Tian stroked his beard contemplatively as Jian Wei made his decision.
"Allow me to inquire once more," Tian's expression turned serious. "You wish for a random High-Tier Skill as your reward, correct?"
"Yes," Jian Wei affirmed. "I select this option, Your Excellency."
Li Mei, her arms crossed, raised an intrigued eyebrow at Jian Wei's choice. Clearly, the young man's decision caught her off guard.
"Understood." Tian's smile widened, and he clapped his hands thrice.
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(A/N: I'm aware some of you might be disappointed by his choice, but continue reading. A surprise is lurking in the upcoming chapters).
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In an instant, the form in Jian Wei's hand erupted into flames. The ember-like sparks converged upon his chest, merging with his being. Yet, Tian's design extended beyond this point.
The document he had filled out earlier burst into flames, its remnants also converging upon Jian Wei.
A warmth enveloped him as an unknown power surged through his soul. While he lingered in the wake of this ethereal experience, he found himself suspended in space once again, beneath the myriad galaxies he had beheld earlier.
To his right stood Tian, the Divine Gambler, and on his left, Himea, the irritable Angel plagued by her persistently unfavorable disposition.
"Jian Wei, do you understand why I singled you out from the countless souls across the multiverse to pioneer the Heaven's Gate Project?" Tian's gaze bore into Jian Wei's eyes.
"I don't," Jian Wei admitted. The rationale behind his selection remained a mystery to him.
Tian offered a warm pat on his shoulder. "It's because you persevered until the very end. You would have surrendered at any point, but you didn't choose the easier path of ending your life prematurely."
Jian Wei regarded the elder with earnest attention. "That's due to my cowardice. Fear of death drove me to endure. It's not something to be proud of."
Tian chuckled, ruffling Jian Wei's hair. "You might be right, but you're no coward. Living necessitates courage, and I hope you carry that valor into your next life."
Jian Wei met Tian's gaze, the latter's smile reflecting his earnest sentiments. For the first time, someone had exhorted him to embrace life.
During his previous existence, he had grown up subjected to relentless reminders like "You're merely baggage. Your demise would be a relief," or "You were an error. Your existence is unwarranted."
These derisive comments had been a recurrent refrain. Looking back, he'd found himself tempted by the notion of ending his own life as an escape from his torment. Yet, his apprehension of death had always held him back.
Truly terrified of death, he had battled against all odds to cling to life until the end.
Biting his lip to stifle the welling emotion, he resisted the urge to cry. Even if souls couldn't shed tears, he was determined not to reveal vulnerability to others.
Moments passed, and he gradually regained his composure. Meeting the gaze of the Divine Gambler, he broached the query that had haunted him since stepping into this enigmatic realm.
"Your Excellency, you've yet to unveil the purpose behind the Heaven's Gate Project," Jian Wei ventured. "Could you enlighten me?"
"Jian Wei, the project's aim is to alter the destiny of a world. You're the chosen one who will usher in a new era, guiding it toward a brighter future."
"I'm uncertain if I'm suited for such a monumental responsibility…"
"Stunning women await you in that realm! With luck, you might even attract more than a single spouse!"
"Leave it to me, Your Excellency!" Jian Wei's disposition made a complete 180-degree shift. He patted his chest with the vigor of a general poised for battle. "You've selected the ideal candidate. I'll conquer the world for you!"
"World conquest, is it? Excellent! I approve! A man should harbor ambitious dreams! Either strive earnestly or cower away! Hahahaha!"
The Angel regarded the two hapless, lust-driven buffoons with disdain as she conjured a colossal cannon. Her patience had worn thin, and she yearned to expedite this task.
Tian, observing the Angel's expression, offered a wry smile, gesturing for Jian Wei to draw near.
"Come, Jian Wei," Tian beckoned. "It's time to commence your journey."
The Divine Gambler's gesture conjured a door before them. It swung open, revealing a passage that he, accompanied by the youth, proceeded to traverse.
The Angel trailed in their wake, sealing the door shut upon entry. They were en route to the trial grounds, where the Hyper-Super-Mega-Rebirth-Cannon awaited.
—-
"Marvelous!" Jian Wei's eyes gleamed in awe, fixed upon the colossal cannon before him. "T-This is incredible!"
Tian's laughter resounded as his hand landed on Jian Wei's shoulder. The youth's response filled him with satisfaction.
"A considerable investment was made for its creation," Tian remarked, his smile beaming. "Li Mei, my dear, could you initiate the cannon and ascertain its readiness?"
"Of course," the Angel concurred.
With purpose, she moved towards the control panel, methodically pressing buttons to initiate the cannon's activation and energy buildup. Amid her task, Tian seized the opportunity to enlighten Jian Wei regarding the cannon's conception.
"Behold, the Hyper-Super-Mega-Rebirth-Cannon, or HSMRC for short," Tian introduced with pride. "Impressive, isn't it?"
"Um, Master Tian, isn't it supposed to be the Hyper-Super-Mega-Rebirth-Cannon, or HSMRC, instead of HSMRC?" Jian Wei ventured, quizzical.
"Don't fuss over the details, boy. If I decree it HSMRC, then HSMRC it is."
"I-Is that so?"
Li Mei, meanwhile, rolled her eyes at Tian's habitual nonsense. If not for the fact that he had cared for her since her inception, she might have pledged her service to other, less eccentric deities.
Confirming the cannon's status, Li Mei declared, "Master Tian, all systems are optimal. We are prepared to proceed."
Tian nodded, patting Jian Wei's shoulder to signal the imminent moment.
"Jian Wei, are you prepared?" Tian's tone carried a playful edge. "Your new journey is set to commence."
"I am," Jian Wei affirmed.
"Excellent! Let's load you into the cannon."
"Excuse me, how will you—aaahh!"
Jian Wei's inquiry was truncated as Tian grasped his waist, ascending to the pinnacle of the cannon.
"Prepare for launch!" Tian declared with a wink, propelling Jian Wei into the cannon's barrel.
A resonant thud ensued, accompanied by an "Ouch!" that drew hearty laughter from Tian.
"Are you well, lad?" Tian inquired with concern, amusement evident in his voice.
"I'm not well!" Jian Wei's retort emanated through the metallic enclosure. Clearly, the manner of his insertion had caught him unawares. "It hurts!"
"I'm relieved you're intact. Any parting words?"
"To hell with you!"
Amused, Tian's chuckle resonated as he signaled Li Mei to proceed.
"Heaven's Gate Project activated," Li Mei announced, fingers flying across the control panel. "Setting coordinates…"
The HSMRC suddenly pivoted, aligning with a distant purple galaxy.
With coordinates established, Li Mei accessed the glass casing that harbored the firing mechanism. "Master Tian, the cannon is primed."
"Initiate the countdown!" Tian commanded.
Li Mei complied. "Countdown initiated. Ten, nine, eight, seven…
Three…
Two…
One…
"Hyper-Super-Mega-Rebirth-Cannon, fire!"
The Angel pressed the crimson button, inciting the commencement of the firing sequence.
Jian Wei experienced his form transform into luminance, layers of concentrated magical energy enveloping him.
Swiftly, a colossal orb of energy materialized at the cannon's apex, amassing the potency of Divinity, poised to propel his soul across the multiverse.
Electrical currents caused around the cannon's structure, and ominous smoke wafted from certain points—a disconcerting development that ignited trepidation in both the God of Gamblers and the Angel.
Confirming their concerns, a sequence of alerts rang through the testing area, signaling a malfunction within the cannon.
"Halt the sequence!" Tian ordered, perplexed by this unforeseen disruption. He extended his Divine power to enshroud Jian Wei's soul, shielding it from potential harm.
Nonetheless, where his protection reached the boy, the firing sequence reached its culmination. Amid a resounding rumble, a magical energy beam surged across the Celestial Realm, culminating in a thunderous detonation.
The cannon exploded, fragmenting into myriad pieces that scattered like shrapnel.
Swiftly, Tian materialized before Li Mei, conjuring a shield of Divinity to safeguard both of them.
As the upheaval subsided, Tian surveyed the wreckage, then shifted his gaze to the firmament.
Above, a sapphire comet streaked toward the purple galaxy, leaving a luminous trail.
"How fares Jian Wei?" Tian inquired, peering at the still-functioning instrumentation.
Li Mei typed rapidly, procuring Jian Wei's Soul status.
"No… this cannot be…" Tian's incredulity swelled as he registered the images displayed.
Jian Wei's soul had sustained grievous injury during the firing, perilously nearing disintegration. Merely Tian's fortuitously embedded safety measures forestalled complete dissolution.
"Y-Your Excellency, in his current condition, a conventional rebirth isn't feasible," Li Mei faltered, panic cresting. "In the direst scenario, his soul's existence could cease entirely."
Tian inhaled deeply, grappling with the gravity of Jian Wei's plight. Yet, he was helpless—powerless to alter the fate that awaited. The realm to which he'd dispatched the youth had been forsaken by the divine pantheon.
At this juncture, a solitary savior existed—one whose knowledge and clout beyond his own. Ling, the God of Games, is Tian's confidant and closest ally.
"Li Mei, find Ling Xuan," Tian said, his manner tinged with resignation and urgency. "Inform him of our predicament." He will find the solution."
Tian's distress was visible in Li Mei's countenance, as was her compassion.
"Your Excellency, where are you going?" she worriedly asked.
"My culpability," Tian stated firmly, wrapping himself in Divinity. "At the very least, I'll keep Jian Wei's soul from dissolving."
He had barely finished speaking when he transformed into a gleaming golden comet, rushing toward the blue comet's path as it entered the purple galaxy.
A race against time began, with the God of Gamblers risking everything to save the person he'd selected to change the fate of his world.