Ben Hong looked around at the brand-new surroundings in surprise. "A palace constructed by Your Excellency with the power of a kingdom? The aura here is astonishing. It feels as though... even a true divine kingdom's palace would be no more than this..."
"Welcome to the Star God Temple." Chen Rui smiled faintly. "I don't know what a true divine kingdom looks like... but you may regard this place as something akin to one. Sit."
Ben Hong frowned, as though she wanted to say something, but ultimately held it back and sat down.
"The questions I wish to ask mainly concern certain secrets that ought to be called ancient—or primordial." Chen Rui considered his words. "I know some secrets may be bound by certain restrictions or taboos. If you cannot answer, I will not force you."
Ben Hong nodded.
"Good. Then I'll begin. First question: what exactly is the secret behind the war between humanity and the Demon Realm every five hundred years? I recall you once said it was actually akin to a sacrifice—that 'no outcome' was the rule of this war, and once anyone violated that rule, they would be 'corrected'? Why is there such a sacrifice? And who is it offered to?"
"Indeed. They are all sacrifices." Ben Hong sighed. "In this world where the weak are meat for the strong, are not all people sacrifices? The weak are sacrificed to the strong, while those so-called strong ones, in the eyes of truly supreme beings, are merely toys and sacrifices as well. Thus, the only path is to become a supreme being—to truly look down upon all living creatures."
"The supreme beings you speak of are gods?" Chen Rui frowned. "You still haven't directly answered my earlier question."
Ben Hong remained silent, clearly unwilling to answer. Chen