A familiar voice, as if heard just yesterday.
Chang Yuan froze in place.
The voice came from behind him, but he didn't dare turn around.
He knew clearly that this was just a dream, and everything here would shatter at the slightest touch.
"Yuan, why aren't you turning around to look at me? If you don't turn around soon, I'll leave."
The voice was close. Chang Yuan could almost smell the familiar scent of that person.
Even her shadow had appeared in front of him.
But Chang Yuan, cowardly, didn't dare turn around.
"Alright, turn around already. Didn't you want to see me?"
The figure reached out and embraced Chang Yuan from behind.
The owner of the figure could feel Chang Yuan's body trembling slightly in her arms.
"You... you're just a figment of my dream. You're not... not her..."
As he spoke, Chang Yuan couldn't hold back his tears.
The tough facade he had been maintaining finally crumbled.
She felt just like her—the same gentleness, the same tone of voice, the same concern for him.
"A dream? Hehe, why can't it be the Stigmata Space?"
"Stigmata Space? Right, I remember now. It's the consciousness of the Stigmata Space, isn't it? So, she's really gone."
The figure didn't know how to comfort this man, so she could only continue to hold him.
After what felt like an eternity, Chang Yuan finally managed to regain control of his emotions.
"So, why did I enter this Stigmata Space?"
Seeing that Chang Yuan had calmed down, the figure released him.
"Because the creation of a Stigmata is based on the life and experiences of its contributor. Here, you can learn everything about her past and familiarize yourself with all that she was.
If you have the power of the Stigmata but don't know how to use it, you'll only be able to unleash half of its potential. So, it's my duty to teach you how to wield this power."
Chang Yuan turned around and looked at the figure he had longed for. After hearing her words, he fell into deep thought.
This was perfect. The other clone still lacked combat skills, so this was a good opportunity to learn.
"Alright, let's begin the training."
"Mhm, but from now on, you have to call me 'Teacher'."
The Stigmata Elysia smiled as she spoke.
"Fine, if you won't call me that, then let's just start. But you have to learn properly."
After that, Chang Yuan began to train under the guidance of Stigmata Elysia, learning all of her combat techniques.
Soon, dawn arrived.
"Alright, that's enough for today. I'll have you come in every night to continue learning."
"Understood."
Chang Yuan glanced at Stigmata Elysia and nodded.
The consciousness of the Stigmata Space was, in essence, no different from Elysia's consciousness.
But it was more like a similar flower—no matter how similar, it wasn't the original.
"Then, goodbye."
Waving her hand, Stigmata Elysia bid farewell to Chang Yuan.
Chang Yuan nodded and then left the Stigmata Space.
"It's so nice. As expected of me, the one who's good at creating miracles. Perhaps, girls who smile a lot are always lucky. It's just a pity that I can't see the outside world right now. Yuan, go and witness everything I've created."
Elysia materialized a swing in the pure white space.
She sat on it and began to swing, not knowing how long she would stay there.
Meanwhile, Chang Yuan, who had just woken up, didn't hear Elysia's complaints.
"Wake up, it's time to go out for a walk."
"Ugh, let me sleep a little longer."
Although Chang Yuan could forcefully control her to get up and accompany him, he chose not to.
Perhaps it was because of that similarity in his heart, or perhaps it was because of an indescribable emotion.
Shaking his head, Chang Yuan stood up and walked out.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw the giant pink stingray.
"Hey, you. Elysia's still sleeping. Let me pet you, or no one will save you."
With a flick of its tail, Maheśvara gave its response.
But this time, Chang Yuan grabbed its tail.
He then ran his hand along the tail, only to find out—unexpectedly—that Maheśvara's tail had barbs.
As a result, Chang Yuan's hand was now bleeding.
"This isn't my fault. You brought it on yourself."
Looking at Chang Yuan's bleeding hands, Maheśvara seemed almost gleeful.
Serves you right, you stinky human, for trying to touch me without permission.
"Hmph, it's just a minor injury. Let's go."
Shaking his hands, Chang Yuan quickly shook off the blood, and the wounds had already healed completely.
In this ancient era, everyone was already up and about. After all, in this time, only the hardworking could survive.
Even with the guidance of Expert Vill-V and the others, it would take a long time to change this situation.
Seeing even 6-year-old children working, Chang Yuan didn't pay it much mind.
Everything now was so peaceful and harmonious.
A loud roar echoed, and Chang Yuan immediately turned to look.
He saw a horde of Honkai beasts charging toward the tribe.
"The strongest one is a Honkai Emperor. Well, it's been 50,000 years since I last fought. I hope I haven't gotten rusty."
Drawing the 3rd Divine Key, Seven Thunders of Retribution, from his waist, Chang Yuan's gaze sharpened.
With a single horizontal slash, purple-red lightning instantly cut through all the Honkai beasts.
In mere moments, the Honkai beast horde, which could have destroyed several tribes in this ancient era, was completely obliterated.
"That's it?"
Sheathing his blade, Chang Yuan clicked his tongue.
Just one slash—it wasn't even enough to warm up.
"Wow! The Immortal is mighty! The Immortal is mighty!"
The people of the Youxiong Tribe, having witnessed everything, cheered for Chang Yuan's prowess.
Chang Yuan smiled and nodded at them.
He then found a high hill to sit on. Soon after, a pink figure sat down beside him.
"Yuan, I'm here."
"Mhm. Look, even now, humans are united, fighting against the Honkai together. This time, humanity will surely win."
Pointing at the ancient humans below who were working together to build defenses, Chang Yuan's tone was uncharacteristically gentle.
Only when facing Elysia could he be this gentle.
With Vill-V and the others, he interacted as friends, maintaining a more casual demeanor.
"Mhm, I've always believed in humanity. And I believe you won't let me down, Yuan."
Elysia gently took Chang Yuan's hand.
But Chang Yuan didn't notice—was it really his consciousness controlling her this time?