National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

"Ding! Mission ’Explore the Black Continent Grassland’ successfully completed. Congratulations, Host, you have received a reward: True Sun Fire!"

"This True Sun Fire is the foremost Divine Fire in all of creation, the source flame of the Innate Fire Divine Beast, the Great Sun Golden Crow.

Once you cultivate it to mastery, a single wisp can incinerate the entire world. Its power is truly invincible."

As the system’s notification rang in Chu He’s mind, a wisp of flame emerged from his body.

The flame swirled with a brilliant, dazzling golden light.

"I am DeHart, the Divine Child of the White Elephant Empire."

The young man leading the White Elephant Empire’s contingent slowly approached.

Chu He gathered his thoughts and noticed that this man was utterly different from the typical citizens of the White Elephant Empire he was used to seeing.

DeHart’s skin was the color of bronze. He had a high, straight nose and well-defined lips.

His features were sharp, refined, and striking.

He wore a vibrantly colored, intricately patterned robe. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with gold thread and inlaid with gems that glittered dazzlingly.

"The Divine Child of the White Elephant Empire. Now that’s a rare sight."

"What’s so great about a Divine Child from an empire utterly devoid of wisdom?"

"Now, now, don’t underestimate the White Elephant Empire. They’re so ’clean and hygienic,’ not to mention ’eco-friendly and healthy.’"

"..."

Many in the crowd sneered contemptuously.

The White Elephant Empire didn’t exactly have a stellar reputation on Blue Star.

Even the appearance of its Divine Child failed to garner much respect. Only a few remained level-headed.

"Hmph!"

DeHart had naturally heard the surrounding jeers and gossip. His brown eyes suddenly turned crimson.

He opened his mouth, spewing forth a vast sea of fire.

The searing heat burned the very air, distorting everyone’s vision.

The blaze lit up the gloomy sky, dispelling the oppressive, cold aura of the dilapidated Rainbow Welfare Institute.

DeHart held nothing back in his attack, showing no mercy to those who had mocked him. He instantly incinerated the dozens of Martial Artists closest to him.

Among those dozens of Martial Artists was a powerful expert on the verge of breaking through to the Emperor Realm.

Yet before DeHart’s crimson flames, he was utterly powerless.

Flames swirled around DeHart, yet his clothes remained completely untouched.

The sight was horrifying.

"The White Elephant Empire will not be insulted."

DeHart did not go on a rampage. After incinerating several dozen Martial Artists, he withdrew his flames.

His indifferent gaze swept over the people from other Empires and factions, who had already retreated at least several hundred meters away.

"The White Elephant Empire’s Divine Child is unbelievably powerful."

"They’ve always claimed to have a god. And it’s true the White Elephant Empire has never been invaded by Evil Spirits, at least not openly... If their people are safe from the Evil Spirit slaughter, how could the White Elephant Empire possibly be as weak as it seems?"

"I wonder how this Divine Child compares to Blue Star’s number one expert."

"..."

The crowd whispered amongst themselves, their earlier, openly derisive attitude toward the White Elephant Empire now gone.

"Mr. Chu, you see now, don’t you? This is the power of our White Elephant Empire’s Divine Child!

We haven’t known each other for long, but our cooperation has been pleasant. There’s no need for things to become hostile.

Besides, our White Elephant Empire might have opportunities to cooperate with the Great Xia Empire in the future."

Seeing the power DeHart had displayed,

Galava felt greatly reassured and said with a wide smile on his face.

"Is that so?"

Chu He gave a noncommittal smile, then turned to DeHart and said, "I must take this man with me. If you try to stop me, I’ll kill you."

The crowd erupted in an uproar. How could Chu He be so arrogant? Even if he was the strongest expert on Blue Star, the power this Divine Child of the White Elephant Empire had shown was no small matter. Besides, everyone on Blue Star knew that the Divine Child represented the honor of the White Elephant Empire. Even if Chu He managed to defeat or even kill DeHart today, it would mean an unending war with the White Elephant Empire. How could he possibly take on an entire Empire by himself?

"Then you can rest in peace, Chu He."

With a wave of his hand, DeHart sent the surging flames, like a torrential flood, sweeping directly toward Chu He.

The terrifying heat scorched the air, producing a sizzling sound.

"Is that all you’ve got? Let’s see how it compares to my flame."

Chu He extended his right hand, raising only his index finger while the other four curled into a fist.

A tiny, golden flame suddenly bloomed on the tip of his index finger.

The golden flame danced silently, no larger than a man’s thumbnail.

Compared to DeHart’s terrifying, imposing crimson inferno, the difference was vast.

"Is Chu He being too careless? I can’t feel any power coming from that little golden flame."

"The title of ’Blue Star’s Strongest’ is both a blessing and a curse. It can lull you into a false sense of security, like a frog in slowly boiling water."

"A pack of lowly Martial Artists. Do you think you’re qualified to stand here and pass judgment?"

Just as the Martial Artists were excitedly chattering, a discordant voice cut through, particularly grating.

The speaker stood with his arms crossed, a look of condescending ridicule plastered on his face.

The ripples of energy radiating from him instantly silenced the group of Martial Artists who had been about to retort.

Among the cowed Martial Artists were several experts at the King’s Realm.

Even so, they were completely suppressed by the aura the man casually exuded.

This meant the man was, without a doubt, an Emperor Realm expert.

Faced with an Emperor Realm expert, these Martial Artists—even those at the King’s Realm—could only be considered "lowly."

This Emperor Realm expert didn’t continue to humiliate the chattering crowd.

Instead, his solemn gaze fell upon Chu He’s finger.

’His instincts as an Emperor Realm expert told him that this tiny, thumbnail-sized golden flame possessed world-shattering power.’

Yet when he tried to sense it carefully, he felt nothing at all.

It was as if the golden flame had no temperature whatsoever.

But the Emperor Realm expert knew things were not that simple.

Then, Chu He gently blew on the golden flame at his fingertip.

With that single breath, the golden flame transformed in an instant, as if a slumbering soul had been awakened.

No longer confined to his fingertip, it expanded at an incredible speed.

Like a rising sun, it rapidly devoured the surrounding darkness.

In the blink of an eye, the tiny flame had become a vast, boundless sea of gold.

It bathed the entire area in light as bright as day, yet there was no heat, no roar of fluctuating energy.

There was only a silent, eerie beauty that inspired profound awe.

"A mere, lowly flame dares act so insolent before me."

Chu He’s voice was deep and magnetic, filled with an undeniable authority.

He flicked his finger, as if conducting the grandest symphony in all of creation.

The sea of gold transformed into innumerable, iridescent golden threads that spread toward the horizon.

Everything they touched was bathed in a resplendent golden light.

In that instant, every living being present instinctively shut their eyes.

It was as if they were facing the most dazzling light in all creation, and to look upon it directly would be an act of sacrilege.

When they opened their eyes again, the world before them had completely changed.

The world was as bright as day!