Amphoreus, the Vortex of Genesis
After a brief interlude, Xing and Phainon returned the " Strife " Core Flame, and the " Spear of Divine Retribution " pattern above the Vortex of Genesis lit up.
"The stars of the Spear of Divine Retribution ' have been lit... Why is the Vortex of Genesis so silent? Have you ever faced a similar situation?"
"You're too hasty, Phainon. Don't make us question this decision."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gnaeus's phantom appeared on the " Tides in the Basin ".
Wow~ Gnaeus is back in the world?
"I'm afraid he's not the person you know—he's the embodiment of Prophecy, the echo of Titan divinity. He's come to examine the Chrysos Heirs who will succeed to divine authority."
After explaining, Trinnon listened carefully to the Titan's ramblings and translated:
"Mortals who intend to seize the authority of the gods..."
"Your strength and character have been tested..."
Trinnon suddenly raised her head and looked at Phainon: "But your will is still wavering..."
"To continue Nikador's struggle, to fight against the indescribable Black Tide..."
"You must undergo a divine trial..."
"Prove that you possess an indestructible will... crush your deepest, most ingrained fears..."
Phainon froze. "Crush... the fear within me?"
Then, he looked intently at Gnaeus on the " Tides in the Basin ": "Then bring it on—whatever methods you intend to use to hinder my progress, I am ready."
"For the prophesied tomorrow, I will become the god that Amphoreus needs."
"Follow me, Phainon of the Aedes Elysiae..."
"... You will shed your mortal body in fear, and then be reborn as a god from suffering."
star:?
"Wait a minute, isn't there anything for me to do?" Xing's gaze kept shifting between Gnaeus and Trinnon.
Gnaeus then turned his gaze to the stars, muttering incoherently.
"Teacher Trinnon, please translate this."
"Your strength surpasses Amphoreus's; you need no ' Strife ' to acknowledge it..."
"Star, it seems you have hidden powers too!"
March 7th was genuinely happy for Xing; looking at it this way, it seems she's the only one without a 'backup energy source'?
"Ahem~" Fulisina cleared her throat, "It's all the will of ' Eternity,' the path to the trial has been opened for you... you."
"Wait for us to come back, friends."
" Dan Heng, in March 7th... remember to write to me."
"Oh, it's no big deal, leave it to me... Hey, how am I supposed to write this letter?!"
Xing didn't say anything more, exchanged a glance with Phainon, and stepped through the door together.
"They... left?"
"Xing and Phainon have already gone to the battlefield. All we can do is wait... and have faith."
"It's truly a... mysterious ritual." Dan Heng didn't know what to say. "Is there really nothing we can do besides wait?"
Dan Heng dislikes the feeling of passively waiting for fate to decide his fate.
Although March 7th was somewhat worried about Xing, that guy was equipped with divine weapons, and apart from encountering an opponent at the " Emanator " level, very few people could harm her.
So, she transformed herself into a 'war correspondent' and began interviewing the people in the Vortex of Genesis.
"Your Excellency Phainon... I hope you are truly prepared."
On March 7th, the first choice was Castorice; beautiful girls are attracted to each other!
" Castorice, you seem rather worried."
"I had a long conversation with His Excellency Phainon, and his words revealed a hint of hesitation. The Prophecy's incarnation seemed to have seen through this; it sensed the 'wavering' in His Excellency Phainon's heart."
"Wherever he and Xing are, and whatever they are fighting... I hope they can pass this test."
Castorice knew that Xing loved milk tea, and Phainon even had a milk tea franchise in Okhema.
Therefore, she specially bought two cups of milk tea at the " Vortex of Genesis " last night, praying that the " Strife " trial between the two of them today would be peaceful.
High Priest Fulisina was a good person; she didn't take any money from her at all, and even said something like, "Hmph~ The bond between us is intertwined like the halo of dawn."
"Now, I present you with this milk tea that carries the ' Eternity prophecy,' and this is the moment to fulfill that destiny's promise!"
Castorice could only return Fulisina's smile. She still hadn't spent enough time with this "Priestess of Years," and she would definitely study hard when she got back.
"Lady Xing is incredibly powerful, as evidenced by the fact that she possesses the second ' Strife ' Core Flame."
After interviewing Castorice, March 7th then found Aglaea:
"If Phainon can overcome his fear and return as a demigod, we will be incredibly close to the miracle promised by the Prophecy," Aglaea said.
"Um... if I may ask, what if Phainon fails?"
"... That means his time has not yet come; there is a more arduous mission for him to shoulder."
"You should have noticed by now that every Chrysos Heirs here carries some kind of... flaw. Perhaps it's the curse of immortality, or the constant loss of humanity, or..."
"... But Phainon is different. He is a flawless Chrysos Heirs, a perfect vessel of divinity."
"Hmm... perfect in every way?"
On March 7th, he pondered, "Conversely, isn't the absence of flaws also a kind of 'flaw'?"
"One day... he will lead everyone—the rest of them—to knock on the door of miracles."
It's easy to tell from Aglaea's words that she trusts Phainon very much, not to mention Xing.
In the eyes of the Chrysos Heirs, Xing is a god who can conjure a second " Strife " Core Flame with his bare hands.
"Alright! Last one, it's the priestess's turn after her character change!"
"Personal image?"
Fulisina paused for a moment, then raised her staff and tapped March 7th on the head in the same way.
"You still don't understand... When the stars gather around Amphoreus, on a night of floating dreams and descending radiance, even the most enigmatic scribe cannot penetrate the veil."
"The destiny of this place is woven from the golden threads of ' Eternity ' truth and ' Eternity ' wisdom!"
"Confirmed, it's still our familiar priestess."
March 7th couldn't understand what Fulisina was saying at all; it must have been related to " Eternity."
Just then, Mydei suddenly arrived at the scene, but didn't see Xing and Phainon. He scoffed.
"Was I too late after all...?"
" Mydei? Phainon said you weren't coming."
"The star of the 'Spear of Divine Retribution ' has been lit, which means..."
"The return of the Core Flame has been completed, but the trials for Phainon and Lord Xing are not yet over."
" The Prophecy has sent down its representative, acknowledging Phainon's power and character, but still harboring doubts about his will. He must overcome his fear... and prove himself to the Prophecy."
Mydei crossed his arms. "... This confirms my concerns." Then, he looked at Dan Heng and March 7th. "I want to formally thank you, strangers."
"Without your help, the battle against Nikador would have been a hundred times more difficult."
"Hehe~ Shouldn't I do something?" March 7th took over Xing's role in 'lively atmosphere'.
"A gift? No problem. The Kremnos clan admires strength and values martial prowess, but that doesn't mean we're ignorant of etiquette."
" Mydei, what did you mean by 'worries' you just mentioned...?"