Xyrin Empire

As soon as Qianqian and Lin Xue heard there would be a celebration ceremony this afternoon, these action-oriented people who fear nothing started their preparations without a second thought, heading off to get dressed and groomed. Honestly, women are such perplexing creatures; they can spend half an hour dressing up at home just for a fifteen-minute outing. Even a quirky girl like Qianqian has a fondness for styling her hair, which I totally don't get. Fortunately, there's no need for preparations for Sandora, who never has the habit of intentionally dressing up. She's busy asking Fina about the Atlantean newborn, ensuring everything is ready for surprising the parents.

After some inquiries, there wasn't much to note. Regardless of the societal classes, the birth of a newborn is inherently fair: whoever gives birth first claims that moment, without any absurd situation of rushing to get the first diaper of the new era for the leader's child—that would be utterly unscientific. The newborn about to receive blessings is an ordinary Atlantean civilian; Fina is unsure of the child's gender, as the mechanical queen is disinterested in anything emotional like this. The parents are guardians of a small temple at the foot of Mount Olympus, and their family is remarkably average, except for this fortunate child who is about to enjoy Atlantis's first diaper of the new era.

"Back in the day, to adapt to war, the Old Empire modified their reproductive systems," Sandora said, somewhat nostalgically. "The Atlanteans have a short gestation period; the embryo matures quickly in the mother's womb, and when born, possesses basic capability for movement. This might sound inappropriate, but their offspring are astonishingly resilient, akin to fierce beasts. Put an Atlantean baby and a newborn tiger together in a primordial forest, and the surviving one would be the baby. Their newborns start physical stimulation as soon as the third month after birth."

I also checked the updated public database for detailed descriptions on Atlantean race traits, finding corroboration for what Sandora said, and it's truly shocking.

The Old Empire's modifications rendered them thoroughly utilitarian, ensuring population growth by shortening their reproductive cycles and enhancing combat prowess through infant catalyst injections at three months old. To increase those with power akin to Secondary Gods, they subjected six-month-old newborns to extreme radiation in crystal chambers. As a result, Atlanteans evolved into formidable carbon-based warriors, able to birth an infant in two months. At age one, a child learns to kill the enemy; those who can't defeat fierce beasts by age three are branded with shame. An Atlantian's life revolves around learning and engaging in battle, starting with their first independent steps and ending when they can no longer stand on the battlefield. No wonder Leonidas told me during my last visit to the Heroic Spirit Hall:

"Even the Spartans can't endure their training."

I didn't understand it then, but I do now. Leonidas must frequently mooch drinks from the Atlantean patrol soldiers.

"Ready? If so, let's head out!" I shouted up the stairs, wondering how someone as free-spirited as Qianqian was suddenly taking her girl role seriously, when she's usually carefree.

"Coming, coming!" Qianqian yelled back, appearing at the stairs and stylishly sliding down the railing, sending the decorative metal ball flying and knocking Lilina in the living room. "Ah Jun, seriously, if we're attending the celebration at least dress up a bit?"

I was surprised that Qianqian was actually considerate? I looked at the lively girl before me in amazement.

"Otherwise, how could you shamelessly crash the party for free food!"

I was wrong. I've been wrong 33 characters ago—I should never trust Qianqian's thought process!

Big Sister thought of surprising them, hence didn't inform Avalon as we set off en masse to Demon Town, which buzzed with excitement. Adjacent to the quaint town, monstrously large structures built by demons stood, including a substantial hall likely for the three-meter tall Atlanteans, and an enigmatic stone platform over ten meters high, scattered with bustling demons. Yakumo Lan energetically jumped around as if directing something; I'd heard from Yukari that she was home growing her tails. Now, she appeared not yet finished, with three and a half of her nine tails drooping, and the fur whitening.

In the crowd, I spotted the equally ragged-tailed Cheng Miao, sighing: raising a troublemaker is truly… even more tumultuous than Mercury Lamp.

That just describes the ground scene; in the sky, even more spectacular sights await: the Atlantean Floating City suspended above Demon Town seemed to hover, its machinery extending from the earth and boulders, projecting intricate patterns below. Observing for a while, I realized the demons aligned their activities with these projections, erupting in joyous action at each new pattern and beam, with Ibuki Suika leading the charge—her strength shining through as she swiftly transported large slabs about, her small stature initially misleading me to think they floated.

The colossal Atlantean giants strolled amidst the demon crowds who seemed diminutive in comparison, guiding them in constructing platforms or personally arranging key ritual items. Don't ask me why I knew those odd items were for rituals—it's blatantly marked "For Ceremony Use" on half-meter high script on the packages.

The number of demons aiding the Atlantean celebration astonished me. Initially, in Avalon, I noticed many demons actively helping with Atlantean constructions, dismissing it as yet another playful endeavor from this merry bunch. But now it's clear, they've embraced the Atlantean celebration as their grand festival, thoroughly invested.

"Wow, you've arrived!"

While observing the demons work from afar, a voice suddenly called behind me. I turned, finding a short girl holding a tub of ice blocks, big blue eyes sparkling beneath the basin, staring at our family.

Short stature, blue ice wings, clumsy actions, a penchant for carrying tubs of frozen treats—needless to say, this was Chiruno.

We greeted the ditzy Ice Fairy, each taking an ice treat from her basin despite the winter chill. Thanks to the warm early summer theme in Avalon and Shadow City, and us being unfazed by toothaches, Chiruno's ice creams were gobbled up in no time.

"Eat more, these are gold apples," I advised while handing Lin Xue one: "Hercules nearly died training over these."

Chiruno gaped as we hastily plundered half her stock, only reacting after a while, screaming for payment. She knew well; amongst us, I was always the designated payer. Or perhaps I just stood nearest to her.

In about seven seconds, I'd persuaded Chiruno we had already paid, until Big Sister felt sorry for poor Quan'er Jiu and handed over some change, sparing her from financial ruin. During this distraction, Chiruno circled me, visibly puzzled: "So, what are you guys here for?"

"Shh!" Qianqian quickly gestured for silence, "We'll sneak in quietly in a bit, you mustn't let them know…"

Chiruno nodded dumbly, and the moment we relaxed, she tossed the basin and yelled while rushing toward the construction site: "It's bad!! The landlord is here to collect protection money! Fox, fox! They're here to catch illegal construction!!"

I chased after her, frustrated, yelling, "Holy crap! Who taught this little brat these things?!"

Chiruno's sudden and mindless shouting completely ruined our plan to sneak into the village. Despite her size, her voice was incredibly loud, and nearly everyone heard her. A group of demons scattered like stones rolling down from the Pyramid in an earthquake, and within seconds, some familiar faces surrounded us, including Ling Meng, Lan, Cui Xiang, Youyouzi, Yao Meng, and several Atlantians like Ares and his daughter, who was two or three times bigger than me. Yukari Yakumo didn't show up—she's probably still hibernating.

Several familiar demon girls came up to greet Qianqian and the others, laughing and joking around, while my gaze habitually fell on Lan. Her cluster of golden tails was always attention-grabbing. Noticing my gaze, Lan quickly covered her back with her hand, and her tail suddenly curled into a big bundle: "Um… the fur will grow back soon!"

This was Miss Fox feeling embarrassed by her tail stuck with hair gel. Her embarrassment points are quite odd. She once ran around naked in her room when we first brought her back, even with me, a man, present, and nothing happened. But now, she's embarrassed just because some fur on her tail is missing under others' gaze. It really makes one marvel at how strange species differences can be—actually, I think Lan's tail looks quite nice now. Although it's not as fun and fluffy as before, three tails still bear traces from the Sword Tomb, giving them a gothic metal look. In this era, people pierce faces, hang rings from noses, and insert studs along spines. If this fox equips her tails with a 24-pronged military spike and calls herself a performance artist, isn't it the same…

With my mind racing, Lan was already too shy to lift her head, her soft ears drooped down, and after a long silence, she muttered quietly, "Are you here to check for illegal construction?"

Everyone: "…"

We quickly clarified our intention, saying we just wanted to see the Atlantean newborn, which made Ares a bit flustered; the giant at 2.8 meters (only to us, Ares is considered a dwarf among other Atlantians) was nervously rubbing his hands, looking like a student who did something wrong: "This is just our little gathering, didn't expect the Great God to personally descend."

To Ares, the birth of an Atlantean child, no matter how special, was merely a celebration among "servants," not something that should disturb the "Great God." This is likely the common thought among other Atlantians, all due to the Old Empire's thorough control and transformation. But we didn't have such troublesome class concepts, so Lilina stepped forward playfully and tapped Ares's calf (couldn't reach any higher), giggling: "Alright, alright, the baptism should start soon, right? Today, this lucky one will receive my personal baptism and Lady Goddess's blessing!"

Ares, hearing this, was overjoyed and quickly led everyone towards the large open platform.

The demons were already finishing up the site when we arrived, placing the huge ceremonial items around, writing blessing prayers in some areas. The next step was to bring the newborn from the "warming room" to the ceremony platform. On the way, Ares patiently explained the process to us, a somewhat odd yet intriguing ritual that even Qianqian, who's never quiet, listened to intently. The big house built by the demons was called the "warming room," where the newborn and its mother stayed for a full seventy-two hours. The warming room had clean food and "Holy Water" (I bet that blue glowing liquid is considered Radiation Water) exposed to Ghost Energy Crystals, during which no one was allowed to enter. It's meant to shield the newborn from all mortal evils, and after three days, the Atlantean infant supposedly gains full immunity and environmental adaptability, believed to have closed their soul with a pure body, resisting mortal evils. Then the newborn is taken to the baptism platform in front of the warming room for the next step.

When we arrived, everything was ready, with only minutes left before the newborn's first exposure to sunlight.

Sandora, myself, and the family were treated as the most sacred VIPs, invited to the baptism platform, standing where the ceremonial team would have originally presided, with three giants already behind us.

Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon.

These three strongest carbon-based warriors created by the Old Empire, towering at ten meters, exerted pressure on me, indirect pressure that first impacted the Pandora Sisters and then me—eventually, I had to ask them to sit down. Although the brothers insisted sitting next to the Great God during a ceremony was disrespectful, at least sitting would lower the Pandora Sisters' forehead temperature.

"Where's the child, where's the child?"

Lilina couldn't stay calm and leapt around on the expansive platform, contrasting sharply with the solemn Atlantean priests and demons who didn't dare breathe beside her. The black-robed priest hosting the ceremony initially wanted to say more according to the prayer, but seeing me signal, he shrugged in resignation, quickly allowing the newborn and its mother to be brought up, while Lilina beside was scratching her ears in excitement: "Quickly bring them up for me to see! I've never seen a baby grown this big! Show me if they're square or flat…"

As soon as she spoke, a team of assistant priests finally walked up from below the platform, all wearing formal black robes and silver-white masks required for ceremonial occasions, led by a young Atlantean woman, obviously the child's mother. This happy new mother had a rosy complexion and, like all Atlanteans, was dignified and attractive. With strong steps and bright eyes, she showed no sign of having given birth a few days ago—well, that's the triumph of the Old Empire's biotechnologies.

The newborn's mother had the honor of leading the procession, followed by the child's father—given he was a handsome guy standing 3.1 meters tall, I decided not to elaborate more on him.

Only after them were the priests carrying two golden small beds, walking steadily onto the platform.

Two small beds?

My gaze instantly focused on the two identical small beds, Ares noticed my confusion and bent down to whisper, "God, one soul descended into two bodies."

Lilina rolled her eyes: "Twins—can't you guys talk less mystically?"

I: "…" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it using recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)