To storm Aidyrlu Garden was what Lin Luo had intended to do ever since he learned a fraction of the truth.

Now, regardless of the form it took, or the process and outcome, all that was lacking was that final push; unless they were the sort of cowards who took the money and did nothing, the goal was certain to be achieved.

Lin Luo did not wish to waste energy, nor did he intend to trouble the ordinary citizens of Aidyrlu Garden; his target was only the high command—the Orkenard organization. Thus, he bypassed the cities on the ground and soared toward the floating citadel suspended in the sky.

“Greyaz once mentioned that at the very top, there’s a place resembling iron chains, which is the central hub of Aidyrlu Garden. Does that mean… that place is my destination?” Lin Luo smiled as he gazed at the clusters of floating castles bound by countless things that looked like iron chains far above.

“What do you plan to do when you get there?” CC asked with a laugh, grasping Lin Luo’s arm. Although flying in the air felt incredible to her, she was more curious about how Lin Luo intended to fulfill Lei’s wish.

“Well, we’ll figure that out once we arrive,” Lin Luo managed with an awkward chuckle. Truthfully, he hadn't thought that far ahead. Attacking immediately might prove a bit too bloody.

“I want to see Shiya,” Lei’s translucent figure murmured steadfastly, leaning against Lin Luo’s shoulder.

“…” Lin Luo couldn't help but frown. This was precisely what worried him most. According to Grina, Shiya had been used as a living test subject in Aidyrlu Garden’s experiments five hundred years ago, and her chances of survival were slim to virtually zero. How could this wish possibly be fulfilled?

“Yes, it would be wonderful if I could see her,” Lin Luo whispered. As long as Shiya was alive, no matter what she had become, his abilities would surely allow him to save her… He only feared that she might already be dead.

Once dead, Lin Luo’s powers would be useless. Even if he could achieve medical miracles beyond contemporary understanding, he could not break the laws of life and death to resurrect the deceased.

“However, getting there won't be easy, I suspect,” CC suddenly chuckled softly.

“Oh? How so?” Lin Luo started slightly, but he quickly understood. In every direction around him, countless fighter jets were streaking towards him, and in moments, he was completely encircled.

“Tsk, what an enthusiastic welcoming party. In that case, I must express my excitement as well,” Lin Luo said with a grin, then turned his gaze to the girl on his back. “Lei, are you ready?”

The girl suddenly closed her eyes and spoke quietly, “I overheard a bit of what you and Grina were discussing that day.”

“Huh?” Lin Luo was momentarily slow to react. Lei heard them?

“But I didn’t catch everything; I suddenly passed out halfway through listening. I don’t know who knocked me out; my head still hurts a little…” As she finished speaking, the girl opened her eyes, revealing that immensely pressurizing gaze once more.

“That twin-tail did it,” CC tattled.

Lin Luo: “…”

“Even though I only heard snippets, I guessed from Grina’s tone back then: Shiya came to Aidyrlu Garden with the person she loved, but she certainly didn’t find happiness. So… I must find her, no matter what,” the girl stated in a deep voice, her eyes possessing a firmness never seen before.

“I see. Then this time, allow me to be your weapon,” Lin Luo nodded. He felt Lei’s resolve and saw no reason to hesitate. Taking a deep breath, his eyes became utterly calm in that moment.

He had already made it clear: if necessary, he would accept being a Demon King or a Tyrant.

The Blade of Verdant Wind swept out, and an immense surge of wind power roared forth—the Ring of East Wind.

The formation of fighter jets to Lin Luo’s left was immediately swept into the vortex of wind. A force capable of instantly eliminating even Dead Apostles, a power on the level of an anti-army Noble Phantasm—how could mere aircraft possibly resist it? A tearing, scraping sound, like metal sheeting being ripped apart, filled the air as all the jets were instantly shredded into fragments.

The air force on the left disintegrated in an instant.

“Is that the might of the Seven Radiant Trees?” The higher-ups of Aidyrlu Garden, watching this scene through their monitors, changed color with dread. Indeed, summoning the celestial lightning was formidable, but they hadn't believed Lin Luo could summon it endlessly, and while carrying someone, such an ability must surely be constrained. That was why they dared to deploy air units for interception.

But after witnessing that move, they realized how utterly wrong they had been.

Their perception of the terror inherent in the Seven Radiant Trees had been overshadowed by Lin Luo’s personal strength. Now, in symbiosis with the Seven Radiant Trees, that power was even greater.

Yet, it was too late to recall the air units. The moment Lin Luo launched his first attack, he had no intention of holding back. Following the Ring of East Wind came the String of South Wind.

Dense arrows of wind pierced the fuselage, and amidst violent explosions, every fighter jet blocking Lin Luo’s path detonated.

Just two moves were enough to completely shatter the enemy’s resolve. Of the remaining aircraft, not a single one dared approach Lin Luo, fleeing swiftly as if avoiding a plague god.

Lin Luo glanced at them indifferently, having no intention of pursuing. Although the symbiosis allowed him to fly, it consumed significant power; lingering in the air too long was never wise.

Seizing the opportunity, he rushed forward, landing moments later on one of the floating castles. The instant his feet touched the ground, Lei cried out from behind him, “Shiya! I sense Shiya’s presence, Lin Luo!”

“Huh?” Lin Luo was also stunned. Shiya was alive?

Though unbelievable that someone used as a living specimen five centuries ago could still be alive, Lin Luo would never dismiss something based on a ‘sensation.’ Even he himself might not have survived this long without relying on a similar ‘feeling.’

“Can you tell where she is?”

“On this floating castle, inside that castle ahead,” Lei pointed towards the sole, massive citadel atop the landmass.

“Alright, let’s go find her immediately.” Without hesitation, Lin Luo charged toward the castle. Due to the previous series of attacks, it seemed their deterrent effect was active; no one attempted to stop them.

“This is bad, they’ve entered the prison where the CIA is held!” When the high command of Aidyrlu Garden saw this unfold on their surveillance monitors, expressions of even greater terror crossed their faces than before.

“What? The CIA? Is their target the CIA?”

“No, I don’t know if the CIA is their ultimate goal, but… if they actually manage to release the CIA, then those two monsters… It’s over, it’s over! How could Aidyrlu Garden possibly withstand the attacks of those two monsters?” That person seemed to go mad, shouting wildly.

“Calm down!” someone suddenly roared. “Regardless of their purpose in coming to Aidyrlu Garden, if they enter that location and end up fighting the indiscriminate CIA, perhaps a mutually destructive outcome would be advantageous.”

“What nonsense are you speaking?” A younger man nearby shouted furiously. “Many of our comrades are on that floating castle! If we allow those two monsters to fight, do you think they stand a chance of survival? Are you prepared to abandon them?”

“It is unavoidable. Now that the monster and the CIA are in the same place, sending reinforcements will only result in more casualties. Aidyrlu Garden will not forget the sacrifice they make.”

“It is because of thinking like you that Aidyrlu Garden is…”

“Enough, stop arguing,” a steadier voice cut through the room, and the arguing immediately ceased. “Until we understand what situation arises from the Seven Radiant Trees’ contact with the CIA, any judgment is premature. So, we can put that situation aside for the moment. What’s more important is…”

As he spoke, the man pointed to a screen next to him. “…what’s more important now is the situation over here. The one who breached Aidyrlu Garden is not just the user of the Seven Radiant Trees; there are two monsters!”

Following the direction of his finger, they saw on the screen a girl with black twin-tails, led by a man and a woman, cutting a path upward directly from the lowest level. They had no idea what power she wielded, but with a single gesture, barrages of multicolored energy, like bullets, shot out, dropping instantly any Holy War Angel or human combatant. Yet, when their own attacks struck her, they merely produced a faint pop sound without even causing a ripple.

“Damn it, aren’t those two Greyaz and Coccowitt? Those traitors!” the young man roared in anger again. “Let me go deal with them!”

“No, let’s watch for now. Although that woman is also a monster, she hasn't killed anyone so far; those she defeated were only rendered combat-ineffective. Furthermore, Oruha… you, like the President, are a user of the Seven Radiant Trees. Only a user of the Seven Radiant Trees can fight against one. You will be the one to engage Mezalanth later.”

“I know, damn it! What is going on right now?” The young man immediately fell silent, staring grimly at the screen monitoring Lin Luo.

Meanwhile, on the other side, in the castle they called the prison, Lin Luo and the two others finally found Shiya, the one Lei desperately wished to see. But…

“How… how could she be like this?” Lei stood stock-still, gazing at the familiar face.

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