Chapter 165 - Love from the Male Protagonist’s Harem

Chu Yao paused, "Long time no see." Her voice carried a hint of coldness. "No need to be tense, sister," Chu Yi reined in her emotions with a light laugh. "I've just come back to see Father; I have no other intentions." Chu Yao replied, "Even if we invited you with great fanfare, you wouldn't come. And now you come in person; on behalf of Father, I'm truly flattered." "With how busy you are and the shortage of staff, how could I dare expect you to invite me?" Chu Yi responded politely, though her eyes betrayed deep disdain, as if gazing at a pitiful ant or a shameless thief. Her delicate lips moved with deliberate ease, "I truly don't deserve it." Their words clashed like swords, the atmosphere tense with unspoken conflict. Chu Zhan felt a headache coming on. Noticing her father's expression, Chu Yao decided to stop arguing. Her face turned slightly cold. "Since you're back, stay home for a few days. Father misses you." "I miss you all too," Chu Yi said, her sharp edge softening, eyes falling on Chu Yao. "Especially you... sister." "Really, I've missed you day and night, can't sleep without thinking of you." Chu Yao couldn't be bothered with her veiled sarcasm. "If you're thinking so fondly, just stay over. Seeing us will surely dispel your thoughts." Chu Yi smirked, "Sure." == Meanwhile, on Xia Ge's side. After declaring her wish to become the heroine's hero, the girl responded, "Very well." As the girl's voice fell, it was as if a command had been issued. The mist gradually receded, revealing a vast basin they were standing in, encircled by towering mountains stretching endlessly. High above, indistinct winged creatures roared against the dim sky, and the earth trembled, hinting at nearby beasts racing across the expansive land, their furious roars echoing faintly. The air was dense and oppressive, steeped in resentment, making it extremely uncomfortable. It was as if, with the dispersal of the mist, they had silently transitioned from a safe realm to a perilous one. Instinctively, the lost fawn grew wary, vigilantly observing its surroundings. The girl told Xia Ge, "Look behind you." Hearing this, Xia Ge tightened her grip on the scythe. She understood that if the girl meant her harm, she would be powerless to resist. This was a gap of absolute strength. Xia Ge slowly turned around. Behind her, the mist had vanished without a trace, revealing nothing but the mountains. Her heart skipped a beat when she looked back again, the girl had disappeared. The lost fawn stood there, seemingly confused, tilting its head as it looked at her. Xia Ge: "..." This kind of childish prank belonged back in kindergarten. For a moment, Xia Ge felt somewhat disillusioned. "...Xiao Kui, do you know this person?" Since the girl's appearance, Xiao Kui had been silent. Now, with her gone, Xia Ge casually asked. But there was no response. Clearly, back at the River of Time, it had been so lively. Just as Xia Ge was at a loss, with the girl no longer sheltering her, a sharp screech echoed from the double-winged beasts in the sky. Wings tilted, they swooped down towards Xia Ge, as if receiving a command! Their wings were like steel, their beaks harder than diamonds, feathers black and gleaming, resembling grim reapers' scythes harvesting lives in the midnight hour—silent, swift, and charged with death—diving straight at Xia Ge! “Caw—” They opened their mouths, blazing flames spewing forth. Xia Ge, veering with ghost-like agility, swiftly evaded, swinging her scythe. The dark weapon shot towards the creatures' wings, a flash of sparks lighting up as the blade skittered off the lead beast's feathers! Xia Ge exerted all her strength, yet the attack left not a scratch on the monstrous bird. Instead, it enraged it, and with a powerful beat of its wings, its talons ripped through the fierce wind, targeting Xia Ge's face! The scythe remained hooked on the creature's wing, so Xia Ge unfurled the chain, the tough black links abruptly creating a barrier against the fearsome talons. "Clang… Sizzle—" Yet halting one did not mark the end. Seeing Xia Ge caught by their leader, a swarm of monstrous birds opened their mouths, once again spewing fiercely blazing flames! So intense was the fire that it melted its path through rock, likened to magma spurting from volcanic depths or a flame torch. The chain of the scythe quivered, not so much an attempt to shred it but to pin down Xia Ge, leaving her trapped within the inferno, with no escape. Xia Ge's pupils contracted, the flaring orange of the flames filling her dark eyes, impassive and relentless. —She would die. Time seemed to slow. If nothing were done, death would be certain. As though time was both still and endlessly flowing. The instant before she was engulfed by flames, she glimpsed a gentle figure amid the scorching fire. The figure donned a familiar Danshan plain robe, fine red silk wrapped around her hand, standing before Xia Ge, facing the towering inferno, only to turn slightly... She gave her a slight smile. Friendly and gentle, enough to stir one's heart at first glance. In that moment, as if guided by an unseen force, Xia Ge seemed to forget everything else, reaching out towards her as if she could grasp something real. A blinding red light intermingled with electric sparks, and the soft red silk fell into her grasp. In the next instant, flames devoured everything! High atop a ten-thousand-meter mountain peak, the cold wind howled. The girl who claimed to be the guide looked down, clearly seeing everything in the gray mist-shrouded basin below. As the flames engulfed the black-haired girl, she sighed softly, her figure under the straw hat seemingly blurred, yet undeniably real. Only her voice remained indifferent. "What a pity." "You will not become anyone's hero." "Weakness is the original sin." The icy wind blew with a mournful chill. The flames gradually dissipated; everything seemed to settle into dust. She was merely someone who had trespassed, too weak to be deemed worthy. Even though the girl vaguely felt that this person could be different, yet... Unable to withstand even a few fiery black-feathered birds, she was ultimately just an inept boaster. The outcome settled, the girl saw no reason to linger, planning to leave without looking again at the scorched remains. However, as she turned, her movement paused. The high mountain wind bore a faint scent of scorched rock. Yet, there was something else carried within the breeze. A faint, subtle scent lurking deep within the wind. "...Weakness is wrong?" In the next moment, the girl swept her long sleeves, and dark golden electric sparks clashed with the crimson, gale-laced silk apparition! "Boom—" The air burst with explosive sound, unable to withstand the immense power. The girl didn’t move, not even a corner of her garment stirred, whereas the attacker was repelled backward by over ten meters! The crimson xiangsi retained a lingering warmth; it had shielded Xia Ge from the fiery onslaught of the black-feathered birds, carrying her skyward to confront this guide who sought her demise. "......" The girl stood there, gazing at Xia Ge in the distance, clutching the red silk, and coldly repeated, "It is wrong." The cold mountain wind whipped around as Xia Ge sneezed, the alternating hot and cold really discomforting. "Moreover, standing at this height only by drawing on another's power—is it not shameful?" the girl asked blandly. "No," Xia Ge retorted. "Humans use tools to stand taller. Why feel shame? You're the strange one." After pausing, Xia Ge tightened her grip on the xiangsi slightly. "Besides, weakness isn't inherently wrong." The girl stared at her impassively. "You wouldn't understand, would you? Then I'll tell you," Xia Ge declared, tugging her xiangsi, each word clear, "The strong relish their freedom, the weak have their own ways to survive. No one has the right to dictate right or wrong for others!" The girl regarded her. A person as feeble as an ant, claiming to want to be someone's hero. Being audacious despite knowing it was beyond her capability. Yet she shone with a prideful light. The phrase “The strong have their ease, the weak have their way” held a childlike conviction that mirrored that of a favored yet fearless child. —No one has the right to dictate others' right or wrong? But in this world, ultimately, strength is power. The girl looked at Xia Ge for a long time before suddenly smiling lightly. "I quite like you." She said, "You never fail to surprise me." "Whether you're disappointed or not has nothing to do with me. I just want to know how to get to the Evil Spirit Mountain," Xia Ge called her, "Guide." The girl shook her head, seemingly sighing. "Lost in the sea of floating clouds, unknowing of the mountain's presence." Xia Ge's eyes widened slowly. What did that mean?! Did the Double-Translocation Stone truly send her to the Evil Spirit Mountain? Was this place really the Evil Spirit Mountain?! She'd had this suspicion before but hadn't dared to confirm it. For if this was the Evil Spirit Mountain, where was her senior sister? The girl disrupted Xia Ge's thoughts. "Have I not told you my name?" After all, she was more than just a guide. Xia Ge still pondered her earlier words but wore an expression plainly suggesting, "I don't care to know." The girl wasn't bothered by it. At the chilly peak, she chuckled softly. "Those fated to meet shall meet, though I disdain weakness, fortunately, I do not dislike you." This child, endearingly sincere. The girl extended her hand to Xia Ge, still wrapped in layers of cloth, resembling the eternal mist, obscuring any real visage. "On high clouds, the wind is cold; the mountains are not chilled." The girl's voice was soft. "Even those small and dull must learn to accept unknown kindness and strength for their wishes." What was the meaning behind this… Feeling stirred, Xia Ge reached for her hand. As she took hold, Xia Ge paused because she could not feel any warmth from the girl's hand. Neither cold nor warm, devoid of any temperature variation. Calm and steady. It was as if she was simply holding a bundle of cloth. The girl paused, then suddenly said, "After so many years, finally someone... is endearing." If Xia Ge didn’t understand something, she simply pretended not to hear it and introduced herself: “My name is Xia Ge.” “A fine name,” the girl responded. “I am Zhen Hun.” Zhen Hun?! Xia Ge's pupils contracted sharply! In the next moment, the system’s notifications exploded beside her ears. [Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining the task 'Yi Mei, Zhen Hun Unmatched!'] [Ding! Congratulations, host, on leveling up!] [Reward: 1000 points!] [Please check the skill panel for new skills.] As the wind howled, her hand was gripped tightly, refusing to let go. The cloak unraveled into strips, winding around Xia Ge like serpents, and transformed into a dark robe. Its long sleeves contracted slightly at the ends, with fine snowy cloud patterns embroidered around the sleeve openings. A slender obsidian belt cinched the waist, tying on the right with two trailing black sashes, each adorned with intricate and elegant cloud patterns that constantly changed, highlighting the slender and supple form beneath the cloak. Xia Ge felt her entire body grow lighter, as if capable of soaring through the clouds, moving with the wind. This was the legendary Zhen Hun Unmatched. The girl from just moments ago was the soul of the Yi Mei. The system, previously pretending to be inactive, started speaking: "Ah, congratulations, congratulations!" Xia Ge's expression was somewhat numb: "Zhen Hun?" System: "…Yes." Legend had it that when Zhen Hun emerged, the world trembled, and people rushed forward in droves—yet she had obtained it so unexpectedly. Moreover, the experience hadn’t been particularly pleasant. Wait! Zhen Hun was here, meaning the land beneath her feet was undoubtedly the Evil Spirit Mountain!! Evil Spirit Mountain was a sprawling mountain range, suppressing countless malicious ghosts and wraiths that had once plagued the world. The ancient Yi Mei, Zhen Hun, had guarded it for five hundred years to maintain peace for humanity. Time buried everything under dust, and people coveted the power, status, and fame that the ancient Yi Mei could grant— Furthermore, rampant misinformation by demonic sects gradually buried the truth. Most people only knew that Evil Spirit Mountain housed the ancient Yi Mei but were unaware of Zhen Hun's true purpose. Some sects that knew part of the truth, like Lingxi Peak, sought to reveal it, but human nature is greedy. Few cared about the truth; many desired power like a passing shoal. All they could do was station people there to prevent Zhen Hun from failing and evil from wreaking havoc. When Xia Ge returned from the River of Time, the outskirts of the Evil Spirit Mountain were already in chaos. The beasts summoned by Su Chan were rampaging down the mountains, forming a tide. Under this tide, Gu Pei Jiu's Tianzhu Ling defense was unyielding. Yet, while the tide could be held, human intentions were fickle. With the tide stable under Gu Pei Jiu’s protection, some grew restless for the ancient Yi Mei within Evil Spirit Mountain. Finally, when the tide slightly receded, someone broke through the Gu Pei Jiu’s Tianzhu Ling defense and charged straight toward the basin within Evil Spirit Mountain! The Evil Spirit Mountain range was lofty and rugged, with only a few low points, including where they currently stood, and it was rumored that Zhen Hun was amidst the encircling mountains' basin—it could be claimed by venturing inside! A person broke the defense, and beasts, famished, seized the opportunity to storm in! “Damn it—” “Who—” But a few beasts broke into the barrier; Gu Pei Jiu quickly steadied herself, Tianzhu Ling shuddering to mend the breach. Yet the beasts, rampant within, their coats as tough as steel and fire-resistant, aimed for a frail mage. The mage, barely able to conjure a fireball, was swiftly beheaded! A brutal spurt of blood; the scene utterly savage. Younger disciples, having accompanied their seniors there, wet themselves from terror. Near the beasts, some disciples panicked and two even rushed straight out! “These are Earth-level beasts!” Someone cried out: “Earth-level beasts are eating people! We can’t defeat them!” Gu Pei Jiu's gaze turned icy, Earth-level beasts?! These couldn’t even count as Yellow-level! Who was spreading seeds of chaos?! But the next moment, a surge of “Earth-level” pressure emanated! The beast's aura, yet filled with incongruity. Gu Pei Jiu's pupils narrowed! Who?! What initially seemed minor became inflated by deceitful strength. With beasts attacking from outside and "Earth-level" beasts within, many couldn’t discern the turmoil's root. The cry of “Earth-level beasts” coupled with the nearly convincing intimidating pressure induced an unusual panic among the crowd. "Xuan-level?!" "Oh, my heavens! Run—" "Since we have to leave anyway, might as well seize the chance to enter and reach Evil Spirit Mountain!" Many echoed the sentiment. Many heeded this call and charged through the barrier, creating more breaches that allowed more beasts to overrun! It must be admitted, often the most terrifying thing is not the beasts, but people defeated by their own fear. Some cursed, "If you wish to meet your end, do so on your own! So many of you can't handle even one Earth-level beast; what good are you?!" "Stop disrupting the barrier—" "Ah—it's coming through again!!" With the chaos spiraling, many tore apart the protective barrier in their panic to escape, while others cowered inside. In the midst of the frenzy, that "Earth-level" pressure quietly vanished, rendering Gu Pei Jiu's Tianzhu Ling defense nearly useless as vicious beastly roars filled the air! Gu Pei Jiu, as a disciple of Lingxi Peak, wasn't obliged to protect them all. She withdrew Tianzhu Ling as the beast tide crushed in on them, the air thick with blood. People fought desperately, wielding diverse artifacts and spells like all manner of deities manifesting their prowess. Those without power became mere prey, embodying survival of the fittest in the most brutal display here. Intermingled beast and human blood only incited the beasts' ferocity further. Gu Pei Jiu's movements were elusive like the wind, sidestepping ferocious creatures whose grasp she easily evaded. Her gaze held a chilling detachment as she watched the chaos unfold, witnessing someone fall and break their leg, only to be torn apart by beasts, their cries drowned by bloodthirsty snarls. She knew this person, the very one who first broke the barrier, letting beasts into the Tianzhu Ling defense zone. Gu Pei Jiu remained unmoved, her eyes cold as she watched him go from whole to nothing but gnawed bones. The beast, having tasted human blood, eyed Gu Pei Jiu, its maw dropping further to reveal bloodstained fangs. Gu Pei Jiu was unperturbed, returning its gaze with indifference. The gruesomeness, the hideously twisted human nature. Hideous, yet beautiful. ...Beautiful. Unexpectedly, Gu Pei Jiu found herself thinking about the one who should be on Danfeng. These things should never appear before those beautiful eyes. Even though, at times, she could glimpse a maturity beyond a child flickering in her eyes full of playful defiance. But so what? Outside, in the storm and tumult, she always had the ability to shield her from worry. In her presence, no one could harm her. —Regardless of whether she…accepts it. —Regardless… What of it, if she accepts? What if she does not? If met with rejection, what could she do? Suddenly, she felt a hint of anger. “Wu…” The beast, baring its teeth at Gu Pei Jiu, trembled under her gaze, instinctive fear covering it in chills. It whimpered, submissively laying down the bone, before retreating slowly. Lu Qie, a defenseless alchemist, had struggled to make his way to Gu Pei Jiu under Ye Ze's protection, and upon arrival, witnessed this scene, his mouth agape with awe. "Big...Big Senior Sister is awesome..." The coldness receded slightly from Gu Pei Jiu’s eyes, though she wasn’t sure why she was angry—just thinking, if rejected— If that person said…if she said, I'm sorry, I cannot. Gu Pei Jiu suddenly wished this campaign on Evil Spirit Mountain would stretch on a bit longer. Even though each moment would bring inevitable thoughts—their delicate eyebrows, cat-like eyes, sweet soft lips, fair and slightly petite hands, even though every instant might unconsciously summon memories of sweet tastes, of entwined breaths, of her slender waist, even though— Even though... she might refuse. To be coldly, mercilessly refused. “Woo—” For miles around, the beasts suddenly felt as if threatened, their fierce and violent aura rapidly deflating, leaving them cowering and quivering, scattered far and wide. The people fighting the beasts froze, not understanding what had happened, but they knew what to do— Advance into the Evil Spirit Mountain basin! There! The higher-level practitioners, some belonging to [Order], had already bypassed the unassuming beast tide, leading the way, as those previously trapped quickly broke free from the receding beasts and chased after them. The allure of the Yi Mei was infinitely more rousing than mere survival. Each person fantasized about being the one who seizes it. Perhaps others didn’t understand what transpired, ignorant of why the tide waned, but Lu Qie and Ye Ze closest to Gu Pei Jiu could vaguely sense it. That was Gu Pei Jiu’s stern aura, making the beasts shiver with fear. ...Senior Sister seems to be deep in thought, immersed while harboring anger, so much so that she forgot about her own aura spilling over and pushing away the frenzied beast tide. “...Senior Sister?” Lu Qie cautiously called out to Gu Pei Jiu, “Hey, everyone is moving forward, we…” Gu Pei Jiu paused, her handsome black eyes giving Lu Qie a detached glance, “Let’s go.” The cold, oppressive aura vanished at once. Gu Pei Jiu's face remained inscrutable, showing no sign of the might she’d inadvertently wielded to scatter the beast tide. Ye Ze glanced at Gu Pei Jiu, curious to ask if Xia Wu Yin had also arrived. But thoughts of the charming girl he saw playing the flute under the moonlight kept his words at bay. Setting aside these inquiries, the group moved forward with the tide of people. Lu Qie, who had little self-defense ability yet was skilled in alchemy, could concoct pills quickly and thus was brought along. "Hey, wasn’t there supposed to be a pretty junior sister coming along too? I’ve not seen her this whole way," he commented. Sensing Gu Pei Jiu's somber mood—understandable amid the bloodied forests filled with severed limbs—Lu Qie began to feel suffocated by the oppressive atmosphere. For him, life should be about seizing opportunities for happiness, and exchanging little bits of gossip could lighten the mood and be good for one's health. Thus, his distinguishable trait became his chattiness. Meanwhile, Gu Pei Jiu, who had just driven back the beast tide, was preoccupied with thoughts of Xia Ge, who, unbeknownst to her, had already ventured from Danfeng to roam the depths of the Evil Spirit Mountain. Gu Pei Jiu, unaware of this, was pondering what to expect after things settled here. Normally composed and cool-headed, these thoughts left her somewhat flustered, leaving Lu Qie’s prattling ignored. He didn't even deign to react with a facial expression. What should she do? If rejected, what then? She couldn't bring herself to force her. Yet couldn't let go either. Ye Ze, mired in the complexities of his own situation—having been convinced his brother might somehow turn into a girl, then realizing Xia Wu Yin had an uncanny resemblance to Qin Yue—struggled with seeing Xia Wu Yin’s shadow earlier. Thus, he found himself too distracted to bother with Lu Qie’s whimsical “pretty junior sister.” It seemed like he was speaking into the void. Touching his nose awkwardly, Lu Qie realized that his words might have made the atmosphere even more tense. However, that junior sister named Mao Qing, whom he’d encountered twice at the inn, was nowhere in sight now... Surely she hadn’t fallen to the beasts?! Hard to imagine—she was quite pretty, such a pity if she had been eaten. Lu Qie, struggling to keep himself safe, began to worry needlessly about others too. As they trekked along, they encountered several Lingxi Peak disciples. Spotting Gu Pei Jiu, these disciples immediately rallied around her like finding their anchor, breaking the stifling air. Finally, Lu Qie could engage freely, enthusiastically exchanging insights with the newfound Lingxi Danfeng companions. All while, Mao Qing, the very object of Lu Qie's concern, or rather, the instigator of everything unfolding, stood atop the highest peak of Evil Spirit Mountain, casually biting into juicy grapes, enjoying the spectacle unfolding below of humans battling the tide of beasts. Dressed in vibrant red, she languidly rose to her feet. Behind her knelt a man recently disarmed by the beasts. His clothes were in tatters, the marks of fangs visible, yet blood didn’t leak from his severed arm. Had Gu Pei Jiu been present, she would have detected the faint aura of an Earth-level beast emanating from his body. He was, indeed, the one responsible for starting the "Earth-level beast" panic. A modified puppet, implanted with an Earth-level beast crystal stone, bearing the soul of a human. "You did well," Su Chan praised, crushing a grape, its sugary juice slipping down her throat like lost love, closing her eyes contentedly. "Return and have your arm fixed." "Thank you, Cult Master." With that, the man withdrew. An unusual stillness ensued in the surroundings. Su Chan rose, her gaze sweeping over the scene as the throng wended deeper into the tortuous mountain range of Evil Spirit Mountain. Here, thick layers of fog and formations abounded, deadly beasts lingering. To discover the basin ringed by mountains along with— Su Chan narrowed her eyes slightly. Going recklessly forward leads nowhere. She retrieved a map; ancient, reconstructed after summoning the Evil Spirit Mountain, now transformed to depict the internal landscape of the mountain range. Illustratively detailing all the structures and laid formations within, with a pale white luminescence enveloping the mountain ranges. The legend indicated this light marked the boundary of territory protected by Zhen Hun at Evil Spirit Mountain. Beneath these winding lands, the world's most ferocious evil spirits lay suppressed—once representing an era where ghosts roamed unchecked, evil tides surged ceaselessly, humans perpetually living in fear. On this continent, they unleashed their malevolence, feeding on every living creature to sate impossible desires, appearing en masse like locusts, leaving nothing but blood and barren ground. Not even bones left behind. Some blurred through life, some lived for the day not the morrow, some indulged recklessly, others hid incessantly in crypts, for none knew when the vengeful tides might descend upon them. In those days, though the sky was blue, its terror rivaled the fear the night instilled. Because in the daylight, the sight of evil spirits devouring humans was even more gruesomely clear, making the world feel like hell. ...This was truly an era of the hundred ghosts. The period was known as, "The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons." A whole era living under the shadow of spirits, enveloped in grayness. That brief, horrific era, ended single-handedly by Xia Wushuang at Wu Yi Mountain. Su Chan's elegant fingers caressed the map, gently tracing circles around the pale white glow's edge. This glow stretched across nearly the entirety of Evil Spirit Mountain, showcasing the vast power of Zhen Hun—although that alone was nothing significant. Her fingertips tapped the map's central basin, protected by the surrounding mountains. A mountain near the basin was vividly marked in red with a small gold sigil inscribed atop. The sigil signified the seal, designed to contain the malevolent spirits. It was under this seal that the spirits were held at bay. Despite their malevolence, they were trapped without utter destruction. Zhen Hun’s aura could calm souls and contain evil spirits, yet evil that ruled for so long had power beyond easy subjugation. Though perhaps not of divine rank, many spirits reached semi-divine strengths. Five hundred years was neither long nor short, and relying solely on Zhen Hun and a spiritual mountain couldn't maintain an effortless vigil. Hence, Xia Wushuang crafted this celestial seal with her own blood to imprison the wicked spirits. By her unique talents, Evil Spirit Mountain pauses in places of spiritual veins to absorb and convert the spiritual energy, fueling the seal to ensure containment. Three layers safeguard: a spiritual mountain, a seal, and lastly, Zhen Hun. Zhen Hun's duty was to watch over the seal and release calming energy to ease uneased souls into slumber. Among these layers, if this critical seal were torn, then neither the mountain nor Zhen Hun would be more resilient than paper tigers, easily dismissed. Su Chan lightly stroked the small golden seal, a smile now both tantalizing and icy on her lips. Breaking the seal, releasing the spirits to wreak havoc and plunge the masses into suffering. For a fleeting moment, Su Chan remembered times long gone. She'd been born a descendant of both humans and gods, half-divine and half-mortal, raised in the celestial city. Upon learning of her divine lineage, people worshipped her as a human god. Yet true deities scorned her impure blood, refusing to recognize her. Those who worshipped her adored her, but the gods despised and cursed her, creating a faith fraught with both blessing and disaster. Part worship, part malevolent desire—she accepted it all. She had no distinction between good or evil; her divided divine soul remained untainted but bad deeds accumulated, and her human soul fell to corruption. She was motherless from an early age, unacknowledged by her divine father, leaving her unnamed and uninstructed in morality. To some she was a goddess of fortune, to others a harbinger of misfortune. She saved elders freezing on the roadside and cursed children to blindness and deafness. Centuries later, as her divine soul remained pure and kind, her human soul grew fraught with malice and filth. Driven by desire wreaking havoc with thoughts shifting, she could be a deity of blessing, or a spirit of disaster. Until the gods condemned her for indulgent followers, shackling her in unending dark dungeons, wracked with torment near madness— She couldn’t understand her wrongdoing. Whoever believed in her, she aided—is that wrong? Fulfilling her duty—was that wrong? She did not comprehend. Bound in chains, she pondered in agony: If only everyone could suffer. If doing one wrong deed from a lifetime of goodness renders one unforgivable, and a lone good deed from a lifetime of evil earns praise— This world is curious indeed. Why must she become a goddess of blessings? Why not embrace misfortune? As a harbinger of misfortune, she could rightfully avenge herself upon everyone, spreading suffering and teaching the world the sting of pain, bringing gods to their knees, unleashing storms to flood lands, diseases to ravage, tyrants to oppress—all would suffer as she had. Because she was a spirit of misfortune, so it was rightful. And none could accuse her of wrong. External desires cannot stain a divine soul; only belief and solitude could lead a deity to fall. She sensed the heavens cursed the gods, wishing for their downfall. Thus, she followed the heavenly will, praying for the twilight of gods. If successful, such deeds would transform her into a pure misfortune spirit. At that time, she thought, she was truly becoming a spirit of misfortune. Until one day. Until that person arrived amidst light, her hand slightly cool, her voice clear and gentle with slight bewilderment. The girl's forehead was burning, and her vision was blurred. The darkness of chaotic desire and disaster instincts devoured the purity of her divine soul. Her mind was disordered—she couldn't make out this person with cool hands. A...human. A human...a believer. "Are you my believer?" Her voice was hoarse, speaking in the ancient divine tongue, "I am the Harbinger..." I am the spirit of disaster. I am powerful, able to dry up oceans, invert stars, bring dusk upon gods by aligning with the heavenly will— If you're my follower, I can fulfill all your malevolent wishes. "You're sick," she heard the person say, "Are you in pain?" The heavy chains were removed. She felt like a child, embraced by this person, who had a tone strangely innocent and devoid of malice, muttering as if to herself, "Can gods fall ill?" She understood she was divine, yet unlike others who eagerly articulated their virtuous or vile desires. This person's embrace was warm. A spirit determined to cause calamity, who could wither lands and upheave stars, suddenly felt like she was nothing at all. Being a deity was lonely. The deities she met didn't acknowledge her, and her believers only cared for what they could gain from her. No one cared if she was ill. A proper deity would not fall ill—she heard her own raspy voice, "I'm not." She was a deity, the mightiest, unsullied by human blood, unlike filthy demigods. The other clearly didn't understand her language. Only priests could comprehend her words. Unlike new gods, she'd lived long and been imprisoned in the celestial dungeon equally long. She spoke the most ancient divine language and understood human languages, but no one had taught her to speak them. She hadn't the interest to learn. The person abruptly stood up, quite tall. The warmth was gone; the wind immediately turned cold. Instinctively, she reached to grasp their hem, only to withdraw when realizing what she'd done. She stood silently, too proud to ask or plead further.