Chapter 53: What a tragedy
After what seemed like an eternity, the two of them finally parted.
Sylvia's divine aura made her cheeks glow hot, like the most beautiful maple leaves in deep autumn.
Her body was soft and delicate, and finally, she voiced her biggest question, "How are you so good at this?"
"Uh, I learned it from movies," he coughed awkwardly.
"Movies?"
"Never mind, never mind..." Timothy coughed again, trying to hide his embarrassment.
...
After a while, Sylvia's expression returned to normal, and she suddenly asked, "By the way, you encountered Holy Emperor Vorenus in the Valley of the Undead and almost lost your life because of him?"
Timothy nodded, "Yes, and I managed to plant a tracker on him to find his location."
As he spoke, Timothy took out the other half of the Tracking Sigil.
It was a treasure from the system store, and its effect was incredibly strong,Holy Emperor Vorenus hadn't detected it yet.
Now, by touching this half, one could sense the location of Holy Emperor Vorenus.
Taking the Tracking Sigil from Timothy's hand, Sylvia closed her eyes.
But when she opened them again, her eyes were radiating a chilling coldness.
Timothy, puzzled, asked, "Honey, what are you planning?"
"Settling scores," Sylvia said coldly.
In the next moment, an immense divine power surged from her.
Sylvia transformed into a streak of light, shooting out of the Sky Sanctuary towards the distant horizon.
Dark clouds spread instantly, and amidst the rolling thunder, waves of Emperor-level pressure surged around.
The oppressive force was overwhelmingly strong.
Not just in Sky Sanctuary, but across the world, within thousands of miles, everyone could feel this terrifying presence.
"Goddess Sylvia is furious!"
At the Blooming Sanctuary.
Holy Maiden Aeliana, leading many experts of the sacred place, looked up at the sky in shock.
"Who could have angered Sylvia to this extent?"
Holy Maiden Aeliana's face paled slightly,it had been a long time since she had seen Sylvia this angry.
Who could have committed such a heinous act to provoke her wrath?
In the Phoenix Kingdom.
The crown prince Nolan stood next to the emperor, looking worriedly at the sky.
"Don't worry, with Goddess Sylvia's strength, there's hardly anyone in the world who can harm her," a court official quickly reassured the restless Nolan.
"I know that. But what terrible sin must someone have committed to anger the goddess so? Damn, if only I were stronger right now, I would go with the goddess and tear him apart myself!"
The old minister smiled and said, "Prince, don't be hasty. Your Enlightenment Body is awakening, and your strength is progressing terrifyingly fast. Just focus on your cultivation, and soon you might catch Goddess Sylvia's attention. With your charm, winning her heart might not be impossible."
"That's true, your thoughts are quite realistic," Nolan nodded slightly.
In a secluded, dark canyon.
Two crimson lights flickered in the darkness.
"Hehe, daring to provoke Goddess Sylvia at this time, they really have a death wish. But my lady, that day shouldn't be too far off."
The shrill laughter echoed through the canyon, causing the beasts to panic and flee in terror.
As the world watched, Sylvia, radiating a terrifying divine pressure like the wrath of heaven, hovered above a glacier shrouded in darkness.
The cold air spread all around, eerily silent.
As if no living thing existed here.
"Hmph, still trying to hide?" Sylvia snorted coldly, and with a gentle squeeze of her hand towards the massive glacier, it felt like the sky was falling and the end was near.
In the midst of the raging hurricane, the towering glacier shattered thunderously.
The eternal ice was reduced to dust.
In the endless mist of ice, suddenly, a figure swiftly fled.
"Sacred Bell!"
"Dong!"
Suddenly, a massive, golden bell, exuding endless majesty, appeared in the sky.
As the bell tolled, light cascaded down from the heavens.
The fleeing figure could no longer escape, completely enveloped by the light.
"Goddess Sylvia, our grievances were settled a hundred years ago, why must you seek my death now!" Holy Emperor Vorenus's figure slowly emerged.
However, his normally dignified face couldn't hide the fear and apprehension.
"A hundred years ago? Hmph, our biggest grievance happened not long ago. You touched someone you should have never touched!"
Holy Emperor Vorenus was utterly shocked, "You mean him, that boy is actually..."
But before he could finish, the second toll of the Sacred Bell rang out.
Though Sylvia appeared to be grasping at nothing, endless light flowed from her hands.
The sword formed from that light, mysterious and infinitely terrifying, made one only feel fear.
"You're insane, to hunt me down over a man. Damn it, I'm fighting back! Goddess Sylvia, let's settle our century-old grievances here!" Holy Emperor Vorenus screamed, his voice hoarse, but the terror in his eyes unmistakable.
Endless golden sword energy slashed down, colliding with the crying phoenix in a burst of fire.
But that terrifying sword energy, seemingly enough to obliterate the sun, was far too much for the already severely injured Holy Emperor Vorenus, whose spiritual foundation was damaged, to withstand.
Amidst the golden brilliance and the mournful cries of the phoenix.
It seemed as if the heavens and earth were collapsing with a thunderous roar.
The mighty Holy Emperor Vorenus was slain by a single sword strike!
The Sacred Bell still tolled softly, but the body of Holy Emperor Vorenus on the ground was utterly destroyed.
This brief and distant battle, though fleeting, captured the attention of the world.
When Sylvia slightly turned, her icy gaze sweeping the surroundings.
Instantly, countless spiritual senses quickly withdrew.
Everyone feared that the moodily irate Goddess Sylvia might suddenly appear and flatten their sects.
Though they dared not watch further, all the powers were simultaneously shocked.
"Who would have thought that after such a long time without action, Goddess Sylvia's strength would have increased even more terrifyingly."
"Although that old guy Vorenus was severely injured by Goddess Sylvia two hundred years ago, to be killed so effortlessly is still hard to accept."
What particularly frightened them was the Sacred Bell, carrying vast divine authority.
Back when Goddess Sylvia single-handedly established the Twelve Star Palaces, that Sacred Bell had slain countless who were already at the Emperor-level.
Now, the Sacred Bell seemed even stronger.
"However, Holy Emperor Vorenus had been hiding for a full two hundred years, why would Goddess Sylvia suddenly strike?"
"Could it be that he committed some atrocious act that completely enraged Goddess Sylvia?"
"Possibly, otherwise Goddess Sylvia wouldn't likely unleash such a terrifying temper..."
...
Sylvia slowly descended into the massive crater.
Holy Emperor Vorenus was barely recognizable as human now, but next to him, the crimson sword engraved with a phoenix pattern, though covered in thick dust, was still intact.
Sylvia picked it up and slowly flew back to Sky Sanctuary.
The various forces secretly watching finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that Goddess Sylvia's wrath was directed solely at Holy Emperor Vorenus and hadn't spilled over to them.
However, this incident reminded them all too well of the fear once instilled by Goddess Sylvia, prompting them to warn their followers anew.
In this world, the last person you'd want to mess with was Goddess Sylvia.
If you accidentally crossed a line, no one would dare guarantee your safety.
Suddenly, a shadow cast by Goddess Sylvia loomed over the younger generation once again.
They were left with a warning etched in their minds that they could never erase.
No one, especially men, should ever dare approach or provoke Goddess Sylvia.
Otherwise, the consequences would be terrifying!
...
Back at Sky Sanctuary, watching Sylvia return, her divine aura still faintly present, Timothy awkwardly cleared his throat.
Who would have thought that just a moment ago, he was kissing his blushing wife, and the next, she had flown thousands of miles to slay Holy Emperor Vorenus with a single sword strike?
The contrast was just too stark.
"Here, take this." Sylvia handed the phoenix-engraved Phoenix Blade to Timothy.
"What's this?"
"This is the Phoenix Blade, the very sword of Holy Emperor Vorenus, along with his essence. It's a Heavenly-level relic."
"Heavenly-level relic?"
Timothy looked puzzled. "Although that's a very high quality, Holy Emperor Vorenus was, after all, a Holy Emperor. Seems a bit low-grade for him, doesn't it?"
"Well..."
Sylvia paused for a moment. "It was originally a flawless Heavenly-level treasure."
Timothy asked, "So how did it end up like this?"
"Uh, actually... I turned it into a Heavenly-level relic."
Timothy: "…"
Alright, he got it now.
Even though his goddess-wife looked so adorable blushing and kissing him, she was truly terrifying in a fight!
Looks like he'd better be a bit more careful from now on. If he accidentally got on the wrong end of that sword, his frail body definitely wouldn't stand a chance.
Noticing Timothy's expression, Sylvia huffed, "What, are you scared of me now?"
"Of course not, who'd be scared of their own wife?" Timothy chuckled immediately.
"Hmph, always quick with a comeback," Sylvia pouted, pretending to be annoyed.
"Who says I'm all talk? How about I prove it with some action?"
"What kind of action?" Sylvia suddenly realized something was off and quickly stepped back.
But Timothy kept advancing, his lips inching closer.
Suddenly, the previously cool and commanding Sylvia felt her body soften.
Her gaze flitted away, her voice barely a whisper.
"Again? I've got a lot to handle next. And with so many people watching earlier, what if someone accidentally saw..."
"Hey, isn't it more thrilling when there are more people?" Timothy teased.
"You!"
Although Sylvia seemed to reject him, she only stepped back half a step.
Timothy laughed, "Are you serious about stepping back just half a step, wife?"
"Of course, I'm serious, in front of everyone..."
"Sorry, my goddess, it's my fault for being late!"
Just as they were getting closer, Zephyra suddenly burst in, kneeling respectfully in the hall.
But looking up, she seemed puzzled, "It seems like this is the third time she's seen this scene."
"Weird, why does the goddess always like doing this with Timothy lately?"
"Oh, I get it now! I finally understand!"
Zephyra stood up, suddenly having an epiphany.
She hadn't understood the meaning of this action after seeing it several times.
But now, it all made sense!
Mouth to mouth, isn't it just to facilitate the transfer of spiritual energy, aiding in cultivation?!
Although the goddess seemed cold on the surface, she was making such heartwarming gestures for Timothy's cultivation behind the scenes, which was truly touching!
And to think, she, who had guessed the goddess's true intentions, was indeed a little genius!
Not sure if she was moved by the goddess or by her own realization.
Zephyra, emotionally, patted her chest, tears of emotion in her eyes, "Goddess, you've worked hard, leave the rest to me!"
With that, she puckered her soft lips and headed towards Timothy: "Mwah mwah mwah mwah."
But before she could kiss Timothy, Zephyra was stopped by a hand in front of her.
Looking up, it was Goddess Sylvia's hand.
Zephyra immediately felt moved, "Goddess, no need to thank me, you've worked hard, leave the rest to me!"
But just as she finished speaking, she saw a cold and terrifying smile spread across Goddess Sylvia's lips.
Zephyra suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
Every time the goddess was about to hit her, she seemed to have this expression.
But she hadn't done anything wrong this time!
"Goddess, no!"
"Ow, ah!"
Zephyra felt incredibly wronged, but she was completely unable to break free.
"What a tragedy."
Hearing the sounds behind him, Timothy could only helplessly pick up the 'Phoenix Blade' and walk out of the hall.
In the Themyscira Sect, Emily looked respectfully at Holy Maiden Aeliana standing before her. However, her inner turmoil was far from the calm appearance she projected.
In the past, the prospect of meeting Holy Maiden Aeliana would have thrilled her. But now, Emily found herself wishing she were anywhere else.
Holy Maiden Aeliana was like the most dazzling flower in a sea of blooms. Even just sitting there, her beauty was so captivating it was hard not to be utterly drawn to her.
Unlike Goddess Sylvia's aloof and lofty demeanor, Holy Maiden Aeliana seemed more approachable, more connected to the earthly realm, which made her seem more approachable.
Every frown, every smile, every gesture was not only graceful like a blooming flower but also occasionally emitted a refreshing fragrance that was utterly enchanting.
Holy Maiden Aeliana smiled gently, "Don't be nervous. I've come to ask you some trivial questions that your master entrusted to you."
Emily nodded, "Please, Holy Maiden, go ahead."