Chapter 851: Chasing the Person's Back

**Chapter 851: The One Chasing the Shadow**

Amidst the chaotic crowd, Spade 9 slowly crouched, picking up a playing card from the ground. He gazed at the 6 of Hearts on its face, his expression incredibly complex.

"'The '6-generation'... they're truly an extraordinary group of young people,' he murmured. He looked up at the sky. Amidst the scattering playing cards, three figures, stepping on starlight, walked proudly towards the edge of the domain.

The first time Spade 9 met Jian Changsheng, he sensed the young man was special, destined for greatness. However, only after his recent encounter with Chen Ling in the Tian Shu domain did he truly understand why Jian Changsheng so often spoke of him. This '6-generation' possessed an indescribable quality: calm, stubborn, resolute, and yet wildly unconventional.

The scattering playing cards fell to the ground, some picked up by onlookers, others shunned as if they were venomous. Moments later, the cards gradually vanished, like a magnificent, dreamlike illusion.

After pondering the boundless future of Chen Ling and his companions, a second thought simultaneously dawned upon all members of the Twilight Society: 'That trick of scattering cards... it's incredibly cool!' They gazed enviously at the departing figures of the trio, who had just made such a grand exit, secretly vowing to carry their own decks of cards in the future for similarly impactful entrances or departures.

"'The Twilight Society... so this is the Twilight Society,' Pu Xiachan mused, watching the three figures gradually vanish at the domain's edge. Known for being a self-proclaimed genius, aggressive, and outgoing, she was uncharacteristically quiet.

The binding power of the Thespian's Way had completely vanished, freeing all the prodigies. Order in the Old District was slowly being restored. However, the prodigies of the domain, having just endured the final battle, found themselves grappling with incredibly complex emotions.

"'What's wrong? Are you feeling inferior after seeing them?' Li Shengmen asked, approaching her. 'Inferior? You underestimate me,' Pu Xiachan retorted, glancing at him. 'I merely... for the first time, truly understood what it means to say there's always someone better, a higher mountain beyond the one you've climbed.'

"'The Twilight Society is a gathering place for extraordinary talents and eccentrics; they lack nothing in courage, strength, or wisdom. Meeting them this time was actually beneficial.' 'How so?' 'Don't you feel it? In our respective domains and divine paths, we've been blinded by too much praise and admiration. Only now have we truly seen the goal we should be pursuing. Acknowledging our shortcomings is the first step towards progress.'

Pu Xiachan looked at him, surprised. 'You're quite insightful.' 'Heh, I've always been clever.' '...I take back what I just said.'

As they spoke, a figure in a Celestial Tower uniform approached them. 'Both of you,' the person said, 'following the final review, you have each been granted a Celestial Star Position. Please follow me to complete the bestowal ceremony.'

Pu Xiachan and Li Shengmen exchanged glances. "'It seems the outcome is favorable.' 'The process was incredibly frustrating... but it's fine; we'll have a chance to reclaim our prestige next time.' 'Accepting a Celestial Star Position means becoming a future pillar of the domain. The next time we see Chen Ling, he'll be an adversary. Are you confident?' 'Hmph, I'm not afraid of him. Though I'm behind now, one day I'll catch up to his departing figure...' 'And then?' 'Then I'll kick him to the ground!'"

Inside the temporary medical station in the Old District ruins, Tu Tian slowly opened his eyes. He stared blankly at the ceiling for a long time before regaining his senses, then stiffly sat up from the ground, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing his neck. The wound from his decapitation had vanished under the healing touch of the Healer's Way, and his soul had returned to his body, marking a true 'resurrection'.

He recalled everything that had just happened, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. He struggled to his feet and headed out of the medical station. 'Mr. Tu Tian, your soul has just returned to your body; you still need rest!' 'Mr. Tu Tian...' Tu Tian ignored the medical staff's pleas and stumbled out of the tent.

As he pushed aside the tent flap, he saw playing cards scattering down from the sky. On the brilliant starry path leading out of the domain, there were no figures left. Chen Ling and his companions had already departed. Tu Tian stared blankly at the starry path. After a long silence, he tightly clenched his fist, crushing the stone bead in his palm into fragments. His privilege, he realized, was a lie.

"'...Six of Hearts,' Tu Tian muttered. 'You played me... quite brutally.'

Meanwhile, a slender figure gently pushed aside the curtain of another tent. Tu Tian caught sight of her from the corner of his eye, his body trembling slightly. It was the petite girl, the Healer's Way, who had treated his injuries in the Dark Palace – and whom he had personally killed. When the girl saw him, her expression grew complex. After a long silence, she finally spoke: 'You should listen to the doctors and rest a while longer.'

Tu Tian gazed at the girl's face, a pang of agony twisting in his heart. He opened his mouth to speak. 'I'm sorry, I was...' 'There's no need to apologize. I understand everything,' the girl said, forcing a faint smile. 'It was agreed before entering the Old District that any means were permissible. Congratulations, Mr. Tu Tian... You got what you wished for.'

Tu Tian was stunned. Before he could react, the girl turned and left. Tu Tian immediately stepped forward, calling after her, 'I... I still don't know your name.' 'Is knowing a name truly that important?' the girl softly replied. 'I'm returning. It's unlikely we'll have any further interactions in the future. In that case, let's simply keep everything as a memory.'

The girl paused for a moment, then added, 'If one day you become the person you wish to be, and we have the chance to meet again... then let's properly introduce ourselves. Lastly, Mr. Tu Tian... I wish you a splendid future.'

With that, the girl never looked back, her delicate, solitary figure gradually fading into the busy crowd. Tu Tian stood rooted to the spot, feeling a profound sense of loss.

"'Dragon Slayer Tu Tian!' A Celestial Tower staff member, holding documents, hurried over. 'You've been granted a Celestial Star Position. Come with me; the bestowal ceremony is about to begin.' The staff member called several times before Tu Tian finally snapped back to reality. After taking a deep breath, he followed him into the distance.

"'Tu Tian!!!' A figure completely wrapped in bandages burst out from a nearby tent in a fury. It was Fudi! 'That Celestial Star Position was supposed to be mine! Mine!' Fudi's eyes were bloodshot, glaring with rage. 'You ignored the Second Masters' instructions and snatched that Celestial Star Position from me! Aren't you afraid of punishment when you return to the Dragon Slayers?! Hand over that position to me now, and I'll pretend nothing happened! Otherwise... we'll be sworn enemies from this day forth!'"

Fudi's roar drew the attention of everyone nearby. He stood in front of Tu Tian, like a hysterical beast, blocking his path. Tu Tian silently walked forward, as if he hadn't seen him at all, only stopping when he was right beside Fudi. He turned his head, looked into Fudi's angry eyes, and slowly uttered one word: 'Scram.'

Having spoken, he continued walking towards the Celestial Star Position. Fudi stood there, stunned for several seconds before reacting, unleashing a torrent of the foulest curses. But Tu Tian simply left them behind with every step.

From that moment on, there would be no more Dragon Twins of the Might-God's Way... only Tu Tian, the Dragon Slayer.

Finally, he arrived before a magnificent throne bathed in starlight. 'Dragon Slayer Tu Tian,' the staff member announced from beside him, 'Go and embrace your future.'

Tu Tian gazed at the throne for a long time, then slowly lowered his head, looking at the remnants of the crushed stone bead in his palm. 'Six of Hearts, Chen Ling... I hate you, I detest you,' Tu Tian muttered, silently clenching his fist. He stepped towards the throne, his tattered clothes fluttering in the wind. 'You just wait...' he thought. 'One day, I will catch up to your steps... And then, I will crush you beneath my heel.'