Black Magic Rose Chapter 37
byChapter 37: The Covenant of New Life
Under absolute power, the fragments of time and space, like wrinkles smoothed by an invisible hand, slowly returned to stability. The aftershocks of Annihilation had not completely dissipated; instead, they transformed into nourishment for new life, constructing a bizarre yet vibrant new world upon the reshaped laws. The sky was no longer a monotonous energy curtain but displayed a flowing, magnificent color palette, like the intertwining of aurora and nebula. On the ground, soft, glowing fungal mats coexisted with hard Energy Crystals. Strange plants unfurled their translucent branches and leaves, inhaling the energy luminescence rich with vital breath that permeated the air. In the distance, mountains formed from solidified energy storms, resembling glazed glass, refracted dazzling halos under the shifting celestial light.
Wen Jingheng and Shu Yijin stood at the center of this new world. Beneath their feet was the energy base that had once served as their shelter, now merged with the earth. The aura surrounding the two was completely integrated with this heaven and earth, as if they were both the destroyers of the world and its newly born Creator Deities.
Wen Jingheng could clearly feel that the Chaotic Energy within him had completely subsided. There was no longer restlessness or conflict; instead, it flowed obediently and powerfully through his blood and soul, responding instantly to his will. Destruction and creation—these two extreme forces had achieved a subtle balance within him, even faintly resonating with this nascent world. With a slight shift in his thoughts, a nearby curled fern unfurled, its leaves visibly becoming greener and fuller; wherever his gaze fell, an unstable spatial fold quietly smoothed out, turning into solid ground.
Shu Yijin stood beside him, his crimson eyes reflecting the world they had jointly “catalyzed,” with the focused satisfaction of an art connoisseur. He stretched out a hand, his fingertips wreathed in a wisp of dark energy that was deeper and more restrained than before. This energy no longer carried a purely destructive aura; instead, it possessed a quality of nurturing and shaping. He flicked his finger lightly, and the wisp of dark energy fell into a nearby puddle of energy water. The puddle did not dry up; instead, it rapidly expanded and deepened. The water became crystal clear, and luminous sand and tender aquatic plants quietly sprouted at the bottom.
“It seems the end of destruction is indeed new life,” Shu Yijin said softly, his tone carrying a strange sense of emotion. He turned to look at Wen Jingheng, complex light flickering in his crimson eyes. “And we have become the ‘cornerstones’ of this new world.”
Wen Jingheng nodded silently. The feeling was marvelous. They were no longer drifting survivors but were inextricably linked to this heaven and earth. The world’s pulse seemed to breathe in sync with theirs. He could sense the vitality of the fungal mats beneath his feet, hear the faint hum of energy flowing through the crystal clusters, and even vaguely detect some extremely weak, nascent consciousnesses budding in the corners of the world. This was a form of authority and responsibility far beyond imagination.
“What do we do next?” Wen Jingheng asked. The world was newly established but barren, full of infinite possibilities, yet also endless emptiness.
The corner of Shu Yijin’s mouth curved into his usual, slightly wicked arc. “What do we do? Naturally… we decorate this new ‘home’ according to our preferences.” The unique excitement of a creator burned in his eyes. “We can’t keep sleeping on fungal mats and looking at these monotonous lights and shadows, can we?”
In the days that followed, they acted like true Creator Deities, beginning to “decorate” their world. This process also became an extension and refinement of the new dynamic in their relationship.
Shu Yijin had an almost obsessive pursuit of “aesthetics” and “comfort.” Disliking the monotony of the fungal mats, he expended effort and guided energy to cultivate large patches of glowing moss and strange flowers of different colors and forms across the land. Some flowers emitted pleasant musical notes at specific times, and some vines wove themselves into natural gazebos and swings. He selected the purest Energy Crystals, using them as cores, supplemented by resilient plant fibers and solidified energy flows, to begin constructing a true “residence.”
It was no longer a crude shelter but the nascent form of a palace perfectly integrated with its surroundings. The palace structure was elegant and peculiar, featuring both Gothic spires and arches, yet also incorporating the ingenuity of Eastern pavilions and towers. The material was a weave of translucent Energy Crystals and living, faintly glowing plants. The interior space was vast, featuring indoor springs flowing with the Water of Vitality, carpets woven from soft, glowing mycelium, and terraces overlooking half the world.
Wen Jingheng, conversely, focused more on “rules” and “stability.” He used his power to sort out the energy veins of the land, quell localized energy storms that occasionally appeared, and reinforce weak points in space. He guided water flow to form clear rivers and lakes and cultivated trees to create forests that provided shelter and resources. His style of creation was grander and more austere, carrying an undeniable sense of order.
The two styles inevitably clashed.
“We should build a high tower here to clearly observe the changes in the entire world,” Shu Yijin said, pointing to a ridge with an excellent view.
“A high tower would disrupt the energy balance there and easily attract thunder storms. A platform is more suitable,” Wen Jingheng countered.
“A platform is too boring! Energy balance can be adjusted, and thunder storms are also beautiful!”
“Stability is paramount. Beauty cannot come at the cost of risk.”
Similar arguments occurred frequently. Shu Yijin pursued extreme romance and the bizarre, while Wen Jingheng adhered to practicality and safety. The arguments sometimes escalated into “sparring matches” accompanied by energy fluctuations. The two would exchange blows above the newly built palace or on the unformed ground. The black-gold Chaotic Energy collided with the deep dark energy, exploding into brilliant halos, but always controlled within limits that would not damage the world’s foundation. These “sparring matches” often ended in a certain way—sometimes Wen Jingheng would use his more overwhelming power to “pin” Shu Yijin against a newly formed crystal wall, sealing his incessant mouth with a kiss that carried a hint of punishment; other times, Shu Yijin would rely on his elusive movements and exquisite energy control to lure Wen Jingheng into a beautiful trap, such as a suddenly blooming giant flower that released an intoxicating fragrance, then watch with composure as the other struggled free, before offering a provocative and smug smile.
In this process of creation and contest, a new balance gradually formed. Shu Yijin learned to consider the “baseline rules” set by Wen Jingheng when pursuing aesthetics, and Wen Jingheng also began to appreciate and appropriately accept the unconventional “surprises” brought by Shu Yijin. Their powers became increasingly compatible through collision and fusion, and their control over the world became more effortless.
The world’s vitality erupted at an astonishing speed. Besides plants, some simple, small creatures began to appear. They were marvelous creations resulting from the combination of energy and matter, varying in form—some like glowing butterflies, others like crystal-clear small beasts—bringing vitality to this silent heaven and earth. Wen Jingheng and Shu Yijin observed the evolution of these lives with great interest, occasionally intervening to guide them toward different evolutionary paths, like manipulating a giant sandbox.
Life seemed to have settled into a peaceful and fulfilling routine. But they both knew that something fundamental required a more formal “confirmation.”
One day, Shu Yijin led Wen Jingheng to the highest terrace of the palace. Located above the sea of clouds, it overlooked the magnificent, dreamlike world they had jointly created. Auroras flowed across the sky, and the stars (newly condensed energy bodies) were scattered like shattered diamonds.
Shu Yijin stood with his back to the spectacular scenery, facing Wen Jingheng. Today, he wore a specially tailored dark red robe, the hem embroidered with dark patterns sourced from the same origin as the Black Rose mark on Wen Jingheng’s chest. His ink-black hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin, lending him less of his usual demonic allure and more solemnity.
“Wen Jingheng,” he began, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable seriousness, “The contract of the old world became invalid with the world’s Annihilation. Now, this world belongs to us.”
Wen Jingheng looked at him, understanding dawning in his heart. He nodded, waiting for him to continue.
Shu Yijin extended his hand, palm up. A mass of pure dark energy, fused with his Source Blood power, floated above it. In the center of the energy, the faint phantom of a budding Black Rose was visible. “I need a new contract.” His crimson eyes burned as he looked at Wen Jingheng. “A contract… that belongs only to the two of us, coexisting with this new world.”
Wen Jingheng did not hesitate. He also extended his hand, condensing his black-gold Chaotic Energy in his palm. In the center of the energy was a diamond-shaped rune mark symbolizing stability and order. Their power attributes were vastly different, yet they resonated strongly at this moment, as if they were fundamentally of the same origin.
“What kind of contract?” Wen Jingheng asked, his gaze deep.
Shu Yijin took a step forward, their palms nearly touching, the energies attracting and intertwining. “Sharing all authority over this world, sensing each other’s existence, lives connected, destiny shared.” He paused, a flash of almost fragile light in his crimson eyes, quickly replaced by determination. “And… Never Abandon.”
“Never Abandon…” Wen Jingheng repeated the four words softly, heavy as a thousand pounds. This meant a complete binding, not just of power and life, but the total surrender of soul and future. In this new world where they had nothing but each other, this was the heaviest promise.
He looked into Shu Yijin’s eyes. In that crimson expanse, he saw anticipation, a hint of unease, and reckless resolve. He knew that Shu Yijin, though seemingly proactive, had completely placed the choice in his hands. This contract was an invitation, a test, and the maximum extent of trust that this insecure Evil God could offer.
Wen Jingheng slowly raised the corner of his mouth, a faint but genuine smile. He stepped forward, his palm fully meeting Shu Yijin’s.
“As you wish.”
The moment the two powerful Source Blood energies converged in their palms, an indescribable burst of light erupted, illuminating the entire terrace, and even half the sky, as bright as day. In the light, the phantoms of the Black Rose and the diamond rune slowly rotated, eventually intertwining and merging to form a brand new, complex, and beautiful mark. It split into two, branding itself deep within the souls of both men.
The covenant was sealed!
In that instant, Wen Jingheng felt his perception extend infinitely. He could not only clearly sense Shu Yijin’s every heartbeat and every breath but could even vaguely feel the excitement and relief in his heart at this moment. He could also “see” more clearly every energy vein of the world, the growth of every plant, and the frolicking of every small beast. This world had truly become an extension of their bodies.
Shu Yijin’s sensation was equally intense. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his crimson eyes were filled with unprecedented brilliance and stability. He tightly gripped Wen Jingheng’s hand, his fingertips trembling slightly with emotion.
“Now, we truly can’t be separated,” Shu Yijin’s voice held a trace of a choke, but his smile was dazzlingly bright.
Wen Jingheng pulled him into a tight embrace. This hug was closer than any before, as if they were trying to merge into each other’s flesh and blood. The soul covenant removed all barriers between them, and a sense of perfect integration filled their bodies and minds.
“No, we can’t be separated,” Wen Jingheng’s deep response sounded in his ear.
They embraced on the terrace for a long time, until the stars in the sky gradually dimmed, and a new round of “dawn” was about to arrive. Below them, the world they had created awoke in the morning light (the peak of the energy tide), radiating vigorous vitality.
“Let’s go,” Shu Yijin lifted his head from Wen Jingheng’s embrace, the usual agility and cunning restored to his eyes. “Our world still needs more interesting ‘decorations.’”
Wen Jingheng lowered his head and placed a soft yet firm kiss on his lips.
“Alright.”
A new chapter officially began with this soul covenant. They were each other’s only one, the joint masters of this new world. The years ahead might be long, and there might still be disagreements and challenges, but the vow of “Never Abandon” had laid the most solid foundation for this new life full of infinite possibilities. Their story would continue to be written on this miraculous land born from destruction.
(End of Novel)