Above Green Dragon Ridge Lake, amidst a vast sea of white clouds, in the nihility that lies between reality and the "Mysterious," there floated a very special, exquisitely crafted wooden boat in this illusion-like world. At the bow, a lamp hung, its light enveloping the entire "Fool's Ship."

Tang Qi was onboard, with a smile like that of a doting mother, watching the scenes unfolding within the secret realm on Lake Heart Island.

Sally's guess was spot on; indeed, there was no reason for him to miss such a scenario.

It wasn't just him who didn't miss it—right now, on the boat, there were several other figures "attending" the scene with him.

"A group of very special children!"

When Rafael spoke, it seemed as if he was touched by the moving atmosphere below; a flash of envy rarely seen flickered in his wise, peaceful eyes, an emotion that should not appear on the face of a divine being like Him.

At His side, Tang Qi saw this and showed no signs of surprise.

The moment Rafael took over the "Thorny Law Code" from him and awakened his self, Tang Qi had known.

The reincarnated Rafael was both "Thorns" and not "Thorns."

He had gained growth of immense importance to Himself; He had begun to understand the world and living beings; He had acquired humanity.

To some extent, He even leaned more towards His human identity as Rafael.

Of course, it might only be temporary.

"Yes, they are very special."

Tang Qi's lips curled into a smile, a joy from his heart evident on his face.

In his eyes, there was not just reluctance, but more so resolution.

He had already resigned as the Principal of the Merada Special Education School. There were many reasons for his resignation, such as upsetting the Church and many Extraordinary Organizations, which behind them all were divine beings like the "Lord of Light," "Horror Devourer," and the like.

If it were still the era of "All Gods sleep," with the power Tang Qi now possessed, there would be nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, even the dullest Transcendent could feel it.

Those divine beings who had fallen into slumber and hibernation due to the "Great Catastrophe" were waking up one after another.

When the time came, Tang Qi would definitely face more than just one divine being's troubles.

As for which hostile gods would appear?

He tried his best to consider it, but it was hard to predict specifics.

Since his rebirth, he had been involved in almost every major event, each of which was related to divine beings, starting with the "Black Snake Witch Family," followed by the "Hastu Club," "Lechter Incident," "Ancient Maya Major Event," and the recently concluded "Thorn Event."

Although he had deceptively obtained the "Holy Covenant," it did not bear his own and Rafael's names.

Almost without thinking, he knew that once the Lord of Light fully awakened and regained His normal wisdom, He would definitely pursue Tang Qi and Rafael. Most of the hatred would definitely be on Rafael, but even just a small part of it would be enough for Tang Qi to deal with.

Besides, there might appear a few others he had only briefly encountered, like the "Crow God," "Abyssal Soap Bubble," "Nainarani," or some that he himself had not even noticed.

Resigning from the position of Principal!

This thought had been settled in his mind ever since he knew that the return of the Spiritual Tide was intensifying and the "All Spirits" above the Mysterious would wake up one by one.

For Tang Qi, becoming the Principal of the Merada Special Education School was a very wonderful experience.

If his time in Messer City was his "adaptation period" in this incredibly magical and bizarre world, his tenure as Principal was his "integration period."

Sally's return with the Witch Group was an excellent juncture.

It was a fitting end to his tenure as Principal.

Although he still felt many regrets, the transformed "Witch School" was perfect enough for him.

While Tang Qi was reflecting, Rafael at his side seemed to sense something and suddenly spoke:

"It seems that our time to say goodbye has also arrived."

Hearing this, Tang Qi also turned his head, sensing the same.

However, neither of them made an immediate move. Instead, they tacitly looked to their side, trying to diminish their "presence," striving to play the role of the statuesque satyr figure.

Jason, seeing the two look at him, instantly grasped his two friends' thoughts.

Quickly shaking his head, he pleaded, "I don't want to go back, I want to go out and wander, I don't want to be locked up in the Secret Realm having children, I'm still young, I've heard I've got lots of new worshippers, I need to go comfort them…"

As Jason ranted more wildly, Tang Qi promptly and firmly refused, "If I don't send you back, I'm afraid your mother will come after me with an axe. You can go back first, then think about how to escape; that will have nothing to do with us."

"That's right."

Rafael echoed in gloating agreement, Jason glared resentfully at the two before immediately smiling smugly, flipping over to jump off the boat.

At the same time, Tilos Magic Bag around his waist shone. It seemed he was about to pull out some Curios to help him escape.

Unfortunately, no sooner had he flipped over than a Black Hole portal enveloped him.

On the other end of the portal was an extremely beautiful, natural Secret Realm, with figures half-human and half-sheep flickering in and out of visibility.

"I hate you all!"

Jason's calls came just as Tang Qi stood before Rafael, whose silhouette was beginning to blur, signalling His imminent departure.

Along with Him, a rotten body with two heads was also leaving.

Ludwig and the Second Rotten Head!

The latter clearly disliked the current state of affairs, muttering softly, "Old Sims's schemes have all come to fruition, I, the great Second, have aided Your return, yet You still refuse to release me. Even for a god, this is too much."

"If it really comes to it, let me reincarnate as well. I don't want to share a body with the stupid little Ludwig, and I don't want to smell the scent of thorns... Please release me."

Rafael completely ignored the grumbling of the Second Rotten Head, seemingly determined to keep this Dark Era's Old Monster by His side.

He winked at Tang Qi, and then both figures vanished from the Fool's Ship.

Soon, on the wooden vessel, only Tang Qi remained.

Well, plus two pets, the Elf and the Night Beast as well as the pocket "Gluttony."

Tang Qi's face bore no signs of loss; it was merely the end of a chapter, a temporary parting between friends.

He took one last glance at the Lake Heart Island Secret Realm, then with a thought.

The prow of the Fool's Ship shimmered, radiating ghost light ripples; the eerie ship tore through the veil between reality and "Mysterious," and it slowly sailed into the vast, dark Mysterious.

Immediately, the "Abnormal Movement" in Tang Qi's perception became far more tangible, intense.

Before his eyes, what should have been endless darkness revealed, one after another, bright and dim "Starlight" flickering in distant worlds. And in some unspeakable realm, shadows, still terribly fearsome even to him, roared.

Compared to these "disturbances," the occasional passing monsters and demons within the Mysterious seemed far more benign.

Tang Qi sat on the boat, his gaze solemn as he observed the unfolding changes within the "Mysterious."

As if he saw an invisible, mighty "Spiritual Tide" arising from the deepest parts of the Mysterious, cleansing world after world, nation after nation in slumber, inducing an unimaginable, violent chain reaction.

"They are about to awaken."

Tang Qi spoke calmly, unveiling the era that was soon to come.

Upon the Mysterious, those slumbering "All Spirits" would awaken one after another. No one could predict whether the Origin Star would step into an unprecedented era of transcendent splendor, or revert to a cruel, icy "Dark Era."

Tang Qi thought of his recently parted friend, Rafael. From the start till the end, he had restrained his Special Ability, not prying into his "friend" at all.

Although his mind buzzed with many unanswered questions, answers that likely resided in Rafael's mind.

For instance:

The true history of the Great Catastrophe?

What, in fact, is "Eternal"?

Who obtained "Eternal"?

Despite being a polymath with a vigorous Desire for Knowledge, Tang Qi resisted curiosity without any inquiries, sensing Rafael's "secret burden," unable to divulge the secrets, a matter he naturally wouldn't insist upon.

For Rafael, Awakening was merely a beginning.

He needed to reclaim His "Dominator Level" power, as well as rescue those lost, mad former comrades sheltered in His realm. He was also to face the hostility of awakening powerful deities, such as the Lord of Light.

Tang Qi could almost picture how, despite once being the Lord of Thorns, Rafael's future was still filled with uncertainties and perils.

Of course, troubles for Tang Qi himself weren't small either.

And they arrived immediately.

At the very moment in his perception, when the Spiritual Tide washing through the Mysterious reached its peak node,

Boom!

Without much time for Tang Qi to prepare, terrifying Flames bursting with "Black Spots" erupted within his reddened eyes.

In an instant, the flames coalesced into a "Sun" suspended over the dark Universe, as if eternally Burning.

"The debt collectors have come again!"

A thought of resignation emerged within the depths of Tang Qi's Mind.

He then sensed an immensely great will descending through the Molten Furnace Sun, which immediately issued a command-like roar to Tang Qi.

Though somewhat intermittent, the overwhelming pressure, as if reaching the depths of his soul and the heat that could melt both soul and body, was transmitted unmistakably clear.

"Weak... foolish little thing... why are you not in meditation?"

"Why have you not yet spread the spark?"

"Why have you not yet sacrificed to the Evil God?"

...

Even though it wasn't Tang Qi's first experience and had sufficient mental preparation, the sudden sensation of Death's Three Questions inevitably caused a transient numbness in both mind and body; the Fool's Ship rocked wildly, with only "Gluttony" clinging to the Flame of the Melting Furnace, whilst the other two creatures hid far away.

After regaining his senses, Tang Qi felt an urge to roar back.

But considering the somewhat awkward relationship between them, he decided to endure it, for the moment.

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