"God of Emotions, did you come to find me for something?"
Beneath a canopy that seemed to blot out the sky, a stone table and a few stone chairs were placed under the shade of the tree. The green grass and vibrant, colorful little flowers surrounding them set off everything in unparalleled peace.
The Goddess of Life brought over a cup of cyan-green Water of Life and delivered it to Rong Nianbing. "This should be the God of Emotions' first time visiting me as a guest. Speaking of which, you are a rare guest."
Under this gentle, smiling tone, Rong Nianbing revealed a trace of apology. "It's my fault for coming uninvited."
The Goddess of Life shook her head, not minding at all.
"Why apologize? Besides, I'm not blaming you."
She really was gentle.
Moreover, from the perception of emotions, the words spoken by the Goddess of Life were all from the bottom of her heart, without any hypocrisy.
This was indeed a world of difference from that Sea God fellow.
Having just experienced the matter with Tang San, Rong Nianbing couldn't help but have some "aftereffects" in his heart. However, amidst his sighs, he also absentmindedly picked up the Water of Life and took a gentle sip.
Instantly, a clear, sweet taste with a hint of plant fragrance slid down his throat, causing him to suddenly snap back to attention.
This "Water of Life"?!
As a non-veteran deity, and one who had basically stayed at home since ascending to the God Realm, the God of Emotions had never come into contact with, nor ever heard of, the Goddess of Life's unique "Water of Life."
Subconsciously, the sip turned into drinking it all in one gulp.
He was certain that this "Water of Life," even for deities... no! Even for Main Gods, was a rare treasure.
In an instant, he felt as if all the pores in his body had opened up at this very moment. Every cell in his body seemed to be cheering and jumping for joy. The divine power within him actually increased quite a bit, and even the aura on his body became somewhat more robust.
"This water..."
Muttering a sentence, Rong Nianbing handed the cup back.
The Goddess of Life took the cup back, saying as she did so, "This is the Water of Life, a product of the Ancient Tree of Life. Under normal circumstances, only deities at the Main God level and above have the right to drink it."
Explaining up to this point, she glanced at Rong Nianbing again.
"Although you've been in the God Realm for over twenty years, you basically never step out of your house, and you don't even pay attention to the God Realm's affairs, so naturally you wouldn't know about the 'Water of Life.' If you hadn't taken the initiative to come find me this time, I'm afraid you still wouldn't know even after you'd passed on your god position."
Her obviously reproachful tone made Rong Nianbing somewhat embarrassed. But he also knew that he was in the wrong here.
After all, as a Main God of the God Realm, he indeed should cooperate with the God Realm Committee in handling the God Realm's affairs. For example, the Seven Gods of Original Sin subordinate to the God of Destruction were basically working for the God of Destruction.
But once a Main God chose to ignore worldly affairs, or rather, to be lazy, slack off, and let things rot, the God Kings had no way to deal with these Main Gods, because there were no relevant rules in the God Realm's regulations.
So in the end, the affairs were pressed onto the five God Kings. It was just that the newly promoted God of Evil and God of Goodness were still relatively immature, so most of the affairs assigned to the five God Kings were then pressed onto the Goddess of Life, the God of Destruction, and the Sea God.
So it was no wonder that the good-tempered Goddess of Life complained.
"My fault, my fault."
After a simple apology, Rong Nianbing also began to state his purpose for coming. "Actually, I came this time because I've chosen a successor to inherit my god position. But I learned a piece of news from his mouth, and I wanted to consult you about it."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, the Goddess of Life was also quite curious.
What could it be that required him to specifically come find her to verify?
But Rong Nianbing's next words not only failed to unravel the curiosity that rose in the Goddess of Life, but instead added a bit more to the doubt in her heart. Because he only heard Rong Nianbing say, "I wonder if you know that the Sea God has a daughter who has actually gone down to the lower realm?"
So it's Xiao Qi!
But if it's Xiao Qi, shouldn't he go find the Sea God?
Amidst her puzzled feelings, the Goddess of Life nodded. Recalling the past, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. "We all know about this. But it's nothing strange. After all, Xiao Qi was a little mischievous girl when she was young, restless all day long, like a little devil. But after she learned about the Douluo plane from the Sea God, she secretly ran down to the lower realm."
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen her for a long time."
Actually, for the Goddess of Life and the God of Destruction, Xiao Qi's birth back then undoubtedly brought them joy as well.
Logically speaking, it shouldn't have been like this.
But when Xiao Wu gave birth to Xiao Qi back then, the Goddess of Life was the one responsible for the delivery. As the first baby she delivered, Xiao Qi also held a different kind of meaning for the Goddess of Life.
Her true maternal radiance was awakened by Xiao Qi.
At that time, when the conflict between the Sea God and the God of Destruction wasn't very intense, Xiao Qi would often come to the Forest of Life to play. And when playing, she would naturally encounter the God of Destruction.
As someone who had always hoped to have a child, especially hoping for a daughter, the God of Destruction's heart was naturally moved. Unfortunately, the union of Life and Destruction could not produce offspring. So when he saw how well Xiao Qi got along with the Goddess of Life, the God of Destruction's heart was naturally touched.
So, after going back and forth, the relationship between Xiao Qi and the God of Destruction also became very familiar. She would affectionately call them "Aunt Green" and "Uncle Purple."
Under this kind of emotion, they undoubtedly treated Xiao Qi directly as their own daughter, treating her as such.
Until Xiao Qi escaped to the lower realm to play.
After ending her reminiscence, the Goddess of Life saw Rong Nianbing waiting patiently without any intention of interrupting, and couldn't help but say with a trace of apology, "Sorry, I zoned out just now."
"It's nothing."
"But the matter you want to talk about, is it related to your chosen successor and Xiao Qi? If so, I can't help you either. After all, Xiao Qi's parents are the Sea God and Xiao Wu. You should find them."
"Actually, my successor and Xiao Qi are a couple."
This made the Goddess of Life even more confused.
If they were a couple, couldn't she help even less?
Rong Nianbing didn't hide anything about this, and laid out everything that Huo Yuhao had told him at that time to the Goddess of Life.
"That's impossible."
This was the Goddess of Life's first reaction.
What surprised Rong Nianbing was that her reaction wasn't that big.
"Emotions, you must be mistaken, and that child is mostly mistaken too. Leaving aside the fact that the Sea God definitely isn't that kind of person, just from a father's perspective alone, he wouldn't do such a thing."
Saying this, the Goddess of Life's gaze fixed on Rong Nianbing, what was revealed in it was entirely certainty. "You are also a father, and I've seen the doting love Destruction revealed when interacting with Xiao Qi, so you should be even more able to understand what kind of mentality the Sea God, as her biological father, would hold toward Xiao Qi."
Sigh—
Seeing the Goddess of Life so certain, the God of Emotions couldn't help but sigh. At the very beginning, he indeed thought so too.
But after meeting the Sea God once...
He then thought it wasn't impossible.
Coupled with what he had experienced and seen in the lower realm before becoming a god... in the end, the world was vast, and nothing was too strange.
"Do you think I would speak nonsense?"
Rong Nianbing was helpless, "Actually, I've already gone to see the Sea God."
"Hmm?"
Hearing him say this, the Goddess of Life's expression finally changed. She knew that since the God of Emotions, a first-rank deity, still said so after she had just made such a statement, and even indicated that he had seen the Sea God, then he absolutely wouldn't be shooting in the dark.
Could it be?!
But it shouldn't be!?
The God of Emotions' mind shifted slightly, and the seven rings of light behind him rose, condensing into halos. A bizarre fluctuation of emotions also bloomed from him, enveloping them within.
A scene constructed of divine power and divine sense, under the condition that the Goddess of Life didn't resist, displayed the conversation between himself and Tang San at that time, along with their respective expressions, entirely without reservation in the Goddess of Life's mind, for her to judge herself.
"This is the basis for why I somewhat believe it."
Rong Nianbing's expression was solemn. "The Sea God's superficial image should indeed be faked. Hypocritical and sinister, that is my new evaluation of him. I wonder if you have any thoughts after seeing this?"
At this moment, the Goddess of Life's expression had already changed drastically.
After a series of changes, "This, is this true!?"
Rong Nianbing didn't speak, indicating his answer.
The Goddess of Life equally didn't speak, indicating her attitude.
Gradually, the Goddess of Life's pair of plain hands slowly clenched tight.
She truly didn't want to believe it!
Would the Sea God really be this kind of god!?
Her eyes closing and falling silent for a moment, the Goddess of Life suddenly opened her eyes and said resolutely, "If it's just this alone, it actually can't prove that the Sea God would do such a thing to Xiao Qi."
Her gaze stared brightly at Rong Nianbing.
What it revealed was only one meaning: What do you think?
"Just as I said, I'm indeed not certain."
Rong Nianbing nodded, "I heard that you master a divination technique, so I wanted to come find you to verify it. If it's false, then everyone is happy. If it's true..."
He didn't continue, but the Goddess of Life understood.
"You're right."
The Goddess of Life decisively stood up, looking at the Ancient Tree of Life.
Seeing this, Rong Nianbing also stopped sitting, instead similarly turning his gaze to the Goddess of Life's true body. But it wasn't just that, because this Ancient Tree of Life was also the foundation of the God Realm.
As an existence that absorbed the faith power of the mortal realm and then converted it into life force, continuously providing for the God Realm, to a certain extent, the Ancient Tree of Life and the God Realm could be considered one entity.
Therefore, the Goddess of Life, as the existence that controlled the life evolution of the God Realm, had an extremely deep perception of life changes to a certain degree. Xiao Qi, being born in the God Realm, was naturally included.
At this moment, the Goddess of Life took a deep look at her Ancient Tree of Life, slowly closed her eyes, and muttered something in her mouth. Strands of silk-like green radiance began to emit from her body.
The gigantic Ancient Tree of Life instantly burst forth with an extremely massive amount of life force. Every leaf lit up, making the entire space seem as if it had become a green world.
And this was the Life Prayer Ceremony.
Seeing this, Rong Nianbing just stood to the side and watched quietly.
Suddenly, the originally green world changed.
Perhaps because Xiao Qi's matter was a minor issue relative to the entire God Realm, so accompanied by the Goddess of Life's chanting, within the green world, a point of red light lit up, and then spread toward one of the leaves. Soon, the green color on the leaf was completely replaced by blood red. Waves of fierce and vicious aura fluctuated within the life force, and then slowly drifted down.
Now, Rong Nianbing didn't even need the Goddess of Life to explain.
Looking like this, how could it be anything good.
When the leaf fell into the Goddess of Life's palm, as the red color gradually faded, what faded along with it was the blood color on her face.
Now, the Ancient Tree of Life returned to normal.
But under the shade, the Goddess of Life's tender body trembled uncontrollably. Rong Nianbing didn't even need to look to perceive the fear and intense anger radiating from the Goddess of Life.
"Are... are you alright?"
The Goddess of Life suddenly turned her head, her voice sounding mechanical. "In the Life Prayer Ceremony, once what is emitted is gold, it represents good fortune. Red, represents misfortune. This time I divined for Xiao Qi..."
There we go! This was a sign of great misfortune!
It was even possible that it was a situation of certain death with no chance of survival.
At this, Rong Nianbing immediately became distressed and angry.
He hadn't expected that it was actually true!
Tang San, oh Tang San, what a ruthless heart you have!
Now, a few traces of tragic colors appeared on the Goddess of Life's face, a touch of sorrow surfacing in the depths of her eyes. She nodded gently, and then slowly shook her head. Two crystal-clear teardrops slid down the corners of her eyes, and these tears were actually green.
At this moment, her eyes were already completely red!
"Xiao Qi! What sin has she committed!"
"Tang San! You are unworthy of being a father!"
With anger burning in her heart, the Goddess of Life's usual gentleness seemed to dissipate into nothingness, and she vented it all onto Tang San.
She and Destruction wanted a daughter, but were powerless.
But you, Tang San, had one, yet didn't cherish her at all! If you don't want this daughter, then we want her! Why torture Xiao Qi, this pitiful child? She isn't a tool in your hands!
"This matter absolutely cannot develop like this!"
The Goddess of Life waved her broad sleeve, "I'm going to find them!"
Her anger rushing straight to the top of her head made her lose her calm.
But just because the Goddess of Life lost her reason didn't mean Rong Nianbing did too. Hearing that the Goddess of Life intended to do this, he immediately took action, grabbing the Goddess of Life and stopping her.
"No, if you do this, it's over."
So next, Rong Nianbing spent a great deal of effort talking.
He persuaded her earnestly, giving a whole analysis.
For example, if she went like this, not only would she not be able to produce direct evidence and wouldn't be able to do anything to Tang San, but she would also expose herself. If Tang San wanted to make a move on Xiao Qi again in the future, while on guard against them, he could still have ways to achieve it. It was roughly these kinds of similar words that finally calmed the Goddess of Life down.
She believed that what the God of Emotions said was right.
After pondering for a moment, the Goddess of Life stood up again.
Seeing this, Rong Nianbing immediately asked, "Where are you going?"
The Goddess of Life didn't even look back, even seeming somewhat hurried and frantic. "I'm going to find Destruction to discuss this. Forgive me for my poor hospitality!"
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