Chapter 483 12: As Long as You're Happy
'This voice... Wan Qi?!'
Westheid immediately recognized the voice ringing in his ears. In his memory, that calm yet incredibly heavy and ethereal sound could only belong to one person.
'Can the Master of Extinction still communicate with me? Or is this... the Venerable Master of the Azure Heaven?'
A hundred thoughts flashed through Westheid's mind in an instant. But the dimension he was in didn't pause for his contemplation; the twisting, shifting scenery engulfed him in a moment.
[Second wish: To transform song into stars, and with my love, indulge in joy and happiness...]
Jumbled energies and emotions crashed over him like a tidal wave. His consciousness warped under the turbulent surge, dissipating until it was barely coherent.
When Westheid came to his senses again, the first thing he saw was flashing neon lights. The next thing he heard was a clamorous din. He found himself in a city at night, glittering with neon.
In this brilliant city that never slept, the night sky was illuminated by vibrant neon lights, as bright as day. Hover-cars and bustling crowds zipped between skyscrapers, and the roar of traffic echoed through the multi-layered streets.
Farther in the distance stood a tower that pierced the clouds. Its crimson shell and luster clashed with the city's steel jungle. It was because of this tower that Westheid recognized the place at a glance: the Crimson Throne.
He stood at an intersection on a pedestrian street, the clean, reflective pavement mirroring the iridescent lights.
'What in the world is going on?!'
Westheid was stunned for a moment, but he quickly calmed down, observed his surroundings, and came to a conclusion.
'Oh, I'm familiar with this... The main perspective isn't my own, but shifts according to the master of this spatio-temporal Domain.'
He had experienced this in detail back in the Master of Extinction's Imaginary Space.
But the two situations weren't exactly the same. Westheid was certain that what he saw before him was no mere projection of memory, but genuine reality. In that single instant, all of existence had been reassembled.
'Tsk... How ridiculous.'
Westheid clicked his tongue to himself, a wave of pity washing over him for the Celestial Vault People within the Crimson Throne.
'What kind of life is this? To be stuck with a Divine Ancestor who rearranges and distorts reality and the timeline on a whim... everyone here is just a toy in the hands of a Celestial God.'
Duke Qinghui sighed, preparing to get his bearings and find Wan Qi.
He hadn't taken more than a few steps before realizing he didn't need to search for her at all.
Under the neon glow of the prosperous city, hundreds, if not thousands, of massive projected screens were mounted on the skyscrapers. Most of them displayed the same songstress.
The songstress had a delicate and sweet face. Her crimson eyes seemed to hold a profound depth, twinkling with a captivating light. Her nearly off-white hair, long and lustrous, shimmered under the lights. An off-the-shoulder red dress that ended just above her knees perfectly accentuated the young woman's graceful figure.
But her appearance wasn't the main point. The truly astonishing thing about the songstress was her voice.
Timeless and profound, her voice was clear and piercing. Every note seemed enchanted with Magic, able to pluck at the most delicate strings of the soul.
"Wan Qi!"
"Wan Qi!"
Fanatical fans shouted the singer's name with obsessive adoration beneath the screens. Even passersby in a hurry would hold their breath and pause as they walked by, afraid of missing a single wondrous moment.
Westheid also paused to listen for a moment.
"Drink down the madness, from murky to clear."
"Weaving weariness and passion, life dissolves into dust, never to find peace..."
"No one gets hurt this way; is that something to be praised?"
"Heeding the folly of every expectation; does that make it right?"
"The night sky twinkles, the Star Sea dances."
"The shimmering light fades, a cascade of falling stars."
"Reaching for the heavens, reaching for the heavens."
"Hah, reaching for the heavens indeed."
"..."
Wan Qi's voice seemed to hold endless stories—of joy and sorrow, of love and loss. Each one touched the hearts of her listeners, making them feel as if the stories were their own. This was no mere entertainment; it was a solace that stirred the soul, bringing a touch of tranquility and warmth to the bustling, ostentatious city.
This was something no ordinary song could achieve. Not even the Grand Ensemble of the Thousand Laws Royal Court came close to this effect. The emotions of mortals were completely dominated by her voice, and they became its willing captives.
Whether they were well-dressed businesspeople or weary travelers, youthful students or silver-haired elders, all were enthralled by her beautiful voice. Her music transcended age, status, and background, becoming the city's common language and emotional bond.
In this bustling city that never slept, she was the brightest star, her voice illuminating every single night.
Westheid wasn't surprised that Wan Qi could achieve such glorious success. 'I mean, come on,' he thought. 'This entire reality was molded according to her will. She can add any trait or rule she wants.'
'So what if she's a huge superstar? Is that supposed to be a big deal?'
'If anything, for a supreme god of her stature to give herself such an insufferably conventional role... it's actually quite restrained of her.'
Duke Qinghui found a corner of a park and sat down on a bench. As he was pondering what was happening, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder, followed by a soft voice from behind him.
"West... West..."
He turned to see a slender figure wearing a beret, sunglasses, and a face mask. Dressed in a brown overcoat, she was completely bundled up.
Slender, pale fingers pulled the sunglasses down just enough to reveal a pair of magnificent crimson eyes.
Without a doubt, it was Wan Qi.
Westheid realized he never needed to search for her in the first place. Since this reality was shaped by Wan Qi's will, she would naturally bring him to her.
This version of Wan Qi, who seemed much more lively and energetic, pressed her palms together and apologized.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. It was so hard to get away. It's our special date, and I ended up being late."
'So my role is to be the superstar Wan Qi's boyfriend? That's... a fitting fantasy, I suppose.'
Westheid shook his head slightly.
"It's nothing. But are you going on a date dressed like this?"
Wan Qi lowered her eyes, looking troubled. "I have no choice. Everyone is just so enthusiastic. If I showed my real face, I'd be completely swarmed and we wouldn't be able to do anything."
"Then why don't you just give yourself a buff so no one notices you?"
Wan Qi's eyes widened. "What kind of ability is that?! I don't have anything like it!"
Duke Qinghui decided to play along. "...As long as you're happy."
The white-haired, red-eyed young songstress clapped her hands, then grabbed Westheid's wrist and pulled him up from the bench.
"Alright, alright! We have to have a blast tonight!"