All was unexpected. Before the shadow could react, the light was upon it.Before it could flee, the phoenix's phantom rejoiced.It transformed into a luminescent streak, merging with the radiant beam.The shadow's visage betrayed fear, not anticipating such a formidable force hidden within Benjamin's consciousness.But now, escape seemed impossible.Thus, before the impending light struck, the shadow roared in defiance."No, I am the supreme Dark Deity, how can I perish so easily here? A..."In the end, a desolate scream echoed, and the shadow's essence vanished entirely.In the void of Benjamin's mind, a floating fireball emerged.Around it was a slightly ethereal apparition of the phoenix."Ah, consider this a twist of fate between us.With this last sliver of my consciousness, I'll awaken you!"These words came from the phoenix.Subsequently, like a flash, it plunged into the fireball, disappearing from sight.All this, Benjamin was oblivious to.Time wore on, and Benjamin was unaw
As Elmer faded into the distance, both Ancel and Caroline turned to Benjamin."Benjamin, you needn't risk this.In a few days, Caroline and I will assemble our team.We can scout ahead for you. What do you think?"Ancel, quite agitated, proposed.Upon hearing this, Benjamin immediately shook his head in refusal.“Captain, I've made my decision on this matter. You need not intervene. Furthermore, when do you two plan on having your wedding? It's been so long since I've attended one."Upon hearing these words from Benjamin, both Ancel and Caroline exchanged weary smiles. It was evident to them that Benjamin was skillfully dodging the topic at hand. However, with Benjamin having spoken thus, neither of them felt it was appropriate to press further.Yet, sitting at a distance, Olivia's countenance grew fraught with concern. From their conversation, she surmised that Benjamin might soon undertake a perilous mission. Could it somehow relate to his past injury? But in the company of others,
Their spirits, however, remained undeterred. A profound transformation was taking root within them. Though they might not emulate Venn's instantaneous rise to sagehood, with diligence and time, it wasn't an unattainable dream.In the world of martial arts, not everyone could touch the zenith of sagehood, especially in the military. Unless they were as exceptional as Benjamin or the former captains of the Dragon Guardians, blessed with unparalleled dedication and innate talent.But now, even with just a smidge of the diluted Thousand-Year Mystical Elixir, they were on a transformative journey, a privilege even some from the noble houses might envy.Benjamin's gesture wasn't merely a token of goodwill. He had grander visions: building a formidable battalion loyal only to him, ensuring no power would ever threaten him or use his loved ones as bargaining chips.But these thoughts remained unsaid, unshared. Benjamin believed actions spoke louder. He knew, if he treated his soldiers with re
"Why... why are you behind me?"From the tone, Benjamin deduced that this voice belonged to a young woman.However, he couldn't shake off a nagging suspicion. The woman's figure reminded him of someone who had once surreptitiously observed him and Andrea dining in a coffe.Yet, before he could voice his suspicions, the veiled woman gave him a fleeting glance, evaluating him before saying: "You're Andrea's boyfriend, aren't you? But I've heard you're married?"Caught off guard, Benjamin replied: "I'm not her boyfriend. I'm merely her colleague. And you? Why are you lurking outside rather than meeting your husband and daughter?"If this mysterious woman knew of his identity, Benjamin saw no need for pretenses.However, hearing Benjamin's words, Mrs. Ember was momentarily taken aback.She chuckled: "You might be mistaken. I am not the girl's mother. She lost her mother over two decades ago. I am just an old friend, back in town for some unfinished business."Without waiting for a reply,
For a moment, Benjamin's mind brimmed with a deluge of questions. Just then, Andrea descended from upstairs. Yet what caught Benjamin off-guard wasn't her presence, but her changed attire. From her demeanor, he surmised she'd sneakily ventured into her room to try something secretive.But before Benjamin could voice a response, Mr. Aylmer, stifling a cough, hurriedly covered his mouth.“Ahem…”“Father, are you coughing again?”Witnessing Mr. Aylmer's continuous cough, Andrea's stern countenance shifted to one of pure concern. Without hesitation, she rushed to his side, gently patting his back for comfort.“It’s... it’s nothing, my dear. Perhaps the recent weather fluctuations have aggravated an old ailment of mine." Mr. Aylmer managed to say, though his appearance suggested otherwise.Seeing this, Benjamin interjected with a hushed tone: "Sir, perhaps I could escort you to a hospital for a quick check-up? I know quite a few professionals at a nearby military hospital.”“That’s right,
At Brian's retort, Benjamin momentarily found himself at a loss for words.Yet, amid their conversation, Mrs. Ember's voice surged in alarm: "Elder brother, elder brother! Don't you recognize your own sister?"A guttural roar echoed in response. Following the roar, a cacophony of shattering noises reverberated, soon accompanied by an anguished howl. Benjamin and Brian rushed into the living room, apprehension evident in their strides.The scene inside was chaotic. Mrs. Ember, pale and shaken, stood cornered, while a middle-aged man with a twisted face clutched his bleeding abdomen. A cloud of suspicion overshadowed his gaze towards Mrs. Ember."Why... why did you try to kill me?" he rasped, voice trembling with pain.Mrs. Ember, panic evident in her eyes, cried out: "No! It wasn't me! It's him, he's the one trying to hurt you. I didn't... I truly didn't..."Suddenly, she collapsed onto the ground, discarding a blood-soaked knife and burying her face in her hands, weeping uncontrollabl
After a lingering conversation, Kenneth suddenly divulged the reason behind his madness, and even more intriguing, the presence of a malevolent spirit lurking within his very being.However, as Kenneth unraveled his tale, skepticism grew in Benjamin's eyes. From Kenneth's narration, Benjamin discerned that the dark energy corrupting Kenneth was largely the same evil aura of the Dark Deity that he had once encountered sealed within a stone coffin. This malevolent energy seemed to possess an eerie ability, allowing it to birth its own consciousness. Moreover, through some esoteric mechanism, it could inhabit a martial artist's body, draining their life force.Yet, if this malevolent energy was as formidable as suggested, how had the Dark Deity remained imprisoned in the stone coffin all these years? Moreover, the woman from the past had claimed to be a descendent of the Pink Pink tribe. Was there any truth in her proclamation?The deeper Benjamin pondered, the more muddled his thoughts
However, Olivia's voice then softly reached him: "Benjamin, this is my stepfather. He lives with my mother and they have a daughter together. I was separated from my family and grew up in an orphanage for over a decade. Somehow, he found out my contact recently. But given his gambling habits and tendency to abuse alcohol and physically harm his family, I've distanced myself. He sought me out today, apparently his daughter, my stepsister, is gravely ill and needs funds for hospital care. So..."As if dreading that Benjamin might misconstrue something, Olivia urgently spoke up in her defense. At that moment, comprehension finally dawned on Benjamin's face, and he swiftly raised a hand to stop her."Alright, you needn't explain any further. If you wish to return to see your sister and mother, go ahead. But take care. I've been preoccupied lately and may not be able to accompany you." he cautioned.Hearing Benjamin's tender words, a hint of sweetness washed over Olivia, prompting her to s
Benjamin, unbeknownst to him, was oblivious to the demonic prince's frenzy over the armor. He held in his hand a command token, under which lay a somewhat tragic corpse. However, a familiar energy emanated from the token, causing his brows to furrow deeply, for a voice resounded urgently within his mind."Chirp chirp!"Deep in thought, Benjamin was roused by Alan's voice. The creature, now the size of a sparrow, perched gracefully upon his shoulder.Recognizing the intention behind the creature's head rubbing against him, a tender smile graced Benjamin's lips: "You did wonderfully." he praised."Chirp chirp!"In response, Alan regurgitated an ancient ring which landed deftly in Benjamin's palm. As it touched his skin, the ring transformed into a golden glow, wrapping around his finger. It was the space ring Benjamin had discovered in the Dragon Palace. Although the spirit inside was dormant, its basic functions remained accessible.Earlier, Benjamin had entrusted this ring to Alan to
Instantly, his face became grave. Only now did he discern the fading form of Alan, with even the flames upon it having waned by more than half. Yet, what was most alarming was the emanating ominous aura from the Demon God's heart, causing Benjamin to jolt and hurriedly shout,"Elder!""Hm?!"Hearing Benjamin's call, an ethereal figure suddenly appeared outside the central region of the altar. Its gaze locked onto the sealed space above the altar."Ha ha ha, foolish humans, my true form is almost here. Once it arrives, I'll reduce the both of you to mere ashes!"Sensing the familiar aura steadily nearing the altar, the Demon God's heart laughed triumphantly.However, a languid voice suddenly intervened,"Quiet!"Following which, an overpowering force, emanating from Benjamin, suddenly descended, shattering the very core of the heart."AHH!"A scream echoed from within. Simultaneously, an ethereal figure, eyes filled with disbelief, turned towards the altar."What is this force?!"Feeli
Boom!Boom!Several blows in succession, and Benjamin had lost track of time. But at this moment, cracks began to appear on the wall before him. They spread and widened until finally, with a full-force punch, the wall collapsed. A vast space revealed itself, stretching out before his eyes.Here, Benjamin beheld a huge sacrificial altar, filling almost the entire space. Above the altar hung a heart. Though he could not ascertain from what creature it was taken, its appearance allowed him to sense an incredibly evil energy, pervading the entire space.Moreover, this evil energy made his mind reel slightly. Were it not for his strong will, Benjamin feared he would have been bewitched by the heart.Instantly, his face marked with caution, he retreated a few steps."This is truly bizarre? How could such an altar appear here?"But just then, stepping back some twenty meters, a sound of great astonishment suddenly came from behind him.Startled, Benjamin quickly turned to see the people who
A few minutes later, a middle-aged man with blonde hair and glasses, holding a laptop, arrived looking somewhat harried and sleep-deprived. He looked toward Red, placed his hand over his chest, and rapidly spoke.“Prince Red, why have you summoned me here? My research is on the brink of completion, needing only one final step. If there's nothing urgent, I would like to return and continue with my work.”After speaking, the middle-aged man seemed incredibly impatient, ready to turn and leave.Seeing this, Red felt slightly annoyed but did not show anger. Instead, his face bore a placating expression, and he hastily replied.“Mr. Steven, I genuinely have a very important matter that requires your assistance. Agat and Orange are in trouble in New Braum, and I want you to go there and bring them back. What do you think?”Red's attitude was extremely humble, a stark contrast to his earlier arrogance and pride.However, Steven seemed not to care, his eyes sweeping the control room in a glan
However, Steven seemed uninterested, his eyes sweeping the control room before he spoke, a little annoyed.“Your Highness Red, such a trivial matter, and you call me here? If you feel overly bored, I can help you with some training time. Within the next twenty-four hours, I assure you that the time spent will not be wasted at all!”Hearing this, Red's eyes showed a hint of fear.Although the man was just a human, his strength was not particularly great. However, Steven's status in the kingdom was very special. He was a scholar, and his creativity was terrifying.Hundreds of years ago, when the kingdom of Autuman was just a small tribe on the planet Namec, their king, then a young man, luckily rescued a human, and this human was the middle-aged man before him, Steven.Harnessing the terrifying breadth of Steven's intellect, in less than a decade, Autuman evolved from a minor tribe, nestled in the wilderness of planet Namec, into a mighty empire. They conquered the entirety of Namec, an
Boom!Boom!Boom!Blood painted the sky, and countless pieces of metal debris littered the ground.A smirk formed on Benjamin's lips. He hadn't expected that after such a long slumber, its power had grown so immense.However, the sight of the scattered armor shards pained him.Such high-quality armor pieces, capable of enhancing a warrior's strength and providing incredible defense, were now in ruins. For someone of Benjamin's caliber, these armors might not pose much challenge, but if equipped by his soldiers, they would have been invaluable assets, exponentially amplifying their combat prowess.Although he felt a twinge of regret, Benjamin didn't blame Alan. Instead, he commended him."Alan, you did splendidly!""Chirp, chirp!"As Benjamin's praise graced his ears, a rush of exhilaration surged through Alan. In mere moments, his form swiftly contracted, taking on the delicate guise of a sparrow, which alighted on Benjamin's shoulder, its chirps melodious and relentless.Witnessing s
"Ha ha ha, I was merely jesting with you." he laughed with ease, his eyes dancing mischievously: "No need to take it so seriously. Anyway, feel free to examine it. It's now mine, and even if you wish, you cannot claim it."With a boisterous laugh, Benjamin, brimming with amusement, effortlessly tossed a ring towards her.Catching a glimpse of his action, a pang of surprise coursed through Fidelma. Still, she reached out, catching the item.Holding the ornate ring in her hand, she felt a strange force emanating from within. The intricate designs adorning it suggested an ancient aura. Fidelma could confidently deduce that this was a space treasure. Its grade was undoubtedly high, surpassing any artifact she had previously encountered in the annals or in the treasury of the Moonlight Religious Sect."Done examining?" His voice hinted at impatience: "If so, kindly return it."Watching Fidelma cradle the ring, almost reluctant to release it, a twitch of amusement played on Benjamin's lips.
Now, even though its headpiece had been severed, it was still far more complete than the other armors.Without hesitation, he approached, with a mere thought, his storage ring's light flared. The entire armor, along with the leader's corpse, was drawn into it.He then surveyed the surroundings once more, detecting no anomalies. Benjamin then proceeded towards Dermot's wooden house atop the hill."Boss, you're not hurt, are you?" asked Azaria, eyeing Benjamin's bloodstained appearance with a hint of concern.Benjamin glanced at him and shook his head."I'm fine; go rest. Tonight, there may be more to do. I'll handle it myself." he said, continuing straight to Dermot's bedroom.Upon seeing Benjamin's bloodied state, Irina suddenly rushed over, her face filled with alarm. She hastily grabbed his hand, her expression fraught with concern."You...you're alright?" she stammered.Seeing her worry, Benjamin merely shook his head without verbally responding. Meanwhile, Dermot emerged from the
Although puzzled, Benjamin refrained from questioning her outright. Instead, his gaze swept the room. Aside from scattered clothing and discarded food on the floor, nothing seemed amiss. It was logical. After all, someone fleeing in a hurry wouldn't leave traces behind."Where did the woman who was in your room go?" he inquired, his sudden question startling Irina, making her let out a soft gasp.At her reaction, Benjamin's eyebrows furrowed, his gaze growing wary: "What did you ask?" she stammered, fear evident in her voice.Reiterating his query but with more firmness, he watched as Irina visibly shrank back, finally murmuring: "She...she said she had something to do and left. Can...can you not look at me like that? I'm truly scared."Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, every word dripping with fear. Benjamin felt a pang of confusion but, before he could react, she threw herself at him, gripping him tightly: "Please don't go. I'm truly terrified. This place... I can't bear to