As soon as Xing stepped into the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace, he felt a wave of heat wash over him.
"Ugh, is it usually this hot?"
Xing took a few more steps toward the center of the bathtub, and a sweet aroma wafted into her nostrils. Wasn't this the " Eternity " milk tea she drank every day?
Has March 7th's milk tea business expanded to the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace?
Not only that, many customers nearby were lying sprawled on the ground, and some were even vomiting and having diarrhea while clinging to trash cans.
Why is it that what comes out is still rainbow-colored liquid? This is a question worth pondering; it's best to avoid asking about things in the world of anime and manga.
"Garbage can..."
Seeing this, Xing's heart bled; her favorite trash can had been defiled.
"What... what exactly is going on?"
Exploring the area ahead, Xing wondered if she was hallucinating from the black-robed swordsman's attack. Why would she see a banner related to milk tea in the bathtub?!
The annual Milk Tea Competition at the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace is in full swing, and the winner will receive a special gift package from the " Church of Years "!
Xing read the lines from the banner, her lips twitching. "What the heck is 'Church of Years '? Did ' Church of Eternity ' change its name?"
Shifting her gaze to the arena ahead, Xing spotted a familiar figure again— Ye Yan, who was drinking milk tea and watching the game in a corner.
"This is... hell..."
"Which genius came up with the idea of drinking milk tea in such high temperatures?!" Xing couldn't help but complain.
Because of his special physical condition, Xing wasn't greatly affected, but it's hard to say about others.
" Aha ~ my friend, this is the ' Eternity ' challenge of withstanding pressure!"
A masked 'spectator' standing nearby said excitedly, holding a light-up light stick in his hand.
"And who are you?!" Xing took a step back alertly, distancing himself from the masked audience member.
In an instant, screams and wails filled the bathhouse.
Xing rubbed her eyes in disbelief. This was such a sudden change! What had happened during the few days she was gone? Ye Yan was even making a cameo appearance here?
Meanwhile, Tribbie and Aglaea, wanting to relax, also arrived at the Cloud Stone Heavenly Palace.
With so many bathhouse guests lying on the ground, a Healer was definitely needed to provide first aid, so Hyacine, who had just finished her work, was called back.
"Uh..." So many people fainted at the same time due to the high temperature of the pool water? Where is the management of the bathhouse?
"He's vanished, his whereabouts unknown. Some people are muttering that it was the ' Kremnosians ' who did it... Does Ms. Aglaea have any clues?"
Aglaea already had her answer. "Let these people rest. You two, come with me."
" Aya, what's on your mind?"
"Of course. Although we don't know what they're really up to, it's time to end this farce."
Aglaea and her two companions arrived at the crime scene. Phainon collapsed to the ground, pointing at Mydei before completely losing consciousness.
On one side is the high-temperature bathing endurance challenge between Phainon and Mydei, and on the other side is the tense and exciting milk tea challenge.
Ultimately, the high-temperature challenge ended in Phainon's failure.
He said weakly, "The... murderer... the murderer... is... Mydeimos..."
"... Uh!" The Phainon on the ground fell silent.
Upon seeing this, passersby cried out in alarm, "Help! There's been an accident in the scalding hot bath!"
" Little Di! What have you done to everyone?!"
"Hmph~" Mydei snorted lightly, "It's just another victory in yet another gladiatorial contest."
"... Just as I expected." Aglaea looked at Mydei and Phainon, "These two, on the surface, are the strongest warriors in the Holy City, but ultimately they can't hide their youthful nature..."
"Tell us, Mydei? Tell us what foolish things you and Phainon did."
His thoughts drifted back to a time ago, Mydei looked at Phainon, who had his back to him and was not saying a word.
Silence fell between the two. Mydei wanted to say something to comfort Phainon, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
I was thinking of suggesting we take a relaxing bath, but something just doesn't feel right.
Having a drink here... I think I'll pass.
Ultimately, all the words can be summed up in one sentence:
"... Am I right? The amazing ' Savior ' is finally willing to come out into the light?"
Phainon snorted coldly, "Hmph..."
"Hmph... What kind of answer is that?" Mydei scoffed.
"Nothing much—just imitating your usual mannerisms. I didn't sense anything special about you... Did you pass the demigod's test?"
"The ceremony hasn't started yet. Just in case you forget—it hasn't been long since I dragged you out of the trial."
"I haven't forgotten."
"You're welcome."
After Mydei finished speaking, there was another minute of silence between them.
Phainon suddenly spoke, "... The last light of the long night, the fortified city of Okhema."
"Many people travel from afar, believing it to be a lush garden where figs and olives abound..."
"But unexpectedly, he fell into the burning furnace?"
What trick are you playing now?
"I just felt like reciting a few lines of poetry on a whim." Phainon crossed his arms. "Prince of the Kremnos, surely you can understand poetry?"
" Those Kremnosians don't read such weak texts, but my library has no shortage of such books—"
This sentence expresses the author's homesickness, just as Okhema is far from most people's hometown.
"--I understand poetry, HKS."
Phainon chuckled, "Ha~ Don't pretend to be profound, friend. Thanks for pulling me out of the woods in my time of need, but as I see it, you weren't exactly ready for the trial either, were you?"
"Don't confuse our situations. I have my people behind me, and I cannot ascend to godhood alone before solving their problems."
"Hmph... From what you're saying, the valiant Mydeimos, heir to the Throne of the Kremnos Peak, actually intends to break an ancient tradition that has lasted for thousands of years?"
"..."
"I'm still thinking about what to do."
Phainon shook his head, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated:
"Forget it, it's probably not my place to give you advice."
"However, I suddenly had an idea..." Phainon turned his gaze to the bath not far away, a plan forming in his mind.
"Tell me, what kind of terrible idea is this?"
"Perhaps we both need to release some pressure. Come on, Mydeimos, let's continue our competition."
Phainon suggested, "This time—let's see who can last the longest in the 'super hot' bath!"
"..."
"What's wrong, getting stage fright?"
"The word 'stage fright' doesn't exist in the dictionary of the Kremnosians. I just find it laughable. Unofficial historian, haven't you heard that the Kremnosians bathes in molten iron refined from sword forging?"
"Today, I will teach you these court etiquette rules!"