Chapter 1020: Weng Falos 3.0 (66)

A few people pretended they hadn't heard anything, everything continued as usual. After the three arrived at a corner, they held their breath and focused, waiting for the person behind them to approach, and then…

Just as the weapons merchant bent down to pick up a corpse's weapon on the ground, GeNaiwuSi's longsword had silently slipped to the spot of his throat.

"Ah?!!"

The weapons merchant's face turned instantly as pale as paper, his legs went weak and collapsed to the ground, scrambling desperately to move backward.

"... No wonder the weapons you sell have a scent of blood."

The merchant was so frightened he trembled, unable to speak clearly, stammering: "Uh, uh… that… three brave warriors, I can explain! Look, I…"

GeNaiwuSi did not intend to hear his explanation, but gripped his sword and stepped closer: "You despicable scavenger, like a dog‑rat… let me take you to see Senatos, thief."

"No!! Stop—"

At the critical moment, Xia Die swiftly stepped forward, raising a hand to block GeNaiwuSi's sword edge.

"That's wrong. Please… let him go."

"…" GeNaiwuSi did not withdraw, but let out a soft sigh, "Look back at those shattered corpses, girl— you can kill those warriors without hesitation, yet you pity this filthy dog‑rat? Give me an explanation… prove you are not as foolish as that rabble."

"Because… he still fears death. Though despicable and filthy, his crime does not merit death; he should not become a sacrifice to the Hand of Gray Darkness." Xia Die glanced back at the trembling man behind her, "It is the most terrifying darkness in the world; if allowed to grow… all light will be devoured."

——

Overlord.

"Just because you clean up battlefield relics you deserve the death penalty? That's far too harsh…"

Among the lizardfolk, it is common for tribes to clean battlefields, and those who wish to make a living from it are not considered unacceptable. In Kou Er Xiu's view, the armor and weapons on the dead can no longer be used; if they can be handed to the living—and bring new vitality to the living lizardfolk—that would also be a blessing.

As long as the battlefield cleaner does not commit "killing compatriots for battlefield relics", she sees no problem with it.

"Even if he must be punished, it shouldn't be the death penalty, right?"

"No, Kou Er Xiu, I'm afraid GeNaiwuSi is viewing him from the perspective of the Xuanfengcheng people," Salus suddenly spoke, "For a nation that glorifies dying in battle, slaughter, and conquest, this human merchant's actions have already tarnished Xuanfengcheng's honor. This way of shunning the battlefield and surviving only by cleaning relics should be… a perverse path? In short, it displeased GeNaiwuSi."

"According to the Xuanfengcheng's punitive method, they'd probably toss him a sword, encourage a one‑on‑one duel—and then kill the opponent. If this merchant were born in Aohema, that city‑state that does not live by killing and combat, he might survive. To be in Xuanfengcheng yet dare not draw a weapon is simply impossible."

——

"After much deliberation, GeNaiwuSi ultimately let the merchant go."

"Thank you for sparing me, Lord GeNaiwuSi."

GeNaiwuSi turned away: "Don't misunderstand. This is merely a commendation of your courage, not an endorsement of your theory. By your account, in that instant… you must have overcome tremendous fear to dare stand before my sword."

After solving some puzzles, the three successfully entered the room of the golden lion head. Upon seeing them, the lion head continuously called out: "Hero… hero. Come forward, come forward… you might… be Xuanfengcheng's salvation…"

"Hero… hero! Come closer… let me see you clearly…"

"…Hmm." GeNaiwuSi lifted his head, "Are you summoning me, Shizi?"

The aged Shizi emitted an ancient voice: "That's right… that's right. The aura around you… I haven't seen such a scorching soul in ages. Xuanfengcheng's hottest meteor has already left us… what's left is a cluster of candles that could extinguish at any moment."

The star leaned toward Xia Die: "The hottest meteor… refers to Wandi?"

Xia Die whispered softly: "I think… yes."

"The aged and senile king, secretly plotting an unspeakable plan… they intend to defile Nicadoli's divinity, its soul, and the legacy it left to Xuanfengcheng. We need salvation… we need a hero to bring us hope."

GeNaiwuSi calmly shook his head: "…I'm not here to save anyone, old Shizi. I came only to answer the summons… to crush stupidity and greed."

"Perhaps… that is exactly what we urgently need. Advance, hero… answer the summons. I am aged… weary… but I will see you off, chanting an invincible prayer for you…"

"Lord GeNaiwuSi, the summons you heard…" Xia Die began to say but stopped.

"It comes from deep within this city. It's close… now it whispers almost in my ear."

——

Dragon race.

"I think I understand the core logic behind holding this ceremony," Caesar's mouth curled into a cold smile, "Do you remember what we learned in history class at Cassel Academy? Ancient dragon civilization also held similar ceremonies."

"You're referring to Section Twelve of the 'Dragon Race Compendium·Festival Chapter'," Chu Zihang said expressionlessly, "All trial participants are observed for mutual devouring, the strongest are chosen, and offered to the throne."

"... Seems you paid attention in class," Caesar raised an eyebrow.

Chu Zihang ignored the comment. His gaze returned to the heavens, where the stars and Xia Die and the others were preparing to pass through the next great gate; according to the terrain Bai E and their party had traversed, behind that gate lay countless Dispute Titan minions.

"However, the essence of the dragon ceremony is selection, selecting extensions of the Dragon King's will. Do you mean the purpose of this ceremony is also selection?"

"Hmm." Caesar paused, "My guess is that King Oulipang also wants to kill the Dispute Titans, but he and Wandi have diverged in their routes. Wandi believes killing the Dispute Titans is the duty of the Golden‑blooded, unrelated to ordinary people. But King Oulipang wants to form a team capable of killing Nicadoli by selecting ordinary people—provided they must defeat the Heaven's Punishment Vanguard. This selection is extremely bloody, a folly…"