Chapter 436: Refinement

Chapter 436: Refinement

In the heart of Angel City, within the Holy Angel Sanctuary, an angel sat upon a throne, her halo swirling like a tumultuous wave. Below her, a flustered old man and a young angelic girl sat, the latter alternating between silly grins, deep thought, and determination, her mind clearly filled with all sorts of chaotic thoughts.

Observing her daughter's adorable yet exasperating behavior, Queen Kaisa, seated on the throne, could barely contain her frustration. Her gaze shifted to the old man beside her, causing him to shudder.

"Now, listen to me, dear husband! This matter is not entirely my fault..." The old man opened his mouth to argue, but before he could form a coherent rebuttal, his little daughter snapped back to her senses.

"Don't you dare scold my Father God! He's the best Father God in the world! Not only did he let Illya play in the mortal realm, but he also gave her the best Master in the entire world. I love my Master so much!"

Illya tilted her head in thought, then hugged her father affectionately. "Yes, I love Father God too!"

This embrace would usually bring the old man joy, but at this moment, he felt a chill as if his little daughter's words were like a cold breeze.

"So, the mortal realm and Master, huh? You've done well!" Kaisa's gaze shifted to the old man, making him feel even more uneasy.

Observing this mismatched father-daughter duo, Kaisa felt a headache coming on. She never imagined that in a moment of inattention, her daughter, whom she had raised for decades, would offer herself to someone else and seem so delighted about it. Kaisa felt an overwhelming urge to strike someone.

But what good would that do? The issue at hand was how to resolve this problem.

"Where are his details?" Kaisa asked, rubbing her temples and trying to stay calm.

Since the matter was already settled, she had no choice but to accept it, hoping that her foolish daughter had not chosen some unsuitable candidate.

However, as soon as she asked this question, her anger surged. Both individuals below her wore expressions of utter confusion.

Details? What details?

Kaisa's heart raced, and her blood boiled. "What's his name, his age, his strength, how many pets does he have, and most importantly, what's his character like?"

Kaisa wanted to investigate the entire lineage of Lu Wu's ancestors, going back eighteen generations. After all, this was a person who had formed a contract with Illya. Such a contract was for life, and if she didn't investigate thoroughly, what if he turned out to be an LSP? What if Illya secretly met him alone and returned with a few little ones? Kaisa couldn't bear the thought.

She wasn't sure if such a scenario would occur, but the reactions of the two before her were already driving her crazy.

Illya's father wore a blank expression, indicating he had no idea what was going on. Illya, on the other hand, was eager to share: "Illya knows that her Master is super handsome and cool. He has a golden halo above his head, nine pairs of light wings behind him, and he holds an incredibly powerful sword.

Behind him is a black hell, with endless black flames burning. Terrifying chains reach out towards him, and countless skeletons and evil spirits worship him.

He's so powerful, cool, and amazing, right?"

The young girl recounted the entire scene she had witnessed, without any exaggeration, she swore. But her mother didn't believe her.

From the first sentence, her mother suspected that Illya had secretly read human novels again and borrowed the main character's appearance from one of those stories.

Listening to her description and seeing her excitement, it seemed like the 'Old Man of Appearances' had taken over!

Kaisa sighed, covering her forehead with her hand, and gestured towards her 'dead' husband. "You, go and investigate that person thoroughly. If everything checks out, bring him to me."

She then pointed at her daughter. "And you, don't even think about leaving without my permission!"

...

Alliance, District 1, Elder Mountain.

Not long ago, a fragment retrieved from the Treasury had been delivered to Fei Yinghao's hands, along with a refinement formula.

The Alliance had learned about fragment refinement from the Zero Organization and the tools used by Ryuichiro Ryukawa, a Zeroer. However, their understanding of refinement was quite limited.

At one point, someone on Elder Mountain secretly initiated human experiments to refine fragments, resulting in the deaths of thousands without any success. The experiment was eventually discovered and halted by the Alliance leader.

Since the Council of Elders, the refinement of Gateway Fragments had remained theoretical. Despite numerous conceptual plans, no one had attempted it, and even secret experiments were conducted by low-level Summoners. Fei Yinghao, a Summoner of such caliber, was about to attempt it for the first time.

The Elders were keenly interested in this experiment, which could provide them with valuable insights. To ensure Fei Yinghao's safety, the Council swiftly prepared everything needed for the experiment.

With everything in place, Fei Yinghao, the Gateway Fragment, and Wood Old Man were sent to the laboratory, and the experiment officially began.

Wood Old Man had suggested adding Wood Old Man to the experiment, claiming he could provide Fei Yinghao with vitality since Fei Yinghao was risking his life for the greater good.

Fei Yinghao was touched by Wood Old Man's words. However, everyone knew that Wood Old Man was merely using this opportunity to further his observations and research.

Considering Wood Old Man's offer to provide vitality, Zhao Xuen agreed, believing it would enhance the experiment.

"Let's begin!"

As soon as Fei Yinghao entered the laboratory, he eagerly held the Gateway Fragment, ready to start.

"Wait!"

At that moment, Wood Old Man was studying the refinement formula, seemingly analyzing it. Fei Yinghao grew impatient: "Wood Old Man, what are you looking at? You don't understand this, so why are you stalling?"

Wood Old Man spoke solemnly: "You're risking your life with this experiment. I must familiarize myself with the entire process to ensure your safety. If something goes wrong, we lose an opportunity, but you lose your life!"

Perhaps sensing Wood Old Man's sincerity, Fei Yinghao hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand dismissively.

"Do as you please. Just make sure you're happy with it!"

Without Fei Yinghao's interruption, Wood Old Man spent ten minutes studying the formula before nodding in approval.

"Alright, we can start now!"

"Finally! How did I not notice your slowness before, old man?"

Wood Old Man smirked but didn't say much. He put down the formula and officially began Fei Yinghao's refinement.

Wood Old Man didn't know much about the refinement formula for the Gateway Fragment, but this one was particularly unique.

It was a method primarily based on spiritual cleansing.

The process involved stimulating Fei Yinghao's spirit with various artifacts and items, bringing his spirit to a special state.

Then, by channeling Fei Yinghao's energy into the fragment and linking his spirit with it, the fragment could be refined.

It sounded simple, but the process was quite complex.

Wood Old Man encountered numerous challenges, all centered around the core of the refinement—Fei Yinghao himself.

He had to ensure Fei Yinghao's spirit remained in the right state and that Fei Yinghao wouldn't perish.

This was no easy task, but Wood Old Man believed it was worth attempting.

"The process might be painful, but bear with it!"

"Bring it on! I'm Fei Yinghao, a Summoner for over a century. What pain haven't I endured?

I can withstand this... Ah!"

Before Fei Yinghao could finish his sentence, Wood Old Man administered the first spirit-stimulating potion according to the procedure, causing Fei Yinghao's expression to change abruptly, and he let out a painful cry.

However, Fei Yinghao was indeed extraordinary.

His cry was largely due to Wood Old Man's sudden application of the potion, catching Fei Yinghao off guard.

After enduring the initial shock, he regained his composure.

"Continue! I can take more!"

"Good!"

Wood Old Man didn't hold back, injecting Fei Yinghao's body with various potions.

As the potions took effect, Fei Yinghao's state became increasingly peculiar.

His eyes turned crimson, his face contorted, and a wild, maniacal roar escaped his lips.

It was a roar filled with savagery and madness.

"Not good!"

Wood Old Man's brow furrowed. Fei Yinghao's state was not ideal for refinement; his spirit needed to be guided properly.

"Fei Yinghao! Don't you want to avenge Lu Wu?"

Wood Old Man's words immediately refocused Fei Yinghao's attention.

His meaningless roar now took on a new significance.

Fei Yinghao's teeth clenched as he uttered the name "Lu Wu."

The sound was bone-chilling, as if it had emerged from the depths of hell.

As the chilling words "Bone-chilling Cold" echoed, Wood Old Man noticed a red light flashing on the instrument behind Fire Old Man, indicating that the refinement process could begin. Overjoyed, Wood Old Man quickly stepped in, channeling a surge of green wood-attributed energy into Fire Old Man's body.

"Quickly, input your energy into the fragment! Imagine the fragment is Lu Wu's head, and exert all your strength until you crush it!" Wood Old Man instructed.

Following Wood Old Man's guidance, Fee Yinghao, amidst his tears, sprang into action. He tightly hugged the fragment, pouring in not only energy but also his mental focus.

"Boom!" As Fee Yinghao infused his mental energy and power into the fragment, his mind felt like it had exploded, and his entire body buzzed.

When he regained his senses, Fee Yinghao realized that all his pain had vanished, and he felt incredibly relaxed, as if he had entered paradise.

This relief caused Fee Yinghao to completely let his guard down.

However, just as he relaxed, a face suddenly appeared before him.

This face wasn't hideous or grotesque, but it terrified Fee Yinghao more than any ghost he had ever encountered—it was Lu Wu's face.

The appearance of this face dragged Fee Yinghao into an endless hell.

Despite his determination to refine the fragment and harness its power to avenge Lu Wu, he wasn't refining the fragment at all, let alone mastering its power. In this state, revenge was out of the question.

He couldn't even bear to look at Lu Wu.

The mere sight of Lu Wu filled Fee Yinghao with endless fear, causing him to flee in panic.

But at this moment, Lu Wu was like an unrelenting ghost, following him wherever he ran, holding a small spoon and tapping Fee Yinghao's head repeatedly.

The spoon's attacks weren't powerful, causing little physical harm, but the mental damage was immense.

Being pursued by this version of Lu Wu, Fee Yinghao felt his sanity slipping away.

He couldn't do anything but run.

No matter how he tried to escape, Lu Wu remained right behind him.

Fear and pain trailed Fee Yinghao like a shadow, driving him to the brink of despair.

Just as Fee Yinghao was succumbing to hopelessness, Wood Old Man's angry voice reverberated.

"Old Fee, is that all you've got? Can't you give it a bit more effort? With this, you want to avenge Lu Wu?

What are you dreaming about?"

Wood Old Man's roar, echoing from the outside, jolted Fee Yinghao's spirit. In that moment of distraction, Lu Wu struck him on the forehead with the spoon once more.

But this time, Fee Yinghao didn't flinch or panic. As Lu Wu tapped him, he lifted his head and stared directly at Lu Wu, a smirk forming on his lips.

"So, you're not much better, huh?"

With cold determination, Fee Yinghao launched a counterattack, angrily lunging forward. He snatched the spoon from Lu Wu's hand and pinned Lu Wu beneath him, swinging the spoon wildly.

Unlike Lu Wu's tapping, Fee Yinghao stabbed.

He stabbed frantically, hysterically.

As he stabbed, Fee Yinghao roared, as if trying to release all the pain Lu Wu had inflicted upon him.

Indeed, he was releasing his emotions, as the Lu Wu before him was now a mangled mess, pierced countless times, unrecognizable, seemingly dead beyond recognition.

Gazing at Lu Wu, Fee Yinghao wept with joy.

"I succeeded! I avenged him!"

Simultaneously, the gateway fragment in Fee Yinghao's hand glowed faintly, eliciting delighted expressions from Wood Old Man and the others. They knew that Fee Yinghao's refinement process had officially begun.

It also signified the commencement of Fee Yinghao's hell.

Wood Old Man and his companions were well aware of this.

Hence, at this moment, they were deeply concerned for Fee Yinghao, a level of concern they hadn't shown in centuries.

"Old Fee, hang in there! Even if it means dying, you must complete the refinement of the fragment."

...

In the laboratory, Wood Old Man observed Fee Yinghao, enveloped in his energy, and a slight smile curved his lips. "Yes, hang in there! I'm eagerly anticipating it!"

At that very moment, within Fee Yinghao's mental space...

Fee Yinghao, having just vented his frustration on Lu Wu, rose from Lu Wu's corpse. He wiped the blood-stained sweat from his forehead with his hands and turned to examine the mental world he had just created.

However, as he turned, the 'Lu Wu' he had just killed slowly climbed to its feet, raising the spoon and bringing it down with a 'thud'...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end