Chapter 63: Eternal Resolve: A Journey of Hope and Faith

"Are you okay, cousin? Come on, hang in there, we're almost home!" "Steel Dragon" Ryujin Tetsu tried to assist "Demon Dragon" Kamui in moving. Kamui had taken all the damage from the strikes of "The Thunderous Phoenix King" (the most powerful combat form of Kurogami Masayuki). Kamui's body was covered in severe wounds caused by the electrically charged magic of Kurogami Masayuki's thunder. Kamui was half unconscious, half-conscious. His body was in excruciating pain. Now he was extremely exhausted; he couldn't even move a finger.

"Dear cousin, I am about to bid you farewell to journey to the dragon's graveyard, am I not, 'Steel Dragon' Ryujin Tetsu?" From Kamui's lips came a faint sound, the voice of one who beheld the gates of the dragon's resting place; the gates loomed before him, expanding right before his eyes.

"Cousin, don't be pessimistic! You haven't bid me farewell yet; we still have to succeed in this rebellion. And then, our dragon clan will rule all three worlds!"

"Is that so, my cousin?"

"I will crush anyone who stands in our way to make that vision a reality! So you must hang in there, my cousin! As long as we reach the dragon's den, all your wounds will be healed. Therefore, you must persevere, my cousin!"

"But Ryujin Tetsu, my cousin, I feel unwell! My whole body aches from the serious injuries caused by the high-voltage electric shock from Kurogami Masayuki's thunder. Perhaps I won't be able to endure much longer."

"Kurogami Masayuki, Snow Sky-Dog, Mizuchi Haruka, now I understand why the most powerful deity in the God Academy decided to choose them as direct apprentices to be trained. Because they are too powerful. I hate to admit it, but the truth is their strength doesn't just come from the terrifying magical power they possess; it also comes from their will, determination, and effort. If the Water God of the Gods' Academy allowed me to enter the challenge room to face the test of spiritual strength there to receive another magical power system, I am sure I would fail. And I would be mercilessly destroyed by my strongest enemy, the one whom the deity summoned in that room, to annihilate me without mercy. They passed the challenge in that room to receive another magical power system; if you explain this fundamentally, it is because their hearts are filled with goodness and belief in righteousness; that's why they passed that dreadful test. I hate them very much, but I have to admit that they are our opposites. We are cruel gods, accustomed to bullying weaker beings from century to century; while they are righteous-serving gods - they defeat the cruel bullies who prey on the weak. They train in magic after us, but I'm sure they will defeat gods like us from century to century. But, my cousin, don't worry, 'Steel Dragon' Ryujin Tetsu here is an extremely cunning god, and then the three of them will pay for daring to confront us."

"Cousin, are you lecturing philosophy to me? Please stop talking, you give me a headache!"

"Haha, my cousin, perhaps you're right! Instead of saying nonsense, why don't we focus on overcoming the immediate difficulties? That's the only way we can move forward and face the challenges ahead. Trust in our inner strength, and we will overcome everything!"

Ryujin Tetsu tried to comfort Kamui, but in his heart, he couldn't help but worry. They were approaching the dragon's house, where Kamui's wounds could be healed, but could they get there safely?

As they walked, strong winds hit their faces, as a warning of the difficult future. Ryujin Tetsu looked forward with determination in his eyes, ready to face any challenge.

"We're almost there, cousin. Hang in there!" Ryujin Tetsu shouted as if trying to boost Kamui's morale and his own.

But can they overcome the challenges ahead, or will they succumb to the trials of fate? The answer lies within each of them: the "Steel Dragon" Ryujin Tetsu and the "Demon Dragon" Kamui.

At the God Academy

"Is this magical item called the 'Hand of Asura,' my three outstanding disciples?" The Water God of the Gods' Academy, the mentor of Snow Sky-Dog, Kurogami Masayuki, and Mizuchi Haruka, asked them.

"Yes, indeed, there it is, the fourth magical artifact we've encountered many challenges to retrieve, our esteemed mentor!" Snow Sky-Dog, representing the other two gods standing beside him, replied to their mentor's question.

Suddenly their mentor looked intently at Mizuchi Haruka with a gaze full of hope and seriousness.

"Mizuchi Haruka, among my three directly trained apprentices, only you haven't yet acquired a new magical power system. Do you want to enter the 'Challenge Room' to face your greatest fear, conquer it, and receive a more powerful magical power system than the one you currently possess?"

"But mentor, I fear I won't be able to pass that terrifying test!"

"Oh, Mizuchi Haruka, you are stronger than you think! I have underestimated the abilities, qualities, and virtues of all three of you. For you, passing that test is entirely feasible! Mizuchi Haruka, think about it, Snow Sky-Dog and Kurogami Masayuki already have magical powers that counteract Ryujin Tetsu's, leaving only you without such power. Mizuchi Haruka, answer me, do you want to burden your team?"

Mizuchi Haruka felt extremely embarrassed by her mentor's question.

"Yes, mentor, the disciple accepts your challenge!"

"Excellent, that's what a directly trained apprentice of mine should be like! Now all three of you rest; Mizuchi Haruka's challenge will begin next week. As for Snow Sky-Dog, a whole week of leisure is a precious time for you to date and gather information from Seraphina Frostwind about the next magical items we need to retrieve! So you must look handsome and your words must be as sweet as honey because women like sweet words. Hang in there, Snow Sky-Dog!"

Mizuchi Haruka's face tightened with discomfort; she thought:

"Hmm, our mentor also likes to take advantage of women like Snow Sky-Dog. This makes me extremely uncomfortable."

Back to the challenging journey of Ryujin Tetsu and Kamui

The footsteps of Ryujin Tetsu and Kamui continued on the path full of thorns of fate, where hope and fear were always intertwined. Ryujin Tetsu still tried to encourage Kamui, but in his heart, he couldn't help but worry. For every god, the challenges of fate are an endless story, an incessant battle.

They marched through the fierce wind, but their breaths remained resolute and determined. It was time for them to face the difficulties of the journey, not only physically but also mentally. Because this battle is not just a struggle between strength and weakness, but also between evil and good, between strong wills and sudden fears.

In the darkness of the struggle, Ryujin Tetsu and Kamui could not foresee the outcome. But they never stopped believing in themselves and each other, hoping to overcome every challenge and return safely to the dragon's home.

And under the dim light of the emerging house, they felt the warmth of hope and faith. Because that house is not only a place to heal physical wounds but also to nurture the spirit, a place to derive strength from suffering.

But can they overcome the obstacles ahead, or will they be caught in the whirlpool of fate, only time can answer. What matters is that in this struggle, they never stand still but always move forward with boundless faith and determination. That is the secret to overcoming all difficulties, to prove the power of the heart and will. Unfortunately, the power of this heart and will carries a dark aspect of unjustified hatred small, selfish desires, and condemnable ambitions.