Chapter 3: The Pursuit

After consulting the Forest Goddess, Li Mingxing finally understood that the Inner World did not always experience a sun that never sets. It turned out that for some time now, a certain Sun God had been squandering energy, keeping the sun fixed in the sky for reasons unknown.

When other gods questioned him, he merely offered the excuse that he was increasing his power. Since every deity had unique ways of growing stronger—much like how Yi Ruolan had once turned half the Inner World into a forest—no one initially thought his demands were excessive.

However, Li Mingxing sensed something amiss; he even felt a sense of danger. Although he lacked concrete evidence, he realized that the Sun God’s actions were not intended to boost his own power, but were meant to affect the Inner World itself, and that behind this Sun God, there was undoubtedly an entity from the Light Alliance.

With this thought in mind, Li Mingxing lost any desire to linger. After clarifying the location of the Headless War God’s territory, he departed with Zheng and Aisha. Shortly after Li Mingxing left, a man appeared at the edge of the Forest Goddess’s woods. His long, golden hair and white robes gave him an air of sanctity.

Upon arriving at the forest’s edge, the man announced loudly, "I am Apollo, the Sun God. I wish to see the Forest Goddess, Yi Ruolan."

"There is no need. I do not wish to see anyone," a soft yet firm voice replied from within the forest. "If you wish to increase your power, do so quietly. Why are you running about? Are you not afraid that if you exceed your time, the other gods will be dissatisfied with you?"

"Why should there be any dissatisfaction? To be honest, I keep the sun in the sky to demonstrate my power. I wish to establish an alliance under the sunlight to bring peace to this world and end all war," Apollo said haughtily.

"Do you really think you can accomplish this alone?" the voice from the forest asked with disdain.

"I cannot do it alone, of course. But with the help of other deities, perhaps I can. If you agree to assist me, I guarantee that one-third of this world will become forest," Apollo said, looking toward the woods.

However, all he saw was the wind rustling through the trees. After a long silence, the voice from the forest asked, "Then who do you consider to be the opponent of your plan?" Hearing this, Apollo knew the Forest Goddess was interested, so he felt he had to use facts to sway her.

He stated with certainty, "You know my strength. Do I still have any rivals in this world?"

"Yes. The Headless War God is one."

"But he is an absolutely neutral entity."

"He is neutral, yes, but do not forget the consequences for anyone who infringes upon his interests." The voice from the forest grew colder. The Forest Goddess had initially been intrigued by Apollo’s plan, but she had never expected him to be so arrogant as to disregard the Headless War God.

"Do not worry about that. As long as you join me, dealing with the Headless War God will be simple. No matter how strong he is, he cannot defeat the combined might of four deities," Apollo said, holding his head high.

"Four deities? That means you have only persuaded two so far?" As a deity who had ascended to godhood from another Inner World, Yi Ruolan’s wisdom was far superior to that of a projected god like Apollo. She had no intention of becoming his cannon fodder.

Without waiting for Apollo to say more, she replied, "Come back when you have convinced at least seven deities; otherwise, I will not agree to your plan."

Hearing this, Apollo snorted coldly and vanished in a streak of golden light. Yet, as he departed, he did not believe his own approach was flawed. He concluded that his failure to persuade the Forest Goddess was entirely the fault of the three people who had been lingering near the forest earlier. Upon his return, he issued an order to his subordinates to hunt down Li Mingxing and his companions, demanding their heads by any means necessary.

Once this order was issued, Li Mingxing faced significant trouble. His direct path toward the Headless War God’s territory had already attracted attention, and now, with Apollo’s bounty, even if the servants of other gods ignored him, experts who had not yet pledged allegiance to any deity would not miss this opportunity. They poured out from their places of practice to pursue him, greatly increasing the pressure on Li Mingxing’s group.

Although the three worked well together, their current physical forms were only at the sixth-tier lower level. Being avatars, they could only exert seventy percent of their bodies' potential. They could handle one or two enemies through teamwork, but as the numbers grew, they found themselves in a difficult spot.

After killing seven sixth-tier lower-level, two sixth-tier upper-level, and one seventh-tier lower-level enemy, Zheng’s "Spring Breeze and Rain" healing art and Aisha’s "Storm Strike" were both exhausted. Li Mingxing’s longsword had snapped in two, and he was currently using a silver rapier snatched from a Sword Saint they had killed earlier.

This unfamiliar weapon, combined with his unhealed wounds, significantly reduced his combat effectiveness. They might have managed if they only faced sixth-tier lower-level enemies, but they had little confidence against anything higher.

However, Li Mingxing’s luck ran out just as they were about to enter the Headless War God’s territory. They encountered their first coordinated duo since arriving in this world.

Though only two in number, they possessed seventh-tier lower-level strength, and their coordination was far superior to that of Li Mingxing, Zheng, and Aisha.

Leading them was a muscular, shirtless man, one-meter-eight in height. His golden skin made him look like a machine, but Li Mingxing realized he must be from the Desert World and possessed the bloodline of the Titans. Behind him was a blue-skinned woman wearing a veil like Mida’s, holding a staff typical of a great mage. She stayed exactly half a step behind the man, allowing her to survey the field while ensuring he could protect her at a moment’s notice.

Li Mingxing’s first instinct was to flee, but he instantly realized it was not an option. The Headless War God’s territory was a domain for warriors; if he fled, he would never gain an audience or the help he needed.

Li Mingxing could only fight his way in, even if it meant sustaining grave injuries. In a few hours, Zheng would be able to use her healing arts again, and once inside the territory, they would be safe.

Li Mingxing tightened his grip on the rapier. "We have to fight for our lives now. In a moment, you and Aisha charge forward, and I will hold them off."

Zheng wanted to protest, but Aisha understood Li Mingxing’s intent. She grabbed Zheng’s sleeve and charged forward with her head down. The man blocking their path, thinking they intended to force their way through, drew a sword made of lightning.

Just then, Li Mingxing thrust his silver rapier directly at the blue-skinned woman. The lightning-wielding man smiled; he had noticed the rapier earlier and knew that Sword Saints who used such blades relied on speed. He had kept his focus on Li Mingxing while engaging the others.

As soon as Li Mingxing pulled his blade back, the man appeared behind him, his lightning sword meeting Li Mingxing’s rapier. One clash told Li Mingxing that the man’s swordsmanship was at most level 5, lacking any true essence. If they were strictly comparing sword skills, Li Mingxing was confident he could block or even kill him.

But the man was not limited to swordplay. As Li Mingxing demonstrated his superior skill, lightning surged over the man’s hands. As Li Mingxing was struck by the bolt, a faint smile appeared on his face. This startled the lightning-wielding man, who turned to see that Zheng had already reached the blue-skinned woman.

The man did not rush to save her. Instead, he made a gesture, and his skin turned blue, while the blue-skinned woman’s skin turned golden and she grew thirty centimeters taller.

Li Mingxing was shocked. He had wanted Zheng and Aisha to target the woman because of her mage-like appearance, but it appeared these two could swap abilities. Li Mingxing realized his group was in deep trouble.