Having left the grand conference hall, I found myself standing on the stone steps, a faint dizziness clouding my senses.
As Lavishly Karafar and the others emerged behind me, I turned to them, a touch of melancholy in my voice. “Lavishly, Xilinka, Mifeier, Liu Han, and Qianyue,” I began, “what are your thoughts on this matter?”
Lavishly Karafar lowered her gaze, contemplating for a moment. “My family is one of the factions supporting the Tianqi Legacy,” she explained.
“Perhaps this was arranged by them long ago, to suddenly place me into Tianqi Academy.” A playful smile curved her lips as she finished, even giving a quick flick of her tongue.
Xilinka’s sapphire eyes remained utterly placid as she replied directly, “I have no desire to answer such a meaningless question.”
What did she mean by that? I genuinely couldn’t grasp her words.
Lavishly Karafar chuckled, offering an explanation. “Xilinka will certainly support you. Whether it’s you or I, we are, after all, on the same team. Furthermore, Xilinka has no reservations, so her support for you is naturally assured.”
Upon hearing this, Mifeier nodded vigorously. “Sister Xilinka will definitely support Sister Ye, and since my mother is a teacher at Tianqi Academy, I will, of course, support you too!”
From the side, Qianyue lifted her eyes. “I am originally from the Land of Disorder; supporting you is only natural,” she stated, her tone as frigid as ever.
Liu Han simply shrugged. “I am your agent. If I don’t support you, then what purpose do I serve?”
“Then… then, thank you all.” I bowed deeply. They hadn’t offered any opinions on my candidacy, merely stating their unwavering support.
It seemed that because of me, they too would be drawn into this considerable upheaval. The thought filled me with profound guilt.
Just then, my gaze drifted to the other side of the stone steps, where Yin lay sprawled on the adjacent lawn, soundly asleep.
A sudden urge to lighten my mood washed over me.
Hmm… I mused, deciding a small prank was in order. With light, stealthy steps, I tiptoed towards Yin.
As I neared Yin, just as I reached out to pinch his nose, my hand was suddenly seized. His grip tightened, exerting unexpected force.
Startled by this sudden turn of events, I instinctively pulled back with equal force. The result? I was yanked down onto the lawn, sprawling face-first, while he…
“Hiss—” From beneath the stone steps, Yin gasped, drawing in sharp, cold breaths. Moments ago, I had inadvertently sent him tumbling onto the steps, from where he’d rolled all the way down with a series of muffled thuds.
I scrambled up from the lawn, casting a worried glance downwards. Beside me, Lavishly Karafar and Liu Han were already doubled over with laughter.
Lavishly Karafar managed to say between giggles, “Little Mengmeng, you truly are something else!”
Xilinka merely stared impassively in the direction where Yin had fallen, then thoughtfully lowered her head. Mifeier, on the other hand, gazed with concern at Yin, who was still gasping for air on the ground.
After all, without the augmentation of divine power, a deity’s physical body was only marginally stronger than that of an ordinary person.
I quickly jogged down the steps, kneeling beside Yin.
[Divine Art: Heal]
Yin waved a dismissive hand. “No need, it’s nothing serious, just a bit sore.” He then reconsidered, a look of profound displeasure on his face. “Little one, why were you so ruthless?”
“It—it’s not my fault! You suddenly startled me,” I mumbled, a hint of guilt in my voice.
“You blame me? Weren’t you trying to play a trick on me?” Yin clicked his tongue.
I offered an awkward laugh, eager to change the subject. “By the way, I can answer your previous question now. It seems I really am that… ‘God-Lord Candidate’…
Yin merely rolled his eyes at me. “I figured that out long ago. Otherwise, why would I bother? Saving you for no reason? I’m an assassin, not a saint.”
I found myself in an awkward silence once more. It was then that Xilinka slowly spoke. “Perhaps you should consider what you intend to do next.”
Oh, right. Instructor Leixar did tell me to explore on my own, so…
Suddenly, recalling the words of the golden phantom, I asked, “By the way, Mr. Yin, do you know where the God-Shattered Land is?”
Yin paused at the mention of the name, then frowned. “The God-Shattered Land? I don’t know how you heard of it, but it’s inaccessible now.”
“Inaccessible?” I exclaimed, surprised. “Wh-why?”
Yin sighed. “The power of divine demise is inherently immense. Imagine the destructive force if countless deities were to perish there.”
I nodded. “But then, why can’t we go there?”
“Allowing such power to run rampant would cause immense destruction to the Land of Disorder, a world already chaotic in its very nature. That is why the Heavenly Capital Empress, before her disappearance, sealed off that entire region,” Yin explained.
Was there truly no way? If that phantom had urged me to go, there must be a solution… But what could it be?