Chapter 79: The Final Chapter of the Deep Blue Arc (Part 2)

Deep Blue Metropolis, Coastal District – the harbor.

Dawn painted the sky in soft hues as a gentle sea breeze carried the salty tang of the ocean toward the ferry terminal. Moored at the dock, a massive ocean liner roared to life, its engines growling like a beast awakened, belching thick black smoke from its stacks—casting a stark silhouette against the figures of passengers below, small and insignificant beneath its shadow.

Yun Meng stood at the boarding ramp, one hand steadying her white lady’s hat from being snatched away by the wind, the other holding four pre-checked tickets.

"Alright, everyone—time to go back."

Hearing her, Tian Dao adjusted his black sunglasses, took the tickets without hesitation, and stepped into the boarding passage. His long black coat flared like a blade in the gusts sweeping through the corridor. The edge of his sunglasses caught a reflection of the distant skyline—the iconic Deep Blue Pearl, the city’s shining crown.

Unlike when they first arrived, he didn’t pause. He didn’t glance back.

Because he’d seen everything.

He’d lived through it all.

Now, there was only one direction left: forward.

Just a step behind him, Kalolin dragged their luggage, silent and steady. She didn’t linger, didn’t question. People cling to the past because they fear the unknown future.

But Kalolin was different.

She had no nostalgia for what was gone, nor dread of what lay ahead.

She knew—without doubt—that neither her past nor her future held meaning unless Tian Dao was in it.

So she didn’t need to think.

She just followed.

Because wherever he walked, that was her past.

And wherever he looked, that was her future.

Deep Blue Metropolis was a fine place.

But it was never hers.

Her world always revolved around one person.

Farther away, watching Tian Dao and the others disappear into the passenger tunnel, Chen Xing pulled out the two tickets Yun Meng had handed her and tapped her brother Chen Kong on the shoulder.

"Here. Don’t forget—get on board when it’s time. Don’t miss it."

She shoved one ticket into the pocket of Chen Kong’s chest, then turned without looking back, dragging her suitcase into the tunnel.

Chen Kong remained motionless—like a statue.

Chen Xing wasn’t surprised.

She knew how much he still clung to this place.

She understood why.

But she hated it—deeply, utterly.

She loathed this city so much she couldn’t bear to stay even a single second longer.

Whether she hated the city itself—or the events that had unfolded here—was unclear.

Now, at the boarding ramp, only Chen Kong remained.

He stared at the morning mist veiling Deep Blue Metropolis, his expression distant, lost in thought.

Far off, the tallest tower—Deep Blue Pearl—still broadcast its holographic advertisements.

The 24-hour convenience store by the dock glowed warmly under the dawn light.

A vending machine nearby still held the last of the drinks they’d bought just moments ago.

But none of it mattered to him.

What he truly wanted to see—what he might never see again—was the Trelan Junior High School.

If he hadn’t undergone the Star Core Surgery…

If he weren’t a Stellar Envoy…

If he were just an ordinary, unremarkable person…

Then maybe he wouldn’t have to leave.

Beep—

"Attention, passengers. Final boarding call. The ship will depart in ten minutes. Please proceed to board promptly. Thank you for your cooperation."

The sudden, thunderous roar of the massive vessel outside snapped Chen Kong back to reality.

He blinked, the haze in his mind clearing.

One last glance at the city he loved—then, with a quiet sigh, he turned and stepped into the boarding ramp.

If only people could live forever in the past…

Or if this world had never known the existence of the Stellar Source…

"Hey," came a voice from the ship’s deck.

Tian Dao stood at the railing, watching as Chen Kong finally made his way up, still lingering, still hesitant.

"Having second thoughts?"

Chen Kong, usually silent and reserved, gave a simple nod—no pretense, no evasion.

Yes. He was reluctant to leave.

Tian Dao leaned back against the railing, spinning a peppermint candy between his fingers, eyes lifted to the circling seagulls above.

"Then stay, if you want. Just say the word."

The suggestion tugged at Chen Kong’s heart.

But after a pause, he shook his head.

"No."

"Is it because you don’t think you can do it? Or because you’re afraid of the consequences?"

Chen Kong looked at Tian Dao, who stood with eyes closed, breathing in the sea wind.

After a moment, he answered, "Both."

"Ah." Tian Dao lowered his head.

Then, without warning, he flicked the peppermint candy straight at Chen Kong’s forehead.

The tiny sweet arced through the air with perfect precision—landing squarely on his brow.

It wasn’t painful, but it startled him.

Chen Kong fumbled, nearly dropping his bag trying to catch it.

Tian Dao, meanwhile, had already flipped onto the railing, sitting with his legs dangling over the edge.

The sea wind lifted his silver-white strands, and the lenses of his sunglasses reflected the shimmering waves beneath the ship.

He smirked at Chen Kong’s flustered expression.

"Kong. If you know you can’t do it now, then make sure your future self can."

He tilted his head, voice soft but firm.

"Life’s about having something to look forward to. You can’t expect someone to always stand in front of you, shielding you from every storm."

"I never thought that," Chen Kong said quietly.

"But you did," Tian Dao replied, his tone shifting—suddenly serious, piercing.

"Kong. If you want something, you have to reach for it yourself. Not hide behind someone else."

"I know you’re not really running away. You just feel like you’re too weak to face it. So you retreat."

"But you can’t live in the past forever. And you can’t keep running from the future."

"Have you ever thought—what if one day, Doctor, Yun Meng, your sister… even me… suddenly stood on the other side of the line?"

Chen Kong froze.

He hadn’t.

Not once.

But now, the thought chilled him.

If even Chen Xing—his sister—and Tian Dao—his protector—became his enemies…

Then where would he run?

They were forces he could never hope to match.

If they turned against him…

Then there would be nowhere left to hide.

It was just a hypothetical.

But the image it painted—cold, terrifying, inescapable—was real enough.

And he knew, deep down, he wasn’t ready for it.

But Tian Dao didn’t press. He smiled, offering the “correct” answer.

"Idiot. If one person can’t do it, find others who want to. Team up. Use their strength."

"But Tian Dao—didn’t you just say I shouldn’t hide behind others?"

Tian Dao pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated.

"Kong, I said don’t hide behind them. I never said you can’t stand among them."

"Can’t do it alone? Then do it with two. Can’t do it with two? Try three. Can’t do it with three? Try three hundred."

"If your strength is small, then learn to use others’ strength. And honestly? You’ve always been good at that."

Chen Kong froze.

Then, after a moment, a thought struck him.

"But… if you were on the other side… even if I gathered everyone—would I still lose to you?"

Tian Dao paused.

Then, for the first time, he looked genuinely stumped.

"...Losing to me really that shameful?"

Chen Kong hesitated.

"...No. Not really. Losing to you wouldn’t be a disgrace. I don’t even think—"

Before he could finish, the massive ship let out a long, piercing whistle.

The sound split the air, echoing across the harbor—cutting through the silence, cutting through his words.

As the ship pushed forward through the sapphire waves, leaving a long white trail behind, the skyline of Deep Blue Metropolis began to shrink.

Chen Kong turned, watching the city grow smaller—fading into the mist.

The urge to argue, to question, vanished.

He simply watched.

Tian Dao, still perched on the railing, pulled out a fresh peppermint candy from his pocket. He popped it into his mouth and bit down hard.

His gaze remained fixed on the receding city—the sea swallowing the last traces of the metropolis.

Behind the dark lenses, his eyes were deep, unreadable—filled with shadows.

Just as Chen Kong had left something unsaid…

So had Tian Dao.

Yes, losing to him wasn’t shameful.

But some losses…

They weren’t just about pride.

They were about consequences.

About endings.

As the ship sailed deeper into the open sea, the horizon swallowed the last glimpse of Deep Blue Metropolis.

The final chapter of their Deep Blue arc had just closed.

(The Deep Blue Arc – Complete)

PS: Third chapter uploaded before 9 AM.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end