"What did you say?" The Pharmacist's eyes sharpened as she stared at him.
Li Ke's eyes were filled with pain. "There are some things I can't give you. But I do want you to be happy.
If there's a good choice, I'll give you my blessings. I just want you to be happy, happy, just like you used to be, with a smile on your face.
If that's the case, I'll be content. "
Seeing the love in his eyes, the Pharmacist's anger evaporated. Her eyes reddened again, and she turned away. "Don't say anymore, brother Ke. I know you're doing this for my own good, but there are some things that can't be replaced. Never."
Li Ke didn't say anything else. He understood his wife's stubbornness. He nodded.
Let's look at the stars together. I remember when we used to love to find a high vantage point and look out into the cosmos.
As he spoke, Li Ke floated to a nearby window and peered out.
Although they could only see a projection of Bastion, it was as real as it could be.
The Pharmacist came to his side. Her eyes shone with tears, but they were filled with longing.
"Yes!
We used to love to look at the stars together.
At that time, you told me that you must become the commander of a space battleship and lead the fleet to conquer planets and feel the beauty of the entire universe. "
Li Ke interjected. "I also said I wanted to take you on a tour of the universe. Once we were Paragons.
Together we'd ride Ultus and Occisus.
Travel through space.
Experience the beauty of the universe.
Now you're a Paragon.
Even if I can't be by your side, you have to help me fulfill my wish.
What you see is what I see. "
"Alright."
The Pharmacist's voice was soft. She leaned her head against Li Ke's shoulder. Even though she was incorporeal, her movements were steady.
Li Ke lifted his arm and wrapped his arm around her waist.
This rare tranquility seemed to have intoxicated both of them.
What Li Ke didn't see, however, was that the Pharmacist's beautiful eyes were filled with tears once more. They fell like pearls from a broken necklace.
Specks of starlight twinkled in the sky. Lan Qing's face revealed a faint divine light as he clasped his hands in front of his chest. Li Ke's words had moved him greatly.
Not because of the Slaying Immortal Sword, but because he could feel the unwillingness in the depths of Li Ke's heart.
From a certain perspective.
He was very similar to Li Ke, even at a certain time in the past.
He had been following Li Ke's footsteps.
But now, Li Ke had become like this, and even wanted to entrust his daughter to him.
Still, though he hadn't known the Pharmacist for long, he could feel the stubbornness of the Banshee Faerie's personality.
Her husband had been missing for so many years, yet she still chose to commit suicide for love. This in itself was the greatest kind of dedication.
He could take care of the Pharmacist, but taking over Li Ke's position was out of the question.
Humanity's armies were slowly withdrawing, healing the wounded and reorganizing their ships.
In reality, the chances of casualties in a space station weren't high. Once a ship was destroyed, it was followed by death on both sides. Few survived.
The Eastern Alliance had lost many of their best pilots as a result of the destruction of their space warships.
Casualties were inevitable in war. When would there ever be a time when there would be peace again?
Lan Qing couldn't help but think back to his dreams. If there was no war, then he and his brother could find a small city where no one knew them, open a shop they liked, and live out their days in peace. Perhaps that was what he was looking for in the future.
Although Lan Qing knew that even if the war ended and humanity won, such a life would never belong to him, he still looked forward to it.
At the very least, it was better than nothing.
It was a hope, and a goal.
"What are you thinking about?" Lan Jue came to his side.
"Nothing," Lan Qing answered.
Surprise flickered in Lan Jue's eyes. "It's rare that you're not thinking about anything.
It's nice to let go, isn't it? "
Even from the side of Lan Qing's face he could feel his brother's exhaustion.
Not just physically, but also psychologically.
Although Lan Jue had gone on a dangerous mission, Lan Qing was also under a great deal of pressure.
When Lan Jue returned and saw Lan Qing, he could feel Lan Qing's urge to rush forward and hug him. Though he didn't, it was the first time in many years that he'd seen Lan Qing's eyes.
Blood was thicker than water for brothers!
"Now that we've come this far, there's no turning back." Lan Jue sighed.
Lan Qing silently nodded his head. He understood what Lan Jue meant when he said there was no way out.
The alien home worlds' evolution was irreversible.
Humanity had won the battle, but they'd also suffered heavy losses.
Another attack would be difficult to break through the alien defenses, much less destroy the home worlds.
From the way the home worlds had tried to stop Lan Jue and the others from leaving, it was clear that while they were in the process of evolution, they weren't completely defenseless.
All three bastions had been drained of energy and would need a long time to recuperate before they could fight again.
Of course, the aliens wouldn't give them that much time to evolve.
There was only one way to go, and that was to complete the Banishing Strategy.
As long as the Banishing Strategy was complete, even a small fraction of its power would be enough to destroy the alien planets. There was no other way.
"That's good enough. Let's do what we can."
Lan Qing turned to look at Lan Jue. Miraculously, the exhaustion in his eyes had vanished. In its place was a look of concentration.
"Alright!
Let's work hard together. "Lan Jue lifted his hand.
Lan Qing shook it with his own. Both of them could feel the power of the other.
Now all they had to do was wait for Li Ke's guidance.
Ten minutes later.
Li Ke and the Pharmacist returned at the same time. They seemed to have calmed down, and there was even a rare smile on the Pharmacist's face.
The Paragons were waiting for them, and their arrival drew everyone's attention.
Li Ke looked at the crowd and nodded, "Sorry for the long wait."
As he spoke, his eyes drifted to Zhou Qianlin. Jun 'er was in Zhou Qianlin's arms.
She seemed to be listening to him, but she was calm. Calm beyond her years.
A strong emotion flashed across his eyes, but Li Ke quickly returned to normal.
He'd made up his mind not to see his daughter again.
If he was going to leave, he didn't want to affect the family he'd worked so hard to build.
What was the point of letting her know that he was her father?
He couldn't give her anything, he'd only break her heart.
Hardening his heart, he floated in front of Lan Qing. "Lan Qing, Ultus accepts you as its master. But before you begin cultivating the Banishing Strategy, you must think of a way to increase your cultivation. You must reach the Infinite. That way you'll be able to operate the Strategy." Lan Qing's eyes widened as he looked at Lan Qing's face.
"You all have inheritances that are compatible with the Banishing Blades. Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin are Nirvana masters. Because their inheritances are strong enough, they should be able to use the Banishing Strategy. You and Little Yue, on the other hand, are a bit weaker. You'll need to reach the Nirvana level to be able to use the Banishing Strategy.
If the four of you are equal, you can practice the Banishing Strategy.
Time waits for no man, we must finish as soon as possible. "
Lan Qing's brows furrowed. Although he'd reached the heavens in a single step, he'd been busy with the war and hadn't had the time to cultivate. Once a Paragon was a Paragon, no matter how talented he was, no matter how good his inheritance, he'd still have to take things one step at a time. Under normal circumstances, he'd be lucky to reach Nirvana in five years. He'd still need to work hard.
But that wasn't going to happen now.
The Pharmacist's situation was similar. When she broke through, she was already a Reflection of Heaven and Earth. Through the slaughter and the Queen of Heaven's Domain, she was able to break through.
However, if he wanted to take another step forward and enter the Nirvana level, it would be extremely difficult, almost impossible to achieve.
Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin's situation was better. Zhou Qianlin's identity as Guanyin the Queen of Heaven allowed them to receive faith from the people. Their progress was much faster.
Increasing faith wasn't difficult, either. All they had to do was advertise it to the Major League.
Of course, they had their own problems as well. They had made successive breakthroughs, from Adept to Reflection of Heaven and Earth in a single bound. After that, they had relied on the power of faith to reach Nirvana in a short period of time. They had even narrowly escaped death because of it. If they were to make another breakthrough, they would definitely be suppressed by the universal laws, and the danger would be immense.
Therefore, it was undoubtedly the best choice for them to stay at this level.
Now the problem was how to get Lan Qing and the Pharmacist to Nirvana as quickly as possible.
It was the last day of the year, and Tang Bingyao wished all the readers of the Tang Sect a happy New Year.
Next month would be the last month of the Heavenly Flame.
Tomorrow it would be the fifth chapter!
I hope you enjoy it.
On the eighteenth of next month, Skyfire Avenue will come to an end. At the same time, Douluo Continent Part III will begin!
For the past month, every day felt like a year. My wife was sick, and I thought my writing would be over. Those who bet on when I'd stop would finally see the light of day.
But then I discovered that writing is the only way I can forget my pain. Only when I write can I regain my peace of mind.
Your Tang Bingyao will continue. On the eighteenth of January, Skyfire Avenue will come to an end. On the same day, Douluo Continent Part III: The Legend of the Dragon King will be released!
Stay with her as she continues her story.
(To be continued.)