Chapter 459: Because, It Is Light

Chapter 459 Because, It Is Light

Lango's body floated there, quietly watching it all unfold.

He could not move to stop it, for Rayan's "betrayal" at this moment was perfectly timed.

If he were to use the covenant to obliterate Rayan now, not only would the spirit of light continue to pour into Neo's body, but it would also shatter his final seal.

For Rayan had assisted and participated in the very creation of that seal upon himself.

If that seal were broken again, he would be completely confined to the state of strength he had possessed when fighting Neo earlier, whereas originally, he would have been able to gradually unfreeze and absorb his powerful soul strength by continuously improving this body's adaptation to the real world.

Neo felt very comfortable right now, extremely comfortable, so comfortable that both his body and soul felt warm, as if soaking in a hot spring with mist swirling around, everything just right.

Then, he heard the sound of flowing water.

Opening his eyes, a white membrane appeared in his field of vision, and on the other side of the membrane, some sort of image seemed to be flowing.

This layer of membrane was the instinctive defense of Neo's mental consciousness.

However, Neo took the initiative to step out, entering into the scene.

The stream was flowing, and Neo saw an old man dressed in a white robe sitting on the grass, telling stories of light to the children gathered around him.

These "people," let's count them as people for now, though their skin had a peculiar luster and their bodies swayed slightly with every movement.

Neo knew this was the soul form within the world inside the gate; Karen had described their appearance to him once, like a kind of gel.

"This is where I first perceived the light."

Rayan's voice came from behind Neo, and immediately afterward, he himself walked to Neo's side, dressed in a white robe with silver hair, looking middle-aged and very pure white, yet he gave off the aura of an old man's vicissitudes.

"I didn't think you would come out. I just wanted to savor my memories one last time before my consciousness dissipates, and had no intention of inviting you to watch. Besides, aren't you afraid that once your mental consciousness comes out, I might make a move against you?"

"When I

......

The last wisp of white light merged into Neo's body, and Neo opened his eyes.

By now, the power shackling his body had vanished completely, and he stretched his limbs in a highly relaxed manner, while staring at Rango with an unmistakably provocative gaze.

Ryan floated before him, a mere remnant of what was left of his mental consciousness, though even this existence was continuously fading, much like a block of ice cast beneath a summer sun, destined to melt into water and evaporate completely.

"Rango, did you see that?"

"I saw it."

"Rango, within the door, we all once shared the same wish, pure as our soulful forms; as a friend, I hope you can change back into the Rango I used to know."

"Some things simply cannot be changed; in this world, discerning right from wrong is easy, but wanting to follow right and wrong in one's actions is incredibly difficult, one might even say unrealistic.

Just a few days ago, two commanders I taught immolated themselves right before my eyes.

When we choose whom we wish to defend and protect, have we ever wondered if our choices have long ceased to be about right or wrong, leaving only the division of factions?"

Ryan replied, "This is the beginning of decay. When a church begins to detach from the guidance of the gods and to think from a purely self-serving perspective, it means it is losing its divinity."

"The world outside the door is vast, it is reality, and it is far, far more complex than you imagine, Ryan. A year has passed, and have you been able to perceive the slightest possibility or trace to prove that the faith of light will revive?

Under the combined suppression of numerous orthodox churches, the Church of the God of Light will only sink deeper and deeper."

"Therefore, that is precisely why we need a god, why we need a god to designate the path for us, haha." Ryan let out a chuckle, "The Church of the God of Light may perish, but if through its demise the light can become purer, I believe it is worth it.

Light, it should never be described in terms of strength or weakness.

The scorching noon sun can never touch human hearts as easily as the hope of dawn and the laziness of dusk.

You say you are defending and protecting, but could there be a possibility that this, too, is a form of betrayal and banishment?"

"Ryan, our right and wrong require time to brew results to be proven."

"Then what do you intend to do?" Ryan asked, "I am asking about what comes next."

Rango answered straightforwardly, "I will leave."

At this moment, the power he had gained after his seal was undone had mostly leaked away, whereas Neo had received a noticeable boost, and the power dynamic between the two sides had changed once more, a very clear mathematical shift of addition and subtraction.

"Don't leave," Neo said with a smile, "I really feel like finding someone to have a good fight with right now."

"This island is currently in the hands of my Reincarnation, but I will not mobilize the army to deal with you now because I feel there is no need for it; perhaps, we can be friends now."

"If it had been me who caught you earlier and fixed you into that posture, I think I would have some interest in making friends now."

"Is that a rejection?"

"Could it possibly be an acceptance?"

"Keep hiding, just like you did before, find a place on this island to hide." Rango's figure was enveloped in a gray mist of light, "If you are discovered by the army, I will not be polite."

"Don't leave! If you have the guts, stay behind! Fight! Let's keep fighting! Whoever leaves is a rat! I despise people who run away when they can't win the most, disgraceful!"

Rango left, and Neo did not try to keep him.

The former was unwilling to continue investing huge costs with no possible return into this failed venture, while the latter knew very well that forcing the other to stay would only compel him to actively undo the final layer of the seal to kill him.

It was precisely because of this mutual restraint that the previously fierce conflict devolved into a simple war of words, like two hounds barking at each other across a fence, though both knew in their hearts that the gate was unlocked, yet neither was willing to push it open.

Once Rango's form dissipated, Neo immediately cradled Ryan's consciousness with both hands and left the area.

"You should let me go quickly, I will immediately undergo self-dissipation. I have a soul contract with Rango, and he can sense my location. This is not safe, even though in his view, there is no profit in killing you."

"He will hesitate for a long time, this bit of time won't matter, I know this kind of person best."

As he spoke, Neo brought Ryan to the mountainside, where the scenery was the finest, if one ignored the fields of warships beneath the azure sea within view;

Of course, even if they were included, it could be interpreted as adding vitality to the picture before them, because that was precisely what this island lacked most right now.

Neo sat down and placed Ryan's consciousness before him, just like the state of the two of them in that solitary memory frame from before.

"The Spirit of Light requires you to digest it slowly; any transmission will incur loss," Ryan reminded him.

"I know, I know," Neo interrupted Ryan, "rest assured, I am a person who dislikes waste the most."

"Oh, then it must be that you have something you want to say to me? Then hurry up, my time is running out."

"I have three things I want to tell you. Since you have so generously gifted me the Spirit of Light, I don't want to hide it from you anymore. After all, I don't care when I actively take advantage of someone, but when someone actively gives me a benefit..."

"Your conscience feels uneasy?"

"No, you've already given it to me anyway, and you can't take it back."

"True, that is correct."

"I want to tell you three things. The first thing: I am a very lazy person. I have no sense of identification with preaching, revival, mission, responsibility, or duty—qualities that I personally consider to be very excellent. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand, you will continue to live according to your original way of life. Rest assured, the reason I didn't bargain with you before giving the thing away wasn't because there wasn't enough time, but because I never intended to bargain at all.

You are still you, just be yourself. Some people are fortunate, even enough to make me envious, because while we are searching for the path of light, the casual little paths he walks out will have a glow radiating from the ground."

"Uh, you're putting it a bit too strongly. Though I do know a fellow who matches what you said perfectly, that guy is truly like that, always denying it, yet always being connected and bound."

"Let me guess, it's the guy who drinks ice water, right?"

"Yes."

"It seems you like him very much; he is mentioned quite frequently by you."

"Because I feel that I am a person of great opportunity and also a very hardworking person. Sometimes, I consider myself a hardworking genius, until I met him.

Plays and operas, have you seen them, are there any inside the door?"

"There are similar existences, stage plays that perform stories?"

"Yes, exactly that kind. I always felt that as I hopped and skipped around, I ought to be the main character on this stage, and then he stepped onto the stage, and only then did I realize that there is a thing called a spotlight, and it isn't broken!"

"Haha, I understand. Then tell me the second thing. I am forcing myself to hold on just to listen to you speak, I really want to just dissipate like this."

"The second thing is, I can permit you to enter my soul, my mind, my consciousness. As for breaking the soul contract, we can find a way. Furthermore, a tenant of mine just moved out a while ago to go traveling, so you can happen to move in under the guise of his distant relative."

"I refuse."

"I am not being polite, nor am I speaking in sarcasm. Look at my face, this is the hallmark of my adherence to myself. Those negative impacts you worry about will not happen to me, understand?"

"I understand, but, are we close? I don't even know your name."

"Shall I tell you now?"

"No need to tell me, really. And I don't need to live in your soul either. I am not close to you, friend."

"Yes, we are not close."

"Therefore, living inside would actually be meaningless, but by not living inside, I truly live inside."

Hearing this, Neo smiled and nodded, "I see."

"So, what is the third thing? My unfamiliar friend of light."

Neo hesitated for a moment, a rare look of embarrassment appearing on his face, and said:

"I became like this because of one coincidence after another, but in truth, what I believe in is not light, but order. I am an... Official of Order."

Ryan fell silent.

Seeing this, Neo took the initiative to speak, "I could have chosen not to say it, so that you could leave with peace of mind, but then I felt that not saying it was somewhat inappropriate, and I didn't want to deceive myself either, so... I am sorry."

"Hehehehehe..."

Ryan laughed, his consciousness gradually fading away, but his ensuing voice carried a sense of true freedom and hearty candor:

"There is no need to say sorry, for what does this even matter? Do you know why the power of the light attribute can be transformed into the power of other attributes?"

"Because..."

"Light is the purest thing of all. It was always meant to pierce through prejudice, pierce through opposing stances, pierce through estrangement, and pierce through all existing and non-existing obstacles, to shine equally upon every corner.

Because,

it is light, after all!"