Chapter 88: An Era's End

In 804, in the grand hall of the Babylonian palace, not only was Medusa anxious, but Li Shengjiang, seated high on the throne, was also extremely worried.

“Medusa, why isn't she dead yet? She’s over 650 years old; a normal Epic Wizard would have long since perished.”

Medusa wanted to outlive him, but Li Shengjiang, in turn, also desperately wished to outlive Medusa. He aimed to resolve a terrifying latent threat that could erupt at any moment before his death, paving the way for the next generation's Emperor Armin to ascend and rule the world.

These two strongest beings of their time were now engaged in a silent contest: who would live longer, who would be the first to die of old age!

He had developed potions and broken through the limits of his lifespan with the help of countless online users. Medusa, by her own efforts, had also barely managed to transcend her own lifespan limits. Both believed they possessed the means to outlive the other.

Medusa, an extraordinary native, lacked a modern technology tree, yet she was indeed a genius. She had already begun to develop "god-making techniques" based on traditional wizardry cultivation methods. Although crude, she was already attempting to break through the limits of life and purify her gene chain. Observing the microscopic world, she had realized that Level Seven Epic was the ultimate realm achievable by the human species. To break through to the next realm, to become a god, one would need to evolve into a higher-level life form, integrate a new gene, and transcend humanity. Only then would it be possible.

On this day, the Alchemist Emperor sat high upon his throne. He silently closed his eyes, observing his disciple, Armin, below him. “Medusa truly is the Emperor of Death... I can't hold on much longer. I won't be able to outlive her. Five hundred years is my true lifespan limit.”

“During my reign, I couldn't eliminate Medusa, this terrifying menace. After I die, she will surely break the seal and emerge to plague humanity once more. Armin, everything will be up to you.”

“Yes, Master,” Armin whispered.

Li Shengjiang fell silent for a moment. It seemed the only option was to wait for the destructive evil god outside to enter, for the Fourth Calamity to descend, and entrust Medusa, this cunning and troublesome individual, to them. He believed that in terms of sneakiness and intrigue, these "sand sculptures" were second to none.

He wasn't entirely cut off from the outside world; occasionally, he would leave for ten minutes to eat, use the restroom, or browse the game forums. On the forums, those "sand sculpture" players now held Armin in immense admiration. Furthermore, many had beautiful wallpapers of her displayed in their rooms and on their computers. Even on a certain e-commerce platform, life-sized "Armin" body pillows and "Armin" wizard figurines were being sold, with monthly sales reaching tens of thousands.

Armin was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, pure and ethereal. Holding a staff and clad in a magnificent wizard's robe, she resembled a celestial being. Moreover, her passionate and persistent nature drove her to reclaim her companions. Countless game enthusiasts had already come to regard her as a celebrity, a "2D wife," and an object of fan worship. Previously, the live-streamed narrative of her escape adventure had captivated viewers like a serialized anime or drama. Armin was the protagonist, leading the Alchemist Emperor's rise. Players watched her transform step by step, from naive to mature, naturally falling in love with her in the process.

Now, being able to enter meant stepping into a movie or anime world, to find real people and personally meet their beloved characters. How could they not be ecstatic?

“This colossal god is here to leave the newbie village, enter the otherworld, and get my goddess's autograph!”

“Armin sai kō! (voice cracking)”

“Hahaha! As long as you like Armin, you’re my brother from another mother and father! (handshake)”

“Who are you calling brothers? Are you trying to cuckold me? Emperor Armin is my wife! (No objections allowed!)”

“Hey, above! Wasn't Rem your wife?!”

“That was my ex-wife!”

These individuals were incredibly hyped, transforming into Armin's devoted fans and followers. They clamored wildly, declaring their intention to enter the alternate world, get her autograph, monopolize her beauty, break the dimensional barrier, enter the 2D world to find their "wives," marry Emperor Armin, and reach the pinnacle of life...

Li Shengjiang: ????

What are these scoundrels planning to do to my beloved disciple?

Imagine: the body tissues and organs of an evil god engaging in infighting, tearing themselves apart, fragmented and violently brawling, fighting among themselves over a woman. That would indeed be a beautiful sight.

A bunch of little rascals.

He wore a sorrowful expression. “If I had a choice, I truly wouldn't want them to enter... A world-destroying evil god, crossing countless dimensions and breaking through world barriers to descend, not to destroy this world, but for fan worship, for an autograph, with a colossal, sixty-million-foot giant, a fan of the evil god... Armin would probably be completely bewildered and at a loss.”

It was simply too incongruous. He couldn't imagine how things would unfold; after all, these players couldn't be judged by common sense, could they?!

Sitting on his throne, he could only look down at the numerous witch ministers below, when suddenly he announced loudly, “Armin, from today forward, you shall be the next Emperor!”

“Master...”

Armin, tall and with a stunningly serene face, also fell silent, her expression bitter, understanding what this announcement implied.

“After I die, bury me permanently in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.” Li Shengjiang paused, then stood up.

The Alchemist Emperor, whose life was drawing to a close, chose to quietly leave the royal hall in his final moments. He went to the Temple of Wisdom and looked upon the statue of Hermes, God of Wisdom. He stood silently before the Temple of Wisdom for three days, his gaze deep and weathered, like an old, reclining lion. His eyes slowly drifted to the distant azure sky, recalling scene after scene from his life.

His journey began with the wicked witches he encountered in the forest upon his transmigration. Then came his bleak and dark years living as a commodity. After that, there were the seven adorable little witches: Lilith, Medusa, the Hanging Gardens, the Adolf Giant, ascending to meet the gods, his rise in old age...

Emperor Grantham the Alchemist suddenly smiled with calm acceptance. “This has been my glorious life as an emperor. It was splendid and thrilling enough; I have no regrets.”

Returning from his memories, he looked at the statue in the temple. “My only question is whether my achievements can truly compare to those of the Three Witches of old. Am I the greatest Wizard Emperor in history? O great Mercury, God of Wisdom! In those days, I ascended to meet the gods in heaven but was turned away. Today, can I truly have one glimpse of a god...”

He was a hero in his twilight years. This was his final wish before death.

Xu Zhi sighed from outside, silently putting down his lunchbox. “I will grant it, just as I granted the dying wishes of Gilgamesh and two of the Three Witches back then. After all, you have all opened up brilliant eras of civilization for me.”

Now, with his spore body and player account, entering the wizarding world was much more convenient.

“Could it be that I still don't have enough merit to see...”

Seven days passed, then more than ten. Li Shengjiang stood silently before the statue, still no movement occurred. His consciousness gradually blurred and became hazy; he knew clearly that his death had fully arrived.

Suddenly, a strangely shaped black bird descended, bathed in dazzling white divine light. From within the transparent, radiant glow, the bird slowly approached, and a gentle voice spoke:

“Grantham, your life is no less grand than that of any hero from ancient history! The world will never erase the glory of you, the Alchemist Emperor, and the gods in heaven will forever preserve a piece of your history in their memories.”

At this moment, the ancient slime, wearing a brilliant golden crown, had completely lost consciousness. Yet, on the brink of death, he seemed to have heard these words. His body suddenly trembled, vibrated, and let out a mournful cry as a complex array of emotions flashed through him. Finally, he smiled, a deeply contented smile.

“To be acknowledged by the gods in heaven, I am truly overjoyed.”

From the history of the Babylonian Kingdom, "The Spear of Flourishing Witchcraft" recorded:

In 804 of the Babylonian Kingdom, the Alchemist Emperor, having lived for over five hundred years, reached the end of his life. The world wept, and Mercury, the God of Wisdom, descended to see him off.