Chapter 169: Abyss of Wailing

Standing before the entrance of the Temple of Sky’s spire, the blue-haired and blue-eyed goddess stood alongside the Priestess, the former cradling a seed as beautiful as emerald in her hand.

As previously mentioned, this was not an ordinary blessing seed; even the Life Goddess took a full week to nurture it, and it could be regarded as a prototype of Xi Fu Lin’s avatar.

This oddly familiar act had been jokingly referred to as “giving birth” by a certain priest more than once.

High-ranking figures from the Kingdom of Azure, including Wing Emperor Aistini and High Priestess Estira, had rushed back last night to witness this moment, along with the original Temple Guardians and close associates like Leila, Renée, Edwina, and Tilysha, all anxiously waiting nearby.

Even Philena had come to the scene because Vilyric wanted her to be a witness for the queen far away in the City of Courage.

Indeed, these core personnel were already aware of Xi Fu Lin’s newfound identity as the Life Goddess.

“Vilyric, are you ready?”

“Of course! I’m always ready~”

“Alright then, let’s begin.”

Ignoring the strange words that slipped from the black-haired girl’s mouth, the blue-haired, blue-eyed goddess closed her eyes, opened her hands, and numerous slender, graceful strands of hair lifted slightly in the air, while the blue-green seed floated brilliantly, gradually sinking into the ground beneath the tiled floor.

“In the name of life, sprout!”

Countless verdant lights burst forth from the goddess’s hand, swirling and intertwining as they were infused into the ground, and just like that, five seconds passed, then ten seconds …

“Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom…”

The ground beneath began to shake; not just the Sky City— even the entire floating island rocked slightly under the divine will, as if some enormous creature was brewing beneath, about to break through the soil!

“Vilyric, now’s the time!”

“Okay~”

The black-haired girl casually thrust something into the spot where the ground shook most violently, and the earth seemed to come alive, suddenly splitting open a gaping mouth and firmly engulfing it.

They hadn’t informed many about the sealing matters, only mentioning that the Divine Tree was used to sever the connection to the Abyss and bestow blessings and protection upon the city.

After all, those who had released the Withering Goddess still held ambiguous identities. Even with Vilyric personally undoing the Level 10 seal as a safety net, it was still better to have multiple layers of insurance.

After swallowing the golden crystal that sealed the divine spark, the enormous entity rapidly growing under the constant infusion of life power finally burst forth from the ground with a thunderous boom!

It was a tree, yet it was not just a tree.

With the towering spire as its inner core, countless green vines wrapped, intertwining and climbing upward like a gilded layer, gradually differentiating into a young and vibrant exterior that spread branches and leaves, transforming into the shape of a tree.

This sky-blocking tree, which should have taken hundreds or thousands of years to grow into such a miraculous giant, took merely a few minutes to take form under the blessing of divine power.

It measured in kilometers, taller than the original spire of the Temple of Sky that pierced the heavens, even enveloping the floating palace above it, its shade extending to the battlefield where Vilyric and the Withering Goddess once clashed.

Witnessing such a miraculous scene, even the Wing Emperor couldn’t help but show awe, and Tilysha had already been knocked onto the ground due to the tremors.

Edwina’s face was alight with excitement and fervor as she scribbled furiously from the start. Even the typically proud Little Dragon Daughter looked at Xi Fu Lin with newfound certainty.

However, making the Divine Tree grow was just the first step.

This miraculous birth didn’t seem to weigh heavily on the Life Goddess; she maintained her expression, eyes closed, reaching out her hand to her side.

“Vilyric, let’s go.”

“Okay.”

The two girls’ fair hands overlapped in the air.

“Vroom~”

Light and life simultaneously descended upon the world, but this time they didn’t clash fervently; instead, they merged and intertwined, and then, suddenly, the central Divine Tree erupted with dazzling radiance!

The light transformed into waves, infinitely spreading out, sweeping past the range of the sky island, expanding, expanding, towards all directions, covering one floating island after another, enveloping the entire Kingdom of Azure and even reaching farther!

This light did not disturb any creatures, but wherever it passed, the world pathways damaged by time and the Doomsday Cannon swiftly knitted back together like healing wounds, solidifying into firm and solid space.

The passage connecting the Abyss and the present world was completely severed by divine power.

Initially, with Xi Fu Lin’s current strength, she couldn’t have sealed all the abyssal entrances while the Divine Tree took shape, as it was too vast. The split of the divine sparks of Life and Decay allowed her to partially evade worldly rejection, but it also splintered the Earth Mother Goddess’s power, meaning that either Life or Decay alone could no longer wield the might of the main deity.

However, with Vilyric’s involvement, this became feasible.

Her soul power was greater than Xi Fu Lin’s, and the fusion of Light and Life became the best catalyst and nourishment for Xi Fu Lin, just as the Priestess always did.

But.

Because she participated in the sealing of the passage, Vilyric’s perception extended outward with the rippling waves, probing into another mysterious and unknown world through the rapidly healing passage.

She heard cries and wails.

Who was praying? Not one, not two, but countless voices, the wailing was harrowing and piercing, filled with endless despair after abandonment.

Though she could not comprehend their language, the prayers transformed into clear intentions, penetrating the Priestess’s mind.

They said.

“God! Why did you leave us? Why have you abandoned us! For a thousand years, we awaited you, prepared for you, through generations of inheritance, only for you to be rescued—why must you now be so heartless!!!”

They said.

“Your Majesty! God of Earth and Hope! Your humble followers offer their prayers here; I am willing to give everything, only hoping you will turn your gaze upon this world and save this world on the brink of destruction…”

They said.

“Why, why is it like this? Didn’t the Divine Messenger say that as long as we help you break free from the malicious prison, you would bestow your blessings, allowing us to return home? Why did divine punishment come one after another? Aibus, Aibus, where is your future…?”

They said.

“I know, I know! I’ve said from the very beginning that restarting the Doomsday Cannon offends the heavens, and it will surely not be tolerated by the gods! The Divine Messenger has deceived us; the place of the impending apocalypse is not some desolate vacuum! Otherwise, how could the gods have brought down divine punishment!?”

Countless beliefs, countless pleas and wails bombarded the girl’s consciousness, plunging her into confusion and bewilderment.

What… is this?

The denizens of the Abyss are lamenting? Why? Shouldn’t they be the invaders?

What… exactly is going on?

   

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