Just as everyone was still immersed in the joy of victory,
Artemis suddenly drew a small silver knife from her waist.
"Artemis? What are you trying to do?!"
Hestia cried out in alarm.
"Stop, if you do that..."
Hermes also showed a shocked expression.
"Wait!"
Ying Ping reached out to stop her, but it was already too late.
Artemis, without hesitation, plunged the small knife into the crystal that sealed her divine body.
"Crack—"
The crystal shattered, turning into countless sparkling fragments.
The divine body instantly transformed into a pure white beam of light that shot skyward, then exploded above the clouds, becoming golden specks of light that slowly drifted down.
"Are you crazy?!"
Hermes shouted in shock, his face showing complete dismay for the first time.
Artemis, however, revealed a relieved smile.
She turned around, her emerald green eyes shimmering with a calm light.
"Let me explain... The original Artemis died the moment she was devoured by Antares."
Artemis placed her hand on her chest: "The current me was originally just a thought-form from Orion's Spear, summoned from the Heavenly Realm by her last trace of divine power, merely attached to her remaining soul and consciousness."
"As for the 'me' you just saw in that magic stone..."
She looked up at the dissipating light specks in the sky: "That was just the remaining shell after being devoured by Antares, possessing divine power but no consciousness."
"After I pierced it, it would die and then trigger the rule of being returned to the Heavenly Realm."
Artemis turned to Ying Ping, her eyes full of tenderness: "But unbelievably, because of someone's help, this thought-form of mine has now been reborn and become the main body."
"The current me is both Artemis and not the original Artemis."
"I possess past memories and emotions, but I am ultimately a brand new existence... Most importantly, I can finally truly live."
Upon hearing this, Hestia froze for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into tears.
She pounced on Artemis like a little girl: "Artemis, you idiot! You almost scared me to death just now!"
Artemis gently hugged her back, patting her back: "I'm sorry, Hestia, I made you worry."
Hermes regained his composure, stroking his chin thoughtfully: "I see, so there was this trick."
"Just by splitting the soul, one can avoid being sent back... I'm afraid no one would have thought that such a loophole existed in the rules for being sent back to the Heavenly Realm."
He suddenly chuckled: "Well, not everyone has the courage to split their soul like you. After all, a slight mistake could lead to death. How much willpower must that require..."
"However, the unauthorized use of divine power is a fact."
"As for whether you can remain in the Lower World, everything depends on the decision of the Great God Ouranos himself."
Hearing this, Artemis released Hestia, her gaze firm: "No matter what, I will not regret my choice. I just want to be with my Orion forever now."
Ying Ping stepped forward, gently taking her hand: "En, Artemis, no matter what, Hestia and I are on your side. We will work together to persuade the Great God Ouranos."
Artemis squeezed his and Hestia's hands back, a smile on her face: "Thank you."
Just then, the golden specks of light drifting in the sky suddenly converged into a beam, shooting directly towards Artemis's forehead.
A golden crescent moon mark appeared on her forehead, then faded into her skin.
"What... what's going on...?"
Hestia looked at her best friend in surprise.
"Something like this actually happened..."
Hermes couldn't help but show surprise again.
"It seems that the divine power that was supposed to dissipate has returned to my body. The Heavenly Realm still recognizes me as the Moon Goddess..."
Artemis herself also looked somewhat surprised.
Retainer: Artemis.
Exclusive Skill Unlocked: Moon Goddess Descent (Can break through level restrictions and directly restore full power).
Full power assessment: Can destroy a planet with some time, a casual strike can cleanse the planet's surface.
Ying Ping's heart skipped a beat as he looked at the system's prompt.
Good heavens, as expected of the Moon Goddess.
Once her true power is unleashed, Artemis can actually cleanse a planet's surface...
This power, who knows how many times stronger it is than his current self.
"Oh my, my Lady Moon Goddess."
Ying Ping looked at Artemis, finding her gazing at him with affectionate eyes.
"Orion... my beloved Orion..."
Artemis whispered, tears welling in her eyes as she hugged him: "Thank you... for saving me."
The sudden public embrace left Ying Ping momentarily dazed.
Artemis's faint floral scent lingered in his nostrils, her soft body trembling continuously.
"You're welcome, it's what I should do."
Ying Ping gently stroked her back, his voice soft and comforting.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you two doing?!"
Hestia reacted, stomping forward indignantly, and yanked Artemis out of Ying Ping's arms.
Her big, cerulean eyes blazed with fierce jealousy, and her cheeks were flushed red with anger.
"Hestia?"
"Why are you angry?"
Artemis blinked, somewhat confused.
"Does that even need to be said?!"
"You're not allowed to hug Ying Ping-kun so casually! He's my Familia!"
Hestia stood between the two like a little hamster guarding its food, "So I'm saying—even if you're my best friend, it's not allowed!"
Hermes shook his head from the side: "Oh my, oh my, to have two goddesses, and both virgin goddesses, fighting over him, Ying Ping-kun is truly blessed."
"Shut up, Hermes!"
Hestia turned and roared, her twin pigtails bristling with anger.
The four girls, Elaina, Kokkoro, Chisato, and Takina, stood to the side, all with expressions of watching a drama unfold.
"Master is so amazing ~"
Kokkoro cupped her cheeks, her eyes sparkling, "To actually capture the favor of Lady Artemis..."
Elaina elegantly covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled: "As expected of Master, even the goddess representing chastity can't resist his charm..."
"Exactly, exactly, Captain, you're too strong!"
Chisato excitedly grabbed Takina's hand and shook it vigorously.
"Is Master a goddess killer?"
Takina's violet eyes also sparkled with gossip.
Kokkoro looked at the two, then continued to whisper, blushing: "Don't you think Master and Lady Artemis... look very well-matched together?"
"Hey! Kokkoro-chan! How can you say that?!"
Hestia turned around, fuming.
Then, she asked a pointed question: "Oh right, Ying Ping-kun, let me ask you, between me and Artemis, who do you like more?"
"Ah, this..."
Ying Ping was stunned.
"If you dare to say you like both, I will never let you off."
Hestia's face was all smiles, but her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
A bead of cold sweat appeared on Ying Ping's forehead.
Why did a happy ending suddenly turn into a love triangle battle?
To be honest, he would rather face the Black Dragon right now than go through this.
"Go, Master! It's just choosing between two goddesses, right?"
Chisato cheered from the side.
"Go, Master!"
Takina also joined in the commotion.
"I'm still voting for Lady Hestia."
"Well, I'm voting for Lady Artemis."
Ilena and Kanna also started.
Hermes, never one to miss out on a good show, added, "I bet a million Fali that Ying Ping will definitely choose Artemis~"
"Hey, Hermes, you rascal!"
Hestia immediately glared at him with murderous intent, utterly furious.
"Hahahahaha—"
Chisato finally couldn't hold back her laughter, and then the other girls also burst out laughing.
Even the usually serious Takina turned her face away, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Hermes laughed so hard he bent over backward: "Hahaha, it was just a joke! I say, Hestia, you're way too jealous!"
"None of your business!"
"Ying Ping is mine, he belongs only to me!"
Hestia stamped her foot in embarrassment and anger, her face as red as a ripe apple.
Artemis gently put her arm around Hestia's shoulder: "Alright, don't be angry, Hestia."
"In my heart, you will always be my most important friend. I won't fight you for Ying Ping."
She leaned into Hestia's ear and whispered something.
Hestia's expression changed from anger to surprise, and finally, a hint of secret delight appeared.
"R-really?"
Hestia asked in a low voice.
"Really."
Artemis nodded, her eyes full of sincerity.
"Then... alright then."
Hestia twisted her body awkwardly, then suddenly said to Ying Ping with a blush: "Hmph, I'll let you off this time!"
Ying Ping pretended not to know and couldn't help but ask: "Artemis, what did you say to Hestia?"
Artemis winked playfully: "Do you really want to know?~"
"Hey! Don't tell him!"
Hestia quickly covered Artemis's mouth, causing another burst of laughter from everyone.