"Thank you..."
Although she knew that a simple thank you wouldn't do any good, and she was extremely grateful for what Li Xingkong had done, she had nothing left to thank him for now that she had nothing left to offer.
The people? The moment they become real lives, their free will no longer belongs to themselves.
Money... this dilapidated life support pod is the Shengxin's only asset.
As for technology... she didn't think she had any technology that could support Li Xingkong. In her eyes, Li Xingkong's methods were already almost divine, so why would he care about her little bit of technology?
As for following Li Xingkong...
Thinking of this, Shengxin fell silent for a moment.
It wasn't that she didn't want to, but as the last person of civilization, she carried an inescapable burden.
She wanted to make the dormant civilization bloom again, and before this important task was accomplished, how could she say that she wanted to follow someone?
Li Xingkong is a traveler, and her desire to revitalize civilization means she must cultivate her skills in one place. Following in Li Xingkong's footsteps is clearly unrealistic.
"You're welcome. How could I stand by and watch someone die in such a situation? Besides, the step of rescuing someone from a dream has already been a great help."
To be honest, Li Xingkong didn't really expect anything in return for saving people.
In the real universe, he was already capable of being a creator, and there was really nothing that Li Xingkong would be interested in.
As for the technology... the moment Li Xingkong dispelled the distracting thoughts from Shengxin, her memories were laid bare in his eyes. What she knew, Li Xingkong Li Xingkong; what she didn't know, under the interpretation of the Hexagram, had already formed a complete picture.
To put it bluntly, Li Xingkong was more familiar with her civilization than she was...
Although it's not something that can be said outright, Li Xingkong did indeed benefit from it, and naturally, he didn't expect anything in return.
"It's good that you're awake. Get some rest first. We still have some time before we cross the World Wall. You can think about what to do next, and... how do you plan to manage so many people?"
Although a smaller dimension has been created, it is clearly unrealistic for them to live in a smaller dimension relying on a spaceship for an extended period of time.
Moreover, there were too many people... so many that Li Xingkong and Guapilong's travel plans were affected.
Guapilong's not even mention sightseeing within the World Wall; with so many people, we should settle them down first.
After leaving the life support pod, Li Xingkong told the others that Shengxin had awakened. Upon learning that the goddess had awakened, the people in the dream world were naturally overjoyed. Soon, after a brief discussion, several representatives were chosen to come forward and prepare to pay homage to the goddess in reality.
Just as Li Xingkong left, Shengxin and Ajieta had a short time alone and were about to say something when they were interrupted by the representatives who knocked on the door and entered.
"Goddess, you're finally awake!"
The people who entered immediately knelt down on the ground and prostrated themselves.
Shengxin was momentarily at a loss. She climbed out of the life support pod and, with Ajieta's help, staggered over to them, helping each of them to their feet.
"I... I am not your god. We are all living beings in reality now, and there is no god who can Overlord your destiny. You can go and live the life you want. In reality, there are no gods."
The real Shengxin was clearly different from the god in her dream, and she deeply understood that in reality, she had no ability to protect them at all.
"God... as the world falls apart, will you also leave us?"
The kneeling representatives clearly could not understand the words of the Shengxin. People who had grown up under the protection of the goddess were suddenly told that they were free. Instead of joy, they felt the desolation of a child being kicked out of the house by his parents.
"No, that's not it. It's just that I don't have that ability anymore. In reality, I'm no different from any other person; I'm just an ordinary person."
Shengxin was clearly a little flustered; how could one confuse a dream with reality?
"Abilities... Does the absence of divine power mean one is not a god? Goddess, since you fell into slumber, countless years have passed. Even with the Poison of Corruption and the invasion of demons, we have persevered..."
"For so many years, there has been no divine support... Power is not important at all. As long as you are still there, that is enough. We cannot leave you. Think of those devout people. If you leave, how many people will give up their lives, how many will lose hope of living..."
"But..."
Shengxin's already conflicted mind became even more tangled.
Her own civilization, her own people, her gratitude to Li Xingkong for saving her... every situation made it difficult for her to make a decision.
Civilization depends on her for revival, and the new civilization in our dreams needs her as its spiritual pillar... When Shengxin awoke, she never imagined that she would be such an important person.
So many people needed her, and after much discussion, the Shengxin finally made a decision.
The lost civilization has faded with time, and even if I were to restore it, it would only be an empty shell; her people would never return.
She was the only one left of her entire race, destined to perish.
But right now, there is a living civilization, a civilization that you created from scratch, waiting for you, needing you.
Looking at the eager representative before him, the Shengxin made his decision.
She must first lead these people of her dreams to create a new civilization.
" Little Jieta... I am unable to repay the traveler's kindness for the time being, so perhaps..."
Shengxin looked at Ajieta. She already knew the general outline of the rescue; the whole incident started with the effort to save Ajieta.
"I truly have no way to repay your life-saving grace, but right now, you need me more than ever, don't you?"
Although the debt of gratitude was immense, Li Xingkong truly lacked nothing at the moment, and verbal expressions of gratitude were of no use whatsoever.
However, compared to Shengxin, Ajieta at least knew one thing.
I am not qualified to repay Li Xingkong now. Compared to his strength, I am no different from an ant. Only by becoming stronger, stronger still, strong enough to earn his attention, will I have the right to talk about repaying his kindness.
" Ajieta..."
Seemingly incredulous at Ajieta's choice, Shengxin murmured her name, lost in thought.
"Why did you choose me too..."
After a long silence, Shengxin asked a question that had been puzzling her ever since she opened her eyes.
The world collapsed because of her, yet they still chose her, even those like Ajieta who already knew the whole truth.
Whether it was a dream world or the Poison of Corruption, whether she chose to sleep to escape pain, what she did as a goddess was by no means dutiful.
"There's no reason. If I had to give one, it's because you are my creator, and I was born to protect you."
Ajieta couldn't understand it either, but as long as the Shengxin was among the options available, there was no need to look at the other choices.
Shengxin felt that although she had entered a different world, she was still living in a dream.