"Welcome back, main body."
The moment Wu Ling appeared on the Magecraft circle, Rose's crisp voice rang out. The feeling of being welcomed home lifted Wu Ling's already pleasant mood another step.
"Mm. I'm back."
After replying softly, Wu Ling stepped out of the Magecraft circle. Rose followed at his side as they walked out.
"Rose, you have no idea. That small world actually had an old fossil in it, someone who had lived for nearly ten thousand years. What a pity. He was limited by Soul Land itself, and in the end he only had the same few moves over and over again. I had just started getting interested, and he killed the mood."
Rose could have learned the entire sequence of events just by sharing his memories, but Wu Ling still liked the feeling of having someone listen. Rose was indeed an excellent listener. Her timely gasps and perfectly placed questions greatly satisfied his pride.
When they reached the courtyard, Wu Ling bent his knees and sat down on his personal stone stool. He picked up the teapot on the stone table and gulped the tea down.
"Ah. That hits the spot."
Wu Ling set down the teapot, waved for the waiting maid to take it away, then turned his head and saw Hassan of the Hundred Personas standing beside him. He had no idea when she had arrived.
"Oh, Hundred Personas. Sharp senses. Did you notice something?"
Wu Ling asked her with a smile.
"Yes, Master. I sensed that one's presence on you."
Wu Ling clapped lightly and praised her. "Very good perception. Then come meet him directly."
The moment Wu Ling finished speaking, the Throne of Heroic Spirits replaced the stone stool beneath him. A golden summoning circle lit up before them. At last, a towering figure appeared at the center of the Magecraft circle.
A deep voice with a trace of gentleness sounded.
"Fear not, contractor. The Old Man of the Mountain has answered the summons. I have no name. Call me by whatever name is easiest for you."
Looking at that Assassin, whose appearance was like a skeletal swordsman, Wu Ling felt an overwhelming sense of security.
"Thank you for answering, First Hassan. I have countless fallen heads here awaiting your arrival."
Unlike Wu Ling, who had been prepared, Hassan of the Hundred Personas could not remain calm. Even though she had already guessed, she was still the last Hassan in history meeting the first Old Man of the Mountain, the Hassan among Hassans. Her agitation and anxiety were beyond words.
"F-First Hassan..."
Hassan of the Hundred Personas knelt on one knee and greeted him with great care.
First Hassan looked at her. The blue flame in his eyes flickered. After a moment of silence, he slowly raised his greatsword.
"So it is Hundred Personas. As the last Hassan, what did you accumulate with your countless minds? A desire for a hundred souls to contend over a single truth? Fool. Offer me your head."
As First Hassan spoke, he brought his sword down toward her neck. Hassan of the Hundred Personas did not dare move. Wu Ling simply watched with a smile.
In the end, the greatsword stopped less than three fingers from her neck. First Hassan's hollow voice sounded again.
"That is what I would like to say. But now, we are all blades in the contractor's hand. Go. Fulfill your duty."
"...Yes!"
Wu Ling watched the exchange with a smile. He knew very well that First Hassan might seem silent and stern most of the time, but he was genuinely gentle. What he had just done was merely to make Hassan of the Hundred Personas recognize Wu Ling as her Master and not hesitate in action because First Hassan was present.
After sending Hundred Personas away, Wu Ling spoke with First Hassan for a long time. He held great respect for this being who had long transcended life and death.
After that, Wu Ling also tried using First Hassan's power. Under First Hassan's guidance, many hidden capabilities were unearthed. For example, Natural Body and Uncrowned Arms, which did not appear as game skills, were very real in the setting.
With these passive traits and martial arts, Wu Ling's body and combat skill were strengthened again. Unfortunately, there were probably not many people left on Soul Land who could force Wu Ling to use martial technique anymore.
A long time passed. When the sun was setting, Wu Ling finally recalled First Hassan. After all, there was currently no one who required his beheading.
Night fell. Though winter had passed and spring had come, the air still carried a lingering chill. Ordinary people would still need thick clothes, but Wu Ling wore only a thin black coat as he sat outside. His powerful body gave him the right to ignore part of nature's might.
Looking at the stars in the night sky, Wu Ling's calm face gradually revealed a trace of reminiscence.
"Rose, time really passes quickly. From awakening my Martial Soul at six to becoming effectively invincible on the continent at nineteen, only thirteen years have passed."
"Main body, are you sighing over time, or over how much you have changed?"
As she asked, Rose refilled Wu Ling's cup with hot tea.
Wu Ling picked it up and took a small sip. Feeling the faint bitterness and clear fragrance spread through his mouth, he smiled gently.
"Maybe both. Take this hot tea, for example. Back then, I did not like drinking it. How could I have imagined that I would drink it almost every day now?"
Wu Ling closed his eyes as he spoke. He felt the coolness brush over his face, and a deep sense of satisfaction gradually filled him.
"I have only obtained my eighth Spirit Ring, but look at me now. Power, authority, wealth, reputation. I lack nothing. Even emotionally, I have few regrets. I came to Soul Land, beat Tang San, beat Ethan Drake, and whether they live or die is now just one sentence from me. Even becoming a god and attaining longevity is only one step away, and I can take that step whenever I choose."
"So, main body, what are you thinking?"
"Mm. I am too lazy to think hard about the final ninth Spirit Ring. I will settle on the Deep Sea Demon Whale King. As for cultivation, I can let it happen naturally."
After a brief pause, Wu Ling suddenly added, "There is one year left until the next Continental Advanced Spirit Master Tournament, right?"
"Yes."
"...One year is enough. After this tournament ends, I will put a full stop on this world's story. But before that, let me enjoy myself properly."