Chapter 148: "Twilight" and "Dawn"

In an alternate-dimensional space—Hero Faction's temporary base.

"Zheng—"

A red glow appeared along with the magic circle, transferring Kaiser here.

Kaiser raised his head, observing this space filled with mist, and after a while, turned his gaze toward a distant mountain.

There, an aura remained concealed yet distinct, fluctuating slowly and steadily, like a quietly burning campfire in the wilderness—although not fierce, it remained conspicuous.

Kaiser narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, directly walking toward that mountain.

He wasn't in a hurry, walking slowly, taking nearly three or four hours before finally arriving at the mountain's summit.

"Rumble..."

A waterfall appeared in front of Kaiser. Beneath the waterfall was a large lake, surrounded either by cliffs or forests. The scenery was quite pleasant, giving off a feeling like a secluded paradise, resembling a landscape painting colored by dyes.

Cao Cao stood beneath that waterfall, bearing the impact of the cascading water, his whole body drenched.

"What a rare visitor."

While enduring the force of the water with closed eyes, Cao Cao spoke the moment Kaiser approached, as though clearly seeing everything despite his eyes being shut.

"I thought you would never return here again, Kaiser."

As he spoke, Cao Cao stepped out from beneath the waterfall, opened his wet eyelids, and grasped his spear. He looked just like a martial artist undergoing rigorous training, every movement naturally exuding a carefree and unrestrained aura.

"So you're training." Kaiser ignored Cao Cao's teasing and glanced at him, saying, "I thought highly technical warriors like you would usually only hone their skills, not physically train their bodies."

"It sounds like you're joking," Cao Cao replied dismissively as he walked to the lakeside, picking up a towel from a rock. Wiping his hair, he said lightly, "Even those who emphasize technique must spend time training their bodies. Otherwise, how can they wield heavy weapons?"

"Whether swinging a sword, a blade, or a spear, one needs to rely on the physical body and consume stamina."

"The same is true for Sacred Gears; each use consumes stamina and aura, especially Balance Breaker, which particularly requires these as fuel."

"If one doesn't prioritize physical training, then even if one masters the Sacred Gear's power to perfection, what good would it do?"

After drying his hair, Cao Cao didn't bother drying his body any further, immediately putting on his clothes.

"In this regard, you've done better than anyone else. After all, you've even cultivated Touki without learning Senjutsu or any other system that manipulates energy. You've surely undergone extensive training, honing your body enough to rival Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, and other supernatural beings."

Having finished dressing, Cao Cao returned to his usual appearance as a young man in traditional Han clothing. Holding his spear on his shoulder, he smiled at Kaiser.

"I'm definitely inferior to you in this aspect. But since I don't want to fall too far behind, I can only spend more time training."

These words were clearly something Cao Cao would say only because he regarded Kaiser as a rival.

Kaiser didn't respond to this remark and instead directed his gaze toward the spear in Cao Cao's hand.

The spear hadn't changed since before. Whether in appearance or impression, it closely resembled Kaiser's Holy Spear.

Especially that sacred aura—no matter how much Cao Cao tried to hide it, it couldn't be concealed completely.

"Now can you properly tell me about that spear?"

Kaiser's words caused Cao Cao's eyebrows to slightly raise.

"So that's what you're here for," Cao Cao said with a half-smile. "Judging from your look, you seem to already have an idea about this spear's origin."

"More or less," Kaiser said calmly. "That spear probably didn't look like this before, did it?"

Hearing this, Cao Cao chuckled and said,

"Have you ever heard of the Sacred Gear called 'Moon Spear'?"

Moon Spear.

Actually, Kaiser indeed had heard of it.

When the idea of using lower-ranked Sacred Gears as materials for crafting Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing arose, Kaiser had investigated the various existing lower-ranked Sacred Gears through channels like the Hero Faction and Kuroka.

Although his main focus was on the lower-ranked Sacred Gears of the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing, he also paid some attention to other lower-ranked Sacred Gears, gaining a basic understanding of them.

The Moon Spear, like the Twice Critical and Dragon Wings, was the lower-ranked Sacred Gear of a certain Longinus.

The Twice Critical was the lower-ranked Sacred Gear of Boosted Gear, the Dragon Wings were the lower-ranked Sacred Gear of Divine Dividing, and the Moon Spear was precisely the lower-ranked Sacred Gear of the True Longinus, a Sacred Gear possessing holy attributes.

However, unlike Dragon Hand and Dragon Wings, although the Moon Spear was a lower-ranked Sacred Gear, it wasn't commonly found.

Because Sacred Gears with holy attributes were already quite rare, the Moon Spear, being the lower-ranked Sacred Gear of the strongest and original Longinus, directly corresponding to the legendary Holy Spear, was extremely scarce—its rarity comparable even to the "Twilight Healing."

Now that Cao Cao mentioned this Sacred Gear, could it be...

"It seems you've realized it," Cao Cao said, noticing Kaiser's changing expression. He immediately raised the spear in his hand, presenting it right in front of Kaiser.

"That's right. My original Sacred Gear was precisely the lower-ranked Sacred Gear of the True Longinus—the Moon Spear."

"When I was very, very young, I awakened this Sacred Gear. It accompanied me throughout the first half of my life, fighting alongside me for nearly twenty years."

"When I resolved to defeat all supernatural beings—even gods—with only a human body, it responded to my resolve and underwent an evolution."

Because of this, no one knew that the fourteenth Longinus had already been born—in Cao Cao himself.

To defeat all supernatural beings other than humans.

To defeat gods with a human body.

To prove humanity's potential.

To challenge humanity's limits.

Cao Cao indeed always possessed such ideals, or rather, an almost obsessive faith. Even in the later stages of the original story, he maintained this belief, to the point that he was eventually chosen as one of the candidates for humanity's strongest, recognized as having the capability and potential to compete for the title of strongest human.

With such convictions, the strength of his will was certainly extraordinary; thus, it seemed only natural that his Sacred Gear would evolve.

All Longinus Sacred Gears in the past had undergone similar processes, gradually growing, evolving, and transforming from ordinary Sacred Gears, eventually standing out to become Longinus.

The lunar spear in Cao Cao's hand had now become one of them.

"I gave it a new name—Holy Spear of Dawn."

Cao Cao spun the spear elegantly, placing the world's second Holy Spear behind his back, and grinned.

"I've heard that the Red Dragon Emperor and the White Dragon Emperor have always been counterparts and rivals. Even after being sealed into Sacred Gears, the artifacts containing their souls have never ceased fighting against each other, no matter the era."

"When this Holy Spear of Dawn was born, I thought that perhaps it could also become a rival and opponent to the True Longinus, which was originally its superior Sacred Gear."

"The fate of the Two Heavenly Dragons is known to everyone; then we, who both wield Holy Spears, might also be destined to become lifelong rivals."

At least, Cao Cao had held such thoughts, anticipating this possibility all the way until now.

"As expected, though you appear rational, you're actually a battle maniac."

Kaiser wasn't nearly as delighted as Cao Cao; instead, he spoke rather flatly.

"That's because I've always been fighting." Cao Cao replied naturally, "A mere weak human, daring to imagine defeating all races stronger than humanity, even seeking to defeat gods—if not genuinely fond of challenging strong opponents, how could such an insane idea even arise?"

"It's not just me; basically all members of the Hero Faction love battle, because we're not accepted by society."

"Only battle can equally accept everyone."

Cao Cao pointed the spear's tip at Kaiser, staring at him as he asked:

"Aren't you the same?"

Cao Cao considered himself gifted in seeing through others.

From the first moment he met Kaiser, he had already seen clearly that this long-awaited rival of his was, in truth, very enthusiastic about combat.

Unfortunately...

"I don't dislike fighting; I also feel excited when facing powerful opponents. But I haven't reached the point of devoting everything to battle, becoming a fanatic who lives solely for combat," Kaiser immediately refuted without hesitation. "Can you please not categorize me with your kind?"

From the very first time he appeared in the official ranking battles at Seidoukan Academy, Kaiser had realized that perhaps he was secretly inclined toward fighting.

Reality was filled with too many frustrations and too many rules. He had once bent under their weight. Perhaps exactly because of this, deep inside, he had always longed for the strength to break through it all.

This caused Kaiser, after becoming the librarian of the Fantasy Library, to begin increasingly letting loose, becoming more reckless and unrestrained.

Yet, he would never confuse priorities or risk everything purely for combat's sake.

He chose to fight only to achieve what he wanted to see, touch, and obtain.

He would enjoy combat, but he would never become a combat fanatic merely for the sake of enjoying battle.

Of course, in Cao Cao's eyes, there was essentially no difference.

"I'm the same as you. I fight desperately and enjoy battle in order to fulfill my heart's desires and see the scenery I long for."

The way Cao Cao looked at Kaiser still seemed as if he was looking at a kindred spirit.

Only, his fighting spirit toward this "kindred spirit" was too strong—so strong it truly gave off the feeling of a destined rival encounter, reminiscent of the Red Dragon Emperor and White Dragon Emperor.

"Since you've already recognized the origin of my spear, it's time to fulfill my dream."

Cao Cao no longer concealed his fighting intent, staring ecstatically at Kaiser.

"Your Holy Spear of Twilight and my Holy Spear of Dawn—let's settle which spear is stronger right here and now."

The Holy Spear in Cao Cao's hand instantly emitted a brilliance as dazzling as the dawn.

In response, Kaiser's expression remained calm, yet the Holy Spear appeared in his hand, emanating a deep twilight-like glow.

Sacred fluctuations began to run rampant, colliding against each other, causing the atmosphere itself to become chaotic...