The artifact spirit's gaze pierced through the light screen, staring at that unfamiliar world.
“Science?” it murmured softly, as if chewing over this unfamiliar word.
Ning Busan nodded. “That's right, science!”
The images on the light screen continued to shift.
Scientists busied themselves in laboratories. On computer screens, numbers and symbols scrolled rapidly. Under microscopes, tiny cellular structures were clearly visible.
In hospitals, doctors performed surgeries on patients using precise instruments; there was no trace of magic, yet diseases were still cured.
Rockets soared into the sky, breaking through the atmosphere. Deep-sea probes dove to the ocean floor, exploring uncharted realms.
...
The scenes changed continuously, leaving both the artifact spirit and Michael dazzled.
Ning Busan admired their dumbfounded expressions, letting out a mocking sneer in his heart.
These country bumpkins raised in a magical world had to be completely shaken, right?
Ning Busan guessed that what the Silver-Crowned God had seen in the torrent of time was highly likely the Blue Star after the First Industrial Revolution.
In just a single century—a mere hundred years—humanity had used science to develop into what was shown on the screen.
Even if the Silver-Crowned God himself were standing here right now, he would undoubtedly be incomparably astonished.
Once Ning Busan was finally done showing off the Blue Star's technology, he cut off the light screen's projection with a satisfied smile.
Facing the artifact spirit and Michael's thirst for knowledge, Ning Busan slowly raised his index finger to his lips. “Shh—”
“No need to ask, no need to speak. The grandeur of the Temple of Science is beyond your sight!”
Today, it was finally his turn to play the riddler!
Though the artifact spirit and Michael didn't quite understand, they still found it deeply impressive.
Ning Busan looked at the artifact spirit and said seriously, “It's for the best that the City of Steam is destroyed. It was never meant to exist in the crevices of time anyway.
“Once people die, they should return to dust. No one wants to become a manipulated puppet after death.”
The artifact spirit said respectfully, “I shall obey your divine oracle.”
The entire city began to sink, as if dragged into the abyss by an invisible hand.
The loop was broken; everything would return to its proper course.
This pocket world collapsed completely.
Space suddenly warped, and Ning Busan and Michael appeared in the middle of a desert.
At the same time, a crown appeared before Ning Busan.
Crafted from mithril, it was encircled by seven starstones that formed a brilliant halo. The crown itself was intricately woven with silver threads, with faint runes shimmering upon it. Silver wings unfurled on either side, adorned with star fragments.
Ning Busan silently straightened his back and let it descend onto his head.
Though it was extremely flashy, he absolutely loved it!
Ning Busan glanced at Michael. “Why haven't you left yet?”
Michael stared at Ning Busan's pocket. “Stop hiding.”
Leo, who had been quietly playing dead all this time, peered out from the pocket and mumbled, “My presence is already so low, can't you just pretend you didn't see me?”
Michael: “No.”
Ning Busan stuffed the two clumps of soulfire back into his pocket and asked Michael calmly, “What do you want?”
Michael said, “Either let me kill him, or let me take him away.”
“Are you still dreaming?” Ning Busan's tone was as cold as ice. “I'll also give you two choices: either beat it back to Heaven right now, or leave your life behind.”
Michael asked in a low voice, “Ning Busan, are you sure you want to oppose God?”
“If he wants him, tell him to come find me himself.” A trace of mockery flashed in Ning Busan's eyes. “You're not qualified.”
That's right, Ning Busan was feeling pretty cocky right now!
Within the spatial domain covered by the Crown of the Divine King, he could establish rules at will.
While he couldn't exactly beat the God of Light to a pulp and kick the God of Darkness to the curb, with the boost from the Crown of the Divine King, he might actually stand a chance against them.
“Ning Busan...” Anger flashed in Michael's eyes.
He knew very well that he couldn't stand against Ning Busan, but to fulfill God's command, he didn't care even if it cost him his life.
Suddenly, Michael's expression calmed. “God is summoning me back.”
Michael left.
But before he departed, he left behind a highly meaningful remark:
“If it weren't for this undead stumbling into this place, the City of Steam would never have been discovered, and the Crown of the Divine King would never have appeared. Ning Busan, don't you think that's a bit too coincidental?”
Ning Busan: “...”
Actually, even if Michael hadn't said it, Ning Busan would have figured it out.
But having it pointed out by someone else only made Ning Busan feel uncomfortable.
Ning Busan asked, “Aren't you going to change back?”
The two clumps of soulfire suddenly shuddered, their light intensifying abruptly.
Crack— Crack—
The sound of bones grinding against each other rang out. The glow of the soulfire gradually spread, transforming into streaks of eerie green light that outlined a complete skeleton.
Ning Busan asked, “Don't you have anything to explain about what he just said?”
With a loud snap, Leo snapped his skull back into place and retorted, “It's such an obvious attempt to sow discord. What do you want me to explain?”
Ning Busan said, “First, explain why the God of Light sent an angel to hunt you down.”
“You're right, the God of Light has developed a desire to kill me!” Leo said with utmost gravity. “So I should find a safe place to hide right now!”
The moment the words left his mouth, he prepared to slip away.
But immediately, he realized he was pinned to the spot, unable to move a single inch.
Leo gave him a thumbs-up. “Getting new gear and immediately testing it on your brother—you're really something!”
Ning Busan lifted his eyelids. “If the God of Light wants to kill you, I'll block him for you. Isn't it safer by my side? Why run?”
A complex teleportation array suddenly emerged beneath Leo's feet.
Before entering the City of Steam, he had already anticipated where he would land upon coming out.
Standing on the teleportation array, Leo said smugly, “Smell ya later!”
The teleportation array activated!
The teleportation array lagged!
One second, Leo: Hehehe.
The next second, Leo: Not laughing anymore.
Ning Busan sneered, “Heh.”
As a demigod, a Grand Archmage, and the owner of the Crown of the Divine King, if he let Leo slip away right under his nose, he might as well just go home.
Leo: “...”
Sure enough, in the face of absolute suppression of force, any petty tricks were completely useless!
Ning Busan had already lost his patience and asked directly, “Where is Lilian?”
The God of Light wouldn't target Leo for no reason; he must have taken Lilian away from Hell.
Leo said, “Don't worry, she's in an absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely safe place!”
“Did you hide her in the Dawn Empire?”
“No.”
“The Undead Realm?”
“No.”
“The deep sea?”
“No.”
Ning Busan clicked his tongue. “Where on earth is she?”
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