Secret World: I Became a God Through Lies

Chapter 539: Taotie Gate
Beneath the tower lies a city, beneath the city lies a dream; at the bottom of the dream lies the Taotie. He who obtains it becomes rich, he who glimpses it perishes.

—From *Zi Bu Yu* (The Master Did Not Discuss): Record of the Pagoda of the End

After the fog dissipated, the world was silent.

Si Ming and Selian walked side by side on the dilapidated cobblestone path.

The mist meandered up from the foot of the mountain, like a layer of breathing white skin, enveloping the entire village in a chill.

The bluestone beneath their feet was cracked, and gray-white grass grew in the cracks.

The wind blew, and the grass blades rubbed against the ground, making a soft, rustling sound, like someone whispering.

This is a dead village.

The offering table in the dilapidated temple had long since fallen over, and the incense ash had solidified into stones; the beams of the ancestral hall were broken, and a "福" (fortune) character hung upside down in the dust.

The weeds were knee-high, and half a stone lion lay askew by the roadside, its eye sockets filled with dirty water, reflecting the images of two people.

The characters on the wooden sign had been worn away by wind and rain, leaving only three blurry fragments:

Wangchuan Town.

The wind whistled through the cracks in the dilapidated house.

The lanterns under the eaves had long been extinguished, yet they were still swaying.

The faces of the door gods were blurred by the rain, leaving only their rolled-up eyes visible;
Several crows perched on the broken tiles, pecking at unidentified black bits of meat;

In that dried-up ditch, a corner of a red veil was half-buried.

The blood-red color stood out starkly against the gray and white world.

Selene shrank her neck and rubbed her arms.

Although her skin was not afraid of the cold, the gloomy atmosphere of the village made her blood feel frozen.

"Didn't the Mysterious Tricksters Guild say that several squads have gone missing here?"

It looks deserted and quiet; there's not a soul in sight.

Her tone was half teasing and half wary.

Si Ming walked ahead, his black robes shrouded in mist, his pace unhurried.

"Because they've already 'lived' here."

His voice was very soft, as if he were stating a trivial fact.

"You just can't see it."

Selene paused, looking up at him.

Those red eyes looked exceptionally bright in the mist.

"What do you mean?"

Sima Ming did not answer immediately.

He stopped and looked at the mountain shadows ahead.

The mountains rose and fell behind the fog, resembling a crouching beast.

A gust of wind blew by, stirring up dust and rags from the ground.
It seemed as if even the air itself was softly chanting some ancient lament.

Si Ming raised his hand and stroked the playing cards. The cards gleamed faintly silver in the light, flashing on and off.

The wind stopped abruptly, and the colors of the world darkened in that instant.

The fog began to roll backward, as if time itself had been pulled away.

The sound of bells could be heard in the distance.

when--

Deep and lingering.

The sound of bells echoed in the air.

It carries the scent of wine and fire, and a certain destiny's call.

The light re-emerged.

That was two days ago, at night beneath the Tower of the End.

The Tower of the End.

That is something that connects to the heavens.

Its shadow covered half the world, and countless layers of floating runic light bands flowed across the tower walls.

Each layer represents a hierarchy of laws: destiny, life, and the world.

The lower level of the tower is the "Mission Hall".

It was a huge circular space with a dome hundreds of meters high, filled with white light like water and flowing starlight.

A huge hourglass hangs in mid-air, with grains of sand slowly falling. With each grain that falls, a deep bell rings out in the tower.

It is said that

Each grain of sand represents a mystery strategist who failed in his mission;
The starlight that shimmers on the floor is the manifestation of their souls' obsessions.

An eerie stillness permeated the air, like both a sanctuary and a tomb.

two days ago.

As the God of Fate emerged from the teleportation beam.

He had one hand in his pocket, his steps were unhurried, as if nothing was wrong, yet people dared not approach him.

At the end of the corridor is the only tavern on the lower level of the Tower of the End.

Evening Bell Tavern.

The brass bell at the door hung low, its body worn dark from wear.

He pushed the door open and entered, the hinges making a dry creak.

The interior was dimly lit, and the air was filled with the smell of aged wine and rust.

Several dimly lit lanterns hung on the wall, their wicks swaying.

The sound of bells can also be heard here; it is a lament for the "missing strategists."

He glanced.

A familiar figure was sitting at the table in the corner.

She wore a black dress and had black hair, looking like an oriental noblewoman.

There was a smile in the woman's eyes, but also weariness.

A dark cloak, like wings, hung down behind her, as if a night had fallen to earth.

She looked up and smiled faintly.

"They arrived fairly quickly."

Si Ming pulled out a chair and sat down.

He leaned back lazily in his chair, scrutinizing her: "That expression of yours, is it another 'apocalyptic start'?"

Ruoli tapped the table lightly, and the silver ring on her fingertip made a crisp sound.

"A new instance has appeared at the bottom of the Tower of the End."

Her voice was low and deep, with a hint of suppressed coldness.

"Initially, it was one of our union members who wandered in by mistake."

He thought he had found a treasure vault instance, so he entered with several companions.

The past few days have been smooth sailing—drops have been frequent, and I've been able to get cards from the Fate, Life, and even World series.

We thought it was a source of wealth.

Ruoli reached out and traced a circle on the table with her fingertips.

"Until he obtained the first 'Nameless Card Fragment'."

Si Ming raised an eyebrow slightly.

The tavern lights suddenly dimmed, and Ruoli's voice became even lower.

"At that moment, the instance began to 'devour'."

Whether it was members who left midway or records from outside the group—all were erased.

Everyone disappeared, leaving only a fragmented replay:

A crimson mist spread... and a name appeared: 'Taotie'.

She paused for a moment, as if pulling that voice from her memory.

"It is one of the highest-calorie foods."

"Taotie, the supreme being of life in legend, devours everything at the end of time."

The tavern lights cast her silhouette, revealing pale lips beneath her silver hair.

Si Ming picked up the wine glass on the table and gently swirled it.

Red wine is like blood.

He took a sip and smiled faintly.

"So, who does your union plan to send to their death?"

Ruoli raised her eyes, her gaze calm.

"It's not sending them to their deaths, it's a rescue."

She paused, her voice carrying an undeniable certainty.

"I recommended you."

Si Ming raised an eyebrow.

"reason?"

Ruoli chuckled: "Reason? Of course, it's because you're troublesome enough."

Her tone suddenly became serious.

"You possess the Supreme Card - Lord of Destiny."

It can rewrite the laws of fate and rewrite the rules.

"Besides me, no one else can stand against the 'Taotie'."

Si Ming gently twirled the wine glass with his fingertips.

"It's a pity you can't go down the tower." Ruoli sighed, "Yes. The level is too high, and you're not welcomed by those below."

Lower-level dungeons do not accept any 'high-level players'.

She took a dark gray stone from her bosom and placed it on the table.

The stone surface is covered with fine lines, and a faint white light shines from the center.

"This is the 'Forgotten River Stone.' It's a key left by the previous group of survivors."

Activating it will reopen the dungeon pathway.

Si Ming looked at the stone, lost in thought.

Then he reached out, picked it up, and tossed it around casually.

"can."

He finished his drink and put the cup down.

"But I'm waiting for someone."

Ruoli's lips curved slightly.

“Selene? A little vampire girl.”

Si Ming did not deny it.

Ruoli smiled, her tone carrying a hint of ambiguous pity:

"If she can clear the beginner dungeon smoothly... you always worry too much."

Si Ming stood up, his robe brushing against the candlelight on the wine table.

He put the "Forgetful River Stone" into his pocket.

"You sound like you're jealous."

Ruoli chuckled softly: "I'm only jealous of those who can still recall 'humanity'."

She raised her hand to indicate that she was leaving.

The red wine in the glass rippled slightly.

Si Ming turned around, pushed open the door, and went out.

The night is cold and thin.

The tolling of the bells outside the tower drifted on the wind.

That is the evening bell that tolls for the lost.

The Tower of the End, bottom floor, mission hall.

Morning light streamed down from the runic dome high above, illuminating the massive teleportation array.

The flowing ribbons of light intertwined and formed loops on the ground, each one like a thread of fate, weaving a path to the unknown.

In this solemn and tranquil atmosphere, a flash of light and shadow suddenly appeared.

A blood-red figure tumbled out of the newbie portal, landed heavily, and then straightened up.

Her red hair was disheveled, and her eyes gleamed with a pale red light. She glanced around, a lively smile spreading across her lips.

Selene is back.

She saw Si Ming leaning against a pillar not far away. The man was dressed in his usual black robe, with a cold expression, and was playing with a deck of cards in his hand.

Selene's eyes lit up instantly, and she ran over almost without hesitation, hugging him from behind.

"I finally beat the game!"

She wrapped her arms around Siming's neck, her silver hair falling onto his shoulders, her eyes sparkling.

"Shouldn't I get a reward?"

Siming was stunned, his expression instantly freezing.

He coughed, nearly dropping the playing cards in his hand.

"...A reward? You wouldn't be thinking of—"

“Shopping!” Celian laughed matter-of-factly.

"I heard that the Tower Market sells Blood Crystal Wine! And those pearl garments that make people glow! I want to buy one!"

Si Ming's forehead twitched.

"No."

"Why?" She pouted, her eyes slightly reddening, revealing a hint of the grievance unique to vampires.

"The people from the Mystic Masters Guild have been waiting for too long; we need to set off now."

His tone was calm, as if he were stating a fact.

Selene snorted and muttered under her breath:
"What a boring owner."

Si Ming ignored her, grabbed her by the back of her collar with one hand, as if she were picking up a disobedient kitten.

"gone."

"Hey! Don't pull my clothes! I'm a dignified vampire princess—"

Her protests were drowned out by the low hum of the teleportation array.

The giant portal in the center of the hall lit up.

Runes spread out from the circular patterns on the floor, converging on the central relief.

Si Ming took out the dark gray "Forgetful River Stone".

The stone emitted a low hum as soon as it touched the groove of the teleportation platform.

The runes lit up.

The light spreads along the ceiling of the hall, layer by layer, transforming into a giant portal.

The facade is covered with ancient laws of fate, the characters appearing and disappearing in the light.

Behind the door was a sea of ​​blood-red mist, churning and boiling, as if waiting to devour everything.

Si Ming lowered his eyes and murmured calmly:

"The Tower of the End, Lower Dungeon - 'Misty Ghost Town' Land of Oblivion".

Selene looked up at the door, a flicker of fear in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by excitement.

"I heard it's a treasure trove where you can get tons of cards."

She licked her lips, her smile carrying the curiosity of a hunter.

Si Ming's gaze turned cold.

The blood mist swirled slowly in his pupils, like a dream blinking.

"But... that's another name for hell."

He reached out and gripped the Stone of Oblivion tightly.

A sudden burst of light appeared.

The two stepped into the portal at the same time.

Light shattered.

The world suddenly spun, and time was stretched into a thin thread.

Fog, wind, and blood-red light and shadow intertwined to form a huge vortex that instantly swallowed their figures.

Air Recombination —

They fell into the misty ghost town.

Amidst the ruins of Wangchuan Town, the wind howled through the broken walls. Ashes were swirled up and then fell back onto the shattered roof tiles.

Si Ming slowly snapped out of his reverie.

Beside him was a fallen lantern; the wick had long since gone out, leaving only black ash.

He looked up and stared at the collapsed ancestral hall in front of him.

"Be careful, there's something wrong with this instance."

His tone was calm, yet it sent chills down one's spine.

"The monsters here... cannot be killed by ordinary means."

Selene's smile faded, and her expression turned serious.

She looked around, her fingers lightly touching the blood-stained claws at her waist.

"understood."

Then, she suddenly revealed a mischievous smile and gently approached Si Ming.

"Then, Master, from now on... whose orders should we follow?"

Even her breath carried a hint of sweetness.

Si Ming didn't look up, but simply raised the Fate Pen and gently touched her forehead with the tip of the pen.

"Stop talking so much."

"Follow me."

Selene rubbed her forehead and grinned.

"Yes, Master."

The wind blows from the distant mountains.

That familiar chill enveloped them once again.

The fog rolled on the ground, rising little by little along street corners, stone walls, and tile cracks.

A soft ringing sound came from the air.

"Ding--"

Si Ming's gaze darkened.

Selene looked up, her eyes gleaming in the mist.

The ghost town has fully awakened.

There are doors in the tower, and paths within those doors. Where do these paths lead? Only fate can answer that. Yet fate itself resides within the tower's dream.

—From *Zi Bu Yu* (The Book of Fate)

(End of this chapter)