Storm of Gods

Chapter 174 Mr. Gemini, very interesting
Simmons unleashed his psionic energy and charged straight in. Almost instantly, the world changed color as lightning struck Simmons. In fact, the moment he stepped in, Simmons forgot everything and focused entirely on the attack, his body's sensitivity was maximized, and he frantically twisted his body to dodge the lightning strikes.

Li Xin's performance last week provided a reference, and this time Simmons was clearly well prepared. He would do targeted dodging practice during the day and mentally simulate breakthroughs at night. Although Simmons was modest, he was actually quite confident.

Simmons advanced under the terrifying lightning strikes, while Celia outside was truly sweating bullets. Without armor, the interference from the lightning would only intensify. Simmons's movements were truly ferocious, his psionic resilience was exceptional, and with his bloodshot eyes, Simmons moved frantically, his body getting faster and faster. However, the power of the lightning far exceeded expectations, and with the addition of the floating lightning spheres, the difficulty increased several times over.

While the thunderous strikes are swift, they are rhythmic. As long as you master them precisely, your body can keep up. However, the most annoying thing is the elusive nature of the thunderball. Its oscillating and trembling changes of direction will take your center of gravity away. And how to judge this swaying is the hurdle that Simmons faces.

He managed to dodge one round, but his rhythm was completely disrupted, and his steps became hurried. It was like walking a tightrope; once things went wrong, things would only get more chaotic, and he completely lost his balance.

A bolt of lightning struck him squarely, and Simmons instantly went berserk. Once hit, his body would stiffen, his movements would slow down drastically, and he would be unable to keep up with the frequency of the stone bridge's attacks until he was dead. He wouldn't even have time to use Divine Flash. Before Simmons could gather his will, a second bolt of lightning struck, directly shattering his spell. Simmons thought it was all over when suddenly his body was violently dragged away by a force. When he opened his eyes, he was back at the starting point.

"Young Master Simmons, not bad, you've improved. Take a good breath and let's continue," Li Xin said.

Simmons nodded, which reminded him of his time in the Secret Castle; he had indeed been too comfortable in the years since leaving.

Two thunderous strikes were nothing to Simmons; his mind was filled with the floating lightning ball. "Brother Li, is there any way to dodge the lightning ball?"

"Yes, dodge it. If you're fast, it'll slow down; if you're slow, it'll speed up."

"That's like saying nothing at all." Simmons smiled wryly, then rushed in again. With Li Xin's flexible rope, Simmons had no more worries and could try things out freely.

But this time was even worse than the first time. Before even reaching the Thunderball Pass, he was struck by the horizontal force of lightning and pulled back by Li Xin.

Li Xin remained silent, as did Simmons, both sitting on the ground panting heavily, but they quickly stood up.

Just practice cooking more.

Simmons was a ruthless guy. He charged in directly and tried for the ninth time. By then, Simmons's psionic energy was almost depleted, his physical strength was nearly exhausted, and his body was shattered beyond recognition, looking ashen. He felt like his bones were tingling.

Li Xin pulled him back again, and he lay on the ground, barely able to breathe. "Brother Li, is that enough for today?"

“Young Master Simmons, you’re quite the joker. This is just the beginning. Come on, let’s down this potion that cures all ills. We can rest for a bit and then continue. Is this it? I remember you said it helps with the rapid recovery of psionic energy. It’s all good stuff.” Li Xin took out a bottle, uncorked it, looked at the expensive liquid inside, and then poured it into Simmons’ mouth.

Simmons sat up, channeling his psionic energy to accelerate the digestion of the potion, and soon stood up, indicating that he still had plenty of energy left.

Li Xin certainly wasn't trying to force Simmons to his death; it's just that this guy was used to using half and keeping the other half. He felt he was going all out, but actually, it was still a long way off. This was probably a family trait, and it was the same in the Secret Fortress.

Ideals are lofty, but trials are harsh. Simmons's dodges were breathtaking, while Li Xin on the other side shouted, "Young Master, keep it up!"

"Simone, hang in there! You're the best, you can do it!"

Simmons was also in a bad situation. He was facing a crisis on one hand, and was forced to listen to shameful encouragement on the other. He didn't want to be pulled back by Li Xin again. This time it was a little better, as he was pulled back about halfway through.

Li Xin looked at Simmons, who was panting, and said, "You rest for a while, I'll take a walk."

As he spoke, Li Xin strode towards the stone bridge. This time, his pace was different from the last time. Li Xin did not rush across. Last time, he was unaware of what was inside or what unknown changes might occur. Having had that experience, Li Xin was in a completely different state. He was sensing the connection between the divine relic and the sacred land. As he moved forward, lightning danced. In Simmons' eyes, Li Xin's speed was not fast. He strolled leisurely amidst the lightning. Whether it was lightning or lightning balls, the various intertwined and chaotic attacks, accompanied by the dense paralyzing effect of lightning, seemed to have no effect on Li Xin.

Then Li Xin strolled to the other side, the lightning dissipated, and then strolled back. This time, he just strolled around idly, even having time to observe the texture of the stone bridge. Both sides appeared quite dangerous under the shroud of mist. His eyes focused, but he still couldn't penetrate the mist's obstruction.

Li Xin is back, and it's Simmons' turn again. But as soon as he steps in, lightning flashes and thunder roars, and he senses that the stone bridge is angry.

Celia, who was watching from the outside, mainly wanted Princess Simmons to get acquainted with her and become familiar with her. Estella, however, was watching with great interest. Filled with curiosity about the sacred land and hidden powers, she could watch anything for a long time, since she didn't know when she would be able to come out again.

"What exactly is their relationship? Why is one calling him 'Young Master' and the other 'Brother Li'? It's so strange." Estella was also a little confused. Could Li Xin be a member of George's family?
"I don't understand it either. It's probably just some weird friendship between men," Celia laughed. Li Xin... Simmons seemed a bit dull, something she had overlooked.

"The process of acquiring power is indeed fraught with difficulties, but Simmons is very determined." Estella still gave her affirmation. Although the observation through the crystal ball was not so clear, she could still feel that each time he was hit by lightning, it was not easy. Simmons definitely had a strong body and a very solid psionic defense. It's just that this tragic atmosphere was ruined by someone else.

As for the other one, isn't that obvious?

"I can't stay at the monastery for too long. After I go back tonight, the Knights will come to pick me up and take me back to the palace early tomorrow morning. I don't know when we'll see each other again." Estella was still a little reluctant to leave. She had only come out twice, mainly to pave the way. She hadn't done the things she really wanted to do yet.

Upon hearing that she would be returning to the palace tomorrow, Celia felt a little regretful. "You must look for me next time you come out, so I can prepare in advance." "It's difficult for me to come out, but you can come to the palace to find me," Estella said. "Especially if there's new content in The Utopia Chronicles, remember to bring it to me as well."

Estella could manage to get her hands on the Hexbird Newspaper, but anything that entered the palace would be censored, and popular fiction like this would definitely be filtered out.

“I need a good excuse,” Celia said. Even as a companion, it wasn’t easy for her to enter the palace to see the princess.

“We can definitely attend the academic society hosted by Grand Scholar Vladimir. I know you don’t want to hear them brag, but this is our best opportunity.” Estella was hesitant to make a request to her father, for if she did, he would first doubt and then question her, and in the end, nothing would come of it.

Celia chuckled, "I thought I was the only one who found it boring. Every time I see them competing with each other like they're on steroids, I don't know what to say. Amosa is even more like a bull, she has to nudge everyone she sees."

Among the girls in the academy, Her Highness the Princess is undoubtedly the most noble, but she is also the most restrained. The next highest in status is Princess Amosa, who is not only of high status but also of high seniority. Because of some past events, the King is very lenient towards her, which has emboldened her to do whatever she wants.

"We won't stoop to her level."

Within the sacred land, Simmons was pulled out once more. This time, Li Xin gestured for Celia to help them leave the sacred land.

With the opening of the Gate of Truth, the two returned to the Church Council's base from the sacred land. Simmons had lost the ability to move, his body was charred black and still smoking. The actual situation was even worse than the two had imagined. Celia was startled and immediately glared at Li Xin. Li Xin waved his hand, "Don't move him, he's fine. Let him recover on his own."

Celia breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Simmons nod, but looking at Simmons' appearance, it was too tragic. Upon closer inspection, she realized that his face was covered in blood. Listening to them laughing and joking inside, she thought it was just a bit dark. Looking at Li Xin's nonchalant expression, she didn't know what to say.

Simmons was completely unable to move. At this moment, he felt as if he had returned to that dark and terrifying secret castle. He went there with mindless courage, shouldering the heavy responsibility of revitalizing his family, but what he saw and experienced was inhuman torture. There, he learned how to survive. When he saw the indifference in Li Xin's eyes, it was as if he had returned. His eyes were like those of the immortals.

His severely injured body did not dry up. He was definitely injured, but as an awakened being, especially one who possessed a divine relic and had activated his second life star, his physical potential was extremely strong. Once he dried up, his power would slowly flow out like a stream, nourishing his body and making him stronger and more adaptable each time.

This is the simplest method, but also the most direct and effective. With his strength, it's impossible for him to cross the stone bridge in a short time. If it takes ten or eight years, it will be meaningless. He needs to let his body adapt to the power of thunder first before he can exert his strength.

At this moment, Simmons already knew Li Xin's plan, and this was the only quickest and most effective way.

Simmons stopped his random thoughts and focused his limited spiritual energy on his body to help it recover. Through this process, he gained a better understanding of his own condition. This was a way of using abilities that he had learned in the Secret Fortress. Everyone in the Secret Fortress knew how to do it. If you didn't, your body would quickly collapse under that kind of cruel torture, and being eliminated would only be a matter of time.

Seeing that Simmons had regained his form, Li Xin then noticed that the other two were nowhere to be seen.

Celia and Estella have already boarded the carriage.

“I’m so envious of them,” Estella said. “Simmons must trust Li Xin a lot; he’s very lucky.”

"what?"

"He can entrust his back to Li Xin, which must be built through extraordinary experience. Moreover, he has great faith in Li Xin's abilities. Celia, this year's Holy Ze Church Academy is something to look forward to. I will talk to my elder brother about it."

"Arthur, isn't it a bit too early? I don't think these two can necessarily hold on."

“Let me lay the groundwork first,” Estella smiled slightly, “Don’t you think it’s a very happy and fulfilling thing to strive for your goals? Simmons will definitely stick to it.”

Although he was covered in wounds and looked terrible, Simmons' eyes were filled with satisfaction and a smile, which she could sense.

“If Simmons knew whose praise this was, he’d probably be too happy to sleep,” Celia laughed. “Just kidding, I won’t tell.”

Celia, Simmons, and Li Xin all lead very interesting and colorful lives.

Cooking, novels, the ecclesiastical monastery, sacred lands, friends, and free speech—all these are the real-life experiences Estella longs for.

But it was already evening, and she had to return to the convent. Suddenly, she understood why the senior sister she had never met refused to come back; the outside world was more exciting.

Mr. Gemini is very interesting.

(End of this chapter)