[Your plan succeeded.]
[The concealment arrangement blocked the gods from immediately pinpointing your location.]
[The chaos you caused around the world distracted their attention.]
[When the gods finally focused on Lawush City, you and Krisha had already vanished from their search range.]
[You remained cautious, hiding with Krisha for a month before emerging again.]
Looking at the sky, Xu Xi noticed the gods had further tightened their control over the elemental laws. His ability to perceive the true essence of the elements had diminished significantly.
[You regret this development, understanding that the chance of becoming a god is now infinitesimal.]
[The only consolation is that Krisha’s unique balance of power surpasses that of the gods, allowing her progress to remain steady and unaffected.]
Emerging from their hiding place, Xu Xi and Krisha entered the nearest city.
[You realize your days of traveling the world with Krisha are coming to an end.]
[The risk of attracting the gods’ attention by continuing as before has grown too great.]
Simulation Year 39: You are 53 years old, and Krisha is 45 years old.
Holding Krisha’s hand, Xu Xi returned to Allenson City, the place where his journey had begun. The city, once a ruin, had been rebuilt into a bustling metropolis over the decades.
[Though the city had changed and the people from the past were long gone, you still felt a deep connection to this place.]
[You decided to live in seclusion, spending the remainder of your life quietly, far from the reach of the gods.]
Settling near the city center, Xu Xi and Krisha moved into a home with a modest courtyard, much like their old dwelling.
Through his mastery of the domain, Xu Xi crafted an illusion of aging for Krisha, disguising her immortal youth from prying eyes.
“Krisha, this will be our home from now on,” he said gently.
“Yes, Master,” Krisha replied with her usual calm demeanor.
“It might get a bit dull,” Xu Xi added, studying her expression.
“No, Master,” she answered simply.
They stepped inside together.
The witch remained unchanged, and Allenson City still bore echoes of its old self, but time’s inexorable march had transformed everything else. Even the sun’s warmth seemed fainter than before.
Simulation Year 41: You are 55 years old, and Krisha is 47 years old.
[Two years passed since settling in Allenson City. The Church of God continued its relentless hunt for elemental mages.]
[You remained calm, unfazed by their efforts.]
[What could ordinary elemental mages have to do with a Holy Domain Mage like yourself?]
[This year, Krisha quietly mastered the essence of the domain under your guidance. Her balance between order and disorder allowed her to bypass the gods’ blockade and achieve the realm of the Sanctuary Mage without attracting notice.]
[You marveled again at Krisha’s potential, silently acknowledging that she could one day surpass all gods.]
Simulation Year 46: You are 60 years old, and Krisha is 52 years old.
[Your face had aged noticeably, though your sharp mental acuity masked the effects of time in many ways.]
[Each year, Mortal Wisdom allowed you to acquire vast new knowledge, culminating in a complete collection of forbidden spells across all attributes.]
[You shared these forbidden spells with Krisha, who diligently absorbed and practiced them.]
Simulation Year 48: You are 62 years old, and Krisha is 54 years old.
[Despite decades of effort, your plan to restore the witch’s emotions had failed. Krisha remained devoid of smiles or tears.]
[You reflected in solitude and ultimately decided to abandon this pursuit.]
[Perhaps, for Krisha, an emotionless existence was her true nature.]
Long years of seclusion brought a creeping monotony. In his idle moments, Xu Xi attempted to comprehend the divine laws, striving toward godhood.
But the path remained blocked.
“The gods’ seal is too strong,” Xu Xi murmured, lying back in his study, exhaustion evident on his face.
The signs of aging had become more apparent. Wrinkles marked his face, and his body felt weaker with each passing day. Even without seeing his reflection in Krisha’s hollow eyes, he could sense time slipping away.
On the other hand, Krisha’s strength continued to grow. Her balanced powers seemed to draw the world’s elements toward her effortlessly.
“Forget it,” Xu Xi sighed, “this outcome was always expected.”
“Instead of lamenting the gods’ cruelty, I should focus on teaching Krisha everything I can in the time I have left.”
Simulation Year 49: You are 63 years old, and Krisha is 55 years old.
[You noticed Krisha acting strangely. She had begun maintaining her disguise of aging even while at home, refusing to return to her true appearance.]
Looking into her eyes, Xu Xi saw the unspoken reason and understood.
He smiled gently, reaching out with his weathered hand to pat her head as he always had.
“You don’t need to hide from me, Krisha,” he said softly. “I like the 17-year-old you. You’re as beautiful as ever.”
Krisha’s body trembled slightly. Her lifeless eyes reflected Xu Xi’s aged visage.
After a long pause, she finally shed the illusion and returned to her unchanging youthful form.