Goddess Awakens, on the Eve of the Storm

Wilderness, a tranquil valley.

This place became a temporary haven for Dongfang Yueming and Hong Ling.

"Ling'er, concentrate and calm your mind, feel every change in your body."

Dongfang Yueming imparted the "Nine Revolutions Mortal-Shedding Art" to Hong Ling without reservation.

Hong Ling sat cross-legged, and as she circulated her cultivation technique, ancient and mysterious silver patterns began to appear on her originally petite body.

These lines weren't engraved later, but rather... they seemed to have "grown" out bit by bit from deep within her flesh and blood!

As the lines spread, her demeanor underwent a dramatic change.

The mischievous, somewhat street-smart little beggar was gone.

Instead, there was a noble, sacred goddess, seemingly untouched by worldly concerns!

Her eyes opened slightly, and deep within her pupils, it seemed as if stars were fading away, exuding a chilling indifference and majesty.

Dongfang Yueming was startled and subconsciously called out, "Ling'er?"

This call seemed to break free from some kind of constraint.

The indifference in Hong Ling's eyes vanished instantly, and she transformed back into the cheerful and playful little girl she once was.

"Big brother! Look! I've become so pretty!"

She excitedly watched the silvery light shimmering on her arm, showing it off to Dongfang Yueming like a precious treasure.

Although Dongfang Yueming was puzzled, he didn't say much, but gently patted her head. "Yes, very pretty."

The days that followed were the most peaceful and beautiful time of their lives.

During the day, they hunted together in the mountains and forests. Dongfang Yueming her how to identify animal tracks and how to kill them with a single blow.

In the evening, they grilled fish by the stream. Hong Ling always picked out the tenderest piece of meat for Dongfang Yueming, while she herself gnawed on the fish bones with relish.

At night, they sat side by side on the mountaintop, gazing at the starry sky.

"Big brother, look at that star, it's so bright!" Hong Ling pointed to the night sky, her eyes sparkling with a dreamy light.

"That's the 'Morning Star,' representing hope," Dongfang Yueming said softly.

"Hope..." Hong Ling murmured to herself, stealing a glance at the man beside her.

In fact, as she cultivated the Nine Revolutions Mortal-Shedding Art, unfamiliar and fragmented images would often flash through her mind.

A collapsing world, wailing beings, and... gods falling from the heavens.

She had a vague idea of what was going on.

But she didn't want to say it, and she didn't dare to say it.

She was afraid that if she spoke out, this beautiful dream would shatter.

She only wanted to be his "Ling'er," not some... goddess.

However, the wheels of fate never stop turning.

In the Zhao Family, a stone chamber sealed for a hundred years suddenly exploded!

"Roar--!"

A roar filled with endless grief and murderous intent shattered the clouds within a hundred miles!

An old man with white hair and beard, looking withered and emaciated, rose into the sky from the ruins, exuding a terrifying and suffocating aura!

Divine Transformation Realm!

The power of a demigod!

"Who?! Who killed my son Tianlong?!"

The Zhao Family family patriarch's eyes were bloodshot, like a vengeful demon ready to devour its prey!

"No matter who you are! Even if I chase you to the ends of the earth, I will... tear your soul from your body and refine it!"

"Boom--!"

With a swift movement, he transformed into a streak of crimson light and charged madly towards the direction where Dongfang Yueming was!

The center of Zhao Family Town was already shrouded in a suffocating pressure. Zhao Family Patriarch Zhao Youming sat cross-legged in the Xukong, with three other figures exuding the same aura of destruction beside him.

That was the foundation of several major forces in the vicinity, all of whom were old monsters who had stepped into the Divine Transformation Realm!

"This child must not be allowed to live! A monster who can slaughter Divine Mark Realm cultivators with his bare body without relying on divine blessings or divine runes..." A Divine Transformation Realm elder, clad in black robes, spoke in a hoarse voice, filled with intense greed and dread. "He's digging up our roots! If he were to pass on his teachings, would there still be a place for us in this world?"

"Kill him, seize his body, and search his soul!"

The four "demigods" exchanged a glance, their killing intent surging like the sea. In an instant, they tore through the Xukong and vanished from their spot.

The tranquility of the valley was shattered in an instant.

"Boom--!"

Dark clouds filled the sky, and thunder roared.

Several terrifying auras, like towering mountains, descended from the sky, completely sealing off the entire valley!

Leading the group was none other than Zhao Youming, the patriarch of the Zhao Family!

"You little beast! You're the one who killed my son?!"

Zhao Youming looked down at them, his eyes blazing with murderous intent, his voice like a chilling wind from the depths of hell, sending shivers down their spines.

Dongfang Yueming shielded Hong Ling behind him, his expression extremely solemn.

[Divine Transformation Realm... Demigod!]

[This power has begun to touch upon the essence of the laws, far surpassing that of ordinary Divine Mark Realm!]

"If you want war, then let's fight! Stop with all this nonsense!"

He took a deep breath, his muscles tensed, and he pushed the power of the Perfection Mortal-Shedding Realm to its limit!

"Arrogant! Die!"

Zhao Youming made the first move. He had already undergone "Spirit Transformation," his body becoming semi-transparent, and every inch of his flesh and blood seemed to have transformed into the laws of thunder and fire.

With a single palm strike, the Xukong shattered; that wasn't power, but a punishment descended upon this world!

"Get out of here!"

Dongfang Yueming roared, unleashing the Perfection power of his [Mortal-Shedding Realm] to its limit. His entire body radiated an immortal pale golden glow as he unleashed a punch!

"Bang--!"

The air within a ten-mile radius was instantly sucked away! Dongfang Yueming groaned, his feet carving two deep furrows in the ground, and his arms were covered in fine, bloody gashes.

Immediately afterwards, three other experts at the Divine Transformation Realm attacked simultaneously!

Some transformed into giants hundreds of feet tall, treading on stars; others manipulated Xukong chains, sealing off the universe.

"Puff--!"

Dongfang Yueming fought against four opponents alone. Even though his physical body had transcended the mortal realm, he was still ultimately just a "mortal." In this broken world cursed by the gods, the four "demigods," representing the will of Heaven, were practically invincible!

He knelt on the ground, half of his body charred by lightning, golden blood dripping onto the scorched earth.

"Big brother!"

Hong Ling stared blankly at the unrecognizable figure from behind.

My heart is broken.

With that excruciating pain, a terrifying memory sealed away for countless years swept away the consciousness of the one named "Ling'er" like a torrent.

"Don't... hurt him..."

Her voice was no longer childish, but carried an absolute indifference that seemed to transcend the heavens.

"Hmph! They're courting death!"

Zhao Youming grinned maliciously and raised his hand again, "Next move, I'll send you to your death!"

Three experts at the Divine Transformation Realm also attacked simultaneously, their various Divine Ability powers instantly engulfing Dongfang Yueming!

Desperate situation!

A truly desperate situation!

"Buzz--!"

At that moment, the noisy battlefield fell into a deathly silence.

Hong Ling slowly floated up, her black hair instantly turning into pure silver-white, and a broken yet extremely noble mark appeared between her brows.

Her once lively eyes had now turned pure silver, coldly looking down at the four Divine Transformation Realm before her.

"Ants."

She simply raised her delicate hand.

In that instant, Zhao Youming and the others' expressions changed from ferocity to despair. They were horrified to discover that the "divine power" they were so proud of was actually flowing backwards, kneeling before this little girl!

"You are... the will of the world?!" Zhao Youming screamed shrilly.

"Die."

Hong Ling lightly flicked her finger.

"Snap!"

There were no fancy moves.

The space within a radius of a hundred miles, along with the four Divine Transformation Realm experts, was completely annihilated without a sound, as if a painting had been erased by an eraser!

silence.

A deathly silence.

Dongfang Yueming barely managed to lift her head, her eyes filled with heartache. "Ling'er..."

"Wow--!"

The moment Hong Ling landed, her petite body trembled violently, and she spat out a mouthful of golden blood!

Countless cracks, like those on broken porcelain, appeared on her skin, and a large amount of spiritual energy was rapidly draining away from those cracks.

Dongfang Yueming scrambled over and hugged her tightly, his voice trembling, "Why did this happen? You clearly won!"

"Big brother..."

The silver glint in Hong Ling's eyes gradually faded, and that lingering affection reappeared. She weakly touched Dongfang Yueming's face and gave a bitter smile:

"I am... a part of this world..."

"Those at the Divine Transformation Realm are the strongest 'cells' of this world..."

"Killing them... is... killing myself..."

"Ling'er has no regrets... as long as her older brother can live..."

Her life was fading away rapidly.

"Snap--!"

Suddenly, a huge crack appeared in the sky, and the earth began to collapse!

This world... is about to collapse!

Dongfang Yueming's eyes were bloodshot as he looked up at the sky and cried out in sorrow.

No! I won't accept it!

[This damn fate bestowed upon me by heaven, I... refuse to accept it!]