91: Leaving the starting village

The embers of the carnival had not yet dissipated, and the air was still filled with a nauseating stench of blood, yet the major human cities had eerily returned to order.

The streets were no longer scenes of frenzied slaughter; in their place, Monsters strolled about in groups of three or five, their faces beaming with satisfied smiles.

The once bustling streets were now lined with ragged humans, their eyes hollow, their faces numb, driven like zombies by the Monsters toward the new wilderness, forced to rebuild one new home after another.

Their former freedom and dignity had been completely stripped away overnight.

Once again, just like fifty years ago, they were kept like livestock, having lost all hope of life, leaving behind only endless despair and numbness.

The crying of children and the sighs of the elderly intertwined into a sorrowful elegy that echoed through the ruins.

Yet the Monsters turned a blind eye to all of this, immersed in the joy of victory, continuing their carnival.

Time flew by, and ten years passed. During these ten years, by utilizing the immense negative energy and the restlessness after completing himself, Xiang Yan successfully reached the limit stage of the Star River Traveler, but his own will of the stars authority did not successfully advance.

However, Xiang Yan was not disappointed, because he had a premonition that once he successfully advanced to the Self-Star, he would take a big step forward on the path of authority.

During these ten years, the development of the Country of Monsters had also returned to the right track. As the things he needed to do were basically completed, Xiang Yan's restless heart began to stir, and his curiosity and desire to explore this world began to swell.

After careful consideration, Xiang Yan felt that he could not remain trapped in Nelson's territory forever; it was time to go out and roam, to accomplish something big.

Finally, one day, Xiang Yan ran over to Mizuno Hiroshi to submit his report.

Xiang Yan walked up to Mizuno Hiroshi and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"Senior, speak, I will do my best to handle whatever I can for you."

"Your Majesty, I wish to leave the Sanctuary for a period of time." Xiang Yan's voice was calm, yet carried a trace of unquestionable firmness.

Mizuno Hiroshi looked at the Senior he had always respected, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes: "Senior, what do you mean by this? Nelson is currently in a state of post-war recovery and needs you..."

"Your Majesty," Xiang Yan interrupted him, his tone carrying a hint of justification, "I am not going out this time to slack off; I want to establish an outpost for the future great cause of the Country of Monsters and explore what the situation outside is like now."

Mizuno Hiroshi frowned tightly. He put down the documents in his hand, walked over to Xiang Yan, and said earnestly: "Senior, your importance to the Country of Monsters goes without saying, and you are my most respected elder. Reason and emotion dictate that I should not let you take risks. I can dispatch other Monsters..."

"Your Majesty," Xiang Yan countered, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness, "In the Country of Monsters, apart from me, which of the Monsters who truly retain their own reason are not holding important positions? There is simply no way to mobilize them."

"If you send those Monsters who can only retain reason by relying on gifts, can they do it well? They don't even have their own thoughts and need to constantly replenish their gifts to maintain reason for a long time; how can they be competent for such an important task?"

Mizuno Hiroshi was speechless for a moment; Xiang Yan's words were reasonable, leaving him unable to refute.

He paced back and forth, "No, absolutely not, I do not agree!"

"Senior, we don't necessarily have to go and investigate. Give me time; when I grow to the level of the previous Monster Emperor, it won't be too late to go out..."

"Your Majesty," Xiang Yan spoke again, "My mind is made up."

"Impossible! No matter how made up your mind is, it's useless. If you talk about this again, I will place you under house arrest."

Hearing this, Xiang Yan sighed, "Your Majesty, forgive my presumption, but do you think that besides yourself, anyone has the ability to keep an eye on me?"

Mizuno Hiroshi was stunned upon hearing this; this was very awkward. After all, even he himself dared not say he could spar with the Senior right now, let alone anyone else.

"Your Majesty, if you do not agree, then I will only be able to find a time to sneak away."

Mizuno Hiroshi sat dejectedly on the throne, covering his face with his hands, and sighed powerlessly: "Senior, you really are... Sigh, fine, fine. Since you insist, I will no longer force the issue. But you must promise me to be careful and return safely."

A gratified smile appeared on Xiang Yan's face, and he bowed solemnly to Mizuno Hiroshi: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely not fail the mission."

After obtaining Mizuno Hiroshi's consent, Xiang Yan did not set off immediately but instead headed to his own secluded island.

Stepping onto that familiar island, the sea breeze brushed his face, carrying a hint of a salty, fishy scent.

The island was lush with vegetation, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, forming a sharp contrast to the decadent scenes of the human cities along the way.

Xiang Yan followed the winding path and arrived in front of the only building on the island.

This was a simple, rustic wooden house, hidden among the green trees, appearing exceptionally tranquil.

Gently pushing open the door, Xiang Yan walked into the bedroom.

The room was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a faint floral fragrance.

Meng Yu was lying quietly on the bed, her body wrapped in a wisp of black Qi, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

Her complexion was pale, her breathing even, and she looked very weak.

Xiang Yan walked to the bedside and gazed silently at Meng Yu.

After gazing for a moment, Xiang Yan began to carefully examine her. After the examination, he couldn't help but frown.

Ever since Meng Yu's white crystal became complete again last time, it seemed to have triggered some unknown mechanism.

Although her power was still dominated by the black crystal, the radiance of the white crystal was exceptionally stubborn and difficult to cover; even when he acted personally, that glimmer remained unextinguished.

In desperation, he could only make her sleep again, attempting to use time to slowly wear down that bit of radiance from the white crystal, although it now appeared the results were not ideal.

However, this unexpected change was not a bad thing. After all, he suddenly realized one day that this might be an opportunity, an opportunity sufficient to allow him to understand the Magical Girl system more deeply.

"It seems that this time when I go out, I must find an opportunity to personally cultivate an ancient Magical Girl and study her properly." Xiang Yan looked at the sleeping Meng Yu and muttered to himself.

Thinking of this, he turned and left the wooden house without a shred of reluctance.

At the same time, a black hole appeared, silently taking Meng Yu inside.

The room was empty, with only a faint medicinal fragrance drifting in the air, as if nothing had ever happened.

Xiang Yan's figure disappeared at the edge of the island, leaving only a blurry silhouette behind.

The sea breeze continued to blow, the waves continued to lash against the reefs, and everything seemed to have returned to calm.