In a short span of time, two High Gods had fallen.
The only High Gods remaining in this world were now the five in this divine hall.
The fall of High Gods would be an event that could shake the Six Realms if known to others, yet to Qin Weiji, it barely caused a ripple.
After Qiyuan completely vanished from this world, he withdrew the god-slaying sword, released Shen Xin, turned and sat on the God Throne at the front of the hall with arms crossed. Leaning back with closed eyes, his tightly furrowed brow showed only irritation and impatience.
This was because the career-focused part of his mind kept chanting: The Divine Lord must never be bewitched by the Divine Maiden’s beauty, must never fall in love with the Divine Maiden, must only treat the Divine Maiden as a tool, and so on.
Qin Weiji felt nothing but disdain.
Beauty?
What beauty did Shen Xin possess? She wasn’t even as beautiful as him. Why would he be bewitched by her? Loving her was even more impossible.
As for why he had become so engrossed in kissing Shen Xin, he pondered but found no answer, ultimately attributing it to his inner demon’s influence.
How to completely eliminate this inner demon…
Perhaps by kissing a few more times, he would find out?
Meanwhile, Shen Xin was enduring Xiao Ai’s frantic chirping in her mind, inwardly sneering, “A scumbag who turns cold right after getting what he wants. Like I’d ever love him.”
Xiao Ai: 【Host, stop struggling. Weren’t you enjoying it just now?】
It even started singing: 【Kissing you, kissing you, kissing you, your kiss feels too real, making me mistake feigned affection for the most sincere kiss…】
Shen Xin’s brow twitched violently. “So you know it’s feigned affection too?”
Actually, she’d heard this song before—it seemed to be called “A Kiss Too Real.” With Xiao Ai singing it, she even suddenly recalled most of the lyrics.
Admittedly, it perfectly described her current relationship with Qin Weiji.
She laughed coldly. “If I remember correctly, doesn’t one line go: ‘In this dazzling world, no need to take things seriously’? Well, what I love is just those heartless red lips.”
Even if she felt something, it was only for his kisses.
As for him as a person? Forget it.
Xiao Ai: 【Adult love often starts with falling for his lips. The more you kiss, the more you’ll love him. Go host!】
Shen Xin: “…”
The Love Brain is truly hopeless.
However, she had to admit some of Xiao Ai’s words made sense.
There were indeed men and women who developed love only after physical intimacy.
But she didn’t think she and Qin Weiji would ever love each other, even though a thought had fleetingly crossed her mind during that moment.
Coming to her senses, she knew it was impossible.
She would leave this world eventually—she still wanted to find her parents.
She missed them, terribly so.
This thought made her want to complete her mission faster.
She asked Xiao Ai: “Qin Weiji’s corruption index must be quite high now, right?”
Even she had felt it earlier, and Qiyuan—before being killed, Qiyuan must have wanted to mention this.
Strangely, after Qin Weiji released her, she could no sense his demonic energy. Had he suppressed it?
【Probably.】
Xiao Ai also sounded uncertain, then added: 【But the favorability keeps rising. Congratulations host, favorability increased by 20%. It’s now -40%. You’ve received two random reward cards.】
Shen Xin: “?”
Even after kissing like that… the favorability was still negative.
She clicked her tongue, gritting her teeth. “Scumbag.”
To kiss like a desperate dog with a woman he doesn’t even like—how shameless.
Shen Xin couldn’t be bothered with Xiao Ai anymore and turned her gaze to Jialuo and the others.
Though Jialuo and Sufang were also male, they were considerably older.
Jialuo appeared to be around the same age as the original host’s father, while Sufang was even older—a white-bearded, white-haired old man. Only his exceptionally vigorous spirit made him appear upright and youthful, without any signs of aging.
Thus, in the original plot, neither of them had any romantic entanglements with the female protagonist Shen Yi.
A Mary Sue female protagonist naturally required young, handsome men as matches.
But being a Mary Sue protagonist, she was beloved by all—if not romantically, then with paternal affection.
Those characters set to adore the female protagonist naturally held little goodwill toward Shen Xin.
Especially now, after Qin Weiji killed Qiyuan for Shen Xin—they looked at her as if she were their father’s murderer.
Shen Xin met their gazes for a moment, then curled her lips slightly. “Why are the War God and Medicine God staring at me like that? Could it be you’ve also been captivated by my beauty?”
Jialuo and Sufang clearly hadn’t expected her to utter such shameless words. Their expressions instantly darkened. “You…”
The Flower Goddess Luorong looked astonished, studying Shen Xin as if she found the person before her utterly unfamiliar.
Even Qin Weiji couldn’t help reopening his eyes, his gaze toward Jialuo and Sufang carrying a dangerous displeasure he himself hadn’t noticed.
Shen Xin sighed. “I know I’m beautiful, but I already have a husband. So no matter how stunning I am, you must exercise restraint. Otherwise, you might end up like High God Qiyuan.”
This was nothing short of blatant slander and threat.
“Preposterous!”
Sufang bristled with rage, his beard trembling. “Regarding Qiyuan’s matter, dare you claim you didn’t deliberately seduce him?”
“I seduce him?”
Shen Xin scoffed derisively. “My husband is the ruler of the divine realm, peerless under heaven. Qiyuan was nothing but a green-skinned toad—in his true form, covered entirely in warts. The mere thought is utterly disgusting. Why would I abandon my handsome husband to seduce a toad? It’s always been the toad lusting after the swan’s flesh—have you ever seen a swan voluntarily offer itself to a toad?”
Perhaps Sufang had never encountered someone who spoke like Shen Xin. He stiffened momentarily before angrily retorting, “Vulgar! Utterly vulgar! Qiyuan was transformed from a divine frog of the heavenly pond…”
“Oh, a frog. Then he’s still a blood relative of toads.”
“You…”
Watching Sufang rendered speechless by her words, even the typically steady Jialuo—who hadn’t even pleaded for Qiyuan earlier—couldn’t help but say gravely, “Why must the Divine Maiden be so aggressive?”
Shen Xin smiled faintly. “I’m merely stating facts. How is that aggressive? Surely you can’t blame me for being too reasonable just because you’re being unreasonable?”
Jialuo stared at her, eyes blazing with anger. “Isn’t the truth that you deliberately tempted him, then misled the Divine Lord into killing Qiyuan?”
They still placed the full blame for Qiyuan’s death on Shen Xin.
Shen Xin raised an eyebrow. “Being beautiful isn’t my fault. Having a Spiritual Root isn’t my fault either. He wanted to approach me and take my Spiritual Root, yet you claim I deliberately tempted him? What, did I grow tired of having too many Spiritual Roots and lure him to take them? As for you accusing me of misleading my husband…”
She laughed lightly. “The phrase ‘the hatred of stealing another’s wife’ came from Qiyuan’s own mouth. If anyone misled anyone, he misled my husband himself—simply seeking his own death!”
“You…”
Jialuo gritted his teeth tightly. Luorong finally spoke up, her tone laced with a cold sneer. “I never knew the Divine Maiden possessed such a sharp tongue before.”
Shen Xin then looked at her again.
The Flower Goddess, wearing a Hundred Flowers Dress and a Hundred Flowers Crown, was indeed quite beautiful—after all, she was a gorgeous peony blossom.
But still, not as beautiful as her.
Shen Xin nodded. “If you were the Flower Goddess, and someone accused you of seducing a toad, would you happily accept it without refuting?”
“I…”
Luorong was left speechless by her retort, gritting her teeth before replying, “This Divine Maiden has always maintained propriety and has never been involved with any man, so such rumors would never arise. It takes two to tango—perhaps the Divine Maiden should reflect on herself.”
Shen Xin chuckled lightly. “Here, raise your hand.”
Luorong frowned. “What for?”
Shen Xin sighed. “Naturally, to use your own hand and slap your own face. Whether one hand can make a sound or not—why not test it yourself and find out?”
“You…”
Luorong’s face instantly flushed red, undoubtedly from anger.
Shen Xin shrugged. “Me, me, me—you, you, you. For High Gods, you all stammer as if you never learned to speak properly. I suppose you seldom study or read in your daily lives?”
She looked at them with utter disdain. “And you’re supposed to govern the Six Realms? What sins have the beings of the Six Realms committed to be ruled by stammering illiterates? Ah, the divine realm really ought to prioritize quality education.”
The three deities were rendered completely speechless by her tirade, each flushed with rage.
Yet, they couldn’t help but wonder: Had they truly focused too much on cultivation and neglected their studies, leaving them unable to retort when words were needed?
Shen Xin, however, felt thoroughly refreshed. It had been a long time since she’d vented like this, and the pent-up frustration she’d carried since arriving in this world was finally somewhat released.
Qin Weiji lounged lazily on his divine throne, propping his chin with one hand, silently watching Shen Xin confront the three deities.
He had to admit, that little mouth of hers was truly formidable.
If only her eloquence could be applied to kissing…
Unfortunately, during their earlier kiss, her little tongue had seemed frozen stiff, utterly motionless.
Qin Weiji narrowed his eyes slightly and let out a dissatisfied “tsk.” “Enough.”
His cold voice cut through the hall, and the others finally composed themselves, turning their attention to him.
Shen Xin pressed her lips together, glanced at him briefly before averting her gaze, focusing instead on the several High God soul lamps.
Her tongue still felt somewhat numb, yet he sat there coldly, like a stranger.
She still felt a little unhappy.
It really must have been… too realistic a kiss.
Her reaction, in Qin Weiji’s eyes, appeared equally aloof.
He was also displeased—she had been soft and pliant in his arms just moments ago, but now she stood there rigid and unyielding.
Hah…
His tone grew even colder. “Qiyuan’s soul has dissipated. Who is willing to go to the Netherworld?”
That was the most pressing matter now—to assume the duties of the God of the Underworld and uncover the truth behind his fall.
As for petty arguments, they were meaningless.
But among the remaining High Gods, if anyone could suppress the Netherworld…
Sufang and Luorong both looked toward the War God Jialuo, and even Qin Weiji’s gaze settled on him.
Jialuo, however, hesitated.
It had been thirty thousand years since a new High God had undergone tribulation and returned to their position. The last High God born into the Six Realms was Shen Xin, who had been a High God from birth.
No one knew when the next High God would emerge.
Under these circumstances, what was called a temporary appointment could very well become permanent, with no chance of stepping down.
“Divine Lord, I…”
While Jialuo hesitated, Shen Xin, who had been staring at the soul lamp, suddenly said, “Why don’t I go?”
Everyone was stunned and looked at her.
Qin Weiji’s brow furrowed, “You?”
Shen Xin hummed in affirmation, “I’ll go.”
She glanced at the three deities beside her, “The War God is responsible for the stability of the Six Realms and is extremely busy. How could he have time to go to the Netherworld?”
As Jialuo looked surprised, she continued, “The Flower Goddess governs all flora across the Six Realms, so naturally she has no time either. The Medicine God bears even greater responsibilities – if he makes mistakes while busy, and the Six Realms face medicine shortages, wouldn’t everything descend into chaos?”
After speaking, she nodded to herself, “Thinking it through, it seems I, this idle Divine Maiden, am the most suitable.”
The three deities wore strange expressions. Shen Xin had just been confronting them aggressively, yet now she was considering their situations. Wasn’t this sudden reasonableness rather peculiar?
Shen Xin noticed their confusion and chuckled lightly, “Don’t look at me like that. I’ve always been someone who judges matters objectively and speaks only reason.”
Jialuo and the others’ expressions shifted again, feeling inexplicably awkward.
Yet they couldn’t help wondering: had they truly misjudged Shen Xin before?
Only Qin Weiji remained cold-faced, “Your divine power is weak. How could you suppress the ghosts of the Netherworld?”
But Shen Xin countered, “Thinking about it now, I was born with the Power of Rest. Perhaps I was meant for the Netherworld.”
Hearing this, Jialuo and the others found it quite reasonable and couldn’t help nodding in agreement.
Qin Weiji’s expression darkened further, “Shen Yaoyao…”
Shen Xin interrupted him, blinking with a smile, “Husband, are you reluctant to let me go?”
Qin Weiji couldn’t stand her playful demeanor, his face turning stern as water, “I’ve said before, if you insist on having your way, I won’t care whether you live or die.”
Shen Xin drawled, “Oh.”
“You…”
Qin Weiji felt a tightness in his chest, suddenly understanding how the three deities had felt earlier when she had rendered them speechless with nothing but “you… you… I… I…”
The career-driven voice in his Divine Sense was already numb.
It had said all along that the Divine Lord couldn’t be separated from the Divine Maiden.
If he couldn’t kiss her constantly, he at least needed to hold her hand or embrace her continuously. Otherwise, the moment he let go, the corruption index would spiral out of control.
It urgently said, 【The Divine Lord absolutely cannot let the Divine Maiden go to the Netherworld.】
Qin Weiji closed his eyes, his slender fingers pressing against his throbbing temples, a cold smile forming, “Fine, since you want to go, then go.”
Career-driven voice, 【?】
Qin Weiji opened his eyes, meeting Shen Xin’s gaze, his expression returning to its usual aloofness as he said, “I will absolutely not stop you.”
With these words, his form dissolved into shadow, instantly vanishing from the deities’ sight.
The divine hall fell into momentary silence as Jialuo and the others looked at Shen Xin.
But Shen Xin smiled calmly, “Guess how long I’ll survive in the Netherworld?”
Jialuo’s heart sank slightly, suddenly unable to bear watching, “Perhaps I should still…”
Shen Xin waved them off, “I’m leaving.”
With that, she turned and also disappeared from the divine hall.
Jialuo, Sufang, and Luorong looked at each other.
Finally, Luorong said hesitantly, “Did we… misjudge her?”
Jialuo and Sufang remained silent, but clearly, everyone shared the same feeling.
They seemed to have truly misunderstood Shen Xin because they didn’t know her well enough…
Shen Xin didn’t waste any time. The moment she left the divine hall, she headed straight for the Netherworld, afraid that Qin Weiji might capture her and lock her up.
Until she stood by the River of Oblivion, gazing at the river so beautiful it seemed adorned with starlight, more dazzling than the Milky Way, she finally grinned and said to Xiao Ai, “Alright, activate that Heartbreak Card we just obtained.”
Heartbreak—as the name implied—meant that as long as Shen Xin was more than a hundred steps away from Qin Weiji, he would miss her so intensely that his heart would feel as if being sliced by knives, tormenting him unbearably.
Moreover, the effect of this card would last for at least a month.
Shen Xin nearly laughed aloud, curling her lips smugly. “Let’s see how long he can hold out.”
Xiao Ai chuckled proudly, 【Host, you’re such a clever little imp, hehe.】
Soon, a 【Ding】 sounded: 【Heartbreak Card has been activated.】
At the same moment, in the Divine Realm, Qin Weiji, who had been so agitated he wanted to pick a fight with someone, suddenly turned pale. A searing pain, as if his heart were being torn apart by a thousand blades, overwhelmed him, making him wish he could rip it out and discard it.
In that instant, Shen Xin’s smiling face surfaced in his mind—her radiant expression as she said to him, “Husband, are you reluctant to let me go?”
Qin Weiji clutched his chest tightly, his eyes shut, veins bulging on his forehead.
He parted his lips, murmuring her name: “Shen… Yao Yao…”
Cold sweat trickled from his brow to the corner of his eye, and for a moment, it almost looked like tears were falling.
Gritting his teeth, he uttered, “Come back—”
Just then, Jialuo arrived seeking him out, intending to discuss the matter of the God of the Underworld again. “?”
He suddenly felt uneasy.
So their Divine Lord had already fallen for the Divine Maiden to such an extent?