Chapter 267

However, to this day, only [ Venerable Leipu ] and [ King of Hell ] have openly revealed their identities and declared their titles.

As for those two ancient demon kings, despite having clearly returned to the human world long ago—and surely having been active in the shadows all the while—they have never revealed too much of their true colors.

Everyone can only speculate that one ancient demon king is likely hiding in East Asia right now.

The other ancient demon king is likely behind the new American President—the "Strongest Woman on Earth," Serena Cervantes—providing her with some support.

As for the rest of the world, it has basically become a fantasy wasteland. Humanity is either being brutally ruled by superpower warlords or preyed upon by magical monsters. These powerful beings are also constantly warring with each other, with territories shifting day by day; there is simply no such thing as stability.

The internet is now unusable, and even radio is easily affected by supernatural forces—this is not only because most of the infrastructure has been destroyed, but also because demons and monsters can slip into the network.

These are the legendary electronic demons.

Even if the equipment is still usable, the interior of the network has mostly been made a complete mess by monsters. The electronic ocean that once nurtured vast amounts of information has now become a veritable sub-space cesspool.

Information from various places can now only be pieced together from scattered rumors, and almost no one can clearly state what the Truth is. It is very difficult for people to investigate one another.

These two ancient demon kings are truly both powerful and cautious! Is this what they call a mastermind operating from behind the scenes?

Qi Xing doesn't quite understand that.

"How is the United States doing recently, Elaine?"

Back in Rome, in the conference room, Qi Xing sat down by the long table, leaned back in his chair, looked out the window with his clairvoyance, and asked offhandedly.

"It remains on the verge of economic and social collapse."

Elaine looked down at the report.

"Large-scale riots and conflicts are frequent, infrastructure is paralyzed, and shortages of food and fuel are worsening. Public security and military order can barely be maintained in only a few major cities, while rural areas have long since been abandoned."

"At least 6.5 million people are on the verge of starvation."

As she spoke, she projected the few photos and videos that had come from across the ocean onto the screen.

Those scenes were truly not suitable for description with pen and ink.

Some might mockingly say that the United States was always like this, and perhaps that is true, but the arrival of the apocalypse has clearly made it even worse.

Qi Xing shook his head and asked again: "What about the situation in East Asia?"

"It has already become a 'cultivation world.' Many ancestors of hidden sects, and even some immortal masters, sect leaders, and sages who had already ascended and gone to the [ Dream of All Living Beings ] to open up small worlds, have now returned to the human realm one after another, each establishing their own dojos, intent on vying for supremacy in these chaotic times."

Elaine looked down at the report that had just been delivered.

"In Japan, the vast majority of the region has completely collapsed. However, perhaps because the Japanese people are by nature more accustomed to following arrangements and adjustments, many people have been relocated to the 'Tokyo Defense Zone,' which at least can maintain order for the time being… for the time being."

Japan's righteous supernatural forces… actually have a decent foundation.

After all, in Japanese culture, there has always been an "aesthetic" closely linked to the supernatural.

But even so, Qi Xing couldn't help but rub his temples, then sighed: "They are not bad; they should be able to hold on for a while."

He paused, then frowned: "As for the pile of immortals descending into East Asia, that is not surprising either."

After all, the East is not just about Maitreya being the only "savior" who will descend in the Age of Dharma Decline to save the world. Eastern religions… or rather, in the different "schools" and "sects," it has been claimed everywhere that there are various different saviors.

In the chaotic Age of Dharma Decline, when moral principles collapse, human ethics are destroyed, men are no longer men, women are no longer women, fathers do not know their children, children do not know their fathers, the world has no ruler, treacherous people are in power, hens crow at dawn, and loyal subjects and filial sons do not know how to fulfill their loyalty, the sages will descend to restore order to the universe.—There are too many similar claims in Eastern religions.

But what will happen when a whole bunch of "saviors" descend at the same time?

Will they join hands, work together, save the world in unison, and create a bright and clear universe?

The answer is, of course, obvious.

…Of course, it will be to first fight each other to the death, beat each other's brains out, and then decide who the true savior is.

Perhaps even…—At this moment, even Qi Xing couldn't help but think to himself and mockingly reflect that he, [ Venerable Leipu ], was likely seen by others as one of the "many saviors."

"Sasa, I'm afraid you won't be able to turn back into a spirit form for the time being."

Grabbing Sasa, Qi Xing shook her again. "In her current state, she can only synchronize with me using the [ Illusion ] silver coin; in other words, I can only use the [ Truth ] silver coin to coordinate with her."

"The combination of [ Illusion ] and [ Truth ] has more than enough defense, and even disruption is not bad, but it always feels a bit weak when attacking. For an ordinary [ Silver Coin Messenger ], attacking with two [ silver coin ]s at the same time would certainly be a sure win, but facing an ancient demon king, I dare not be so careless."

By now, the people and things on Qi Xing's shoulders have become more and more numerous. Having the confidence to win is one thing, but not casually gambling with his own life is another. At the very least, it is necessary to make secure preparations.

"I must master the method of driving two [ silver coin ]s simultaneously by myself. In this way, adding Sasa's [ Illusion ], that would be three at the same time."

Three. This number not only has special significance in the Christian religion as a symbol of perfection and completeness, but as everyone knows, in many other religions, mysticism, and magical schools, three is also a particularly important number.

It is a coincidence that Qi Xing currently has exactly "seven" [ silver coin ]s in his possession; this really brings two quite good numbers together.

[ Dominator ], [ Illusion ], [ Death ], [ Truth ]—these are the four he had collected before the Battle of the Moon.

When he defeated Poxun, Qi Xing's final blow pulled the [ Destruction ] silver coin directly from his heart.

At the same time, a [ silver coin ] burst out from both the [ Demon of Anger ] and the [ Demon of Delusion ], and both were carefully collected by [ Xue Ning ]; she did not touch them herself, and did not activate them.

On the [ silver coin ] that burst from the [ Demon of Anger ], the pattern is a woman sitting on a throne, wearing a crown, holding a sword high in her right hand, and holding a pair of scales in her left.

The double-edged sword symbolizes that one can do good or evil; yet it is held straight up, impartial and unbiased, symbolizing the justice of judgment. The scales suspended in her hand signify measurement and adjudication, pursuing balance and equilibrium.

So Sasa said that this [ silver coin ] is the eleventh silver coin, and the concept it represents is [ Justice ]—impartiality, fairness, equilibrium, balance.

…As a result, the [ Demon of Anger ], holding the [ Justice ] silver coin, could actually say with a straight face that all the evil consequences of humanity are their own evil causes, so those who are wronged by me are all their own karmic retribution; "I fuck you, I kill you, that is also your own karmic retribution"—delusional words such as these.

To be able to turn the [ Justice ] silver coin into this, one could say it is quite "creative."

As for the [ Demon of Delusion ]'s [ silver coin ], the pattern on it is a seated High Priestess, sitting upright, holding a scroll in her hand.

Holding a book in her hand symbolizes wisdom; the hat on the High Priestess's head looks like the moon, representing the Virgin Goddess of the moon. At the same time, just like the [ Illusion ] in Qi Xing's hand, the moon also represents imagination and inspiration—the ability to look beyond what is in front of one's eyes toward the distance. The calm, composed posture is a symbol of profound wisdom.

So Sasa said that this [ silver coin ] is the twentieth silver coin. The concept it represents is [ Wisdom ]—intuition, insight, inspiration, mystery, silence.

…As a result, the [ Demon of Delusion ]—uh, although the [ Demon of Delusion ] didn't have much screen time, everyone knows what kind of person she is. Heavens have mercy, where did this wisdom and insight go? Is this the female power of wisdom and the Virgin Goddess? How terrifying!

Regardless of how Poxun taught the three demon child kings under his command, he definitely taught them to "reverse-practice" the [ silver coin ]s on purpose, and as a result, they actually became incredibly strong, just like Ouyang Feng. It is unknown whether Poxun knew it would turn out this way all along, or if he just stumbled upon it.

But the strange dual correspondence hidden within this still gave Qi Xing some insight.

[ King of Hell ] told Qi Xing that all souls in this [ Sasa Universe ] have a reflection of a part of [ Sasa ]'s personality, hence there is both good and evil. This existence of both good and evil also means that [ Sasa ]'s true nature is a chaos that possesses both sides.

So, if [ Sasa ] was shattered into thirty pieces, it is only natural that these [ silver coin ]s would have duality, right?

A [ silver coin ] naturally has two sides; isn't that a self-evident truism?

Therefore, the [ Justice ] silver coin can also be used to promote prejudice, selfishness, harshness, and injustice.

Therefore, the [ Wisdom ] silver coin can also be used as stubbornness, superficiality, impulsiveness, and stupidity.

It is estimated that every [ silver coin ] is the same in this regard.

Qi Xing hadn't even realized this Truth before; it was such a huge miscalculation!

Furthermore, [ Sasa ] had said before that among the thirty [ silver coin ]s, there are always two that correspond to each other, just like how [ Illusion ] and [ Truth ] are corresponding faces…

…Qi Xing always felt that some incredible Truth was about to jump out of his mind, but he still couldn't figure it out for the moment.

"Speaking of [ silver coin ]s, Qi Xing, there is something I need to report to you."

Turning off the tablet, [ Elaine ] frowned at this moment and said, "I might have guessed what these thirty [ silver coin ]s actually are."

As soon as these words were spoken, several people present fell silent, and only cold sweat broke out on [ Sasa ]'s forehead.

Then Qi Xing asked somewhat puzzled: "What do you mean by 'what' they actually are? Aren't the [ silver coin ]s just fragments of [ Sasa ]'s divine power?"

"Qi Xing, do you think [ Samael ]—that brainless devil—could design thirty reliable keywords to represent the entire universe?"

Elaine glanced at [ Sasa ], whose expression was becoming increasingly embarrassed and who did not dare to look her in the eye. "I started to suspect it when you got three or four [ silver coin ]s, but at that time, there wasn't enough evidence, and there was no time."

"Now that we have seen the patterns of seven [ silver coin ]s, and considering that [ Samael ] is an idiot and unlikely to have created them originally, the remaining answers can basically be guessed."

Speaking of this, even [ Elaine ] herself sighed. "…The patterns and keywords of the [ silver coin ]s should all be Tarot cards."

For a moment, except for [ Sasa ] covering her face, Qi Xing, Lin, and [ Xue Ning ] all frowned, and then were speechless.

…Tarot cards?

"Tarot cards… there are indeed some traditions that treat them as symbolic signs that make up the universe, for example…" [ Xue Ning ], who could be considered a great magician no matter what, frowned and muttered, "…The Kabbalah Tree of Life."

In Tarot magic, the twenty-two Major Arcana cards are combined with the twenty-two paths on the Tree of Life. Each card symbolizes a secret path of cultivation in Kabbalah.

"But there are only twenty-two Major Arcana cards in Tarot, while there are thirty [ silver coin ]s. Moreover, the first Tarot card should be [ The Fool ] or [ The Magician ], but the first [ silver coin ] in [ Venerable Leipu ]'s hand, the core silver coin, is [ Dominator ]. This doesn't seem to match, does it?"

Although [ Xue Ning ] said this, when Qi Xing heard this, he actually figured it out first.

Because this [ Sasa Universe ] is not on the Kabbalah Tree of Life. This is a Qliphoth (Evil Tree) universe that [ Sasa ] imitated.

Therefore, her core card is certainly neither [ The Fool ] nor [ The Magician ]—although [ Sasa ] is indeed stupid enough.

"Damn it. No wonder I always felt something was wrong when I used them."

Reaching out and grabbing [ Sasa ]'s head, Qi Xing showed the dark face of a powerhouse before killing someone. "This first [ silver coin ] of yours isn't some '[ Dominator ]' at all, is it?"

"Since it is Qliphoth, the order is naturally reversed—" "The first [ silver coin ] is actually [ The World ], isn't it?"

Seeing that she could no longer deny the fact that she lacked originality and had plagiarized extensively, [ Sasa ] could only hang her head in humiliation and admit her mistake.

"…Actually, I didn't completely lie to you." However, she still had to be stubborn. "I told you before that the [ Dominator ] means mastering everything, achieving everything, and controlling the universe; isn't that '[ The World ]'?"

You're just talking nonsense.

[ The World ], the last of the Major Arcana cards in Tarot, means "Completion" in its upright position—perfection, success, fulfillment of a mission, ending, eternity.

But the reversed [ The World ] means "Incomplete": failure, giving up halfway, dissatisfaction, imperfection, shortcomings, flaws. There is still something lacking; it is one crucial step away from the finish line.

Everything was finally revealed. This entire [ Sasa Universe ] is the reversed [ The World ].

Volume 7: Age of Apocalypse in the Dharma Decline: 245: Who are you?

Thirty [ silver coin ]s, twenty-two of which correspond to the Major Arcana of Tarot.

By now, with [ Elaine ] pointing it out, Qi Xing could finally understand.

Then, what are the remaining eight?

Since Qi Xing and his party have not seen them yet, Qi Xing could only do as usual, reaching out to poke [ Sasa ], forcing her to speak.

Forced to do so, [ Sasa ] couldn't take it and had to obediently answer: "Actually, it's not complicated. First, there are the four Minor Arcana cards: [ Wands ] representing fire, [ Cups ] representing water, [ Pentacles ] representing earth, and [ Swords ] representing wind—which are the four basic elements that make up the physical universe."

"Then, there is another set of symbols also used in Tarot, the four archetypes that make up the spiritual universe: [ The Lion ] representing 'emotion'; [ The Eagle ] representing 'intuition'; [ The Man ] representing 'thought'; and [ The Bull ] representing 'senses.'"