Little Pink Starfish

Pei Sen had actually wanted to take this chance to try out more necromancer spells. Unfortunately, Madam Jing Hui noticed he really was planning to summon her mother’s ghost—and quickly stopped him.

In the worldview of the Qinghun Era, disturbing the rest of one’s elders was not something to be praised.

Compared to Pei Sen, who supposedly commanded the power of death, it was clearly Eagle, who wielded the power of life, who was more well-received. Despite the initial fear his abilities had caused, his powers appeared far more radiant. If not for his cold temperament and language barrier, many of the Qinghun Scythe members might have been very enthusiastic toward him.

In the Qinghun Era, where there was no healing profession, the Scythe members were often injured. In such times, Eagle’s ability was immensely desirable.

Good thing Pei Sen couldn’t remain long in this world. Otherwise, that old fox Chen Qingxu might’ve pulled every trick in the book to get Eagle to stay. Even Pei Sen couldn’t stand how obsequious he had become.

“When are you two coming back again?” Chen Qingxu asked with great eagerness.

Pei Sen shot back, “You mean when Eagle is coming back again, right?”

“Oh, same thing, same thing.” Chen Qingxu was an old hand at reading people. If even Jing Hui had picked up on Pei Sen and Eagle’s special relationship, then Chen Qingxu had certainly noticed as well.

“If nothing major happens, I won’t be coming back often,” Pei Sen said bluntly. “Only if something big occurs and I hear about it.”

Chen Qingxu looked a little disappointed. He understood that Pei Sen’s background was mysterious. Whether he came or went, this perceptive old man would never pry.

“Oh right. Keep it quiet that Eagle and I have left. Hide it as long as you can,” Pei Sen added.

Chen Qingxu nodded. “Understood. You can rest assured.”

The Southern Government had suffered heavy losses in the siege this time and surely wouldn’t let it go easily. However, word had already begun to spread about Pei Sen and Eagle’s powers. For extraordinary individuals, the words “life” and “death” were terrifying enough—let alone for ordinary people.

Whether true or not, the fact remained that not a single extraordinary person the Southern Government sent had returned. So they were inclined to believe it. Even Warlord Wang, who had previously shouted about exterminating all Qinghun Scythe members in the north, had gone quiet for now.

Pei Sen’s meaning was clear: It didn’t matter if they believed it or not—we’d still spread the rumor anyway.

Eagle, who had been waiting nearby, was getting impatient. He cradled Pecs, stroking its round head. “Pei Sen, let’s go.”

To Eagle, this world—though novel at first—had quickly become frustrating and uncomfortable.

Unlike Pei Sen, who was highly adaptable, this young master had always lived a refined life. From food to lifestyle, nothing in this world suited him.

Language, surprisingly, wasn’t much of an issue. He was far too clever. Even in the short time he’d been here, he could already understand much of what people were saying.

But the Qinghun Affairs Management Society was too poor! No decent place to live, no good food to eat. The garden villa was barely acceptable, and now that house was completely wrecked except for the outside. If not for Pei Sen, Eagle wouldn’t have stayed a single day—let alone several.

Pei Sen nodded, picked up Eagle’s small suitcase, and boarded the Time Train with him.

Eagle felt relieved to finally be leaving. Pei Sen, on the other hand, felt a bit reluctant… This was the most “home-like” of the three open servers.

It had an Eastern background with a modern edge. Of all places, it was here that Pei Sen felt most at ease.

“Do you dislike this place, young master?” Pei Sen asked naturally.

Even though they had left the Yali Continent, and Pei Sen could no longer be considered Eagle’s butler or servant, he still called him “young master.” Even in intimate moments, the title had become more of a nickname, a term of endearment, rather than its original meaning.

Eagle nodded. He had never hidden his displeasure and discomfort.

Pei Sen sighed. Not like it? Of the three servers, this was the one he liked best. He had even thought that, if he truly couldn’t return home, and if life became quieter, maybe he’d settle in the Qinghun Era… but Eagle didn’t like it.

Two people being together always involved some compromise. Pei Sen had long been keenly aware of the differences between him and Eagle—whether in habits or worldviews, they were not small.

Truthfully, if it hadn’t been for the bizarre experience of “getting pulled into a game,” Pei Sen and someone like Eagle might never have crossed paths in real life.

Eagle noticed the change in his expression and asked, “Pei Sen, do you really like this place?”

“I do. I like it a lot. It reminds me of my hometown.”

They may have come from different worlds, had different values—but in one way, they were similar.

Pei Sen and Eagle were both honest.

They didn’t hide their feelings from each other. They didn’t pretend to like things they didn’t, unlike those couples who faked enthusiasm during the honeymoon phase. None of that melodrama applied to them.

Like meant like. Dislike meant dislike.

They told each other the truth. What happened after—that was something they’d deal with after honesty came first.

“At least for now, I can’t bring myself to like this world,” Eagle said. “The crowded streets, the foul air, and that awful Society base you call home—I just can’t accept it.” He said it with perfect calm.

Pei Sen nodded. “I understand.”

If they really did decide to settle in the Qinghun Era, those things could be changed. And anyway, Eagle would probably still live mostly in the Yali Continent.

Pei Sen already felt he couldn’t return home, but he didn’t want Eagle to become a wanderer with nowhere to belong either.

Soon, they arrived back in Gate of Eternity. Only two days remained before the server officially opened—and they had made it back in time.

In the Anser Empire, the Bix Merchant Alliance had already started running smoothly. In the Xia Dynasty, the Magic Cube Trading Firm was also up and running—offering early-game shelter and support to new players.

“Young master, now that you’ve gained such powerful light-based abilities, and you’re absorbing other seeds of light—you’re still getting stronger, right?” Pei Sen asked suddenly.

Eagle nodded. “That’s right.”

Even though the Xia side of the server also had an Eastern setting, the locals were extremely hostile toward someone like Eagle, a blond-haired, blue-eyed “Anserian.” But thanks to frequent trade between Anser and Xia, they were now living in a large traditional mansion—and Eagle could decorate it however he liked, just like home.

Crystal chandeliers, lace, elaborate rugs—none of it was difficult to acquire.

And to blend in with the merchant neighbors, Pei Sen had hired some maidservants to help around the house. Though everyone treated Eagle as Pei Sen’s pampered lover, even assuming he was spoiled rotten, Eagle didn’t care at all.

Here, he actually felt quite comfortable. He was never someone who cared much about others’ opinions.

Pei Sen watched Eagle walking barefoot across the soft carpet, happily munching grapes. His freshly washed golden hair draped wetly over his shoulders, making his emerald eyes look even more dewy. For a moment, Pei Sen felt a flicker of heat in his chest.

Eagle quickly noticed, raised an eyebrow with a playful smile, and popped another grape into his mouth. Just as he was about to say something—

They heard quiet sobbing from outside.

At first, Pei Sen didn’t register it, but then he suddenly stood up and rushed toward the sound.

Several maids were huddled together, weeping. And not just them—cries were beginning to rise from the street outside.

When Pei Sen reached the doorway, he saw a devastated army slowly marching into the city. At the front, a small man held up a tattered flag. Even though the bright red standard of Xia was barely recognizable, and the man was missing one arm with the other also wounded, he refused to let the flag fall.

The soldiers behind him were mostly extraordinary individuals, but they looked nothing like the mighty warriors they once were. Now they were ragged and broken.

They were the survivors of that war. Pei Sen knew about them—but only through rumors: that the war between Anser and Xia had ended in mutual destruction. The battlefield where countless lives had been lost remained terrifying even years later.

He had never truly seen the survivors until now—and he knew this would be the first and last time.

Most of them, even if they managed to make it back, would not survive long.

It had been one of the most brutal wars in history—but it wasn’t supposed to be this cruel.

All of it was because of the so-called gods in Gate of Eternity, who had slumbered too long and grown restless.

Eagle had come to Pei Sen’s side by now. He didn’t care how much hostility or disdain the Xia people threw at him. Seeing this broken army, even he was stunned.

“Young master, you’re growing stronger, aren’t you? And so am I.” Pei Sen smiled.

The players from the Yali Continent and the Qinghun Era were constantly providing Pei Sen with experience. Even if he did nothing but sleep all day, his XP bar kept rising madly.

This was the privilege given to him by the Bix Magic Cube. It was also his trump card.

“Young master, someday… let’s challenge the Gate of Eternity together.”

Eagle blinked. “Sure.”

Pei Sen had finally figured out the best way to integrate into this world. Since this server was called Gate of Eternity, then those so-called “gods” must be the core of the world.

Perfect.

Let the players cause chaos in Anser and Xia for now.

Pei Sen had made up his mind.

He and Eagle would try something else.

Like—becoming gods.