Chapter 357:

Years of tireless research. Exhaustion. Fatigue. Numbness.

Xu Xi never stopped working on the modification of the cross-planar Sorcerer Tower. And now, the light of dawn had finally arrived. Staring at the nearly completed Sorcerer Tower, Xu Xi felt a rush of emotions. All his past effort and dedication had finally borne fruit.

“Almost there… Just the final adjustments left. Once the cross-planar spell links to the Sorcerer Tower’s reactor, it’ll complete the three-step process—soul fire powering, spatial rift, and inter-planar traversal. For safety’s sake, a few test runs are needed. If nothing goes wrong, we’ll be able to officially leave the Sorcerer World in a year.”

Time always passed quietly. Just like passengers on a train, sitting silently while countless scenes flashed by outside the window—beautiful or ugly, all eventually blurred by time. In just a brief moment, by the time one realizes it, years have passed.

Simulated Year 51. Xu Xi was 68 years old. Strengthened by supernatural power, his body had not aged. His vast experiences helped him keep a clear mind. But everything he had gone through in the Sorcerer World—all the people and events—were deeply engraved in his heart, forming vivid and unforgettable memories.

“To witness the end of a world with my own eyes… I suppose that counts for something.”

It sounded like a bitter joke. Xu Xi looked up at the sky.

The Sorcerer Tower simulated a clear sky and sunlight with purification spells, but through his soul vision, Xu Xi saw the true state of the Sorcerer World—riddled with holes, cloaked in gray mist, with a dark sun hanging overhead.

Undead wandered aimlessly in deathly silence. The once vast and vibrant world now had no color left—only pale white and blood red.

Xu Xi’s thoughts drifted. He wondered what the Sorcerer World looked like a thousand years ago before the Underworld’s arrival. From Sylvia’s stories, he imagined a rich and beautiful realm—an enchanting fantasy world that countless people had dreamed of. Ancient mysterious ruins, dangerous magical beast mountains, powerful and terrifying dragons, and numerous human adventurers. The sun above shined equally on all things, streaming through stained-glass windows, falling into crystal-clear streams, and bringing with it a brand-new tomorrow.

“Sadly, I never got to truly see such scenery. I was greeted instead by death and desolation.”

“Only I have the simulator trait that lets me carve out a sliver of hope in this dying world. If it were someone else, they’d have perished long ago in the undead apocalypse.”

He summoned flowing water and washed his face as elements gathered through his spell. The final phase of modifying the Sorcerer Tower involved only some simple physical labor, which he left to the golems.

As for himself, he intended to spend the remaining time slaying more undead and gathering as much soul fire as possible. He also hoped to try breaking through to the Five-Ring Sorcerer stage before leaving the Sorcerer World.

[Sorcerer World. The Salvation Tower. The people within. Sylvia. And yourself.]

[You look up at the sky, facing the black sun and the blood moon.]

[Countless thoughts flash through your mind.]

[You know the true ending is approaching.]

[Fifty years of simulated life. What you’ve gained is more than enough.]

[You believe that helping the people you met here reach a safer tomorrow before the simulation ends is something worth celebrating.]

[But sometimes, in moments of stillness, you worry about Sylvia’s future.]

[With her personality, will she really be able to live peacefully in another world after crossing dimensions?]

[You ponder this for a long time but choose to stop overthinking.]

[You know you can’t guarantee escaping the gaze of the Immortals, so worrying about the future is meaningless.]

[You cherish the remaining time.]

[You slay undead day and night.]

[You continue to meditate and cultivate.]

[Life and death, the endless cycle.]

[As you observe the death of the world and strike down those who died once already, new insights constantly emerge.]

[When not in combat, you stand atop the Salvation Tower, overlooking the dead blackened land—a wasteland forged by despair and blood.]

[Besides that, you also watch Sylvia train.]

[Years of combat have brought her to the threshold of becoming a Four-Ring Sorcerer. You are pleased and patiently guide her through every confusion.]

Raising her sword. Gripping tightly. Swinging. The knight’s sword Xu Xi had given Sylvia was her personal magic staff. When all the spells that enhanced her body activated at once, she became a true Undead Sword Saint. Sylvia’s body, whether in strength or speed, now rivaled the powerhouses of martial arts worlds. The edge of her blade could even sever souls themselves.

“Sylvia, your strength has greatly improved. It won’t be long before you reach the Four-Ring level,” Xu Xi said with a smile, giving her high praise. “Thank you for your assessment,” Sylvia sheathed her longsword, her emerald green eyes sparkling under the sunlight.

Afterward, Xu Xi cast Flesh Regeneration on her, allowing the weary warrior to relax in the form of the living once more.

Yet she remained as she always had, wearing that long white dress with light green accents, staying by Xu Xi’s side. Her steps stirred her platinum hair in the wind, glowing warmly in the sunlight. She stayed close, nearly leaning on him.

“Is something wrong, Sylvia?” Xu Xi noticed her absent-mindedness.

“I…” The girl hesitated before finally voicing her concern. “Master Sorcerer, I keep feeling that you’ll be in danger, so I… I want to stay close and protect you as much as I can.”

“Danger?”

“Ah… I’m not exactly sure…”

“There’s no need to worry, Sylvia.” Xu Xi gently stroked her head, his calm voice filled with reassurance. “I’m doing fine. The Sorcerer Tower’s barrier is functioning normally. There won’t be any danger.”

“I think… maybe it’s just that we’re about to leave this world. That’s why you feel uneasy.”

Sylvia blinked, thoughtful despite her confusion. “Is… is that it?”

“Maybe you’re right…” She placed her right fist against her chin, eyebrows furrowed as she nodded in agreement.

Master Sorcerer was probably right.

These days, she had been constantly thinking about what might happen after leaving the Sorcerer World. It kept her tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Leaving the Sorcerer World meant cutting all ties with the past.

As the brightest green gem of the Crowfield family, she was deeply uneasy. She felt like she was abandoning her parents, abandoning everything that was once part of Crowfield.

“Sylvia, you don’t need to worry so much,” the warmth from his palm on her head brought her comfort.

“Leaving doesn’t mean abandoning. It just means waiting for a better reunion.”