“Chapter 98: Eternal Faith (Minor Edits)”

"Chapter 98: Eternal Faith (Minor Edits)"

"Just a little opportunity was needed, and they would mutually become aware of each other's existence."

"The new King of Ita was raised by the Niliel Dragon, who, during its hunger phase, devoured the King's power dumplings of Ita."

"There is no existence more familiar to them in the entire universe. The moment the King's power returned, Lu Lin'an instantly located Yun Huai's coordinates."

"He found him faster than anyone else, closely followed by Iliad and the legion commander robots led by 0781."

"Upon seeing the city in the desert, Iliad screamed, panic-stricken, 'Ahh! The King has been staying in a place like this for three days??'"

"0781's gaze flickered, and a low, husky voice suddenly emerged in the communication system by his ear."

"'Alien coordinates at 654.09 domain direction, I've tracked the location of the war robots, estimated to arrive in two minutes.'"

"0781: 'Received.'"

"Iliad, astonished: 'Who are you talking to now?'"

"The repaired 0781, more imposing than ever: 'It’s Lord Lai Larel.'"

"Iliad: 'He's coming so fast??!'"

"0781, with a hum: 'I sent a distress signal to the lord three days ago. The safety of the King is the empire’s utmost priority. Lord Lai Larel must have been accelerating through warp jumps all along.'"

"As they spoke, the sonic boom of the spaceship entering the atmosphere suddenly resounded. Iliad glanced at the 'huge dark spot' on the high tower below, then turned to see a fully armed super battle spaceship."

"The spaceship switched to autopilot in mid-flight and barely stabilized when a tall, dark figure flew out from the cabin window."

"Following closely were countless dense black warships, all the battle maniacs from the Third System."

"Iliad inhaled sharply, shouting at Lai Larel before he could speak: 'Don't go down!'"

"Lai Larel halted his flight trajectory, and his first words upon seeing Iliad were: 'Where is the King.'"

"Iliad, in distress: 'Below! Lu Lin'an is also down there!'"

"Lai Larel’s tone turned even colder: 'He did not keep his promise. The King lost his coordinates in his own birth star domain.'"

"Iliad: '...It's complicated, in short, the plan couldn't keep up with the changes. He's already going berserk over this!'"

"Lai Larel, in a low voice: 'Where is he down there?'"

"0781, abruptly: 'The high tower.'"

"Lai Larel: 'What?'"

"Iliad, extending a mechanical pincer in helplessness, grabbing his ear: 'That big cluster of black on the surface's high tower, with a head, horns, claws, and a big tail! That's Lu Lin'an!!'"

……

"Underground laboratory."

"Since all the glass enclosures were shattered by the king's power, the native test subjects gained their freedom, but they didn't leave. The surface kept trembling, with continuous falling ash and loud noises from above."

"It seemed a battle was unfolding above."

"Mersey's face turned pale from lack of oxygen as he looked at Yun Huai, his eyes betraying undeniable surprise and madness."

"'You’re not, a mixed-blood noble.'"

"Yun Huai: 'I never said I was.'"

"Mersey's voice strained through his throat: 'Are you, the new King of Ita?'"

"Yun Huai didn't deny it, suppressing the golden-red fire dots and the immense mature power coursing through him: 'I've been watching you for a long time.'"

"'Since the border of the Second System, I've had Lu Lin'an investigate your whereabouts. By the way, do you know who Lu Lin'an is?' the youth lowered his voice, 'He's my ambiguous love interest. But you might be more familiar with his other identity—the Alien Lord. I said I would be late returning, and he’d worry. You insisted on keeping me here, provoking his wrath.'"

"Mersey's face contorted hideously for a moment, followed by a burst of hoarse laughter."

"His ordinary face flushed and paled alternately, hands unconsciously grasping Yun Huai’s wrists, seeking oxygen and vitality."

"'I remember now, the masked Ita person from the third-tier primal planet in the Genesis Star Domain... that was you too... The Ita King and the Alien Lord... you two... you two so early cough cough cough cough!'"

"Yun Huai: 'You served their family; you should know what their genes are like. Advising me not to accept his pursuit, even if I don't mind, do you think Lu Lin'an will let you off? Besides, sometimes I'm not so magnanimous. You’ve been deceiving me all along, and I really detest what you've done.'"

"Mersey laughed and coughed for several seconds, then suddenly whispered as if cursing: 'You two are too bold... The universe won’t tolerate the two strongest standing together, you can only be antagonistic. To love each other will not end well.'"

"Yun Huai's eyes narrowed amid the trembling space, as something slammed against the mechanical door with a thud."

"Mersey, mingled with dust, fell to the ground, kneeling and clutching his throat tightly."

"Gradual footsteps approached, and in the corner of the man's vision, he saw those noble white boots stepping over the corpses of the Black Apostles, moving towards him step by step."

"Behind him, the test subjects gathered, standing behind the King of Ita, each one looking at him as if he were an inferior and despicable creature."

"From the moment they realized they were deceived, this was how they looked at him, even as his test subjects, with that same unpleasant gaze."

"Mersey coughed lowly, his ribs fractured by the sudden impact of the king's power, each breath bringing piercing pain."

"'Cowards naturally despair at everything. You have no right to comment on our relationship,' Yun Huai said coldly, standing in front of him: 'So, where is the medicine vault that triggers the revival of the King Worm?'"

"Mersey abruptly raised his hand to unleash a psychic attack, but before he could, a sharp icicle pierced through his palm and, along with it, nailed it to the mechanical door behind."

"As the transition period ended and new power surged back, Yun Huai was surrounded by hexagonal psychic energy, and an almost uncontrollable cold murderous intent."

"He stood there, lean and upright. He looked at Mersey as if viewing a slightly larger insect."

"The hexagonal ice spikes slowly turned their direction, their tips trembling slightly with the king's fury, aimed at Mersey, as if ready to pin him to the mechanical door just like they did his hand."

"'Your methods... they don't match your appearance,' Mersey rasped, 'I thought you were a gentle child.'"

"Yun Huai's blood flowed rapidly, with Lu Lin'an's presence drawing ever closer. Compared to Lu Lin'an, Yun Huai felt he was already gentle enough."

"'I’ll ask again, where is the medicine vault?'"

"Mersey's head hung low: 'Underground.'"

"Yun Huai frowned."

"Mersey: 'It's right beneath all the residential areas, noble King of Ita. Do you intend to destroy it?'"

"His thoughts seemed very disordered, laughing one moment, expressionless the next, speaking in broken sentences: 'Then you would be burying... all the original inhabitants of Shen Star with it, 676 women, 243 young ones... and some men here, and some outside, the last of Shen Star's primal species. If the medicine vault is attacked, the contaminants will instantly flow into the Round Moon Spring, and the core of this city along with my base will be utterly destroyed.'"

"Yun Huai watched Mersey quietly."

"The breaths of the natives behind him were extremely heavy."

"'The prophet said he was very fond of Shen Star's spring water. The Round Moon Spring is the soul of Shen Star.'"

"Mersey laughed a few times: 'Hear that? Only my authority can access the medicine vault without triggering the system. You can't kill me, unless you want this place to completely vanish.'"

"'...This place once turned to ruins in the Fallen War. If we could build a city on the first ruins, we can do it again on the second. The people of Shen Star will always find a way to solve the pollution. But you, you must die.'"

"Mersey suddenly looked up, seeing pairs of eyes filled with resentment, a determination to go down with the ship, and deep-seated loathing."

"Just a day ago, they were nothing more than experimental subjects, less than trash."

"The noise from the ground grew louder, indicating an increasingly intense battle above. Yun Huai glanced at Mersey and suddenly asked, 'Do I really look that easy to threaten?'"

"Mersey, instinctively: 'What?'"

"Yun Huai's fingers in white gloves curled up, gently brushing his increasingly sharp and clear profile. The matured king's power slowly refilled, lending every move he made the charm of maturity."

"With purple eyes lowered, he looked at Mersey, not a trace of panic in the trembling space."

"In Yun Huai's eyes, Mersey found nothing, reality telling him that this was the legendary supreme King of Ita. Yet Yun Huai's appearance gave Mersey a bewildering sense of deception, making him lose his guard."

"He looked, after all, just like a young man."

"Unclear where the problem began, but it seemed like this person towered above everything at every step."

"From the moment he swapped spaceships, he had fallen into the trap of the King of Ita."

"Mersey felt a numbness at the back of his head, thinking of the King of Ita's ambiguous relationship with the Niliel Dragon... that poor creature, still in its sub-adult state, abandoned in the Genesis Star Domain."

"The continuous trembling of the ice spikes proved that the King of Ita was unfazed by his threats. Mersey glanced at the ice spikes, mumbling nonsensically: 'My research is the great salvation; hindering me is hindering the progress of the universe... You and he will not end well, you're too young... He will lose control and go mad due to his immense power, the Eye of the Storm will destroy the Black Radiance System, and everything will soon equally march towards death.'"

"'Lu Lin'an won't lose control due to the storm, he will only go mad for love,' the young King glanced at him, white-gloved hand resting by his side: 'As for me? I'll achieve at eighteen what you couldn’t in over a hundred years. I will lead the Ita into a new era, and you, you'll never see tomorrow's star chain.'"

"Yun Huai gave Mersey one final look, turned quietly, and the natives of Shen Star silently made way."

"A few breaths later, the mechanical door collapsed with a dull thud, the hexagonal ice spikes that had assaulted it melting away as the King departed, their icy waters soaking Mersey’s body."

"The snow water, mixed with the blood of fatal wounds, seemed like a divine punishment for sin and evil."

"Underground alarms blared. The natives silently watched Yun Huai, as a white butterfly, a relic of heritage, landed on the young man's shoulder, assuring them they had not mistaken their guest this time."

"This was a noble guest, foretold by the prophet four hundred years ago."

"Alino spoke softly: 'We do not fear pollution, only the loss of freedom and the will to survive.'"

"The noble guest paused: 'Don't be afraid.' He possessed the most genuine tenderness and stability, his mere presence inspiring heartfelt admiration, 'The power I lost is returning. Before any bad thing happens, I will stop it.'"

"Yun Huai paused: 'The civilization of Shen Star will not vanish; your homeland will endure forever.'"

"Alino's expression trembled, as Yun Huai guided the white butterfly back to his side."

"Amid the increasingly massive tremors on the surface, an invisible force of the King's power spread underground, freezing everything in an instant, except for living beings."

"Yun Huai raised his hand to clear the dust before him, addressing the leaders of Shen Star: 'Go find the medicine vault, then seal the frozen contaminants. Your partners and children are waiting above. Everything will return to its original state.'"

"Alino asked urgently, 'Where are you going?'"

"'Me?' Yun Huai coughed twice, feeling a stifled sensation in his chest, a discomfort possibly caused by the recent return of his power."

"Amid another loud rumble, Yun Huai smiled, 'I need to go above first, to prevent my family from worrying.'"

"Yun Huai's figure quickly vanished down the laboratory corridor."

"A middle-aged man approached Alino, 'We believe in the prophet.'"

"Alino looked at the white butterfly resting on him, 'He is the right person, the successor seen by the prophet in the Round Moon Spring.'"

"The middle-aged man said solemnly, 'The prophet saved the people of Shen Star during the Fallen War, and he saved the descendants of Shen Star from Mersey's brutal reign. They come from the same place and are equally powerful.'"

"Alino: 'We should believe in him as we do in the prophet.'"

"An elder nodded, 'He is the right one we have been waiting for.'"

……

"A base spaceship, in a self-destructive attack, hurtled towards the black creature perched on the high tower."

"The blood of countless Black Apostles splattered on the white tower walls. This was where Yun Huai's presence was strongest. The Niliel Dragon stood unyielding, even as it became a target for the enemy."

"To maintain balance, it raised its wings, its fierce throat emitting angry roars. The dragon's golden eyes were devoid of any color, leaving only a cold, bloodthirsty aura."

"Bodies piled up layer upon layer below the tower. Lu Lin'an knew Yun Huai was here. His brutal nature was tempered by a thread of rational affection, preventing him from flattening the city."

"The explosion of the spaceship did not harm the Niliel Dragon's tough body. Molten, lava-like material flowed on the ground, melting the piled bodies, creating a hellish scene that forced every household in the City of the Round Moon to shut their doors and windows tightly."

"Lai Larel appeared in front of Lu Lin'an amidst a blaze of fire. The executor couldn't tell if the monster still possessed any sense of reason; all he knew was its existence posed the greatest threat to the King."

"And anything in Lu Lin'an's path would be indiscriminately included in the rampaging dragon's range of attack."

"Iliad couldn’t stop Lai Larel. Upon hearing the King was below, the typically reticent executor plunged downward without a second word."

"Lai Larel could sense the King nearby, but a colossal black creature blocked his way. He glanced briefly at the monster's eyes. The nearly two-meter-tall Ita hovered in front of the beast, not even as high as its snout."

"So, this was the true form of the Alien Lord."

"...A terrifying, giant dragon, long lost in legends."

"As the club-sword was slowly drawn, Iliad felt two immensely frightening energies from afar. Looking down at the ground, he saw Lu Lin'an... his claw stepping down from the high tower into a pile of magma and corpses, his terrifying, sharp fangs firmly biting Lai Larel's upright weapon."

"And Lai Larel's club-sword wasn’t even as long as Lu Lin'an's sharpest fang."

"Iliad screamed. Lai Larel was worried the berserk beast would harm the King, while Lu Lin'an was equally blocking everything that prevented him from seeing the King. Iliad knew these two were bound to clash! But as a faithful servant of the King, he must adhere to all his ideologies!"

"The King had commanded them not to fight and to coexist peacefully — Iliad, disregarding the danger, was about to dive down when Lai Larel's figure suddenly halted. A terrifyingly scorching psychic force swept over the high tower, dangerous golden-red veins appearing on the densely scaled neck of the Niliel Dragon."

"The dragon’s snout was wounded by the club-sword but quickly healed. Lai Larel teleported, but it was too late."

"Black and red flames spewed from the dragon’s snout. Dense golden lightning instantly enveloped Lai Larel, protecting him. Despite his quick response, Lai Larel was still blasted away by Lu Lin'an's force, leaving a deep, charred fissure on the ground. Lai Larel knelt on one knee, one hand in black armor supporting him on the ground."

"Iliad's vision went dark."

"Just then, the mask-like feature on Lai Larel’s face, seemingly a part of him, shattered due to the battle. The grand executor slowly raised his head, the uneven gold stones in his hair tinkling with his movement."

"Iliad: 'Holy sh*t (ΩДΩ)!!!!'"

"So handsome?! Has the executor of Night Jin City undergone a super evolution?!"

"The air vibrated silently for a moment, and the dragon that had remained on the high tower suddenly took flight, diving straight towards the injured Lai Larel."

"Iliad: '!!!'"

"Wait, big brother! Have you gone mad with his handsomeness? This is one of our own!!!"

"The Third System's battle spaceship, initially hovering in mid-air, suddenly dived down. A tragic internal conflict seemed imminent, and 0781, in desperation, started to stutter: 'King! King!'"

"Iliad, brandishing his mechanical pincers, bravely positioned himself between the two, but in the next second, he felt himself embraced by a familiar icy presence."

"The cat ball looked up, its electronic screen turning into a Q3Q even faster than its reaction!"

"A cool white figure hovered in front of the executor. Yun Huai raised his hand, and a massive ice barrier instantly materialized."

"Golden-red lights exploded at the barrier's edge. Through the semi-transparent ice wall, a huge, blurred, and twisted monster loomed close."

"It was a familiar feeling, but an unfamiliar face."

"Only about one-fifth of the King's power had returned. The ice sculpture quickly melted away under the fierce heat of the monster at its peak, and Yun Huai's eyes widened in shock, his raised hand not yet fallen."

"Who is it...?"

"Lai Larel, standing behind Yun Huai, gritted his teeth: 'Evil dragon, dangerous.'"

"Yun Huai instinctively turned back, then was shocked again for a moment by Lai Larel's face."

"The next moment, the ground shook violently as the dangerous and terrifying evil dragon fully landed, its snout, emitting scorching breath, slowly approached."

"Then, with a touch of sparks, it gently and preciously touched the young man's palm."

"Author's note:"

"Lin: Hilarious, you think I'd lose to you, a block of wood, in the competition for affection?"

"Lai Larel: ...?"

"*Setting supplement & review: Lai Larel's psychic power is lightning-based, Gashu creates illusions, Xiyena and the cub King are of the same ice element."