Chapter 216: (No title)
A day had passed since Elton's declaration that the vast domain they stood upon would now belong to the White Star Radiance Sect.
Many were dumbfounded, few had expected that the loose alliance known as White Star Radiance would evolve into a sect.
Those more attuned to Elton's ambitions, however, had long suspected this outcome, though some still harbored doubts.
After the announcement, Elton explained that the sect was still such in name only. He told everyone to wait before pledging loyalty, to decide later once current matters were resolved.
Naturally, the core figures, Zoro, Ramiro, Christy, Shayleaf, Erica, and their respective divisions, had already embraced the idea with enthusiasm. The Black Reaper Corps, the Fanged Elf experts, the Crimson Eyed Warriors, and the Lion's Spearhearts all accepted membership without hesitation once their leaders did. The rest chose to observe for now.
Elton issued simple yet vital orders drawn from the guardian's teachings, cleanse the surrounding lands of debris and lurking foes. Several parties also took missions to scout and guard the dimensional corridors linking Desert Red Star and Purple Starmist.
Meanwhile, Elton, Zoro, Ramiro, Erica, Shayleaf, and Christy returned to the secret dimensional gate. Passing through, they cautiously traversed the deep underground layer, eventually surfacing through the hidden passage beneath the small house Shayleaf had constructed with her doll.
"Looks like nothing's changed much yet," Erica remarked, peering through the window like opening. "But there are definitely people lurking farther out. Some of my trap spells were triggered."
"Brother Elly! Let me completely turn this terrain into our territory! I'm going to remodel this trashy little house I had to make before," Shayleaf said, her eyes glowing with excitement.
"Alright, Shay. The rest of us will handle the intruders and those planning attacks. You focus on transforming this place into our White Star Radiance outer stronghold, at least until I perfect the art of moving the sect's Treasured Orb to a safer location."
Elton's tone was calm and decisive.
The others nodded, faces set with determination.
"Hahahaha, I'm about to let loose again! Try not to slow us down, Zoro!" Ramiro taunted with a grin.
"Hmph! Right back at ya, baaaaka," Zoro replied, glancing sideways with his usual calm edge.
"You two, don't go overboard," Christy sighed. "Oh, and that winged serpent up there, that is Gege's contracted beast. So try not to attack it."
High above, the serpent glared down, its massive body tattered with new wounds.
"Ehhh?! He has a contracted beast? Kuh! That makes me jealous! I want one too!" Ramiro exclaimed, pouting dramatically.
"Alright, everyone. Let's get started," Elton said with a smile, clapping his hands. The group nodded and dispersed into motion.
…
"Hehehe… Brother Elly, watch as I create our beautiful spectacle," Shayleaf whispered, crossing her legs on the ground.
A torrent of nature's essence, strong enough to brush the threshold of the Mortal Lord Realm, enveloped her body. Magical inscriptions, a mix of ancient elven script and vampiric runes, glowed along her skin. The air trembled as her presence shifted, maturing into something older, wiser, almost ageless. Her gaze pierced through the structure as though seeing every inch of it at once.
"Hmm… interesting. Though, little Shay, this place may not be worth using that art, I will still grant you the strength to forge a temporary dominion."
The voice echoing through her was not her own, a presence older and grander spoke through her body.
"Ah… a home has been established by that boy Elton, yet it needs time. I can faintly see it in your memories… Hm? That place was the former Blue Star Sect?! Huhuhu, what an unexpected twist."
The energy she gathered surged beyond her normal limits. The sphere of magic in her palms emitted a divine pressure that could make even a late stage Mortal Lord flinch.
The glowing orb slowly reshaped into a great tree, which then slowly shrank, compressing until it became a radiant seed.
"Behold, little Shay, our elven race's Great Tree Creation Art. It's the first step toward mastering the Tree Kingdom Creation Art, and one day, the World Tree Creation Art. Rare is the elf who can grasp even this first stage. I have high hopes for you, my descendant. Through that boy, achieve what we could not. Step into the middle continents, and if fate allows, the central continent, Omerico."
The ancient voice faded, and Shayleaf's breathing slowed. She regained control, feeling the vast well of power still circulating within her.
"Thank you, Ancestor Farraleaf… for your teachings," she whispered softly, a determined smile curving her lips.
…
Elton and the others split into three directions.
Elton mounted his Blue Heavenly Star Destroyer, leaping onto the head of the Winged Serpent Demonic Beast, who grumbled in clear irritation.
"You can fly on that damned freakish sword, so why do you need to ride me?" it said gruffly, its voice rumbling with annoyance.
"Haaah? Isn't it obvious? Constantly flying on my sword drains too much energy. Unlike you, I can't maintain perfect stability while relying only on wind elemental manipulation. You can," Elton replied, his tone casual as if it were the most obvious truth in the world.
"Damnit! It's not like I don't get tired either! Look at these wounds!" the serpent snapped, flexing its wings. "Since you all vanished underground yesterday, people have been probing around with long range attacks. Heh, I made sure to teach a few idiots a lesson… guh, but more and more keep coming!"
"Yeah, things are getting tricky. There are probably even Mortal Lord experts lurking nearby. I'm counting on you, Orochicanda," Elton said with a serious look.
The serpent froze midair. "What the hell?! Oro who? Where did that name come from?!"
"That's you," Elton said smugly. "I decided to give you a name. Orochicanda kind of sticks, doesn't it?"
"Damn yoooouuuu!!!" the newly named Orochicanda roared in outrage, its voice shaking the sky. From afar, warriors could only hear what sounded like an enraged beast preparing for battle.
…
Elsewhere, Ramiro and Erica had formed the second group.
Ramiro stood at the front, his massive frame towering as he stretched his shoulders and pulled the spear from his back.
"Oi, Erica! I'm counting on you to watch my back without getting in my way, alright?" he said with a cocky grin.
"Yeah, yeah, Big Brother Ramiro, I understand," Erica replied with a shrug. "But I'm counting on you to act like a proper tank and keep them away from me."
A radiant burning aura flared around her body, white flames forming across her limbs and staff.
"Just like old times, huh? Hahaha! I'm excited!" Ramiro laughed, his energy surging until the ground itself trembled beneath his feet.
…
The final group was Christy and Zoro.
A dense killing aura surrounded Zoro as he drew both katanas, his steps slow and deliberate toward the advancing armies.
Christy followed close behind, her Aka Boshi no Tengan glowing with focused brilliance.
"Big Brother Zoro," she said calmly, "leave a bit of room for mercy. There's no need to cut down everything that moves. Some of them might still be useful."
Her eyes shimmered as magical formations spun within them, her Kokon Tengan awakening layer by layer.
Zoro paused, glancing back at her briefly before facing forward again.
"Christy, sometimes I think you're more merciless than me. I saw those five groups of different races you brought back. Your hands were definitely the most involved in their reeducation."
"…If not for your existence, I fear that eventually I would have secretly done far crueler things for Gege's sake. The condition that comes with bloodline eyes like mine doesn't just affect sight, but it can also eat away at the mind and heart. Ever since awakening my Kokon Tengan, that instability has grown more prominent, though I've also learned to keep it under control for the most part."
Her tone trembled with emotion as a faint image of Elton flickered in her mind, filled with affection, before a sharp killing intent burst out involuntarily.
Zoro chuckled darkly, an almost human warmth beneath his usual edge.
"Hahaha… Elton really found himself one hell of a woman. Leave the sect's darkness to me. Your job is to be its divine eyes and guiding mind. Honestly, you're the only one who can reel me and Elton back when we start to lose ourselves."
Christy smiled, the murderous light fading from her eyes. "Hehe, geez, Big Brother Zoro. I'll be counting on you."