Arrival in Camelot

Li Ye had always adhered to the philosophy that no one is perfect, and the perfect beings the Lion King pursued seemed to have nothing to do with him.

A soul that can never be defiled, a soul that can never be swayed by evil.

Born with it, unchanging—an eternally pure human.

Li Ye could vividly recall the words the Lion King spoke during the first Holy Selection, almost to the point of reciting them backward.

But it was precisely because of this that Li Ye felt confused about being judged as having a pure soul when he first met the Lion King.

'Do I really have a pure soul that meets the criteria?'

Li Ye pinched his chin, slowly turning his gaze toward the sky.

The desert canopy had given way to a vast expanse of blue. A radiant halo hung high in the center of the sky, like the eye of a god overlooking the world.

Li Ye could easily see that his survival against the Lion King, besides his own audacious declaration, was largely due to the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception and his pure soul.

It could be said that it was because of his pure soul that the Lion King spared Li Ye's life and even permitted his actions.

Just as Li Ye was distracted by his own issues, a timid voice from not far away interrupted his introspection.

"Um... could you please explain what's going on?"

The girl, her radiance gradually fading, looked at Li Ye with unease.

Not just the girl, but the other refugees and Sanzang were also looking at Li Ye.

The reason was Li Ye's previous statement about the refugees' next destination.

Understanding what the girl feared, Li Ye smiled. "Don't be afraid. You've passed the Holy Selection and can enter the pure white ideal land—Camelot—to live for a while. There, food and safety will no longer be problems. It's a city of dreams. As for your companions, they will be settled elsewhere, in equally safe places. You will all be reunited one day."

Before the girl and the assembled refugees could react, Sanzang, who was concerned about the situation, asked with confusion:

"They're going to be separated?"

From Sanzang's perspective, Li Ye's actions were very strange. He was ostensibly rescuing people, yet he was conducting this so-called selection and separating them.

"Hmm? That's definite. All I can do is arrange for the ones who don't qualify. Those who do qualify must go to Camelot; I cannot defy that. Master Sanzang, please rest assured, she will be going to Camelot with us."

Li Ye smiled and helped the girl to her feet.

While selecting the qualified individuals, Li Ye sensed a special fluctuation from the girl. It was the girl's soul responding to the Holy Selection, or rather, to the Lion King. At this moment, Li Ye knew that the girl's existence had likely been synchronized with the Lion King's sight. Regardless of Li Ye's actions, this girl had to be brought back to Camelot. Even without this, Li Ye would still have brought the girl back to Camelot. This was part of his duties as a Knight of the Round Table. As for the fate of the rejected individuals, Li Ye had already made arrangements. Lancelot's established base, Lancelot's domain. After a three-day special training, Li Ye had even accompanied Lancelot to his territory.

"I don't intend to force you to come with me. Do you wish to stay here, or leave with me?" Li Ye let the refugees decide their own fate. The result was obvious; not a single person was willing to stay. Afterward, Li Ye had the girl and the others rest by the water source for a while. Sanzang, still filled with questions, approached and said, "So, what is this Holy Selection? And why are you selecting something from them?" Sanzang had never heard of the Holy Selection Li Ye spoke of, and it gave her a very uncomfortable feeling. Seeing Sanzang's confusion, Li Ye didn't hide anything and explained the reason for the Holy Selection. After Sanzang listened, her expression changed drastically, and just as she was about to say something, Li Ye stopped her. "Master Sanzang, seeing is believing, and hearing is not always true. The real Holy Selection is more than just this." Li Ye scratched his head. Although he didn't think explaining the Holy Selection to Sanzang was a mistake, the subsequent explanation felt troublesome.

Stare—

Seeing that Li Ye refused to explain further, Sanzang narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "Silly disciple, you're hiding something from me. If it were Goku and the others, I'd teach you a lesson." With that, the Nine-Ringed Vajra Staff in Sanzang's hand quietly transformed into the Ruyi Jingu Bang. A slight shake sent a whistling sound through the air near Li Ye's ear.

Half an hour later.

Li Ye and Sanzang, leading a group of refugees, continued deeper into the wilderness, heading east along the path Li Ye had taken. As time passed, a vast expanse of wilderness appeared before Li Ye and his companions. The sights within the wilderness caused the refugees to gasp in amazement.

"How... how is this possible?"

"Is that a village?"

"There are people! There are people there!"

Exclamations erupted, and not a single refugee could maintain their composure upon seeing this sight.

On the desolate plains, tents formed a sizable camp, bustling with life and activity.

As Li Ye and his group approached the camp, they were blocked by several towering figures.

"Whoa—"

Sanzang couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing the figures blocking their path.

Li Ye also glanced at the knights before him.

Purification Knights, similar to Crusaders but distinct.

Knights of absolute loyalty, transformed by Agravain's Madness Enhancement, replacing the Crusaders in this world.

Li Ye walked straight past the imposing Purification Knights, scanning the moderately sized camp. He didn't see any familiar faces.

"Lancelot isn't here?"

Seeing that Lancelot was not in the camp, Li Ye beckoned the refugees to enter and casually pulled a knight guarding the camp aside to have them receive the refugees.

"Um... I can't stay here?"

A timid voice rang out from the girl.

Hearing this, Li Ye glanced at the girl. Her undisguised gaze of longing was fixed on the camp and the refugees being received.

"No, staying here will only bring disaster upon them."

Li Ye didn't offer comfort but instead laid bare the reality to the girl.

The girl's expression turned sorrowful, and she lowered her head, falling silent.

Li Ye suddenly saw Sanzang about to speak and quickly interjected, "Master Sanzang, is there really no problem—"

"Foolish disciple, you're not even as good as Wu Neng. The way you speak is hurtful. As a high monk who is also a young lady, I can't stand to see this!"

Sanzang said indignantly.

"Aow—"

Seeing Sanzang's angry demeanor, Li Ye couldn't help but scratch his head, but he didn't argue further.

After the refugees were handed over and Lancelot was nowhere to be found, Li Ye, with a decisive air, led Sanzang and the others away.

They were officially heading to the Holy City.

Several hours later, the sun began to set.

Li Ye and his group finally saw their destination.

"Woooow—"

Sanzang, gazing into the distance, opened her mouth wide. Aleka and the girl beside her wore expressions of astonishment.

A pure white city appeared at the end of the horizon.

The pure white utopia—

The City of Chalk—Camelot!

Meanwhile.

Within the City of Chalk—Camelot.

The pure white king turned their head to look out the window. Their pale golden vertical pupils seemed to pierce through endless realms, meeting the gaze of similar eyes.

"King?"

Agravain, who was in the middle of reporting, paused in surprise.