Ordination Stele

Ruins of the Clear Spring Mountain branch.

Roger gazed at the scene before him, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

When I left this place.

He was just a novice Martial Artist who had just started out.

Now we've returned.

The Gray Dwarf of yesteryear have vanished without a trace, and only a few Bear Goblin remain deep within the Underground City; only this ruin remains unchanged.

"Although the Mountain Protection Array here is no longer very effective, it still managed to resist the indiscriminate invasion of the Blood of Myriad Filth..."

Thinking this way.

Roger found A Ba.

After a simple check.

He then confirmed the root cause of A Ba's hibernation—

The Pneumatic Construct was originally designed for extremely long standby time, but over the long years, A Ba's internal structure continued to age, causing the energy-absorbing array to show signs of fading, which eventually led to a shortage of energy.

Roger was naturally adept at fixing this minor problem.

He quickly replaced several parts.

He also skillfully applied the techniques he learned from the Heavenly Craft Tower to A Ba.

A short while later.

A Ba's eyes began to flicker uncertainly.

This is a sign that the system is restarting.

15 seconds later.

Under Roger's expectant gaze.

A Ba moved slightly.

He immediately straightened his back.

Looking at Roger, he said:

"... How long have I been asleep? A week? Ha! Don't tell me yet, let me guess..."

A Ba excitedly stood up and looked around:

"It seems like nothing has changed..."

As he spoke, his gaze focused on Roger.

"Wait! How did you become so powerful?!"

A Ba was extremely surprised:

"Have I been asleep for ten thousand years?"

Roger smiled and said, "Not that many, less than forty years."

A Ba said seriously, "As Clear Spring Sect Disciple, lying is a very impolite thing. Even jokes should be kept within limits..."

Roger chuckled, "But I'm not Clear Spring Sect Disciple now."

A Ba looked at him nervously. "You've switched allegiance? You didn't join the Pingsha School Sect, did you?"

Roger shook his head:

"I am now the sect leader of the Clear Spring Sect..."

"Come on, I'll take you away to see the outside world, to see the Clear Spring Mountain..."

As he spoke.

He gently picked up A Ba.

The latter looked back with a hint of longing—

The ruins here are of no value anymore, and the stories of the Clear Spring Sect disciples buried here have turned into Dust of History.

Apart from A Ba.

Nobody remembers much.

After saying goodbye to Alan, Roger took A Ba back to Clear Spring Mountain.

A Ba was amazed by the scenery along the way.

But after seeing the current scale and influence of Clear Spring Mountain...

The Clear Spring Sect Elder finally broke down in tears! Constructs do not have tears.

But seeing A Ba's crying movements and sounds...

Roger could almost feel the joy and excitement in his heart.

"You really did it..."

That's amazing!

Actually, I took you under the wing of the Clear Spring Sect back then.

I never imagined it would become such a grand occasion.

I just don't want the Master Qu Feng's skills to be lost...

You actually did this! I have no idea what you've been through—

These past years must have been very tough for you!

A Ba's voice became increasingly choked with emotion.

Roger remained silent.

He never expected A Ba to say such a thing.

But these words touched Roger's heart.

You must have had a tough time these past few years...

How could someone who silently shoulders all of this, constantly on edge, walking between killing and death, day after day, year after year, not suffer?

And right at the Clear Spring Mountain.

Everyone looked up to Roger.

I envy his success!

Revere his power!

I'm amazed by his strength!

But who can know what he sacrificed?

Nobody knows, and nobody cares.

A Ba was the first.

"It seems there are differences between constructs as well..."

On the hillside.

Looking at A Qi running over excitedly.

Roger composed himself and smiled, "No matter how hard it was, it's all in the past... Besides, I'm just naturally the kind of person who can't sit still."

Then.

He then asked A Ba if he needed a new body. After all, Roger's construction skills were already very advanced, and on Clear Spring Mountain, he had recruited a group of Martial Artist with great talent in Mechanism Martial Arts and Pneumatic Structure and started training them.

The training content naturally comes from the technology of Heavenly Craft Tower.

A major breakthrough in Pneumatic Technology is just around the corner.

At that time.

Various kinds of Pneumatic Construct may appear.

Related industries will also flourish.

It wouldn't be difficult to give A Ba a better body.

The key is to see what kind of person he wants.

A Ba nodded seriously:...

"I hope to have a strong body."

Not just the kind who can take on the role of Teaching Elder!

I want to obtain more combat functions and Mechanism Martial Arts chips.

Deep in my memory.

The Clear Spring Sect once faced a crisis.

At that time, I could only watch helplessly as my other disciples went to the battlefield! While I hid in the dojo like a useless piece of trash...

If this happens again...

I wish I could be a part of the battle!

Hearing A Ba make such a statement.

A Qi quickly chimed in, "Me too! Me too! Roger, you promised to give me a better body. Look at me now, all round and chubby, I don't look like Clear Spring Sect Elder at all..."

"I understand, we'll arrange it for you..."

Roger smiled and dismissed the two constructs.

A Ba's return is of great significance to the Clear Spring Sect.

As a Teaching Elder.

A Ba is proficient in all the martial arts of the Clear Spring Sect.

Moreover, he is very good at teaching.

Especially after Roger activated the Memory Magic Crystal of A Ba's past, he had thousands of years of experience in guiding others to practice martial arts.

After that, the other elders of the Clear Spring Sect could finally breathe a sigh of relief!

The task of teaching new disciples the skills could be left to A Ba, who not only enjoyed it but also did it very well.

More importantly, he can provide the true cultivation techniques of the Clear Spring Sect!

Although the Secret Vault contains some of the Clear Spring Sect's resources, it is ultimately not comprehensive enough. Furthermore, the current Clear Spring Sect is basically a reorganized Martial Artist recruited by Roger from all over the world.

This has led to the awkward situation on Clear Spring Mountain where there are people using all sorts of martial arts, but very few who know the Clear Spring Sect's own style of kung fu.

A Qi is an elder in terms of daily life, but he can't offer much help.

Now that the true Teaching Elder has returned to his position, there is finally hope to turn this situation around!

A Ba has been settled.

Roger was finally relieved of a worry.

He headed north again.

After taking a stroll around the Paramount Manor.

Roger was relieved to find that the residents here were not troubled by the abyss—which showed that Alan was protecting them very well.

Then he arrived at the Radiant City.

The city is very similar to the medieval castle Roger had imagined.

Because they have been fighting against demons for many years.

A large number of people from the surrounding area flocked into the castle.

The streets were bustling with people.

There are all kinds of races.

It even includes half-demons!

When these people of different races walked together, they all appeared very quiet, and even when they bumped into each other, there was no friction.

This scene amazed Roger.

In addition, Roger was impressed by the cleanliness of the castle's interior. As expected of a city under Alan's command, its excellent sewer system was out of place on this planet.

After a quick tour of the Radiant City.

A certain idea in Roger's mind became even more firmly established.

Inside the castle.

Reception room.

Alan personally served Roger a cup of chrysanthemum tea, then gently set it down and asked with a smile, "What is it like to become a Star Lord?"

Roger thought for a moment, "The pressure is immense."

Alan nodded in understanding. "That's to be expected. Managing a city is frustrating enough, let alone a planet. But it also brings glory and power, something most people envy, isn't it?"

The two chatted for a while.

Roger then steered the conversation toward Mystra.

"You once said you came to protect Mystra..."

He said with some doubt, "But when Mystra returned, you didn't show up..."

He wasn't questioning.

He was just a little puzzled.

Upon hearing this question...

Alan sighed softly, "I missed my chance. I did come for Mystra, my duty was to prevent Him from getting bogged down, but I failed in the end..."

"When Mystra returned, I was in the abyss. At that time, I encountered something beyond my comprehension. Driven by some powerful force, I was chasing someone. For some reason, I couldn't sense Mystra's movements during the chase... This is illogical!"

"But what's done is done. Mystra has gone his own way, and my mission has failed..."

"Going your own way?" Roger's heart skipped a beat. "Why are you stopping Mystra from going to the Sunken Battlefield? Whose orders are you on?"

"Maybe it's O..."

Alan's tone also seemed somewhat hesitant:

"As I said before, my memory is incomplete. I only know my mission and part of my origins, but it's difficult to explain more details..."

"I didn't tell you before because I was worried you would stop me. Now that I've failed anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. Deep down, a strong voice told me—I must stop Mystra from going to the Sunken Battlefield! That obsession was so strong that my will was no match for it. To accomplish this mission, I was even willing to break my vow as a paladin. What's even more amazing is that I didn't suffer any punishment after breaking it..."

As he spoke, a deep sense of confusion welled up in Alan's eyes.

These things are all too abnormal.

Even he himself suspected that the so-called time travel and mission were part of a conspiracy.

"I may be one of Subordinate God or subordinates. I left the heavens many years ago. I traveled to Mystra at a specific time, and my mission is to complete that task..."

Alan shook his head and said, "To be honest, I was very resistant to that mission. Now that I've failed, I feel much more relaxed! But I'm still worried about what might happen next, and I'm quite confused about the future..."

Roger nodded.

Alan wasn't lying; his state was more volatile than ever before, suggesting that he was quite averse to being caught up in the game between the gods.

So he asked, "Since this sense of mission is so strong, why would you abandon it to pursue someone? Who is that person?"

Because it has become associated with the abyss.

Therefore, Roger took it very seriously.

"I don't know. I've never met him in person. I've only heard his story and followed in his footsteps... He's a being known as Harbinger of Disaster, said to bring destruction wherever he goes! He carries a terrifying curse, a curse that's poison to others, but there seems to be a more powerful force within me driving me to pursue him..."

Or rather, it's about pursuing that curse...

This is truly absurd!

I traversed several Demiplane in the abyss and found many traces of him. The curse he left behind could slightly enhance my strength, but unfortunately, I never found him in person...

Later, when the demons of the abyss invaded the Radiant City again, I was forced to return to the Prime Material Plane, only to find that Mystra had already left...

Alan smiled bitterly and said, "That's the whole story. I guess I didn't get anything out of it!"

Roger was secretly surprised upon hearing this:

The power of a curse?

Isn't this referring to the Bandage guy?

Why did Alan chase after him?

Could there be some kind of relationship between these two?

Roger wanted to tell Alan what he knew, but seeing the latter's confused expression, he swallowed his words.

In his view, even if beings from the heavens are inherently kind, they could still become pawns in someone else's game.

Cindy is one example.

Alan might be the second one.

He himself resisted that sense of mission, so Roger naturally couldn't follow in other people's footsteps.

"Investigate the situation with the Bandage first... then we can tell Alan when we have the chance!"

Roger quickly made up his mind.

"There are always many things in this world that we cannot understand. Many things will become clear in time. Being too persistent may not be a good thing..."

He offered a few perfunctory words of comfort.

Then he changed the subject. "I've come here to seek help..."

"I am willing to serve the Star Lord..."

Alan said, half-jokingly.

"I want to establish a country in the Southern Continent," Roger said earnestly. "I would like to invite you to be the ruler of this country, or perhaps, the king?"

Alan's eyes widened.

After a moment's thought, he couldn't help but ask, "Could it be that you have no desire for power whatsoever?"

Roger shrugged. "I'm making you king, just like you entrusted Paramount Manor to me back then. I believe in your abilities and your principles, and I believe you can be a great king... provided you give up that so-called sense of mission!"

Alan nodded seriously. "I need some time to think..."

Roger waved his hand:

"Take your time to think it over, no rush."

Alan smiled.

Then he led Roger to a secluded spot behind the castle.

There.

Roger saw a huge stone tablet.

"Now, he is yours, Star Master..."

This time.

Alan's tone was very serious.

The joking tone was gone.

On the data panel.

"Hint: You have obtained the Key to the Radiant City (The Ordination Stele)!"