Deceive When You Should, Fight When You Must

Long time no see, big cup! Happy weekend!

The Believer [Order] have once again strayed from the Divine Throne of [Order].

Despite still having doubts about Cheng Shi's communication style, the result was obvious: failure.

Li Wufang missed another opportunity to obtain the Vessel.

To be honest, he wasn't in a hurry to Becoming a Deity, but compared to Zhen Xin's smooth ascension to godhood, his own "Path to Godhood" was indeed full of hardships, just like his life before the [Faith Game] descended.

Fortunately, I met a benefactor back then, just as I have met a benefactor now.

This is [Destiny].

However, this important person seems a little unhappy right now.

No matter how much he planned, he hadn't considered that [Wrath of Abomination] didn't have a [Order] Vessel. How could Cheng Shi be happy about that?

The [Order] faction currently has only one remaining Emissary, and even the Vessel it cannot be found, so how can it possibly inherit the position of [Order]?

Cheng Shi wasn't fixated on the [Order] Divine Throne; it was just too painful to see Divine Throne empty and not be able to take it back to his own home.

Left with no other choice, he had to give up for the time being and first acquire the other vacant Divine Throne. The one that was most certain to be Qin Xin's [War] Divine Throne was naturally the one that would be the most sought after.

He was going to meet the Fire Keeper.

Since the False Curtain Call, he hasn't seen Qin Xin, nor has he sought out the Hope's Flame. These two are arguably the last hope of this world, especially since the Hope's Flame holds the [Destiny] Vessel...

However, this Vessel was the last one Cheng Shi wanted.

Only when hope is shattered and Change returns to the right path can the Hope's Flame be transformed into Vessel [Destiny]. Therefore, to obtain this Vessel, the Hope's Flame must die.

Cheng Shi didn't want the Hope's Flame to die, and he hoped that [Destiny] could embrace Change at the end of the era and stand on the side of the Fear Faction. He hadn't forgotten that in that world where the Old Gods fell and the New God ascended the throne, [Destiny] had agreed to another Cheng Shi's plan for salvation!

That means there is still a sliver of hope that He can let go of His obsession with the Predestination of an era, and this may be the only turning point before the world completely enters [Nothingness]!

Before parting, Cheng Shi comforted Li Wufang for a moment.

There was no need for comfort at all, because Li Wufang himself wasn't prepared to become a god. He was pushed here by the Fated, and he seemed to have no choice.

At this moment, his confusion was just like Cheng Shi's Cheng Shi then. He realized that he should climb onto that Divine Throne, but he had no idea what to do next.

Not to mention him, even Cheng Shi, the one who orchestrated the coup, was unsure what to do next.

He only knew that if he didn't seize the opportunity to obtain enough [Covenant] votes and Divine Throne support, he might miss the chance and never have another chance to do so.

Opportunity knocks but once, time waits for no one – this is the Truth.

Cheng Shi patted Li Wufang on the shoulder, bidding farewell to this bewildered the Fated, and then directly contacted Qin Xin, the founder of the Fire Keeper.

Qin Xin hadn't expected that Cheng Shi would come looking for him again after he had only gone through one Trials since returning from the True Universe.

This sudden visit was completely unlike the Fate Weaver's character, so the exceptionally perceptive man immediately realized that something significant seemed to have happened without his knowledge.

Cheng Shi wouldn't hide anything from someone who risked their life to pass the flame to him in the last second before the curtain fell on the Cosmos. He directly told Qin Xin that he wanted to see the other person and the Hope's Flame. Although Qin Xin was puzzled as to why Cheng Shi asked to see the Hope's Flame, he still solemnly agreed and told Cheng Shi how to ascend to the Fire-Keeping Hall.

It wouldn't look good to make a formal visit followed by going through back channels.

Not long after, Cheng Shi appeared in the Fire-Keeping Hall for the first time in a regular manner.

Qin Xin did not notify anyone in advance of Cheng Shi's secret arrival. At this time, the Fire-Keeping Hall was as usual, with people coming and going, but not densely packed.

Cheng Shi walked along the illuminated path into the depths of the Fire-Keeping Hall, wearing a hood and not arousing suspicion from those around him. But as he walked, someone suddenly called out to him.

The voice was both shocked and wary.

"You are... Cheng Shi?"

Cheng Shi didn't even stop walking, completely ignoring the shout. He didn't want to pay attention to this old friend, but who knew that this old friend seemed to distrust him. He called out again and immediately covered his mouth, then ran forward, grabbed Cheng Shi, and dragged him into the shadows by the roadside.

What are you doing here?

Why are you here?

"You're not one of us, what are you doing here!?"

The Fire Keeper's voice was soft and urgent. She was both afraid of being discovered and afraid of not being discovered. She was conflicted. She knew that Cheng Shi personality, could never become her comrade, but this swindler had somehow come to the heart of the Fire Keeper's territory.

He probably didn't come here to cause trouble.

The Fire Keeper wasn't quite sure, so she could only grip Cheng Shi's hand tightly, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she said:

"You're not allowed to move anymore, answer my question!"

How did you get in here?

Cheng Shi, stop pretending. I recognize you. Let me tell you, I'm very strong now. If you keep lying to me...

As he spoke, the Fire Keeper suddenly covered his mouth and nose, and mumbled:

I'll just... I'll just...

Please, just leave, I beg you... I'll pretend I didn't see you.

Don't come here again, and don't tell anyone how you sneaked into the Fire-Keeping Hall, okay?

"..."

Hearing the voice in front of him already trembling with sobs, Cheng Shi felt a deep sense of sorrow.

Nangong is too kind-hearted. In order to repay his debt of gratitude, he even wanted to let go of himself, the one who "intruded" into the Fire Keeper.

This isn't rational, but it's very much like Nangong.

Looking at the hand that was gripping his wrist, now covered with rows of scarlet, hideous scars, Cheng Shi sighed.

She was indeed one of the vessels the Fire Keeper sought to adapt to the [Decay] Vessel.

It seems the God Creation Plan is going very smoothly.

Even if things go smoothly, it can't be smoother than Qin Xin, who inherited everything from the [War].

Cheng Shi couldn't bear to deceive this innocent young girl any longer, so he gently removed his hood and looked at her...

He frowned and asked in confusion:

"Nangong, what's wrong?"

I saw Cheng Shi. Where is he?

Why do you look at me like that? Don't you recognize me? It's me, Cui Qiushi. My father once tried to bear the [Decay] Vessel alongside you...

"Hey? Nangong? Blink! Are you hallucinating?"

Nangong was stunned.

She couldn't understand how the figure etched in her mind, one she would never mistake, could transform into the Fire Keeper Cui Qiushi, the moment he took off his hat.

Of course she recognized Cui Qiushi, and she was certain that the person in front of her was Cui Qiushi, because no one but the real Cui Qiushi knew so many secrets about the Passing the Flame!

Nangong was stunned. For a moment, she didn't know how to explain. Like a startled rabbit, she let go of his hand, took two steps back, and stammered in a flustered and helpless manner:

"I... I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone else. No, I didn't mistake you for someone else..."

I'm just... haha, just kidding, not funny, huh?

"That's all, I'll be going now. Um, please take good care of Old Cui, he's had a tough time."

With that, Nangong ran outside without looking back.

Just as she was about to run out of the shadows, a figure suddenly blocked Nangong's path, looking into the depths of the shadows with some confusion, and asked with concern:

"Nangong, what's wrong? Why are you running in such a hurry?"

"!!??"

Nangong was shocked and looked up at Cui Qiushi in front of him in disbelief, his pupils dilating as if they had experienced an unimaginable earthquake.

"You... you..."

Cui Qiushi was completely bewildered. "What about me?"

"!!!"

Nangong suddenly turned around to look behind him, but there was no trace of the person from before in the shadows.

Cui Qiushi was no "new recruit." Nangong's unusual behavior immediately alerted him to the danger lurking in the shadows. His face darkened, and he immediately drew his sword and shield, ready to investigate. But Nangong grabbed him, shaking his head with a mixture of panic and forced composure, gritting his teeth as he said:

Don't go.

Cui Qiushi's gaze sharpened. He slightly pulled away from the other person's hand, staring intently at the shadows, and asked, "Who's there?"

Nangong remained silent for a long time, his expression complex:

"From... our own people."

"?" Cui Qiushi didn't believe her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Nangong took a deep breath, his face filled with struggle.

Cui Qiushi frowned, glanced at the shadows, then at Nangong in front of him. Suddenly, he softened his demeanor, smiled, and patted Nangong on the shoulder, saying:

"That's good. You seem a bit weak; the corrosive effect of the Vessel was probably too severe. You should take some time to nourish yourself."

As he spoke, he genuinely stopped doubting what was happening and strolled away.

Watching the other person's departing figure, Nangong's heart tightened again. She blurted out, "Cui Qiushi, stop!" and subconsciously asked, "..."

"You... believe me?"

Cui Qiushi was taken aback for a moment, then turned his head and smiled:

"Of course, I believe in all my fellow Passing the Flame."

Even if they have unspeakable difficulties, they must be protecting their own beautiful dreams.

Meanwhile, deep within the Fire-Keeping Hall.

The upside-down Candlelight Person listened to the conversation between the two people on the other side, its expression incredibly fascinating.

How could you bear to lie to them?

A chuckle came from the darkness.

"It's better not to lie when you can, just as it's better not to fight when you should."

"Now that I've finished deceiving you, it's your turn Fire Keeper, to fight."