Chapter 422: Crossroads of Fate (12)

Grey City suburbs.

After encountering the Annihilation Goddess again, Luosen noticed some changes in the details.

Last time, he could only vaguely sense the Annihilation Goddess's probing, but could not determine its exact location.

Then, he was clearly suppressed by it.

But this time, he not only clearly felt the Annihilation Goddess's arrival, he also clearly felt her position, and even vaguely sensed that the Annihilation Goddess had not noticed his exact location.

In other words, this time his insight surpassed hers.

He immediately understood: "It's the advantage given by my divine fire."

His divine fire's strength is naturally far inferior to the Annihilation Goddess's true form, but the Annihilation Goddess's true form is in a distant other world, while he is here locally.

With this mutual increase and decrease, Luosen instead suppressed the Annihilation Goddess's mortal incarnation.

"Since the power has changed, the strategy for dealing with the Annihilation Goddess should also be adjusted."

After careful consideration, Luosen reached a conclusion.

"Her true form can't come over, and the power supply to her incarnation is slow; she's essentially just a greater true god apostle."

"Perhaps she has some strange means, but I now have the advantage in perception, thus also the initiative, so there's nothing to fear about this Annihilation Goddess."

"Because once he gains the initiative, unless her power completely overwhelms him, he is likely to secure final victory."

"Of course, the Annihilation Goddess is ultimately an inscrutable Five-ring Supreme. Unless necessary, I also don't need to rush to break with her."

Thus, Luosen stayed fully on guard, pretending to have detected the Annihilation Goddess but without pinpointing her.

He waited like that for half a minute before the Annihilation Goddess located his position and quickly approached him.

Three minutes later, she arrived beside Luosen, who looked at her warily.

"Great One, it's an honor to meet you."

Feiliqisi nodded lightly, walked to stand beside Luosen, and gazed at Natali, who was leaning against a tree and panting not far away.

"The young lady of Dawn Eye, under 35, has already reached a 15-ring soul; she's a very promising mortal, qualified to become my core apostle."

Luosen looked reluctant: "Great One, she was the one I first took a liking to, and I spent effort to turn her."

Feiliqisi nodded: "I know, but in matters of faith, mortals have the freedom to choose; gods can guide but not compel."

Luosen understood the implicit meaning in her words:

"The Great One means we each go to introduce our own ideas to her, then let her choose freely?"

"Exactly."

Luosen knew there was no problem with what she said, because the gathering of source substance comes from the recognition of ideas.

Followers obtained by force can only be slaves, not core apostles; therefore, unless we break with Feiliqisi now, we can only accept her suggestion.

Shall we break with her then?

Of course not.

His divine fire hasn't finished improvement, his core divine technique hasn't been created, and his source substance accumulation isn't enough; in short, time is on his side, so there's no need to break with her over the gains and losses of a few soldiers.

So he lightly nodded: "Alright, then let Miss Natali choose for herself."

The Annihilation Goddess lightly waved her hand, mobilizing divine power to trigger an ordinary divine technique.

In an instant, the imperial guard battle mages chasing Natali all froze in place, like statues.

But upon closer look, one would see these battle mages were merely trapped by an ultra-high-intensity time-space stagnation technique.

"Let's go."

The Annihilation Goddess led the way toward Natali, with Luosen closely following.

Soon, the two appeared before Natali, standing respectively on her left and right.

"Who are you?"

On Natali's face, covered in ash, a hint of despair showed.

The Annihilation Goddess spoke first: "I am the Annihilation God Feiliqisi, Savior of the End Times, Guardian of Mortals' Fate."

Luosen then spoke: "I am the Sun War God Luosen, the sun that bestows light upon the mortal world, the warrior who renews the world, the guide of chaotic fate."

Natali didn't expect such an answer; her eyes first showed a hint of confusion, but then she understood.

"You are the mysterious powerhouses behind the Doomsday God Cult and the Dragon Mountain Brotherhood!"

"That's right." The Annihilation Goddess and Luosen answered in unison.

Natali snorted coldly: "Stop pretending to be gods, tell me which big shot on Thus line: Yueliangcheng you serve."

The Annihilation Goddess focused her mind, revealing horrifying black hole eyes, with swirling, captivating light around them like a massive accretion disk.

A detached voice sounded next, like the judgment of fate.

"I am a true god from the divine realm; I serve no mortal. In my eyes, mortals have no high or low, noble or base distinctions."

Natali couldn't bear this; her mind and spirit shuddered violently: "True god... in the world there actually exists such a great will."

She had been leaning against the tree to rest, but now she could no longer bear it; her body uncontrollably slid down, and she instinctively wanted to kneel and worship.

But just as she slid a little, a strong arm reached from the side to support her body, and a voice entered her ear.

"True god and mortal are both life; their essence is no different."

"The true god is the pioneer ahead; mortals are the followers behind."

"The god lights the road ahead, while mortals follow the light forward."

"Though mortals are tiny, they are the seeds of the true god; though the true god is great, it also needs mortals' support."

The voice was gentle, like a trickling stream flowing into Natali's heart, granting her courage to face the Annihilation Goddess, the strong arm that steadied her body, and giving her a sense of stable reliance.

This young lady had defected from Dawn Eye and then fled alone in the wilderness for four or five hours, her mind and spirit full of confusion and fear.

At this moment, she felt a deep warmth from that arm, as if drawing near the winter sun.

She re-stabilized her sliding body and instinctively leaned toward Luosen's body

The Annihilation Goddess furrowed her brows slightly and whispered to Luosen, "A god should not use their body to touch mortals."

Luosen whispered back, "You should not oppress mortals' souls with your great power." The Annihilation Goddess stared deeply at Luosen, her eyes radiating even greater pressure, as if embodying the ultimate destiny that devours all.

Luosen met her gaze without any hesitation.

Three seconds later, the terrifying black hole in the Annihilation Goddess's eyes gradually faded.

"Very well, we shall persuade her purely with words."

"As you wish."

Luosen also released Na Ta Li, stepped back a pace, and continued standing shoulder to shoulder with the Annihilation Goddess.

On the other side, Na Ta Li's gaze shifted back and forth between the two mysterious figures ahead, her confusion deepening.

But she had already confirmed one thing: these two were most likely unrelated to Yueliangcheng and were probably terrifying beings far stronger than mortals, for they possessed a pure aura that mortals lack.

Her confusion stemmed from not understanding their intentions.

After watching for a while, she spoke, "I don't understand. Why would great ones like you seek me?"

The Annihilation Goddess replied, "We both wish to change Grey City's situation, but each has their own method. Thus I founded the Apocalypse Cult, while this gentleman Luosen chose the Dragon Mountain Brotherhood."

Luosen continued, "We hope you will join us, but which side you join is your own choice."

Na Ta Li began to understand, paused thoughtfully, and looked at the Annihilation Goddess, "Fei Li Qi Si, I would like to ask, how do you intend to change Grey City's situation?"

"I will have everyone in Grey City adopt my new order, and within that order build a new city."

Na Ta Li furrowed her brow, "Do you intend to rule Grey City?"

"No, I will not partake in direct governance of Grey City. Whoever follows my order can become the lord of Grey City."

Na Ta Li understood and said, "You want to raise an obedient dog in Grey City, just like Yueliangcheng?"

The Annihilation Goddess replied coolly, "Your wording is crude, but you are correct."

Na Ta Li inhaled deeply and asked, "Then how does it differ from the current Grey City?"

"Of course there is a difference."

The Annihilation Goddess began to explain.

"The true evil in the world lies not in the method of rule, but in the details of rule, in each specific law."

"I will forbid killing, forbid cannibalism, forbid the strong from arbitrarily oppressing the weak, and guide people's talents toward production and construction rather than consumption and destruction, to create a stable, orderly city."

These words greatly reduced Na Ta Li's inner resistance.

She turned to Luosen, "Then, great Sun War God Luosen, how do you intend to change things?"

Because of the recent events, she felt an inexplicable fondness for Luosen.

Luosen said only, "I intend to reforge the splendor of the Eternal Empire."

Na Ta Li's heart fluttered, "Can that be done?"

"History has already shown this is feasible; all we need do is recreate history."

That simple sentence once again strongly persuaded Na Ta Li.

She felt her heart pounding, hot blood coursing rapidly, and almost without hesitation said,

"I choose to follow you, great Sun War God Luosen."

Luosen smiled in reply, "Miss Na Ta Li, I am honored to receive your allegiance."

After saying that, Luosen glanced at the Annihilation Goddess beside him.

"Great Fei Li Qi Si, since Miss Na Ta Li has chosen her future path, we should depart as well."

The Annihilation Goddess's expression remained indifferent, but a faint displeasure flickered in the depths of her black eyes.

Nevertheless, she ultimately kept the original agreement.

She looked at Na Ta Li and said coldly, "Mortal, since you choose to stand opposite me, from now on we are enemies."

Mid‑speech, she thought a thought, released the Guard Warrior's control, stepped back, and vanished into the air.

Na Ta Li still vividly recalled the terrifying soul pressure, her spirit shuddered, and she instinctively turned to look at Luosen beside her.

Luosen smiled gently, "Miss Na Ta Li, the process of reforging splendor will inevitably be fraught with hardships."

"Only by traversing rugged mountain paths can one reach the summit and behold its scenery."

As he spoke, Luosen raised his hand, lightly patting her, and placed upon her a Ring of Radiant Soul Protection and a Queen's Ring that grants great power.

"Press on, Miss Na Ta Li, I will always protect you."

After saying that, he stepped back and vanished into the air.

The soul link between deity and follower is rarely instantaneous; it solidifies only after continual adjustment.

Thus, the future is long.

On the other side, Na Ta Li felt the newly acquired immense power, recalling the brief, wondrous experience, and felt as if she were living in a dream.

She gently stroked the powerful artifact on her wrist and silently called, "Great Sun War God, are you still there?"

Immediately, she clearly felt a magnificent, warm great will slowly approaching her soul.

"Unless you abandon me, I will walk with you forever."

Na Ta Li felt completely at ease, a wonderfully unprecedented emotion swelling within her.

Driven by that feeling, she couldn't help but shout, "No, I will never abandon you, never!"

In response came a series of gentle smiles, like winter sunshine.

This fully cemented Na Ta Li's resolve.

On the other side, Luosen clearly felt a massive influx of primordial essence toward him, tinged with a fresh, naive affection.

He chuckled inwardly, "Tsk—when I have free time, I'll go pick that little white flower."

For now, however, he must focus on forging the most powerful divine art possible.

Because he vaguely sensed that the Annihilation Goddess had already begun to doubt him.

(End of chapter)