Once the long-sealed darkness is opened, it can never be closed again.
While the ten Martial Ancestors were locked in confrontation with the Ancient Great Demons at the vanguard of the battlefield—unable to spare attention for anything else—Mo had been rallying wave after wave of reinforcements, leading the human race behind him to victory after victory in battle after battle!
As the ages turned, his power only grew stronger.
He did what he had once wanted to do. His name was praised by every human.
He harbored few ambitions—he only wished to end this war as swiftly as possible, so that Mu would have time to stay by his side.
For that goal, he would stop at nothing. He bestowed tremendous power upon those humans who feared battle and avoided combat, making them fearless.
He even began spreading his influence through world after world, so that those people could grow strong as quickly as possible.
All his efforts and sacrifices were not in vain.
Mu and the other nine Martial Ancestors slew countless Ancient Great Demons at the battlefield's vanguard and achieved a sweeping victory.
The human armies he commanded reaped rich rewards on every front as well.
The survival space of the Ancient Demon Race was squeezed ever further.
Humanity was on the verge of final victory.
Mu, whom he had not seen in many years, reappeared before him. Mo was overjoyed, eagerly telling Mu of all his efforts and achievements over the years, utterly failing to notice the trace of sorrow in Mu's eyes.
He made a vow to Mu—after the war ended, they would never be separated again.
Mu tousled his head and agreed. From that day on, wherever Mu went, she brought him along.
He lost his previous authority and was no longer permitted to set foot on the battlefield, but he did not care about any of it.
Compared to being praised by countless humans, compared to making those who disobeyed fall in line, what he loved most was simply staying quietly by Mu's side.
The war finally ended. Humanity had won final victory and become the masters of this realm. The Ancient Great Demons had been slaughtered to the last—though remnants of the Demon Race still survived, they could no longer stir up any waves.
Mu took him traveling, letting him witness the world's original beauty and tranquility. Together they were like true siblings, and during their travels Mu cared for him with meticulous warmth.
Mo felt that even if he had died at that moment, he would have had no regrets.
In the years that followed, he had asked himself more than once—why hadn't he died in that beautiful memory? That way, his life would have been truly perfect.
One day, Mu said she wanted to take him home—to see the place where he had been born.
Though Mo was reluctant to return to the place that had bound him for untold years, it was Mu's request, so he agreed without hesitation.
The two set out together and returned to that ancient, desolate land.
The other nine brothers and sisters were already waiting. After Mu brought him there, he immediately sensed a grand and massive formation activating, sealing off the void in all directions!
Mo did not understand.
Mu told him the truth.
He had never imagined that one day Mu would deceive him!
Shock, rage, grief—an overwhelming flood of indescribable emotions engulfed him.
Mu had brought him here solely to seal and imprison him once more. Everything that came before—the travels, the warmth—had only been a final, fleeting beauty.
His heart felt as though it were being twisted by knives! The trust and reliance he had built over countless years shattered into sorrow, and in that instant Mo lost his reason.
The power he had accumulated over the years erupted forth, and Mo's very nature was utterly twisted beyond recognition...
And under his influence, every living being who had been tainted by his power was transformed into his thrall.
Humanity—which had enjoyed only a brief span of peace—was once again engulfed by an endless sea of war...
...
In the small cottage, Mo let out a soft sigh. His small frame rapidly grew, and in the blink of an eye he had transformed into a handsome young man with refined features.
He rose, stepped outside, and lifted his gaze to the sky, his eyes distant with reverie.
Such a tender and ancient memory...
Mu walked out of the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron, and looked at him with a gentle smile. "Ready to go?"
Mo turned his head, his gaze complex as he looked at Mu, and gave a slight nod.
Mu spoke softly: "These past years... your Sixth Sister has wronged you..."
Mo raised his hand to cut her off and broke into a smile of his own. "Sixth Sister, you were right."
"Hm?" Mu tilted her head at him, somewhat confused.
Mo said: "The me of those days was still far too naive. I thought I could fully control that power. In reality, even I myself could hardly keep it in check. If you all hadn't chosen to seal me away back then, there would be no human race left today!"
Mu froze for a moment, then seemed to grasp what he meant, her expression shifting slightly. "You mean..."
Mo sighed. "That power is the fundamental thing. I was merely the consciousness it spawned over the long ages. Though you taught me all manner of beautiful things, existence in this world is not ultimately all beautiful. No matter what consciousness it gives rise to, its power will only continue to grow. Sooner or later, that spawned consciousness will become its slave—driven and commanded by it, enslaving everything! Just as the birth of the Mo Cult in this world was inevitable."
Hearing this, Mu finally understood. "So after that power was sealed away, it actually allowed you to find yourself again?"