Tree King: What? I've become the Abundant Pharmacist?

Chapter 553 The Severing of the Suspended Peak

"The winds of Onphalus have the smell of rust. Hephaestus always laughs at me for drinking honey with sheep's milk, saying it makes the bright red color of blood look awful. He is small and thin, but he is incredibly fierce on the battlefield, killing enemies without hesitation."

“Padiccus is an expert in medicine, and he's good at making up all sorts of unorthodox remedies; Leon is a fast runner and the most trusted messenger.”

"Ptolemy always loved to nitpick over words. When he left Suspended Peak, he took quite a few ancient books from the Great Library—they're all mine, so I don't need to return them. As for Possetta... well, he's not much of a talker, but he plays the violin beautifully..."

After hearing this, Bai E was no longer as frivolous as before; he became serious.

"These five...this is the first time I've ever heard of their names."

“Of course. They were killed before the isolated force of Suspended Peak and Ohma joined forces.” Wan Di sighed.

Bai E quietly watched Wan Di.

"First was Padiccas, who died in the second month of cultivation, April, from a poisoned arrow shot into the abdomen by the Ladonians. His remedy could save everyone except himself."

“I remember him saying to me, ‘Medemos, do not grieve. I have earned glory, and I repay my mortal enemy with a glorious death…’”

"And then there's Leon, who died in the fifth winter, when the blizzards in Aidiria lasted for three whole months. On the night of the heaviest blizzard, the enemy launched their attack."

“Aidiria…is the city-state where Xia Die used to live?” Bai E asked.

"It's those fanatics. They are like the men of the helm, ready to die, but they lack any reverence for honor."

"They pursued him relentlessly through the bottomless swamp, and Leon was crippled while covering their retreat. He vanished into the mud of a foreign land, leaving no trace."

"Leon said at the time, 'How wonderful, Medemus... I can finally bring the news of your ascension to kingship to the underworld...'"

"I still remember those words to this day."

"On the twentieth evening after that, we finally launched a counterattack and entered the city of Aidiria, accepting the tyrant's pleas for peace. However, the stubborn rebels had laid an ambush within the city..."

"Ptolemy and his cavalry were wiped out before they could even taste victory. The burning and collapsing obelisks became their graves."

"Then came Poseidon. He lured the enemy deep into the city of Eneonus with his songs, buying us precious time."

"Enraged, the enemy set fire to our army and the entire city, burning them to the ground... His last words were left on a small piece of mud slab cracked by the fire."

He said to me, "Medemos, put on the crown."

"Finally, Hephaestus, whom I trusted most... He should have been with me to witness the dust settle, but his chronic illness relapsed on the eve of my duel with my father..."

"He concealed his illness, and by the time I returned in triumph after personally killing my enemy, the late King Euriporn, he was barely clinging to life."

He believed that being a high-ranking official who could only spend his life in bed was something that would make him a laughingstock.

"I wanted to treat him and called a doctor, but he refused."

“Fate…” Wan Di lowered his head, his thoughts already drifting off into the distance.

Bai E felt very sad as he listened.

"What a... heavy trial."

"Now I understand why you viewed 'immortality' as a flaw, even a curse."

"To sever my past karma, the late king cast me into the sea of ​​the underworld, but he did not expect that this would create my immortal body and bring him the revenge of fate."

“After his death, I thought of leading my people back to their homeland. But by then, Suspended Peak was a wasteland, where only darkness and madness could grow.”

“Despite the opposition of many people—including Kratrus—I left the Lone Ranger in Ohma. But I know that their glory can never be erased.”

“The time for conflict will eventually come.” Wan Di looked up at the sky.

"Once you take over the Titan of the Nicardory Saga, you must embark on a journey home."

"So, you think it's a better choice to let your people stay in the Holy City?"

Wan Di shook his head. "I don't know."

"But because I was never crowned king, those five were never made kings...and no one knows their glory."

"Your situation is really complicated."

“I can hardly offer any useful advice. Perhaps… you could talk to more people, such as the Great Craftsman. Hattonus’s people must have experienced similar difficulties.”

"And your teacher, Kratrus..."

"No need, I've already found that person, and she gave me very useful advice." Wan Di declined Bai E's offer.

"Who?" Bai E asked curiously.

“Teacher Eve..…”

Before Wan Di could finish speaking, Ti Bao's voice suddenly rang out.

"Little White! Little Enemy! Something terrible has happened!"

"Teacher Tibo? What happened that made you so panicked?"

Tibo cried out urgently, "Quickly, save her! Tinning, Tinning... she's been kidnapped by Kratos!"

"What?" Wan Di looked incredulous.

"how is this possible?"

"Let's hurry, we're at the heart of the cosmic vortex!"

...............

The primordial vortex.

"Clatrus! What's going on?"

Wan Di angrily questioned the white-bearded old man before him.

Aglaia had arrived ahead of time, injured Kratrus's arm, and firmly protected Tinin behind her.

Craterus looked up and saw Wan Di.

“Ah, Medemos..…”

"I never expected that I would expose my weakness first... Ha."

"Aglaia! Give me an explanation." Wan Di was now enraged and somewhat irrational.

"This man forcibly took Tining hostage and forced her to bring him to the center of the cosmic vortex."

Aglaia's tone was icy, and her anger was rising.

"Then, he even dared to step into the Trial of the Titans of Conflict, the Spear of Divine Retribution... and of course, failed."

"Is what she said true? Why did you do this?" Wan Di turned around and questioned Kratrus.

Clatrus smiled calmly, "Because I don't want to wait any longer; your hesitation is despairing."

"If you wish to escape your destiny as king, then flee. Someone will always step forward to fill the void left by 'strife'... and lead my people back home."

Upon hearing this, Wan Di felt a pang of self-reproach, but his position did not allow him to do so.

"My teacher, how could the years have made you so ignorant!"

"Haven't you seen it yet? The reason I'm so confused is precisely your recklessness and impulsiveness that's ingrained in your very being."

“Clatrus, do you really think you are qualified to meddle in the trial and blaspheme the oracle?” Aglaia questioned directly.

"Is the mission of us Golden Bloodlines such a trivial matter in your eyes?"

"Want to know what you look like in the eyes of the Suspended Ones, Aglaia?" Kratrus shouted.

"Hypocrite... Ambitious schemer! The divine oracle of creation, the journey to fire, are nothing but a pretext for you to seize power."

"Shut up, Clatrus! Do you know what you're saying?" Wan Di interrupted Clatrus.

"Are you going to defend this woman, Medemus? Over the past millennium, how many wars have been fought and how many city-states have been destroyed in connection with her and the oracles they proclaim?"

Even if the so-called "creation" truly exists, will the Suspended Peak Clan have a place in the new world?

"Have you finished speaking?" Aglaia's voice was icy, as if she had already prepared for the execution.

"According to the agreement reached between the Golden Descendants and the Senate, those who trespass into the heart of creation need not be tried by the council and can be dealt with by me."

"Clatrus, your actions are unforgivable. I hereby pronounce your sentence..."

Faced with Aglaia, Wan Di could only remain silent, for he knew that Kratrus had made a mistake.

My teacher, so bright, so bright I...

At this moment, Wan Di's resolve wavered once again.

Craterus's farce did not strengthen Wan Di's resolve; instead, it shook his already firm resolve once again.

Perhaps I shouldn't touch the Suspended Edge anymore; no matter how it's used, its ultimate fate is destruction...

This idea quickly took root in Wan Di's mind.

But at that moment, Tinin interrupted Aglaia's impending trial.

"Aya! Wait a minute!"

“We have a proposal. Someone has to step forward and resolve this conflict between the city-states.”

"Lord Kratrus did not use violence to harm us. We could sense that his anxiety stemmed from his concern for the future of his people."

"Please, Aglaia, listen to *our* thoughts first."

Aglaia remained silent, then replied simply, "I'm listening."

Clearly, she still preferred to execute Kratos.

Divine pronouncements are not to be refuted.

But since it was her teacher, Aglaia stopped severing ties and listened carefully to what Tibo wanted to do.

“I apologize, Lord Clatrus. We have been so busy interpreting fragments of prophecy that we have neglected those who are not favored by the oracle… Your accusation, though harsh, is reasonable.”

“We want your trust, and the trust of the Suspended Peak Clan. I think the best way… is to take you to witness the source of the prophecy firsthand.”

Clatterus frowned, for in his mind this was utterly impossible.

How can you make me see something ethereal and intangible?

"You've heard about the stranger, haven't you? For some reason, he/she has made a connection with the Titans of the Ages of Oronis, and can perfectly recreate the landscapes of the past."

"*We* will ask for his/her help. Tomorrow, in the Abyss of Fate, at the Temple of Janusapolis… Craterus, *we* are willing to show you that ancient memory, without reservation."

After thinking for a moment, Clatterus gave his answer.

"That sounds fair. I accept the offer."

"But before that, you will be deprived of your freedom of movement. This is my bottom line, and there is absolutely no possibility of compromise."

Clatrus smiled dismissively, seemingly unafraid.

"Ha, this isn't the first time I've been someone's prisoner. Do as you please, 'Demigod'."

"My master...why did you go to such lengths?" Wan Di still found it hard to accept.

This is someone I used to respect the most, and now they've done something like this.

This is utterly incomprehensible.

When Kratrus saw the disappointment in Wan Di's eyes, his own gaze also darted away.

"I'm sorry, young master... I can't endure it any longer."

“Since your father’s death, my people and I have been waiting for the opportunity to revive the Xuanfeng. We have placed all our hopes on you, but we have received no response.”

"The obsession with returning home has become the root of our people's problems! You are so wise, I don't believe you can't see the simple truth..."

"You are very clear-headed, which is why you are so lonely. Intelligent people can only choose to succumb to the world."

“If you can truly lead your people to break free from this blood-stained fate, then prove it to me once again, Medemos.”

"Just like you did back then..."

Wan Di fell silent.

He knew that Clatrus was referring to that matter.

That was the day Suspended Peak City was destroyed.

He stood on the chest of the late King Euriporn, holding a spear to his neck, his eyes filled with resentment.

He was his own father, and also the one who threw him into the River Styx.

Even though the late King Euriporn was trampled underfoot, he still did not beg for mercy or surrender; his words were full of sarcasm and mockery.

"What a brave fighter... Even the weak Ohmah people have such a hero."

King Euriporn: Fulfill the duty of the victor, state your name, warrior! I demand from you a glorious death!

Wan Di directly questioned, "Glory... what do you have to do with those two words?"

"Listen up! I am the leader of the Lone Vanguard, the Mighty Mighty—I am here to pierce your chest, Father!"

Upon hearing Wan Di's words, the late King Euriporn's expression changed from provocation to anger.

"It is you... you despised beast, you truly refused death. The prophecy is true... my Xuanfeng Dynasty will ultimately end in your hands..."

“Refuse? You’re wrong. It’s death that fears me. Thanks to it, I have this body of steel.”

"And you, you are terminally ill, Father. You were the one who cast me into the Sea of ​​Darkness, and you were the one who attempted to enslave Titanicadori and blaspheme the divine body..."

"HKS! You weak king, even the most despicable hyena is a thousand times nobler than you!"

"And now, fate's revenge has come for you!"

The late King Euripas laughed: "Then let's draw our swords! Take my crown, crown yourself with the blood of the late king, inherit everything... and rightfully become the new king of Suspended Peak."

"No, I don't want the crown. Listen carefully—if the king with the hanging crown has only one destiny, then it means nothing to me..."

"I only want your life! To avenge my mother and my comrades, that's all!"

"But the fortified walls will not collapse with me... My son, do you think you can escape the clutches of fate?"

"Hahaha... It's the same... You and I... We both feed on strife and fear..."

"Now, kill me! Son of Goergo, destined to reign supreme in blood!"

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