Otherworldly Desert Dust

All the way toward the mountain.

The farther they were from the earth, the less light there was. Only the increasingly clear Milky Way overhead remained.

Wu Hen had originally thought they would encounter a formidable Great Demon in this Red Snow Mountain, but the journey was mostly silent.

Such silence, however, was somewhat disconcerting, leading them into a state of doubt.

"Why haven't we reached the mountain peak yet?" Fairy Gong Qin said impatiently.

She was someone long tormented by inner demons. The more excessively silent and tedious it was, the less she could tolerate it.

"Climbing the mountain is itself a way to temper the mind. Fix the direction, and just keep walking," Wu Hen said.

Du Mao had fewer concerns. Being robust and strong, if he really got bored, he could continue playing his True Qi version of beach landing, letting no snowflake settle around him.

As they walked, it got darker and darker.

It felt like there was no more daytime.

Fortunately, the outline of the Red Snow Mountain's peak finally became visible. It stood majestically in the brilliant Milky Way like a divine peak in an endless universe, incredibly awe-inspiring yet exuding a kind of ethereal peace.

The three of them suddenly felt invigorated. Knowing that once they crossed this final mountain, they could ascend straight to the highest point.

Unlike any mountain peak they had known before, it felt now like they were walking on the Milky Way, even swimming in the vast universe, reaching their destined shore.

They began climbing, continually heading upward.

The resplendent stars seemed within their grasp.

They didn't know how much time had passed, forgetting fatigue and hunger, the three finally reached the Star Peak.

Standing on this Star Peak were eight figures that astonished Wu Hen and his companions, for these eight figures represented the Divine Officers of sun, moon, mountains, rivers, winds, rain, thunder, and snow.

The gods truly revered by the Ancient Clan.

Si Shan, Wu Hen had seen before. It had transformed into a deer-like divine beast, enjoying the fine wine brought to it by the Ancient Clan in the mountains.

As for the other Divines, Wu Hen hadn't seen them, though he had heard their voices before, especially Si Xue. In the Cold Era, her voice sometimes was melodious, sometimes like a woman weeping.

As for the rest, Wu Hen hadn't encountered or perceived them. He never expected to directly witness these eight Divine Officers of the Scroll Realm while climbing the Red Snow Mountain!

"Greetings, we wish to leave the Scroll Realm. Are there any special trials we must undergo?" Wu Hen, being unflinchingly social, directly greeted the eight high-ranking beings.

These eight Divines stood there like eternal cosmic statues.

But their eyes were curious, sizing up the three who had arrived, some stern, some smiling, some gentle, some cold.

"Where do you wish to go?" Si Yu asked.

Si Yu's body was condensed from raindrops, her silhouette graceful as a fairy. Her features were indistinguishable, yet she gave off a feeling of gentleness and nobility.

"I intend to return to the place where Nuwa God End resides," Wu Hen said frankly.

"Isn't it good here?" Si Feng asked.

"It's very good, but one should return to where one truly belongs. My family is waiting for me there," Wu Hen said.

"According to the rules, you must defeat any one of us to leave," Si Lei said.

Si Lei was a man with a purple coral dragon horn and a dragon tail hanging from his robe, both handsome and mysteriously noble.

"Then please give…" Du Mao nearly rolled up his sleeves to duel Si Lei.

Wu Hen hurriedly stopped this reckless man.

Are you kidding?

Competing with these true gods of the Scroll Realm?

They would never leave this place for the rest of their lives.

These beings were probably no less powerful than the Earth Vein's female and male Dragon, how could they win by sheer force?

The Scroll Realm itself radiated benevolence, a rare Pure Land. Wu Hen believed that if these Divines truly wanted to trouble them, they wouldn't have allowed three lost youths to practice here.

"We are not a match for the Divines and willingly admit defeat," Wu Hen said.

"You are sincere, we permit you to leave early, but you must do something within your means for us," Si Yu said.

"We have received the grace of the Divines during these days, and we will naturally do our utmost to repay," Wu Hen said.

The eight Divines exchanged glances, and after a moment, the sweet-voiced Si Xue spoke.

Si Xue resembled a Princess Yuling, her slender form wrapped in pure snow, her hair floating like snowflakes, adding a divine quality that discouraged any impudence.

"Even in this age of numerous gods, there are still many people like the Ancient Clan who worship us. They suffer various hardships in Desert Dust, and our temples are destroyed by some fanatical beliefs. If you encounter our broken gods in your journey, listen to the local prayers and fulfill the wishes of those lost followers," Si Xue said.

"What if it's against morality?" This time, Immortal Gong Qin expressed her stance.

"You must follow your moral judgment."

"Understood, if it's a natural disaster, we will address the root of it. If it's caused by people, we will eliminate the source. If it's a more complex and elusive problem, can we consult you through temples in Desert Dust?" Wu Hen asked.

Since there were temples of the Divines, there should naturally be a way to communicate. It's impossible that they had reached such an ethereal realm without a means of contact, right?

"Certainly, as long as the temple is not destroyed," Si Xue said.

"In our place, there seem to be similar temples, but few worship them anymore. People there now revere various martial kings and martial saints," Du Mao said.

"Then leave it to us," Wu Hen nodded, agreeing with the Divines.

Fairy Gong Qin also nodded, feeling it was acceptable.

"In that case, let us cast a spell together to send you back to where you belong," Si Feng said.

"Ah, it's that simple to leave, no celestial ladder-like trial?" Du Mao felt it was somewhat unreal.

"This is not a prison. Why would we make it difficult for you if you wish to leave?" Si Yu said.

"But you just said we had to defeat one of you…" Du Mao said.

"Heh." Si Lei chuckled coldly after saying this.

At this time, the eight Divines formed a circle, extending their hands, lightly pointing to the sky above Star Peak.

Starlight intertwined, and a Star Gate opened up among the stars above their heads. The other side was a stunningly beautiful otherworldly realm, truly seeming as if they could instantly traverse countless distant galaxies once through that gate!

"Wu Hen." Suddenly, Si Chuan spoke, calling him by name.

"Here!" Wu Hen responded like a student called by a teacher, attentively.

"You and I have a link of cause and effect," Si Chuan said.

"Huh?" Wu Hen was puzzled, not recalling any dealings with Si Chuan.

Could it be the Ancient Evil Gun submerged in the river?

"Many of my descendants have become Mortal Spirits, lost in the otherworld, please treat them kindly," Si Chuan said.

Wu Hen carefully observed Si Chuan and found his form very familiar. Though he was male, his lower body, resembling a white water lizard, reminded Wu Hen of their supposed link!

River Girl Qiaqia???

That female fairy was actually the River Lady??

Si Chuan represented the supreme deity of the river, and his descendants were either the River Dragon King or the River Lady…

This revelation made Wu Hen break into a cold sweat.

Fortunately, he didn't kill the female fairy back then, otherwise, the condition for leaving the Scroll Realm would have been defeating Si Chuan!

The saying "leave a way out, future paths will cross" truly didn't deceive him!

"I will, thank you for the guidance," Wu Hen bowed to Si Chuan.

"Off you go."

"Wait, I have one more question. Are we returning to our respective places, or to the same place?" Wu Hen asked.

"Respectively, but you will not be too far apart," the gentle Si Xue smiled.

"Oh, that's good then."

Wu Hen, having managed to win over two strong companions with his charisma, didn't hope never to see them again.

Since the Divines said their otherworlds were not far apart, they would soon reunite.

"Take care," Wu Hen bowed.

"Take care," Du Mao said.

"Take care…" Fairy Gong Qin seemed to want to say something but was unsure what to say.

They moved forward, finding each step upward was like ascending a stairway.

As they walked, they found themselves very close to the ethereal Star Gate.

Standing at the highest point of the Scroll Realm, Wu Hen couldn't help but look down, being awestruck by the sight...

This world was resplendent and diverse, but for some reason, it had become a lifelike painting. Wu Hen even saw its land curl like paper, while people and mythical species in the Scroll Realm inexplicably maintained a still state.

"Scroll Realm, Scroll Realm…"

Wu Hen murmured as the brilliant light waves from the Star Gate engulfed him, awakening him from a long dream. The unbelievable Scroll Star Dome around him dissipated, and his soul quickly returned, to his original world in a distant universe!

...

Desert Dust Calendar, Year 5.

In the central square of Silver Dome City, a grand demolition ceremony for the statue in the square was being held.

The commemorative statue that stood for five years fell, and countless people in the square cheered, welcoming the arrival of a new era. But some showed concern, not understanding why the hero who once saved their home was to be forgotten.

Meanwhile, in the building facing the square, originally the Patrol headquarters, now formally renamed Longevity Building, all the interior decorations had changed. Only the well-preserved commemorative floor at the top remained. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire

The commemorative floor was incredibly empty, with only a Life Pod surrounded by some withered flowers.

Inside the pod was a person who had been sleeping for five long years...

Suddenly, this person opened their eyes!