Although Ning Busan had repaired the barrier, many xenos had still managed to slip into the Landia Continent during the process.
Moreover, each of them possessed strength close to that of a pseudo-god, far exceeding the previous xenos in both combat power and destructive capability.
As the most populous and easily bullied race on the Landia Continent, humans became the primary targets of these xenos.
Ning Busan did not need to lift a finger.
In fact, humanity remained entirely oblivious to this crisis.
The dragons and demons formed a powerful defensive line, hunting down the xenos directly and preventing them from even getting close to the human world.
Ning Busan returned to Evercinder Island.
“Splendid job!” A deep sense of pride welled up in Demogor's molten-gold vertical pupils. “You actually repaired the barrier of the Landia Continent!”
Lucifer leaned against the nearby rock wall, his silver hair cascading down, the corners of his lips curling slightly upward.
Ning Busan realized belatedly, “You two separated so quickly?”
An uncomfortable look flashed across Demogor's eyes. “I merely acknowledged his strength. There is absolutely no way I would ever acknowledge this arrogant, conceited fellow!”
Lucifer let out a soft sneer, uttering two words with concise brevity: “Likewise.”
Ning Busan's heart remained completely undisturbed.
This was probably a classic case of “one mountain cannot hold two tigers”...
“By the way, Leo and Lilian have prepared a surprise for you,” Demogor said, sounding a bit uncertain. “It seems to be some kind of human custom?”
Hearing this, Ning Busan was puzzled. “A surprise?”
By the pure pool.
A ring of bonfires blazed, surrounding a feast of every delicacy that could be found at the Peak of Helios. Amber-colored wine shimmered in the firelight.
Ning Busan asked, “What is all this?”
“A victory banquet, of course!” Leo set a massive jar of strong liquor on the ground, then strode forward to slap Ning Busan heavily on the shoulder. “Just like the old days! Shouldn't we celebrate after winning a battle?”
Lobao's eyes sparkled. “I helped too!”
Although Lilian was still inside the pure pool, it didn't stop her from joining in on the fun.
She poured a cup of wine for Ning Busan and winked. “We've been waiting for you for a long time.”
Ning Busan smiled and accepted it.
Normally, he would have felt a warmth in his heart, but for some reason, his emotions felt incredibly faint right now.
Lobao wanted to cuddle up to Ning Busan, but Leo caught him and held him back.
Leo stealthily poured a cup of wine and handed it to Lobao. “This wine is sweet. Have a taste.”
Lobao eyed him sideways. “You're trying to trick me again. I don't believe you!”
“How could I ever trick you? I'm your dearest Uncle Leo!” Leo said with utmost sincerity. “Just try a tiny sip first.”
Lobao leaned in and sniffed it.
The liquid was a molten-gold color, wafting a fragrance like honey.
He took a lick, smacked his lips, and his eyes lit up.
It tasted really good!
Gulp, gulp—
He downed it in one go.
Not long after, just as Lobao opened his mouth to speak, he started breathing fire.
Leo burst into boisterous laughter, pulling out a memory crystal to record the scene.
Demogor and Lucifer flanked Leo on both sides, their gazes sharp as daggers.
Leo: “...”
Suddenly, his laughter died in his throat.
Leo muttered weakly, “It's not a big deal. Once the effects of the sulfur wine wear off, he'll be fine.”
After a while, Lobao finally stopped breathing fire, but he began to hiccup, puffing out little clouds of black smoke with every hiccup.
Everyone stared at him, transfixed.
Well... even so...
This was actually pretty funny!
Lucifer couldn't understand. “Leo teases him all the time. Why does he still like to hang around him?”
Demogor said, “Because he's a sucker for good looks! Can't you even tell that much?”
Lucifer was genuinely perplexed. “If he's a sucker for good looks, shouldn't he like me the most?”
Demogor sneered, “You really have no shame, do you?”
In the end, Leo penalized himself by chugging three jars of wine, finally bringing the minor interlude to a close.
Ning Busan remained silent, listening to Leo loudly recount their past ridiculous escapades, watching Lucifer and Demogor compete over who could drink more, and listening to Lilian's ethereal, pure singing.
He knew he should smile, respond, and blend into this lively clamor.
Yet the laughter, the firelight, and even the figures around him all felt as if they were shrouded behind a layer of transparent mist.
Ning Busan pinched the bridge of his nose.
He couldn't feel any warmth.
Yes, warmth...
“Louis, why aren't you speaking?” Leo waved a hand in front of his eyes. “What are you dazing off for?”
Ning Busan looked up. “I'm fine.”
Lucifer and Demogor set down their cups at the same time, sizing Ning Busan up as if they too had sensed his change.
Leo said thoughtfully, “To repair the barrier of the Landia Continent, you must have used all your power. Are you being affected by your divinity?”
Lucifer looked at Ning Busan and said in a deep voice, “No matter what happens, we are here.”
Demogor added, “Even if you are stronger than your big brother now, your big brother can definitely still do something to help you.”
Surrounded by them, a genuine smile finally spread across Ning Busan's face.
“I'm just a bit tired from the heavy exertion. Why is everyone staring at me like that?” Ning Busan raised his cup. “Keep going!”
“Keep going it is! None of you can match me when it comes to drinking!” As Leo clinked his cup with Ning Busan's, he casually stuffed Lobao into Ning Busan's arms. “Take care of your own son.”
Lobao squatted in Ning Busan's palm, his watery eyes staring unblinkingly at him. “I'm very good!”
Ning Busan's breath hitched, his heart nearly melting from the sheer cuteness.
Who on earth taught him to act so spoiled?
The bonfire blazed high, crackling and popping.
The flames swept over everything, even heating the surrounding air to a scorching temperature.
...
Ning Busan returned to his sea of consciousness.
The divinity was only temporarily suppressed, not defeated. Instead, it had begun to pollute the Lock of Causality.
Silver light flowed backward along the blood-red threads, attempting to silently erode Ning Busan's humanity.
“As long as you use your power, you will inevitably draw upon the godhead,” the divinity said impassively. “The Lock of Causality can suppress me for you, but you will ultimately be affected by me.”
Ning Busan said calmly, “You are affecting me, but who is to say I am not affecting you as well?”
The divinity of the Silver-Crowned God was indeed affecting him, trying to sever his ties with the mortal world piece by piece, forcing him to become an absolute, selfless, and perfect god.
But the influence was mutual.
Ning Busan admitted that he was someone whose emotions were relatively placid.
His need for social interaction was not particularly high either. Although he had a strong capacity for empathy, he was not easily ruled by emotions, preferring to analyze problems rationally instead.
Rarely did anything leave a deep, indelible mark on his heart, and seldom did anything make him feel overwhelming joy or sorrow.
But when it came to the people or things he cared about, he would never back down even half a step.
That was his anchor.
Ning Busan said, “I have already repaired the barrier of the Landia Continent, so I will not absorb this final godhead fragment.”
“Let it end here.”
The divinity's voice was as flat as a pool of stagnant water. “If the barrier were useful, how would I have fallen back then?”
“Without absorbing the final godhead fragment, you will not be able to protect those you wish to protect.”
“Ning Busan, you will choose to become me of your own accord.”
Rate on N.U.
