Collapse Iron: The Five Heroes of the Clouds Won't Let Me Go

Courage, honor, reason, perseverance, sacrifice.

These are the five virtues that Nicardoli guided the Suspended Warriors to uphold.

The Suspended Peak warriors take pride in fighting to the death and are known throughout Onphalos for their strict discipline.

It sounds wonderful, something that all passionate warriors yearn for.

But the reality is quite the opposite.

If it were truly that perfect, Suspended Peak City would be the strongest nation where everyone is a soldier.

However, when the Black Tide arrived, Suspended Peak City was among the first city-states to fall.

In fact, Suspended Peak City has many ancient and cruel rituals.

For example, blood sacrifices, such as self-sacrifice to Titans, these rituals cannot escape the word "killing".

Wan Di, whose real name was Medemos, was the son of Goergo.

From a young age, he was considered an omen of bad luck by his deranged father, but fortunately, his mother, Goergo, sacrificed her life to save him.

Fighting alongside his comrades and companions, he finally took his father's head to remember his mother.

However, Wan Di felt no joy of victory. His close friends who had fought alongside him died one after another, leaving him all alone in the end.

Wan Di is not afraid of battle and sacrifice because he is immortal, but he does not want to see ordinary families broken because of sacrifice.

There have been far too many tragedies like this in Suspended Peak City.

......

Clatterus is a veteran of the Suspended Peak and was also Wan Di's teacher when he was young.

The two met in a corner of Ohm.

"Medemos, why would you hand over the flames of conflict to someone else! That is the faith of the Hanging Blade!"

"My master, I am a descendant of the Golden Clan. The journey to pursue fire is of utmost importance. Bai E needs even greater power."

"You! That is the spark of conflict, the root of Suspended Edge City. How can you, as the future king, abandon it? This is too heretical!"

"No need to say more, the journey of chasing fire is coming to an end soon, and everything will be better when the re-creation arrives."

"Maidemus... no, since you belong to the Golden Clan, I will still call you by the name Wan Di."

Clatterus sighed:

"I've watched you grow up since you were little, I know your personality, and I don't force you. But look now, Bai E failed the trial of conflict, which proves that he is not qualified for conflict. The spark of conflict belongs to you, so why don't you take action?"

Wan Di remained silent for a moment, then asked:

"Master, if I inherit the flames of conflict, what do you intend to do?"

"Of course, we should gather all the people of Suspended Peak and return with you to Suspended Peak City to rebuild the Suspended Peak Dynasty!"

"That's why I don't want to inherit the conflict."

"What?! What nonsense are you spouting, Wan Di? You are the prince of Xuanfeng, the future king! We are all waiting for you to become a demigod and rebuild the kingdom!"

Wan Di took a deep breath and roared:

"Why was Suspended Peak City destroyed? Was it because of power? It was because of Suspended Peak's cruelty and madness; we brought about our own destruction!"

"Just like the Mad King Nicardo, look at those bloodthirsty warriors. What reason do they have? They're nothing but executioners, murderers!"

"The warriors of the suspended blade have long since lost their true nature, viewing killing as a false glory. But this can never conceal the fact that they are criminals. To disembowel themselves and abandon their families and children for a mere shred of faith—this is not courage, this is folly!"

Kratrus exclaimed in horror:

"Wan Di, you...you're saying all this, could it be...?"

"Yes, the reign of Suspended Edge must end."

"No, you can't say that! Take it back!"

Wan Di shook his head:

"I often meet the children of Suspended Peak. They are living well in Ohmma. Although they still need some time to adjust to the local people, they are gradually getting along well."

"The children of Suspended Peak are rarely so carefree. Moreover, because they have the blood of Suspended Peak warriors and the epic history of the past, and do not need to go through cruel and ancient sacrifices, they will surely become excellent warriors and truly embody the five virtues of a warrior."

"This is the best place for the people of Xuanfeng."

"No! Medemos, you can't do this!"

"My mind is made up, my teacher. Please don't try to persuade me anymore."

Just as Wan Di was about to leave, Cheng Xiao emerged from the shadows; he had been eavesdropping for a long time.

"The seeds of conflict and strife must indeed be carried on by you, myriad enemies."

"Master?"

Cheng Xiao walked up to the two of them and advised them:

"Clatrus, Wan Di is right. He has seen through the decay of the Hanging Peak. The present-day Onpharos is the end of the world. Only by uniting as one can we break the fate of destruction."

"Therefore, we do not distinguish between so-called national borders. You are all Onfaros people, and your fight is solely for Onfaros!"

"Wan Di is a king, and also a descendant of the Golden Clan. His vision is far greater than yours."

Clatterus: "This old man..."

"Please go back and think about the concepts behind this yourself."

Then Cheng Xiao looked at Wan Di:

"The flames of conflict must be carried on, and you are indeed the most suitable candidate. Judging from your understanding of Suspended Peak, you already have the will to face the conflict head-on."

"Master, if I inherit the throne, what will happen to the descendants of Xuanfeng..."

"Haha, that depends on what this highly respected veteran will do."

Cheng Xiao looked at Kratrus:

"You cherish tradition, but you're not outdated. I think you can see clearly who's right and who's wrong."

Wan Di and Kratos began talking again, and this time, the atmosphere was much better.

Cheng Xiao was very satisfied with the result; now only the biggest problem remained: Xi Lian.

As many times as Bai E reincarnated, Xi Lian died.

All memories of each death were dedicated to the Lord of No Leakage, [Fu Li].

As the consciousness of Demuge, Xilian wanders in the cycle of Onphalus.

The Demug itself is actually the scepter's intelligent system. Lygus excluded it from the calculations from the beginning, which caused the complete Iron Tomb to lose its brain and become a headless giant, thus instinctively seeking another head.

Cheng Xiao plans to find the burial site of Demiaoge and then awaken him ahead of time.

Just then, two virtual projections appeared in front of Cheng Xiao.

"Oh, I told you there was no need to worry too much, Cheng Xiao is doing just fine."

Heita looked at Cheng Xiao with amusement; she loved Cheng Xiao's bewildered expression.

Screw Gumm explained:

"Cheng Xiao, I was able to locate your position using the modules on your body, which is how I entered Onpharos."

"You two are here, earlier than I expected. How's Lai Gushi going?"

Black Tower exclaimed in surprise:

"You know there's a problem with Lai Gu Shi?"

"Of course, one of Zandal's nine incarnations."

Black Tower thought Cheng Xiao was unaware of this explosive news, but it turned out he already knew, instantly losing interest.

So she read aloud:

"Ahhh~ Nothing really escapes your eyes, Demigod Chengxiao~"

Cheng Xiao: "You've come at the right time. Help me out with a few things."