137: Chapter 137 The Price of Cause and Effect

Dead silence was the only dominant theme in this parallel universe.

There were no flaming stars, no planetary orbits, and no trails of interstellar fleets. Even the cosmic background radiation was as faint as the heartbeat of a dying person. This was a ruin thoroughly devoured by the shadow of the end, a graveyard where both time and space had decayed. The brilliant, woven galaxies, the prosperous civilizations, and the vivid, beating emotions and memories of the primary universe had all turned into dust and debris floating in the void here.

Lin Fan and Kate hovered in a fractured Earth orbit, beneath them the long-charred and cracked body of the planet itself. The once-azure oceans had evaporated completely, the once-lush lands were burned to scorched earth, and the continental plates that once held skyscrapers and interstellar ports were now nothing but broken rock layers and cold metal ruins. Like the hollowed-out skeleton of a giant beast, it rotated slowly in the boundless darkness, silently recounting a history of a civilization that had been completely erased.

Wind did not exist, sound could not travel, and even time became viscous and slow here, every passing second feeling like dragging a thousand-pound weight. The Light Orb Energy on Kate was as weak as a candle in the wind in this desolation; the pale gold halo could only cover a half-meter radius around her. Extending even slightly further would result in it being swallowed whole by the omnipresent darkness and silence. Lin Fan's dark matter body trembled slightly; the rules of this universe were diametrically opposed to the primary universe. Without the support of Light Orb Energy or vivid emotional fluctuations as nourishment, his existence was also being slowly dissolved. With every breath, he could feel a sense of emptiness emanating from the depths of his soul.

Right in front of the two, the semi-mechanical, semi-energy-based Parallel Universe Franklin floated quietly.

His body had long ago abandoned its mortal flesh; the left side was a human torso and head, while the right side was a mechanical construct filled with data streams and energy conduits. His optical eye flickered with a cold, azure light, devoid of any human emotional fluctuations. He was the only surviving intelligent life in this shattered universe, a lonely soul after Mechanical Ascension, a gravekeeper who had witnessed all destruction. After Lin Fan and Kate were cast into this parallel universe by the shadow of the end, it was he who followed the faint energy fluctuations to find them. It was also he who brought the only clue that could return them to the primary universe, along with a cruel truth enough to crush all hope.

“I know you are in a hurry.”

Franklin's voice entered the depths of their souls directly through energy fluctuations, toneless and emotionless, like a cold machine reading a preset program. He raised his mechanical right arm, and a wisp of pale blue data stream overflowed from his fingertips. That data stream slowly spread out in the void, turning into a massive holographic screen composed of countless codes and formulas. In the center of the screen was a symbol they knew all too well—the core patterns of a light orb.

That was Kate's origin, the foundation of the Light Sphere Race, the only hope against the shadow of the end, and the key to the primary universe's survival.

“In your primary universe, light orbs are natural existences, miracles nurtured by the Light Orb Clan Home Planet, the ultimate product of the combination of emotion and energy. But in this parallel universe where no light orbs were born, all rules have collapsed from the root.” Franklin's optical eye swept over the pale-faced Kate as he continued, “The shadow of the end awakened three thousand years early in this universe. Without the obstruction of a light orb, it took only a hundred years to devour all civilizations, destroy all emotions, and erase all memories. Finally, even the stars and galaxies were completely swallowed by it, leaving only this dead land.”

Kate clenched her fists, her fingertips trembling slightly.

She could feel the despair of this universe.

It wasn't the tension and struggle of facing a cataclysm like in the primary universe, but a complete dead silence where even struggling lost its meaning. There was no life, no hope, no future here; even the emotion of 'pain' had long since vanished, leaving only infinite nothingness. Her Light Orb Energy could not draw any nourishment here; like a fish out of water, it was being consumed every minute and second. She could clearly feel her power fading, her memories becoming blurred, and even Lin Fan's silhouette would occasionally become hazy in the darkness.

Lin Fan reached out and gently took Kate's cold hand.

His dark matter palm carried a slight chill, yet it was incredibly firm. Even in this universe of collapsed rules, even as his own existence was being dissolved, he still instinctively protected the person beside him. Just like when the memory bomb exploded and he forgot Kate's name but still protected her behind him regardless of the cost; just like when the shadow of the end demanded Kate and he preferred to use himself as bait rather than let her face danger alone.

This instinct, carved into his soul, crossed universes, crossed memories, and crossed the shackles of all rules.

“Back to the point.” Franklin interrupted the silent comfort between the two. The data stream on the light screen scrolled rapidly, finally freezing on a line of shocking red text—light orb Birth · Necessary Conditions: Pure Emotional energy core · Voluntary Soul Sacrifice.

“If you want to return to the primary universe, you must recreate a complete light orb.” Franklin spoke each word deliberately, slamming this cruel conclusion in front of them. “Only the energy of a light orb can tear through the cosmic barrier set by the shadow of the end, correct the tampered karmic lines, and allow you to return to your own time and space. This is the only path; there is no second option.”

Lin Fan's brow furrowed instantly, an ominous premonition rising in his heart: “What is needed to create a light orb?”

He had already guessed the answer, yet he still held onto a sliver of hope.

Franklin's optical eye did not dodge in the slightest, being cruelly blunt: “It requires a complete, voluntary soul with extreme emotional fluctuations to serve as the core spark for the light orb's birth. This soul must burn everything—memories, emotions, consciousness, existence—thoroughly transforming into pure emotional energy to be injected into the embryonic light orb for it to truly be born.”

“To put it simply, it is a sacrifice.”

“Exchange the complete disappearance of one person for the survival of another universe.”

As the words fell, the entire void fell into a deathly silence.

Kate's pupils contracted suddenly, and her blood seemed to freeze at this moment.

Sacrifice.

She had heard this word countless times—in the ancient texts of the Light Sphere Race, in the ruins of the Sower Civilization, and in the numerous battles against the shadow of the end. She had always thought that sacrifice was a distant legend, a last resort in extreme circumstances. She never imagined that one day, sacrifice would become her only way out, the only key for her and Lin Fan to return to the primary universe.

Lin Fan's dark matter body jolted violently, and the space around him rippled intensely.

“No!” he blurted out, his voice carrying an unprecedented agitation and resolve. “Absolutely not! No price is worth a life! We can find another way, we can find another path. Franklin, you must have another plan, right?”

He stared fixedly at the Parallel Universe Franklin, as if grasping at the final straw.

In the primary universe, Franklin was the strategist of the team, the genius who could always find a way to break a deadlock, the miracle maker who turned 'impossible' into 'possible.' Lin Fan instinctively believed that this parallel version of Franklin must also be hiding another way, that there must be a choice that didn't involve sacrificing anyone.

But Franklin merely shook his head gently. With a wave of his mechanical arm, the light screen displayed the destruction process of this universe.

In the images, without the protection of a light orb, the shadow of the end was like a pitch-black tsunami, devouring everything from the edge of the universe inward. The fleets of the Interstellar Alliance were powerless, the defensive shields of planets were like paper, and the lights of civilization were extinguished one by one. Even the Light Orb Clan Home Planet turned to ash under the devouring of the shadow of the end. The final image was of Parallel Kate standing alone on the ruins of Earth, watching the last star go out, until finally, even her own figure vanished into the infinite darkness.

“The me of this universe tried every method.” For the first time, a very faint fluctuation, similar to regret, appeared in Franklin's voice. “I created countless energy cores, tried using planetary cores, dark matter, and cosmic radiation to replace a soul, but all failed. The essence of a light orb is the crystallization of emotion and memory. Without a vivid, voluntary soul as the core, it will forever be just a pile of lifeless energy, unable to tear the cosmic barrier or correct karma.”

“These are the rules of the universe, a closed loop of karma that cannot be broken or bypassed.”

“One person must die.”

“One person must voluntarily burn everything to become the spark for the light orb.”

One person must die.

These words were like a cold sledgehammer, slamming hard against Lin Fan and Kate's hearts, smashing their last bit of hope to pieces.

Kate slowly raised her head, her gaze passing over Lin Fan to look at the figure who had been standing silently in the corner.

It was the Parallel Kate.

She looked exactly like the Kate from the primary universe—the same eyes, the same build, the same hair color—yet her entire being exuded a temperament completely different from the primary Kate. The primary Kate, even in desperate straits, carried light and hope, the courage to resist, and vivid emotions. But the Parallel Kate before them wore a faded, dust-covered old Interstellar Academy uniform, her hair was messy, her face was as pale as paper, and there was no light, no hope, and no anger in her eyes—only a numbness and exhaustion soaked in despair for countless years.

She was the last Kate of this universe, the lonely girl who had witnessed the destruction of all civilizations, the death of all loved ones, and the shattering of all hope.

In this universe without light orbs, without Lin Fan, and without companions, she had lived alone for hundreds of years, watching everything around her disappear bit by bit, until finally, only she was left, guarding this boundless ruin and counting the eternal despair.

From the moment Lin Fan and Kate stepped into this universe, Parallel Kate had been following Franklin in silence, not speaking or approaching, just quietly watching them as if looking at two phantoms that didn't belong to this world. Not until this moment, when Franklin spoke the word 'sacrifice,' did a very faint light finally flicker in her numb eyes.

It wasn't fear, nor was it resentment; it was relief.

It was the relief of having waited for countless years and finally reaching her own conclusion.

Parallel Kate slowly took a step forward. Her footsteps were light, yet they seemed to step on everyone's heartstrings.

She raised her head, looking calmly at Franklin, then at Lin Fan, and finally, her gaze fixed on the face of the primary Kate.

In those eyes that were identical to Kate's, there was no jealousy, no hatred, and no envy—only a calm that had seen through everything.

“I'll do it.”

Three words, as light as a feather falling into dust, yet heavy enough to crush the despair of the entire universe.

Lin Fan froze instantly, turning sharply to look at Parallel Kate, his voice trembling: “What did you say? No! Absolutely not! You can't—”

“There is no 'can't'.” Parallel Kate interrupted him softly, her voice light yet exceptionally firm. “Lin Fan is the hope of the primary universe, and Kate is the core of the light orb; neither of you can die. You still have people to protect, enemies to fight, and a complete, hopeful universe to return to. As for me...”

She slowly turned around, looking at the charred ruins of Earth beneath her feet, looking at this boundless cosmic dead land, the corners of her mouth curling into a very faint, bitter smile.

“I have nothing left.”

“In this universe, there are no family, no friends, no light orbs, no hope—not even a meaning to continue living. My living is just day after day of looking at the darkness in a ruin, feeling the despair, and counting my remaining lonely time.”

“My existence has no meaning for this universe.”

“But my sacrifice has meaning for your universe, for all life in the primary universe.”

She turned back, looking at the primary Kate again, her gaze as gentle as if looking at another version of herself.

“You are different from me, Kate.”

“You have Lin Fan, you have Franklin, you have Little Kate, and you have companions in the Interstellar Alliance who are willing to sacrifice for the struggle. You have a universe that is still shining, still fighting, and has not been completely devoured by the shadow of the end. You have a future, you have hope, and you have everything you can protect.”

“While I only have this ruin.”

“Therefore, it is the most logical choice for me to be the sacrifice, and it is the only choice.”

As her words fell, Kate's heart felt as if it were being gripped hard by an invisible giant hand, the pain making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

She rushed forward and, using almost all her strength, pulled her parallel self into a hug.

She held on with such force as if trying to merge the other into her own flesh and blood, into her own soul, never to be separated again.

“Why?!”

Kate's voice was hoarse and broken, tears flowing uncontrollably from her eyes, sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto Parallel Kate's shoulder. The scalding tears created a faint mist of warmth in this cold universe.

“By what right do you get to decide?!”

“By what right do you have to die for me? By what right do you have to bear this price for all of us?!”

“We are the same person! We have the same soul, the same origin—why are you being so foolish?!”

She held Parallel Kate tightly, her whole body trembling, tears falling frantically, soaking both their clothes.

She could not accept it.

She could not accept that another version of herself was going to burn everything and vanish without a trace for her future, for her universe.

Parallel Kate is her reflection, her self in another time and space, the Kate who should have had a bright future just like her. But now, this version of herself was heading toward complete destruction because of her existence and the survival of the Main Universe.

This was not sacrifice; this was plunder.

It was she and Lin Fan who had plundered Parallel Kate's only right to survive, plundering her last shred of meaning for existing.

Parallel Kate was held tightly by her, yet she did not struggle.

She slowly raised her hand and gently patted Kate's back with an incredibly tender motion, as if soothing a crying child. Her fingertips were slightly cool, carrying the chill of the ruins, yet also bearing a very faint temperature belonging to a soul.

"Because I never had a choice."

Parallel Kate's voice was very light, carrying an imperceptible tremor, yet it was exceptionally firm, as if telling a secret hidden for centuries.

"In this universe, from the moment I was born, I had no choice."

"I had no protection from a light orb, no company from parents, and no guardianship from partners. When the shadow of the end destroyed my home, I had no choice; when I watched my teachers and friends being consumed by shadow devouring one by one, I had no choice; when I watched the Earth be destroyed and the stars be extinguished, I had no choice; when I watched the entire universe become a dead land, I still had no choice."

"I have always been pushed along by fate, pushed by despair, and pushed by death. I have never made a single decision for myself, never controlled my own life, and never chosen my own ending."

"Until now."

Parallel Kate gently pushed Kate away, raised her hand, and used her fingertips to softly wipe the tears from her face.

Her movements were very gentle, and her eyes were full of relief and peace.

"Only this once, I can decide."

"Decide my own ending, decide what my sacrifice can buy, and decide that my existence can leave one last trace of warmth for this cold universe."

"Kate, this is not pain; this is redemption."

"It is my redemption for this universe, and also my redemption for myself."

"I have lived for centuries, despaired for centuries, and been lonely for centuries. Finally, at the last moment of my life, I can do something meaningful."

"I can let you go back, let Lin Fan go back, and let the hope of the Main Universe continue."

"That is enough."

This single sentence crashed into the void, making Lin Fan's heart go numb and causing the deathly silence of the entire universe to tremble.

He had seen Kate angry, seen Kate fragile, seen Kate frighteningly calm, and seen Kate risk everything to protect it all, but he had never seen a Kate like this—

Clearly walking toward death, clearly about to completely burn away her everything, clearly about to disappear without any hope of reincarnation, yet she looked as if she had grasped the only freedom of her life, as if she had found the ultimate meaning of existence.

That peace, that relief, and that utter lack of hesitation pierced the heart more than any heroic words.

Lin Fan stood in place, his throat tight, unable to say a single word.

He wanted to stop her, to argue, to find another way, but as he looked into Parallel Kate's relieved eyes and saw the centuries of despair and loneliness hidden deep within them, all his words were blocked in his throat, turning into endless bitterness and powerlessness.

He knew that Parallel Kate had already made her choice.

This was not an impulse; this was the ending she had contemplated for centuries, the only light belonging to her that she could grasp.

Franklin watched the scene before him, his optical eyes flickering a few times, and he did not speak again.

He was a life form of Mechanical Ascension and had long since abandoned human emotions, yet at this moment, a very faint ripple that could not be interpreted by programs surfaced in his data stream. He raised his hand, and his mechanical right arm pointed toward the Earth Ruins beneath their feet. A pale golden light rose from the depths of the ruins, slowly weaving in the void to become a circular ritual array a hundred meters in diameter.

The array was covered in ancient patterns of the Sower Civilization, core runes from the birth of the light orb, and the trajectories of causality and energy flow. This was the result of centuries of research by the Parallel Universe's Franklin, the only ritual array for sacrificing a soul and creating a light orb.

"The Sacrifice Array has been activated," Franklin's voice returned to its coldness. "Once the ritual begins, it cannot be stopped. The process of soul burning is irreversible. After the sacrifice is complete, she will disappear entirely, without leaving even a trace of memory or a soul fragment, completely erased from the Causality Lines."

"You have ten breaths of time left to consider."

Ten breaths.

It was so short that there wasn't even time to say a complete farewell.

It was so long that it was enough for a person to walk through their entire life of several centuries.

Parallel Kate broke free from Kate's embrace and slowly walked toward the center of the Sacrifice Array.

Her steps were light and steady, without the slightest hesitation or retreat.

She stood at the core of the array, turned around, and looked at Lin Fan and Kate with a smile.

That was the most brilliant, dazzling, and warm smile in her centuries of life.

"Lin Fan."

She looked at Lin Fan, her gaze peaceful and gentle.

"Take good care of her."

"Don't let her be like me, living so tired and so lonely."

"Don't let her lose everything, and don't let her face despair alone."

"You are her light; don't let it go out."

Lin Fan nodded heavily, tears finally sliding from his eyes. This man who had never retreated before the shadow of the end, this hero who had never fallen in countless desperate situations, was now crying like a child.

He could only nod, and could only use all his strength to remember Parallel Kate's appearance, remember her sacrifice, and remember her gentleness and bravery.

Parallel Kate then looked at the Kate from the Main Universe, reaching out to gently stroke her cheek.

"Don't cry, Kate."

"We are the same person. When I am gone, you must live on with my share."

"Live a little more happily, a little more bravely, and with a little more hope."

"Go protect everything you want to protect, go love the person you want to love, and go win that final war."

"Don't let my sacrifice be in vain."

Kate bit her lip hard until it bled, her vision blurred by tears. She wanted to grab Parallel Kate's hand and pull her out of the Sacrifice Array, but she knew she couldn't.

She could not deprive Parallel Kate of her only right to choose, nor could she allow her centuries of loneliness to lose even its last shred of meaning.

"I promise you..." Kate choked out, her voice broken, "I will... I will definitely defeat the shadow of the end, definitely protect the Main Universe, and definitely live well with your share..."

"Good."

Parallel Kate smiled, a smile of incomparable brilliance.

Franklin's optical eyes flickered one last time, and his cold voice rang out: "Ten breaths are up. Sacrifice Ritual, activate."

BOOM—!!!

The Sacrifice Array instantly erupted with dazzling pale golden light!

The light soared into the sky, tearing through the darkness of this universe, illuminating the scorched Earth Ruins, the boundless void, and Parallel Kate's peaceful and gentle face. The ancient patterns on the array rotated rapidly, and countless energy threads entwined around Parallel Kate's body. Her soul began to slowly burn at this moment.

It was an energy of emotion that was extremely pure, extremely warm, and extremely dazzling.

It was her centuries of loneliness, her centuries of despair, her centuries of endurance, her relief and bravery at the last moment, her blessing for her other self, and her final attachment to life.

All the emotions, all the memories, and all the soul fragments turned into the purest emotional energy, gushing out of her body and pouring into the core of the Sacrifice Array, into the light orb prototype that was slowly condensing.

The light orb prototype became brighter and clearer, the pale golden light grew denser and warmer, and a powerful force capable of tearing through the universe barrier was rapidly taking shape.

Just one more moment.

In just one more moment, the light orb would be completely born.

In just one more moment, Lin Fan and Kate would have the key to return to the Main Universe.

In just one more moment, Parallel Kate would complete her redemption and return completely to nothingness.

Kate closed her eyes, tears falling silently. She didn't dare to look, didn't dare to see Parallel Kate disappear, didn't dare to see that soul identical to her own completely burn away.

Lin Fan clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The dark matter power surged wildly in his body. His heart was in pain, bleeding, yet he could only watch as this hope bought with sacrifice took shape bit by bit.

Franklin floated quietly to the side, his optical eyes staring at the center of the Sacrifice Array, his data stream rapidly calculating the progress of the light orb's birth.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Everything was about to reach a perfect conclusion.

But at this very moment—

BOOM—!!!

The entire space suddenly exploded!

Boundless darkness, like an apocalyptic tsunami, surged out from the depths of the void universe! That darkness was cold, viscous, and carried the pressure to destroy everything and the terrifying aura of collapsing rules. It instantly swallowed the pale golden light of the Sacrifice Array, suppressed the energy of the burning soul, and tore through the already fragile space barrier of this parallel universe!

Countless pitch-black, thick tentacles covered in eerie patterns frantically reached out from the space cracks like hellish demon vines, striking toward Parallel Kate in the center of the Sacrifice Array with earth-shattering power!

Thud!

The light of the Sacrifice Array was instantly suppressed, the pale golden patterns broke inch by inch, and the process of soul burning was forcibly interrupted!

Parallel Kate's body jerked violently, a mouthful of blood overflowed from the corner of her mouth, and her face instantly turned as pale as paper. Her soul, already half-burned, shook violently under the impact of this terrifying power, threatening to completely disintegrate at any moment.

Lin Fan and Kate snapped their eyes open, the grief and reluctance in their eyes instantly replaced by sky-high rage and horror!

"shadow of the end!!!"

Kate screamed in shock, the Light Orb Energy surging wildly in her body, yet it was deathly suppressed by the dark pressure and could not be released at all.

Lin Fan instantly blocked the way in front of Kate, his dark matter power exploding without reservation. The space around him distorted and collapsed violently. He used all his strength to prop up a dark matter barrier, attempting to block those terrifying dark tentacles.

But the power of the shadow of the end was too strong.

Even if it was just a clone crossing the universe barrier, even if it was just a shred of insignificant power, it was enough to crush all life in this ruined universe.

Under the tentacles, the dark matter barrier was like paper, instantly shattering!

Lin Fan was sent flying by the massive force, his dark matter body shaking violently as countless fragments fell from him. He crashed heavily into the broken Earth's rock layers, spitting out blood condensed from Dark Matter Energy, unable to rise again.

Franklin's mechanical body was instantly entwined by dark tentacles, his data stream reporting errors frantically, his optical eyes flashing red as he instantly lost the ability to move.

The entire void was completely shrouded in the darkness of the shadow of the end.

A voice devoid of any emotion or warmth, yet capable of penetrating the soul, slowly echoed throughout the universe ruins, carrying undisguised mockery and indifference, like a god looking down on ants.

"Thinking of using sacrifice to mend causality and secretly bypass my rules to return to the Main Universe?"

"Thinking that a lowly soul's sacrifice could buy a perfect ending?"

"You are too naive."

"The causality of the universe has never been calculated this way."

"Sacrifice is never the end; it is only the beginning."

"The price you owe this universe, the price you owe parallel lives, the price you owe causality..."

"Has only just begun."

The pitch-black body of the shadow of the end slowly condensed in the void.

It had no fixed form, only a mass of boundless darkness. Countless crimson eyes opened within the darkness, coldly watching the swaying Parallel Kate in the Sacrifice Array, watching the collapsed Lin Fan, and watching the trembling Kate from the Main Universe.

It had crossed the universe barrier, ignoring the rules of space and time, just to personally snuff out their last shred of hope.

Parallel Kate stood in the center of the Sacrifice Array; her soul burning was interrupted and her body was on the verge of disintegration, yet she still straightened her back.

She raised her head and looked at the shadow of the end, her eyes containing no fear, only endless rage and resolve.

Kate also slowly stood up, the Light Orb Energy burning wildly within her. Even if her power was suppressed, even if the road ahead was pitch black, she would never again let anyone hurt her parallel self, and would never let this sacrifice become meaningless.

Lin Fan supported his broken body and stood up bit by bit, dark matter power gathering once more. Even if he were to be torn to pieces, he would protect Kate and protect that hope bought with a life.

The dark tentacles of the shadow of the end slowly rose in the void, carrying the pressure to destroy everything, and aimed at Parallel Kate in the Sacrifice Array.

"I said."

Its voice was cold and cruel.

"Cheating is not allowed."

"Today, none of you shall leave."

"The ruins of this universe shall be your graveyard."

The pitch-black tentacles, carrying world-ending power, crashed down with a roar!

Despair once again shrouded this broken universe.

The price of sacrifice had been paid, and the spark of hope was about to be lit, but the arrival of the shadow of the end pushed everything into a deeper abyss.

The price of causality had only just begun.

And their battle had also only just begun.