# 1516
Chapter 1514: The Heavenly Lord Ascends to the Moon
Pain?
Lin Qiye was stunned. He immediately deactivated the 【Mortal Divine Realm】.
As the pale golden domain disappeared, An Qingyu's body finally relaxed. Beads of sweat slid down from her temples, and her complexion grew even paler than before.
"Pain? How could it be painful?" Lin Qiye's eyes were full of confusion.
The 【Mortal Divine Realm】 had no attacking properties. Even if it couldn't cure An Qingyu's illness, it shouldn't cause any pain.
An Qingyu shook her head. "I don't know... I just feel a splitting headache..."
"Is there any improvement in your condition?"
"Doesn't seem like it."
Lin Qiye sighed helplessly at this...
It seemed the 【Mortal Divine Realm】 was useless too... He'd tried every possible approach, and now he was completely at a loss.
"We can only wait for the three Heavenly Lords to return from the Mist and ask them." Lin Qiye's gaze turned toward the horizon. He wondered how the situation in the Mist was unfolding...
...
Moon.
Upon the gray-white, furrowed land, Michael stood like a statue at the center of a massive meteorite crater.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, He looked up toward the distance.
The gray fog-shrouded Earth slowly passed overhead from the Moon's perspective. Sunlight gleamed along Earth's edge, and a touch of morning light fell upon the barren land. Three Taoist figures walked out unhurriedly from within it.
Upon seeing this, Michael's face betrayed a hint of surprise.
"The three Great Xia Heavenly Lords arriving at the Moon together—this is a first." Michael's hand gripping the Golden Holy Sword did not loosen. He gazed toward where the Taoists were approaching, and a low voice resonated in the minds of the three Heavenly Lords.
Yuanshi Tianzun, walking at the forefront, smiled faintly. "We have come this time also to discuss an important matter."
Michael seemed to have guessed something.
"Regarding Cthulhu?"
"Indeed." Lingbao Tianzun's lips parted slightly, and his voice transmitted into Michael's ears, as if whispering something.
After listening, Michael fell into contemplation.
"Somewhat risky."
"Indeed it is." Lingbao Tianzun paused. "But if we do not take this risk now, once the 【Key to the Gate】 and 【Chaos】 return, Earth will never be able to resist the Cthulhu Faction again."
"Why are you all so convinced that the 【Key to the Gate】 and 【Chaos】 will return?" A hint of confusion appeared in Michael's eyes. "【Chaos】 has been missing for over a thousand years—there is no guarantee of return. The 【Key to the Gate】 has fallen into a death-like slumber—the odds are even slimmer...
Why are you in such a hurry?"
The three Heavenly Lords exchanged glances, then fell into simultaneous silence.
After a long while, Lingbao Tianzun finally spoke, saying something to Michael, whose expression immediately grew grave.
"This matter is rather complicated... Since we now have an opportunity to strike at the 【Black Goat】, we should not miss it." Yuanshi Tianzun spoke seriously.
Michael contemplated for a moment, then gave a slight nod.
"Very well."
Seeing Michael agree, the three Heavenly Lords raised their hands in a formal salute. "In that case, we shall begin our preparations."
The three Heavenly Lords turned and departed, transforming into three streaks of light that tore through the dark void and vanished into Earth's layered mist...
...
Several days later.
Clang—!!
Blade edges collided in the air, and the two figures rebounded off each other. Lin Qiye stabilized himself mid-air, landing on the hard training ground, his eyes locked intently on Chen Han across from him.
Chen Han gripped his Straight Blade, also retreating several steps, his expression utterly serious.
After a brief pause, the two figures charged toward each other once more like bolts of lightning. Straight Blade met Straight Blade in the air, colliding rapidly, while dazzling sparks burst forth one after another.
"So strong." Li Zhenzhen and the others sat in chairs at the edge of the training ground, watching the brilliant display of blade techniques, unable to hold back their exclamations of awe.
Beside them, Fang Mo watched with complete concentration, afraid to miss even a single detail. Lu Baoyou, meanwhile, gripped the hilt of the Straight Blade at his waist, his expression one of eager anticipation.
"To think that without any spiritual power or Forbidden Ruins, pure swordsmanship alone could produce such terrifying lethality?"
"Swordsmanship alone definitely isn't enough." Fang Mo spoke up. "Beyond swordsmanship, you also need extraordinarily reverse-heaven-level physical capabilities. Otherwise, no matter how skilled you are with a blade, it's still just mortal technique... Look at Commander Lin—every strike carries terrifying power. Even bare-handed, one palm strike from him could shatter this entire courtyard."
"What a monster... No wonder Captain Chen has been getting beaten down by him this whole time."
"Captain Chen has done his best."
"Nothing impressive about that." Lu Baoyou disdainfully averted his gaze, gazing at the Straight Blade in his arms, his voice firm and resolute. "When I reach their age... I'll only be stronger than them."
Fang Mo ignored Lu Baoyou's words, as if something had occurred to him. "By the way, any news from Su Zhe and Su Yuan?"
"Just got it." Li Zhenzhen smiled. "Upon receiving our invitation, Su Yuan's sister was very happy and said she'd bring Su Zhe over right away... But Su Zhe, it seems, is extremely fearful of this kind of high-risk work. In the end, he still came along with his sister."
"That's good... With them, we'll have five people."
Li Zhenzhen thought for a moment. "Should we recruit Ding Chongfeng too? Get to six people right away?"
"Too weak, not enough potential." Lu Baoyou said flatly.
"...While what Lu Baoyou said is a bit harsh, it really is the truth." Fang Mo helplessly acknowledged. "Su Zhe and Su Yuan each have their own strengths, but Ding Chongfeng is relatively more balanced—or rather, ordinary. Accepting him hastily would only put him in danger."
"Let's wait until the Su siblings arrive, then make plans."
While the three were talking, the training ground had already produced a victor.
Lin Qiye twisted his body in mid-air, his Straight Blade leaving afterimages as it slashed from an extremely tricky angle, striking the back of Chen Han's blade. The terrifying force directly sent the weapon flying from Chen Han's grip. It spun through the air over a dozen revolutions before firmly embedding itself in the wall.
Chen Han watched this scene, offering a somewhat bitter smile. "You're absolutely a monster... I'd always thought my blade work was fairly good. I never expected to lose so quickly."
"It's not about blade technique. We're actually about equal in skill. It's just that my speed and strength are a bit better."
"Alright, regardless, thank you for sparring with me."
"No need to thank me. During this vacation period, I was getting a bit restless too. Having an opponent is a good thing."
Lin Qiye smiled. He and Chen Han descended the training ground together and returned to the central courtyard of the compound.
"By the way, has headquarters sent any news about that monster from that day?" Lin Qiye asked, as if just remembering.
"Not yet." Chen Han shook his head. "This thing isn't in the Night Watch database. We can only search through historical records and texts, but we've confirmed it's a creature from Cthulhu Faction mythology, and with the sketch I drew of its appearance, there should be results soon."