Chapter 35

When Zeus heard Apollo's request, he subconsciously picked at his ear.

Really?

Maybe he hadn't woken up yet.

"Father God, I am serious."

Apollo's expression was solemn.

"Fu Li is a mortal. I have already lost him once, I cannot lose him a second time."

He couldn't bear it.

After experiencing all these things, he had realized how numerous accidents were, how fleeting they were, things even he could not contend against.

But gods are eternal.

Zeus said nothing. He gazed at Apollo's face, trying to find a trace of jest in his expression.

He sighed.

What is this for?

Zeus spoke: "Isn't it enough to have enjoyed and possessed?"

"Why pursue eternity?"

Eternity is not a good word. When passion fades, what remains?

Better to possess and then lose, leaving behind memories so unforgettable no matter how you recall them.

Apollo frowned deeply.

He deeply disliked Zeus's words.

"Father God, could you accept losing your power?"

He boldly pointed out the one thing Zeus could never let go of.

Zeus's expression stiffened.

He hadn't expected Apollo to use power as a metaphor.

Apollo continued on his own: "Fu Li is someone I cannot let go of."

"Even if you do not agree, Father God, I will not give up."

"I will find my own way."

Until eternity.

Zeus was choked by Apollo's words, which finally turned into a sigh.

"You can't do it, Apollo."

Zeus said: "A godhead is not something you can share simply because you wish to, especially not with a mortal. There is only one god in this world who can accomplish such a thing."

The King of Gods was not omnipotent either.

This was also the point where Zeus felt most powerless.

"The Creator God, Chaos."

Apollo murmured.

"Correct. He is currently slumbering within the primordial chaos. Even if you wish to see him, now is not the time."

Zeus's words seemed to hint at something.

Apollo caught the implication: "Father God, do you mean…?"

"The time has not yet come."

Zeus shook his head, speaking in riddles.

Apollo recalled the attitude of the Three Fates. They had acted as if they foresaw something.

Yet they themselves represented fate; fate was woven by them. Why would they be so hesitant?

Fu Li carried the aura of the River Styx…

Would Chaos eventually awaken and take Fu Li away?!

"Father God!"

He urgently wanted to get more information from Zeus, but Zeus used his divine power to push him out of the temple.

"Apollo, don't overthink it. Things are not as serious as you imagine."

Zeus's voice appeared in his mind, his tone odd yet certain.

Could Father God's words be trusted?!

Apollo expressed doubt.

Apollo returned in defeat.

Inside the small house in Athens, Fu Li was crouching in a corner of the courtyard, checking the vegetable seedlings he had planted a few days ago.

Winter had melted away like ice and snow, and spring had ushered in the sowing season.

The seedlings could only absorb enough sunlight and grow strong during spring and summer.

Apollo's anxiety transmitted directly into Fu Li's heart. He subconsciously looked up to find Apollo leaning against the doorframe, watching him for who knows how long.

"Why are you staring so dumbly?"

Fu Li found it amusing, walked forward, and pulled Apollo inside.

"Fu Li… Father God keeps speaking in riddles."

Apollo rarely showed such a tired and vulnerable expression, and seeing it made Fu Li's heart ache.

He reached out and smoothed Apollo's furrowed brow.

"What kind of riddles?"

Apollo said: "He said the time has not yet come. I keep feeling like something is about to happen, but I don't know what."

It used to be him who knew the future first, but now he could not foresee it.

Fu Li soothed him: "What happens in the future is still in the future. Let's enjoy the present first."

He pointed at the little vegetable seedlings, "Look, how well they're growing."

Fu Li glanced at the sky. The azure sky and snow-white clouds signaled beautiful weather.

He wiped the dirt off his hands.

There was a nice place where Apollo could relax.

The Aegean Sea, under the afternoon sun, displayed an intoxicating shade of blue.

Fu Li pulled Apollo along to feel the sea breeze.

Near the shore, the water was a clear, transparent green, revealing the fine white sand beneath.

A bit further out, it deepened into a profound azure, and the waves gently lapped at the reefs, producing a soothing, rhythmic sound.

The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent, sweeping away the last chill of winter.

Fu Li took a deep breath and then poked Apollo. "Apollo, breathe deeply with me."

Apollo didn't understand why but followed along.

He took a deep breath, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Fu Li's eyes curved in a smile.

"How is it?"

Fu Li asked, beaming.

"Not bad."

Apollo suppressed his racing heart.

"There's even better!"

Fu Li swiftly took off his shoes and stepped barefoot into the cool seawater. He kicked up a splash, his long, golden-red hair braided casually and hanging down.

Sunlight fell on him, making his skin so pale it was almost translucent. His emerald green eyes reflected the blue of the sea and sky, making his whole being seem to glow.

"…This is cheating."

Apollo's Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and at Fu Li's invitation, he slowly walked into the seawater.

The sand was fine, soft, and slightly cool. The water covered his ankles, bringing a strange sensation.

He looked at the happy expression on Fu Li beside him and suddenly felt that taking things slowly was fine.

Cherish the present.

Like a magician, Fu Li took down a net pouch hanging from his waist.

Since they were at the sea, they naturally had to bring some local specialties back!

"Apollo, want to have a competition?"

Fu Li proposed.

"Compete at what?"

Apollo's interest was piqued.

"Who can catch more specialties!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Li swiftly caught a sea fish!

"Hehe, I get 1 point!"

He excitedly raised his trophy.

"Oh, a head start."

A smile tugged at Apollo's lips. His golden eyes swept the water, and he immediately caught a big fish using a net woven from light.

The big fish was clearly bewildered, not knowing how it had been captured, and kept thrashing, trying to escape.

Apollo didn't give it the chance and directly placed it in a bottle made of light.

"So fast!"

Fu Li applauded, refusing to admit defeat. He waited patiently and caught another sea fish.

This time, he didn't just catch a fish; some shells were also captured together.

Fu Li's eyes brightened. He might as well make a seafood feast!

Seeing his competitive spirit full, Apollo chuckled lightly and invested more effort.

By the end of the competition, both sides had reaped a substantial harvest.

The light bottles were filled with their spoils of war.

"We can eat for a long time now!"

Fu Li laughed.

Apollo nodded.

He didn't care who the victor was. This harvest would let Fu Li vary his menu.

He ruffled Fu Li's hair, deliberately messing up his hairstyle.

Fu Li pretended to be angry and glared at him.

"Hey!"

Apollo chuckled lowly.

"I just suddenly wanted to do that."

"That's very mean-spirited, Apollo!"

Fu Li didn't hesitate to criticize Apollo's mischievous behavior.

"Only realizing it now?"

Apollo revealed a roguish smile and, while Fu Li was off guard, splashed cool seawater onto him.

"Sneaky!"

Fu Li cursed laughingly, then swept his hand, sending a wave of water back at Apollo.

As the sun began to slant westward, the sky and sea were dyed a warm golden-red.

After they tired of playing, they sat side by side on a dry reef.

"How do you want to eat tonight? Grilled fish? Fish soup? The crabs can be steamed plain, their original flavor is the sweetest."

Fu Li had already started planning the menu. Just thinking about the deliciousness of seafood made his mouth water.

"Anything is fine. I love whatever you cook."

Apollo gazed quietly at Fu Li, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

Suddenly, Fu Li's voice drew his attention.

"Apollo, look, the tide is rising."

"Mm, the tide is rising."

Apollo grabbed Fu Li's hand.

Fu Li frowned. "Apollo, isn't something off? It's rising far too little."

Although rising and ebbing tides were natural phenomena, the Aegean Sea's water level had only risen a little, not even covering half of the beach they were on earlier. It didn't seem like a normal high tide at all.

"Wait a bit longer."

Apollo didn't quite understand either. The ocean was Poseidon's full domain; he rarely got involved.

The sea water still hadn't risen much.

"Does the Aegean Sea's usual high tide normally fail to even submerge the beach?"

Fu Li didn't come to the Aegean Sea often. He looked to Apollo for help.

Apollo pondered seriously.

He often drove his chariot across the sky over the Aegean Sea, and at this time, the tide usually rose up to a rock where seabirds liked to nest.

And now… it was quite far from that.

"Fu Li, the Aegean Sea's high tide usually reaches there."

Apollo stretched out his finger, pointing towards a distant rock.

Following his direction, Fu Li saw the rock where the seabirds roosted.

He said in surprise: "It's that much different?!"

"Mm."

Too much different.

"Speaking of which, rainfall has been pitifully scarce lately…"

Fu Li was very good at making connections. The problem with the rising tide reminded him of the rain that hadn't fallen for a long time.

The frequency of rain during winter was much higher than now.

Was something wrong?!

As soon as this thought popped up, Fu Li dismissed it.

What could possibly be wrong? Rainfall was one of Zeus's domains of authority. Who could touch Zeus's power?

Really, he was still too prone to overthinking.

Maybe the series of unexpected events before had made him paranoid.

Apollo had thought the same thing as Fu Li.

He comforted: "Father God probably forgot again. A simple reminder should do."

Apollo didn't consider the rainfall issue to be a major problem either.

Zeus wouldn't allow anyone to steal his authority.

They should rest assured.

"Apollo—!"

Hermes flew down urgently from mid-air.

His face was filled with a terror they had never seen before.

"Have you seen Notus, the South Wind God?!"

Apollo and Fu Li exchanged glances, and Apollo then said: "Notus? Haven't seen him. What happened to him?"

Hermes said solemnly: "Father God discovered he's missing."

Fu Li immediately pressed: "What consequences will his absence cause?"

For Hermes to be so serious, the South Wind God Notus's authority must be extremely important.

Hermes's expression was extremely grim:

"The South Wind God Notus is not only the god who governs the moist south wind, but more directly, he is the god who brings clouds, fog, and torrential rain. When Father God wants it to rain, he needs Notus's assistance. He is the specific executor of rainfall."

"That is to say, without Notus, there will be no rain. The mortal world is about to face a great drought!"

Apollo: !!!

Fu Li: !!!