118 Intertwined Fates

Nvluo did not wake up, and Shaoguang dared not leave her side. During this time, Shikong had tried to request an audience with Nvluo, but was blocked by Shaoguang. She simply told Shikong, "Her Highness needs rest and will not see anyone for the time being." Thinking of Nvluo's exhaustion, Shikong did not suspect anything.

The Four Seasons had yet to appear, leaving Shaoguang both angry and anxious. However, with all her energy focused on Nvluo, she dared not step away for even a moment.

"Your Highness, please, wake up soon!" Shaoguang prayed in her heart.

The rain showed no signs of stopping. Had the sacred fire not been lit, Shaoguang would have almost taken it as a premonition that disaster was descending once more. In her deep slumber, Nvluo’s complexion grew increasingly pale, as if her lifeblood had drained away and could no longer flow through her body. Shaoguang had tried infusing her own power into Nvluo; although the results were minimal, she could not simply stand by and do nothing.

At that very moment, the instant Nvluo collapsed, Litian, who was rushing toward Fengdu City, suddenly halted his steps. An uncontrollable surge rose from deep within him, and a mouthful of blood sprayed forth.

He had actually vomited blood.

Litian wiped his lips, staring in disbelief at the bloodstains on his fingers. Looking up at the relentless, ceaseless rain, a terrifying thought flashed through his mind: It couldn't be her…

Litian quickened his pace, never having felt such urgency in his life. He prayed it was not what he feared.

Shaoguang grew increasingly frantic. She had exhausted every method she could think of, yet Nvluo showed no signs of waking.

"Ah!" Shaoguang could not believe her eyes.

A strand of white hair. She had actually spotted a strand of white hair. Mixed into the golden locks that had long since lost their luster was a sinister white hair, so pale it stung Shaoguang’s eyes. Trembling, she cradled the strand, tears instantly blurring her vision. The Highness’s golden hair—the symbol of abundance in the human realm and the emblem of vibrant life—had turned into this. Shaoguang hated herself for not discovering the severity of Nvluo’s injuries sooner, and hated herself even more for failing to lighten her burden, ultimately leading to this outcome.

"Shaoguang!" Shikong called out gently from outside the chamber.

Shaoguang hurriedly wiped her tears, forcing herself to appear composed. She walked out to face Shikong. "Shikong, what has happened?"

"How is Her Highness?" Shikong had not witnessed Nvluo vomiting blood and collapsing; though worried, she did not realize that Nvluo was teetering on the edge of life and death.

"Everything is fine, but Her Highness has ordered not to be disturbed for now. I am sorry, Shikong, you cannot see her at this time."

Shikong did not press further; she understood Shaoguang’s dilemma. Once Her Highness made a decision, it had to be carried out.

"Shikong, is there any news of the Four Seasons?"

Shikong shook her head; she, too, could not leave Fengdu City even a single step.

"The Four Seasons have gone too far. This time, she will not escape punishment." Shaoguang could not fathom what could have caused the Four Seasons to stay away for so long.

Shikong sighed inwardly; it was something the Four Seasons deserved. She turned and left.

Shaoguang hurried back to Nvluo’s side, only to be met with an even more shocking sight. Strands of white hair froze her to the spot.

"Your Highness, in your slumber, when will you ever wake?" Shaoguang reached out with trembling hands to grasp Nvluo’s cold fingers, as if trying to impart her own warmth. She hated her own helplessness; her power was simply insufficient to wake Nvluo. What kind of injury could cause the Goddess to sprout gray hair so early, and what kind of conviction had she relied upon to hold on until now?

Litian finally arrived in Fengdu City. He had to confirm something. Without drawing any attention, he went straight to the Main Divine Temple, Nvluo’s residence.

Shaoguang suddenly sensed something amiss. An unknown power had appeared in the temple, and it was closing in on her. Who was it? She steeled herself, gently released Nvluo’s hand, and turned to walk out.

The visitor was unexpected—it was the Lord of the Underworld. Why was he here? And why did he choose to appear at such a time?

"Lord of the Underworld, may I ask why you have appeared here at this hour?" Shaoguang’s tone was icy. Regardless of his status, trespassing in the Divine Temple was an act of extreme disrespect. At the same time, her fingertips tensed; if the Lord of the Underworld intended to take advantage of the situation, the consequences would be immeasurable. Though the Underworld had always appeared harmless, no one could guarantee what they would do if they discovered the Goddess was injured.

Litian paid no mind to Shaoguang’s display of anger; he only cared about the matter that troubled him. "Where is the Goddess of the Earth?"

Shaoguang’s heart skipped a beat. Could he already know about the Goddess’s injuries? No, it shouldn't have been that fast. Shaoguang steadied herself; she was too worried, which would only make her lose her composure.

"Her Highness is not in Fengdu City. As for her whereabouts, I am sorry, I cannot disclose them."

Litian looked at Shaoguang, who was feigning calm, then cast his gaze toward the tightly closed door behind her. She was deliberately hiding something.

"Is that so?" Litian asked in return.

Shaoguang felt nervous; the Lord of the Underworld had clearly sensed it. Litian remained silent for a long time, and under his gaze, Shaoguang felt the pressure mount. Suddenly, Litian’s figure flashed. By the time Shaoguang reacted, it was too late. She cursed to herself, "Oh, no!"

Litian had already appeared before Nvluo.

"Lord of the Underworld, do you not find your behavior excessive? This is the human realm, not the Underworld!" Shaoguang rushed toward Nvluo to protect her. Although she knew her power was insignificant compared to his, no one would harm the Goddess in her presence unless she were dead.

Litian waved his hand, and Shaoguang was instantly immobilized. She glared at him, struggling with all her might. "You shall not harm Her Highness!"

"Shut up." Litian had no time to tangle with Shaoguang. He felt like sealing her mouth, but he needed her explanation for certain things; otherwise, he would not have tolerated her shouting at him.

"Your Highness, I am sorry!" Shaoguang closed her eyes. At this moment, neither she nor the Goddess had any power to resist the Lord of the Underworld. She could almost foresee the outcome: if anything happened to the Goddess now, the Underworld would certainly seize the opportunity to invade.

Litian ignored Shaoguang, his gaze entirely consumed by Nvluo’s white hair. Why would lifeless white hair appear on her? He gently stroked the hair that had lost its luster, not even noticing that his own fingertips were trembling.

Shaoguang opened her eyes, stunned. Was she hallucinating? The Lord of the Underworld was actually healing the Goddess? He was not taking advantage of the situation?

Litian poured his power continuously into Nvluo’s body. As the seconds ticked by, Nvluo showed signs of improvement, yet Litian’s brow remained deeply furrowed. Shaoguang watched them without blinking, fearing she might miss a single detail. Seeing the Goddess slowly recover, she wondered why the Lord of the Underworld’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Litian finally released her hand and lifted the restraint he had placed on Shaoguang. Shaoguang rushed to Nvluo’s side and held her hand tightly; there was now a trace of warmth in her fingertips.

Litian remained in deep thought. He had just examined Nvluo’s injuries. If it were merely an injury, the power he had infused should have been enough to wake her, yet she remained in a slumber. Moreover, he had sensed an unknown, mysterious power within Nvluo that was resisting his own energy—and not only that, it was devouring her very body. Who could possess such evil power?

"Thank you, Lord of the Underworld." Though she did not understand why he had suddenly intervened, if the Goddess showed signs of improvement, she would surely wake in time.

"It is too early to say that." The Lord of the Underworld still could not fathom who would inflict such evil power upon Nvluo, or who could possess the strength to force her into such a state.

"What has the Goddess of the Earth encountered during this time? Have there been any other anomalies in Fengdu City?"

Shaoguang was clearly taken aback. What did he mean? Was the Goddess not just injured? Was there some hidden truth? Litian saw Shaoguang’s confusion. He also knew that Shaoguang was different to Nvluo, and she would never betray her.

"She is not just injured; she has also been invaded by another power."

"What!" Shaoguang gripped Nvluo’s hand tightly, as if afraid the Goddess would vanish if she let go. "What do you mean by 'invaded by another power'?"

"What is Your Lordship referring to?"

Litian shook his head. He truly did not know the source of this power. Although he ruled the world of the dead, compared to the aura of death, this power felt even darker and more malicious.

Shaoguang carefully recalled every detail of her time with Nvluo. She had known about the injuries, though she hadn't realized they were this severe, but she had noticed nothing else. Everything in Fengdu City had been normal. However, given his status as the Lord of the Underworld, he would not say such things unless he was certain of something.

"I have only helped her temporarily evade danger. Without finding the cause, it cannot be eradicated..." Litian felt exceptionally furious. It was best that he not discover the reason, or he would not hesitate to use his own methods.

Shaoguang had a strange feeling. Was this truly the Lord of the Underworld before her? The legendary, cold, and heartless Lord of the Underworld? A thought suddenly occurred to her: perhaps he was even more worried about the Goddess’s injuries than she was. No matter how he tried to hide it, his eyes would not lie.

Shaoguang looked at the Lord of the Underworld with expectation. Even if they could not identify the source of that mysterious power, they could at least use his strength to treat the Goddess’s wounds. If they were lucky, perhaps she would awaken. Once the Goddess awoke, these mysteries could be solved.

Litian gazed at Nvluo. The immediate priority was to wake her; everything else could be resolved in time.