773 Spacetime Arena
Amidst the turmoil, the two towering figures unleashed their formidable powers, shaking the very foundations of what was once Fengyi 97 Dominion. Fortunately, the barriers separating the dominions prevented the aftershocks from spreading.
These two parties had clashed countless times within a remarkably brief span, even foretelling numerous potential outcomes.
"Alright, alright. I concede," finally admitted the slender, towering figure.
"You're only scared now, after I've obliterated so many of your clones across different timelines?" scoffed the other figure wreathed in flames.
"If I had chosen to escape, how many of your clones do you think you could have vanquished?" retorted the slender figure.
The fiery figure did not deny it.
Both were beings of the third realm, with clones scattered across multiple timelines. Even if their "true bodies" were obliterated, they could instantly manifest clones from alternate timelines. Only by annihilating all potential timelines could a third-realm existence be eradicated.
And if they were resolute in their escape, they couldn't kill each other despite existing within the same realm.
"Since you admit defeat… that means I ranked third, and you ranked fourth in the previous Spacetime Arena," stated the fiery figure.
"In the previous Spacetime Arena, my team fought your team to a draw! We agreed… to settle the final rankings with another match! And since I made that agreement, I will honor it," declared the slender figure. "Don't get too ahead of yourself. We shall compete in the next Spacetime Arena, ten Abyssal Eras from now."
"Have you enlisted a formidable half-step third-realm powerhouse?" inquired the fiery figure.
"You needn't concern yourself with that," replied the slender figure, feeling somewhat affronted by their loss.
The Spacetime Arena was a game frequently played by third-realm beings across numerous dimensions!
These powerhouses of the third realm possessed great pride, yet they were incapable of killing each other. If conflicts escalated into chaos, it would wreak havoc upon countless dominions.
Therefore, under the guidance of an Ultimate being, the Spacetime Arena emerged as a solution. Whenever third-realm beings clashed, their teams would compete in the arena to determine the victor.
When defeated, the third-realm existence supporting the losing team would pay a heavy price.
Additionally, every ten Abyssal Eras, countless spacetimes and dominions would dispatch teams to participate in the grandest competition, which determined rankings and awarded prizes.
Apart from the rewards provided by the third-realm beings themselves, the four Ultimate beings also contributed treasures, further amplifying the popularity of the Spacetime Arena.
"You have now lost to me twice in a row. I reckon you'll lose again next time. Haha…" boomed the fiery figure, laughing heartily before departing.
<nulli>The slender figure felt indignant. The six members of my team were the most exceptional half-step third-realm beings I handpicked from invincible warriors across countless spacetimes, yet we failed to secure the championship!
<nulli>It appears I must search through infinite spacetime for superior invincible half-step third-realm powerhouses, pondered the slender figure.
Every team in the Spacetime Arena, under the command of a third-realm existence, comprised invincible half-step third-realm beings. This ensured that every team possessed comparable strength, resulting in fierce competition during each tournament.
<nulli>Whoosh.
The slender figure vanished, leaving behind a battlefield of chaos and devastation.
The once orderly Fengyi 97 Dominion now lay in ruin, transformed into a chaotic chasm.
To these two third-realm beings, their display of power had already been greatly restrained!
******
Xu Jingming, the dean, and the rest were mentally prepared for the imminent catastrophe that would befall their homeland's dominion. Though they felt a tinge of regret, they had no choice but to accept their fate.
Unbeknownst to them, over 10,000 years had elapsed.
To the dean and his companions, it was merely the duration of a single period of seclusion. But for Xu Jingming, it meant his grandfather was already nearing the end of his life. This meant that many of his loved ones were about to face their demise.
<nulli>With a lifespan of 100,000 years… Xu Jingming arrived on a picturesque tourist planet, the very place his grandfather had chosen. <nulli>Grandpa, Dad, Mom, Miaomiao, Lixing… They are all on the brink of departing this world.
The prospect left Xu Jingming feeling worse than any battle he had ever faced.
The most important people in his life were about to leave him.
"Jingming," greeted Li Miaomiao with a smile as she stood in the corridor. Her silver-white hair was short, and wrinkles etched her face.
Xu Jingming stepped forward, taking his wife's hand.
"Dad, Mom, and the others are here to accompany Grandpa," Li Miaomiao said.
"Mm." Xu Jingming nodded, his gaze shifting to his daughter Xu Lixing and son-in-law Meng Tian, who were approaching from a distance. They too had aged significantly, their hair turned white, and their faces lined with wrinkles.
"Dad," Xu Lixing and Meng Tian called out as they reached him.
Xu Jingming offered a slight nod to his daughter and son-in-law. They shared a strong bond, and he was content with Meng Tian as his son-in-law. Unfortunately, Meng Tian had also failed to ascend to become a high-dimensional lifeform.
With that, Xu Jingming and Li Miaomiao entered the house.
Inside the room, Grandpa Xu, weakened and on the brink of death, lay there. Mr. and Mrs. Xu stood beside him.
"Jingming, you've come." Grandpa Xu grinned. "My eldest grandson, hahaha…"
Xu Jingming walked over and sat by the bedside, taking hold of his grandfather's hand.
Grandpa's hands were thin as withered tree bark.
Such was the nature of life. Even a Level 10 Origin lifeform could maintain their peak for an extended period, yet they aged swiftly in the final moments before bidding their final farewell.
"Don't be sad. What's there to be sad about?" Grandpa Xu smiled at Xu Jingming. "When I was young, reaching the age of 100 was an incredible achievement in my hometown. Those who lived to be 80 or 90 had a joyous farewell. As for me… I've lived for 100,000 years! It doesn't get any better than that!"
"Yes, it doesn't get any better," Xu Jingming replied, gazing at his grandfather.
"I'm truly happy." Grandpa Xu smiled and said, "Life is truly wonderful. It's like an immensely grand game. When the game concludes, it offers an evaluation. I believe my evaluation will be exceptionally high."
"Definitely. You're a professional gamer," Xu Jingming commented.
"In gaming, the evaluation is crucial, but the most important thing… is to enjoy playing the game." Grandpa Xu looked at his grandson. "I've had a lot of fun playing this game of life."
"In the days to come, the rest of us shall depart, and you may be the sole survivor," Grandpa Xu contemplated, his gaze fixed upon Xu Jingming. "In this game, you may lose many companions, but even a single-player game can be remarkably captivating at times. Moreover, if you excel at playing this game alone, the rest of us can be revived. Isn't that splendid? Hahaha…"
Xu Jingming listened attentively.
"I understand. You grasp this concept better than I do," Grandpa Xu waved his hand dismissively. "You all can depart for now. Allow me to have a conversation with your father."
"Very well, Grandpa." Xu Jingming, Li Miaomiao, Xu Lixing, Meng Tian, and Mrs. Xu temporarily withdrew. As they stepped outside, they spotted Li Chen'an and his wife hurrying toward them. Xu Fangjin, Xu Biyun, and the others waited anxiously as well.
Half an hour later.
"Grandpa." Xu Jingming, Li Miaomiao, and the others gazed at the house, sensing Grandpa Xu's essence dissipating.
Grandpa Xu had passed away.
…
Time continued its unrelenting march forward, showing no mercy or regard for anyone, not even the esteemed Ultimate existences.
Following the passing of Grandpa Xu, the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Xu and Li Chen'an swiftly reached their conclusion. With each loss, Xu Jingming felt a sharp pang in his heart, as if being stabbed repeatedly.
Then came the inevitable end of Li Miaomiao's lifespan.
"Miaomiao."
Xu Jingming looked at the distant sky. And with those words, her breathing ceased.
15:48
Seated in their old courtyard on Earth, Xu Jingming and his wife, Li Miaomiao, gazed at the sun setting, casting a crimson hue across half the sky.
"I, too, shall depart," Li Miaomiao spoke with a radiant smile, her face etched with wrinkles. "I have been truly happy throughout my life, thanks to the constant care and protection I received. I am grateful to fate for granting me your presence in this lifetime."
"Miaomiao, we shall meet again," Xu Jingming assured his wife.
"Whether we reunite or not, I am content." His wife's smile widened as she leaned against Xu Jingming's shoulder, her eyes fixed on the distant sunset. "Jingming, look—the setting sun is also exceptionally beautiful."
Xu Jingming looked at the distant sky. And with those words, her breathing ceased.
******
In a distant dominion.
An elder observed from afar.
"Miaomiao has also departed," the elder murmured, shaking his head slightly. "My son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter-in-law, their talents are limited. They cannot ascend to higher-dimensional lifeforms on their own. It appears that my eldest grandson will need to revive them once he reaches the third realm!"
Suddenly, a figure traversed the void—a petite woman adorned with translucent wings, two curved horns protruding from her forehead, and emanating a black aura.
The petite woman offered a slight bow upon seeing the elder. "Connoisseur, you have finally awakened."
"One inevitably awakens from a dream," the elder responded with a smile. "During my slumber, my team secured second place in the latest Spacetime Arena competition?"
"Yes, second place," the petite woman confirmed with a nod.
"They fall short in my absence," the elder muttered, expressing his dissatisfaction.
"After all, your team had won the championship eight times in a row. The third-realm powerhouses in the Spacetime Arena have nearly lost their will to fight," the petite woman explained. "Even the Ultimate existences are contemplating adjustments to the rules of the Spacetime Arena."
The elder smiled and remarked, "Hence, I slumbered, granting them an opportunity. I did not win the championship the last time, so it is unlikely the Ultimate existences will alter the rules, correct?"
"Most likely not," Feuilla responded with a smile.
"Feuilla, has everything been normal as of late?" The elder's expression turned grave. "There have been no mishaps, I trust?"
"I have not let my guard down for a single moment. I have been vigilantly monitoring everything," the petite woman assured. "Worry not, Connoisseur. All has been peaceful. Now that you have awakened, the enforcement authority shall be returned to you."
The elder nodded, casting a gaze toward Xu Jingming and the others in the dominion from a distance before departing alongside Feuilla.
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