Chapter 141: Three Factions
"How did you come by that name?" Leonardo asked, a deep frown etched on his face.
Sunny simply gestured with his head toward Vinous’ previous spot:
"Heard it from that guy."
Leonardo’s expression hardened: "Don’t ever mention that name again... So, what do you say? Will you become our allies?" He abruptly changed the subject, clearly trying to steer the conversation away from the forbidden name.
’He’s dodging the question,’ Sunny thought to himself.
’I shouldn’t push it. I’ll find out the truth on my own. All I know is he has the power to command the Wendigos. There must be something more, something so terrifying that even a God-rank is shaken by the name alone.’ He nodded in agreement.
"Yes, we are allies. But I’ll be attacking some nations in the coming months. I hope your council won’t interfere," Sunny stated, his gaze unwavering as he stared directly at Leonardo.
"If there’s a valid reason for it, we won’t say anything," Leonardo replied.
"Attacking without cause will incur our anger." He added.
"Good. Thanks for the information," Sunny said, giving a single nod.
"I’ll take my leave now," Leonardo announced, and began to ascend into the air.
Sunny’s eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you can leave the Forbidden Zone without the gate?"
"Of course. I’m a god," Leonardo said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Nothing weaker can hold me down." With that, he shot into the sky and vanished from sight.
’He doesn’t even need a ship? Is the gap between a Demigod and a God-rank that massive? Or maybe I can do it too,’ Sunny mused.
{Of course, Master can do it.}
{You just can’t break through all the restrictions without my help.}
’Showing off,’ Sunny thought, rolling his eyes.
BAM! BAM!! BAM!! BAM!! BAM!!
Sunny spun around to see hundreds of Giants charging toward the huge tree, their eyes filled with a primal rage.
"Wait, is the tree calling back all the wandering giants?" Sunny quickly pulled out his All-Changer.
"Let’s farm more EXP!" He leaped into the air and flew toward the approaching horde.
"Ellen... We have trouble," Star said, staring wide-eyed at the charging Giants.
"Almost there," Ellen muttered, pouring more energy into the tree. Her face grew paler with each passing second.
"You’re wearing yourself down," Star yelled, a worried look on her face.
"Why do you want to destroy this tree so badly?" As she spoke, she watched in amazement as the Giants began to drop to the ground, one after another, their monstrous forms falling silent under Sunny’s assault.
"Phew..." Star sighed in relief as Sunny took down the last Giant.
"Done," Ellen whispered before collapsing.
"Ellen!" Star moved quickly, catching Ellen just before she hit the ground. The two of them looked up at the massive tree, which shook violently for a few seconds before a beam of light shot out from its trunk, piercing the stormy clouds above.
BOOOOM!!!
They watched in awe as the dark clouds dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky and the warm sunlight.
"You... you actually did it," Star said, staring at Ellen in disbelief.
"Jasmine?" A soft voice called out, causing them to turn their heads.
A beautiful Xenon lady now stood exactly where the tree had been.
".....?!!"
Both Ellen and Star blinked in shock. The woman walked toward them and knelt down before Ellen.
"My beautiful girl has grown up," she said with a warm smile, gently caressing Ellen’s cheek. "I am proud of you, dear."
Sunny landed a few feet away, a thoughtful frown on his face as he observed the scene.
The lady’s smile lingered as she lowered her gaze to Ellen’s neck.
"Oh? You haven’t woken it?"
"..."
Ellen and Star simply blinked, still processing the surreal turn of events.
"It’s okay. I can help with that," the woman said. She waved her hand, and a pristine white crystal necklace appeared on Ellen’s neck.
"Better," she nodded.
"When you find your sister, split the crystal into two and give her one. When you’re ready to unseal your bloodlines, swallow your piece."
Ellen could only nod in understanding. The lady then stood up and turned to Sunny.
"Thank you, Sunny. I’m so happy Ellen found someone like you." She walked toward him, stopping directly in front of him.
"You’re with an Yggdrasil seed. I can’t help with that, but this can." She snapped her fingers, and the Blood Queen’s sword materialized before them.
"The bond in the sword was broken centuries ago. You can feed it to the seed."
"Thank you," Sunny said, storing the sword in his system storage.
"I should be the one thanking you." She shook her head.
"Will you be coming back with us?" he asked.
"Oh, no," she replied, raising her hand, showing Sunny as it began to disintegrate.
"I don’t exist in this world anymore. I just wanted to see my beautiful girl again. I’m only sad I can’t see my eldest daughter."
"Hmm..."
Sunny snapped his fingers, and a holographic image of Jinx appeared before them.
The lady’s eyes widened. She looked at the picture, then back at Sunny. "They’re both with you?" she asked in surprise.
"I didn’t even know they were sisters. They didn’t know themselves, but they do now," Sunny replied.
The lady nodded, her gaze fixed on the photo of her daughter.
"Can you please look after them?" she asked, turning her fading form toward Sunny.
"Ellen is my daughter. I’ll do anything to protect her," Sunny said firmly:
"Jinx, on the other hand, is troublesome, but don’t worry. The sisters are in safe hands. I just have one question."
The lady gestured for him to ask.
"The fruit, is it related to you? And can it awaken Ellen’s or Jinx’s bloodline?"
"The fruit was created with 60% of my energy, 30% of the sword’s energy, and 10% of the tree’s own energy," she explained.
"It has the power to increase anyone’s strength beyond thinking, but it won’t awaken her bloodline. Besides, you all aren’t strong enough yet for the battle ahead." She looked over her shoulder at Ellen and Star, who were now back on their feet.
"You must only unlock their powers when you have at least ten God-rank warriors beside you," she warned. "Otherwise, don’t even think about it."
"Ten God-rank?!" Sunny’s voice was filled with shock.
"Who are you really after your daughters?" He expected the name, but...
"There are three main factions after them," she replied, her words shocking Sunny into silence.
"The two of them have a God-rank bloodline, and everyone thinks they are a threat. The moment their bloodlines unlock, the leaders of these three factions will detect them and tear this world apart in search. That’s why you should never do it unless you have ten God-ranks or even more."
"Is Lester Blood among them?" Sunny asked.