Chapter 80: The Lord Ravager, Zephyro~

Tingyun said in a tone both teasing and resentful as she looked at Godzilla.

She hadn't even gone home yet, and this guy already had a whole vacation there.

And he'd stayed there that long? Was the Scalegorge Waterscape really that great?

She remembered it being a lifeless place.

Didn't it suffer some kind of disaster long ago?

--------------------------

The coming and going of Godzilla is a topic of great interest to many.

Some are happy, some are worried.

Jarilo is among the happy ones.

A hundred kilometers outside Belobog, Gepard was patrolling as usual. The surrounding trees began to rustle, their leaves and the forest birds singing loudly in dissonance.

The animals that had scattered due to their arrival, rabbits, foxes, and the like, all paused and looked toward the direction of that familiar aura. The forest was offering its praise in its own unique way for the return of its king.

"This phenomenon is...?" Yanqing looked around in interest; he had never seen such a lively scene aboard the Xianzhou.

"Serval messaged me, said Lord Godzilla has returned. The area should be welcoming him."

Gepard put down his phone, equally amazed. But unlike Yanqing, he had witnessed this planet's transformation from desolate ice and snow to a vibrant spring. His ability to accept such phenomena was much stronger.

"How amazing. I think even someone deeply mired in the Path of Abundance couldn't achieve this," Yanqing said in wonder.

Everyone says flowers, grass, and trees are living beings, but their status in nature is rather awkward.

Being everywhere has also made them less noticeable. Few people truly pay attention to these ever-growing lives.

After admiring the scene for a moment, Gepard said, "Let's finish the mission quickly, maybe Serval will cook something nice once we're back."

"Mm." Yanqing nodded, his hands naturally moving to his sword, gaze resolute.

After growing during this time, he had fully absorbed his past experiences. Soon, he would challenge Godzilla again, a crucial step toward becoming the Sword Champion!

...

But some people weren't in a great mood.

"Well, looks like our outcome isn't so pretty, not even the time's on our side."

Herta waved her hand, helplessly.

Her words didn't affect Ruan Mei, who was carefully observing the lifeforms that had grown under adversity. In her eyes, these lives shone brightly: "Even the smallest things have their uniqueness; life blooms everywhere."

Herta curled her lips. Easier said than done. If it weren't for you, how could that guy have returned so soon?

The shadow of the massive ore mountain shifted with the sun's movement, and now half of it was cast on Herta.

Although Godzilla's departure was a bit unexpected, Herta still had a lot of valuable stones in that place.

This possibility was enough to make her, a top genius of the universe, stay.

As long as nothing unexpected happened.

...

"A life cultivation facility?" Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow. In front of him, Ruan Mei slightly nodded.

"Used for experiments and research on the growth habits of plants within the Scalegorge Waterscape and their applications in life sciences. Research takes time and precision."

Jing Yuan waved his hand, looking helpless: "These brain-twisting terms aren't really my thing. But if it's just a facility, Luofu can provide one. Anything else?"

Ruan Mei shook her head lightly: "If the General could allow me access to the alchemical archives, that would be even better."

Access to the archives...

To be honest, Jing Yuan wasn't sure what use those medical texts in the Alchemy Division would be to Ruan Mei, a top-tier life science expert.

Maybe it was a matter of cross-disciplinary knowledge?

Even as the General, there wasn't much he could do.

He nodded and said:

"Of course. I'll inform the Alchemy Division. As for the experimental site, how about we place it there? It's close to the Scalegorge Waterscape, and they often need to test medicines, plus, there's space."

Ruan Mei had no objections.

The Alchemy Division was also her ideal location, it was geographically the most suitable.

...

All things returned to stillness.

Tingyun, as usual, was lying with Godzilla, only Godzilla lay on the mattress, and she lay on her favorite floor mat.

Both had tails, and combined with their posture, Serval had often nearly mistaken them for relatives; a big one and a tiny one.

...

"Hahaha, greedy glutton, I can't believe you came back! Oh, look what I found, a little one who worships Nanook. A big guy grabbing a little one, now that's fun!"

A familiar voice echoed in the dream. Godzilla, who was also asleep in the dream, slowly opened his eyes, his cold vertical pupils staring at the mask almost pressed against his face.

"Roar~~" Godzilla let out a low greeting growl.

This time was similar to before, he didn't conceal his dream signal. Anyone who could catch that signal could enter. Of course, Aha wasn't someone who played by the rules.

As is known, when two dreamscapes connect, the surroundings of one become visible to the other.

Godzilla noticed the neon lights around Aha, clearly, this guy was partying somewhere again.

What a pity.

Godzilla flicked his tail.

If only Aha were on a planet rich in energy minerals, then after locking the coordinates, he'd gain another canteen.

'So, what do you want from me?' "Rooaaar"

"Don't rush, glutton. This is something super fun. Haven't seen such good fun in a long time!"

Aha spoke with a voice that carried an indescribable electronic tone.

"The idiots from Destruction are heading toward the Territory of the Hunt. They're about to crash! And they've broken quite a few Preservation things on the way, this is just too much fun!" Aha laughed wildly again.

After laughing, he looked at Godzilla and said with a voice always tinged with amusement:

"And your territory is right along their path. Very close, very close!"

"Glutton, Hunt, Destruction, Preservation, ahahaha... Looks like something interesting's coming."

Ignoring the penetrating laughter, Godzilla finally understood what Aha meant.

'The Antimatter Legion, is it here for this guy?'

His tail brought something before his eyes, this was the dream realm, so naturally, the six-cornered bronze vessel that imprisoned Phantylia appeared as well, lifted by his tail.

Of course, Phantylia herself wasn't present.

'So, which one is it?' Godzilla looked inquisitively at Aha, who was still amused.

"Which one? Hmm ~~~ a very, very hot one."

...

Very, very hot.

Godzilla opened his eyes in reality, and Aha was kicked out by him because his laughter never stops. Of course, maybe he just wanted to see how he would fare under that laughter.

The Lord Ravager Scorching Flare was extremely hot, and that area might have been turned into elemental wind. 

[T / N : Lord Ravager is another title for the Destruction Emanators under Nanook's command. ]

After all, this Emanator of Destruction is one of the vanguards at the forefront of destruction.

Celenova is the vanguard general closest to Nanook, but Zephyro is the one who has carried out the most destruction alone.

If there's something to destroy somewhere, Zephyro will definitely be the first to rush in.

According to Aha, this Emanator of Destruction is on his way to Jarilo. Oh, considering that Phantylia was captured on the Xianzhou Luofu and Luofu wouldn't publicize his whereabouts,

Zephyro's real target is Luofu.

This really isn't good news.

His tail swayed leisurely. Although he was about to face a Emanator of Destruction, not someone like Phantylia who was strong on a spiritual level, but a force for direct confrontation,

Godzilla wasn't worried.

The one thing he's least afraid of is a head-on fight.

Too bad Zephyro isn't an energy being like Phantylia; otherwise, he could have given Phantylia company.

The tip of his tail reached his right claw and poked at the hexagonal bronze vessel placed below.

"Jingle jingle."

A pleasant bell sound rang out as two golden delicate bells chimed. These were decorations added by Tingyun, and it proved that the fox girl had excellent taste.

...

Just as Aha said, the fiery Emanator of destruction was advancing on the Xianzhou Luofu with unstoppable might.

The life-bearing planets along the way were wiped out under the might of the legion. Only a few Pathstriders who worshipped the path of destruction and Nanook were spared and joined the legion, contributing to the universe's demise.

"The Antimatter Legion. Logic: Based on current clues, it should be the Emanator of Destruction Zephyro."

A planet just ravaged by destruction welcomed its first post-mortem visitor.

Screwllum stepped forward, looked over the boundless desolate plain, bent slightly, and gazed at the scorched earth below, a sign left by the intense burning.

Screwllum remembered this planet, Philin Solar System's eighth life-bearing planet, Philin-8.

Now, all life on the planet had vanished, becoming nourishment for destruction.

"Direction of advance, Jarilo-VI? No, it's Xianzhou Luofu."

After a cautious moment of analysis, Screwllum re-entered his spacecraft, which then accelerated past normal limits and disappeared into the starry sea after a single warp.

...

"Hey hey hey, leave a message if needed... Screwllum? What are you so anxious about?"

Thinking it was another invitation to give a lecture, Herta looked at the familiar mechanical face on her phone and instinctively asked.

After briefly explaining his findings, Screwllum concluded:

"Conclusion: Zephyro is coming for Phantylia. The target is the Xianzhou Luofu."

Screwllum had already told Herta about Phantylia. After all, capturing an Emanator of Destruction alive was a big deal.

It was just like hundreds of years ago, when the Xianzhou Alliance fought the Abundance Emanator Shuhu, an earthshaking battle that ended in a costly victory.

But the victory bore sweet fruit.

In the Alliance's later development, aside from old rivals like Destruction, Abundance, few could impede their progress.

They truly built a reputation.

"Ugh, are those guys really that close? Why didn't I know?" Hearing it was The Antimatter Legion attacking, Herta immediately showed a look of annoyance.

"Whatever, I'll inform them later. Tell them to stay alert. As for making one side retreat? Forget it. These two factions are both so stubborn. When Hunt and Destruction clash, there's no chance of a peaceful end."

Herta shook her head helplessly.

What a mess.

Screwllum gave a slight nod and ignored the latter part of Herta's words.

...

Soon, the news of Zephyro racing through the cosmos reached Jing Yuan.

"That's how it is," Herta concluded.

"Thank you, Ms. Herta, for the intel. The Xianzhou will be on guard," Jing Yuan replied with a slight smile.

He wasn't surprised at the Anti-Matter Legion's actions. Lord Ravagers are essentially the face of Destruction.

Even if the Aeons themselves don't care, their followers certainly do.

And one of their Lord Ravager had been captured alive.

As a militant force of the universe, the Xianzhou deeply understood this sentiment, dying in battle was better than being captured.

They placed heavy importance on retrieving captured individuals.

But The Antimatter Legion didn't care for such things. Jing Yuan could already imagine how Phantylia would be ridiculed by her colleagues if she were actually rescued.

After all, the chaos caused by Shuhu dealt a major blow to the Alliance, and now a fellow Emanator gets captured alive? Doesn't that make Destruction seem weaker than Abundance?

Both being Emanators, if Phantylia really returned, she would become the laughingstock of The Antimatter Legion.

Herta didn't linger. She had only come to deliver the message. Her time was precious, she wouldn't waste it chatting with a slacker general.

Herta's total lack of restraint made Jing Yuan shake his head.

Alright then.

Seems the rumors about her being eccentric weren't false. Maybe that's a common trait among geniuses, they're always a bit unusual.

Just like the a certain library manager, clearly a genius, but always daydreaming and playing cards.

Stroking his chin, Jing Yuan found himself missing the days when Qingque was still around.

At least in terms of paperwork, Qingque was more reliable than most.

What a pity.

...

"Um, are you sure this thing is safe? I'm not questioning your research, just… maybe we could test it on some small animals first before human trials? What do you think?"

At that very moment, the Qingque Jing Yuan missed was facing the most important decision of her life.

She swallowed hard and forced a smile, looking obsequiously at Ruan Mei.

"Don't worry. I've resolved all prior issues. Just follow my instructions, alright, dear?"

Dear? Don't call me that so intimately!

Even calling me mom wouldn't help!

Reflected in the puddle at her feet, Qingque's expression was unexpectedly rich.

Shrinking, fearful, and wanting to die.

Even worse than getting caught by the Master Diviner sneaking off to play cards.

She once had a chance and didn't cherish it. If time could turn back, she'd say:

"NOOOO!!!"

Just two meters ahead, a bizarre-looking plant was eyeing Qingque.

Yes, eyeing.

It had two eyes like boiled white fish eyes, and it had broken free of the ground, standing upright.

As it swayed, it emitted a creaking noise.

"?"

Noticing Qingque's fear, it tilted its head and opened a jagged 'mouth' toward her.

This horrifying scene made Qingque stop breathing and fall backward with a thud,

Right into unconsciousness.

Ruan Mei meticulously recorded in her notebook:

[Suspected to possess mental pressure abilities]

...

Divination Commission.

Two figures, one tall, one short, stood opposite each other.

"Destruction, Zephyro,"

Fu Xuan frowned, her eyes full of anxiety.

"General, this time we truly need reinforcements."

Fu Xuan knew this wasn't someone like Phantylia.

Phantylia specialized in mental attacks. As long as they prepared, Xianzhou was confident in dealing with her, as long as she didn't bring the whole legion.

But Zephyro? His own strength aside, he certainly wouldn't come alone to rescue Phantylia. His ever-present legion would be there.

That meant another great war.

The Xianzhou and the Antimatter Legion hadn't fought in a while.

But that didn't mean the Alliance feared them. If they dared to invade, the Xianzhou Alliance would show them why they rose so fast during the Ancient Era!

"I'm afraid the others won't make it in time. I suspect only Yaoqing might arrive eventually."

Jing Yuan analyzed.

The war thirty years ago had left the both the alliance and the Luofu heavily wounded. Other Xianzhou ships were in better shape, but Yaoqing was different, Arbiter-General Feixiao was never one to sit still.

Still, even if two ships battled the Legion, victory was uncertain.

But having Yaoqing's help would give them the edge.

"General, what if we invite Godzilla to join the battle?" Fu Xuan's eyes lit up.

"That's a possibility. We'll need to think it through," Jing Yuan nodded.

"In fact, this could be a good chance to hold a grand martial arts tournament." Jing Yuan mused.

With some time before Zephyro's arrival, this event might become the grandest martial arts festival in years.