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"The Pope? I just saw him yesterday, and he's looking for me again today?"
Li Yu stood in the Aquarius Palace, lost in thought.
"Could it be that Shion noticed my movements as I traveled back and forth between the Reincarnation Space?"
"Or perhaps, the time flow in the two worlds is different. Only half a day passed in the One Piece World, but a long time has passed in the Saint Seiya World?"
Doubts swirled in his mind as he raised his hand to withdraw the protective barrier that enveloped the palace.
The moment the barrier dissipated, the Silver Saint waiting outside the hall immediately felt the powerful Cosmo that almost froze his blood, and he shivered involuntarily.
"No, it seems to be more than that. Li Yu's Cosmo seems even stronger, carrying a formidable aura of destruction."
Li Yu walked out of the Aquarius Palace, a flash of lightning passing through his eyes.
"Lord Li Yu, His Holiness the Pope is waiting in the main hall."
The Silver Saint lowered his head, not daring to look him in the eye.
"How long has it been since the Pope last summoned me?"
Li Yu suddenly asked.
"Only one night, sir!"
"One night?"
Li Yu raised an eyebrow slightly.
"It seems the time flow between the Reincarnation Space and the Saint Seiya World is one-to-one."
Shion's urgent summons must have a reason.
Following the Silver Saint through the corridors of the Twelve Palaces, the morning sun reflected a cold light off the ground of the Sanctuary.
Upon arriving at the Pope's Main Hall, Shion sat on the high throne, his white Pope's robe draped over the steps. His body was motionless, like a pool of stagnant water.
"Pope, you summoned me?" Li Yu bowed slightly, his gaze falling on Shion's eyes beneath the mask.
Within those gem-like purple eyes, there was an indescribable weariness.
Shion waved his hand, signaling the Silver Saint to retreat. The stone doors of the main hall slowly closed, cutting off the outside light.
He leaned forward slightly, his voice low like a flickering candle in the wind.
"Saori Kido announced today in Tokyo that the Galaxian Wars will be held in three days."
At this point, he paused, his purple eyes beneath the mask fixed on Li Yu.
"The prize for the champion is the sagittarius gold cloth!"
Li Yu's heart stirred. "It's finally here."
He clearly remembered that the Holy War's prelude began with this tournament.
Saori Kido used the Sagittarius Cloth as bait to gather the Bronze Five, especially Seiya, the Pegasus Saint, in whom she placed great hope.
Among Athena's Saints, there were two constellations that were most special!
The Pegasus Saint had, in previous Holy Wars, injured the physical body of Hades.
After that Holy War, Hades no longer used his true body to fight, but instead sought a reincarnated body on Earth to house his divine soul.
The other special constellation Saint was the Gold Saint of Sagittarius.
The Golden Arrow of Sagittarius could kill gods!
In previous Holy Wars, Sagittarius had multiple records of using the Golden Arrow to slay deities.
At this moment, Li Yu's mind was clear: the sagittarius gold cloth was the backup Cloth prepared for Seiya!
It seemed that Athena must have been born in this Holy War, with the intention of having the Pegasus Saint wear the sagittarius gold cloth to completely kill Hades and end the cycle of Holy Wars.
Shion was clearly unaware of his thoughts and continued in a deep voice.
"Hyoga, the Cygnus Bronze Saints, is the key person designated by the Goddess. Li Yu, arrange for him to participate in the Galaxian Wars."
After speaking, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.
Shion's Cosmo fluctuations were even weaker than yesterday, like a flickering candle in the wind, liable to extinguish at any moment.
Li Yu sighed inwardly.
As Gold Saints, their average lifespan rarely exceeded thirty years.
Shion had managed to live until now thanks to the special physique of the Jamir clan, but he was old after all. It was impossible for Shion to survive this Holy War.
The position of Pope remained undecided, and at that time, the Sanctuary would once again experience great turmoil.
"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope."
Li Yu said no more, slowly withdrew from the Pope's Main Hall, and walked down the mountain.
Passing by the Twelve Palaces, many Gold Saints felt the oppressive power of Li Yu's Cosmo, and their hearts immediately tightened.
"Strange, how does it feel like Li Yu got stronger after just one night?"
"How much strength is this guy hiding?"
"Damn it, Li Yu sealed off Aquarius Palace last night and didn't come out. How did he get stronger?"
Arriving at the foot of the sacred mountain, Li Yu's figure instantly blurred, transforming into an ice-blue streak of light that shot into the sky.
This was the speed of light movement that only Gold Saints who had awakened their Seventh Sense could use.
Although in this world, protected by the gods, it couldn't truly reach the speed of light, its speed was far faster than any other means of transportation.
In less than half an hour, Li Yu returned from the Athenian Sanctuary to the cold Siberian ice field.
His figure appeared in the Ice Temple.
Hyoga sensed his arrival and came before him, kneeling on one knee.
"Master!"
Hyoga appeared to have just broken free from his ice seal, his face pale and his body covered in ice shards.
Gazing at Li Yu's back, Hyoga recalled how he had barely escaped Li Yu's ice seal yesterday, a near-death experience.
Li Yu's power made Hyoga deeply wary, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
Li Yu, his back to Hyoga, said indifferently.
"Hyoga, do you resent me?"
Hyoga lowered his head and said in a deep voice.
"I dare not resent Master. I know Master is doing this for my own good. Only with the strictest demands can I truly grow. May I ask why Master has come this time?"
Li Yu's lips curved slightly, and he turned around expressionlessly.
"Put on the Cygnus Cloth and fight me with all your might. If you win, you'll have completed your training. If you fail, I won't hold back this time. I'll send you to the shipwreck at the bottom of the sea to join your mother!"
Hyoga suddenly looked up, astonished.
"But, Master Li Yu, I'm not ready yet. Even with the Cloth, it's impossible for me to be your opponent."
He had heard from his senior brother, Isaac, that his master could suppress a host of Gold Saints even without wearing a Cloth, and was hailed as the strongest Gold Saint of their time!
For him, a Bronze Saints, to attack his master, and even defeat him?
Hyoga felt a bitter taste in his mouth. His master's demand was too difficult.
Li Yu smiled coldly, his eyes devoid of warmth.
"The Holy War is about to begin, and the Goddess is right behind you. Facing the Marines and Specters, can you still say you're not ready?"
Li Yu walked out, passing by Hyoga.
"Put on your Cloth. I'll be waiting outside for you! Treat me as your enemy, and try your best to kill me, otherwise you will surely die!"
Hyoga lowered his head, clenched his fists, and said nothing more!
On the ice field, the sub-zero wind, carrying snow particles, felt like knife cuts on the face.
Li Yu looked up at the lead-gray sky and murmured softly.
"Athena, are you also watching this battle at this moment?"
Behind him, there was a crisp sound of metal colliding with ice.
Hyoga, wearing the Cygnus bronze cloth, walked up to him, the Cloth reflecting the cold gleam of the ice field.
He took a deep breath, adopted an offensive stance, and his eyes burned with an unprecedented determination.
"Master, I am ready."
Li Yu nodded slightly, his voice without a ripple.
"You only have three chances to strike. If you can't defeat me, go and sleep with your mother at the bottom of the sea. I, Li Yu, have no use for a useless disciple like you!"
"Mother…"
These two words ignited Hyoga's Cosmo like a spark.
His pupils suddenly contracted, and the water vapor around him instantly condensed into ice crystals.
"Take this, Diamond Dust!"