"Have you gone mad? William would never want you to do something like this."
Ning Yu, holding the Blood Kite, was about to reach Lacy, but before she could, an invisible barrier pushed her back, causing her to fall once more.
Having just used the [Heart Sword], the gray mist energy within her had weakened to its limit. Now, the ritual continued to drain her strength, leaving her utterly exhausted.
"He wanted to bring happiness to humanity, not complete destruction."
"Continuing this ritual—how is it any different from what Leon did?"
Lacy turned her head slightly, her gaze fixed on Ning Yu with an inexplicable look. Tears, crystal clear, streamed down her face.
"It doesn't matter anymore."
"Even if everyone were to be saved, it would mean nothing to me, wouldn't it?"
"Because Lord William will never return."
"In my heart, this is far more important than the so-called happiness of all humanity."
"I must go to the source. I must find him there again."
Lacy shook her head gently, half of her body already disappearing into the Yin-Yang Fish.
"But there's nothing there."
Ning Yu tried to persuade her.
"I'm not like you."
Lacy shook her head softly.
"I have nothing left to hold onto."
"Leon is dead. My vengeance has been fulfilled through your hands."
"Though it's a pity I couldn't kill him myself, everything has gone according to my plan."
"Yes, I've never been there, but I know that in that place, the past and future coexist, and all knowledge and truth are hidden within."
"Once I reach such a place, I will surely find a way to see Lord William again, no matter how many obstacles lie ahead."
Without looking back, she completely vanished into the Yin-Yang Fish.
"I just want Lord William to speak to me again."
"I want to see his gentle smile once more."
"I want to hear him call my name..."
The Yin-Yang Fish in the sky seemed to receive a massive surge of energy, spinning faster than ever before. The energy it emitted became visible to the naked eye.
Above the sky of Blue Star, the towering beam of light grew thicker than ever, and at its peak, it began to radiate energy outward.
One after another, white orbs of light began to descend, like a slow-motion meteor shower, washing over the entire planet.
The orbs drifted down leisurely, only to explode with terrifying energy upon touching the ground.
"Boom!!!"
"Boom!!!!"
The deafening explosions echoed across the already devastated planet, tearing its crumbling surface into even more ruins.
An ultimate, catastrophic disaster had descended without mercy.
This was a destruction far more thorough and ruthless than the zombie apocalypse. Every living being, every zombie, would be sacrificed in this calamity.
"Qianqian, come with us, quick!"
Ji Mengyao and Wu Di, who had been observing from the rooftop, found Shen Qianqian.
She stood frozen, staring at the city engulfed in flames and the glowing orbs slowly falling from the sky.
The Ark Base had descended into chaos. Everyone, disregarding the zombie threat, fled for their lives.
Screams, cries for loved ones, the roar of car engines, and the clashing of weapons against zombies filled the air.
This was the final, desperate sound of humanity facing its end.
Staying put was no different from waiting for death. Just moments ago, an orb had struck a nearby building, flattening the entire area.
Only by staying on the move, observing the patterns, and dodging the orbs could one hope to survive.
"I'll get the car. You take Qianqian—she's someone Ning Yu entrusted to us!"
Ji Mengyao spoke firmly to Wu Di, slinging a large bag over her shoulder and grabbing the keys before rushing toward the underground garage.
Wu Di picked up Shen Qianqian, who was still crying on the ground, and quickly followed Ji Mengyao.
"Big sister... where have you gone...?"
"Will I ever see you again...?"
She murmured softly, her face devoid of its usual vitality.
......
Ning Yu tried using the thermal weapons from her system space, joining forces with Shen Yiyue to attack the Yin-Yang Fish in the sky. Ning Xuan also joined in.
But no method proved effective. The ritual had reached a point of no return.
After Lacy sacrificed her body to become the new core of the ritual, the gray mist energy within Ning Yu began to dissipate even faster.
If this continued, everything would end. Ning Yu and those she cherished would vanish completely.
In that case, there was only one choice...
An ancient stone gate suddenly opened before Ning Yu, and the Moon Princess stepped out once more. Her face showed no emotion, only an eternal calm.
For a being like her, the destruction of the world might be nothing more than a fleeting moment.
"Do you wish to fulfill the ultimate contract with me?"
The Moon Princess looked at Ning Yu, the golden connection between them growing more pronounced.
"This will grant you immense restraining power, but..."
"It also means you will disappear completely from this world. Are you certain you want to do this?"
Her gaze subtly shifted to Shen Yiyue and Ning Xuan beside them, ensuring they heard her words.
In an instant, both Shen Yiyue and Ning Xuan turned pale. Even without knowing exactly what Ning Yu planned, the outcome was something they could never accept.
"No!!! Ning Yu!!! Without you..."
Before Shen Yiyue could finish, Ning Yu swiftly knocked her unconscious.
Only as Shen Yiyue collapsed into Ning Yu's arms did tears begin to flow down her soft cheeks.
Ning Yu gently brushed aside Shen Yiyue's black bangs and kissed her forehead where the iris flower rested, a look of deep affection on her face as she took in her beloved's features one last time.
"Xuan, take her away. Use spatial jump."
"Please, protect her for me."
"Sister..."
Ning Xuan didn't react like Shen Yiyue, but how could she bear to let Ning Yu disappear? She had only just found her purpose in life.
And now, that very purpose was choosing to leave so that they could survive.
But Ning Xuan had no choice. This was the task her sister had entrusted to her, and she couldn't let her down in this final moment.
Her body, not yet fully mechanized, couldn't shed tears, but the sorrow on her face was unmistakable as she gazed at Ning Yu.
"I'm so happy to have a sister like you."
Ning Yu turned to Ning Xuan with a radiant smile, her heart overflowing with happiness. She was no longer alone.
She had people she loved and who loved her by her side.
She was already the happiest person in the world.
"I... I'm also happy... to have been accepted by you, sister... I just wish I could have spent more time with you..."
The spatial jump activated, and a black ripple swallowed Ning Xuan and Shen Yiyue, who she held in her arms. The two vanished from the space.