Chapter 418 Don't pretend, you are the best in the twelve divisions. - Socially Anxious Witch in the Apocalypse

Si Shu emerged, cradling a book in her arms. Si Zhi managed a grin, dragging his injured body away. Every few steps, he had to pause for breath, leaving one to wonder if he could even survive the journey out. A member of the Twelve Si without their powers was no better than a cripple, especially amidst so many demons and evil gods, any of whom could easily snatch him away and be done with him. Si Shu glanced at Si Zhi and offered a pure smile, then turned her gaze to the ever-adorable Si Sui and asked, “Si Sui, as a fellow member of the Twelve Si, are you ready to turn on your own?” Si Sui replied, “If anyone’s looking to betray, it’s you, Si Shu. Stop pretending; you’re the most conniving of us all.” “Conniving?” Taken aback, Si Shu laughed heartily. “Haha, from kindergarten until now, you’re the first to call me that. It truly brings me joy.” Can being called conniving be a cause for joy? She must be pretending. If it wasn’t an act, then it would mean Si Shu was somehow not normal. Si Sui said, “Si Shu, didn’t you kill the second-generation Si Di?” Si Shu was stunned. “No, I had no grievance with him, so why kill him? Don’t forget, his Si Di powers were a gift from me.” Si Sui continued, “Then how do you explain the Si Di powers you possess?” Si Shu said casually, “Naturally, he crawled to me with his injuries and entrusted them to me.” Si Sui smirked, “Besides Si Di’s powers, to think you also have Si Ming’s powers. It’s a pity Si Ming trusted you so much.” Within the Twelve Si, Si Sui had secretly assessed everyone’s strength. Excluding the enigmatic Si Wu, the strongest were Si Tian and Si Di, and following closely was Si Ming, Pei Xiaomiao. After the world’s channel last opened and Si Ming’s SOS was sent, nothing more was heard from her. But who would have expected Si Ming’s powers to end up with Si Shu? Si Shu shook her head. “Oh, Si Ming gifted those to me too.” Si Sui laughed. About to say something, she turned to where Si Zhi had gone, but he was nowhere in sight. Knowing that Si Zhi could barely take a step without gasping for breath, how could he just vanish? As for demons or evil gods attacking? Impossible. The only option left was that Si Zhi had escaped. Si Shu remarked, “Are you looking for Si Zhi? He’s long gone.” Si Sui, recalling the earlier nuances, quickly grasped the situation: Si Zhi’s use of the Golden Cicada shedding its skin was cunning indeed. Gazing into Si Shu’s eyes, she noticed the barren ground at her feet subtly sprouting green grass, silently spreading. Si Shu said, “Si Sui, you know I wouldn’t dare act with so many powers fused. Your courage is quite something.” Pages of a book turned. With a flash of light, Si Sui discovered herself within Si Shu’s domain of the Great Library. No, this was not just the Library—it was also a dreamscape. “In the dream, I am God!” Si Shu reached out a hand toward Si Sui. “Breaking the rules of Si Tian’s dream is actually simple: you just need enough imaginative belief.” Si Sui remained calm, ascending slowly. Powerful energy surged outward. “I declare, I am the true deity!” Her domain expanded, aiming to shatter Si Shu’s dreamscape. Truth be told, whether it was the first-generation Si Tian or anyone else, Si Sui wasn’t intimidated, much less so by someone who had merely inherited Si Tian’s powers. However, as the powers reached their peak, Si Sui’s expression changed. She looked up to find a colossal Si Shu blocking out the sky, watching her. “This isn’t good—I’ve been deceived!” Si Sui tried to escape, but it was too late. The space she was in was indeed the Great Library and a dreamscape, but fundamentally, it was a book. Information indicated Si Shu typically turned people into books directly, yet this time, she tricked one into a book before transformation. Si Shu had never used this trick before, keeping it deeply hidden! “Su Cheng, you can’t do this to me, you can’t…” Si Sui shouted, hoping Si Shu would spare her. Si Shu chuckled coldly, closing the book. Yet, as it shut, the book began to sprout grass, bloom, wither, and renew… “Trying to escape confinement by destroying the book? Is that your decision after acquiring Si Zhi’s powers?” “Si Sui, did you think I wanted your powers?” Si Shu, with the book that was Si Sui securely sealed, approached the Abyss. Nearing it, she cast the book onto a piece of rock. Instantly, something within the Abyss seemed activated, and the rock radiated a blinding light. Boom! After numerous cycles, Si Sui successfully broke the confinement and emerged. “Su Cheng, I will kill you!” “…” Su Cheng’s figure was nowhere in sight, only endless, chaotic rocks. Si Sui attempted to move but was horrified to find her body fixed firmly to a rock. “This is the Abyss!” “…” No time for shock, the rock beneath her abruptly accelerated, shooting through the chaotic rocks and landing on an island. Familiar! A form stood right before her. “It’s you!” Si Sui widened her eyes. Si Wu turned and said, “I was fretting over regaining the powers, but Si Shu didn’t swallow your powers and instead sent you over. Once I’m fully revived, I should thank Si Shu.” Si Sui tried to break free but couldn’t move at all. For she was bound by the entire Abyss. Even demons and evil gods could easily perish here. “Were you collaborating with Si Shu?” Si Sui’s eyes enlarged in shock. Si Wu shook his head. “No, Si Shu is just too clever, and you too foolish. Si Zhi’s powers are wasted on you.” He extended a hand, piercing through Si Sui’s heart and gripping it. “Honestly, the Twelve Si, just tools under my care.” Si Sui focused on Si Wu, attempting to see his face, see through his truth. But as blood blurred her vision, she saw nothing more. Boom! With Si Wu crushing Si Sui’s heart, she exploded into a mist of blood, swallowed entirely by the Abyss. Simultaneously, Si Sui and Si Zhi’s powers returned, and a powerful aura erupted from Si Wu, disappearing as swiftly as it had come. He vanished from the island instantaneously. The Abyss was vast, yet the outburst might have drawn attention from powerful entities outside. Especially the witch, Su Miao. If Su Miao uncovered the Abyss’s secrets and unleashed starlight upon it, there’d be great trouble. However, by disappearing directly, the demons and evil gods outside would certainly grow curious about the Abyss, leading more to enter—this would become his opportunity. “With the Twelve Si members all in the inner world, it’s time to try this.” Si Wu reached the second island within the Abyss’ depths, activating a magic array there and stepping inside. In a blink, Si Wu was in another dimension. Here, a colossal heart, meters high, hovered in the air. Around it, a dense aura of blood circulated, which, upon closer inspection, stemmed from demons and evil gods who had met their end in the Abyss. Naturally, some of it belonged to Si Sui. “I’m back! You’ve waited long, haven’t you?” Si Wu extended his hand, channeling the powers of Si Wu, Si Sui, and Si Zhi into the heart. “Return, return, all return…” Reciting an ancient incantation, the heart oscillated between reality and illusion, emitting invisible ripples through the void under the stimulation of Si Wu, Si Sui, and Si Zhi’s powers. Si Zui, Si Li, Si Heng, Si Ye, exploring within the inner world, as well as Si Shu outside the Abyss, all shifted their gaze toward it. A compelling urge swelled within them. They felt an overwhelming pull to come take a look. ... “Strange, why am I heading this way?” Si Zui, halfway through his path, paused, glancing at the black tome in his hand, troubled. “It seems something is drawing me in—a danger!” Si Zui made an attempt to stop himself. But shortly after halting, he found himself unknowingly advancing toward the Abyss once more. Repeatedly, despite losing track of direction, he continued drawing nearer to the Abyss. ... “I am practically no longer among the living, and still, they won’t leave me be?” Casually detaining a wandering spirit nearby, Si Li infused it with his own powers. “Head this way, to where you belong.” “Yes, master.” The spirit accepted its command. After walking a few steps, the elite spirit halted and said, "Master, a musical instrument, please, otherwise I can't adapt." Si Li was taken aback. "What do you need?" The spirit responded, "A guzheng." Si Li retrieved a guzheng from his spatial storage and handed it over. Seeing the instrument, the spirit held it vertically with one hand, plucking a few discordant notes with its bony fingers, appearing quite satisfied. Si Li struggled to maintain composure. "Will there be anything else?" The elite spirit replied, "No, Master. I'll be on my way." Si Li nodded. "Go on, may you achieve your wishes." ... Gazing into the distance, Si Heng took a few steps, then resolved to follow the direction his heart guided. Unlike the others, he was always in search of the source of powers. Controlling the source would equate to becoming a god. Few knew that during the clash between Si Shu and Si Di, he was nearby. From that time, Si Heng became deeply curious about Si Shu. Using the opportunity when Si Shu left her base, he personally investigated and obtained unexpected information. Unfortunately, since arriving in this inner world, he had struggled to find the right direction—until now, his chance had finally arrived. Si Heng swiftly dashed towards the Abyss. He needed to be faster than Si Shu. ... Si Ye had a particularly unique way of thinking. He simply stayed where he was, spread his arms wide, and let the darkness envelop everything around him, bringing everything to a halt, as if extinguished. A passing demon lord saw this, took a quick glance, then hurried away. "Damn, a lunatic." "Who would engage in self-extinction like that? Almost got dragged in myself." ... Outside the Abyss, Si Shu stared at it, filled with suspicion and uncertainty. Without the mysterious blonde girl’s warning, she might have perished inside. [Si Wu, you’re really heartless.] [Even after gifting you two powers, you still want me to step inside for more.] Initially, Si Shu planned a little opportunistic venture; decisively, she turned away. However, after a few steps, she was horrified to find herself closer to the Abyss. At that moment, moving forward or backward seemed impossible. What to do? After some thought, Si Shu looked towards Su Miao, standing on a peak, almost shouting, "Help, mighty one!" Sensing Si Shu's gaze, Su Miao lifted a hand, and a giant hand descended from the void. Si Shu gazed up at the sudden apparition, astonished. Nearby demon lords and evil gods were petrified upon witnessing the scene. One must never gaze directly at the supreme existence. How dare such a creature look directly at the Witch? They're courting death. Boom! The void crumbled, leaving a large pit where Si Shu stood. "Couldn't be more dead." "The witch is terrifying." "Don’t look that way, you might get killed." "Something stirs in the Abyss, definitely a treasure's emergence; focus on the Abyss instead." "…" All evil gods and demon lords abruptly withdrew their consciousness, fearing being overheard by the Witch Su Miao, which could lead to their demise. Even the minor creatures who dared peek were crushed by the Witch without mercy, demonstrating her irrational severity. ... Far away in the void, its distance from the Abyss indeterminable. Si Shu was relieved—she was unharmed. The Su Miao standing on the high peak was the real deal. Yet still, she found herself at a significant altitude. Si Shu let out a shrill scream as she plummeted downward, crashing heavily into the ground. Boom! The earth trembled, leaving a large crater where Si Shu landed. Moments later, a dusty Si Shu climbed out of the pit, her face full of resentment. “Almost forgot I have Si Di's powers…” She sensed it, and the authority she controlled no longer resonated with the Abyss. Thanks to Su Miao, for rescuing her from peril. Si Shu felt grateful she hadn’t fused Si Sui and Si Zhi's powers; otherwise, even with the blonde girl’s warning, she would have been compelled by their resonance and inscrutable inner urgings to march into the Abyss. These powers needed to be properly managed. After putting her thoughts in order, Si Shu stood up to discern where she was. Judging by the remains on the ground, a fierce battle must have occurred here recently. Conflict meant life was nearby, and where there’s life, there’s no risk of getting lost. After traveling a bit, Si Shu found a large, inscribed stone. The text was ancient, but she'd studied it. “The Forbidden Abyssal Sea…” ... "Phew." Outside the Abyss, Su Miao, maintaining her aloof demeanor, exhaled softly. To the observing demon lords and evil gods, the Witch had squashed an ant named Si Shu, but in reality, Su Miao had conjured a mere illusion. The truth was Su Miao had teleported Si Shu away. Regardless, Si Shu had helped her, and she had never shown any ill intent. Thus, noticing Si Shu’s predicament, she didn’t mind lending a hand. Yet her grasp of spatial laws wasn’t quite perfect; the teleportation might have issues, such as not knowing exactly where Si Shu ended up… The one thing Su Miao knew was that the teleportation had sent Si Shu very far, far enough to prevent any demon lord or evil god by the Abyss here from tracking her. This also meant these entities wouldn’t learn of her origins. Otherwise, while she was off Earth, they might invade in her absence—a terrifying prospect. Moreover, Su Miao’s parents were somewhere in this inner world, perhaps on another side—they couldn’t afford any additional peril. (Chapter ends)