Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

After a moment of silence, he accepted Tinin's proposal.

Aglaia ordered, "But until then, you will be deprived of your freedom of movement. This is my bottom line, and there is no possibility of compromise."

Kratrus didn't care at all. "Ha, this isn't the first time I've been someone's prisoner. Do as you please, demigod."

[Star: Hehe, it's my turn again! Let's reminisce about the old days!]

[Hu Tao: I don't know why, but whenever a star appears, something always seems to go wrong. Pshaw, I'm just kidding, I hope nothing bad will happen.]

[Fireworks: Little girl, you have a good eye for people.]

[Qingque: Now I understand why the Onphalus people dislike Aglaia; a vague and ethereal oracle is indeed not trusted.]

[Kainese: Heh, hypocritical Aglaia, I bet this video is just a smokescreen to fool us.]

[Ring: This guy's gone crazy, hasn't he been driven mad by anger?]

[Little Candle: She got off too easily. In my time, Katniss wouldn't have survived a day. No, not even three minutes.]

[Little Fish Knight: You've really changed a lot.]

[Aglaia: It's just the price of becoming a demigod; paving the way for the journey to pursue fire is romantic in itself.]

[Fou: By the way, what was Lady Aglaia's death oracle?]

[Aglaia: You will take your final bath in warm, gleaming gold.]

[Robin: Huh? I don't quite understand "bathing" and "gold." Are these two related? It can't be just what they say, can it?]

Wan Di clenched his fists tightly, "My master...why did you go to such lengths?"

"I'm sorry, young master... I can't endure it any longer." He lowered his head, avoiding looking at Wan Di.

“Since your father’s death, my people and I have been waiting for the opportunity to revive Xuanfeng. We have placed all our hopes on you, but we have received no response.”

Wan Di's emotions surged, and he spoke faster and faster, "The obsession with returning home has become the root of our people's problems! You are so wise, I don't believe you can't see the simple truth..."

Clatterus: "You are very clear-headed, and that is why you are so lonely. The wise can only choose to succumb to the world."

“If you can truly lead your people to break free from this blood-stained fate, then prove it to me once again, Medmos. Just like you did back then…”

"Like that back then?" Wan Di closed his eyes, recalling the past.

At that time, he was at the height of his power, regarded as the most powerful new warrior of Onphalus. On that day, Wan Di, spear in hand, plunged into the chest of the former king Euriporn.

The dim yellow light of the battlefield added a touch of color to the atmosphere, and his bright red battle robe swayed in the wind behind him. His lowered gaze and brows were like sharp blades, and the slight curve of his raised chin carried an innate arrogance.

Even the late King Euriporn couldn't help but praise, "What a valiant warrior... the weak Ohmers actually possess such a hero."

"Fulfill the victor's duty, state your name, warrior! I demand from you a glorious death!"

Chapter 332 Hattonus and the Enemy

"Glory... what do those two words have to do with you?" Wan Di declared domineeringly. "Listen up! I am the leader of the Lone Vanguard Army, Medemos—"

"—I've come to pierce your chest, Father!"

Olivier's eyes widened in disbelief. "It was you... you despised beast, you truly refused death. The prophecy was true... my Suspended Blade Dynasty will ultimately end in your hands..."

“Refuse?” Wan Di scoffed. “You’re wrong. It is death that fears me. Thanks to it, I have this body of steel.”

He looked down at Euriporn with disdain, "And you, you are terminally ill, Father. You were the one who cast me into the Sea of ​​Darkness, and you were the one who attempted to enslave the Titans and desecrate the divine body..."

"HKS! You weak king, even the most despicable hyena is a thousand times nobler than you!"

"And now, fate's revenge has come for you!"

“Hahaha…” The late King Euriporn laughed with a sense of relief, then opened his eyes. “Then let’s draw the sword! Take my crown, crown it with the blood of the late king, and inherit it all… rightfully become the new king of the Hanging Peak.”

He still held onto the hope that if Wan Di were to take over the throne now, the prophecy would be broken and the Xuanfeng Dynasty could survive.

But... he was wrong! Wan Di never coveted royal power.

He refused without hesitation, “No, I don’t want the crown. Listen carefully—if the king with the hanging crown has only one destiny, then it means nothing to me…”

"I only want your life! To avenge my mother and my comrades, that's all!"

Oliver's face contorted with rage. "But the walls of the city will not crumble with me... My son, do you think you can escape the clutches of fate?"

"Hahaha... It's the same for both of us... We both feed on conflict and fear..."

"...Now, kill me!"

"Son of Golgo, destined to shed blood and take the crown—!"

Paimon: Son of Gordoy, he takes the crown in blood!

[Ying: Emergency food, what are you going to do with it?]

[Paimon: Hehe, hearing that reminds me of Wan Di's old video, it was so awesome.]

Wendy: The prophecy that Olivier tried so hard to avoid has finally come true; the cycle of fate has come full circle.

[Qingque: He deserved to die for killing his wife and children in order to ensure the continuation of the dynasty.]

[The Little Prince: Father, Mother… how could they do this? We haven't even experienced the Black Tide in this cycle, and the Suspended Blade Dynasty hasn't fallen.]

[Little Fish Knight: The Black Tide had already appeared, but the ocean had stopped it. I never imagined the next cycle would be so devastating.]

[Clatrus: His Highness Medemos ended the reign of the tyrannical king, and now he will surely end the decaying Suspended Edge. People of the Suspended Edge, do not let our actions hinder His Highness's fight against the Black Tide.]

[Ring: Actually, the new generation of Suspended Peak members only want to return home because they are isolated and discriminated against by the Ohmans. After all, who would like to live as a dependent?]

【Ohma is fine. It's a battle no matter where you are. Your Highness is holding the front lines alone, and we will protect the Holy City. Under the leadership of the Golden Blood, we will liberate Onpharos and defeat Lygus!】

[Black Tower: Ahem, I don't mean to discourage you, but the Legus Ones are no pushovers. In the end, only the Golden Blood might be able to offer some assistance.]

[Bai'er: How does Maedmus feel? Aren't you happy to be understood by your people?]

[Wan Di: Not bad indeed. But you, my savior, seem quite relaxed. Don't fall behind in your training.]

With a muffled groan, Wan Di lowered his hand from his head. "...Sigh."

The streets were bustling with people, a scene of great prosperity. He had already left the heart of creation, and in this noisy market, Wan Di seemed out of place.

"Clatrus..."

He stood on the edge of the roof, looking towards the blacksmith's shop, recalling what Baier had said, "Perhaps we can get advice from the master craftsman... Hattonus, go see him."

The camera pans to the blacksmith's shop, where the sounds of hammering rise and fall, and the blazing furnace roars.

"Master Craftsman, how have you been lately?" Wan Di walked over from the side.

Hatonus's armor clashed and clicked as he moved. He turned around and said, "King of the Suspended Edge, it is you. I had a premonition that you would come."

"You knew I was coming?"

“I have heard about your situation. You are searching for a direction to take; you have many questions.” Hattonus opened his large palm, in which was a gold signet ring engraved with the symbol of strife.

"But before that—this, take it."

Wan Di stared intently, "This is...?"

"Hanging Blade, the mark of a king, belongs to your mother. Reforge, repair... it is up to me."

This is indeed the mother's mark, but...

"Mother clearly threw it into the Underworld Sea..."

Hatonus nodded. "The salvage took a long time. We were very lucky."

"To retrieve even a tiny ring from the Dark Sea, I can't imagine how much patience and courage it would take. I owe you a favor," Wan Di said sincerely.

It should be noted that the Underworld is synonymous with death, not to mention its immense vastness, making it as difficult to find as a needle in a haystack.

Hatonus scratched his helmet listlessly. "Thanks? No need. I will repay your life-saving grace."

"You bring your doubts with you. Speak now."

Hattonus: I almost forgot. The Ring of the Hanging Blade, your mother's. I'll give it back to you, I think.

[Wan Di: Thank you very much. I've been looking for it since it was thrown into the Underworld Sea, but it's time-consuming and laborious, and I can't waste too much of my time on it. If needed, I can help you as long as it doesn't violate any conditions.]

[Rin: Wan Di's mother is so gentle. As a woman, she dares to stand up to tradition, which is far superior to that Oliver.]

[The Little Prince: Thankfully, this cycle didn't happen in ours. I can't imagine my father and mother killing each other because of it.]

[Little Candle: As the king of a warring kingdom, to kill one's own family for the sake of perpetuation—forgive me, Caesar, but I cannot understand. A king may use any means necessary, treating everyone as pawns, but he must have principles of humanity!]

(The codenamed Golden Bloodline is in the 33550337th cycle. Without the intervention of the Legus, they will only know everything after the end of 3.4.)

Getting back to the main point, after thinking for a long time, Wan Di spoke up, "The fate I've always denied has finally come knocking on my door."

“I should rightfully take over the reins of the conflict. In that way, everyone will be satisfied: the Golden Blood, the Senate, the Suspended Blade Clan, and the bards who compose poems…”

Hattonus: "But you still hesitate, young king. Why do you hesitate?"

Wan Di looked up, “...because of my people.”

"Men, women, elders, children... the people of Xuanfeng yearn to return home. They have been waiting for this day, hoping for the return of their king."

"In this way, the people of conflict can return home and embrace tradition—even if most of them have only heard of that tradition in epics…and then they can gather around the king and go to war."

Hatonus understood what he meant. "This is not a good thing, do you think?"

"...For the past thousand years, the people of Xuanfeng have lived in a bloody cycle. Revenge, conquest, prosperity, decline... In that history, how much innocent blood flowed into the River Styx, how many pointless sacrifices could have been avoided?"

Wan Di was unwilling. "If I were to accept this fate, become a totem of strife, and lead my people to repeat the same mistakes... then I would indeed feel fear, fear of becoming king."

Hatonus sensed the enemy's unwavering determination—pure, stubborn, and indomitable.

"A different kind of Suspended Peak Man, you really are..."

Chapter 333 Tibo's Dream

[Wendy: Haha, I think I hear someone talking about me. The best bard is here. I support Wan Di.]

Paimon: You're really bored, you busker. They're talking about the bard of Onphalus!

[Clatrus: Alas, the people of the Suspended Peak have all misunderstood His Highness. He has never feared becoming king or god; it is because of us that he fears.]

[Bai E: It's mainly about a sense of belonging; the Suspended Peak has its pride. Unfortunately, in the apocalypse, survival is paramount, and pointless sacrifices serve no purpose.]

[Aglaia: The future of the Golden Blood and Ohma will be in your hands, Bai'er. It's time for you to become the leader.]

[Bai Er: I will do my best!]

[Kenneth: Without Aglaia, you are nothing. You still think you're in charge of Onphalos. I'm going to convene a citizens' assembly with the theme: Offer the Golden Blood and the Fire to the priests, and let us return to the Golden Age.]

[Star: It's hard! My baseball bat is hard!]

[Legus: Interesting, but you have no right to make decisions for me. I'd rather participate in Onphalus's process as an observer.]

Meanwhile, in Tibo's room.

"Mom, Mom! I had a dream last night."

The child in the picture, just like Tibo, has a tender and innocent voice. She lies in her mother's arms, feeling warm and comfortable.

Her mother had a head of thick, smooth, long red hair, and was gentle as water, with only her daughter in her arms in her eyes.

Everything was so warm and cozy.

Her mother smiled sweetly. "Oh? What were you dreaming about, Tirispius, my good girl?"

The girl nuzzled her mother, her clear eyes filled with curiosity. "I dreamt that I became so many people! We used the moon as a boat and the stars as sails, drifting on the sea. Wherever the wind blew, we drifted there!"

"That sounds like a beautiful dream," her mother said, patting her back gently.

The little girl nodded. "Yes! Although the sea and the sky are so dark, I'm not scared at all because we'll sing together!"

"The sea breeze carried us to a small island where the wind smelled of flowers. There were bleating sheep and chirping birds, welcoming us to visit. There were many animals on the island, but they never quarreled!"

[Bai'er: That beautiful island must be the Eri's Secret Pavilion. Although my memory is hazy, it will always be the most beautiful place in my heart.]

Nicole: Tibbo's mom is so beautiful.

[Tibao: Mom.]

[Tian: It's Mom! Look at me! Tian is a great hero!]

[Tining: My memory... is already blurry; I can barely remember what my mother looks like.]

[Aglaia: My teacher, was that your childhood in Janus? Your mother loved you very much.]