Listening to the words of the black-haired girl, even Baili Qing's face showed some change in expression. She averted her gaze unnaturally, "…it's all in the past."

"Yes, back then you were just a young dragon," the black-haired girl still wore that faint smile, "although you always had a stern face even then, your temperament was better than now."

Baili Qing turned her head, looking at the Boundary Land "Director" before her, who had the appearance of a young girl but had actually lived through interminable years, looking at the shallow gray eyes on that face.

After a while, she sighed softly, "Xue, get off 'Hong's' face."

"Oh."

Baili Xue agreed, her faint gray eyes swayed and floated to the side. Hong, whose eyes were always closed, seemed to twitch at the corners of her mouth, then she slightly turned her head to "look" at Baili Xue floating mid-air, "…enjoying it?"

"I didn't mean to," Baili Xue said, "it's your fault for having a temperature as low as the surrounding steel."

Hong did not speak for a moment, merely continuing to "observe" those floating translucent eyes in the air, until they slowly descended to the ground. Then she turned to Baili Qing, "When did she start having this change?"

Baili Qing knew what the other was referring to, "Ever since the first contact with Yu Sheng—humanity gradually awakened, and the loss of control swiftly decreased."

Hong slightly furrowed her brows, showing a pensive look, "It's related to that 'Yu Sheng' again…"

"Inanimate objects influenced by him show signs of life, illusions gradually develop humanity, the immortal Dark Angels die and are 'reborn' in a new form. According to my analysis, this should be some kind of power that interferes with the boundaries of life and death," Baili Qing slowly said, "but his ability to 'open the door' seems to be an entirely different system. If I must describe it, those 'doors' feel more like 'World Bridges'… of course, that's just how it feels. I don't have any evidence, nor can I explain it theoretically."

"Boundaries of life and death, and 'World Bridges', powers of two systems…" Hong touched her chin, suddenly looking down at Baili Xue, who was secretly moving on the ground intending to hide, "What about you? Are you aware of the changes happening to yourself?"

Baili Xue subconsciously crawled quickly toward the wall, speaking while moving, "Changes, what changes, I feel fine…"

A nearly transparent solid ice blocked her way. The surface of the ice immediately displayed countless angled mirrors, entrapping Baili Xue's floating eyes in a space of infinite reflection, quivering to a halt amidst the layered reflections.

The solid ice shattered, and the mirrored space dissipated along with it.

Baili Xue swiftly retreated.

"Alright, sister mentioned I've changed recently—but I don't feel much different. I think I've always been like this," her voice sounded in the minds of Hong and Baili Qing, with a touch of honesty, "only when I occasionally recall the past… I feel like I was previously confused, doing many things out of instinct, but now it's more like… more like…"

She seemed unable to find the right word, until Hong suddenly spoke, "Enlightened?"

Baili Xue, "Probably?"

"…Interesting," Hong said softly, "looking" at Baili Xue's eyes, her lifeless pale face seemed to have gained much more of a genuine smile, "If you had been this honest when you first appeared, how nice it would be."

Layers of mirrored surfaces emerged in the air, the black-haired girl smiled and sighed, gradually retreating into the mirror, her figure slowly vanishing into that overlapping, concealing mirrored space, "Then, I won't disturb your sisterly bond—there are still many matters I need to address before the distant coordinates light up."

The mirrored space silently dissipated.

Baili Xue's illusory eyes lingered on the ground for a while, only after confirming Hong's departure did she finally float again, swinging back and forth in the air, looking angry, "I don't like this vampire! I don't like this vampire! I…"

Baili Qing raised an eyebrow, her mood seemingly good, "Alright, alright, I get it, and then?"

"…Nothing, I was just saying, don't tell her."

…

The depth of the Dark Meteor Domain, the Saint Realm.

Beneath the sky, the halls stood tall, among the mountains, vegetation remained evergreen, the meticulously crafted and designed magnificent landscape bathed in the morning glow, adorning every terrace and window of the holy temples.

This is a scenery unimaginable to the barbaric inhabitants and the lowly laborers living in other parts of the Dark Meteor Domain.

In this vast dim nebula, within this Lawless Star Region ruled by warlords, gangs, and military conglomerates, there are numerous heavily polluted industrial planets, depleted Deserted Stars drained of resources, and war planets repeatedly ravaged by conflict—poisonous atmosphere, industrial pollution, resource scarcity, endless wars, these are the norms of this Star Region.

In the Dark Meteor Domain, few places can be called "habitable"—it is under such circumstances that the "Saint Realm" stands out so... celestial as its name implies.

The main council hall of the Supreme Temple is located at the planet's highest peak, and the entire hall is nearly "open structure" in appearance. A hundred and twenty solemn pillars stand around the hall like a plaza, towering arches open between the pillars, and there is no roof above the hall. Instead, a layer of luminous light covers the sky, this light drapes down the pillars like a curtain of Holy Light, enclosing the whole structure and blocking the mountain winds from outside.

In this way, the priests standing in the council hall of the Supreme Temple can overlook the lands below and the distant Cloud Sea at any time, feeling the Hidden Monastery's control over the entire planet.

Undoubtedly, living in such an "artificial paradise," it is easy for one to compare themselves to deities.

However, even the "priests" residing in the Mountain Holy Temple don't all have the mood to enjoy the surrounding beauty—at least the one in the wheelchair does not have that mood.

Colander slightly lowered his head, although he tried to maintain his usual dignity and pride in his expression, even though he meticulously dressed in his robe and the luxurious crown symbolizing the "Great Sage," an indescribable... awkwardness and shame still weighed heavily on his heart, making even breathing hard to maintain its usual rhythm.

The wheelchair crafted with advanced technology operates almost silently, with its high-end intelligence and comfort system causing no physical discomfort. Below his knees, his legs have been amputated, and enhancers and neural implants have resolved that annoying phantom pain—yet none of these provided psychological comfort to this Great Sage, instead, they seemed to constantly remind him of his failure, his deficiency, and the indelible shame on his "Path of Venerate Saint."

Even the sound of the wind passing through the valley seemed like some sharp, grating laughter to his ears.

Despite the fact that no one here actually mentioned his matter—the Holy had gathered the Great Sages and Living Saints to discuss important matters, everyone's attention was focused on more pressing issues.

Nonetheless, Colander could occasionally sense those gazes falling upon him, even though their owners would quickly divert their gaze.

Regardless of whether those gazes were of ridicule, mercy, or some other intention, they were unbearable for him.

"Colander," just at this moment, a gentle voice suddenly came from not far away, miraculously clearing the anxiety and resentment in Colander's heart, "Do you have something you'd like to say?"

Colander hastily raised his head—he saw the Holy standing not far away, looking at him.

A tall man with a gentle smile and golden hair, his powerful Spiritual Energy seemed to always surround him with a layer of light. His age was hard to judge, his features appeared to be constantly changing, making it nearly impossible for those who met his gaze to remember his appearance and voice. But when he spoke, the magical-like voice resonated gently with Spiritual Energy, and his noble will could almost directly imprint on one's heart.

The Great Sages stood surrounding the Holy, while two Living Saints, enshrouded in Spiritual Energy and their faces indistinct, stood beside the Holy. Now, all eyes were on Colander.

"I..." Colander opened his mouth, his recent distraction making him exceptionally ashamed at the moment, "I just..."

"Meditation and reflection are wonderful qualities, don't be anxious," the golden-haired man said softly, "However, we should now focus on the matters of the Gate of Eden and the Dark Angel. Also, Colander, don't pay too much attention to your temporary struggles—the Path of Venerate Saint is a noble path, and the sacrifice and pain you endure for the greater cause are equally a part of perfection in a higher dimension."

Colander was briefly stunned, then hurriedly bowed his head: "Thank you for your enlightenment."

He felt much better at heart, and a realization dawned on him.

After encountering that bizarre "puppet" and losing the ability to stand and walk due to the curse, he still retained the status of "Great Sage," he was still permitted to reside in the temple and join meetings here, which once confused him, but he understood now.

These are trials on the Path of Venerate Saint.

They are the temporary hardships one must endure to achieve the ultimate "perfection."

Colander gently exhaled, feeling even the wheelchair was more comfortable now.

The gaze of the "Holy" on the temple's steps swept calmly over the many figures before him, his gaze momentarily lingering on Colander, a gentle smile remained at the corner of his mouth.

"We have arrived at the pivotal moment of destiny," he continued softly, "Despite some recent disturbances, the ultimate dawn has appeared—the warriors sent to the border have successfully brought back that crucial final piece of the puzzle.

"The Angel Catalyst—from the fragments following the collapse of the World Bridge, more suitable than the Shadowless Skeleton as 'Gate of Eden' fuel.

"Now, they are on their way back."

Colander abruptly raised his head; faced with this invigorating news, he paused for a moment, then finally showed a long-lost smile.

Ah, after so much misfortune, finally something good has happened.