"To open the Nether Gate, one must collect traces of loved ones."
"For billions of years thereafter, through countless Sangxiang worlds, he searched repeatedly."
"Loneliness and solitude, under constant weariness and searching, turned his heart to a state of deathly stillness."
"He became so silent that he couldn't speak, even forgetting how to make a sound. He finally found the soul fragments of everyone. He was joyous yet desolate."
"Because Tūmáo Hè was missing, he did not want his friends to be resurrected merely by memories he bestowed, as they wouldn't be their true selves. He chose to sacrifice himself, transforming into the world, using his own life force as soil to awaken everyone's life imprints."
"Everyone returned to life, including those who had schemed against him, but he alone was gone. This was Su Ming's price. He cultivated his entire life, only wishing for a home where he could be with the one he loved. This was his obsession."
"The path he chose, unlike that of the future-seeking Mièshēng Lǎorén, Su Ming chose to sever the future and preserve the past. Was he still lonely then?"
Su Mu's words struck the hearts of everyone present, again and again.
The Great Otsutsuki audience, listening intently, were already weeping uncontrollably, covering their faces in sorrow.
Indeed, was he lonely?
After billions of years of wandering, he was ultimately just a wisp of a remnant soul.
Eternal life might seem beautiful to many, but for Su Ming, it brought only endless suffering.
Reincarnation became a scar, etched into his soul, enduring the storms of time.
"On a rainy dusk, after Su Ming's death, a woman with long flowing hair and a little girl appeared, holding oil-paper umbrellas."
"The girl asked the woman, 'Where is Papa?'"
"The woman's gentle voice echoed in the rainy dusk."
"'Close your eyes, he is right beside you...'"
The story concluded here. Su Mu closed his fan, and the stage lights dimmed, leaving only his somber silhouette.
"This... this ending is too melancholic, sob sob..."
"'A thousand years of prostration before the demon, then turning back to the mortal world, forsaking immortality.' This line is truly the most moving in 'Qiu Mo'!"
"Schemed against for billions of years, only to sacrifice himself in the end. Do such people truly exist? I'm crying so hard..."
Su Mu sighed softly. As the saying goes, "listening to a painter draw a fleeting bow, reading about Su Ming, the ferryman, tears filled his eyes."
The audience erupted into thunderous applause, many Great Otsutsuki standing to applaud Su Mu for his brilliant storytelling.
The boss, filled with surprise, exclaimed, "This young fellow is truly remarkable! Storytelling has been an obscure profession here for a century, and today he has revived it!"
"I fear that after today, he will undoubtedly cause a sensation across the entire Great Otsutsuki planet."
"No, no matter the cost, I must keep him at the bar!"
The audience, deeply moved and unwilling for Su Mu to leave, shouted in unison, "Another one! I'm willing to pay a high price!"
"I'm willing too! Let's crowdfund!"
"Damn it, that was too good! 'Qiu Mo' is too tragic. Can you tell a more cheerful story!"
"This is the most engaging performance I've ever witnessed since I started listening to storytellers!"
Su Mu turned slightly towards the crowd and smiled, "Today's story ends here."
"If you all wish to hear more, perhaps next time."
"No! Don't go! I'm willing to pay, won't you stay?" a female Great Otsutsuki ran over and grabbed Su Mu's arm.
"Excuse me, will you be performing here again tomorrow?"
Su Mu broke free from the female Great Otsutsuki's grasp, a hint of anger on his face. How could the girls here be so impolite?
"Today's performance is the only one. Tomorrow is undecided, and as for the location, it's wherever I please."
With that, Su Mu walked directly towards the bar's exit.
Seeing this, the boss was displeased.
He gave the manager a signal, and the manager immediately understood.
The two hurried to intercept Su Mu, blocking his path. "Handsome, you're leaving after just one performance?"
"With such talent, why not stay? Name your price!"
Su Mu smiled faintly, "I'm used to freedom and can't stand being managed. Thank you for your kind offer, boss."
As Su Mu was about to exit the bar, the boss pulled out a large bundle of Wood Coins from his pocket and rushed over. "This is your payment for tonight, not much, just thirty thousand Wood Coins. Consider it!"
"Didn't we agree not to charge?" Su Mu looked at them, somewhat speechless. "I was just helping out temporarily. Please don't be formal, boss. You should keep this money yourself. Goodbye."
Su Mu pushed the door open and walked out.
"Alas...!"
"He... he's really gone?"
The boss and manager exchanged glances, sighing helplessly. "Can a phoenix stay in a chicken coop? He has aspirations. We should let it be."
"What a waste..."
Walking on the street in the early hours, Su Mu took out the device Arancia had given him.
This thing was equivalent to a mobile phone, but a hundred times more advanced.
It could project various patterns and functions into the air, including all information about the Great Otsutsuki planet.
You could also understand it as this: everything Su Mu did on Earth before his transmigration could be operated on this device.
"This is a good thing."
Su Mu played with it in his hand as the system finally chimed.
[Ding, completed the first storytelling mission on the Great Otsutsuki planet, the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda is unlocked!]
[Ding, system upgrade, reward settlement method upgraded!]
[Ding, due to the system upgrade, the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda has undergone special changes, all eight gates have opened collectively!]
[Ding, the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda has caused an unknown change in space!]
[Ding, introducing the Ten Thousand Realms, characters from all anime worlds are about to appear!]
[Ding, the host will now need to use storytelling to add important system-identified characters to their friend list, thereby completing tasks given by friends or resolving their worries, and earning rewards!]
[Completing tasks and resolving worries will unlock initial favorability points with friends. The higher the initial favorability points, the greater the reward!]
[You can now use the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda!]
Su Mu's eyes widened in surprise. "Holy crap, the system upgraded!"
"Wait, introducing the Ten Thousand Realms?"
"This means characters from various anime can appear here?"
"This is simply awesome!"
"But will this favorability system be a bit troublesome? It's like having to actively go make friends with people..."
"This reward system, precisely speaking, is to compensate for the regrets of all appearing anime characters?"
Su Mu didn't know if his understanding was correct, but for now, he had to find a suitable place to deploy the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda.
This way, his storytelling would have a proper venue.
He wouldn't have to wander around anymore.
Beep—
Beep—
The device in his hand suddenly beeped.
Su Mu opened it and saw it displayed "Dad."
"Hello, Su Mu brother, how's it going over there?"
"Ah... it's Arancia. I'm doing alright, but I need your help with something."
"You need my help? What is it?"
"It's just... do you know of any spacious open areas? It doesn't matter if it's far from the city center."
"Spacious open area?" Arancia squinted in thought. "Does the beach count... Dong Chuan Coast has a really big beach..."
"Yes, it counts. Thank you, Arancia. I'll send you the location tomorrow, and bring Uncle De along for dinner. I have something to do, so I'll hang up now!"
Su Mu hung up the phone and immediately headed to the location Arancia had mentioned.
Indeed, at Dong Chuan Coast, on the beach by the sea, there was a vast expanse of open space.
However, there were also a few small taverns open on the beach, the environment was quite pleasant.
"Back to the sea, placing the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda here will definitely make it grand!"
"If I build a courtyard in front, leading directly to the coast, we can even have barbecues at night. That would be awesome..."
Su Mu rubbed his hands gleefully.
No sooner said than done, Su Mu set up a barrier nearby to prevent others from becoming suspicious upon seeing it.
Under the moonlight, with no one around, he directly summoned the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda from the system.
Once done, Su Mu walked inside with satisfaction.
Upon entering the restaurant, from any angle, one could see the boundless sea. This feeling was truly incredible!
Storytelling here would not only be invigorating for him but even more so for the listeners!
The previous furnishings were still in the kitchen and bar, everything as good as new.
Snake Princess and Zhi Li had also regained consciousness and were busy cleaning the restaurant.
Su Mu sat comfortably on the sofa, looking at the scenery outside, drinking a strong liquor, and his heart gradually found peace.
After arriving on the Great Otsutsuki planet, he finally had a home of his own.
[Ding, the Ten Thousand Realms have officially opened, detecting a large group of people heading towards the restaurant!]
[Ding, mission issued, storytelling subject: Ling Po!]
[A surge of waves swept the coastline, the stranded fish rejoiced.]
[Those who owe a debt of love can never escape reincarnation.]