124 Proper Arrangements

“Conspiracy!” Shaoguang exclaimed in alarm. If the Divine Realm were to intervene officially, His Highness would be in grave danger. She couldn’t help but recall the Divine Realm’s past actions—such a scenario was not beyond possibility.

“Do you remember those mysteriously vanished undead of the Xiuyi tribe? Within them lies a mysterious power that, when gathered together, could exert an immeasurable influence over me.”

Shaoguang thought of the lone remaining undead. If that were true, should she make him disappear? A murderous gleam flashed in her eyes.

“Shaoguang, do not harm him, nor the child. They are innocent. I will find a way to resolve this. With such formidable power at our disposal, if we use it wisely, it might even be beneficial.”

If it was beneficial, why had His Highness already prepared for the worst, bearing all burdens herself? Shaoguang did not believe she was capable of such a feat. She could not guarantee the safety of the entire mortal realm under her watch. And if His Highness were to falter, what then?

Recalling His Highness’s journey to Sunset Mountain, she had felt as if each day was a year. Only then did she deeply comprehend the hardships His Highness endured.

“Is it too dangerous to keep them here, Your Highness?” Shaoguang doubted it was wise to harbor those perilous undead. She now somewhat understood why Four Seasons had acted as she did. Though flawed, Four Seasons’s intentions were surely to protect His Highness’s safety. Compared to His Highness, nothing else mattered.

“Things may not be so simple. According to Four Seasons, the enigmatic shopkeeper has long sought that undead and even clashed violently with her. All this suggests that undead is crucial to their conspiracy. Perhaps it is because he remains under our control that I was able to awaken.”

Lady Luo had been pondering how the Divine Realm had managed this. It was nearly impossible for anyone in the mortal realm to act against her, yet now there existed an undead who could suppress her. Regarding the Xiuyi tribe, she had not received complete information. Why was such a wondrous human created back then? Lady Luo found herself admiring the ancestors of the Divine Lineage, for they had left behind so many mysteries.

Did her mother know? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. Lady Luo smiled bitterly to herself, leaving all matters to her mother. How she longed for her mother to appear before her once more, offering guidance—she was truly exhausted.

If not for Litian this time, she might have slipped into eternal slumber. Thinking of Litian felt like glimpsing a ray of sunshine in darkness, a sweet relief amid hardship.

Shaoguang was amazed to see a brilliance in His Highness’s gaze that she had never witnessed before. In her heart, His Highness had always been the most beautiful goddess of the Four Realms, her grace unparalleled. Especially now, that indescribable smile seemed to dispel all shadows.

Lady Luo snapped back to reality and resolved to keep everything locked within her heart. Suddenly, she noticed Shaoguang staring at her unblinkingly.

“Shaoguang!” Lady Luo whispered softly.

Shaoguang realized she had lost composure and blushed.

“Is there something strange on my face?” Lady Luo touched her own face, puzzled by Shaoguang’s odd expression.

“No, no, Your Highness, your smile just now was so beautiful,” Shaoguang hurried to explain, then realized her tone sounded overly eager.

Lady Luo returned to normal and did not intend to explain this secret to Shaoguang.

The tension eased for a while, and Shaoguang imprinted that smile deeply in her mind. If His Highness could smile like that now, what was there to fear? Had she not almost thought the mortal realm would vanish? Yet here it still stood!

Lady Luo feared no danger. The Sacred Fire of the Earth’s Core had been ignited; the mortal realm would no longer face trials of life and death. The Divine Realm likely remained unaware of this news, or else they would surely go mad.

The City of Reincarnation had been completed; the undead finally had a place to belong. Relations with the Netherworld had been eased, now allies in battle. She no longer feared the Divine Realm’s threats.

She had previously infused spiritual power into humans and was about to see the fruits of her labor. Step by step, she had planned everything. The mortal realm was on track; any conspiracies would be no easy feat.

“Your Highness, what are your plans now?”

“Seal off all information about me. Do not spread news of my injuries. I want to see what methods they still possess. Even if anything happens to me, you must remain calm.” Lady Luo paused.

“As for the City of Reincarnation, it remains under the jurisdiction of Time and Space. The rest is your responsibility.”

“Your Highness, I fear I will fail you!” Shaoguang shook her head anxiously. How could she possibly manage?

“Shaoguang, do not doubt yourself. You possess such strength. The mortal realm’s affairs have stabilized; nothing will happen for the time being. Just follow my instructions, and all will be well.”

Shaoguang made a firm resolve within her heart. She would not disappoint His Highness’s expectations.

“The City of Reincarnation is complete, and we will soon leave here.” According to prior agreements, once the city was built, Fengdu would belong to the Netherworld. Though she could participate in matters of reincarnation, the city would no longer be part of the mortal realm. Thinking of this, Shaoguang felt both heartache and guilt for not realizing it sooner. But now that Fengdu belonged to the Netherworld, she felt assured. The city would write its own chapter. From her understanding of the Netherworld, Litian would surely develop the city for the better.

Yet it was strange that Litian had never mentioned Fengdu’s ownership again, nor dismantled any temples. It seemed as if Fengdu still belonged to the mortal realm, with the Netherworld merely assisting—completely contrary to the original agreement.

She ought to raise this with Litian at the appropriate time. Once a promise was made, it must be fulfilled, regardless of his thoughts.

“Shaoguang, what about that child? You must monitor him closely. I want a satisfactory outcome.”

Shaoguang had been preoccupied with Lady Luo’s injuries and neglected the child’s progress—an oversight on her part.

“Keep this matter secret as well. I do not want any complications; everything must proceed covertly.”

Shaoguang nodded, understanding His Highness’s concerns. If the Divine Realm discovered that a human possessed the Spirit Power of Fire, what upheaval might follow? She was also curious what miracles the chosen human might create. Did he truly have the ability to wield the Spirit Power of Fire? Even a faint mastery was immensely difficult, let alone what His Highness seemed to desire—perhaps much more.

Considering the child’s age, it was time for more rigorous training. If humans could one day command great power, would that not provide His Highness with greater security? The stronger humanity became, the stronger the mortal realm. Then, any Divine Realm interference would be far more challenging.

Shaoguang longed to see that day come. If His Highness ever gained power to balance the Divine Realm, she would no longer suffer harm.

Shaoguang sincerely pitied Lady Luo. What goddess lived as perilously and tirelessly as she did?

“Your Highness, I will not fail your expectations,” Shaoguang affirmed resolutely.

Lady Luo still harbored another plan. If the child could truly harness the Spirit Power of Fire, she would inject the Spirit Power of Ice into humans. Compared to fire, her ice power was purer, though more difficult to wield.

She already had a candidate in mind. Though the child was still undead, if he could pass the path of reincarnation one day, would he not be the ideal choice?

Regarding the Xiuyi tribe, she wished to grant them greater power. They were the most outstanding among her people and deserved strength beyond ordinary humans.

For the harm they suffered, Lady Luo could only express deep regret. Some matters arose because of her. They deserved compensation.

After Lady Luo awoke, the relentless rain gradually ceased, and the mortal realm returned to normal. The damage from the rain was limited. Thanks to the previous snow disaster, the surviving humans had already gained the ability to endure harsh environments.

Shaoguang departed. Lady Luo had arranged everything so that even if she encountered misfortune, the mortal realm would remain stable for now.

Stepping outside, Lady Luo saw the sunlight once more. The long-missed rays swept away the shadows clouding her heart. Standing again beneath the sun, she felt unusually clear.

Her wounds had not healed, and pain occasionally gnawed within. She did not wish to expose her injuries; only Litian and Shaoguang knew.

Lady Luo looked up to the sky. At the cloud’s edge, the once sacred Divine Realm now stood opposed to her, rather than hand-in-hand.

Regarding all this, whether Liu Jia had been involved no longer mattered. Once he appeared at Sunset Mountain, some things could never be undone. They were all masters of heaven and earth; yet with power came the loss of precious things. On their path forward, they had long drifted apart, unable to return to the innocence of earlier days.

Thinking of childhood frolics, such unguarded times seemed like a dream—too beautiful, and waking from it only brought sorrow.

Fengdu beneath her feet was entering a new era, but its master had changed to Litian. How would Fengdu transform under his rule?

She walked once more through Fengdu, leaving her final footprints—soon to become memories alone.