The fall of Oracle King's Excalibur into the hands of the soul realm of Britain was a grave issue, with far-reaching consequences.
First, Excalibur was an immensely valuable artifact. More importantly, the loss of such a treasure signified a profound crisis for Oracle King, hinting at the severity of the battle he faced beneath the sea. There was a ninety percent chance that Oracle King had perished. Even if he had somehow survived, he would likely have been left disabled.
The top leader of the US solemnly declared that Excalibur belonged to King of Horizon and the United States, and no foreign nation had the right to lay claim to it. He demanded that the soul realm of Britain return the sword.
However, the senior leaders of Britain responded with defiance, claiming that this was a matter for the martial world, not the mortal realm, and that they had no authority to force the soul realm of Britain to relinquish Excalibur.
In other words, Britain refused to return it. If the US wanted it back, they would have to engage in battle for it, themselves.
Furious, the US leader convened an urgent high-level meeting aboard an aircraft carrier to devise a solution. The foreign affairs department also worked tirelessly, applying diplomatic pressure on Britain. If Oracle King was truly dead, then Excalibur, along with the dragon head mask, would be his relics. The mask had been secured, but Excalibur…
They couldn't allow it to fall into the hands of another nation. The guardian saint of the United States couldn't die without receiving justice!
In response to the growing tension, the thirty-six guardians of Oracle Palace stood united, swearing to retrieve Excalibur.
Just as war seemed imminent, the guardians received a top-secret message that shook them to the core. Upon reading it, the thirty-six powerful men burst into tears.
The message confirmed that their king, Oracle King, was alive. However, he had requested that they keep it a secret.
The news was shared with the US leader, who was equally moved to tears. He knew that King of Horizon would not succumb easily.
Since the king had asked for discretion, the US leadership continued to negotiate, now with an altered perspective—the outcome of the talks was no longer of paramount importance.
The thirty-six guardians of Oracle Palace maintained their feigned anger, continuing to demand that Britain return King of Horizon's possessions. A fierce battle ensued between the martial artists of the US and the soul realm of Britain, with the US guardians ultimately reaching a stalemate.
Alex Watson of Britain, wielding Excalibur, taunted his enemies. "Ha ha, Oracle King's Excalibur is truly a divine weapon!" he said, relishing his advantage. Though he hadn't mastered the full potential of the sword, its power amplified his own, making him formidable.
With Britain's successful gene experiments, the creation of more "soul realms" was certain. Alex Watson, at the peak of this power, was destined to become the ruler of the martial arts world.
The martial artists of the US had long held the title of the world's strongest, but now, it seemed, Britain had usurped that position, blending technology and martial prowess. The Oracle Palace, it appeared, would soon become obsolete.
The mood in the US shifted from pride to sorrow as the grim realization sank in. The Oracle King—King of Horizon—might truly be dead. The very faith that had upheld the United States seemed to crumble.
This was the lamentation of a nation.
Meanwhile, on the deck of a massive cruise ship, Kate's beautiful face had paled as she, along with Queenie and the others, stood in silence. They had witnessed it all—the rise of their beloved John, the Oracle King. From his unmasking to the deafening cheers, they had been there for every moment. Now, it seemed that the end had come.
Kate and the others couldn't bring themselves to accept it. They had been waiting in constant fear and hope for more than half a month, unsure whether John had survived, and now they had received the devastating news of his potential death.
Anita, who had been on a filming project in New York, had joined them at Queenie's insistence, unaware that King of Horizon was actually John. But as the rumors about his demise spread, she became acutely aware of the depth of her friends' sorrow. Upon discovering that John and King of Horizon were one and the same, her worry increased exponentially.
Even Angela, who understood John's immense strength, was deeply anxious. She blamed herself for not being strong enough to prevent this tragedy. If she had reached the foundation establishment stage of martial arts, she would have fought back against the soul realm of Britain and ensured Excalibur's return. If she had been more powerful, she would have gone to the depths of the sea with John to uncover the truth.
But now, there was nothing they could do.
Surrounded by mourners and believers, the sense of loss was palpable. No one was willing to accept the reality before them.
"Hi, ladies. Would you like to have a drink with me?"
A voice suddenly broke the somber silence. Turning around, the group saw a young man dressed in Indian garb, his hood pulled low over his face, revealing only his malicious eyes. His appearance was unsettling, resembling a mummy-like figure.
With a goblet in hand, he leered at the beautiful women in front of him, his eyes scanning their bodies. He appeared more interested in admiring their figures than offering any form of sympathy or comfort.
Despite the tension, he couldn't help but take in the sight before him, his gaze lingering on the women's waists and curves.
"Absolutely stunning," he muttered under his breath.