Filler

Some settings:

Mage Life Crown titles: top-tier, spirit-rank, bright-rank, saint-rank, heaven-rank, king-rank, peerless-tier, supreme-rank, god-rank.

The five Original Gods: The God of Order (weakened since the last divine war, sealed himself within the Sea of Order); the God of Light (perished alongside the God of Darkness during the divine war, his will is slowly recovering, though slower than the God of Darkness); the God of Courage (crushed the God of Fear during the divine war, currently frail due to a lack of faith); the God of Wisdom (every collapse of civilization means a gap in wisdom, causing his existence to vanish for periods of time); the God of Love and Peace (a god unskilled in combat, killed by War during the divine war, slowly recovering at an extremely sluggish pace).

The five evil gods: The God of Chaos (imprisoned in the abyss by the God of Order during the last divine war, sealed within the moon after resurfacing); the God of Darkness (perished alongside the God of Light during the last divine war, slowly recovering in the deepest reaches of the universe. Note: Sealed in a black hole by the future Lu Xun, but has escaped in the present world); the God of Fear (his divine body was shattered by the God of Courage during the divine war, his will appears when someone is terrified to the extreme); the God of Folly (sealed by knowledge by the God of Wisdom during the divine war, showing signs of escaping in the present world); the God of War and Discord (war never ends, discord never ceases; the only evil god victor of the last divine war, but currently lacks power due to the temporary peace of the civilized era).

The lingering warmth of the gray mist space had not yet dissipated, and Grinya's heart was still surging from that world-shaking battle.

She had once been a helpless vessel living under an evil god's command, a panicked girl in class who couldn't even answer a question about mana vein resonance, a trembling soul under Buze's pressure, and a student who fled Teacher Evan's classroom in disgrace. But from the moment she stepped into that gray mist and grasped the power handed to her by Lu Xun—the being from another world who called himself "Xun Shen"—her destiny was completely rewritten.

She firmly believed that the era Lu Xun spoke of—an era without the ravages of evil gods or the oppression of kingdoms, where everyone could stand on their own strength—would eventually be created by their own hands.

It was not a peace bestowed by gods, nor a glory monopolized by nobles, but a dawn exchanged for the flesh, blood, faith, and sacrifice of countless ordinary people.

The moon set and the stars thinned; the long night finally broke.

Dawn poured down from the peaks of distant mountains, tearing through the last veil of darkness and bathing the ruins of Axi Town in golden light. Atop the broken walls and debris, the scorched earth, shattered altars, and scattered weapons all spoke of the previous night's brutal battle. Yet the morning light was gentle, covering the land inch by inch as if to soothe the scars of this soil.

Grinya stood silently at the peak of the ruins, her snow-white hair like a waterfall woven from moonlight, falling over her shoulders and fluttering in the wind. The golden dawn kissed her fair skin, plating her in a sacred and translucent halo. Within those originally clear gray eyes, reflecting the sky full of morning clouds, there was now a faint hint of majesty and determination reminiscent of golden pupils.

It was a gaze that only came after experiencing life and death, witnessing sacrifice, and shouldering responsibility.

“Grinya!”

A clear call came from afar, piercing the silence of the morning.

The young woman slowly turned her head, her long hair spreading out, her exquisite silhouette appearing like a deity descending in the morning light. That figure, slender yet upright, fragile yet resilient, caused Gexi Maierche's heart to tremble as she hurried toward her.

In the battle last night, she had personally witnessed Grinya's perseverance, Buze's sacrifice, and Molai's—Ruiya's—redemption. All prejudice and estrangement had long since vanished in the face of life and death.

The two looked at each other from a distance. No words were needed; a thousand words were contained in their gaze.

Gexi finally smiled, her eyes curving, and she gave a solemn and sincere thumbs-up to the girl atop the ruins.

In the morning light, another figure stepped forward.

Clad in silver-white heavy armor engraved with the emblem of the Katar Kingdom, the medal on his chest displayed the supreme honor of the royal knight captain. The divine pressure of a king-rank mage unconsciously radiated from him, sweeping across the ruins and causing the air to vibrate slightly.

It was the royal knight captain—Wilson.

Grinya looked up and met his gaze.

The massive power bestowed by the Plague God's body had already dissipated. She had returned to being an ordinary spirit-rank mage with stable mana fluctuations, no longer possessing any world-defying might. But now, Wilson's king-rank pressure, which would have crushed an ordinary mage, could no longer shake her in the slightest.

Her heart was already stronger than any magic.

Wilson looked into her eyes and was suddenly startled.

In those gray eyes, there was no fear, no fawning, and no panic from surviving a disaster. There was only calm, determination, compassion, and composure.

This was absolutely not a gaze an ordinary spirit-rank mage could possess.

This was the gaze of a hero who had witnessed the fall of gods, protected thousands of lives, and carried the weight of countless sacrifices.

Wilson's gaze slowly moved past Grinya, falling on the broken walls at her feet and the shattered, crack-filled black altar. Upon the altar, there still lingered the foul aura of the God of Chaos and the broken divine power of the Plague God.

His expression was complex and difficult to describe. A thousand words were stuck in his throat, and he found himself unable to speak.

Last night, starting from Axi Town, two god-level revival corruptions had erupted one after another. Everyone in the capital, Yiertaya, was in a state of panic. The Sin Hunting Bureau and the knight orders were fully mobilized, but because the source of corruption was too strong, they could not approach. They could only watch as the gray mist enveloped the world and divine light tore through the darkness until dawn arrived, the mist dispersed, and everything returned to peace.

No one knew exactly what had happened in Axi Town.

No one knew who had blocked the evil gods or who had saved the kingdom.

After a long time, Wilson finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of undetectable trembling. “Was it you who saved Yiertaya?”

“It wasn't just me.”

Grinya shook her head gently, her gaze tender and solemn as she turned back to Gexi, who was not far away. “There was also Miss Gexi Maierche, and Morai... no, it was Her Royal Highness Princess Ruiya Kata'er.”

“The Princess?” Wilson was stunned, his first reaction being one of doubt.

But Grinya didn't care whether he believed it or not.

She always remembered that this victory did not belong to her alone.

“And also, Buze Kritov.”

Grinya spoke again, her gaze fixed on the shattered black altar, her voice soft yet forceful.

“What?” Wilson followed her gaze, his face full of confusion. “Buze?”

He found it hard to connect that arrogant, chuunibyou, and obsessive playboy with a hero who saved the world from evil gods.

“Buze Kritov is a hero.”

Grinya spoke each word clearly and firmly, her voice piercing the morning light and echoing across the ruins. “He was worthy of the name Kritov. It was he who single-handedly drove the Plague God back from the gateway. The price he paid was far greater than any of ours. He was an obsessive fellow; once he became fixated, no one could pull him back. It was he who saved Katar and everyone in Yiertaya.”

“Buze... a hero?”

Wilson was completely stunned.

In his impression, Buze was just a noble-born, arrogant, and somewhat chuunibyou child who was not bad at heart but possessed an obsession.

But when the source of corruption in Axi Town erupted, the image of that young man fearlessly charging forward on his horse suddenly appeared vividly in his mind.

He began to doubt his long-standing judgment.

Perhaps he had never truly understood that boy.

“Where is Buze?” Wilson smiled, his tone incredibly sincere, his eyes filled with respect. “If he truly is the kingdom's hero, I must thank him personally. All of Yiertaya should thank him. His father, Duke Daggs, will surely be proud of him.”

Grinya remained silent for a long time.

She stood still in the morning light like a silent puppet, her snow-white hair falling to hide the sorrow in her eyes.

The air suddenly froze. The morning light was still warm, yet it felt suffocating.

Wilson's heart sank abruptly as an ominous premonition swept through him. He took a step forward, his voice trembling as he pressed, “Where is Buze? Where is he?”

Golden light bathed the earth, and the world was bright, dispelling all darkness and gloom.

Grinya slowly raised her hand, her fingertips lightly touching the light particles dancing in the dawn. Those particles landed gently on her fingers, as if carrying Buze's lingering presence.

“Buze has always been by our side,” she said softly, her voice gentle yet striking Wilson's ears like a clap of thunder.

Always been...

Wilson felt as if he had been struck by lightning, freezing in place as his blood seemed to turn to ice.

He stared blankly at the black altar, at the scorched earth, and at the light particles dancing in the morning sun, his mind in a turmoil that he could not calm for a long time...

That arrogant youth, the youth obsessed with becoming stronger, the youth who craved glory—he would remain on these ruins forever.

He had used his life to redeem his pride and his sacrifice to forge the glory of the Kritov family.

...

The battle of the evil god's revival finally came to a close.

The Plague God's status was shattered, turning into countless specks of light that dissipated into the world. The God of Chaos was sealed once again, the gate of the abyss was completely closed, and the shadow of the evil gods finally retreated from the Katar Kingdom.

But as the center of the storm, the capital Yiertaya paid a heart-wrenchingly high price.

The previous night's chaos, plague, and panic were like a heartless catastrophe sweeping through the entire city.

Half of the city's people died in agony after contracting the plague spread by the evil god. A massive number of people had their consciousness permanently shattered when the chaos spread. Countless houses collapsed, streets were broken, and the once-prosperous capital turned into a living hell overnight.

Within the kingdom's churches, the rooms were filled with weak, dying patients. Groans, cries, and prayers intertwined into a heart-wrenching symphony. The space in the churches was no longer enough; patients were placed on the surrounding lawns and streets, filling the area as far as the eye could see.

A large number of corpses were left scattered on roadsides and alleyways, with no one to collect them. With midsummer approaching, the bodies began to rot, and a stench filled the air. If not handled in time, a new round of plague would surely spread, and then Yiertaya would truly be beyond redemption.

Although the kingdom had dispatched most of the knight orders and members of the Sin Hunting Bureau to maintain order, rescue survivors, and handle the corpses, there were simply too many dead and injured. All efforts seemed like a drop in the bucket.

Even though dawn had arrived and sunlight covered the land, Yiertaya still felt like a hell from which it had not yet emerged.

King Weis was missing, and the kingdom was leaderless. All domestic affairs were temporarily decided by Duke Daggs.

During these days, Duke Daggs was overwhelmed with work, having exhausted almost all his energy.

On one side was the devastated capital, countless displaced people, corpses needing disposal, and patients needing treatment. On the other side was the Rubite Kingdom, which was taking advantage of Katar's weakened state to frequently provoke them at the border and nibble away at the kingdom's territory. And then there were the noble factions within the kingdom, each harboring their own schemes and trying to seize power in the chaos.

Countless documents, requests, and crises weighed him down.

He had not closed his eyes for three days and nights. His eyes were bloodshot, and his once-upright body now appeared exhausted and aged.

But when he learned that the Plague God's status had been shattered, the God of Chaos had been sealed again, and the kingdom was finally saved, this usually calm, majestic, and stoic duke could no longer suppress his excitement and wept for joy.

Tears slid down his weathered cheeks and hit the ground, shattering into countless points of light.

He rushed out of his manor excitedly, disregarding his image as he ran all the way to meet Captain Wilson, who had returned with the news. He wanted to personally confirm that the shadow that had loomed over the kingdom for years had finally vanished.

However, he also learned a piece of news that caused him agonizing pain—

The old King Weis had perished.

Under the cultists' conspiracy, King Weis had been used as the key to open the gate of the abyss and sacrificed to the God of Chaos. In the end, he was completely polluted and eroded by the evil god's power, his soul scattering until not even a fragment remained.

Duke Daggs was heartbroken and filled with grief.

He and King Weis had known each other since childhood and grew up together. They were lifelong friends, comrades-in-arms, and monarch and subject who had ruled the kingdom together. For decades, the two had worked in harmony to make the Katar Kingdom prosperous and strong.

But now, his friend had died tragically and the kingdom was in trouble. This grief almost crushed him.

When he saw Molai's figure among the ruins, his long-suppressed anger, grief, and resentment instantly overwhelmed all reason.

It was all because of her!

If this person hadn't disguised herself as Princess Ruiya to get close to the King, how could Weis have met such a fate? How could the gate of the abyss have been opened? And how could the kingdom have suffered such a catastrophe?

Countless people had died, the capital was in ruins, and the King had perished. All these sins should be paid for by her!

Duke Daggs' eyes were bloodshot as his mana surged. The terrifying pressure of a king-rank mage swept the field as he struck out in fury, his massive mana transforming into a blade aimed directly at Molai!

“Stop!”

Captain Wilson was quick to act, instantly shielding Molai and taking Daggs' blow head-on.

The collision of spiritual power kicked up a gale. Wilson retreated several steps, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.

“Daggs, I know you're hurting! I know you're grieving, but calm down!” Wilson shouted. “Molai... she is Ruiya now. She is King Weis's last bloodline and the kingdom's only heir! She cannot die; Katar cannot be without a monarch!”

Daggs' eyes were red and his body trembled, but he finally stayed his hand.

He hated her. He hated Molai's sins and the catastrophe she brought, but he also knew Wilson was right.

After such a disaster, the kingdom needed to be rebuilt, and it absolutely could not be without a ruler.

Molai's face was pale and she was trembling, not daring to face the enraged Duke Daggs. She kept avoiding his gaze, her eyes full of guilt, pain, and despair.

Her hands were stained with blood and her sins were heavy; dying ten thousand times would not be enough to atone.

However, Grinya, who was beside her, gently took her hand and comforted her softly: “I know you're in pain right now, and you wish you could just die to be free of your guilt.”

“Lord Xun Shen said that people like you have hands stained with blood, and even being cut into a thousand pieces wouldn't be enough. However, your death won't change anything.”

“The dead will not return to life, the shattered homes will not be restored, and the sins you owe will not vanish because of your death.”

“You owe this world too much, you owe Katar too much, and you owe the people of Yiertaya too much. Your life is no longer lived for yourself.”

“You must live on, and you must live well. You must shoulder the responsibility and let this broken country regain its glory. This is your mission, and your only redemption.”

Molai looked at Grinya with a complex expression, tears welling in her eyes. She gave a bitter laugh, her voice hoarse: “Is this atonement?”

“Sinners must, of course, atone. Escapism and suicide are always the actions of the incompetent.” Grinya's tone was firm, her gaze clear. “Live on with your guilt, carry everything with you, and create more value and meaning to make up for the mistakes you've made. This is the only value of your future life, and the only way to make your heart feel a little better.”

A determined light gradually began to flow in Molai's eyes.

She took a deep breath, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and nodded heavily.

“Thank you.” She smiled, and though the smile was tearful, it was incredibly firm. “I feel much better hearing you say that.”

“To live on with guilt, to make amends, to seek redemption. Perhaps this is the only way a sinner like me can prove my value.”

Just then, Duke Daggs suddenly walked forward and silently handed her something.

Molai was slightly stunned and looked up.

It was a crown.

A crown encrusted with countless jewels, dazzling and brilliant, symbolizing the supreme power of the Katar Kingdom—the King's crown.

She raised her eyes to look at Duke Daggs.

The Duke looked reluctant, his expression grim and his brow furrowed, as if what he was handing over wasn't a crown but a thousand-pound burden.

“The King has passed. You are now the only legal heir to this country.” Daggs spoke coldly, his tone stiff yet incredibly solemn. “Only you can sit on this throne now.”

Molai's gaze was incredibly complex, and her heart was filled with a mix of emotions.

Her hands trembled as she lightly touched the crown, but she didn't have the courage to take it.

“Can someone like me, with hands stained with blood and heavy sins, have the right to be King?” she choked out, tears falling again. “I'm not worthy... I'm not worthy to wear this crown, not worthy to rule this country I destroyed...”

Grinya lightly patted her shoulder, saying nothing, only giving her firm support with her gaze.

Duke Daggs looked at her coldly, his voice stern yet earnest: “Currently in Katar, there are powerful Rubite enemies watching us from outside, and inside we are devastated by disasters. Taking command in a time of danger and saving the situation when it's about to collapse—this is the time to truly show your value!”

“If you don't want to disappoint the old King down there, if you don't want Katar to be completely destroyed, and if you don't want the people of Yiertaya to live in misery forever, then you had better swear in front of all of us to pull this sinking country back!”

“I understand...”

Molai no longer hesitated. With trembling hands, she solemnly took the crown.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone and in the morning light, she slowly placed that dazzling crown upon her own head.

At this moment, time seemed to freeze.

The entire world went silent, leaving only her and the crown atop her head that symbolized power, glory, responsibility, and redemption.

The coronation ceremony was extremely simple, without a grand celebration, cheering crowds, or a magnificent procession. There were only ruins, morning light, survivors, and a few high ministers of the kingdom.

But this simplicity was filled with unparalleled solemnity and gravity.

There was no delay, no chaos.

As Molai finally stood on the high platform among the ruins after being crowned, she was still a bit nervous and awkward, and her eyes still held traces of guilt and sorrow. Yet her entire being began to radiate a hint of a monarch's aura—an aura of one who did not need to show anger to be respected.

It was the aura of a monarch who carried sin, shouldered responsibility, and faced suffering head-on.

“Your Majesty!”

An elderly minister of the kingdom with white hair and beard, highly respected by all, was the first to bow, his voice sorrowful yet earnest. “The kingdom has suffered this catastrophe, its people are in misery, and everything needs to be rebuilt. Millions are waiting in anticipation. We implore Your Majesty to lead us through these difficulties, rebuild our land, and restore the glory of Katar!”

“Your Majesty!”

More and more surviving citizens, knights, and ministers bowed in succession.

Standing on the high platform, Molai's eyes held only a guilt and sorrow as deep as a cold pool, but they also held a newfound determination.

“I understand,” she said softly. Her voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears. “But before all of this begins, please allow me to apologize to everyone.”

She slowly bowed, a deep salute to all the surviving citizens.

“It was I who brought this disaster. I have committed unforgivable sins. All the calamities, all the deaths, and all the pain are inseparable from me. For this, I am deeply sorry.”

“I know many of you will never be able to forgive me. I also know that I am not worthy of forgiveness.”

“But please allow me to stay and atone for my sins. I hope I can work together with all of you, hand in hand, to push this teetering and broken kingdom toward prosperity once again!”

“I swear by the name of the Katar royal family that for the rest of my life, I will give my all to protect the people, rebuild the land, and never stop until the day I die!”

As her words fell, no one answered Molai.

The crowd just watched her silently with complex gazes—some with resentment, some with grief, some with doubt, and some with expectation.

The atmosphere became awkward to the extreme, and Molai couldn't help but slightly shrink her body, wanting to retreat.

Just then—

A scattered sound of applause rang out somewhat abruptly from the crowd.

Grinya looked at Molai on the platform with a faint smile and clapped gently. The applause was crisp, firm, and sincere.

She was the first person to clap for this sinful Queen.

Seeing this, Gexi also immediately began to clap, her smile bright and full of support.

Then came Captain Wilson, clapping solemnly and respectfully.

Duke Daggs' expression was incredibly grim, his brow furrowed as he felt torn deep inside. He hated Molai's sins, but he also loved this country and this land.

After a long struggle, he finally raised his hands and clapped for her.

Following that, more and more applause rang out.

The scattered clapping gradually gathered into a wave, like thunder, echoing through the ruins, through Yiertaya, and through the morning light.

Tears welled in Molai's eyes again, but this time they were from moved emotion, determination, and the hope of redemption.

She gave a grateful look to Grinya, to Gexi, and to everyone clapping for her.

She knew that from the moment she put on the crown, she was no longer Molai, the sinful puppet of a cult.

She was the Queen of Katar, Ruiya Kata'er.

From now on, her life belonged only to this country and the people on this land.

...

The next day, Molai, in her capacity as the new Queen of Katar, issued her first royal decree after ascending the throne.

She announced the full truth of the battle of Axi Town to the entire kingdom, making public the great deeds of Grinya in fighting the evil gods, protecting the kingdom, and saving the people.

The decree was written with earnest words and deep respect, honoring Grinya Loran as a glorious hero of the Katar Kingdom and granting her supreme honors.

Overnight, Grinya became a legendary figure in Yiertaya and a hero of the entire kingdom.

No matter where she went, people would pursue, admire, and thank her. Citizens spontaneously offered her flowers and food; children chased after her, cheering "Hero Sister"; nobles visited one after another to pay their highest respects; and in the academy, her name became a legend, with countless boys and girls looking up to her as a role model.

Even her old home in far-off Loranka Town somehow received a massive number of visitors.

Grinya's father was so happy he couldn't stop smiling all day. No matter where he went, he would talk to people about his daughter who had become a great hero in the capital and saved the entire kingdom. The pride and self-satisfaction on his face were impossible to hide.

The daughter he once didn't trust had truly revived the Loran family once again!

As for Molai, the sinful Queen, although her ascension was controversial at first, she was absolutely serious when it came to her work.

She knew her sins were heavy and only by giving her all could she make up for her mistakes.

She often forgot to sleep and eat, working day and night to handle government affairs, review documents, comfort the people, rebuild homes, reorganize the army, and develop production. She put all her time, all her energy, and all of herself into the reconstruction and development of the kingdom.

To her, this was not a burden or a responsibility, but the only meaningful thing she could do—the only redemption.

Under her diligent rule and painstaking efforts, and with the assistance of Grinya, Gexi, Wilson, and Daggs, the Katar Kingdom recovered at an astonishing speed.

Broken houses were rebuilt, collapsed streets were repaired, rotting corpses were properly buried, the sick received treatment, displaced citizens returned home, barren fields were replanted, and the silent capital gradually regained its former vitality and prosperity.

The kingdom's strength grew day by day.

In the latest border skirmish with the Rubite Kingdom, the Katar Kingdom won a crushing victory, wiping out the Rubite army in one fell swoop and recovering all the territory lost during the "Catastrophe Period," regaining its pride and striking fear into its enemies.

The once-teetering Katar Kingdom had finally welcomed a new life upon its ruins.

As for Duke Daggs, after the kingdom stabilized, he took the initiative to submit his resignation, stepping down from his position as Privy Minister and completely distancing himself from the center of power.

He no longer concerned himself with court affairs or communicated with anyone, remaining silent and reclusive all day. Even when Wilson occasionally went to see him, he showed no reaction, as if living in his own world.

He would often go alone to the kingdom's cemetery and sit in front of Buze Kritov's tombstone, staring blankly for an entire day.

Upon the tombstone was an inscription personally written by the Queen—

【Tomb of the Glory Knight, Buze Kritov】

【With his own life, he protected the kingdom's peace; with the courage of his blood, he forged his family's glory.】

【A hero is immortal, his glory forever cast.】

No one knew what he was thinking.

Under the setting sun, the Duke's aged and lonely silhouette was reflected beside the tombstone, becoming a silent scenery in the cemetery.

And Buze, the youth who had exchanged his life for the kingdom's dawn, finally obtained the thing he craved most in his life—glory.

Queen Molai posthumously granted Buze Kritov the title of Glory Knight, with the title being hereditary, and honored the Kritov family as an Eternal Glory Family, enjoying the kingdom's highest honors for generations.

Grinya had once told Molai that what Buze cared about most in his life was glory.

If there was any reward that was most important to Buze, it was to have the word "Glory" carved upon him, carved upon his tombstone, and carved into his family's bloodline forever and for all generations.

Now, he had achieved it.

Fresh flowers were never lacking in front of Buze's tombstone, and people coming to pay their respects and pay tribute often formed long queues.

The kingdom's people remembered him, the knight orders remembered him, and Katar remembered him.

If Buze could see this scene—if he could see himself becoming the kingdom's hero, see his name being remembered forever, and see the Kritov family obtaining eternal glory because of him—he would surely be very happy. But he would also angrily curse those commoners coming to pay their respects:

“A bunch of useless trash! Pick up your sorrow and tears! Your behavior is a desecration of dignity and glory, do you commoners understand?!”

Gexi had not forgotten her original purpose for coming to Katar.

She had come to learn.

Although Talo Village hid countless ancient knowledge and texts—those yellowed scrolls and obscure records of secret arts were her most precious treasures as a child, accompanying her through countless days and nights of diligent study—Talo Village was ultimately in a remote corner. It lacked the diverse sights of a bustling city and the profound knowledge born from the collision and fusion of different regions. It was like an exquisite pond; even if the water was clear and the resources abundant, it could never compare to the vast depth of the ocean. This desire for unknown knowledge had long ago taken root in her heart, driving her to leave her homeland and embark on a long journey of learning.

Yiertaya was only the first stop of her journey. Although the process of this first stop had been a bit too bumpy—she had just arrived and somehow got involved in the matter of evil gods, even becoming a hero who sealed an evil god.

To be honest, she felt quite embarrassed.

After all, in this battle, her role was far less than that of Grinya and Buze; she was just a tag-along.

Fortunately, these unexpected disputes and empty fame were never things she cared about. Long before she set out, she had already heard that the Katar Kingdom had a thriving academic scene, with scholars from all over gathering there and a vast collection of knowledge and texts. Whether it was magic theory, human geography, ancient runes, or accounts of other worlds, it had a profound accumulation that Talo Village and Yiertaya could not match. Just thinking about the sea of books in the Katar Kingdom made Gexi full of longing and expectation, her thirst for knowledge almost overflowing from her chest.

Temporarily putting aside the disturbances brought by the evil god incident, Gexi plunged into the treasure trove of knowledge at the Yiertaya Royal Academy, starting her full-time, dedicated study. This Royal Academy's library was far more magnificent than she had imagined, with rows of towering bookshelves reaching the ceiling and various scrolls categorized to record the history, magic, and folklore of Yiertaya and its surrounding regions. She immersed herself in the scrolls all day, heading to the library at dawn and reading page by page with the morning light, unwilling to leave at sunset and only stopping when the lamps were dim. She didn't let any valuable text pass by, studying them closely and making careful notes, absorbing all the knowledge within. Unknowingly, she had actually read almost all the books in the treasure trove, firmly etching the essence of Yiertaya's local knowledge into her heart.

After completely mastering the knowledge here, Gexi knew it was time to head to the next stop. She solemnly said goodbye to Grinya, who had fought alongside her, and Ruiya, who had accompanied her all the way. There wasn't much sentimental parting, only a heart full of blessings for her dear friends and anticipation for her future journey of learning. Saying goodbye to the familiar Yiertaya and this period of time full of surprises and gains, Gexi picked up her bag and turned away resolutely, heading toward the academically prosperous regions of the Katar Kingdom to pursue that broader and vaster world of knowledge in her heart and complete her original mission of traveling afar.

...

【Ding!】

【System Notification: You have completed Act One: The Radiance of Yiertaya】

【Plot Settlement: Through your efforts, Grinya Loran has become the honorary symbol and hero of Yiertaya; the Plague God's status has been completely destroyed, the God of Chaos has been successfully sealed, and the Katar Kingdom has been saved from destruction and reborn.】

【Your performance rating is: S-rank!】

【You have received rewards: Source Crystals...】

A series of system notification sounds rang out continuously in Lu Xun's mind, with rewards so abundant they were dazzling.

But at this moment, Lu Xun had no mind to care about these game rewards.

He had already returned to Earth, back in his small, shabby rental room.

And right now, he was in the middle of an intense "battle" with his landlord.

It all stemmed from that accidental crossing of the God of Chaos.

At that time, Chaos had made a complete mess of Lu Xun's rental room.

There were large holes in the walls, furniture was smashed, the floor was cracked, and appliances were ruined. The entire room looked as if a hurricane had swept through it; it was a pathetic sight.

When the landlord came over and saw the state of the house, he flew into a rage on the spot.

“Lu Xun! Look at what you've done to the house! Is this a place for humans to live? What on earth were you doing in here?!”

“The walls, the floor, the furniture, the appliances—all of it must be compensated for! Not a penny less!”

“You must pay me for all the losses today, otherwise I'll take you to court and put you in jail!”

The landlord stood with hands on his hips, aggressive and spitting as he spoke, acting as if he would do whatever it took to make Lu Xun pay up today.

Lu Xun, naturally, was unwilling.

It wasn't like he had done this on purpose; the God of Chaos had caused the damage. Why should he have to pay for it?

But in this matter, he was, after all, in the wrong. He was the one renting the house; no matter the reason, he was responsible for it turning out like this.

So as the two argued, Lu Xun gradually went quiet, finding himself at a loss for words.

But the landlord remained relentless and aggressive, his words mocking Lu Xun for being an incompetent, unsuccessful, and penniless college student.

“You're so young, why couldn't you do something better? You've turned the house into this and you can't even afford to pay for it. What's the point of all that studying?!”

“I think you're just useless. You'll spend your whole life living in a shitty rental like this!”

“If you don't pay up today, don't even think about walking out that door!”

These words completely enraged Lu Xun.

A man can be killed, but not insulted!

Whether or not to pay was one thing, but looking down on people was another!

Lu Xun could take no more. He slammed the table and shouted, “Damn it! Who do you think you're looking down on! You really think I can't afford it?!”

He angrily pulled out a debit card, threw it on the table, and pointed at the POS terminal the landlord had brought, shouting imperiously, “Swipe it! Today I'll show you whether I have money or not!”

The landlord was startled by his sudden aura and froze for a moment. Then, with a disdainful curl of his lip, he took the card and swiped it.

The next second—

On the POS terminal's screen, a row of numbers was clearly displayed:

【Balance: 5,000,000 Yuan】

Five million!

At that moment, Lu Xun himself was stunned.

His future self was actually this rich?

The landlord was also stunned, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the screen, thinking he had seen it wrong.

“Wait... what are you so surprised about?” The landlord came to his senses and looked at Lu Xun with a strange expression. “Isn't this your card?”

Lu Xun froze for a moment, then instantly reacted. He immediately cleared his throat, straightened his back, and put on an arrogant and domineering act: “Uh... cough! Yeah, that's right, this is my card!”

“See that? A full five million! You think I can't afford your measly tens of thousands in repair fees?!”

“Do you know who I am to dare look down on me? I am Xun Shen! Do you understand Xun Shen?! A god who saved an otherworld, sealed evil gods, and protected a kingdom!”

“And you? You're just a landlord with a few buildings. What the hell are you so smug about?!”

Facing Lu Xun's arrogant mockery, the landlord—who owned several properties and had a net worth of about fifty million—fell into a complete silence.

He looked at this young man before him, who was full of confidence and radiating a domineering aura yet also seemed to have late-stage chuunibyou, and was filled with confusion.

Why did it feel like this guy, who clearly wasn't anything special, was confident to an absurd degree?

And why, when he called himself "Xun Shen," did it actually sound somewhat convincing?

Lu Xun didn't bother to look at the landlord again. He paid all the compensation decisively—not a penny more, and not a penny less.

After paying, he said nothing more and immediately packed his bags, moving out of that small rental room where he had lived for a long time.

What a joke!

He, the dignified Xun Shen and a great hero who saved an otherworld, had actually been mocked and looked down upon by an ordinary human. This was absolutely unacceptable!

Of course he had to move out immediately and never see him again!

Besides, he was a rich man now, a millionaire with five million in cash!

How could a millionaire still live in such a small, shabby, dark, and damp hovel?

He had to live in a big house, a luxury mansion, and lead the life of a high-class person!

Lu Xun carried his suitcase and walked down the street with high spirits. The sun shone on him, and his mood was incredibly pleasant.

He had already made an appointment with an agent and was preparing to look at a large luxury flat in the city center—fully furnished, with a river view, a perfect home in one step.

Now, he was preparing to hail a taxi and gallantly embark on his house-hunting journey.

He was full of pride, the corners of his mouth turned up, completely failing to notice—

On the opposite side of the road, a mysterious man wearing a black hoodie that wrapped him tightly was staring at him fixedly with eyes that were like those of a scorpion—cold and malicious.

That gaze was filled with resentment, bloodthirst, and the madness of revenge, yet it was also extremely restrained, showing no movement.

He was like a hunter lurking in the darkness, quietly waiting for the best moment to strike.

The mysterious man watched Lu Xun hail a taxi, watched him pull open the car door, watched him sit inside, and watched the taxi speed away and disappear into the flow of traffic.

Beneath the black hood, the mysterious man's lips slowly curled into a sinister, blatant, and hair-raising smile.

He spoke softly, his voice hoarse, cold, and filled with venom. Each word was deliberate, as if coming from the depths of hell:

“Xun Shen...”

“Back then, your seal wasn't fast enough, nor was it ruthless enough.”

“Did you really think you had completely destroyed me?”

“I have returned from hell...”

“I have come back for you.”

“This time, I will make you pay a thousand times, ten thousand times the price!”

Mogolas, the God of Darkness, slowly pulled his hood tighter to hide his hideous face, then turned and blended into the vast crowd, disappearing completely.

The sunlight of the present world was still warm and bright.

But a new and even more terrifying storm of darkness had already quietly arrived.

Lu Xun's otherworld adventure had just ended, but the life-and-death duel in the present world had already begun.

The legend of Xun Shen is far from over.

(Act One: End)