Karin's mouth twisted into a pout.
Tears welled in her eyes, not from sadness but from sheer indignation. She was only sixteen—how could anyone expect her to understand matters like this? Teasing her in such a cruel way was unbearable.
Deep inside, doubt gnawed at her. Was God even real?
Her whole childhood had been shaped by relentless doctrine, brainwashed into her from the moment she could remember. The Holy See raised her to believe she was chosen, that she was above mere mortals. Her holy light spells—so natural to her—had only reinforced the conviction. Over time, she truly believed the Lord existed.
And yet… here she was. Captured. Bound. Abandoned.
If God is real, why doesn't He come to save me?
"Give it up." Catherine's voice dripped with mocking sweetness. "God doesn't exist at all. In three days, you'll be my sacrifice. Little sister, when you reach the upper realm, make sure you put in a good word for your big sister, won't you~?"
"Even if I ascend," Karin snapped back fiercely, "I'll drown you in filth and lies!"
The defiance only made Catherine laugh. She didn't care at all. With a casual wave of her hand, she turned her back on the girl.
Her silhouette vanished into the shadows—elegant, terrifying, untouchable.
Within the World of God's Domain
Since Bai Suzhen had departed for Taoist Wonderland two days prior, the Divine Realm had been silent.
Yao Yao knew why.
It was the Eternal God's ultimatum. Unless one surrendered completely—body, heart, and soul—one would remain trapped here, alone and forsaken, until death.
"So… this is what You demand?" she murmured to herself.
She rose slowly, unclasped her flowing robes, and stepped naked into the Heavenly Lake of Radiant Light.
The water shimmered like liquid stars, cleansing her body and soul alike. With each ripple she washed away not only the dust of the flesh but the pride that had chained her spirit.
What is sincerity?
It was not merely words, nor shallow obeisance. It was the total surrender of the self—the shattering of arrogance, the kneeling of both body and soul.
When she emerged, steam clung to her skin like mist. She dried herself, then sat upon a boulder, legs tucked beneath her.
For the first time in her life, she began to adorn herself.
Her lips she painted with pale-pink gloss, extracted from the petals of fairy peaches. She wound her long black hair into a coil, secured with a green branch. She polished her nails and anointed her skin with incense pressed from strange blossoms.
It took two hours of meticulous care.
At last, she flew upward, soaring until she reached the pinnacle of Taoist Wonderland. There she knelt, facing the radiant sun.
Her voice trembled with reverence.
"Great Eternal God… Yao Yao acknowledges her sins. From this day forth, I surrender my body, my soul, and my heart. Please forgive the arrogance I once held."
She pressed her forehead to the earth, not daring to rise.
Time stretched. One day. Two. Three.
Then at last, before her appeared a shimmering Gate of Light.
"Since you know you were wrong… come here."
The voice was gentle—utterly without judgment—yet it fell upon her like a spring breeze.
Shame seared her heart. How ridiculous her rebellion now seemed, like the tantrum of a child.
She stepped into the gate, and in an instant found herself standing in the Ziwei Palace.
Upon the throne sat the God of Eternity.
His eyes rested on her—neither angry nor contemptuous. His gaze was gentle, touched with an almost playful warmth.
Yao Yao's head bowed immediately, face flushing. To look upon Him directly felt like blasphemy.
"Do you know your fault?" His voice was calm.
"I… I erred in contending against You," she whispered. "I was too proud. Too stubborn…"
He tilted His head. "If you find no joy in God's Domain, you may return to the little Underworld. But… do you truly wish to go back?"
Yao Yao was silent.
Since her arrival, she had been resentful. Yet her strength had grown beyond measure. Realms she had once deemed impossible shattered like paper walls. She sometimes advanced three whole levels in a single day. Even now, she wasn't sure what cultivation rank she had reached.
At length she whispered:
"I do not want to go back. But… Lord God, if I give myself to You completely, will You resurrect my family?"
Beside the throne, Lin Qing'er chuckled softly.
"Are you doubting God's power? Or are you trying to barter your devotion in exchange for His grace?"
Her tone sharpened. "If you would dedicate yourself, do so without demand. To offer faith with conditions—that is blasphemy."
Beside her, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya cast Yao Yao a cold glance.
This mortal woman might be beautiful, but before gods she was insignificant. Now that she admitted her fault, she should display sincerity, not bargain.
Yao Yao's lips trembled. "I'm not doubting Him! I just… I don't want my family to have died so miserably…"
"Then you do not understand." Lin Qing'er's tone hardened. "To become divine, one must abandon much. If you ask to resurrect your family, then others will ask to resurrect theirs. Then theirs, and theirs. Would you have God resurrect the entire Underworld?"
"No! It's not like that! I just—just…" Her voice cracked, tears spilling.
Liu Che raised a hand gently. "Enough. I know what weighs upon your heart. Train diligently. When Chu Xuanfeng ascends to the Yang Realm, complete the tasks I assign you. Then, perhaps, I will resurrect your parents."
Yao Yao's eyes widened. "I… I still have my grandfather—"
"Insolence!"
Lin Qing'er's patience snapped. Her fury crashed down like a tidal wave, pressing Yao Yao to the marble floor. The girl's pale face drained of all color beneath divine pressure.
"God Himself has promised to resurrect your parents," Lin Qing'er hissed. "And yet you dare to demand more?"
Yao Yao's heart quaked. So this… this is divine might…
But then Liu Che spoke again.
"Your grandfather is not dead."
The hall fell silent.
"He lives still, sealed deep beneath the earth to escape his enemies. But it is a sorrowful thing—those of the Celestial Clan were once treated as fruit, plucked and harvested at will."
At His words, Yao Yao froze.
Not dead? Her grandfather was alive?
A vision unfolded before her eyes.
She saw the ancient Bagua Formation etched into the earth. Within lay a colossal skeletal figure, bound by a golden chain fastened into his collarbone, stretching into infinity.
Kaguya's pale eyes widened. "That chain… what is it?"
"Mother Gold," Liu Che replied softly. "A rare metal. Cruel and unyielding."
Yao Yao barely heard. Her tears blurred everything but the figure she recognized. The aura was undeniable.
"Grandfather… oh, Grandfather, you're alive…" Her sobs spilled over, smearing the careful makeup she had worn for God Himself.
When at last she lifted her face, her eyes were red, her lips trembling.
"I am willing," she choked. "I will do anything. Even if You treat me like a pig or a dog—please, just let me avenge him!"
Liu Che's eyes softened briefly with compassion.
"Go. Train. In time, you will have the chance to act."
"Yes, Great God…"
She bowed until her head touched the floor, then departed the palace in silence.
As her footsteps faded, Lin Qing'er sighed. "Prideful. Arrogant. And yet… one who values love above all else. Even offering herself as less than an animal."
"That is why the Eternal God shows mercy," Kaguya said quietly.
Liu Che smiled faintly. He took the hands of both goddesses in His own, saying nothing more.
For no one understood Yao Yao's pain better than He.
Had she not been one of passion and loyalty, He would have long since cast her body into the Sea of Ghosts.
The Multiverse Chat Group
Little Blonde Volcano: Hey everyone! The dashing Thunder Titan has descended! Come out and worship!
Spirit of the Demon Sword: Pfft, you wish. [smacks.jpg]
Uncle Demon Slayer Ninth: You're looking lively, boy. Better watch out—Constantine's on his way to set you straight.
Demon Hunter: Heh, here we go.
Li Er: WHO DARES TO DRINK WITH ME?? WHO DARES CLAIM INVINCIBILITY??
Tanjiro Kamado: Look at him. Clearly he's gotten new powers from the sacrifice. His tail's already starting to wag.
For the Sake of Peace: @Sam Witwicky, isn't that right?
Sam Witwicky (Blond Boy): Yeah… but the power God gave me—it's not just strength. It's an entirely new technology!!
Chu Dashan: Technology? What the hell—can technology even grant real power?
930 Sad Reminder Lao Gao: Sounds like nonsense. Technology's just scrap metal. [disdain.jpg]
Sam uploaded a video.
The Fox Who Only Loves Money: Wait… so that giant thing's an alien? Ugly. Ugly as sin.
Chu Dashan: Whoa—liquid metal robots?! That's awesome!!
Sam Witwicky: According to the divine technology tree, this path leads all the way to godhood. But… our universe doesn't yet have the foundation to reach such heights.
Pursuing Sentient Beings: To inherit from God Himself… incredible. Truly, you've been given great hope.
Most members received only minor inheritances, scraps of divine power. Sam had been given the pathway to heaven itself. That meant his world harbored unimaginable potential—it was no ordinary technological universe.
Li Er: Be cautious, Sam. God gave you this boundary because your world requires it. But be warned: do not stumble, or you'll destroy yourself.
Sam Witwicky: Thank you, Brother Li. I understand!
The group continued to bicker playfully, but when it came to real matters, none of them joked. This was a law Sam had come to understand: when serious, the chat group was deadly earnest.
Spirit of the Demon Sword: Focus on cultivating your believers. Accumulate strength. Once your foundation is solid, push across the cosmos. Technology or personal power—it doesn't matter. As long as you're strong, all else follows. Those metal beings? Perfect tools. They can believe in God. Use them.
Sam wiped sweat from his brow.
This dark sister was terrifying. In her eyes, Autobots were nothing more than weapons. Thank the heavens she hadn't been born in his world. Otherwise, chaos would reign unchecked.
Sam Witwicky: Thank you, sister, I'll remember! [smile.jpg]
Ninja Scientist: I never imagined metal lifeforms could exist. I'd love to study them.
Then two new notifications chimed:
Ji Shi Miko has joined the chat group.
Tohsaka Rin has joined the chat group.