Fierce Confrontation

"Niao Niao, hurry up!" Nuoluo called anxiously to the figure trailing behind her.

"Niao Niao is exhausted, can't we take a break?" Despite the protest, Niao Niao didn't slow down in the slightest, flapping with all its might, but Nuoluo moved too fast—a flash of crimson cutting through the vast sky like lightning.

Soon, Niao Niao was left far behind, and Nuoluo had no choice but to halt her steps. Along the way, her heart burned with urgency; the casualties among humans had reached an incalculable toll. She couldn't bring herself to look down, nor dared to, for each glance felt as if her heart were being sliced open.

The vast white earth seemed to have lost all signs of life, empty and desolate, not a single soul in sight.

Deathly silence.

Her dazzling red robe, once a symbol of the endless cycle of life, now resembled the color of blood—every drop a wound, every inch a heartbreak.

Nuoluo wished she could reach the Divine Realm immediately to find Liu Jia, determined to gain the support of the gods by any means necessary. Liu Jia and Lei Ling, no matter how reluctant, must agree. They would have no choice.

After a long while, Niao Niao finally caught up, so exhausted it wished it could collapse right there. Of course, that was only a thought—it dared not complain to Nuoluo now.

Nuoluo regarded Niao Niao coldly, unable to fathom its reasoning. Since leaving the Netherworld, it no longer wished to perch on her shoulder, preferring to fly on its own. What change had come over it? There seemed to be some hidden secret.

Had it been the Niao Niao of before, being made to fly alone would have been worse than death. In its own words, "Why must everything be done personally? As a deity, one should uphold divine dignity."

Nuoluo still had no idea what sort of divinity Niao Niao truly was; the only certainty was that in the human world, it was nothing but a lazy, gluttonous creature.

If circumstances were less dire, Nuoluo might have indulged its whims, but now every minute wasted meant irreparable loss.

Though she had reached an agreement with the King of the Netherworld, the actual implementation remained uncertain. She had to ignite the Sacred Fire at Earth's core as soon as possible to reduce casualties and accelerate rebuilding.

Niao Niao had its own reasons—it needed to rely on its own strength for certain things, and could not explain its motives to Nuoluo. Some secrets were meant to be kept forever.

"Niao Niao, whatever your reasons, you must match my pace now. I have no time to wait, nor do I wish to waste precious moments. You have two choices: one, ride on my shoulder and we go together; two, wait for me in the Earth Goddess's temple. Decide."

"Niao Niao will go with Nuoluo," it said plaintively, unwilling to be left behind. It refused to wait alone at the temple; who knew how many wandering spirits still lingered in this haunted world? It had seen enough of them in the Netherworld.

Just thinking of those spirits made Niao Niao shudder.

Obediently, it settled onto Nuoluo’s shoulder, and in an instant, their figures vanished into the horizon.

***

Queen’s Palace, Divine Realm

Lei Ling slammed her jade desk with such force that it splintered with a crack.

"Damn it, she actually made it back!" Upon hearing that Nuoluo had returned from the Netherworld, Lei Ling lost all composure. She looked nothing like her usual regal self—her hair disheveled, eyes bloodshot, radiating a thirst for violence rarely seen even among mortals.

Her hands clenched as if crushing Nuoluo's heart.

"It doesn't matter—I've plenty of ways to deal with you!" Lei Ling's icy voice echoed through the Queen’s Palace, instantly banishing any warmth, leaving only malicious poison in its wake.

Nuoluo had arrived at the Divine Realm at breakneck speed, only to learn Liu Jia was absent, his whereabouts a secret. The Queen now held dominion.

"Liu Jia—that’s the one Niao Niao saw on Sunset Mountain, isn’t it? Always shirking responsibility. Niao Niao knew he was no good from the start."

***

Nuoluo quickly covered Niao Niao’s mouth.

"This is the Divine Realm. I know you dislike him, but don’t cause trouble now—I need their support. Don’t provoke the gods’ dignity as you did in the Netherworld."

Niao Niao nodded frantically, feeling as if it might suffocate—Nuoluo’s grip was astonishingly strong. When it had taunted the King of the Netherworld, Nuoluo hadn’t reacted this way. Could it be...?

Niao Niao let out a strangled cry.

Nuoluo smacked its head, signaling it to be quiet while she pondered her next move.

With Liu Jia absent, there was only one path: to gain his support, Lei Ling’s consent was required. With Lei Ling involved, new complications could arise.

In the Queen’s Palace, Nuoluo bowed deeply. "Your Highness, I implore you to grant me this favor." She made her request with utmost solemnity. The cold indifference of the Divine Realm, and especially Lei Ling, exceeded her expectations yet again. When she spoke, murmurs rose among the gods—all opposition.

Nuoluo expressed herself humbly, willing to endure any humiliation if it meant gaining the gods’ support.

Lei Ling, perched high above, watched Nuoluo struggle and was thoroughly satisfied. Though she appeared to consider the proposal, inwardly she sneered: "You dare dream of help from the gods? Impossible!"

"This matter is grave; we shall deliberate further," Lei Ling said, pretending difficulty as she surveyed the gathered gods—almost all had received her subtle hints, while those sympathetic to the Earth Goddess line had been excluded.

She gazed at the murmuring assembly, pleased with the outcome.

Nuoluo had anticipated this. When she journeyed to Sunset Mountain, Lei Ling had obstructed her at every turn; now, needing the gods’ power, her attitude was predictable.

But Nuoluo wasn’t willing to leave without support from the royal bloodline. Even if the Sacred Fire at Earth’s core were ignited, without their backing, it would not burn long; she could not leave this threat unaddressed.

Liu Jia had vanished—was he truly missing, or avoiding her?

"Your Highness, this matter is urgent. Please, reconsider!" Nuoluo pressed her case once more.

Lei Ling stood abruptly. "Earth Goddess, can you guarantee total success?"

Nuoluo considered carefully—she trusted her father’s words, but the risks remained unknown.

Yet, whatever dangers lay ahead, they would not surpass those of the Netherfire Barrier. The flames were already in her palm, though not fully fused. Since she’d made it safely to the Divine Realm, the threat seemed manageable.

"There is not absolute certainty, but neither is there absolute peril."

"No certainty, then I cannot allow the Prince of Judgement to risk himself. The royal bloodline cannot be sent so lightly into the mortal realm!"

Lei Ling’s face was devoid of all mirth. Without her consent, no one could step into the mortal realm—not even Liu Jia.

Thankfully, Liu Jia had already departed. Otherwise, he would surely have gone. Thinking of him, Lei Ling recalled his injury on Sunset Mountain. She had sealed away news of his wound, and now was grateful he had left.

Lei Ling only wished to see the mortal world perish, day by day, in Nuoluo’s hands.

"The Divine Realm, supposed exemplar of all gods, and you, Supreme Queen, how can you be so indifferent to the fate of the mortal world?" Nuoluo’s voice rose—she saw Lei Ling’s clear refusal. Even should the Prince wish to descend, Lei Ling would block him.

"Insolence! Earth Goddess, who do you think you’re addressing? How dare you mock me!" Lei Ling’s tone climbed as well, unwilling to show weakness.

***

The gods in the Queen’s Palace bowed their heads. Before them stood the two most powerful goddesses of the Four Realms. The scene echoed that of Nuoluo’s previous journey to Sunset Mountain, but now the confrontation was fiercer.

Many gods wondered—Nuoluo had returned safely from Sunset Mountain, even rumored to have created a new Netherworld. Had her power now surpassed Lei Ling’s? If a conflict erupted, the outcome was uncertain.

Though the Divine Realm ruled officially, the Earth Goddess lineage—though weakened—was a force handed down through generations, its hidden strength not to be underestimated.

Thus, while the gods sided with Lei Ling, they remained silent, wary of the two goddesses’ struggle.

"Your Highness, the fate of the mortal world affects the stability of the Divine Realm. Should great upheaval occur, the balance of heaven and earth will be threatened. Surely, Your Highness would not wish to see that!"

"No matter what, the royal bloodline cannot be risked!"

"The Netherworld has lent its strength to the mortal world—how can the Divine Realm do less?"

"What!" Lei Ling could hardly believe it—Nuoluo had struck a deal with the Netherworld unknown even to her. The Netherworld aiding mortals? Everyone knew its coldness; it never interfered without gain.

"Earth Goddess, do you realize what you’re doing? Secretly consorting with the Netherworld—you dare!"

As Lei Ling thundered, the gods held their breath. The Netherworld’s involvement in this disaster was astonishing.

"The rekindling of the Sacred Fire at Earth’s core requires both Netherworld and Divine Realm. If only the Earth Goddess lineage’s sacrifice were needed, why would I go to such lengths?" Nuoluo’s heart bled at the thought. The Netherworld’s intervention was a double-edged sword—and the Divine Realm would not miss any chance at gain.

"The best candidate is the Divine Emperor, but will you reveal his whereabouts, Your Highness?" Nuoluo asked.

"No comment!" Lei Ling thought to herself—of course she wouldn’t divulge Liu Jia’s location.

"Then the Prince of Judgement is the only choice!"

Lei Ling’s stance softened slightly. Hearing the Netherworld’s involvement startled her, but then she realized this might be an opportunity—if the Netherworld could profit, so could she, perhaps even gain dominion over the mortal world one day.

She also saw Nuoluo’s determination: even without divine support, the Sacred Fire would be rekindled, though complications would ensue.

The first time the Sacred Fire was ignited, the Netherworld didn’t intervene, and yet it burned. What secret lay within? Why was Nuoluo so insistent on both realms’ involvement this time—what plot did she harbor?

Nuoluo’s eyes met Lei Ling’s, sensing her shift. Indeed, the mention of the Netherworld’s involvement made her uneasy, yet tempted. Benefits—such a compelling force.

The silent contest filled the Queen’s Palace with a hush akin to the lifeless mortal world—utter silence.

At length, Lei Ling smiled, transforming once again into the lofty, regal Queen.

Nuoluo finally eased half her tension. With Lei Ling’s approval, the rest could be resolved. Now that her interests were engaged, Lei Ling would commit fully for the sake of future rewards.

Nuoluo knew Lei Ling all too well—knew her ambition. The Netherworld’s involvement was a powerful stimulus.

Nuoluo thought of the Prince of Judgement, her remaining worries unresolved. If he and the King of the Netherworld appeared together in the mortal world, what would transpire? Two equally formidable forces—by introducing both divine and nether powers, Nuoluo would forever alter the balance of power in the mortal realm.

This double-edged sword—where would its final strike fall?