Chapter 40

Despite saying this, Fu Li still had no idea where to start.

His current identity in the modern world was unclear. In this information age, everything required a corresponding identity to use.

Fu Li shifted his gaze to a tablet lying in the corner.

Right, he could figure things out by checking the time.

He couldn't wait to pick up the tablet. The touch of his fingers on the cold screen brought a surreal feeling, as if separated by a lifetime.

The tablet had power. Pressing the power button easily turned it on.

The time was March 10, 2030.

This was a point after his death.

Fu Li had no memory of his death, but when the screen played the film, it had shown the time. He had memorized it.

This world's timeline had been rewritten.

But hadn't Chaos said he couldn't interfere?

Fu Li mused for a moment.

Perhaps he couldn't interfere before, but now he could.

Chaos coming to the modern world through him and Apollo was proof of that.

Then more questions arose.

Since he had died, why were his belongings still preserved?

Too many questions.

All of this needed to be asked of Chaos.

Fu Li walked to Apollo's side and half-crouched down, looking at Apollo with concern.

Apollo's face was pale, his lips tightly pressed together. Apollo's condition was not optimistic.

Seeing Fu Li's heartache-filled expression, Apollo patted his hand.

"I'm fine, just not quite used to this."

Fu Li clenched his fists. How could he not hear the forced bravado in Apollo's voice?

"We're going back to Greece."

Fu Li said firmly.

The modern world was very bad for Apollo. They had to go back.

Given Chaos's personality, would he conceal his movements?

He wouldn't.

Fu Li pinched the hem of his clothes.

From his earlier conversation with Chaos, Fu Li had vaguely sensed that Chaos didn't care whether he was exposed or not.

Perhaps he could search on social media.

Fu Li stood up, picked up the tablet, and opened a social networking site.

He specifically searched using tags related to Chaos's characteristics.

His gaze scrolled down the list, item by item.

He found a newly posted update from a user.

"Met a handsome foreigner at the amusement park."

The attached picture was a photo taken from the back.

It was Chaos.

He really didn't care at all!

Fu Li quickly located the amusement park where Chaos had appeared. He needed to go there immediately to find him!

"Found that bastard?"

Apollo had been watching Fu Li closely. Seeing his excited expression, he knew Fu Li had found a lead.

"Yes, but your body…"

Fu Li hesitated. Apollo needed rest more right now.

"I'm fine." To reassure Fu Li, Apollo stood up. He said with feigned lightness, "I'm not at the point of being unable to move. Don't underestimate me."

Fu Li knew Apollo didn't want to stay here. He moved to his side, inadvertently supporting part of his body weight.

"Then let's go."

The journey to the amusement park was not smooth.

They had no money and drew a lot of attention.

Apollo's distinctly foreign appearance and his golden-red hair looked completely out of place in the surroundings no matter how you looked at it.

After dodging several rounds of onlookers, Fu Li finally managed to get Apollo to a bank's self-service machine.

After entering his card number, Fu Li was pleasantly surprised to find it still worked.

He withdrew some money. Apollo, beside him, was quite curious.

"This paper-like stuff is the currency of this world?"

Apollo had a strong learning ability. Seeing the numbers on the currency, he roughly guessed its purpose.

"Correct. With this, we can take a taxi."

Finally, some privacy.

Fu Li sighed.

"Taxi?"

Apollo asked.

"It's a type of vehicle."

Fu Li explained.

They stood by a less crowded roadside. A taxi slowly approached.

Fu Li raised his hand. The taxi slowly stopped. The window rolled down. The driver was a young man who glanced at Fu Li and Apollo.

"Where are you two headed?"

"Clear Sky Amusement Park."

Fu Li stated the location.

This was the amusement park where Chaos had appeared.

He opened the car door and gestured for Apollo to get in first. After Apollo was inside, he got in and closed the door.

Once they arrived at the location, Fu Li promptly paid the fare.

Clear Sky Amusement Park was a newly opened amusement park not long ago.

Fu Li did a rough search for the park map on his phone and finally pinpointed the location to the thrill rides section.

There were many people inside the amusement park. When Fu Li and the others found Chaos, Chaos was on a pendulum ride.

His utterly bored expression stood out conspicuously on the ride. Chaos looked down at Fu Li and Apollo, and in a blink and a flash, he appeared before them.

Fu Li was greatly startled by this action of Chaos.

He instinctively looked left and right and found that absolutely no one around was looking at them.

"You came."

Chaos said with a beaming smile.

His silver-gray eyes swept over Apollo, a flicker of understanding passing through their depths.

Fu Li lost his composure, asking: "Aren't you afraid of being discovered like this?!"

Chaos tilted his head. "Discovered by whom? The people of this world, or its laws?"

"Both."

Fu Li answered.

"People won't discover me. The laws will discover me even less. They only see the God of Light."

"Only see the God of Light?" Fu Li looked gravely at the nonchalant Creator God. "What does that mean?"

"His godhead here is like a leaking jar. His power is rapidly draining away, clashing with the laws of this world. It's like throwing the sun into the deep sea."

Chaos stated this calmly. Fu Li drew in a sharp breath.

"Apollo will dissolve into foam here."

Fu Li: !!!

His pupils were already dilated in shock. He looked at Apollo. His complexion was even worse than when they were in the Underworld.

Apollo was being rejected by this world!

Fu Li took a deep breath. The most important thing now was to get Chaos to send them back to Greece!

They couldn't stay here any longer!

"Creator God, I implore you to send Apollo and me back to Greece. I will do anything you ask, as long as you agree to send us back to Greece!"

Fu Li knew that when asking a favor, his tone naturally had to be good.

With Apollo's life at stake, nothing else mattered!

Chaos said nothing, simply gazing at Fu Li.

"Send you back to Greece?" He repeated, his tone light and airy, as if discussing the day's weather. "Why should I do that?"

Chaos didn't care what Fu Li could do. He had no need of Fu Li, and therefore wouldn't demand anything.

Without any demands, he didn't feel he had any obligation to send them back.

Fu Li's heart tightened. Chaos's attitude made him feel an acute sense of crisis.

"You've already gotten what you wanted. You successfully came to this world and experienced unprecedented novelty. You said eternity means omniscience, and omniscience means boredom. This world brought you surprises, didn't it?"

"It did bring surprises." Chaos admitted. He casually took a pink, cloud-like cotton candy from a passing vendor's cart, took a bite, and frowned. "The surprise is very sweet."

"But what does this have to do with you?"

Chaos enunciated each word expressionlessly.

"So, I want to play a game with you."

Fu Li had never felt so calm. His emerald eyes fixed intently on Chaos.

He was gambling, betting on whether Chaos would be willing or not.

Chaos paused for a moment, then spread his lips into an unrestrained smile. He said excitedly: "What. A. Surprise."

He trembled with excitement. He'd thought Fu Li would curse him out or think of another way, but Fu Li had proposed the one thing Chaos was least capable of refusing.

He loved surprises.

"Play at what?"

Chaos licked his lips, brimming with enthusiasm.

"A sandbox simulation game."

This was a game Fu Li thought the Creator God would be interested in.

"We each have a starting sandbox, beginning from a primitive civilization that uses fire. Whoever can sustain their civilization the longest wins."

Chaos raised an eyebrow. "Sounds good. I accept your game."

He glanced around and chuckled softly. With a snap of his fingers, the surrounding scenery began to fade like an old vinyl record.

Two miniature sandboxes appeared, one before Fu Li and one before Chaos.

Inside the sandboxes were many small figures wearing animal skins. At this moment, they were all asleep, waiting only to be awakened to begin a new day.

A curve of pleasure tugged at the corner of Chaos's mouth. His finger traced an arc above the sandbox.

A timer appeared above the sandboxes.

"Time limit: ten minutes."

"Begin."

Fu Li took a deep breath and focused his attention on his own sandbox.

Several small figures woke up beside a stream, looking around blankly, holding only the simplest wooden sticks.

Chaos had already started on his side.

He made the first small figure pick up two flint stones. A light tap, and sparks flew, igniting dry moss.

Flames blazed at the cave entrance. The small figures danced around the fire, cheering joyfully.

"See, how simple." Chaos said nonchalantly.

Soon, he had a small figure use a sharp stone flake to sharpen a wooden stick, creating the first spear.

Immediately after, he divided the small figures into specialized labor.

Some wove fishing nets from vines, some polished stone axes, some gathered wild fruits.

Chaos's civilization was developing at high speed.

In just one minute, the civilization had taken rudimentary shape.

Though Chaos seemed casual, he had created a real world before and was no stranger to the birth of civilization.

Fu Li did not panic.

He carefully observed the small figures in his own sandbox.

They didn't immediately start a fire but first explored their surroundings.

One small figure discovered a fruit grove across the stream, but the current was swift.

Another small figure noticed ore veins on the hillside.

A third small figure found a plain suitable for farming.

"What are you waiting for?" Chaos asked curiously.

His civilization had already entered a more advanced era. The small figures had built circular thatched hut villages and started smelting simple tools.

"Understanding the environment." Fu Li answered.

He had a small figure use a sharp stone to carve a simple map onto a wooden stick, marking resource points.

Then, Fu Li had another small figure attempt to make a simple raft using vines and driftwood to cross the stream and gather the fruit on the opposite bank.

This wasn't the fastest path, but survival was never a sprint.

Chaos's civilization developed too quickly, and problems arose.

Because they overly relied on Chaos's direct intervention, the small figures lacked the ability to solve problems independently.

When Chaos, on a whim, ordered them to build a tall tower, the small figures blindly obeyed. As a result, the tower collapsed while being built to the third floor, crushing an untold number of craftsmen.

"So fragile."

Chaos frowned.

This time, it succeeded.

A crooked stone tower stood in the center of the village.

The small figures began to feel fear.

They had witnessed their companions leave and never return.

They understood the concept of death.

The small figures developed blind worship towards Chaos, ceasing all other activities and spending their days kneeling in worship around the tall tower.

Chaos found it boring and ordered them to mine ore from a mountain.

The small figures complied. This time, Chaos forgot to consider the structure of the ore vein.

The mine collapsed, burying dozens of small figures.

Fu Li's sandbox progressed slowly.

After the raft succeeded, the small figures began regularly crossing the river to harvest fruit.

They discovered that the soil on the opposite bank was especially fertile. So Fu Li guided them to attempt sowing seeds and waiting for them to grow.

This was a relatively lengthy process.

By the time Chaos's civilization had invented the wheel and begun building roads, Fu Li's small figures had just finished their first harvest.

"Too slow." Chaos remarked.

His civilization had developed city-states, with simple laws and taxation systems.

Not long after, Chaos grew bored again and began experimenting with art.

He had the small figures paint on rock walls using colored minerals. Dissatisfied with the results, he then had them try melting materials for mosaic paintings. However, improper temperature control sparked a fire that burned down half the settlement.

Chaos irritably rebuilt the settlement. He noticed the morale of the small figures had dropped.

Apollo noticed rifts forming within Chaos's civilization.

The Creator God's interventions, while bringing rapid advancements, also caused instability.

Whenever Chaos lost interest and moved on to something new, the previous project would be left half-finished, leaving behind latent problems.

Fu Li's civilization had advanced to mastering systematic agriculture.

The small figures cultivated different crops based on soil types, opening up orderly fields on the plains.

They also discovered the technique of crop rotation, allowing the soil's fertility to be maintained.

Fu Li rarely intervened directly.

He offered suggestions more often.

When a small figure tried to make a simple bow from a curved branch and animal sinew, Fu Li made a ray of light flicker at a certain angle, hinting that the bow's curve could be adjusted.

The small figure grasped the hint, improved the bow, and hunting efficiency increased.

He shared this skill, and more and more people began adopting it.

Chaos's side entered the Iron Age.

His small figures mastered iron smelting technology and began forging weapons and armor.

Chaos found war amusing and incited two city-states to battle.

The population plummeted, and farmlands became desolate.

"Not interesting."

Chaos judged the result of the war and then ordered the remaining small figures to build a temple to worship him.

Although he himself couldn't care less about such worship.

Fu Li's civilization developed animal husbandry.

The small figures domesticated wild goats and began obtaining a stable supply of milk and wool.

They also invented a simple potter's wheel, producing more uniform pottery for storing grain.

One small figure noticed that pottery became sturdier if certain materials were mixed in during firing, thus beginning the earliest experiments in ceramics.

Chaos snapped his fingers, and his civilization instantly leaped into the Gunpowder Age.

This leap was nothing short of a cliff jump.

The small figures had absolutely no understanding of the principles behind gunpowder. They merely followed "divine decree," mixing sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter.

An explosion during one experiment killed all the scholars involved in the research.

"Tsk."

Chaos rebuilt the laboratory. Too lazy to guide them step by step, he directly gave them the complete gunpowder formula.

The small figures manufactured cannons. Lacking the corresponding metallurgical technology, the cannon barrels were insufficiently strong and burst upon the first test firing.

Chaos's civilization entered a state of stagnation.

They possessed fragments of advanced knowledge but lacked the corresponding foundational science and accumulated technology.

After the failure of the cannon project, the small figures began to doubt the correctness of "divine decrees."

Society fractured.

Fu Li's civilization had by now harnessed wind and water power.

Inspired by the waterwheel, one small figure designed a simple mill, significantly increasing processing efficiency.

Another small figure, observing birds in flight, attempted to build a glider. The first attempt failed. After the failure, he recorded the reasons for the failure, accumulating experience for those who came after.

Most importantly, Fu Li's civilization had formed a mechanism for knowledge transmission.

Elders would orally pass on their experiences to the young, and the young would record them.

Writing was born, and the accumulation of knowledge continued.

Chaos noticed this. Finding it interesting, he also pushed his civilization to develop writing.

That the small figures delayed in developing writing irritated him slightly. He gave them a complete alphabet and issued a divine decree.

The small figures quickly mastered writing, but what did they use writing to record?

They used it to record "divine decrees."

"Boring." Chaos appraised.

Time accelerated. The ten minutes were soon up.

Chaos's civilization ultimately possessed embryonic concepts of modernity.

These technologies were isolated, failing to form a coherent system.

The small figures were utterly exhausted.

Resources were wasted on one abandoned miracle project after another.

Farmland was requisitioned, craftsmen were conscripted, and basic production ground to a halt.

Famine began to spread. Chaos didn't notice. By the time he realized, quite a few small figures had already perished.

Fu Li's civilization entered the early modern stage. Enhanced by the accelerated time flow in the sandbox, it had astonishingly reached the eve of the information age.

The process lacked any miraculous leaps; there was only progress linked step by step.

This civilization had formed a way of thinking geared towards solving problems.

When a railway encountered a steep mountain range, the engineers didn't wait for a "divine decree" but discussed plans to dig a tunnel and improved their excavation techniques.

Chaos glanced at Fu Li's sandbox and froze.

The scale of Fu Li's civilization had surpassed his own.

"This is unreasonable." Chaos frowned. "I gave them more advanced knowledge."

"You gave them answers, but you didn't give them the questions." Fu Li said softly. "You gave them miracles, but they lacked the capacity to understand those miracles."

Simultaneously, Chaos's civilization collapsed.

Chaos rested his chin on his hand and watched. Flames consumed everything, leaving nothing behind.

"They destroyed themselves." Chaos said. There was no anger in his tone, only confusion. "I gave them the stars, yet they chose the mud."

"Because they couldn't reach the stars, and the mud was beneath their feet."

Fu Li answered.

The game was over.

"I lost." Chaos said, his voice calm.

"Your civilization has more vitality. It's like wild grass that seeks sunlight on its own."

Fu Li nodded: "Life itself is the teacher. Fall, get up, think about why you fell, and finally avoid or improve upon it."

"So failure is also part of the process." Chaos said thoughtfully. "I always skipped failure, providing success directly. Success without the foundation of failure loses its weight."

"I created the world, but I never truly looked at it."

Chaos flicked his fingers.

Apollo felt a warm force pour into his body. The debilitating weakness of being rejected by the world rapidly receded.

His divine power no longer leaked away. Though he still couldn't fully exert himself in this world, at least he wouldn't dissolve into foam.

"I've temporarily stabilized his condition." Chaos said. "Staying in this world for a long time is still detrimental to him."

Fu Li nodded gratefully: "Thank you."

"Don't be so quick to thank me." Chaos curved his lips. "I haven't played enough of this sandbox game."

"You must continue playing it with me."

He now had a need for Fu Li, and naturally, he also had a demand.

As his words fell, silver light burst forth.

Fu Li felt a familiar sense of weightlessness. Apollo tightly gripped his hand.

The surrounding scenery rapidly faded. The neon lights of the amusement park twisted into colorful streams, then plunged into darkness.

When they opened their eyes again, Fu Li discovered they had returned to Chaos.

"We're back?"

Fu Li asked uncertainly.

"Mm, we're back."

Apollo affirmed.

"I keep my word."

Chaos appeared within the primordial chaos.

"Let's begin the next game. I can't wait."

He said with a beaming smile.

"The next game?"

"Correct, the next game."

"A game about civilizations. I like this concept very much."

Chaos paced a few steps. "I made a round through your world. I experienced everything that felt novel to me."

He lowered his eyes. Fu Li couldn't see his expression clearly.

"But you only just went there, didn't you?"

Fu Li carefully raised the question.

Chaos said indifferently: "The time was sufficient."

He raised his eyes, pure confusion within them:

"I originally thought a world without divine intervention would be full of surprises."

"Yet the lives of most people seem to be pulled by invisible threads, moving towards predictable, mundane endings."

"They aren't even as interesting as the small figures in my sandbox game, who would, at a whim of mine, do completely unpredictable foolish things."

Apollo frowned: "You got bored this quickly?"

"Bored… indeed, I'm bored again."

Chaos chuckled lightly.

"So, come, all of you, slumber with me. I think we'll have many games we can play."

It was unexpected that even going to another world would fail to hold his interest, making him want to slumber once more.

After hearing Chaos's words, Fu Li and Apollo exchanged a rapid glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

Slumbering together with Chaos meant they might never wake again!

Fu Li wanted to say something, but Apollo beat him to it.

"Creator God, why don't you participate in life?"

"Is there nothing you want to do?"

Apollo used the question Fu Li had once asked him to counter-question the Creator God.

In the end, the Creator God had never participated in any kind of life.

On this point, Apollo understood better than anyone.

He looked towards Fu Li.

When you have someone you want to spend your days with, even the most ordinary daily life becomes interesting.

A future without Fu Li was what he truly feared.

The chaotic space fell silent for a moment.

Chaos's expression froze.

"Participate in life…" He repeated in a low voice, chewing on the phrase.

Fu Li stepped forward half a pace, standing shoulder to shoulder with Apollo.

"Earlier, you asked me why I didn't refute what you called illusions built on fantasy." Fu Li spoke. "Without your intervention, Apollo and I might not have met, might not have fallen in love. The empathy link came from you. The Seed of Life was left by you. The starting point of all this originated from a whim of yours."

"But what the starting point is does not determine what the endpoint must be." Fu Li's emerald green eyes looked directly at Chaos. "The path was walked by us. You gave the thread of fate, and we seized it. Unforeseeable accidents shaped today."

Fu Li paused, recalling what he had said to Chaos previously within this very Chaos. "You create the world, set the rules, and then sit in the best seat in the theater, watching a movie whose ending you already know."

"You have never truly lived a single day."

Chaos tilted his head:

"So your suggestion is still to live a lifetime in the mortal world? To experience birth, old age, sickness, death, love, hate, passion, and vengeance?"

Neither joy nor anger could be discerned in his tone.

"That is the most direct method." Fu Li said frankly. "You said the freshest thing for you right now is the other world. So you went there, and found it boring again."

"As long as you keep seeing in the way of a god, rather than living in the way of a human, everything will be boring to you."

Apollo suddenly interjected, "If you really are bored to this extent, Chaos, you might as well find some proper business to attend to. For example, fulfilling daily duties. I guarantee you'll encounter unexpected troubles every single day and absolutely won't have time to feel bored."

This terrible suggestion was one Apollo hadn't originally wanted to bring up. But who asked Chaos to try and sow discord between him and Fu Li while he wasn't around!

Chaos was stunned.

A few seconds later, a burst of loud laughter erupted within Chaos.

"Work?! Hahaha… Apollo, Zeus's good son, you actually suggest that the Creator God go to work?! To deal with those petty, trivial disputes?!" Chaos laughed so hard he nearly doubled over, his long silver-white hair falling messy and loose. "This is truly the most creative proposal I've ever heard!"

He laughed for quite a while before slowly straightening up, wiping away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes.

"Interesting… far too interesting." Chaos murmured.

He surveyed the boundless, limitless Chaos around him. "I've stayed here too long, created too much, and spectated for too long. I pursued surprises, pursued novelty, pursued anything that could break this eternal, deathly stillness. I found a passage to another world, but I forgot that creation itself is not something achieved in one stroke. It is a process…"

His gaze fell upon Fu Li again. "You are right. I should go and experience, not just observe."

"During my time experiencing, this world needs more seeds like this one. Even more, it needs someone who truly understands the process."

A silver-bright orb of light appeared on Chaos's palm. Holding that cluster of light, he walked step by step towards Fu Li.

Apollo's body tensed, instinctively wanting to block him. Fu Li gently pressed his hand to stop him.

Chaos gently pushed the light orb in his hand towards Fu Li's chest.

The silver-gray light orb sank into Fu Li's chest, bringing no pain whatsoever. Instead, like a stream of warm spring water, it instantly flowed through his limbs and bones.

"I, in the name of Chaos, the Creator God, bestow upon you the godhead of Creation." Chaos's voice reverberated through the primordial chaos, solemn and dignified. "You need not cling to a single domain like other gods. Your domain is possibility itself."

Fu Li stood frozen in place, feeling the newborn power surging within his body. He had not expected Chaos to grant him a godhead.

"I…"

He subconsciously wanted to decline.

Chaos had long known what he was about to say. "Everything you have done has coalesced into this godhead for you."

"Creator God, can you link my godhead with Fu Li's?"

Apollo spoke with composure.

Chaos stared fixedly at Apollo for several seconds, as if confirming whether he was lying.

"Apollo, have you truly thought this through? Once the link is established, should Fu Li fall due to an accident, your godhead will also shatter, and your divine soul will be extinguished."

"Should you perish, Fu Li's Creation godhead will also lose its anchor and gradually dissipate. This is a symbiosis that permits no regret. Even for eternal gods, this is the most absolute commitment."

Fu Li stared blankly at Apollo. He wanted to say something, but his throat felt blocked.

"Is there even a need to consider? I made my choice long ago. Without Fu Li, everything is utterly meaningless."

Apollo gazed at Fu Li with deep affection. "Are you willing?"

Willing to be bound with me?

Fu Li's eyes reddened. "I am willing. What a fool you are!"

After receiving Fu Li's answer, Apollo once again voiced his request.

"Creator God Chaos, I hereby beseech you, by your supreme and boundless power, link the origin of my godhead with Fu Li's Creation godhead. Henceforth, his fate shall be my fate, his existence shall be my existence. The sun and moon may extinguish, light may fade, but this heart and this vow shall eternally remain unchanged."

Chaos raised both hands, palms facing each other.

In his left hand emerged a warm, brilliant golden orb of light, the origin aura of Apollo's Godhead of Light. In his right hand emerged a dynamic, ever-shifting colorless orb of light, Fu Li's Godhead of Creation.

"By the name of Chaos, by the authority of Creation. The link is hereby established, the vow hereby witnessed. Where light shines, where creation reaches, two souls as one, two godheads thriving together. Through the flow of time and space, this covenant shall not falter. Through the annihilation of all things, this link shall not sever."

His hands slowly came together.

The link was complete.

Fu Li and Apollo simultaneously felt a powerful attractive force binding them completely. The empathy link transformed into the strongest bond, sharing in miracles.

They looked at each other. Their divine powers converged and fused, ultimately transforming into a soft, platinum-gold radiance that enveloped them both.

Chaos had expended considerable energy, a trace of fatigue flashing through his silver-gray eyes.

"Done." He exhaled softly. "From this moment on, you are true symbiotic gods. Congratulations to you both, and blessings upon you both."

This awakening had brought him too many surprises.

He had thought the long-planned other world would bring him amusement. He hadn't expected to witness the union of Fu Li and Apollo.

An unpredictable direction, an eternity of brilliance.

Chaos thought that he wouldn't be sleeping for a very long time.

"You no longer have any reason to stay here. Leave."

Chaos's attitude shifted so quickly that before Fu Li could even thank him, they were teleported out.

They returned to the surface of the earth.

The sun was setting in the west. Warm orange-red afterglow spread across the land. Fields and cottages were all plated with a golden edge.

Just as Fu Li steadied himself, a voice resounded in his mind.

"I left you a small gift, as my thanks for resolving my boredom."

"From now on, I will experience the myriad states of mortal life. Exercise your authority well, Creation God Fu Li."

After Chaos finished speaking, his voice no longer appeared.

Fu Li raised an eyebrow in surprise and looked at Apollo.

They no longer needed words to resonate their thoughts.

"Chaos left a gift. What could it be?"

On this point, Fu Li truly had no idea.

"It doesn't matter what he gives."

Apollo cupped Fu Li's face. His golden eyes reflected Fu Li's emerald pupils.

Apollo gazed at him quietly just like this. "Fu Li."

"I'm here."

Fu Li responded.

"Fu Li."

Apollo called again.

He placed Fu Li's hand on his chest.

Fu Li sensed something. His heart involuntarily sped up.

Apollo released one hand, palm facing upwards. Light coalesced within it.

It was a ring condensed from sunlight.

"This little thing is a symbol of vows in your world," A smile held on his lips, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on Fu Li. "Fu Li, I want to become your partner."

"Henceforth, hand in hand, side by side, facing together all the possibilities within the years of eternity."

"Are you willing to accept Apollo's proposal?"

Fu Li hadn't expected Apollo to propose to him.

A flush spread across his cheeks. His pupils quivered incessantly. The corners of his lips lifted completely uncontrollably. Joy filled his chest, surging until he was incoherent.

At important moments, a person does indeed recall the sum of their past.

Fu Li gazed at Apollo, who was proposing to him, involuntarily replaying the wariness of their first encounter and the awkwardness brought by the empathy link.

The ordinary daily life that bound them together. The ecstasy of reunion after being separated by life and death.

Hand in hand, defending what they loved, journeying across time and space.

They had walked through it all.

What was there left to hesitate about?

Fu Li reached out his hand. His fingertips trembled slightly from excitement and gently touched that ring condensed from light.

The ring felt exactly like Apollo's burning heart. He tightly grasped it in his palm.

"I am willing."

"Apollo, I am willing."

Tears streamed down continuously, yet a smile bloomed on his face. Fu Li felt he was so happy he was about to faint.

He leaned forward slightly, extending his hand towards Apollo.

"Where you are, there is my home to return to."

"A future with you is my eternity."

A brilliant radiance instantly burst forth in Apollo's eyes.

With the utmost care and gravity, he placed that ring of light onto the middle finger of Fu Li's left hand.

Apollo pulled Fu Li tightly into his embrace.

"…Fu Li… you're willing…"

Apollo, like a pure-hearted young man, his face flushed, stammered, unable to complete a single sentence.

Fu Li's face was also red, the tips of his ears thoroughly ripened.

Apollo kissed Fu Li's lips. Four lips met. With practiced ease, Apollo pried open his lips and slipped inside.

The sunset had completely sunk below the horizon, leaving only a sliver of magnificent sunset glow at the sky's edge before they finally ended this lingering kiss.

The wind gently brushed through their hair, leaving behind only a lover's murmur.

By the time the Greek gods learned the news, it was already five days into Fu Li and Apollo's sweet time together.

Fu Li rubbed his waist, occasionally letting out soft "hisss" sounds.

Truly, one could never underestimate Apollo's stamina.

His legs were so weak now that he feared the sight of a bed.

Apollo held a bowl of restorative tonic, gazing hopefully at Fu Li.

Could they continue their sweetness tonight?

Just as Fu Li was about to succumb to Apollo's advances, Zeus arrived with a large throng of gods.

"My dear son, you got married and didn't invite me?"

As soon as Zeus entered, he noticed Fu Li's movements and instantly understood.

His good son clearly took after his own style!

"Cough cough, seems your life is quite good, rich and colorful."

Zeus bore the air of someone who had been through it all.

"Father God, what are you doing here?"

Apollo's tone couldn't have been more dismissive.

"To welcome the newly born God of Creation, Fu Li, and to see when you two finally got together." Zeus said with a beaming smile. "I still found out too late. Hermes, your information isn't very sharp."

Hermes, who had just entered: ...

Hermes decided to ignore his dear Father God.

"Fu Li, you're the first god to be granted a godhead from being a mortal. How does it feel? Very busy?" Hermes, laden with resentment because of his own divine duties, was even more concerned about the latter issue. "You two are really too distant. Why didn't you call me for your wedding!"

Fu Li smiled awkwardly.

It was just that they wanted to enjoy their world of two!

Artemis and Athena entered just in time to hear Hermes's complaint. They exchanged a glance. Fu Li and Apollo's choice not to announce it was correct. If these jokers found out, there would be no peace.

They put down their congratulatory gifts and dragged away Zeus and Hermes, who still wanted to probe further.

The God of Death, Thanatos, before even entering the door, saw the God King and Hermes being dragged away.

He subconsciously thought he had come to the wrong place.

He looked up and checked. No mistake.

Thanatos entered slowly. Fu Li was very surprised he would come to the earth's surface.

Most Underworld gods could scarcely leave the Underworld. Only a few with special functions could leave briefly. Thanatos was one of those special ones.

"Thanatos?"

Fu Li asked, puzzled.

It wasn't time for him to return to the Underworld yet, was it?

"Fu Li, Apollo."

"Hypnos said he visited you through the dream realm. The aura of the River Styx on you has already dissipated. No more time restrictions bind you."

Hypnos had sent him to tell them this good news.

"Congratulations to you both. You will have many shared moments."

Thanatos offered his blessing. Usually expressionless, he, unprecedentedly, managed to curve his lips into a slight smile.

He gave Apollo and Fu Li a brief nod, and just as silently as he came, turned and departed, the hem of his black robe brushing the threshold.

"No restrictions... no more. We can stay together forever, here, in Delphi, anywhere you want to go."

"Mm, I heard." He pressed his forehead against Apollo's. "We have all the time in the world."

Apollo's Adam's apple bobbed. Suddenly, he scooped Fu Li up, causing a low exclamation from Fu Li, who instinctively wrapped his arms around Apollo's neck.

"Hey! My waist is still sore!"

A mischievous glint flashed through Apollo's golden eyes, yet his arms steadily supported the person in his embrace, deliberately giving him a slight upward toss, making Fu Li cling to him even tighter.

"So, I'm carrying you to bed to rest."

"Apollo!" Fu Li's face heated up, and he struggled to get down. "It's broad daylight... and we just saw the guests off!"

"What about it being broad daylight?" Apollo stated matter-of-factly, carrying him straight into the inner chamber. "We are partners, in our own home. We do whatever we want."

He gently laid Fu Li down on the bed covered with a soft woolen blanket, his actions tender and cherishing.

"Fu Li," he raised his eyes, "you smiled so gently at Father God and Hermes just now, but to me, you always say your waist is sore."

What an ability to shift the blame!

Fu Li was both amused and exasperated. He reached out and pinched Apollo's straight nose.

"Would Apollo like to recall who, over the past five days, tirelessly refused to rest? Who said 'just the last time,' only for the sky to light up?"

Apollo, his nose pinched, had a muffled voice, yet the laughter in his eyes spilled out:

"That was me."

He leaned closer, his breath whispering past Fu Li's ear, his deep, low voice as pleasant as a musical instrument.

"Fu Li, one more time, alright?"

Fu Li's cheeks were so hot they could steam an egg. Ever since Apollo discovered he couldn't resist this move, he used it every time!

"Just the very last time!"

Apollo chuckled softly. "Alright."

They now had plenty of time.

To do anything at all.

He kissed Fu Li on the forehead.

Every day would hold a new story belonging to them.