A few days later, the Goddess of Destiny descended upon the spot where Han Hao and Dagmar had fought. She did not wait long before a faint shadow manifested in the air.
The concentration of the Death Element in the area shot up as soon as the shadow appeared. It was more intense than what could be found in the Pandemonium. The Goddess of Destiny with a neutral face turned to the shadow and said, "Hello, Nestor.
The faint shadow gradually became more distinct until it turned into a handsome and feminine looking gentleman. The elements of death were constantly pouring out of his body in wisps of smoke. He nodded smilingly at the Goddess of Destiny before walking over to her and asked, "Althea, you were much closer when it happened and you cultivate the Edict of Destiny. Do you know who has the shard and where I can find it?"
Althea, the Goddess of Destiny, smiled faintly and replied, "You should know the properties of a Shard as well as I do. As long as the bearer does not use the Shard, he would be beyond your detection. I cannot get any more information about the bearer than you can."
"Shard-bearers can always sense our presence, but we can only sense theirs when they are using it. What a threat they are to us Quintessence Overgods," Nestor commented with a knitted brow. He seemed rather disturbed.
"This is the will of the Creator. The shards exist to give the world hope - the slim but real chance of overthrowing us. I believe the Creator scattered the Shards to remind us that we are not irreplaceable," Althea said in a neutral tone and expression.
Nestor nodded slightly and said, "I will do everything in my power to find this person. I will not allow any being who possesses a quintessence shard of death to live.
Althea smiled but said nothing more. She knew that if she ever found out that someone possessed a shard of the Edict of Fate, she would do exactly what Nestor had done, find and destroy the bearer of the shard at all costs, to ensure that she remained the Goddess of Fate.
After a moment of silence, Althea suddenly asked, "I heard that City Lord Hill of your Witherbone City has disappeared. Is that true?"
Nestor let out a soft groan and replied, "If it weren't for you, I would have finished off that boy by now. Even our friend from the Dominion of Darkness would have done so long ago instead of letting the boy go. His Dominion lost two City Lords and it was a real mess."
After a short pause, Nestor asked, "Althea, is this boy really the key to unlocking Aethernia?"
"He is indeed. It is impossible to unseal Aethernia without him. It is encased in every known energy in this universe and therefore no energy from this universe can unseal it," Althea replied in the affirmative. She continued, "That is why I have asked you all to keep him alive. But when he is strong enough - when he has unsealed Aethernia for us - you may all do with him as you wish. You will hear no objection from me."
"But, Althea, are you sure we are not nurturing a serpent in our womb? This child is cultivating the energy left behind by that being, and his strength has grown at an incredible rate. I fear that one day he will become so strong that even the twelve of us won't be able to defeat him," Nestor said. Traces of fear could be seen on his face, as if he was being reminded of an extremely frightening memory.
"Do not worry, he will never reach the height of that existence. He only exists to unseal Aethernia. Once he has fulfilled his purpose, you may do with him as you wish, I will not care," Althea reassured him again. She paused for a moment before instructing, "Watch out for the Fringe, a great chaos is about to sweep across the land. Another ten thousand years have passed, and it's time to cleanse it again.
Nestor nodded. He smiled faintly and replied, "I have made the necessary arrangements. Oh, right. Until then, if my forces happen to clash with those of the Dominions of Light and Life, please don't mind us."
"I couldn't care less about your petty conflicts. Do as you please, as long as you do not drag the whole of Elysium into the war," Althea said with a rather annoyed look before she said calmly, "Please remind our friend from the Dominion of Darkness not to touch the child until Aethernia is unsealed. Well, I have said all I need to say. Goodbye."
As these words were finished, Althea's figure slowly dissipated into the air. A light breeze blew away any remaining traces of her.
Nestor did not leave the area immediately afterwards. He used the Element of Death that overflowed from his body to reach a vast area of land around him and took his time to survey it. Hiding his mighty aura, he became an ordinary, unremarkable Highgod of death before finally making his way.
***
After several months of wreaking havoc on the borders of various dominions, Han Hao finally returned to the Fringe. As soon as he escaped from Dagmar, he reassembled all of his godhunters and ordered them to return to the Fringe with him.
Dagmar's appearance meant that the main army of the Godhunter Alliance would soon arrive. Having achieved his goals, which included spreading a certain rumour, Han Hao knew it was time to disperse and return home.
In addition, Han Hao sensed through the tombstone in his body that Nestor, the Overgod of Death, was approaching. The threat of the Godhunter Alliance army was nothing compared to Nestor.
Han Hao could constantly sense Nestor's aura and general location, something that even Hill and others who had received Divine Brands from Nestor could not do. At that time, Han Hao had settled in Ronson Canyon, on the border of the Death Dominion, and wouldn't venture deeper into the Dominion because he was wary of this terrifying entity that was constantly within his senses.
Although Han Hao had no idea what the tombstone really was, or that Nestor could not sense his location when he was not using it, Han Hao's survival instincts always tried to keep him as far away from Nestor as possible.
Soon after returning to the Fringe, Han Hao went to see Scarlett, who had been anxiously awaiting his return. Scarlett could not have been more emotional and delighted when Han Hao suddenly appeared in front of her. If it weren't for the large number of her followers around her, she would have thrown herself at Han Hao and embraced him.
For some reason, Han Hao felt a sense of happiness in his heart to see Scarlett filled with such joy. He felt as if he were facing Han Shuo or his five brothers.
"Come, we will return to our base and prepare for war," Han Hao said.
"I'm glad you're all right, Han Hao. Have you met Dagmar?" asked Scarlett, after she had calmed down from her excitement.
"Yes, I have," Han Hao replied straightforwardly.
"You, you really met Dagmar?!" Scarlett was astonished. She exclaimed, "Then how is it that you seem completely unharmed? Dagmar is the Hegemon of Death, the ruler of all Godhunters in the Death Dominion. His, his power..."
"He cultivates the energy of death, so he cannot kill me," Han Hao replied. He didn't tell Scarlett about the tombstone because he didn't fully understand the weapon himself.
Scarlett seemed perplexed, unable to understand why Dagmar could not kill Han Hao simply because he also cultivated the energy of death. However, she did not ask Han Hao for clarification as Han Hao did not seem to want to talk about it. Scarlett decided to resume her original plan as they travelled to their base.
Over the next period of time, Scarlett tried her best to educate Han Hao on a particular subject. Often sending her followers far away, she tirelessly lectured Han Hao on romantic relationships, trying to indoctrinate his naive and empty mind.
But Scarlett soon discovered that Han Hao wasn't such a good student. Han Hao didn't learn by listening to others, but through his own experience and exploration.
Throughout the journey, although Han Hao listened to Scarlett's teachings, he did not accept them. He remained silent, afraid to comment. The most he would do was knit his brows.
One day the two came to a hill covered with lush green grass and flowers that gave off a faint, refreshing scent. Cotton-white clouds drifted slowly in the gentle breeze. It was a relaxing and serene place, perfect for a certain activity.
"Han Hao, have you been listening to anything I've been saying? Did you understand anything at all?" asked Scarlett quietly.
Han Hao shook his head and replied with a blank expression, "I have no idea what you said. Even if I did, I would not just accept it. I only learn by touching, feeling and experiencing for myself. I will only accept what I find to be true, not from the words of others.
Scarlett was at a loss for words for a moment. She asked, "What exactly do you mean by touching and feeling?
"Just like that day - using my hand to touch and my heart to feel," Han Hao replied with a raised eyebrow. He seemed to think Scarlett's question was silly.
When Scarlett was reminded of what Han Hao had done the other day, her cheeks immediately turned red and her heart beat faster. She shyly glanced at the serious-looking Han Hao and muttered to herself, "That bastard... So that's how his brain works? What should I do then? Should I let him explore my body again?"
"You are excited. That is not good. It will affect the state of your realm, and you will not be able to do your best in battle. You should be like me and always be calm," Han Hao advised.
Han Hao's words had irritated Scarlett. She frowned and retorted, "I don't think you can always stay calm!" Scarlett then gathered her will and marched towards Han Hao against her nervousness.
Han Hao was about to say that his heart was always as calm as still water, but at that moment his mind was jolted awake. It was as if something had awakened the tombstone in his chest and he was losing control of it.
Scarlett was annoyed at Han Hao's attitude. She thought, "I don't believe I can't stir your heart! She became even more determined as she overcame her shyness and walked over to Han Hao.
At this moment, Han Hao's eyebrows were knitted tightly together and his purple eyes were shining brightly. It was as if he was pondering something and was completely oblivious to Scarlett's actions. He didn't even look at her. This infuriated Scarlett. She groaned hatefully and said, "I can't believe you have no feelings at all!"
Scarlett suddenly opened her arms, stepped forward and hugged Han Hao tightly. Her round, full breasts became flattened spheroids as they were pressed firmly against Han Hao's chest...
Scarlett also moved her hands around Han Hao's back, carefully feeling the attachment points of his seven bone spurs on his body. "It's - it's connected to the spine!..." Scarlett couldn't help but exclaim softly when she realised.
All this time, Scarlett had thought that the seven bone spurs were just another one of Han Hao's weapons with special attachment points for him to carry them on his back. But now, after feeling them with her hands, she discovered that they were attached to his flesh and bones. They were part of his body!
Astonished, Scarlett continued to explore Han Hao's back with her small hands. She gently brushed her tender skin against Han Hao's, trying to arouse him.
I don't believe you'd have no feelings to this," Scarlett thought before taking a quick look at Han Hao. Her face suddenly jerked and she exclaimed, "Han Hao, are you all right?"
Suddenly, the tombstone began to slowly emerge from Han Hao's chest as a strange energy erupted from his body, throwing Scarlett away. The cryptically carved runes separated the tombstone as if thousands of birds had been released from their cages. They turned and danced around Han Hao. The elements of death from afar were drawn to him and began to pour into his body.
Han Hao seemed to be in a daze. His eyebrows knitted together, he stared at the runes orbiting him in confusion. After hesitating for a moment, Han Hao slowly reached out and grabbed the tombstone hovering in front of him with one hand. He gently caressed the carvings on it with his thumb.
Then, suddenly, the cryptic runes surrounding him began to enter his brain through his ears. Han Hao jolted and immediately closed his eyes and stood still as if petrified.