The Heart That Will Not Give Up on My Death

Among the thirteen Heavenly Gods, two are women at the Mid Heavenly God level, and three are women at the Lower Heavenly God level.

From the moment they set out, the Heavenly Gods are all jokes and laughter. Ian Song? They act like he doesn't even exist. If anyone glances his way, it's pure scorn or a roll of the eyes.

Ian isn't about to cozy up to people who clearly want nothing to do with him.

From their conversations, though, he does learn that the leader—the Seven-Star God-Demon—is named Yuchi Hawk.

Once they leave Voidsky Prefecture,

the group of Heavenly Gods shoots straight into the sky, soaring upward.

Ian, being only an Upper-Rank God, can't fly yet—and not a single person is willing to carry him.

Just then—

Yuchi Hawk tosses down a divine jade slip from midair and says coldly, "There's a map inside showing the route to the Godfall Ruins entrance. We'll wait for you for one hour—if you don't show up by then, we'll go in without you!"

"Got it!"

Ian Song snatches the jade slip, gives a nonchalant nod, and scans it with his divine sense. Sure enough, there's a map inside.

The thirteen Heavenly Gods immediately turn into streaks of light, disappearing over the horizon.

While flying, a female Mid Heavenly God laughs, "Captain, if that kid wants to catch up in an hour, he'll have to charge straight through Ghostmist Forest. That place is crawling with savage beasts—at his level, he's basically monster chow!"

"I did promise Elder Bailey I wouldn't let him make it back alive, but I won't lay a hand on him myself. Whether he survives or not is up to his own luck!"

Yuchi Hawk adds with a casual chill.

"Captain, if you're worried about getting your hands dirty, why not let me handle him?"

Her eyes practically sparkle with adoration as she gazes at Yuchi Hawk.

"Do you know why Elder Bailey isn't doing it himself?"

Yuchi Hawk asks in a deep voice.

"No way, right? Would Rhea Redmoon actually bother with a nobody like him?"

Yuchi Hawk says, "Because he's got an older sister, and she's Rhea Redmoon. Do you think, if you kill him, Rhea Redmoon will let you off?"

The female Mid Heavenly God's expression suddenly changes. She says awkwardly, "No way—would Rhea Redmoon really care about him?"

"If you don't believe me, go ahead and try!"

Yuchi Hawk says coolly.

"I think I'll just listen to the captain!" the female Mid Heavenly God says, a bit embarrassed.

Meanwhile—

Ian Song is sprinting across the ground. After a quarter hour, a forest shrouded in black mist appears up ahead. Even from a distance, he can feel the chilling aura emanating from within.

But according to the map, he has to cross this forest—otherwise, he'll have to take a huge detour.

No point hesitating.

Ian dives straight into the forest.

"Greetings, everyone! I'm not late, am I?" Ian calls out, flashing a confident grin.

"Die!"

Ian fires off a flurry of punches, blowing the beasts apart in a bloody mess.

On the way, he keeps running into more savage beasts—their numbers and strength only grow.

Those Heavenly Gods deliberately refused to carry me—clearly hoping the beasts here would finish me off!

A sneer flickers at the corner of his mouth.

He casually swats an Upper-Rank God-level beast flat, then kicks his speed up another notch.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

Suddenly, four beasts covered in thick scales appear all around him, their blood-red eyes filled with ferocity.

"Perfect!"

Ian activates his soul divine ability and temporarily controls the four beasts.

With the four beasts leading the way, things go much smoother.

In less than a quarter hour, he's already crossed most of the forest. He'll be out soon.

But just then—

All four beasts stop in their tracks, trembling violently.

"Looks like something even fiercer has shown up!"

Ian thinks to himself, then forcibly commands the four beasts to keep moving.

"Oh, there it is—a beast at the Lower Heavenly God level!"

Ian's eyes lock onto a mountain-sized beast—a giant bear, nearly a hundred zhang tall, gripping a spiked mace-like divine weapon.

The bear spots Ian, but instead of charging, it sizes him up with a mocking, almost playful glint in its eyes.