Derick's group returned to Okhema.
Outside the city of Okhema, Anaxa parted ways with the others. He walked to the side of the road, studying the Earth Beasts with great interest.
"Studying Earth Beasts is much more interesting than meeting that woman."
Derick, Castorice, and Cipher headed towards the Heroes' Bath.
Arriving at the Heroes' Bath, Tribbie, Trinnon, and Trianne were all there. Seeing Derick and the others return, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Trianne ran up to Derick and asked him, "Little Derick, Little Castie, you're back! Did you encounter any danger?"
"We didn't encounter any danger, it's just that this time's objective wasn't completed."
Derick still subconsciously reached out to pat Trianne's head, but seeing Trianne with her hands on her hips, one eye reveal an unfriendly little glare, he sheepishly withdrew his hand.
Seeing Derick withdraw his hand, Trianne was finally satisfied. She spoke to comfort Derick and Castorice, "It's okay, as long as you've returned safely. We can take our time with the rest."
Trinnon also nodded from the side. "Yes, even if that woman Caenis brings that monster back, we have ways to deal with it."
Derick quickly shook his head. "Things haven't gotten that bad. In fact, although we suffered heavy losses, Caenis's side was even worse. Even Caenis herself died at the hands of that monster."
"Oh? Is that so? Tell me more." Hearing Derick say this, Aglaea, who had appeared at some point, asked him with interest.
"It's like this, Seamstress..." Cipher, as a firsthand witness, quickly began to tell Aglaea what she had seen.
Hearing that Caenis was dead, both Trinnon and Trianne almost wanted to laugh but managed to hold it in.
Aglaea, on the other hand, had a normal expression upon hearing of Caenis's death. It was only when Anaxa's successful escape was mentioned that a look of regret appeared in Aglaea's eyes.
"What a pity..." she said softly.
Seeing everyone looking at her, Aglaea explained with an unchanged expression, "What I find regrettable is that I thought that fellow was the founder of the [Nousporists], and would have quite a few tricks up his sleeve. If he could have dealt with that monster, we could have just gone over and picked up the spoils."
Her words were logical and well-founded. Apart from Derick and Tribbie not believing her, there weren't many problems with it.
Afterward, when Derick mentioned that his body could also accept the energy of the Titan of Reason, expressions of shock finally appeared in Aglaea's and Tribbie's eyes.
"Little Derick, you... your body can actually accommodate the abilities of two Titans?" Tribbie asked Derick.
"Yes." Derick nodded.
A thoughtful look appeared in Aglaea's eyes.
Previously, she had thought Derick could re-condense the Core Flame of the Titan of Discord. Now, he had an additional power belonging to the Titan of Reason. With these two combined, she was truly unsure of how to proceed.
After some thought, Aglaea said, "For now, let's not act rashly. That monster also possesses immortality, making it very difficult for us to kill it. We must be well-prepared before we can confront it again. As for the situation with the Titan of Reason, Cerces is a relatively peaceful Titan. Unless absolutely necessary, we should not meddle with Her power."
"During this time, Derick, you should rest well within Okhema. If there's anything needed, I'll talk to you then."
"Yes, Lady Aglaea." Derick nodded. Then he remembered the matter of the Grove of Epiphany, wondering if Cerces exerting Her power would attract the attention of the Flame Reaver.
So he quickly said to Aglaea, "By the way, Lady Aglaea, the matter of the Grove of Epiphany..."
Aglaea immediately assured him, "You can rest assured. Mydei and Phainon have already returned to Okhema once while you were out. Their next actions will not take them too far from the Grove of Epiphany. If the Grove of Epiphany truly encounters danger, they will be able to provide rescue at the earliest opportunity."
Hearing Aglaea say this, Derick felt relieved.
Aglaea then pointed towards the bath.
"Come, you've all had a hard journey. Soak in the hot spring for a while to relieve your fatigue."
"Alright."
The hot springs were a staple of Okhema's civilization, not to be missed.
Soaking in the hot spring, Derick felt incredibly comfortable.
"When things settle down a bit, should I introduce the trio of scrubbing, back-beating, and pedicures? It would be a contribution to Okhema's bathing industry," Derick thought to himself.
Seeing Derick enter the bath, Castorice also removed her white pantyhose and walked towards the pool.
Cipher, remembering her previous experience, hesitated by the edge of the pool, not daring to go in. However, it reminded her of something else. She took out a few photos from her pocket.
"Seamstress, I have a few embarrassing photos of Anaxa here. Interested in buying them?"
"Very well, it will be added to your payment for this time." Aglaea nodded lightly.
Cipher grinned happily.
Outside the Grove of Epiphany.
Cerces's energy fluctuations had attracted the attention of the Flame Reaver.
His wounds from the last close-range hit by the Blade of Scourge had mostly healed, and the Flame Reaver felt his combat strength had recovered. He decided to strike again.
And just at that moment, Cerces's energy fluctuations were transmitted over.
"The Titan of Reason, is it? Good, then I'll take your Core Flame first," the Flame Reaver mused upon sensing this energy.
Might as well take care of the Grove of Epiphany while I'm at it.
Several days later.
Phainon happened to be passing by the Grove of Epiphany.
He was about to leave for somewhere else when he sensed a strong aura of the Black Tide.
"Could it be? Is the Black Tide really attacking here?" Phainon muttered to himself.
Then, to be safe, he rushed towards the direction where he sensed the Black Tide.
The oppressive feeling of the Black Tide was still very strong. According to descriptions, its aura would make one feel as if they were suffocating in a flood.
Phainon advanced several tens of kilometers in that direction and immediately felt the aura before him making it difficult to breathe. He had faced the Black Tide many times, but the Black Tide before him still made him feel suffocated.
As far as the eye could see, a dense horde of Black Tide creatures appeared.
These monsters, transformed by the Black Tide's infection, were covered in dark and orange-red colors, their hands turned into sharp blades, their mobility and attack power far exceeding that of normal soldiers.
Phainon didn't know how many enemies were before him.
But he knew he couldn't let these Black Tide creatures charge straight towards the Grove of Epiphany. If that happened, the Grove of Epiphany would suffer a great calamity.
Protecting the civilization of Omphalos, Phainon felt, was something he had to do.
His single-handed sword appeared in his hand, its tip pointing downwards, as he ran towards the Black Tide creatures.
When he reached them, he raised his sword high, unleashing a streak of azure light.
A flash of light, and several Black Tide creatures were instantly slain.
After slaying these few, he once again charged into the horde of Black Tide creatures, beginning a frenzied slaughter.
Phainon's skills were extraordinary, top-tier even among the Golden Ones. His long sword danced, and Black Tide creatures fell one by one.
After the better part of a day, this wave of Black Tide creatures was slain and repelled by Phainon.
Watching the Black Tide creatures retreat, Phainon leaned on his sword, panting for a few breaths. Even for him, felling so many Black Tide creatures was exhausting.
But he couldn't rest yet.
This wave of Black Tide creatures was merely the vanguard; more were preparing to arrive.
"I must notify the Grove of Epiphany now," Phainon thought.
He then turned and headed towards the Grove of Epiphany.
Upon arriving, he immediately found the sages of the Grove of Epiphany. Anaxa was still in Okhema, but the leaders of the other schools were present. They recognized Phainon and knew he wouldn't lie. Moreover, the signs of intense battle on his body were undeniable proof.
"We will evacuate the scholars here immediately. Your Excellency Phainon, during this time, could you please assist us in our defense?"
"Naturally." Phainon nodded.
Though weary, he would not shirk such a duty. The Grove of Epiphany still had guards, and they went out with Phainon to defend against the possible arrival of Black Tide creatures.
Even knowing the odds were against them, they showed no sign of retreat.
The other scholars of the Grove of Epiphany also acted quickly.
Though usually at odds, they were now united, helping each other, quickly packing, and preparing to leave in batches.
The leaders of various schools were constantly directing.
"Go, quickly, don't bother with those books and records for now. People are the most precious resource; the most important thing for you now is to stay alive."
"Don't worry about them. When people from Okhema arrive, we can still retrieve the books."
The scholars of the Grove of Epiphany began to evacuate.
Phainon led the men in defense.
Soon, a large number of Black Tide creatures attacked like a tide.
"I really hope Mydei arrives quickly enough," Phainon thought, gripping his long sword tightly.
Looking at these Black Tide creatures, Phainon was relatively calm. Though numerous, their strength was limited; he could still hold out until the scholars evacuated.
But in the next second, his expression changed rapidly. Among those Black Tide creatures, Phainon saw the cloaked figure Mydei had described.
And upon seeing this cloaked figure, flames of vengeance instantly ignited in Phainon's eyes.
Phainon knew he was no match for him.
But, Even if it was difficult, Phainon had to fight.
For protection, and for revenge.
He swung his long sword, charging straight towards the Flame Reaver.
Phainon unleashed his full aura, and the Black Tide creatures were pushed back before they could even get close to him. Soon, he was before the Flame Reaver.
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