Chapter 42: Soon to Depart for the Mu Continent

At this moment, within the slopes of Yomotsu Hirasaka, Bai Li also approached. Unlike Pope Sage, Bai Li fundamentally did not wish for Feng Zhe to go to Mu Continent. Yet, at this point, everything seemed destined.

Bai Li sighed. “Alex, during the last Holy War, there was also a Gold Saint from your era who crossed over!”

“Hm?” Feng Zhe had no recollection of this. When he arrived in the world of the Saints, the Sidestory of Shion merely mentioned that he obtained the Aries Gold Cloth on Mu Continent, but did not elaborate on how.

“His name was Avnir, the Aries Gold Saint from the twentieth century.”

“Avnir? There was no Saint by that name in my time!”

“What?!”

This secret had been kept in the hearts of the two old men. How they had hoped Avnir was a comrade from Feng Zhe’s own era. The moment they met, they had wanted to ask this, but Feng Zhe’s answer—that Shion, not Avnir, was Pope in his time—left them both silent. Now, at last, the truth was spoken.

Feng Zhe’s curiosity was piqued. He muttered, “So it was a parallel timeline. This is getting more and more interesting.”

Hearing this, Bai Li began to recount the tale. It was during the Holy War five hundred years before the twentieth century, the same war in which Bai Li and Sage had survived. Back then, the Aries Gold Saint, Getgard, because of his unwavering loyalty to Pope Ithia’s concept of justice—an allegiance even greater than to Athena herself—set the stage for his eventual fall into darkness.

Fortunately, with the help of Sage, Bai Li, and other new Gold Saints, they finally defeated Pope Ithia and took up the mantle of the Holy War. Amidst this internal strife, the Aries Gold Cloth of Getgard became tainted and transformed into a Surplice, never to be used again.

It was then that a Gold Saint from five hundred years in the future suddenly appeared in Sanctuary—Avnir. In his timeline, Sanctuary had fallen, the Pope and Athena beheaded, and the despairing Avnir could do nothing but weep over Athena’s severed head, waiting for death. At this desperate moment, Chronos, the god of time, appeared and transported Avnir to the Holy War five hundred years earlier.

In order to make amends for his greatest regret, Avnir gave his life in the Holy War to protect Athena, rather than be forced to watch her die again.

After the war ended, Avnir’s comrades placed the Aries Gold Cloth on Mu Continent. But then Heavenly Star Yaoma appeared, using the power of time to seal the survivors of Mu Continent, along with the ruins, for 250 years.

Fortunately, there was Shion, whose soul resonated perfectly with the Aries Gold Cloth. With the timely discovery of the legendary Jamir time rift, he was able to journey to Mu Continent in search of the Cloth.

Shion also possessed a special ability: by simply touching a relic of the Holy War, he could witness the memories of its former owner. This was a crucial reason Bai Li agreed to let him travel to Mu Continent.

Upon hearing the secret of the Aries Gold Cloth, Feng Zhe was left speechless by shock. After a long pause, he muttered, “So the Aries Gold Cloth of this era actually came from Sanctuary 250 years later, from the twentieth century, and the Aries Cloth of your time has become a Surplice, now in the hands of a Specter!”

“That’s exactly right.”

Feng Zhe suddenly thought of the classic paradox of time, but in the world of the Saints, it seemed inapplicable. The best explanation was parallel worlds—separate, never interfering.

“Now you can imagine the horror that awaits there. The dangers will even surpass those you faced against the evil god Eris.”

Bai Li was still trying to dissuade Feng Zhe, believing that preserving their living strength and continuing the legacy was more important than gaining a single Aries Gold Cloth.

But Feng Zhe merely smiled. “Master Bai Li, don’t worry. I promise I’ll come back alive.”

Seeing Feng Zhe’s resolve, Bai Li could only sigh and reluctantly agree.

The next day

Feng Zhe’s disciple, Deuteros, was waiting for him at the Sanctuary gate.

Feng Zhe ruffled his blue hair. In these days, thanks to Feng Zhe’s presence, Deuteros had fared well: no more bullies among the ranks. But to truly blend into the world of the Saints would take time and effort.

“Master, I believe in you. You’ll definitely come back.”

Feng Zhe chuckled. “Thank you.”

Before leaving, feeling a sense of foreboding, he handed Deuteros three blood talismans, each infused with Athena’s blood.

He reminded him, “These three talismans, forged from Athena’s blood, are extremely precious. They are crucial for the sacrificial technique and the divine blood talisman. Especially when facing evil gods, they could save your life.”

Over the past six months, Deuteros’ talent had greatly surprised Feng Zhe. Not only had he mastered the Triple Sonic Punch, but he had also learned most of the secrets of the Sacrificial Technique. The only thing lacking was the Altar Cloth, so the effects were still limited.

“Does Master want me to become the Altar Saint?” asked the clever Deuteros, fully aware of Feng Zhe’s intentions.

In this era, two Altar Cloths had appeared—one worn by Feng Zhe, the other by Bai Li.

As Feng Zhe’s direct disciple, Deuteros knew this secret well, and even the fact that Feng Zhe had crossed over from 250 years in the future.

Feng Zhe nodded and then said, “Throughout history, every Gemini Gold Saint, despite their great talent, has always been feared by the gods. That’s why each generation faces a curse.”

“I feel that the Gemini Saints of your generation will not have a peaceful path, so...”

Feng Zhe could not bring himself to say that Deuteros’ brother, the warm and cheerful Aspros, would eventually fall for Yaoma’s temptation and attempt to assassinate the Pope.

Feng Zhe also sensed that Yaoma’s temptation would come at the moment Shion returned from Mu Continent.

That day was not far off.

“Don’t worry, Master. I will never let that happen. I have the power to prevent it now,” Deuteros declared, clenching his fists as if to prove himself.

Feng Zhe was deeply convinced. In just half a year, Deuteros’ strength had already reached the upper ranks of the Silver Saints. The Seventh Sense seemed well within reach.

Before leaving, Feng Zhe remembered something else and said, “It’s good to hold back at the peak of the Sixth Sense. Let all five senses reach their zenith before breaking through—you’ll gain unexpected benefits!”

Seeing how Feng Zhe always considered his future, Deuteros was deeply moved. He replied earnestly, “I will never let you down, Master.”

Feng Zhe nodded, raised his hand in farewell, and left Sanctuary.

Meanwhile, in the Pope’s Palace, the two old men of Sanctuary also watched his departure.

“Brother, I can’t shake the feeling that this time, he won’t be coming back.”

“Haha, I have the same premonition. What an unpleasant feeling.”

“Compared to Avnir, Alex’s story in his own timeline is only just beginning.”

“Perhaps his return won’t be such a bad thing, don’t you think?”

“Haha!”

The two old men seemed to have come to terms with it, laughing heartily together.