I Want to Keep Trying, Auntie!

Lin Xian's serpentine pupils constricted, a crimson-black mist of blood blooming from his pores. His body suddenly bulged, transforming into the Wrathful Lion Uridim. He lunged, pinning the Garuda Spirit holding the spear, seemingly eager to break through the blockade.

However, this left the Wrathful Lion's back and belly completely exposed.

Instantly, the earth churned, and a Garuda Spirit wielding a sword and shield leaped out. The soul fire in its eyes flared, and it swung its rusty blade, hacking at the Wrathful Lion's hind leg.

From a hidden corner on the other side, the twang of a bowstring sounded as a black arrow formed from death energy shot through the air.

Idiot! To expose yourself completely before even realizing the opponent's true objective, just as brainless as expected!

Perfect, I'll test my abilities on you!

The Wrathful Lion bared a mouth full of sharp, white teeth, clamped down on the pinned Garuda Spirit holding the spear, and flung it towards the direction of the archer.

"Pfft!"

The arrow pierced the Garuda Spirit's two chest bones and continued, its remaining force hitting the Wrathful Lion's flesh.

However, its glossy fur not only dissipated most of the force, but even the death energy it carried only left an insignificant bruise on the monster's surface.

Following this, with the spear, death arrow, and greatsword being used in rotation, these three less-than-intelligent Garuda Spirits finally confirmed that their proud death energy had no effect on the great cat before them.

Even the marks left by various slashes and magic bursts healed faster than they appeared.

What was even more infuriating was that this monster could switch between sizes at will and possessed an unusually keen understanding of death mist, allowing it to approach stealthily and strike unexpectedly while completely concealing its presence.

Clearly, we are the undead!

The three underworld guardians, who repaired themselves by absorbing death energy, found themselves at a disadvantage. They rotated their empty skulls in confusion, their defenses repeatedly breached.

Boom, boom, boom!

Explosions echoed one after another in the secluded valley.

Several hours later, an eerie silence fell within. As the mist rustled, the Ancient Snake, dragging three skulls, crawled to its owner's side and gently touched her hand.

At this moment, the goddess, who had been secretly clenching a corner of her cloak with both hands, breathed a sigh of relief. She unfolded her sweat-drenched palms and cherished the little one in her embrace.

"Really, I told you you didn't need to push yourself, just leave it to me..."

Ereshkigal affectionately stroked the Ancient Snake's curled and broken scales, as well as its tail where new flesh buds were growing, and couldn't help but complain.

Lin Xian flicked his tongue, secretly rolling his eyes, and muttered to himself.

But I don't want to be taken care of, I want to keep working hard, because someone named Tiamat is raising me, Ah... Ereshkigal-chan.

After a brief rest, the wounds on the Ancient Snake quickly healed. The lively creature then picked up its owner's sleeve cuff in its mouth and led her towards another valley.

"You want to show me something?"

The goddess glanced at the text on the clay tablet, slightly startled.

"A flower?"

On the side flipped over by the snake's tail, a single word was inscribed, causing Ereshkigal a moment of bewilderment.

How can there be flowers in the underworld?

Pulled by the Ancient Snake, the goddess followed step by step, but as they got closer, the confusion on her face grew.

I've been to the valley ahead. It was a barren land covered in crystal ores of various colors.

Impossible... Flowers?!

They really are flowers!

Passing through the gray mist, Ereshkigal's eyes widened as she stared at the miraculous sight of flowers blooming on the cliffs, in the valleys, and on the rocks. She rushed forward in disbelief, wanting to touch and smell them.

However, as she drew closer, the cold touch, the scentless petals, and their sharp hardness instantly extinguished the excitement in the Underworld Goddess's heart.

So, these are just crystal clusters carved into the shape of flowers...

"Well, they're still quite exquisite. Thank you, little Samael."

Just as Ereshkigal felt a little disappointed, she saw the little creature point its head forward.

Her owner curiously crouched down, her peripheral vision catching the clay tablet stand inserted beneath each cluster of crystal flowers, and she subconsciously read the cuneiform text on it.

"Category 1: Red Rose..."

"Erect shrub, up to 2 meters tall; stems are stout and clustered; young branches are covered in downy hairs, with prickles and glandular hairs. They have erect or curved, pale yellow prickles, which are covered in downy hairs..."

"Petals are obovate, double to semi-double, fragrant, purplish-red to white; pistils are free..."

Then, as Ereshkigal looked up again to examine this crystal flower closely, she found that its carved appearance was almost identical to the description on the clay tablet.

The goddess couldn't help but turn her gaze to the stamens enveloped by other crystal clusters, and the labels standing beneath the roots.

"Category 7: Iris Flower..."

"Flower colors include white, yellow, green, blue, etc., very colorful..."

"The flower shape resembles a butterfly dancing gracefully, blooming in May..."

"Category 21: Camel Thorn..."

"Calyx is bell-shaped, calyx teeth are triangular or lanceolate-triangular, corolla is deep purplish-red, banner petal is obovate-oblong, wing petals are oblong, ovary is linear..."

Looking around, she took in dozens of flowers carved from crystal clusters.

What was even more incredible was that Ereshkigal was surprised to discover that the plants and the descriptions on the clay tablets fit together perfectly, each one rendered with extreme realism.

As she ventured deeper into the flowerbed, a few dark brown traces remaining on the stone leaves and the broken scales on the ground caught the Underworld Goddess's eye.

"These… are all… your doing?"

The owner looked down at the Ancient Snake coiled at her feet, pausing for a moment before asking.

"Yeah! These are all flowers Samael saw on the surface before, and I wanted to give them to you, Lady Ereshkigal."

"But… there are no seeds here, no suitable soil, and they can't grow…"

The Ancient Snake was initially excited, but as it wrote the latter half, its expression became a little dejected.

However, before Ereshkigal could reach out to pet it and offer comfort, the little creature perked up on its own and slithered through the crystal flower clusters.

"But I still want to do something for you, Lady Ereshkigal, since you like flowers so much…"

"I want to show you what I saw on the surface! That's why I made these!"

"For this, I even went to ask the flower artisan uncles in the Spear Cage, and they helped a lot too."

"See, I spent over half a year on them, and they turned out great, right!"

The Ancient Snake excitedly recounted its entire process of carving these flowers, which moved its owner, standing behind it.

She had never imagined that her inner desires would be so deeply remembered and diligently fulfilled by this tiny creature.

A snake was trying to grant the wish of a deity.

It was absurd, but it touched her even more.

She hadn't experienced this feeling of being cared for by another life form since she became the ruler of the Underworld.

"Silly, don't hurt yourself over these inanimate things…"

Ereshkigal lowered her hand and gently stroked the Ancient Snake's head, her voice tinged with a slight scolding.

"No! As long as there's a dream, these can be real too!"

However, the little creature was somewhat stubborn about these lifeless flowers, even forcefully demanding that its owner follow the steps listed on the clay tablet.

Its slender, bright-eyed form was like a naive child full of imagination.

Ereshkigal chuckled, then bent down, indulging the little being that brought her a sense of warmth. Following the instructions on the clay tablet, she closed her eyes and gently touched a flower.

Yes, clear her mind and feel with her heart.

Rose… petals are obovate… fragrant… the scent is rich…

Immersed in the experience, the goddess's eyes were gently closed, her head slightly bowed. Her nostrils flared as if she could truly sense a fragrance filling her nasal cavity.

As her fingers slid down the flower while her other hand rested on the clay tablet, Ereshkigal furrowed her brow, feeling a slight sting.

Rose stems have thorns… be careful…

This one is… I remember… Iris!

The flower is purple… its shape is like a butterfly…

Yes, that's right! The petals spread out, as if dancing in the air!

Gradually, a smile bloomed on Ereshkigal's lips, like a little girl who had accidentally stumbled into a garden.

Filled with novelty and curiosity, the goddess sniffed and touched the beautiful plants, memorizing their colors and shapes.

A gentle breeze stirred, and the grey mist swirled. The crystal flowers flickered, and Ereshkigal, her skirt swaying, smiled contentedly, completely immersed in this extraordinary experience.

The Ancient Snake yawned, climbed onto its owner's shoulder, found the most comfortable position to coil, and rested its head, drifting off to sleep amidst the invisible floral fragrance.

There is no need to dwell on complaints, no need to wallow in pain.

With only your heart, the world you see will eventually be beautiful and vibrant.