Chapter 1348: The Eighth Great Sin: Ouroboros Ring
Unending light pierced the darkness, wave after wave. It filled the world like the atmosphere, forming the foundation of life like the earth. It warmed the flesh and blood of all beings like flame, and seeped into the cracks of all things like flowing water. Only pure light could pierce the void’s darkness—for that light was miracle itself.
After an eleven-second illumination, the radiance gradually dissipated. And before Eivass, the “Void” knelt on one knee, restored to its original state. It had resumed the appearance of the Ring Heavenly Envoy, its shell, devoured by the Star Worms, shed. However, its body was tattered, and its recovery speed had become excruciatingly slow. Compared to the being who could recover to peak condition in an instant when they first clashed, after such a long time, it could only regrow its head, and the holes drilled by the worms were yet to heal.
The “Void” attached to it had been annihilated by “Light Illuminating All Beings” due to its hostility towards Eivass. But as the carrier of the Void, the Ring Heavenly Envoy had not died from this attack. Eivass, floating in the air, observed the Ring Heavenly Envoy with a solemn and cautious gaze.
“…Hmph,” the Ring Heavenly Envoy grunted, its voice weak and weary. “In the end, it was only this much…” It slowly rose from the ground. “Once completely independent, becoming ‘The Other’… it no longer possesses that indistinguishable power…” It jeered at the Void, which had now vanished without a trace. When the Void existed within it, it was so unsolvable. Every thought could be an infection from the Void, and one couldn’t even be sure what their true self was anymore.
“—If that’s the case, was the powerful one truly you? Or was it just myself?” the Ring Heavenly Envoy coughed, then smiled cruelly. “Just a pathetic parasite. As rampant within as it is fragile once torn out…” It was joyous. It was the kind of joyous smile revealed when everything was about to end.
“Then next… it’s our fight.” As it spoke, the Ring Heavenly Envoy stared at Eivass, its pupils blazing with pure purple radiance. It took a step forward again—but as soon as it moved, a streak of light fell before it.
“—At this point, must we really continue fighting?” Eivass, soaring in the sky, asked sternly. “Your mission is over. You can live on in a new world without the Void.” Cracks of dark gold had already appeared all over its body. This was not a sign that its body couldn’t withstand the strain, but proof of the almost irrepressible instinct for transformation. The power it wielded had long surpassed the limits of the Veil of Balance—modifying the rules of the world, and “creating a new sun in the Material Realm” based on the Beast of Sin, was clearly not something a mortal could achieve. This had already stepped beyond the boundary between human and divine. It was the supreme authority only a Pillar God could possess!
By using such power, Eivass could not remain in the Material Realm for much longer. Just as a seed must sprout, the sacred entity within Eivass would eventually have to enter the Dream Realm. “I can sense that the Void is dead. The World (Gaia) has also told me so,” Eivass said, its voice now carrying an echo of divinity, with the sunlit halo behind it. “I created the miracle of ‘the Void being killed in light,’ a fact confirmed by the Sacred Number Eleven—this has become my merit for becoming a Pillar God, and thus the crisis of the Void has ended.”
“The tribulation of the Void… has indeed ended. However, the crisis of World Destruction is far from over.” Though it had just mocked the Void, the Ring Heavenly Envoy now denied, “You still underestimate the Void, Eivass. Even if you have killed this moment’s Void, it will regenerate one day. As long as there is one person in this world who questions, ‘Is there any meaning to this?’ As long as there is one person who doubts, ‘My life is meaningless’… the Void will still exist. As long as it gathers, it will eventually revive. For it is the embodiment of the ultimate concept of ‘meaninglessness.'”
As it spoke, the Ring Heavenly Envoy looked up at Eivass in the sky. Its pale lips curved upward slightly, revealing a cruel smile. “—However, there is a way to completely kill it. That is to completely kill me.”
Eivass did not reply, merely gazing at him in silence. The Ring Heavenly Envoy, like a mortal, looked up at the divine being in the sky and slowly began to speak, “I have been merged with the Whisper of the Void for too long… to the point that I have also obtained its knowledge and secrets. The birth of a Twilight Seed comes from the destruction of a world—but this statement is not absolute. The focus is not on ‘a world that has been destroyed,’ nor on ‘killing everyone in the world’… Some worlds still have living people, yet have entirely become Twilight Seeds; some worlds seem to be flourishing, yet possess genuine Twilight Seeds. The core of a Twilight Seed lies in ‘the Possibility of guiding the world to its end.’ As long as this condition is met, a new Twilight Seed will be born. The destruction of the world is merely the use of ‘a destroyed world’ as a concrete foundation for proof of the Dao. However…”
The Ring Heavenly Envoy placed its right hand on its chest, closing its eyes slightly. “I am not lacking either. Even though the world has not yet been destroyed, I already possess the ability to destroy it. This is also why I could imprison a complete Twilight Seed within my body. —I am also a Twilight Seed, Eivass. A Twilight Seed whose method of destroying worlds is ‘Eternal Reincarnation’… it is called the ‘Ouroboros Ring.'”
The Ring Heavenly Envoy spoke slowly. Eivass’s eyes widened slightly. That was… it was the cycle after cycle that this World had experienced! Eivass, who had accepted the memories of many past lives on its journey, immediately understood everything! —As the miracle of the Father Snake breaking the Void, the Ouroboros, who returned to the Past, possessed the power to reset space-time, a dominion called the “Ouroboros Ring.” When this dominion was not in Amber’s possession, but in the Ouroboros’s own… the number of times it could be used was “infinite.” Precisely because of this, no one knew how many times the “first playthrough” had been repeated. It was like a player who repeatedly saved and loaded, their character would only know of “one” experience, yet they themselves had gone through this scene countless times. And if the Ouroboros had not been infected by the Void and despaired, handing over all its power to Amber… but had instead engaged in infinite reincarnation after infinite reincarnation. —In truth, it would have already destroyed this World. As long as the Ouroboros was not satisfied, the cycle would not end. All things were like marionettes, repeatedly performing the same play.
“If I had not had my power handed to Amber… the ultimate destroyer of this world would likely not have been the ‘Whisper of the Void,’ but the ‘Ouroboros Ring.’ It was precisely the Void’s ‘meaninglessness’ that infected me, causing me to give up the possibility of eternal reincarnation. From this perspective, hadn’t it also locked me down?” The Ring Heavenly Envoy spread its arms, standing in a natural posture, embracing the sun. “—We have merged too deeply. Even I don’t know if I will be re-infected by the Void, or if I will regain the power of reincarnation… After all, Amber is dead, who knows if the fly within is dead or resurrected.” The Ouroboros Ring said frankly, “The Ouroboros Ring of eternal reincarnation is, after all, a Twilight Seed born from the Whisper of the Void. While I can still communicate, use your Paradise Lost to destroy me utterly.” It looked up at the divine being in the sky, begging for death.
Eivass remained silent, as if contemplating something. Finally, the Ring Heavenly Envoy grew impatient. “Stop dithering around!” Its pupils blazed with intense purple, its expression contorted. “If you’re too hesitant to act, then let me knock your sun down!” Triple rings suddenly appeared behind it. Platinum, gold, dark gold. The most orthodox Ouroboros Ring! Divine radiance gathered, and infinite runes connected end-to-end. Its magnificent power, and the Ouroboros Ring that now seemed to overflow with purple evil energy, looked so out of place. However, this supreme technique, was the “infinite” power born from “Endless Knot” symbolizing infinity of ancient times! The name “Paradise Lost” stemmed from the sorrowful heart of the “Serpent” who abandoned everything! Even a descended Heavenly Envoy could not withstand a single strike of Paradise Lost. Faced with the coercion of the Ring Heavenly Envoy, Eivass would be forced to clash with Paradise Lost—
“No, I’m just thinking… if there’s an optimal solution,” Eivass’s divine words echoed. “I’ve thought of it. But before that…” At this moment, with the departure of the six Beasts of Sin, the summoning condition for the Seventh Great Beast, “The Dawn Eivass,” was finally met. Six enormous wings sprouted from Eivass’s back. The top pair were brown and green, the middle pair red and blue, and the bottom pair white and black. Identical triple rings also appeared instantly behind Eivass. And the halo, radiance, and runes symbolizing divinity behind Eivass all vanished… as if it had returned to being a mortal. Even the echo that accompanied Eivass’s speech was gone—
“—First, let me teach a lesson to someone who doesn’t listen!” With the salvation of the six Great Sins, all the effects of Paradise Lost had been fully unleashed. Paradise Lost in its six-winged form was its strongest power in its ideal state!
“Paradise Lost: Arid Warmth Fire: The power and range of ‘Paradise Lost’ increase threefold.”
“Paradise Lost: Hateful Rebuke Dark: The resistance stripping of ‘Paradise Lost’ is strengthened to a 66% reduction in all attributes; upon hitting with Paradise Lost, up to eight buffs will also be additionally dispelled.”
“Paradise Lost: Humid Warmth Air: After using ‘Paradise Lost,’ gain the ‘Judgement Light’ state. The ‘Judgement Light’ effect lasts for up to six minutes.”
“Paradise Lost: Love’s Invitation Light: ‘Paradise Lost’ is a guaranteed hit and instant cast; the damage of Paradise Lost will appear after resistance is stripped, not simultaneously.”
“Paradise Lost: Arid Cold Land: ‘Paradise Lost’ will also inflict physical damage, the damage of which is the sum of all elemental damage.”
“Paradise Lost: Humid Cold Water: When ‘Paradise Lost’ is used on only one person, the effect of resistance stripping is doubled.”
“—Paradise Lost!”
“—Paradise Lost!”
Perhaps due to their telepathy, or perhaps because they were the same person. Although the casting time was different, the final launch was “simultaneous.” However, Paradise Lost in its six-winged state was more than six times stronger than Paradise Lost without wings—countless dazzling meteors arrived in an instant. The Ring Heavenly Envoy’s Light Spear had barely been fired when it was instantly intercepted by Eivass’s Light Spear! Amplified by “Love’s Invitation Light,” the effect of Paradise Lost was changed to instant cast and guaranteed hit. With the removal of its trajectory, its final flaw had also been eliminated. When only one-third of the six hundred and sixty-six Light Spears arrayed behind it had been fired, the Paradise Lost behind the Ring Heavenly Envoy was destroyed. As one Paradise Lost struck the magic circle behind it, the runes on the magic circle instantly exploded with electric light and then disintegrated. And when the magic circle disintegrated, the Ring Heavenly Envoy finally lost its last means. Its infinite resistance was instantly stripped away by the attack of Paradise Lost. The terrifying physical damage, merely by proximity, killed it again and again. It was just that the Ring Heavenly Envoy’s life force was too abundant; that near-infinite life force allowed it to revive at full health in the next instant, even if it died hundreds of times in an instant. However, the power of Paradise Lost was “infinite.” As long as it hit head-on once, its “infinite” life would be pierced in one blow…
The Ring Heavenly Envoy closed its eyes with a mixture of regret and relief. Was it finally over? The regret was that the Void could not be completely eliminated. However, being able to kill the more dangerous Twilight Seed, the “Ouroboros Ring,” was still a gain. The Void had been completely killed once at this moment, and one could only trust… that the future Eivass would watch over this World, preventing the Void from regenerating easily. My dear friend, I’m sorry. I deceived you again. When you, in the distant future, are resurrected from the River of Dreams… I will no longer be here.
At that moment, the image of his obedient student flashed in the Ring Heavenly Envoy’s mind. —I’m coming for you. Not Eivass’s Inanna, but his own Amber. The one whose true name was devoured by the Void [ ]. Perhaps… he was willing to embark on this thorny path because [ ] had been sacrificed by him. To not betray [ ]’s sacrifice, he had to become a hero. Finally, this long mission… was finally over. The only regret was that the cup of wine Amber left him… he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to drink it. Like every player. Wanting to save the most important one-time item for the most crucial battle. But would rather die than use it. Perhaps, it was not just for this reason…
…But. After a long time, the Ring Heavenly Envoy opened its eyes in confusion. —Why am I not dead yet? It soon realized that the fatal attacks of Paradise Lost had all landed beside it! Eivass had forcibly stopped Paradise Lost just before killing it!
“Do you want to escape?” Eivass’s voice echoed from the sky. “I’ll give you a chance—a chance to completely eradicate the Void. As a reward… my other self. You will see your beloved again after everything is over. This is my promise—as Eivass, the Pillar God of Miracles.” As it spoke, a cup filled with amber-colored wine floated out of the Ring Heavenly Envoy’s shattered chest. Upon seeing it, the Ring Heavenly Envoy understood what Eivass intended to do. It smiled helplessly, “Really… pouncing on someone useful and using them to death. Just like me.” It didn’t ask, “How is this possible?” because miracles were born to defy such questions. Nor did it say, “I am unwilling to do this,” because it itself wanted to completely kill the Void. Hatred overwhelmed everything. Moreover, this itself would give new meaning to its meaningless life—
Two cards flew out of Eivass’s chest. These were the Tarot cards it had bought when it first created the first Great Sin Card. Now only two remained. —The Sage. —The Hermit. Now, as they flew in the air, they transformed into the Thoth Tarot. The Sage, or “The Magician,” was an androgynous golden humanoid, standing with its feet on an extremely narrow point, yet maintaining balance and composure. It was like a magician, juggling a flaming scepter, a chalice full of water, rapier-sharp swords, and stable pentacles. A shining winged egg floated beside it, gazing at the scepter with a ibis head—its feet were winged, and behind it was the caduceus, symbolizing Thoth, or Hermes himself. The ibis was a symbol of Thoth, thus symbolizing its separated self. The caduceus was entwined with two snakes, one wearing a crown and the other a diadem, each gazing at a pen and a scroll, symbolizing “writing” and “being written.” This symbolized the life of Ai Shiping in the past. From the innocent and directionless “Fool,” taking the first step on a long journey.
The Hermit card depicted an old man walking alone in darkness, the only light source in the world being the lamp he carefully protected in his hand. His head was not human, but that of an ibis—also symbolizing the god of wisdom, Hermes. Hermes was considered the guide of the underworld, leading souls to the netherworld. Thus, he was a mediator between two worlds, a mentor who guided traversers to descend. At the same time, the Hermit was also a symbol of solitude. Complete detachment from the world, isolation. Cherishing the only light, singing praises for the light that illuminated a new world. —This was the life of the Ring Heavenly Envoy. And the cup of amber-colored wine served as the “glue” for the two cards to adhere together.
As these two cards were bonded by the amber wine, they shone with infinite light. It appeared like a light spot, emerging at Eivass’s fingertips. “I am your totem, I am your father, I am your god,” Eivass chanted softly. “You shall not touch my divinity, you shall not injure my body— However, when I die, you shall grieve; however, after the days of my death, you shall rejoice!” This was a prayer from the “Shepherd’s Secret Manual.” It was also a message left by the Ring Heavenly Envoy to Eivass in the past, a cryptic way to hide information that would not be infected by the Void. And now… the “Father” and “God” had become Eivass. He lay on the ground powerlessly, all divine power lost. The roles between the two were thus reversed.
“Who shall be sacrificed? What shall be concluded? Which words shall endure through eternity? I offer you my sacrificial song! My love, my child, my flesh, my inheritance, my altar, obey me—” Eivass declared, extending its hand downwards from the high heavens. The weakened Ring Heavenly Envoy raised its hand. Despite the distance between heaven and earth. But in the next moment, their fingers touched, crossing the threshold of “impossible”—
“I shall seal the ‘Whisper of the Void’ and the ‘Ouroboros Ring’ together here,” Eivass proclaimed. “From past to future, you shall utterly annihilate the Void with infinite power! When ‘Nothingness’ and ‘Infinity’ perish together, you and your beloved shall return together as ‘Infinite Light’! —I swear in the name of miracle!” In the next instant, the Ring Heavenly Envoy completely vanished, transforming into a card. The front depicted the Ring Heavenly Envoy bare-chested, and behind it was a curled-up Amber. This was the nonexistent Eighth Great Sin. Its sin was “Void.” Created by the power of miracle, it was a Great Sin Card with no attributes and would never be used. Though it was still an eternal confrontation with the Void… it was different. If one moves towards “Hope,” then “Pain” is not meaningless. Sisyphus’s suffering lay in the fact that the boulder would eventually roll down. However, at a delicate tipping point, a miracle would be realized. If “Love” is the fuel, then from “Meaninglessness,” a miracle would eventually be born, and then hatch into true hope— Under Eivass’s power, there was no “impossible.” This was not a vow of eternity, but a tangible “miracle” that could be achieved in just another eleven years. A miracle was the seed that brought “Hope”!
And with the positioning of the last two cards. The “Book of Law” was finally completed. Using two Twilight Seeds as materials, the power of the Book of Law had surpassed everything in this world. It finally revealed its last entry— But it was so dazzlingly bright that no one could see it except Eivass. It possessed all possibilities. It could do everything in the world. This was “Miracle.” The supreme law that allowed one to “do what you want to do”—
“It’s like the journey of the Tarot Cards. From the initial Fool, to the final World… the cycle is now complete.” Eivass, whose body was gradually shattering and emitting infinite light, raised the equally shining Book of Law and said, “I will create a future where the Great Sin of ‘Void’ can be redeemed! In the name of the Sun! Here, I shall cause a miracle—and reshape the heavens and earth!”
(End of Main Story)
(End of Chapter)
