The Earth Beast's back was like a cradle, but Xing was wide awake. After a period of trekking, the caravan successfully arrived at the holy city of Okhema.
However, to everyone's surprise, the concentration of [ Strife ] in this holy city was even more outrageous than that in the Abyss of Fate, with the Heavenly Punishment Legion besieging everywhere.
The worst part is that some of these [ Strife ] relatives are still flying around in the sky, and we can only watch helplessly as they wreak havoc.
"Hmm, that's true... but why are we still fighting even in the city?!"
"What have we done now?"
Xing used the hourglass necklace to stop the collapsing stone pillar, and incidentally swept away the approaching Heavenly Punishment Hunter with a baseball bat.
"The enemy was encountered in the Abyss of Fate... It seems this attack was also the work of the Titan of Strife."
Dan Heng remained fully prepared, never letting his Cloud-Piercer Spear leave his side.
"This is what you call safe?! It's completely different from what Tribbie said!"
March 7th is very confused. Didn't they just say that the Holy City of Okhema is the safest place in Amphoreus?
"This is an important settlement and living area of the Holy City. A forced breakout would certainly cause unnecessary losses..."
Phainon looked at Xing and the other two with a hint of apology, "Sorry, I dragged you into this again."
"I never expected Nikador to lead his army to launch a surprise attack on the Holy City at this time... It has always been Kephale's mortal enemy, but now it has become as frenzied as a beast."
"Alas, humanity has suffered a complete defeat."
"There's no need to panic. Okhema wasn't unprepared; the Prophecy had already warned us. This is a natural disaster, but not a calamity."
"I thought the Holy City was a sturdy sanctuary, but it turns out it's not so peaceful. Let's stay on the battlefield and lend a hand," Dan Heng said.
Xing recalled her earlier speculation, "Could this Nikador be related to [ Destruction ]...?"
"I don't think so. The difference between these dependents and the Antimatter Legion is quite obvious."
Without saying much, the group was preparing to continue their search and rescue efforts deeper into the holy city when they were blocked by a stone pillar that fell from the sky.
"Don't panic, don't panic, leave it to 'us'—" I call upon you, Oronyx!
Tribbie reached out her hand, about to cast the Oronyx's Prayer, when Xing unconsciously picked up the hourglass necklace and recited the next line:
"--Lift the veil of [ Eternity ]!"
"Huh? Did you get the lines wrong?"
"No difference." Xing shook his hand, and his special golden energy stepped into the river of Years, restoring all the obstacles in front of him.
Wow~
Seeing this, Tribbie's eyes lit up; these extraterrestrial visitors were beyond her imagination.
"Wow! This is the [ Eternity ] Miracle!"
Tribbie suddenly remembered something, and Chaoxing and the other two said, "Leave the rest to 'us,' you should also evacuate with the citizens!"
Xing resolutely refused, saying earnestly, "It's safer with you."
March 7th glanced helplessly at Xing and explained on her behalf, "What this guy means is, we can stay and help out too."
"I don't doubt your skills, but..." Phainon hesitated for a few seconds, then continued, "Alright, but please don't leave my side."
"Those scum can't do anything to you, but our comrades, those who call themselves the [ Chrysos Heirs ]... their attacks don't discriminate between friend and foe."
Along the way, they saw many devout and stubborn citizens who were unwilling to leave.
Xing didn't say much, after all, in this crumbling apocalypse, faith had become the entirety of some people's lives.
"There are corpses strewn everywhere. There shouldn't be so many enemies in front of the main gate. Where are the people responsible for guarding the city?" Phainon asked, puzzled.
" Little Bai--!"
"We're back."
Just then, two more red-haired girls who looked similar to Tribbie flew over.
"Three, three Tribbie?! What kind of magic trick is this?"
"These little wings can actually fly..."
March 7th and Xing have different focuses.
"We are Trianne!" said the girl who had covered one eye.
"'We' are Trinnon!"
After the red-haired girl, whose eyes were completely invisible, finished speaking, Tribbie's follow-up attack was successfully triggered:
"'We' are Tribbie —no, this isn't the time for introductions!"
"... Amphoreus is getting more and more surprising." Dan Heng
" Little Bai! Little Di has fought the main force dozens of times, all the way from the sky to the city! You must go and help him!" Trianne didn't forget the important matter and said hurriedly.
"I knew it... that guy will stop at nothing once he's got the will to kill. Teachers, I'm counting on you to settle the citizens."
"Don't worry! We're here." Trianne stepped forward. "With the [ World-Splitting Gate ], we can send everyone to the safest place in Amphoreus in a flash—"
"Isn't that Okhema?"
"Haha..." Trianne laughed awkwardly.
"Stop fooling around, let's get people to safety! Anywhere is fine, just get everyone to a safe place!"
"Although she has a childlike side, Teacher Tribbie is a highly experienced member of the Chrysos Heirs and one of the pillars of Okhema. They are trustworthy."
The scene shifts to the Aedes Elysiae.
Time flows silently through the golden rice paddies like the tranquil stream beside the village, and the village remains shrouded in a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Ye Yan climbed the steps silently and stepped into the ancient pavilion of the Court of Repose. The view from above was expansive, and a gentle breeze rustled the copper bells on the eaves, producing a delicate and ethereal sound.
At the edge of the attic, a young girl stood leaning against the railing.
Her long pink hair, like flowing sunset rays, swayed gently in the warm breeze.
Cyrene tilted her head slightly, closed her eyes, and let the warm breeze, carrying the warmth of the sun and the fragrance of the fields, gently caress her cheeks.
The sunlight cast a soft golden glow on her delicate features, making her seem to melt into the warm and inviting scene.
"Mmm~" she let out a satisfied sigh, the corners of her lips naturally turning up. "Looking into the distance, it's still the familiar scenery."
"If you ask what the most memorable place in the Aedes Elysiae, besides the swing set under the big tree, it's this place."
She suddenly opened her arms as if to embrace the boundless world before her, her clothes fluttering as if she were about to rise with the wind at any moment.
Standing on high ground, even the wind seems exceptionally generous, blowing brightly into one's heart, as if all worries have been swept away!
A warm breeze swept by, bringing with it an even stronger gust of air that made her pink hair flutter. Cyrene subconsciously raised her hand to gather the strands of hair at her temples.
In that instant of turning around, her gaze inadvertently fell upon the tall figure that had appeared behind her at some unknown time.
Ye Yan, dressed in a plain robe, his demeanor so calm that he seemed to be part of the pavilion itself.
Cyrene's carefree smile faltered slightly, and a hint of surprise and doubt flashed in her clear eyes.
"Um... by the way, do we know each other?"