Why would gods need to use the shop?
"Gods have different specializations," Phi began. "Sometimes they want to experiment with things beyond their own domains, and the best way to do that without trespassing into another god's territory is through the Guardian Shop. They even have special privileges. Not only can they buy items, but they can also purchase services."
Services? Ziqian asked curiously. What kind of services?
Ero hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm… anything you can imagine."
Ziqian was stunned for a moment but chose not to dig any deeper. He doubted he wanted to know what kind of "services" gods were buying anyway. After all, not every god was kind or benevolent.
Ziqian followed Ero's advice, stopping his endless scrolling and opening the filter instead. He adjusted the price range, dragging the slider all the way down to 1 and setting the maximum at 370 points.
The interface flickered, and the rows of luxurious items vanished and were replaced by items within the price range he set.
"Let's see what my fortune can buy," he muttered.
The first item that appeared made him want to curse.
[Hygieia's Worn-Out Feather Duster – 370 points]
It can clean anything—from dirt to divine residue.
Description: The goddess of cleanliness's old feather duster.
Origin: God's Realm
Uses: 3 remaining
Warning: Sentient. May retaliate.
Ziqian stared. A feather duster? For three hundred and seventy points?
Phi floated closer, beaming with excitement. "Ah-Zi, don't underestimate that! It was once used by Hygieia, the goddess of cleanliness and health! That feather duster is said to be able to wipe away any kind of dirt and impurities. For an item once owned by a god, it's already a bargain and it still has three uses left!"
Ziqian murmured. "Right. Because that's exactly what I need in a crisis."
He scrolled again.
[Emergency Cookie – 300 points]
It stores 2% of your stamina.
Description: A cookie lovingly baked by Orpah for his beloved sons.
Origin: Giant's Domain
Warning: Tastes like despair.
Two percent? For that price, it's better if they made it at least chocolate-flavored.
"Ah-Zi, that cookie once saved the life of a demigod during a fifty-day battle!" Ero said proudly, his fur glowing bright red. He remembered that intense fight. "In a battle, even one percent can decide the winner!"
Ziqian groaned. Okay, okay, I get it. Every item here is really amazing, but did you guys forget that we were finding something that can help Huo?
"Ah!" Phi and Ero exclaimed in unison, pausing midair. For a moment, they were so excited that they completely forgot their original purpose.
Ziqian sighed and was about to continue scrolling through the endless list of much more affordable items when a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Ziqian?"
"Yes?"
"You've been quiet for a while," Xue said, his tone gentle but tinged with concern. "Are you feeling all right?"
"Tell me if you are exhausted. We can stop and set up camp if you need to rest," Xue added after a pause.
Before leaving the tribe, they had agreed to travel without stopping until they reached the hunting group. But Xue would make an exception if it came to Ziqian.
He didn't want the sub-beast to get too tired, especially since he hadn't had a proper rest since morning.
Ziqian shook his head, though Xue couldn't see it. "No need, just stick to the plan. How could I be tired when I'm only sitting here? What matters most is reaching Huo's location as soon as possible."
"Hm," Xue replied with a hum, but his chest felt heavy.
Xue had heard Ziqian admiring the scenery earlier, his soft voice filled with wonder at the world below. But the sub-beast suddenly grew quiet and unmoving on his back. Every now and then, Xue could hear him mumbling something he couldn't understand. That was why he had called to him. It would not be good if Ziqian fell asleep while they were flying.
He hadn't expected Ziqian to be silent because he was worried about Huo.
An unknown feeling settled in Xue's chest.
Xue had always cared deeply for Huo. Even when they were children, he had stood up for him, retaliating against anyone who dared to mock his twin brother.
He would have willingly given up his position as young patriarch if it meant easing Huo's burden. Yet, to Huo, that gesture had been viewed as arrogance.
Huo thought that he looked down on him. But that had never been the truth. He only wanted the others to see Huo's strength—to recognize what he was capable of. But by the time he realized that his actions had done the opposite, it was too late.
Xue regretted it.
He still remembered the look in Huo's eyes back then—tired and resentful. "I don't need your help," Huo coldly said.
Then, as Huo wished, he stopped intervening, stopped defending, and stopped speaking for him, but the distance between them only grew wider with time.
Then Ziqian came.
When his mother first told him that he should marry Ziqian, Xue hadn't agreed immediately, even after Lia explained about the oracle and his intuition. He had hesitated because he knew that Huo harbored feelings for the sub-beast.
Xue had already decided that if Huo asked him to refuse, he would do so without question, no matter how much pressure their mother placed on him. If it could mend their relationship, he was willing to do it.
Seven days ago, he would have stepped aside without a word.
But now… things had changed.
Hearing Ziqian's worried voice whenever Huo's name was mentioned stirred something heavy and inexplicable within him. A part of him wanted Huo to live, but another part felt an ache he didn't know how to silence.
Ziqian's concern was pure, but to Xue, it hurt to hear.
The weight of that feeling pressed against his heart, wordless and suffocating.
Ziqian, oblivious to Xue's inner turmoil, returned to scrolling through the shop.
[Root of the Man-Eating Tree – 50 points]
Holds the power to heal—or to kill.
Description: A twisted root from a carnivorous tree infamous for devouring careless travelers.
Origin: Witch Sphere
Warning: Unchewable.
Ziqian frowned. "Can save lives, can kill one? That's… reassuring." He scrolled down.
[Fruit of the Man-Eating Tree – 100 points]
Instantly halts bleeding and mends ruptured vessels.
Description: A fruit born from the resentment of the dead.
Origin: Witch Sphere
Warning: Tastes disturbingly like blood.
He blinked, leaning a little closer to the display. Resentment of the dead?
Why does that sound like the start of a horror story?" He murmured.
Ero peeked at the screen, his round body rubbing on Ziqian's cheek. "Ah-Zi, don't make that face! The Witch Sphere is a domain famous for its powerful potions. The fruit might sound creepy, but it's very useful!"
Right. Assuming I don't throw up before I swallow it.
He continued scrolling through the list while comfortably leaning against Xue's back. Every so often, he marked items that could treat injuries. He wasn't sure which items would be truly useful in Huo's condition, but it was better to be prepared.
Let's add to cart first!
~
A man clad in a dark blue robe embroidered with silver thread sat arrogantly upon a large golden throne. The light from the crystal lamps above caught the metallic patterns of his attire, making them shimmer like starlight.
Beside him lounged an alluring man, draped in a red silk robe adorned with delicate jade ornaments. His pale, supple skin gleamed softly beneath the light.
At the center of the great hall stood a large white jade basin, its surface glowing with a soft, radiant light. Within the basin, a scene shimmered into view.
"Using his power inside my domain demands punishment," the man in blue said, his thick brows furrowed as he watched the injured figure in the basin.
"Then do it—punish them," the man in red said, each syllable laced with sarcasm. He leaned forward and elegantly took a sip from his goblet. "If Agalea's guardian hadn't saved him, would you have stood by and watched him die, Cernu?"
"Ali, you knew the rules," Cernu said.
"Rules have exceptions!" Ali retorted, his voice sharp with anger. "If he doesn't help Huo, he'll die!"
Cernu closed his eyes in frustration. He knew Ali was right—but he was a god. Even if only a minor one, how could he allow another god's guardian to wield power within his domain? And yet… it was only to save one of his descendants.
Ali calmed himself as he set down the goblet he had been drinking from, stood up, and sat on Cernu's lap.
"That guardian saved Huo, and he's already been penalized by the realm's protection," Ali said, pointing to the dimmed white fluffball reflected in the basin. Its fur stood on end as faint electric currents continued to lash across it.
"Just let Agalaea know about this incident. The Three Graces are already in turmoil over what happened to their beloved child. It would do no good to add salt to their wounds," he added softly.
Cernu held his wife's waist as he closed his eyes. "I will think about it," he murmured.
Ali smiled, already knowing the man's decision.