Chapter 10: Isle of the Death Queen

“Senior Tong Hu, before the Holy War arrives, I will certainly find a way for you to master the ultimate technique of the Libra constellation—the Final Justice!” Feng Zhe’s gaze was unwavering, his words bearing the weight of truth. After an initial surge of excitement, Tong Hu sighed deeply.

“You may not know the circumstances. The Libra Cloth was already damaged at its core in the previous generation. Even the people of Jamir cannot repair it,” Tong Hu’s eyes filled with sorrow as he recalled the past. “Before the last Holy War, I was merely a Bronze Saint of the Dragon constellation. It was only shortly before the great battle that I was granted the Libra Cloth.”

“Because of the core’s destruction, even though I awakened the Seventh Sense, the Cloth could barely amplify my abilities—it became more of a burden. It was only after removing it and using the myriad forces of nature that I truly advanced myself.” Tong Hu spoke like an old man, rambling on, and finally added, “I don’t know how you learned the secrets of the Libra Cloth, but I appreciate your good intentions.”

Feng Zhe looked at this veteran of the Holy War, and it was hard to imagine that, were the technique of feigned death undone, the old man before him would become an eighteen-year-old youth.

“Senior Tong Hu, though I cannot tell you how, please believe me—before the Holy War comes, I will surely provide you with the means to master the Final Justice,” Feng Zhe said.

Tong Hu burst into hearty laughter, his voice resounding. “Good! If that day comes, even if you become the Pope, I will support you.”

“It’s a promise!”

What seemed like a joke became a solemn vow beneath the Lushan waterfall.

Perhaps even Tong Hu did not realize the weight those words carried.

With the divine blood in hand, Feng Zhe had another destination to reach.

After bidding farewell to Tong Hu, he prepared to leave Lushan.

Just before his departure, Zilong caught up with Feng Zhe and said, “Feng Zhe, next time we meet, I want to fight you in a fair battle—a battle between Saints!”

“Private duels between Saints are not permitted in the Sanctuary,” Feng Zhe replied with a laugh, and then departed.

Only Zilong, watching Feng Zhe’s figure, showed a look of yearning in his eyes.

“Zilong, he’s not someone you can hope to fight,” Wang Hu said, his pride evident, though he could not help but respect Feng Zhe’s strength—a respect reserved for the truly powerful.

“No! I will defeat him!” A rare desire flickered across Zilong’s gentle face.

Wang Hu was surprised by this, unable to understand Zilong’s expression.

Only Tong Hu beneath the waterfall revealed a look of realization, murmuring, “Has the guardian of the Goddess awakened?”

“It seems the Goddess is not very friendly toward the Altar constellation!” Even with just a brief encounter, Tong Hu could sense something.

Tong Hu reflected that the Altar constellation’s loyalty to the Goddess was apparently not very high.

He decided not to dwell on things he couldn’t understand and resumed his silent vigil under the Five Elder Peaks, steadfast as ever in his guardianship of the Demon Star.

…

Death Queen Island

“Hatred! Hatred! You weakling, why can’t you learn!” Half-naked, Ikki was kicked heavily to the ground by Gurdy.

On the scorched earth, volcanic ash fell like fiery rain year-round. The land was barren, as if it were hell itself.

This was Ikki’s training ground—a place from which no one had ever returned alive. Death Queen Island.

Had Ikki not carried a heavy destiny, and were it not for the girl who rescued him whenever he neared death, giving him hope to live, he would surely have perished long ago.

Ikki lay motionless on the ground, further enraging Gurdy, who lashed him mercilessly with his whip.

“Father! Please stop hitting Ikki!” A frail girl threw herself over Ikki, but Gurdy roared in fury, “Esmeralda, move aside! Weaklings do not deserve to live here!”

“No, Father!”

The girl’s delicate frame shielded Ikki’s chest. Gurdy growled, “Ikki, stand up! If you’re a man, don’t hide behind a woman!”

These words stung Ikki, who struggled to rise.

Awaiting him, however, was only further torment.

“Gurdy of the Furnace constellation, why do you persist in this cruelty?” A voice sounded, causing Gurdy to snarl, “Who’s there? Show yourself!”

When Gurdy saw the newcomer’s Cloth, his pupils contracted. “The Altar constellation?”

Ikki, recognizing the visitor, exclaimed in surprise, “Feng Zhe?”

Indeed, as one of Kido Mitsumasa’s hundred adopted children, Ikki naturally knew him.

And Ikki, at this stage, had not yet fallen into darkness; he still retained his inner kindness.

Feng Zhe grinned, giving Ikki a response, then glanced at the girl beside him and thought, “So this is Ikki’s white moonlight.”

It was precisely because of this girl that Ikki ultimately succumbed to darkness, and after experiencing humanity’s shadow, became hostile toward everyone.

“You’re from the Sanctuary?” Gurdy had never worn his Cloth, and only those from the Sanctuary knew him as the Furnace constellation Saint.

“Yes, I am the disciple of Gemini Saga. I’ve been sent to invite the Furnace constellation Saint to the Sanctuary and serve as instructor for the reserve Saints,” Feng Zhe replied.

Gurdy’s pupils contracted in disbelief.

Within the Sanctuary, Death Queen Island was viewed with suspicion. Though Gurdy had been granted the Silver Cloth of the Furnace constellation, he knew well that his role was only to monitor the lineage of the Dark Saints.

Because of this, after so many years in this cursed land, Gurdy’s heart had warped, becoming violent and cruel.

“Do you have the Pope’s decree?” Gurdy asked.

Feng Zhe shook his head. Gurdy continued, “Do you have the order from the Sanctuary’s Chief Advisor?”

Feng Zhe shook his head again; he had come on his own, with no such authorization.

Gurdy grinned, his smile cruel. Esmeralda, seeing her father’s expression, immediately understood.

She shouted at Feng Zhe, “Please, leave! My father thinks you’re a follower of an evil god. Over the years, he’s killed many who tried to rescue the Dark Saints.”

Feng Zhe glanced at the kind-hearted Esmeralda and finally understood why she was Ikki’s white moonlight.

She was simply too pure, a stark contrast to Gurdy.

Indeed, Gurdy’s foot lashed out.

Feng Zhe dodged nimbly, and as Gurdy struck again, he evaded once more.

Ikki, lying on the ground, watched in terror.

Above, the two moved with supersonic speed; only their shadows and the explosive sound of their collisions filled the air.

“How is he doing this? How can he fight like that?!”

A surge of frustration made Ikki clench his fists tightly, furious at his own weakness.

This frustration grew twisted, even hateful, as Feng Zhe unleashed his sonic punch.

No one could have foreseen that, after witnessing Feng Zhe’s brilliance, Ikki’s eyes would fill with resentment and envy—emotions Gurdy had failed to ignite.