Chapter Forty-Two: Serpent Deity? Deity of Desire?

"Silvermoon Arrow Saint!" The orc leader spat out the unfamiliar title with resentment. After glancing back at the direction from which the arrow had flown, he addressed that place, "So it was your intervention that led to the massacre of a tribe and the death of one of our members? Saints are forbidden to attack civilians—this is a decree agreed upon by all the great temples. So what is going on here? Are you planning to break this pact?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Hearing this, the elf who had once appeared before Zhou Tian alongside the White Tiger King stepped out from the shadows. After giving the orc a serious look, she explained, "I heard the rumors on my way here, but you should know well enough that the massacre was not caused by my archery. I am only here to retrieve my kin. Please release them, or else..." As she spoke, the elf pulled her bow taut, signaling her readiness for battle should they refuse.

"Tch, if it's a fight you want, a fight you'll get!" The orc waved his hand, signaling to his companions, who immediately grew restless and ready for action.

Noticing the orcs’ reaction, the Silvermoon Arrow Saint’s expression shifted. After glancing at the elves beside Zhou Tian, she suddenly spoke, "You should recognize this, shouldn't you?"

"The Wound of the Wind God!" At the sight of the bow in her hand, the orcs recoiled as if they had seen a terrible specter. Gone was their earlier composure; one by one, they began to retreat behind Zhou Tian and his companions.

"You know the power of the Wound of the Wind God. If you wish to live, release them."

"Silvermoon Arrow Saint, I admit the Wound of the Wind God is formidable, but with your strength, you can’t draw it many times. There are so many of us—how many could you kill? So long as we’re not all dead, both you and the bow will remain here."

After a moment’s silence, the Silvermoon Arrow Saint looked again at the elves behind Zhou Tian and unexpectedly began to bargain, "I must take these people with me today. Among them is the Seventh Princess of our empire. You should know what would happen if any harm were to befall her within your lands!"

"Are you telling the truth?" The orcs were taken aback, scrutinizing the elves at Zhou Tian’s side, and genuine hesitation flickered in their eyes.

After a brief, private exchange, the orc leader replied, "If that’s the case, we’ll give you this favor today. You may take the elves, but..." He glanced at Zhou Tian before continuing, "You may take the elves, but the serpent must remain. He killed one of our brothers not long ago. We will not let him go."

"Agreed."

"No!"

The Silvermoon Arrow Saint and another elf among the group gave completely opposite answers at the same instant. Ignoring the objecting elf, the Silvermoon Arrow Saint simply responded, "I accept your terms. But I hope you will keep your word—otherwise, you alone will bear the consequences."

"Aunt, Zhou Tian and his group have helped us so much. Without him, we would have died countless times by now. How can you leave him here alone? He killed many orcs before—if he falls into their hands..."

"Alas, I do not have the power to drive these orcs away. I can only apologize to him." With a sigh, the Silvermoon Arrow Saint gave the protesting elf no more chance to speak. She ordered the others, "Take the Seventh Princess and follow me!" With that, the elves forcibly pulled the objecting one away. The Silvermoon Arrow Saint lingered until a safe distance had grown between herself and the orcs, then led the remaining elves to escape.

Throughout their departure, Zhou Tian remained silent, watching events unfold as if he were a mere bystander.

It never occurred to Zhou Tian that the elf who had always opposed him was actually the Seventh Princess of the Elven Empire. Thinking back, it was likely because of her status that she could serve as a captain of the royal guard.

The orc leader did not immediately move against Zhou Tian. Instead, after inspecting him for a moment, he asked, "Well? Doesn't it feel terrible to be abandoned by your own companions?"

"Yes, it’s not pleasant at all."

"I didn’t expect you to be so bold, even now. Not bad! If not for what you did in our empire, I might have let you go today."

"Well, thank you for that."

"No need to thank me." The orc leader beckoned to his companions and issued his orders, "Make it quick. The kid’s got guts; don’t let him die in too much pain."

Just as the orcs considered Zhou Tian to be firmly in their grasp, Zhou Tian suddenly spoke, "So you’re just going to kill me? Aren’t you underestimating me a bit?"

"Not good..." Zhou Tian’s odd response instantly put the orcs on alert. The leader prepared to strike and finish Zhou Tian off at once.

But before the orc could reach him, Zhou Tian’s body suddenly burst into a cloud of white smoke with a soft pop, and when the smoke cleared, he was nowhere to be found.

"Damn it, that brat tricked us again." The orc leader waved away the smoke, cursing Zhou Tian bitterly. He was left with no choice but to lead his orcs back in frustration.

———Dividing Line———

In a remote human village, a group of peasants danced and leapt around an altar. Led by a shaman, after three kneelings and nine kowtows, they carried a young girl forward, preparing to do something upon the platform.

In outlying regions, sacrifices were common. Even on modern Earth, such practices had not entirely disappeared. And in this world where gods and demons were real, such rituals were all the more prevalent.

Had events followed their usual course, the girl would have been killed in the name of sacrifice the moment she was placed on the altar.

But just as the shaman raised his blade to strike, he suddenly felt a weight upon him, and then knew nothing more.

"Serpent God, Serpent God, Serpent God..."

Surrounded by orcs, Zhou Tian knew he had little chance of escape through ordinary means. So, during his conversation with the orc leader, he had quietly purchased a random teleportation talisman from the system shop. Before the orc could kill him, Zhou Tian used the talisman to flee.

What Zhou Tian did not expect was that, upon recovering from the disorientation of teleportation, he found himself surrounded by kneeling people chanting and bowing, leaving him utterly bewildered as to what was happening.

"Serpent God? Sex God? They can't be talking about me, can they?"