No-Food Goddess was left alone inside the bamboo hut. She kept staring at the spot where Qi Yuan had been, cool and detached. "I am not someone who goes back on her word."

A while later, there was a meow. A small snow-white cat appeared outside, its pitch-black eyes stealthily sizing up No-Food Goddess. With a wave of her hand, the cat shifted through space and disappeared.

At that moment, Elder Fanxin’s voice rang out. “This cat is born with pure spirit and shares fate with you, No-Food. Why not take it in and raise it? In the future, it may very well become a Great Venerable."

He appeared with a genial smile, his eyes crinkling warmly.

Yet her reply was icy, just as it had been with Qi Yuan. "It is merely a passing traveler. Why let it linger? When it dies, it would only be a nuisance."

Elder Fanxin felt something was off. The No-Food Goddess he had seen two days ago had indeed been abnormal. If anything, this version of her should be the normal one.

"Why do you always keep others at arm's length, No-Food? You should interact more with others on our path and build some camaraderie. It benefits cultivation as well. Our lifespans are nearly infinite. The more the merrier, no?" Elder Fanxin said with a chuckle. "That cat’s destiny is tied to yours. At least pass the time by raising it."

"More companions... to eat at their funeral feasts?" she blurted out.

Out of nowhere, she remembered Qi Yuan talking about “eating at funeral banquets.” A few days earlier, when she had gone out with Qi Yuan to buy pots and bowls, he had rambled at length about attending funeral feasts. He had even said that good chefs should go to New Oriental. She had listened the entire time and remembered it.

Elder Fanxin's expression froze. "Those words are somewhat inauspicious."

Only fellow Mythics were qualified to be her peer. How could anyone partake in the funeral feast of a being close to eternal?

"You may return. I will participate in the Ascending Dragon Grounds battle. Tell the other Mythics that this evil god is extraordinarily powerful. They should be prepared to fall."

"What?!" Elder Fanxin was shocked. "You're not joking, are you?"

Instead of replying, she ate her fish, murmuring, "We’re all going to die, so forming bonds would only add sorrow."

***

A thousand li away from the Heavenly Pillar.

The villagers of Clearwater Village and the ancient gods all stood where they were. As per Qi Yuan's instructions, none of them moved to avoid any mishaps.

Thunder sat with one leg crossed over the other, utterly lacking in refinement. Looking at the empty forest, he couldn't help but grumble. "That brat ran off to spend time alone with No-Food Goddess and left us hanging. Real nice!"

Twilight smiled helplessly. "My lord went to deal with matters concerning the Heavenly Pillar."

Thunder stroked his beard. "Haa... To be honest, I'd also like to meet the legendary No-Food Goddess."

Anyone would want to know more about the top figure in the Mortal Heart World.

Just then, the usually quiet Fire Lotus said, "Actually, I feel like taking a look at myself right now."

In the past, at this very time, she should have been nothing more than a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"I'd also like to wander around," an ancient god said, clearly intrigued by their current circumstances.

Fire Lotus shot that ancient god a glare. "Wander around? You mean sneaking a peek at beauties bathing?"

The ancient god laughed awkwardly. "You've known me for a hundred years. Am I really that untrustworthy?"

"You are!"

"Who was it just now, the one who couldn’t take their eyes off the fairy maidens?"

"There's no need to guess. It’s definitely Venerable Zhanghui!"

Half an hour ago, several li ahead of them, a few fairy maidens had come to play in the lake. They hadn’t done anything yet, but Zhanghui was already undressing them with his eyes. He had nearly run toward the lakeshore. In the end, the other ancient gods had to stop him.

As members of Qiyuann Sovereign’s entourage, how could they stoop to something so low-class? Peeping was shameful. If one had intended to look, it should be done openly and honestly.

Thunder said in a lofty, elder-statesman tone, "A bunch of hopeless fellows, minds full of nothing but that."

Zhanghui showed a carefree smile. "Great Venerable Thunder, if I obtain a suitable Visualization Art, I may well emulate Zhu Zhuangshi."

The love-hate saga between Zhu Zhuangshi and Big Black Dog had already spread throughout Feihuang City. Once, the dog had reversed the roles of pet and master, but now Zhu Zhuangshi had regained control. The tale was a hot topic in Feiwu City.

Zhanghui's meaning was obvious. Perhaps, he would turn the table on Thunder someday.

Thunder replied disdainfully, "Hmph! I'll be waiting."

The crowd grew expectant. Who wouldn't want to be like Zhu Zhuangshi and have their fate transformed by a single Mythic Visualization Art?

"What rank of God Visualization Art do you think we'll get?"

"Will there be one suitable for me?"

One ancient god said worriedly, "I've actually been paying attention to the Visualization Mountain these past two days, and I haven't seen any unusual signs."

Normally, when someone visualized an Epic-tier or higher method, the Visualization Mountain would respond—either with a burst of golden light or the roar of ten thousand drums. Yet for the past two days, the mountain had been dead silent.

Thunder stood to the side, feeling uneasy. That brat wouldn’t actually hand me some ordinary visualization art, would he?

Though he claimed not to care about Qi Yuan’s benefits, that was just talk. At the very least, it had to be Epic-tier or above, or his improvement would be negligible.

Fire Lotus said with envy, "Thunder has followed the Heavenly Sovereign the longest. He will probably receive a Mythic-tier Visualization Art."

Thunder shook his head quickly. "A Mythic of the lightning path? What are the odds of that?"

Afraid that Qi Yuan would really give him a mediocre art, he hurried to temper everyone's expectations. The others found that reasoning sound.

Twilight murmured, "My path is water control art. Among those who came with me, two share the same path. I fear the Heavenly Sovereign may find it difficult to grant each of us a suitable art."

The aforementioned two appeared somewhat dejected. After all, there was usually only one powerful god assigned to each divine office. Thus, among the three, perhaps only one would receive a suitable method.

One of the three said enviously, "Venerable Twilight has the best chance of obtaining a powerful God Visualization Art."

After all, he was the first to form ties with Qiyuann Sovereign. The other ancient god also stared at Twilight with jealousy. The rest chattered endlessly, praising one another or trading speculation.

As for the ordinary villagers, they had no such concerns. To them, any God Visualization Art would do. They were ordinary people to begin with. With their paths still unchosen, they could brave any road.

Just then, a voice rang out beside their ears. "I'm here. Time to hand out the benefits."