Chapter 178:

Time flows like water, and the years roll like rivers, surging and washing over the heavens.

Every corner of the universe, every dimension, has its own rhythm of time, merging into countless tributaries that flow into a greater, silent current. Together, they form the mother river of time, a chaotic essence that envelops the diverse heavens.

Gods, demons, immortals, even entire worlds—each is but a single drop in this boundless stream.

And now, two figures walked upon it, defying the laws of time and space.

One wielded a sword, its light so powerful that even restrained, it made the river of time roar and surge, collapsing and obliterating everything in its wake.

The other extended a hand, fingers concise and deliberate, exerting gentle pressure. In an instant, the sword light and a segment of the river of time exploded violently.

“Come on!” Xu Moli’s cold eyes glinted as she unleashed her powers, summoning a chaotic hurricane that roared across multiversal skies and seas.

But the fierce waves caused no harm to Wu Yingxue.

“I think I’m a bit hungry,” she remarked casually, stepping forward. Infinite laws and principles radiated from her, forming a glow of energy and blood that illuminated the heavens and seemed to rule eternity.

Spear clashed against wooden sword. The way of immortality faced the way of martial arts. The intensity of their battle made the river of time boil.

…

Krisha, observing the fierce duel, tilted her head, her expression blank.

She felt that the situation had escalated far beyond her involvement. Instead of continuing to watch, she decided to focus on something else.

“Master will be home soon… I should prepare… New Year’s Eve dinner for him…”

Her delicate face turned serious as she concentrated.

While her eternal supreme form remained engaged in the cosmic battle, her thought projection on Earth stepped into the kitchen, preparing ingredients with an air of clumsy determination.

The witch didn’t know how to occupy the light forever, but she understood one thing clearly: night was falling, and she needed to do something for her master.

…

“Xiaohong, are you moved?”

“Don’t dare to move! Don’t dare to move!”

“Hmm?”

“No, no, I misspoke! I’m deeply moved!”

In the capital city, at the Extraordinary General Administration, Xu Xi bid farewell to Li Wanshou before teleporting to the Red Dragon’s palace.

The Red Dragon appeared startled and uneasy, its dragon eyes filled with panic.

Only when Xu Xi explained he had come to deliver a New Year’s gift did the Red Dragon regain its composure.

“This is for you,” Xu Xi said, handing over an exquisite gift.

It was a collection of sparkling, luxurious jewelry crafted from extraordinary materials, perfectly tailored to the Red Dragon’s preferences.

“Thank you, thank you for your kindness!” the Red Dragon exclaimed, overjoyed. It beat its chest proudly, declaring that providing dragon’s blood for tea cultivation was its honor.

Satisfied, Xu Xi reminded the Red Dragon to inform him if it encountered other dragons.

“Yes, absolutely! I’ll let you know right away!” The Red Dragon rubbed its claws together, fawning over Xu Xi as it escorted him out.

Once Xu Xi had left, the Red Dragon eagerly dived into its treasure hoard, reveling in the sea of gems like an excited child.

“It’s so easy to make it happy,” Xu Xi mused with amusement as he observed the dragon’s joy through his heightened mental perception.

Considering the Red Dragon’s significant contribution to cultivating dragon blood tea, Xu Xi had prepared an abundant amount of jewelry. For a creature that cherished treasure above all, it was an irresistible reward.

“Everything that needed to be done is done. Time to head home,” he thought, glancing one last time at the bustling capital city.

The streets were alive with people preparing for New Year’s Eve, and extraordinary beings maintained order amidst the celebrations. The liveliness was undeniable, yet it held no significance for Xu Xi.

To him, only the familiar faces and scenes of Yanshan City truly mattered.

With a hum of space magic, Xu Xi gripped the Jianmu sword staff and stepped forward. His body merged seamlessly with the fabric of the world, and in a series of rapid teleports, he returned home.

…

“Aniu, hurry up and add more firewood!”

“Uncle, aunt, step back a little!”

“Everyone, let’s work together!”

The outskirts of Yanshan City buzzed with energy as night fell and preparations for the New Year reached their peak.

The townspeople of Qingniu Town, along with the seekers of the survival army, were building tall stone towers by stacking ordinary stones in specific arrangements.

Once the towers were built, they threw in dry firewood and other materials. As flames ignited, the fires burned bright and fierce, casting a warm, reddish-orange glow that illuminated the cold, dark night.

These flames weren’t celestial starlight but the starlight created by human hands—earthly fire, lifting the darkness with its radiant warmth.

“That’s wonderful…” Xu Xi murmured, standing quietly as he watched the simple, joyful smiles of the people bathed in firelight.

A faint smile appeared on his face, his mood naturally lifted by the infectious warmth of their happiness.

“Ah, it’s my brother!”

“Quick, quick, let’s bring him in!”

Soon, the townspeople noticed Xu Xi’s arrival. They rushed to him with warm invitations and offered gifts—food, drink, and handmade fabrics, all reflecting their gratitude.

“Thank you all,” Xu Xi said, accepting their gifts with a smile.

The material abundance of the real world was far superior to what he had known in the simulations. No one here would go hungry or suffer from the cold, and Xu Xi felt no guilt accepting their heartfelt offerings.

More importantly, he understood that receiving their gifts gave them a sense of fulfillment and peace of mind.

“Thank you again, everyone,” he said, watching as the crowd dispersed to continue their celebrations.

Sitting among the gifts, surrounded by warmth and light, Xu Xi gazed at the rising flames and thought of the New Year.

The fire brought light and warmth, and in its hazy glow, Xu Xi recalled countless memories—the struggles in Pingshui County, the challenges of leading the survival-seeking army, and the vivid emotions of those he had encountered along the way.

“Sir, sir, wake up quickly.”

A voice called softly, pulling Xu Xi out of his thoughts.