A massive yellow vortex grew at an alarming rate, expanding like a gigantic tornado. The squad leader’s jaw dropped as his gaze traveled from the vortex to the figure standing beneath it—a woman with black hair and clothes, her pale skin and red lips striking against the backdrop. The cold, regal demeanor in her eyes was like the eternal snow of the Tian Shan Mountains, exuding an aura of undeniable authority.
But what truly astonished him was the fact that no matter how much the vortex expanded, it remained half a meter away from her, as if an invisible barrier surrounded Ling Ji, forbidding any intrusion.
Wu Jiang swallowed hard, convinced he was hallucinating from exhaustion after two sleepless days. "Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom..."
His words trailed off into silent shock as he saw a black-clad figure rise before him, standing against the swirling vortex.
Ling Ji floated into the air, raising her small, delicate fist towards the immense vortex. Her fist, appearing soft and insignificant compared to the powerful vortex, seemed like a flimsy bun against a raging storm. Yet, she stood resolute, her small form defying the overwhelming force before her.
"Boom!"
The delicate fist plunged into the heart of the yellow vortex, releasing a burst of white light. The vortex shuddered and then exploded into a shower of water, dispersing in all directions.
Instinctively, Wu Jiang raised his hand to shield his head, but the expected deluge never came. Peeking through his fingers, he saw the most breathtaking sight of his life.
Suspended in mid-air, Ling Ji held her arms out, palms upward, as if cradling something unseen. Her black sleeves billowed gently, exuding a casual grace and the calm confidence of a true master.
The suspended rainwater, halted mid-descent, hung in the air as if frozen in time. With a graceful motion, her hands moved, and the water responded, swirling in the sky and then retreating into the river, leaving the surface calm and serene.
Wu Jiang’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"
He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and then saw that the once turbulent floodwaters had not only calmed but also receded significantly.
Wu Jiang felt as if he had lost more than just his jaw; his faith and conviction had shattered as well. He couldn't comprehend what he had witnessed.
"Which deity has descended? Please accept my reverence!"
With his beliefs crumbled, the staunch atheist found himself a devout theist. Watching the black-clad goddess step into the river, her every step pushing the water back, he began to command his team to repair the dikes and clear the river, setting out deeper rescue operations with newfound fervor.
"Where to next?" Ling Ji glanced at the now tranquil river and impatiently asked the excited elder, Zhou Qin.
"To Feng County!"
Zhou Qin, beaming with joy, retrieved a flying sword from his storage pouch and habitually offered, "Allow me to escort you?"
Without much hesitation, Ling Ji jumped onto Zhou Qin's flying sword, reminding him, "Prepare some food for me."
Though controlling water didn’t consume much of her power, the need to repeatedly reverse floods had taken its toll. She needed to conserve her strength to confront Jie Zhi later.
In a tranquil chamber filled with the fragrance of tea, two elegant youths sat across a chessboard, each holding a cup of aromatic tea. The white-haired youth looked up from the telescope and placed a black piece on the nearly completed board.
"This is the last flood-affected area, right?"
"Yes," Jie Zhi, holding a white piece, hesitated, glancing at the black-clad girl in the telescope. Another fist-sized golden glow of merit entered her, and despite his experience, he couldn't help but twitch at the sight.
"Jealous?" Ming Qi teased, seeing his friend’s unusual expression.
"Extremely," Jie Zhi admitted, not bothering to hide his envy. "Since the deification, the heavens rarely bestow such generous merit."
Especially such abundant and pure merit. Denying his jealousy would be a lie.
"Xishi is truly remarkable," Ming Qi, usually calm, couldn’t hide his excitement and admiration when speaking of Xishi. "Strategic, far-sighted, wise, and meticulous. If he had survived, he’d be a legend recorded in history."
Knowing that stealing the precious soil was a grave crime, Xishi took the risk of saving the people, even accepting all the blame alone and calmly facing death. Yet, he left a backup plan, waiting for the right moment to turn the tables.
If not for being born in the wrong era, I’d have loved to befriend him.
"Ling Ji is indeed lucky," Jie Zhi recalled. "Though her parents died, Xishi raised and protected her from the moment she hatched. Even when facing the Emperor of Heaven, Xishi used his methods to shield her."
What Jie Zhi admired most was how Xishi, anticipating Ling Ji's reaction to his death, devised a plan.
"Jie Zhi, I’ve fed Ling Ji the meat of the Qitu, putting her into a deep sleep. When she wakes, my death will be long settled. Tell her I’ve entered reincarnation, forgotten the past, and she should focus on her cultivation."
If she refuses... Thinking of Ling Ji’s nature, Xishi, who usually faced death unflinchingly, showed rare worry and helplessness. "If she causes trouble, her accumulated merit should keep her alive, though she’ll suffer."
Xishi’s voice grew soft, his narrow eyes filled with concern and helplessness. "The Mu clan of the Wind Tribe owes me a great favor. If Ling Ji causes trouble and is punished, please notify the Mu clan to take care of her and offer their protection."
"Ling Ji is stubborn and rebellious, hard to control. The gods imprisoning her will likely set a seal. I need you to..." Xishi hesitated, clearly struggling with the request. He stepped back, bowing deeply to Jie Zhi.
Jie Zhi felt a pang of unease, wanting to refuse, but seeing Xishi’s earnest plea, relented. "What do you want me to do?"
Xishi’s smile brightened, dispelling the shadows in his eyes. "I need you to... act as an evil demon once."
Every seal has a way to break it, and Xishi’s plan was for Jie Zhi to suggest to the gods that Ling Ji must gather the faith of ten thousand people to break the seal.
At that time, even the largest tribes didn’t have such a population, especially in the remote, desolate place where Ling Ji was imprisoned. This suggestion seemed to ensure Ling Ji would never be freed.
The gods, eager to see Ling Ji imprisoned forever, readily accepted the idea.
Jie Zhi didn’t understand why Xishi, always considerate of Ling Ji, would propose something seemingly harmful to her, but he trusted Xishi’s intentions and took the risk of Ling Ji’s future wrath to offer the suggestion.
Now, Jie Zhi understood.
"Human faith is her past with humanity and the heavens," Jie Zhi murmured, watching the blinding golden glow of merit around Ling Ji.
Humans and demons are inherently different. Despite outward respect, humans instinctively fear and guard against powerful demons.
But with human faith, it’s different. Some may fear her for being a demon, but others will trust and respect her for their faith.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
With human faith, she’s not alone.
Additionally, the heavens, recognizing the human faith in her, have marked her as one of their own. Any beneficial actions she takes for humanity are rewarded with heavenly merit.
Since the gods and immortals left this world two thousand years ago, heavenly rewards have become increasingly rare, especially merit. Even the life-enhancing nectar is dwindling, and the heavenly tribulations for demons growing harsher.
Human faith also has another benefit—it converts to her own power. The more believers, the more power she gains. In this era of thin spiritual energy, having such a shortcut to increase power is a divine blessing.
Although faith has some side effects, they are negligible compared to the benefits.
After all, for Ling Ji, enduring lightning tribulations is just shedding some skin; it’s not life-threatening.
"Xishi was a genius," Ming Qi sighed, admiring his wisdom.
Ling Ji’s disobedience was curbed, her merit ensured her safety, and imprisonment gave her time for peaceful cultivation.
Once freed, with the added faith, the heavens had to acknowledge her, adopting a laissez-faire attitude. With power, merit, and faith, coupled with her own abilities, her future...
He was even a bit envious.
"Jealousy is useless. You don’t have Xishi’s mind and abilities," Jie Zhi seized the chance to retort. "He learned from Fuxi, used the River Diagram and Luo Book, and never made a mistake in divination. If he hadn’t been playful and focused on raising Ling Ji, he could have been a top contender for the next leader, rivaling Dan Zhu and Shun."
Of course, his lack of interest in power played a role, leading Yao to often praise him, inciting Dan Zhu’s jealousy, which led to...
"You’ve lost," Ming Qi interrupted Jie Zhi’s reverie, placing a piece that surrounded all the white pieces, securing a victory.
"..."
Jie Zhi stared at his friend's innocent smile, sighing, "Was that necessary?"
Ming Qi nodded, "Winning is always necessary." He paused, "You wouldn’t understand, as you often lose."
Jie Zhi: "..."
Fine, I’ll never play chess with you again!
Meanwhile, in a remote mountain, an unremarkable hill suddenly glowed red
, alarms blaring. Strangely, the noise didn’t disturb the surrounding wildlife, as if they were oblivious.
A man in a tailored suit arrived at the hill. Tall and fit, with slight wrinkles adding to his distinguished appearance, he exuded wealth and power, from his Rolex watch to his bespoke shoes.
Yet, incongruously, he wore a black wooden tag around his neck, inscribed with a red spider lily and the number 001.
Pressing the tag against the hill, the earth slid open, revealing a brightly lit tunnel. Despite the chaos inside, the tunnel remained orderly.
"Director, Y115 escaped three hours ago, whereabouts unknown," a white-coated youth rushed up, tablet in hand. "And Y114 is also missing. I suspect Y115 sensed something and went after Y114."
"When did Y114 go missing?" Director Zhao Boshan, head of the facility, asked as he walked.
"About four hours ago," Peng Yiran, suspecting a connection between Y115's escape and Y114's disappearance, had already taken action.
"At the same time, Zhou Qin of the Special Affairs Bureau left Peng City, heading towards Y114's last known location. Could Ming Ying's team be moving Zhou Qin for backup?"
Zhao Boshan paused, considering the implications. "Besides Y114, any other unusual occurrences?"
While Y114's disruption was significant, it alone didn’t warrant additional Bureau involvement after Ming Ying's team was deployed.
"Confirm Y114's last location and search the area," Zhao Boshan ordered, comparing Y114's path with a map of China. "Alive or dead, find it."
"And act quickly. Destroy it if necessary, but don’t let its body or demon core fall into Bureau hands," Zhao Boshan added grimly.
"Already dispatched nearby personnel, but Ming Ying's team is formidable. Y115’s rampage complicates matters. Y114 is likely in grave danger," Peng Yiran admitted, knowing their delayed response left them at a disadvantage.
"Then intercept the demon core. It contains the demon’s purest power. Ming Ying's team will return it to the Bureau. As long as it's outside their headquarters, we have a chance."
The research was not yet complete, exposure to the Bureau would jeopardize future operations.
"And Y115?" Zhao Boshan loosened his tie, his face turning cold and ruthless. "Intercept with full force. If capture fails, eliminate on sight."
Having lost one demon, they couldn’t afford another to fall into Bureau hands.
"Understood," Peng Yiran bowed and left to execute the orders.
Alone in his office, Zhao Boshan's breathing slowed, tension eased.
"Shatter~"
The sound of items swept off his desk echoed, amplifying his frustration and anger.
After a long moment, he calmed, dialing a number. "Beep—beep—beep—"
After seven rings, the call connected. "Hello?"
The smooth, alluring male voice conveyed casual indifference, captivating yet unsettling.
Hearing the familiar voice, Zhao Boshan's heart tightened. "Sir, the plan might fail," he reported, his tone respectful and cautious.
Silence followed, the faint hum of the line amplifying his anxiety.
A bead of sweat trickled down Zhao Boshan's face, dripping onto the black desk with a soft "pat."
"If it fails, it fails," the voice finally replied, unconcerned. "It’s not a valuable bloodline. We can cultivate another."
"But..." Zhao Boshan's vision blurred with sweat. Wiping his eyes, he asked, "What about Zhou Qin? Will he discover anything?"
"Zhou Qin?" The voice showed a hint of interest. "Even if he does, what can he do?"
A soft laugh followed, dripping with disdain and arrogance. Zhao Boshan's heart steadied, reassured by the speaker's confidence. "With you, sir, even if Zhou Qin discovers something, it’s inconsequential."
The high-pitched tone signaling the call’s end echoed in the silent office.
Holding the warm phone, Zhao Boshan regained his composure.
Yes, with the sir as their trump card, unless the Bureau found an equal adversary, they were untouchable.
This seemed impossible.
Most powerful beings had left, leaving only the weak and insignificant.
Fate remained on their side.
---
"My Lord, you’re amazing." As the last flood in Qingzhou County receded, Jin Hong approached with a box of instant noodles, "Eat and rest."
Ling Ji, already hungry, quickly tore into the box, devouring the noodles.
Seeing her devour the noodles, Zhou Qin hesitated, searching his storage pouch for something edible but finding only medicinal pills.
"Do you have any food?" he asked Ming Ying.
Ming Ying shook his head, "We gave her everything we had."
Seeing Zhou Qin's disappointment and Ling Ji's unfinished appetite, Ming Ying decided to stock food in their pouches for future emergencies.
"When will Yi Yang's team arrive?" Zhou Qin asked, adjusting their plans after leaving Feng County. Ming Ying and he followed Ling Ji for flood relief, while Yi Yang's team handled witness memory wipes and evidence disposal to prevent public panic.
"It should be a while," Ming Ying checked his watch, "There were many witnesses, especially soldiers in Feng County."
Fortunately, they moved to less populated areas, so once Feng County was cleared, Yi Yang's task would be easier.
"But those two reporters are a problem," Ming Ying noted, relieved after the immediate threat had passed. "Zhao Jiong saw their equipment; they didn’t capture anything sensitive. But their boss is Bai Luan, so there's hesitation about erasing their memories."
"Bai Luan?" Zhou Qin remembered the young, tax-contributing entrepreneur but thought she was an ordinary human with no ties to the supernatural. "Why hesitate?"
"She’s a devout follower of Ling Ji, akin to Mu Bai's status," Ming Ying explained, nodding towards Ling Ji. "Extremely loyal."
Realizing Bai Luan's importance to Ling Ji, Zhou Qin decided, "Inform Bai Luan to manage her staff, ensuring nothing harmful to Ling Ji gets out."
Ling Ji had just helped them; denying her this would be ungrateful and risky.
As for Jiang Lingyan, her insignificance didn’t warrant Bureau attention. She was a minor annoyance, relying on her rebirth and system for self-importance.
Near the Yellow River, Dong Shanmin filmed Yang Zhen's report. "This concludes our report on the Yellow River flood. We’ll proceed to Feng County for further coverage. Thank you for reading."
Packing up, Yang Zhen exhaled, "Brother Dong, how did I do? Any mistakes?"
Dong Shanmin gave her a thumbs up, "Perfect."
Yang Zhen beamed, "Let’s send the footage to the editors."
"Already done," Dong Shanmin rolled his eyes, "I sent it during the broadcast."
Yang Zhen laughed, giving him a thumbs up, "I love working with you."
"Less flattery," Dong Shanmin scolded, but his eyes shone with indulgence and joy.
"Why is she still broadcasting?" Yang Zhen frowned at Jiang Lingyan, who continued streaming despite the flood's end. "Does the entertainment industry lack standards?"
"Maybe she's building a persona?" Dong Shanmin guessed, noting Jiang Lingyan's teary, emotional performance. "She’s the only celebrity here; it has an impact."
"But doesn’t she fear backlash?" Yang Zhen wondered if Jiang Lingyan's actions would backfire, attracting industry resentment.
Checking Jiang Lingyan's stream, Yang Zhen saw mixed comments.
"Ah, my goddess is so kind and brave, coming to the disaster area. I'm so moved."
"Same here, few celebrities have such courage. I’m a fan now."
"Admirable and beautiful, taking the initiative to help. I'm touched."
"Seeing her stream made me aware of the flood’s end. I'm donating now."
"Me too."
"Am I the only one who thinks she’s acting? Real news is covered by major networks, and soldiers handle rescue. What’s her point?"
"Agreed, it feels fake. If she’s truly kind, she’d make real contributions, not just stream."
"Her fans must be naive to think this isn’t a publicity stunt."
"How can you know she didn’t donate? Her stream might inspire others to help."
"That’s laughable. Genuine celebrities donate without seeking attention. She’s just seeking fame."
"And maybe hoping fans will donate in her name."
"Very possible. She’s done it before."
The stream’s comments blurred into an unreadable mess as Jiang Lingyan closed them, realizing the backlash. Her closed comments only fueled the fire, sparking debate on her social media.
"Qin Jie, there’s trouble." In Hua Tian Entertainment's office, an assistant showed the rising backlash to Qin Yan.
"How to fix this?" Qin Yan sighed, rubbing her temples. "Why didn’t she consult us first?"
"She knew you'd forbid it."
Qin Yan snorted, "Save? How?"
"She ignored my advice and live-streamed, now wants help?"
The assistant felt awkward, realizing Jiang Lingyan's disregard for Qin Yan’s guidance had backfired.
"Disconnect her stream and donate, at least a significant amount," Qin Yan advised, "If she wants to salvage her reputation."
The assistant bowed, "Yes, I’ll tell her."
Qin Yan watched the assistant leave, murmuring, "Might need to let Jiang Lingyan go."
Stars with ambition were valuable, but if they disregarded advice, they weren’t worth the trouble.
"Qin Jie, you were right," the assistant said, re-entering. "Jiang Lingyan's phone is off. Can’t reach her."
Qin Yan sighed, opening Jiang Lingyan's
social media and closing it without comment.
Jiang Lingyan ended her stream, unaware of the brewing storm. "System, what now?"
"Donate as advised," the system replied, exasperated. "Your manager’s plan was sound. Follow it."
Reluctantly, Jiang Lingyan donated a million, thanking the system for its guidance. "System, you’re the best."
The system rolled its eyes, feeling grateful it couldn’t be replaced.
Meanwhile, the system had warned her not to provoke powerful figures, yet she had filmed Ling Ji’s abilities, nearly exposing them both.
"Who is that demon?" Jiang Lingyan wondered, envy and curiosity mingling.
"Doesn’t matter. Focus on your tasks," the system snapped. "You've seen the consequences."
Remembering the near-erasure of her memory, Jiang Lingyan felt a pang of fear but remained resentful. "I’m the chosen one, destined for greatness. Why is she more powerful?"
"She’s a demon, born with innate power. You're a human, with a different path."
"But you never mentioned demons," Jiang Lingyan accused, feeling betrayed.
"Didn’t think it necessary," the system retorted. "Focus on your tasks, and you’ll achieve your dreams."
"Okay," Jiang Lingyan agreed, heading to the next rescue site. Passing Yang Zhen, she offered a kind smile. "Want to join me at the rescue station?"
Yang Zhen: "..."
Yang Zhen looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. Only Dong Shanmin’s intervention smoothed the encounter. "No, we’re heading to Feng County."
"Take care," Jiang Lingyan maintained her gentle demeanor, noting their Phoenix emblem before walking away.
"Brother Dong, has she lost it?" Yang Zhen wondered, recalling Jiang Lingyan's earlier hostility.
"Ignore her. Focus on our work," Dong Shanmin decided, preparing to call their boss for a report.
---
Half an hour later, as the Yellow River rescue neared completion, Zhou Tian, drenched, ran over. "Captain, bad news. The river surged suddenly, flooding a lot!"
Before, Zhou Tian would have attributed it to weather or terrain. Now, he suspected another demon. "Should we alert Ling Ji?"
"Any casualties?"
"Not yet," Zhou Tian reported. "But I saw a huge shadow in the water before the surge."
"Which way did it go?"
"West."
Ye Jianghuai’s heart tightened. That direction... Qingzhou County, where Ling Ji was.
"Get Mu Bai."
Mu Bai, helping transport injured to the rescue station, arrived quickly. Hearing the news, he paled. "Captain, I can’t contact Ling Ji."
As a mountain deity, she could find him from miles away, but he couldn’t reach her.
"What about Zhao Jiong?" Ye Jianghuai asked.
Mu Bai shook his head, "I avoid him. No contact."
"But don’t worry, Ling Ji is powerful. No one can harm her," Mu Bai assured, his faith in her unshaken. "Not even another demon."
She’s the strongest.
Ye Jianghuai: "..."
Oddly, he believed Mu Bai and began to worry about the unknown demon instead.
"Gurgle~"
A giant head emerged from the water, its lantern-sized eyes locking onto Ming Ying beside Ling Ji.
Pouring tea and serving food, Ming Ying felt a chill and turned, meeting a pair of cold, malevolent eyes.
---