Chapter 410: Completely Rotten
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Little one, why ask so many questions…?”
“Hurry inside.”
“High God Zong Bai should be imprisoned in the Celestial Prison. However, to enter, one must retrieve the key.”
“The key is in the hands of Immortal Sovereign Han Chuan.”
The divine guards cast reluctant glances at the Immortal Wine in her bamboo basket.
True Monarch Ling Xiao’s immortal brew was renowned throughout the Three Realms.
“If the divine generals like it, this humble immortal offers some as a gift. The True Monarch gave me plenty—please, have a taste.” Lu Chao Chao casually pulled out two bottles of Immortal Wine and handed them to the two divine guards.
In the Divine Realm, all gods possessed spatial storage—it was nothing unusual.
“Then we shall gratefully accept, little immortal. Today happens to be Immortal Sovereign Han Chuan’s birthday banquet, and the Peach Garden is open for harvesting. We can bring some immortal peaches back for True Monarch Ling Xiao as well,” one of the divine guards said with goodwill.
Lu Chao Chao expressed her thanks and then swaggered through the gates.
“Aren’t they curious about the identities of us two little kids?” Xie Yu Zhou, though simple-minded, was bold and completely fearless.
Lu Chao Chao rolled her eyes at him.
“In the Divine Realm, even a dog speaking human words wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“These old monsters, having lived for countless years, take whatever forms they please—some prefer youthful appearances, some are ancient and decrepit, and some appear as children. It’s all normal…”
Moreover, most immortal attendants appeared to be around ten years old.
Lu Chao Chao was on the smaller side, but she didn’t stand out too much.
Xie Yu Zhou looked amazed.
Lu Chao Chao dared not use her sword to fly—the Sunshine Sword was too famous. If exposed, she would be besieged.
Thus, she rode a cloud and carried Xie Yu Zhou through the Divine Realm.
“The Divine Realm is divided into Nine Heavens.”
“Mortals believe that upon ascension, they will receive endless incense and devotion from worshippers. The reality is far from that.”
“Upon ascension, one merely becomes an ordinary celestial in the First, Second, or Third Heaven.”
“Only those with supreme cultivation and boundless virtue can truly enjoy the devotion of the masses.”
“Moreover, the Divine Realm has its own native beings who also live within the First, Second, and Third Heavens.”
“Those in the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Heavens hold some authority, answer the prayers of the people, and receive incense offerings.”
“The Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Heavens belong solely to High Gods, with the entire Divine Realm governed by the Emperor Lord.”
“The Ninth Heaven is reserved for the Emperor Lord alone.”
“Yet, the Emperor Lord has not appeared for many years. Even during the Great Calamity of the Three Realms, he never showed himself.”
“Thus, the Divine Realm is now under the rule of Immortal Sovereign Han Chuan. He was originally a mere mayfly, a creature that lives and dies in a single day, without the slightest chance of cultivation. Yet, he has risen to a rank just beneath the Emperor Lord. Now, he serves as the God of Judgment.”
Xie Yu Zhou nodded in amazement. A mayfly, one of the smallest and most insignificant creatures, had climbed to such heights.
“Truly a remarkable figure.”
Though Lu Chao Chao disliked Han Chuan, she acknowledged this point.
“What about your seven disciples? What levels are they?” Xie Yu Zhou asked eagerly.
Lu Chao Chao lifted her chin proudly. Though she always called them useless fools, deep inside, she was immensely proud of them: “Same as Immortal Sovereign Han Chuan, they are in the Eighth Heaven, second only to the Emperor Lord.”
Xie Yu Zhou’s eyes widened in shock.
“Of the top ten fighters in the Divine Realm, seven of them are your disciples?”
Lu Chao Chao gazed toward the Ninth Heaven, taking a deep breath.
If they stood united, no force in the Divine Realm could oppose them.
But now…
Her heart sank.
They had nearly exhausted their cultivation to resurrect her.
“Wow, Chao Chao! Look at those beautiful portraits…”
“Look…” Xie Yu Zhou, standing in the streets of the First Heaven, pointed excitedly at the images hanging all around.
Lu Chao Chao lifted her gaze and froze in place.
A maiden, her black hair flowing like ink, wielding a longsword and pointing skyward. Even through the painting, one could feel the overpowering sword aura.
But… it was only a back view.
“This is the Goddess Sunshine. Too bad… these paintings can’t be displayed anymore…” A young celestial sighed as he took down the portrait.
Xie Yu Zhou immediately played his role as a lackey, stepping forward and slipping two spirit stones into the celestial’s hand. “Brother, we came from Penglai Celestial Island and haven’t traveled in years. Can you tell us what happened to the Goddess?”
Ascended cultivators from the outside world were known for their diligence and ambition.
They often overshadowed native celestials, making it difficult for them to thrive.
This young celestial was one of them, and now, with spirit stones in hand, he beamed happily. “There’s no harm in telling. Everyone in the Divine Realm knows the story…”
With great care, he held onto the portrait.
“During the Great Calamity of the Three Realms, a massive rift tore through the Divine Realm, and countless gales poured in, nearly destroying everything.”
“The Divine Realm was powerless. It was only thanks to the Goddess Sunshine sacrificing herself that the Three Realms were saved.”
“Back then, the Goddess’s contributions were too immense. No material could bear the weight of her achievements.”
“Thus, we could only paint her back view…” The celestial pointed at the numerous back-view portraits hanging across the streets.
Then, his face fell.
“Her seven disciples spent a thousand years, exhausting all their power, to weave her soul and send her into reincarnation.”
“This news only broke out recently.”
“Immortal Sovereign Han Chuan declared that her heart must sustain the mortal world. If it were reclaimed, the mortal world would become a hellscape…”
“She is now a heartless one.”
“And a heartless one is an evil entity.”
“How can an evil entity receive worship? How can she be the faith of the people? Immortal Sovereign Han Chuan ordered all of us to remove her portraits, forbidding any private worship…” The Divine Realm was quietly erasing Lu Chao Chao’s existence, including all records of her deeds.
The young celestial scowled. “I don’t get it! The Goddess sacrificed herself to save the world. If she can be revived, isn’t that a great thing? Why must she be branded as evil?!”
“Forget it, forget it. We mere celestials have no say in such matters.”
He clicked his tongue in frustration. “They can force us to take down the paintings, but they can’t silence our hearts. I’ll secretly send them to the Demon Realm.”
“They can cover my mouth, but not my soul.”
Just as he finished speaking…
All along the street, every portrait of Lu Chao Chao’s back view suddenly burst into blue-violet flames without warning.
“Quick, quick! What’s happening? Who’s playing with fire?!”
Countless celestials rushed in, channeling spiritual energy to douse the flames.
Yet, as the energy touched the fire, it only intensified, burning even fiercer.
Everyone froze in shock.
“It’s… it’s Immortal Sovereign Han Chuan’s Nine Nether True Fire.”
Lu Chao Chao said nothing. Expressionless, she carried her basket and led Xie Yu Zhou through the First, Second, and Third Heavens…
Each realm they passed was lit with countless flickering flames.
The fire did not bring warmth—but an icy chill.
A bone-deep cold.
Her eyes reflected the flames consuming her past, bit by bit, until nothing remained.
She looked up toward the Ninth Heaven…
And let out a low, bitter laugh.
The Divine Realm… haha…
The Divine Realm…