Temple of Fire Protection

Osis stood before the wall where “The Lost Kingdom” hung, and it felt as though his very soul was being pulled from him.

The Trilobite Symbiote bloodline within him began to boil, and the tattoos across his back shifted as if they had come to life.

A second figure emerged to stand beside him. Together, they looked upon the kingdom and capital city captured within the painting.

The others gathered in the temple watched in stunned silence. Moments later, the entire hall burst into a cacophony of voices.

“What’s happening to the king?” someone asked, having never witnessed such a sight.

“Do not be alarmed. This is the mark of a divine seed,” a divine servant whispered in awe.

“The king… this is the power of a divinely chosen king. I’ve only heard of it in the ancient myths,” a soldier stationed at the great doors said, his voice filled with reverence.

“He is an undying being of reincarnation, a blessed one descended from the Divine Kingdom!” At this realization, every soul in the hall fell prostrate, bowing in reverence before Osis.

They also bowed before “The Lost Kingdom.”

At that moment, Osis’s consciousness dissolved completely into the world within the painting, merging with the depths of his own forgotten past.

“Is that… me?”

The vision before him revealed a civilization of breathtaking splendor. He had ascended the throne at the peak of Yinsai’s glory, holding the Divine King’s scepter and commanding the immense wealth left behind by the Temple of Truth and its miracle rituals.

The Divine King’s bloodline flowed through his veins, and his heart was filled with dreams for the future.

However, the Creator who had shaped all things decided to leave, departing for the next era in search of a future filled with greater promise and abundant life.

Osis’s gaze, which had been unfocused and distant, slowly grew clear as he emerged from the vision unfolding before him.

“Without a god, how are we supposed to go on?”

Those were the words of Osis, King of Yinsai.

Now, as the King of Suinhor, he spoke new words into the silence.

“God…”

“If I do not have a god’s protection, does that mean I am incapable of anything?”

“Am I truly that powerless?”

“Then what is the point of my existence? Why was I made king in the first place?”

“Then I…”

“Why did I even return?”

The past and present seemed to blur into one.

The cycle of time was turning once more.

Osis suddenly realized how closely the challenges he faced today mirrored those from a hundred million years ago. The gods had made their decision then, just as they had now. He had once ruled from a throne that guided civilization, just as he did now.

The gods were not wrong. This era was full of hope and futures yet to come, and Suinhor’s own future needed to break free from its chains.

But his heart was heavy with regret. The last time, he had departed burdened by shame and the weight of everyone’s disappointment.

Every grand declaration he had made upon ascending the throne had, in the end, become nothing more than an elaborate joke.

He had not been a great King of Yinsai, and he had failed to prove himself worthy of the sacred bloodline flowing within him.

Osis became aware of another voice, the will of another self awakening inside him.

Within the vast and towering temple, two figures stood together, their voices merging into one as they spoke.

“Even without a god’s blessing, I am still the king.”

“I left once before bearing shame and despair. This time will be different.”

It seemed he had found the purpose for his return to life.

Osis took a deep, steady breath. His gaze was distant but filled with unshakable determination, and a broad smile spread across his face.

“This time truly is different.”

“Thank you for letting me see the past. I know what I must do now.”

Osis turned away from the painting.

“Let’s go,” Osis said, his voice calm with resolve. “We’re heading back.”

And so, Osis turned away from his prayers. Followed by those who had accompanied him, he left the temple behind.

The divine servants, who had made their preparations for him, were left thoroughly confused.

They could not understand why Osis had come all this way only to gaze at the painting for a moment and then simply walk away.

Blood Kingdom of the Deep Sea

The scene shifted across the great expanse of Ruhe Beast Island, moving southeast over sprawling jungles and a towering volcano before descending into the depths of the sea.

At that moment, the Scarlet Goddess stood amidst a sea of blood-red flowers, her gaze fixed on the mist rising from the vibrant, mesmerizing blooms.

The haze swirled and twisted into a vortex, and from within its depths, the silhouette of Osis began to emerge.

The Scarlet Goddess observed Osis as he moved through the temple, pausing for a long time before the mural of the God-Descended City. When he finally departed, she at last spoke.

“It seems he still cannot let it go.”

“Is Osis blaming me?”

From a gathering of Trilobite Symbiotes, Alpens answered the Scarlet Goddess.

“He is blaming himself,” Alpens said. “He blames his former self for accomplishing nothing and for not keeping his promises.”

Alpens had once carried the name Henir as well.

Spoel Henir.

In those days, he had been merely a branch of the royal line, his status far below that of Osis, the true King of Yinsai.

Now, an entire era later, the distinction between a legitimate lineage and a branch lineage seemed to hold no significance.

The Scarlet Goddess sighed.

“Ghouls, Ability Users born of cannibalism,” she murmured.

“Power, strength, immortality. It seems these are things the people of wisdom never tire of pursuing, no matter the age.”

“However,” she continued, “while I can offer him my support, I cannot simply descend upon Ruhe Beast Island at will.”

“Direct divine descents are no longer permitted here.”

Since the Earth Witch forged a covenant with the Ruhe Great God and sought the protection of the great gods who guarded Ruhe Beast Island, the era had changed.

On Ruhe Beast Island, Fourth-Rank power represented a boundary. The gods were no longer able to descend or act without limitation as they once had. This land was the personal domain of the Life Sovereign, the supreme ruler and rightful master of the island.

For everyone else, whether they were mortals, Ability Users, or divine beings, they were merely tenants living on this continent.

The fates of the God of Original Sin Xiao and the God of Knowledge and Truth Asai had made that unmistakably clear.

The Divine Kingdom of Creation

Within the vast Spirit Realm, where trees of every color bloomed in abundance, the landscape was alive with vibrant hues.

Among the countless ordinary Rainbow Trees that had yet to produce Wood Nymphs, those that had already given birth to one stood distinctly apart.

Inside each of these trees was an expansive living space, and many of these inner dwellings were connected by elaborate bridges woven from vines.

Nymphs crowned with garlands of flowers drifted between the suspended bridges connecting the tree homes, while others gathered in clusters beneath the canopy to host tea parties.

Lately, however, the topic of conversation at those tea parties had shifted.

Every Wood Nymph found themselves talking about the Lake Nymphs, curious about their abilities and wondering about their purpose.

Even so, their interest was nothing more than casual curiosity.

The Wood Nymphs cherished their peaceful routines and regarded the topic as lighthearted conversation, choosing not to interfere in the lives of the Lake Nymphs.

As a result, after the initial excitement surrounding the Lake Nymphs’ arrival, the two groups seemed to drift apart, their lives separated by an unspoken boundary.

The Wood Nymphs, who were not inclined to take initiative, continued the rhythms of their familiar days, while the newly born Lake Nymphs drifted, uncertain of the world around them.

“They can conjure things, can’t they? Just like the spirits,” said a nymph with a garland, sitting in a hanging basket.

“That’s not quite right,” another nymph replied, rising onto her toes as she poured flower tea from a silver kettle. “Spirits can become anything they wish. The Lake Nymphs, however, can only bring things out of dreams after a mortal has traded a dream to them.”

“People can trade dreams?” asked a small, dainty nymph, her voice full of confusion.

“Not Life Dreams, but not just any ordinary dream either,” the Wood Nymph explained. “Many of us who command the power of space have visited the highest layer of the Dream Starry Sea.”

“That is still remarkable, but conjuring wondrous objects does not seem to be their main purpose. Their calling appears to be that of trade envoys.” With that, the conversation shifted toward the question of their mission.

“What does a trade envoy even do?” No one seemed to know, and heads shook all around.

In the heart of the Rainbow Spirit Realm, near the edge of a shimmering lake, a group of silver-haired girls played by the water before gathering on the shore for a grand meeting.

Thick flowering vines rose as a backdrop behind them, piercing the clouds and reaching toward the stars above.

One Lake Nymph stood among the group and spoke to the other silver-haired nymphs gathered around her.

“At First-Rank, we possess the power to reach into the dreams of all mortals. We can draw upon the Dream Vine to connect with the Dream Starry Sea and enter anyone’s dream.”

With such power, they could connect with anyone at any moment, from any location.

“But to advance to Second-Rank, we must find a dream that suits us and weave it into our Dream Vine.”

“At that point, we will be able to use the power of miracles to bring what lives within dreams into reality.”

“So, according to the rules, we need to complete our first exchange with someone in order to obtain the dream we are looking for.”

“This will also be the very first trade we ever make.”

The nymphs erupted at once into a flurry of chatter and suggestions.

“Then let’s make our first trade and begin our calling,” said a languid nymph, lifting her head from where she lay at the lake’s edge.

“How do we even begin?” another Lake Nymph asked.

“And how are we supposed to trade with others? What could we possibly have to offer?”

“Even if we had something, how would we complete a trade?” one of them added, her voice filled with curiosity.

Once the discussion began, the lakeshore came alive with vibrant energy.

The Lake Nymphs brought a warmth and vividness that set them apart from the Wood Nymph clan, though they still appeared more reserved when compared to the spirits.

The spirits’ warmth came from pure and innocent joy. In contrast, the Lake Nymphs displayed a greater maturity, with a deeper devotion to their calling and a stronger drive to take action than the Wood Nymphs.

“Through dreams, of course! We can enter anyone’s dream, so let’s make our trades there!” The Lake Nymphs all turned to look at the great flowering vine at the center of the lake. It connected the Dream Starry Sea and the Dream Continent, a power they had been born with.

“We could offer the right to trade with us in exchange for the dreams we want. That would also be our very first trade,” another Lake Nymph proposed.

“The Wood Nymph sisters have power over space. If we need to make a real trade in the future, we can ask them for help!” Having only just been born, the Lake Nymphs were filled with curiosity and longing for the vast, wondrous spirit realms the Wood Nymphs commanded.

After a lively exchange of ideas, the silver-haired nymphs quickly set their plans into action.

They left the Nymph Lake in high spirits, moving together in cheerful groups.

Some climbed the original Dream Vine upward toward the Dream Starry Sea to observe the dreams of all living souls and learn how to communicate with future trade partners.

Others ventured into the Rainbow Forest on the far side, exploring the Wood Nymphs’ homeland to find those who could help them with their trades.

In no time, the entire Rainbow Spirit Realm became lively and vibrant.

Storage Spirit Realm

Saint Raphael, the Storage Nymph, stood at the base of her towering white storage tower, observing the Storage Spirits as they moved in and out, carrying treasures of unimaginable wealth.

She turned to gaze at her Rainbow Tree.

Flowers bloomed one after another on its branches, each bud containing a dimensional space that glimmered with radiant light. Within every compartment lay the most prized treasures of nobles, Ability Users, or even kings from the mortal world.

The Saint Raphael of today was not the same one she had once been.

Her spirit realm had become the largest among all nymphs. Her Rainbow Tree had grown taller than any other, and her white storage tower contained spatial compartments so vast and numerous they were beyond ordinary comprehension.

Within her spirit realm lay the greatest fortune the mortal world had ever known.

However, Saint Raphael did not appear happy.

She pouted, her face a mask of frustration.

After becoming a Storage Nymph, she had slowly come to realize a troubling truth.

She was the guardian of this vast treasury, a keeper of unimaginable riches.

Yet she could not claim even the smallest piece of it for herself.

Who could possibly understand the torment of such a fate?

Saint Raphael stood at the base of the white storage tower, watching as each compartment rotated and moved, ascending to the top of the tower before descending once more.

“Ah!”

“I’m so poor!”

“I have to rely on the spirits for everything, whether it’s food, drink, or clothing.”

“I’m just a treasure-keeper, the most pitiful, poverty-stricken nymph there is!”

Saint Raphael ascended the steps winding around the outer edge of the white tower, glancing into the storage compartments. Many of them had remained undisturbed for a long time.

“This thing has been forgotten for ages. It belongs to no one.”

“If the owner is gone, then it’s an unclaimed object.”

“Leaving it here is such a waste, don’t you think?”

“A frugal and diligent nymph can’t stand to see such waste.”

“Besides…”

“I’ll only borrow it for a little while. I’ll return it when I’m finished. I’m not really taking it from anyone.”

Saint Raphael’s clever mind was already spinning with her latest scheme, and a grin spread across her face that she clearly believed was the mark of brilliance.

However, as she took a few more steps, she noticed movement from a storage compartment in the deepest part of the white tower.

Storage Compartment Number One.

The compartment opened, and an immense force surged outward with a terrifying presence.

“Hammer of Justice!”

“Stop right there!”

“You can’t go around striking people randomly, especially not someone as righteous and beautiful as Saint Raphael!”

Saint Raphael’s expression shifted the instant she caught sight of the object.

Dong, dong.

The Hammer of Justice struck the compartment twice, and the entire white storage tower shuddered with the impact.

Saint Raphael felt the ground shift beneath her feet as the entire spirit realm seemed to sway, as if the sky were collapsing around her.

Once she managed to steady herself, she found herself facing what felt like an interrogation from the Hammer of Justice.

Saint Raphael immediately put on a guilty expression.

“Oh, come on now!”

“Do I look like someone who would do that?”

Saint Raphael waved her hands repeatedly, her face glowing with an expression of pure innocence.

It was as if she were silently saying, ‘Look at me. Someone as kind and adorable as I am could never do anything wrong, right?’

Saint Raphael attempted to justify her actions in a flustered tone.

“How could righteous and kind-hearted Saint Raphael possibly have any bad intentions?”

“I was only looking to see if there were any thieves sneaking in to steal everyone’s treasures. It would be terrible if their precious things were taken.”

“You know how it is…”

“There have been so many thieves lately, always scheming to steal Saint Raphael’s trea…”

“Mm… everyone’s treasures.”

Only after Storage Compartment Number One closed completely did the Hammer of Justice come to a full stop.

Saint Raphael’s innocent smile faded, her lips pressing into a pout as her expression shifted to one of pure dejection.

That hammer was ranked fifth on the Divine Cup’s Sequence Number rankings, and its true power in battle was almost impossible to comprehend.

Saint Raphael often wondered if her vast spirit realm could withstand even a single strike from it.

She had never been able to understand why God had chosen to store such a weapon within her Storage Spirit Realm.

“Surely it’s not to guard against the righteous and kind-hearted Saint Raphael…”

“Right?”

Saint Raphael said this with little conviction, her final “right” barely carrying any confidence at all.

Overcome with guilt, Saint Raphael noticed her steps had become more cautious, as if she were walking on eggshells.

She made her way down from the white storage tower.

After a moment’s thought, Saint Raphael decided she would make one more trip to the Sun Cup Flower Sea to ask the “wealthy” spirits for a bit of help to ease her impoverished existence.

This behavior was somewhat similar to that of a Supreme Divine Being.

However, a divine being relied on dominance and power, while Saint Raphael was different.

She relied on her standing and “prestige” among the spirits.

For instance, the confidence she displayed by adding the title “Saint” before her name was enough to earn her bragging rights among the spirit clan for a lifetime.

At that moment, a group of figures appeared, entering Saint Raphael’s Storage Spirit Realm in a lively rush.

It was the Lake Nymphs, newly born and full of energy.

Saint Raphael had just reached the gate of her Storage Spirit Realm and was caught off guard by the sudden flood of visitors.

For a moment, she found herself completely thrown off balance.

“Whoa, hey, hey!”

“What’s all this about?”

The “impoverished” Saint Raphael had no provisions at home and was just about to head out to borrow some from the “landlord” spirits.

She had nothing available to host a tea party for her guests.

The Lake Nymphs, however, did not seem to mind this at all, nor did they expect the “penniless nymph” to host a tea party.

“Sister Raphael!” they called out as they surrounded her, their eyes filled with admiration.

“We heard that you are the most powerful Storage Nymph of all. Is it true?” The Lake Nymphs looked around at the magnificent spirit realm and the towering Rainbow Tree, their wonder evident in every glance.

“Your ability to control space is remarkable! You can gather anything from anywhere in the world and send it to any destination with ease.”

“It’s amazing…”

The Storage Nymph, hearing so many people sing her praises, could not help but smile, her eyes curving into happy crescent moons.

“Oh?”

“Is my reputation among the other Wood Nymphs really that high? The most powerful Storage Nymph?”

However, she reminded herself to stay grounded. A little flattery was no excuse to lose her sense of self.

Saint Raphael straightened her posture and adopted the most serious expression she could muster.

She addressed the Lake Nymphs with a tone of utmost gravity.

“Not Raphael.”

“It is Saint Raphael.”

The Storage Nymph emphasized the word “Saint,” drawing it out slowly and deliberately to ensure everyone understood its importance.

The Lake Nymphs nodded in unison and responded together.

“Oh!”

“So it’s Saint~ Sister Raphael.”

The others followed Saint Raphael’s lead, playfully drawing out the “Saint” with a rising lilt that completely changed the tone.

Saint Raphael looked slightly embarrassed. She had only meant to remind them to include the title, not to mimic her exaggerated pronunciation.

After that, the Lake Nymphs explained why they had come.

“We need to make trades with others to become true trade envoys, but we don’t have spatial power, so we need your help.”

“The other Wood Nymph sisters told us you are the most powerful Storage Nymph and could assist us with our trades.”

Saint Raphael had already heard that the Lake Nymphs possessed powers completely different from those of the Wood Nymphs, along with a calling unlike anything she had ever encountered.

However, the details of their abilities and purpose were still unclear to her.

“Trades?”

The Lake Nymphs continued, “Of course, we are not asking for your help for free.”

“We will compensate you. Once we control the power of miracles, you may select anything we are able to create.”

As soon as those words were spoken, the “poverty-stricken nymph’s” eyes sparkled with excitement.

In that moment, a single thought filled her mind.

At last, fortune had arrived.

Riches beyond imagination were now within her grasp.

The days of being a penniless nymph were finally behind her.

No longer would she need to coax the little spirits. She could now stand tall and proud, ready to receive the righteous reward she had earned.

Saint Raphael’s entire demeanor changed instantly. She appeared radiant and noble as she gazed warmly at the Lake Nymph sisters gathered around her.

“Do not worry!”

“Your Sister Saint Raphael never ignores those in need. I am a righteous and kind-hearted nymph, and what I cherish most is helping others.”

“I created this Storage Spirit Realm to generously assist everyone by safeguarding their treasures and preserving their most valued memories.”

As she spoke, Saint Raphael began describing the wonders of her spirit realm with enthusiasm.

“Take a look at my white storage tower. Its interior is vast beyond imagination.”

“See my Rainbow Tree? It holds countless dimensional spaces with ease.”

“No matter the size or amount of your treasure, you can trust me to handle everything.”

“Nothing will ever go wrong!”

The Lake Nymphs burst into cheers.

“Really? That’s amazing!”

“Now we can finally begin our trades.”

The Lake Nymphs expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Storage Nymph Saint Raphael for her generous assistance. Each one looked up at their elder sister with eyes full of admiration, seeing her as the most righteous and kind-hearted nymph among them.

A true nymph among nymphs.

It seemed none of them had heard any tales from the other Wood Nymphs about Saint Raphael’s past “heroic deeds.”

After seeing all the Lake Nymphs off, Saint Raphael was glowing with happiness.

She turned to her Rainbow Tree, stretched her arms wide, and embraced the blooming canopy above her.

Her laughter rang out, full of pure joy.

“See!”

“A righteous and kind-hearted nymph will absolutely be rich beyond measure one day!”

The Lake Nymph clan had come into being, and Saint Raphael seemed to be the one who benefited most.

Even so, after her excitement faded, she left the Dream Continent.

She flew toward the sun, heading for the Divine Garden on God’s Island.

The future was certain to bring great fortune, but right now she was still very much impoverished.

With her home’s provisions completely exhausted, she still had to visit the Sun Cup Flower Sea to seek relief from the spirits.

After that, the Lake Nymphs moved with remarkable speed, quicker than the spirits and the Wood Nymphs had ever been.

Not only did they swiftly learn how to use the power of dreams to communicate with others, but they also crafted a token that served as a keepsake of the trade envoy.

Anyone who arrived at the lakeside with the token could use it as a medium in a ritual to harness the power of the Lake Nymphs.

In addition to this, the Lake Nymphs reached out to various gods, their messengers, and those aspiring to become divine beings.

Among them, messengers of the gods purchased tokens from the Lake Nymphs, offering the most precious and beautiful dreams they held in return.

There were also gods who entrusted certain items to the Lake Nymphs for safekeeping.

Instead of saying the gods wanted to trade through the Lake Nymphs, it might be more accurate to say they sought to build a strong relationship with these newly arrived trade envoys.

In contrast to the true gods, many of the aspiring divine beings displayed greater curiosity and excitement about the powers and purpose of these envoys.

Furthermore, some spirits and Wood Nymphs added items they no longer needed to the Lake Nymphs’ trade offerings.

Before long, the Lake Nymphs’ list of trade offerings expanded to include an astonishing variety of items.

However, the prices they asked in return were just as extraordinary, reaching heights that even gods might struggle to afford.

For example, the very first item listed was an artifact presented by an Ancient Spirit of unknown age.

【Stone Carving of The Royal Bloodline】

This was the name of the object, followed by its description.

【An artifact from the Age of God-Given Island at the dawn of the First Era. It records the sacred scene where the Creator’s firstborn, King Redlichia, granted the Wisdom Ability bloodline and the Ruhe Imprint to his descendants. It was created on the spot by the original bloodline Trilobite Men within the palace of the Wisdom Divine King. This is a sacred relic of the Trilobite people.】

【Once held by the second King of Wisdom, Yesael, it was seized by the Queen of Stars during the war for the throne of Yinsai. It disappeared along with the Queen of Stars when she went into hiding. During the middle of the First Era, it came into the possession of a Great Spirit who happened upon it while gathering the Light of Wishes in the mortal world.】

This single item alone was undeniable proof of the truth behind what the “penniless nymph” had always known about the spirits.

The wealth gathered by these spirits, who had persisted through countless ages, was beyond what any ordinary mind could imagine.

This stone carving, called 《The Royal Bloodline》, was not just unattainable for ordinary people. Even glimpsing its name or any information about it was a privilege denied to most.