"Clang, clang, clang!"
Everyone's attention was drawn by the sudden sound of gongs and drums.
On a temporarily erected high platform not far away,
Hermes, whom they had only met once before, was standing there in a neat suit, energetically shouting into a magic megaphone:
"Attention, all adventurers of Orario!"
"Warriors who are confident in their strength, please quickly come and sign up for our special challenge!"
His attendant, Asfi, pushed up her glasses and silently displayed a long spear encased in ice crystals on the stage.
The spear glowed with a faint blue light, and strange magical patterns were condensed on the surface of the ice crystals.
"Whoever can pull out this ice-sealed spear will win a round-the-world travel prize sponsored by the Hermes Familia!"
"Registration for this event is completely free, this is a rare opportunity!"
This noisy sound instantly sobered Hestia up quite a bit from her drunkenness.
She frowned and grumbled, "That Hermes guy... what trick is he up to now..."
Chisato's eyes lit up, and she excitedly grabbed Ying Ping's hand: "Master! That sounds so fun, let's go check it out!"
Before Ying Ping could answer, she was already pulling him towards the high platform.
Hestia sighed helplessly and followed with the others.
The area around the high platform was already packed with onlookers.
Several burly adventurers were trying to pull out the ice-sealed spear, but no matter how hard they pulled, the spear remained motionless, and not even a single crack appeared in the ice crystals.
"Hahaha, it seems this challenge is quite difficult!"
Hermes smiled as he surveyed the crowd, his gaze clearly pausing when he saw Ying Ping and his group, "Now, who is the next challenger?"
Chisato eagerly raised her hand: "Me, me, me! Let me try!"
Hermes' eyes lit up, and he immediately shouted with great enthusiasm: "Then this lovely young lady, please come up and give it a try!"
Chisato nimbly jumped onto the high platform and grasped the spear under everyone's gaze.
However, even though she used all her strength, her small face turning red, the spear still didn't react at all.
"Sorry, little girl."
Hermes spread his hands regretfully, "It seems you are not destined for this divine weapon~"
Chisato pouted and returned to Ying Ping's side, unwilling to give up: "Master, you try it too!"
Hermes' gaze immediately fixed on Ying Ping, and his smile became meaningful: "Oh? Isn't this Ying Ping-dono, the captain of the Hestia Familia?"
"I hear you've become quite famous lately. Why not come and take on the challenge?"
The surrounding crowd immediately stirred.
"It's that Ying Ping from the Hestia Familia!"
"I heard he single-handedly crippled the Apollo Familia's captain!"
"This is starting to look interesting..."
Ying Ping narrowed his eyes slightly. His intuition told him that this ice-sealed spear was no ordinary challenge prop.
"Could it be..."
Ying Ping suddenly recalled a goddess named Artemis, the Moon Goddess who represented chastity.
That goddess was one of Hestia's good friends in the heavens.
The appearance of her divine weapon in Orario at this time could only mean one thing, and that was...
"I'll give it a try."
Ying Ping took a deep breath, looked at the expectant eyes of the girls beside him, and calmly walked onto the high platform.
"Please."
Hermes made an inviting gesture, a cunning glint in his eyes.
The moment Ying Ping reached out and grasped the spear, a bone-chilling cold immediately radiated from his palm.
[Obtained Divine Weapon Orion's Spear]
As soon as the system's prompt panel popped up, a melodious voice rang in his ear:
[I found you...]
The sacred characters on the spear lit up one by one, emitting a brilliant glow.
Ying Ping hadn't even exerted any force, and the ice crystals sealing the spear automatically shattered, transforming into specks of starlight that dissipated into the air.
"My soul, so defiled and modern, can still be chosen by the Moon Goddess?"
Ying Ping looked at the spear in his hand, which glowed with a faint blue light, somewhat surprised.
It felt weightless in his hand, yet it exuded powerful energy fluctuations.
Hermes pulled down the brim of his hat, a meaningful expression on his lips: "So that's it, Ying Ping-dono, fate has chosen you..."
The scene instantly erupted!
"Oh my god! That person actually pulled it out!"
"That's a weapon that even an LV5 couldn't budge with all their strength!"
"As expected of the captain of the Hestia Familia!"
Hestia excitedly rushed onto the high platform and hugged Ying Ping: "Ying Ping-kun! You're amazing!"
Chisato, Takina, Elaina, and Kokonut below the stage also showed surprised expressions, clapping and cheering with the crowd.
Hermes stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Ying Ping: "Congratulations, Ying Ping-dono, on becoming the lucky winner of this event."
Although Ying Ping was wary of this cunning god, he knew better than to be rude to a smiling face, so he politely shook his hand.
"However..."
Hermes suddenly raised his voice, "The real surprise is just beginning!"
"Let's welcome the special sponsor of this event—"
"Artemis-sama, who presides over chastity in the heavens and is known as the Moon Goddess, make her entrance!"
As his words fell, under everyone's gaze, a goddess of exquisite beauty slowly walked out.
She wore a sleek leather battle skirt, her slender legs faintly visible beneath the hem.
Her neat, light blue short hair fluttered in the wind, its tips gleaming with a crystalline luster.
Her clear green eyes, like autumn water, swept over the crowd below the stage, finally resting on Ying Ping.
Ying Ping's heart skipped a beat.
The goddess's beauty exceeded his expectations.
Unlike Hestia's cute and lively demeanor,
Artemis exuded a cool, noble aura, yet also carried a hint of gentle approachability.
The moment Ying Ping saw her, his breathing paused slightly.
"So beautiful..."
He murmured unconsciously.
The moment Hestia saw Artemis, she became even more excited: "Artemis! My dearest friend! It really is you!"
She pounced on the blue-haired goddess like a joyful little bird, and the two embraced tightly.
"Hestia, long time no see."
Artemis's voice was as melodious as a clear spring.
"How did you end up in Orario?"
Hestia asked excitedly, "And you didn't even tell me in advance!"
Artemis gently stroked Hestia's head: "There were all sorts of reasons…"
Her gaze flickered to Ying Ping, and she said with a somewhat complex expression: "It seems you are my Orion…"
"Orion… just as I thought."
Ying Ping couldn't help but sigh.
Hermes interjected at the opportune moment: "It seems the two goddesses have been reunited after a long time and have much to say. Why don't we move to a quieter place?"
Artemis nodded and extended her hand to Ying Ping: "May I ask you to come along? This divine weapon… seems to have acknowledged you as its master."
Her voice was as clear and cold as moonlight, causing Ying Ping to unconsciously nod in agreement.