Chen Meng returned to Makosi's place—which was now also his home.
Makosi was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Sensing Chen Meng's presence, he finished up the dish in hand, walked out, and saw Chen Meng at the door.
"Chen Meng! You're back. Dinner's ready. Are Morax and the others coming over tonight?"
Chen Meng stepped forward and replied,
"They're not coming tonight. Also, Morax asked me to let you know—something's stirring among the sea-dwelling ones."
Makosi paused, clearly surprised.
"...I see. Let's eat first."
He returned to the kitchen and brought out the dishes, placing them on the stone table in front of the house. Chen Meng and Makosi sat in silence as they ate.
After clearing the table together, Chen Meng sat back down on a stool.
"Makosi, what do you think about the demon gods stirring under the sea?"
Makosi looked up at the sky and said,
"In this war, the ones who suffer most are always the followers of the gods. Their homes are destroyed, their loved ones lost."
"The Salt Archon, Havria—she chose to protect her people by avoiding battle, retreating again and again, ceding her lands… and in the end, she was slain by those very people she tried to protect."
"And here in Guili Assembly, the bloodiest war to date was caused by the Dream Archon…"
He paused.
"Cough, not you—I mean the former one."
Chen Meng nodded. He understood. After all, the past Dream Archon had used the Yakshas to carry out massacres under her control…
"Chen Meng, your authority's still incomplete. Be careful. I'm going to rest."
With that, Makosi got up and headed to his room. Chen Meng returned to his own.
Lying on the bed, he closed his eyes and entered the system space.
"System, open status panel."
\[Host: Chen Meng]
\[Authority: Dream Authority (Incomplete)]
\[Weapons: Eater Tigerfish Blade, Xiao Meng Flute]
\[Followers: None]
\[Skills: Control]
\[Talents: Basic Cooking, Basic Mechanism Arts, Basic Music, Weapon Mastery]
\[Inventory: Clothes ×1, Sweet Flower Chicken ×3, Lottery Tickets ×8, Dream Archon Authority Trial Card ×1, Power Boost Card ×1, Lottery Tickets ×10]
Chen Meng took out the Power Boost Card.
\[Power Boost Card: Enhances user's power upon use.]
"Perfect timing. System, use the Power Boost Card."
The card in his hand dissolved into light and flew into his head.
The scene around Chen Meng shifted from the system space to a blinding white arena—just like the last time he had trained.
As he scanned his surroundings, a black shadow appeared before him. It held a blade, and slowly transformed—taking on his form. But while his eyes were violet, the shadow version's were crimson red.
"Looks like I'll be fighting 'myself' again."
He drew the Eater Tigerfish Blade.
Black Chen—his doppelgänger—gestured for him to make the first move, eyes full of provocation.
Chen Meng raised his blade and charged.
He slashed at Black Chen, who blocked easily. Chen Meng followed up with a punch from his left hand, but Black Chen retreated with a blur.
Chen Meng didn't let up, pressing forward. Just as his blade nearly struck again, Black Chen vanished in a puff of purple smoke.
Then—he reappeared behind Chen Meng and slashed down.
Chen Meng spun and blocked just in time, using the momentum to leap backward.
"Why did he disappear like that?"
Chen Meng narrowed his eyes—then noticed the faint swirl of violet mist around Black Chen.
"So it's a form of illusion... but not entirely. Looks like I've just unlocked something new."
He covered his body in power.
"Round two, then."
With a flash, Chen Meng appeared in front of Black Chen—who vanished again and reappeared behind him.
"Thanks for teaching me that trick."
Chen Meng vanished as well, reappearing behind Black Chen.
Black Chen slashed backward, but Chen Meng blinked again—appearing to the left.
"Hey, over here!"
The Fillet Blade slashed across Black Chen's back, carving a long gash. Black Chen stumbled back, eyeing the wound.
Chen Meng smirked.
"Looks like you're hurt now."
Black Chen, still expressionless, raised his weapon and charged.
———————————————————————————
Two hours later
"Hah… looks like I won."
Chen Meng looked at the battered Black Chen before him. Though he'd won, he wasn't in much better shape.
Black Chen slowly faded from view. Chen Meng let out a deep breath.
"Whew… finally."
He put away his weapon and checked himself.
"Not sure how much of this carries to the real world, but my consciousness has grown stronger. My combat skills definitely improved… and I gained a new ability too."
\[Power Boost Card used. Exiting simulation.]
Chen Meng returned to the system space.
"Might as well get some rest."
His consciousness returned to his body.
He drifted into sleep.
Floating above a vast sea, Chen Meng slowly opened his eyes.
"Where… am I?"
Before him stood a towering tree. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared at his side.
"Chen, what are you thinking about?"
He turned to see a humanoid silhouette beside him.
"...I was thinking… why must they be destroyed?"
The voice was his, but he hadn't spoken. And parts of the conversation seemed to be muted, as if censored.
"Because… So you don't need to concern yourself with them."
The shadow responded.
Leaves began to fall from the tree above, some floating on the surface, others sinking into the sea.
"It's time to go, Chen."
The shadow said.
Suddenly, Chen Meng sank beneath the surface. Underwater, he watched himself speaking with the shadow.
Then he jolted awake in bed.
"Why… why did that dream feel so real?"
He rubbed his forehead, deep in thought.
"Forget it. Time to get up."
He climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen.
———————————————————————————
In the kitchen
Makosi walked in to find Chen Meng already making breakfast.
"Chen Meng? You're up this early?"
He asked in surprise.
Chen Meng stirred the pot of porridge.
"Mm. Woke up earlier than usual. Figured I'd make breakfast."
Makosi, seeing it was nearly done, grabbed bowls and utensils, setting the table.
Chen Meng brought out the side dishes, and finally the porridge.
"Not sure if Morax and the others will come. Let's eat first."
Makosi said. Chen Meng nodded.
The two each filled a bowl and began eating.
"Hmm. Your cooking's getting better, Chen Meng."
Makosi said after a sip of porridge and a bite of food.
"Still not on your level. By the way, what will you do after the Archon War ends?"
Chen Meng asked.
"Hmm… I'd probably keep studying cuisine and pass it on. If possible, I'd like to take on a disciple."
Makosi said with a wistful smile.
Gods loved their people—but did the people truly love their gods?
Chen Meng felt a pang of emotion.
"Makosi, I'm sparring with Gui Zhong today. Want to come watch?"
Makosi looked at him in surprise.
"Sure, I'd love to! Wait—you're sparring with Gui Zhong? Why?"
"I originally planned to spar with Morax. But Gui Zhong said I had to fight her first. If I win, I can spar with Morax. If I lose, I can't."
Makosi was stunned. A moment ago, he'd been curious. Now he was genuinely shocked.
Chen Meng had only existed for three or four days—and his authority was incomplete. A sparring match with Morax? Even if it was just practice… would Morax hold back?
"Makosi, Chen Meng—I'm here."