Hera marveled at the transformation coursing through her body as Caesar placed a hand upon her brow. His extraordinary power kindled a miraculous change within her.
Beside them, Poseidon—already fully evolved—held aloft a crystalline shard of translucent ice, grinning as he addressed Hera: "Hera, does it not feel utterly wondrous?"
Hera could not help but exclaim, "How is this possible? It feels as though I have been reborn!"
"Indeed," Caesar replied. "I have metabolized every cell and gene within your body, weaving my own power into your genetic tapestry. In essence, you have been given new life—you are no longer the same as before."
"Incredible! Why did you not appear sooner? Had you come earlier, we would never have suffered so terribly under Xiaofeng!" Poseidon recalled the torment inflicted by Xiaofeng, wincing as a sharp pang struck his face.
Caesar smiled knowingly. "It's not too late. Now, you may proceed without fear."
Hera shook her head resolutely. "I cannot go. I refuse. The shadow in my heart lingers—I despise seeing those people."
Poseidon glanced toward Jack and Yuan. "The three of us, then?"
Jack shook his head. "I have lost all my powers."
Caesar chuckled confidently. "Do you know why I brought you here to see Hera? It's so she can restore your abilities."
"Really? I can?" Hera's doubt was palpable.
"Of course. You have ascended to the formidable rank of level ten ability user. Now, using your replication power, you can transfer Yuan's abilities into Jack's body, granting him the same formidable dark powers!"
Jack nodded but spoke hesitantly. "Xiaofeng is strong, yes, but his allies are too. If we strike at the heart of his X Legion, I'm sure even greater foes await. I fear the three of us alone may still be insufficient."
Caesar pondered. "What of your other two comrades among the Seven Fiends?"
Jack affirmed, "They exist, but they are not here."
"Where are they now?"
"In Europe," Jack revealed.
"Europe? Perfect. I will join you. After evolving those two, the six of you can unite to rescue Zeus and Satan. How does that sound?" Caesar proposed.
Jack nodded eagerly. "If we find them, we stand a chance. Why did they not join us before? Because they are obsessed with something else—you will be shocked when you see them."
Yuan nodded gravely. "They've almost gone mad."
Caesar's interest sparked. "Well then, since Hera refuses to come, we shall depart. Hera, though you stay behind, there is still one task I entrust to you. I leave Yezi in your care—I want you to replicate Yezi's power into more warriors. If your alliance is to stand against the X Legion, you will need many more ability users."
Hera nodded solemnly. "If you truly can rescue Zeus, I will aid you in creating those warriors. It's a deal."
As Xiaofeng and his party prepared to leave Rondo's camp, a soldier hurried to Rin's side, breathless: "Miss, trouble—Captain Rondo has been ambushed deep in the mountains by a powerful beast. He has sent a distress signal!"
Panic clouded Rin's face. "How could this be?"
Xiaofeng turned calmly to Rin and the others. "Don't worry. Tell me everything, and I will handle it before we depart, alright?"
Rin nodded desperately, clutching Xiaofeng's arm like a lifeline. "Xiaofeng, you must save my brother..."
"Calm down. I will save him, I promise. Now, tell me—where is he exactly?"
The soldier produced a device, far older than their usual communicators—clearly relics from before the Great Purge, preserved mysteriously intact. He pointed to a glowing dot on the screen. "Here."
Xiaofeng frowned. The device displayed only coordinates—latitude and longitude—without a map overlay.
Opening his own communicator, Xiaofeng input the coordinates into his satellite map, quickly pinpointing the location. He reassured Rin, "Don't worry. We're on our way. With our powerful fighters, even a grade-B beast won't intimidate us."
A nearby soldier chimed in, "Not even grade-A beasts scare us!"
Tears shimmering, Rin implored, "Please, hurry and save him..."
All boarded their aircraft. Under the envious gazes of mercenaries, the black dagger and trident fighter jets ascended vertically, streaking toward the site of Rondo's peril.
The jets sliced through the mountains effortlessly, and within minutes they hovered above the coordinates—only to find the area deserted, save for massive tracks left by monstrous beasts.
Xiaofeng turned to Pandora. "Scan the area with radar—find where the beast went."
"I'm on it..." Pandora adjusted the radar.
A brown blip appeared. Xiaofeng pointed, "That must be it... a grade-B beast!"
Pandora swiftly directed the trident jet to intercept, activating the weapon systems loaded with grade-B magic crystal energy. For this beast, it would be a devastating strike.
The trident roared forward as Xiaofeng's sharp gaze caught sight of the colossal creature barreling through the forest, uprooting towering trees with fierce might.
"How could such a beast exist here?" Xiaofeng murmured, puzzled.