"Wait." Mydei stopped Xing, who was about to step forward. "His aura is different; it's very calm."
Upon hearing this, Xing didn't react much, but March 7th, who was next to Dan Heng, panicked.
"Huh? What does this mean? Is this Teacher Dan Heng a fake?!"
Dan Heng remained silent. "Sigh~ It seems we can still communicate. You gray-haired warrior over there, answer me--"
"--What were the last words you said to me before I opened the sea in Scalegorge Waterscape?"
"Waibibabu?"
"It doesn't seem like acting; it looks like it's really him."
Dan Heng confirmed Xing's identity before sheathing his Cloud-Piercer Spear: "Finally found you... It wasn't easy."
"It's me. What have you been through?" Mydei asked.
"It just brought up some old stories; let's not dwell on them."
"Does that mean you also saw your own past?"
"Hmph..." Mydei snorted coldly, "The trial of ' Strife ' is indeed so vicious."
"I'm afraid this trial doesn't belong to any one person... but rather to a battlefield where all challengers and delusions clash."
"Just now, I also saw an old friend... but Phainon has never known him before."
"Heh... that doesn't sound like a bad thing. It means we might find Phainon here."
"Hopefully, this battlefield isn't as vast as we imagine..." Mydei looked ahead, "Let's advance towards the source of the fighting."
The battle cries around me... seem to be growing louder and louder...
"I have a feeling... although it doesn't belong to Phainon... this battlefield has another master..."
I agree.
With Dan Heng and Mydei leading the way, Xing naturally moved closer to March 7th.
"You pink-haired archer, answer me—"
Which cup of milk tea made by Teacher Ye Yan is your favorite?
" Teacher Ye Yan also sells multi-flavored milk tea?" March 7th scratched his head. "If I had to choose, I'd like every single one!"
"Good! You pass!"
The four of them arrived at Kephale Plaza and saw a Kremnos soldier fighting in the crowd.
"Ah, just as I suspected. This is the source of the war cries..."
"... The true gateway to the Nikador Trial."
Xing and March 7th gazed at that familiar figure, somewhat lost in thought, "That warrior... is it Gnaeus, the incarnation of Nikador..."
"Although we've never met, I sensed it. Without a doubt, it was the killing intent that belonged only to ' Strife '..."
" Nikador himself—the master of this battlefield."
Upon hearing this, Gnaeus turned around and Mydei's gaze:
"Ah, Mydeimos... you are indeed a warrior with shining eyes."
"You recognize me?"
"You blasphemous Wang Gui, of course I recognize you."
"I also understand: you have come for the spirit of that white-haired warrior."
Gnaeus tilted his head slightly, scrutinizing the four people present.
"That makes things easier. Hand over that spineless swordsman and let's end this farce as soon as possible."
"I refuse."
"Is this considered unconventional?" March 7th asked in a low voice.
"I acknowledge your courage and strength along the way. But since you attempt to trample on the dignity of the defeated, I cannot stand idly by."
Xing looked distressed. She had just fought ' Nikador ' in the trial space, and now she had to fight again.
"Please, for the sake of us being in the same profession, please have mercy..."
Xing clasped her hands together. The initial excitement of the " Eternity " milk tea had worn off, and she suddenly felt a wave of weariness.
"Star, that guy's attitude is pretty clear," March 7th comforted him, "A fierce battle is inevitable."
"The defeated one... did he fail to overcome the trial?" Dan Heng had another point of interest.
"He fought bravely against his deepest fears, ultimately succumbing to the ferocity of the battle. Therefore, I have placed him upon this battlefield behind me, bestowing upon him the glory commensurate with courage, resilience, and sacrifice."
"Want to take him away? Sure: take the bronze spear and come forward to prove your beliefs match his..."
"As for cowards who have no intention of shedding blood... get out of my sight now."
Mydei stood before the three, "I have no interest in your pathetic mad king's eloquence... but since you desire a battle, then come, Titan —let me close your eyes once more with my own death."
"Indeed! Your noble mother once showed me the same spirit with her spear."
Mydei's pupils dilated, and he forced out a sentence through gritted teeth. "... Don't mention her name."
"Why? To defend your dignity, she knew she would die from a poisonous plot, yet she still fought against the Kremnos King Xuanfeng. Are you suggesting that all of this was in vain?"
"Wow... no one told me the ' Strife ' Titan's attack power was this strong. This girl's words are like honey."
Forget about Mydei, after hearing what Gnaeus said, Xing and March 7th both wanted to rush up and beat him up. They had to attack that taunting, submissive... leader first.
Mydei's voice trembled like a bowstring as he glared at Nikador: "Her tragedy is your doing—the embodiment of ' Strife' —how dare you speak of her past?"
"Enough with this nonsense. As the God of ' Strife,' why not declare your resolve with your sword and let us finish this quickly!"
Gnaeus remained with his arms crossed. "Ha! Your hatred is plain to see, Mydeimos. These words must have stung you. But it is precisely because of this that I finally understand..."
"So this is your reason for murdering your father to seize the throne, yet letting the seal of authority sink into the Abyss of Fate, unwilling to continue the glory of the Kremnos..."
"This is your reason for destroying the Titan of Strife, yet refusing the Core Flame to perpetuate ' Strife '..."
With each word Gnaeus spoke, Nikador's roar beside Mydei's ear grew louder.
"You abandoned child of fate, I'll see if you have the ability—to see if you can extinguish your own destiny."
"I will tear your chest apart, Titan... just as I did to the former king."
"Hahaha~ Since you want to repeat the same mistakes, then come on: ignite the flames of your fear, step onto the battlefield, fight to the borders of ' Strife,' devour me; or get lost in it, and let your fallen corpses be comforted!"
"But remember this, Mydeimos: son of Georios, he will surely rise in blood to claim the crown—"
"When you pierce my chest, that will be the moment you ascend to godhood—successor of the Kremnos, I salute you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of the Heavenly Punishment Legion surrounded the four of them.
"That white-haired warrior, knowing he was outmatched, fought with courage and strength to the very last moment..."
"And you, Mydeimos? Is your killing intent worthy of fate?!"
Xing rubbed her ears. "Hiss... You're going to keep babbling on and on, aren't you? You're completely disregarding us."
"Hmm... if we can beat it once, we can beat it a second time!"
" Titan, you talk too much!"
Dan Heng and Mydei were action-oriented, and they charged directly towards Gnaeus behind them.
Faced with the " Strife " relatives surrounding him, what will Xing choose?
"Hehe~ I'm not pretending anymore, I'm coming clean!"
The next instant, a " Spear of Divine Retribution " powerful enough to destroy the entire holy city descended from the sky, hovering above ' Gnaeus's ' head.
Tell me, now... who is the real Titan of Strife?