Chapter 165: The Truth: The Ancient Hero King [VIP]

"Before we officially pay our respects to Goddess Sasha, I must introduce our distinguished guests to our goddess and her consort, the great Panther-Headed Hero."

The old monk's expression was extremely serious.

"Goddess Sasha, also known as the Dawn Goddess, was revered as a goddess at least 20,000 years ago. At that time, many true gods and demigods lived on Ella. Many of these gods loved humans, living alongside them and even marrying them. Ella was able to nurture such a brilliant and beautiful civilization thanks to the wisdom and kindness of the gods."

"I've heard this version of the myth. Some even say the Eternal Empire's technology and magic were gifts from the gods. However, most of the gods that have appeared in Ella's history are essentially alien races possessing more advanced technology and magical powers than ours, who are still in the early stages of civilization. They are not abstract beings with limited knowledge and abilities."

Yaris said bluntly.

The old monk smiled faintly. "Your Highness Yaris, as a beneficiary of the Twin Gods' faith, actually denies their divinity?"

"Are you angry?"

"No, I'm not angry, because the goddess Sasha and her leopard-headed hero husband we worship are completely different from the gods you worship in the Twin God system."

The old monk proudly stated, "Everything the twin gods of the system, centered around Shem and Ya, do is for domination. But Goddess Sasha and her leopard-headed heroic husband, M, have never considered controlling or enslaving any life on this planet. They possess extraordinary power, but they only wish to spread love and peace."

"Love and peace..."

Xiao Yun repeated softly.

"...they taught their followers to treat all life equally. They taught us, still in our barbaric days, how to make fire, how to gather herbs, how to cast off superstition and pursue science... If you're interested in learning more about their deeds, you can enjoy the murals in the Great Temple after your visit."

"In your description, Goddess Sasha and her leopard-headed heroic husband are indeed a pair of great gods."

Xiao Yun became interested in the two gods.

"They are not only noble and great, but also approachable. Although they are gods who came to this primitive land on a starship, they are gentle and compassionate, and embrace all things equally. As a result, the Golden City they built has become the only place on the planet Ella where demons, aliens, monsters and humans are still allowed to coexist."

"For thousands of years, we have been ostracized and hated. Only by returning to the Golden City can we enjoy a moment of peace and tranquility."

Alans added.

"That is..."

Yaris smiled subtly.

Xiao Yun was worried that he would say something that would anger Alans and his son, so he asked first, "Are Goddess Sasha and her leopard-headed hero husband still in this land?"

"certainly."

The old monk said proudly, "Both the goddess and her husband possess extraordinary appearances. The goddess possesses a beautiful, flawless, pure white cat head with a pair of white wings on her back, while her heroic husband, known as the leopard, lives up to his name, possessing the head of a male leopard and a sturdy, majestic physique rarely seen in the world. They are the most incredible divine couple in the world, neither human nor beast nor demon. They are noble and wise, kind and beautiful, and love peace. They have protected the Golden City for millennia."

"An animal head and a human body... This design perfectly aligns with the early stages of civilization's imagination of the might of nature and divine heroes..."

Xiao Yun fell into deep thought.

Yaris suddenly said, "Among the Eternal Empire's collected literary works, there's a multi-authored heroic epic series called 'Legend of the Panther-Headed Hero King.' Due to its age, most of the chapters in this series have been lost. The fragments that have been found so far are from 'The Legend of Northfilas,' 'The Codex of Elon,' 'The Legend of King Istvan,' 'The Chronicles of Kyronia,' and 'The Eastern Adventures of the Panther-Headed King.'"

“!”

All creatures at the scene, including the golden dragon and the dark dragon, pricked up their ears.

Every story in the series revolves around an exiled panther-headed hero named Gu Yin. He descends from the heavens, possessing extraordinary wisdom, strength, and noble character, determined to slay evil and save good wherever he goes. King Istvan is the arch-villain in the panther-headed hero's story. Once a close friend of Gu Yin, driven by jealousy and lust, he gradually degenerates into a bloody disaster that plunges the world into a dark abyss.

"Mythological archaeology reveals that in the chaotic era before the birth of the Eternal Empire, epic legends about the Leopard-Headed King Gu Yin were already widespread. Therefore, some scholars believe that Gu Yin was a real human hero and primitive tribal leader wearing a leopard head mask. Active in a primitive era when civilization was still in its infancy, he repeatedly used his wisdom and strength to defeat evil spirits and save humanity. Later, history became legend, and legend became myth. The image of the Leopard-Headed King Gu Yin gradually became integrated with nature worship, becoming the Leopard-Headed God and the Leopard-Headed Hero King."

"Your Highness Yaris, your analysis is very logical, but—"

The old monk angrily retorted, "Leopard Head Ying gradually transformed from a human into a god! He was born a god!"

Yaris smiled slightly and made no comment.

The group walked through the mural corridor that recorded the deeds of Goddess Sasha and her leopard-headed heroic husband, and arrived at the main hall of the Great Temple.

"This is the Sasha statue."

The old monk said proudly, pointing to two exquisite five-meter-high statues.

Xiao Yun looked up.

Just as the old monk described, it has a beautiful white cat head, mysterious purple eyes, a slender and graceful body wearing an elegant robe, and a pair of white wings on its back.

The leopard-headed hero Wang Guyin standing next to the goddess is a giant with a sturdy and majestic figure rarely seen in the world.

Atop its broad shoulders rested a massive head reminiscent of a leopard, its orange-yellow fur evenly speckled with black. Its ferociously gaping maw revealed clearly visible thick fangs, its eyes like burning gold. Below its neck were muscles so sturdy they would frighten even a fighting champion to death, perfectly tempered with strength, flexibility, and agility. Furthermore—

Unlike the goddess Sasha who was wearing an elegant robe, the leopard-headed hero Wang Guyin's clothes consisted only of leather shorts around his waist and a leather belt tied across his chest to secure the giant sword on his back. The only clothes he had were leather boots on his feet and a black cloak on his shoulders.

"As expected of the Ancient Hero King!"

Xiao Yun sighed.

In the leopard-headed hero Wang Gu Yin, he saw the shadow of Hercules.

After a quick look, Yaris asked, "In all the stories I've read about the Leopard-Headed King Gu Yin, he always appears as a wandering hero, undergoing a series of incredible adventures, completing impossible tasks, and gaining the devotion of beautiful women like lords, queens, goddesses, and dancers. However, no matter how the previous adventure ended, at the beginning of the next, he would inevitably be wandering alone on the vast land again. Are you sure that Goddess Sasha and the Leopard-Headed Hero King Gu Yin are husband and wife?"

"In the stories of the Goddess and the Hero King that circulate in the Golden City, their relationship is undoubtedly that of husband and wife."

The old monk said without a doubt, "In fact, Goddess Sasha's true form is here. She has never denied her relationship with the Leopard-Headed Hero King."

"But you didn't admit it yourself, did you?"

Yaris smiled subtly.

The old monk frowned: "His Highness Yaris——"

"Can you show us the true form of Goddess Sasha?"

Yaris once again made an unwarranted request.

The old monk's expression changed drastically: "Your Highness's request is too much!"

Xiao Yunye——

【Yaris, what do you want to do? 】

【I want to push them to their limit! 】

Yaris looked up and smiled brightly at the old monk and Alance: "When was the last time the goddess woke up?"

"...Why did your highness suddenly ask such a question?!"

Alans and his son said in unison.

"So, the last time Goddess Sasha woke up was over a hundred years ago? When her True Human Empire was just being established?"

“…”

"Not long after waking up that time, Goddess Sasha fell into a deep sleep again, and her breathing became increasingly weak. Did you begin to doubt whether she would ever wake up again?"

Yaris spoke quietly, his voice becoming hoarse and deep after returning from the underworld. Every word uttered by him seemed like a heavy hammer hitting the hearts of Alans and his son.

After a brief silence——

"...As expected, it is almost impossible to hide this from His Highness Yaris."

Alans smiled wryly and said, "Your Highness is correct. Goddess Sasha has indeed... The goddess arrived in this land at least 20,000 years ago. She buried her starship underground and built the first generation of the Golden City above it to accommodate the aliens who had nowhere else to live. Therefore, all the races living in her Golden City collectively worship her as a goddess."

"He is the savior and protector of the inhabitants of the Golden City. He is worthy of your worship."

Xiao Yun said affirmatively.

"After the Golden City was built, He would appear before its residents at regular intervals, listening to the concerns of all races and resolving any crises that could threaten the Golden City's survival. This continued until six thousand years ago—"

The old monk's voice grew increasingly sorrowful. "In order to protect the Golden City from the catastrophe sent down by the gods to destroy the Eternal Empire, the Goddess nearly exhausted her divine power and recuperated for a full five hundred years before reappearing before the residents of the Golden City. Since then, the intervals between Her appearances have become increasingly longer, from five years to ten years to fifty years... and now..."

"It's almost impossible to wake up again, right?"

Yaris was outspoken.

The old monk lowered his head and said, "The goddess said that He would return to us one day. He just fell into a long sleep."

"certainly."

Yaris smiled a rare gentle smile: "All things will fall into a long sleep, and then return to the place that carries the most love and longing from Him in His lifetime."

"...His Highness Yaris!"

The old monk was shocked, as if Yaris' words touched the most hidden emotions in his heart.

Yaris continued, "Plants will die, animals will die, civilization will die, and even the universe itself will face its final moments. So, even if Goddess Sasha dies, you don't have to grieve—She will simply return to the universe, and she will return to you in a new form."

"Your Highness Yaris..."

The old monk sighed softly.

Xiao Yun lowered his head and looked at Yaris in the wheelchair.

You seem even more calm and serene than usual right now. Are you moved by the story of how the goddess Sasha guarded the Golden City for nearly 20,000 years and would sleep beneath it until her death?

Maybe.

Yaris tilted his head back and stretched out his pale and weak right hand towards Xiao Yun.

Seeing this, Xiao Yun took the initiative to grab his outstretched right hand, and naturally placed his left hand on Yaris's left shoulder: "You suddenly tilted your head back, are you trying to see the Sun Tower up there?"

"Um."

Yaris said softly.

Xiao Yun then pushed the wheelchair out of the main hall of the Great Temple, and together with Yaris, they looked at the Sun Tower located right above the Great Temple.

Alans watched this scene quietly, and suddenly felt something stirring in his heart.

He looked at the two of them again and saw an invisible red line extending from Yaris's right hand to Xiao Yun, and then from Xiao Yun's left hand back to Yaris's left shoulder - there seemed to be a force of mutual attraction between the two, similar to a magnetic field, but stronger and inseparable than a magnetic field.

…

"Alans, can you show us the Tower of the Sun?"

Yaris suddenly spoke, breaking the temporary peace.

"Why?"

"I wonder if the Tower of the Sun is what I think it is."

"The thing you're thinking of is—"

Alans felt inexplicably alert.

"Starship."

There was a clear and transparent smile on Yaris's lips.

"Starship?"

"I suspect the Sun Tower was repurposed from Goddess Sasha's starship."

“…”

"If you refuse to take us to visit the Tower of the Sun, I will refuse to rent Xiao Jin to you."

Yaris's smile was gentle, yet it carried a strength that could not be refused.

[Hey! My eye! We agreed! Use the little gold to exchange for my other eye!]

The "Tower Master" twisted his body in anger, but did not dare to get angry at Yaris.

Xiao Yun knew that Yaris must have other motives for this move, so he deliberately echoed Yaris's words and told Alans directly: "Alans, I hope you can tell us the truth, or at least show enough sincerity."

"What will happen if I say no?"

"We will leave the Golden City immediately."

Xiao Yun said without hesitation.

Alans frowned, then—

"Good job, you win!"

He laughed sarcastically and said, "Trying to get an advantage from you guys is really a very difficult task."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Yaris smiled.

…

…

Passing the huge statues of Goddess Sasha and the Leopard-headed Hero King, a heavy iron door appeared in front of everyone.

Alans raised his hand and swiped the switch.

The metal door opened silently.

"Come in! I believe that this is not a strange magic to you who have already completed the Grand Coronation Ceremony."

"Yeah, I know, it's the elevator."

Xiao Yun said calmly, pushing Yaris's wheelchair into the elevator.

“…”

Alans's expression was a little subtle.

…

After a brief, weightless ascent, the elevator stopped at the top floor of the Sun Tower. A metal door slid open, revealing a large room filled with a strangely bright light.

Xiao Yun quickly covered Yaris's eyes: "Be careful!"

"It's okay, I'm prepared."

He took out two pairs of dark crystal lenses that could filter out strong light from the armrest compartment of Yaris M's wheelchair and gave them to Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun put on dark lenses and immediately adapted to the bright light in the room.

He looked around and found that the room was filled with several fan-shaped machines with flashing five-colored lights on their surfaces, which were running back and forth at high speed. In front of each machine, there were several operators of different skin colors and races busy working.

In the middle of the room stood a circular machine, and in the center of the circular machine was a transparent cylinder—a yellow gem transformed from the Dark Dragon's other eyeball was suspended in the cylinder.

Countless wires tightly connect the circular machine in the middle of the house with the other machines in the room, ensuring a continuous flow of energy into the golden gem and maintaining the huge barrier covering the entire city.

[Eyes! Eyes! Those are my eyes!]

The moment the Dark Dragon saw the gem, he stood up straight with excitement.

The yellow gem suspended in the cylinder seemed to sense the call of its main body and began to shake violently.

Beep beep beep!

The robot cadres in the room sounded an alarm.

The surface of the transparent cylinder is——

Zigaga!

Cracks appear quickly!

"What's going on!"

“Why is this happening?”

"Lord Alance! What happened!"

"They are—"

…

Realizing that the changes were caused by Xiao Yun and others, the operators collectively questioned Alans and glared at Xiao Yun and Yaris.

Yaris showed a subtle smile at this time.

"Alans, I have something very important to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"Can you give my brother the Light Spark, the most precious treasure of Goddess Sasha?"

“——What are you talking about!?”

Alance's eyes widened.

The next second, he pounced on Yaris like a wolf, ready to——

"Alans! Stop it!"

Xiao Yun attacked in time, grabbed Alans' wrist with his right hand, and pulled out a dagger with his left hand to hold it against his throat.

The Golden Dragon and the Dark Dragon also spread out at this time to calm the excited and screaming staff.

"Alans, Yaris's request may be a bit excessive, but I hope you can listen to him!"

"…Do I have any other choice?"

Alance smiled bitterly.

Yaris looked up, quietly looked at Alans who was restrained by Xiao Yun and the researchers who were intimidated by the two dragons, and spoke slowly.

"If it were me in the past, I might have used some roundabout tactics, repeatedly setting traps and pestering you into agreeing to my demands, but this time, I've decided to be as straightforward as a child."

"Your speaking style this time was indeed very clear and direct. You started by asking for their treasure."

Xiao Yun said with a helpless smile.

"I'm really sorry."

Yaris smiled quietly and looked into Alance's cobalt blue eyes: "I have made up my mind. I will no longer be confused or avoid it. I am ready to accept everything."

"No matter what great truths you say—"

Alans suppressed his anger and looked at Yaris's elegant yet somewhat dark smile: "I will never give you the Spark of Light!"

"Really?"

Yaris curled his lips and smiled: "What if I decided to raise the banner of rebellion to the gods?"

"What did you say!"

Alans and Xiao Yun screamed together.

The researchers whose attention had originally been caught by the Golden Dragon and the Dark Dragon were now all staring intently at Yaris in the wheelchair.

"I said, I have made up my mind to challenge the most invincible existence."

Yaris's face was calm, as if he was talking about something very casual and relaxed.

"Alans, you've lived for over three hundred years. Haven't you ever thought about this? Our world is a human world. We are human. Although your ancestors came from another planet, you have lived on our planet for at least twenty thousand years and have essentially become a part of it."

"That's true."

"That's why I want to say that no matter how foolish, childish, or primitive our culture may be, this is the world we created. We live in it, participate in it, experience birth, old age, sickness, and death, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, and love and hate."

"What do you want to say?"

Alans's breathing became a little rapid.

Xiao Yun was so nervous that he let go of Alans, who he was holding hostage, and rushed to Yaris.

"Stop talking!"

"No! I want to speak! I want to speak out the truth that has been suppressed in my heart for many years! I don't like the gods of our world! They are high above us, and they don't care about our life or death. Instead, they like to look down on us, adjust us, and manage us according to their standards! Whenever our development deviates from the track they have set for us, they will use their methods to forcibly correct the so-called mistakes! They say that they do this to protect us, that they love us fools and prevent us from being destroyed because of our stupidity! But -"

Yaris looked at Xiao Yun and everyone present excitedly, panting.

"In the eyes of the gods, we may be foolish, short-sighted, blind, cruel, and greedy, always repeating the same mistakes again and again, destroying ourselves. But this is our own destiny. We do not need the guardianship of the gods. We do not need these high and mighty gods who do not care about our life or death to tell us what is truth, what is right, and what is universal justice! We have the right to decide our own destiny! Even if it is a destiny of destruction, it is our own choice!"

"...There is no such thing as absolute truth or justice in the universe. Since the universe has allowed us to exist in this world, it allows us to survive in our own way! Even if the civilization we strive to build is short-lived, blind, foolish, cruel, and fleeting, that is our will, the will of the universe."

"We have the right to destroy our world because of our stupidity, and we also hope to reach a better future through our wisdom."

Yaris's voice gradually became hoarse and low, as weak as a small candle that could be extinguished at any time in the strong wind.

"Yaris——"

Xiao Yun hugged his body tremblingly.

Perhaps, in the eyes of others, Yaris's speech at this moment was full of hypocrisy and fraud like every one of his previous speeches, but Xiao Yun knew that every word Yaris said at this moment came from the heart.

"Yes, our civilization is a pet toyed with and admired by several different advanced civilizations... But... even so, I still want to fight and let the gods know—"

Yaris's voice was almost choked with sobs. "Even M, the most fragile and powerless being who was toyed with by the gods the day he was born, possesses the self-will called thinking and seeking knowledge. 'Knowing' is the supreme right of life born from birth. Not even the gods who possess immortality and infinity have the right to take it away!"

"Goddess Sasha, if you can hear my voice, if you agree with my struggle, please lend us your strength! Help us!"