Many times in life, there are no choices. Even those standing at the pinnacle of the Imperial power are sometimes forced to make a choice.
The core palace of Erza.
Dim light adorned the dark hall, surrounding walls, floors, and ceilings all covered with fiery red patterns, like fire clouds in the sky.
The entire grand hall was rather simple.
Apart from the throne made of black iron at the center of the deepest part, the hall only had two rows of pillars carved with murals.
A mass of life forms sat on the throne.
This wasn’t the first time Baiyu came to this palace. The true identity of the one sitting on the throne couldn’t be anyone else but Qiong Yue, right?
And why it’s described as a mass.
Because the Qiong Yue before him now long lost the appearance from when Baiyu first saw her, not even human-form, her body covered in fiery red feathers, wrapped in flames, burning perpetually.
She looked like a mass of twisted flame.
The moment this flame truly extinguished would be the moment of Qiong Yue’s complete death.
"Sit wherever you like."
As soon as Baiyu entered, Qiong Yue’s voice came from the throne.
"Senior, you asked me to come..."
"Of course, it’s about Erza." Qiong Yue’s voice was devoid of joy or sorrow, as calm as still water: "I’ve been barely holding on, and my spirit caused pollution to Erza. What you saw on your way, whether the walls or floor, the fire cloud patterns on them, are products of my spirit’s pollution.
The connection between a Legendary Ship and its master’s spiritual awareness is intimate.
But this pollution is minimal, you can rest assured.
Me holding on till now is already a miracle. In the future, Erza will rely on you.
Before, when nothing happened, Pang Fei and I had already decided to entrust Erza to you. Over time, you should be ready for it, right?"
The flames on the throne flickered, revealing a familiar face.
Baiyu nodded silently:
"Before my spirit has enough endurance to support the Legendary Ship, I can’t fulfill this promise. But I promise you, as long as I can control Erza, I will not shirk it.
As for the Qiong Family.
I understand your meaning too.
If one day I really take control of Erza, and the Qiong Family needs me, I will not stand aside."
The flames on the throne dimmed and brightened, that face made of flames remained silent for a while, and said: "Alright, I’m already very satisfied with this. The real core of Erza is her Magic Kinetic Heart.
The Heart of the Dance you hold is the key to open her heart.
Before my death, I will transfer the authority to you, but to truly control a Legendary Ship is still too hard. Even if I’ve laid the foundation for you, it’s not enough.
If I cannot resolve this matter, you should escape with Erza."
The heavy voice fell.
On the throne, that burning flame gradually stood up, revealing a humanoid silhouette, and as she waved across the air, a Heart of the Dance identical to the one Baiyu held appeared.
Qiong Yue took it in her hand.
Beside her, Erza’s expression was somewhat bleak.
"Don’t be afraid, after my death, Baiyu will be your new master. Your lifespan is nearly infinite, while a human’s lifespan has an end. No one can accompany you for a lifetime."
"Everyone must die. I’ve been hanging on till now just to make my death more valuable, to make my life more brilliant and wonderful.
Now with this opportunity in front, you should be happy for me."
Qiong Yue smiled at Erza, walked down the throne, and with each step, fiery feathers fluttered down from her body, scattering on the floor.
The desolate sense of an aging hero was vividly portrayed on her.
She walked to the center of the hall, waved her hand, and a scene gradually unfolded in mid-air.
It was the vista of Hades Prison in Linjiang City.
All cells of Hades Prison had been completely destroyed.
Kaz reclaimed his half-human, half-monster body, half of his body turned into chaotic tentacles, wildly writhing.
He and Dominic stood over the prison ruins.
A group of prisoners surrounded them, cheering victoriously, deafeningly so.
Qiong Yue silently watched this scene through the image.
Kaz, sensing something, turned, his eyes coldly locked onto the Legendary Ship in the sky, his gaze intertwined with Qiong Yue’s on the screen, filled with murderous intent.
"I didn’t expect you to hold on until now.
Qiong Yue, three years ago, you were already on the verge of mutation collapse.
You are a practitioner of Fire Spirit Technique, creating elemental mutations. The agony of daily burning heartache must be unbearable?"
Kaz muttered into the air.
The cheering prisoners beside him, engrossed in their exultation, couldn’t hear his words.
Only Qiong Yue and Baiyu on the Steamship could hear Kaz’s words clearly through the image, knowing he was conversing with Qiong Yue.
Qiong Yue squinted, her expression unchanged, her withered hands fiercely gripping at the mid-air image.
In the ruins of Hades Prison, Kaz coughed up blood in mouthfuls and was unexpectedly sent flying, crashing to the ground in disgrace.
The prisoners’ cheers came to an abrupt halt.
They realized that the Legendary Ship, which had inexplicably hovered in mid-air without moving, had arrived above them. The massive ship radiated terrifying pressure, making their hearts involuntarily cringe with fear.
"Whoever voluntarily returns to the cell, I may spare their life."
Qiong Yue’s domineering voice echoed in the air.
The prisoners almost didn’t react, instinctively about to curse.
Just like with Pang Fei, they all inexplicably spat blood and flew backward, many even sliced clean in half, the cut smooth as a mirror.
Through the whole ordeal, Baiyu observed everything clearly by the side.
This was the Tier Five Flame Mirror Technique, originally meant to transmit information, facilitating communication in special circumstances. Yet, such an auxiliary Spirit Technique was played out into something marvelous by Qiong Yue.
Could one actually attack using the Flame Mirror Technique?
"Tier Five Flame Mirror Technique, combined with some other Spirit Techniques, can achieve this effect." Qiong Yue didn’t want to speak more, each word consumed her energy limitlessly.
Kaz couldn’t possibly give up so easily, she needed to stay vigilant.
A few seconds later, Kaz stood up again, a black-red eyeball appearing in his palm, constantly emitting bizarre light.
"Demon God Beast, Giant of the Moon!"
The terrifying eyeless Giant descended again, towering like a mountain in Linjiang City. The prisoners’ cheers reached their climax.
Demon God Beast, God’s followers!
It isn’t something human power can resist!
Following Kaz might just let them completely escape today!
Their spirits were high.
All these premises were based on the condition that Qiong Yue couldn’t handle the Demon God Beast.
Yet this condition was evidently false.
At this point, seeing the Demon God Beast appear once again didn’t cause Qiong Yue fear but joy, as the Heart of the Dance in her hands began to shine brightly.