Sunlight dappled through the dense canopy, casting down beside the clear stream that cut across the entire Primitive Forest in the Boundless Heart Sea - New Realm Region, draping this tranquil place in a veil of golden gossamer.
The stream babbled, crystal clear and cool.
Larilo, clad in a black gown, sat upon a rock by the bank.
Her fair, jade-like feet skimmed over the water, disturbing a few silverfish that shimmered in the sunlight before quickly diving back in.
The black gown clung to her slender figure, its hem fluttering gently with the movements of her feet, like a black butterfly dancing through the jungle.
For a moment, she seemed not the Evil God who had instigated the Era of Cataclysm, but an innocent human girl, so naive and pure.
— This was the breathtaking scene that greeted Qiu Tu as he approached the stream.
Even after toiling night after night, Qiu Tu had become nearly immune to matters of men and women. Yet, upon seeing this picture-perfect scene, he was slightly stunned.
Perhaps sensing Qiu Tu's presence, Larilo propped herself up with her hands on the big bluestone, looking at the distant jungle scene as her small feet gently swayed in the water, splashing drops around.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Qiu Tu hummed a response.
Larilo chuckled softly, then said, "This is the Spirit World. Everything can transform according to the will of living beings."
"So, as beautiful as it is, it is equally false."
Saying this, she extended her delicate finger and gently touched one of the circling silverfish.
The next second, the silverfish sprouted wings and took off into the air, circling excitedly around Larilo.
Qiu Tu watched this magical scene with a slight frown and narrowed eyes.
Larilo's hand lightly touched one of the silverfish again.
The next second, feathers burst from within the body of the fish!
They swelled quickly, from the small fish's mouth to its wings and tail!
Another second later, the fish transformed into a small silver bird and flew away!
As Larilo watched the bird disappear, she smiled faintly, her porcelain-like toes lightly touching the surface of the water, causing ripples to spread out.
"Such falsities can be conjured or controlled by anyone who knows the method."
"But... for that very reason, they are like your human soap bubbles, soon to burst."
As Larilo spoke, the feathers of the small bird that had flown over a hundred meters suddenly vanished, reverting it back into a silverfish.
The silverfish fell to the ground, writhing and hopping for a bit, before it turned into a puddle of water and seeped into the earth.
Larilo leaned back on her hands, looking up at the sky, and said, "All the trees you see, the mosquitoes, the birds, most were made by me."
"The same goes for other regions. Whether it's the terrain or creatures without higher intelligence, they are all illusions crafted by the Domain Master or the Boundless Heart Sea."
"While this world may seem real and beautiful, in the end, it is false."
"And for us deities, that's why we are always looking to Descend into the real world."
Hearing Larilo's words, Qiu Tu smiled and then replied, "I can understand that, but as a human, I cannot accept it."
Saying so, Qiu Tu walked over, sat down beside Larilo, and, mimicking her, dipped his feet into the stream.
And truly, it was cool and comfortable.
Right now, the real world was in the depths of winter, but the Boundless Heart Sea was experiencing summer. Traveling between the two worlds gave a disorienting sense of temporal chaos.
At this moment, hearing Qiu Tu's response, Larilo was not yet disheartened.
She looked at Qiu Tu beside her, her fingers casually twining with the lace at the hem of her dress, and spoke indifferently, "Qiu Tu... you're not really a 'racist.'"
"It's evident from your usual actions and your attitude towards me."
"Rather than contributing to humanity, you are in pursuit of personal growth, your own glory and wealth."
Qiu Tu was noncommittal.
Larilo turned her head, with her crimson eyes looking at Qiu Tu, speaking with a hint of seduction, "So... Surrender to me, Qiu Tu."
"Become my true believer, and conquer humanity with me! Create a beautiful new world!"
Perhaps worried that her temptation might seem too fanciful, Larilo earnestly added,
"Actually... It's not that I want to do something to humanity."
"I just want a place where I can be in charge and settle down."
"When that time comes, I can promise you. That region will be ruled by both of us."
"We can both make the rules."
"In that place, you will be second to none, above all else!"
At Larilo's words, Qiu Tu couldn't help but laugh.
Looking at Larilo, he then said, "Your Highness. Actually... I have a proposal as well."
"Look... Your power isn't that strong among the Evil Gods."
"And because of the existence of nuclear weapons, you Evil Gods don't dare to invade the real world on a large scale."
"Over the years, both sides have merely maintained a balance. Humans dare not invade the Boundless Heart Sea in large numbers, and you Evil Gods don't dare invade the real world either."
"So... the idea of you using me to invade the real world and take over a region is too difficult, too difficult."
"It would be better... if you surrendered to me."
"You become my believer."
"And then I'll strive to get you a legal identity in the human world, to have you by my side."