ILLIMITABLE UNTIL DEATH

Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, the much-anticipated Gryphon Festa had come and gone. The once-bustling streets of Academy City, packed with spectators from across the continent, gradually emptied as visitors departed, leaving the city to return to its usual rhythm.

Even after its conclusion, discussions about the Gryphon Festa remained lively. The tournament's matches had left a strong impression, especially the heart-pounding final that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

As champions of the Gryphon Festa, Team Enfield became the center of attention. Their names were on everyone's lips, overshadowing all others, much like the spotlight that shone on Fang Li when he clinched victory in the Phoenix Festa, propelling him to widespread fame.

But few knew what happened after the Gryphon Festa ended: a battle that took place far from the public eye, a duel between Fang Li and Fan Xinglou, a clash of the highest tier.

, or rather, it wasn't that no one knew. On closer thought, quite a few did.

First was Orphelia, she had been there when Fan Xinglou put forth the challenge. She witnessed the moment the battle was agreed upon.

Second was Sylvia, Fang Li hadn't kept it from her. He told his girlfriend everything.

Learning that Fang Li had fought his master for Orphelia's sake left Sylvia with complicated feelings.

It wasn't jealousy, exactly. Just... complex. But more than anything, she was curious, who had won between Fang Li and Fan Xinglou?

When she asked, Fang Li only gave a vague reply:

"There was no winner or loser."

Yes, there was no so-called victory or defeat.

Neither Fang Li nor Fan Xinglou cared for the result. For Fang Li, it was a way to honor his master's request and perhaps a tribute to the years of guidance she'd given him.

As for Fan Xinglou, the outcome was equally meaningless. The fight itself, the exchange of power and spirit, was all she sought.

Since that day, Fan Xinglou's spirits had been unusually high. So much so that, on a whim, she began giving spontaneous guidance to students, not just those of Jie Long but from other academies too. Those lucky enough to receive her tips felt as though they'd discovered some ancient martial scripture.

Wu Xiaofei, Zhao Hufeng, Cecily, and the others seemed to sense what had happened, but none spoke of it. They simply threw themselves into their training with renewed determination.

After that... nothing particularly noteworthy occurred.

It was as if the world itself had entered a state of calm, like some invisible threat had passed. And for once, Fang Li was able to live a genuinely peaceful life.

Each day, he completed his regular training. As Jie Long's second-ranked student, he accepted and overcame numerous challenges.

During his free time, he shamelessly snuck into Queenvail Girls' Academy, spending time with Sylvia in full defiance of the school's rules.

When Sylvia had time off, he'd disguise himself and accompany her around Academy City. They even had Miluse, Paivi, Monica, TuLia, and Mahulena, the girls of Rusalka, act as their impromptu porters.

Naturally, Fang Li also spent time with Orphelia. Occasionally, he'd bring her along to Seidoukan Academy, where she met with Julis. While they talked, Fang Li would catch up with acquaintances like Amagiri Ayato and Toudou Kirin.

At one point, when Sylvia was away on a concert tour, Fang Li took Orphelia to the Kingdom of Lieseltania, staying briefly at the orphanage where she had once lived.

Aside from that, life was quiet, uneventful, and almost serene.

And so, time slipped by unnoticed.

Until, one day, a familiar system chime echoed in his ears.

"Personal World re-entry limit approaching. Only three days remain. Continued stay will require supplementary Exchange Points."

"Notice to the Main Divine Envoy: Your allotted rest period within the Main God's Dimension is nearing its end. If you wish to remain in this Personal World, not only will additional Exchange Points be deducted, but an extension of your rest period will incur further cost. Insufficient points will result in immediate erasure."

The calm, toneless voice of the System echoed in Fang Li's consciousness as he slowly awakened.

Opening his eyes, he stared at the familiar ceiling of the Stars Room, exhaling a quiet sigh.

"…So it's almost over."

Though Fang Li had involved himself in many events during this world's arc, the overall experience had been far less chaotic than the previous timelines he'd traversed, less battles, fewer entanglements, minimal interference from other Divine Envoys.

Despite the occasional conflict, this world had offered something rare: rest.

"A little peace every now and then… not such a bad thing."

Still, Fang Li knew it was nearly time to resume his duties as a Divine Envoy, diving once more into the dangerous cycle of quests, battles, and system-triggered scenarios.

"Troublesome... but expected."

Just thinking of that world-renowned Diva made his temples throb slightly. "Guess I'll need to have a proper talk with her soon."

Muttering to himself, Fang Li turned his head to the side.

"Hū… hū…"

The soft sound of breathing reached his ears. Orphelia, wearing only an oversized shirt, was still fast asleep beside him.

Although she had formally enrolled in Jie Long Seventh Academy, she hadn't moved out. Instead, she'd settled in here, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Sylvia was aware of this too. When she found out, her reaction had been… complicated. Her expression suggested she wanted to say something but couldn't quite bring herself to. Fang Li had chuckled for a good while after that.

He looked at the peacefully sleeping Orphelia for a few moments before gently closing his eyes again, not to drift back into sleep, but to withdraw inward.

To enter the depths of his soul.

Kacha, 

A faint shattering sound echoed across the black sea, a soulscape without wind or waves.

Fang Li opened his eyes again, this time within the metaphysical realm. The sight before him was stark and unsettling: the sky and sea around him were webbed with fractures, like shards of glass slowly breaking apart.

Unlike before, the cracks had spread further, reaching from distant corners of the soul-ocean toward his current location.

It was clear how much death energy had accumulated here, how deeply the toll of countless battles had scarred his soul space. Each fracture told a story, of lives ended, of blades drawn, of choices that could not be undone.

As he stood in silence, observing the ever-growing fault lines, a cool voice echoed from the edge of the void.

"No need to panic. Collapse is still a long way off. The death that taints this ocean hasn't yet reached its limit. These cracks… won't touch this place just yet."

Walking across the surface of the soul-sea, as though it were solid ground, Ryougi Shiki approached.

As always, she wore her deep red coat over a traditional kimono, hands tucked into her sleeves. Her presence, quiet and unreadable, was like a blade sheathed in snow.

Step by step, she crossed the sea of death to stand before him.

(End of Chapter)

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