Chapter 1003: Chapter 574: I Will Take Your Place (Special 3-in-1)

Whenever she saw Yin Weiyin, she felt a sense of self-abasement, and it wasn’t just her—every Immortal in the world, regardless of beauty or virtue, found it hard to measure up to Yin Weiyin. It’s no exaggeration to say that from ancient times to now, no woman could surpass Taihua Goddess Yin Weiyin.

Among the women she knew, Zhou Yitang, Yin Tingxue, Min Ning, and others were all outstanding individuals of their time, yet they were difficult adversaries, and Yin Weiyin surpassed them all. So, how could she as Taiyi even compare?

"Miss Yin..." Taiyi rasped.

"Are you... crying here by yourself?"

As soon as the words reached her ears, Taiyi almost couldn’t hold back her tears again. On such a big wedding day, Yin Weiyin would care for her instead of letting her wallow in self-pity—how could there be such a perfect woman in the world?

Only such a woman could manage someone like Chen Yi, a commoner among commoners.

"Hmm... I wish you... happiness in your marriage." Each word was more bitter than the last, forced out of her throat with difficulty, she said, "I’ve waited unknowingly long just to drink your wedding wine."

The Goddess also smiled,

"I, too, have waited long,

so long, so long."

The tone slightly emphasized, Taiyi understood how arduous the journey had been for the two, having weathered countless storms, achieved the true fruit today—how joyous, and if she continued to grieve here, it would be truly unwise. She wiped the corner of her eye, leaving only remnants of tears.

When she gathered her spirits, Yin Weiyin suddenly spoke, "Taiyi, I need your help with something."

Taiyi turned her head, asking instinctively, "What?"

The Goddess slightly curved her lips, her glance and smile dazzling,

"Follow me."

With that, she turned and ascended the white jade steps to the peak, Taiyi hurriedly rose and followed.

Arriving at the peak, a hidden path darted through the lush greenery, Yin Weiyin spiraled down it, Taiyi closely following, soon reaching the mountain’s other side.

It was a cliff edge with a sea of clouds at its feet.

And the marvel lay in, the cliff edge had an excavated stone chamber, with extinguished lamps on both sides, a central altar for tribute, empty above, flanked by numerous divine statues in attendance, spread out, each face dust-covered, who would have thought such a temple would exist on a sheer cliff.

"Here is..." Taiyi puzzled, feeling an inexplicable familiarity.

Yin Weiyin softly said, "Taiyi Altar, just like your name, quite a coincidence."

Indeed quite a coincidence... Taiyi nodded, still somewhat incomprehensible.

The Goddess glanced sideways, her gaze tranquil enough to make one shudder, she suddenly waved her sleeve, the lamps on both sides ignited in succession, firelight shining brightly, illuminating the gray statues devoid of charm, illuminating the thousands of years vacant altar, illuminating the ancient murals on both sides, lastly... illuminating Taiyi’s face.

Taiyi stood still.

"You are Taiyi, Taiyi Produces Water, origin of all things, the source of heaven and earth, if we don’t offer tribute to you, who else would we offer it to?"

"Tribute... I don’t need tribute..."

In a daze, Taiyi slowly turned her head, the Goddess was watching her, intently watching her.

Those eyes, familiar eyes, seemed to look from a place deeper than the abyss,

The eyes seen in the palace...

It was Her?!

......

"Taiyi..."

The Goddess gently spoke, in a daze Taiyi remembered, in the underground space, she had once walked to a certain abandoned palace, where someone had glanced at her.

It seemed to be the very person in front of her.

As the Goddess spoke, those memories initially just fleeting glimpses surged like a flood breaking its levees, scenes from the ancient wilderness tumbling in her mind.

Back then all things were barren, heaven and earth chaotically undefined, no living creatures nor names upon the wasteland.

Until a certain moment, small lives suddenly broke forth, insect chirps and beast tracks wove the first signs of life on the tundra. Later clouds rolled like fabric, early humans placed soil-stained fruits before rough sacrifice stones, animal bone-strung colorful garments swayed in the firelight, shadowy figures danced to some ancient rhythm...

They were all worshipping,

Worshipping... Taiyi.

"I... am... Taiyi." She hoarsely repeated, finally remembering everything.

The Goddess bore a smile, eyes filled with incomparable respect, She bowed low, head lowered.

Instinctively Taiyi stepped back two steps, immense memories pounding her brain into pain, after a long period, she finally came to her senses, gaze trembling.

Long, long.

Her thoughts gradually clearing, she hazily looked at the Wushan Goddess before her.

She appeared with Yin Weiyin’s features in sight, how harmonious the visage and Her were, naturally fitting, as if She was born with this countenance.

Only, in her impressions, She used to have a different appearance.

"Taiyi, we divine beings have awaited you long."

The Goddess’s voice was gentle, yet trembled uncontrollably.

"...waited for me..."

Suddenly overwhelmed by numerous memories, Taiyi remained somewhat confused, difficult to accept.

"Ever since the Dragon and Tiger bandits attacked the mountain and broke the temple, we divine beings have been suppressed beneath the tower, lost within Illusion Dream.

In the beginning, we divine beings tried to break free from the tower, yet the Three Five Evil-Slaying Sword suppressed here, countless divine beings returned defeated, even those few that escaped to the outside world, either were eradicated completely or sealed and suppressed, today two thousand years have passed, worn through day and night, surviving only on remnants.

Moreover, the outside world has already decayed, the six vital energies entirely ruined, long no longer as before, even if we divine beings were lucky to escape, we could not adapt to the world, nor could the world accommodate us, the Dragon and Tiger bandits would bury us for eternity..."

The Goddess turned her words, her voice reverent:

"Fortunately, you have returned."

"...Me...?"

"Exactly," The Goddess stroked the mural, fingertips infinitely fond, "Taiyi Produces Water, water reflects Taiyi, hence forming heaven, heaven reflects Taiyi, hence forming earth... only you can... recreate this world."

Listening, Taiyi felt dizzy, surrounded by the Everlasting Lamp illuminating her face, a row of silent divine statues calmly gathered infinite longing.

She was nearly submerged by the statues’ desires, yet like a drowning person desperately reaching for the water’s surface, she suddenly felt a tiny tug,

"But... but Chen Yi..."

"Him?"

The Goddess was prepared, word by word she said: 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Him, you need not worry, I will replace you, living by his side, marrying him, sharing the bridal chamber, returning to Taihua Mountain as golden boy and jade girl, ascending together to the celestial ninth heaven, sharing heavenly longevity, forever and ever."