Hu'erlun did not know how to answer for a moment.
The concept of "deities" did not even exist in his view of life. The so-called Embodiment of Natural Power was merely a vague, abstract term he had heard from Witch Grandmother, a reverent name for nature.
Now, a radiant deity with a human-like body had suddenly answered his call and appeared before him. Hu'erlun could barely form words.
The gleaming deity in the sky seemed somewhat displeased. Frowning, he said, "What? Was it not you who summoned me? Mortal, to toy with a god is to pay a price.
"Now answer me. Why did you call for my descent? And offer your sincerity and reverence."
Hu'erlun stood with his mouth agape, his entire body trembling. It was like the first time he had seen lightning split a great tree, filling him with terror from the depths of his soul.
With shaking hands, he hurriedly slapped himself several times, restoring speech to his cramped jaw.
Hu'erlun dropped to both knees and raised his hands high, his face filled with shock and fear. "Great Embodiment of Nature, I am Hu'erlun! My fellow tribesmen are all your devout believers! Whenever our hunts yield a bountiful harvest, we offer part of our prey to you through fire!
"But my tribe, my family, my friends... they were all slaughtered just now by cruel butchers!
"I beg you, avenge them! Please! I am willing to offer everything to you, even my life!"
Human nature had been this complicated since ancient times.
Every human feared death instinctively, down to their genes.
Yet if they were given a reason to die for something worthwhile, they would still rush forward one after another, willing to burn away their lives for it.
It could only be said that Hu'erlun's threshold for dying a worthy death was perhaps somewhat high.
He had watched his tribesmen being massacred while he himself had happened to escape disaster. He had been afraid and retreated into a beast trap, able only to watch helplessly as his people were slaughtered, filled with hatred and resentment.
His grief and fury made him want to rush out at every moment and kill those thugs with his own hands.
But his fear of death told him at the same time that rushing out would only mean throwing away his life and adding to the casualties.
In the end, the latter prevailed. Tears of blood streamed down his face, yet he still chose to cling to a miserable existence.
But now, a deity had answered his summons and descended.
If one life of his could bring every murderer to justice, Hu'erlun was willing to offer himself as a sacrifice!
That fulfilled his expectation of dying a worthy death!
It was that complicated and incomprehensible.
People all feared death, yet they were also unafraid of death.
The deity high above looked down upon this small and sorrowful mortal and said pityingly, "Regrettably, as a deity, I do not wish to slaughter humans. Even if the people of the barbaric tribes are villains in your eyes, which tribe in this world has not committed villainous deeds?"
Hu'erlun's face was full of devotion, along with a trace of sorrow. "Deity, is that what you are called? Then, O deity, I beg you to tell this insignificant one how I can inflict the same vengeance upon those thugs!
"I implore you, I beseech you, you must tell me the answer! Hu'erlun will praise you forever!"
The deity's sigh reached him and struck directly at Hu'erlun's heart. He said, "I do not wish to impose cruel punishment upon the human race, but neither do I wish to see this world forever filled with slaughter and plunder.
"Perhaps only by unifying this continent can your entire race avoid the blood and tears that play out every day.
"Since that is so, Hu'erlun, tell me what power you desire, and I can grant it to you.
"But in exchange, you must also complete a task. Throughout your brief life, I will always watch over you and see whether you uphold the mission I give you."
Hu'erlun wept with joy. "As long as it is something I can do, I am willing to dedicate even my life to the deity. Power, yes, I need power to avenge my tribe and spread your glory and greatness among the other races!"
The first thing that came to Hu'erlun's mind was the mighty bodies of those Ancient Fierce Beasts, capable of leveling cities and fortresses, their strength beyond human resistance.
He raised both hands and cried, "I beg the deity to grant me the strongest power in this world, so that I alone may exact bloody vengeance upon those barbaric thugs!"
The majestic deity nodded lightly and drew the Silver Light Sword from behind his back, a blade that proclaimed authority and supremacy.
The deity gently placed the light sword against Hu'erlun's forehead. "Then I grant you absolute strength and the strongest physique!"
In an instant, the deity withdrew the light sword and slung it across his back once more.
Yet Hu'erlun on the ground had silver light bursting from his eyes, growing ever brighter until streams of radiance gushed from all seven of his orifices.
Gradually, the light faded. When Hu'erlun came back to his senses, he was already sprawled on the ground.
As he slowly straightened, the bones in his body cracked like popping beans. His muscles swelled and hardened, his skin became impervious to blades, and his reactions rivaled those of a true beast.
Power.
It was as if his body contained an inexhaustible well of surging strength!
Hu'erlun prostrated himself fully and kowtowed sincerely. "Deity, thank you for your grace. Hu'erlun will remember it for all eternity!"
Yet the majestic deity remained as indifferent and imposing as ever. "Rise. I have already given you what you wanted, but Do Not Forget that what a deity gives, a deity can also easily take away.
"Hu'erlun, you will now become God's apostle. Carry my glory wherever your eyes can see and your authority can reach, so that all people and all things may praise my name!
"This is my condition. Remember this day. From the distant heavens, I will watch over you forever."
Hu'erlun said sincerely, "I will surely take the deity as my totem and spread your glory across the Canghuang Continent until my life runs dry.
"Deity, please tell this humble Hu'erlun how to address you. Your name shall shine eternally upon this continent like the stars and the sun!"
The majestic deity declared sternly, "I am the embodiment of strength and defense. You may call me the God of War, Pantheon!
"Hu'erlun, do not disappoint me. Among the entire human race, I alone have chosen you. The price of deceiving a god is not something one as insignificant as you can bear."
Hu'erlun committed that name to memory and kowtowed. "You shall be Hu'erlun's only one, and the world's only one..."
"Go and do it. I await it."
An ethereal voice drifted down. Endless radiance dispersed, and the night returned to its ink-black depths.
Hu'erlun raised his head and saw only the lonely starry sky. The god's figure was gone.
Yet that majestic, supreme, and inviolable image had been permanently seared into Hu'erlun's body and soul.