The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1771: Return of the Elemental King

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Previously on The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse...
King Xzeth forcefully asserts his authority to grant Kaden a slot in the Elemental Tower, even compelling the four other overlords to kneel. Kaden intervenes, preventing further conflict and revealing the Elemental Tower's dangerous secret: it harbors a gateway for an invading race. He warns everyone that he intends to reach the 100th floor and will need their help to fight off the invaders, claiming he is the Elemental King.

The moment the Fairy appeared, everyone knelt except Kaden, Pickle Berry, his Triplet Elemental Wives and Natasha.

"We greet the Elemental Guardian!"

They all shouted in unison, causing Kaden to narrow his eyes at the Fairy. Icon appeared and hovered on his shoulder, her eyes narrowed at the Fairy also.

The reason behind their reaction is that the Fairy hovering in the air looks exactly like Icon. In fact, they look so much alike that Kaden wouldn’t be able to differentiate between them.

It is clear that the source of the person who had been sending them directions had revealed herself, and it is a part of Klaus’s ever-capable assistant, or more like a part of the real version of her.

The Fairy waved her hand. "At ease, everyone."

She flapped her butterfly-like wings and approached Kaden, earning shocked looks from the thousands gathered at the scene. They wondered why the Elemental Guardian would approach a mere stranger.

But their shock only multiplied when the Fairy spoke...

"I have awaited your arrival, my Lord. Why did you take too long to return to my side?"

Even King Xzeth couldn’t contain his shock. He clearly never expected the Paragon to be the master of this Fairy, who had in the past personally come to congratulate him when he reached the 70th floor and even rewarded him.

Just thinking about it made him stare at Kaden’s back, eyes wide with shock.

"I don’t have my memories yet, but I hope your name is also Icon," Kaden asked, and the Fairy nodded.

"Yes, master. I have always been your Icon," the Elemental Guardian replied, causing the Original Icon to narrow her eyes.

"I am his Icon, not you, imposter," Icon protested, and the Elemental Guardian smiled.

"Sure, little one, whatever you say."

"You—"

"Hold on, Icon." Kaden grabbed Icon and held on to her before she could lunge at the Elemental Guardian, who, despite the smile on her face, Kaden could sense was far stronger than Icon.

This can only mean one thing...

"So I suppose Icon and I are in the same boat, huh? We both have a real version and a shadow version. The me at the moment is merely a fragment of my true self."

"Among other things, yes. The master is indeed not the real deal. However, that doesn’t mean the master isn’t real. In fact, you are both real, just that to become who you are meant to become, you had to live nine lives."

Kaden smiled and asked, "So the only real one among us is Klaus, the main body?"

"Yes, master, but even he is incomplete. He needs all nine of you to inherit your legacies. Only then can he become the Paragon of the Nine Stars and awaken his bloodline."

The Elemental Guardian looked at Icon. "The same is true for her. She is incomplete, and so she needs all nine of us to become whole."

"I see." Kaden turns and looks at Icon, who now seems relaxed.

"Then what next?"

"The master will have to climb to the 100th floor on his own and inherit the legacy. However, the master also has to prepare for the creatures of the abyss. I will explain better later since we have no time to waste.

"All you have to know is that they are aware you are back, and they will do everything in their power to stop you from inheriting your legacy.

"The only upside is that, as you climb the floors, your memories and powers will start to awaken. If the master can climb to the 99th floor before the abyss opens, then we will have a 45% chance of success."

Kaden smiled and turned to look at the four Overlords. "Told you guys you are all in danger."

The Red Lotus Guardian smirked. "From what I heard, they are coming after you, not the other way around."

"I am afraid the ones they will kill first will be you all. They need energy, and the only way to do that is by feeding on the souls of their kills. In other words, to get to my Master, they will pass through you first," the Elemental Guardian said, and the four overlords frowned, realization dawning on them.

"Rest assured, Kad—I mean Elemental King, I will not hesitate to stand between them and you when they show up," King Xzeth said, and his family nodded with him.

"Very brave of you, King Xzeth. However, you alone are not enough. To stop what is coming, all 12 domains and 4 cities will have to come together and mobilize their armies."

"And why would we do that?" the Black Flame Dragon Queen asked, her eyes holding suspicion. "For all we know, you are not even the Elemental King. Why should we defend you?"

"Because even a dumbass knows when the abyss erupts, not even insects are spared," Pickle Berry replied, staring at the Black Flame Dragon Queen with fearless eyes.

"Pickle Berry is right. If the abyss erupts, you all will die. However, with me, there is a chance we will survive."

"And why is that?" the Red Bone Blood Panther asked.

"Because he is the person who gave Xzeth his abilities and the same person who gave me mine," Maneli finally stepped in, unleashing his 15% manifested Dao, causing a large Ant Emperor to appear in the air behind him.

Instantly, the four overlords felt their own Dao getting suppressed.

This immediately told them what they needed to know. Maneli’s understanding of the Dao is higher than theirs.

But it didn’t stop with Maneli alone; Pickle Berry also unleashed her 25% manifested Dao, and Namariona did as well. Then Pickle Berry’s sisters did, her brother did, and her mother followed. Finally, the ten warriors they had brought with them also unleashed their Dao.

By the time they were done, the entire space around the Elemental Tower was shrouded in the power of the Elemental Dao.

"This... This is impossible," Idir shouted, the shock of it all causing him to trip and fall on his butt.

"Nothing is impossible for the Elemental King," the Elemental Guardian said and then declared,

"All hail the return of the Elemental King!"