National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

High in the sky, the Seven-Colored Pagoda left behind by the Tota Arhat of the Buddha Country hung in solitude. Like a giant in its twilight years, its once-dazzling, seven-colored radiance was now fading away.

This light had once illuminated everything around it, bathing the world in a mysterious and splendid glow.

But now, it seemed to be consumed by darkness, growing ever weaker until it vanished completely into the vast, empty sky.

Before the Seven-Colored Pagoda could even fall to the ground, a sharp CRACK shattered the silence. The sound, like breaking glass, echoed across the desolate landscape.

In an instant, the entire Seven-Colored Pagoda disintegrated in midair. It broke into countless tiny fragments, like snowflakes, yet they carried an air of infinite desolation and sorrow.

Before the fragments could even drift to the ground, a fierce wind howled through, sweeping them away. They vanished over the distant horizon, leaving no trace behind.

And with that, the last trace of the Tota Arhat from the Buddha Country vanished from the world.

Beckett and Guerrero stood to the side, witnessing the whole spectacle. A jolt went through their hearts, as if an invisible hand had clenched them tightly.

They knew all too well what this meant: the time that the Tota Arhat had bought by sacrificing his life was now completely gone.

In other words, the Tota Arhat’s seemingly heroic sacrifice had ultimately achieved nothing of substance.

At this thought, a profound sense of powerlessness washed over Beckett and Guerrero, filling them with despair and defeat.

They had rushed from the Lighthouse Empire, traveling day and night without rest, pushing their speed to the absolute limit.

And yet, they never imagined that Chu He would execute his plan so swiftly and flawlessly.

Chu He walked toward Beckett and Guerrero, one step at a time. His gait was steady and powerful, and with each footfall, the ground trembled slightly, as if heralding his victory.

As they watched Chu He draw near, the muscles in Beckett and Guerrero’s bodies tensed involuntarily. They began to tremble, like two fallen leaves in a storm—helpless and terrified.

Trembling, they stared at Chu He, a terrible premonition about their own futures already taking root in their hearts.

Finally, Chu He stood before them, looking down on the two men. His gaze was deep and sharp, as if it could pierce right through to their innermost thoughts, making one’s blood run cold.

Chu He spoke. ”Don’t you two have anything to say to me?”

Beckett and Guerrero slowly raised their heads to meet Chu He’s gaze, but they chose to remain silent.

As Archbishops of the Bright Holy See, they had their pride. Even in this desperate situation, that pride kept them from showing weakness by speaking first.

Seeing this, Chu He narrowed his eyes slightly and continued, ”Previously, Amaterasu told me that the Deities didn’t just allow her to remain in the mortal realm. They also have other ’eyes’ here, watching all the mortals in the world to prevent any ’seedlings’ from growing too strong. If I’m not mistaken, your Bright Holy See must be one of those ’eyes,’ correct?”

”Eyes? What eyes?”

Beckett and Guerrero looked completely bewildered. Their eyes showed genuine confusion, as if they had no idea what Chu He was talking about.

Just then, Amaterasu came over. She stared intently at Beckett and Guerrero’s faces, scrutinizing every minute change in their expressions, as if trying to find a single trace of a lie.

After a moment, she shook her head at Chu He. ”I don’t think they’re lying,” she said.

With his powerful perception, Chu He could indeed sense that Beckett and Guerrero were telling the truth.

And yet, Chu He remained absolutely certain, convinced that the Bright Holy See was one of the ”eyes” left behind by the Deities to monitor all mortals.

”Why are you so sure?”

Amaterasu asked, her face full of confusion. She truly didn’t understand the basis for his judgment.

Chu He lifted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the distance as he spoke slowly. ”Did you not sense it?

The power emanating from the Eighteen-winged Angels they summoned was pure Divine Power, not something as simple as Supreme Divinity.

I heard once that Supreme Divinity is nothing more than the remains left behind by Deities.

When some lesser demon or evil spirit obtains these remains, they may appear imposing, but they’re hollow inside—nothing more than an empty shell.

But the Eighteen-winged Angels from before were different. That was the purest form of Divine Power.

If I’m not mistaken, the Bright Holy See must possess some kind of Secret Technique that allows them to form a connection with the Deities—or rather, to borrow their power directly.”

As he spoke, Chu He tilted his head back to look at the azure sky, as if meeting the gaze of the Deities hidden beyond the clouds.

His voice was deep and steady as he continued, ”Perhaps, at this very moment, the eyes of the Deities are upon us.”

Chu He’s words struck Amaterasu’s heart like a heavy stone.

A chill shot up Amaterasu’s spine and spread through her entire body. A dense layer of goosebumps broke out across her skin.

It wasn’t from the cold—she was terrified by what Chu He had said.