The First and the Last

【Your plan succeeded】

【The arrangement to conceal your aura prevented the gods from immediately pinpointing your location】

【The chaos across the world diverted the attention of the gods】

【By the time the gods confirmed that the source of the domain's power was in Lawush City, you had already fled with the Witch, completely vanishing from the gods' search range】

【Cautious and vigilant, you hid with the Witch for a long time, only emerging from your hiding place after a month】

【You looked up at the sky and realized that the gods had tightened their control over the laws. Even with your elemental perception, it was now nearly impossible to grasp the true essence of the elements】

【You felt regret, as this meant that the already slim chance of ascending to godhood had now dwindled to almost zero】

【The only comfort was that the Witch's power of equilibrium far surpassed that of the gods. Her cultivation was largely unaffected, and she progressed at a speed you couldn't comprehend】

【Leaving your hiding place, you entered the nearest city】

【You noticed that all the churches of the gods had begun to act. It seemed to be a decree from the gods themselves, as they were searching for all elemental mages】

【You realized that your journey with Krisha would soon come to an end】

【If you continued to roam the world as recklessly as before, one day, you would inevitably draw the attention of the faith mages and the gods】

【Simulation Year 39: You are 53 years old, Krisha is 45】

【Holding Krisha's hand, you returned to Allenson City in the northern part of the world. After decades of reconstruction, the once-ruined city had been rebuilt into a prosperous place】

【Though the city no longer looked the same, and though the people you knew were no longer the same】

【You still held a fondness for this place】

【You decided to settle down here, avoiding the gods' frantic searches, and spend the rest of your life in this city】

Decades of wandering.

Decades of moving from place to place.

After ascending to the rank of Saint Domain Magister, you finally settled down for good.

Allenson City, the place where it all began, was chosen by Xu Xi as the final destination.

He brought Krisha with him, forged ordinary identities, and settled in a house near the city center, complete with a private courtyard, just like before.

The Witch's eternal youth no longer needed to be concealed.

The power of the domain was formidable. Now, Xu Xi could use the life and death attributes of the domain to create an aging appearance and aura for Krisha.

This trick wouldn't fool the gods, but it was more than enough to shield her from the perception of ordinary mages.

"Krisha, we'll be living here from now on."

"Yes, Mentor."

"It might get a bit boring. Is that alright?"

"Yes, Mentor."

"Let's go inside then."

"Alright, Mentor."

Krisha's expression remained serious as she followed closely behind Xu Xi, stepping into their new home.

The Witch was still young, and Allenson was still Allenson, but the rebuilt courtyard was no longer the same as before, and the sun's inevitable decline continued.

The warm sunlight was gradually losing its ability to maintain its own warmth.

...

【Simulation Year 41: You are 55 years old, Krisha is 47】

【Two years have passed since you settled in Allenson City. During this time, the churches of the gods continued their frenzied search for elemental mages】

【You remained calm and unbothered】

【What does the search for elemental mages have to do with you, a Saint Domain Magister?】

【Does it matter? Clearly, it does not】

【This year, under your careful guidance, Krisha also mastered the essence of the domain. The power of equilibrium once again proved its worth, as the Witch broke through the gods' blockade and ascended to Saint Domain Magister without causing any disturbance】

【You couldn't help but marvel: My disciple Krisha has the potential to surpass the gods】

...

【Simulation Year 46: You are 60 years old, Krisha is 52】

【Your face showed more signs of aging, but your spirit remained strong. Your immense mental power often made people forget your age】

【Every year, you continued to use mortal wisdom to acquire vast amounts of new knowledge. You self-taught and created a comprehensive tome of forbidden spells】

【Your earth attribute forbidden spells improved...】

【Your wind attribute forbidden spells improved...】

【Your lightning attribute forbidden spells improved...】

【You passed the tome of forbidden spells to Krisha, who accepted it earnestly. Under your guidance, she began to learn the powerful forbidden spells she had never encountered before】

...

【Simulation Year 48: You are 62 years old, Krisha is 54】

【Your plan to restore the Witch's emotions seemed to have failed】

【Decades of effort had not restored the Witch's emotions. You had never seen her smile or shed a tear】

【You sat in silence for a long time, ultimately giving up on restoring her emotions】

【The Witch has her own life. Perhaps, for her, lacking emotions is a good thing】

【The long years of seclusion left you feeling a bit bored. You tried to comprehend the laws and embark on the path to godhood, but unfortunately, you failed】

【The gods' tight control over the laws made it impossible for you to glimpse the true workings of the world. This meant you could not gain more knowledge or the truths needed to ascend to godhood. You could no longer see your path forward】

"In the end..."

"It just wasn't meant to be."

In the study of the new courtyard in Allenson City.

The 62-year-old Xu Xi lay back, his eyes closed, revealing deep wrinkles and a profound weariness.

The wear and tear of time had taken its toll.

Now, even without looking through Krisha's eyes, Xu Xi could clearly feel the decay and weakness spreading throughout his body.

That was why he had tried to break through to the semi-divine realm.

Unfortunately, the path forward was blocked, and he had no viable method to ascend to godhood.

On the other hand, Krisha, thanks to the strange balance between chaos and order, continued to grow stronger, as if the elements of the world were drawn to her.

"Never mind, I expected this outcome."

"Rather than lamenting the gods' merciless methods, I should spend my remaining time teaching Krisha."

Xu Xi coughed a few times, his voice muffled.

His body was still relatively healthy, but due to the limitations of mortal wisdom, his organs had begun to age at varying rates.

How long he would live, Xu Xi himself couldn't say.

【Simulation Year 49: You are 63 years old, Krisha is 55】

【You noticed something unusual about the Witch】

【Previously, Krisha only maintained her aged disguise when going outside. But recently, even at home, she refused to remove it】

【You met Krisha's gaze and, in the silence, understood something】

【You smiled wryly, extending your aged, rough hand to gently pat the Witch's head, as you had done in the past. You told her you liked the 17-year-old Krisha because she was beautiful】

【Krisha's body trembled slightly, her empty eyes reflecting your aged appearance. In the end, she reverted to the form you loved】