From above the Star Dou Forest, a towering golden ancient tree stood amidst the endless sea of greenery, its vast canopy spreading like the loving arms of a mother embracing the entire woodland.
At the very top of this golden tree, a small hexagonal pointed-roof cabin rested on one of its highest branches. Compared with the other buildings in Emerald City, it was far more exquisite, with a completely different style.
Its gold-green hexagonal spire had a different round, plump little animal figurine on each ridge. At the pinnacle stood a tiny tree made entirely of pure gold.
Before the cabin door was a small platform adorned with pillars blooming with fresh flowers. Set into the wall opposite the door was a floor-to-ceiling stained-glass window: delicately cut transparent gemstones of every color, pure elemental crystals, and fine metallic threads combined to form a dazzling, intricate mosaic.
A brown-haired woman in a green dress and a silver-haired man in a purple robe stood side by side. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting mottled, colorful light into the pure-white room, exuding a breathtaking, sacred beauty.
On the other four walls were smaller gemstone windows, depicting scenes of jade swans migrating, the founding of Emerald City, the descent of the Goddess of Life, and the Sea God's humiliating retreat.
This place could be considered a miniature temple of the Goddess of Life.
The Goddess of Life never actively spread her faith, and Emerald City never engaged in religious practices — Wang Rui would have to be insane to set up a religion in his own territory — therefore, rather than reverence from a distance, Emerald City's respect for the Goddess of Life was more like gratitude toward a benefactor, a beloved elder, a teacher who offered occasional guidance.
The Goddess of Life herself might not care about her casual protection, but proper relationships still had to be maintained.
Not to mention, treasures brought in from all across the Soul Beast Forest — offerings carried from the territories of different races, all gathered together, designed by a sacred beast with impeccable aesthetic sense, then jointly forged by several fearsome beasts — these stained-glass windows were gifts even a goddess could hardly refuse.
Just like when kittens or puppies drag cockroaches or mice to their human owners — the humans might be disgusted yet still oddly touched. And if instead they bring back delicate flowers and pretty plants, wouldn't their humans be delighted beyond words?
And the Goddess of Life, a well-known lover of all things soft and fluffy, was hardly immune to such gestures.
Aside from the stained-glass windows, the rest of the room was exceedingly simple. Only a set of round high-legged table and chairs stood there, with a slender-necked pale-purple vase atop the table. Its material was warm to the touch, neither quite jade nor porcelain. Inside was a single lonely golden-brown withered branch.
At this moment, the door opened. Lu Mingyou stepped inside, closing the crisp birdsong outside behind her.
She wore a long dress tinted with lilac-purple, paired with a pale green jacket. She had no veil or hood to conceal her face; the hideous scars were fully exposed. Yet there was no discomfort or awkwardness in her demeanor. She simply pulled out a tall stool, sat down, took out a kettle, and poured fresh water into the vase.
And then — something strange happened.
The moment water touched it, the golden-brown branch instantly sprouted fresh green leaves and bloomed with tender golden flowers.
A soft yet vast power descended, restrained but immense — like the deliberate, quiet breathing of a giant beast — settling gently into this small room.
The patterns on the stained glass didn't change, but the colorful light they cast into the room suddenly came alive.
The brown-haired woman turned her face toward Lu Mingyou, smiling tenderly.
"Mmm? What is it, my dear child? It's rare for you to seek me out." A woman's voice spoke, ethereal yet carrying a gentle smile within its tone.
"Greetings to you, beloved Goddess," Lu Mingyou smiled as well. "And greetings also to the most terrifying, most dangerous God of Destruction."
The Goddess of Life laughed softly. "Your greeting — little Purple has heard it."
The emerald silhouette brushed a strand of hair from her face. The purple figure beside her gave a slight nod, then remained still.
"It's rare to see you come to me. Has something troublesome happened?" The gentle voice carried concern.
"Yes, Goddess," Lu Mingyou nodded. "One of my disciples, while traveling, befriended a child who has been tormented by illness, whose time may be very short."
"With your medical skill — and Biji's as well — even you two cannot heal him?"
Though Lu Mingyou's martial soul was not of the healing type, her medical expertise was already considered among the very peak within the Douluo World. Together with the Jade Swan Biji, if neither could heal a disease, that was enough to pique the Goddess of Life's interest.
"It's a child with a damaged soul," Lu Mingyou said with a bitter smile. "More than half of it is missing, only a fraction remains within the body. If it were merely mental trauma, we might try some measures. But when the soul itself is damaged so severely… I cannot even fathom how he's still alive."
"Perhaps because he is young," the Goddess of Life said softly. "But a damaged soul may sustain a young body, may even command low-level cultivation. Yet as he grows, eventually the incomplete soul will no longer be able to sustain his body. Then it will fall into sleep… then death. Like a child unable to wear adult clothing — such a child is doomed to a short life. What a pity."
"But we suspect his soul was deliberately cut apart — and that his body was twisted by someone as well." Lu Mingyou recalled the contents of the sacred beast's letter, a nameless fire burning in her heart. Her brow furrowed, and her scarred face looked even more frightening.
When she went to fetch Huo Yuqing, she'd caught a glimpse of Wang Dong from afar — such a lively, adorable child — it was hard to imagine anyone could actually carve apart the soul of such a good boy. And supposedly, the one who did it… was his own father!
But the sacred beast had specifically warned in the letter not to mention this to the Goddess of Life, as they had no evidence. And a father cutting apart his own child's soul was too horrifying a claim to make without proof.
"The child only has two years of memories. Though a boy, he seems unable to adapt to life as a male, retaining some habits and thoughts more like a girl. If he were born with a damaged soul, how could he suddenly lose memories in his teens? It's very suspicious."
"But altering someone's gender… humans can't do such a thing, can they? To change a human body without side effects is already in the realm of the divine. And gods cannot interfere casually with the mortal world — why would anyone twist a mortal's gender at random?" The Goddess of Life comforted her. "Perhaps you're overthinking. I've seen a few humans whose soul gender did not match their body. Rare, yes, but it does happen."
Moreover, arbitrarily warping a living being's body was a profound desecration of life. Few gods would dare risk offending one of the divine kings of the God Realm for it.
"That's why I've come to seek your guidance," Lu Mingyou said, with a faint trace of reliance and affection in her voice. "Neither Biji nor I can be sure."
It was rare for the child she had watched grow up to ask for help — and the Goddess of Life's heart melted instantly.
"All right. Is this little one here now?"
"He's attending school with my disciple," Lu Mingyou replied. "Shall I summon him now?"
"No need, it doesn't sound urgent." The Goddess of Life waved her hand. "Here's what we'll do: pick a piece of my divine equipment from the Life God Set and give it to him. Through that, I'll be able to see the child's condition."
The "Life God Set" referred to a series of soul bones transformed by the Goddess's own divine power. Divine equipment was originally created by some gods to better pass on their godhood — in other worlds, they were literal gear. In Douluo, they naturally took the form of soul bones. For example, the Angel God had left such a set behind. The Goddess of Life had no intention of passing her position, but she too had crafted a set from soul bones offered by soul beasts.
On one hand, it strengthened her followers. On the other, through those who absorbed them, she could view the world beyond the Golden Tree — far more convenient than the God Realm's Eye.
"Thank you, Goddess!" Lu Mingyou smiled.
"Ah, you child." The Goddess's image smiled and tapped Lu Mingyou's forehead with her finger. "But I won't have time these next few days — the God Realm Council is meeting again soon. First, give the Life God Set piece to the child. With my divine power, it will stabilize his condition. At least for the next ten years in the mortal realm, he won't risk death due to his soul falling behind his body's growth. We'll discuss the rest when I return from the meeting."
With that, the Goddess's image froze — and a small projection appeared among the golden-brown flowers blooming on the branch.
It was a delicate golden-green winged armor set — though the helmet, chestplate, and armguards were dimmer; they had already been bestowed to others.
Lu Mingyou gently tapped the tiny emerald wings in the projection, and a pair of small, exquisite jade wings landed in her hand.
Then both the projection and the blooming flowers and leaves turned to motes of light, fading away.
She bowed deeply toward the gemstone window.
…
The Goddess of Life lifted her fingers away from the golden-tree phantom on the table, the smile on her face slowly fading.
The God of Destruction cast her a concerned glance.
"Mingyou, that child doesn't have many days left," the Goddess of Life sighed, her tone even tinged with pain.
She had already foreseen this day back when she first noticed that child — born with scars, awakened a venomous martial soul, yet determined to become a healer.
But it still hurt.
Just like humans know kittens and puppies only live a dozen years, yet still keep them anyway.
The God of Destruction placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. He, too, had observed short-lived races, and thus understood his beloved's sorrow.
"Rong Nianbing has already granted her disciple a god trial. He says that child is an extraordinary genius — if he can grow, he is certain to ascend to godhood. And his character is good; surely he'll bring his teacher along to the God Realm."
"Mingyou may not agree," the Goddess of Life shook her head. "Following another to ascend means forever stagnating in the future. Besides… the God Realm has no need for healers."
She was a little unwilling. As things stood, there was no vacant god position suitable for Lu Mingyou to inherit. If the God Realm were larger, able to accommodate more gods, with this child's talent, perhaps she could have created her own godhood and ascended on her own.
"She could be sent for reincarnation… Reincarnating as a soul beast would grant longevity, though even the Douluo World's laws would still be a limit," the God of Destruction frowned, recalling something unpleasant. "Or perhaps in one of the other worlds we watch over, there might be a suitable long-lived race — elves, for example."
"We'll see," the Goddess of Life sighed.
"Come, Little Green," the God of Destruction took his wife's hand. "At this council, I will see Tang San pay the price for tampering with the Golden Dragon King's seal and stealing the Golden Dragon Spear."
"Mm." The goddess in green rose, squeezing her lover's hand. Yet this time, unlike in earlier years, she did not plead on behalf of the Sea God couple, nor urge her husband to act gently.
(Chapter End)