There were lots of things, more than a dozen odds and ends, all everyday little gadgets. Among them was an old stereo system, complete with matching vintage discs. A battered bicycle with a special support frame added, making pedaling much easier. Stuff like this—nothing flashy, nothing that looked like a luxury you’d have to pay a fortune to get.
But Patrick Zade knew these things had a value that couldn’t be replaced.
What he cared about most was a jewelry box.
He stepped forward and picked up the box. It was old, with more than thirty years of wear etched into its surface. Patrick Zade’s hands trembled with nerves, and Old Parker’s face changed dramatically beside him: “It’s actually—!”
Patrick Zade gently opened the box. Inside lay a massive, pure, breathtaking gemstone. Like a shard left behind by the stars, untouched by time—this blue jewel was as beautiful as a dream you never want to wake from.
“This is it—the legendary Holy Relic, the source of the hyperspace name, the Heart of Tiberius…” Patrick Zade sucked in a breath, then shouted, “Again! Use every means we have to call Sophia’s will to respond. This time, we can only win—we must open the Tiberius Hyperspace!”
Meanwhile, on the far side of the Earth—Tokyo, in the dead of night.
Inside the fortress, everyone took their positions.
All the preparations were done, as good as they could possibly be—no need for more words. Guns were loaded, swords drawn, ready for the battle that was sure to come.
“Everyone, the big fight’s about to start—stay sharp!” With a ringing voice, Jill Young stepped to the front. All eyes turned, surprised—Jill was rarely seen wearing full armor.
Armor? Honestly, with my body, I’m practically indestructible—heck, I even mastered one of the Eight Forces: the Impervious Vajra Calamity. Since when do I need to wear armor?
And really, what kind of armor could possibly be worth wearing—could it even add any protection for me?
Still, this set of jet-black armor with those wild lines looks seriously special. From helmet to shoulder plates, chest piece to belt, skirt guards to battle boots—it’s seamless, like it was made in one perfect piece. Forget the fierce style and the flawless fit with zero gaps—it’s so perfect that even top-tier Chosen Ones would be awestruck just looking at it.
It’s like just wearing this armor turns you into a full-blown demon lord straight out of hell.
Everyone who survived the Demon Ring War felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Then it hit them—this was a revamped version of the ultimate taboo under the heavens: the Great Winged Demon Armor! The sheer demonic aura from the Great Winged Demon left a mark on anyone who fought that battle. If the demon hadn’t been killed and sealed away for ages—just a puppet for the Ringwraiths now—even a single Great Winged Demon would’ve left the whole allied army completely helpless.
At its peak, the Great Winged Demon was probably the strongest thing below a true god.
The Grand Refinement turned the Great Winged Demon into a meat fungus, but this seamless armor couldn’t be refined away—instead, it became a perfect supernatural element, preserved intact. Jill Young had been smelting it in the upgraded Flame Tide with hellfire for days, and even now, it’s not fully refined.
That uncontrollable, overwhelming aura leaking out? Proof enough.
Still, it’s usable—for now. With some blacksmith tricks, Jill made progress. She can’t control it perfectly, but at least it won’t drag her down and can use its basic features. Against a Storm Shaman, the Great Winged Demon’s crazy magic resistance is bound to help.
Wearing this fierce, badass armor, Jill Young stood dead center, ready to speak.
“War—once again, war is upon us. This time, we have no idea who we’re up against, or what’ll happen when hyperspace opens. Maybe everything will go according to plan, but more likely, we’ll get hit with twists we can’t even imagine. In modern warfare, going in blind like this is basically impossible. But I have faith—I believe in myself, and even more, I believe in all of you!”
Because we’re not ordinary people.
We are Chosen Ones!
Were we ready when the White Night descended?
Were we ready when we crossed into all those strange worlds?
Were we ready when we fought all those bizarre, powerful enemies?
Look at each other—we’re the ones who survived all those wild changes. Look at us—we’re already the strongest team in the world!
So all you need to do is be as ready as you can, and then follow me—let’s show the whole world—" Jill Young raised her helmet high, her voice echoing through the fortress: "No one can beat us! No one in the world!"
Awooooooo!!!!
Swords and guns raised high, the Chosen Ones roared. In that sea of excitement, Jack Young looked at his radiant daughter with complicated feelings, exchanging a wry smile with Uncle Chao beside him. Suddenly, he truly understood—understood his daughter's reputation and status among her peers, understood that she was already a true king, a peerless master.
Can an old, powerless father like me really shield such children from the storms of life?
Hey, how’s it going?' A flamboyantly dressed punk appeared next to Jack Young, holding out his hand. 'I’m Stephen Evenson.
You’re Stephen Evenson?' Is this really the person I’m looking for? This guy looks more like a nightclub gigolo—could he really be the famous mathematician who once faced off with Uncle Chen Jingrun?
Has fate really twisted the great mathematician into this sorry state?
Hi, I’m Jack Young.
By the way, I just found this over there—heard you calculated it.' Stephen pulled out a stack of draft papers, the very ones Jack Young had tossed aside. 'I looked it over. You’re almost done—looks like you’re a pretty sharp number theorist. To get this far is impressive. Why not finish it?'
Faced with Stephen’s question, Jack Young fell silent.
Stephen didn’t press further. He looked toward the center of the crowd at the Queen of Eternal Night and sighed: 'Heard you’re her father?'
Yeah.' Jack Young nodded. 'That’s my daughter.
She’s just like Sophia—fearless in the face of adversity, unwavering in spirit. One’s reserved, one’s outgoing, but honestly, they’re two of a kind.' Stephen shoved the draft papers into Jack’s hands. 'Standing beside someone like that, sometimes you feel invisible. But since you’ve come this far, why not finish it?'
Stephen patted Jack Young on the shoulder and walked away.
Finish it? Is it even worth finishing? Am I just entertaining myself, feeling good for no reason?
Jack Young was left bewildered.
In the center of the crowd, Jill Young waved her hand, and the whole place instantly went silent.
Get ready—' Jill Young put on her helmet, platinum hair streaming through the special gap. The helmet fused instantly with the neck guard, but didn’t restrict movement at all. Jill waved her hand: 'Prepare for battle!'
Everyone sprang into action, rushing to their positions.
Jack Young and Uncle Chao stayed in the hall—it was the safest place. For ordinary people, there was nowhere to go except the safe rooms.
At least Uncle Chao, being a veteran, had a pile of guns at his side. Sure, it wouldn’t do much against what’s coming, but his pride as a soldier wouldn’t let him just sit this one out.
Uncle Chao looked at Jonathan in the distance and clenched his teeth. I’m his protector—even if it’s useless, I’ll fire a bullet at the enemy’s face!
The tech crew tweaked their equipment—the tech-type Chosen Ones worked with incredible efficiency.
Mom, relax.' Jill Young assured her mother seriously, 'No matter what, no matter when, I’m always with you.
You take care of yourself too.' Su Muhua told her daughter, 'If a powerful enemy shows up, just focus on fighting them. Your mom’s no pushover—I don’t need you worrying about me. I’m always with you, too.' She glanced at Jack Young in the distance and added, 'Your dad’s a stubborn guy, but he’s a good man. He’ll always be with you, too.'
Yeah.' Jill Young looked at Jonathan. 'This time, opening hyperspace is the best—and maybe the last—chance to cure your gene collapse. We don’t know if hyperspace will open stably, and the chance could disappear in a flash, so you’ll have to go in yourself.
Even if you tie me up, I’m going!' Jonathan, fully armed, was raring to go. 'I have to go to the Tiberius Laboratory, back to where it all started, and finish this.
Alright, good luck, cousin!' Jill glanced at Qi Meng standing nearby—she looked cold, unobservable, and seemed indifferent to everything. Ever since she revealed her true form, she’d become almost invisible.
So invisible that even Su Muhua couldn’t see her anymore—sometimes she even forgot Qi Meng existed.
All traces of her—even people’s memories—seemed to be getting erased.
The more you think about it, the scarier it gets.
Queen.' The tech crew lead gave Jill Young a thumbs up. 'We’re good to go!
Alright, let’s begin!' The psychic link device was cranked up to max power. The tech lead referenced a new device from Pacific Technologies—the Psychic Stabilizer—to help share the team’s mental load. Mysterious runes lit up one by one. With her special stance, Su Muhua slowly began to float. The light grew brighter and brighter, and Jill Young and Qi Meng closed their eyes.
Mind link—engage!