Chapter 102: The Five Ancient Holy Relics of the Papacy, Nuclear Weapons Launched!

Thermonuclear weapons—the pinnacle of human technological achievement. To this day, they remain the most formidable weapons ever devised. Even now, as the world has changed and people everywhere have begun to awaken extraordinary abilities, some systems of order persist, and chaos on a grand scale has been averted. The fundamental reason for this lies in the fact that, at present, not even the awakened can contend with such powerful modern weaponry. Nuclear arms can still slay any powerful being alive today—including some of the beast kings. This, more than anything else, is why stability endures between nations.

Indeed, in both the old era and this new age, thermonuclear weapons are true instruments of mass destruction. Yet as time passes, even such weapons are destined to become obsolete. Now, Lu Yuan was aware that Mount Olympus might resort to nuclear force against him. And yet, he chose to advance, wishing to test whether, in his present state, he could endure a nuclear bombardment unscathed.

That’s right—unscathed.

Lu Yuan knew well that his body was now incredibly powerful. Even the mightiest weapon could not kill him. But would it leave him unharmed? That remained to be seen. He intended to find out, to test himself at his strongest. All his days in seclusion and meticulous preparation would be proven or disproven in this trial.

Only by such means could he make the powers represented by the Divine Knight and the Holy Angel feel an unprecedented sense of crisis, instill fear, and finally bring about the true founding of the Human Alliance. Lu Yuan was confident in this, and so he did not hesitate; he replied to Elder Ji with only two words: “No problem.”

“When we reach the Holy City at the foot of Mount Olympus, go elsewhere for a while. Wait for my summons,” he instructed, patting the back of the Golden-Winged Roc. He could endure the destructive force of thermonuclear arms, but his companion would be in real danger. Best to keep it well away.

“Ah? Yes, master,” the Golden-Winged Roc replied, confused but obedient, knowing it was always best to follow its master’s instructions.

Lu Yuan said nothing more, gazing ahead. At that moment, within the ancient castle atop Mount Olympus, the Divine Knight and the Holy Angel sat side by side, their expressions grave. Flanking them were armored warriors and others robed as priests, representing the twin powers of the Vatican and Mount Olympus. All were awakened, true elites.

No one spoke—a tense silence reigned as they waited. By every calculation, Lu Yuan would arrive today. Everything was in place; all that remained was the target himself.

“Report!” Soon, a Westerner entered the great hall—a powerful awakened one. He bowed and announced, “My lords, the Eastern Lu Yuan has entered our detection range. He should reach the Holy City within half an hour.”

“Excellent!” the Divine Knight replied, rising, his eyes shining with anticipation. The Holy Angel smiled as well—finally, the day had come. It seemed all would be resolved.

“Inform the journalists we summoned to begin their live broadcast at once, but keep a safe distance. Record the entire event,” the Divine Knight commanded. “Also, ensure our people in the Holy City keep Lu Yuan occupied.” The broadcast was for the world to see—to maximize the effect of their plan.

Let everyone witness the consequences of defying them—especially those in the East.

“Indeed,” the Holy Angel added, “Tell my attendants this is God’s will; they will receive the Lord’s blessing after death.” The Holy City beneath Mount Olympus was about to be struck by a nuclear blast. Naturally, the two leaders would not descend in person. Instead, their agents would keep Lu Yuan in place and activate the Vatican’s ancient relics to imprison the area, buying time for the missile to strike. Once the warhead was launched, it would all be over.

“Yes.” The Westerner left immediately to carry out the orders.

“Beneath thermonuclear fire, no matter how strong he is, he cannot survive. I can already picture him reduced to ashes,” the Divine Knight said, smiling with utter confidence in his plan.

“I’m not sure one missile is enough. What if he survives?” the Holy Angel interjected, worry in his eyes. He sensed a protagonist’s fate at play—something might go wrong.

“Edward, my friend, one missile will suffice,” the Divine Knight replied confidently. “Besides, against someone as formidable as Lu Yuan, if the first strike fails, any subsequent effort would be meaningless. One warhead is entirely enough.” He feared Lu Yuan deeply—this was a man who, even at the Chain-Breaking level, could slay beast kings. Only a nuclear weapon might work; nothing else would. If even that failed, everyone present had reached the end of the road. But was it possible?

“Very well,” replied the Holy Angel, nodding. The other’s reasoning was sound, but his own anxiety grew all the more intense.

“Don't overthink it,” the Divine Knight said, smiling. “We will succeed. Come, let us witness it together.” The Holy Angel said no more, understanding that, whatever happened, he had to pray for their plan’s success.

The two men left the castle for a vast platform halfway up Mount Olympus, overlooking the Holy City below. There, a crowd of journalists stood with advanced cameras, ready to capture every moment. The distance was great, but with the right equipment, the entire scene could be recorded. The divine nature of Mount Olympus meant they need not fear fallout. Ordinary people had long since been barred from the Holy City by the Divine Knight’s decree.

Now, the two leaders stood before a massive screen, waiting in silence. Soon, the live broadcast began, streaming worldwide.

At the Taishan Trial Institute, Elder Ji and the others, having received Lu Yuan’s reply, frowned in concern. After all, they might be facing a thermonuclear strike—a weapon so dreadful that no matter how powerful you were, how could you withstand it?

Finally, the young Zhu Qingyu spoke up: “I believe King Lu is confident in himself. I think all we can do is wait patiently.” Her words left the group silent—there was nothing else to be done. Lu Yuan was almost there, and everyone knew what the Divine Knight intended. Yet he still chose to go, surely having made his preparations.

Meanwhile, the Ice Fairy noticed that the global live stream from Mount Olympus had begun. Instantly, everyone tuned in, tense with worry. What would happen if the missile was really launched?

At that same moment, people across the world who had been following the affair saw the broadcast go live.

“It’s starting—a historic meeting. I wonder if the Human Alliance will finally be formed.”

“Hey, why is the camera so far from the Holy City?”

“Yeah, it’s not even clear. Shouldn’t they get closer?”

“And the Divine Knight and Holy Angel aren’t even there—just their subordinates.”

At first, viewers at home were full of anticipation, but quickly sensed something was wrong. The camera was too distant, and the two leaders were absent. Weren’t they supposed to welcome Lu Yuan in person? This confusion lingered only briefly, for soon everyone saw that Lu Yuan was about to arrive.

At the Holy City beneath Mount Olympus, Lu Yuan descended on the Golden-Winged Roc, landing in the central square. More than a dozen people were waiting for him, but neither the Divine Knight nor the Holy Angel was present. Lu Yuan smiled, dismounted, and the Roc, following its orders, soared into the sky and vanished.

“Are you the Eastern King Lu?” A Westerner in priestly robes approached, representing the Vatican. He bowed deeply, smiling. “The Holy Angel awaits you atop Mount Olympus.”

“The Divine Knight also welcomes your arrival,” added a man in silver armor, his words warm and courteous, as if truly delighted by Lu Yuan’s visit. Yet behind them, several others shifted their positions into a formation resembling a pentagram. Their faces were cold, their eyes resolute—they were all Vatican agents.

Lu Yuan noticed, but his expression remained unchanged. He regarded the group and spoke softly, “Since you’re ready, you may begin.”

At those words, silence fell. Viewers at home were bewildered—they could not hear the conversation, but the atmosphere had turned ominous. Everyone sensed that something momentous was about to happen. Could they really be targeting King Lu? It seemed unlikely—he was so strong that even the Holy Angel and Divine Knight together would not be his match. Would they really send only underlings?

“Something’s wrong—they’re about to make a move.” Elsewhere, Elder Ji and his peers watched anxiously, having learned the plan. Indeed, on the screen, five Vatican agents produced sacred objects: a holy lance, a grail, a burial shroud, a golden reliquary, and a crown of thorns. These were the Vatican’s five ancient relics, said to be left by God himself, brimming with power.

Each agent bit their tongue, letting blood drip onto the relics. Instantly, the sacred objects blazed with holy light, which coalesced into a pentagram, enveloping Lu Yuan. The armored man declared, “By order of the Divine Knight and Holy Angel, we shall execute divine judgment upon you, King Lu of the East!”

In the next moment, the agents of Mount Olympus drew daggers and plunged them into their own hearts. The Vatican’s five holy relics could only unleash their greatest power through human sacrifice.

A brilliant light erupted from the pentagram, sealing the space around Lu Yuan. He felt his body grow unbearably heavy, as though he were being crushed by a mountain. Yet he knew he could break free with ease.

At that same moment, the Divine Knight gave the order: “Launch the thermonuclear weapon!” Less than a hundred miles from the square, a small rocket soared skyward, reaching the Holy City in under a minute.

The world watched as the thermonuclear weapon descended. All who saw the broadcast were struck with terror, finally realizing the Divine Knight’s plan: to annihilate Lu Yuan with a nuclear strike.

(End of chapter)