'Wu Xing' depicted the fundamental five elements of earth—Land, Water, Fire, Wind, and Sky.
These elemental forces interacted and influenced each other in perpetual cycles of creation and destruction, maintaining the delicate balance of all existence.
The five demon lords that ruled the darkest corners of the realm were each affiliated with one of these primordial elements. Ancient texts whispered of forbidden knowledge—that combining their powers could create life itself. Yet this practice was universally considered taboo, for no one could predict what devastation such manipulation might bring upon the world. Records of past attempts had been systematically erased by the ancient immortals, who deemed the knowledge too dangerous for any being to possess.
But the 'Parallel Eye' existed beyond even the immortals' reach. This enigmatic entity was more ancient than memory itself, and it had granted Yetao this hidden prophecy for one simple truth: no one could save or end the world while fighting against a resentful mother.
This was why, when Yetao touched the cracked pearl with his hands infused with the combined essence of all five demon lords, it awakened the last remnant of Yao Zihao's soul that lingered within his egg. That tiny fragment of life force, preserved through centuries of longing, was enough for Zihao to take form once more.
The child had returned for one purpose—to stop the resentment that had arisen because of him, a resentment that had grown powerful enough to threaten the very balance of the world itself.
"Mommy?" Zihao's voice echoed across dimensions, cutting through the chaos of battle.
The doppelganger Yetao froze mid-strike, his hand suspended in the air. His rage faltered as he stared at the boy. Recognition, longing, and pain flashed across his features—emotions perfectly mirrored on Yetao's face.
Yetao rushed forward without hesitation, enveloping Zihao in a desperate embrace. Heart-wrenching sobs escaped him as he clutched the boy he thought lost forever. When he finally pulled back, his trembling hands cupped Zihao's face, fingers tracing every feature as if memorizing them anew.
"I'm real, mommy," Zihao whispered, happy tears streaming down his cheeks. "I'm really here."
Something broke inside Yetao. All the emotions he had suppressed came surging forth like a tidal wave. He pulled Zihao back into his arms, holding him with the desperate strength of someone who feared his treasure might vanish the moment he loosened his grip.
Across the battlefield, Bambam—who had been locked in fierce combat with Jeff—froze at the sound of Zihao's voice. His eyes widened, disbelief etched into every line of his face.
Jeff, still consumed by rage, saw an opening and lunged toward the distracted doppelganger. But a firm hand grasped his wrist, halting the attack.
"What—" Jeff turned to find Xiong—whom he had believed dead—standing before him, shaking his head in silent warning. The message was clear: Not now.
Meanwhile, Zihao gently extracted himself from Yetao's embrace and approached Bambam, who stood rooted to the spot, trembling.
"What did I say to you?" Zihao pouted, though his eyes remained gentle. "Why are you still making mommy cry?"
Bambam's lips parted, but no words emerged. His hand reached toward Zihao, hovering inches away, afraid that the boy might dissolve like morning mist if touched.
Bambam was filled in shock, disbelief and overwhelming guilt.
Zihao noticed the hesitation and took matters into his own hands, literally. He reached up and clasped Bambam's outstretched fingers.
"See? I'm real," he said, squeezing gently. "Why are you both overreacting? I was just gone for a while."
Despite his complaints, fresh tears welled in his eyes—tears of joy at reuniting with his parents.
"I'm sorry..." Bambam's voice cracked, heavy with emotion.
"For what?" Zihao challenged. "For killing me? Or for not realizing I was your son?"
Bambam closed his eyes tightly, unable to answer. It was both, and the guilt crushed him like a physical weight.
Zihao wiped away his tears, trying to compose himself. "Dying was my own decision. So you didn't kill me and..." He paused, making Bambam hold his breath in anticipation. "You can make up for it by treating me like your son now. I've always wanted to sit on the shoulders of my dad like other kids. But only mommy did it. You never—"
Before he could finish, Bambam swept him up and placed him atop his shoulders. Then he began spinning, the sudden movement drawing a surprised scream from Zihao that quickly dissolved into laughter.
Yetao watched the scene with tears of joy, hardly daring to believe this moment he'd thought would never come.
A hand touched his shoulder from behind.
The doppelganger Yetao stood there, his expression complex. "You know why I wanted to keep you alive?", the doppelganger started to confide "I wanted to bury you along with Zihao's egg and make sure that I never get reincarnated too. Just like Zihao."
Yetao tensed, wary of this other self.
"But now..." the doppelganger continued, his lips curving into a tear-stained smile, "I want to live... in you."
He grabbed Yetao's hand, and his body began to dissolve into red ashes that scattered on the wind. The fragment of Yetao's soul that had resided within the doppelganger returned to its rightful place.
Yetao closed his eyes briefly, absorbing the sensation. When he opened them, he uncurled the fingers of the hand the doppelganger had grasped. There lay the cracked pearl pendant.
A translucent blue screen materialized before him:
[Congratulations for completing the main quest!]
[Reward: Use the remaining time from the previous countdown at your leisure unttil the portal opens]
[Time remaining: 01:03:25:09]
Yetao's fingers closed around the pendant as he gazed in the direction where the doppelganger had disappeared. A soft smile settled on his face.
"It's over," he whispered to the wind.
Zihao was too busy enjoying his ride on Bambam's shoulders to notice the transformation happening nearby, but Bambam witnessed everything while playing with his son. With a gentle motion, he lowered Zihao and approached Yetao, taking his hand with a warm smile. Yetao returned the gesture, his eyes reflecting newfound peace.
Zihao hopped to the ground between them. "Whoa! I'm still here," he announced, breaking their moment.
The parents exchanged knowing glances before simultaneously leaning down to plant kisses on each of Zihao's cheeks. The boy froze instantly, his face flushing crimson at the dual affection.
Around them, the onlookers stood in various states of confusion, sensing only that danger that was stressing them had ended. Lucas appeared the most bewildered of all—until the truth crystallized in his mind with painful clarity: Yetao and Bambam had found their way to each other.
Lucas clenched his fists, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His tears, however, refused to obey his will, betraying the heartbreak beneath his facade. The realization that his love for Yetao would forever remain unrequited cut deep.
A sniffling sound nearby drew his attention. Lucas turned to find Oscar crying beside him.
"When did he have such a big kid?" Oscar blubbered, wiping his nose. "I would've backed off from the start if he told me he was taken."
Lucas couldn't help but laugh, momentarily forgetting his own pain.
Oscar shot him an indignant look. "Does my pain look like a joke to you?"
"It's just funny that there's a more pathetic guy here than me," Lucas replied, recalling with irony how in the real world, Yetao once harbored feelings for Oscar only to be rejected. The universe had a strange sense of humor.
Meanwhile, Yetao finally noticed Xiong standing beside Jeff. He approached quickly, lips parting but finding no words—the guilt of Xiong's lost spiritual core weighed heavily on him.
Xiong smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Making you bind with that soul was our only goal. I'm glad you made it happen."
Though somewhat comforted by Xiong's words, Yetao couldn't bring himself to face Jeff, who had lost someone dear because of his doppelganger.
Jeff's voice cut through the tension. "Can you explain what just happened?" His tone carried the unmistakable edge of betrayal. "I thought he was just a doppelganger who looked like you. But why did his soul enter you?"
Bambam stepped forward. "I made it that way. He was a form of resentment that arose due to me. Taotao has nothing to do with it." He lowered his head, prepared to bear the brunt of Jeff's wrath.
Zihao watched anxiously as both his parents shouldered guilt that seemed to weigh them down.
"Why did Barcode have to die in your feud?" Jeff's eyes blazed with fury.
"I will take care of that," a new voice announced from the sidelines.
A man strode onto the field. Bambam gasped, his expression shifting from shock to joyful recognition. Yetao felt a strange tingling in his heart—a sense of profound connection to this stranger whom he couldn't quite place.
The newcomer went directly to Jeff. "Lead me to where Barcode lost his life."
Despite his rage, Jeff found himself trusting the stranger. He nodded and led the way.
They arrived at the spot where Barcode's body lay surrounded by a shimmering barrier. The mysterious man shattered the protective shield as if it were made of glass and placed his hand on Barcode's cold form.
"His soul was not supposed to be here in the first place," he stated matter-of-factly. "He can't be healed, since he's already long dead and reincarnated."
At his touch, Barcode's body dissolved into particles that scattered on the wind.
Jeff's fury erupted. "Why did you do that?" Flames began to dance around his clenched fists. "How do you know whether he's reincarnated or not? Did I give you permission to do as you please?"
The stranger calmly produced an artifact from his robes. With a gesture, it projected ethereal images—scenes of Jeff and Barcode together in strange attire. In these visions, Barcode appeared vibrant and alive, undeniably real.
Jeff's anger gave way to confusion. "Who are you?"
When everyone except Bambam considered him a stranger, Yetao finally recognised him "Thio?" Yetao's tentative voice made the man flinch.
He turned toward Yetao, his composed facade crumbling as a tear slid down his cheek. "Yes, mommy."
Yetao rushed forward, embracing him tightly. "You grew up so much," he sobbed, examining the man's face. "Where did that chubby face disappear to?" Yetao didn't recognise him at first since he had only seen his child form before. But still, a mother can recognise their own child.
Zihao leaned closer to Bambam, bewilderment evident in his whisper: "Why is he calling him mommy?"
Bambam bent down to Zihao's level. "Because he's your younger brother," he explained with a smile.
Zihao's eyes widened as he stared at Thio, who was still locked in Yetao's embrace.
When Thio finally extricated himself, he turned toward Zihao with a smile that appeared genuine. Zihao found himself smiling back reflexively.
Thio approached and greeted him. "Welcome back, gege."
His warm smile melted Zihao's heart. The joy of having a sweet younger brother washed over him—until Thio hugged him and whispered in his ear: "You've gotten so much attention from mommy. So I'm going to claim him from now on. Don't get in my way."
The image of a "sweet younger brother" shattered in Zihao's mind, replaced by the reality of a possessive rival for Yetao's affection.
Forcing a smile since Yetao was watching, Zihao replied through gritted teeth: "Try me."
Bambam coughed discreetly, having overheard the exchange between the brothers. He glanced at Yetao, who stood beaming with happiness, blissfully unaware that his sons were already engaged in silent warfare.
A twinge of amusement and concern pinged in Bambam's heart. "Fierce competition for me, though," he thought, watching his oblivious beloved's smile at what appeared to be a heartwarming family reunion.
The portal would open soon. But before returning to their world, there were still matters of the heart to resolve...