Chapter 226: Aoding's Plan?

Through the Rainbow Bridge, the magnificent sights of Asgard slowly unfolded before Yu Lin's eyes.

The divine realm floated above the clouds, its golden‑and‑jade palaces glittering in the eternal light.

Aoding's Hall of Heroic Spirits, Valhalla, rose into the clouds, its roof covered with pure‑gold shields, walls built of spears, and seats draped with exquisite armor.

In the distance, the endless Ida Plain stretched out, where the Gods often gathered to duel and discuss matters.

Faintly visible, the massive trunk of the World Tree Yuketraxir pierced the heavens and the earth.

The Rainbow Bridge resembled a flowing, multicolored crystal avenue, beneath which lay the cosmic abyss where stars swirled.

Yu Lin followed the Valkyrie along the Rainbow Bridge and suddenly asked:

"May I know which Valkyrie you are?"

The Valkyrie turned her head toward him, her golden hair fluttering in the rainbow light, revealing a handsome and beautiful face.

She smiled faintly: "It's all right, I am Bu Lun Xi Er De."

Yu Lin understood at once—this was the Valkyrie who later fell into a slumber and was awakened by the dragon‑slayer hero Qi Ge Lu De.

Recalling her tragic fate, Yu Lin, to show his gratitude for her guidance, was about to say a few words, when Bu Lun Xi Er De suddenly quickened her pace and walked ahead.

It seemed he could not be warned.

Yu Lin let the idea go, pondering that he could give her something else later.

Ahead on the Rainbow Bridge, a deity stood like a statue.

He wielded a massive sword engraved with a human face, his mouth full of golden teeth flashing in the rainbow light, and his jade‑white skin seemed never to have been touched by time.

Around his waist hung a mysterious horn—the Heimdall.

"Heimdall," Bu Lun Xi Er De said respectfully:

"This is the warrior I will bring to the Hall of Heroic Spirits."

Heimdall's gaze fell on Yu Lin; those eyes that could see through the Nine Realms examined him closely, as if assessing the cause of his death in battle.

A moment later, he smiled, his golden teeth sparkling:

"Asgard welcomes your joining."

"Please tell me, what is your name?"

Yu Lin replied with a smile: "I am Ares."

Heimdall nodded: "Ares, please proceed."

He stepped aside to clear the way, and Yu Lin and Bu Lun Xi Er De continued forward.

The two kept moving forward until they stepped down from the Rainbow Bridge onto Asgard's soil; only then did Yu Lin truly arrive at the ultimate home coveted by countless Viking warriors—Asgard.

The number of deities already residing in Asgard was not large; most of those they encountered along the way were the chosen ones or those who had been granted permission to come.

Bu Lun Xi Er De and the others were not unfamiliar; Yu Lin's fresh face sparked their curiosity.

But they weren't overly curious, for upon seeing Bu Lun Xi Er De they knew many more heroic spirits were about to join Asgard.

Especially those who had arrived in this manner usually offered Yu Lin friendly smiles.

Until they reached the Hall of Heroic Spirits.

Bu Lun Xi Er De led Yu Lin straight inside.

Inside, many heroic spirits were already seated, enjoying fine wine and food at the long table.

Seeing Yu Lin arrive, they immediately invited him to join the feast.

But Yu Lin's gaze did not linger on them; it fell on the figure seated at the front.

It was a towering red‑haired giant, clad in chainmail and a scarlet cloak.

His face bore a bristling beard, his eyes sharp as thunder, a magical belt at his waist, and iron‑plated gloves—he was the thunder god Thor.

At this moment, Thor was wielding the thunder god's hammer Miao Er Ni Er, letting the hammer support a cup of fine wine and slowly bring it to his lips.

Perhaps sensing Yu Lin's gaze, he lifted his eyes to meet Yu Lin's, surprise flashing in his eyes.

Thor rose instantly, strode to Yu Lin's side, and asked in puzzlement:

"Why does your aura feel so familiar to me?"

"Who are you?"

Yu Lin thought the aura might be Luoqi, but did not reveal it, merely smiling:

"I am Ares."

"I'm sorry, I have no idea what familiar aura you speak of."

"Ares," Thor nodded, noting it, and introduced himself:

"I am the thunder god Thor."

"Brave warrior, Asgard welcomes your joining."

"If you encounter any difficulties, you may seek me; I will offer you assistance."

After the polite exchange, he patted Yu Lin's shoulder, turned, drained the wine from the hammer in one gulp, and strode out of the Hall of Heroic Spirits.

Yu Lin watched his departing back, then suddenly turned to Bu Lun Xi Er De and asked:

"Will I have a chance to meet the great Aoding?"

"I'm sorry," Bu Lun Xi Er De shook her head, a look of regret on her face:

"The God King disappeared long ago; now the one temporarily presiding over Asgard is a clone he created before his departure."

"But seeing his clone is no different from seeing him himself."

So Aoding truly vanished... just a clone... No wonder he perished in the Twilight of the Gods.

But... could this not be Aoding's preemptive measure, foreseeing the Twilight of the Gods?

He even allowed Christianity to invade the Human World's faith; thus both the Divine Realm and the Human World would fade, which for him is essentially another form of death.

Just as Zeus, knowing he would be supplanted by his youngest child, kept birthing children endlessly.

Never mind, I'll look for the answer later.

Yu Lin suppressed the thoughts in his mind, then nodded and said, "I understand."

"Then what should I do next?"

Bulunxierde gave a slight smile: "You don't need to do anything."

"In Asgard, you will receive eternal life and inexhaustible food and drink."

"You only need to maintain your strength and maintain your bravery."

"Enjoy it well."

"If you have anything, you can go over there to find me."

She raised her hand and pointed outside to a place that looked utterly mismatched with her beautiful appearance, even a somewhat rough and wild house.

Yu Lin nodded: "Okay, I understand."

"If you have something, you can also come find me; maybe I can help you."

Upon hearing that, Bulunxierde laughed heartily: "Good, I'll remember what you said."

"Goodbye."

She turned and walked toward her house.

This Valkyrie possesses a strong personal will and compassion.

When she saw the two sides fighting, she would, according to her judgment, multiple times grant victory to the side she considered "more worthy of victory" or "more brave."

And this side was exactly the one that Aoding did not want to win.

Yu Lin felt that in order for Asgard to obtain the maximum advantage in the Twilight of the Gods,

Aoding might need a certain king or hero to die in battle, so as to have their soul enter the Hall of Heroic Spirits, thereby strengthening the divine realm's combat power.

Her doing this was just ruining Aoding's plan.

As a result, Aoding stripped her of her divinity, cast her down to the mortal world, plunged her into slumber, and cursed her to eventually marry.

This can be seen as laying the groundwork for her tragic ending later.

Just as Yu Lin was pondering, Luoqi's voice sounded in his ear:

"Hey, stop looking. If you want a woman, I'll find you a prettier one later."

"Now go over there; that is Loki's residence."