Chapter 92 The Spear of Courage Still Presses Forward (The End) Our mission...
The group exchanged glances quickly. The vine pillar lifted Ji Yinxiu into the air. The Xuanyuan Sword charged up, and the power of the flames in the body was used to enhance it. It unleashed a strike that changed the color of the wind and clouds. The sword energy swept across the sky. As expected, Ares was attracted. The iceberg on his back charged up and transformed into a terrifying fluorescent blue, launching countless giant ice spikes that looked like nuclear energy.
The collision of red and blue creates an overwhelming surge of energy that pulls at space, instantly consuming all the surrounding oxygen.
Taking advantage of this opening, Xia Zhu swiftly approached Ares, gliding along the snake-like vines on the ground like a graceful figure skater. Ji Wuchou leaped beside her to provide cover, deflecting the incoming attacks. When she was only a few meters away from Ares, Xia Zhu leaped off the vines and used the momentum to slide sideways into the gap between Ares and the ground.
Just as Sirius had said, the Demon King Ares, who was as tough as an iceberg, had a soft and delicate abdomen. Xia Zhu gripped the small sword in reverse and stabbed it hard into a shallow indentation on the top of his head, as if stabbing into a giant cotton candy.
In a flash, the Demon King let out a shrill scream that echoed across the entire frozen sea. Then the ground shook violently, and the giant object pressing down on Xia Zhu's body seemed to be disintegrating.
Through the crack, she could see countless ice blocks rolling down and piling up on both sides, quickly blocking out most of the light. Ares's body swayed precariously, inching closer and closer to Xia Zhu.
But she was lying on her back on the ice, without a good point of leverage to lift her body off the ice. If she continued like this, she would only be smashed into a pulp by Ares.
She even imagined how a bloody, mangled mass of flesh would gradually recombine and regenerate into Xia Zhu in front of everyone; the scene was quite grotesque.
"Ah Zhu!" She heard Feng Feng's anxious voice. The next second, a green vine wrapped around her feet. She felt a powerful pulling force. The iceberg brushed past her and collapsed behind her. In an instant, the vine successfully dragged her away from the area where Ares had fallen.
"How are you? Are you alright?"
Xia Zhu shook her head.
The demon king before them collapsed with a crash, shattering into a jumble of ice spikes that stood askew in the setting sun. Although he was the final boss, he seemed easier to deal with than the snake-men they had encountered before.
Because it doesn't move at all; it just stands there launching ice spikes.
The battle ended hastily, all thanks to Sirius, who pointed out the Demon King's weakness. Xia Zhu looked at the hero, who was casually pressing his face against Miao Miao.
"Princess! Let's go see the princess!"
Feng Feng couldn't wait to skate on the ice, making his way to the iron cage. Xia Zhu followed closely behind, also curious about what kind of celestial beauty the princess in the story would possess.
Inside the iron cage, a thin figure lay hunched over like a willow branch, its back to everyone.
A head of smooth, dazzling golden curls cascaded from her waist down to the ice surface, and her slender shoulder blades supported her pink satin dress.
"Princess?" Feng Feng's tone softened as he opened the cage that imprisoned the beauty.
"Who is it? Is it a hero who has come to save me?"
Even her voice was as melodious as a mountain spring.
Xia Zhu looked intently at the princess in the cage, hoping she would turn around and look at him.
The princess gently brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear with her fair and slender hand, then slowly turned her head.
His strong, clean facial features, with thick eyebrows and a high nose that clash with the surrounding style, and his teary eyes, exude an honest and simple charm that is impossible to ignore.
What a magnificent princess!
Xia Zhu clearly felt the air around her freeze for a moment. She heard someone gasp, and although she wasn't sure who it was, she suspected it was herself.
All six gazes turned to Sirius, who looked completely innocent, behind them.
"What the hell?! Isn't this just a female version of Sirius?! Give me back my princess!"
Feng Feng looked up at the sky and roared, wanting to cry but unable to, pounding his chest and stamping his feet in despair at the face that looked exactly like Sirius's.
Xia Zhu rubbed his tear-filled eyes, unable to bear looking at the frail princess with the face of a muscular man. The ending was already quite clear: Sirius was the demon of this dream.
She heard Ji Wuchou sigh softly and say, "Since we've come to this final step..."
"Oh dear, now that we've come to the final step, may I make a small request?"
Sirius suddenly interrupted Ji Wuchou. He drew his sword from his waist and staggered onto the ruins piled with ice. His once robust body seemed to have been drained of all life in an instant.
He climbed higher, trying to find a relatively stable spot to stand, using his sword as a walking stick. Every step was extremely difficult, and he kept muttering to himself as he climbed, saying something like, "The ending pose has to be cool."
Xia Zhu didn't know what was wrong with him. He seemed to have suddenly become a different person. With every inch he climbed upward, life slipped away from him. Sirius was breathing heavily and uncontrollably. His chest was like a broken bellows. With each breath, he dismantled his remaining body with devastating force.
"Okay, okay..." He finally stopped, taking several deep breaths before managing to straighten his upper body. In Xia Zhu's opinion, he could have easily found a more comfortable position, but Sirius seemed to be stubbornly maintaining something.
"I didn't mean to lie to you. It was only when Miss Feng asked me what my hobbies were that I remembered everything."
"Now that I remember everything, I understand why you came here, but I have a small wish... I wonder if you can grant it..."
When Meow saw its owner climb to the top of the ruins, it wanted to follow him. However, Meow was a small dog that was not very agile. It tried to jump onto the ice, but it kept slipping because of the thick fur on its feet.
Sirius didn't look at it, but lowered his eyes and gently wiped the sword in his hand, as if he were talking about something insignificant.
"Soon, maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after, I will die in the real world. I promise you I will never let myself become a monster and escape from the dream to cause trouble for others. When I die, this dream will naturally disappear. I just want to..."
"I just want to stay here and continue the rest of my adventure!"
He took a deep breath. The golden sunlight behind him surged instantly, as if trying to transform into some kind of power and re-infuse into his body. An expression that Xia Zhu had never seen before appeared on his face.
Sirius seemed to have returned to the way he was when he first met him.
Tall, healthy, and full of passion.
His complexion had also become much rosier, his cheeks fuller, and he raised his sword with a resounding thud.
"Let's go again! Even if we defeat one Ares, countless evil forces still lurk in this beautiful world! I can't stop now, courage will accompany me until that day comes!" he shouted dramatically.
Xia Zhu couldn't see his face clearly, but his firm voice echoed among them.
"However, this might mean we'll all leave empty-handed..."
He scratched his head a little embarrassedly.
“It’s just a stone.” Ying Huo suddenly spoke, startling everyone.
It should be noted that this person's character within the team is extremely vicious. They rarely speak, and when they do, a young heart will be severely wounded.
Xia Zhu wasn't surprised. She simply raised her eyelids and glanced from his eyes to his nonchalant smile.
Ji Wuchou seemed to chuckle softly, and Xia Zhu heard her reply.
"It's just a stone."
Sirius's smile grew even brighter, and suddenly he seemed to have thought of something.
"I have one more request."
Feng Feng nearly jumped up, "Wow, you little rascal! You really know how to push your luck!"
Sirius's eyes flickered.
“Meow,” he said.
"It's at Xingxing Pet Shop in Yongning Street, Nanshan City."
"Could you help me find a new owner? The place I'm boarding has a very small area to move around in, and the stinky dog definitely won't be used to it."
"When you take it to its new home, please tell it that I'm going on a trip to a very far place where dogs aren't allowed, and that it shouldn't wait for me anymore."
Meowth swung its large ears; it didn't seem very intelligent, yet it seemed to understand Sirius's words. It growled and snarled as it climbed up the ruins.
"Okay, meow meow, sit down."
"Sirius commanded."
But the puppy seemed to be selectively deaf, ignoring its owner's words. Fortunately, this time it successfully climbed the first platform and then rushed into Sirius's arms.
Heaven knows how Sirius managed to catch it, which was as big as a small mountain; he looked a little dizzy.
"Alright, alright, you won't even listen to me now."
The cat responded by licking his hair until it was wet.
Ji Yinxiu sheathed the Xuanyuan Sword and squinted at the distant sun.
"In that case, we should go."
"Let's leave here, leaving the frozen sea to them before we go." He didn't want to delve into the details, and not getting too involved in the inner workings of the demons was the first principle that the uninformed official needed to understand.
Agreeing to his request to find Miaomiao was already the biggest concession he could make.
Everyone nodded and waved to Sirius and Meow Meow. Perhaps the wind was too strong on the top of the ruins, or perhaps the sunlight was too dazzling, he did not notice that everyone had left until they had walked quite a distance away.
"Wait a minute!"
Sirius suddenly shouted. Standing atop the ruins, he pulled a glittering golden object from his pocket and tossed it toward them. The metal object traced a sharp arc through the air.
"Brother Ying Huo! It was promised to be yours!"
Ying Huo's eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised that she had a role to play.
He should have scoffed at it, but he instinctively opened his arms and caught it.
It was Sirius who awarded him the Medal of Courage.
"Doesn't he know that you can't take anything out of a dream except for stones?"
Ying Huo sneered, then walked towards the Blood Gate without looking back.
Xia Zhu stood on tiptoe and waved vigorously at the person and dog, then turned around and caught up with Ying Huo.
"What kind of person do you think Sirius is?" Xia Zhu asked curiously, scrutinizing any subtle expressions that might appear on his face.
Unfortunately, this person is always flawless when it comes to acting.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of person?"
"What a fool."
Xia Zhu couldn't help but smile and quickened her pace to walk alongside Ying Huo.
Do you have any side quests or not?
The two walked to the door, and Ying Huo paused, letting Xia Zhu step out first.
Feng Feng urged them on from beside the Well of Destiny. She responded with a sound of agreement, then turned to stare at Ying Huo.
"No."
He replied emotionlessly, then strode across the high wall to the other side.
The blood-red door slowly closed behind him, and bursts of playful laughter echoed under the bright sunlight. A gentle breeze rushed in from the horizon, blowing across the vast frozen sea, stirring up golden snow dust, and turning the pages of a parchment manual that had fallen onto the ice.
"Side quest for the loner: Make a friend."
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Author's Note: The next chapter will wrap up this arc a bit.
Princess: Does anyone care about me?
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