Chapter 1152 - 535: I Want to Rebel!

Chapter 1152: Chapter 535: I Want to Rebel!

The Cold Winter Goddess’s suggestion?

Hiss...

I don’t seem to have much interaction with this goddess, do I?

The only connection seems to be that I took away Her little kitty... No, Hecayas will still return home; I just have a good relationship with Her.

How could She give such a boundary-crossing suggestion to Fulingya?

What kind of attitude does the Cold Winter Goddess have towards me...?

Is it goodwill?

But, isn’t this goodwill a bit too much!

Besides, the Tree Spirit Embrace ceremony?

This is also an unexpected reward.

This ceremony involves the Tree Spirit voluntarily bestowing its power upon the embraced.

Not to mention other bestowed abilities, just one of them is already enough to move everyone.

Longevity.

Legendary Level Tree Spirits can grant ten years of life to the embraced, while Epic Tree Spirits can give over a hundred years of additional lifespan!

So, what can a Divine Level Tree Spirit offer the embraced?

A thousand years of life?

No, no, no, at the Divine stage, this becomes just a bonus.

Herbert is still young; the allure of a thousand years of life is not great for him.

What truly moves Herbert is the power beyond longevity... could it be special abilities at the Saint Level?

Even Herbert finds it hard to refuse this special power.

Both the divine and the mortal silently ponder their thoughts.

"..."

Just before this intimate interaction truly begins, Fulingya suddenly remembers something and asks, "Or, would you be willing to accept the Divine Position of the God of Sand and Stone? To thereby ascend to divinity and become a member of the Natural Pantheon?"

That damn Betera disrupted the pace, and I almost forgot about this special reward.

This is an opportunity beyond the imagination of mortals, a shortcut to ascend instantly.

However, Herbert almost instinctively declines decisively: "Thank you for your kindness, Goddess, but please forgive me for being unable to accept this reward."

"The Earth Pantheon is known for its extreme exclusivity; even if I barely manage to join as an outsider, it’s doubtful I’d have a foothold, let alone earn respect."

"Moreover, I am partly responsible for the God of Sand and Stone’s death. Though it was Her fault, I doubt the other divines would be reasonable with me."

His reasoning is realistic and clear-headed; even without the Tree Spirit Embrace, he would not accept the divine position.

Besides, he doesn’t think highly of the Divine Position of the God of Sand and Stone to begin with.

"I expected as much..."

Fulingya is not surprised at all. She even lets out a barely audible, rueful sigh, as if confirming an answer she had long anticipated.

Herbert’s refusal seems to have removed any last trace of indecision within Her.

"Lady, compared to the suggestion of the Lady of Cold Winter, what are your own thoughts?"

But before Fulingya can make her next move, Herbert suddenly speaks, seriously asking, "Do you personally wish to perform this ceremony?"

Fulingya presses her lips together, giving Herbert a deep look.

"..."

He could have remained silent.

He could have effortlessly enjoyed the benefits of the ceremony by not asking that question.

Then She begins to reveal what lies hidden beneath the excuse of the "Cold Winter Goddess’s suggestion"—Her true thoughts.

"At first, I was opposed to it."

"But... I despise being underestimated even more, being assumed that I wouldn’t dare!"

As these words spill from Fulingya’s lips, they carry a clear, long-suppressed annoyance.

Her gaze seems to pierce through Herbert, focusing on someone not present here—the God of Love, who delights in weaving webs and watching the spectacle.

That damn manipulator!

"I realized I seemed to be underestimated."

Fulingya’s voice is calm, yet it holds a certain fearful power.

"Betera’s provocation is essentially a petty coercion; She thinks I... wouldn’t dare humble myself to personally ’recruit’ a worthwhile hero."

"What She wants to see is my panic, my adhering to rules only to end empty-handed—a joke."

"What infuriates me even more... She wasn’t wrong."

The Forest Goddess’s eyes flashed with anger and helplessness, but ultimately transformed into resignation as She sighed, "If it were the former me, indeed, I would have given up after much internal struggle, as She predicted."

"That was me, a cautious coward in the eyes of other Natural Pantheon members and onlookers."

Since taking the Deputy Pantheon Lord position, how much condescension have I endured?

Probably too much to count.

"But... They were wrong, I am no longer the same."

Her gaze gradually sharpened, revealing the undeniable majesty of the Master of the Forest.

"I have followed orders for so long... This time, I want to rebel."

Fulingya’s expression remains calm, but her words explode like thunder in Herbert’s heart.

He sees a completely different side of this goddess, no longer the gentle, distant Natural Agent who seems to adhere to some ancient law eternally.

This is Her own thought, no longer the puppet sitting on the Master of the Pantheon’s throne.

"Betera, didn’t you think I couldn’t do it? Weren’t you waiting to laugh at me?" The Forest Goddess slightly raises her head, as if declaring to the void.

"This time, I refuse to let you be satisfied!"

Her voice is not loud, yet it carries an unwavering determination.

"I am the Agent of the Natural Pantheon. I am the undisputed queen of this forest! Not a girl who, after being toyed with by you, can only helplessly hide away and cry!"