At this moment, Jing Yan caught Adele off guard, pulling her into the Elf Clan’s strongest elemental magic domain, the World Tree Domain. The surroundings transformed; Adele’s soft, pink bedroom was replaced by the towering World Tree, its roots submerged in a shimmering green ocean, its branches and roots stretching for miles. Jing Yan, trapped within, seemed unfazed, leisurely sitting on a verdant vine, swaying gently in the breeze like a swing. Adele floated in the vast space, calm in the face of Jing Yan’s provocation.
Suddenly, Jing Yan let out a surprised “Eh?” She realized she could no longer hear Adele’s thoughts. Adele had severed their one-sided connection. Jing Yan was disappointed; she hadn’t finished enjoying Adele’s past, her newfound entertainment gone.
“My sister is so stingy~”
Adele’s lips twitched. Oh, really now? But even without access to Adele’s thoughts, Jing Yan could still read her expression.
“You’re thinking ‘Big sister isn’t very generous either,’ right~?”
“Hmph, I’m thinking, will you regret not taking advantage of me earlier, attacking first, when you’re begging for mercy later?” Adele, all talk and no action, was still holding back, remembering Jing Yan’s earlier chivalry. But she wasn’t being merciful; Jing Yan was neither friend nor family. There was no room for sentiment. Their battle was inevitable.
Jing Yan shook her head, smiling.
“I won’t regret it.”
“Because I wasn’t being merciful.”
“But hopeful.”
“Hopeful after endless ages, hoping...”
“That you could defeat me~”
Adele’s face flushed. “Is that your boast? Fine, then I won’t hold back either!” Adele finally unleashed her power. Within the World Tree Domain, she controlled the very tree itself, its might crashing down on Jing Yan like a tidal wave.
The silver-haired girl finally couldn’t maintain her nonchalance. Spatial magic like teleportation was nullified within this domain. Unless Jing Yan was vastly more powerful than Adele, she couldn’t tear open space and escape. In a domain battle, whoever entered the other’s domain first was at a disadvantage.
The towering World Tree, under Adele’s control, became a raging, living entity. Its massive branches and shimmering vines lashed out with immense force, leaving a mark that drained the magic power of anyone struck. It was like a debuff that drained both health and mana, an incredibly annoying skill. Jing Yan couldn’t fight Adele without magic, but using it only hastened her depletion.
She smiled again, and Adele’s frown deepened, a sense of unease growing, not for herself, but for Jing Yan. Damn it... why did these people, one after another... do this kind of thing...
But Jing Yan wasn’t holding back either. She deflected every one of Adele’s attacks, commenting, “Your whip technique is sloppy, your bindings weak, your power dispersed, your reactions slow. You’re nowhere near my level.”
“Then... try this!” A branch of the World Tree, under Adele’s control, exploded! This double-edged tactic surprised Jing Yan. The connection between Adele and the World Tree was stronger than she’d anticipated. Unable to read Adele’s mind, she couldn’t dodge in time. A wood splinter grazed her cheek, leaving a bloody mark.
Jing Yan hovered in the air, touching the wound, her expression finally shifting from its mysterious calm.
Was it anger? Sadness?
Adele couldn’t tell, but she was wary.
“...Interesting,” Jing Yan murmured, seeing her reflection in the blood.
She turned to Adele.
“Perhaps you really won’t disappoint me after all,” she declared.
“This isn’t child’s play anymore.”
“It’s a duel to the death.” Jing Yan’s aura surged. She was finally getting serious. Even without the awakened soul fragment of the Creation God, she was a powerful being from another world.
Until one day, an “evil god” from another realm descended... That “evil god” was, of course, the Lord of Heaven. No one knew what transpired between them, what price Jing Yan paid. Only that afterward, she awakened her past life memories and a portion of the Creation God’s power, yet also bowed before the Lord of Heaven, becoming Her “daughter.” She was stronger, but at the cost of her self.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Adele said, taking a deep breath, calm. After receiving Shirley’s inheritance, and the will of the mythical era, she knew this moment was inevitable. The girls smiled, a near-epic battle imminent.
The two demigods clashed, their battle tearing apart the World Tree Domain, shattering space and obliterating the tree itself. They became a swirling vortex amidst the debris, like a miniature planet. Jing Yan seemed to have the upper hand, pinning Adele down. But Adele still struggled, refusing to yield.
“The past you wasn’t this... disobedient,” Jing Yan gasped, blood trickling from her lips, her composure gone. But Adele, though worse for wear, her eyes burned with a fiery cherry blossom hue.
“Because that wasn’t me!” she retorted, struggling against Jing Yan. Her voice echoed, giving Jing Yan pause. But Adele couldn’t turn the tables. On the contrary, a deep despair settled upon her, and Jing Yan’s eyes darkened.
She chuckled coldly, tightening her grip on Adele’s throat. “You don’t really believe that Shirley,” she sneered, watching Adele struggle for breath. “That her little scheme could free you from my control?”
“My naive... little sister.”
“...!”
Adele’s face was red, a sign she was still alive. If it turned purple, then white, it would mean she was truly suffocating. Unable to speak, she could only listen to Jing Yan’s taunts.
“You can never defy me!”
“This is the meaning of our existence!”
“I will always be above you!”
“And Shirley... that useless thing, what can she do?!”
“What can ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) she do?!”
For the first time, Jing Yan lost her composure, her voice rising in a hysterical shriek. But beneath the hysteria, Adele sensed a profound sadness. ...Damn it, another riddle master, not explaining anything. Who knows how they became like this. Who cares about their angst!
Even if you say I can never resist, then... can I really not resist?! Jing Yan! Whatever your past, your fate... I won’t be controlled by you! Not by the Lord of Heaven! And the Creation God can go screw themselves! I am the master of my own fate! Even if her eyes were bulging from the pressure on her throat, Adele would scream this from her grave! This was not just Adele’s resolve, but the indomitable spirit of humanity!
In the distance, a faintly glowing vine drifted. Adele’s fingers twitched, reaching. This was her last chance... Taishang Laojun! Whether you exist in this world or not... Hear my plea!
Japanese Bondage Technique! The last remaining vine of the World Tree, answering Adele’s call, flew towards Jing Yan, who, lost in her own world, forgot her guard. She reacted too late.
The vine wrapped around her throat, twice, then snaked down her body, binding her wrists, her chest, her waist, her other wrist, then between her legs, tightening against her thighs, accentuating the lines of her stockings, finally reaching her ankles. The vine then returned, stuffing itself into Jing Yan’s mouth, silencing her boasts.
Adele gasped, freed, but didn’t relax, controlling the vine with her fingers. Finally, catching her breath, she stood, ignoring her skirt, and kicked Jing Yan, sending the bound, curled-up girl tumbling. Their positions were reversed. Adele was on top, Jing Yan below. Nature above Heaven’s Way! She had finally defied fate!
Of course, Adele wasn’t thinking such grand thoughts. She was just venting. And she had succeeded, not swayed by Jing Yan’s words, not doubting her or Shirley’s beliefs. Otherwise... the outcome would have been very different. After all, Jing Yan was serious, pushing Adele to the brink.
But Adele overcame it, her future wide open! She didn’t hesitate, straddling Jing Yan’s slender waist, a fierce grin on her face. “Now, tell me...”
“Who’s on top?”
Logically, Jing Yan, defeated, should be filled with regret. But after a long daze, clear tears flowed from her eyes, not of regret, nor anger. Adele even saw a hint of... amusement and relief. “...?”
Adele was bewildered. If Jing Yan felt relieved because of her defiance, then what had she been struggling for all this time?! She could have just surrendered and merged with her! Not getting the expected satisfaction, Adele pouted and ordered the vine to release Jing Yan’s mouth.
“Gasp... gasp...” The girl took deep breaths, but Adele still suppressed her, not giving her a chance to turn the tables. After catching her breath, Jing Yan looked at Adele, but her gaze seemed distant. She seemed to be talking to Adele, but Adele felt like she was talking to herself.
Jing Yan said slowly,
“You won.”
“...You finally won.”
Seriously, get out of here with your riddles! Adele frowned, about to question her, when Jing Yan finally snapped back and spoke. “It’s normal that you don’t understand,” she said, “And... fortunate.”
“Don’t rush, you’re always so impatient...”
“I’ll tell you everything, as simply as possible.”
Adele perked up, thinking, Would it be like Shirley, a memory dump so she instantly understood? But Jing Yan shook her head. “It won’t take long. I want to tell you myself.”
“Whoa! Y-You can hear my thoughts again!?”
“...”
Now Jing Yan was speechless.
“No, I can’t. It’s written all over your face.”
“But that’s not important. Now, please be patient, my... rebellious little sister~” Jing Yan regained her composure, her initial playful and mysterious demeanor returning.
But she was the one who lost. Adele was annoyed.
“What do you mean, rebellious?”
“There’s no inherent hierarchy!”
Jing Yan nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing. Her gaze softened. “That used to be true.”
“The Creation God, though the creator of all humans, saw themselves as just another human.”
“They created this world from chaos.”
“They saw it as Their home.”
“But without rules, it was fragile, easily invaded by otherworldly evil gods.”
“So the Creation God beat them up and drove them away.”
“...”
Adele’s lips twitched. It sounded like it was the evil gods who should be afraid of the Creation God.
“After that, the Creation God found a solution.”
“They reinforced the world with laws, creating the planet, the deceptive starry sky, and the invisible barrier protecting this world in the void.”
“Thus, the foundation of this unchanging world was laid.”
“Over vast eons, the Creation God felt a deep loneliness.”
“Then why didn’t they make friends with the evil gods outside?”
Adele, still sitting on Jing Yan, found the position quite comfortable.
Jing Yan, bearing Adele’s weight, explained,
“Perhaps the Creation God had social anxiety.”
“...”
“Or maybe, back then, the evil gods looked too scary and strange, not human-like, indescribable.”
“It’s not important.”
“In short, to alleviate the loneliness, the Creation God created the first human in this world.”
“You should know her name now.”
“Who?” Adele tilted her head, puzzled.
“...”
Jing Yan paused.
“The Lord of Heaven, Yawei.”
“In my awakened memories, the Creation God and Yawei shared a time of sweet innocence. It was natural for Yawei, as creation, to be close to Her creator, Her master, Her “mother”...”
“But... perhaps she was too close.”
“However, the Creation God didn’t notice, instead creating more humans, wanting the world to prosper.”
“First Jormungandr, the future Hell Queen, then Adam and Eve...”
“That was the idyllic age of the world. You dominated the Creation God’s will. The Creation God acted on desire, while I was dormant and ordinary.”
“The idyllic age lasted a long time. Humans no longer needed to be created; they reproduced, expanding their numbers. Humans weren’t the only intelligent race anymore; countless other races branched out.”
“But it didn’t last. I don’t recall the details,” Jing Yan’s voice turned somber. “But a series of events led to war between Jormungandr, a group of instigated races, and the humans. Jormungandr even rebelled under the banner of ‘divine injustice.'”
“Though easily defeated, Jormungandr and those races were imprisoned in hell by the Creation God, becoming the sinful races.”
“But this conflict broke the Creation God’s heart, making them question their unrestrained desires.”
“The Creation God withdrew, seeing no one but Yawei.”
“Yawei stayed by their side, whispering in their ear.” Adele clicked her tongue. “Wait... so, the Creation God and Yawei, that kind of relationship?”
Jing Yan sighed, regretting her decision to explain verbally. She should have just done a memory transfer like Shirley. She hadn’t even gotten far, and Adele had already interrupted. Adele, sensing Jing Yan’s displeasure, quickly apologized, “Y-You continue, I won’t interrupt!”
Jing Yan continued, “Yes, that kind of relationship. Likely, whatever you’re like, the Creation God was like that, perhaps even more so.”
“Woah...” Adele blurted out, then quickly covered her mouth. Jing Yan continued, unperturbed.
“The heartbroken Creation God, comforted and persuaded by Yawei, gradually changed.”
“And that was the beginning of the era of the Hidden God.”
“The Creation God realized that their actions brought more disaster than blessings. After all, the races had proven they could make the world prosper. It was the God’s intervention that caused the war, what Jormungandr called ‘divine injustice.'”
“The Creation God chose to suppress desire, letting Heaven’s Way rule their mind, going from one extreme to the other.”
“Disasters were frequent in the era of the Hidden God, but humans always overcame them. This strengthened the Creation God’s resolve, unaware that both excessive intervention and abandoning intervention were harmful. Only balance was the right approach.”
“But with Yawei’s influence, Balance was neglected in the Creation God’s mind, becoming weak. Heaven’s Way, dominating, clashed with Nature. The Creation God’s id was suppressed by the superego, and Balance, who should have taken responsibility, was powerless.”
“This is probably what Shirley regretted most after awakening as a soul fragment.”
“She realized she could never change reality, save the world.”
“She was always powerless.”
“And... more than once.”
“In the era of the Hidden God, humans, unaware of the Creation God’s intentions, prayed for divine protection during disasters.”
“But they were met with disappointment, again and again.”
“Gradually, the thought that ‘God has abandoned us’ swept across the world.”
“The Creation God considered divine revelation, a chance for Nature, the id, to break through the superego’s suppression.”
“But Yawei stopped them, offering an irrefutable argument.”
“‘Isn’t this what you wanted, Mother? Humans overcame disasters without your intervention, becoming stronger.'”
“‘This proves you are right! Heaven’s Way is ruthless; it must be above Nature!'”
“‘Do you want to see the past tragedies repeat?'”
“Yawei persuaded the Creation God. The era of the Hidden God continued.”
“Ironic, isn’t it? Humans thought God abandoned them, but God thought they were doing it for them.”
“Though the Creation God disappeared, legends of the Lord of Heaven began to spread. Yawei usurped the Creation God’s place in human hearts.”
“But since this was what humans wanted, and the world seemed better, the Creation God, now dominated by Heaven’s Way, accepted this,” Jing Yan’s voice grew heavy, a deep sadness coloring her expression. “And at the end of that era, made a fatal mistake, an irreversible mistake: They gave Yawei control of the world!”
“True, the Creation God created this world, but not from true nothingness. They separated a large part of their power to sustain it – the ‘authority of the world’. Yawei, gaining this, finally rivaled the Creation God.”
“That was Her goal all along.”
“With this authority, the Creation God could no longer stop Her.”
“Yawei summoned the great flood...”
“The apocalypse of ancient humanity... descended.”
“She was never reconciled...To sharing Mother Creation God’s love with lesser creations...So, she destroyed them all.”
“When the Creation God asked why, she said...”
—”Because I love you, and only you.”
—”But why do you always watch them?”
