"Roar—!"
"So this is the so-called World Serpent headquarters?"
"Where's Kevin? Call Kevin out here right now. I'll fight him."
"I'll prove to you all that what I said in the future was true—Kevin and I are evenly matched, fifty-fifty!"
Knowing full well that Kevin wasn't present, Black Tiger Fu Hua (A.K.A. "Xiao Shi") began boasting recklessly.
However, those familiar with her couldn't help but recall a famous saying upon witnessing this scene:
When the tiger is away from the mountain, the monkey proclaims itself king.
"Enough, Xiao Shi."
Fu Hua spoke up, stopping Xiao Shi from further stubborn remarks. She then turned her attention to the World Serpent officers standing before them.
"Lord Fu Hua, welcome back."
Gray Snake greeted her respectfully.
"Mm."
Fu Hua nodded slightly, offering no further words.
Meanwhile, Danzhu, who had been observing Gray Snake, suddenly realized something and exclaimed in surprise, "Huh? You… you're Gray Snake?"
Upon hearing this, Cangxuan also scrutinized Gray Snake closely and soon noticed the distinctive emblem of Dr. Mobius on his mechanical body, confirming his identity as the very Gray Snake created by Professor Mobius.
"It's been a long time, Gray Snake."
"Indeed. It has been a while, Miss Danzhu, Miss Cangxuan."
Gray Snake responded calmly, recognizing the two assistants who had once worked under his creator, Professor Mobius, during the Previous Era. They had interacted frequently back then.
"Hey, hey! Enough chit-chat! Call Kevin out already!"
"I'm here to challenge him!"
"Wait, no—he's the one challenging me!"
"Ugh, whatever! Just get him out here!"
Xiao Shi, growing impatient with the nostalgic exchanges, began causing a ruckus.
Wu Tong and the others couldn't help but think to themselves:
Classic Xiao Shi.
Truly like a child—restless, energetic, and always interrupting adult conversations.
"Alright, hand over the coordinates to the Elysian Realm. We're heading there now."
"I need to meet with Elysia and the others."
Seeing that Xiao Shi had derailed the conversation, Wu Tong quickly interjected. If left unchecked, these long-lost acquaintances could easily spend an entire day catching up—a fact no one doubted.
There was no time for idle chatter now. The priority was to retrieve someone from the Elysian Realm as soon as possible.
"Understood."
"However, there's a condition—you must help us bring back our leader from the Sea of Quanta."
Gray Snake agreed but seized the opportunity to make a request.
"Retrieve Kevin? Sure, no problem."
"It's a trivial matter."
Wu Tong accepted without hesitation. After all, the Kevin who would return now was far from his peak strength, with less than a tenth of his power remaining. Posing no threat to Wu Tong, assisting Gray Snake in retrieving Kevin was a non-issue.
Moreover, Wu Tong suspected that Gray Snake had already relayed their arrival to Kevin—and perhaps even to the Flame-Chasers in the Elysian Realm. Bringing Kevin back early would leave a favorable impression.
After a brief discussion, the matter was settled. Gray Snake then provided the coordinates to the Elysian Realm.
Without delay, Wu Tong waved his hand, and a new dimensional portal materialized instantly, linking directly to the entrance of the Elysian Realm.
Just as the group prepared to step through, a few members hesitated.
"Um… maybe you all should go ahead. Cangxuan and I will wait here. How does that sound?"
Danzhu spoke up timidly, her voice laced with reluctance. Cangxuan shared the sentiment.
"I… I don't really want to go either. Blockhead, I'll stay here with them."
Little Cangxuan, recalling the stories about Dr. Mobius that Danzhu and Cangxuan had shared with her through the Cangxuan's Chronicles, also felt a pang of fear. Her small face turned toward Fu Hua, trembling slightly.
Wu Tong and the others could only stare at them in exasperation.
Then, a voice—playfully exaggerated yet tinged with underlying madness—came through the broadcast system:
"Danzhu. And Cangxuan."
"You've been resurrected, yet you don't plan to visit me?"
"Think carefully about the consequences~"
The moment the voice rang out, Danzhu and Cangxuan immediately wilted like frostbitten eggplants, their heads drooping in resignation. The reluctance on their faces morphed into sheer defeat.
It didn't take a genius to guess who the voice belonged to.
Only one person could reduce Danzhu and Cangxuan to such a state with mere words:
The Flame-Chaser bearing the Sigil of "Infinity," the Undying Serpent Lord, the Mad Scientist—Dr. Mobius.
"Let's go."
Amused by the scene, Fu Hua glanced at the group. Did they really think Dr. Mobius wouldn't be watching closely on her own turf?
One by one, they stepped through the portal. Danzhu and Cangxuan, with no other choice, followed reluctantly. Little Cangxuan, seeing no alternative, trailed behind Fu Hua, using her as a shield.
Wu Tong waited until everyone else had entered before following suit.
Just as he crossed the threshold, he flicked his wrist.
Behind Gray Snake and the others, an unupgraded dimensional veil flashed briefly over the throne—and in an instant, a figure with white hair appeared in its place.
Without looking back, Wu Tong stepped through the portal.
Faintly, he could hear voices behind him:
"Hail the return of our leader!"
...
Elysian Realm Entrance
"So this is the Elysian Realm?"
Mei gazed at the grand gates before her, her voice brimming with anticipation.
Beyond these doors lay the heart of the realm.
And there… Elysia.
Though they had never met in person, thanks to Wu Tong's assistance, Mei had experienced the story through illusions.
The thought of finally encountering that whimsical, pink-haired "troublemaker" sent a thrill through her.
"Well? Want to relive the moment? Shout, 'Answer me, Elysia~!' and see if she appears."
Noticing Mei's excitement, Wu Tong couldn't resist teasing her.
The space before the Elysian Realm's entrance was compact, and Wu Tong made no effort to lower his voice. His words cut clearly through the silence.
Fu Hua and the others twitched at the suggestion.
What kind of bizarre behavior was that?
"I am not doing something that weird!"
Mei's face flushed crimson.
Before Kiana could start hollering, Mei swiftly rejected the idea.
She absolutely refused.
Wouldn't that just be social suicide?
...
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(End of Chapter)