿(￣︶￣)︿. You jumped right into fusing talents.'
"Fine, that's on me."
"System, open host panel."
[Host: Chen Meng][Authority: Dream Authority (Incomplete)][Weapon: Fillet Blade][Familiars: None][Skills: None][Talents: Culinary Arts, Weapon Mastery][Inventory: Clothing ×1, Sweet Flower Chicken ×3, Lottery Tickets ×2][System Mailbox: Ding-dong, Host has unclaimed achievement rewards.]
"Hmm? There's even a notification."
"System, claim achievement rewards."
'Claiming achievement rewards: "Five Yakshas," "That Woman," "Farewell to the World" achievements. Received: Lottery Tickets ×5, Basic Mechanism Crafting, complete deletion of all host's browser history (irreversible).'
"System, what's with that last one?"
'Host, as the saying goes: "Better broken to pieces than live in disgrace." A clean slate must be left behind in this world.'
"Fair enough. But why is Mechanism Crafting labeled as basic, while Culinary Arts has no level?"
'Because Culinary Arts includes all forms and requires you to improve them through use. But Mechanism Crafting was fully integrated—you already know everything at the basic level.'
'Also, in the future, achievement rewards must be claimed manually.'
"Chen Meng, the room's ready—you can come rest now."
Makoshus stood at the door, calling out.
"Got it, coming."
Chen Meng snapped out of his system dialogue, stood up, and headed inside.
Makoshus had prepared a room for him.
The room was very simple: one bed, one table, one chair—nothing more.
"Is it too bare? Once you form the contract with Morax tomorrow, I'll have someone bring in more furniture. This place used to be just me, after all."
Makoshus explained.
"No need. This is fine."
Chen Meng replied. After all, the Archon War was still ongoing. It might be quiet now, but later...
Thinking about what might come, Chen Meng silently resolved—he must grow stronger.
"By the way, Chen Meng, do you remember how you were born?"
Makoshus asked curiously.
"I do. I was born from a mass of dreams. You?"
Chen Meng responded.
"Me? I was born from the spark of flint striking stone."
"Alright, you should rest. Good night."
Makoshus stepped out and closed the door behind him.
Chen Meng walked to the bed and sat down.
"Time to rest."
He undressed, lay down, and closed his eyes.
Dream
"Chen... Meng... Chen Meng."
"Chen Meng, it's time to pay rent!"
Chen Meng jolted upright in bed.
Looking around, he realized he was back in his rental apartment's bedroom.
"Chen Meng, if you don't open this door, I'm coming in!"
It was the landlord's voice from outside.
"Jiang-ge, hold on!"
Chen Meng shouted, quickly dressed, and opened his bedroom door. He walked to the front door and opened it.
"Yo, you're up. If you hadn't answered, I was about to call the cops."
Jiang Han leaned against the doorframe, grinning.
"Jiang-ge, didn't I already pay rent two days ago?"
Chen Meng asked, confused.
"I called for you several times and got no reply, so I figured shouting about rent might scare you awake."
Jiang Han smirked.
Chen Meng stared at him in silence.
"Haha, alright, I'm done messing with you. Usually around this time, you're eating downstairs, but I didn't see you today, so I came up to check. Since you're okay, I'll head off."
With that, Jiang Han turned and walked downstairs.
Chen Meng watched him go, then shut the door and returned to his bedroom.
He looked at his computer.
"Was it all just a dream?"
He walked over to the bed and sat down. Suddenly, he felt a force push him backward.
As he fell, the bed vanished—so did the room.
Chen Meng felt himself sinking into a sea, his vision blurring.
In the haze, he thought he saw something.
A tree.
A towering, colossal tree.
"What... is this..."