"We absolutely must go to the Sun Temple," Gilgamesh said coolly from his throne.
"We can ignore Merlin for now, but Quetzalcoatl is a serious threat that needs to be dealt with. Moreover, the Divine Axe, Marduk's Hand Axe, which is said to have slain Tiamat, is located in the Sun Temple. You must defeat Quetzalcoatl and retrieve the Hand Axe. Only then can we confront Tiamat, who possesses immortality!"
The Tiamat Gilgamesh referred to here was Gorgon.
As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Shuying shrugged. "That's a bit much to ask, isn't it? Who among us do you think can truly defeat Quetzalcoatl?" His biggest takeaway from fighting Quetzalcoatl was how unfathomably powerful she was! Anyone thinking otherwise, go stand in the corner.
"Heh, I think you can," Gilgamesh said, looking at Mo Shuying with a hint of deeper meaning. Mo Shuying frowned.
"Are you suggesting I sacrifice my good looks?"
"..."
Gilgamesh's smile stiffened. He looked Mo Shuying up and down, then a mocking smile spread across his face. "Stop fantasizing. Let's get serious. Quetzalcoatl is one of the deities in Mesoamerican Aztec mythology. She is not only the goddess of harvest, wind, rain, and culture, but also wields the authority of the sun god. On her Sun Temple, there is a Solar Calendar Stone that embodies her Divinity. If you can shatter that stone, Quetzalcoatl's Divinity will be greatly diminished. Only then will it be possible to defeat her."
Gilgamesh spoke with profound meaning, as if he had known all this for a long time.
"So, I just need to hold Quetzalcoatl off? Then Mash and the others can destroy the Calendar Stone, and then we all fight Quetzalcoatl together?" Mo Shuying looked at Gilgamesh, his eyes equally profound.
"Yes, it's that simple." Gilgamesh felt a little unnerved by Mo Shuying's gaze. Even with his full power restored, he couldn't see through Mo Shuying, which made him feel very uncertain about what was to come.
"Alright, then let's pack up and head out immediately. Our destination: the Sun Temple!" Mo Shuying nodded and turned around. It seemed this journey into the rainforest was now urgent.
Because Quetzalcoatl had said she would return after sunrise tomorrow, and they weren't sure of the exact time, they decided to head into the rainforest first, find Quetzalcoatl, and defeat her.
So, everyone set off that very night, aiming for the rainforest city of Ur!
To arrive quickly, Gilgamesh offered his ox cart. Everyone climbed aboard, and the ox cart sped towards Ur under the driver's control.
They traveled until late into the night before stopping. The ox couldn't take it anymore and needed rest. Mo Shuying also felt that everyone had been working hard all day and needed rest. So, the girls used the ox cart as a tent and rested inside.
The two drivers unhitched the ox and leaned against it, closing their eyes. Mo Shuying sat by the bonfire, thinking about how to defeat Quetzalcoatl.
Indeed, Gilgamesh's plan was the most effective way to defeat Quetzalcoatl, but damaging her Divinity would have a huge impact on Quetzalcoatl, both in terms of power and physical form.
According to the story, Quetzalcoatl was supposed to become an ally. Moreover, the Solar Calendar Stone was Quetzalcoatl's strongest Noble Phantasm, her trump card. If it was destroyed, it would be difficult to use later.
"Why the long face?"
As he was contemplating, a soft voice came from behind him. Mo Shuying didn't need to turn around to know it was Ereshkigal, controlling Ishtar's body, again.
"Ah, it's nothing…" Mo Shuying reached out and tossed some branches into the bonfire. The branches crackled crisply.
"Hmph~" Ereshkigal walked up to Mo Shuying with her hands clasped behind her back and sat down very close to him. Mo Shuying could even smell a cool, clean scent.
Ereshkigal picked up a branch and poked the bonfire, then asked, "Do you have confidence you can defeat Quetzalcoatl?"
"..." Mo Shuying didn't answer. If they truly fought, it would be hard to say, but one thing was certain: if the two of them really fought without using killing blows, it would be impossible to determine a winner quickly.
"I just need to hold her off," Mo Shuying replied.
Ereshkigal smiled. "Hmph~ Are you really satisfied with just that?"
"Then, beautiful goddess, do you have a better idea?" Mo Shuying turned to look at Ereshkigal. Ereshkigal's face suddenly flushed from the compliment, and her gaze drifted.
"I-I-I-I... how would I have an idea? She's the pinnacle of benevolent gods. Any power that is good cannot defeat her. I am also a benevolent god, so naturally, I cannot defeat her. Unless it's my beautiful, lovely, gentle, and kind sister—her power can restrain Quetzalcoatl, but she can't leave the Underworld. So, destroying the Calendar Stone is indeed the best way to defeat her, but... what did she do wrong?"
Ereshkigal's eyes showed sadness. Clearly, she was thinking of her own experiences again.
"..." Mo Shuying looked at the flames, a thought forming in his mind.
Indeed, although Quetzalcoatl had occupied the rainforest and Ur, taking men to be forced laborers to build temples, she hadn't killed them. Instead, she had taken good care of the residents of Ur.
Today, I may have killed a hundred people, but I also resurrected a hundred. My only sin was breaking Uruk's South Gate and some buildings, but those are minor things.
Yet now, they were thinking of shattering the calendar stone and defeating this benevolent god.
"Shattering the calendar stone is a last resort. Tomorrow, I will defeat her honorably."
Mo Shuying clenched his fists, his eyes resolute.
Ereshkigal smiled beside him. I knew I hadn't misjudged him, she thought. Mo Shuying isn't someone who would resort to any means necessary for victory.
The night wind was cool, and as it blew, Ereshkigal's hair brushed against her nose.
"Achoo!"
Ereshkigal couldn't help but sneeze, but in that instant, she reverted to her true form: golden hair cascading to her waist, eyes red as jade.
"Cough, cough, cough."
Mo Shuying quickly coughed a few times, averting his gaze.
"How annoying. This body is far too delicate. Alright, I'm going back to sleep. Good night."
Ereshkigal, having hastily transformed back, quickly got up and scurried towards the ox cart.
Mo Shuying covered his forehead.
"Sigh, I should have played along and ignored it. Forget it, I'd better think about how to win tomorrow."
Mo Shuying slowly closed his eyes, but his mental energy began to surge. He was simulating, using his mental energy to create a simulation of Quetzalcoatl, beginning a mental battle within his mind.
Soon, dawn was breaking.
The carriage sped up again, and this time, they reached the edge of the rainforest within an hour.
The ox cart couldn't enter the rainforest, so everyone disembarked. Led by Mo Shuying, they formed a line and proceeded into the rainforest on foot.
But they hadn't been inside for long.
"CRASH!"
A sudden rustling sound came from the bushes ahead. Everyone grew wary, and then they saw the Leopardman, whom Mo Shuying had thrown away yesterday, leap out!
"Awoo! It's you! You threw me away yesterday, keeping me from completing my mission! Kukulkan then beat me black and blue! And you dare come to my territory again!!"
The Leopardman glared at Mo Shuying with bitter hatred, a Golden Leopard Claw Spear appearing in his hand as he twirled it, ready to attack. Suddenly, Mo Shuying took a step forward, and then...
...he led everyone past the Leopardman, completely ignoring him.
Leopardman: "...Huh?!!!"
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