The Premature Surprise

Alex...

Xue Ji's eyes snapped open once more. She always wore the necklace Alex had given her at their parting!

"Alright, you can go home now! If you encounter those assassins in red helmets on your way, just show them the pendant of this necklace. It might prove useful... and if all else fails, shatter the pendant!" Alex's words echoed in her ears. Xue Ji didn't quite grasp their full meaning, yet she knew precisely what she had to do!

*Crack!* Xue Ji smacked the pendant nestled against her chest. Instantly, a faint golden light erupted, and countless grains of yellow sand surged forth from her chest, like a desert sea breaching its dikes. In but a flash, layers upon layers of sand enshrouded Xue Ji, shielding her completely!

Number Eight let out an "Oh?" before a confident smile spread across his face. This yellow sand was quite impressive, but could it possibly contend with his starlight?

Indeed, Du Chen's Sands of the Hourglass couldn't even withstand a fledgling Dragonfinch of level twelve, so how could it possibly oppose Number Eight? However, the true purpose of the protective necklace Du Chen had given Xue Ji was not in the defensive capabilities of the Sands of the Hourglass, but rather... in its pendant! A pendant styled after the 'Twilight Girl Portrait'!

The sand shield was swiftly shattered by the starlight. Within, Xue Ji, trapped, gazed with infatuation at the necklace in her hand, which was still emitting traces of sand...

Number Eight's smile suddenly froze. He finally discerned the appearance of the pendant in Xue Ji's hand. His heart stirred, and with a thunderous roar, he slammed his palms together before tearing them apart, ripping a gaping hole in the Star-Cage confining Xue Ji. Then, with a grab through the void, he snatched Xue Ji out of the Star-Cage before his own starlight could claim her life.

A large hand clamped onto Xue Ji's right shoulder, pressing down hard, and he demanded with a stern roar, "Who gave you this necklace!?"

Xue Ji looked up and gave a bitter smile, "The person who gave me the necklace told me that if I encountered a situation like this, I should show you its pendant..."

"I asked, who gave you the necklace!" Number Eight questioned angrily, his brows furrowed. *Damn it!* This was the pattern of the Painting God's Tenth Secret Diagram, the initiation path for the Requiem Death Knights' Number Ten. Why would Xue Ji possess such an item?

Xue Ji hesitated, remaining silent. Alex's necklace had indeed proven effective, yet Alex had never explained his connection to the Requiem Death Knights. Would revealing it help, or would it harm Alex?

As she hesitated, Number Eight, impatient, snatched the necklace from her hand and examined it closely, a frown on his face! That's right, it was the 'Young Girl' mark for Francis! Could it be that Francis wanted Lord Jamis to grant him a favor, to spare Xue Ji who wore this necklace? If that were the case, then he couldn't very well harm Xue Ji...

As Number Eight pondered, Xue Ji, whom he was holding captive, suddenly lifted her head, her eyes fixed intently on him. "Give it back!" This was the token of love Alex had given her! How could Number Eight return the necklace to her? Xue Ji gritted her teeth, then suddenly put force into her shoulder, *crack!*—she actually dislocated her own shoulder! Using the momentary slack from the dislocation, Xue Ji snatched the necklace back from the stunned Number Eight's grasp, clutched it tightly, and stared defiantly at him, her face pale but her lips pressed firmly together, her expression resolute!

Was this woman insane? Number Eight's heart skipped a beat. He didn't care that the necklace had been snatched back—with Xue Ji in his hands, did a mere necklace matter? But... that pendant represented the Painting God's Tenth Secret Diagram and the future Number Ten, Francis! *Sigh*, this was not something he could handle. It would be best to take her to Lord Jamis! With a wave, he reset Xue Ji's dislocated shoulder bone and sneered, "For the sake of this necklace, I'll spare your life today. Come with me!"

The starlight flashed, then rapidly dimmed, and Number Eight vanished with Xue Ji.

...

The skies above the northern seas of Bog Island finally returned to tranquility. Below, the Great Triangle Navy, who had been watching the spectacle, slowly submerged into the depths. However, not long after, Sword Slave and Dragonfinch arrived, searching.

"Where exactly did Miss Xue Ji go!?" Dragonfinch scanned her surroundings with a frown. Du Chen had flown too fast just now, disappearing beyond her sensory range in mere seconds. Now, trying to find anyone would be incredibly difficult!

Sword Slave's brows were also tightly knit. They had already flown a full circle around the nearby sea, yet still found no trace of their target. "Dragonfinch, continue searching in the sky. I'll go down and inquire with the Sea Clan!"

Soon, Sword Slave flew back into the sky, her expression a mix of anger and shock. "The Sea Clan said there were indeed people arguing in the sky just now, but the distance was too great. They only saw a mass of Green Cloud and a few flashes of sword light. Then, a massive Aberrant Beast suddenly appeared in the sky. This time, the Sea Clan saw it clearly, and from their description, that Aberrant Beast should be Du Chen's Divine Cult's guardian Divine Pet—Pamir!"

Dragonfinch's flapping wings trembled slightly. "Could Pamir have repelled Miss Xue Ji?"

Sword Slave shook her head. "What's certain is that Pamir rescued Francis! But after they fled, Miss Xue Ji remained in the sky, dazed. It was then that another person suddenly appeared in the sky! Following that, moonlight, starlight, and sunlight all shone simultaneously above the clouds, then vanished together in an instant. The scene was quite bizarre!" Dragonfinch was alarmed. With her vast combat experience, she immediately deduced the outcome. "Miss Xue Ji was captured?" Sword Slave nodded with difficulty, then suddenly cast a sidelong glance and sneered, "When we came out with Miss Xue Ji this time, it was partly to assist her, but also our responsibility to monitor her and ascertain why her emotional state was so abnormal after returning home last time, Dragonfinch... Did you see it just now? Miss Xue Ji's reaction was truly strange, wasn't it?"

Dragonfinch retorted urgently, "What kind of time is this? If Miss Xue Ji truly committed a mistake, and we had irrefutable evidence, then we could disregard her life or death! But right now, we have no evidence whatsoever. Miss Xue Ji is still our Goddess's sole disciple, a disciple as dear as a daughter!"

"I understand all that! But there aren't many masters among the Sea Clan, and they couldn't discern the specific situation high above just now—the only thing they saw clearly was that gigantic Aberrant Beast, Pamir! We don't have a single clue right now!" After a thought, Sword Slave added, "This is the territory of the Sea Clan and Emerald City. Let's go to Emerald City first and ask Marshal Batuk's descendants to help us search!"

With their discussion concluded, the woman and the bird found the Sword Maids who had been injured by Du Chen, along with the Twin-masted ship. Without even greeting the Great Triangle Navy, they changed course and sailed with full might towards Emerald City...

...

Elsewhere, Du Chen was also flying towards Emerald City. He lay on a cloud, eyes closed, gasping for breath. Both his body and spirit were utterly exhausted; he could barely maintain flight. Every now and then, his internal injuries would throb faintly, causing him to cough up a mouthful or two of congested blood.

Snoopy was even worse off. His last transformation into Pamir had drained all his strength, and he could no longer maintain his transformed state. He was now a scorched, long-eared rabbit, lying weakly beside Du Chen. "Grandson," he panted, "Grandpa's warning you, Emerald City is very dangerous right now! Sword Slave and Sephilis had a good relationship with Marshal Batuk back in the day. They might also be heading to Emerald City!"

"I know," Du Chen said through gritted teeth, "but the more dangerous it is, the more I *must* go back! Dus seems to be in trouble. Beibei and Anya haven't entered the range of my Battle Soul, so I can't contact my family still in Emerald City! If Sword Slave and Dragonfinch go to Emerald City now, they could immediately expose Dus as a fake. Then, the enraged Batuk Family would seize my two children on the spot, or even... execute them!"

"But... forget it. It concerns the lives of those two little ones. You won't rest easy if you don't go there yourself to oversee things! *Sigh*!" Du Chen waved his hand feebly. "Don't worry, Arthur is still in Emerald City, and Reno's fleet is not far away. He'll help me at the critical moment... Besides, Yonker, that old stubborn mule, can also be manipulated!"

After speaking, he let out a few long sighs. Suddenly, his Lotus Primordial Spirit trembled slightly! His Lotus Internal Force informed Du Chen that something was amiss with his Arcane Artifact, but this sensation lasted only an instant. The intense pain in his internal organs made it easy for Du Chen to ignore it. This moment precisely coincided with Xue Ji activating her Sands of the Hourglass necklace. As Number Eight abandoned the idea of killing Xue Ji, Du Chen's connection to the Arcane Artifact was lightly obscured by his intense pain. Since Xue Ji hadn't sustained a fatal injury, the necklace naturally wouldn't issue another warning.

Snoopy bared his teeth, leaning against the Water Veil Shield which was emitting healing light, and pouted, "This time you played too big, almost got yourself killed! But I never expected to see that little flirtatious bird here, haha! Grandpa really misses that little flirtatious bird..." Du Chen raised an eyebrow and smirked, "What? Wolf and Margaret are adulterers, and you and Dragonfinch... have some kind of relationship too?"

Snoopy snorted, "I'm not afraid to tell you, Margaret was able to capture Dragonfinch as a Divine Pet because I helped her! *Sigh*, what a pity..." Bunny-grandpa reminisced skyward, "That year, I was six years old! With nothing better to do, I transformed into a particularly handsome Dragonfinch and was strolling on an island. Unexpectedly, a silly female Dragonfinch bounced over, shamelessly telling me, 'Brother, you're so handsome...' Guess how I replied?" Du Chen burst into speechless laughter. "How did you reply?"

"Hmph! Grandpa kicked her right then and there, cursing, 'Cheeky Wench, Grandpa doesn't like to hear nonsense!'" After a hearty laugh, Snoopy said with a bitter face, "As a result, Sephilis, who had only hatched two months prior, cried her eyes out and summoned a whole nest of Dragonfinches to deal with me. In the end, I had no choice but to seek help from Old One Wolf. Old One then called in Margaret for assistance... and that's how Sephilis was captured!" Du Chen curled his lips, then couldn't help but laugh, "From what you're saying, you and that little flirtatious bird actually shared some affection back then, didn't you?" Snoopy stammered for a moment, then suddenly sighed, "Don't even mention it... a human tragedy caused by different species! Grandpa is a rabbit. No matter how that girl pestered me, Grandpa only likes beauties with long ears, four legs, and three-split lips..."

Du Chen smiled. After facing life and death together, he suddenly realized that Snoopy's bad temper wasn't quite so annoying anymore! *Alright!* When they got home, he'd improve this bunny-grandpa's treatment!

Thinking of Xue Ji, he sighed inwardly again. Du Chen suddenly said, "Right, you just said my Green Cloud's speed could rival what kind of troops? Are there really forces faster than my Green Cloud in this world?" "The Winged Elf Battle Squad! One of the Fiendkind's special military units. Grandpa saw their speed with his own eyes back then... It's very possible they are even faster than your Green Cloud!" "Winged Elves? Are they a branch of the Elf Race?" Du Chen asked curiously. It was strange; since his reincarnation, he had seen many races: beastmen, Xino Dwarves, dwarves, demi-humans... and so on, too many to count! Yet, he had barely seen any of the Elf Race, who were rumored to have long lifespans and considerable numbers! To be precise, only one: the Holy Church's spy, Miss 'Rose' Mina!

Snoopy said, "That's right! During the Fallen Gods era, the Elf Race split into two major factions: one supported humanity, called the Sacred Elves. The other supported the Fiendkind, called the Dream Elves, and the Winged Elves are a branch of the Dream Elves. Those fellows' speed... *tsk tsk!* Grandpa has seen them a few times, but he's never been able to transform into their likeness. Do you know why? It's because they fly too fast; I've never been able to get a clear look at them!" Du Chen smiled faintly after hearing this. Perhaps the Winged Elves were indeed very fast, but his Green Cloud wasn't even operating at its maximum speed right now! If Green Cloud could achieve such speed while he was so badly injured, how much faster would it be once his injuries healed!?

He checked his injuries, estimating in his heart that even with the Water Veil Shield's healing, it would likely take around two or three days to fully recover... Also, due to his severe injuries, he couldn't unleash his full strength, nor could Du Chen verify the true extent of his power after cultivating nineteen flowers and more than half of the thirty-six lotus blossoms. That stupid bird Sephilis sure was vicious. *Damn it*, why hadn't Snoopy kicked her to death back then!?

The man and the rabbit fell silent for a moment. Snoopy patted Du Chen's arm. "Grandson, we've reached Emerald City's sea territory!" Du Chen nodded, activating his Battle Soul with effort. "Beibei, Anya, can you hear Daddy's Battle Soul voice?" "Huh? It's Daddy! Daddy, come back quickly, something big has happened in Emerald City!"

...

On Bog Island.

"Long live Miki Goddess! Long live Miki Duchy! Long live Queen Liana!" Millions of Miki people gathered near the Goddess's Palace. The elderly wept uncontrollably, the young roared in excitement, while bewildered children watched everything blankly, listening to adults tearfully admonish them, "Children, from now on, we are no longer slaves... We are Miki people! Citizens of the Duchy blessed by the Goddess!"

Damon, Philip, and Lancy, several important figures of the Duchy, had changed into old, tattered general and noble attire, retrieved from ancient chests. They knelt on the steps before the Goddess's Palace. Lancy, tears streaming down his aged face, proclaimed, "Your Majesty! Your subjects have all gathered. Please, please Your Majesty, address them..." *How many years had it been? To think that I, this old geezer, would live to preside over a royal ceremony once more...*

"Rise, all of you!" A serene and elegant voice emerged from within the Goddess's Palace. In the dimly lit chamber, a sky-blue royal robe draped over her, Porter adjusted the crown on her head, then glanced wistfully at the black form-fitting undergarment hanging on a rack. With a faint sigh, she abruptly turned and decisively stepped out of the Goddess's Palace...

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The roar shook the four wilds, and Miki Duchy erupted in fervor at this moment!

Her sky-blue hair was coiled at the back of her head, secured by a Golden Circlet. Upon her noble and refined face, a pair of deep, vibrant sea-blue eyes shone. Her exquisite figure was gracefully curvaceous, exuding unparalleled splendor! Queen Hillmerya stood silently before her subjects, her poised and elegant noble aura forbidding any direct gaze.

The Miki people fell silent in an instant. Liana slowly raised her arm. "At the dawn of our restoration, with so much to be rebuilt, let us simplify everything. There are far too many tasks awaiting us... General Damon!" Damon immediately stepped forward and knelt. "Your Majesty, your subject is present!" Dispensing with all formalities, Liana calmly stated, "Reduce half of the three hundred thousand troops from the restoration, converting them into military farmers to restore agricultural production. Ensure that the lands destroyed by Seins are reclaimed as arable land before the spring plowing! The remaining one hundred and fifty thousand troops shall be divided into six Army Corps. You and Philip will each command two Army Corps! The remaining two Army Corps will be designated as the Goddess's Palace Imperial Guard, personally commanded by me!" "By your command, Your Majesty!"

"General Philip, you will lead your Army Corps to reorganize the ships gifted by Reno's fleet into the Miki Navy. Concurrently, issue a decree inviting merchants—our Bog Island, a Land of Abundance, is rich in resources, and for the first three years of our restoration, no commercial taxes or fees will be collected... All potential risks concerning merchant traffic shall be the responsibility of your navy!" Philip solemnly assented, then stepped aside.

Liana then called upon Lancy. "Steward Lancy, the details of the contract with the Great Delta Sea-race must be finalized within one month. The principle is simple: the Miki nation desires eternal peace with the Grand Delta Sea, but will never cede sea territory, never debase itself as a vassal, and never pay tribute or taxes!" "This old servant swears to complete the task even unto death!" Lancy paused, then suddenly raised his head and spoke in a low voice, audible only to Liana, "Your Majesty, news just came from the Great Triangle Navy that 'Seins,' after breaking through, was intercepted by the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys from Water's Embrace Lake. The Composite Aberrant Beast, Pamir, appeared and rescued Francis and Snoopy..."

Water's Embrace Lake? A flicker of worry crossed Liana's eyes as she slowly turned her head to gaze at the eastern sea. "Emerald City!" Though the three faint words were simple, Lancy knew what the Queen was asking. He quickly replied, "According to the Sea Clan General who received the Aqua Cloud Envoys, the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys mentioned in their conversation that they too would be going to Emerald City to observe a ceremony..."

Liana's fingertips trembled slightly. Francis was in danger! Reaching into her bosom, she retrieved a Lotus Golden Token and handed it to Lancy. "This is the Golden Token of Du Chen's Divine Cult's Divine Envoy. Take it immediately to the Great Triangle Navy and Reno's fleet. Tell them that our newly established Miki Duchy Navy lacks training and wishes to seize this excellent opportunity to conduct a joint military exercise with them in the seas east of Bog Island!"

Lancy was startled. "Will the Great Triangle Navy and Reno's fleet... listen to us? They just finished a major battle; how could they possibly mobilize for a military exercise?" Liana shook her head slightly. "Seeing this Golden Token, they *will* agree! And Lancy, remember, you don't need to actually prepare for a military exercise. You just need to draft a military exercise plan with the leaders of those two factions, and then... send this plan to Emerald City, inviting them to send representatives to observe!"

Lancy was even more bewildered. "Your Majesty! You're conducting a military exercise right outside the Batuk Family's doorstep, and you're even... sending them the plan?" Liana smiled faintly. "Just execute the order. Also, on the plan, list the Great Triangle Navy as the initiator of the military exercise!" Lancy didn't understand that Francis was about to face great trouble in Emerald City, and thus couldn't comprehend the Queen's strange command. But out of loyalty, he readily complied.

Liana further said, "Once the arrangements are made, return immediately to oversee all State Affairs on Bog Island!" "Your Majesty, are you going on a long journey?" Liana declared aloud, "Miki has been restored! Out of respect for the Batuk Family, Queen Liana will make her first diplomatic visit to Emerald City, and the time will be the very next day after the restoration!"

Diplomatically, this was an immense show of respect! Yet, Lancy found it increasingly strange. What was the Queen planning? First a military exercise right on their doorstep, then a display of diplomatic courtesy... What was the true meaning between this slap and a sweet date? He looked up, bewildered, at the Queen, but Liana's gaze was already lingering towards the East...

*Big dummy*, I originally planned to give you another 'surprise' at the official restoration ceremony, but now, it seems the 'surprise' must be brought forward.