Chapter 436 Nothing to worry About
The unsettling presence of the disembodied voice, a “Lost” soul, lingers, but Sunny finds a strange comfort in its disruption of his profound isolation. He recalibrates his perception of time, using his drained shadow essence and the regenerative power of the Soul Serpent as a makeshift clock. This period of forced idleness allows him to focus on refining his essence control, a stark contrast to his previous reliance on instinct, recognizing that “Vacation is over.”
Two cycles later, Sunny confronts the gnawing return of hunger as his meager rations dwindle, forcing him to contemplate drastic measures like consuming raw devil meat. His attention, however, remains fixated on the shimmering “fake stars” of the Sky Below. He becomes increasingly convinced, thanks to the earlier conversation, that these celestial anomalies are subtly growing larger, a development that fuels his unease and solidifies the cryptic warnings from his unseen interlocutor.
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Sunny’s newfound awareness of the changing void, coupled with his dwindling supplies, creates a palpable sense of impending crisis. The existential dread of his predicament is amplified by the subtle yet undeniable shift in the environment around him, a testament to the accuracy of the mysterious voice’s ominous pronouncements about the true nature of the Sky Below.
Chapter 437 Nothing, Nothing, Nothing
The lingering unease from the “Lost” soul’s fragmented knowledge intensifies as Sunny grapples with the narrative of a fallen Sun God and the destruction of a kingdom. He questions the origin of the Chained Isles, speculating they were a desperate measure to save survivors from divine wrath. His suspicion peaks when the voice boasts an intimate understanding of the land’s history, prompting Sunny to probe, “Did you, perhaps, have something to do with that prideful ruler?” The voice, however, deflects with sincere laughter, claiming to be merely an Awakened who studied the Chained Isles’ ruins, much like Sunny himself, though the sheer depth of its knowledge far surpasses what’s publicly available, even for someone with Sunny’s academic standing.
Sunny’s frustration mounts as the conversation yields more questions than answers, particularly concerning the voice’s location. He dismisses the possibility of it being in the Sanctuary, pondering if it hails from the Night Temple, the stronghold of the Valor clan. Yet, the voice abruptly falls silent, reaching an unspoken limit, leaving Sunny to lament, “I swear to gods, this is even more annoying than when Effie leaves me on read!” The abrupt end to their exchange, devoid of any explanation for the voice’s unique origins or presence outside the Sanctuary, leaves Sunny with a growing sense of urgency, as the mysterious pronouncements about the Sky Below echo in his mind.
The chapter ends with Sunny’s chilling realization that he must “Survive heavenly fire… survive heavenly fire…”. The “fake stars” of the Sky Below appear to have drawn even closer, intensifying his dread. He faces the daunting prospect of withstanding the searing heat of divine flame, a terrifying unknown that looms over his precarious survival and raises the critical question: can even shadows be consumed by such celestial fury?
Chapter 438 Prince of Nothing
Sunny’s relentless questioning presses the enigmatic voice, which, in turn, reveals a surprising concern for his survival, citing a long period of isolation. Their connection, it confesses, is new and baffling, hinting at a “broken mirror” as the catalyst. This cryptic clue sparks a chilling realization in Sunny: the voice is the creator of the murderous Mirror Beast, the “Ascended Reflection” he encountered, a creature he inadvertently killed. “So it’s dead. I see,” the voice laments, a profound anguish bleeding through its carefully guarded composure, leaving Sunny to wonder about the true nature of this bond and the fate of the creature.
The conversation takes a somber turn as the voice explains the Mirror Beast was an “Echo,” a manifestation of its Aspect Ability, created during a lonely childhood. This revelation stuns Sunny; the idea of a child possessing such power is almost unfathomable. The voice then explains that it manifested its Aspect Ability after its First Nightmare, a harrowing experience common to few children, and that surviving such a trial at twelve years old is exceedingly rare. The depth of this individual’s past trauma and the unusual circumstances of their awakening cast a long shadow, further blurring the lines between human and something far more ancient and powerful.
The chilling implications of Sunny’s unwitting involvement in the destruction of the Mirror Beast hang heavy in the air. The voice’s profound grief, coupled with its admission of child-like origins and early awakening into the world of Nightmares, paints a picture of immense loneliness and a difficult, perhaps brutal, past. Sunny grapples with the realization that he’s not merely conversing with a lost soul, but with the originator of a dangerous power, and the mystery of their shared connection deepens, leaving him to ponder the true extent of the voice’s influence and its ultimate purpose in his own perilous journey.
Chapter 439 Do or Die
Sunny, now addressing the mysterious Prince as “Your Highness,” cautiously introduces himself as “Sunless.” He suspects the prince might be the lost prince the Dreamspawn took, a suspicion the prince’s question about his name subtly confirms. Sunny presses for information about the “divine flame,” learning from the Prince of Nothing that its heat is deadly and flight is the only true solution. Sunny admits he can only control his fall and possesses the ability to turn incorporeal and teleport short distances.
The prince, Mordret, acknowledges that incorporeality offers some protection but not against the flame itself, suggesting Sunny might survive by dodging if he has some mobility. Sunny, frustrated by the lack of new information, prompts Mordret for something he doesn’t know. Mordret chuckles and briefly disappears, only to return, revealing there is a way: an “empty rift in the tapestry of stars” where the divine flame doesn’t reach.
Sunny, struggling to suppress his anger, questions why this crucial detail wasn’t shared sooner and asks about the rift’s proximity. Mordret sighs in response, the weight of this shared secret and the perilous path ahead hanging between them as Sunny grapples with the prince’s cryptic guidance and the potential for survival within the deadly Sky Below.
Chapter 440 Merciless Stars
Three weeks into his descent into the Sky Below, Sunny navigates the perilous void, the approaching stars now immense and searingly bright. The suffocating heat intensifies as he fixes his gaze on a small, elusive patch of emptiness amidst the burning heavens – the rift, his sole hope of survival. The void, representing Mordret, playfully remarks on Sunny’s “large tattoo” and questions his role as a research assistant, to which Sunny humorously boasts about his lucrative side-hustle.
A moment of shared contemplation passes between them, with Mordret’s voice tinged with a hint of regret. Sunny points towards the heart of the celestial inferno, indicating he believes he has found the rift. Mordret expresses surprise, and Sunny, ever the pragmatist, acknowledges the uncertainty of his location, noting that falling into the Tear might place him correctly.
As the possibility of separation looms, Sunny, accepting the gravity of their situation, asks Mordret if there’s anything else he wishes to impart before their potential farewell. Mordret falls silent, considering his response, leaving Sunny to contemplate the precarious path ahead and the enigmatic prince’s guidance in the face of the merciless stars.
Chapter 441 Ocean of Flame
Sunny’s descent falters as his target rift, a minuscule void in the celestial inferno, proves impossibly difficult to reach amidst the chaotic, searing conflagrations. Even the slightest miscalculation sends him kilometers astray, a grim reality amplified by the oppressive, immeasurable heat. The adamantine wood of his treasure chest begins to smolder, a clear sign of dwindling time. He contemplates leaping from the chest, but the heat would immolate his Dark Wing and likely cook him within the Mantle of the Underworld.
With a mental sigh, Sunny dons his Onyx armor, the air within thick and scorching even with the [Stalwart] enchantment. He raises his dark longbow, the immense weight of it a testament to the power required to even attempt his escape. “Damn it!” he mutters, muscles straining as he draws. He aims for the rift, a moment of hesitation hanging heavy in the burning air. “What is there to go back to, fool? Aren’t you sick of that damned chest?!” he asks himself, before releasing the arrow.
The black arrow streaks into the void, a blinding spark swallowed by the light, and travels almost a kilometer before its fletching ignites. As the arrow slows, Sunny feels the heat lick his greaves, and with a held breath, he uses Shadow Step, embracing the fiery gamble for survival.
Chapter 442 Burning Heaven
The descent into the burning heavens pushes Sunny to his limits. The Mantle of the Underworld, his protective armor, glows red-hot and begins to melt under the celestial inferno’s oppressive heat, forcing him to activate its [Living Stone] enchantment for self-repair, a process augmented by his shadows. He finds himself struggling to breathe as the air thins, relying on his Blood Weave to endure. Peering through the blinding light, Sunny attempts to gauge his trajectory, realizing his forward momentum is weakening. He draws his Cruel Sight and activates its [Light Eater] enchantment to see through the glare.
The rift, agonizingly close, remains just out of reach. Sunny plunges directly into a seething orb of white flame, the searing pain not physical, but originating from his shadows, now badly damaged by the divine fire. The Mantle of the Underworld catches alight and disintegrates. Naked and in agony, Sunny dismisses the burning armor, which dissipates into sparks, extinguishing the flames. His Cruel Sight cracks and dulls, prompting him to activate its [Dark Mirror] enchantment before dismissing the Memory entirely.
With his remaining shadow essence, Sunny wraps his wounded shadows around himself, fortifying his body to withstand the onslaught. Finally, he feels a cool wind against his blistering skin, a stark contrast to the inferno he has endured. The desperate gamble has paid off, but at a significant cost, leaving him vulnerable and stripped of his defenses in the darkness below.
Chapter 443 Secrets of the Void
Emerging from the searing heavens, Sunny plunges into a desolate void, the celestial inferno’s heat a fading memory but his shadows critically wounded. His protective Mantle of the Underworld disintegrates, leaving him vulnerable. He spots an unsettling sight: a dark island with a striking obsidian pagoda, a dark replica of the Ivory Tower, floating in the emptiness. “What the hell? What is it doing here?” he mutters, the structure’s stark presence both familiar and alien. The island itself, devoid of chains and marked by ancient ruins and peculiar obsidian pillars, hints at a history far removed from the Chained Isles.
His descent accelerates towards this ominous land, a speed that threatens to shatter him upon impact. He hesitates to summon his Dark Wing, fearing the lingering divine flames might damage the fragile Memory it represents. As the heat recedes and the island draws closer, Sunny finally calls upon the cloak, its transformation to slow his fall already showing signs of strain. He fears it won’t last, worrying if he can avoid “splattering all over the surface” of this mysterious isle.
With a jarring impact that would have broken his legs, Sunny transforms into shadow, diving into the island’s enveloping darkness. Safe for a fleeting moment, he finds himself in immense pain with his shadow essence depleted, facing unknown terrors and deadly secrets within the Obsidian Tower.
Chapter 444 Obsidian Tower
Naked and badly burned upon landing, Sunny utilizes the Puppeteer’s Shroud, his body cloaked in obsidian-like shadow. Saint emerges, wielding the Midnight Shard, as Sunny, weakened, keeps the Broken Oath sheathed to avoid further soul damage. He drinks greedily from the Endless Spring, regaining a semblance of humanity. The dark island, bathed in the light of distant stars, holds a massive Obsidian Tower, a stark, menacing replica of the Ivory Tower, its scale dwarfing Sunny’s initial perception but remaining smaller than the Crimson Spire.
Saint, observing the tower, exhibits a flicker of recognition, a detail that unnerves Sunny. As they approach the pagoda, Sunny notices ancient ruins scattered across the island, their purpose as structures or devices lost to time, reminiscent of an industrial complex rather than habitations. He wonders about the island’s creators and the tower’s function. The Obsidian Tower’s beauty is undeniable, a perfect, albeit sinister, imitation of its celestial counterpart, leading Sunny to question which is the true original.
Reaching the tower’s gates, they are met with silence, no threats or awakening horrors. Peculiarly, Sunny’s Shadow Sense detects no shadows within the tower, shielded by its walls in a way he’s never encountered, sending a cold shiver down his spine as he questions if he has faced such an anomaly before.
Chapter 445 Respite
The diamond weave of the gates flares, revealing a thin crack that widens silently, admitting a gust of wind. Sunny, peeking from behind Saint, finds the interior of the Obsidian Tower surprisingly mundane. His Shadow Sense finally penetrates the barrier, detecting no immediate danger, allowing him to remark, “Ah, well. Nothing to worry about, then. Let’s go!” He deferentially gestures for Saint to enter first, and she, a silent demon with a single ruby eye, obliges. Sunny follows, gripping the Moonlight Shard, and finds himself in a wide corridor encircling the first level, lined with doors and leading to the central hall.
Pushing through an intricately engraved wooden gate, Sunny enters a vast chamber illuminated by ghostly blue lanterns. The hall is meticulously preserved, housing smith’s tools of obsidian and silver, a burned worktable laden with soul crystals, and schematics etched into a stone wall. Strange devices resembling astronomical instruments and ordinary furniture are present, all subtly askew in a way that unsettles Sunny. Yet, his attention is immediately captivated by a simple wooden table laden with an assortment of delicious food.
This unexpected bounty, presented in a place of immense, ancient power, offers a stark contrast to the looming mystery of the Obsidian Tower and its creators. The impeccably preserved, yet subtly alien, artifacts hint at a civilization with unique customs and technological prowess. The promise of sustenance in this seemingly abandoned place creates a palpable sense of both relief and lingering apprehension, leaving Sunny to ponder the true nature of this sanctuary and the intentions of its unseen hosts.
Chapter 446 Relentless Destroyer
Awakened by the jarring sound of crashing, Sunny finds his rest in the Obsidian Tower brutally interrupted. The opulent hall he’d slept in has transformed into a scene of decay; ghostly lanterns are extinguished, rusted tools litter the floor, and the previously abundant food has crumbled to dust. A chilling realization dawns on him – the pagoda itself has aged, as if a protective seal has finally broken, unleashing the relentless destroyer of time upon it. Though initially fearing millennia had passed, Sunny deduces he slept for only twenty-four hours, with the tower bearing the brunt of accelerated aging.
Regretting his lack of foresight in not consuming more of the magically preserved food, Sunny assesses his still-healing wounds, noting they are improving but leave him hungry and eager to explore. He commands Saint to follow, and together they embark on a methodical exploration of the first level. Many doors in the surrounding corridor have succumbed to time, but others require a touch of Shadow Essence to open. Inside, most rooms are empty, suggesting the tower’s master long departed with valuables, while others are filled with indecipherable debris.
Disappointed by the pervasive decay, Sunny realizes his primary objective remains: to locate whatever entity drew him to this place and find a way back to his world. The first level offers little but the stark lesson of time’s passage, pushing him to seek answers on the tower’s subsequent floors.
Chapter 447 Primal Fear
Sunny’s initial disappointment with the dilapidated Obsidian Tower gives way to a perplexing mystery. He discovers footprints within the seemingly undisturbed ruins, a stark contradiction to the tower’s sealed state and the millennia of isolation he believed had passed. “How does this make any sense?” he mutters, the impossibility of unauthorized entry plaguing his thoughts. Even with his Weaver’s blood granting him insight, the tower’s defenses are formidable. Saint, his shadow companion, remains a stoic presence, displaying her usual disdain for lesser replicas as she dismisses broken doll figures, prompting Sunny to muse, “…I guess she doesn’t care too much about lesser versions of her.”
Their exploration of the underground level yields little beyond emptiness and the unsettling sight of massive, soot-covered glass vessels lining the walls. The pervasive eeriness of the abandoned, void-adjacent structure weighs on Sunny, a stark reminder of the alien architect who constructed it. Despite the lack of immediate answers, his resolve to find the entity that brought him here and a way home remains unshaken. He rests briefly, drawing from the Endless Spring, his hunger a constant, gnawing reminder of his predicament.
With renewed, albeit cautious, determination, Sunny ascends to the second level. The moment he steps onto it, an overwhelming sense of wrongness washes over him, hinting at a far more immediate and tangible threat than the passive decay of time. Something is profoundly amiss, and the chapter ends with Sunny bracing himself for whatever lies in wait, the unsettling feeling of being watched or manipulated intensifying his apprehension.
Chapter 448 Golden Needle
Sunny confronts a horrifying reality on the second level of the Obsidian Tower: a severed divine arm oozing with a profane, spreading rot. “Why can’t anything ever be easy?” he laments, immediately recognizing the overwhelming nature of this corruption and his own powerlessness against it. He questions how the rot has only spread a few meters, deducing that its containment was a result of ancient seals. Now that the seals are broken, he faces a grim choice: the corruption will either consume everything or starve. He decides to press on, leaving Saint to watch the rot while he ascends to the third level, hoping to find a way to survive what’s to come.
As Sunny ascends to the third level, a growing sense of dread grips him. The lingering wrongness from the previous level intensifies, suggesting a more immediate and tangible threat. He remains deeply unnerved by the thought of turning his back on the devouring rot, his body covered in cold sweat as he climbs. Saint’s unperturbed presence offers a sliver of confidence, prompting Sunny to wonder if Shadows are even capable of fear, a stark contrast to his own gnawing apprehension.
His exploration of the Obsidian Tower continues, driven by an unshakeable resolve to find answers and a path home. The mystery of the tower, the unexplained footprints, and now this ancient, terrifying corruption all point towards a complex and dangerous undertaking. Sunny knows that his survival hinges on discovering something within these ruins, as there’s no escape from the void of the Sky Below. He can only hope the rot will wither and die, a prospect he’s not willing to bet on.
Chapter 449 Thousand Years of Hunger
Sunny’s precarious ascent through the Obsidian Tower is momentarily eased as the horrifying rot emanating from a severed divine arm begins to die. He observes the black, ulcerous flesh with trembling relief, recognizing that “thousands of years of hunger” have finally rendered the corruption inert, its power fading into wisps of darkness. This near-fatal encounter leaves Sunny exhausted but resolute, his earlier fears of being consumed by the spreading corruption replaced by a grudging acknowledgment of a narrow escape. He questions the very nature of such a destructive force, pondering why such a thing was ever allowed to exist.
Turning his attention away from the dying blight, Sunny retrieves a long, sharp needle from the stone pedestal. The object, crafted from polished iron and subtly gleaming with a faint golden hue due to absorbed divine blood, offers him a new, albeit mysterious, focus. He grapples with its true nature, uncertain if it is a mundane tool or a potent mystical artifact, a tangible clue amidst the encroaching dread of the tower’s deeper secrets.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Sunny’s resolve to uncover the mysteries of the Obsidian Tower, including the inexplicable footprints and the origin of the divine limb, solidifies. His path forward is still fraught with peril, as the ancient seals are broken and the tower itself pulses with an unknown, malevolent energy. His survival hinges on deciphering the tower’s secrets, for there is no retreat from the encroaching void of the Sky Below.
Chapter 450 Alabaster Phalanx
Sunny retrieves a polished iron needle, a curious artifact gleaming with absorbed divine blood, as the vestiges of divine corruption recede. He ponders the nature of this enigmatic tool, uncertain of its purpose amidst the tower’s oppressive aura. Driven by the unyielding mysteries of the Obsidian Tower, including the inexplicable footprints and the origin of the severed divine limb, Sunny’s resolve to delve deeper hardens, the encroaching void of the Sky Below leaving no room for retreat.
His attention shifts to an alabaster phalanx, its golden luminescence drawing him in. “All of this insanity, just for that little piece of bone. What secrets does it hold?” Sunny questions, retrieving the object. Expecting a familiar transformation into a Memory, he is surprised when the bone, cool and smooth with a marrow infused with golden radiance, remains tangible. Realizing this is no mere replication but an original artifact, a memory of Saint biting a dark gem flashes into his mind, compelling an instinctive, drastic action: Sunny swallows the phalanx.
The immediate aftermath plunges Sunny into agonizing torment, a familiar yet distinct pain as his very being is forcibly reshaped. “Argh! Here… here we go again!” he cries, the agony concentrated in his spine and bones, his fingers feeling as if they flow with molten metal. This ordeal, though less protracted than previous transformations, is still a harrowing reshaping of his essence. As his Blood Weave surges to absorb the intense heat, the excruciating pain slowly subsides, leaving him drenched in sweat, irrevocably changed by the divine bone.
