Leave Amphoreus, and Then Go Find the Xianzhou?

Lycurgus knew of Derick and the others' thoughts and was not surprised.

"The power of Deceit is not omnipotent. You may be able to deceive ordinary people, but it's impossible to deceive a true genius. Not to mention the geniuses of the Genius Society, even the Memokeepers of the Garden of Recollection… if you really try to deceive them, they would dare to read your memories directly."

"I understand," Cipher said softly.

Lycurgus turned his head to look at Derick. "As for the Death Titan's authority to control the underworld, that certainly won't work in the outside world. However, your other attack methods can still be used."

Derick nodded lightly.

"The Sky Titan's authority is the same. You can unleash celestial attacks, but you might not be able to completely change the weather."

"Alright, I understand," Hyacine also nodded.

Lycurgus raised his hand and said to the group, "Well then, I will send you to leave Amphoreus now."

Derick interrupted him. "Wait, we want to say goodbye to the others. Two days, can we leave in two days?"

Lycurgus thought for a moment and agreed.

"Alright. In two days, I will come for you. By the way, regarding the matter of Cerces, she can leave or stay. It's no problem. Her situation is different from yours. Leaving aside the fact that she has already lost most of her power, even if she fully recovers, I can still bear one or two variables."

After Derick and the others parted ways with Lycurgus, they walked down the Rainbow Bridge.

The news that they were leaving made the atmosphere a bit somber.

Cipher patted Derick on the back to lighten the mood. "We still have two days. I thought we had to leave immediately. This is great. I'll use this time to organize my treasures. Who knows, they might come in handy after we leave."

Indeed, although the main currency circulating outside was the Interastral Peace Corporation's Credits, and Amphoreus's Liheng coins would be useless, the precious metals they had would still have some value.

Hyacine also said, "Yes, I should also go and prepare for the matters of the Twilight Courtyard."

Derick's gaze finally landed on Castorice. She reached out and took his hand. "I have nothing else to do. If you have anything else you need help with, I'll help you handle it."

The group descended the Rainbow Bridge.

Aglaea, Tribbie, and the others were waiting for them.

Seeing Derick and the group return safely, Tribbie and the others breathed a sigh of relief. When the Flame-Reaver had followed them up the Rainbow Bridge earlier, their hearts had been in their throats, fearing that something might have happened to them up there.

Tribbie quickly ran to Derick's side and asked with concern, "Thank goodness, you've finally returned safely. By the way, did you encounter that Flame-Reaver?"

"We did encounter him," Derick said to Tribbie. "We won't have to consider his threat in our journey of salvation from now on."

This good news surprised everyone present. But then, they couldn't help but laugh out loud with joy.

However, although Aglaea couldn't see clearly, her senses were extremely sharp. Aglaea clearly felt that Hyacine's mood was a bit off.

So she asked Derick and the others, "What method did you use to deal with the Flame-Reaver? Did you kill him? Or did you seal him away?"

"We had him expelled from Amphoreus." Since they were preparing to leave anyway, Derick and the others didn't intend to hide anything.

"Expelled from Amphoreus?"

Aglaea frowned. This was a method of dealing with the Flame-Reaver that she had never thought of.

But…

"What method did you use to expel him?" Aglaea pressed.

Derick replied, "When my blood enters a person, it changes their state. When too many people are changed like this, it exceeds the limits of what Amphoreus can bear, and they are naturally expelled."

Hearing his explanation, Aglaea and the others immediately realized something was wrong. Phainon looked at Derick, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "He was expelled, so what about you?"

"It's not just me. Castorice, Hyacine, and Cipher, too. The situation was critical. We could only use this method."

Derick recounted the dangerous situation they had just encountered.

"And so, we managed to survive, but now we must leave Amphoreus."

"Ah?! How could this be?" Tribbie's expression instantly changed from joy to a mixture of shock and sadness.

"You mean Derry, Cassie, Poli, Hyacine, and Cifi all have to leave? No…"

Tears began to well up in Tribbie's eyes.

Derick crouched down and reached out to wipe away the tears on her cheeks.

"Sister Tribbie, don't worry. After we leave, we will definitely find a way back. You all wait here for us. We will be back soon."

"Mhm." Tribbie sobbed for a while, then grabbed Derick's hand. "Then it's a promise. We must meet again. If you don't come back, I will open the Myriad-World Gate to find you."

"Mhm, definitely. We'll definitely be back soon." Derick nodded firmly, promising her.

Then, when Tribbie wasn't looking, he reached out and patted her head. He had always wanted to do it, but never had the chance. Now that he was about to leave Amphoreus, a little pat wouldn't hurt.

The others, including Tribbie herself, hadn't expected Derick to do something like that. By the time Tribbie reacted, her hair had already been thoroughly messed up by his hand.

"Derry!"

Tribbie put her hands on her hips angrily.

The others couldn't help but laugh, and the somber mood of parting eased considerably.

Cipher said at this time, "Alright, I'm going to sort out my belongings. I'll be off then."

With that, she quickly ran down and disappeared into the crowd.

Hyacine also said she needed to handle the remaining matters at the Twilight Courtyard and left as well.

Aglaea glanced at the others and said to Castorice and the rest, "I have something I want to talk to Derick about alone. You all go and handle your own affairs first."

"Yes, Lady Aglaea." Castorice nodded, then led Polyxia, who had returned to her human form, and walked into the distance. Phainon, Mydei, and Tribbie also left.

Only Aglaea and Derick were left, walking down from Dawncloud Cliff together.

As they walked, Aglaea asked Derick, "Are you certain you will return?"

The two of them were naturally not discussing matters of the heart. Aglaea being alone with Derick was for the sake of the future of Amphoreus.

"Although I don't know what kind of external situations I'll face next, I believe I can definitely return," Derick assured Aglaea.

Now that he was outside Amphoreus, he had no idea what planet he would go to. But no matter how far, as long as he could find the Astral Express, he could always come back. The Astral Express was currently still at the Xianzhou Luofu. Whether it was the Luofu or Penacony, Derick could always catch up.

He would definitely return.

Aglaea's "gaze" turned, and Derick felt her vacant eyes studying him carefully.

Derick looked back at her frankly.

After a while, Aglaea nodded lightly.

"In that case, I will maintain this place and wait for your return."

"Ah?!" Hearing Aglaea say this, Derick was a little surprised.

He scratched his head and said to her, "I thought you would restart the Flamechase Journey after we left."

Hearing Derick say this, Aglaea's expression was a little helpless.

Now that Derick had pushed the collection of the Core Flames to this stage, it was impossible to start all over again.

If Derick had truly said he couldn't come back, or didn't know when he could, Aglaea would have had to proceed with the re-creation, even in despair.

But now, Derick was confident he could return.

So Aglaea decided to wait.

She reminded Derick, "Without the Flame-Reaver, the invasion of the Black Tide won't be as fierce. We can still hold on here. But, Derick, if the day comes when even I can't hold on, and you still haven't returned, I will still take the final step."

"I know. I will find a way to solve the problems of Amphoreus as soon as possible," Derick promised seriously.

Besides, even if he left, it didn't mean he had no control over Amphoreus at all. His first and third clones were still on Amphoreus. The third was stuck in the underworld and couldn't get out, but the first could still move freely. With his first clone here, he could do many things.

"Good." Aglaea was very satisfied with Derick's promise.

"Now you go and make your preparations. I won't delay your time to say goodbye to Castorice and the others."

"I understand, Lady Aglaea. We'll see each other again in two days before we leave."

Derick left.

Aglaea's head turned to the side.

"Cipher, you're about to leave, and you still don't want to see me?" Aglaea said softly.

Cipher's figure appeared from the side.

"We're on Dawncloud Cliff. Did you still set up your Golden Threads all around?" Cipher stretched her body and said to Aglaea.

"I didn't release any Golden Threads. It was just a feeling in my heart, a feeling that you would be here," Aglaea said to Cipher.

"Seamstress, could your intuition be any less sharp!"

"Cipher, now that you're leaving, can you tell me why you've been avoiding me all these years?"

"No, absolutely not." Cipher's expression became extremely serious. "This matter is of great importance. I would rather you misunderstand me for a lifetime than reveal the reason. I beg you, Aglaea, stop thinking about it."

"Cipher, I understand. I won't consider it anymore."

Aglaea nodded heavily.

Cipher walked to Aglaea's side and said softly, "I'm sorry, seamstress. If we really find a way to save Amphoreus on the outside, then at that time, I will tell you everything myself. But before that, neither my death nor your death can allow…"

"I know." Aglaea nodded lightly.

Cipher, I believe in you. I have always believed that you have the potential to be a hero.

The matter you are hiding now must be of great importance to all of Amphoreus.

After Aglaea said this, she suddenly felt herself being embraced by a warm hug.

"Seamstress, it's been a long time since I've hugged you. Next time, I hope to hug you again at the victory banquet celebrating the salvation of the world of Amphoreus," Cipher said softly to Aglaea.

Seamstress, stay alive. In the future, I'm still counting on you to be my child's godmother.

Aglaea was stunned.

"Alright, I promise. This time, you won't deceive me again, will you?"

"Of course not," Cipher said lightly.

"Sooner or later, I'll have to find a chance to tie up Derry-boy and do… this and that to him."

I feel like the chances of you being done 'this and that' to by Derick are much higher, Aglaea thought to herself, listening to Cipher.

Cipher turned her back and walked away.

On her face, unseen by Aglaea, a smile played on her lips, and tears couldn't help but fall from her eyes.

Derick quickly caught up with Castorice and the others. They had just left Dawncloud Cliff.

"Derick, what did Lady Aglaea say to you?" Phainon asked him.

"Of course, it was about saving the world." There was no need to hide any of this.

"What did Aglaea say?"

"We will return as soon as possible, and we will bring back a better way to save the world," Derick replied.

"Is that so? That's great." Phainon happily patted his shoulder.

"I'll prepare a meal to send you off on the day you leave," Mydei said from the side.

"That would be wonderful. I estimate it will be a long time before I can eat Brother Mydei's cooking again."

Mydei chuckled lightly. He then looked at Phainon. "Come on, Phainon, help me prepare the ingredients."

"Huh? Okay." Before Phainon could react, Mydei grabbed him and pulled him away.

"Derry, I'm going to find Trinnon and Trianne to tell them the news," Tribbie said at this time. "Also, Derry, no more messing up my hair."

"I know, Sister Tribbie," Derick said with a smile.

Tribbie also left.

Polyxia wheeled herself forward and said to Derick, "Um, Miss Hyacine might need some help over there. I'll go help her for these two days, so I won't be hanging around with you all."

Of course, it wasn't that Hyacine needed help. Polyxia said this just to create some alone time for Derick and Castorice.

"Alright. Remember not to be late," Castorice reminded Polyxia.

"I know, sister." Polyxia left.

Derick and Castorice looked at each other. They didn't immediately rush home to do… that sort of thing.

"Let's go, Castorice. Let's go say goodbye to the aunties and big sisters in the Marmoreal Market," Derick said to her.

Castorice nodded.

The two of them walked hand-in-hand into the Marmoreal Market.

They walked along the street, chatting with every familiar vendor. At first, the stall owners didn't sense anything was wrong, but as Derick continued his actions, they realized something was amiss.

A vegetable-selling aunty asked Derick, "Little Derick, is something going on with you two?"

"Castorice and I are going on a long trip. We might not be back for a while," Derick replied with a smile.

"Eh? A long trip? Are you going to a faraway city-state?" Iason, who was also at the market, immediately asked upon hearing Derick's words.

Derick nodded. "Yes, we're going to a very, very faraway city-state. We'll probably be gone for a long time. Brother Iason, would you like me to return the place I'm living in now?"

"What's given is given. After you leave, I'll have someone clean it regularly. When you come back, you can move right in," Iason said magnanimously.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Brother Iason." Derick thanked him. After a thought, he also said to him, "By the way, Brother Iason, the culprit who killed your great beast has already been… dealt with by me and has left this world."

"Really? That's great!" Hearing Derick say this, Iason's face was ecstatic. He shouted to the sky, "Heracles, you have finally been avenged!"

Seeing the emotional Iason, Derick and Castorice didn't interrupt him but quietly chose to leave, continuing their stroll through the Marmoreal Market.

After finishing their rounds in the market and saying goodbye to all the uncles, aunties, and big sisters, Derick and Castorice returned to their residence.

Next door were Cerces and Anaxa respectively.

Derick also went to inform them.

Hearing that Derick was leaving, Cerces was stunned.

"You're all leaving? Does that mean I have to leave too?" She also had Derick's blood in her.

Derick said to Cerces, "Lycurgus didn't say so. Maybe he felt it wasn't necessary. Lady Cerces, it's no problem for you to continue staying on Amphoreus."

Hearing Derick's words, Cerces felt relieved. If she could avoid leaving Amphoreus, she naturally wouldn't want to leave her home.

On the other side, hearing that they were leaving Amphoreus, Anaxa's expression was very excited.

He walked up to Derick and asked him, "Can you take me with you when you leave Amphoreus? Do I need to have my body reconstructed? I can kill myself right now."

To study Amphoreus from a position outside of it… this was an opportunity Anaxa greatly looked forward to.

"This… let's forget it. After we leave, we will still have to face many unknown things. Mr. Anaxagoras, you should stay in Okhema," Derick refused him.

"Alright then. I will wait here for your return." Hearing Derick's refusal, Anaxa didn't insist further.

Seeing his behavior, Derick felt that something was not right.

Anaxa is being so cooperative. Is he planning something?

Derick thought for a moment but couldn't figure it out.

In the end, he decided not to think about it anymore.

No matter what Anaxa planned to do, there would always be an Aglaea who greatly disliked him to deal with him. These things were better left for Aglaea to consider.

For now, it was better to enjoy these two happy days.

Derick took Castorice's hand and walked into the room. He then closed the door tightly.

Derick's gaze was searing as he looked at Castorice.

And Castorice, very cooperatively, reached out her arms to embrace his neck.

Their lips naturally met.

Derick reached out and lifted Castorice into the air.

Castorice's snow-white feet arched elegantly, pressing tightly against Derick's calves. Parting her teeth, Castorice tilted her head back and murmured softly, her earlobes turning crimson, her eyes filled with shimmering tears, and her breath coming out in fragrant puffs.

How could Derick possibly resist?

A day and a half later, after Derick and Castorice left, the three small beds in the room had all collapsed.

Anyway, they wouldn't be back for a while.

Derick, Castorice, Hyacine, Cipher, and Polyxia enjoyed a delicious meal made by Mydei.

Aglaea, Tribbie, Trinnon, Trianne, and Phainon all came over.

No one said much about parting; they treated it as an ordinary banquet.

After they finished eating, Derick checked the time. It was almost the time appointed by Lycurgus. Derick got up to go, and Castorice and the others followed behind him.

"Well then, we're off. See you later."

Derick turned back to say goodbye to Aglaea and the others.

"Mhm, goodbye."

Aglaea said farewell to them.

Derick and his group arrived at Dawncloud Cliff. Lycurgus was waiting for them there.

"Lord Derick, are you all ready?"

"Mhm, we're ready. Let's go now," Derick nodded.

"As you command."

Lycurgus's finger moved slightly, and Derick and his group immediately felt their bodies begin to float involuntarily.

Then, they flew straight up.

After flying to a certain height, Derick and the others felt their vision blur.

Then, they appeared in a place similar to the Vortex of Genesis. But in front of them was a pattern resembling a Mobius strip.

"Is this the outside of Amphoreus?" Cipher looked on curiously.

"Not yet. Strictly speaking, this is still part of Amphoreus," Lycurgus appeared at this time and answered her.

"In a moment, I will send you to another planet. But before I do, out of goodwill, I will explain your situation to you, to make it easier for you to live in the universe."

"Planet? What is that? And what planet are you sending us to?" Cipher asked Lycurgus.

"A planet is a celestial body in the universe. Amphoreus, in a sense, can also be said to be a planet. And in the observable universe, there are trillions upon trillions of planets."

Hyacine swallowed.

Lycurgus continued, "My abilities are limited. I cannot send you too far. As it happens, on a planet a few dozen light-years away, the Denizens of Abundance are at war with the army of the Xianzhou Yaoqing. The Xianzhou Alliance is a first-rate power in the entire universe. If you can make contact with the people of the Xianzhou Alliance, it will help you integrate well into this universe."

Lycurgus's gaze turned to Derick.

"Lord Derick's appearance is also quite similar to that of the Xianzhou people. Perhaps Lord Derick came to Amphoreus from the Xianzhou Alliance. After all, black hair and black eyes are typical features of the Xianzhou people. Amphoreus has no such features."

Derick shook his head, denying Lycurgus's idea. His immortality and the Abundance of the Xianzhou people were two completely different things.

"Perhaps."

Lycurgus also thought so. Besides his appearance, Derick really didn't have much connection to the Xianzhou Alliance.

"However, Lord Derick, your appearance will indeed make the Xianzhou people naturally well-disposed towards you. With them around, your journey through the universe will be much smoother."

______

👻 Join the fun at: patreon.com/Walnutchan