Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 263: Chapter 231: The Final Popularity Challenge_1

After a brief moment of confusion, the snake’s eyes turned increasingly dangerous as it gazed at Huai Shi.

But soon, as if understanding something, it turned to look at its master, lowered its pupils wearily, gently nestled against the prince who had accompanied it for such a long time, and closed its eyes.

Huai Shi cautiously stepped forward, but the snake showed no reaction. Even when he got close, it merely lifted its eyes indifferently for a glance before averting its gaze.

It seemed tired and had fallen into a deep sleep.

Huai Shi carefully sorted through the items given by Little Cat and soon found a small box. Opening it, he saw a piece of gold foil cut into the shape of a flower, adorned with bold peach blossom patterns and emitting a faint fragrance.

Following Little Cat’s instructions, Huai Shi held his breath, picked up the gold foil, and gently placed it on the forehead of the dark-haired prince.

It was as if time had reversed in silence. The grim prince became handsome and slender, his lips curling into a slight smile, as if dreaming a beautiful dream.

He turned to dust.

The snake also disappeared without a trace.

Among the ashes, only a quaint little dagger remained.

The second prince, taken care of...

But Huai Shi felt no joy or relief in his heart; instead, it felt rather heavy.

Over countless years, these princes must have also been dazzling and handsome, right? They walked through legends with pure gentleness and kindness... but now they have fallen to such a state. Unable to even seek liberation.

His footsteps continued forward. He took out a small bottle from his pocket. The bottle contained a green liquid, fragrant and sweet like apple juice, which he quietly poured onto the lips of the next prince.

As if moisturized by the juice’s sweet fragrance, the withered and decayed face became beautiful, its lips turning bright red.

And then, it turned to dust.

Next one...

As he passed the location of the long-haired prince, Huai Shi thought for a moment. He took out a small pair of scissors from his pocket and placed them, along with the strand of golden hair, at his spot.

Let these remain here as their memorial.

Next, a Chicken Heart Shaped Ruby, warm to the touch like a heart full of love and inscribed with someone’s name, was placed in the hands of the red-haired prince who had once wielded fire.

He crumbled to dust. Among the ashes, an ice crystal-like gemstone lay beside the ruby heart.

Huai Shi continued forward, his steps unwavering, carefully following Little Cat’s instructions, and laid the last few princes to rest.

When the last prince turned to dust, leaving behind a small sharp dagger and a crystal as fleeting as foam, Huai Shi finally heaved a sigh of relief. He felt sweat continuously dripping down his forehead.

Task completed!

He slumped down on the dilapidated stage, unable to stand for a long time. Only now did his hands begin to tremble, and a delayed fear rose from his heart.

That was a close call; he had almost vanished without a trace in Hell... If any one of the princes had been awakened, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

After a long, long time, he finally breathed easily, got up from the stage, and walked toward the theater’s main door.

Then, he heard a voice from behind him.

”Are you leaving just like that?”

Huai Shi stiffened in place.

He slowly turned around.

And then he saw a young man who had appeared on the stage at some unknown time. He was handsome and beautiful, with gleaming blond hair and a slightly unsettling smile.

He wore a crown signifying royal succession and was girded with a Treasure Sword.

Another prince!

Huai Shi stared at him in disbelief for a long while before suddenly feeling a bit powerless. ”Are you guys some kind of Four Heavenly Kings?”

Seven princes, and there’s an eighth one? Isn’t that breaking the rules a bit?

”Surprised, are you?” the strange prince asked with a smile, his expression devoid of anger or gloom, appearing instead bright and gentle.

”A bit,” Huai Shi sighed. ”May I ask which prince you are?”

”I am none of them.”

The prince slowly shook his head. ”At best, I am merely the remnant of their final obsession, an empty shell. Even if you left me alone, I probably wouldn’t last until tomorrow morning.”

Huai Shi looked at him, puzzled, his brow furrowed. ”You don’t seem to be angry?”

”Why should I be angry?”

The prince countered, ”After all, they were liberated in the end, weren’t they? That’s enough. It’s better to face the end with dignity than to cling desperately to life. No matter how cruel and insane they had become, they were all kind and gentle people once. Even if not worthy of sympathy, they still had the backbone of a prince, right?”

Huai Shi had no words in response.

”I sincerely thank you for helping us escape our present hideous state. Please allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude.”

With that, the prince placed his hand over his chest, bowed, and spoke.

”...”

Huai Shi didn’t know what to answer. Should he say ’You’re welcome’? Or ’My condolences’?

Neither seems right.

”Err, well... since you’ve thanked me... I guess I’ll be leaving now...”

Huai Shi took two steps back, quietly made his way to the door, and extended his hand to push it, only to find that it wouldn’t budge.

”...”

”So, after all the thanks, revenge is still on the table, huh?”

He sighed helplessly.

”Revenge? It’s not about revenge. What grudge is there to avenge?”

The Prince said, ”The reason I’m here is merely to fulfill their last wish.”

”Every grievance has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor. I’m just a hired hand. Why don’t you go and take care of Little Cat instead? That guy is the real troublemaker...”

Huai Shi blabbered nonsensically, secretly raising his guard, fully focused on the immense pressure emanating from the Prince.

”You might have misunderstood.”

A dazzling smile touched the Prince’s lips. ”My purpose is not to kill anything, nor to kill you here.

I simply want to complete the work they never finished.

Since you’ve stepped in here and possess the aptitude, you must have been prepared for this long ago, right?”

As he spoke, he slowly drew his sword, pointed it at Huai Shi, and said solemnly, ”Come, let us complete our final task.”

Huai Shi was stunned. Incredulous.

”Challenger Huai Shi, Defender Prince.”

With a passionate tone, he declared, ”Paradise above! I accept Huai Shi’s popularity challenge!

Here on this stage of our former glory, within this final legend we have left behind! May all spectators bear witness! May all spectators grant their approval! May all spectators watch, and may all spectators listen!”

As the Prince solemnly made his declaration, those enthusiastic words spread in every direction.

In that instant, the silent Little Cat Paradise suddenly lit up.

Multicolor neon lights and soft, cheerful music rose gently from every corner of the park. The gloomy darkness was brightened by the lights, and countless phantoms of the past emerged, wandering among them.

The carousel and the Ferris wheel started to move once more.

Cheers and applause filled every corner.

Dazzling golden light fell from the sky, illuminating the dilapidated theater where Huai Shi stood. Thus, time reversed: the dilapidated stage regained its former splendor, and the dust-covered seats became spotless.

One after another, spectators appeared in the seats: not just the figures of Little Cat, but also Luo DingJi holding a pipa and covering her face with a paper fan; even various unseen oddities and Abyss Heterogeneous, the Owner of the Great Mob entrenched in Xiematai, and the Lords of the Dark.

As the beloved chimes of Paradise resounded once more, a vast tolling of bells immediately spread in all directions.

Wherever the bell tolled, countless Sublimators awoke from deep sleep. They looked up in astonishment, then felt a gravitational pull lifting them involuntarily into the air.

Then, their vision blurred, and they found themselves in the theater seats.

In an instant, the venue was packed, not a single empty seat remaining!

Not only familiar faces like Yuan Zhao and Ye Xueya were present, but also his teammates Li Jian Amber and Ansali, along with many more unrecognized faces. In the end, Huai Shi even spotted the long-absent Luo Xian.

She sat quietly in the audience, seemingly confused about what was happening, but soon nodded in understanding, waving gently at Huai Shi with a soft smile.

Yet for some reason, she was now dressed in a rather classical maid outfit, her head adorned with a lace Flower Ring. She looked as if she were ready at any moment to bless an omurice by casting a love spell on it.

Fine, Huai Shi’s mouth twitched, as long as you’re happy...

Not only all the contestants but even the cameras in the live broadcast rooms turned on their own. The viewers, who had been drowsy after a long night with no excitement, awoke with a jolt, staring at the Prince and Huai Shi under the spotlight.

In the VIP seats, the representatives who had just begun to chat found their attention drawn upwards. Seeing Huai Shi’s face, they were involuntarily stunned for a long moment.

How the hell is it you again? How old are you?!

”Young people are always full of surprises,” Older Cousin couldn’t help but chuckle.

A Prince, huh? Truly enviable...

As the spotlight shone and countless eyes focused on him, the Prince waved his hand. The sound of a warhorse’s neigh echoed as a pure White Horse burst from the void, halting beside him.

The Prince stepped into the stirrup, mounted the steed, and looked down at Huai Shi on the stage below, smiling at him.

”Come, young man.”

He gripped his Treasure Sword tightly, pointing it at the young man’s face. ”Let me personally ascertain whether you are truly worthy of inheriting this crown of honor!”

Thus, the gazes of countless people converged on Huai Shi.

In the silence, he quietly surveyed the surrounding audience, his gaze finally landing on the Prince.

He looked at the Prince’s White Horse, his Treasure Sword, his awe-inspiring solemn demeanor, his impeccable stance, and his vibrant battle intent.

He didn’t speak. And yet, for some reason, he suddenly felt... excited.

His blood seemed to boil, rushing eagerly through his veins, radiating a burning heat. Source Substance surged like flames, pouring forth from the crack in his chest.

He felt a surge of joy and anticipation welling up from the deepest part of his soul.

Slowly, he reached out, grasping both the Sacrificial Knife and the Sharp Axe. The blades collided, emitting a clear, pleasant ring that soothed all the restlessness and clamor in his heart.

Only a calm and pure rhythm remained within him.

”Then, Lord Prince, in accordance with the rules of Paradise, I hereby challenge you!”

The young man smiled, lifted his head, and stepped forward. He walked onto the stage—now his alone—under the scrutiny and gazes of all the spectators.

This was indeed a battlefield that thrilled him to his core, a duel that demanded his all, against an opponent he respected from the bottom of his heart. Wasn’t this what he had always anticipated? Therefore, there was no longer any need for worries or fears, nor for those tiresome disguises and lies.

”Astronomical Society, Huai Shi! I await your instruction!”