"You've communicated with Nikador...?"
Xing nodded. "It's protecting the world from something."
"What did it say? I need to know..." Mydei asked anxiously.
"No need to rush, Mydei Di. I will relay this message to you once we return to Okhema."
" Aglaea said... someone must touch and absorb the ' Core Flame,' temporarily becoming its vessel."
Facing the Core Flame Strife ahead, Phainon looked at Mydei, seemingly hesitant to speak, " Mydei, you..."
"... This honor is yours. This is the scene you've always longed for, isn't it?"
"But you are more deserving than I am... you have many new wounds on your body."
"If you knew how exhausting a fierce battle is..." Mydei said with a hint of helplessness, "... you would understand even more that the last thing I want to do right now is waste my breath."
"Ha... at least argue with me a bit, right? Giving it away so lightly makes it seem like it's nothing serious."
Phainon smiled and raised his hand, " Core Flame —come with me. The Vortex of Genesis awaits your return."
However, just as he was about to absorb the Core Flame " Strife "—
A sudden change has occurred!
The Core Flame, beyond Phainon's control, trembled violently and split in two before everyone's eyes.
"Two..." Core Flame of Strife?
Everyone froze in place. Then, as if sensing something, the newly separated " Strife " Core Flame locked onto Xing.
"Huh? Directly recognizing someone as its master... is it really that exaggerated?"
Xing was slightly taken aback and looked at Mydei as well. "Want some freshly forged Core Flame?"
You can keep it.
With his arms Kremnos, Mydei Di seemed genuinely exhausted. Xing could only temporarily store the " Strife " Core Flame into the hourglass necklace.
"Are you... alright?" Dan Heng asked with concern.
"... It feels like nothing has changed," Phainon said. "In fact... it's much easier than I expected. I thought carrying the Core Flame would require a much greater price..."
"Let's go back to Okhema. Bring the news of victory to the two demigods."
"Yay!" Another victory for the " Trailblaze " team!
The group rushed back to the "Holy City" of Okhema without stopping. Xing and Phainon, as representatives, went to the Cloud Stone Market to report the situation to Aglaea and Tribbie.
"We've completed our mission, Teacher Tribbie —we're not missing any limbs, just two burning Core Flame in our palms."
"I can sense the temperature of the Core Flame... Well done, Phainon Amphoreus. It has been a long time since a new demigod has been born. If you can fill the vacancy left by Nikador, it will be a great encouragement to the citizens of the Holy City."
"But you just said... two?"
Aglaea was slightly surprised; she only felt the warmth of a single Core Flame.
"Is it the Core Flame of ' Years '?" Tribbie asked.
"No, regarding this, my partner and I also find it strange..."
Phainon recounted the events that had occurred to Aglaea and the other person, adding that:
"I... must confess to you, I believe Mydei is a more suitable candidate. He was the crown prince of Castrum Kremnos, and spent most of his life fighting alongside Nikador."
"He deserves the weight of the word ' Strife ' more than I do."
Phainon's expression was somewhat complicated. Xing, standing beside him, understood. The word " Savior " was still too heavy for him. The target Core Flame should be "the one Worldbearing."
"Naive child, you consider so much, yet you've forgotten one thing—"
"What you've said may be precisely why Mydeimos is unwilling to take up this Core Flame."
Aglaea wove the pattern of the " Core Flame of Strife " with gold thread. "I have no doubt about his power and aptitude... He must have rehearsed the vision of becoming a god a thousand times in his mind."
"But the reason he declined was precisely because he didn't want to lead his people down the same path again."
"So... are you prepared, Phainon of the Aedes Elysiae?"
Phainon's gaze was piercing, his tone resolute. "I am ready. You two, I will share the weight of divinity with you... I am willing to make the necessary sacrifices."
"We've finally waited for this day, Little Bai." Tribbie clapped her hands. "This has been our long-held wish, hasn't it?"
"Back then, if the Prophecy hadn't found me... I'd still be wandering aimlessly. At this moment, my purpose is to dedicate everything to the mission of the Chrysos Heirs."
"I have never doubted your resolve. Tomorrow at the same time, the Chrysos Heirs will gather at the Vortex of Genesis to return the Spear of Divine Retribution and the Core Flame of Nikador."
"As for this other one..."
Before Aglaea could continue, Xing stepped forward and declared, "I do!"
What is Core Flame mere " Core Flame of Strife " compared to the " Cancer of All Worlds " Stellaron within her?
However, no one stipulated that there could only be one " Strife " demigod in Amphoreus.
"Star, on behalf of all the Chrysos Heirs, I thank you for your contributions."
If Xingneng and Phainon pass the " Strife " trial together and become demigods, Okhema will gain another extraordinary combatant.
Stars can also further enhance their strength, so it's a win-win situation.
Furthermore, each of the Vortex of Genesis has an " Eternity " Emanator over it.
The emergence of another " Core Flame of Strife " might just be a reward from the world's will, " Amphoreus," for her outstanding performance in observing the stars this time.
"Remember, this is not an ancient ritual of the priests. No one knows the price mortals must pay to take over the divine power of ' Strife,' and your future remains uncertain."
"Gentlemen, please take the rest of your time to rest and recuperate."
"I understand. See you tomorrow."
bite--!
The Spear of Divine Retribution has been unlocked...
Hearing the notification sound that suddenly rang in her mind, Xing stood there stunned.
" Eternity the Hunt Spear": Select a target as the Hunt object, and the attack will automatically track and guarantee a hit!
star:?
What the hell?
She stared at the black dialogue box that had appeared out of nowhere, rubbing her eyes. This wasn't " The Interstice of Path "... and what the heck was " The Hunt "?
On the other side of the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace, inside the bath...
"It's really calm and peaceful, as if nothing has happened," Dan Heng remarked.
"After all, someone is bearing the burden for them..."
March 7th was quite moving; the people of Amphoreus truly possessed a refined spirit, able to find peace and enjoyment amidst such chaos.
"Speaking of which, we've already sent Nikador away, but we still don't have any clues about the ' Land of Eternity '."
"Half a year has passed since Journey of Flame-Chase, and the road ahead is still long... We'll definitely be staying in Amphoreus for a while longer."
"Teacher Dan Heng is absolutely right."