Hearing Enzo's prompt, Gideon did not continue speaking but instead dashed directly toward Enzo. Just as he got close, however, he became transparent and vanished before Enzo's eyes.
Not only that, but Enzo could not even sense his presence.
What puzzled Enzo even more was that Gideon did not attack him immediately. Instead, he maintained this state, as if he were setting something up.
As Gideon's figure reappeared, Enzo sensed something unusual. It seemed that the place he was in was strictly controlled by some force. The elemental energy flowing in the air was imprisoned, and even the elemental energy he released could not be manipulated by himself. This strange feeling was something Enzo was experiencing for the first time.
At the same time, he had never seen such a power before.
Gideon still did not take the opportunity to strike but paused to look at Enzo and explained, "This move is called Elemental Binding. It can imprison all elemental energy, forcing a person to rely solely on their physical strength to fight. For many powerful supernatural beings, once caught in this, they might not fare better than some physically strong ordinary people."
Enzo was confused and asked, "Leader Gideon, what are you trying to say?"
Gideon said seriously, "I just want to remind you that no matter how powerful you are, don't underestimate anyone. Also, while you have control over different elemental energies, which is your advantage, you are not utilizing it to its full potential. In situations like this, you may find yourself at a greater disadvantage than others."
"Is this a lesson?"
Enzo vaguely understood.
Although he didn't know why Gideon was teaching him combat techniques in this way, Enzo humbly accepted the advice, though he didn't fully agree with what Gideon said.
"Leader Gideon, be careful."
Enzo warned, summoning a blood-red armor around him, his Flame Wings unfurling behind him, with lightning crackling around the armor.
Then, Enzo charged toward Gideon.
The Flame Wings generated a wave of scorching heat, and the lightning on the armor surged forward, all striking toward Gideon. Gideon's expression changed slightly as he gathered a massive amount of metal elemental power between his hands to block the attack.
Boom!
A tremendous collision sound erupted, shaking even the illusory plaza. Gideon looked at Enzo in astonishment and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to have such abilities. It seems I underestimated you. However, I still stand by what I said: never think of yourself as the strongest. This isn't a criticism, but a piece of advice. Moreover, this saying will be even more important in the Starry Sky."
Enzo paused.
He dissipated the gathered armor and Flame Wings, looking at Gideon with curiosity. "Leader Gideon, have you been to the Starry Sky?"
Gideon nodded and answered earnestly, "Yes, I have."
This response surprised Enzo greatly, and even Andrew, standing to the side, was shocked, incredulously asking Gideon, "First Leader, you've been to the Starry Sky?"
Gideon looked at the two, a reminiscent expression on his face as he said, "Many years ago, I fortuitously found a way to the Starry Sky through a certain place. Back then, I was still quite weak, but I was fortunate enough to obtain some treasures in the Starry Sky that allowed me to grow rapidly. However, one cannot always sail smoothly through life.
Later on, I offended a major power in the Starry Sky and was hunted down by many, forcing me to escape back to this world…"
Gideon's tone was filled with regret, anger, and reluctance.
It was clear that he had an unforgettable past.
Yet, he didn't elaborate much, merely summarizing it, as if he didn't want others to know about his history.
After hearing this, Enzo curiously asked, "Leader Gideon, did you enter the Starry Sky through the teleportation array in the City of the Setting Sun across the coast?"
"You know that place?"
Gideon was thoroughly surprised.
The City of the Setting Sun was a very hidden place, unknown to outsiders. He had only been lucky to find it back then, and he never expected Enzo to know about it.
Enzo was also a bit surprised.
When he was at Crimson Lake, he received a message left by Norma, which mentioned the City of the Setting Sun and the teleportation array to the Starry Sky. He hadn't thought that Gideon would be aware of it as well.
After Enzo brought it up, Gideon didn't hold back any longer.
He said, "That's right, that place. Based on my investigations over the years, it is highly likely that it was left behind by the rumored God of Hunting, who left this world to go to the Starry Sky."
Maude went to the Starry Sky?
Although this was Gideon's speculation, Enzo vaguely sensed that this might indeed be the truth. During that cursed disaster all those years ago, Maude likely did not die but instead left this world.
At this moment, Gideon added, "Mr. Enzo, let's end our spar here."
Enzo nodded in agreement.
Then, at Gideon's invitation, Enzo was led to the deepest part of the Snow Fox Territory.
That was also the place where the royal family resided.
Gideon instructed his people to present a variety of rich fruits and food, as well as spring water specially collected by the Snow Fox Territory members, which carried supernatural energy. He then invited Enzo to sit down and enjoy. Afterward, Gideon spoke again, saying, "Mr. Enzo, I understand the plan that Andrew invited you for.
There is no problem with the collaboration between the Snow Fox Territory and the Crimson Star Tribe, and I fully support it. However, I have a personal request and hope you can help."
The matter progressed so smoothly that it exceeded Enzo's expectations.
At this point, he also realized the secret Andrew had been unwilling to disclose: that the current high-level powers of the Snow Fox Territory were too few. If Gideon encountered any issues, the entire Snow Fox Territory would become leaderless.
Rather than saying that the Snow Fox Territory was collaborating with the Crimson Star Tribe, it was more accurate to say that the Snow Fox Territory was seeking his protection.
This wasn't Enzo being arrogant. It was simply the truth.
At this moment, Enzo was also curious about Gideon's personal request, so he asked, "Leader Gideon, what is your request? Just say it directly."
Gideon nodded and said, "Mr. Enzo, please wait for me a moment."
After saying that, Gideon left the hall and walked into a nearby room. Before long, he returned, holding a piece of unusual leather. The leather emitted a faint blue glow and had a very peculiar aura. It was covered in a dense array of small dots and various lines connecting them, along with labeled energies.
"What is this?" Enzo asked curiously.
"A star map." Gideon replied, explaining, "This records the star map of the Senno Star System, including the life planets present in the Senno Star System and some forces from the Starry Sky. However, the information may not be very accurate since this star map is many years old. In the Starry Sky, conflicts are quite frequent."
Enzo took it and glanced at it for a moment, suddenly feeling dizzy.
Gideon reminded him, "This star map is made from the skin of a Void Fish, a unique creature that lives in the Starry Sky. They survive by swallowing stardust and possess extremely special abilities. The star map made from Void Fish skin requires mental energy to perceive."
After hearing this, Enzo tried again.
This time, as his mental energy touched the star map, an entire Starry Sky suddenly appeared in his mind.
In the vastness of the Starry Sky, the stars were densely packed, shimmering with light. Among these stars, several light paths connected them, annotated with information. These were the navigation routes within the Starry Sky.
This scene left Enzo in shock.
He gained a deeper understanding of the vastness of the Starry Sky.
After a moment, Enzo's consciousness withdrew from the star map. He looked at Gideon and asked again, "Leader Gideon, you can now tell me what your request is."
Gideon nodded, his tone growing heavy.
He began, "In the Senno Star System, there is a planet called Vikander. On that planet, I met another member of the fox tribe named Cheryl, and we had a daughter together. However, I was forced to flee the Starry Sky, and I lost contact with Cheryl and the others. If possible, I hope that after you enter the Starry Sky, you can help me find them."
As he spoke, Gideon took out a tooth.
He said, "This is a bloodline sensing artifact of the fox tribe, containing my blood. As long as you enter Vikander, you will be able to sense Cheryl's presence."
Enzo reached out to take it but felt nothing unusual from the tooth.
Gideon looked at Enzo with great anticipation.
After a moment of thought, Enzo replied, "I accept this request."
Gideon was deeply grateful and took out a special token made from red meteoric iron, handing it to Enzo. The token bore unique monster patterns and engravings. Gideon explained, "This is a token for a special secret realm in the Senno Star System. The holder of the token can enter the realm to search for treasures. Regardless of whether you find Cheryl or not, this token is yours."
Enzo smiled, seeing through Gideon's ulterior motives, and ultimately accepted the token.
Gideon let out a sigh of relief.
He hadn't given the token at first because he worried Enzo would refuse his request, yet still harbor a desire for the token. Now, he realized it had all been a clever trick of his own making.
Thinking about this, Gideon felt a sense of shame and couldn't help but muse, "Amy has good judgment."
After accepting Gideon's request and the token, Enzo left Gideon's residence and sought out Andrew, requesting to examine Snow Fox Territory's records regarding the previous disaster. From these records, Enzo made a new discovery—
Before the disaster occurred, some people had already foreseen its arrival.
And those people were the administrators of the Holy City Sarsmoki!