Chapter 103: Arrangements

After a blinding, searing flash of light, the entire Takagi estate vanished from the face of the earth, leaving behind a crater that looked as if it had been struck by a meteorite. Suddenly, a cold snort echoed through the silent, empty space, and the entire island nation vanished from the map of the world.

In a familiar void, Ye Xingchen lay on that familiar stretch of grass. For some reason, he felt too languid to get up, perhaps because it had been too long since he had rested in this meadow, and he was missing the person most dear to him. "Xiao Bai, do you think C.C. is alright right now?"

"Probably. It would be best if that woman never came back; then Xingchen would be mine alone!" Xiao Bai pouted and waved her hand as if she didn't care, though the worry in her eyes was evident. Having always been a trio, it was inevitably uncomfortable to suddenly have one missing.

In truth, while the two often bickered, they deeply cared for one another. Ye Xingchen smiled and patted her head, just as he had when she was in her small nine-tailed fox form. "It's alright, I know you're worried about her too. At the very least, through the connection I share with C.C., I can tell she is still safe."

"So you have to trust us! We told you already, there is nothing in the world C.C. went to that could possibly endanger her." Ruoxing and Ruchen appeared in the space as well, greeting Ye Xingchen. "Yo, Xingchen, how are you feeling? Not too bad, right?"

"It's alright. Although I'll be returning to my previous state soon, this feeling is quite nice. Through that rift, I can slowly reintegrate, so I'm not in a hurry." Ye Xingchen was clear about everything that had happened during this time, because, in the end, he had experienced it all himself.

"You really are optimistic! You've ended up like this, yet you have no reaction at all," Ruoxing said, sounding somewhat surprised. Ruchen tilted her head. "Xingchen is indeed optimistic. But there isn't much time left to maintain this state. Sister, let's discuss the main matter."

Ruoxing knew this was no time for idle chatter. She coughed twice and said, "It's like this: the next world you go to will require you to live there for a long time, so we need to arrange an identity for you. You know that being born into a better environment can save you a lot of trouble, so we came to ask for your plan."

"Born?!" Ye Xingchen frowned, looking quite reluctant. In his heart, he had only one elder—the mother who raised him and died to save him. He would never acknowledge anyone else as such.

Seeming to understand his thoughts perfectly, Ruchen said, "Don't worry, Xingchen. We know how you feel. It will just be an identity; there won't be any parents involved."

"Then arrange the best identity for me. I have always hated trouble." With that concern addressed, Ye Xingchen said indifferently. He cared deeply about his loved ones.

"Then we'll make the decision for you and choose the highest-tier identity. This kind of identity is usable in most worlds. However, it costs 5,000 points of both virtue and sin—which is a bit much. Furthermore, the system says that if you pay another 5,000 in both, it will perfect the cultivation techniques researched by Yexing and Yechen so they can be compatible with your Night Shadow Star Art. If you agree, you'll be left with a pitiful 300 virtue points and 200 sin points."

Ruoxing and Ruchen spoke with some embarrassment, as they had intended to help, but the system had placed restrictions on them. Now, the system intended to use nearly all of his points for the upgrades, though the final choice remained with Ye Xingchen.

"It doesn't matter; let it be arranged as you see fit. After all, isn't the fact that I'm still alive entirely because of you?" Ye Xingchen said with great trust. He was never too concerned with points; he believed that having too many abilities was not conducive to true strength, and that one should focus on mastering a few key areas.

"I like that answer. It feels good to be trusted!" Ruoxing said with a grin, rubbing her nose. Ruchen nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, Xingchen, I will do my best to help!"

On the system panel, Ye Xingchen's points were rapidly deducted, leaving only a few hundred. Ruchen said, "Alright, Xingchen, your identity and techniques are all set. Missions will appear when needed in the next world. So, goodbye for now!"

The two waved farewell to Ye Xingchen, and Ye Xingchen relaxed his suppression. The merged souls were forced apart again by the barrier. Xiao Bai pouted, "It's rare to have a chance to be alone with Xingchen, and yet we're separated again so soon!"

With that, both disappeared from the space. The void returned to silence, save for the sound of the wind blowing over the grass. In the other world, the souls, having been split again, fell into a deep slumber. Within the minds of Yexing and Yechen, a complete cultivation technique appeared.

In Yexing's mind, the Star-Slaughter Sword Art emerged, while in Yechen's appeared the Azure Brilliance Sword Art. Their specific effects were as yet unknown; the system provided no descriptions, only the content and titles. In another realm, three illusory figures gathered together, their faces impossible to discern.

"I heard someone is coming to our world? Who was it again?" a voice with a sweet, youthful tone asked.

"I don't know!" "I don't know!" the other two replied in unison, their voices equally melodic. One rested her chin on her hands and pondered, "It seems that person notified us. And they wanted a high-quality identity arranged. It seems we'll have some entertainment in the time to come!"

Excited by what was to come, as world consciousnesses, their favorite pastime was observing the interesting events within their domain; having some excitement was all the better.

"You really have a wicked sense of humor. Is it really that boring that you have to peek?" one teased her.

"You have no right to say that to me. Don't think I don't know what you've been preparing lately—planning to go out and deceive and hurt a girl? I'm just watching for the fun of it, but you're planning to participate directly. Compared to me, you're the one with the truly wicked taste!" Offended by the comment, she retorted instantly.

"What did you say! I am doing this so the plot develops normally! What fun is there in playing like you do? If you follow my lead, we definitely won't be bored for the next few years!"

"In the end, you just want to play yourself, right!"

The one who had been quiet looked at the two bickering, shook her head with a habitual smile, and left to arrange the identity of the person about to arrive. As she modified the state of the world, she laughed, "What kind of person is he, I wonder? I'm quite curious. He must come to my jurisdiction."