Chapter 129 - 128: Child of Destiny

Chapter 129: Chapter 128: Child of Destiny

A pure Magic Girl?

Li Ye subconsciously glanced at Elise. A faint blush rose on her face as she shyly lowered her head, looking as if she wanted to speak but was holding back.

’Who is she trying to seduce with that act?’

’That’s not so pure!’

Li Ye shook his head. He was starting to understand why pure Magic Girls were becoming rarer and rarer.

’The Skeleton Monarch that appeared four years ago must be one of the three sources of Demon Qi. I just don’t know if it was possessed by the Demon Qi itself, or if it obtained an object that was.’

’But turning corpses into Undead with a hundred percent success rate and starting a war that swept across half the continent... This thing’s Demon Qi has probably grown to an unimaginable level. It might even be more powerful than the Puppet Silk from the last world...’

’It’s a good thing I raised myself to the peak of the Harmonization Realm, or this would be an impossible fight.’

’Unfortunately, the Spiritual Qi from the peak of the Harmonization Realm is a one-time supply. Once it’s used up, I can’t replenish it. I have to use it sparingly.’

’It would be best to solve things with Magic if possible. Of course, the key is to develop my Derived Skills first...’

’I’ve identified one source of Demon Qi. That leaves two more.’

’The Skeleton King has caused such a huge commotion; the other two sources of Demon Qi surely won’t just sit back and wait for their turn.’

’Maybe I can instigate a war between the sources of Demon Qi. I could play them against each other, forming and breaking alliances. Facing all three alone is too difficult.’

"Aside from the Skeleton King, have any powerful heroes suddenly risen to prominence?" Li Ye continued to ask. "A hero is born from chaos. Usually, during a great disaster like this, heroes will emerge from every race to turn the tide, fight the Demon King, and save the world."

Everyone’s gazes simultaneously focused on Li Ye.

Elise stammered, "Your Excellency Aragon, is it possible that the hero you speak of... is yourself?"

’Fair enough.’

’My debut certainly fits the profile of a hero.’

Li Ye looked around at everyone and said, "Everything I have learned in my life comes from my teacher, Gandalf. My teacher was a great man who devoted his life to the world, and I shall naturally carry on his will. Therefore, saving the world is my unshirkable duty. I will not take a single step back."

What noble character!

Truly, like teacher, like student!

Everyone was filled with awe. Linton let out a quiet sigh of relief, and Elise’s eyes began to sparkle again.

Li Ye shook his head and continued, "But a single thread can’t make a cord, and a single tree can’t make a forest. No matter how powerful one person is, their strength is limited. I need allies."

"Your Excellency Aragon," Linton said, "the Alliance has seven Forbidden Mages, four Sword Saints, three Divine Archers from the Elf Race, two High Priests from the Beastman Race, and five Beastman Mad War Saints. They are the Alliance’s top-tier forces and could all be your companions."

He was very conscientiously matching Li Ye with fighters of equivalent strength.

"Besides them?" Li Ye asked impassively. "Are there any prodigies from the various races? People who were previously unremarkable, but then seemed to have an epiphany and experienced a sudden explosion in their strength."

Everyone looked at each other in confusion, and Linton shook his head, perplexed.

"Linton, the people you mentioned play decisive roles on the battlefield. Pulling any one of them away could cause a front line to collapse. Unless we’re launching a full-scale counteroffensive, they are not suitable to be my comrades."

Li Ye explained, "Moreover, whenever a great calamity approaches, certain people are born bearing the mandate of heaven. They possess robust physiques, incredible luck, learning ability, and comprehension, as well as sharp minds.

"A robust physique ensures they are untroubled by disease or disaster, allowing them to maintain boundless vitality at all times.

"Luck ensures that when they encounter danger, they can turn peril into safety. Even if they fall off a cliff, they might find a treasure left behind by the Gods.

"A powerful learning ability allows them to quickly grasp and master any knowledge.

"A sharp mind allows them to make the best judgments amid chaos.

"They are favored by the Gods, born to answer the calamity, and are collectively known as the Children of Destiny. From the moment of their birth, they shoulder a great mission and are fated to leave a glorious mark on the pages of history.

"My teacher spent his entire life searching for these Children of Destiny, teaching them knowledge, imparting his skills, and guiding them onto the right path to help them fulfill their own missions.

"My own abilities are limited. I may not be able to guide them as my teacher did, but I can treat them as my companions and, together with them, end the Undead Calamity..."

’Children of Destiny?’

Listening to Li Ye’s description of the Children of Destiny, everyone’s hearts surged with emotion, and they all wished they could be one of them.

But they also knew they were a far cry from being Children of Destiny.

The light that had been in Elise’s eyes gradually dimmed.

She lowered her gaze and let out a silent sigh. ’His Excellency Aragon is a star in the heavens, twinkling with a dazzling light and looking down upon all mortals.’

’And I am but a blade of grass on the ground. I’m afraid I’ll never be worthy of following by His Excellency’s side and fighting with him in this lifetime.’

’This chance encounter with him has probably used up all the luck I had for this life!’

"Your Excellency Aragon, what you’ve spoken of is beyond my station to know. I can introduce you to the Alliance Marshal. Perhaps he can help you find these people," Linton stammered.

He was only thirty-seven, yet he had already become an outstanding Great Swordsman and had considered himself quite exceptional.

But compared to the Children of Destiny Aragon described, he suddenly paled in comparison, and his entire mood soured.

’It’s true!’

’His Excellency Aragon looks to be in his twenties, yet he’s already a Full Element Mage who practices both Magic and Martial Dual Cultivation. What right do I have to be his companion?’

"Alright, take me to the Alliance headquarters," Li Ye said with a gentle smile. "I do need to speak with the Alliance Marshal and get a better understanding of the world’s situation. Besides, my Forbidden Magic requires many special materials. I’ll need the help of the civilized races to find them. I must return to my own era..."

...

Having met a Forbidden Mage from the Ancient Era, Linton immediately abandoned his mission and led Li Ye back to Longgu Fortress.

Along the way, Li Ye asked him some questions about the Alliance and the Undead Calamity.

Linton told him everything he knew, holding nothing back.

He was already convinced of Li Ye’s identity.

After all, such a great being would never side with the Undead Race.

The Stars Surrounding the Moon skill quietly took effect. Li Ye could clearly feel the worship from those around him, devoid of any hostility.

...

The Dragonbone Mountain Range ran across the entire continent of Ounide, splitting it in two at about the two-thirds mark.

Legend had it that during the War of the Gods, a black dragon representing despair and disaster was slain by the Gods. Its massive body fell from the sky onto the Ounide continent. Its flesh and organs were devoured by the Giant Wolf Fenrir, and the Dragon Bone eventually became the Dragonbone Mountain Range of today.

In the myths and legends of every race, the ancient behemoths could blot out the sun and the sky, their divine bodies immense.

In the West, there was the Giant Wolf Fenrir and the world-circling serpent J?rmungandr; in the East, there was the Golden Crow that could transform into the sun, and the Kunpeng of unknown thousands of miles in size...

Compared to these behemoths, the Eight-Headed Great Serpent from the small island nation, said to be large enough to fill eight valleys and eight hills, was like a tiny insect.

’Considering that these monsters might have grown to such sizes after being corrupted by Demon Qi, I can’t see a sliver of hope for the future.’

’In just four years, this world has already given birth to a Skeleton Monarch that swept across the entire continent. If the Demon Qi is allowed to continue growing, these behemoths will reappear sooner or later.’

’Can I really deal with them?’

’No matter how fast I grow, I can’t possibly compare to those Ancient Divine Spirits, can I?’

’Even the Divine Spirits perished in the calamity!’

’Once the Demon Qi spreads, there might not be a single safe place left in the two universes. My growth rate is still too slow.’

...

Longgu Fortress was an important pass in the Dragonbone Mountain Range.

The pass was built from colossal stones, its tall walls connecting two mountains.

The fortress and the slopes on either side were densely packed with charged Magic Crystal Cannons.

Soldiers of various races patrolled on duty atop the fortress walls.

Flying Beastmen and knights riding griffins flew ceaselessly through the sky, monitoring the Undead Army’s movements, guarding the airspace, and bringing back intelligence from the front lines.

Below the fortress, a thick layer of shattered white bones covered the ground. Most had been trampled to fragments by the Undead Race’s knights, but many intact skulls and leg bones were still visible...

A brutal and grim atmosphere permeated the fortress and its surroundings.

The mist of the Undead Army was just over fifty li away, opposite the fortress...

Li Ye assessed his own strength. ’I could probably force my way over the fortress, but it would definitely consume a massive amount of Spiritual Power. Much like trying to wipe out the Undead Army, it would be pointless. This current approach is safer.’

...

Holding a torch, Linton led Li Ye into the fortress through a winding tunnel hidden underground. As they walked, he said, "Your Excellency, the fortress gates haven’t been opened since the war with the Undead Army began. The only way to get to the Land of the Dead is through these secret passages.

"If the Undead Race discovers them, the fortress will destroy these passages at a moment’s notice."

Li Ye scanned his surroundings with his perception.

There were some cleverly designed mechanisms behind the secret passage walls, likely meant to shoot crossbow bolts and throwing knives. Above, an iron grate was set into the ceiling at regular intervals.

The walls were inscribed with magical runes, with the Earth and Fire Elements flowing within them. Activating the Magic Array could indeed destroy the passage quickly.

The exit of the secret passage was an iron door.

Linton rhythmically struck a bell on the wall.

"Password!" a voice called out from behind the iron door.

"The proprietress of Sicelou Tavern is a natural-born pervert," Linton said.

"How much for a bottle of rum there?"

"Three Silver Coins for a night with the hole down below," Linton replied.

"..." Li Ye raised an eyebrow. ’What a unique password. No ordinary person could possibly answer that! No wonder you guys can’t find any pure maidens!’

CLANK! RATTLE!

The iron door opened. A soldier, also clad in armor, lifted his helmet and looked strangely at the returning Linton Squad. He asked in a puzzled tone, "Baron Linton, why have you returned so suddenly?"

His gaze fell on Li Ye, and he asked alertly, "Who is he?"

It couldn’t be helped. With his black hair and black eyes, Li Ye looked too distinct, even more eye-catching than an Elf.

"Leon, he is a very important person." Linton concealed Li Ye’s identity. "He has brought back important intelligence from the Land of the Dead. We must see the Marshal at once..."