While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

Xu Chuan pushed open the window, and the night breeze rushed in, dispersing the remaining steam in the room.

The lights in the room across the street were already off; Ying and Paimon were probably asleep.

In the distance, towards the port, the torches of the Thousand Rock Army flickered in the darkness, like a few stars that refused to go out.

Chapter 133 Changes in the Golden Light

As night deepened, the hustle and bustle of Liyue Harbor finally sank into dreams.

Further out, the horizon merges with the sea, making it impossible to distinguish where the sky ends and the sea begins.

Xu Chuan stood by the window, looking up at the frosty moon hanging high in the sky.

The moonlight was cold and pale, with an unreal quality.

In fact, just like the false heavens of Teyvat, the moon before us is not real either.

But this untouchable falsehood is no different from reality to ordinary people.

No one cares whether the moon overhead is real or not.

As long as it rises every night, and as long as its light can illuminate the way home, it is worthy to be called the "moon".

It was through this method that the doctor deceived the world's perception by using lunar marrow as a medium, thereby infringing upon the authority of the moon goddess.

The same applies to the scattered soldiers who ascend to godhood in Mount Sumeru.

In Teyvat, this rule applies to both replacing a god and creating a god.

Thinking of this, a thought suddenly popped into Xu Chuan's mind.

"What changes would occur if a fake death were recognized by the world?"

The thought came strangely, like a pebble falling from a height into a calm lake, creating ripples.

He tried to grab it, but found it slippery and impossible to lift.

He recalled the ritual of summoning immortals in Liyue, and the ancestral shroud that fell from the sky.

"Could it be..." Xu Chuan's brows furrowed, "Old Master Zhongli's decision to bring Liyue under human control, ostensibly to retire, could be hiding some other secret?"

I don't think so.

Xu Chuan was taken aback at first, then realized that his guess was indeed a bit far-fetched.

He patted his head, shaking off these jumbled thoughts.

Thinking too much will only increase your worries, let alone those baseless guesses.

He stretched out his right hand, fingers spread, and made a loose grasping motion toward the frosty moon.

Moonlight filtered through his fingers, falling on the back of his hand like a thin layer of frost.

"The most important thing now is to improve our strength."

He muttered to himself, his voice carried away by the night wind.

"If we cannot even touch the real moon, how can we transcend this illusory veil?"

With this thought in mind, Xu Chuan suddenly felt motivated to move forward.

Color... cough, the pursuit of beautiful things is always the most primal driving force that propels a person forward.

He glanced down at the ring on his right ring finger.

The black ring gleamed with a warm luster under the moonlight.

Xu Chuan probed into it with his consciousness, connecting it to the hidden cave deep within the ring.

Ripples spread across the surface of the dark ring, like pebbles being thrown into water.

The ripples spread and grew larger.

A pale gray light spilled from the door, falling onto the floor and illuminating half the room.

Xu Chuan's figure swayed slightly and disappeared from the room.

On the floating island, clouds and mist swirl, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Beneath my feet were solid white stones, and all around me was a surging sea of ​​clouds. In the distance, several floating mountain peaks could be vaguely seen, like chess pieces floating in the air.

What a magnificent scene of a celestial paradise!

Xu Chuan stood on the edge of the island, the hem of his clothes fluttering in the wind. Looking down from here, he couldn't see the ground, only layers upon layers of clouds.

The view is filled with swirling clouds and mist, which surges beneath your feet like an invisible river flowing silently.

The distant mountains, like dark eyebrows, stretch out in layers towards the horizon, each peak edge inlaid with a layer of pale golden light.

That was light filtering through gaps in the clouds and falling on the rocks.

The waterfall cascades down the high cliff, and the sound of the water is not noisy, but rather carries a strange tranquility.

Nearby, a patch of emerald bamboo grows along the edge of the island, its leaves swaying gently in the wind, making a rustling sound.

Skvornugg's soul drifted over and hovered in mid-air.

"My lord, the scenery in this space is indeed excellent."

Xu Chuan nodded, accepting the way the other person addressed him.

He glanced at the empty bamboo forest and the distant mountains, "It's just a bit too spacious."

Xu Chuan strolled through the area, as if measuring every inch of this land.

Bamboo shadows fall on my shoulders, and the wind brushes past my ears, taking away the warmth from my skin.

Once the novelty wore off, Xu Chuan resumed his daily practice.

In this space that belonged only to him, Xu Chuan had no more scruples and no longer concealed the golden light emanating from his body when cultivating.

He closed his eyes, releasing the tension that had been building up inside him.

hum!

Golden light shone forth.

Xu Chuan transformed into a blazing sun.

Dazzling, intense, and exuding an aura that cannot be looked at directly.

Golden light surged from his body like a tide, spreading in all directions and illuminating the entire floating island.

The bamboo leaves appeared translucent in the light, the distant mountains were gilded with a golden outline, and even the air was dyed a warm amber color.

This level of golden light is not the result of deliberate pursuit.

It's because his physique has reached an astonishing level.

His bones were like iron, his meridians like rivers, and his physique had reached an inhuman level.

This dazzling golden light is a testament to the strength of his physical body.

It wasn't that he wanted it to be so bright; it was the light emanating from the body itself.

Too strong, too strong to hide.

Skvornugg, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes.

He could feel the golden light suppressing his soul.

This wasn't directed at anyone, but it was just an aura that Xu Chuan unconsciously exuded.

This made his soul, which had lived for over five hundred years, feel as if it were being roasted on a fire.

That burning sensation from the depths of the soul is more unbearable than any physical attack.

Skvornugg took a few steps back.

The burning sensation lessened somewhat, but it didn't disappear.

He stared at Xu Chuan at the center of that dazzling golden light and shook his head.

too strong.

Even in a state of unconsciousness, this is already the case.

If they are targeted...

Skvornugg gasped; he had no desire to experience that.

Time passed silently within the grotto.

Then, he unexpectedly discovered something unusual.

When one's soul is bathed in this golden light.

Those filthy forces that remain in the soul.

And the inescapable erosion of the abyss actually seems to be subtly being tempered and dispelled.

Although the process is slow, it is indeed dissolving little by little.

“What amazing power,” Skvornugg murmured to himself.

Over the past five hundred years, he has devoured countless powers.

Remnants of demons, power of the abyss, and all sorts of messy curses and poisons.

He eats everything and swallows everything, turning himself into a walking garbage can.

Those things accumulated inside him, making his soul like a pot of burnt porridge.

He thought this was how his life would be, that this was the end of his road, and he even sought liberation.

But now, Jin Guang is helping him clean up.

Skvornugg suddenly felt somewhat relieved.

So that's how it is. No wonder I was so desperate to devour Xu Chuan's power after losing my mind.

Chapter 134 Ying's Contrast

That wasn't unprovoked madness; it was the body's instinct kicking in, searching for something that could save itself.

Skvornugg couldn't help but wonder if he could possess such power.

Perhaps, one day, I will be able to control the flesh and blood of the Star-Devouring Whale and completely refine those complex and deadly powers.

We need to address the problem at its root, instead of simply swallowing it up and then suppressing it, as we did before.

Xu Chuan finished his cultivation and let out a long breath.

The golden light slowly receded, like the tide receding.

Golden embers still flickered in his pupils, but they quickly sank into his eyes.

Skvornugg floated to the side, his expression a mix of nostalgia, relief, and regret.

He stared at his translucent, slowly coalescing palm, his brow furrowing.

He would loosen his grip every now and then, muttering a few words in a voice so soft they were barely audible.

"What are you thinking about?" Xu Chuan asked. "Your expression is so strange."

Skvornugg looked up at him and remained silent for a moment.

He spoke, his voice a few decibels softer than usual, "I was thinking of suggesting that you learn to use the Abyss from Skykirk."

"With your talent, you might be able to reach unimaginable heights like Surtroch and become a being that transcends the world."

Then, Skvornugg paused.

“But compared to the abyss.” He looked at the fading golden light on Xu Chuan’s body, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"I think this power might be more suitable for you."

He didn't finish speaking, but his expression said it all.

Xu Chuan watched as Skvornugg was lost in his own emotions.

He shook his head, sighed, and then looked thoughtful.

Xu Chuan didn't disturb him and turned to walk into the portal.