Chapter 434: 428. Risking the Jeep

(For the reader's experience, White Toregia is abbreviated as 【Bai Tuo 】, and Dark Toregia as 【Black Tuo 】.)

Under the watchful eyes of all, Black Tuo began his self-introduction.

"My name is Toregia. I am twelve thousand years old, having come to this universe from another timeline."

"I grew up alongside a Ultraman named Taro, our closest friend—we studied together, adventured across the cosmos…"

"But when we grew older, he passed the Cosmic Defense Force's trials, while I failed. He left me behind. Hah."

"Since then, I've learned much from the Cosmic Science and Technology Bureau, uncovering numerous 'truths'…"

As Bai Tuo listened to Black Tuo 's account, his inner shock deepened.

His past was identical to his own.

Is he another version of me?

Then, Black Tuo began speaking of the "future."

Black Tuo: "After leaving the Land of Light, I came to the cosmic ruin Borges. I broke its seal, unleashing the 【Great Evil God】, who had existed since before the universe itself."

"I sealed the evil god inside my Color Timer, using it as my power source."

"This world is full of contradictions. There is no day or night, no good or evil in the cosmos—only vacuum and bottomless void."

"Neither light nor darkness holds value. Only chaos is eternal."

"Since Taro seeks to uphold light, I will exhaust darkness. One day, we will reach the same destination…"

Bai Tuo grew more alarmed with every word.

These thoughts—he had held them too.

He truly is my parallel timeline counterpart. We share the same essence!

Hikari: "The Great Evil God—you actually draw power from the Great Evil God!"

The Toregia before them was an enemy terrifyingly powerful.

Black Tuo was pleased with their shock: "Regrettable, isn't it? When Belial just fell, you must have thought you'd won."

"Did you think things would unfold exactly as you planned? Unfortunately, many things are far more complicated than you imagine."

With that, Black Tuo unleashed a vast wave of dark energy, causing Belial's wounds to heal rapidly.

Then, Toregia spoke in a gentle tone:

"Belial, do you know why I helped you escape? Because your story led me down this path. We are the same kind."

"Why cling to memories destined to be forgotten? Why not forge a brand-new future?"

"After destroying the Land of Light, you, as the Galactic King, will establish a new order. Where evil overpowers justice, evil becomes the new justice."

"At that time, everything will be inverted. Morality and honor will be reversed. What you do will be the most righteous act."

"That future is within reach. Why cling to the past?"

This was the "chaos" he desired: for Belial to establish a "Dark Kingdom" replacing the "Land of Light," thereby negating light and bonds.

Imaginary Saiwen: "We won't let you succeed!"

Toregia smiled gently, with contempt: "Unfortunately, you lack the power to stop me."

Belial grew more convinced: "You speak well, fellow. Far better than those hollow-tongued fools in the Land of Light."

Black Tuo: "Thank you for the compliment."

At that moment, Black Tuo extended a hand toward Bai Tuo:

"You are my past. I am your future. Whether in heaven or hell, we will walk this path."

"Come to me. Chaos is your final destination…"

After hearing this, Bai Tuo 's eyes grew even more confused.

Is this… the future I am destined to reach…?

The next instant, the brilliant Eclipse Blade struck Toregia's arm.

"That stings. Interrupting someone mid-speech is impolite." Toregia turned to Eclipse Gao Si, whose Color Timer had begun flashing.

One reason: the high-frequency attacks on Belial and continuous use of finishers had drained energy. Another: residual effects from Toregia's earlier 【Palm Lightning】.

Qi Ming, seeing Toregia unharmed despite being struck by the Eclipse Blade's finisher, immediately understood the gap between them.

Toregia, whose Color Timer contained the 【Great Evil God】, was too strong. Eclipse Gao Si had no chance of victory.

If the gap between Eclipse Gao Si and Belial was "one major realm," the gap between Eclipse Gao Si and Toregia was "two major realms."

Most xianxia protagonists dare not challenge two realms above. Not even Eclipse Gao Si—nor even Ultraman Orb's strongest form, 【Triune】, would stand a chance.

But Qi Ming was not alarmed. He had already devised a strategy.

Now, he must refute Black Tuo 's twisted logic, lest Bai Tuo be swayed.

Qi Ming unleashed his full force: "You're the one being impolite. You're rotten yourself, and now you want to drag others down with you."

"Don't you see the contradiction in your words? You claim light and darkness have no value, yet you seek to exhaust darkness."

"Perhaps you call it 'chaos'? But to me, it's just illogical rambling—funnier still, since you're a scientist."

"In truth, it all stems from your inferiority after losing to Taro. You chose the shortcut: surrendering to darkness."

"I'm not surprised you stand with Belial—you're both failures."

"A failure should stop using vague terms like 'chaos' to justify himself."

Black Tuo 's tone turned low and dangerous: "Oh? You seem to understand a lot."

Qi Ming leapt forward, appearing before Bai Tuo and clapping his shoulder:

"Toregia is Toregia. Taro never wanted his closest friend to become his shadow. He doesn't want a subordinate—he wants a true comrade."

"He will live his own life, standing beside Taro with his own glory, upright and proud."

"If Toregia seeks answers to his curiosity, we, his comrades, will accompany him to find them."

"If Toregia wishes to grow stronger, to fight shoulder to shoulder with Taro, we, his comrades, will help him—guide him onto the right path to fulfill his wish."

Hearing Qi Ming's resolute words, Bai Tuo 's tone changed: "Mr. Qi Ming…"

At this moment, the aura radiating from Qi Ming reminded him of Taro.

Radiant like the sun, illuminating all darkness and insignificance, filling one with warmth…

Qi Ming continued: "Toregia, when we return, I will personally train you to awaken your potential."

"I'll risk the life of my Jeep to make you stronger! If the Jeep isn't enough, we'll bring in a road roller!"

Bai Tuo nodded firmly: "Yes!"

From his tone, Bai Tuo sensed Qi Ming's unshakable confidence.

This Earthman, so powerful he inspired awe, truly intended to teach him the secrets of strength.

But what were Jeep and road roller? Training equipment? Whatever—it could wait. He looked forward to seeing.

Seeing Bai Tuo turn toward Qi Ming, Black Tuo 's tone grew even more dangerous: "Flowery words are easy to speak. Let me show you firsthand—the instant light turns to darkness."

Imaginary Saiwen: "What are you planning?!"

Black Tuo smirked: "You just used the 'Final Light,' guarded by Ultraman Father, didn't you? Too bad—I added something to it. Hope and despair hang by a thread."

With that, he clenched his right hand, ready to activate the dark force: "Become my puppet!"

But nothing happened.

The dark energy he'd slipped in had already been extracted by Qi Ming.

But Toregia didn't know this. He was bewildered.

"Huh… what's going on? What happened?" Toregia grew more confused.

Hikari: "So that black mist was your doing…"

Orb: "Your trick was already exposed by Senior Qi Ming!"

Qi Ming returned his own words: "Did you think things would unfold exactly as you planned? Unfortunately, many things are far more complicated than you imagine."

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I'm almost hypoglycemic, dizzy, and my head feels like it's smoking.

These two thousand five hundred characters were harder to write than ten thousand under normal circumstances—this kind of ideological clash and tone control is the hardest.

Tomorrow's update may come early, likely at midnight.

(End of Chapter)