The Little People

Deep in the sea, a long-dormant, sealed ancient city is awakened by a deafening tremor, its frozen time standing still.

The enormous auger ripped apart the tangled sand and ancient ruins, and the massive amount of seawater, constrained and vibrating within the Magnetofluid Core, unleashed a surging torrent of elemental energy, continuously pouring into the entire Land of Shelter.

The immense energy continuously assaulted the already aged Radiant Crystal markings.

A tyrannical force is gathering strength.

The three rising obelisks trembled continuously, and the deforming and unfolding metal structures floated and rotated in the air. The structure switched, the plan was activated, and the intelligent system meticulously crafted by the sage ancestors of Yilan-Tai'er sensed the core crisis. Thus, the emergency evacuation plan was immediately put into action.

Numerous unmanned vehicles surged out from the hidden troop quarters of the obelisk, constantly identifying the Yilan-Tai'er people throughout the city. Without distinguishing or explaining, the metal structures descending from the sky, like closed flower buds, enveloped the bewildered and panicked human figures, before taking off and rushing towards the dome of the Shelter.

The Shelter is collapsing everywhere, and the great legacy buried and locked is being activated one by one: the Phantom Spirit Think Tank, the Translucent Seaside Farm Module, the Starry Sky Codex, the Icarus Sky Ladder Base... the best gifts left by the losers to their descendants, are being prepared to be launched into the endless dark sea amidst this bewilderment and panic.

This is the deepest logic behind the entire Shelter system.

Once an unavoidable, devastating threat originating from within is detected, all the heritage of Civilization and great wonders will immediately undergo a forced evacuation procedure, breaking through the dark, heavy sea and heading towards the Mortal World. This is not an emergency evacuation, but a sowing, a sowing of seeds, a sowing of the seeds of Civilization.

Regardless of whether the Yilan-Tai'er will be wiped out, and regardless of whether there are hostile enemies in the deep sea and the Mortal World, this process will not be reversed. Whether the people of the apocalypse or a new race of another era discover and inherit this legacy, they can fully grasp and utilize all of Yilan-Tai'er's legacy.

This was a collective decision made by the designers of Land of Shelter.

Even though the history of Civilization is filled with lies, deception, sin, suffering, and killing, and even on the eve of defeat and destruction, people still scheme against each other and plot against each other, on this issue, all the Yilan-Tai'er reached a consensus. They voted and agreed with pure light.

--If the hope of continuing Civilization is ultimately shattered, then let us bless new life.

The sturdy dome swayed incessantly, evacuation modules of all sizes were launched upwards, and the Thunder God's Cage continuously poured in destructive energy, filling the entire Shelter with a sense of apocalyptic chaos and tragedy.

Neither the bewildered sinners nor the bright and great designers of the previous era could have imagined the first thing the Yilan-Tai'er would face after their retreat and march into the Mortal World...

It is Forbidden Spell that falls from the sky and destroys everything.

Hidden Domain, Shelter Core.

The Rushing Stone Sacred Pillar stood like a forest, and the divine domain projected onto them layer upon layer, its power increasing dramatically. Bennu, the God of the Star Palace, spread his heron wings and continuously suppressed the gathering halo of light.

Tuosidiwa's room for struggle was gradually compressed and stretched, and the High Priest's defeat was imminent.

After all, the Land of Shelter remained peaceful, but its heritage had been lost due to several political upheavals. He had no idea how to fight, let alone fight against the gods... Yilan-Tai'er had lost far too much.

"My God! Destroy this shameful traitor with your supreme wrath!"

Angxisi's fanatical shouts echoed throughout the Hidden Domain, the light shield surrounding the high priest shattered with a crash, and Bennu's arm, as if piercing through tattered leather, plunged straight in and gripped Tuosidiwa's throat.

"A lower realm creature." His gaze was chilling, but he didn't immediately kill him, because Tuosidiwa's actions made him vaguely uneasy. This guy was going to great lengths just to get him out of the water, which was obviously suspicious.

He asked in a cold voice, "What's up there?"

Knowing he had no chance of survival, the high priest forced a smile, "There's something you fear most."

"Afraid?" Bennu sneered. "Do you even know what a god is?"

In a flash, a sharp bolt of lightning swept across the High Priest's soul. The God of the Star Palace's attitude was strange from beginning to end—arrogance tinged with a hint of apprehension, but this apprehension was utterly elusive.

Now, even after he has made himself so clear, the other party is still in this state.

The answer is already clear.

He seemed unaware that the Fire Thief was up there.

He didn't even know that Fire Thief had appeared in the Mortal World?

Tuosidiwa took a deep breath, his smile still full of mockery.

"So, are gods the kind of great beings who sneak into their own graves, dig up the junk they claim to despise, and secretly deal with the ants they look down upon? What, Your Majesty, are the ants of this era really that difficult to handle?"

Bennu's face hardened, and he tightened his grip, Vulcan light that scorched Tuosidiwa's flesh and soul. "Before you die, I will let you witness the end of Yilan-Tai'er."

The high priest gritted his teeth, forcing a smile, "We'll see..."

"Kill him immediately, sir!"

Angxisi cried out, "According to the rules of succession, I will succeed as High Priest. I have come to end this process!"

Tuosidiwa smiled faintly, "It's unstoppable; everything is irreversible."

He exhaled, feeling both sorrow and peace.

Perhaps Yilan-Tai'er had already perished after the last coup, when the priests decided to use lies and divine authority to fool the common people and reduce the risk of bloodshed.

But each era has its own destiny. Even in the era of Yilan-Tai'er, kingdoms rose and fell, races prospered and declined. In this time of countless bloodshed and violence, how many lives were injured, suffered, died, or even wiped out as a result? Yilan-Tai'er was just like them.

All we can do now is pray.

Praying for the last glimmer of hope, praying that things will develop in the best possible way.

In other words, the Fire Thief sees the truth about Yilan-Tai'er's enslavement and manipulation by the Star Palace through the souls of the sinners, and learns who the true enemy is. After killing the God of the Star Palace, he will inherit Yilan-Tai'er's legacy as the power to fight against the Star Palace, and thus accept and protect Aifu and her group of Oathbreakers...

He has done all the arrangements he could; the rest is up to fate.

Bennu's murderous intent was palpable; his restless killing intent filled his heart.

The Mortal World today is no longer as weak and boring as they remembered; in fact, it has given rise to mysteries and variables that make them uneasy. The feeling of being out of control is never good, and he had a vague sense of extreme unease.

"I'm giving you one last chance..." The intense pain of being burned alive caused Tuosidiwa to scream in agony. Bennu roared, "Otherwise, the entire Yilan-Tai'er tribe will die a horrible death like you... Speak! What's up there! What trick are you plotting!?"

"Is this the only method of torture you have?" Tuosidiwa chuckled breathlessly. "That's far from enough."

Bennu's expression grew increasingly grim. Just as he was about to increase his power, the God of the Star Palace suddenly turned his head. A crack appeared in the Bulwark of the Hidden Domain, and a silver halo rushed into it. "Tuosidiwa... Ah!"

The familiar voice startled the high priest, who looked up in disbelief. His previously composed demeanor transformed into a furious rage. "What are you doing back here! Run!"

With his life hanging by a thread, he no longer had the strength to protect Aifu.

Bennu pointed, Rushing Stone Sacred Pillar rose from the ground, enveloping Aifu. Her Oathbreakers armor billowed, and the Levitation Stone shifted. She cried out, "I can't leave! I... I..."

At the moment of their reunion, not only was Tuosidiwa utterly devastated, but Aifu was also plunged into despair. The God of the Star Palace had actually entered the Hidden Domain, which meant that everything was beyond redemption!

Tuosidiwa had no idea what was happening, and he roared, "Get out of here!!"

Bennu grabbed with his right hand, unleashing a fiery attack that tore the high priest's skin apart, causing him to scream in agony.

"Let him go!"

Startled and in pain, Aifu instinctively rushed towards Bennu.

Tuosidiwa suddenly turned his head.

A ferocious look appeared on his face. Aifu was not only his best friend and lover, but also the greatest hope for the survival of Yilan-Tai'er in the plan. Although he didn't know why this foolish guy wanted to come back, he had to keep her alive no matter what!

Half of the high priest's face was crackling from the searing flames. Ferocity and composure simultaneously dominated this maddened soul. Almost instantly, with a mind exceeding its limits, he conceived the best possible solution. Tuosidiwa roared, "Kill Angxisi!"

At this point, Aifu was already in a state of utter confusion and had lost all composure.

She knew that a terrifying, world-destroying Forbidden Spell was about to descend upon the sea, which would kill most of the Yilan-Tai'er people. She returned to the Land of Shelter to discuss and implement a solution with Tuosidiwa.

Upon her return, she discovered the entire city was undergoing an evacuation plan. Yilan-Tai'er's last legacy had been launched towards the horizon, practically inviting Kang De's Forbidden Spell upon her. She was horrified and immediately sought out Tuosidiwa, only to find he had already been captured by the God of the Star Palace...

It was an absolute state of utter despair.

Even the strongest and most composed warrior can be instantly defeated.

Her rush towards the God of the Star Palace to rescue Tuosidiwa at this moment was practically suicide, but apart from that, all she could see was a desperate situation.

"At least I'll die alongside him"—with this thought in mind, she launched her final charge, but Tuosidiwa's fierce shout rang out, "Kill Angxisi!"

Without hesitation, Aifu moved swiftly, her figure darting like a swallow in flight, a flash of light as she charged straight at Angxisi.

Chief Angxisi was a high-ranking priest second only to the High Priest, with a noble status and outstanding position. However, this had nothing to do with combat ability. Having arrived here with the "God", the noble priest naturally did not wear the battle armor of his ancestors, nor did he know how to fight. When the light blade was about to hit him, he did not even have time to react.

With a flash of light from the Radiant Crystal -sprayed lightsaber, Angxisi was cleaved in two from his left shoulder to his right abdomen.

"... Despicable."

Bennu was enraged. Although it was just an ant, it was not something the other party could kill at will. His divine power surged, and he was about to take down the ant when he suddenly turned his head.

He was met with a fearless and composed smile from Tuosidiwa.

The remaining specks of light coalesced in the high priest's hand, transforming into a sharp, luminous dagger. With a sudden burst of strength, Tuosidiwa plunged the dagger into his own chest.

Bennu stammered, "You..."

The Star Palace has existed for millions of years, and he no longer knows what sacrifice is.

Tuosidiwa coughed up a mouthful of blood, and Aifu screamed from the sky. The high priest barely managed to lift his head, looking at the blurry shadow in the air, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

With Angxisi dead, the only remaining option for the succession to the throne is to choose from all others.

"With all the kings as witnesses, the power has been transferred, and I entrust everything to this brave member of my people..."

Seemingly sensing the passing of the king, the royal rules Shelter Core authority reacted swiftly. Power slipped away, and the gazes of all the kings focused on the body of the Oathbreakers. The emergency handover ceremony skipped all the tedious procedures, and at this moment, Aifu became the new king.

Blood streamed from Tuosidiwa's mouth as he cried out, "Aifu! Run! Live!"

The new king's permission and authority, combined with the mobility of her suit, were enough for her to escape.

With a formidable enemy at our side, a hopeless predicament, and the prospect of separation by death, even if we have a thousand words in our hearts, there is no time to elaborate... nor is it necessary to tell them in detail.

Because the succession of the throne is the heaviest responsibility, this is enough to remind Aifu that besides friendship and love, there is also a responsibility and burden to the people. A thousand words are contained in it. She will remember the most important duty and leave with this heaviest and most precious entrustment and love... He knew Aifu would do so.

Tuosidiwa gazed intently at the figure, as if trying to etch her into his soul in the last moments of his life.

But the next moment, his almost dying pupils suddenly contracted.

Because Aifu did not turn around and run away.

She grasped the situation and power almost instantly, but the aura of the kings solidified her defenses. Aifu hovered in the air, ignoring the God of the Star Palace who was so close, and closed her eyes.

It appears to be a communication, a command, and a plea.

I can't understand it.

I absolutely cannot understand it.

Run!

"Run!" the nearly exhausted Tuosidiwa roared, "Run!"

Bennu flicked his wrist, Tuosidiwa was sent flying, tumbling and rolling on the ground, sliding helplessly. Although he didn't know what had happened, the God of the Star Palace had found a better target.

"You mortal, what are you doing?" he roared. "Answer me!"

With a flick of its flame, the sacred pillar rose and launched an attack on the motionless Aifu.

Tuosidiwa lay on the ground, writhing in agony, his vision fading. He stared desperately at the motionless Aifu, not understanding what she was doing. "Run! Run!"

As the Holy Shield crumbled layer by layer and danger loomed, Aifu remained motionless.

Until the defense collapsed with a roar, the Rushing Stone Sacred Pillar broke through the defense and struck her in the back.

The Oathbreakers screamed in agony, blood gushing out. She fell to the ground like a fallen angel, her eyes still tightly closed, surrounded by scattered points of light, motionless, as if fulfilling the most sacred mission.

"What's wrong with you?" Bennu stepped on him. "What are you doing?"

Aifu finally opened her eyes, her gaze filled with despair. "Why not... stop it...?"

Tuosidiwa's howls were almost maniacal. "Run... run..."

"... ah."

Bennu scratched his head. "You disgusting ants, you inexplicable scum, what are you thinking? What are you doing? I don't understand at all!"

He grabbed Aifu's hair and dragged the Oathbreakers before the dying High Priest.

"You care about her a lot, don't you?" Bennu kicked Tuosidiwa. "Tell me what's up there, what you plan to do, or, get her to stop the evacuation!"

Aifu turned her head with difficulty and murmured, "Stop..."

"It can't be stopped... this is the... will... of the kings..." Tuosidiwa cried out in despair.

He stared at Aifu, who was so close to him, as Bennu furiously pounded on their bodies, the sound of bones cracking echoing, blood spurting out. He muttered, "Why didn't you run? Why...?"

Aifu murmured, "Stop, stop..."

Tears mingled with blood slid down the Oathbreakers's cheeks, falling into the illusory realm of the Hidden Domain. They were the tears of the new king, the last vestiges of the Yilan-Tai'er lineage—their devotion, hope, despair, and final curtain call.

The dark red ground rippled with the falling teardrops, like a key to a door, or perhaps the knocking of a door. The newly crowned king walked through the thorns of despair, crossed the bridge of time, and went to visit the ancient kings. His great will touched the shores of the past.

In an instant, the Shelter Core was overturned, and an indescribable power erupted.

The violent impact sent Tuosidiwa flying through the air and crashing down. He heard the God of the Star Palace roar in exasperation, "How could such a thing happen!"

He didn't know how much time had passed, but he felt the world warmly close up, leaving only him and his loved ones. Then came a violent upheaval, like when his father held him high in his arms as a child and gently tossed him upwards.

He murmured, "Aifu... Aifu..."

A gentle caress touches the cheek.

"I am here."

He barely managed to open his eyes, but the immense weakness and pain exacerbated his injuries, allowing him only to see blurry, indistinct images. He saw Aifu slowly crawling towards him and sitting down beside him.

She seemed to be holding a strange board, struggling to write or draw.

Then put it down.

"I don't know if it'll be too late, or if they'll even take the risk, but... we'll leave it to fate."

Have no idea.

I know nothing.

I don't know why Aifu came back, I don't know why Aifu didn't run away, and I don't know what Aifu is saying.

"However, there is still one thing to do."

He felt his upper body being lifted up and nestled in a warm, soft embrace. He felt his body being held, safe and warm, like a mother's cradle.

"Cure him..."

A warm power flowed into my body, soothing the heavy pain.

"Tuosidiwa."

"I return the king's authority to you."

"I will return to you the responsibility of leading our people to a brighter future."

"I will return to you the mission of rebuilding Yilan-Tai'er."

"I will face the Star Palace and repay you with my belief in justice and revenge."

May you be strong.

May you never give up.

May you be brave.

May you be wise.

I hope you will see the truth.

May you...

The voice was gentle and calm, a tone he would never forget. "... happiness."

The world trembled slightly. That small world was the escape pod from which they leaped away. Along with their many people and heritage, two embracing figures of Yilan-Tai'er crossed the dark, cold, and desolate realm and rushed into the Mortal World.

The Abyss Walker.

The captain's hand trembled slightly, and a string of messy, illegible words appeared on the crystal panel.

"The plan is about to succeed. Please surface immediately."

"It's too late."

"Please believe me, strangers from the new race."

"I'm grateful for the brief time we fought side by side."

The last words were illegible and messy, seemingly foreshadowing an ominous end.

The captain's heart sank. The image of that beautiful face, fearless and resolute, flashed through his mind.

"... All crew members, depart via the teleportation array."

He shoved the first mate aside and took control of the helm. "Execute emergency surface approach procedure!"

This time, the captain's orders were not carried out without question; he looked around.

Instead of leaving, his crew took their positions and began disarming the control panel.

"If we let you die here alone, our lives will be so boring."

The first mate pulled the brake controller, causing all the gaseous elements to crystallize, expand, and unleash a terrifying blast of air.

The helmsman turned the control panel: "Release all ballast modules!"

The captain took a deep breath. "Surface! Surface! Surface!"

Starlinker smashed the communication panel with the Council: "To Starry Sky Council! Let's go save the Azure Fleet! Let's save our comrades!"

"Rise! Rise!"

"Magic Core operating at full power!"

"Keep rising!"

"Expected to reach the water surface in twenty seconds!"

"Speed up!"

"Forbidden Spell attack detected en route!"

The captain, his eyes blazing with fury, roared, "Surface!"

Beneath the heavens, dark clouds surged, and a colossal star of destruction fell from the sky. The Azure Fleet was filled with desperate screams and madness. After their initial panic, the sinners of Yilan-Tai'er became even more bloodthirsty and frenzied. "Kill! Kill! Kill! This is the final test from the gods! Slaughter the enemy, and in the next cycle, we will be pardoned!"

Silence and clamor, calm and madness, the sea and sky surged, crimson flames streaked across the sky, and the sea, reflecting the fiery red flames, suddenly split open. The black submarine rushed out like a flying fish, crashing into the sea and creating huge waves!

The hatch was immediately opened, and the captain rushed out of the submarine, only to be met with a scorching blast of air crashing down upon him.

He dashed across the long, slender hull, brandishing his wand. Brilliant arcs of light shot from the wand, weaving a magnificent star emblem in the air. The intense flames of the Forbidden Spell illuminated his face, a face contorted with howls, cries, shouts, and roars. "Stop! Stop!"

"--My lord!" Dong Tianming shouted, "That's the emergency signal used across the continent!"

Malegith cried out, "Kang De!"

At the same time, the crazed criminals also saw the submarine emerging from the sea and the brilliant starlight. They charged forward in droves, shouting, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Father!" A Fu shouted, "Requesting a jump!"

Just as the Shield infantry's charge was about to reach the Abyss Walker, a brilliant portal opened in the abyss-like sea, Knight Astolfo leaped out of the Phase Gate, diving sideways into the sea. Its broadside cannons roared, and a storm of metallic light swept across the sky, engulfing the charging Shield infantry like a river of Flame. The blazing Flame illuminated the captain's side.

Time seemed to slow down, the flames leaving silhouettes as the captain shouted and waved his arms. He seemed oblivious to the firestorm that was right in front of him, and the brave submarine officer stared blankly at the sky.

He had only known the Oathbreakers for a short time, but at the latter's suggestion and request, he agreed to cooperate. In order to save the Azure Fleet and the other party's people, the ancient people who called themselves Aifu decided to return to the deep sea to carry out a difficult mission. They made an agreement that once Aifu succeeded, the Abyss Walker would surface to explain and ask Kang De to stop the Forbidden Spell attack.

Talk is cheap; Yilan-Tai'er will offer her utmost sincerity.

Just now, the Oathbreakers sent a final communication, saying that the plan had been successfully executed, but it would take some time to take effect. She was afraid there wouldn't be enough time, so she requested that the submarine surface early and that Kang De stop.

Even though it meant enormous potential risks, he still came here.

The captain looked up at the sky, as if it were an illusion. The terrifying, rolling waves of fire had disappeared, the sky was no longer distorted, and the dreadful eye of doomsday had closed.

Dong Tianming descended from the sky and demanded, "What is it? Speak quickly!"

There was an anxiety in his tone that he himself didn't even realize.

The captain paused, unsure where to begin. "There's one..."

Before he could finish speaking, he heard a strange noise. Turning his head, he saw that the battle suits that had been weaving through the air and flying back and forth had stopped flashing their colorful arcs of light. The wondrous individual battle armor had turned back into a heavy burden, dragging the sinners into the sea with their screams. The heavy war platform lost its activity and floated on the surface of the sea, ceasing its devastating bombardment. The shouts and screams of killing ceased, and the world became very quiet, very quiet.

"Father, it appears the enemy's combat units have all malfunctioned. I repeat, the enemy's combat units have all lost their functionality. The threat has been eliminated! The threat has been eliminated!"

Tears streamed down the captain's face.

The old man from Cathay looked bewildered but also relieved and delighted. The captain knew what had happened; he knew that his comrade-in-arms, with whom he had fought briefly, had kept his promise.

The crew rushed out, embraced his body, and howled with ecstasy. The captain's body trembled involuntarily, and then he sat down heavily on the ground. He heard the sound of splashing water in the distance, and when he turned around, he saw strange objects of all sizes rising to the surface of the sea, creating waves.

Meanwhile, in the deep sea, the overloaded Magnetofluid Core and auger drill bit of the Land of Shelter gradually calmed down and returned to tranquility.

The captain slowly lay down, resting on the cold hull of the submarine, gazing up at the azure sky.

It's so beautiful!

That's all.

The captain of a council submarine that Council escaped death.

A Yilan-Tai'er Oathbreakers viewed as a rebel by mainstream opinion.

Two obscure individuals, far removed from all decision-making, power, truth, games, and judgment, prevented Kang De's impending devastating air raid on the Broken Sea when the situation seemed hopelessly dire, everyone was preparing for the worst, and no one knew what was going on.

It saved all the lives that should not have been lost to the selfishness of politicians and the conspiracies of evil gods.