"You're finally here! Come on, take me away; it's too painful here."
A dissatisfied voice broke the silence, revealing a girl clad in a black robe adorned with a golden belt and a silver pendant. She held a massive two-meter-long skull staff, her dark pupils now tinged with a hint of purple.
This was Diane.
Bai Yi stared at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. She was decked out in legendary gear: a legendary robe, an epic staff, a legendary belt, a legendary necklace, legendary earrings, and two of three rings radiating a legendary aura.
It was a full legendary suit.
Bai Yi fell silent, observing the Bone Dragon struggling to control its body. From his space ring, he summoned a plethora of magnetic mechanical bodies, which swiftly assembled into a throne, whisking him away to a city.
Since transferring to an aristocratic school at the age of ten, Bai Yi had always been astonished by Diane's lavishness. Even now, despite his wealth, her generosity left him in awe.
The foundation of the Difeng family was astonishingly strong.
"Don't ignore me. Hey, are we still friends? I heard you were coming and waited for you here. You can't just stand by and watch me suffer," Diane exclaimed, her voice laced with urgency.
Bai Yi raised an eyebrow as Diane vanished from view, only to reappear sitting on the armrest of his mechanical throne, her presence startlingly close.
"Look at yourself; what's wrong with this life?" Bai Yi asked, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
Diane leaned back, her voice tinged with resignation. "Honestly, it's not so bad. But since I got this so-called undead body, I've attracted a lot more trouble. There's this weirdo who pesters me constantly. It's so annoying! I don't even have any real friends."
"With your status, who could possibly force you?" Bai Yi countered, raising his hand. The Bone Dragon flapped its wings, gracefully landing on the wall of a modest city, drawing the astonished gazes of those below.
While the soldiers felt the weight of the dragon's presence, they also recognized Bai Yi's legendary status, which had reached level 94. Whispers of his exploits had circulated among the extraordinary, turning the mechanical dragon into a symbol of his power.
"No one can force me, but neither can I drive them away. It's infuriating," Diane admitted, her mood visibly dampened. Despite her legendary attire, the heroic spirit she once exuded in Dongwu City had faded.
As Bai Yi's mechanical throne followed the Bone Dragon into Lion Guard City, he smiled. "Hold on tight."
The throne transformed into countless magnetic bodies, which vanished into his space ring. Bai Yi gazed at the familiar yet underdeveloped city, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
The capital was distinct from other cities. One hundred kilometers in every direction were smaller cities, all named with the suffix "Wei"—Shiwei City, Zongwei City, Anwei City, and so on. These eight cities were designed to protect the capital but effectively formed its outer districts.
Together, these nine cities created the true capital, home to 95% extraordinary individuals—a true city of the exceptional.
Bai Yi had once been an ordinary civilian born in Lion City. He had strived in school and, at ten, gained admission to the capital's prestigious academy, where he met Diane and reached the pinnacle of his life.
Despite not recovering all his memories, the fragments he retained were warm, even if tinged with some unpleasantness. For someone who had begged for survival since the age of five, he had witnessed both the kindness and cruelty of humanity.
If not for the academy's free meals, survival would have been a challenge.
"As long as you don't kill him, then take him down! You're from the Difeng family; what's there to fear?" Bai Yi replied, unbothered. Sometimes, a little violence was necessary.
The Difeng family was the wealthiest in the entire federation. While Diane may not have been the brightest, her beauty and exceptional potential ensured she would never lack suitors.
As the second top potential of the Difeng family, she bore no responsibility for managing the advances of other top potentials—as long as she didn't kill them.
Diane fell silent, before softly asking, "Bai Yi, are we friends?"
"Of course! What's wrong?" Bai Yi answered, strolling down the familiar street. Nostalgia washed over him as he noted the familiar faces, but their gazes had shifted from disdain to fear and panic.
Many had bullied him during his childhood, but once he attended school in the capital, that cruelty faded.
His destination was clear: he was headed toward the city's edge.
"That's good," Diane replied, a gentle warmth enveloping him as she hugged his arm, leaning in closer. Bai Yi felt momentarily dazed.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, an overwhelming hostility washed over him, and even he sensed the imminent danger.
Realization struck—he was being used as a human shield.
After a moment's hesitation, Bai Yi chose not to refuse. He strolled confidently toward his destination. After all, Diane was a childhood friend, and resolving some issues for her was no burden.
According to the original game's narrative, version 3.0 culminated in the joint downfall of the old swordsman and Night Rose. If he was not mistaken, the five boys and girls with SSS-level potential would emerge as the protagonists.
Anyone capable of leading the federation could not be weak. Bai Yi was curious to gauge the gap between himself and these top-tier geniuses.
Sensing his indulgence, a smile crept across Diane's lips. She leaned closer, whispering, "I knew you were the best."
Suddenly, an overwhelming aura erupted, and waves of fiery clouds surged into the sky from all directions.
The temperature in the city skyrocketed, sending residents into a panic. They rushed indoors, trembling in fear.
Boom! Another powerful presence shot into the sky. An elderly figure at the lower gold level soared upwards but quickly retreated upon meeting the gaze of a flamboyant young man in gold.
Clearly, he recognized the danger.
"The Forle family has just risen. That's Guan Xin—a level 65 fire mage. He's formidable. Can you stand against him?" Diane whispered anxiously, feeling the oppressive aura. "Let me know if you can't; I'll protect you."
Her concern only intensified the heat around them.
"Kid, who are you? Do you know whose territory this is?" Guan Xin's arrogant tone dripped with malice.
Bai Yi halted, looking up at the mage. "Whose?"
Guan Xin paused, momentarily stunned. "Bai Yi? Why are you in the capital instead of staying in Dongwu City?"
But then, fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. A golden staff appeared in his hand. "I've been invincible among the younger generation for too long. I won't bully you; I'll only use 30% of my strength. If you lose, you must leave Diane. If you win, I'll give you a fair chance to compete!"
He tossed his golden hair, glowing in the sunlight, and glanced at Diane with a sly grin. "My princess, as your knight, I will definitely win the chance to protect you."
Bai Yi blinked in disbelief. Is this guy insane?
Diane's expression turned to one of despair. The staff vanished from her grip as she lifted her sleeves, goosebumps rising on her pale arms.
Her eyes conveyed a desperate plea for escape.
Bai Yi empathized with her predicament. He scrutinized Guan Xin, whose bravado now seemed ridiculous.
Though unfamiliar with him, Bai Yi's mind raced as Ling provided information. This genius had secluded himself in a secondary plane for a year, emerging just as Bai Yi completed a significant task. He had made waves by defeating Baker Lot, earning the status of the fifth SSS-level potential in the capital, alongside Diane. No wonder he was so arrogant.
Bai Yi suddenly hugged Diane's waist, looking at Guan Xin with raised eyebrows. "Look, she's mine. Why should I fight you?"
Guan Xin's eyes widened, disbelief washing over him as the fiery clouds above began to swirl ominously, turning a deep crimson. The temperature soared.
His gaze burned with intensity as he stared at Bai Yi. "Impossible! This is fake! I demand a duel!"
Bai Yi's eyes narrowed, noticing the outrageous levels of power for a single-element elemental mage. However, he maintained his composure, responding with disdain, "Why should I duel you? If I lose, I leave Diane. If I win, nothing changes. Your calculations are shameless."
Guan Xin's face reddened with fury.
Before he could retort, Bai Yi casually added, "However, I'll agree to a fight. That thing hanging around your neck is the Heart of the Blazing Sun, right? Let's use that as a wager; otherwise, forget it."
Guan Xin glanced down at his chest, realizing the Heart of the Blazing Sun was a treasure that enhanced fire spells and elemental purity—a prized possession for any fire mage.
Fueled by anger, he shouted, "Let's bet! If you lose, you'll never set foot in the capital again! You can't come within a hundred meters of Diane!"
"Deal!" Bai Yi replied nonchalantly. "You wait outside; I'll finish my business here first."
Bai Yi tightened his grip on Diane and strolled toward a house at the city's edge. He turned to her gently, "Let's lower the temperature. If it gets any hotter, it'll be uncomfortable for the ordinary people."
"Okay," Diane nodded obediently, summoning the breath of the undead. Instantly, black mist enveloped the city, causing the temperature to plummet.
Guan Xin's grip on his staff turned white as he glared at Bai Yi with barely contained resentment, a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.
After a lengthy stare, realizing their position was too conspicuous, he turned on his heel and vanished into Lion Guard City.
Once Bai Yi felt the hostile gaze fade, he let go of Diane's waist, a smile breaking across his face. "How childish."
Diane looked at him with a mixture of surprise and intrigue, inching closer. "Bai Yi, you don't really like me, do you?"
Before he could respond, she shifted the topic, patting his shoulder. "Even though that guy is strange, he's still very strong. You need to be cautious."
Bai Yi chuckled. "I'm fine, but since I've helped you solve a problem, how do you plan to repay me?"
Diane waved her hand dismissively. "If you genuinely win, I'll cover your meals in the capital. I'll treat you to the best food every day!"
"I'm the Lord of Dongwu City; how could I not afford food?" Bai Yi raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing her. "I want something else."
Diane's expression shifted to one of confusion. "Something else? What do you want?"
Bai Yi maintained his gaze, pondering. "Can you be a little more extreme?"
Diane blinked, her eyes growing more curious. "What do you want? Tell me first; I'll agree to anything reasonable."
Bai Yi smirked. "Really?"
"Of course," she replied, her tone laced with nervousness. "When have I ever broken a promise? Aren't you the one who reneges?"
"Okay, then..." Bai Yi hesitated, as if reconsidering his request.
Diane's expression turned complex, a mix of confusion and anticipation.
They walked in silence for a moment before Bai Yi finally said, "Ten soul crystal cores!"
Diane stared at him, disbelief evident in her eyes. "That's it?"
Bai Yi internally panicked. Oh no, that's too little!
Soul crystal cores were exceedingly rare, with barely fifty in all of Dongwu City. In the federation's economy, they were considered rewards rather than commodities.
The black market price was exorbitantly high, and they sold out almost instantly upon availability. Their scarcity made them incredibly valuable.
Feeling bold, Bai Yi silently thought, I meant soul crystal cores!
Diane regarded him intently, then extended her hand. A palm-sized box flew toward him.
Bai Yi caught it, opening it to reveal thirteen large, dark blue crystals that shimmered with a captivating glow.
He quickly stowed the box, his excitement bubbling to the surface. Thirteen soul crystal cores! This was a windfall of resources.
When he looked up, he noticed Diane walking away, her steps heavy with thought.
He hurried to catch up. "It seems like you gave too much."
Diane shot him a cold glance. "I'm giving it to you."
Bai Yi paused, contemplating. "You're headed the wrong way; it's over here."
Diane halted, turning sharply. "You lead the way!"
Bai Yi felt a chill run down his spine from the intensity of her gaze. "Uh, sure, that works."