A Question Unanswered, Asked of... Destiny

Even if I don't want to, I still need to figure it out.

Cheng Shi sat on the ground, carefully sorting through all the information in his mind, trying to find clues in the large amount of intelligence, to figure out Afros's story and even to understand their intentions.

But after thinking about it for a long time, he realized that he couldn't possibly understand the affairs between the gods on his own, so he gave up.

Abandoning self-guessing, instead...

"Consult" them.

Since it concerns the gods, perhaps only they truly understand them.

So he picked up the Dice again and began to pray devoutly.

"The Lies Like Yesterday, huh..."

Before he could finish his sneer, Cheng Shi vanished from his spot with a whoosh.

When he opened his eyes again, he found a pair of Indifference, Starry Eyes hanging in the Void, staring at him without moving.

Look at this...

Oh no, this might Destiny!

Cheng Shi broke out in a cold sweat, his back instantly soaked. He didn't bother to compose himself and instead offered a sincere compliment.

But this time he learned his lesson. His words were no longer ornate, but simple, even to the point of being perfunctory, so as not to find out again that the person in front of him was still the same troublemaker, the "Deception" one.

"Praise be to you, great [Destiny]."

May Destiny remain forever [Destiny].

This praise was novel, a novel way of responding, but even Destiny found it novel.

Compared to a string of Fawning platitudes, this brief, direct praise clearly pleased Him more.

As a result, the Indifference in his eyes softened slightly, and a touch of mystical color rose in the Void.

Cheng Shi caught the Change in his peripheral vision, and with a firm conviction, he knew that what lay before him was Destiny.

So he eagerly raised his head, disregarding any divine instructions from his Lord of Grace, and immediately posed a big question.

"Lord of Grace lord, it seems I've become entangled with Afros, the Emissary of the Filth and Decay. This is the Filth and Decay ..."

Is this an invitation to Faith extended to me?

Cheng Shi's words were very straightforward, so straightforward that he dared to freely talk about another version of Him that did not belong to "Nothingness" in front of one Him.

But Cheng Shi had a solid foundation. That foundation wasn't because he claimed to have figured out his Lord of Grace's temperament, but because Destiny had said, "If you have any doubts, ask away!"

It was He who made the promise after Cheng Shi returned to [Destiny] that He could answer Cheng Shi's questions about the Cosmos.

However, since this Trials was about praying to [Deception], Cheng Shi didn't want to trouble [Destiny]. But since he had already seen it...

Since we're already here, we might as well ask!

The pupils in the Void flickered slightly, and upon hearing the question, they replied without joy or sorrow:

You're overthinking it.

"..."

My Lord of Grace, those words are quite hurtful.

Cheng Shi's expression froze for a moment, then he gave a dry laugh to save face and said:

"That's good, that's good. I have no intention of leaving the [Nothingness]."

Even if He really invited me, I wouldn't accept.

My path was already Predestination!

Regardless of whether what Cheng Shi said was true or not, or whether it was what he truly felt, it sounded very agreeable Ear Destiny.

His gaze softened slightly, and he looked at Cheng Shi. The swirling light in his eyes seemed to illuminate Cheng Shi's present and past Destiny before he spoke again:

"The Predestination remains Change, but you must remember:"

Stay away from Filth and Decay.

He is not a being that Mortals can approach.

Furthermore, He never extends any invitation; every life that sinks into the "Sea of Desire" does so voluntarily.

Unable to control their inner desires, they used His call and guidance as an excuse to spontaneously draw near to Him.

He never extends an invitation?

Even His calling and guidance are just excuses!?

Cheng Shi was stunned, because he had always believed that the desires of the "Filth and Decay" Believer were amplified and pulled by their so-called Lord of Grace...

But why would one's own Lord of Grace describe "Filth and Decay" as a... "victim"?

He was somewhat puzzled, but it was clear that [Destiny] hadn't finished speaking.

"Afros is a tragedy, but he is not worthy of pity; he created it all himself."

As for why [Deception] sent you into the Trials of [Birth], perhaps they signed some agreement unknown to outsiders.

He always liked to sign these agreements with other people, but they were rarely useful.

"..."

No, my Lord of Grace, the way you said that sounds like Folly.

Cheng Shi dared not answer, but quietly took out the Token of the "Gate of Joyful Desire," the few broken pieces of its ties, and presented it before the god, asking:

"My Lord of Grace, what about this thing...?"

"It's merely a means of self-salvation for those imprisoned. This Token allows you to go to His door at any time, but just like His Lord of Grace who never actively invites anyone, He cannot force you to push open that door, unless..."

Driven by your own desires, you pushed it away yourself.

There's no need to pay attention to him.

You did well; you didn't let your desires pull you open His door.

"Gate of Joyful Desire" is not Divine Name bestowed upon Him by "Filth and Decay," but rather a title given to Him by "Time."

Once Mortals push open that door, their desires become uncontrollable, merging with the "Sea of Desire" and becoming a depression where the ocean of desires flows backward. From then on, they have no pursuit other than Sinking in self-pleasure.

Afros once envisioned creating a paradise of desires that would please all, but His ideas were not approved by Existence, so Time bestowed upon Him the punishment of eternal imprisonment.

Eternal imprisonment!

Upon hearing this word Cheng Shi suddenly thought of the S-rank talent [Time], Eternal Prison, a powerful control talent that can freeze people in time.

So, time actually likes this method: imprisonment?

Uh, that's not the point!

Cheng Shi quickly shook his head, clearing his mind of distracting thoughts, and then asked again:

"My Lord of Grace, why Emissary of [Filth and Decay] require [Time] to bestow a name? Does [Filth and Decay]... have no objections?"

The twinkling of stars in his eyes gradually ceased. He glanced in the direction of the Sea of Desire, his tone becoming solemn.

"He never refuses, nor will He refuse, just as He never invites, nor will He invite."

Because indulging in desires is essentially breaking free from rejection, that's why I'm warning you:

Stay away from Him.

The voice of "Order" has been corrupted; you Mortals should not be tainted by it.

Is Order being corrupted?

Cheng Shi was taken aback, suddenly remembering the Great One on the Bone Throne had said, "There is a problem with the Order" and the so-called "fear of the Order, fear ( of Order)".

So, is the problem with "Order" caused by "Filth and Decay"?

Order has been defeated by Filth and Decay!?

Cheng Shi was shocked. He stared wide-eyed, trying to get a response from those cold eyes, but [Destiny] did not tell him the truth of what happened back then.

"Those things are too far removed from you; thinking about them is useless."

All you need to do is firmly walk your own path.

"But Lord of Grace, I'm still very curious. If the Filth and Decay One doesn't refuse anything, would He refuse someone from killing Him?"

Or to put it another way, if a god wants to seize His Divine Authority, or wants to bring Him down, He...

Won't you refuse?

For example... you... uh... you are another Twin Gods in the [Nothingness].

This is so blunt that it brings up the matter of the gods vying for Divine Authority among themselves.

He even specifically named his Lord of Grace!

Despite his attempt to make amends, to be honest, if Cheng Shi hadn't said those words, any player who dared to speak ill of the gods before them would probably already be meeting their demise.

No, it's highly likely that they will directly meet with [Annihilation] and then leave this world painlessly.

But Destiny is merciful; it did not blame Cheng Shi, but remained silent for a moment.

He was also considering whether or not he should let Cheng Shi know about these things.

But seeing Cheng Shi's earnest and hopeful eyes, and considering his sincerity, those eyes still responded slightly.

"No, not at all."

!??