Gaia Energy Cannon

Atop Mount Firmament, the winds howled bitterly.

Many people had come to see them off, familiar and unfamiliar faces alike.

Taoqi stood at the front, with Danjin, Yuanwu, Lingyang, and a large crowd of Jinzhou residents behind her. Rover couldn't name them, but their faces were very familiar.

Some held flowers, others had brought cameras, and one old woman insisted on pressing a basket of eggs into Cartethyia's hands, saying they would keep her strength up on the road. Little Cartethyia was terribly embarrassed.

"Isn't this a bit too formal?" Rover said with a smile.

"Everyone came of their own accord."

Taoqi stepped forward, her face as lovely as a peach blossom. "General Jiyan couldn't be here because he has to keep watch over the threnodian. He asked me to convey his regards and wish you a safe journey."

"I'll remember."

Rover nodded, gazing intently at every face, full of reluctance to part.

"Don't be sad. Who in Jinzhou wasn't rushing to see our great hero off, even if it meant showing up with their hair and makeup undone? Give us a smile. We'll all see each other again before long."

Danjin spoke teasingly, and the mountaintop was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

"Helmsman, there's no time to lose. I can feel Leviathan's aura expanding. We can't afford any further delay. You must go to Septimont at once, guide its people in fighting the black tide, and obtain the Box of Civilization. That is the key to our victory."

Imperator remained in human form, and her frequency had stabilized completely. Cartethyia stood obediently beside her.

Rover's gaze flickered. Cartethyia looked no different on the outside, but his reiatsu senses confirmed that she had taken a crucial step, officially joining the ranks of Second-Class Reiatsu experts.

In other words, Cartethyia was now a notch stronger than Jinhsi. But Jinhsi was still young, and it remained to be seen who would be stronger in the future.

"Aren't you coming back with me? After all, you're Rinascita's Sentinel."

"I can't go back just yet."

Imperator shook her head. "I don't have my true Sentinel body. If I faced a threnodian head-on, it could very well catch me off guard and even seize my power. That would be bad."

"In that case, take care and recover."

"Rover, please take care of yourself!"

Jinhsi stepped forward, as though she had a lot to say, but in the end, that was all she said.

She looked at Rover, her gaze lingering on his face for two breaths before she quickly glanced at Cartethyia standing beside him. Her lips moved, but in the end she said nothing more.

"Don't worry, I'll keep Rover safe!"

Cartethyia stood beside Rover and gave Jinhsi a pointed look. Though she was short, she wore a smug expression, like Little Cartethyia had gotten her way.

She puffed out her chest and raised her chin slightly, as though announcing something remarkable.

"This girl!"

Jinhsi gritted her teeth. She knew full well that this green tea bitch had wanted to use her temporal powers to grow irises back at the Black Shores. Now, with that attitude, she was staking her claim.

As for how she knew, Shorekeeper had told her personally, of course.

That blue butterfly was up to no good either, setting a tiger and a wolf against each other so she could reap the benefits!

"Everyone, until we meet again!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Rover and Cartethyia rose into the air together and sped toward the horizon.

"They're flying straight there?" someone asked in surprise. "Isn't that a bit much? No transportation, and no resonance beacon either?"

"You don't understand." Jinhsi shook her head. "He has a faster way!"

The moment she finished speaking, a boom rang out in the distance, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Clearly, Abu's heavy cannon had fired again.

The two stood on a massive stone pillar, hurtling toward Septimont at incredible speed. At this rate, they would reach their destination in half a day at most.

Wind roared in their ears, and friction turned the pillar's surface red-hot. Cartethyia stood at its tip with her arms spread for balance, her blond hair streaming straight behind her. She narrowed her eyes, a smile playing on her lips, looking as though she feared nothing under heaven or earth.

"Little Cartethyia, are you sure you want to come to Septimont with me?" Rover asked on the way.

"Of course! I already said I'd become your sword, so naturally I'll follow you and cut down every thorn in your path!"

"But I remember the Sentinel and threnodian powers inside you are hard to balance. Shorekeeper suggested you return to the Tower of Reversal. That would be the safest option."

"It's fine!"

Cartethyia patted her chest, looking completely at ease. "With Imperator's help, I've been reborn. I can at least stay with you long enough to resolve the trouble in Septimont. Besides, I want to try out my new abilities!"

Rover smiled at the sight. She really was confident in her power. Then again, when he thought about it, there were very few people in all of Solaris who could match her.

Yet no sooner had he thought that than it happened.

Just then, Rover's reiatsu detection sounded the alarm.

"Enemy attack!"

As soon as he spoke, a brilliant ball of light appeared before them, as though another sun had appeared in the sky.

The ball of light hurtled toward them, a scorching wave of heat reaching them first and baking the stone pillar's surface until it crackled.

"Move!"

They both leaped off the pillar. The ball of light vaporized it outright and plunged into the mountains below.

"Boom!!"

With a deafening roar, rocks flew everywhere, and a massive mountain was leveled in an instant.

A cloud of dust shot into the sky, and scorching wind swept toward them, carrying shards of rock. Cartethyia staggered in midair, and Rover reached out to steady her.

"Who's there?"

Cartethyia drew her sword and stood on guard, unable to imagine who would be bold enough to ambush them.

"Behind us!" Without turning around, Rover had already detected the target with his reiatsu.

When they finally got a clear look at their target, both froze for a moment. Their opponent was no human, but a creation of steel. A silver-white alloy helmet bore sharp horns, a fiery red mane streamed behind his head, and his emerald beast eyes were sharp and bright.

More striking still were the massive steel claws extending from his fingertips, gleaming coldly. At a glance, they were clearly weapons made for killing. His entire body brimmed with explosive power. He was definitely a formidable opponent.

"I am Gaia!"

Their opponent was the first to give his name. His voice was deep and powerful, yet not mechanical in the least. "I come on Father's orders to retrieve the crown!"

At the word "crown," Rover immediately understood where he had come from.

"Another one of Edward III's lackeys!"

"How dare you insult Father! You have brought death upon yourself! Now, Gaia shall pass judgment on you!"

Gaia instantly entered a fighting stance. He raised both hands high, gathering terrifying energy that formed into a blazing sun.

"Let me!" Eager to try, Cartethyia stepped in front of Rover. Even as she spoke, light surged around her, and her hair and clothes changed color together!