Chapter 72: Adoration

War God flared: “Sister—my good sister—they treat you like that—you’re not angry? If it were me—I’d storm the council—demand answers from them all!”
Righteous—as if one word from her and War God would fight the Twelve Gods.
But those eyes only held an old face—phantom—she didn’t care.
Past flowed away—gone—no need drown in it.
Stand in now—infinite future ahead.
Eyes full of the familiar—she reached—touched War God’s cheek—laughed light—shook head: “Yanci—it’s really fine.”
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Milt’s body formed from heaven and earth—power purest—best for the realm barrier.
But filth backlash—even power not on barrier—only slowed amnesia—never full cure.
She had all of Milt’s memory now.
Back then she knew—refused War God’s plan.
She knew this was illusion—shouldn’t waste words on shadows.
But that familiar face—couldn’t stay cold—extra warmth slipped in.
Hall full of lively rabbits—she picked a snow-white one—most like Bai Yanci.
Those rabbits—from mortal travels together.
Pets—no survival—abandoned—homeless—they’d brought them back.
She stroked patient—eyes soft: “They’re well cared for with you.”
War God dazed—long pause: “You like them—that’s your wish. Whatever you like—whatever you want—I’ll do it.”
War God sighed—she asked: “What’s wrong?”
“I wish I were a rabbit.” War God turned away—cheeks red. “Then what you hold wouldn’t be a rabbit—it’d be me in your palms.”
Talked long—sky late without notice.
Leaving—Diting alone by the hall door—book of moon arts in hand—leaning.
He wasn’t reading—staring into distance.
His gaze—the blue-glow mountains—half seen—half in cloud.
Curved—like a crescent moon.
She walked to him—Diting startled—neglected Life God—knelt—head down: “Your servant deserves death.”
“No matter.” She couldn’t blame the dream’s owner—but wondered—asked: “So late—why not rest—still studying?”
Study was pretense—that stare—lost an hour easy.
Diting’s eyes lit with longing: “Honestly—your servant wants higher cultivation—one day—beside War God.”
Surprised—scheming Diting had such plain ambition.
Dream folk drop guards—this was truth—no hide.
“Wind rises at night—mountains far. If my Lord doesn’t mind—let your servant walk you partway.”
Diting pulled her drifting thought back.
His dream—if he woke startled—found her at main hall stealing pouch—disaster.
His territory—she didn’t dare risk—agreed.
Crimson dress in night wind—ears full of rushing air.
Diting spoke: “In youth I shared a realm with War God. Thin power—remote—rulers ignored us. Became bitter land. Twelve months—only seven days like spring.”
“Fate wouldn’t spare us. Took our spring—brought plague—many immortals died—kin, colleagues—and… the one I loved.”
“War God fought to godhood—that was her path. World said War God brave—ascension natural. But I knew—before that—how much power she spent saving lives—even life itself.”
“If not for thunder tribulation—ascension—she’d be white bone.”
She didn’t know what to say—silent.
Bai Yanci never reported woes—past or present. These things—enemy’s mouth first.
At Long-Life Hall side Diting stopped—turned—looked at her: “Your servant has a presumptuous question—may I ask my Lord?”
That examining gaze—ice on her skin—uncomfortable.
Before answer Diting asked: “You and War God—what are you?”
She countered: “What do you think we are?”
Diting instant: “Close as kin—the best of friends.”
First line right—second line wrong.
She asked again: “Twelve gods in the world—why only War God’s hall? Same realm—that simple?”
“Of course not.” Diting said. “I want to be nearest to War God.”
Taller—looking down—each step pressure.
Closer—one step—solemn: “My Lord—nearest isn’t just guard—nearest is closest. I want to be—the closest person at War God’s side.”
Eyes brighter than any star in night sky.
“You… adore War God?” Hesitant.
Maybe dream—Diting didn’t hide—blurted: “No—it’s love.”
Love—closest.
She understood at last—Diting’s strange acts—why.
First admiration—twisted to love—wild grass in the heart.
He studied lethal arts—reached War God’s side—learned War God and Milt’s truth—last ember out—last reason burned.
Wrong heart—faith collapsed—easy extreme road.
Can’t have—destroy.
She looked up—dream Diting had no scar—under moon—faint now.
She asked: “You said plague took the one you loved.”
“My beloved finally left the bitter land—as she wished. I should be glad.”
Diting’s face changed—fierce: “But I hate—why leave without even a backward glance. I loved so long—so deep—even took an arrow for her!”
“What?”
Diting lifted a hand—scene played like film.
Plague victims—fever—madness—violence—until power spent—death.
Then Yanci was great immortal—never healing arts—pure power treatment—spent fast. Days—half cultivation gone.
More infected—less control.
One day—Yanci weak from spending—a mad small immortal summoned weapon—arrows at her life gate.
Diting threw himself in—blocked—cultivation lower—hit—nearly blind one eye.
Red blur—only Yanci’s outline.
Couldn’t stand—couldn’t fight beside her—joined Yanci’s volunteer corps—logistics—stay near.
Yanci closed eyes—decided—great immortal’s full power—soul sacrifice—could take the plague.
Yanci called gods countless times—none heard.
Maybe mortal suffering too much—even gods couldn’t answer all.
Not true god—willing to be that “god” for homeland.
Yanci at gray sky—scattered all power—cried: “Remote realm—cold neglect—Gods—remember—even small immortals will give everything for home!”
Power spent—infected woke like from dream—few knew what happened.
Diting saw all—pain—no strength to stand—crawled—long blood trail on ground.
Watched Yanci cultivation gone—body into scattered light: “You died for them—were they worth it? You saved them—they tried to kill you!”
Thunder tribulation—light gathered—took Yanci away—then he knew—beloved blessed by fate—became god.
So he went—to the moon.
All gods there—Yanci would go there too.
Scene ended—Yi Ke asked: “But why love her?”
“She was my faith.” Diting natural. “Only great immortal in our realm—life chasing power—of course look twice.”