Chapter 164: The Truth: Taking Advantage [VIP]
After walking along the street for a while, the light gradually became brighter. Xiao Yun raised his head curiously and found that the light of the Golden City originated from the spire building at the highest point in the city center. It spread out like a waterfall through the street lights neatly arranged on both sides of the street. It was very beautiful and unique.
"That tower is the core of the Golden City. It's called the Tower of the Sun."
"Tower of the Sun?"
"For alien life forms like us, not only is the atmosphere of Ella poisonous, but the sunlight can also burn us. Therefore, our ancestors built the Golden City, enclosing a barrier that filters out the toxic elements in the atmosphere and sunlight. The Sun Tower in the city's center is both the core and the energy source of the barrier, which results in a completely different day and night in the Golden City than in the outside world."
The messenger introduced the Golden City to everyone.
"Now it's daytime in the Golden City. Soon, the light atop the Sun Tower will turn from pure gold to golden red, and night will descend on the Golden City."
“…It’s a strange place.”
Lily whispered as she followed the team.
To her, everything here seemed strange and dreamy.
Unlike the surprise and curiosity of humans like Lily and Samit, Flora from the Kingdom of Twilight was extremely happy at the moment - she spread her transparent wings and flew up and down around the crowd, and occasionally flew to the stalls on both sides of the street to look at the goods.
The local residents also expressed sincere admiration for her and her companions' appearance.
"Flower fairy from the Twilight Kingdom, you are so beautiful!"
"Beautiful human visitor, are you interested in visiting my home? You are so beautiful~"
"Wow, each of them is so beautiful. I really want to have a night of love with them~"
…
None of the residents of the Golden City thought that the combination of demons and humans was a strange existence.
They greeted every member of the team warmly, and the most popular ones were Xiao Jin and Xiao Hei, who poked their little heads out from the gaps in the car windows.
"Oh my god! How can there be such beautiful and elegant things in the world? They are absolutely flawless!"
"I really want to make out with them. Even though they look small now, I think their true size should allow them to handle three at once. I think they can do it!"
"Hello, I've fallen in love with your two demon companions. Could you lend them to me tonight?"
Some residents even took the initiative to approach Xiao Yun, trying to exchange gold for the right to spend a night with Xiao Jin or Xiao Hei.
Xiao Yun was speechless and looked at Yaris in the car.
Yaris lowered his head and gently poked their little heads with his fingers: "Do you want to -"
【impossible! 】
The "Tower Master" was the first to protest.
Yaris looked at the Golden Dragon again: "What about you?"
【I don’t have any interracial interests! 】
…
In this way, led by the messenger of the "Assassin's Order", the group passed through the streets full of enthusiastic non-human creatures and came to the purely human residential area of the Golden City.
“Huh~”
As soon as they entered the purely human residential area, everyone felt that the air was a little fresher and couldn't help but show surprise.
"The Golden City is a welcoming place. Besides our ancestors, the gods we worship include the goddess Sasha, who advocates that all life should be connected through love. Therefore, the residents of the Golden City generally do not reject outsiders and are even very happy to establish romantic connections with them."
The messenger solemnly informed the crowd, "However, for the majority of humans who have settled here, their love is far too intense. Therefore, a dedicated human-only residential area has been established within the city, allowing those who find it difficult to accept this culture to live in peace."
"Is the establishment of a purely human settlement really based solely on this consideration?"
Yaris looked up and looked at the messenger suspiciously with his dark eyes as bright and mysterious as a night lake.
The messenger was helpless and whispered, "The air and light in the Golden City are slightly toxic to pure humans. The outer wall of the pure human residential area is actually a barrier that filters out the toxins."
"If that's the case, why do you still accept humans? Why do humans want to live here?"
Xiao Yun asked in confusion.
"Because the core theme of the Golden City is 'love', love makes the residents here never reject anyone who actively joins the Golden City. And humans... all humans who apply to become residents of the Golden City are informed of the costs and risks of settling in the Golden City. They know that once they enter the Golden City, it will be difficult to return to the real world..."
"Why?"
Samit and Lily became increasingly confused as they listened. "Why would these people voluntarily abandon the real world and move to the Golden City, where even the air and light are mildly toxic to them?"
"Because there is no discrimination here, only harmonious coexistence and mutual support."
A man dressed in priest attire walked out of the temple building and explained to everyone with a smile.
"A long, long time ago, long before the Eternal Empire was even born, the Golden City already existed. The humans of that time were essentially the same as humans today. They would exclude those who were different from them for various reasons, and the Golden City was the only place willing to accept these excluded people. At least, my ancestors took the initiative to join the Golden City for this reason."
A place dedicated to accommodating lives that are not accepted by the world?"
Xiao Yun suddenly realized and finally understood why Alans left such an invitation for him in the Winter Castle that day.
"All life here, as long as they accept the principle of coexistence with other life forms, can live freely and to their heart's content. However, with the Dragon Emperor ascending to the sole throne of the Eastern Continent, conditions in Golden City have begun to falter, although it currently maintains relative independence and self-sufficiency."
Alan
The residents here bowed their heads and paid tribute to Da.
"Lord Alans——"
Alans walked through the crowd of people who were paying their respects and glanced at the people who were traveling with Xiao Yun and Yaris.
The messenger understood what he meant, and together with the male priest, he invited everyone into the house, leaving Xiao Yun, Yaris and Alans to talk.
…
"—Nice to see you again."
Alans was the first to greet the two, his cobalt blue eyes fixed on the golden dragon hovering above Xiao Yun's head. "Could this be His Majesty the Golden Dragon who has been sleeping beneath the Grand Palace for five thousand years?!"
【snort! 】
The golden dragon snorted arrogantly.
The "Tower Master" stretched out his slender body, climbed up Xiao Yun's arm to his shoulder, and stared at Alans with his empty eye socket burning with a cold black flame.
[When are you going to give me back my other eye?]
"This is——"
Alans played dumb.
Xiao Yun stretched out his hand and transferred the "Tower Master" from his shoulder to his palm: "It is Xiao Jin's twin brother."
"Xiao Jin?"
A subtle smile flashed across Alans' eyes.
Upon hearing this, the golden dragon flapped its wings unhappily.
[Yes, I am Xiao Jin! It is Xiao Hei! But this is not the name you can call it!]
"Then what should I call you?"
[The great golden dragon who brings light and prosperity to the world! ]
The golden dragon raised its head and announced proudly.
【As for my younger brother——】
【Who is your brother! 】
The Tower Master refuted mercilessly and straightened his body again—
[Listen carefully! I am the great dragon, the eternal master of darkness, fire, and death! ]
"All right……"
Alans tried hard to suppress his laughter and bowed to the once great dragon and great master: "Master Golden Dragon, Master Dark Dragon~ Please accept my respect and the respect of the entire Golden City~"
[Hmph, that's more like it! ]
The golden dragon narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.
The "Tower Master" was extremely dissatisfied with the fact that his name was ranked behind the Golden Dragon, but his body was incomplete, so he could only pretend to be indifferent and lick the scales around his mouth with his forked tongue.
[Once my body is fully recovered, the first thing I will do is to regain my identity as "brother"! ]
"Your Majesty the Dragon, what kind of hospitality do you hope for?"
If you're asking about food—
The golden dragon raised its head and looked at the barrier that enveloped the entire city.
My brother and I represent light and darkness respectively. Therefore, I feed on sunshine, worldly love, righteousness, and laughter, while my brother prefers the distortion, darkness, and morbidity hidden deep in the night.
"The Golden City is—"
"If we lend Xiao Jin to Huang Jincheng, can you return Xiao Hei's eyes to us?"
Yaris suddenly spoke, interrupting Alans's compliments to the Golden Dragon.
"Your Highness Yaris, you——"
Alans's eyes were a little subtle.
Obviously, Yaris's proposal moved him, but at the same time—
"Can't give a clear answer for now?"
Yaris smiled brightly.
Alance smiled slightly: "The Golden City belongs to the 'Cult of the Star', and I am an elder of the 'Assassin's Order'."
"It's okay, we can wait."
"--All right."
Alans narrowed his eyes and glanced at Xiao Yun: "Your Majesty, please forgive my rudeness, but I must leave now."
"Please."
Xiao Yun said lightly.
…
After seeing Alans off, Xiao Yun and Yaris entered the temple responsible for reception and enjoyed the wide variety of food prepared for them there.
…
…
In the night of the Golden City, the sky is still shining.
Xiao Yun was worried that Yaris would not be able to adapt well, so he took the initiative to sleep with Yaris.
As the night deepened, the temperature began to drop significantly, but because Yaris was leaning on Xiao Yun's body, he didn't feel cold at all.
"ah……"
Yaris suddenly opened his eyes and made a weak and hoarse sound.
"What's the matter?"
Xiao Yun woke up alertly and asked with concern: "Having a nightmare again?"
"I didn't have a nightmare... I just couldn't figure it out..."
"What's the matter?"
"Why aren't you angry at all?"
"Why should I be angry?"
Xiao Yun was stunned, then hugged Yaris worriedly: "You are not going to—"
"Not only did I not discuss this with you beforehand, I even suggested to Alance in front of you that we rent Xiao Jin in exchange for Xiao Hei's other eye... Shouldn't you be angry that I did such an outrageous thing?"
Yaris looked at Xiao Yun aggrievedly, his black eyes sparkling.
"...After hearing what you said, I suddenly feel that I should act angry now."
Xiao Yun helplessly grabbed Yaris's hand and said, "Tell me, what trick are you planning?"
I plan to use the special situation in Golden City to help Xiao Hei get his other eye back, and at the same time speed up Xiao Jin's recovery.
Special circumstances?
The Golden Dragon and the Dark Dragon, who were napping beside the two men's pillows, stretched their necks and opened their eyes when they heard the conversation.
[Master! Master! What did I just hear?!]
[Can the Golden City speed up my recovery?]
【certainly. 】
Yaris smiled and presented his analysis.
It's likely that Alans has long had his eye on you. More specifically, he desires the stellar, boundless power within you. Combined with the crucial information that the other yellow gem is the core of the Sun Tower's barrier and its energy source, I believe he accepted Dalavia for two reasons: first, to seize the opportunity to slay the dark mage 'Three-Eyed' Godalu and obtain his third eye, the yellow gem; and second, to gauge your strength. If he isn't captivated by both your strength and your charm, he'll likely join forces with his assassins to seize your power!
[…That’s indeed a possibility.]
Xiao Yun nodded.
[After you arrived in the Eastern Continent, he approached you, assisted you with your plan, and even accepted your commission, promising to train Luke to become a leader of the resistance. To invite you and me to the Golden City, he even revealed that the yellow gem was the core of the Golden City's barrier. Everything was incredibly attentive and enthusiastic.]
His reasoning for this was that the respect I showed the Assassin Order members outside of Ted City had helped him, a member of the Coexistence Faction, gain a higher status within the Order. He was grateful for my kindness, and since the Order and him already had a grudge, he hoped to overthrow his rule by investing in Luke, while also gaining wider acceptance for the Order.
I originally believed this reason, until I discovered that—since Xiao Jin woke up, his attitude towards us has clearly taken a turn for the worse. When we met just now, he pretended to be meeting Xiao Jin for the first time. Also, there are areas within Golden City that are purely human settlements.
【you mean--】
[There are purely human settlements within the city, indicating that the respect you give them is not the first respect they have received from the native humans of Ella.]
【……】
When I proposed renting Xiao Jin in exchange for Xiao Hei's eye, his reaction confirmed my suspicion.
What guess?
[Something went terribly wrong with the yellow gem that served as the source of the Sun Tower's energy.]
What could go wrong with a yellow gemstone?
Xiao Yun was puzzled.
A faint color appeared on Yaris's face.
Xiao Hei and Xiao Jin were born from the same shell. Therefore, despite having a dark body, Xiao Jin possesses a pair of bright eyes. However, the light of darkness requires darkness as fuel and nutrients. The gem has been separated from Xiao Hei's body for five thousand years. No matter how powerful the Golden City is, the light stored in the gem has been exhausted...
【……I see! 】
Xiao Yun sighed.
No wonder he's been so welcoming to us all along the way. Just now, he was even more respectful and considerate to Xiao Jin than he was to Xiao Hei.
[——Damn it! You've occupied my eyes for five thousand years, and you're still treating me with disrespect!]
The "Tower Master" roared furiously.
【Brother, don’t be angry! 】
The golden dragon stretched out its front paws and patted the dark dragon's back affectionately, trying to soothe the twin brothers.
However--
[Get lost! Don't wave your lousy claws in front of me!]
[Oh——I almost forgot that you don’t have claws now, brother.]
The golden dragon licked its paws sympathetically and spread its wings to embrace its brother who had lost his limbs, wings, horns and mane.
[In order to redeem your eyes, I decided to stay in the Golden City and become the source of energy for the Sun Tower.]
[…Leaving you in Golden City to be used as a bio-battery for the Sun Tower will speed up your recovery! You took advantage of me and you still want to trick me into saying "thank you"? Dream on!]
The "Tower Master" snorted angrily and curled up into a ball.
…
…
"Good morning, Your Majesty and Your Highness."
When Xiao Yun woke up, Alans had already come to the side hall of the temple, hoping to meet them as soon as possible.
However, Yaris always took his time getting up. After learning that Alans was waiting outside, he even deliberately slowed down his pace, dragging it out so much that Xiao Yun felt a little embarrassed.
"He needs us now, and we can ask anything of him."
Yaris said nonchalantly.
"--All right."
Xiao Yun smiled helplessly, took the comb from Kelly and helped Yaris tidy up his hair.
When do you think he will give a clear answer?
Soon, but not today.
Yaris remained calm.
He's good at bargaining, but I'm good at taking advantage of opportunities to raise the price.
[So——you have other plans?]
【certainly. 】
Yaris turned around and grabbed Xiao Yun's hand.
[There is an independent dimension hidden in the Golden City.]
[Independent dimensional space? That’s not…]
[Yes, there is likely a god living in the Golden City. He is the true master of the Golden City.]
[What about the situation in the Golden City...]
Xiao Yun fell into deep thought.
[No matter which deity he is, or what his intentions are towards us, it seems that he has no ill will towards us at this point, or perhaps he is simply unable to express any ill will towards us.]
Yaris added.
【His breath is very weak, and he is in a dormant state.】
[The God... the true master... dormant...]
He repeated these words several times, combined with Yaris's analysis of the true purpose of the Golden City's hospitality last night, the fact that the "Assassin's Cult" had been hired to assassinate him many times, but he had not destroyed the "Assassin's Cult" and even allowed the "Assassin's Cult" to enjoy multiple privileges, and the "Assassin's Cult"'s latest determination to quickly integrate into Ella Star and become a part of Ella Star -
Xiao Yun thought of a possibility!
[I suspect the god living in the Golden City is about to die! At least close to death! So they...]
[Yes, that's a possibility... They lived under the protection of the gods for tens of thousands of years. Now, the gods can no longer protect them. They have no choice but to leave the gods' protection and think about how to integrate into Ella...]
Yaris smiled with interest.
We can take advantage of their eagerness and adopt more interesting tactics~
【What do you want to do now! 】
Looking at the smile on Yaris's lips, Xiao Yun's heart skipped a beat.
His intuition told him that Yaris was thinking of something dark between calculation and blackmail.
[…The Golden City and the Assassin's Order are our allies. Be kind to them and don't go too far.]
[But I didn’t plan anything excessive~]
Yaris blinked his eyes, looking innocent.
…
…
Accompanied by Alans, Xiao Yun and Yaris left the pure human settlement and headed towards the great temple located directly below the Sun Tower in the Golden City.
After passing through the bustling market, the surroundings suddenly became quiet. The dense trees and gurgling water completely isolated the temple from the noise of the outside world. What appeared before the two was a megalithic temple building with a vast area and ancient and simple shape.
In front of the building is a five-meter-high arch made of white stones. After entering the arch, there is a long straight road. Three-meter-high stone statues are neatly arranged on both sides of the road. Most of the statues are carved into human-like images, and some are non-human creatures. They stand quietly on both sides of the road leading to the temple, like the guardians of the temple.
"For every new race added to the Golden City's population, we will add a corresponding statue to the Great Temple's Divine Straight Path."
Alance explained with a smile.
"So in the Golden City..."
Xiao Yun roughly counted: "There are nearly a hundred different races here?"
"All races are equal."
"But some races are more equal than others."
Yaris teased in the wheelchair.
Alans, however, remained calm. He pointed at the people walking in the square and introduced them, "...those wearing white dresses and white veils are the priestesses who serve the gods. The male clergy are collectively called monks, and they wear black robes and black caps."
"Why are they all clergy? Where are the worshippers?"
Xiao Yun asked.
"The Great Temple is not open to everyone."
Alans was blunt: "The Golden City's goddess Sasha is different from all the gods worshipped by the East and West continents. Your gods are high above, wantonly toying with the fate of mankind. Our guardian goddess—for tens of thousands of years, the goddess has lived with us, and she sleeps beneath this land."
"so--"
"The Great Temple is not open to the public on a daily basis. Once the priestesses and monks who serve the gods lose their chastity, they must leave the Great Temple and return to secular life."
"Did your god say that priests must leave the temple immediately after losing their virginity, or did you just imagine it?"
Yaris asked Alans in a haughty tone.
"this……"
Alans was stunned.
"So this rule is actually something you imagined, right?"
"——Goddess Sasha protects us, and we should give her the best we have."
Alans tried to defend himself.
Yaris blinked, obviously disagreeing with his point of view.
At this time, an elderly man with blue-green skin and wearing a black robe walked up to the three of them.
When he saw Xiao Yun, Yaris, and the two dragons traveling with Alans, the old man showed a look of surprise: "Surprisingly, surprisingly..."
"Yes, father, the gods' prophecy is coming true."
"I am--"
"I know who you are!"
The old monk looked at Xiao Yun in disbelief. "You are a descendant of the Holy Family, the Emperor of the Holy Sun Empire of the Western Continent, and also the great hero who brought this world into a new era. When the Dark Twin Moons appear, you will save and protect the entire world. Two years ago, this oracle appeared in the Great Temple."
"I see."
Xiao Yun looked at the old priest suspiciously.
The old monk then looked at Yaris: "As for you——"
"What prophecy did you receive about me?"
"It is a great honor for us that you are here."
The old monk's smile was perfunctory, with a hint of horror and uneasiness.
"By all means, please come in! I am delighted to receive distinguished guests on behalf of the great Goddess Sasha."
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