012 Origin of Fate (12)

Nüluo snapped back to her senses, staring in astonishment at Niaoniao. At this moment, Niaoniao had no interest in noticing Nüluo’s reaction; it was basking in its own triumph, letting out a series of sharp, proud cackles. The group who had been burned sprang to their feet, their gazes so fierce it seemed they might swallow Niaoniao whole. Yet, inwardly, they mused that this so-called bird was indeed a formidable creature—silent flames appearing out of nowhere, what manner of monster was this?

Niaoniao thought to itself, This little lesson is a bargain for you all. In the past, I would have shattered your divine cores—do you think Niaoniao is easy to bully?

Nüluo stood up, “A misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding,” she said, casting Niaoniao a stern glare that clearly meant: Now is not the time for trouble, restrain yourself. Niaoniao folded its tiny wings and returned quietly to Nüluo’s shoulder.

“You think it ends here? It’s not so simple,” a man declared, rising to his feet. Most of his red hair was singed, leaving him in a pitiful state, his narrowed eyes full of dangerous bloodshot lines.

“That’s the one—he was the loudest in mocking Niaoniao earlier,” Niaoniao whispered in Nüluo’s ear.

“My pet is unruly. I apologize,” Nüluo smiled, offering her apology.

The red-haired man was relentless, “No way! This damned creature, whatever it is, dared to burn me. I’ll strip it bare!”

Nüluo was growing angry herself. She guessed this red-haired man was from the Demon Realm and hadn’t intended to create extra trouble. If they hadn’t so recklessly discussed Niaoniao, none of this would have happened. Niaoniao never sought out trouble; it was a bird of extraordinary laziness. Even now, Nüluo didn’t know why it had chosen to help her—perhaps just for that seemingly distant condition it had set.

The atmosphere turned cold and tense. As powerful beings faced off, most guests retreated, watching from afar with curiosity.

The red-haired man raised his hand, and a bolt of lightning materialized, striking ferociously at Niaoniao.

Sitting on Nüluo’s shoulder, Niaoniao remained unmoved, as if it too were a mere spectator, gazing disdainfully at the red-haired man. He thinks such weak magic could harm Niaoniao? Its odd little eyes turned.

Suddenly, the lightning vanished without a sound, and calm returned. Niaoniao looked at Liujia in surprise, not expecting him to intervene. Nüluo smiled; to challenge Liujia’s dignity so brazenly—how foolish.

The red-haired man, furious, summoned another bolt, only for it to disappear again. After several rounds, he collapsed weakly into his seat, his face filled with shock, the arrogance gone. So this is a true powerhouse—silently devouring his lightning, who else in the world could do such a thing?

All the spectators stared in terror, wondering what would happen if that lightning had struck them. The thought was unimaginable.

Nüluo smiled serenely, her face calm and soothing, easily dispelling the red-haired man’s anger. Her smile held neither contempt nor disdain, only tranquility—a smile of true confidence, the kind only a true master could wear. The red-haired man gave up any thoughts of further challenge, realizing this was not someone he could contend with. One was already formidable, but there were three.

The inn was utterly silent. Nüluo’s gentle, silent smile brought closure to the incident—it was the final ending.

With the matter settled, Liujia and his group departed, leaving Sunset Town behind. They left under the admiring gazes of the crowd.

As they stepped out of the Sunset Inn, the innkeeper’s face showed a mysterious, enigmatic smile once more.

After a brief lull, the inn returned to its lively state.

“To challenge the strong so recklessly—that’s what you get,” a voice mocked the red-haired man, and the air buzzed with discussion.

Another bolt of lightning struck a black-haired man, who screamed in agony and fell to the ground, glancing one last time at the world before closing his eyes forever.

So that’s the fate of being struck by lightning. The spectators fell silent again, recalling the figure who had silently consumed the lightning—a chill ran through their bones. Too powerful.

The red-haired man roared, “Don’t mess with me! I’m furious!” and stormed out of the Sunset Inn. Unable to challenge the strong, he sought to vent his anger on the weak. After all, this was a world where the strong preyed on the weak.

In the distance, Sunset Mountain burned bright and dangerous, its flames a beacon. Groups of travelers set out on the path of deadly challenge, guided by its dazzling glow, though most would never return, vanishing like shattered fragments into the world.

Nüluo looked back one last time, bidding farewell to Sunset Mountain, to the flames, to her past sorrow, and to the souls that drifted there.

Her red dress, having endured the mountain’s fiery trial, shone ever more vividly, radiating a fierce light. Yet even that brilliance could not conceal the growing darkness within Liujia’s heart. His silence, his unspoken words along the journey—all weighed heavily in Nüluo’s mind, her worry deepening, as if an answer was forming in her thoughts, ready to tear away every facade. Like a malignant growth, it finally stretched out its sinister tendrils.

The time for parting had come.

“Liujia, let us part ways here.” Perhaps this was the best choice.

“Nüluo, you…” Liujia hesitated. After a moment, he asked, “Will you ever return to Sunset Mountain?”

“I’ve already claimed the Sacred Earth Flame. I don’t think I’ll ever come back.” Nüluo suddenly understood what Liujia feared, and the confirmation chilled her to the core, as if her crippled right hand mirrored her feelings. At last, they had reached this point. From now on, trust was gone—shattered in that instant when the Sacred Earth Flame chose her. The Heavenly Emperor’s dignity had been challenged. He feared her power might surpass his. Had he ever truly trusted her? Had there ever been real faith? This moment stripped all veils away.

“If the Core Earth Flame is never extinguished, I won’t return. I hope I never have reason to come back,” Nüluo said bitterly. What else could she say? What promise could she offer—one made at the cost of her life? Would he believe it?

“If the Core Earth Flame is never extinguished, then you…”

So suspicion had always been there; trust had never existed. At this moment, Nüluo wished she could retreat to a dark corner and weep aloud. Trust was gone, perhaps ground to dust at some unknown moment, vanished in the blazing fires of Sunset Mountain, never to be found again.

“I, Goddess of the Earth, swear on the lineage of the Earth Gods: for the rest of my life, I shall never set foot upon Sunset Mountain. Should I break this vow, my soul shall perish, and the Earth God line shall end.” Her heart bled. Would such a vow ease his mind?

Liujia had not expected Nüluo to make such an oath. The vows of the Earth God line were always fulfilled. Would he be reassured? Perhaps, perhaps not—but the vow would bind Nüluo for life.

Nüluo watched Liujia’s departing figure, staring after him for a long time, finally understanding why he had appeared at Sunset Mountain, why he had hurried ahead to seize the Sacred Earth Flame, why his reaction was so unusual after she obtained it. Everything changed the moment he desired to become Heavenly Emperor.

For power, he abandoned her; for the Sacred Earth Flame, he abandoned her again. So heartlessly he tore apart the last shreds of trust. From now on, he was only the Heavenly Emperor, and she, only the Goddess of the Earth.

“Niaoniao, where will you go?” she asked.

“Niaoniao wants to go with you! Don’t you want Niaoniao anymore? Such a cute and well-behaved Niaoniao,” it replied, leaving Nüluo speechless. “Cute, well-behaved”—words that could hardly describe Niaoniao. She’d rather choose death first.

Niaoniao rolled its eyes at her, dispelling the sorrowful mood in an instant.

“If you don’t want Niaoniao, Niaoniao will be homeless,” it said, deliberately feigning a pitiful expression.

That sharp voice felt so familiar and dear at this moment. Thank you, Niaoniao.

When the last trust was broken and doubted, it became clear—he had never trusted her, not once. Never… not ever… Perhaps it was better this way, with all ties severed. Farewell to the unforgettable innocence of the past; everything had changed as she grew, though she never wanted to believe it. So let it end—this is the true conclusion. Without trust, they were finally strangers.

At this moment, destiny ended. When they met again, the trust of old would never return. He and she would only fulfill their respective roles. He and she would remain strangers.

She clenched her right hand once more, feeling the Sacred Earth Flame quietly growing in her palm, as if reminding her to press onward.

Suddenly, a tremor rose from her left palm, so slight as to fear disturbing her, its tiny wings flickering gingerly. With each vibration, an inexplicable emotion was conveyed—it wanted to say something.

A Nether Butterfly—is it truly a Nether Butterfly? What did its appearance signify? What would it bring her?

Fate is a strange thing, like her encounter with Niaoniao, who entered her life without warning.

And the Nether Butterfly in her palm—what fate would it bring?

“Niaoniao, if you choose to walk with me, there will be many dangers. Will you regret it?”

“Only a fool would regret it. Niaoniao isn’t a fool, so Niaoniao won’t regret it. Don’t forget, you still haven’t fulfilled my condition. What Niaoniao decides will never change.”