125: When my story took a turn for the better, my life began to count down.

Blue Star, Wang Family Village, Adobe House

Outside the window, the rain had stopped.

The scent of earth, mixed with the crowing of roosters and the barking of dogs, wafted into this simple yet warm little house.

Sword River Fish sat by the bed, in front of an old wooden table that had been passed down for who knows how many generations.

Before him lay an old flip phone, its screen covered in cracks.

On the screen was the familiar, blank writing interface of "Writer's Assistant."

His finger hovered above the virtual keyboard, but he hesitated to press it down.

His brows were tightly furrowed into a knot.

The "plot" of Human Emperor Chen Yuan was stuck.

As an "author," he knew better than anyone.

A story's "protagonist" could be defeated, humiliated, or even temporarily lose everything.

But one thing they could not lose was their "motivation to move forward."

Once the protagonist stagnated, wallowing in past pain,

Then the story would not be far from "collapse."

He had to give Chen Yuan a new "goal."

A "goal" sufficient to make him stand up again and continue on.

And that "goal" was to resurrect Ye Ningxue.

The "setting" of the "Three-Colored Flower" was the result of him forcefully "continuing the story" with his blood as ink in the mental hospital before.

That was his last "tenderness" as an "author" for his beloved "character."

But now, the problem arose.

How could he make this "setting" "reasonable"?

He couldn't just give Chen Yuan a "divine artifact" out of nowhere, allowing him to instantly gather the "Blood of the Past" and the "Light of the Future."

Such a "plot" was too "brain-dead," too "novice."

More importantly… Sword River Fish took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

He could clearly "feel" it.

A cold and emotionless "will" was "scrutinizing" him.

Scrutinizing every word he was about to type.

That was the "will" of the "True Author."

It was the insurmountable "rule" he had set for this "story."

— [Logical Self-Consistency].

— [Rigorous Setting].

Any "plot" that violated these two "iron laws" would be deemed "invalid."

And then mercilessly rejected and deleted by that cold "will."

Just like last time, when he tried to directly appeal to the "readers" for help.

So what to do?

Sword River Fish fell into the deep pain and struggle of being an "author."

He was like a dancer in shackles.

He had to perform the most beautiful dance.

And also ensure that he was not constrained by those cold shackles.

"Blood of the Past…"

"Light of the Future…"

He chewed on these eight words he had written, over and over again.

Trying to find a trace of something that could be "materialized" from these ethereal "concepts."

"Past…"

What is "past"?

Is it history? Is it ruins? Is it the unyielding blood shed by those long-gone heroes?

This "scope" was too broad.

And too "clichéd."

That discerning "True Author" would never allow him to write such a "lazy" "setting."

Then… a flash of inspiration struck Sword River Fish's mind!

What if this "past" did not refer to the "past" in terms of "time"?

But rather, the "past" in terms of the "story"?

What if this "Blood of the Past" did not refer to the blood of others?

But rather, the blood that Chen Yuan himself shed at a certain "plot point" in the "past"?

For example… the "Blood of Protection" he shed when he first embarked on the path of cultivation, fighting powerful enemies to protect his sect?

The "Blood of Resistance" he shed when he first drew his sword against gods and demons for the dignity of humanity?

The "Blood of the Emperor" he shed when he ascended to the throne, dyeing the starry sky red to quell the dark turmoil?

Yes!

That's it!

This "setting" was not only full of a "sense of destiny" but also perfectly aligned with the character's "growth arc"!

It was no longer a "prop" that appeared out of thin air.

But rather, a "revisiting" and "affirmation" of the protagonist's own "past"!

This absolutely conformed to the principle of "logical self-consistency"!

A long-lost smile appeared on Sword River Fish's face.

He had solved the first problem.

What about the second?

"Light of the Future…"

This was even more ethereal than the "Blood of the Past."

What is "future"?

Is it hope? Is it faith? Is it the power of the new generation?

This "concept" was also too broad.

And it could easily turn into empty "preaching."

Sword River Fish fell into deep thought again.

He needed a "medium" that could both represent the "future" and be "materialized."

And just then,

The figures of those "little guys" who had been secretly helping Chen Yuan suddenly appeared in his mind.

— The Joint Squad.

They were the few "anomalies" in this dark and desperate world who still clung to "goodness."

They used "evil" means to do "good" deeds.

They secretly protected the mortals whom gods and demons regarded as weeds.

Were they not the weakest, yet most resilient "light" in the dim "future" of this world?!

Yes!

The "Light of the Future" was them!

It was the "faith" and "hope" they guarded!

When the lights of ten thousand homes once again lit up on this dark land,

When the "power of human incense" belonging to "humans" gathered into a river,

That would be enough to reshape the "divine soul"… — the "Light of the Future"!

"Haha… hahahaha!"

Sword River Fish couldn't help but laugh aloud!

Perfect!

This "setting" was simply too perfect!

It not only solved the problem of "resurrection,"

But also perfectly connected the "protagonist's" personal arc, the "sublimation" of the entire "worldview," and the "character arc" of the "side characters"!

This was no longer a simple "cheat."

This was the ultimate "sublimation" of the entire "story's core"!

He seemed to have already seen the expression of "approval" on the cold face of that discerning "True Author" when he "reviewed" the manuscript!

He no longer hesitated!

Sword River Fish took a deep breath, and the words he had rehearsed a thousand times in his mind,

Poured onto the blank screen like a bursting dam!

[Latest Chapter: The Emperor's… Expedition!]

[Above the ruins, Chen Yuan slowly stood up.]

[In his arms, he still held his sleeping disciple.]

[The Three-Colored Flower, watered by the "Tears of the Present," emitted a soft glow, maintaining the "immortality" of her body.]

[In his eyes, there was no longer confusion or despair.]

[Instead, there was an unprecedented determination and resolve.]

[He recalled the "oracle" from the "past."]

[He was going to search for the "Blood of the Past" scattered throughout the river of history.]

[He was going to ignite the "Light of the Future" extinguished in the dark era.]

[This would be a lonely and solitary expedition, going against the river of time.]

[This would also be the ultimate battle against the entire "Heavenly Dao" and the high and mighty "Lord of the End," to contend for the "past" and the "future"!]

"Ningxue, wait for me."

[He lowered his head and placed her into a portable spatial dimension.]

"When I have traversed the past and retrieved all your 'memories,'"

"When I have illuminated the future and reshaped your complete 'divine soul,'"

"Then I will take you…"

"…home."

[With those words, the Emperor turned and took a step.]

[Behind him were the silent ruins.]

[Before him was the unknown distance.]

… "Hoo…"

After writing the last word, Sword River Fish let out a long sigh of relief.

He felt as if he had just fought a thrilling battle.

Every cell in his body was filled with the exhaustion and excitement of post-battle.

He looked at the words on the screen, which he had poured his heart and soul into "creating."

A relieved smile, like that of a "father" looking at his most outstanding child, appeared on his face.

Then, he pressed the button labeled "Publish."

[Uploading…]

[Currently undergoing "World Rules" review…]

[Reviewing…]

Sword River Fish's heart was in his throat.

Success or failure depended on this moment!

One second… two seconds… three seconds… [Ding!]

[Review passed! Published successfully!]

"…It worked!"

Sword River Fish suddenly jumped up from his chair!

He punched the air, letting out a victorious roar that had been suppressed for a long time, like a player who had won the World Cup!

He did it!

On this "chessboard" where "gods" had set the "rules,"

He used his own "wisdom" to win the most crucial glimmer of hope for himself and for his "protagonist"!

However.

Just as he was immersed in this hard-won joy,

Outside the courtyard, on the muddy path,

There was a sudden roar of a car engine, one that did not belong in this peaceful village.

The sound grew from distant to near.

Finally, it stopped steadily at the entrance of Grandma's courtyard.

Sword River Fish's smile froze on his face.

He stiffly turned his head and peered out through the crack in the window.

He saw two men in black suits, their faces as cold as ice, standing beside a black SUV with a special license plate.

Their gazes, like two sharpest scalpels, precisely locked onto the adobe house where he was.

["…Found you."]

["…'Author'."]