"Hey, Sword God Chen Xin, you feel it, right? The evil aura in the sky is getting stronger. That means the monster is about to seize part of the Divine Realm Core, open the gate, and come to this continent." The God of Lust moved close to Chen Xin and spoke.
"Exactly. So be ready to face them. This will be a fight to the death." Chen Xin's expression was as serious as ever.
Chen Xin was certain the Evil Sword Immortal wouldn't wait the full five days to completely control the Divine Realm Core before coming out. Because of the mutual resonance between the Evil Spirit Pearl and the Holy Spirit Pearl, the Evil Sword Immortal surely understands how fast Tianlin's power is growing. Two days over there equals two years here for Tianlin. If Tianlin's cultivation equals his by then, the battle-hardened Tianlin would crush the always-hiding Evil Sword Immortal in every respect.
So even if he needs to remain at the Core to ensure the gate opens and can't come in person, he will definitely send vast numbers of subordinates to capture the God of Lust. Not every god of the Divine Realm is made of iron; who knows how many have defected to him.
But so what if powerful enemies approach? As long as a swordsman holds a sword, he knows no fear. And this time, he has more than just a sword in his hand.
"Chen Xin, you'll protect me, won't you?" The God of Lust suddenly wrapped her arm around Chen Xin's, expression incomparably coy; coupled with her revealing outfit, a swath of snowy whiteness showed at her chest.
Even though nothing truly indecent was exposed, it nearly made Ma Hongjun lose his mind. He spurted a nosebleed and fainted. Looks like Tianlin will need to find time to let Ma Hongjun experience the agony of parting from his beloved inside an illusion space—otherwise he'll never reach the original story's realm of perfect mental purity and emptiness.
This God of Lust really is just like in the original: she likes the aloof type. In the original, she fell for Ma Hongjun, whose heart was calm as still water after his beloved wife died; this time she's fallen for Chen Xin, whose heart holds only the sword.
To the God of Lust, the roughly hundred-year-old Chen Xin is practically fresh meat. His looks are even more handsome than the slimmed-down Ma Hongjun's, and with that biting, icy temperament and the favor of saving and caring for her, it's no wonder she's smitten.
Chen Xin, however, was helpless. He had zero interest in her. The Shu Mountain Sect's sword path is as vast as the sea; he's only just pushed off from the shore. There's a boundless sword path waiting to be explored—where would he find time for romance?
"Wh-what are you doing? Let go of my Sword Grandpa!" Ning Rongrong, face flushed, stared wide-eyed and protested.
Though she and Tianlin are already married, their relationship is childhood sweethearts, natural and unforced. She has never seen such seductive tactics. This innate feminine charm—just watching someone else use it makes her blush furiously.
"Grandpa? Oh, so you're the new Sea God Chen Xin keeps talking about—his precious granddaughter. How about it, call me Grandma. When we get to the Divine Realm, Grandma will look out for you. I'm an old hand up there." The God of Lust smiled, seemingly devoid of any tension with battle looming.
After all, the other six Original Sin Gods alongside her are already dead. The High God Kings probably aren't doing well either. The Evil Sword Immortal won't spare her; if she can't resist, she'll die sooner or later. In that case, why not openly spend her last stretch of life with the man she loves?
As a first-rank god, the God of Lust does not fear death. And though she bears the title "God of Lust," she is entirely different from the current Bibi Dong: she controls desire—desire does not control her.
"Grandma? What nonsense are you spouting?" Ning Rongrong simply couldn't accept calling the girl in front of her—who looked about her age and even smaller—"Grandma."
"Senior, the enemy is at the gates; please, enough fooling around!" Qian Renxue said. She believed this woman whose allure was dialed to a thousand percent could turn iron into pliant silk. She didn't actually mind her personality, but there's a time and place, and now was not the time to turn on the charm.
"My, my, little angel, you too? But you count as my savior as well; I can give you some face. If we survive, once I become your master's wife, it'll be easier for me to back you up, won't it?" The God of Lust chuckled.
Qian Renxue sighed helplessly. "Senior, I call Senior Chen Xin 'Master' not only because he is Tianlin's master, but also because over these years he's imparted most of his sword path to me, vastly increasing my strength. Though we have no formal master-disciple title, we have the reality of it. So calling him 'Master' is justified. As for 'Master's wife,' please retract that for now."
Over these years, Chen Xin fulfilled his promise to Qian Daoliu, pouring his Seven-Kill Sword Path and Annihilation Sword Path into Qian Renxue without reservation. Later, with Tianlin's approval, he passed her portions of the Shu Mountain sword path. For such a broad-minded Chen Xin, Qian Renxue felt deep respect; the word "Master" came from her heart.
"Also, as for whether we'll live, rest easy. We'll all be fine—Tianlin is about to exit seclusion." Qian Renxue spoke with absolute confidence. Having cultivated alongside Tianlin for years, no one knew better than she how terrifying his progress was.
"Oh? I see." The God of Lust pouted curiously, then looked at Chen Xin. "Chen Xin, is your disciple really that formidable? Even stronger than the original Asura God?"
"Of course. He is the strongest in this world. No one is my disciple's match." Mentioning Tianlin, Chen Xin set aside his icy face. To him, Tianlin was his life's pride even more than becoming a Sword God.
"In that case, as his future master's wife, I must reward him well. How should I reward him? Got it." The God of Lust looked at Qian Renxue and flirtatiously winked.
What else would the God of Lust be best at? Qian Renxue immediately took her meaning and could only smile wryly. This senior might be aged, but her temperament was like a girl's.
"Damn it, as if one person trying to steal my Sword Brother wasn't enough—now another comes to steal my Sword Grandpa." Ning Rongrong looked thoroughly put out. The two of them even seemed to be on the same team.
With nowhere to vent, she kicked Ma Hongjun, who was still lying there with a nosebleed. "Hey, lecherous fatty, you can wake up now. If you keep drooling like this, I'll tattle to Chenxiang in a heartbeat."
"Chenxiang!" Hearing his wife's name, Ma Hongjun snapped awake. "Rongrong, don't tell Chenxiang! Or I'm done for."
"That depends on how you behave." Ning Rongrong said.
Ma Hongjun bobbed his head repeatedly. "Big Sis Rongrong, rest assured—no matter what, I'm on your side."
Now he didn't dare let his eyes drift toward the God of Lust even for a second. This woman was too dangerous; her entire being radiated temptation.
There was another god present: the first-rank Divine Craftsman Lou Gao. Old in years but low in seniority, and adhering strictly to respecting teachers and elders, he didn't dare say a word—after all, these women were either Master's wife or Master's grandmother.
Chen Xin shook his head helplessly. This lot, although now gods, basically coasted their way here. Their temperament hasn't improved much from before godhood.
It's all because Tianlin protected them too well.
Just then, Chen Xin sensed something, raised his head to the sky, and said gravely, "Enough chatter. The enemy has arrived."
At his words, everyone dropped the banter. They'd known all along they were simply relieving their tension. No one was truly angry. Now that the enemy was here, they would unite against a common foe.
…
"They're here?"
Down the mountain, Ning Fengzhi, Golden Crocodile Douluo, Yu Tianheng, and others waited with tens of thousands of soul master troops. Ever since the gods sensed the barrier between the human world and the Divine Realm weakening, they had been on full alert.
A massive black vortex appeared in the sky, still expanding. From deep within came a terrifyingly evil aura that made hearts tremble.
Everyone broke out in a cold sweat. They knew that what would emerge from within would be unimaginably horrifying.
Suddenly, a dense flock of silhouettes like a murder of crows flew out of the vortex. These were the Divine Guards originally created by the Divine Realm Core, now repurposed as puppets obeying the Evil Sword Immortal.
"Lou Gao, execute the plan. Qian Renxue, once Lou Gao departs, use your trump card." Chen Xin ordered.
"Yes, Grandmaster!" Lou Gao understood, pulled a cloak over himself—and vanished.
Qian Renxue gathered divine power, aiming straight at the portal.