Chapter 263

There were no borders, no complex systems, just a military alliance; all Qi Xing needed to do was become the co-ruler who provided the strongest power and protection.

Relying on his supreme speed and martial might, he could arrive anywhere in the shortest time, obliterating any demons and monsters, and crushing any evildoing superpowered individuals.

This overwhelming power allowed the entire Mediterranean region to be shrouded in an aura of safety.

People flocked to offer their allegiance to [ Master Leipu ], entering into contracts.

Different cities, different peoples, different disintegrated nations—they might not trust each other, but they all acknowledged one fact: as long as they stood under the protection of [ Master Leipu ]'s banner, everyone could survive in this chaotic era.

So, this was not a nation.

It was merely a military alliance that existed by relying on a "supreme powerhouse."

Qi Xing left all the trivial political matters to Elaine and Xue Ning to handle.

As for the Roman Church, immediately after the end of the Lunar War, they rushed back to seek reconciliation with Qi Xing.

At the time, Qi Xing found it somewhat amusing: "Why come to me? Hasn't Christ already returned? This is the Second Coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, after all."

Father Amos, already one hundred and one years old and long overdue for retirement, had been temporarily brought back to handle the liaison with Qi Xing. Looking exhausted, he sighed powerlessly: "The Vatican is obviously still arguing over whether he is truly Christ returned, and why it's that version of the Germanic Gospel… but the Vatican has already sent envoys to visit him."

"And then?"

"Then His Majesty said that he welcomes us all to move to his [ Kingdom of Heaven ], but he will not take action to protect other places on the ground."

"Isn't that pretty good?" No sooner had Qi Xing said this than he realized, and he chuckled: "Oh, I get it. You can't bear to part with those beautiful churches, you can't bear to part with your original way of life, and you can't bear to move to a floating continent that doesn't touch the ground."

"Strictly speaking, that is not the case."

Father Amos frowned, his expression even heavier, "A group of clergy has already set off for the [ Kingdom of Heaven ]. If the Papal Privy Council truly discusses it and makes a decision, the entire Roman Church might not be unable to relocate—but the problem is, the people of all of Europe, hundreds of millions of believers, their souls still need us to shepherd and protect them in this dark age."

"Then you should just move everyone in Europe to the [ Kingdom of Heaven ]."

"Don't joke, Qi Xing, you know that's impossible. And…"

The old man shook his head, his eyes filled with undisguisable sorrow, "And, His Majesty selects people."

—This was the [ Kingdom of Heaven ], and the King of Warriors, the [ King of Hell ], and the biggest difference between them and Qi Xing's side.

After the Lunar War concluded, the world's powers were redivided.

[ Venerable Leipu ], with Rome as the center, became the new military hegemon of Europe.

East Asia and North America now each had their own new masters.

The [ King of Hell ]'s [ Kingdom of Heaven ] continent floated freely over the ocean.

As for the rest of the world outside of the four major powers?

It can only be described as horrific. Demons and monsters ran rampant, evil cults and gangs dominated; it was almost a living hell, filled with boundless fear and despair.

Every place had established its own new rules and new way of life. Qi Xing hadn't set any new rules for the regions under his protection yet, but he had to admit that the darker and more terrifying the era, the easier it was for humanity to expose its ugliest side.

Many people fled into the large cities protected by strong individuals, but even so, they remained selfish, cowardly, and afraid of death.

Even though the current situation clearly demanded that humanity unite and help each other, and that everyone make contributions, there were still those who chose to learn nothing and do nothing, only knowing how to make demands of others, and only knowing how to secretly curse behind the backs of the strong.

Funny enough, Xue Ning released a portion of the trained [ New Humans ] from Labrys Island to comfort and care for the terrified and desperate large cities. As it turned out, relying on the sexual power of the [ New Humans ] to provide solace, the chaotic situation in many cities was actually stabilized.

Qi Xing naturally understood that this was clearly Xue Ning deliberately using the opportunity to show him the abilities and advantages of the [ New Humans ]. But at this point, Qi Xing didn't know how to refute her.

As for the [ King of Hell ], his [ Kingdom of Heaven ] was completely different.

Not everyone could enter; it required screening. And everyone who was selected and able to enter the [ Kingdom of Heaven ] had to face the same choice:

Either completely abandon all supernatural powers and any possibility of obtaining power in the future, becoming a glorious ordinary laborer in the [ Kingdom of Heaven ];

Or, choose to retain supernatural powers, and even receive more and stronger power bestowed by the [ King of Hell ], but become a warrior in the [ Kingdom of Heaven ]. A warrior's power could only be used in absolute obedience to the [ King of Hell ]'s command, and could only be used to protect civilians without combat capability; it could never be used for private fights.

In other words, only those who possessed the resolve of a warrior were worthy of wielding power in the [ Kingdom of Heaven ], and this power could only be used under the laws of the [ King of Hell ].

And those who did not have the resolve to be a warrior, even if they originally possessed power, would have it stripped away and be reduced to ordinary people.

Up until now, no one selected by the [ King of Hell ] had been proven to be a mistake.

As a result, in this hellish Age of Dharma Decline, the [ Kingdom of Heaven ] had become the only place on Earth where ordinary people could live their original, normal lives and return to an ordinary daily routine.

Qi Xing had always been curious about what this returned Christ—the [ King of Hell ]—actually wanted to do.

Why did he lie flat in Japan for so many years, and then, at the arrival of the apocalypse, suddenly take action to establish such a [ Kingdom of Heaven ] on earth?

As for Sasa's situation, what exactly was it supposed to be now?

Recently, the situation in Europe had just happened to settle down slightly.

It was indeed time for Qi Xing to take Rin and Sasa to pay a visit to his predecessor, the Savior.

Volume 7: The Age of Dharma Decline Apocalypse: 241: [ The Kingdom of Hell and Heaven ]

In dealing with people and the world, etiquette is very important.

Before visiting the [ Kingdom of Heaven ], Qi Xing first had the Holy See send a letter over. The [ King of Hell ] replied, expressing his welcome. After they had agreed on a time and place, Qi Xing carried Sasa and flew toward the [ Kingdom of Heaven ] with Rin.

Although Rin could not fly at the speed of lightning like Qi Xing, she was still faster than any vehicle. Breaking through the wind, the three of them flew rapidly and soon arrived at their destination in the South Pacific, where they saw a quite astonishing sight.

It was a massive continent floating in the air, immense in scale, as if endless roots of the World Tree were wrapped around the bottom of the continent, holding it firmly. A sea of clouds surged from the edges, while the land floated above the mist.

As they flew closer, the first thing Qi Xing saw clearly with his clairvoyance was the lowest level of the World Tree.

There, following the massive tree trunk, a whole circle of large factories surrounded it: metal domes and tall chimneys stood erect, and huge mechanical arms operated slowly on the platforms. What they exhaled was not black smoke, but white steam like thin gauze, which was filtered by the roots and leaves of the World Tree, condensed into clear water mist, and dispersed back into the sky.

Right next to the factory zone were vast hydroponic farms, with semi-transparent greenhouses rising and falling like waves, neatly arranged on terraced platforms. The green plants inside grew lushly under the flowing light.

Although ordinary people could not see so clearly, with the clairvoyance of [ Venerable Leipu ], amidst the roaring machinery, Qi Xing could still see many laborers of the [ Kingdom of Heaven ] operating these wondrous agricultural devices. They merged wonderfully with the mysterious power of the floating continent itself, working in an orderly manner.

Flying upward, they entered the middle level of the [ Kingdom of Heaven ].

This place was completely different from the factories and farmland on the lower level; it was a sprawling city built around the lower part of the tree canopy.

Wide roads were distributed in rings, and arches, stone pillars, and domed halls stood between layers of stone steps and platforms. The style was like ruins pulled directly from ancient times to the modern era, yet embedded within the mottled patterns on the surface were high-tech circuits, wonderfully interweaving the ancient and the future.

Qi Xing could clearly see a huge lecture hall and academy under the dome. Floating holographic images flickered in the air, students gathered in the plaza, with discussions and experiments taking place simultaneously. In the distant open-air theater, people were performing a musical that Qi Xing could not understand.

This middle level of the World Tree was clearly the core of education, research, and culture, a place where knowledge and thought converged.

Continuing to ascend, they reached the upper level, the canopy area.

The atmosphere here suddenly became solemn.

A huge white monastery stood on the canopy, with thick city walls and fortress buildings connected to one another.

Tall battle monks clad in silver-white armor patrolled in formation, with Runic symbols engraved on their armor. Their steps were uniform, as if they were living statues. They were more like weapons than people.

The air resonated with low bell tolls and chants, and every long staircase extended straight to the highest point of the canopy, so solemn that it was breathtaking.

…And right at that highest point, at the top of the giant tree that pierced the firmament, stood a magnificent spire.

The entire tower body was built from a wondrous material that even Qi Xing could not identify, with streams of light flowing through its patterns. The tip of the tower emitted a radiance like holy fire, constructing an invisible energy barrier around the entire continent.

The lower level was food and production, the middle level was learning and culture, the upper level was martial power and faith, and the very top was the throne of the God-Emperor.

This was the [ Kingdom of Heaven ] of the [ King of Hell ].

A magnificent, solemn, and orderly giant hive-city continent.

Qi Xing swept his gaze over it and was shocked to discover that in this entire massive, three-layered hive city, there were actually at least two billion living human beings!

But how could this be?!

Fortunately, a landing pad had already extended from the spire. Rin, Qi Xing, and Sasa, who was clutching him with a pale face, landed on the landing platform, where several tall and burly warriors wearing gold-red armor were already lined up to welcome them.

"Welcome to the [ Kingdom of Heaven ], [ Venerable Leipu ], Your Highness the Princess. His Majesty is looking forward to your arrival on the observation deck."

The leading tall warrior said in a deep tone.

Qi Xing nodded to him… but immediately felt a bit strange. On this warrior, there was a kind of aura that felt familiar to Qi Xing.

"Have I seen you before?"

"We have indeed met once, [ Master Leipu ]."

The golden-armored warrior smiled, took off his helmet, and revealed a face that made even Qi Xing feel surprised.

He was the exorcist who had been killed at the front desk last year when resisting the attack of the [ Black Spartacus ] at the headquarters of the [ Exorcism Association ] in Rome.

But Qi Xing did not remember him being eight feet tall, and besides, he should have already died in battle at that time! Yet, no matter how Qi Xing looked at him now, he felt that he was a normal living person.

"…Heliand is the 'King of the Dead'…"

Sasa, huddled in Qi Xing's arms, spoke in a low voice at this moment, "In this huge hive city, out of the more than two billion people, I'm afraid a large portion are dead people."

Rin, beside them, tilted her head, not taking it too seriously—after all, she had already seen those endless piles of bones in the [ King of Hell ]'s trial earlier. As early as then, she had guessed what kind of power her father likely possessed.

Qi Xing couldn't help but use his clairvoyance to carefully scan the entire hive city again. Looking closely, it was truly incredible—not only were there several faces Qi Xing was familiar with, people who had heroically died in battle and sacrificed themselves in the past, but there were even many people who, no matter how you looked at them, were simply heroes and legends from history. Who knew how they had put on huge power armor and were sparring and training on the drill ground!

Qi Xing had just thought that it was unreasonable for the [ Kingdom of Heaven ] to have two billion people, but now he understood completely.

Before the end of the world, the dead shall rise, and the corpses shall arise. Those who sleep in the dust shall also wake up and sing.

"…Is this some kind of Valhalla?"

Although this was an almost unconscious complaint, Qi Xing had already realized why Dad Shinji had that indifferent attitude toward "dying in battle" before.

Since there was a Norse barbarian-style Christ, then dying heroically in battle was actually a broad path to eternal life.

Well, now everyone could truly have their souls return to the Golden Throne.

The burly golden-armored warrior led Qi Xing and the others further up to the top of the spire.

Finally, at the end of a corridor, two golden-armored guards opened a huge door.

There, on a vast observation deck, Jingo Shinji—the King of Warriors, the [ King of Hell ], was looking up and admiring the balloons floating in the sky.

As Qi Xing and the others entered the door, he turned around and smiled at the guests: "Welcome, kid Qi Xing; welcome, Rin."

He was a burly and magnificent man. Broad-chested, with hair like gold and eyes as bright as the scorching sun. A golden laurel wreath set off his god-like face.

When he spoke, others felt as if they were hearing the crushing weight of a great bell and the clashing of thunder. Mortals could not bear his grandeur.

But Qi Xing could now. And in it, he could hear pride and love.

After speaking, the [ King of Hell ] turned to Sasa and nodded at her: "Long time no see, Sael."

What?

Qi Xing was startled, only to see Sasa in his arms already huddled up in fear. Unfortunately, she was now living flesh and blood and could no longer shrink into a ball of velvet.

"Hi, Brother."

Sael?

Although Qi Xing did not understand the meaning, he was not stupid, and he could see that this should also be one of Sasa's names.

If you don't understand, ask; he simply reached out and poked Sasa in his arms: "What does that mean?"

"Uh, that's my angel name, meaning [ Severity of God ]."

Facing the [ King of Hell ], Sasa was clearly more than a little afraid, but she still pulled herself together and said proudly, emboldened, "But look, even my brother calls me by my original name, which means I really haven't fallen from heaven! See how I told you?"

—Sael, and Samael, the pronunciation differs by an "m.a". This "m.a" syllable, in Kabbalah, represents the meaning of "death."

In other words, the holy angel Sael, as long as she didn't court death, would not degenerate into the evil King Samael.

—Of course, you can't put it that way; Qi Xing didn't understand this set of Kabbalistic numerology word games.

Patting Sasa's head, he shook his head, got straight to the point, and asked the [ King of Hell ] directly: "I have many questions."

"You may."

The King of Hell smiled in return and waved his hand lazily, "The last version of you fell before Maitreya; since this version of you has finally managed to cross over, I shall tell you everything you want to know."

What?

There was one more question to ask, but anyway, there were already enough, so let's take them one by one.