From the end of the world

Chapter 779 Never Separate
While reshaping Xiaowan's soul, I also transplanted the binding connection between her and the fragments of the divine seal. Or perhaps "transplanted" isn't quite the right word; "preserved" would be more accurate.

First, the connection between the Divine Seal fragment and the original Little Bowl's soul was transferred to the independent self component, and then the independent self component was transferred to the reshaped soul. This is a task that can only be accomplished by forcibly interfering with the combination of the power of the third gate and the power of manifestation of the Divine Seal fragment. It was also thanks to Little Bowl's hint that the binding of the Divine Seal fragment was limited to the soul level that I was able to come up with this approach. If it had a binding at the true spirit level, like the power seed of the Yin and Yang of Mount Hell, this would definitely not be possible.

This approach is limited to the special case of the small bowl. Also, because "binding" is also closely related to the qualification of the Void Realm Apostle, and there is a component added after Tai Sui became the Lord of the Divine Seal, I cannot say that I am fully capable of explaining it, let alone transferring my own or someone else's Void Realm Apostle qualification to an unrelated person.

I told Xiaowan all about it in detail, and she remained silent the whole time, just staring at my face. After I finished, I didn't know what to say next.

"Is there anything else you're concerned about?" I asked.

“Brother Zhuang Cheng, you’re asking a question you already know the answer to,” Xiao Wan said. “You can now replicate and create other people’s souls, right?”

“...Yes.” I nodded.

Previously, I struggled even to mimic someone else's appearance using my ability to alter one's own, which had nothing to do with the finesse of my manipulation of power. It's like how anyone can draw, but not everyone can create a lifelike portrait; that's closer to the realm of artistic ability. Now, that limitation no longer exists. I can replicate any ability I've witnessed, not just supernatural powers, but also mortal techniques. Even without artistic talent, I can simply transform the soul structure of someone with artistic talent.

I can create any substance, any life form, and any soul. There may be a few exceptions, and a few objects that are somewhat difficult to create, but I am now largely omnipotent. Perhaps I still have a significant deficiency in original creation ability; I cannot create objects that I have never seen before, nor can I create a sheep with a normal physiological structure without the relevant knowledge. However, if it is just imitation and replication, I can do it with ease.

I can see right through the essence of Xiaowan at a glance, and it would be easy for me to copy and replicate it completely, and I could even make some adjustments on that basis.

It's worth mentioning that since this replication was done directly using my own power, essentially reshaping a part of my soul into the shape of a small bowl, there are bound to be certain limitations. Whatever I want to transform into, I will ultimately remain myself, and forcibly transforming myself into a small bowl would inevitably violate the essence of my soul.

It's the same as forcibly using Asahi's power of return. Maintaining it for a few months is fine, but it can't be maintained forever, otherwise the replicated soul would disintegrate. Of course, if I, as the source, also become Kobo, then using my own power to replicate Kobo's soul wouldn't cause that conflict. Obviously, that's impossible. Therefore, for the replicated soul part in Kobo's current soul, adjustments were made to facilitate her absorption and digestion without affecting the operation of Kobo's personality.

No... that might just be an excuse.

It's merely transforming the power I've released into other forms; it's not changing the structure of my own consciousness center, nor is it like the "End of the Age of Gods" plan, where I must be the source of power continuously. Why is it that when I create stones and wood, there are no such limitations, but when I create a soul, there are time limitations? Aren't stones and wood things that are even further removed from the true nature of my soul?
The answer is actually very simple.

“Brother Zhuangcheng, since you can create most of my structure, you should be able to create a second me directly… and even create ‘Sister Mazao’ and ‘Zhu Shi’, right?” Xiaowan said. “And ‘Old Master Zhu’, ‘Chang’an’, ‘Lu Chan’… all the people you’ve met, the people you know, the important people, you can create them all with just a thought, as many as you want… right?”

“...Yes.” I nodded again.

I can create that little white sheep that distorts the world order, and I can also create a blank soul, so Xiaowan should also be able to deduce that "I have the ability to create her current soul".

But she hadn't deduced it beforehand. It wasn't a particularly complex answer. It was the same situation as with the Tai Sui (a mythical creature in Chinese mythology). Some answers are impossible to deduce not because of a lack of intelligence, but because one unconsciously avoids the relevant thought process.

I had already thought of this while wandering in the emptiness where there was nothing. Not because I was particularly clever, but because there really was nothing there. During the long, monotonous hours, I missed Asahi and the others terribly. And so, some crazy thoughts flashed by like sparks of lightning.

After realizing that unprecedented possibility, I also sensed a great sense of nothingness and destruction.

We can create anything, we can do anything, but that also means we can lose everything.

Before this, I never realized that "omnipotence" could be such a terrifying thing.

Compared to the complete divine seal, my level of "omnipotence" is nothing more than child's play. This may also indicate that a deeper darkness is hidden within the "omnipotence" of the complete divine seal.

The existence of the apocalypse and the destruction of ancient civilizations may only be the tip of the iceberg in the darkness.

“You don’t need to worry that I’ll create new Ma Zao and Zhu Shi casually,” I said. “I know what I can and cannot do.”

“I’m not worried about Sister Mazao and Zhu Shi… no, to say I’m not worried at all would be a lie. But I’m more worried about you, Brother Zhuang Cheng…” Xiao Wan looked at me. “Then please keep a close eye on me from now on, and don’t let me go down that evil path,” I said earnestly.

Xiao Wan seemed a little surprised, then smiled and said, "...Of course, I'd be happy to help!"

Looking at the two orbs of soul light in my hand, I asked, "Should we return Zhu Jiu's soul to her now?"

"Let's leave it to Mr. Zhu for now and let him decide," Xiao Wan said. "Although it's not impossible to wake Zhu Jiu up now, Zhu Shi probably wouldn't want to miss the moment his biological mother wakes up. After waiting for such a long time, Zhu Shi should also have the right to witness that moment."

"As for Zhu Jiuxing's soul components, they can only be returned after Zhu Shi returns..."

"Zhu Shi will be getting back into a romantic relationship soon, Brother Zhuang Cheng, are you ready?"

I didn't know how to answer, so I could only say, "Things will work themselves out."

Xiao Wan laughed, then carefully sensed her own soul, and a strange smile appeared on her face. She said, "Right now, the vast majority of my soul is composed of Brother Zhuang Cheng's flames, so you could say that I've become a familiar created by Brother Zhuang Cheng..."

“There is now a very clear power connection between us.” I sensed it as well. “There’s no need to equip you with ‘Fireflies’ or mark you with thermal energy. Your very existence is equivalent to my larger ‘Firefly.’ I can directly transfer flames into your body, instantly making you stronger to the level of someone comparable to the Great Impermanence.”

"It's just that your compatibility with combat is too poor. Even with so much power, you might not be able to suppress Tai Sui on your own. And since you will be entering the Divine Seal Fragment later, if I want to transfer my power in, I still need to bind it to at least one Divine Seal Fragment."

"No, what I want to say is... how should I address Brother Zhuangcheng now?" Xiaowan revealed a mischievous smile. "Brother Zhuangcheng is like a reincarnation of me, so shouldn't I call him 'Dad'? Or, since I am Brother Zhuangcheng's subordinate, should I call him 'Master'?"
"Before we knew my origins, Brother Zhuangcheng and Sister Mazao speculated that I might be the daughter you and Zhushi had in the future, right? I never thought that I would actually become Brother Zhuangcheng's daughter one day."

"Brother Zhuang Cheng used to seriously discuss with me the possibility of him falling in love with me and the possibility of me falling in love with you. Does what he said back then still count?"

Watching her ask the question with a mischievous grin, I answered seriously, "It's math."

"--Well?"

Xiao Wan's arms, which were wrapped around me, suddenly stiffened. She seemed a little flustered and asked guiltily, "This... was it a joke?... Ah, I understand, it's the same old story. Brother Zhuang Cheng just wanted to see me embarrassed and flustered...?"

"Not entirely," I said sincerely. "It's just that there's an older brother, a father, a master, a daughter, and so on. It's too complicated to keep track of all that. Thinking about it carefully, Mr. Zhu was right before. It seems I don't need to consider so many miscellaneous things."

Whenever I can't see the road ahead, you are the one who guides me. It has nothing to do with romantic feelings; you have long been an inseparable part of my life.

"If you like me too, then we can just stay together forever."

"Would you like to be with me, Little Bowl?"

The small bowl of today is no longer the embodiment of dreams that once existed, where fulfilling even the slightest desire could lead to the end of one's obsession and instant ascension.

As if realizing this, Xiaowan hugged me tighter, preventing me from seeing her expression.

After a long while, she seemed to speak from under the covers, reverently chanting, "Yes, we will always be together, and never be apart..."

(End of this chapter)