131 The Grand Finale (1)

Nvluo had almost forgotten that Litian had been here before. He was right; this was indeed the first temple she had ever built. Compared to all the others, this one held a more profound sense of nostalgia.

Standing for so long left Nvluo feeling a trace of exhaustion, and her complexion grew paler. She gestured for Litian to follow, then turned and walked into the temple.

Her footsteps were slow and slightly unsteady, though she tried her best to maintain her composure. Litian reached out to steady her.

Nvluo felt a momentary daze. She suddenly recalled the figure she had seen in her dreams—a blurry, unforgettable silhouette. That figure in her sleep had brought her a sense of peace, a source of strength she could rely on in the boundless expanse of her dreams. And now, the support provided by Litian’s presence arrived just when she needed it most. Their figures gradually merged into one. She became even more certain that the person in her dreams was him.

Before the Sacred Fire at the Earth’s Core had been extinguished, Nvluo had never imagined that she and Litian would ever have such an intersection, just as she had never imagined that she would one day break completely with Leiling, even to the point of a life-and-death struggle. Former allies had become enemies, while the Underworld, once perceived as a foe, had become an ally with whom she now shared life and death.

Litian’s support had built the Human Realm as it stood today; Nvluo never denied this.

Back when she first entered the Underworld, she could never have obtained the Underworld Fire, let alone escaped, without Litian’s support. When she built the City of Reincarnation, the spirits could never have been successfully reborn without his backing. Even when she was injured, he had not taken advantage of her vulnerability but had instead offered help without asking for anything in return.

Most importantly, she needed this support. As the last heir of the Earth Deity lineage, she had lost far too much throughout her long life. She needed a pair of hands to pull her back from the abyss of despair in her moment of crisis. She had once thought she had found them, only to discover it was a betrayal. But now? Everything was real. Casting aside all status and positions, she simply craved this warmth.

Litian’s brows were furrowed; he had been negligent. Nvluo’s injuries were worsening, and she was desperately trying to hide them. Her hands were trembling, cold as the water of the Sanchuan River. Her hands should not be like this!

Nvluo gently met Litian’s gaze and was shocked to see heartache—he was pained by her condition. She read all his thoughts.

Litian swept her up into his arms and walked toward the inner hall. She needed rest.

Nvluo looked at him in astonishment; she was not so fragile as to require this! Yet, this warm embrace felt strangely familiar.

It was back when the Sacred Fire had first been lit and she had fallen into a deep slumber. She did not know how she had arrived at the temple, only that in her unconscious state, she had felt surrounded by warmth.

Nvluo closed her eyes, struggling to recall everything from that time. It was him.

"You were the one who carried me back to the temple last time, too!" Nvluo had once assumed it was Niaoniao, who had taken human form, but she never expected it to be Litian.

"Yes," Litian did not deny it. Seeing Nvluo realize this made him happy.

Inside the inner hall, Litian gently laid her down. He did not leave immediately, instead looking at her with a gaze she had never seen before—intense and scorching, as if it could set her aflame. Nvluo instinctively wanted to escape, lowering her head as if avoiding his eyes would allow her to pretend she knew nothing.

Litian gazed at her for a long time, sighing inwardly. Perhaps silence was the best choice.

He took Nvluo’s hand again, channeling his power into her body. Since he had been able to wake her last time, he could help her overcome this crisis again.

Nvluo stopped him. She knew well that doing this caused Litian harm; he suffered for her sake time and again, which was not something he should have to bear. The exhaustion he had shown when she woke up last time was still vivid in her mind.

Litian shook his head, refusing to stop.

Nvluo looked at him with complex emotions—guilt, gratitude, and, even more so, trust.

She felt her eyelids grow heavy, as if pressed by a mountain, and she slowly closed her eyes, slipping back into darkness. But this time, a faint smile played on her lips—a smile of peace.

It was a long time before Litian released her hand. His own face had turned deathly pale, having exhausted too much power. His arm hung limply by his side.

Watching Nvluo on the couch, he felt a sense of peace he had never known. One sleeping, one waking; there were no disturbances, just the two of them in silence.

Litian closed his eyes, flashes of every scene where they had met crossing his mind.

When they first met at Sunset, she had drawn every gaze, her dazzling red robes like the flames of the sunset itself—once seen, never to be forgotten.

After meeting in the Underworld, she had been shocking—trapping the Dream God in a dreamscape, breaking through barrier after barrier he had set, shattering his illusions.

Later, for the sake of the City of Reincarnation, she had sacrificed everything, casting aside her own identity solely for the revival of the Human Realm. She was worthy of the title of Goddess of the Earth. A rare smile appeared on Litian’s lips.

It was a quiet, beautiful scene, one that no one could disturb. At this moment, the connection of their souls was worth more than a thousand words.

Nvluo’s injuries never fully healed; she struggled between consciousness and coma. In her half-awake state, everything seemed unreal. When awake, she saw Litian’s anxious gaze and weary expression. When unconscious, the past played out in her mind.

Litian did not leave; he felt her struggle and helplessness. A new, mysterious power—something he had never encountered—was slowly emerging within her. Under its influence, Nvluo grew even weaker.

After countless repetitions, Nvluo finally awoke. The moment she opened her eyes, she felt a sense of disorientation.

Litian appeared before her, but his expression was so weary. Nvluo twitched her fingers; how could she not know what price he had paid?

"You're awake!" Litian’s voice was laced with undisguised exhaustion. He had spent too much power; if she hadn't woken up, he might have collapsed himself.

Nvluo nodded, trying to sit up.

"You need to rest!" Litian intended to stop her, but he gently helped her up anyway.

Having exhausted so much power, his fingers trembled uncontrollably. He hurriedly pulled his hand back, not wanting her to notice.

Nvluo felt a pang of heartache. This was not his burden to bear, yet he carried it without a single complaint.

What more could be said? Perhaps all words were pale. Nvluo took his still-trembling hand. Their hands had once been so different, but now, there was no difference in temperature; they were cold, as if they were one.

Their intertwined fingers were a promise of shared destiny. They had once been enemies, yet now, they had entrusted their lives to each other.

Nvluo would never forget what Litian had sacrificed for her, nor what those trembling fingers signified.

Tears fell, hitting the back of Litian’s hand, hot and silent.

How long had it been since she last wept? Yet now, Nvluo’s tears fell like broken pearls, landing on the hands that had once been cold but had offered her silent support so many times.

Litian panicked. In his memory, Nvluo was decisive and firm, or calm and peaceful, but he had never imagined she would weep. The tears hitting his skin felt like they were burning his soul. Was her condition worsening? He scrambled to wipe away the tears.

"Don't move," Nvluo said, her voice hoarse. "Thank you..." She was finally venting the emotions she had suppressed for so long.

Litian’s fingers were stiff. Everything happening today exceeded his expectations. As the tears continued to fall, he could only grip her hand tightly, attempting to transmit his silent support.

Long afterward, Nvluo stopped crying. She had been strong for so long that she had forgotten she still needed support. Now, she had finally found it.

She awkwardly let go of his hand and wiped her eyes, but she did not look up. After such an emotional release, she did not know how to face him.

Litian’s gaze never left her. He felt a pang of sympathy for her tears. That silent weeping—she had endured for far too long!

In his heart, Nvluo had always been a special existence. Every move she made tugged at his thoughts; as long as it didn't violate his principles, he would even change for her.

As the ruler of the Underworld, his world had always been dark and lightless. Having experienced so many moments of death, his heart had long since turned cold. His long life had made him forget everything else. He possessed the power to change the world and stood at the pinnacle of authority; there was nothing left in the world that could capture his attention. Or so he had thought, until a streak of red burst into his sight.

Nvluo’s appearance changed the trajectory of his fate. When he realized this, he had struggled. After she broke into the Underworld, he had once wanted her to disappear forever, but he had changed his mind countless times.

For her, he had turned Fengdu into the City of Reincarnation; he had offered help when the Sacred Fire was rekindled. When she was in crisis, he had not hesitated to consume his most precious power to wake her.

He had once asked himself, "Do I regret this?" But he had denied it every time. He never regretted it. There was always one figure in the world who was different, and in his life, the only one who could change him was Nvluo. Since he understood his own heart, why regret anything he did for her?

Today, Nvluo’s tears told him one thing: he was different to her, too. His trembling fingers showed his injury, and the fact that she wept for his pain meant that he would never regret his sacrifices!

Nvluo kept her head down; she dared not look at him, which was, in itself, a way of avoiding her own heart. In this moment, she finally confirmed it: Litian was different to her. She needed him.

Even if she had to face unknown challenges in the future, she needed him.

"Nvluo, let's put aside our identities, shall we?" Forget status, forget everything. In this moment, they were just Litian and Nvluo.

Nvluo slowly raised her head. Though her eyes were red and swollen, their gaze shone like the morning light. She understood his meaning. Forget their identities; here in the Human Realm, they were just ordinary people.

"Alright."

As their eyes met, they saw their own promise reflected in the other’s gaze. This was their unspoken understanding; once their hearts were set, they would have no regrets, even unto death.

They looked at each other and smiled, the warmth reaching their eyes. This was the first time Nvluo had seen Litian smile so clearly.

He looked softer—a word that would never be used to describe the King of the Underworld. If any deity of the Underworld saw him now, they would surely faint on the spot.

"Litian, help me go for a walk." She had lain there for so long that she felt as if an entire cycle had passed.

Though he disapproved, her complexion had improved, and a walk might do her good.

Stepping out of the temple, the sunlight fell upon her without reserve, bringing a warm sensation.

Nvluo stretched out her hand, letting her fingers bathe in the sun. She loved this feeling—the light slipping through her fingers, leaving only warmth behind. The earth had already regained its vitality; she could forget everything for a while.

Time and space could handle everything for her, unless there was outside interference. But who would come to the Human Realm now? Not for the time being!

Leiling had returned to the God Realm injured and had sworn never to set foot in the Human Realm again. Even if she were plotting something, it couldn't be done in the short term. As for the Underworld, their King was right by her side—what was there to worry about? The only other threat was from the Demon Realm, but Nvluo wasn't worried; she had largely eliminated their forces in the Human Realm. Whatever remained was mostly sealed and posed no threat. For now, she could rest easy.

For now, she was just herself!

"Nvluo, why do you like this place so much?" Even though it was the first temple she had built, he still found it strange.

"This place?" Nvluo smiled faintly. It wasn't just the first temple she had built; it was because this place reminded her of one word.

She had personally created the current situation in the Human Realm, but she had never experienced a day of normal human life herself. That was the life she envied most—the feeling of a "home."

From the day this temple was built, she had considered it her spiritual refuge. That was why, compared to other temples, this one was so dilapidated, yet it was the one she cherished most.

She didn't want to explain this just yet. Litian would discover it slowly. Other temples belonged to the Goddess of the Earth, but this one truly belonged to Nvluo.

"I won't tell you! Guess!" Her smile deepened.

So, this was the change that followed revealing one's heart. Nvluo had never spoken to him like this before, but it felt wonderful.

Litian stared at her, discovering yet another unique side of her. Would he find more in the future?

As for the temple? He had been surprised when he first arrived, but this time, it felt different. It was a uniqueness that could only be felt through careful observation. Everything here bore the traces of Nvluo; every corner held her mark. This was indeed different from the other temples.

The Temple of the Goddess of the Earth in Fengdu was far grander, yet it lacked her unique aura. Even the Main Temple didn't have it. Only here could he feel the true essence of Nvluo.

Was this what she wanted? A place stripped of all external decoration, where only simplicity could express the truth.

Litian shook his head; he wanted the exact answer.

"If you can't guess, then keep guessing!" Nvluo smiled, refusing to give the answer. Saying it easily would ruin the effect. "Litian, feel everything here carefully, and you will find the answer."

"Alright." Litian didn't press her. Since she wanted him to find the answer himself, he would take his time.

Nvluo coughed softly, a bitter smile on her face. Even if she could enjoy this rare moment of comfort, she couldn't ignore one thing: her injuries.

Until now, she didn't understand why her injuries had lasted so long. More strangely, they seemed linked to the Xiuyi clan. Could human power really affect her for this long? How did Leiling manage it?

"Nvluo, think carefully—what else could your injuries be related to?"

Litian was truly baffled. Her injuries had persisted for so long, through countless comas. He had tried everything, but could only temporarily alleviate them without rooting them out. And now, he had discovered this mysterious power.

"I can't think of anything. Perhaps I just don't understand humans well enough, which led to all of this. I know nothing about the Xiuyi clan." The secrets of the Xiuyi clan far exceeded her knowledge; even after she had asked Shaoguang to investigate, they had learned very little.

"Litian, leave that child's spirit behind. I want to try again. There must be a way to have him reborn. As for that other spirit, let him go to the Sanchuan River!"

"Alright, but you must promise me one thing: even if you want to resurrect him, you must wait until your injuries are healed. Otherwise, you are not to waste your power to save that child. I won't allow it."

Nvluo had been delaying arrangements for the child, and Litian had long guessed her thoughts. It was just a spirit, and he didn't want to get too involved. But if he could discover the secrets of the Xiuyi clan after the child grew up, he would be happy with that result.

"Thank you."

Nvluo didn't understand why she felt so differently about that child. Perhaps it was guilt toward Luoyun, or perhaps something else. She couldn't explain the reason, but one thing was certain: the child's fate had changed.

"Besides the power of the Xiuyi clan, another mysterious power has appeared within you. Haven't you noticed?"

***

(Author's Note: Sorry for keeping everyone waiting!)