The same origin had led down completely different branches.
The evolution of life had become entirely different realities under the differing wills and preferences of the gods.
On one side was the "Woodland," a gathering place for countless lives. They possessed nearly every freedom and bore no obligations; the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death was itself their contribution.
On the other was the "city," likewise a congregation of countless intelligent lives. Inheritance was not everything—Lu PingAn hoped for the continuous progress of the whole.
Buzz!
What arrived with the humming was countless iridescent lights.
The instant that auspicious beast appeared on the battlefield, it drew everyone's gaze.
It was a "Neither-Nor Beast." Above its majestic stag-like silhouette rose antlers like burning coral.
The horn at its brow bore floating patterns of the sun, while blazing solar fire condensed within its golden eyes.
As it gazed down from the mountains, the cold was driven away, and the entire world sank into warm radiance.
"Flame Sun Celestial Qilin. God of Summer."
In certain myths, it was Lady Lin's mount and divine envoy, but according to frontline intelligence—Chris—it was Lady Lin's top enforcer.
This was a subordinate god, yet she possessed neither a divine kingdom nor a Divine Realm. She was an exceptional demigod who had embarked upon her own path. Though she did not reach Shuichi's level, her strength far surpassed that of ordinary demigods, and she could walk upon land.
She was a little sun, a flame god capable of burning away everything.
"Careful!"
A light collision from her tore apart the entire direction. Wherever she passed became scorched earth, while the radiance cast by the multicolored long ribbons wound around her body formed a protective barrier.
She was a true super monster. In a sense, she was even