Netherworld Retrograde

Chapter 1294 647: Five Hundred Years

In the crowd, several figures were crying out in grief; they were the families who had lost comrades in this mission.

In the returning team, a few empty seats silently spoke of the heavy, suffocating price of blood behind this victory.

It was precisely because of countless heroes' sacrifices that this victory was won.

"Remember this feeling, do not let down their expectations. This is the duty of the Champion," Yang Chen's voice came through: "Remember, the heroes are right behind us, watching us. Carry their hopes and keep moving forward!"

Li Yelai nodded silently; this was the way it had always been for Champions through the ages, a heavy burden, hopeful gazes, he must get used to it, and he must bear it.

There's no way back, only moving forward!

Later, Li Yelai and others returned to the family apartment and saw the long unseen Li Yunyan.

Almost three months without seeing, she seemed somewhat haggard, and perhaps a little thinner.

Her eyes were somewhat red, but she held back her emotions and forced a smile.

Knowing that Li Yelai and others had entered the notorious Disaster Fog, she was truly fearful, afraid that her brother and sister-in-law might never return.

Fortunately, they are back now. Perhaps selfishly, she truly hoped they would not leave again.

But she also knew this was a fantasy.

...

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of No.3 Border City, in a room constructed of Spirit-Hating Metal that blocked all signals and perceptions.

The hunched old man looked at the large barrel of pale green liquid before him, which contained a powerful Life Force; just a sniff could make one feel much more energized.

"Facing the Disaster Fog and Nether River, they still thought of finding me this kind of Life Material," the old man said quietly: "They've worked hard for this."

"If there weren't really no one who truly understood the Golden Ancient Tree, directly using the Disaster Fog to shape a Golden Ancient Tree would be one method."

"The risk is too high, to speak nothing of the life level. Just the volume alone might easily blow up the Disaster Fog."

"The Disaster Fog can only create Supremes, unable to recreate the strength of the Golden Ancient Tree Sap. The Swallowing Ancient Tree is the best choice."

And the old woman said, "Enough, it's over now, let's not discuss it further. Mad King, give it a try."

The old man, or rather, the Old Mad King nodded slightly.

In an instant, an indescribable, vast flow of life like a Star River surged down his throat, rushing into his aged body that had been emptied by a long life and numerous battles, like a withered desert!

The surging Life Force was so pure, his decaying body instinctively, greedily worked, each nearly dying cell absorbed the life-saving essence like a sponge that had met long-awaited rain.

He had depleted too much of his lifespan, as the most powerful King in this world. A King who should have been near Eternal Life, yet was tormented by a curse to this extent.

Now, the life essence gently and swiftly filled his life.

Beneath the dry and loose skin resembling bark, a faint luster seemed to flow quietly, the original gray and dead textures slowly soaked with imperceptible moisture representing rebirth.

A silent yet earth-shattering revival quietly unfolded within this aged King's body.

When those long-dormant eyes suddenly opened, the dim space seemed to be torn apart by invisible lightning!

It wasn't actual light, but a kind of powerful pressure exploded!

In an instant, the air solidified, dust suspended, even light seemed to twist.

If not for the Old Mad King using strong will to contain it the moment he opened his eyes, the life force that revived after many years of dormancy would have burst out like a waking ancient fierce dragon, breaking free from shackles, directly reaching beyond the nine heavens, shaking the entire Giant City!

"How was it?" the old woman asked in a trembling voice.

The old man's form changed, the hunched body became upright, the skin, though loose, had a faint glow flowing. Among the snowy white hair, strands of black hair quietly emerged.

The Old Mad King slowly exhaled a breath: "Five hundred years!"

Stayed silently holding their breath, even afraid of making a noise, the council members could no longer contain the storm in their hearts!

Five hundred years!

The essence sap of the Swallowing Ancient Tree replenished five hundred years of lifespan for the Old Mad King!

This means that as long as this King no longer sets foot on that most brutal battlefield, he can continue guarding this Giant City carrying humanity's last hope like a stabilizing force for five hundred years!

Enough for Human Pride to grow freely!

"Drink some more, there's still a lot," the old woman said eagerly.

"The effect already diminishes towards the end. The body's absorption of the sap has nearly saturated. Drinking more can only help heal injuries, at most delay aging." But the Old Mad King shook his head: "This is the limit of the Swallowing Ancient Tree."

"Make the remaining into pharmaceuticals. The comrades need it more than I do."

"Five hundred years of lifespan... Hahaha, enough for me to kill a King!"

(Hold on, let me get my perfect attendance, okay, actually it's already not perfect attendance, at least let me update four thousand words daily...)