Starry Sky Railway: Opening Performance - Taixu Sword God

"But when she cut open the dragon's belly, she found that the princess had already turned into a skeleton inside."

"She was devastated and wept for days..."

"Just then, a eloquent and flattering scholar arrived at the palace."

"It's here." Yan Huan stroked her chin and said seriously:

"At this time of year, all the scholars, priests, witches, and sorcerers who enter the palace are usually bad guys."

“I can tell.” Serhith smiled calmly.

"I have read quite a few novels, and there are countless plots like this."

As if to confirm their suspicions, the girl continued:

"Scholars suggested using dragon bones and dragon blood to revive the princess—a secret method the conman in the story calls 'alchemy'."

Upon hearing this, Xia Die, Cexis, and Yan Huan all turned around and glanced at Xia Ke.

"..."

"What's that look in your eyes?"

The girl continued telling the story:

"The princess has been reborn. The queen was overjoyed, unaware that the soul of an evil dragon was mixed within her."

"The dragon, seeking revenge, swallowed the poor queen, the cunning liar, the valiant warrior, and all the innocent people of the city whole."

"What's even more terrifying is that the souls of the dead die with regrets and are rejected by the underworld. The vengeful spirits that linger in the human world form the River Styx, which cannot recede for a long time."

“A terrible death devoured everything, and our homeland was destroyed along with it. Until…”

“…until?” Calypso asked curiously.

Polycia smiled. "Until what? Actually, I don't know either."

“Oh dear… Little Polycia, you still love to keep us in suspense as always.” Calypso smiled helplessly.

Serhith stared at Calypso's appearance, lost in thought.

"So that's how it is. This is what I used to look like. It's exactly the same."

"But what exactly is this...?"

"I already told you, this is a miracle I created using alchemy." Xia said impatiently.

"Cerseis, stop looking like you've never seen anything like this before. Look at those two and learn from them, okay?"

Sersis: “…”

Chapter 1363 You Are the Soldier

"Be quiet, Titan."

"Keep enjoying this wonderful drama, and the truth will naturally come to light."

Not far ahead, Calypso looked at the girl and suddenly remembered something, “Dragons… I have heard of that legend.”

“So what do you think of this story?” Polycia asked.

Calypso smiled faintly:

"In my opinion, this so-called [alchemy] is a far-fetched addition by later generations."

"After all, I suppose you've never heard of any alchemical tradition in your homeland."

“Indeed,” Polycia admitted.

"Before I went out to study, I had never even heard of anyone studying this subject."

“Yes,” Calypso agreed.

"So just consider it a third-rate fable made for children, with no beginning or end."

"How can it be considered a beautiful story if it doesn't even have a happy ending?"

“That makes sense.” Polycia smiled calmly.

"So what do you think this story is trying to teach people?"

“Ah… I think it’s roughly an equivalent exchange,” Calypso replied.

Polycia was somewhat surprised. "Oh? I thought it was about respecting the dead..."

"There's absolutely no logic to that." Yan Huan was utterly disdainful of such stories.

Some people like to create dark fairy tales to pique children's curiosity.

Such stories are not only meaningless, but can also easily leave psychological trauma on children.

“Emmm…” Calypso also fell into deep thought.

"Respect for the dead is paramount..."

“I’ve realized that what I’m thinking is actually the same as what you’re thinking: life is priceless, and there’s almost nothing in this world that can compare to it, right?”

“Ha, that’s true,” Polycia laughed.

"Truly the most intelligent scholar on earth."

"Hehe, thank you for your kind words."

Calypso continued:

"Then, in the spirit of equivalent exchange, let me return the favor with a question, shall I?"

“Of course,” Polycia nodded. “What’s the problem?”

Calypso said mysteriously:

"If I were to pass on the art of [alchemy] to you..."

"Would you... be able to use this skill for someone you cherish, bringing them back to life?"

"This...?" Upon hearing this, Polycia was at a loss for words.

If that alchemy method is real, everyone would want to resurrect someone they cherish.

"What a strange question... Ah, I know! You're trying to trick me into asking if I have someone I like?"

"Haha... let's just say that's how it is. I was being presumptuous." Calypso smiled knowingly.

“But…yes.” Polycia said with a smile:

"Mortals will all die eventually, and in the future, there will surely be people I cherish who leave me."

"If such great power truly exists, I should... use it without hesitation."

"after all……"

Polycia said seriously:

"You, me, and everyone else, we will all eventually face that destined [moment]."

Suddenly, a look of melancholy appeared on her face.

"My time has come."

"But perhaps it is precisely because of the firm belief that life is priceless..."

"I... am not capable of completing the trial."

The next moment, the surrounding scenery suddenly changed.

Under Yan Huan's watchful gaze, the Hero's Bath gradually transformed into the core of the Creation Vortex.

This is where the fire is stored, and also where the Golden Descendants undergo demigod trials.

Calypso stood before the altar and recited:

"[You will wither, causing the dead to sprout from the remnants, and the fire that died with you to be reborn...]"

"Poor thing, fate is really so cruel."

What she was reciting seemed to be the fate of someone.

Upon hearing this, a fighter nearby inquired:

"Isn't there another way to interpret this?"

Before Calypso could reply, Polycia shook her head and said:

"I'm afraid its meaning is quite clear."

“My sister and I must make a sacrifice—at the cost of our lives—in order to complete [our] trial.”

"Perhaps that's why... the prophecy chose a pair of twins."

After hearing about Polycia's plight, the fighter said in a deep voice, "What a cruel twist of fate..."

Polycia continued:

“My sister is prepared to sacrifice herself… but I can’t…”

"It's really ridiculous..."

"Even though I don't have much time left, I'm still afraid to face death..."

The girl was sitting in a wheelchair, with half of her face covered by a solid object that looked like a dragon claw mark.

Based on Yan Huan's observation, it should be some kind of disease, or perhaps a cellular growth caused by a curse.

"What should we... do?"

Polycia sat in her wheelchair, her emotions a jumbled mess, "If...if I can't make up my mind in the end..."

Seeing this, Calypso comforted him:

“Since Caius has left us guidance to save this trial for last… then you have plenty of time to ponder.”

"Not bad," the fighter encouraged.

Don't let the fog of the future cloud your mind.