CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 299: MOTHER’S CROWN_2

"The headpiece landed steadily in your hands."

"You have obtained the ’Mother’s Crown.’

...

"Is the Chasing Light Village dungeon over just like that?" Yang Qizhou felt a bit unreal.

But since this was the case, it was clearly more important now to check his gains...

Item Name: Mother’s Crown.

Category: Magical Item.

Rank: Legendary.

Description: This was once a medium connecting the ’Desolate Land’ and had polluted the ’Holy Light Ancient God.’ Later, it was modified by the ’Desolate Mother’ and imbued with the power of the ’Divine Sovereign.’

Effect 1: You can control all lifeforms corrupted by the ’Desolate Land.’

Effect 2: You can control all ’Desolate Life.’

Effect 3: You can designate a target with a rank no higher than ’Divine Sovereign’ and plant a ’Reproduction Seed.’ After ten minutes, the seed will evolve into ’Desolate Life’ and burst out from within the target’s body.

Note: Do you want a child? The Mother’s Crown can make it happen.

"Damn, this item is ferocious! Is this a literal ’pregnancy on sight’ tool?" Yang Qizhou was utterly stunned, finding it deeply sinister.

Yang Qizhou continued pondering. When the ’Holy Light Ancient God’ had obtained the Mother’s Crown, it clearly wasn’t yet a magical item—just a mere medium connecting the ’Desolate Land.’ It was only after being modified by the ’Desolate Mother’ that it became what it was now.

Soon, another thought crossed his mind...

"The first effect: the ability to control lifeforms corrupted by the ’Desolate Land.’ The ’Harvest Goddess’ was said to have been a corrupted Ancient God by the ’Desolate Mother.’ I wonder if it works on her."

Muttering under his breath, Yang Qizhou indeed felt the urge to try it.

The game continues.

...

"A realization dawned in your mind, and you quickly understood the rank and powers of this magical item."

"’Dream Realm Sovereign’s Favored, Nameless Land’s representative, I look forward to meeting you again.’ A soft, seductive voice that could fulfill any man’s fantasies drifted through your ears. The pale woman who crawled out of the ’Holy Light Ancient God’s’ flesh faded from view at a speed visible to the naked eye."

"In the blink of an eye, everything returned to calm, as though nothing had ever happened."

"Involving a ’Pillar-Level’ Old God and the Nameless Land, having it end so easily could be considered a decent outcome."

"You thought to yourself, and as you turned to say something, you noticed ’Sera’ with her face full of tears, sobbing uncontrollably."

"What happened?"

"You couldn’t help but ask."

"’Lena’ spoke with a tone laced with sympathy... ’That ’Desolate Mother’ killed the ’Holy Light Ancient God,’ bringing calamity upon countless villagers in Chasing Light Village. As the village’s Guardian, ’Sera’ should have raised her battle sword to avenge those who had died. But against the terrifying pressure of the ’Desolate Mother,’ she never found the courage, which eventually turned into guilt and self-blame.’

"Pausing for a moment, Lena added with a hint of self-mockery, ’Because earlier, I felt exactly the same way.’

"You looked at Sera and asked... ’Is that true?’

"The Guardian of Chasing Light Village nodded, tears flowing unstoppably."

"Reaching out, you gently patted her smooth head and said... ’It’s not your fault. After all, you were facing a Cosmic Pillar, a ’Desolate Mother’ wielding the authority over the ’Nest.’ You’ve already done very well.’

"Cosmic Pillar? What’s... What’s that? Is the Desolate Mother really that powerful?"

"Sera looked up, still choking back sobs."

"You were momentarily taken aback, then realized. Having interacted with so many gods at the Pillar Level recently, you had automatically assumed others would know too. But you had forgotten that Sera was merely a Transcendent being without a rank. Such high-level secrets were likely something she had never encountered."

"You explained the meaning of ’Cosmic Pillar’ to Sera, and with an encouraging smile, you said... ’They are gods who uphold the concept of the ’Nest’ in the universe, standing at the very pinnacle even among the gods. Being able to maintain your courage for vengeance in front of such an entity is already a remarkable feat.’

"Lena visibly shuddered. After defeating the Old God’s follower ’Alice,’ she had also learned from the ’King of Giant Gods’ about the secrets of ’Cosmic Pillars.’ Naturally, she knew how terrifying gods of this rank were. Yet, she hadn’t anticipated that the ’Desolate Mother’ was one of these Old Gods."

"Sera finally stopped crying, composed herself, and was filled with renewed determination."

"With the crisis in Chasing Light Village resolved, you quickly left the temple."

"Over the next few days, ’Sera’ first announced the end of the village’s crisis, prompting cheers from all the villagers. She then organized funerals to lay to rest all who had died, including ’Priest Lam’ and the temple warriors. Without rushing her departure, she bid you and ’Lena’ farewell before you returned to the Truth Hall."

"You..."

...

Work complete.

Yang Qizhou stretched deeply, put away his phone, and had no plans to continue gaming for now.

At midday tomorrow around 10 a.m. or 2 p.m., the Apostle of Deception would perform the ascension ritual, involving the ’Endless Abyss,’ the ’Tree Ancient God,’ and ’God’s Fortress—Asgard.’ Nobody could predict the depth of the dangers within. Saving some resets on the fate line was undoubtedly a wise decision.

"Sleep, sleep... Nobody can stop me from having a good dream."

Early the next morning, as the first light crept in, Yang Qizhou shot upright from bed and stretched. His face wore a look of utter satisfaction.

Becoming a Blasphemous Sorcerer, while herding four gods, had drastically enhanced his body. Even if he didn’t sleep, he could start the next day brimming with energy. Yet, he still cherished his late-night sleep—finding it inexplicably comforting.

"Oh right, during my last rollback, I snagged some freebies at the ’Destiny Store’ and listed them on the ’Destiny Exchange.’ I wonder if any of it has sold yet." Muttering to himself, Yang Qizhou opened his inventory. The number of Old Sacrifices had already reached five hundred thousand.

Without even checking, Yang Qizhou knew the answer.

After breakfast, the time was nearing nine in the morning. With several hours left until the Apostle of Deception’s ascension ritual, Yang Qizhou decided to pay Ding Xiaolan a visit.

"The Mysterious Town plot has issues. That little lass’s game character can hear the ravings of the ’Master of Millions.’ That’s anything but a good omen. I wonder if her character has continued digging deeper. I’d better warn her."

Leaving Sky Mountain Garden and catching a ride to her residential area, the entire trip took about half an hour. Hoping to surprise—or rather, shock—her, Yang Qizhou activated the effects of the ’Dream Hidden World Clothes’ and stealthily infiltrated. Yet, the scene before his eyes took him by surprise.

Ding Xiaolan was crouched by the window, her face full of unease as she frequently glanced outside, like a frightened child afraid of some lurking threat.

Could the ’Mysterious Town’ plot have gone awry?

Thinking so, Yang Qizhou dropped any notions of scaring Ding Xiaolan. Deactivating the ’Hidden’ effect, he asked nervously, "Hey, little bean sprout, what’s going on..."

"Ah?!"

A terrified scream echoed through the room. Yang Qizhou hadn’t even finished his sentence when he witnessed Ding Xiaolan leap into the air like a startled kitten, her arms and legs stiff as planks.

Am I really that scary? Yang Qizhou rubbed his nose self-consciously.

When Ding Xiaolan landed and recognized it was Yang Qizhou, her frightened expression eased. With a pout, she scolded, "Brother Qizhou, don’t you know you can scare someone to death with this sort of thing? I almost got a heart attack—I thought, I thought..."

Seeing her earlier reaction, Yang Qizhou grew tense and asked, "Did something happen with the ’Mysterious Town’ plot?"

Ding Xiaolan shook her head, her youthful face showing defeat. "No, the ’Mysterious Town’ is fine. It’s that my game character offended someone, and they’re threatening to kill me in the real world within three days."

At that moment, as if recalling something, Ding Xiaolan stared intently at Yang Qizhou, her eyes growing brighter and brighter...