Chapter 175 : Dohko's decision, the art of faking death!
Finally, the last five remaining Gold Saints of the previous generation reached the Libra Palace, the seventh of the Twelve Palaces in the Zodiac Temple!
The palace gates were wide open; there was no imagined storm of attacks, only a silent, deathly stillness!
In the center of the palace stood a small figure.
He was hunched over, his aged body emitting a faint Cosmo, heavy with the weight of time.
He wore simple Cloth robes, his hair and beard were white, and his old face, no longer recognizable, was deeply etched with the marks of time.
The old man just stood there quietly, yet no one dared to slight him, for this old man was Dohko of Libra, a comrade who fought alongside them, protected the Sanctuary, and participated in the last brutal Holy War 243 years ago!
To have spanned two Holy Wars and lived until now was, in itself, proof of his strength!
"Sisyphus, Cardia, El Cid, Degel, Albafica..."
Dohko spoke slowly, his voice deep, calling out the names of his former comrades one by one.
In his cloudy old eyes, a complex light flickered—nostalgia, sorrow, anger—finally solidifying into an iron-hard resolve.
"243 years have passed. I never imagined that the day we met again would be in battle. I ask you one more time, do you… truly intend to wield a blade against Athena?"
He slammed his staff heavily, making the ground tremble violently.
Looking at the old but intensely murderous Dohko before them, Sisyphus and the others felt a mix of emotions.
In the Holy War 243 years ago, only Dohko and Shion survived.
One became the Pope, teaching the new generation of Saints, while the other remained at Five Old Peaks, guarding the Demon Star Tower that sealed the 108 Specters of Hades's army.
Both endured humiliation and heavy burdens, leaving behind crucial embers for the Sanctuary.
Now, their once vibrant comrades had grown old and frail.
Yet, they, under the power of Hades, had returned to Human Realm, becoming enemies of Athena.
"Dohko..."
Sisyphus stepped forward, his voice tinged with bitterness, but his gaze remained firm.
"Hades has granted us twenty-four hours of life. Our mission is to retrieve Athena's head. Our past friendship... must be set aside for now. Stand aside! We do not wish to strike you!"
"Moreover, in your current state, you are no match for us!"
"Set aside? No match?"
A sharp glint flashed in Dohko's eyes, and his white hair stirred without wind.
"Where is Shion? Shouldn't he be with you all? Has he forgotten who bestowed upon him the title of Pope? And who silently protected Human Realm for 243 years? Where is his pride and persistence? To betray Athena for a fleeting life!"
"Today, I shall personally experience the power of my former comrades!"
"Back then, I received divine blood from Athena and was tasked with guarding the 108 stars of the Underworld. For me, these 243 years have felt like only 243 days!"
"Roar!"
A colossal green dragon rose behind Dohko, letting out an angry roar!
Dohko's Cosmo instantly reignited, like a volcano suppressed for centuries!
Golden light shot skyward, and Dohko's hunched, small body straightened in the light.
His shriveled muscles beneath his Cloth robes visibly swelled, his wrinkled skin became smooth and taut, his snow-white hair gradually turned black, and his aged face rapidly transformed into that of a resolute man in his prime!
The technique of feigned death was lifted!
243 years of accumulated life force surged back like a river!
Dohko's Cosmo expanded at an incredible speed: Seventh Sense, peak Seventh Sense, Eighth Sense, peak Eighth Sense!
"Where is Shion!"
The rejuvenated and vigorous Dohko roared, his powerful Cosmo forming a tangible pressure. The Libra Gold Cloth, sensing the call of his Cosmo, disintegrated and then reassembled around him, instantly donning itself!
The Libra Cloth shone with dazzling brilliance, radiating a peak power no less than any other Gold Saint!
"He will arrive shortly!"
"Before that, I am your opponent!"
El Cid hadn't expected Dohko, who was the weakest back then, to have silently surpassed everyone. He responded in a deep voice, the Holy Sword in his hand revealing its sharpness!
"Dohko, your opponent is me!"
Just then, a figure entered the Aquarius Palace, standing before Sisyphus and the others.
It was Shion, clad in the Aries Surplice!
His face was as still as Water as he looked at the youthful Dohko, a flicker of an imperceptible emotion in his eyes, which was immediately covered by an empty stillness.
"Dohko..."
Shion's voice was deep and unfamiliar.
"243 years have passed. Trust me one more time! Stand aside, or... die!"
"Shion!"
Dohko's roar exploded like thunder, his anger completely unleashed.
"You traitor! Did 243 years only lead to betrayal?"
He stopped wasting words, clenching his fists as the Libra Gold Cloth erupted with dazzling light.
Dohko didn't even use a weapon, directly unleashing the Lushan One Hundred Dragon Force!
One hundred giant dragons roared, pouncing towards Shion!
Shion likewise ignited his powerful Cosmo, the purplish-black Surplice shimmering as starlight gathered between his palms!
The Stardust Revolution met the attack head-on!
Boom!
Two comrades who fought side-by-side 243 years ago, the Pope and the Libra Saint, representing the pride of the Sanctuary's previous era, finally clashed at this moment in the most intense and resolute manner!
A terrifying energy Impact instantly swept across the entire Libra Palace square, forcing Sisyphus and the others to temporarily retreat, avoiding its sharp edge!
"I'll hold him off, you all go first! Be quick, time is running out!"
Shion had just finished his battle with Mu; his Surplice was covered in cracks, but even so, he did not give up the fight!
Cardia watched the two fiercely battling, the Scarlet Needle on his fingertip quietly glowing.
Sisyphus held him back, shaking his head. The group rushed out of the Libra Palace, groping their way towards the Scorpio Palace!
243 years had passed, and the path up the Holy Mountain had been rebuilt countless times. Blinded, they felt every step was incredibly difficult!
Not long after, a voice rang out!
"Senior Cardia, your opponent is me."
The five lifted their blind eyes. In their perception, a giant golden scorpion radiating a powerful threat blocked their path.
Milo, the current Scorpio Gold Saint, had appeared on their path forward at some unknown time.
He wore a vibrant red cape, his ice-blue eyes like the purest of ice, fixed intently on Cardia.
On his fingertip, a crimson light was condensing, his gaze as sharp as a needle.
Cardia looked at Milo, at the Cloth that, like his own, contained a deadly poison.
Sensing the opponent's undisguised fighting spirit and determination, Cardia's lips slowly curved into a wild smile—the excitement one feels when encountering a worthy opponent.
"Interesting! Boy, state your name!"
Cardia pointed at Milo, the red glow on his fingertip growing brighter.
"Milo, the Scorpio Gold Saint!"
"Hahahahaha! Good! Then let me see if this generation's inheritor of the Scarlet Needle is worthy enough!"
Cardia burst into laughter, his figure like a burning Fire, instantly rushing towards the stairs.
"Take this! Scarlet Needle: Antares!"
A crimson beam, potent enough to scorch the soul, pierced directly towards Milo's vital heart, like the gaze of the God of Death!
Milo's eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and a deadly crimson light also glowed on his fingertip: "Scarlet Needle!"
The exact same starting move, the exact same core technique!
Two Scarlet Needles, symbolizing the absolute penetration and destruction of Scorpio, collided with a thunderous Impact in an instant, on the stairs leading from the Libra Palace to the Scorpio Palace!
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100 POWER STONE = BONUS CHAPTER
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