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"What?!"
Loki was slightly stunned, "Qi Yan, what do you mean by that?"
"It's exactly what it sounds like. Weren't you going to die because you couldn't return to the Celestial Spirit World? If I send you back to the Celestial Spirit World, then it's fine."
"What?!"
"Send him back to the Celestial Spirit World?!"
Both Loki and Lucy were a bit confused.
"I can open gates, but I don't have Loki's key, nor am I his owner, so I can't open a gate for him!"
Lucy thought Qi Yan brought her here to open a gate for Loki, but she also knew her own strength; opening a gate for a Celestial Spirit that didn't belong to her was almost impossible.
"No need! You can just open a gate and summon any Celestial Spirit. I have a way to send Loki back to the Celestial Spirit World."
"This... alright!"
Although Lucy was still a bit confused, listening to Qi Yan right now was probably the right thing to do.
Lucy pulled out a golden key, "Open! Gate of the Maiden! Virgo (Balgua)!!"
A golden magic circle lit up, and the Virgo (Balgua) Celestial Spirit appeared, with pink hair, wearing a maid outfit, and a very cute face.
However, her appearance was a bit undignified, as her entire body was bound by ropes.
"Are you going to punish me, Princess!"
"Eek—!"
Lucy was startled when she saw her, "Why are you like this? Doesn't this make me look strange?!"
"I never thought, Lucy, you had such a fetish."
"I do not!"
"Snap!"
Qi Yan snapped his fingers.
"Whoosh—!!"
The space vibrated, and then a crack appeared at the exact location where Lucy had just summoned Virgo (Balgua).
Immediately after, the space began to tear apart like a piece of cloth.
"This... what is this?!"
Everyone was stunned by this sight.
"Space Severance, it can tear space apart and allow free movement between different worlds. It's one of the abilities I can use in this transformed state."
"I asked you to summon a Celestial Spirit just now to pinpoint the space of the Celestial Spirit World. This makes it more convenient and prevents getting lost in the spatial gaps."
"So... so powerful!"
Although they already knew Qi Yan was powerful, being able to traverse worlds at will, wasn't that a bit too powerful?
Before long, a dark Garganta formed.
"Alright, Loki, just go through here, and you can return to the Celestial Spirit World."
"This..."
Loki was a bit bewildered. He hadn't expected the path home, which had filled him with such despair, to be accomplished so easily with the cooperation of Qi Yan and Lucy. He could feel the unique Celestial Spirit power of the Celestial Spirit World emanating from the Garganta. The other side truly was the Celestial Spirit World.
"That's great! Loki! You can go back to the Celestial Spirit World, you don't have to die!"
Lucy jumped up happily.
Loki's mood was both complex and excited. He seemed resigned and willing to accept the punishment of death, but how could he truly be content? He still had many, many things he wanted to do, and he couldn't bear to leave everyone in the Guild.
Suddenly!
A majestic shout rang out.
"Who's there?!"
The sky changed, and the flowing river water began to still.
Then, the waterfall started to flow backward, rushing towards the sky, forming a giant whirlpool.
From the whirlpool, a huge, armored giant appeared in mid-air.
Loki looked at his figure in disbelief, "No... this is... the Celestial Spirit King!!"
"The King... is he the strongest Celestial Spirit?"
Lucy, as a Celestial Spirit Mage, never expected to see the Celestial Spirit King here.
"How... how did he appear here!!"
Loki was incredulous. The Celestial Spirit King was the King of the Celestial Spirit World, yet he had appeared in the Human World.
"I sensed someone tearing the space between the Celestial Spirit World and the Human World, so I came to investigate. It turns out it's you, Leo!"
"Leo, we have a contract with humans not to harm key owners. Although you didn't directly kill the owner, you indirectly caused her death, so I refuse your return to the Celestial Spirit World."
"Wait, isn't this ridiculous?!"
Lucy bravely stood up at this moment.
"For his comrade, for Aries, wasn't this an unavoidable act?!"
The Celestial Spirit King looked at Lucy and said, "I understand my old friend's feelings, and I am pained by it, but my old friend, this rule cannot be changed."
"Don't talk about old friends!! Right now, we need to talk about the friend in front of you!! Listen to me, long-bearded old man!"
"This was a tragic accident! What crime do you say Loki committed? I cannot accept the notion that he is guilty!"
"If you are also a Celestial Spirit, you must understand Loki and Aries' feelings!!"
"Caring for a comrade, where is the crime in that?! Where is this crime?!"
Loki quickly stopped Lucy, "Foolish Lucy! That's the Celestial Spirit King! Don't anger him!"
Then Loki looked at the Celestial Spirit King and said, "Your Majesty, Celestial Spirit King, Karen's matter was my fault. I am willing to accept the punishment of death!!"
He didn't want to implicate Lucy and Qi Yan because of his own situation.
Suddenly!
Qi Yan's voice rang out:
"I disagree!"
"Qi Yan?!"
Everyone looked at Qi Yan.
Qi Yan said indifferently, "That woman's death was well-deserved; it has nothing to do with Loki. If we're talking about punishment, Loki's three years in the Human World are enough."
"Now, Loki is a member of the Fairy Tail Guild. I'm sending Loki back to the Celestial Spirit World. If you dare to interfere, then you are an enemy of Fairy Tail."
Qi Yan's figure flashed, appearing in mid-air in an instant, standing before the Celestial Spirit King, looking directly into his eyes and saying, "Celestial Spirit King, if you don't want to die, get out of my way!"
To be honest, he'd seen enough giants lately, and he didn't like looking up at people when he talked.
Loki was in mortal danger right now, and he couldn't be bothered with pleasantries.
"Wait... Qi Yan! That's the Celestial Spirit King!"
Loki's expression changed dramatically when he heard Qi Yan's words. The Celestial Spirit King was the strongest among Celestial Spirits, with unfathomable power. If they angered the Celestial Spirit King, it would be disastrous.
"Yes! Qi Yan, don't be reckless!"
Lucy also quickly tried to dissuade Qi Yan. Celestial Spirits were actually very strong; the reason their power seemed weaker was because her own magic training was insufficient, and her magical power was lacking.
The Celestial Spirit King looked at Qi Yan, a slight smile on his lips, "Haha, I haven't seen such a bold young man in who knows how many years. Since you and my old friend both say so, I will give Leo a chance. As long as you can defeat me in a move or two, I will allow Loki to return to the Celestial Spirit World."