The Young Miss Nun waited anxiously, her hands tucked into her sleeves clenched slightly—not out of fear, but nervousness. If she were discovered… The shadow cast by the hood over the Young Miss Nun’s head obscured her face.

Before long, the door in front of her finally opened under her gaze.

Without waiting for the person inside to reveal their face, she flashed inside, closed the door behind her, and locked it for good measure.

Reaching this point, the heavy stone in the Young Miss Nun's heart finally settled a little. She turned her head to look at the woman, whose expression was subtle. "…Saintess Xia Qianzhen."

The Young Miss Nun pulled back her hood, revealing an exquisite, cold, and beautiful face. Her indifferent expression showed no change under Xia Qianzhen's gaze; the corners of her eyes and brows carried a natural arrogance. However, this arrogance contained not a hint of malice, but rather a sense of sincere compassion.

Though it may sound strange, much like the glare of a Vajra in Buddhism, the Young Miss Nun deeply loved this world. Otherwise, why would she have sought out Saintess Xia Qianzhen in the dead of night?

"Saintess Sikepeier."

Xia Qianzhen roughly understood what Saintess Sikepeier of the Scorpio Palace had come to see her about.

She gestured for Saintess Sikepeier to sit in the living room. Saintess Sikepeier did not refuse and sat opposite Xia Qianzhen.

Xia Qianzhen reached out to pour black tea for this late-night guest, but Saintess Sikepeier refused this time. She had no time to exchange pleasantries with Xia Qianzhen, nor did she enjoy doing so with others.

Furthermore, she had gone to such lengths to disguise herself and avoid notice; how could she possibly leave a flaw? What if her teacup wasn't cleaned properly, and someone discovered there was an extra guest at Xia Qianzhen's place?

She had taken off her Saintess gown, removed her Saintess crown, and left the Saintess ring of the Scorpio Palace in her room today—wasn't it all to avoid the eyes of others? The sooner this matter was discussed and resolved, the better. Returning earlier would reduce the likelihood of being discovered.

"That won't be necessary, Saintess."

Saintess Sikepeier reached out to stop Xia Qianzhen's actions. "You should understand why I have come today, so I will get straight to the point. Saintess, I am willing… to become a loyal believer of the God King."

Saintess Sikepeier's voice paused slightly when she reached the last sentence. Her gaze was sharp, staring directly into Xia Qianzhen's eyes.

Xia Qianzhen withdrew her hand and sat back in her chair, not forcing the tea on Saintess Sikepeier. She looked at her thoughtfully. "Are you… entirely of your own volition? No one else coerced you?"

"Of course."

Saintess Sikepeier nodded calmly. Perhaps because she had pondered this matter deeply over the past few days, she had only seemed slightly unnatural when she first spoke, but now she had returned to her indifferent demeanor.

"I recall that the Saintess Conference has not yet reached a conclusion, right? Your private visit violates the contract that Capricorne made with us; without the confirmation of the Saintess Conference, nothing counts."

Xia Qianzhen asked again.

"Indeed."

Saintess Sikepeier did not refute Xia Qianzhen's words and nodded. "The Saintess Conference has yet to come up with a definitive candidate. Everyone is thinking of offering themselves as the [sacrifice], while the rest have unanimously cast a vote of opposition."

"There is no way to make a decision this way. Even if the Saintess Conference were held for another hundred years, no result would be reached. We cannot give our consent to another Saintess; this vote of consent will only ever be cast for ourselves."

"And at the Saintess Conference, following democratic principles, you should be able to imagine that scene…"

"And if we were to vote for someone else… that would violate the Saintess code: 'Must be friendly, affectionate, and loving.' Even if we didn't care about such things, it goes against our will. To send our own sister to the guillotine? Is that possible?"

Saintess Sikepeier was speaking so much for the first time. Perhaps she had been bottling these words up inside for days, and now she had finally found someone to confide in. Xia Qianzhen was also a woman of few words, so she didn't worry about her words being repeated to others.

Xia Qianzhen listened quietly. Was this the goal of Saintess Censeer? To trap them in a dilemma, where their own personalities determined they couldn't make a decision, and by dragging it out… everyone would become pawns in her palm.

Everyone was thinking of sacrificing themselves, so the final result wouldn't be the sacrifice of just one Saintess. They would come to her behind the others' backs, seeking a "chance to be sacrificed." Since when did sacrifice require an opportunity?

"Originally, I thought it would be Capricorne, Saintess Taolusi, or Saintess Censeer who would be the first to approach me…"

Xia Qianzhen sighed. Indeed, she hadn't expected that the first to approach her would be this cold Scorpio Saintess.

Over the past few days, Capricorne had sought out all the Saintesses, looking as if she were about to leave. Xia Qianzhen had been waiting for the day Capricorne would suddenly show up at her door, but after waiting and waiting, the first to arrive was this disguised young woman.

"Sister Capricorne… she is a great Saintess."

Saintess Sikepeier's expression changed slightly, softening a little. "It's just that her behavior was too conspicuous and we had already noticed it. We unanimously expressed our opposition and told her to rest at ease in the City Lord's Mansion."

"I see."

Xia Qianzhen nodded. She had been wondering why she hadn't seen Capricorne often lately; so, she had been placed under house arrest—to put it nicely, it was "resting," but the truth was she was forbidden from going out. So, Saintess Sikepeier must have had a hard time finding an opportunity to come out today, right?

No wonder she had rarely seen even Saintess Censeer; in the past, she had often come to ask her for news about Lin Yi. Now it seemed that among the Saintesses on the front lines, there was a sense of "everyone fearing for themselves," and they had started monitoring each other.

"Additionally… regarding what you said, Saintess—without the Saintess Conference, private decisions do not count."

Saintess Sikepeier looked into Xia Qianzhen's eyes opposite her. Her gaze was firm and sharp, and she pointed out bluntly, "All of this rests on a single thought from the God King and yourself."

"We have no right to object. Even if you changed the requirements, for example, from 'anyone' to 'a designated person,' we would have no choice but to accept it. This covenant was never equal from the beginning."

"You merely gave us an equal opportunity, but in reality?"

Saintess Sikepeier did not use harsh words; after all, she was currently asking for a favor. She had softened phrases like "equality is just your twisted hobby."

"On the contrary, perhaps 'a designated person' would be a better choice for us, as it wouldn't require us to 'kill each other'!"

Saintess Sikepeier's tone carried a hint of pain. She gazed at Xia Qianzhen intently, as if she could see the God King in her.

"We do not wish to bear the identity of the villain."

Xia Qianzhen did not mind the slight hatred in Saintess Sikepeier's gaze. She shook her head gently. "Although our requirements seem detestable to you, please forgive us; after all, we are dealing with a true deity."

"Even though we have given you a bad impression, we still hope to ease our relationship, which is why we returned the decision-making power to you. If this has caused any unexpected resentment, I apologize."

"I understand, Saintess Xia Qianzhen."

Saintess Sikepeier nodded, the hatred in her eyes dissipating significantly. Her expression calmed down. "The Saintess Convent does not have the ability to request the aid of an otherworldly deity; you have already been very kind."

"If it were other deities, I fear it wouldn't be as simple as just taking one sister Saintess… We have felt the mercy of you and the God King, but as a Saintess, as a Mortal, we are still unable to cast aside our emotions and selfishness."

"Please forgive me. My disgust is not directed at you or the God King; I simply hate that, despite accepting this kindness, we still crave more, even hoping for the God King to intervene gratuitously to defend against the Devil King."

"This is only natural for Mortals."

Xia Qianzhen comforted Saintess Sikepeier.

Saintess Sikepeier was silent for a moment, then spoke again. "If the God King were to leave now, and after we had paid a painful price, he then extended an olive branch to us… we would surely cherish this hard-won hope, wouldn't we? Only those who have died once know the beauty of being alive."

"Your Highness Sikepeier…"

Xia Qianzhen opened her mouth, looking at Saintess Sikepeier's downcast brows and eyes, not knowing what to say. She seemed to have fallen into her own pain.

Also, as a Saintess of the enemy side, is it really okay for you to speak up for us like this?

But thinking about it, it makes sense… The Saintesses of the Saintess Convent truly are a group of "Holy Mothers"—in the complimentary sense.

When facing others, they always reveal their best side, treating people kindly and getting along gently. They don't just use virtue to label themselves; they truly believe it and act accordingly.

"I'm fine. Sorry, Saintess, to have made you laugh at me."

Saintess Sikepeier was downcast for only a moment before she recovered. She lifted her head and shook it at Xia Qianzhen. "Then, what do you mean? As long as you agree, it doesn't actually matter whether the Saintess Council agrees or not."

"Whether they agree or not, we have no right to resist, not even the ability to refuse… Or are you still going to insist on your 'friendliness'?"

Xia Qianzhen watched Saintess Sikepeier in silence, seeing the trace of pleading, or even begging, on her face. She held back her words. "Saintess Sikepeier, I will not tell anyone about today's events, but please, continue to consider it. There is no rush right now; we will continue to hold our ground here."

"I do not wish to see any more lives lost."

Saintess Sikepeier's voice was slightly weak. She pursed her lips, wanting to smile, but it only looked distorted; it was more normal for her to keep a cold face.

"Whether it's our own or the enemy's, the knights within the Deli Army are merely Mortals innocently caught up in this. They should not become playthings in the hands of an evil god, so… I want to end the war."

Saintess Sikepeier closed her eyes slightly. When she opened them again, her gaze had become sharp. "Or is this your goal? To continue watching those Mortals die? To watch the Devil King wreak havoc? Or are you waiting for other Saintess sisters to come here just like I did? To round them all up in one go?"

Just as Xia Qianzhen was about to say something, Saintess Sikepeier shook her head again. "No, you could just demand it directly… Or is it…"

Saintess Sikepeier was silent for a long time. "Is your goal our deity? Is it the Goddess of Life?"

Xia Qianzhen looked at Saintess Sikepeier with some surprise. She had only refused once, yet Saintess Sikepeier had thought of so many things?

"However… it doesn't matter."

Saintess Sikepeier glanced at the cool-faced Xia Qianzhen and brought up something that seemed completely unrelated. "Over the past few days, I have dreamt of the God King multiple times."

"Hmm?"

"I did not use my Divine Power to purge the God King's corruption from me; I am even actively embracing this abnormal attraction."

Saintess Sikepeier continued to speak to herself.

"It won't be long before I abandon my faith in the Goddess of Life and turn to the embrace of the God King. I have already left myself no way out, do you understand? Saintess Xia Qianzhen?"

"While I have not yet completely abandoned the Saintess Convent, I want to use my final strength to help those Saintess sisters completely clear away this disaster. As for that Divine Power, I will leave it for them so that they won't have too difficult a time during the reconstruction."

"Afterwards, I will leave the Saintess Convent just like Sister Saintess Laio and Sister Shaqitelisi, and dedicate all my loyalty to your deity."

"So…"

Saintess Sikepeier looked at Xia Qianzhen.

Xia Qianzhen shook her head gently. "I have to be honest with you: my husband is currently unable to spare any effort. He is facing an even more powerful enemy right now, which is why I must refuse you."

"We can only help you resist that Devil King now, to ensure she cannot destroy you; we cannot spare any effort for anything else."

Chapter 442: Clearly Wanting It So Badly, Yet Still Being Stubborn!

"…Is that how it is."

Saintess Sikepeier fell silent for a moment, her somewhat chaotic mind calming down a bit. "I apologize; I overthought things. I apologize for my impertinence."

"No, it's nothing."

Xia Qianzhen shook her head. Saintess Sikepeier wasn't entirely wrong, but as Lin Yi's strength continued to grow, her perspective on the Saintess Convent was also constantly changing.

At the beginning, it was a gradual approach, using schemes and tricks, doing whatever it took. Now, it was just because they couldn't spare the effort to sweep through them directly, and she had even added a mask of goodwill…

Although, because of Saintess Censeer and the others, she was indeed willing to treat them with more kindness and was unwilling to truly resort to force—after all, they would all be her own people in the future—but thinking about it carefully… it was indeed somewhat hypocritical, and she was the one who should be apologizing.

So…

"I apologize, Your Highness, Saintess Sikepeier."

Xia Qianzhen apologized sincerely.

Saintess Sikepeier raised her eyebrows slightly, glanced at Xia Qianzhen, and shook her head. It was as if their roles had just been reversed; she said exactly what Xia Qianzhen had said: "No, it's nothing."

Xia Qianzhen closed her mouth. This apology was just for Saintess Sikepeier, who was about to become a companion, and for their noble character. Regarding her own actions, if it were just against an enemy, she could accept using any means necessary; she was not a pedantic person.

Saintess Sikepeier thought Xia Qianzhen was apologizing for their concealment. The two were not on the same wavelength, and she had no intention of blaming Xia Qianzhen and the others for making a promise they couldn't fulfill regarding killing the Devil King, as this contract hadn't set a timeline anyway.

It only stipulated that they would offer up a Saintess, and the Floating Island would help slay the Demon God. When to offer, when to slay—none of that was determined. They left themselves room to maneuver, and the Floating Island side also left themselves room.

In that sense, both sides were actually much the same.

"Your Highness, Saintess."

Saintess Sikepeier organized her thoughts slightly. "Is the enemy that the God King is dealing with very strong? How much time will it take? If it lasts too long, we might not be able to hold out until the God King can spare his hand."

Saintess Sikepeier and her side were not like the Demon God's side. The Demon God's side could use any means necessary, draining the pond to catch the fish, using magic to turn Mortals into "Demon Men," turning them into "Magic Tools" for war—they couldn't do that.

Even if other sects of the Goddess of Life faith rushed to the front lines, they still appeared weak. Not to mention, under their observation, that Demon God was absorbing various negative emotions like despair and pain from the battlefield, turning them into fuel to rapidly make herself stronger.

And even if the Demon God had already bewitched all the Mortals in the Deli Kingdom, strengthened them, and sent them to the battlefield, she didn't care, because she was not human and could not be judged by human values. To her, humans were just like crushing a few ants by the side of the road—would you care if you crushed a few ants?

In addition, she also had the vast Demon Realm. In the few recent battles, creatures from the Demon Realm had already appeared. The specific situation there was still unknown, and it was unknown how many troops she had. If they tried to outlast them, relying on the believers of the Goddess of Life from countless other realms, they might be able to hold out for a while, but eventually, they would definitely collapse.

Humans have emotions, but the warriors under the Demon God do not.

That was not a situation the Saintesses wanted to see. The passing of every living being would move them; they did not want to see any more death and pain.

Xia Qianzhen pondered. "No, I cannot answer your question, Your Highness, Saintess Sikepeier. It might not take long, or it might last for a long time; it depends on what the enemy is thinking. However, please trust him. Back then, I was similar to you, pinning my hopes on him."

"It's just that you are much luckier than I was. I didn't know when he would come, nor did I know if he could truly break the shackles on me. I was like a drowning person trying to grab onto a rootless blade of grass."

"But you are different. You know where hope lies, and you know you will eventually be redeemed. It's just that along this path, you want to save a few more people. You have a leeway that I didn't have. Just as you said, you haven't experienced absolute despair, so you still harbor superfluous thoughts."

Saintess Sikepeier listened quietly and no longer brought up the idea of not having enough time or wanting to leave quickly to avoid being discovered.

She extracted keywords from Xia Qianzhen's words to understand the God King. She could sense the "corruption" in her heart spreading more rapidly.

She did not stop it; this was what she wanted. She had cut off her own retreat. One sacrifice was enough; only she herself was needed!

At this moment, perhaps she would even prefer to be discovered by other Saintesses and then openly tell them—that she had already betrayed the Goddess of Life and thrown herself into the arms of the God King, so she was voluntarily making this final contribution for the sake of their sisterhood.

"…Things he has promised, he will not go back on."

Xia Qianzhen looked at the sitting Saintess. "After resolving the trouble at hand, he will take action to help you deal with that Demon God. Hmm… the Demon God doesn't amount to much to him."

Xia Qianzhen revealed a little more. "It's just that he's afraid of complications. At this moment, facing the Goddess of Life and the person behind that Devil King, he has just slowed down his actions slightly, so there is no need to worry."

Saintess Sikepeier frowned slightly. She could understand the Goddess of Life; after all, the former Saintess of the Leo Palace and the former Saintess of the Sagittarius Palace had both been seduced by him, and now even she, the Saintess of the Scorpio Palace, had been seduced.

It was quite normal for the Goddess of Life to see this, be furious, and choose to take action against him; she might even launch a grand divine war.

But… the person behind the Devil King? There is someone behind the Devil King? What kind of person? Another Demon God? Or some foreign deity playing tricks? Funding her?

"There is someone behind the Devil King?"

Saintess Sikepeier asked, inquiring when she didn't understand.

"Her ascension to godhood happened only in the last few days, just before she broke through the barrier and came to the Mortal world."