Chapter 528: Maiden's Slumber
Chapter 528: Maiden's Slumber
“……”
Lindsey turned back to glance at the figures.
Apart from Fenna, who was walking beside him, the others had indistinct faces. Only the actors' images rapidly changed, collapsing from a formless state into the young girl Lindsey had once seen.
Fenna's friendly attitude remained the same as before.
As for the other Awakened behind them.
They had activated their arts and crossed the world barrier to arrive.
Even when Lindsey carefully examined them, he only saw a blur, and his reconnaissance skill confirmed the information of "Eighth Stage Ascendant."
These possessors of Eighth Stage arts.
At this moment, they truly seemed as if from a myth, where one cannot bear to look upon them directly.
"Anyway, let's go back first."
At this point, Fenna patted Lindsey's shoulder.
The buffs created by the emotion spectrum, which had been lingering in Lindsey's body, were swept away by this gentle gesture.
Lindsey's datafied mode also exited simultaneously.
And at this very moment.
The surging willpower in his heart, under the illumination of the sunlight, underwent a new transformation.
[Will Essence Advancement]
[Third Tier: Foundation (Courage) → Fourth Tier (Divine/Human Rights Established)]
Two paths appeared before Lindsey.
One path would use will as fuel, burning the powerful essence to sublimate and ascend to divinity, thus treading the supreme path of pure sublimation. The other path would amplify the power of courage, igniting the true and genuine human strength inherent to humanity.
Lindsey didn't need to deliberate; his choice naturally extended.
Every element that constituted Lindsey automatically directed the path to the latter.
The noble will of courage, inherent to humanity, erupted within him, generating an unprecedented and colossal force!
The advancement of will essence did not grant Lindsey any new skills.
But under the enhancement of the essence, all of his attributes increased by 30, an improvement so formidable that no current equipment could match!
"Great!"
"The elevation of will, the courage of humanity will blaze the path!"
Fenna noticed Lindsey's transformation.
She cheered loudly, affirming the manifestation of willpower.
But Lindsey didn't acknowledge Fenna; he dragged his exhausted body and focused his gaze on the painting in his hand.
[Unfinished Painting], the name had changed after the item's effect activated.
[Oddity: Maiden's Slumber (Sublimating)]
[A young girl born from the illusion lies within, sublimating to a new realm. Upon completion, she will gain a complete real persona and new cognitive power. The essence [Emotion Surge] will transform into [Distant Shore Stars].]
["Come, look at me!"
"I am truly existent!"]
[Unique Item, value immeasurable.]
"Phew—"
Lindsey's body went limp, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Confirming that Wah Wah Wah was protected by this painting and could even achieve a new advancement, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, he turned to look at Fenna beside him.
Lindsey didn't speak; he hadn't lost his mind to provoke an Eighth Stage Awakened.
But these artists had a natural ability to read minds.
Without Lindsey saying a word, Fenna immediately saw through all of his thoughts.
"Hey, hey, I did help!"
"Some people were counting on this guy to succeed but couldn't intervene. Lindsey, can you guess why?"
Lindsey immediately understood:
"You, you all, stopped other Eighth Stage artists?"
Fenna leaned in, adopting a fan-like expression as if claiming credit from an idol:
"What else?
"So, you really should praise me for this."
Just then, another figure stepped forward from the group.
"Fenna, stop."
He interrupted Fenna's words, and his appearance solidified into that of a middle-aged man with a serious expression. He then turned to Lindsey with a solemn gaze.
"Our choice is merely a matter of differing perspectives."
"In the end, when these fates descended, we didn't take action to change anything. As the administrators of this city, this is a dereliction of duty."
Fenna's expression changed upon hearing the man's words:
"Hey, Koi! Watch what you say! What do you mean by dereliction of duty..."
The man, who was about to speak, ignored Fenna and walked up to Lindsey.
At this moment, he clapped his hands lightly, offering praise to Lindsey for his journey thus far.
"Mr. Lindsey."
"You are the conqueror of fate, the hero who overcomes the unimaginable enemy."
"The story that unfolds here may not be known in other worlds."
"But please allow me to offer my praise!"
As the man spoke, an additional line of text appeared on Lindsey's status display.
【Critic's Commendation: You have earned the recognition of a hero and a brave warrior. Your fate is difficult to manipulate or interfere with.】
—An eighth-stage Critic.
"Just a simple clap and acknowledgment, and he's added a new status for himself."
Lindsey's expression was perplexed, but Fenna's face changed beside him.
The actor stood up, glanced at the sky behind him, and his face turned dull and annoyed.
"Huh? The chaotic time continues?"
"It's never-ending!"
Fenna complained as she walked forward, pulling Lindsey's weakened body to a standing position.
Lindsey immediately felt his energy restored, and Fenna explained as if bidding farewell:
"The previous chaotic time domain messed up these Enchanting Gateways, and we still need to sort out the timelines."
"Lindsey, on your adventure, be cautious of the troubles time may bring."
"This is the most troublesome thing!"
Lindsey recalled the time chaos he had experienced in the Enchanting Gateways.
Fenna was right; he had even met his child, whom he had never met before, in advance.
Lindsey nodded with lingering fear: "I'll remember."
"..."
"Alright, I'll send Mr. Lindsey back."
At this moment, the Critic spoke again.
Under Fenna's amused gaze, the scene before Lindsey shattered, and the two of them crossed the void between worlds, returning directly to the edge of the city floating on the sea.
Lindsey's residence foundation was right before his eyes.
Not far away stood Wah Wah Wah's three-story building, still standing tall.
Unfortunately, the girl who could speak and dance, who loved painting and music, was now slowly recovering within her paintings.
Lindsey's expression was filled with a sense of loss, and the Critic's voice sounded beside him:
"If you wish to stay in Thousand Sails City, we will ensure your safety. No eighth-stage Awakened will disturb you."
"If you want to leave immediately, I can specially open a teleportation channel for you."
"As for Law Capital... there are diplomatic risks, and I cannot interfere."
Lindsey had wanted to leave immediately.
But as he looked at Wah Wah Wah's building, he shook his head: "No need."
"Wah Wah Wah and I have an agreement to enjoy this art festival together."
"After the festival, I'll leave on my own."
(End of Chapter)
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