Heroes Return

"But! But! Since you're Zero, why didn't you tell me sooner!" The girl said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I've always admired you! Why, why did you do this! By doing this, you've completely turned yourself into a criminal! If you continue like this, there'll be no turning back! If there's anything, you can ask us for help and discuss it together! There's no need to do this alone! As long as you're willing, everyone on the floating island is willing to help you."

You've helped us so much, why won't you let us help you?

Hearing the girl's words, Lin Jie remained surprisingly calm: "Sorry, I am Zero! I don't need any of your help right now, nor do I need the floating islands to stand by me! If you really don't want me to do this, then go ahead and mobilize everyone on the floating islands to defeat me. That's the only way to make me stop."

Almost everyone was shocked to hear Zero's almost cold words.

"No need to say anything more. I know that this time I will not only affect the world, but the public opinion I generate will also have a devastating effect, but I will not stop!" Zero's words rang in almost everyone's minds: "I am also very interested to see what the floating island can do now. After all, when I saved you, the island was full of weaklings. To be honest, I am quite looking forward to it and want to see what the floating island is like now."

“But…” Hearing Zero’s words, the girl wanted to say something more, but the cursor had already appeared beside him and covered his mouth.

"Enough talk! All the superpowered beings on this floating island will fight you with all their might! If that's what you want to see, then we'll grant your wish!" The cursor's voice was incredibly sharp at this moment: "Also, thank you for taking care of us all this time! Zero! We will prove to you! The floating island can exist for a long time even without you! We can live well without your protection!"

"Hmph, that's for the best." Hearing the cursor's shout, Lin Jie suddenly laughed: "That's good. So, Number One, let's go back to the floating island. I think you should retake the ticket."

"..." After hearing Zero's words, Number One remained silent for a long time before saying helplessly, "If this is what you want, then I will let you witness the power of the floating island now."

"Zero, we will challenge you with all our might. Our belief in justice will not change because of who you are." Claude stepped forward and said to Zero, "Also! Thank you for everything!!!"

……

Lin Jie simply watched calmly as the group flew away towards the island.

"Why? We already voted." Tinis asked Nianxin, puzzled. "Why did Zero do that?"

“He’s protecting us,” Nianxin suddenly said. “Zero is doing everything he can to portray himself as the enemy of the world. So he doesn’t want us to stand with him or stand idly by. He wants us to be on his opposing side.”

"Protect?"

“Yes, it’s actually a good thing for the floating islands to stand on the opposite side of him.” Nianxin said helplessly, “So he is actually doing us a favor, a friend of the world’s enemy, and also the world’s enemy in command. But a person who fights the world’s enemy with all his might will be recognized by the whole world.”

Chapter 12

As everyone left, Lin Jie's gaze finally turned to the distance once more.

"That's good! Let me see just how far you're capable now. That way I can let Zero die in peace." With these faint soliloquies floating in the air, Lin Jie sat down on the ground again.

A powerful being can be permitted, but a powerful being that transcends all rules can only bring terror. The same applies to Zero, the one who saved the world through computation.

If the Zero of the past was still within people's comprehension, then Zero in the War of the Gods has fully demonstrated the power to single-handedly overturn the entire world. Such power, held in the hands of a single person, is undoubtedly a ticking time bomb.

In fact, at least for Zero right now, destroying the world or ruling the world might both be a matter of a single thought. While becoming a symbol of heroism and saving the world countless times, Zero's very identity has undoubtedly become a sword of Damocles hanging over the world.

However, these things are the least important to Lin Jie right now. Because it's not him who would consider so many things.

Although Number One and the other heroes from the floating islands returned, they did not immediately engage Zero. In fact, right in front of Zero, many heroes from the Hero Association had already landed on the floating islands, clearly discussing how to fight Lin Jie.

Almost simultaneously, a magical array radiating light appeared a few miles away from Lin Jie. And along with this array, identical magical arrays lit up in all directions around Zero almost instantly. The ancient and mysterious Magic Association had finally made its move, targeting Zero alone.

When the gods descended last time, the Magic Association intervened, but only through ranged magical assistance. This time, however, it's completely different. This time, almost all the veteran mages from nearly all the Magic Societies have been mobilized.

A circle was formed within a two-kilometer radius of Lin Jie, and almost all the magic societies unleashed their hidden power at this moment.

At the same time, a group of familiar figures appeared in front of Lin Jie.

"So you guys came too?" Looking at the young people in front of him, Lin Jie sighed helplessly: "It seems you've all grown quite a bit while I was away."

"teacher……"

The people who came were not strangers; they were Lin Jie's students.

"Teacher, are you trying to be the big boss? That's not good!" Akarin appeared right next to the bottle and kicked it. Then...

The bottle actually did a perfect 365-degree spin, easily dodging Akarin's kick.

Meanwhile, right in front of Lin Jie, all the students he had previously taught at the Hero Academy had arrived.

"Um, are you really our teacher?" Felicia asked Zero somewhat timidly.

"Hey, how come even you guys know? I thought the Hero Association would keep it a secret." Lin Jie patted Felicia's head helplessly.

"Seriously, even though the Hero Association blocked the news immediately and deleted all related clues and news reports about you from the internet right away, how could we, the parties involved, not see it! Teacher!" Tifa, carrying a wrench, said helplessly, "Especially that battle when the gods descended, I remember it! Teacher, you used those swords in the past, right? You clearly showed yourself using those swords in public, why didn't you demonstrate them!"

“Yes, according to ancient legends, the Immortal Execution Sword is not something just anyone can wield! And the sword’s owner will not be changed.” Ye Daoshen’s voice also rang out at this moment: “I really didn’t expect that our teacher would be the legendary Zero.”

"Ah, is that so?" Lin Jie was somewhat surprised to hear his words.

"However, it's just a rumor, since there's no concrete evidence. But since you've admitted it yourself, teacher, we don't need to look for any more worldly evidence," Ye Daoshen couldn't help but say again.

"Um, can I say now that the sword was actually lent to me by Lin Jie on short notice? Lin Jie and I are actually friends." Lin Jie suddenly said, "And I have proof. Those swords should be coming over to beat me up soon."

"Do you think you'd believe us? Do you think we're idiots? You bastard! Since you admitted it, give me some manly courage! What's with this sudden change of heart?!" The obsessive-compulsive one finally couldn't hold back any longer: "Trash teacher! If you're a zero! Just say so from the beginning!!"

“Hmph! Everyone has secrets. That’s perfectly normal. A hero’s identity isn’t something that can be easily revealed.” Qige, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

"Teacher!" "Teacher!" "Teacher!"

On the other side, the three men dressed as grunts completely ignored Qi Ge's words and rushed towards Lin Jie at the same time. Then they stood directly in front of Lin Jie and stared at him.

'Should I restore the pressure and then revert to the transformed state?' (Lin Jie is not currently surrounded by black mist, and although he is wearing Zero's clothes, he is not in his transformed state at all.)

Looking at the three henchmen staring at each other, Lin Jie suddenly had this thought.

"Hey! You three! What are you trying to do?"

"Thank you so much, teacher!" the three said in unison. "We never imagined our teacher was such a great person!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Shouldn't you three lackeys say something tough right now?" Hearing their words, Lin Jie felt a little embarrassed: "Say something cannon fodder should say!"

"We're not cannon fodder! We're future SS-class heroes!" the fire minions declared.

"Hahahaha! A future SS-class hero! Not bad. As my students, it would be a shame if you couldn't even become an SS-class hero!" Lin Jie said, patting the three of them on the shoulders.

After some time apart, unlike the previous students who only had ability but lacked experience, these students seemed to have become more astute and capable. It seems the world of superheroes has been of considerable help to them.

"Um... teacher... are you really... doing something bad this time?" Felicia's voice suddenly rang out again, but it was a weak voice.

"Yes, I'm doing something bad!" Lin Jie said directly upon hearing their words.

"Since it's a bad thing, teacher, you shouldn't do it. Aren't you a great hero? Have a spicy snack to calm down." Miyamoto Spicy Snack, who hadn't spoken before, suddenly said to Lin Jie, and at the same time, an extra-large spicy snack appeared in his hand without him noticing.

"Sorry, it's a bad thing, but I still have to do it! If you want to persuade me, use your fists. Remember, strength is the most effective way to persuade people. As long as you are strong enough, you can persuade them to question their existence." Lin Jie smiled and said to the crowd in front of him, then turned to Akarin, who was constantly trying to destroy the bottle, and said, "Give up. As long as you don't defeat me, this bottle can't be destroyed."

"That's not persuasion at all! There's no such thing as persuading people with physics!!" Tifa couldn't help but complain after hearing Lin Jie's words.

“Teacher, if you really intend to stop, the Magic Academy will do everything in its power to seal you away. This time, the older generation of magicians in Anxi are even willing to risk their lives to seal you away.” Harry suddenly said anxiously, “Teacher, is there anything magic can’t do? Do you really have to pin your hopes on a miracle? Isn’t magic itself a kind of miracle?”

“No, actually magic is a kind of alternative science.” Hearing Harry’s words, Lin Jie suddenly said, “Don’t get it wrong! Magic itself is actually just an alternative science.”

"..."

"Since the teacher is unwilling, then we have no choice but to challenge you! Teacher! We will defeat you! This time!" Just as Harry was becoming somewhat silent due to Lin Jie's actions, Justin's voice rang out: "Teacher! This time, we must defeat you!"

"Great! I'd be happy if my student could surpass me." Hearing Justin's words, Lin Jie laughed too: "Hahaha! You're finally not so cowardly after all! Now that you've said those tough words, can you stop shaking your legs?"

That's right, Justin's legs were shaking uncontrollably at that moment. Judging from his appearance, although he had spoken, he was probably too scared to move.

"Teacher, thank you for your previous guidance. It's time to show you our progress." Ye Daoshen couldn't help but say to Lin Jie, "This time, I will hold the position for more than ten seconds."

"You womanizer, is this all you've got?" Tifa couldn't help but say again after hearing Justin's words.

"That's right, we have to hold out for at least thirty seconds in the teacher's hands!" Miyamoto Spicy Strips said seriously.

"It's not a matter of how long Bengen lasts!" Tifa couldn't help but express her anger once again.

"Never mind, you all still have a lot of room for improvement, don't you? You might even surpass me in the future." Looking at the students of the academy, Lin Jie suddenly said with a smile, "Let me see how much you've grown over this period of time."

As soon as Lin Jie finished speaking, he instinctively reached back, only to find a club-like weapon already embedded in his back. However, because Lin Jie held him firmly, it was impossible for him to touch Lin Jie's back.

"Hey, who did you tell this 'silent, kidney-stabbing' tactic you were using?" Lin Jie turned to look at Akarin with a helpless expression. A weapon with an energy drill tip had appeared in his hand, still crackling with electricity. "But seriously, you've finally mastered perfectly concealing your presence!"

"Hehe, teacher, I've made great progress lately!" Akarin said, giving Lin Jie a cute look.

Chapter XIII

As Lin Jie moved, all the students around him also started to move.

"Teacher! Try out my latest weapon!" Tifa said, and the backpack behind her instantly transformed, covering her entire body. Before Lin Jie could say anything more, a series of energy cannon blasts were launched at him.

"Hey! Don't ruin this oasis with all that firepower! Do you know how difficult it is to create greenery in the desert?" As he said this, Lin Jie's face showed a helpless smile. Almost at the same time, an ancient sword appeared in Lin Jie's hand. However, the moment the ancient sword appeared, Lin Jie subconsciously let go of it: "Never mind, this sword is too much for them."

As he spoke, the ancient sword in Lin Jie's hand disappeared from his grasp once again. However, just before the ancient sword vanished, they still saw the two characters 'Zhou Xing' on it.

As the Star Sword disappeared, the spiked club reappeared in Lin Jie's hand. Without any unnecessary words, after dodging a series of bombardments, Lin Jie directly used the spiked club to knock away the opponent's laser cannon.

Then Lin Jie felt as if he had suffered tons of damage.

"Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!! My brand new game console! Why?!" Lin Jie's face paled as he watched his game console disappear after being bombed: "I've been playing for days! I was almost done!! Aaaaaahhhhh!!"

"Yes, yes, yes... I'm so sorry, teacher!! We're so sorry about the game console!" Just as Lin Jie was feeling sad, Justin's fist was already flying towards him. In less than a second, Lin Jie was standing in front of him, simultaneously throwing a punch at Justin.

"Watch out!" Without a word, Sieg and Harry attacked simultaneously. At the same time, Felicia's telekinesis enveloped Lin Jie's entire body, and the girl only realized it much later. Her power seemed to have had absolutely no effect on Zero's movements.

"Hey hey hey hey hey?" The pink-haired girl, who had been working so hard, suddenly felt as if she had been dealt a huge blow: "Teacher..."

Just as she was about to cry and call for her teacher, she realized that they had hit her teacher.

On the other side, Sieg's crimson blood was caught by Zero with just two fingers, while Harry's End of the Law struck Zero directly. However, this time, the moment the magic struck Zero, a powerful energy erupted from Zero's body, instantly blowing Sieg and Justin away. Harry's magic was also destroyed by the powerful force at that moment.

Ye Daoshen and Qi Ge moved close to Zero at that moment. On one side was the skill-based Tai Chi ancient martial arts, and on the other side was a body that was not immortal.

For a moment, he was even able to exchange a few blows with Zero.

Of course, the three henchmen rushed up to help. Then, just like the three henchmen, they were immediately knocked down by Lin Jie.

Beneath the appearance of a grunt lies a completely defeated image typical of a grunt.

Without any unnecessary words, Lin Jie kicked the source of his obsession directly: "I hope this one can also be reborn."

As Zhi Nian collapsed, clutching his groin, Lin Jie couldn't help but speak. "That kick just now...it felt like it shattered, right? But considering this guy's terrifying regenerative abilities, it should be fine."

As for Ye Daoshen on the other side, Lin Jie didn't waste any words with him, simply throwing a punch directly at him. Ye Daoshen was sent flying. Due to the overwhelming difference in skill, Ye Daoshen's Tai Chi was completely destroyed by Lin Jie's immense power. Simply put, Lin Jie used overwhelmingly brute force to shatter all of Ye Daoshen's techniques.

"Aaaaaaahhhhh!!! Teacher, you're cheating!" With a shout, Ye Daoshen flew away into the distance, but at this moment his voice rang out again: "If you've got the guts, fight me with your moves! What kind of skill is it to suppress people with your cultivation level!"

Lin Jie didn't want to talk to him, so he threw a spiked club at him.

"Ah! Chrysanthemums!!"

Such screams came from not far away.

Hearing the scream, Lin Jie nodded in satisfaction. At the same time, ten blood-red samurai swords appeared before him. Miyamoto Lataka was standing in the middle of these swords, holding one in his hand.

"Ichimonji! Spicy Flash!" With that shout, a red sword light slashed swiftly towards Lin Jie, and the next second, Miyamoto Spicy Strips was sent flying backward. A kitchen knife had appeared in Lin Jie's hand without his knowledge.