I am God - Chapter 256

The appearance of the Book of Xiuborn sent shockwaves through the entire world.

For within its pages lay not only the records of God and the true names of the spirits of the Creator’s Domain, but also the names of the seven Ruhe beasts.

Yet even Xiuborn remained unaware that those destructive beasts depicted in the murals, once commanded by the descendants of King Redlichia, had long since transformed into the continent beneath his feet, now bearing countless lives.

After more than two hundred million years, everything had undergone earth-shattering changes.

The Sky Beast, Moon Magic Fern, Lava Monster, Star of Death, Desert Worm, Burrowing Demon Worm, and Sele Sea Spirit—all seven Ruhe beasts stirred at once when they heard someone calling their names, someone prying into their secrets.

The earth opened its terrifying eye, storm clouds gathered in the sky, volcanoes belched rolling smoke, and endless sandstorms rose from the boundless desert to the northeast.

—

In the Suinhor City-State.

The aged ruler rode his war chariot to inspect his nation. The maritime alliance’s recent decisive battle and glorious victory had left him sensing crisis and instability.

He decided to conduct an inspection of the city-states and territories to intimidate his subjects.

He arrived at Maya City, a place he had loved dearly in his youth.

The city lord knelt to welcome his arrival as the citizens of Maya City presented him with fine wine, elegant clothing, and exquisite food. Countless people came to behold the legendary King of Suinhor.

Though his strength had waned with age, he remained the undisputed ruler of both city-state and nation.

Days later, he finally departed with his army.

Not far from Maya City, the volcanic mountains came into view.

The volcano on the horizon stretched skyward like a great horn. The great mountain stood barren, showing no signs of life.

Yet on the plains below its foot stretched vast forests.

Suddenly, a rumble emerged from deep within the earth.

The Land Dragons cried out in fear, struggling left and right.

The marching army grew anxious as the underground rumbling filled everyone with dread.

King Smerkel gazed at the distant volcano, sensing that everything originated from there.

“What is happening?”

“Is the lava mountain erupting again?” someone asked, pointing at the volcano as rolling smoke billowed from within.

As the words faded, a tremendous boom erupted from the volcano.

Vast clouds of dust exploded from the peak as a giant black cloud rose up, blocking out the sky.

Then crimson light shone through the mountain, raining down like meteors and fireworks from above.

Searing magma flowed down the mountainside in countless streams, like glowing veins of light.

The lava mountain had erupted.

“The last eruption was about ten years ago. The lava mountain has grown increasingly unstable lately,” someone calculated, recalling that such a scene had occurred not long ago.

“The locals say it’s God’s anger,” another person laughed. “They believe a deity dwells beneath the lava mountain, and each eruption is the breath of God.”

But everyone laughed.

Except for the locals, no one took such things seriously.

“Perhaps it truly is?” King Smerkel suddenly remarked.

Watching the volcano’s repeated explosions gradually subside, King Smerkel continued leading his army to inspect his city-state.

—

In the Blood Kingdom of the Deep Sea.

Within an ancient city encased in blood-red crystals, lighthouse beams illuminated the streets and temples.

In the Temple of Truth, the demigod upon the throne of flesh and blood also gazed toward Ruhe Beast Island.

Unlike King Smerkel who had only witnessed the lava mountain’s eruption, she saw all the changes and beheld those terrifying Ruhe beasts awakening.

In this world, apart from those in the Creator’s Domain, few knew the true nature of Ruhe Beast Island better than she did or understood what composed this continent.

Yet even she merely knew these facts and nothing more.

She could not know all the secrets of these giant beasts, much less fathom their inner thoughts.

“What has been happening lately?” she mused.

“What could cause the Ruhe beasts to awaken one after another? Has something occurred?”

The Blood Progenitor, Ruler of the Blood Kingdom of the Deep Sea, the Scarlet Witch, felt puzzled. If someone had disturbed just one of the giant beasts, that would have been normal.

But to disturb all the Ruhe beasts seemed quite unusual.

She remained unaware that this time, it was because someone had written down the names of all seven Ruhe beasts.

And the previous time had been when the Life Sovereign’s dream entered this world.

—

At the foot of the Mountain of Life’s Origin.

In the Temple of Ten Thousand Serpents.

The King of Ten Thousand Serpents knelt with a group of people before the temple, praying to the supreme sovereign.

“We offer this to the great Mother of Life, Ruler of Creation.”

“Oh most supreme God!”

“Please accept Your faithful’s offerings and continue to bless Your earthly kingdom.”

The Holy Maiden sat above, representing God.

She pretended to accept the gifts with an offhand remark.

“God shall bless you.”

Then she ran into the temple.

The Holy Maiden’s eyes widened as she watched stone golems carry a gleaming golden statue into the temple.

“Wow!” she exclaimed in wonder.

“Such a huge statue, and it sparkles like starlight!”

She bounced excitedly on her toes, barely containing her delight.

It seemed that whether man, woman, or goddess, all loved glittering golden things.

She remained unaware that beneath this statue lay the blood of thousands upon thousands, along with countless tears.

The captain of the Temple Knights emerged from the side, her expression complex.

She knew all too well how this statue had been obtained, and she could not condone the King of Ten Thousand Serpents’ unjust war.

The King of Ten Thousand Serpents had betrayed their covenant, which violated the Temple Knights captain’s moral principles.

More importantly, the people of Avel also worshipped the Life Sovereign. She despised such warfare between God’s faithful.

It showed no faith, only desire and greed.

But the Holy Maiden was still a child who did not understand these things, and the Temple Knights captain had no wish to tell her.

In her view, the Holy Maiden need only grow up carefree and happy under her protection.

The Holy Maiden touched the golden statue, tilting her head back to admire the craftsmanship so fine it could be called art.

“God will surely love it!” she declared with childlike certainty.

“I’ll go up right away and tell Her that you’ve given Her a golden statue that glows like sunshine.”

The Temple Knights captain smiled warmly and nodded at the Holy Maiden.

“Your Holiness, communicating with God is indeed your sacred duty.”

“Our faith, our everything.”

“All is for you to judge and evaluate.”

The Holy Maiden skipped to the back of the temple where a platform had been built at some point.

Standing upon it, her shoulder blades erupted in white light.

Sacred white feathers unfurled from her back, forming a pair of magnificent wings.

She spread her wings and flew up toward the Mountain of Life’s Origin.

Once again she arrived at the City of Life on the mountain’s peak, spreading her arms as she whooshed through the empty streets before ascending to the Temple of Life.

For her, this was a private playground.

Here no one disturbed her, and she could do or say whatever she wished.

She ran joyfully between the temple pillars.

Suddenly, she stopped.

She sensed something stirring in the distance that was connected to her.

They seemed angry, as if having just been awakened from deep slumber.

“Hmm~” she hummed thoughtfully.

“I sense something is very angry?”

The Holy Maiden stopped and stood before the Temple of Life, waving toward the distance while speaking as Snake People do when soothing children.

“Good babies,” she cooed softly.

“Good children.”

“Don’t be angry anymore, be quiet now.”

And those restless monsters beneath the earth truly quieted like children.

—

In the Land of Sunrise.

The City of Gold by the sea.

This city flourished as its name suggested, with gold seemingly flowing everywhere.

It was the largest port in the Land of Sunrise. All creations from the City of Lights, City of Miracles, and all the Alchemists of the Land of Sunrise passed through this port to reach other lands.

Meanwhile, merchant caravans from various regions brought their goods here as well.

Yet beneath this prosperity flowed a current of evil.

Snake People from cities, tribes, and ethnic groups across the land had gathered here, weaving an intricate web of power among Alchemists, Ability bearers, nobles, and merchants.

They extended their reach into every corner in pursuit of wealth and status, while countless others would stop at nothing to attain the same.

In this city, money could buy anything.

Recently, the hottest commodity in the City of Gold had been slaves from Avel in the north.

“A strong Avel man here, prime merchandise, prime merchandise!” Along the street, slaves stood bound in ropes, displayed and sold like common market goods.

“Suitable as soldiers or servants,” the merchant called out loudly, negotiating prices.

“High-class Avel woman slave, with noble blood from the City of Avel,” another merchant competed, pulling forward a well-built female slave.

“Look at her hair, look at her eyes. She must be a direct descendant of Avel, daughter of the Snake Mother.”

Others directly marketed craftsmen: “An Avel craftsman, the finest shipbuilder.”

“This is the most excellent shipbuilder. We’ll hold an auction in a few days. Highest bidder takes all.”

Most of the Avel people captured from the north were imprisoned here, with many still unsold.

Half of the able-bodied were reportedly reserved for the City of Miracles.

They would build a lighthouse for an Alchemist who wished to attempt breaking through to third rank to become an Upper Alchemist using secret techniques.

It was precisely this situation that drew a chief temple attendant eager to rescue his people.

—

In the dead of night.

Huge waves suddenly rose from the sea as a sailing ship gradually appeared in the distance through the wind and waves.

The great ship rode the waves, moving at an impossible speed.

It seemed less driven by wind than propelled forward by the sea and waves themselves.

The ship leaped forward, surging onto the shore.

Xiuborn and the temple apprentice appeared at the bow, followed by ghost after ghost materializing behind them.

The empty deck instantly filled with figures.

Then in the darkness, more ships appeared one after another.

The sails bore the mark of the City of Avel.

Xiuborn held the Book of the Witch Spirit, chanting incantations before waving his hand.

“Go!”

“Find all our people and rescue them.”

At Xiuborn’s command, the ghosts from the ship rose one by one, descending into the City of Gold.

Xiuborn put away his Book of the Witch Spirit, and the great ship dissolved back into light, merging with the Page of Truth.

Xiuborn and the temple apprentice walked toward the City of Gold, floating lightly over the city walls to stand high above, gazing down at this prosperous city.

In that moment, they seemed to see their former City of Avel.

Both were seaside port cities, both equally prosperous.

Yet their City of Avel lay in ruins while this one grew ever richer.

The temple apprentice’s eyes burned red. “They must pay for this.”

Xiuborn nodded. “Those who do evil must indeed pay, but more importantly, we must rescue our people and rebuild our nation.”

Ghost after ghost took position, having located various places throughout the city where Avel slaves were imprisoned.

What remained was simply to lead them away.

Xiuborn looked toward the grandest, most magnificent buildings in the city where nobles and Alchemists resided, including the Elder of the City of Gold.

This Elder had been a key member in organizing the maritime alliance’s forces.

He had personally led the fleet in the war against the City of Avel.

Xiuborn raised his hand, speaking softly under the night sky.

“Come forth!”

The Book of the Witch Spirit reopened as seal power surged from within.

Water materialized from the ground as a great ship rose from its depths.

Xiuborn and the temple apprentice jumped down from the city wall, landing on the ship.

Xiuborn guided the ship and water to sail across land. Though this method couldn’t be used continuously, it proved remarkably effective at times.

The spectacle sent immediate panic through the City of Gold’s residents.

Citizens watched in panic as water rushed through the streets, as giant waves rose from flat ground, as a great ship rode the flood swiftly through the city.

“Tsunami! A tsunami has come!” Some thought a flood had struck.

“A ship? How can there be a ship on land?” A person who hadn’t had time to dress stood at their window, staring dumbfounded as the great flood rushed past.

“Am I seeing things?” Some asked those beside them, unable to believe the sight before them.

People standing by the street fled to either side as the water approached.

The water behaved unnaturally, staying perfectly contained beneath the ship as if bound by invisible walls.

Those who had fled lay on the ground catching their breath, looking up just in time to see figures aboard the ship, immediately letting out sharp cries.

“There are people on the ship!”

“There are people on the ship!”

The ship rode the waves straight toward the Elder’s castle, and by now those within had been alerted.

The thunderous sound of waves and scattered screams had awakened even the deepest sleepers in the city.

The Elder of the City of Gold came to the front of his house holding his Lamp of Covenant, calling for his guards and summoning other Alchemists to resist.

But he was only a second-rank Ability bearer, worlds apart from a third-rank.

Xiuborn’s ship destroyed the entire castle in a single blow.

The flood engulfed everything, wrapping the Elder in its waters.

The Elder used every Divine Technique at his disposal to emerge from beneath the water.

However, by then the great ship had arrived directly before him.

The Elder stared at Xiuborn in horror and shouted.

“A third-rank Ability bearer?”

“Who are you?”

Xiuborn looked down at him coldly from the ship and replied.

“A person of Avel.”

“Xiuborn, priest of the God of Knowledge and Truth.”

Recognition and fear dawned on the elder’s face.

He had thought the City of Avel was already history and never imagined their vengeance would come so swiftly and suddenly.

“The Grand Elder will save me!”

“I am God’s priest, I am God’s…”

Xiuborn interrupted, “Don’t push everything onto God. You are a believer, not a divine child.”

With those words, Xiuborn waved his hand.

More than a dozen ghosts surged toward the Elder, overwhelming him in an instant.

Xiuborn’s power far exceeded the Elder’s imagination. This key member who had helped form the maritime alliance offered little resistance before perishing.

However, after the Elder’s death, Xiuborn noticed his Lamp of Covenant and its flame flickered once before vanishing into thin air.

The lamp found its place among countless others, hanging in the garden’s halls and along its winding paths.

All power flows from God, and in death, all returns to God.

At this moment, the ghosts throughout the city had freed batch after batch of slaves.

Under the ghosts’ protection, these people flooded into the streets, running toward the eastern gate.

At the gate, other people of Avel waited to assist their escape, while ships stood ready with raised sails along the coast, prepared to depart at any moment.

Xiuborn stood aboard his ship, slowly withdrawing the waters he commanded. “We’ve succeeded.”

“Everyone stop.”

But the ghosts of those who had died in the war refused to stop, still wanting revenge.

They even wished to kill everyone here, to slaughter the entire city.

However, Xiuborn firmly stopped them, repeating once more.

“Let this be the end.”

Only then did the ghosts settle, returning to Xiuborn’s ship.

The people of the City of Gold were terrified, seeing ghost after ghost standing aboard the ship, their transparent forms clearly visible.

They finally realized these were not living people.

“A ship of the dead!” someone screamed.

“Look at them—they’re all spirits!” another voice cried out.

“The dead have come for revenge!” the crowd wailed in terror.

“The people of Avel have returned!” others shouted in panic.

Xiuborn ignored them, commanding his ship and waves to surge out of the city.

The waves rose over the city walls, lifting the ship high into the air.

No ordinary ship could have withstood such turbulence, and only spirits could have maintained their footing through such violent motion.

Upon returning to sea, the fleet took count of those they had rescued.

They had rescued several thousand people in this operation.

Everyone brimmed with excitement, and even Xiuborn could barely contain his emotions.

The freed captives embraced one another, their tears of joy mixing with laughter of relief.

“Next, we head to Suinhor,” Xiuborn declared.

The temple apprentice cautioned, “The city-state people won’t be easy to deal with.”

“That’s why we’ll use a different strategy this time,” Xiuborn replied.

“I hear the city lords who participated in the maritime alliance’s war against Avel have earned King Smerkel’s displeasure.”

“I can make him a trade to secure our people’s freedom.”

The Suinhor Kingdom was different. Most of the captured Avel people had been scattered among various city-states, making it difficult for Xiuborn to find his people through force alone.

So Xiuborn decided to negotiate with King Smerkel.

“King Smerkel?” the temple apprentice asked.

“Will he agree?”

Xiuborn smiled as if recalling something.

“He will agree.”

“I’ll offer him terms he absolutely cannot and will not refuse.”

Xiuborn’s eyes flickered as he spoke words the temple apprentice couldn’t comprehend.

“Even if he disagrees, his God will make him agree.”

The fleet vanished in an instant, disappearing beneath the horizon.

At that moment, Xiuborn looked back to see a lamp flame descending from the sky like a falling star into the City of Gold.

The flame transformed into a massive shadow that stood in the city, gazing back at Xiuborn.

Xiuborn immediately knew who had come.

“The Grand Elder of the City of Lights.”

“Xin Ji, first servant of the God of Alchemy and Desire, an Upper Alchemist.”

If he hadn’t concealed his murderous intent and desire for revenge earlier, he might have faced this veteran powerhouse who had reached third rank many years ago.

Though he himself could have escaped easily, the people he had brought and rescued would likely have been trapped.

The temple apprentice also startled at the sight of the enormous lamp spirit shadow. “That was truly close!”

Xiuborn turned away without another glance.

“Let’s go.”

—

Recently, two city lords in the southwest of the Suinhor City-State had been assassinated in succession.

These two lords had consistently defied orders from both the City of Fire Protection and King Smerkel, even going so far as to form an unauthorized alliance with the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents to attack the people of Avel.

The attack on Avel might have been considered merely improper.

Allying with the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents, however, was an unforgivable offense that struck at the very core of both the City of Fire Protection and King Smerkel’s authority.

To the city-state people, the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents was their sworn enemy.

Although they claimed it was mere coincidence, few in the City of Fire Protection believed them.

Coincidence might explain the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents taking advantage during the attack on Avel.

But could coincidence explain them sitting together to divide the spoils?

King Smerkel was furious.

He personally led his army to inspect the kingdom, especially these two cities.

Before their own citizens, the aged King Smerkel publicly humiliated both men, flogging them with his dragon-hide whip.

The two could only lie prostrate, not daring to resist.

However, after this incident, rumors spread of their discontent.

Soon after, both men were found dead.

This sparked widespread discussion throughout the city-state, with speculation about whether King Smerkel was responsible.

Of course, some said it was the revenge of the Avel people.

Not long ago, the elder of the City of Gold had been killed by people from Avel.

—

At this time, someone infiltrated the City of Fire Protection.

The City of Fire Protection had grown much larger since Alpens first rebuilt it, its internal changes making it seem like two different cities.

Viewed from above, tall stone buildings dominated the city center, giving way to wooden houses only at its edges.

Within the royal palace, life moved with practiced grace. Servants in light clothing carried metal trays and delicate white porcelain water pitchers through the central hall.

Guards wore armor and carried iron swords.

In the City of Fire Protection, temple attendants adorned themselves with tattoos, following the tradition of their king who bore ancient and sacred patterns upon his skin.

Thus temple attendants, nobles, soldiers, and common people all followed this custom.

The various objects displayed in the temple far surpassed those of a hundred years ago.

Luxuries that would have been deemed excessive a century ago had become commonplace.

In these hundred years, King Smerkel’s currency and various reforms after becoming King of Suinhor, the Alchemy of the City of Lights’ Alchemists, the establishment of the Royal Court of Ten Thousand Serpents in the beast-herding plains, and the emergence of Avel’s maritime fleets.

All had brought enormous changes to the Snake People.

“Dong! Dong! Dong!”

The bronze bell in the bell tower rang, telling everyone in the City of Fire Protection that afternoon had arrived.

In the palace, King Smerkel skillfully wrote with his pen. Even after so many years as king, he remained as diligent with state affairs as ever.

His experiences as a youth and the hard-won peace and stability had given him an extraordinary sense of responsibility.

A breeze lifted the curtains, letting them fall gently back into place.

A figure appeared by the window.

King Smerkel immediately looked sharply toward that corner, his voice thundering with anger.

“Who goes there?”

An Avel person stepped out from the side, walking to the center of the great hall.

He bowed to King Smerkel, showing respect to this ruler.

“Xiuborn of Avel.”

“I greet the great King of Suinhor.”

Xiuborn had heard stories of King Smerkel. He was Alpens’ son, who had once defeated the powerful Wing Demon tribe.

He had walked with spirits and traveled through the Creator’s dream star seas.

From any perspective, he was a figure of mythological proportions.

The soldiers outside sensed the disturbance and rushed toward the hall.

But when King Smerkel heard Xiuborn’s name, he furrowed his brow.

“It’s nothing.”

“Everyone out. Do not enter without my command.”

King Smerkel looked very old now, approaching the same path as his father, soon to answer God’s call and return to the deep seas.

Such was both the destiny and glory of every Trilobite Person symbiote.

King Smerkel stared at Xiuborn, knowing that recent events had been Xiuborn’s revenge.

“Xiuborn, I know of you.”

“You killed the elder of the City of Gold, and it was you…”

King Smerkel’s gaze turned razor-sharp. “Who killed my Oath-Takers.”

“Who killed my subjects.”

Xiuborn looked at King Smerkel. “King Smerkel, you have grown old.”

“Your subjects no longer obey as they once did. I merely helped you deal with some rebels who had lost their loyalty to you.”

King Smerkel laughed, looking at Xiuborn as he spoke.

“Xiuborn.”

“A king has his own methods. He does not need such underhanded tricks.”

“I will teach them how to obey their king properly, showing them in an upright manner that I am their ruler.”

King Smerkel’s eyes turned cold as he stood up from behind his desk.

Though his hair had turned white, his tall, imposing figure still commanded authority.

“Yet you, who killed my subjects.”

“How dare you appear before me?”

Xiuborn looked at King Smerkel, suddenly realizing he might have miscalculated.

He had underestimated both the man and a king’s dignity.

Xiuborn bowed, showing respect to this ruler and elder.

“Your dignity commands my respect, but I have reasons I must come.”

“My people lost their freedom in the war. I must rescue them.”

Xiuborn raised his head to look at King Smerkel.

“I wish to make a trade with you.”

King Smerkel burst out laughing. “I am the King of Suinhor. What could you possibly have that would interest me?”

Xiuborn’s gaze grew distant, as if recalling something in deep thought.

But in an instant, he returned to the present.

“King of Suinhor, perhaps you do not care.” He paused meaningfully. “But I believe something else will interest you. Your faith will make you care.”

Before the look of confusion could fully form on King Smerkel’s face, before he could speak.

Xiuborn, standing in the center of the great hall, revealed the secret in his heart, the secret he had touched with his own hands.

“I know where the Sky Temple lies.” His words fell like thunder in the silence.

The moment these words fell, they shook heaven and earth.

A God’s will and gaze descended from Their domain into this place.

Within the entire palace, no one could move.

Even their expressions froze.

As if time had stopped flowing for everyone.

A divine will beyond mortal comprehension had descended, freezing their very thoughts in place.