Heroes Return

"Sphani!! Are you planning to leave with her?" Number One couldn't help but ask when he saw that Sphani intended to leave.

"I'm sorry, Father. Although I've been resurrected, I'm now a member of Valhalla. Although I want to stay, I can't fulfill the mission Valhalla has given us." Hearing Number One's words, Sphani simply gave him a smile: "Father, we are heroes! So please make the righteous choice! Even if the final result of that choice is to become my enemy!"

"Wait! Sphaney! Stay! We'll find a way to solve this!" Number One exclaimed upon hearing the other's words. However, he ultimately failed to catch up with Sphaney in the sky and could only helplessly watch as Sphaney and Valkyrie disappeared into the heavens.

“Number One.” Nianxin gripped Number One’s hand tightly at that moment: “Let’s go to the central hall. Since it’s about the island, we must discuss it with the people on the island.”

"I'm so confused," Number One suddenly said at that moment. "I don't want to lose her again..."

The "her" party member that Number One mentioned was his daughter, Sfenny, which Nianxin naturally knew. However, she didn't say much. She simply comforted Number One, saying, "Let's go. We have to make a choice, at least this time everyone should make a choice together."

……

Meanwhile, in the council hall, as the fallen heroes reappeared, several beautiful figures appeared in the sky. However, unlike the Valkyrie from before, these beautiful women all rode white horses capable of flying through the air.

Similarly, they said the same words to the heroes present and the superpowered individuals on the floating island.

Upon hearing these words, both Rocky and his group, as well as the self-proclaimed New Humans superhumans led by the cursor, were stunned. An eerie silence fell over everyone.

"We'll give you some time to discuss this." The same words came from the other Valkyries, and then all the Valkyries rode away on their Pegasus. The resurrected heroes followed suit. The middle finger left the heroes in silence.

"We shouldn't agree to their demands!" Rocky finally forced out through clenched teeth, "We shouldn't ignore people! We can't accept their terms!!!"

"Why should I?" the cursor asked dismissively.

"Because we are heroes!" Rocky couldn't help but say, "Whether others acknowledge it or not, I will never abandon my belief in being a hero."

"Is your hero game not over yet?" Upon hearing Loki's words, the cursor couldn't help but sneer, "Don't forget how the World Government treated you. Now, in my eyes, you're nothing more than a bunch of wanted criminals."

"So what? If we were to give up our hero status because of this, Zero would have given up long ago." Rocky spoke again. "He has endured people's disapproval, received negative reports, and even been wanted by the police. But he still hasn't forgotten his mission as a hero. If Zero can do it, why can't we?"

“Okay, I acknowledge the Zero Accident Hero; after all, he saved most of the island. I also acknowledge you as heroes,” the cursor said calmly. “But we are not heroes! There are tens of thousands of superpowered individuals on the island, but most of them are not heroes! We don’t need to do what so-called heroes are supposed to do! If you want to be a champion, do it yourself! Don’t try to drag everyone on the island down with you!! And there’s something else I need to tell you! Most of the superpowered individuals on the island are victims of human persecution! Why should we fight for those who once harmed us, even calling us monsters!”

Why should we risk our lives in this kind of battle?

"..." Upon hearing the cursor's words, Loki fell silent. Not only Loki, but all the other heroes on the island also fell silent for a moment. After all, most of them were disillusioned with the current system. At least since that civil war, the rift between the two sides had become irreconcilable.

"Speechless now?" the cursor said again in a mocking tone, "You are heroes, you haven't forgotten your justice, and I won't stop you from that. But don't forget the majority of people on the island. They just want to avoid being looked down upon by those people, they just want a peaceful life, free from harm. But you are trying to lead them to the battlefield! To a battlefield destined to be brutal!!"

The cursor's words once again silenced the many heroes.

Seeing this scene, the current magical girl Tiffany couldn't help but show an anxious expression. Clearly, the atmosphere had completely changed since the Valkyrie's arrival. And she was now helpless.

"I understand. In that case, those who wish to continue fighting with me will leave with me, and those who are willing to accept the Valkyries' conditions will stay here! It seems we can't stay here any longer!" Loki finally sighed and said these words.

As Loki finished speaking, many heroes stood beside him. However, compared to the island's population, they were pitifully few. These heroes were all former superheroes; none of the island's original superpowered individuals sided with Loki. Many of the original superheroes did not side with Loki this time, having long since lost faith in the current World Government and Hero Association.

"Aren't you all going to reconsider?" Looking at Loki and the others as they were about to leave, the cursor spoke again. "Remember Blade's expression before he left? Is what's below really worth fighting for?"

Upon hearing the cursor's words, some heroes who had been hesitant eventually stopped and did not side with Loki. Several people around Loki also returned to the cursor's side.

Just before, Blade had asked about his wife and daughters, only to learn that they had been killed by Ivan. Blade was devastated. He questioned how Ivan knew his identity and where his family lived. He demanded to know what the heroes were doing at the time!

But these questions were meaningless to those present, as they had no answers. The only thing they knew was that someone within the Hero Association was leaking superheroes' private information, and the mastermind was Romanore!

This fueled Blade's rage even more! He cursed Romanore incessantly; it was this very man who had proposed this recruitment plan, but this was how he had ended up. Was this the reward for his unwavering support? He had been betrayed without hesitation!

Blade wore this angry expression until he left. But in the end, it was all in vain.

Even after knowing Blade was gone, Rocky could still picture Blade's forlorn and indignant face, filled with regret. The very things he had tirelessly promoted had ultimately led to the deaths of his wife and daughter!

This incident further shook the resolve of everyone present. After all, was this world and the Hero Association truly worth fighting for? The people on the island and those below already didn't get along.

“Let’s talk again.” Just as Rocky was about to leave with the rest of the group, Number One’s voice rang out behind them. After hearing Number One’s words, everyone finally quieted down.

"Number One, now that you're here, state your choice! I think you already know the whole story, right?" Upon seeing Number One's appearance, the cursor asked directly.

"Do you know? I saw Sphaney a few days ago." Hearing everyone's words, Number One simply said calmly, "The power of the Valkyries allowed Sphaney to appear before me once again as a Heroic Spirit."

"What did you say! My sister!!" Upon hearing Number One's words, Tinis couldn't help but ask, "My sister also became a Heroic Spirit?"

"Hmm!" Number One nodded. "I was asked the same question, and they wanted me to make a choice. To be honest, I really hesitated back then. After all, I'm a father, and I didn't want to be separated from my daughter again. You should remember what happened back then, right? That was the biggest mistake I made. We almost went to war with the World Government because of it, didn't we? To avenge my daughter, I even thought about destroying everything."

But do you know what? When I had the chance to take revenge myself, I ultimately gave it up. I let the man who killed my daughter go! Because we are different; I am not like those criminals I so deeply despise.

But! Such words couldn't persuade me! Because the people on the island have suffered so much persecution, and I couldn't lead them to their deaths for those who discriminate against us. So in the end, I still hoped to agree to their demands.

But! My daughter doesn't want this, Sfanie doesn't want this, and she asked a question. I've decided to ask you the same question too.

Zero saved all of our lives, so what will Zero choose now? Don't forget, this island, in essence, belongs to Zero!

Furthermore, are those so-called gods truly invincible?

Chapter 26

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. Let's discuss the final decision." Having said everything, Number One calmly sat back down in his seat. The message Sphaney had conveyed to him before leaving was quite clear. Although Number One understood, he still harbored some peculiar expectations. No one could see that when he spoke those words, his hand, hidden in the shadows, was clenched tightly.

However, upon hearing his words, everyone fell silent and pondered.

Zero? Faced with such a choice, what would Zero choose? But the moment Ivan appeared, the answer was almost immediately apparent to everyone. Yes, the answer was very simple: Zero would only fight him! He would wield his sword and slay all beings that threatened humanity.

Zero has always done it this way.

The moment everyone understood this, it seemed their decision was made.

"But can those mythical beings truly be defeated?" a hero suddenly asked, trembling.

"At least they're not invincible." Number One sighed, simultaneously playing a video. The video showed the very last moment of Lin Jie killing the fire giant!

"It's Lin Jie!" Upon seeing Lin Jie, Tinis was somewhat surprised.

"Do you know the identity of his opponent?" Number One suddenly asked. "Although we are not entirely sure, the opponent is undoubtedly a figure from mythology. Based on our research on those who fit the identity, we have concluded that the one responsible should be the Fire Giant King who participated in Ragnarok! But just yesterday, this powerful being was killed by a human hero."

"..." Upon hearing Number One's words, everyone fell silent once again.

"Alright, since this matter concerns the future of the floating islands, let's decide by voting as before," Number One said, and walked outside.

……

While everyone was thinking about Zero's past, Lin Jie was in Xiao Zhan's building, watching Xiao Zhan gradually bondage a muscular man.

"I said, you've already tortured him for half a day. Still can't get him to talk?" Lin Jie asked Xiao Zhan in confusion.

"Don't worry, I've already found a way to make him talk." After saying this to Lin Jie, Xiao Zhan turned his gaze back to the man who was bound in a special way: "As long as I give him another injection, I believe he will tell me everything."

As Xiao Zhan spoke, he took out a syringe containing a strange liquid of unknown composition.

"What is this?" Lin Jie asked, seeing Xiao Zhan's syringe. "Won't this cause any trouble?"

"Don't worry, this is a finished product, a comical potion with no side effects." After saying this, Xiao Zhan injected the comical potion directly into the man in front of him. This man was naturally the Force Master whom Xiao Zhan had captured. Unfortunately, the Force Master, now trapped in Xiao Zhan's special comical device, had completely lost the ability to fight again. Although he offered some resistance, he was ultimately injected with the liquid by Xiao Zhan's syringe.

As the liquid took effect, the man's face, right in front of Xiao Zhan and Lin Jie, became utterly comical.

"Alright, now all I need to do is answer this comical question." After everything was done, Xiao Zhan ignored the comical expression of the Force Master and instead took out a comical object: "Answer me, who exactly are you?"

"I am the Force Master, an ancient practitioner. I am also a member of the Council of Truth." The comical figure actually spoke the voice of the Force Master at this moment.

"Holy crap! What kind of black technology is this?" Lin Jie couldn't help but ask, looking at the comical object in Xiao Zhan's hand.

"It's not exactly cutting-edge technology, just a connection. It's hard to explain to someone with your intelligence," Xiao Zhan said helplessly. "Alright, answer me. What exactly is the purpose of the Truth Council?"

"Protect humanity." Upon hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Hua Ji uttered a statement that surprised Lin Jie, Xiao Zhan, and the others.

"Protect humans? But all I've heard lately is you attacking humans!" Lin Jie couldn't help but say after hearing what the other party said.

"Sacrifice is inevitable in order to protect humanity." The comical object in Xiao Zhan's hand spoke again: "The establishment of the Truth Council is to help humanity guide it onto the right path, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the human world."

"The human world is functioning very well now; I don't think there's any need to protect it." Hearing this, Xiao Zhan couldn't help but say, "Are the people in the Truth Council all out of their minds?"

"No, human society is completely distorted now. Excessive technological development has made humanity lose its reverence for everything in the world." Xiao Zhan's comic book suddenly spoke up: "Moreover, humanity's own research will eventually lead it to its doom. For example, the overdeveloped artificial intelligence technology, the technology that connects the mind to the network world. These things are not only causing humanity to lose its ability to act independently, but also pose a danger of betraying humanity. But even though humanity knows this, it still researches this artificial intelligence technology with an arrogant attitude."

Resources that would normally take a long time to form are now being rapidly extracted and depleted by humans. And if this continues, humanity could very well turn this planet into a dead one.

Moreover, in recent years, humanity has begun to frequently engage in research into taboo subjects. If this research is not properly controlled, it could lead to enormous disasters. Humans are a warlike species, but with the advancement of science, the next human war will undoubtedly be the moment of humanity's extinction.

This is the future of humanity, where countless sparks are burning that could lead to our demise.

We cannot stand idly by and watch this happen. So we must do something, especially at this critical moment. And the best solution to this problem, as you probably already know, is to regress human technology to the age of cold weapons.

Humanity is losing its basic awe of the unknown, yet it continues to try to explore it. The danger of this is something you simply don't understand.

"Unknown? There are indeed many dangers in the unknown." Hearing his words, Xiao Zhan couldn't help but say, "But if we cannot continuously explore the unknown, humanity will have no future."

"Humans can reproduce on the planet for a very long time. At least until the next generation of creatures takes over, humans will have a long lifespan and a long chance to be replaced by other species."

"Is this the brilliant idea of ​​those old fogies in your Truth Council? If so, then I'm sorry. You should know that I hope humanity's future can be recorded in billions of years and that we can survive in the eternal universe, instead of waiting for extinction on Earth," Xiao Zhan said disdainfully.

"Fate has already been decided; defying fate will only hasten our demise."

"Really? Quite a few people have told me that in the past, but I seem to be still alive and well." Lin Jie finally spoke up at this moment: "Alright, tell me, what exactly do you want? What is your relationship with the descent of the gods?"

"The descent of the gods is inevitable; our actions are merely hastening it." Hearing Lin Jie's question, Xiao Zhan's comical figure spoke again: "At the same time, we are doing this to protect humanity. The gods cannot be defeated! Because they are the strongest beings on Earth. Before the gods, humanity is as insignificant as ants. Humanity will inevitably face the gods' judgment, and our actions are simply to lessen the gods' punishment during that judgment, preserving as much of humanity's heritage as possible. At least that way, a new era can arrive sooner. Simultaneously, we can achieve our goal: eradicate anything too dangerous."

"Stop talking nonsense. Tell me, what are you going to do!"

“To summon the gods, we need several keys. We need to find these keys and then use the mysterious connections between them to completely open the gate between the heavens and the mortal realm.” The Force Master said calmly, “We have already found a few of them: the Seven-Colored Gem, the Sword of Destiny, the Sacred Statue, and the Ancient Relics, but we still need three more keys: the necklace around the neck of the Feathered Serpent God, the Little Kunlun Mirror in the hand of the Mystic Master, and the Thirteenth.”

"Thirteen!!!" Upon hearing the other's words, Lin Jie and Xiao Zhan simultaneously revealed expressions of shock: "You mean Thirteen is one of those keys?"

"Yes, although we don't know exactly how Thirteen becomes a key, there's no doubt that he is one of them."

"Damn it!" Looking at the sleeping Thirteen beside him, Xiao Zhan couldn't help but curse, "So what exactly did those symbols you drew on the ground represent?"

"Symbols? I don't know, I don't remember drawing any symbols on the ground."

"Hmm?" Hearing his words, Xiao Zhan fell into deep thought. He had indeed seen the Force Master draw some symbol when he fell to the ground. But the Force Master was now vehemently denying it. Could there be something wrong with his prop? Impossible! That shouldn't be possible, after all, his comical act was directly connected to the Force Master's truest thoughts.

But if his own absurdity didn't cause any problems, then it means the Force Master truly doesn't remember. If that's the case...

Xiao Zhan couldn't help but sense something chilling upon closer inspection. He also felt as if a pair of eyes were watching him.

"Stop talking nonsense. How many of you are there?"

"The Council of Truth has twelve members in total. After I was captured, including the traitorous Mysterious Master, there are ten left."

"So what's your next move? And where's your hometown?" Lin Jie asked again. "I'm going to raid your hometown right now!"

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Calm down first. Even if we're going to raid their hometown, we should at least have a plan and consider their next move. Going straight there to help will only put us in a passive position." Hearing Lin Jie's words, Xiao Zhan sighed helplessly.

“You seem to have forgotten something important, Xiao Zhan.” Upon hearing the other person’s words, Lin Jie suddenly spoke up.

"Of course I know, Lord Zero, humanity's strongest hero," Xiao Zhan said calmly. "That's precisely why I can't let you rush in so recklessly. If the gods really do descend, then you will become humanity's most important hope. If anything goes wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable!!"