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nHolding onto Ri’s hand, Dyon flashed into the castle.

nRi looked around stunned, “we’re… this is the castle… How?…”

nSuddenly, Ri blushed, realizing she was holding onto Dyon’s hand too tightly and went to let go. But, Dyon’s grip was firm.

n“Don’t let go. I’m not sure what’ll happen if you’re not connected to me. Remember, the words in the sky are the only reason we can be here… if the elders can’t handle it, I don’t want to think about what would happen to you if you let go.”

nRi froze. Dyon was right. But, she felt an odd feeling holding onto his hand like this. But, that feeling disappeared when she heard the next thing Dyon said.

n“your hand is to dainty and small,” Dyon kneaded it playfully, “so soft. Bringing you along is definitely worth it.”

nRi rolled her eyes, but still didn’t dare let go of Dyon’s hand. Instead, she flicked his forehead with her other one, “focus you idiot! What are we doing here?”

nDyon got a serious expression on his face, “at first, I wanted to leave my spatial ring with you in case anything bad happened where we’re going… but you insisted on coming… and I don’t know if the ring will be able to handle not being connected to me.”

nRi looked confused, “what are you talking about?”

nDyon shrugged leisurely, “Elder Flyleaf told me that because the Elves are so good at spatial magic, they took everything importance with them… so, wouldn’t that mean that your ‘dead kings valley’ is somewhere around here? Where else could it be?”

nRi was stunned, “you want to enter that death trap? And you wanted to do it alone?! What’s wrong with you! Do you even know anything about it?!”

nRi only got more anger when she noticed Dyon was smiling gently at her.

n“UGH! You’re so reckless! There’s only one place in this city that has information about that place. And, it’s not even this castle. If you were hoping to find out something about it here, you’re out of luck. And considering how exclusive the place I’m talking about is, it’s unlikely you’ve been there,” Ri pulled on Dyon’s hand as she stormed forward, “I can’t believe you!”

nDyon chuckled. He knew exactly what place Ri was talking about. But he didn’t tell her that, he was having a fun time watching how concerned she was. She truly did make being a tsundere adorable.

n‘is tsundere even the proper characterization for this woman? She’s not hiding the fact she cares. She’s just being angry while she cares… what do you even call that… I got it!’

n“Ri, my little feu glace, don’t be so angry!”

nRi continued storming through the castle, going up stairs, down corridors, and through secret rooms. Everything was like a maze, yet, Ri never hesitated in her movements.

nFinally, she stopped in front of an unassuming door, “what the hell does feu glace mean?”

nDyon smiled, “it means fire ice in French, you like it?”

nRi looked at Dyon confused, “why are you calling me that?”

n“obviously because you’re a great combination of the two,” Dyon said grinning.

nRi sighed, too tired to deal with Dyon’s antics, “beyond this door is a long corridor. It looks simple, but if anyone other than me or the princess touched this door, they would die. You coming here alone was suicide,” Ri flicked Dyon’s forehead, “think before you act next time.”

nDyon chuckled. He of course knew things wouldn’t be so simple, but, before Ri forced him to take her with him, he had already prepared numerous counter measures… of which included a small-scale teleportation array. At his current level, Dyon could create a teleportation array that spanned a 10km radius. Although that was nowhere near the level of the array he used to come to the Elvin Kingdom and negligible considering the sheer size of the planet, it was more than enough to teleport from one side of a door to another. What would defenses mean to him then?

nAll Dyon had to do was to sense whether or not the door had any protections against said teleportation, then he’d be good to go. He could already tell that it didn’t, so he wouldn’t have even had to use his second plan.

nIf the door had happened to have protections against teleportation, though, Dyon would have simply created array puppets to trigger the doors mechanism again and again until they were weak enough for him to pierce through. It was a crude plan… but effective regardless.

nBecause of his past of being tricked by those in disguise, namely Chenglei and his attempt to kill Dyon in the legacy world, Dyon spent a lot more time studying disguising techniques corresponding to array alchemy. It was nothing too difficult actually. But, because of his relatively low level in array alchemy, he could only manipulate how light reflected off of things to trick those watching. Essentially, he could make himself, inanimate objects, or anyone else, look like a completely different person or thing for an extended period of time. Then, from afar, he could place arrays within them to manipulate their movements.

nUsing these techniques, tricking a security system into tripping itself was easy. He didn’t even have to go the extra step of making the object look human. All he needed to do was manipulate the movement of a humanoid array… which could easily be accomplished by changing the form of a defensive array.

nDespite all of that preparation, Dyon ended up not needing to use it. But, he knew Ri knew he was smarter than what she was saying, so, he let it slide.

n“ladies first,” Dyon grinned.

nRi rolled her eyes, reaching for the door.

nTo Ri’s touched, a slight glow appeared on the surface of the door, before it pushed in.

nAs they walked towards the end of the long corridor, Ri started to hesitate, “you know… no one has had the right to enter dead kings valley for a long time…”

nDyon looked over at Ri. She was still dressed in an alluring sports bra, and the greyish pair of sweat pants hung loosely to her curved hips. Dyon didn’t know why, but he always found it hard to not get distracted looking at her. Despite her supposedly ‘normal’ appearance, her body and everything else was anything but.

n“after we came here to this universe, there was a temp ban placed on entering because without True Empaths, coupled with the declining genius of the younger generation, it was basically suicide…

nBut, even after the ranking tome finally acknowledged the first True Empath in millennia, the ruler 2 spots before my uncle, and we reopened the world… our geniuses had degraded to the point where even with a guide, we were a lost cause.”

nDyon listened carefully. Much of this he had already guessed.

nThe level of the Elvin Kingdom of old had reached unprecedented heights. In fact, he was very clear on the fact that the universe they came from was one he probably couldn’t even fathom the strength of. And yet, their younger generation declined to the point where a human boy like him could contend with geniuses 5 or more years his elder? How would that have ever been the case if they had the strength they used to?

nDyon was very clear on the fact that he needed to get stronger. Right now, he was in one of the weakest universes in existence, and his starting point was even lower than the supposed geniuses here.

nIn this universe, he could fight against experts many cultivation levels higher than him… but would that really be the case elsewhere?

nWhen he met Thor, he couldn’t have been more than 19 years old… maybe he hadn’t even stepped out of his 18th year of life. That was the same age as Elof… the same age as Ores… the same age as Baal… and yet, he felt like an insurmountable mountain. Like Dyon had no business even thinking about facing him.

nAn experience like that made Dyon’s blood boil. He hated feeling inferior, but he wasn’t blindly arrogant. Since that time, he had put in ridiculous amounts of work. And he would continue to. Until there wasn’t a genius in existence he wouldn’t be above.

nHowever, these same things couldn’t be said of the Elvin geniuses. They were still rapidly declining. In fact, from the words of Elder Dior, the Elvin Kingdom only had access to lower level heaven techniques. This made Dyon immediately realize something…

nIf Elder Flyleaf said they had managed to bring everything with them… and yet the Elves only had techniques that massively paled in comparison to the Celestial Deer Sect… then that could only mean that the rest of the techniques were within their legacy world.

nDyon wasn’t interested in some divine techniques. He already had those. What he wanted were the singularity techniques of the 3 ancient Elvin Clans…

nWhile Dyon thought, Ri continued, “so… because sending them in even with a True Empath was still suicide… the king at the time decided to lock the world down… waiting for a time where a genius worthy enough would be born.”

nRi took a deep breath as they reached the end of the corridor, “I have feeling that in the banquet you mentioned two months from now… Zaltarish and his family will petition to enter this world.”

nDyon nodded in agreement, “makes sense,” then Dyon grinned, “before we enter what I have to assume is the final room, what else do you want me to know?”

nRi kicked the back of Dyon knees, “can’t you be serious! I’m about to risk my life for you because you’re an idiot who can’t tell stupidity from bravery,” Ri turned away, clearly annoyed.

nDyon released Ri’s hand and patted her head, enjoying the partly ice cold, but still gentle feeling, “don’t be ridiculous. I’m an unprecedented genius. And you’re always telling me that you’re still better, no? Then how could we possibly be risking our lives?”

nRi looked up at Dyon sighing, “without my manifestation… it’ll be difficult for me,” she said softly.

nDyon pinched Ri’s cheek, snorting, “as if I’d let something happen to you. Let’s go!”

nWith that, Dyon pushed the door without a shred of hesitation… and as he expected… even the words he left in the sky had no effect on this room.

nThe eerie fog rolled along the ground as the portal swirled before Ri and Dyon.

nThe statues stood majestically on either side, backs straight. The pressure coming off of them was palpable.

nWhen Dyon tried to scan them with his aurora, he felt a searing pain in eyes that made him blink quickly in response.

n‘those statues… they aren’t normal…’

nRi watched Dyon’s back as he stared at the statues, ‘does he not know it’s not normal to stand in front of those statues as though nothing was happening?’

nRi stood slightly behind Dyon and she was fully aware that she was being shielded from the pressure. She had no idea if she would even be able to stand if it wasn’t for Dyon.

nTo Ri, she was sure that she was a great talent. In fact, she was sure her talent likely didn’t lose out to Dyon’s… but standing in front of these statues took more than talent… it took having the will of a ruler.

nRi sighed to herself, ‘and after all these years… I thought I changed… all those plans, all that training, yet I’m content to stand with his help’

nThe truth was that Ri wasn’t always someone who loved having a lot of responsibility. It was only after her mother left… then her uncle left… that she realized something needed to change within her. But, it was clear she didn’t have Dyon’s disposition.

nShe was caring, supportive, understanding. She was willing to risk her life if it meant having a chance to make sure nothing happened to Dyon… Whether that be because he was acknowledged by her mother, or because he cared enough to let her taste Ice Petal’s Dance again, or because of his love and care for children he could have easily ignored… she didn’t know what it was exactly. But, she knew Dyon was someone she wanted in her life. Whether she ended up standing behind him, or beside him… and maybe when it was the right time… in front of him.

nSuddenly, Ri felt a strong and gentle warmth grab her hand. She looked up to find Dyon smiling at her. It was suddenly very clear to her that she had been trembling.

nDyon pulled Ri to his side, making his thoughts clear.

nHe turned back towards the statues, his eyes sharpening and his aura bright.

nDyon’s voice boomed, “don’t you know who you’re in the presence of?! KNEEL!”

nBOOM!

nDyon’s manifestations erupted.

nHis weapon’s pagoda leered domineeringly, dripping with a blood red aura.

nWings burst from his back, one wrapping around Ri as his energy continued to rise.

nRi was stunned, ‘what’s he doing…’

nWhen Dyon had thought those statues weren’t normal… he couldn’t have been more correct.

nThese statues were the guardians of dead kings valley. At their peak, their power was unprecedented. Even with the ravages of time, their power wouldn’t pale in comparison to a lower Celestial Stage expert. And yet Dyon asked them to kneel!

nRi felt the warmth of Dyon’s wing and the softness of its feathers, blushing when her hands found their way to his bare torso, but she couldn’t help but warn him, “Dyon… those statues are there to make sure anyone entering can handle the pressure of the realm… although they’re puppets, I’m sure you know that the greatest of treasures can gain sentience… just like your supposed abyssal cores. It’s best you don’t offend th – “

nRi’s words were cut off with endless shock. There in front of her, the majestically armored statues suddenly moved.

nWith no thought of reservation or hesitancy, they bowed.

nTheir knees touched the ground, their heads leaning forward in reverence. Suddenly, all the pressure in the room vanished.

nDyon smiled. His manifestation disappearing, he looked down at Ri, “see? We just needed to ask nicely.”

nRi was stunned, but when she noticed Dyon still had his arm around her, she lightly pushed him away, pouting, “you’re so reckless. Are you really so prideful that you had to make statues that are literally millions of years old, kneel for you?”

nDyon chuckled, “kneel for me? You’re mistaken. How could I let them stand so domineeringly when there’s clearly a beautiful lady is here with me? Is beauty not worth kneeling for?”

nDyon’s carefree laughter boomed as he walked forward, leaving Ri speechless.

nWalking forward until he was nearly upon the portal, Dyon patted the shoulder of one of the guardians, “you come with me,” looking over at the other he continued, “you stay here… if we’re gonna cheat, I think only one of you is necessary.”

nRi looked at the scene wide eyed as the statue stood and nodded, standing dominatingly at more than 10 meters, and still respectfully standing behind Dyon.

nThe statues themselves were covered in cracked stone… it was clear the wear and tear of time was affecting them.

nDyon looked up in pity, “I’m not powerful enough to fix you to your peak right now… but once everything here is settled, I can at least make you look better than old and cracked stone. And, once I reach the proper level of power, even a dao formation stage expert will think twice about fighting you!”

nRi looked on as she thought she saw a flash of appreciation cross the faces of the statues, ‘just who is this man… Dyon…’

nSuddenly Ri thought of something, “these statues… they were part of your plan? How could you even know they were here?… unless!”

nDyon laughed, “of course, I’ve been to the place you’re thinking of,” Dyon turned back to Ri, “and once the day of that banquet comes, everyone will come to know the price for playing games with me.”

nRi looked at Dyon, a complicated expression on her face, ‘he knows… doesn’t he… and here I thought I was intelligent,’ Ri chuckled to herself, ‘how many years have us Elvin Families spent planning? For everything to be seen through by a human boy who hasn’t even been here a month?’ Ri sighed, ‘I guess there’s solace in the fact he’s the only one to ever figure it out…’

nDyon smiled at Ri, “when you come to know how I put everything together… you’ll realize it was more luck than anything else. If not, it would have taken me much longer.”

nDyon waved towards Ri, “come on… don’t you know how fun it is to play a game with a list of cheat codes?” Dyon grinned, knowing very well Ri had no idea what he was talking about.

nRi looked apprehensive though, “you know dead kings valley is very particular right… you can’t just use external power sources like this…”

nA sudden look of realization hit Dyon, “ah, you’re right,” Dyon waved his hand, a complex purple-gold formation appearing.

nSuddenly, a look of disgust appeared on Dyon’s face, “this’ll take too many hours to draw… maybe days… unless,” Dyon grinned.

nBOOM!

nMassive 3 meter wings appeared on Dyon’s back, his humanoid manifestation appearing domineeringly.

nThe peak circle of flaming black-gold glowed viciously.

nDyon’s aurora erupted, his soul stage jumping immediately to the 6th middle stage as his base soul stage broke through into the middle 5th stage.

nThe speed of the array increased drastically. Complex lines cut through the air, leaving behind an endless feeling of majesty and precision.

nMesmerized, Ri didn’t even notice when half an hour passed.

nDyon looked almost like a ghost. His eyes sunk into their sockets and his lean but strong torso looked as though it had lost twenty pounds.

nBut, he still pushed through as the last line was drawn in the air.

nPushing his hand forward, the array slowly fused with the statue, causing a small tremor to pass through it.

nDyon stumbled but was caught by the statue.

nRi sighed in relief as she watched Dyon slowly burn his aurora to heal himself.

nSoon, Dyon looked back to health. It had already been a day and a half since he completed the array, but, all that mattered was that he was doing much better now.

nDyon turned to Ri was soundly meditating, seemingly still trying to manifest her soul.

nWalking over silently, Dyon rubbed her head.

nRi opened her eyes to find a shining pair of pure hazel-green eyes, “what exactly did you do?”

n“well, you said we’re not allowed external help, right? Isn’t puppet making a facet of array alchemy? Aren’t puppets weapons? So, if it’s under my ownership and I trick the world into thinking it’s my creation, it’s my power, no?”

nDyon grinned.

nRi trembled. Dyon made it sound so simple… what could be simple about gaining ownership of a puppet that was a peak level dao formation stage expert in its prime… the sheer complexity of the arrays that made it would send even experts of that level into a frenzy. And yet Dyon weaved his way through to leave his mark?… just like that…? A puppet made by someone who had a 12th staged soul at a minimum?…

nDyon laughed, “you’re thinking too much… maybe at its peak it would be too much for me, but many of its defenses have degraded and the complexity of the arrays have lessened. Also, it has sentience and is willing to follow us. That only made it easier, no?”

nRi rolled her eyes, “I’m sure your fiancée is fed up with how you make impossible things sound so simple. Whatever, let’s go.”

nDyon smiled, “alright, let’s go,” Ri was stunned as Dyon grabbed her waist, leaping with her to broad shoulder of the statue, “think about it, we’ll be tested on talent for our cultivation… but we have a celestial level expert with us… what could be a better cheat than this,” Dyon laughed as though he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

n“cheater,” Ri pouted.

nDyon grinned, “well, think about it this way. I can only leave them in my ring when we go campaigning. So, I might as well make full use of them now, no?”

nRi rolled her eyes, “you’ll probably just find a new way to cheat. You think every campaign leader can have ‘demon generals’? You’ve already entered your supposed ‘cheat codes’.”

nDyon was stunned before she realized she was right. But, this only sent him into another fit of laughter.

nWiping the tears from his eyes, Dyon finally looked up, “welp, little feu glace… let’s go raid your ancestors!” –>

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Author’s Note <

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Awespec <

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Dyon’s making moves… putting in cheat codes… raiding graves…. This man really is playing a video game, lmmmaaoooo Also, ‘feu glace’ (French for fire ice) is pronounced like ‘fur glass’ said with a British accent…. Kinda… that explanation was horrible… lmao, that’s as best as I can describe it<

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