After dinner, Shi Deng shut himself in his room for the entire night, not emerging until the following evening.
“Uncle Fu, did I hurt his feelings?”
Though phrased as a question, his tone made it a statement.
Uncle Fu replied gently, “You already know the answer. Why ask someone else?”
Was his decision to distance himself from Xiao Deng—supposedly to spare him heartache—truly the right one?
Yuan Ting and the others had already received Chi Yu’s message. Yuan was showing signs of unusual activity. To prevent complications, the ability formation would be activated ahead of schedule tomorrow. Shi Deng felt he shouldn’t soften at such a critical juncture.
Yet remembering Xiao Deng’s aggrieved, accusatory eyes made his chest tighten uncomfortably. He sighed. “Where is he now?”
Uncle Fu smiled knowingly. “You already know.”
Shi Deng fell silent. After a moment, he withdrew a sealed letter and handed it to Uncle Fu. “Uncle Xiao Fu, this is for you. Read it tomorrow.”
Uncle Fu’s warm gaze paused briefly before he accepted it. “Yes.”
Several minutes later.
Shi Deng wheeled himself to Xiao Deng’s bedroom door. After hesitating for several seconds, he knocked. “It’s me.”
No response came from inside.
But the child curled beneath the blankets suddenly poked his head out, eyes brightening as he pricked up his ears to listen more carefully.
Shi Deng opened his mouth, then fell silent.
What should he say?
Should he say: I never once considered sending you away. You, little crybaby, are the most important person to me. Please don’t be angry anymore—I was wrong?
He knew exactly how easy he’d been to placate as a child.
Especially when dealing with people he was close to.
Uncle Fu had never feared his anger, because usually a single hug and a soft word would earn his forgiveness.
Sometimes he didn’t even need coaxing—given enough time, he’d cheer himself up and return on his own.
Tomorrow was the day the ability formation would activate.
Even if Xiao Deng felt happy, how long could that happiness last? Better not to have such emotions in the first place.
Shi Deng loathed this selfish line of thinking, yet he couldn’t stop himself from thinking it.
The prolonged silence outside made the child listening intently on the bed begin to panic. He couldn’t help gnawing on his own finger as he engaged in self-reflection.
Had he been too willful?
Had Shi Deng left?
But he hadn’t heard the wheelchair’s sliding sound.
Maybe Shi Deng’s voice had been too quiet for him to hear clearly?
The child climbed down from bed softly, clutching his cat plushie. He padded silently to the bedroom door and sat down with his back against it, curling into a small ball with his chin resting on the toy, lost in thought.
This close, he’d be able to hear any sound.
Xiao Deng felt he had plenty of backbone—he was a child who didn’t forgive easily. Shi Deng had only voluntarily said one thing: “It’s me.” That hardly counted as an apology.
At minimum, he’d need to say five sentences.
He silently reduced the number in his mind.
Fine, three sentences. No fewer.
Or words totaling more than ten characters would work too.
Separated by a single door, Shi Deng sensed Xiao Deng’s presence.
The youth extended his hand, palm pressing silently against the door—positioned exactly where the child’s head rested on the other side.
His lowered lashes revealed rare gentleness. Time continued moving forward. His body was maturing. His features grew increasingly similar to Shi-ge’s.
After holding his hand against the door panel for so long, his wrist and fingers began to ache.
Yet Shi Deng controlled his right hand’s subtle trembling, afraid the child might notice. All his final tenderness and lingering attachment appeared subdued and restrained.
He withdrew his hand. His flat tone carried a barely detectable hoarseness, as if speaking casually yet also instructing: “…Eat well.”
I’m sorry.
From now on, eat well. Grow up well.
For him and Shi-ge—see the future neither of them will ever witness.
Behind the door, the child’s eyes curved into crescents. He hurriedly counted on his fingers: the first sentence had two characters, plus the second sentence’s four characters—six characters total!
Four more characters and they could make up!
The child waited expectantly, but nothing came—only the sound of the wheelchair departing.
He was dumbfounded.
Almost instinctively, he wanted to open the door. But in the next second, he forcibly stopped himself, pouting with grievance.
“What the heck…”
Would saying a few more words really kill him?
The child clutched his pillow, trudging back to bed with his head hanging low and spirits deflated.
He’d stay angry for one more night.
Tomorrow he’d forgive him.
Unfortunately, the child didn’t realize that the future he cared about so much had just said goodbye to him.
***
Dawn.
Shi Deng’s figure appeared punctually in Shenhu City.
Ability users gathered here—over a thousand strong, dispersed throughout every corner of Shenhu City. Each person represented a single formation node.
Spatial ability users were exceptionally rare. Chi Yu had also joined the ability formation, positioned close to the formation’s core.
Above Yellow Springs, Yuan violently twisted and distorted the time chains binding it.
Yuan Ting, Zhi Ze, Cen Le, and Shi Deng stood at the formation’s center.
Shi Deng’s hair was pulled up in a high tie. He’d adjusted his condition to optimal state—abilities abundant, pockets stuffed with numerous special-grade beast cores to replenish energy should his abilities become depleted.
This time, no wheelchair accompanied him. His spine was straight, movements unrestricted. Not a trace of pain showed on his face.
Yuan Ting exhaled deeply, speaking in his usual relaxed tone. “This is truly the most thrilling mission I’ve ever executed.”
Traveling through spacetime to carry out a mission—he’d remember this for the rest of his life.
“If all goes smoothly, killing Yuan will take only an instant.” Shi Deng smiled. “Sister Le, is everything prepared to draw out Yuan Marrow?”
Cen Le nodded firmly. “Don’t worry.”
Zhi Ze asked, “Uncle Fu and Xiao Deng didn’t come?”
Shi Deng paused briefly before responding nonchalantly, “They’re resting. This won’t take long anyway. By the time they wake up, we’ll already be back.”
Not far away, Tiangu’s leadership announced gravely, “The ability formation is fully prepared.”
“Activate the formation—!”
Like starlight igniting.
Colored light points flickered to life throughout every corner of Shenhu City, ultimately connecting into an intricate ability formation.
Viewed from above, it resembled another vast starry sky.
Someone shouted loudly, “Safe travels!”
Immediately, various blessings echoed from the formation’s light nodes: “We’re waiting for you to come home!”
“Make sure all of you return—not one less!”
“Brothers and sisters, we’ve got your backs!”
“If you fail, no worries—we’ll come join you soon~”
“After this, come to my foot massage parlor—you’re all getting lifetime memberships! I’ll personally make your cards!”
“The past is fraught with danger—if you see my great-grandmother, tell her that her great-grandson is incredibly handsome!”
“…”
The people within this ability formation came from all directions—north, south, east, and west. Some bore grudges against one another. Others were lifelong friends. Their personalities varied wildly. Their statuses differed dramatically.
Yet when these voices accumulated in sufficient numbers, they became a magnificent roar like a tidal wave. Though some had tears in their eyes, not one person displayed even a hint of pessimism. Humanity’s humor and blessings in the face of hardship were offered without reservation.
Sincere. Passionate. Silently awe-inspiring.
Tiangu’s leader proclaimed, “May you return safely!”
At the formation’s core, Zhi Ze smiled. Just before the four figures vanished, he declared loudly, “Great Prophecy!”
“I prophesy—this mission will be completed perfectly!”
Shi Deng seized Yuan, bringing it into the ability formation as well.
Simultaneously, he smiled faintly, revealing traces of youthful spirit.
It would be.
The elite team had never failed a mission.
The youth closed his eyes. This ability deployment required coordination with the formation—completely unlike anything previous.
He spoke softly, “Time—”
“Paradox.”
The moment those words fell, all four—along with Yuan—vanished without a trace.
***
The formation continued maintaining its operation. Once the complete ability formation activated, it absolutely couldn’t be stopped except when people emerged. If it halted, those inside would be trapped in the past. No one could predict what complications might arise then.
Tiangu’s leadership maintained a grave expression, eyes locked intently on the scene.
Seeing the ability formation running smoothly, he’d barely relaxed for ten minutes when a rift suddenly tore open before the formation. Numerous time chains whipped out from within, thrashing wildly like things possessed.
Almost instantly, violent winds arose. Powerful suction emanated from within the rift.
Someone accidentally bumped into the chains and was nearly dragged directly inside. Fortunately, surrounding people pulled them back. They patted their chest with lingering fear.
Simultaneously, the ability formation began flickering unstably. As if on cue, the blood river churned up wave after wave.
Tiangu’s leader wiped leaves blown onto his face, exclaiming in shock, “What IS this?!”
A spatial rift?
He instinctively looked toward Chi Yu—the only spatial ability user present. Had this guy somehow caused this?
The moment Chi Yu saw this rift, his heart sank uncontrollably.
This… this was the same damn thing that had nearly sucked Shi-ge in before! Why had it appeared again now? But Shi-ge clearly wasn’t here!
Someone cried out in alarm, “The ability formation is starting to dissipate!”
***
Within the Spacetime Tunnel.
The four’s footsteps were blocked. Before them appeared an equally profound rift—simply standing there, barring their path.
They couldn’t enter, yet couldn’t circumvent it either. They stood helplessly, unable to do anything about the rift.
However, though they couldn’t enter, the rift functioned like a mirror. From here, they could clearly see where it led.
Yuan Ting exclaimed in surprise, “This… the rift’s other end is Shenhu City?” He could even make out Instructor Chi’s face.
Cen Le, more observant, glanced at Shi Deng’s calm expression. An ominous premonition surfaced. “What’s wrong?”
Shi Deng smiled faintly. “I’m the one who cast the time paradox. My timeline must be complete.”
To traverse this time tunnel successfully required a complete timeline. He’d already anticipated this situation long ago.
What his timeline lacked was Xiao Deng.
And the rift appearing in Shenhu City also intended to draw Xiao Deng back.
All three of Yuan Ting’s group knew Xiao Deng was Shi Deng’s past. They immediately understood the rift appeared for Xiao Deng’s sake.
Zhi Ze cursed, “Damn Yuan!”
Seeing Shi Deng’s expression remain perfectly normal, Zhi Ze froze. “You have a solution?”
The moment those words fell, he watched the youth hand over Yuan—which he’d been holding this entire time—to him.
Inexplicable unease surged through Zhi Ze’s heart. “Shi Deng?”
Shi Deng smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle this rift.”
The ability formation was already activated. The time paradox had been deployed. For this mission to eliminate Yuan, Zhi Ze and the others were more than sufficient.
From the very beginning, he’d never planned to follow them back to the past.
To destroy Yuan while simultaneously preserving Xiao Deng from vanishing—the only solution was to let Xiao Deng become the ‘present’ and live in his place, while he himself entered the rift to become the ‘past.’
Switching positions. Stealing heaven and changing the day.
This was the only way he could protect Xiao Deng.
The instant Shi Deng moved forward and pressed his palm against the rift, he seemed to resist tremendous pressure. His complexion became deathly pale. His body began shrinking, the maturity in his features gradually fading away.
***
BOOM—!
Without warning, thunder crashed through the clear night sky.
The child sleeping in bed snapped his eyes open, breathing rapidly. He sat bolt upright, patting his chest as he slapped on the bedside lamp.
Was it raining?
Xiao Deng looked toward the window.
Outside, everything was quiet and fine.
Uncontrollable panic surged through his heart. With his small face tense, not bothering to put on clothes or shoes, he flung open his bedroom door and rushed out.
Running while calling softly, “Shi Deng, Shi Deng, Shi Deng!”
“Shi Deng, there’s thunder—I’m scared!”
The child burst into the living room and froze.
The white-haired elderly man sat meticulously dressed in his butler’s uniform on a stool, leaning toward the lamp on the table as he read a letter in his hands.
Xiao Deng padded over barefoot, clutching his cat plushie. “Uncle Xiao Fu?”
Uncle Fu had grown increasingly old, his hearing less sharp. Only when Xiao Deng approached this closely did he look down in a daze. “Why are you awake?”
“What are you reading?” The child stood on tiptoe to peek, catching only the three characters ‘Shi Deng left—’ before Uncle Fu tucked it away.
“Children shouldn’t…”
The letter was snatched from his hands. Uncle Fu froze in surprise.
Xiao Deng’s small face was tense as he unfolded it.
He could read. Of course he understood what this was.
This was a farewell letter. The front rambled on about various things. Only the last few sentences mentioned him:
[Oh right, Uncle Xiao Fu, take good care of yourself. Also, when Xiao Deng’s not angry anymore, tell him I really liked the dinner he made for me. I didn’t leave any behind.]
[Xiao Deng, in the flower field I buried stars—some Shi-ge gave me, some I added myself later. I’m more generous than Shi-ge—I made lots and lots. When you have time, go take a look.]
Plop.
Watermarks instantly bloomed across the page.
The child furiously scrubbed his tears. “Jerk! Who cares about your stupid flower field and dumb stars!”
“Uncle Xiao Fu, I need to go to Shenhu City!”
***
**
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1