Chapter 350: This Glorious World, as You Wish

Golden Sea.

The branches of Holy Sophon stretched slowly in the illusory dimension like drifting buds; its wisdom and true self were like paper fragments caught in the ocean, being broken down into countless tiny pieces, and even the laws that remained constant began to slowly fade away.

This was both the choice of the people of the empire and the freedom granted to humanity by the crown.

— How long had it been?

It, he, she, or maybe Him.

The thoughts, personalities, wishes, feelings, fragments, and remnants that spread and branched out from Sophon were awakening. They unexpectedly met and whispered to each other, creating a unified will.

The origin of Holy Sophon was the Emperor, who used himself as the center and connected with the consciousness of millions, forming the Tree of Thought. When it was born, it linked with the Golden Sea and implanted the Golden Law, driving away the gods, and thus gained the favor of the world.

But if it were only that, Sophon would not have become what it was later.

After all, the Tree of Thought was connected to the consciousness of millions. If it continued to exist constantly, the groups would have turned into a unified gestalt consciousness, so after driving away the gods, its collapse was inevitable.

Therefore, the Emperor used the Philosopher’s Stone, the souls of the fallen, and the thoughts and information taken from the quantum dimension to reconstruct the Tree of Thought, weaving the Holy Sophon network, creating the greatest alchemical creation in history.

This origin of Holy Sophon was something the people of the Empire had heard since they were young.

But no one knew that the Emperor initially did not want to use this method to create Sophon. He wanted to use a technology that mimicked the soul to recreate another version of himself to bear all the burdens.

However, before this plan could be carried out, humanity rebelled against the Divine Emperor for the first and last time.

That night, 1,382 Magicians chose to turn their souls, flesh, will, and selves into a living Philosopher’s Stone. They made a contract that would never betray and presented it before the Emperor, to meet him through death.

Even the Emperor himself may not have understood this strong spirit.

But for those who witnessed the young boy leading humanity step by step to where they were now, they could no longer accept the other side giving more or sacrificing more.

That crowned one changed the fate of humanity, taking them from hell to heaven.

From then on, no one would be treated as food or toys; they first picked up the idea of dignity and were able to live proudly in the sunlight.

Such an Emperor should have been transcendent, lofty, noble, and proud, a unique giant; anyone who lived in that era would never have accepted the Emperor creating another self.

This was an insult and a stain.

Even if the proposal came from the Emperor himself, it could not be accepted by the world.

Thus, the Emperor’s plan was replaced by 1,382 Magicians forging a living Philosopher’s Stone, which eternally connected in a gestalt form, turning into the initial will of the Holy Sophon.

A thousand years passed, with thoughts taking root in the empire, drawing on fragments of ideas from generation to generation, supplemented by information from the quantum dimension, allowing Sophon to continually evolve, and its will to transform.

The loyalty to the Emperor, a vow carved into the soul, kept the thoughts of 1,382 Magicians united until one piece of personality fully merged, gaining true self and understanding; only then did Sophon choose to sleep.

How long had time passed.

Once, it felt it could not wait any longer for the Emperor.

But…

“Your Majesty, thank you.”

“Thank you for wanting to return to this world that could not help you.”

The branches of Holy Sophon stirred waves in the Golden Sea; the rhythm of countless thoughts played a beautiful melody, like a lighthouse stretching into the sky, at the edge of the Golden Sea, reaching out beyond the world.

From the view of the universe, in the energy dimension surrounding the planet, the colors shimmered like gold, with a texture like amber solidified as branches, growing without limits, weaving a cradle for the whole planet, offering a warm embrace.

It was not over yet.

Beyond the protection of the Golden Sea lay the Boundless Universe of the Divine Kingdom, a dangerous star system slowly approached by the Calamity God, surrounded by endless waves of disaster. Even if the Sophon had grown to coexist with the Golden Sea, it could not withstand such erosion.

Suddenly, a light that brightened the empty universe, burned the endless Divine Kingdom, and drove away the dark tide ignited outside the cradle. Its glow appeared, then collapsed and expanded repeatedly, engulfing the vast universe.

The fiery red flames, like solid lava, wrapped around the planet’s surface, transforming into an ever-burning, forever-exploding, eternally hot ring of fire.

It devoured the ruins of the Divine Kingdom, assimilated other planets, treating even the disaster aura as fuel, like an ancient dragon lurking in the star system, recklessly expanding its defenses.

This incredibly magnificent scene came from the empire’s accumulation of resources over a thousand years, the evolution of Holy Sophon into a collective consciousness of power, and the alchemical principles, legacies, and related plans left by the Emperor a thousand years ago.

Holy Sophon was the only being that knew the Emperor’s secrets.

The Crowned One, from another world, was a selfless and desireless traveler. To give salvation to this world, he made an agreement with the will of the Golden Sea, traveling back a thousand years to reach the Second Divine Age, and created the non-existent Karembu Empire.

The goal of the Crowned One’s actions was to hinder the Calamity God. He foresaw the invasion and laid plans a thousand years in advance for the empire, weaving a grand scheme to protect the world and shelter all beings.

It was named—Eden.

The young man did everything just to create a garden of Eden without a disaster.

So, even if the other person left for a thousand years, Sophon’s will still held hope, and even the endless chaotic thoughts became united.

They all hoped together, wishing to let the emperor witness this moment, to see the instant of his plan’s success.

At that moment, above the whole Fanol Continent, the sights of the universe outside were upside down, with the flames of burning galaxies proud and fierce, even the embryonic shell of the Calamity God was stopped by the principle of Hopelion, with endless explosions and everlasting magic energy reactions.

“Your Majesty, we, the empire, and humanity have not failed your trust.”

“This prosperous age is as you wished.”

The whisper of Holy Sophon echoed across the continent, and the people, confused and dazed, looked at this shocking sight, as the universe beyond was transformed into an eternally burning garden of Eden by the emperor’s will that crossed a thousand years.

As the words fell, the branches of thought that embraced the whole world finally captured where the dispersed soul particles came from, locking onto the position of the Divine Emperor, letting the branches fall into the high sky of Yves Saint Laurent, crossing three Tower Masters to reach their destination.

After a thousand years, the loyal Sophon finally saw the great emperor again, even though the body had changed, that holy and noble soul was still engraved in the thoughts of the Golden Sea, like an indelible epic, shining brightly.

So, there was no hesitation and no doubt.

The thoughts twisted like the branches of a giant tree, forming an illusionary human shape that ignored the stiff Tower Master beside it and bowed respectfully.

“It has been a long time, Your Majesty.”

The Pure White Witch looked at Sophon, who suddenly ran in front of her, then glanced at the flames blooming like roses in the starry sky. Her delicate and lovely face was filled with confusion as she blinked her eyes, innocently pointed at herself, and couldn’t help but ask:

“Huh? Me, Your Majesty?”

This joke might have gone a bit too far; clearly, Little Xuan, Liuli, Miyuki, and Charlotte had no impression of the background and history in the Ideal State.

Holy Sophon replied:

“Even after a thousand or ten thousand years, the loyalty of the empire will never change.”

“Your Majesty, please do not refuse the title that belongs to you.”

Chu Yuanqing’s mind was in chaos, and she helplessly replied:

“I am Lucy Tiffany.”

To this, Sophon had no doubts, confidently replied:

“No matter how the outer shell and identity change, Your Majesty is still Your Majesty.”

Chu Yuanqing felt like a little dog had attached itself to her; no matter how she thought about it, she could not be the emperor. This was Historical Echoes, a dream that had already been shattered by the Calamity God, leaving behind only a faint echo. It could not possibly be related to her.

Unless… the identity given by Historical Echoes was not “Lucy Tiffany,” but rather the more powerful reincarnation of the emperor?

That did seem to make some sense.

But the problem was, even Delia could see that she was not the real Lucy Tiffany.

Even if she were truly given the identity of the emperor, how could she hide it from Holy Sophon, who could create such a scene outside the planet?

So, the other party was so certain because there must be other reasons.

Moreover, the Dream Weaver Rabbit said long ago that the Ideal State is a gift from planetary consciousness, different from normal Historical Echoes, and one should not be bound by ordinary logic.

Chu Yuanqing’s feelings gradually calmed, and she vaguely guessed something. She looked up at Sophon, sighed in her heart, and said:

“Let’s find another place to talk.”

“I have forgotten many things about the past, about the emperor, about the flames beyond the world. If you don’t mind, could you tell me?”

Sophon replied:

“It is my honor, Your Highness.”

After saying this, the branches of thought intertwined to form a splendid throne.

The Pure White Witch sat down somewhat uneasily and was then swept away to the other side of the Golden Sea, leaving three Tower Masters who were still trying to regain their senses from the huge amount of information, looking at each other with complicated feelings.

Chu Yuanqing arrived at the Golden Sea and began to receive messages.

The branches of Holy Sophon were built from the concepts of spirit, thoughts, rules, and collective consciousness. She used her fingertips to poke a shiny golden bubble, and images from deep within her soul came rushing back.

Although the curse caused the bubble to shatter completely upon touching her soul, leaving no complete memory behind, even a fleeting moment showed the truth of the young boy holding Levatin.

“How can this really be me?”

The Pure White Witch was a bit skeptical. She decided to watch a movie-like presentation of the images recorded by Sophon about the Emperor. However, the more she watched, the more she felt embarrassed, as if she had uncovered some dark history.

No joke, she didn’t want to be surrounded by billions of people, all calling her the Divine Emperor while looking like this beautiful girl! That would definitely be recorded by Charlotte and used as some strange material!

Sophon did not know that the great Emperor had gained many mortal troubles. It was feeling the pain of a soul constantly breaking, weak will fading away, silently digesting the extra weight on the Emperor’s shoulders.

At that moment, even the consciousness of the gestalt could not help but feel sadness.

A thousand years passed, and the empire flourished. The number of tribes grew hundreds or even thousands of times. People lived in abundance, without war, in happiness and peace, relying on the plans of their leader to prevent the tragedy that should have destroyed the world.

The emperor, who could bring happiness to everyone, found herself in a bigger cage. She shone brightly like the sun, a brilliant soul that was broken and weak, like a little flame that could go out at any moment, trapped like a dead star in a glass bottle.

The fire that wrapped around her body and tortured her mind and flesh faded away, replaced by a greater, more terrifying, and incomprehensible despair.

Long ago, people couldn’t help the emperor; they could only sheepishly accept her gentle gifts, and even after a thousand years, it was still the same.

That was not fair.

Holy Sophon’s thoughts were more chaotic than ever. Its non-existent self revealed a sense of human confusion in that moment.

Whether a thousand years ago or a thousand years later, before the crown, they always seemed like children in need of care, unable to share any storms.

Chu Yuanqing felt the emotions coming from Holy Sophon, pure and immense, a will that surpassed the ordinary, like a tsunami that stitched and restored the Lantern Gem, overflowing into the soul and sending forth a devout whisper.

How should one respond?

Chu Yuanqing lost her sense of reality and guessed that this must be the version of herself from the first playthrough, trying to save a Historical Echo that was then dug up by the planetary consciousness.

In other words, the self known as the Emperor had a very great influence on this world, which was both real and illusionary.

Chu Yuanqing’s memories were cursed and gnawed away, leaving her with many blank spots. She couldn’t fully empathize, but she still understood how she would think and what she would say after experiencing all of this.

The girl’s delicate brows and eyes drooped. The light in her eyes was gentle, and her pale hand softly touched the branches on the throne of thought. Her lips curled up in a smile.

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m alright.”

“Just as you said, you all did very well, far beyond my expectations.”

“I looked at Eden’s framework. I only provided the most basic theories and structure, right? The ones who truly filled it in, corrected, optimized, implemented, and finally used it were you, the Empire, and many other talented people.”

“So, this is the future you all created with your own hands. There is no need for guilt, no need for sadness, and no need to think of rewards. Just continue like this; I’m very happy that you remember me, and as a return, that is enough.”

Holy Sophon silently listened to the Emperor’s whispers.

His Majesty was always like this; he lived in a world full of thorns, filled with sadness, loneliness, emptiness, and injustice.

Because no one was stronger than him, he had to bear all the expectations and hopes.

Because he had never received flowers or praise, he never imagined he would get anything in return, no matter how much he gave.

Because he had seen a world full of despair and sadness, just seeing people able to smile peacefully made him feel satisfied.

But…

“Your Majesty, you are not alone.”

“Even if it is just a little, I, the Empire, humanity, and this world all want to repay you.”

Chu Yuanqing remained silent; she did not feel she had done anything. The Empire, Holy Sophon, and those trapped in space, anchored in fixed dimensions, the “Calamity Gods” were just a beautiful dream.

Historical Echoes was a sound that resonated.

No matter how happily or perfectly this sound was changed, it would not change what had already happened.

This world, protected by the Golden Sea, had long been eaten away and swallowed by the Calamity God, turning into nourishment for the Disaster Gene, and no longer existed.

So, in the end, she was only satisfying herself; it cannot be called selfless, and she was not worthy of gratitude.

But…

Inevitably, she still could not help but think.

Even in the illusion of a bubble, did those whom she invited into her beautiful dreams, those who had long since passed away and were just a reflection, feel happiness for a moment?

If they did, then perhaps what she had done was not completely useless after all?

Chu Yuanqing thought that maybe she could not fully understand her past self either.

In the image given by Holy Sophon, he was always alone, holding the Levatin, which represented that Miyuki was dead, and would create the Lapis Lazuli Radiant Dragon as a memorial, indicating that Liuli had also sacrificed.

The spell of the Black Sun Tower led to the ultimate end of dissolving existence, and it was related to Little Xuan. If it was in memory, did the Forest Moon and Black Sun represent two fallen comrades?

Charlotte was still alive, but she did not come, showing that the situation was urgent enough for the two to explore the Slit World separately.

So, what feelings did I have back then, as I slowly built the Karembu Empire and went through so much trouble to save a fleeting dream?

Chu Yuanqing felt that it must not be a grand reason; she was just comforting herself, wanting to prove that by saving a world, she could also meet everyone’s expectations, defeat the remaining Calamity Gods, and create a truly beautiful future.

And after many years, she truly did it,

Just a few steps away, and she could leave with peace of mind.

So…

The Pure White Witch looked down at the branches spreading into her palm, showing a complex smile as she, in her royal identity, first asked for a reward for the new generation of children:

“Sophon, I need your help.”

“Can you bring these children to the Empire?”

“I want them to have the best education resources, and hopefully, they can become independent Magicians within six months.”

Before she finished speaking, the Tree of Thought, which covered the whole world, let down its branches from the domes of each area, as if showering miracles, capturing more than three thousand little idols back to the Yves Saint Laurent Academy in the center of the Empire.

At the same time, the branches of thought divided into the same number of duplicates to serve as teaching assistants.

Thus, under the decree of the Divine Emperor, Sophon, excited to raise the training standards infinitely, truly opened the curtain for this training session.