In the Bright Realm, upon the Sky City. This day was quite a spectacle. Aside from Haruhi Suzumiya, Hatsune Miku, and Luo Tianyi, all the Hosts were gathered in one place—a first in history for such a complete assembly of Hosts.

Moreover, joining them were the four members of the Time Traveler Corps: Hong Ling, Yi Ren, Xue Yin, and Yao Yao… beautiful, mysterious, and immensely powerful. Yet, despite such a large gathering, there was little sense of festivity, nor the tense friction one might expect between romantic rivals. Save for Yi Ren, everyone wore expressions of profound solemnity.

Presiding over this assembly, without question, was Hong Ling. “I believe everyone is already apprised of the current situation, so I will not repeat myself. As stated before, your most crucial task now is to grasp the power of the World Heart.

However, before that, you still need to understand something—what exactly is the World Heart!” Hong Ling’s calm gaze swept over the assembled group, her voice ringing with clear authority. “Isn’t the World Heart formed from an ancient powerhouse? Isn’t that the case?” Mikoto inquired.

Hong Ling nodded, then shook her head. “You are only half right. The World Heart is indeed formed from ancient powerhouses.

For instance, Subject 36, who obstructed us not long ago, is an incarnation of one of the Sixth Group’s World Hearts in this era... Unlike you, because all the Hosts of the Sixth Group are dead, the World Hearts awakened without a Host are far superior in strength to those of you who possess them…” “Wait a moment! The way you phrase that makes us sound entirely redundant,” Toosaka Rin interjected, clearly displeased.

Hong Ling offered a slight smile. “Heh, while on the surface it certainly appears that way, the reality is different. First, let me finish explaining.

To begin, allow me to introduce the identities of us four.” Gesturing toward Yao Yao, Xue Yin, and Yi Ren, Hong Ling addressed the crowd. “I assume you all know that the four of us belong to an organization called the Time Traveler Corps. The nature of this organization isn’t grand; it's just a small group.

It’s only because our strength grew substantial enough, and we happened to eliminate some truly wicked figures—like great Demon Lords—and saved a few things, that we gradually found ourselves elevated onto a pedestal... Long, long ago, there was also a prophecy speaking of us being the Twelve Pillars, and as foretold, we became heroes, worshipped by countless people. But regarding ourselves, we never took these matters to heart.

Our purpose in living is not for praise, but for freedom.” Though Hong Ling spoke with an easy, almost indifferent tone, and Yao Yao and the others maintained composed expressions, those who had a slight understanding of them knew that what Hong Ling was saying was not something to be dismissed lightly. Thus, no one interrupted. Every individual listened with rapt attention.

Hong Ling continued, “After gradually becoming heroes, countless powerhouses sought us out. While we harbored no intention of expanding our organization to rule the world, many people had offered significant aid during our past battles. Furthermore, some powerful entities were indirectly born because of our connection, so it felt improper to refuse.

Consequently, the Time Traveler Corps, which originally comprised only twelve individuals, expanded. For instance, Fate and Tendou, as well as the proxy gods from the God War, were all once subordinates under us.” “What?!” Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in shock. “Th-That is truly astonishing.

I had assumed the proxy gods were your adversaries or something,” Mikoto said in disbelief. If Hong Ling hadn’t said it herself, she could never have believed that those seemingly omnipotent proxy gods were merely subordinates of the Time Traveler Corps. Just how powerful, then, must the Time Traveler Corps be?

Even though she had reached the stage of Half-Step Heavenly Creation, she certainly didn’t believe she could contend with a proxy god. If even Mikoto held such thoughts, there was no need to discuss the others. Hong Ling remained unperturbed and continued, “Although we accepted nearly everyone who wished to follow us, causing the influence of the Time Traveler Corps to instantly spread across the entire Boundless World, for us personally, the members of the Corps remain only the original twelve.

We live freely, unwilling to be interfered with, uninterested in altering the destinies of others, and certainly not interested in being world rulers dictating everything.” “Why? With such immense power, have you no ambition at all?” Arcueid asked, puzzled. Hong Ling shook her head with a wry smile.

“Ambition... Let me ask you this: when you can attain almost everything you desire through your own power, what kind of ambition remains for you to pursue?” “…” Arcueid was instantly silenced. Indeed, fame, power, eternal life, the lifestyle one desires—having almost everything, what else was there to covet?

“That… seems a little tragic,” C.C sighed. Tragic? Was it truly tragic?

Upon hearing C.C’s words, the others instinctively pondered. Though they hadn't reached the echelon of the Time Traveler Corps, upon reflection, a life devoid of ambition, desire, or pursuit was indeed left only with tragedy. At this moment, Hong Ling spoke again.

“Of course, we are not entirely without wants. It’s just that the thing we desire most can never be recovered—it is this very regret that gives us sufficient motivation to continue existing. Perhaps… this is why the Time Traveler Corps exists.” “The Time Traveler Corps?” Yakumo Yukari’s brow furrowed, and she spoke suddenly.

“You mean, everything you truly desire is stuck in the past—perhaps loved ones or friends? That’s why you have the name Time Traveler Corps, because deep down, you all hope to return to the past and bring what you want into the future, correct?” “That is not wrong, but such a thing is impossible,” Hong Ling smiled and said. “Although the power of each of us has indeed reached the level where we can distort timelines, capable of altering the past and future for most people, we cannot alter our own past.

Doing so would be a complete denial of the self, and even if successful, it would only trigger a far greater tragedy.” “A healer cannot heal themselves, can they…” Kaguya murmured with emotion. “Precisely. Attempting to change one’s own past is the most foolish notion.

Therefore, even though we yearn for it inwardly, we will never touch such a taboo,” Hong Ling affirmed. Hearing these words, the one most deeply affected was undoubtedly Artoria. Not long ago, when the Nasuverse fused with the Bright Realm, the Heroic Spirit Artoria and the Host Artoria merged once more.

Although their separation millennia ago was intended to avoid altering the timeline, fundamentally, wasn't it also a desire to change the past? At least the Heroic Spirit Artoria believed so. Of course, now she had completely abandoned that foolish notion.

To live is to remember the past, but the direction of one's gaze and the path of one's footsteps must only face the future! “You intended to tell us about the essence of the World Heart, but so far, you’ve only spoken of the Time Traveler Corps. This suggests the World Heart must have a profound connection to you, right?” Without much sorrow in her tone, Kazami Yuuka inquired.

“That is correct. As you know, the four of us occupy the third, fourth, fifth, and twelfth seats within the Time Traveler Corps, respectively. But in reality, you have already encountered half of our members… Long ago, the first and second seats—the Corps Commander and Vice Commander—had extremely deep connections with all of you.” “Who?” the others instinctively asked.

“Lin Luo and the Book of Contracts.” “Ugh!” Although they had vaguely realized something beforehand, hearing the answer directly still caused everyone to startle, their expressions becoming incredibly complex. Hong Ling glanced at them and continued, “Lin Luo is the reincarnation of the Time Traveler Corps Commander. And the Book of Contracts is something he created.

Although I don’t know the specifics, based on my calculations, this should be roughly the situation: He wanted to accomplish something that his original self could not manage, so he was forced to arrange for his reincarnation. But before doing so, he created the Book of Contracts, an artifact specifically designed to counter the World Heart... In fact, the God War you participated in was also something he set up before his reincarnation, with the goal of collecting all the World Hearts.” “Why would he do that?” Shana frowned and asked.

Before Hong Ling could reply, C.C interjected, “The question now shouldn't be that. What I want to know is why you believe the Book of Contracts was created by him? If I’m not mistaken, the Book of Contracts possesses a suppressive ability over the World Heart, making it logical for collecting them this way.

But you also mentioned that he couldn’t achieve this task with his own power, and that anything he creates shouldn't be stronger than him. This seems contradictory.” “Hmph, as expected of the Host of the Heart of Wisdom, you immediately grasped the crucial point,” Hong Ling gave an approving look before explaining, “This is the key point I was about to elaborate on. Listen closely...

Although the Time Traveler Corps encountered countless powerful enemies, only three times were we faced with a truly fatal threat. The first was Sin Karma, which caused the death of our Vice Commander, Qiqi, and subjected our Commander to endless torment. The second was the Cataclysmic Holy War, which annihilated the entire Time Traveler Corps, leaving only Yao Yao as the sole survivor.

The third was the onset of the World Hearts!” “The onset of the World Hearts?” Everyone paused in confusion. “Indeed,” Hong Ling nodded. “Although the onset of the World Hearts caused us no substantial material loss, for us, it was the most grueling battle.

Without the fierce struggle against the World Hearts, perhaps the Time Traveler Corps would never have been destroyed.” “What exactly happened?” Isayama Yomi asked impatiently. Hong Ling looked at their perplexed faces, speaking without haste, “The World Heart, as its name implies, has an inseparable relationship with the world. Looking at the literal meaning, it should be the core or heart of the world, but thinking that way is a grave mistake.

In reality, the World Heart is the world... the Boundless World itself!” “What?” Everyone’s complexion instantly changed drastically. “Wait, that doesn’t make sense!” Mikoto instinctively stood up.

“There is only one Boundless World, the one we inhabit, but there are forty-nine World Hearts. Moreover, the Boundless World is perfectly fine right now. How can the World Heart be the Boundless World?” Hong Ling gestured.

“The concept of parallel worlds, you shouldn't be unfamiliar with it, right?” The others nodded, a sudden thought striking them. “Could it be…” “It’s exactly what you suspect,” Hong Ling affirmed. “Although from our recognizable perspective there is only one Boundless World, from a macroscopic viewpoint, the Boundless World also exists in multiples.

It's just that we can never reach the other Boundless Worlds, not even with the power of Beyond Heaven. Because they are not on the same line; they are realms entirely uncrossable.” “Then, as each Boundless World developed, the forty-nine other Boundless Worlds unknown to us underwent unexpected derivations... Seven of those Boundless Worlds absorbed the virtues humanity strives for—such as courage, loyalty, and kindness—and based on these, they evolved into incarnations of absolute virtue.

Because these virtues were absorbed from humanity, after derivation, these seven Boundless Worlds existed in human form.” “You must have dreamed of it, right? In your dreams, did you see someone shatter an entire Boundless World with a single palm strike?” Seeing the nods, Hong Ling shook her head. “Regrettably, I have never seen anyone capable of such a feat; even Qiqi, with the strongest combat power, would struggle to achieve it.

In truth, the person you saw wasn't shattering the Boundless World, but rather, in the final stage of derivation, integrating the entire Boundless World into their own being.” “Something like that…” Hearing this, everyone broke out in cold sweat. “Why is the World Heart so shrouded in mystery? Why can the Four Great Techniques of the World Heart shatter all mysteries in existence?” Hong Ling stated matter-of-factly.

“This is the reason. The Boundless World inherently contains all mysteries. And the powerhouses derived from the Boundless World can naturally achieve this.

More importantly... because each Boundless World only absorbed one specific virtue, for the derived powerhouse, she represents the absolute embodiment of that absorbed virtue. For example, Mikoto, you represent kindness; fundamentally, evil is the object you must eradicate.” “It’s… like that,” Mikoto finally understood why she experienced a sudden transformation when facing the Evil of This World in the Nasuverse.

Clearly, at that moment, the absoluteness of the Heart of Kindness was activated. “Then, the other World Hearts…” “It’s the same principle,” Hong Ling nodded slowly. “The Second Group of World Hearts absorbed human convictions—information regarding the King’s Way, the belief in hope, and the conviction to pursue ultimate martial arts, etc.

This group also exists in human form after derivation. The Third Group absorbed the seven spectral colors of the world: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and violet; they exist as their respective colors. The Fourth Group absorbed unsolvable mysteries—like space, time, and life—and they exist as the nature of those mysteries.

The Fifth Group absorbed the elements of the world—light, darkness, wind, water, fire, earth, and chaos—and they exist as elemental beings. The Sixth Group absorbed the properties of various mythical beasts, such as dragons and phoenixes; they exist in those mythical forms. And the most crucial, the Seventh Group… they absorbed the uncertainties of the world—like the future, fantasy, and miracles.

Precisely because they are uncertain, they are the most special.” “These seven groups of World Hearts respectively represent seven different Great Concepts… Now, you are probably familiar with the term ‘concept,’ but to give you a more precise understanding of how terrifying concepts are…” Here, Hong Ling suddenly raised her hand, a small spark burning on her fingertip, and asked the assembly, “What is this?” “Fire,” they replied in unison. Hong Ling nodded, then glared, asking again, “What is this?” Surprisingly, at this moment, the crowd stared at the flame with utter confusion. After a long pause, they managed to answer haltingly: “Light?” “Smoke?” “Air?” “Could it be water?” “I’ve never seen this before…” Hong Ling chuckled conspiratorially, then snapped her fingers.

As the sound faded, the crowd seemed to instantly regain their intelligence, their faces filled with shock. “How is this possible?” Hong Ling stated calmly, “There’s nothing strange about it. Because just now, I forcefully erased the concept of fire from your perception.

That is to say, in your understanding, the thing called fire no longer exists. Consequently, you naturally perceive the fire as something else… This is the terror of concepts!” The others instantly grasped it but couldn't afford to be astonished. “Then, the concept of the World Heart…” Hong Ling extinguished the flame in her hand and said, “Although they are all concepts, the content differs vastly.

The concept of fire I demonstrated just now is only the foundation of a concept, one that doesn't fundamentally cause great impact. However, the World Hearts represent absolute concepts. They do not require opposing existence; they possess only their own singularity—they are unique beings.” “This is where the terror lies.

Because they are singular, anything opposite or contrary to them becomes an object they must destroy. Absolute existence leads to absolute destructive power. Then, there is an even more terrifying aspect: because the Boundless World inherently possesses the attribute of immortality and indestructibility—recovering gradually even if shattered—the forty-nine powerhouses derived from it have indirectly become immortal beings, truly impossible to erase!” Having finished, Hong Ling gazed sternly at the assembly and stated in a deep voice, “Do you understand now?

The true nature of the World Heart!” … I cannot promise grand explosions, but in the days to come, I will code at full capacity until the conclusion. Please continue to support me with monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and everything else you have. RS