If there truly exists an insurmountable chasm between mortals and gods, then at this moment, You had undoubtedly broken the shackles of the Saint Rank, with half a foot stepped into that mysterious and sublime domain.
But the price for obtaining such formidable power was immense. You's peak aura only lasted for a few breaths before it completely dissipated.
His realm was high enough to place him among the strongest on the continent. However, even a powerhouse like him could not escape the erosion of time.
His body was far too old; his internal organs and tissues had begun to fail, no longer possessing the vitality and resilience of his youth.
Consequently, when he attempted to wield power beyond the mortal level, his body could not withstand such a massive load, reaching the brink of collapse.
That overwhelming power raged through his body like a flood or a savage beast, relentlessly destroying his cells and meridians, inflicting unprecedented pain and torment upon him.
Two lines of blood slid silently from his eye sockets, staining his once-piercing silver pupils red. Now, those eyes had lost their former brilliance, becoming dim and hollow, like two bottomless, dried-up wells.
As that peak aura gradually faded, You's broken body seemed to lose all support, falling powerlessly toward the ground.
...
...
Three days passed like flowing water. Back in that same guesthouse, Starlight and the others welcomed a new visitor.
As light footsteps echoed in the hallway, the group simultaneously turned their gazes toward the door. A moment later, a slender figure darted inside.
Unsurprisingly, the visitor was Lian, whom they hadn't seen for several days. After undergoing the complete baptism, her appearance had become even more refined and ethereal, like nature's most exquisite masterpiece.
Her pale blue skin had become as pure and flawless as jade, emitting a faint luster. Every line of her body perfectly outlined her beauty and elegance.
Although Lian was renewed in every sense, she remained her playful and cute self in front of Starlight and those close to her, showing no hint of the airs expected of a Princess.
After entering, she naturally pulled over a chair and sat down casually, as if she were in her own home.
Upon her arrival, the four of them almost simultaneously set aside what they were doing and began to ask about the situation over the past few days.
After that night, Lian, who had been under everyone's protection, had suffered almost no injuries. She woke up the next day, and while her strength hadn't significantly increased, her level of existence had undergone a qualitative leap.
She could now feel an unprecedented life force flowing within her. This power was pure and strong, allowing her body and soul to receive unprecedented nourishment and sublimation.
This enhancement was essentially a guaranteed ticket to the Saint Rank. Even if she did nothing, she would eventually reach that realm many dreamed of after a certain amount of time.
However, the other Saint Rank experts of the Night Elves were not so lucky. The strongest among them, You, had not hesitated to exhaust all the Night God's power within his body to seal the void.
While this heroic feat successfully sealed the danger for the time being, You suffered a severe backlash as a result.
Even the best doctors of the Night Elves were at a loss regarding You's injuries. Their medical skills, though superb, appeared pale and powerless against a backlash of power that transcended the norm.
Fortunately, Moen had spent two consecutive days by his side using her abilities to care for him, which barely managed to save his life. However, she was completely unable to stop his strength from plummeting.
This Saint Rank powerhouse, who once stood at the pinnacle of the continent, had now become an ordinary old man, only able to quietly wait for the day his life would end.
As for the other four Saint Rank experts of the Night Elves, they each suffered varying degrees of trauma.
These injuries ranged in severity, but they were all enough to temporarily strip them of their former strength, requiring time to slowly recover—though no one could say for sure how long that would take.
This blow was undoubtedly heavy for the Night Elves, reducing the tribe's strength to its lowest point in thousands of years. It reached the point where Lian, an underage Princess, had to shoulder the corresponding responsibilities.
In these few days, Lian was nearly suffocated by mountains of documents and tedious affairs. After all, she was only a thirteen-year-old child.
It wasn't until today that she found an opportunity to hand over some less important matters to Lira, her guard commander and administrative officer, so she could sneak out of the temporary palace.
When Starlight asked about You's condition, Lian could only shake her head helplessly. "Uncle's condition is indeed not great. It's thanks to Sister Moen's help that he didn't lose his life. However, he's actually quite at peace with it, saying that losing his power isn't necessarily a bad thing."
The fact that she couldn't completely heal You was also a significant blow to Moen. This was the first time she had encountered an injury she couldn't fully mend.
She took Lian's small hand and whispered, "I'm truly sorry. I couldn't completely clear the injuries in Senior You's body. Given his current state, trying to force a treatment might actually have the opposite effect."
"Sister Moen, you don't need to blame yourself. After all, no one is perfect, right?"
Lian looked at Moen, blinking her large silver eyes without a hint of blame. Then, she began to explain the purpose of her visit.
It turned out that several days ago, the Night Elves had received an invitation from the elven Council of Elders to attend a meeting at the World Tree.
This task should have been handled by You, the most authoritative member of the tribe. Regrettably, his current physical condition did not allow for long-distance travel or the various situations that might arise during the meeting.
So, the mission naturally fell to Lian. As the Night Elf Princess with the purest bloodline, she was entrusted with unprecedented responsibility and a mission at this moment.
The Night Elves naturally valued the still-growing Lian more than anyone else, but the other Saint Rank experts of the tribe were also carrying various injuries, making them unfit for this mission.
Lira's suggestion was to lead two Ranger divisions to escort her to the World Tree, but Lian immediately rejected the idea.
After all, the relationship between the two races was not as harmonious as one might imagine. During such a sensitive period, dispatching an army so openly would easily lead others to suspect ulterior motives.
Thus, Lian immediately thought of Starlight and the others. Not only were they her friends, but they also possessed the strength to contend with Saint Rank experts. Their status as adventurers made them ideal candidates for this escort mission.
"So, Brother Starlight, you won't refuse my invitation, will you?" Lian said, a very cute smile appearing on her face, leaving Starlight and the others completely defenseless.
"Of course not. We were about to leave anyway, so this is just a small favor."
Upon hearing the request, Starlight agreed without a second thought.
"Ho~ This commission is to protect such a noble person? For the resume of our little adventurers group, it's indeed a good choice. I say, Little Lian, what about the reward?"
On the side, Po Kong's lips curled into a playful smile. He lightly rubbed his chin and turned his teasing gaze toward Lian, speaking in a relaxed and slightly mocking tone.
"Hmm... the reward. I haven't thought of it yet. How about I grant you the special privilege of not having to kneel and bow when you see the Princess? Hahaha!" Lian blinked, deliberately putting on a serious face before quickly breaking into laughter at her own joke.
"...How do you still remember that? Can we change it to something else?" Po Kong shook his head, caught between laughter and tears.
"Just kidding! The reward definitely won't be lacking!"
Lian didn't mind his teasing; instead, she checkmated him with a joke of her own among friends, allowing the originally heavy atmosphere in the room to become pleasant once more.
Rate on N.U.
