Chapter 28: Rivalry with Aeolia

Chapter 28

[Golden Apple statistics in progress…]

[Induced Kyoko of Pegasus to become the host for the Goddess of Discord, changed Eriko’s fate, rated A, gained 30% of the total mirror node…]

[Carried Saga’s corpse out of the Sanctuary, and revived it through the Goddess of Discord, thoroughly altered the plot direction, rated S, gained 40% of the total mirror node…]

[Helped Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, indirectly changed the plot, rated D, gained 5% of the total mirror node…]

[Defeated the strongest Silver Saint, Jagas of Orion, rated C, gained 10% of the total mirror node…]

[Based on the plot changes, the comprehensive rating is A+, time increased by 15%, total gain of 100% mirror node…]

[This time, the mirror node totals 50,000 faith power, the host receives 50,000 faith points!]

[Ding! Due to significant plot changes, would you like to spend 10,000 faith points for a continuous storyline?]

Hearing this prompt, Feng Zhe immediately understood—it was like saving a progress bar. In the altar world, every mirror node could be considered a parallel timeline, each unconnected. Though 10,000 faith points seemed hefty, it was absolutely worth the price. Without hesitation, he invested them.

Once the faith power was infused, the flames on the altar soared, a peculiar energy burning fiercely atop it. In the midst of it all, it felt as though he was connecting to the great power of the world itself.

[Ding! Due to plot divergence, the next storyline, Crimson Youth, requires another investment of 10,000 faith points. Proceed?]

Feng Zhe invested without delay. Instantly, faith power surged again on the altar, and the sacred fire’s energy enveloped Feng Zhe’s cosmos in warmth. It seemed that with every investment, his sacred fire strengthened.

This discovery delighted Feng Zhe. The might of the Altar constellation depended not only on one's cosmos, but chiefly on the sacred fire it bestowed. His ability to traverse mirror nodes was thanks to this fire. If the sacred fire grew strong enough, it could even possess the power to seal gods. Of course, such feats would demand immense faith power.

Amidst the roaring flames, Feng Zhe was just about to enter when—

[Ding! Risk warning! Insufficient strength! Warning!]

Feng Zhe sighed. It was still his own lack of power. So he withdrew from the altar world.

Stepping out, he realized his physical body remained too feeble. Dressed in training attire, he headed directly for the training grounds.

Upon arrival, he saw Grotie instructing a group of reserve Saints. These were far stronger than mere trainees, but most hadn’t yet received or earned their Cloths. They trained diligently, acting as foot soldiers and handling patrol duties when needed.

Feng Zhe’s keen eye spotted several familiar faces among them. Cassios, who had failed in the contest for the Pegasus Cloth; Douglas, the mighty Hercules; Sparta, who claimed to be Sanctuary’s greatest mind; Esther, the forgiven Ghost Saint, and his subordinates Dolphin, Jellyfish, and Sea Serpent. Feng Zhe even noticed Lida and Spica from King Island, both yet to receive their Cloths.

All were being trained by Grotie, alongside others with various abilities—some even stronger than certain Bronze Saints.

Seeing Feng Zhe approach, Grotie simply nodded in greeting. The team’s other instructor hurried over, his manner ingratiating.

“Acting Pope, what brings you here?”

“And you are…?”

“I’m Burton, Deputy Chief of Staff, assigned to oversee this squad.”

Feng Zhe chuckled. Wasn’t Burton the one who took over as Chief of Staff after Gigus? He’d all but forgotten the man—a character of little consequence.

As he prepared to observe their training, he suddenly noticed someone missing and asked, “Where is Marin’s disciple—the child?”

“Lady Marin said Grotie’s teaching wasn’t suitable for Seiya, so she sought help from Master Aiolia of Leo. Seiya is now undergoing special training with him.”

Burton’s words cooled Feng Zhe, and a surge of jealousy unexpectedly welled up.

“Where are they?”

“In the rear mountain’s training field. To be honest, Master Aiolia is quite domineering; he doesn’t permit anyone to enter that area…”

As Burton spoke, he glanced at Feng Zhe—only to find him already vanished.

Sneering under his breath, Burton muttered, “You think that clinging to Leo will keep you safe from me?”

…

Meanwhile, at the rear mountain training field—

Pegasus Meteor Fist!

A stone shattered into pieces under Seiya’s punch. Amid the dust, Seiya shouted, “Sister Marin, I did it!”

Marin was genuinely pleased for Seiya, and turned to Aiolia, saying, “Thank you so much. Without your help, Seiya wouldn’t have mastered this secret technique.”

Aiolia laughed heartily. “I happen to know the Pegasus Meteor Fist myself—it’s nothing troublesome, just a bit of guidance. No need to thank me!”

“Master Aiolia, since you’re so free, would you teach me as well?”

At the moment Feng Zhe appeared, the trio’s expressions changed.

Seiya was naturally delighted. As one of Mitsumasa Kido’s hundred sons, they shared an innate affinity.

“Feng Zhe!”

Seiya ran over, eager to show off his Pegasus Meteor Fist.

Aiolia’s face darkened. He bowed slightly and said, “You are too kind. I cannot teach you the secrets of the Altar constellation, nor am I qualified to instruct you. Best you seek out the master of Star Tower.”

“My teacher still suffers, with no end in sight to his torment!”

“Compared to my brother, who, after death, was labeled a traitor—that was far too merciful.”

Aiolia and Feng Zhe exchanged words, each revealing their mutual antagonism.

Marin, hearing this, felt the urge to leave immediately; she wanted no part in the Sanctuary’s high-level affairs.

Aiolia stood tall and imposing. Feng Zhe, much younger, was no less formidable in bearing. By contrast, Seiya, of foreign blood, looked dwarfish beside them.

Noting Aiolia’s training attire, Feng Zhe suggested, “Since you’re here, let’s spar!”

“Fine, but don’t say I bullied you. How shall we compete?”

“They say Leo’s Plasma Light Speed Fist possesses the power of light itself. As a Silver Saint, I can reach at most five times the speed of sound. I want to see, without the amplification of the Cloth, just how powerful your fists truly are!”

The augmentation of the Gold Cloth was extraordinary, especially for secret techniques. As mere mortals, humans could never punch at the speed of light—but with a Gold Cloth, it was possible, rivaling the power of the sun itself, a divine gift to mankind.

Feng Zhe simply wanted to see how formidable Aiolia’s fists were without the Gold Cloth.

“Agreed! If you can withstand my Plasma Light Speed Fist without falling, I’ll call it my defeat!”

Aiolia possessed the pride of a Gold Saint, especially when facing a Silver Saint.