Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 538 589: The Final Test_2

"So..." Huai Shi hesitated for a long time before finally mustering the courage to ask, "What is the requirement?"

"Don't worry."

DM said, "You have passed."

Huai Shi was incredulous.

"I... passed?" he doubted his own ears. "When? Did I do something again?"

"From the beginning. And what I required, you have been doing all along, haven't you?"

DM held the reins of the sled firmly. He calmly steered the swiftly moving sled, leading Huai Shi step by step into the pale and dark vastness ahead.

"I am not like KP. KP thinks it's fine as long as it's interesting, and the means don't need to be scrutinized. I'm different from ST. ST would think the result is what matters most; the process doesn't need attention."

In the increasingly biting cold wind, DM's voice came through. "But what I seek is neither an interesting plot nor the final outcome.

What I prefer to see are the approaches taken by the players, as well as their journey through hardships...

What I want to see are Adventurers, not those who enter dungeons merely for Money, but those who set foot on the path of Fate with dreams, ideals, ambitions, and even hatred or pain."

He said, "The Adventurers I want are those who don't bow to reality—as long as you have such qualities, I won't obstruct your path, Huai Shi. You need not worry that I will have the same kind of mischief as KP, though many times, I'm even more unreasonable than him."

"You've met the conditions I set, so I won't interfere."

"Therefore, you might as well take this opportunity to rest, get used to the environment here, recharge your energy, and then start preparing to face the trials ahead."

Huai Shi was stupefied for a long time. He couldn't help but lift his hand to rub his slightly numb face, feeling a raw, vague pain.

Yet for some reason, he found the corners of his mouth turning up into a smile.

He was smiling.

A subtle joy swelled within his heart. It seemed like pride in DM's appraisal, so much so that he himself was somewhat taken aback by the reaction.

"In your eyes... am I considered an Adventurer?" he asked, pointing doubtfully at himself. "Or is it enough just to be hard-headed and rush in blindly?"

"To be honest, I do have some reservations about your reckless style, but you can't force these things."

DM shrugged calmly. "However, I think you might be misunderstanding something."

"Huai Shi, adventure is not just about being confined to desperate situations. It can exist in each person's life, and the only way to unlock it is with courage.

It is the turning point that can change everything, but at its essence and origin, it stems from a noble dream, unwilling to languish in the dust, unwilling to be ordinary.

Whether this dream is lofty or lowly, grand or insignificant, good or bad—"

He turned back and said earnestly to Huai Shi, "After all, aren't dreams the most precious thing?"

Huai Shi fell silent for a while and, with an embarrassed sigh, said, "But in reality, I no longer even have a dream. I've been searching all this way and still haven't found it, not even a clue about a career direction."

DM was exceptionally tolerant and simply said, "Adventure is a lifelong pursuit. A moment of confusion doesn't mean anything, does it?"

"What if I never find it?" Huai Shi asked.

"Then just keep looking."

DM replied as if it were a matter of course, "It's just waiting and searching. Nothing that painful, right?"

"You might spend your whole life in pursuit and end up empty-handed. You might soon discover something in this world worth dedicating a lifetime to accomplish.

"Perhaps if you're a little luckier, you'll find something worth sacrificing for and will go to your death generously. Or perhaps more cruelly, you might only realize at the moment before death that you've missed many dreams and opportunities unwittingly—"

He paused for a moment, then said earnestly, "But no matter what, I can assure you that your adventure and search will not be in vain, and everything you've contributed will be rewarded at that moment.

"Even the bitterest of fruits is better than tasteless water.

"Better to live with Regret and discontentment than to live a life of meaningless drudgery."

What followed was a long silence.

There was only the profound echo of the wind and snow from afar, and the dogs' discordant, scattered chorus of songs, which gradually, too, faded away.

At some point, Huai Shi finally fell into a deep sleep amid the cold wind.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and let out a long breath, feeling much lighter, more tranquil and composed.

He hadn't fallen into sweet dreams or been entangled by nightmares.

He had simply slept soundly and then awoke feeling genuinely at peace.

Even if it wasn't quite a rebirth, he felt a soothing calmness washing over him, no longer anxious.

The sled had already stopped for quite some time.

A few sled dogs were still arguing about who had been fastest just now, while the food simmering on the campfire beside them gave off an enticing aroma.

"You're awake? Come and eat some." DM beckoned to him with a wave of his hand. "After you've eaten, your adventure will begin anew, Huai Shi."

"Okay."

Huai Shi threw off the blanket covering him, strode over, heartily enjoyed a meal, then wiped his mouth clean, hoisted his backpack, and prepared to embark on the final leg of his journey.

"Is there anything I should be aware of for the next trial?" Huai Shi asked before departing.

"Just go about it in the way you like. No need to be constrained or afraid. There's really nothing to fret over."

"Besides that?"

Huai Shi inquired, "Is there anything else you can tell me?"

The old man beside the campfire fell silent for a while, as if pondering. After a time, he told him softly, "You must keep your aspirations close, Huai Shi, and never neglect the pursuit of your own life."

He said, "You must not give up on the life that belongs to you."

The old man's expression was so grave and earnest, as if the young man's life before him was a treasure of immense value.

He was filled with hope and blessings for Huai Shi's Future, wishing for him to continue bravely on his own path of adventure.

"I will."

Huai Shi smiled sincerely. "Goodbye."

"Yeah."

The old man nodded. "Goodbye."

Then, Huai Shi turned around, planted his hiking stick, and began to walk step by step towards the southernmost part of the world.

After a few steps, he looked back. He saw a gust of wind rising from the ground. As the snow swirled up and fell back down, the campfire, the old man, and the sled had vanished without a trace.

And somehow, the black access Card from Paradise had appeared in Huai Shi's hand.

It was emitting a faint glow, resonating with the massive structure slumbering in the darkness.

Then, a fierce gale roared from the end of the world, instantly engulfing him.

As the snowstorm gradually ceased, Huai Shi lowered the arm he had held in front of his face. He saw the massive building that had appeared before him, and the heavy gates that were slowly opening towards him.

Behind the gates, the darkness hid things unknown, waiting for him.

Huai Shi took a deep breath and walked slowly into it.

.

.

A row of pale green lights flickered on from an old screen.

[The Stigma Reaction of the Heavenly Kingdom Genealogy detected]

[Access level determination complete]

[Preset sequence program activated]

[All Spectrum Heaven Sphere operation commencing]

[Countdown—10, 9, 8, 7…3, 2, 1]

[Welcome to the new world]