"We are the descendants of the Demon Bull. If you want us to serve under you, you'll have to defeat me!" King Mino came to a decision. No matter what, he couldn't put down his pride.
"Good!" Dyon grinned fiercely, launching himself through the air to meet King Mino's swinging halberd.
The two met once, then twice, continuously rising into the air to avoid damaging the planet below.
Dyon's blood flowed with a happiness that was hard to describe as his fists met King Mino's weapon.
King Mino was far more powerful than King Aumen. Although he was also a third-grade celestial, he had crossed over into the fourth stage while King Aumen was lagging behind in the third. This meant that he had entered the ranks of the middle celestial.
But, that wasn't all. His body was sturdy and robust, showing signs of breaking into the celestial realm as well. He clearly cultivated two paths, making him much more of a challenge.
Dyon didn't use his Titan Emperor's Will not to disrespect King Mino, but rather, to test his limits. Plus, no one below could see their battle anyway. He knew very well that King Mino was doing this to keep his pride as the King of Planet Mino, so he had no intention of embarrassing him.
Hours later, a large four-meter-tall meteor came crashing down, blasting apart the center of the Mino army.
Dyon calmly descended from the skies as the warriors of Mino rushed toward their King.
"Father!" A girl seemingly far too delicate to be of the Mino clan ran out of the army. She too had horns, but they were a pure white and curved elegantly. Also, unlike the others, hers didn't come directly from her forehead and were instead hidden within her hair.
She glared at Dyon hatefully before helping her bloodied father sit up.
At that moment, King Mino suddenly laughed blissfully. "I haven't fought to my heart's content in a long time. As long as you treat our Mino clan well, we won't ever betray you â€""
"But, father!" The Princess of the Mino Clan called out in protest, but King Mino only shook his head.
Dyon landed beside the barely sitting King Mino, smiling at Princess Mino who still seemed intent on glaring at him.
"Don't touch my dad!" Princess Mino tried to stop Dyon, but it was already too late.
The moment Dyon's hand touched King Mino's oversized shoulders, a flood of soothing energy flowed into the large man.
The healing characteristic of Dyon's aurora flames were quite weak. In the past he was able to heal himself and the likes of Eli, but unfortunately, it wasn't a characteristic that blossomed overtime along with his soul.
If Dyon had to guess, he believed the healing characteristic was likely from his Master's blood essence. But, considering the fact he hadn't integrated anymore of her blood, it hadn't improved in a long time.
Simply put, Dyon's aurora flames didn't have the ability to heal a celestial despite the level of his soul, however, what could heal one was among the energies Dyon had taken from his constitution's world.
Among the myriad of energies expelled from the bull-bird's dung, one of them was quite good at reinforcing life force and promoting healing. It was far gentler and calmer compared to the other energies.
What Dyon didn't know was that usually, the bull-bird wouldn't expel this energy in its waste and would rather keep it to itself. However, due to the fact this dung was meant for its newly born, it did. In fact, it was the most plentiful form of energy within the dung.
It was likely because of this very energy that Dyon's injuries were healed in just a few hours. But, what was even more astounding was the fact that this energy was even more effective than the atmosphere of Soul Rending Peak's Mystical World.
Princess Mino, who had just been readying herself to battle it out with Dyon, paused in shock as she watched her father's injuries heal at a visible pace.
'Maybe?...' Thinking of something, Dyon smiled as white flames erupted from his palm. Suddenly, injuries that were already healing too fast for common sense accelerated toward health at an even faster pace. 'As expected, the amplification ability of my white flames is impressive...'
Seeing Dyon's actions, the hostile atmosphere around the Mino camp suddenly calmed and was finally replaced with gazes of gratitude.
They were well aware that Dyon had no obligation to do this, especially not after all of the provocation their Mino Clan laid bare before Earth. He was well within his rights to treat them cruelly â€" such was the way of war. But, it seemed as though he wasn't a leader who wanted to rule by fear...
That said, it was also clear to them that Dyon was no pushover. Having someone as talented as King Aumen under his wing would have only helped Dyon. Yet, he didn't hesitate to kill him in a moment.
The reason this tactic was so effective was especially because they witnessed Dyon's means with the Uidah. Clearly, he had the ability to control individuals, yet he directly killed King Aumen. Why? The only explanation was that King Aumen crossed a bottom line he refused to forgive.
Soon, King Mino was completely healed and clasped his hands in thanks. Even his daughter bowed her head, apologizing for her earlier actions.
Dyon grinned. "With that fiery temper, you and Stella would be good friends."
Princess Mino, whose name Dyon soon learned was Aoife, snorted in disdain. "I'd never be friends with that big-breasted bimbo."
"What'd you say, horns for brains?! Is it my fault your head is bigger than that flat chest of yours?!" Stella shouted from across the lake, having clearly heard Aoife's words.
Dyon laughed as the two teenage girls screamed at each other from hundreds of meters apart. The funny part was that Aoife wasn't flat-chested at all. In fact, she was quite well-endowed. It was just that Stella's chest was towering, already comparable to Madeleine's. It was just that it was hidden under that purple armor of hers.
Aoife wouldn't have even known just how well-endowed Stella was if it hadn't been for one of their fights a few years back. Aoife's halberd cut a mark across Stella's body armor, causing quite an indecent scene. Stella had hated Aoife ever since despite the fact it had only been the two of them there.
An instant later, though, Dyon's expression became serious as he looked toward the seated King Mino.
Despite the fact he sat cross-legged on the ground after Dyon's treatment, King Mino was still eyelevel with Dyon and immediately sensed his gaze.
"There's a possibility that I may ask your clan to move to another universe, how would you feel about this?" Dyon probed.
He was well aware that it may be a simple matter to him to move, however for others, he understood that some had sentimental attachments to their home. Mass migrating to another universe might not be realistic.
Hearing Dyon's question, King Mino frowned slightly. Their home planet had many important landmarks he didn't feel right leaving, especially that ruin that attracted the Shruti to their planet.
Instead of answering though, King Mino asked a question. "Why?"
"You all may not know this, but in comparison to other universes, the energy density here is poor. It's a testament to the talent born in this universe that some of you can even make it to the celestial realm. In any other universe, you might be knocking on the door of the dao formation realm by now..." Dyon explained.
A conflicted glint flashed in King Mino's eyes. If what Dyon said was true... They really were being held back here. Still, it wasn't so simple to just forget everything and leave.
Dyon's words travelled over the battlefield. Although he was speaking to King Mino, these were words that applied to everyone.
"I know what you're probably thinking," Dyon continued, "But I have no intention of abandoning this universe. There are many resources here that can't be found anywhere else. The Belmont Catacombs are just one example of that.
"If I can promise that you'll be able to return to this universe whenever you want, not only quickly but easily as well, will you agree?"
Dyon's words hung over the battlefield.
