The Shining Star Above The Heaven
Chapter 622: We Have Won!

Chapter 622: We Have Won!

Aldrian’s figure that suddenly appeared instantly garnered attention as many people turned their heads in his direction. His face looked much more mature, and his figure was noticeably taller than the last time they saw him. It was as if he had matured rapidly over the past few weeks.

All of them were stunned, but then their expressions turned to reverence, for in front of them stood the messiah who had already saved their lives and the continent from the calamity.

They also couldn’t help but notice that Aldrian’s presence felt much more in harmony with nature. For the emperor stage cultivators, they could no longer sense the depth of Aldrian’s cultivation. They knew that, at this moment, Aldrian’s cultivation had already surpassed theirs.

After watching Aldrian’s battle with that god, they had no doubt that he had now stepped into a realm above the emperor stage. Although the power he had shown throughout his journey was already far greater than any ordinary emperor stage, he had not yet been one himself.

Now they could see that Aldrian had already reached a realm beyond the emperor stage, and it gave them a different feeling. If he had reached beyond the emperor stage, then could they too? Many still dreamed of that higher realm, but due to strange circumstances on the continent, no one had been able to break through beyond the emperor stage.

Aldrian could sense the reverence and faith surging toward him from the people, but he ignored it. Instead, he showed a smile toward a few figures who began approaching him, especially one who dashed toward him and leapt straight into his embrace.

Aldrian’s body stood like a sturdy wall as he received the full impact of Sylphia’s body. She hugged him tightly, burying her head in his chest. He could feel how worried she had been, the wetness soaking into his chest made it clear. Sylphia was silently crying, and it made him feel guilty. He immediately wrapped his arms around her to comfort her.

"Shh... shh... I’m already here." He whispered comforting words to her, but she didn’t answer and kept her head buried in his chest.

He sighed, then turned his gaze toward his parents, who were already standing nearby. They looked at him with teary eyes. Irene’s tears had been falling since earlier, while Aldrey was clearly trying to hold his back, though it seemed futile. His eyes were already red and watery, and occasional sniffles escaped from his nose.

Aldrian showed them his warmest smile.

"Father, Mother, I’m back," he said, and they both nodded.

"Welcome back, son," Aldrey replied with a proud tone.

Aldrian then turned to the others, looking at each of their faces and expressions. He smiled at Baek Jimin and Angelica, and they both nodded in return. Then he looked toward the rest of the people gathered there.

These were the people who had been ready to sacrifice themselves for the future of the continent. He saw that some no longer had all their limbs, yet they still stood strong. It was clear they still wanted to fight, that was why they remained here.

He noticed even Emperor Raymond had lost his right hand, something Aldrian quietly took note of.

He swept his gaze across the crowd, meeting each face one by one. Then he raised his hand and clenched it into a fist.

"We have won!" he shouted, and his voice echoed across the entire alliance force.

"UWOOO!" The crowd roared in response, raising their hands in victory. Many sobbed, not in defeat, but from grief. They had lost comrades, friends, lovers, and all forms of cherished bonds.

Yet with this victory, they believed that those deaths were not in vain. Their sacrifices would be remembered.

"I know that many of you have lost someone dear to you, but their sacrifice was not in vain! With this victory and the purge of the devils, their names will be immortalized in the history of the continent. These are the names that took part in the war that decided the future of our land. Future generations will know how much they, and all of you gave to make the continent a better place to live," Aldrian said as he swept his gaze over the others.

Those who heard his words felt honored. They knew that Aldrian was humbling himself. The most important role had still been his—he was the one who had worked the hardest among them. Without him, they doubted that victory could have been achieved, even with their combined strength.

That eye was not something any of them could have stood against.

"This war also marks the beginning of a new era for our continent, an era where we will develop to a higher stage," Aldrian continued. "As you’ve seen, this continent was protected by a massive formation that shielded us from the outside world. But that same formation also trapped us within and prevented us from breaking through to higher realms."

"Now that the barrier has been deactivated, all the limitations this continent once faced are gone. For those who have reached the peak of the emperor stage, you can now break through to the next realm. And this is the proof..."

He then released his aura at the pseudo immortal establishment stage, which shook the hearts of everyone present.

Many of them trembled as they felt that the moment had finally come. They too could now reach the realm beyond the emperor stage. For those who had already reached the peak emperor stage, especially Pope Claudius, it felt like a dream was finally about to come true.

He had stood at the peak emperor stage for so long, unable to break through.

It was something that had weighed on his heart for a long time, even becoming an inner demon, as he remained unable to break through to higher realms.

But now, it seemed he finally could, and he could already feel that the moment was drawing near.

"So that’s why something felt released inside me when the barrier disappeared. That must have been what blocked our access to the higher realm... and now it’s gone," Pope Claudius thought.

The others also murmuring among themselves, discussing the implications. Most of them knew that not everyone would be able to reach the emperor stage, let alone ascend beyond it, due to various circumstances. But even so, they felt happy and excited, the continent was about to undergo a transformation, a true evolution and qualitative change.

With Aldrian’s presence and the shift brought by these changes, their continent would become stronger than ever.

"Besides that, this continent will be reconnected to the outside world," Aldrian continued. "Since ancient times, we have been cut off by the barrier that protected us. There is much we don’t know about the world beyond, so I hope you will be ready for the changes to come."

"Earlier, many beings had already approached this continent. As you heard from our conversation, they intend to visit. These visits from outsiders will only become more frequent in the future, so prepare yourselves for that."

"Many of them are truly powerful cultivators, beyond the emperor stage. But just because they are strong, I don’t want any of you to throw away your dignity before them. When they arrive in the future, show your pride and your courtesy. As long as they are respectful, you should respond in kind. But if they come with arrogance and try to trample your dignity as people of this continent, then do not be afraid, I will stand with you."

"Let us show them that the people of this continent are their equals, not cowards. And once again, I will be behind you if any outsider dares to disrespect your dignity."

Hearing Aldrian’s words, the people felt their spirits ignite. Yes, with Aldrian behind them, what was there to fear? Those outsiders might be powerful, but they had Aldrian, someone who had even fought a god.

In fact, those outsiders seemed to respect Aldrian, judging by the way they addressed him. It was clear that Aldrian’s existence was something they seriously considered, and they hadn’t dared to intrude on the continent once he told them to leave.

That alone was a display of power, and acknowledgment. The outsiders clearly saw Aldrian as someone they could not afford to offend. If Aldrian had already shown them the pride of this continent, then they too would uphold it with the same resolve.

"But don’t misuse my name or wrong those outsiders. Believe me, I will know who is in the right and who is in the wrong the moment any of you dare to misuse my name and cause trouble. Forget the outsiders, if that time comes, I will punish you myself. And trust me, you will not like it," Aldrian said in a serious tone, which made everyone take his warning to heart.

Punished by Aldrian himself? None of them even wanted to imagine it.

"I also want all of you to spread what I’ve said here to the rest of the continent. Can I count on you to do that?"

"Of course, Your Excellency! I will do it!"

"Of course, my lord."

"Don’t worry, my lord."

Voices responded one after another, each in their own way, but the meaning was the same. They would obey.

Aldrian nodded in satisfaction.

"All right, that’s all from me," he said before turning to the people near him, the ones who knew him personally and smiled at them. Then he looked down at Sylphia, who was still clinging to him without moving an inch.

He gently stroked her hair and touched her cheek.

"What is it, my lovely elf? Don’t you have many things you want to say to me?" he asked with a warm smile.

But she still kept her face buried in his chest, which left him a little confused. Then Emperor Ladwin spoke up.

"I think she’s embarrassed after we teased her about what you—"

"No, that’s not it!" Sylphia finally couldn’t hold it in. She lifted her head and shouted at her father. Though her eyes were filled with tears, the deep blush on her cheeks made her look genuinely adorable.

"Hahaha..." Several people burst into laughter, while Aldrian stunned, finally understanding what it was all about.

Well... what could he say? He did enjoy teasing her too.