"The Sun... King?" Qin Yu repeated softly.
"Yes, he was the greatest king in the history of our race. It was under his leadership that our race was able to survive the Chaos Era," Liya Nolandir replied.
Night Spirit? The Sun King?... Shen Heng, sitting to the side, paused, then said, "So, afterwards, that Sun King went to find the World Tree, provided a solution, and quelled that chaotic period?"
"Huh? How did you know?" Liya Nolandir looked over.
"Isn't it a good match to have someone who has the ability but no way to use it, and someone who has the means but no ability?" Shen Heng said calmly.
"Yes, that's right!"
Liya Nolandir responded with some excitement.
"His Sun King at that time was also deeply saddened by the bloodshed, slaughter, and death that had spread throughout the world."
"Therefore, after witnessing the spectacular sight of His Nordrassil ascending to the Ninth Tier, he immediately realized that this was a being capable of changing the entire world."
"However, this wasn't the only thing that came with it."
"At that time, because His Nordrassil was the first being to reach the Ninth Tier, no one had a clear concept of just how strong He was."
"Then, some foolish tribes went and tried to overthrow Nordrassil..."
"..." Shen Heng sat to the side, listening.
Liya Nolandir continued,
"To make the campaign easier and to avoid any obstruction, they began a massive slaughter of the creatures that were near His Nordrassil before they even started."
"And then, unsurprisingly."
"Their actions have incurred the wrath of His Majesty Nordrassil."
"Then, he died."
"It was at that moment that all living beings in the Ruins Realm realized what kind of being he was."
"After that, we moved far away."
"After all, no living being likes to face a strange being that could kill them at any moment."
"In particular, He seemed to be showing a willingness to protect the creatures in the vicinity."
Other Calamity Beast, accustomed to letting strength dictate their existence, find it difficult to coexist peacefully with other creatures weaker than themselves, especially those not belonging to their own tribe.
"Therefore, apart from the beings who had already settled near His Nordrassil, all other beings held an attitude of fear and alienation towards His Nordrassil."
"Even we Night Spirit Clan were no exception in this regard back then."
"Upon learning that His Majesty the Sun King intended to go and see His Majesty, all the elders in the clan opposed it."
But, ultimately.
"After much deliberation, His Majesty the Sun King has finally decided to make the trip."
"This is not only for the future of our Night Spirit Clan, but also for the future of the entire Ruins Realm."
"Afterwards, to show respect, His Sun King walked over a million kilometers on foot from our former homeland to where His Majesty Nordrassil resided!"
"Gone, over... a million kilometers?" Shen Heng looked up at Qin Yu, who was sitting silently to the side, without interrupting.
Liya Nolandir continued speaking,
"After that, no one knows what His Sun King and His Nordrassil said. All we know is that after His Sun King returned, our clan began to migrate."
"Move from where you started, to where Your Majesty is located."
"Then, it was time to start modifying the world."
"No tribe may indiscriminately slaughter other living beings for reasons other than those necessary for their own survival; no tribe may seize the land of other tribes under the pretext of unsuitability for their own territory or relocation; no tribe may..."
"Wait a moment," Shen Heng suddenly said.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Liya Nolandir asked, startled.
Qin Yu also looked over.
Shen Heng raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on the wide corridor ahead. "A Calamity Beast awaits around the corner!"
"Hmph..." Night Spirit Liya snorted in dissatisfaction. She was getting into her story when, of all times, that Calamity Beast came running over.
Qin Yu looked at the captain and asked, "Captain, shall we fight?"
Shen Heng thought for a moment and nodded.
"Then I'll take care of it later," Qin Yu said after a pause.
Shen Heng looked over and said, "Don't worry, the injury did affect me, but not as much as you think. Besides, the one in front was just a Fifth Tier Calamity Beast."
"But..."
After a pause, Shen Heng said,
"If you want it, then you can handle it!"
The first part was a description of his own state and a way to comfort himself; the second part was a display of his trust in Qin Yu.
Without much expression, Qin Yu slowly nodded.
After a while, a hideous Calamity Beast collapsed to the ground.
As Shen Heng looked at the Calamity Beast, which was mainly composed of 'Scalearmor Lizard' with other unidentified limbs as secondary features, the scene from just now flashed through his mind.
Strength, defense, and agility have all been significantly improved compared to when it was the Scalearmor Lizard.
Occasionally, some stiff areas will appear.
Is it because the integration wasn't good?
Shen Heng slowly turned his gaze to the thick tail, which was even larger than the body.
Even so, its overall strength has improved considerably compared to when it was the Scalearmor Lizard. It hasn't reached the Near-S-Class standard, but it's definitely a strong A-level.
"Lord Shen Heng, what about this corpse?" Stone turned to look at Lord Shen Heng.
"I'll keep it. Maybe I can submit it to the Research Department for further study after we get out," Shen Heng said, walking towards the 'Scalearmor Lizard'.
The long sword automatically unsheathed during this process and cleaved towards the head.
By the time Shen Heng reached the corpse, it had already completed its task, extracting the Origin Crystal and then automatically sheathing itself.
Origin Crystal acquired, Late Fifth Tier.
Shen Heng glanced at it, then turned his gaze to Qin Yu and Stone.
"The spoils will be divided tonight!"
Qin Yu didn't say much, she just nodded.
Stone was somewhat surprised, "Eh? I have one too?"
"Yes, but you'll have much less," Shen Heng said calmly.
"Yes, that's enough, that's enough!"
The Stone responded with some delight; it had never imagined it could have such a thing.
After all, it's only at the Fourth Tier now, and can't do anything except serve as a substitute for Lord Shen Heng and Lord Qin Yu.
Even if we only get a small share now, it's still a profit!
Late Fifth Tier Origin Crystal!
If it stays that way, it shouldn't be too long before it reaches Fifth Tier!
Then, I'll be able to stand alongside Lord Shen Heng and Lord Han Ling...
Suddenly, the Stone paused, and the beast stood frozen in place.
It seemed to have thought of something, and its expression darkened considerably.
It seems that even if it reaches the Fifth Tier, it will still find it difficult to stand alongside Lord Shen Heng and Han Ling, after all, Lord Shen Heng and Lord Han Ling face their own enemies...