[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary":3,"chapter-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-415":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","An Improper Monster Girl's Transformation Diary",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312344,4517,"Chapter 415","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-415",415,"\u003Cp>On the western edge of Elda Domain, a newly carved stretch of barren wasteland had just been crowned with a crude altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine massive dark-gray stones formed the altar’s base, painted with ancient star charts in pale, bone-colored pigment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue-glowing metal softened in the hiss of flames, poured gently along the altar’s surface, winding into intricate, ancient runes as it solidified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mysterious runes interwove, shimmering with a faint blue luminescence under the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive altar had three tiers, each slightly smaller than the one below, forming a stepped structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the top tier rested an irregular black shard—the fragment of the Spirit Pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Spirit Pool fragment was only a tiny portion of the original, it was by no means small—otherwise, Herbert couldn’t have bathed with Valentina inside it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its surface was pitted and uneven, emitting a strange, faint glow, yet radiating an aura of profound mystery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the altar’s enhancement, this aura swelled, shocking everyone present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the altar to communicate with the gods...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miser, invited to observe, had buried most of his body underground, leaving only half his head exposed like a stool, his miniature puppet perched atop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The puppet rubbed his chin and nodded thoughtfully: “No strong magical fluctuations detected, yet it still connects to the gods—how astonishing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had lived among humans for a long time and conducted many trades, she had little contact with the Divine Church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The True Gods’ Church would never accept someone like her, while too much contact with the Heretical Churches risked trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her first time witnessing a divine altar firsthand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What an eye-opener.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Joanna, a member of the Divine Church, was stunned by the sight—though her shock differed from Miser’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outsiders see the spectacle; insiders see the method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joanna couldn’t understand why such a crude altar could possibly work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miser assumed such simplicity was normal, finding nothing unusual about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in truth, even the lowest-tier altar was dozens of times more complex than this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No proper materials, no correct form—so crude it felt like the shamanic altar of some wild, false deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No materials, no proper form—it was so crude it made her think it was the shamanic altar of some wilderness false god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet precisely this altar—so simple it baffled Joanna—had genuinely connected to a god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she had prepared such an altar, the Ice Goddess wouldn’t just ignore her—she might even punish her afterward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The punishment? Probably six months of ignoring her prayers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why only six months, and not longer? Because by then, Hecathys herself would inevitably break the silence and reach out to Joanna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, within six months, the Ice Goddess would inevitably break the ice herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t ask why—ask why cats who are goddesses behave this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Petting cats is an art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you please it today, it might ignore you tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if you ignore it for too long, it will trot over, tail raised, rubbing against your calves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with such goddesses works the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actively pleasing Her might earn affection—or dislike—you never know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if you ignore Her for long enough, She’ll likely come to you herself, wondering what’s going on with you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, easy to say—but not everyone has the courage or right to do this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you anger a cat, it might scratch you, leave a mark, give you a vaccine, and bleed a bit—that’s all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If worse comes to worst, you can give it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But goddesses in this world truly deliver divine punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember: goddesses are usually vengeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And cat-like goddesses with poor brains are the worst of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joanna certainly didn’t have the courage to tease the Ice Goddess—she didn’t want to lose Her favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, secretly wanting to switch allegiance to the Winter Goddess was another matter entirely—that was about progress!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, her inner desire to switch allegiance to the Goddess of Winter was another matter entirely—that was about progress!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Joanna sighed deeply, attributing the miracle to two words—favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert was loved by the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bore a level of favor she could scarcely imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemingly harmless, white-haired boy was deeply cherished by the deity he served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemingly harmless white-haired boy was deeply loved by the deity he served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, the priestess squad shared the same thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gazed at Herbert’s tall, upright figure with sincere admiration and envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Envious of this extravagant favor, awed that he possessed the right to be favored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine favor never comes without reason—Herbert must possess qualities they didn’t see but the gods admired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deity’s favor never comes without reason; on Herbert, there must be some quality unknown to them but admired by the deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the squad, the divine favored one, Eunil, stood out—her expression different from the others, lips slightly parted, eyes blinking rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Winter Goddess now turned her gaze toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even She was awed by the favor bestowed upon Herbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This favor surpassed even the limits of a divine favored one—nearly approaching that granted to a divine child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a god’s own offspring—especially the most beloved one—would receive such devotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But She had already confirmed: Herbert carried no trace of divine blood—he was no descendant of any god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert was not a divine child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why was he so deeply favored?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mystery made the Winter Goddess even more curious about Herbert’s secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was truly intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good, boy—you’ve successfully drawn my attention again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to avoid alarming him, Euphemia concealed herself even more carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, She had no desire to provoke direct conflict with the unknown deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether She would later step forward to claim Herbert depended on future developments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll need to have Eunil interact more with Herbert—their bond isn’t close enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Winter Goddess wanted Eunil to grow closer to Herbert, She wouldn’t manipulate her body to force it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm... let her keep nurturing her friendship with Teresa—they’re already good friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With this trajectory, she’ll naturally have more contact with Herbert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this rate, she will naturally have more contact with Herbert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, one person among the stunned onlookers was exempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert stared at the altar, lips slightly curled, unimpressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch. Feels kinda underwhelming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ideally, the altar’s materials should’ve been higher-grade magical components.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like replacing ordinary stone with purified obsidian soaked in Frost Giant blood, or swapping the star-chart pigment for magic ink made from dragon bone powder...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert had originally planned exactly that—wasn’t that bold?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But later, he gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High EQ version: Herbert was an animal rights advocate—he refused to kill innocent creatures for his own convenience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The high-emotional-intelligence way to put it: Herbert is an animal rights advocate—he refuses to kill innocent lives for his own selfish gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With limited resources, he had to make do with what was available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this summoning, the crucial part wasn’t the “channel” to the gods—it was everything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need the altar to communicate with the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the god was already here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had long since turned her gaze here—actually, she’d never left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it not been for discretion, Herbert wouldn’t have prepared any altar at all—he could’ve had Nenesha summon the spirits directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This “summoning” altar was just for show—to avoid frightening others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This “summoning” altar was merely for show, to avoid scaring others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert hesitated, then asked inwardly: “Hey, isn’t this a bit stingy? Should we add something more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he felt this might be too half-hearted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he wondered if this whole thing was a bit too half-hearted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert was mercilessly roasted by Nenesha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“What are you talking about?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenesha snapped back: 【“Enough already. It’s not even a big ceremony—just summoning a few spirits. Why make it so complicated?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha replied irritably: “Enough already—it’s not even an important ritual, just awakening a few spirits. Why make it so complicated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert pouted inwardly: “I was just trying to create some ceremony, give you some emotional value, you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert curled his lips and muttered to himself: “Aw, I wasn’t trying to chase some sense of ceremony—I was just trying to give you some emotional value.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this nonsense about the first cup of milk tea of autumn, heartfelt little gifts for Valentine’s Day, year-end summaries, heartfelt confessions on anniversaries…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aren’t these all the emotional value you’re after?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“I already said I don’t need any of it.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, Miss Xie Shen, who had never fallen into the trap of consumerism, ignored Herbert’s goodwill and punched his “moral coercion” right back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“What emotional value? What sense of ritual? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She dismissed it carelessly: 【“Besides, it’s for me—not anyone else. If I think it’s fine, isn’t that enough?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert thought about it, and realized the wording was crude but the logic held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the one receiving the gift hadn’t complained—why should the one giving it obsess over it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He softly said, “Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the principle was one thing, but being rejected despite good intentions made it hard to feel happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“…”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing Herbert’s low spirits, Nie Nasa hesitated, then unusually explained: 【“Herbert, I’m not complaining to you—this truly isn’t necessary.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“If you really want to give me something in the future, of course you may—I’ll accept it gladly.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Herbert wished to give her a gift, Nie Nasa would gladly accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intention matters. No one dislikes someone who cares. No one dislikes the feeling of being loved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that intention must be used where it counts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most important thing about giving gifts isn’t moving yourself—it’s whether the recipient likes it or needs it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Writing a ten-thousand-word essay to confess your love, exhausting yourself to appear deeply romantic, is nothing but a trick to fool children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, such a gift brings far less satisfaction than one that actually meets the recipient’s need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving what they truly desire—that’s the real key to gift-giving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, someone who truly loves you will never unreservedly accept your one-sided sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ll feel pity for your effort, be moved by your intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, they’ll respond in kind, offering you equal return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with hollow words or cheap, careless trinkets to brush you off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“But I hope you choose something else—not these meaningless rituals.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Rather than waste resources on useless things, I’d rather you use them on yourself—to improve your strength quickly and fulfill our promise sooner.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert blinked, surprised he’d just been lectured by Nie Nasa on this matter. He nodded helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… since you put it that way… fine, I’ll do as you say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged helplessly: “You’re the boss here now. Since it’s for you, you decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert didn’t get angry—in fact, he found the situation rather amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t actually felt upset earlier; he’d just been at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after Nie Nasa carefully explained it all, he felt oddly unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is weird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is she acting so proper, so virtuous and maternal all of a sudden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where’s my usual irresponsible little female demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Give her back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever you are, get out of Nie Nasa’s body right now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if hearing Herbert’s inner cry, Nie Nasa—who had just been in virtuous mode—immediately broke character and returned to her true Xie Shen nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hehe~ That’s right! I’m the boss!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a cute, peculiar noise, smugly humming, then quickly asked: 【“How’s that? Moved? Did you suddenly fall in love with me?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Did you? Did you?!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In good spirits, Herbert readily agreed: “Love it, love it, madly in love.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“See how much my acting improved! Hehe! Hahaha!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed triumphantly, as if she could no longer pretend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the wild, triumphant laughter in his mind, Herbert’s lips curled slightly, and he softly laughed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given how adorable Nie Nasa had been this time, he’d let it slide that he’d noticed her voice sounded a little guilty and shy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that she couldn’t keep up the act—it was that she’d suddenly realized what she’d just done, and was now laughing to hide her embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert was kind-hearted—he’d let her little trick slide this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the darkening sky and nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, time’s about right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nearly the dusk hour Nie Nasa had requested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hahaha, cough cough… yeah, I’m ready. We can start anytime.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head, nodded with a smile at the half-horse lady standing quietly beside him, clutching a cloth sack: “Sophia, go—awaken your people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sophia bowed low and replied respectfully: “As you command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked slowly to the altar, opened the sack, and poured its contents out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, amber-colored soul crystals, shimmering with tiny silver sparks, slid from the sack and gently fell into the pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the soul crystals touched the water, the entire altar shuddered violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once-still runes blazed to life like torches ignited, their light racing along the rune paths, spreading rapidly across the barren land around the altar, forcing the onlookers to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the final soul crystal was cast in, the Spirit Pool erupted in a blinding flash of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light shot skyward like a colossal pillar, dispersing the mist and illuminating the wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stared, stunned—none had expected such a spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those shocked by this upheaval were far more than just those present!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the light faded quickly and spread no farther than a few li,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at the very moment it appeared, deep within the heart of the Mist Mountains, several figures jolted upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They vaguely sensed something—and instantly turned their gazes toward the light’s origin, as if piercing through layers of mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those ancient, lifeless eyes suddenly came alive, blazing with intensity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions burned with the fervor of lost wanderers who’d finally glimpsed the beacon guiding their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That feeling again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Lord…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you still there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Lord!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stirred with excitement, ready to rush toward the light, to welcome their god’s return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as they prepared to move, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on them—they all froze simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood motionless, lost in thought, hesitant—then gradually fell silent, the fire in their eyes slowly dimming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been disappointed too many times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They no longer wished to be disappointed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, in their hearts, other thoughts lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many years had passed—the god was no longer the god of old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they… were no longer who they once were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“…Huh? None of you came?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nie Nasa silently sensed their reactions, unsurprised, and let out two cold laughs: 【“Heh, you lot, wait. You’ll regret this.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t surprised by their “betrayal,” but neither was she pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She understood their reasoning—but still could not forgive their choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she was a goddess who held grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Nie Nasa was in a good mood—rarely, she’d extended an olive branch, offering divine favor, giving them a chance to repent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew they’d completely reject it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You all wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the time comes, I’ll make you all pay a terrible price!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Forget them. Now, back to business.”】 Nie Nasa grumbled inwardly—much work remained undone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She melted down the discarded soul crystals, reshaped them, and awakened the slumbering wills within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the change began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dissolving beam of light shattered into countless tiny specks, gathering in midair to form a massive light cocoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cocoon continuously expanded, as if breathing with a life of its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, accompanied by a low rumble, the cocoon suddenly shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack! Crack! Crack! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless rays of light rained outward like falling meteors, as if a brilliant shower of blossoms had descended from the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the light, dozens of figures gradually emerged—silent spirits of the fallen, awakening once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wore different garments: some clad in armor, others in long mage robes, still others in leather armor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, though they retained human forms, none were human—they were all non-human races.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elves, dwarves, halflings… and among them, two centaur spirits identical to Sophia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their power was not great; the strongest were merely Gao Jie, none having reached the Legendary realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when gathered together, their collective impact far surpassed that of a single Legendary warrior!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their eyes remained closed, standing quietly upon the altar, the air around them trembled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For they were not mortals—they were the will of the gods!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle breeze brushed past, causing the closed-eyed spirits to slowly open their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who awakened me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They opened their eyes slowly, gazing in confusion at the long-lost world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirits felt they had forgotten much, yet still remembered the emptiness before their slumber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had once been unwilling, unwilling to sink into such deep sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the spirits’ gazes halted—they saw a stranger’s figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tall, slender youth stood quietly beneath the dim twilight, smiling gently at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though his appearance had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They still recognized that figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a word or command, the spirits leapt from the altar and knelt before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the god they would follow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though His form had changed, though they had forgotten their past,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they would still steadfastly follow Him, bowing at His feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My Lord…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirits wept with tearful joy, heads bowed, sobbing softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have finally returned!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had not been abandoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god still lovingly cherished them, these lost lambs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Returned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-haired, gray-eyed god lowered his gaze, looking down at the prostrate servants, and smiled faintly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, this is far from a return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This return paled in comparison to the future he had once promised Nena Sha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet, though it is still far from enough,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert smiled faintly, whispering to himself: “But at least, I’ve taken another step toward my goal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2968,"2026-06-20T12:31:07.945Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cf7df7edc05ab92ab985290ffdf05ccf17dbbdfb57eb7484cf0e37e89de6fc67","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-416","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-414",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]