Starry Sky Railway: Twin Origins

Chapter 368 The Final Strike

The sudden sound startled Lin Qiong.

He turned around abruptly and saw that standing behind him was Huang Quan.

However, her hair has now turned pure white.

"Miss Huang Quan!?"

Upon seeing who it was, Lin Qiong's face lit up with surprise, and he immediately said, "Thank goodness you're alright!"

"Ah."

Huang Quan nodded, his red eyes trembling slightly, and replied softly, "Before the explosion, I cut open the path leading to this place and entered."

As she spoke, her gaze shifted slightly, passing over Lin Qiong's shoulder to look at the black hole in the distance that was slowly rotating and constantly devouring light.

"This place is the exit of 'nothingness,' existing outside the material universe; the concepts of time and space do not apply here."

Therefore, the "destruction" caused by the "Iron Curtain" altering the cosmological constant cannot affect this place.

Huang Quan turned his gaze back to Lin Qiong, and seeing that he still looked puzzled, he continued to explain:

"If you really can't understand it, then just think of this place as a narrow passage between fates."

Upon hearing Huang Quan's explanation, Lin Qiong was taken aback at first, then his expression showed a sudden realization.

The moment he heard the phrase "a narrow path between fates," he understood instantly.

To put it simply, these are independent spaces created by star gods of various destinies or by those with great power.

The space created by the star gods is collectively known by the world as the Narrow Space of Fate.

Top-tier powerhouses like Huang Quan can name the spaces they create according to their own ideas.

To take a recent example, let's take Polka Kakamu, the fourth seat of the Genius Club, who is also an "Intelligence" envoy.

The independent space she created is the omniscient domain known to all.

"I see." Lin Qiong nodded, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.

But then, he abruptly changed the subject, asking Huang Quan with a look of doubt, "So... the universe really was destroyed by the 'Iron Curtain'?"

"To be precise, it was the material universe that was destroyed," Huang Quan corrected.

"The Iron Curtain rewrote the cosmological constant, causing the universe to collapse and rendering all matter unable to maintain its original form."

"So that's why my body was broken down little by little like that just now?" Lin Qiong asked curiously.

"That's not the case."

Huang Quan shook his head slightly and continued to explain: "Simply modifying the cosmological constant will not directly affect the Fate Walkers."

"For those on the path of destiny, surviving in a universe without material planets is by no means difficult."

Lin Qiong frowned slightly: "Then why...?"

He was about to ask Huang Quan why his body was dissipating little by little, like a sand dune being blown away by a strong wind.

Before he could finish speaking, Huang Quan, as if he had expected it, gave his answer in advance.

"Because the 'Iron Curtain' attack contained a digital virus, and you and your companions happened to be infected."

Digital Virus!

Upon hearing these four words, Lin Qiong's expression changed drastically.

He had heard from the Black Tower that any organic or inorganic matter infected with the digital virus could not survive in the world in a normal material form.

If this explanation is correct, then the phenomenon of his body decomposing itself can be reasonably explained.

Thinking of this, Lin Qiong subconsciously raised his hand and reached towards his long-vanished half of his body.

Still there!

When his palms touched his waist and thighs and he felt the real sensation, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

However, Lin Qiong's tiny movement was noticed by Huang Quan.

Therefore, before Lin Qiong could fully relax, she spoke again, throwing out some bad news.

"Your body was able to recover because there is no concept of time here, freezing the effects of the digital virus on you."

Huang Quan looked at Lin Qiong with a serious expression and solemnly said, "But once you leave here, the erosion will continue."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qiong's expression froze instantly.

He first looked down at his intact lower body, then stared blankly up at Huang Quan.

"You mean... my body will continue to decompose after I go back?"

"I'm afraid so."

Huang Quan answered without hesitation, "The digital virus released by the 'Iron Curtain' has already spread beyond Onfaros."

“Any object within its range of influence will inevitably be infected with the digital virus.”

"What should I do?"

Lin Qiong asked anxiously, "Is there really no solution to this digital virus?"

The thought of Himeko and the others suffering from the digital virus outside made his chest feel tight, and he couldn't help but clench his fists at his sides.

Immediately afterward, as if making up his mind, Lin Qiong suddenly raised his head and looked directly into Huang Quan's eyes: "Miss Huang Quan, please take me away from here."

Upon hearing this, Huang Quan's eyes flashed red, and after a few seconds of silence, he slowly spoke: "Even if we defeat the 'Iron Curtain,' the erosion of the digital virus is irreversible."

Her voice was softer than usual.

Even so, are you still going to leave?

Even so, I will leave.

Lin Qiong answered without hesitation, "I cannot stand by and watch my companions disappear."

"I have to do something, even knowing that the erosion is irreversible and my body will be completely decomposed!"

Huang Quan gazed at Lin Qiong silently for a moment, then suddenly let out a soft sigh.

"You... are a lot like me in the past."

She spoke softly, almost to herself, "I will also do my best for an ending that is destined to fail."

"What did you say?" Lin Qiong didn't hear what she said at all.

"nothing."

Huang Quan said no more, but slowly raised the long sword in his hand, pointing the tip of the sword directly at Lin Qiong.

May you achieve... the ending you've been hoping for.

Before the words were even finished, the black and white ocean beneath their feet began to surge and churn.

Immediately afterwards, all sounds faded away rapidly, and the black and white world instantly became utterly silent.

Just as Lin Qiong's consciousness began to fade, all he could hear were Huang Quan's last few whispers.

"If you have given your all, but the outcome still cannot be changed."

"At the end, please call my name..."

"At that time, I will deliver the final blow for you."