Little Granny Annoy, the High Priest of the Forest Sea Saint Clan, was acutely aware of the unfolding events. For years, she had faithfully upheld the legacy of her predecessors, steering the Saint Clan’s destiny. Since childhood, her faith in the Dragon God had been unwavering; she believed implicitly in His boundless greatness and flawlessness.

Yet, even the heavens were not immune to unforeseen storms. It seemed the Dragon God Himself was facing some tribulation. The Oracles, once clear pronouncements, had become increasingly chaotic and bewildering. Initially, divine signs were frequent, and Oracles descended often, but they were contradictory, lacking coherence, pointing one moment in this direction and the next in that.

Following the counsel of her predecessors, she had only heeded the Oracles deemed beneficial to the Saint Clan’s future, treating them as orthodox doctrine. Those confusing and conflicting pronouncements were simply disregarded. As for what constituted a beneficial future for the Saint Clan, Guan Yan had long ago established detailed guidelines. Over the years, the High Priestess had also cultivated her own understanding: peaceful, harmonious days, just and fair laws, and people embodying kindness, courage, and resilience – these were the hallmarks of the Saint Clan’s desired future.

It was only at this moment that she truly realized and accepted a profound truth: she trusted Guan Yan more than she trusted the Dragon God. Her faith in the clan’s beautiful future surpassed her faith in the deity. Guan Yan had never, not even on his deathbed, denied the Dragon God. His final instructions had solely concerned a method to deal with Yan Xiao. But she possessed eyes that could see and a heart that could feel. She knew what the better choice was for the Saint Clan.

Many young Saint Clan members, accustomed to their current peaceful lives, took these days for granted. They expressed indignation at the brutal tradition of “Xiang Hunting” and the pain it inflicted, and at the nightly incursions. Having personally endured darker times, she knew the true meaning of suffering and torment.

The Forest Sea Saint Clan’s education system was initially devised by Guan Yan, but its concrete implementation over centuries was her doing, painstakingly completed piece by piece. Turning Guan Yan’s initial vision into reality had been a process of tireless, intricate effort, like sewing a garment stitch by stitch.

She had come to realize that the chaotic Oracles were slowly eroding her inner resolve, attempting to lead her down a path of disorder. As time passed and the chaos intensified, she found herself increasingly unable to resist. Thus, she had begun selecting Green Saint Girls, a new one with each generation, to take her place in listening to the Oracles.

Any Green Saint Girl who was subsequently influenced by the chaotic Oracles was required to reside in the shrine room for ten years. Only after a decade without any abnormal behavior were they permitted to return to the Saint Clan and live a normal life. If a Saint Girl completed her term and rotated out without any signs of disturbance, this isolation was not necessary.

She herself had always maintained her position as Priest and, more importantly, the “right to interpret” the Oracles. This ensured that the descending pronouncements never strayed from the desired path, leading to several centuries of peace. In her later years, the Oracles had become less frequent, and the periods of chaotic pronouncements grew rarer. Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, and the Dragon God appeared to be slowly “recovering his equilibrium.”

But Qing Hua’s current state clearly indicated that she had again been exposed to those chaotic Oracles and was already under their influence. While this day had arrived sooner than anticipated, it was undeniably time for her replacement. Forcing a vibrant young woman to live alone in the shrine room for ten years was undeniably cruel, yet there was no other viable option. The old hag knew all too well what those completely controlled by the chaotic Oracles ultimately became. Over the long years, she had personally ended the lives of several such Saint Girls.

She had originally intended for Little Fruit Child to be the next Green Saint Girl, keeping the child close and instructing her. Another ten years, and Qing Hua could have retired, perhaps married and had children, or even ventured out to explore the world. By then, Little Fruit Child would have matured sufficiently to assume the task of listening to the deity.

But now, that was clearly not possible. Little Fruit Child was still too young. Who else in the clan was suitable? The heart of the Forest Sea Saint Clan’s High Priestess was heavy, burdened by countless worries that deepened the wrinkles on her face. How could Qing Hua have developed this problem at this particular time? She was kind-hearted, strong-willed, and had not been Green Saint Girl for long. The total number of times she had listened to the Oracle was not significant. Usually, it required the accumulation of dozens of chaotic Oracles before a Saint Girl’s behavior became disordered.

What had happened to the Dragon God? The white-haired old hag gazed at Qing Hua, her eyes filled with sorrow.

“I don’t want to listen… I don’t want to listen.” Qing Hua tightly closed her eyes and covered her ears, her expression one of deep pain. “But it rings in my heart when I sleep, it rings in my ears when I walk. No matter what I do, where I go, that voice always rings… I don’t want to listen, but I cannot not listen! I am the Green Saint Girl, born to hear the will of the God. This is my purpose… my value!”

“Listen to me, child…” Little Granny Annoy gently placed the book she had been holding back on the shelf. She rose from her lounge chair and walked to Qing Hua, embracing her tenderly. She had watched this child grow from a shy girl into a beauty who captivated the Saint Clan warriors. She understood her pain and felt her struggle. She gently stroked Qing Hua’s long hair. “You are Qing Hua. You were born for yourself, and your purpose is to live happily. It is not the will of some God, nor do you need to embody some value. Child, do you understand? Your very existence is already pricelessly precious to me.”

“You all say different things… why different?” Qing Hua clutched her head with both hands, her voice growing more pained, even tinged with tears. “Priest Adult! Granny! Dragon God Adult! How should I… how should I handle this?”

“What is different?” Little Granny Annoy gently stroked her, her voice kind. “Tell me, what have you heard?”

Qing Hua sobbed, “I heard…”

A sudden flash of cold light appeared as a short dagger pierced into Little Granny Annoy’s abdomen. Qing Hua was immediately pushed away by a palm, striking the large door of the book room before collapsing to the ground. Little Granny Annoy stumbled back several steps, falling into her lounge chair, her breathing becoming ragged.

She had not been entirely unprepared for Qing Hua’s problems. Having witnessed many Saint Girls influenced by chaotic Oracles, she knew their behavior could be unpredictable. While caring for Qing Hua, she had not lowered her guard. Given Qing Hua’s strength, it should have been impossible for her to inflict such a precise injury.

But in that precise moment, a divine murmur had suddenly sounded in her ear – the chaotic Oracle she had not personally listened to in a very long time. She had clearly and deliberately disconnected herself long ago! The chaotic Oracle’s impact had momentarily breached her spiritual defenses, leaving her momentarily dazed. That was how Qing Hua had managed to stab her with the dagger.

The dagger was smeared with some unknown, strange substance. She could feel a peculiar power rapidly eroding her body. Was I wrong? she thought.

A wisp of evening breeze drifted in, causing the candlelight to flicker throughout the book room, casting a dim yellow glow over the dizzying shelves of books. It swirled past the slumped white-haired old hag in the lounge chair and the beautiful woman swaying upright by the door before fluttering out of the room.

Compared to the outside world, the God Shadow Place was indeed brighter and fresher. But the night here was still quiet. Without the burning of the Light Dragon incense, no one dared to walk outside.

The Light Dragon wood stretched far into the distance. Within the fruit houses hanging on the branches, each one was a warm home. Perhaps nowhere else in the entire Forest Sea Source Realm could one witness such a sight of ten thousand households illuminated.

The evening breeze stirred gently, rustling through the empty forest. It simply swept past a single window…

Inside the fruit house, the arrangement was warm, and the candlelight was gentle. A cute girl sat before a dressing table, while her beautiful mother patiently untied her braids. In another corner of the room, a man used a small knife to meticulously carve an arrow shaft. Tonight they would sleep, and tomorrow they would hunt; their days flowed on like this.

To avoid accidentally pulling her daughter’s hair, the mother’s movements were meticulous and gentle. The girl, growing sleepy, looked at her reflection in the mirror and yawned… Her sleepy eyes instantly widened in terror. In the mirror, her mother’s beautiful, gentle eyes were suddenly filled with bloodshot veins! The girl felt her hair pulled taut as her head involuntarily jerked backward…

Screams and cries of pain were confined within this fruit house, unable to escape the night just as the candlelight could not pierce the darkness. And the night, like flowing water, moved from the east house to the west house.

In a fruit house that had stood for some years, an elderly woman leaned against the headboard of the bed, her face kind. An honest-looking man held a bowl of meat soup and sat on the edge of the bed, carefully feeding her spoon by spoon.

Unbeknownst to him, bloodshot veins had begun to appear in the old woman’s cloudy eyes. The old woman’s mouth clamped shut, biting through the porcelain spoon!

“Mother!” The man cried out in shock, reaching to extract the spoon and prevent his mother from swallowing it. But a thin, dry hand had already gripped his neck…

This was an absolutely extraordinary night. All those who had once been Green Saint Girls, who had listened to the Oracles, regardless of whether they had previously exhibited disordered behavior, were undergoing transformations this night.

It should be said that when High Priestess Little Annoy initially decided to select Green Saint Girls to replace her in listening to the Oracles, she should have anticipated the possible consequences. The most prudent choice, of course, would have been to secretly eliminate all retired Saint Girls. That way, whatever problems the chaotic Oracles presented, they would never become problems.

But High Priestess Little Annoy had not chosen that path. She had chosen to use ten years to screen, and more time to wait. And the consequences of that choice were bearing fruit today.

In the distant sky, the Jade Balance Star had already hidden itself. In the Forest Sea Source Realm, it was always stingy with its light each night. This was for the sake of both day and night. But within a pair of vertical pupils that had witnessed centuries, it still shone in that direction, growing brighter and brighter.

The vast and boundless World Origin Sea was raising angry waves. A golden Dragon God leaped within it, struggling with an opponent. His enemies were two: one in front, one behind. Blocking his path was a clumsy, towering giant tree, its branches whipping out, shaking the entire World Origin Sea. Behind him was a handsome man in white robes, holding a green divine staff.

This golden Dragon God was, naturally, the Dragon God Himself. The fact that He could fight two opponents simultaneously in the World Origin Sea, while also suppressing the World Will of the Forest Sea Source Realm and seizing the divine handle of the Forest Sea True God, Guan Yan, offered a glimpse into the Dragon God’s power.

However, this was still not His true strength. Perhaps He feared a desperate counterattack from the Forest Sea Source Realm’s World Will, or perhaps He still did not fully understand Guan Yan and was unwilling to take risks. In any case, the Dragon God maintained firm control over the battle, holding the balance between victory and defeat. He neither retreated further nor pressed harder. This delicate balance resulted in an incredibly tense and prolonged struggle. Mobile users, please remember “” to provide you with wonderful novel reading.

In their opposition to the Dragon God, Guan Yan and the World Will of the Forest Sea Source Realm clearly had a certain unspoken understanding, attempting to cooperate. However, this cooperation was not harmonious; it was merely a case of each occupying a side and fighting their own battle. The World Will was simply a vague concept and not equivalent to a fully sentient, intelligent life form. The behavior and logic of the Forest Sea Source Realm’s World Will were more akin to instinct… an instinct to protect the Forest Sea Source Realm, an instinctive reaction to hostility, and a counterattack against erosion.

But this did not mean it completely lacked wisdom. It was simply that the World Will’s “thinking” was not equivalent to the thinking of intelligent life in the general sense. As a World Will, it could sometimes be incredibly “stubborn.” For example, Yan Xiao was clearly an evil bird controlled by the Dragon God, yet it was still considered a “native” of this realm and had never been targeted by the Forest Sea Source Realm’s World Will.

At other times, the World Will exhibited subtle, immeasurable choices. For instance, its initial decision to shelter Guan Yan, an “outsider’s” true spirit… The World Will did not possess human-like qualities such as “personality,” “morality,” or “emotions.” Yet, it was also more than just the instinct of a world protecting itself. It could be described as both very simple and very complex. From ancient times to the present, no one had truly been able to fully articulate what the World Will was.

But one point was beyond doubt – to be able to come into contact with the World Will was in itself extraordinary. For the vast majority of people, perhaps their entire lives would pass without ever feeling the World Will’s existence.

Regarding the battle in the World Origin Sea, the entire situation was orchestrated and led by Guan Yan. He sought to study both the Dragon God and the World Will. This three-sided entanglement and struggle had already lasted for several hundred years.

As of today, the entire World Origin Sea of the Forest Sea Source Realm was divided into three colors. Approximately two-thirds were the same golden color as the Dragon God. Roughly one-third remained emerald green. Only the remaining one-sixth was clear like water, radiating the same light as Guan Yan. On the surface, Guan Yan appeared far too weak. But only those who existed within the battle could truly understand how terrifying this monk was.

In a situation where the Dragon God was fully crushing the World Will, a single monk in simple robes had entered the fray, venturing alone into the Origin Sea. From nothing, he had manifested something, carving out a full one-sixth share of this origin ocean right from beneath the Dragon God’s grasp! Even the Forest Sea Source Realm’s World Will, with its complete home advantage, could only retreat step by step under the Dragon God’s attack, its share of the Origin Sea dwindling.

Guan Yan, seemingly the weakest and with the least support, had nevertheless maintained a growth trend in this unending day-and-night struggle. He had even managed to slow the World Will’s decline. Their contention was not merely over World Origin, but over the very essence of this world!

And at this moment—

The Dragon God was perched high in the air, looking down: “Little monk, this should all end!” He indeed did not fully understand this monk. Even after fighting for so long, he still felt as though he were looking at flowers through a mist. But He understood that the Forest Sea Saint Clan held special significance for Guan Yan, and that the High Priestess was crucial to him… that was enough.

Was it not? The countless years of planning and scheming were indeed reaching their conclusion. Fighting in the World Origin Sea for centuries, even for an existence like Him, was inevitably tiring!

As this voice fell, the entire World Origin Sea shook and echoed. Waves roared and swept.

End!

End!

End!

And Guan Yan, wearing moon-white monk robes, simply looked up at the supreme deity. Holding the scepter that represented the divine handle of the Forest Sea True God, he took a step forward.

The startled waves ceased, the echoes dispersed. One step flattened the sea of waves!

The divine handle was also divine authority. It represented the highest control over the power of faith. Holding this green scepter, Guan Yan could be said to hold the faith of the Dragon God itself, taking the Dragon God as his enemy.

His expression was so calm. He simply said: “Secret threats, this is not proper divine conduct. Gaining advantage through conspiracy is not the path of the Great Dao. An existence as base as you, the wider your path spreads, the fiercer the disaster will be… it is indeed time for this to end!”

“Absurd! Absurd!” The Dragon God laughed aloud. “What dog-shit divine path, something so insignificant! Do you think This Venerable cares? The divine handle, the divine position, if you want it, take it! I grant it to you to play with!”

Bright golden origin waves firmly resisted the clear waves. And in His bright golden vertical pupils, the image of the Jade Balance Star was already reflected. In the long struggle, He had long since captured the Jade Balance. Today was simply the opportune moment to fully occupy it. Having controlled half of the World Origin Sea and captured the Jade Balance Star, He truly no longer needed the divine position of the Forest Sea Source Realm’s True God. From any angle, He had enough confidence to achieve final victory.

Yet, despite this, at this crucial moment, He had still used the residual influence of the divine position to shake the Green Saint Girl, to strike down the High Priestess, and even to influence the entire Forest Sea Saint Clan, creating a bloody slaughter. No matter what means Guan Yan possessed, today he had to make a choice—would he interfere with the Dragon God’s occupation of the Jade Balance, or would he leave to save Little Annoy and the Forest Sea Saint Clan?

In the World Origin Sea, waves rolled madly. Only the manifestation of the Forest Sea Source Realm’s World Will still thrashed its branches, attacking the Dragon God like a疯子. It seemed completely unaware of the changes occurring.

In the God Shadow Place, within the book room. The white-haired old hag lay slumped in the lounge chair, struggling against the power eroding her body. She could not speak and was unable to move. Qing Hua, who had finally managed to stand steady, drew another black, dark dagger and walked resolutely towards her.

Just at that moment, a voice suddenly sounded from outside.

“Qing Hua!” Qing Eight Branches, her feet tied with eight braids, leaped neatly into the book room. Holding her spear horizontally, her expression was grave. “What are you doing!”

“Our Xiang Hunting, even the arrival of the Dragon God’s messenger, is meaningless…” Qing Hua stopped, turned around, and asked, “Yan Xiao dies and revives again, are you afraid? That day you told me, you said you didn’t know when these days would end.”

“I do not deny my fear,” Qing Eight Branches said. “But you, first, step away from the Priest Adult.”

Qing Hua ignored her, simply asking again, “Are you sad about Qing Seven Trees’ death?”

“I didn’t like him, but I am indeed sad for him,” Qing Eight Branches frowned, saying, “What exactly do you want to say? You are very wrong today.”

“You fundamentally don’t know what is wrong,” Qing Hua shook her head, laughing strangely. “Do you perhaps know why all this is happening? Why did Seven Trees die meaninglessly? Why, after so many years, have generations of warriors died in Xiang Hunting, yet the outcome remains unchanged? The Priest Adult interprets the Oracles, guiding the path ahead! Yet why does she lead us down a path that becomes increasingly difficult? You say who is wrong! Eight Branches?”

Qing Eight Branches gripped her spear tightly, saying, “We were all watched over and raised by Priest Granny. There must be some misunderstanding here… You first put down the dagger.”

“Do you love me?” Qing Hua asked.

Qing Eight Branches said with a涩 voice, “My intentions, you have always known, why bother knowing and asking?” He was sad, not because Qing Hua doubted his intentions, but because Qing Hua was using his intentions as a weapon.

“If you love me, then help me kill her!” Qing Hua said. “Don’t you feel that she has been Priest for too long? After all these years, our situation hasn’t changed in the slightest. The great Saint Clan is still confined within the God Shadow Place… She has deviated from God’s will. One day, she will finally be abandoned by God. Can you imagine that scene? The time has come for change!”

She looked at Qing Eight Branches. “After I become Priest, you can become the Clan Leader. We will respect God’s commands and together make the Saint Clan more prosperous! What do you think?”

Looking at the beautiful face that had entered her dreams countless times, Qing Eight Branches’ heart was in turmoil. But her hand was steady. “Qing Hua, you best calm down, you are not sober now. I am a Saint Clan warrior. Responsibility rests upon me. I will absolutely not allow you to harm the Priest.”

“I am very sober. It is you who are still lost in confusion,” Qing Hua said. “When Seven Trees left, he said he would return. When Yan Xiao died, I thought the nightmare was over… but what changed? We are still like pigs and dogs, confined in this place. Forever unaware of what exists at the end of the world. We can only watch our relatives and friends die, completely helpless… Why do we have to be like this? Since all this is meaningless, why do we still persist? It is better to take a different path, to follow the true will of the Dragon God. God’s will will shine upon us!”

Qing Eight Branches shook her head. “No, you cannot hurt Granny. I can promise you anything else, but not this.”

Qing Hua looked at her coldly, her eyes like knives. “You are fundamentally incomparable to Seven Trees. He was willing to do anything for me!”

Qing Eight Branches gripped her spear tightly and did not speak. Just at this moment, a sharp whooshing sound suddenly came. Qing Hua immediately took a step back, gripping her dagger firmly and parrying an incoming arrow! The arrow embedded itself in the ground, its fletching still trembling. It was clear that the person who shot the arrow had used considerable force and precision.

Qing Nine Leaves, with her bow already fully drawn, landed lightly. She looked at Qing Hua and said, “You fundamentally don’t understand Seven Trees. If he saw you today, he would certainly regret loving you. Dare to take another step… and die!”

Qing Hua gripped her dagger, her slightly red eyes looking at Qing Nine Leaves. She smiled sadly and beautifully. “I know you won’t kill me, because you have me in your heart.”

Responding to her was an arrow aimed at her throat! Qing Hua was forced to retreat another two steps to avoid the sharp arrow, also moving further and further away from the old hag on the lounge chair.

Qing Nine Leaves’ voice was very cold. “I had you in my heart, but that is not a reason for you to harm Priest Granny. I am very clear about who is truly protecting this place. She has exhausted her mind for several centuries, not something that can be slandered by your few words! The Forest Sea Saint Clan absolutely cannot be without Priest Granny, but it can be without me, and it can be without you!”

“Hehehe…” Qing Hua laughed. “Slander?” She looked at Qing Nine Leaves, then at Qing Eight Branches. “As the Green Saint Girl, I listen to the Oracles. Do you perhaps know what the Dragon God says?”

Qing Nine Leaves said, “What the Dragon God says, your words do not count. How the Oracle is interpreted is Priest Granny’s matter.”

Qing Hua looked at him. “You don’t believe me?” She then looked towards Qing Eight Branches. “You also don’t believe me?”

“I don’t believe the you of now,” Qing Nine Leaves said very directly.

Qing Eight Branches then said, “For all these years, no matter who the Saint Girl is, the Oracles have always been interpreted by Priest Granny…”

“What if her interpretation always contradicts the Oracles?” Qing Hua asked with a hateful voice. “If I can prove this, you, as Saint Clan warriors, having been granted God’s power for many years, having received God’s grace! What choice will you make now?”