Chapter 128 (2/2): Tianyuan Academy, Faithful Servant

The function of the rune was simple: screening. 

Only test-takers from the Central Star System could enter freely. 

Other candidates were blocked directly outside. 

But as it happened, almost all the candidates’ residential areas were on the upper floors.

Furthermore, the entire academy was under special restrictions. 

Not only was the use of Divine Power strictly suppressed, but there were also various pre-exam restraining clauses to prevent death matches between candidates, which included a ban on spatial flight.

Just as everyone was furious, a candidate from the Central Star System walked past arrogantly, easily passed through the restriction, and entered the elevator.

He looked at everyone mockingly and asked, “What’s the use of just shouting? If you’ve got the ability, then break it! Who’s to blame for your lack of strength?”

“Furthermore, can you trash from other Star Rings just crawl back to your own trash planets?”

“Is this a place where you pariahs should come?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s anger doubled. 

Quite a few people rushed forward in a rage, trying to drag him out, only to be bounced back by an invisible presence half a meter away from the restriction.

The person laughed arrogantly, started the elevator, and sped away, leaving behind a group of fuming Outer Ring test takers.

“This is at least an S-rank restriction. With our Divine Power suppressed, we can’t break it with brute force at all!”

“We asked the teachers, but they won’t involve themselves in this kind of mess. They said that appropriate conflict before the exam can stimulate a sense of competition. I think they’re just too lazy to care.”

Just then, mocking voices drifted down from above.

“If the teachers had to manage every little friction, they’d work themselves to death.”

“Aren’t you guys weaned yet? Hahaha, do you still only know how to call for your mothers when things go wrong?”

Su Fu looked up and found quite a few people gathered from the second floor up. 

They were all leaning on the railings, wearing expressions of either mockery or indifference.

“This Outer Ring trash is really shameless, insisting on coming to our Central Star System.”

“In the past, they wouldn’t even have been able to get through the door. Now they dare to make a scene?”

“With this level of skill, you should go back to farming. Don’t come here and make a fool of yourselves!”

Su Fu listened to these words and sighed silently in her heart, ‘I didn’t expect regional discrimination to exist everywhere. Moreover, the people in the Central Star System are even worse than those in the Second Ring. They don’t even bother to hide their contempt and discrimination; they’re blatant and unashamed about it.’

In fact, she had discovered that the closer one got to the core, the more obvious the hierarchy and the more severe the discrimination became.

Su Fu looked at the crowd. 

‘So, which one of these people set the restriction?’

The people upstairs were still laughing, “If you ask me, if you can’t break the restriction, just climb up slowly — “

“Anyway, everyone’s physical condition is pretty good. Climbing a few hundred floors shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Watching them climb the stairs like bugs is hilarious!”

“At worst, just don’t rest. The exam is coming up soon anyway — “

Su Fu released the Howling Celestial Dog with a blank expression, ‘Not going to let me rest, huh? Then nobody gets to rest.’

As soon as the Howling Celestial Dog appeared, it immediately howled at the sky.

“I’m finally out again!”

Then, it leaped!

With a single bound, it easily bypassed the restriction and jumped onto the second-floor platform, landing with a loud crash.

The Central Star System test takers, who had been enjoying the show, were suddenly struck with terror and scattered in all directions.

“Ah! Help! Is this that Celestial Dog that can even swallow a Solar Barque?!”

“Wait, her Divine Power is suppressed! How can she still summon it?!”

“Madwoman! Su Fu, you madwoman! Call your dog back!”

“Don’t come over here — !”

“My battle armor! This mad dog is eating my battle armor!”

“Quick, activate the defenses — No! It’s chewing through the energy shield!”

“It… it tore apart the elevator’s control console!!”

Su Fu stood where she was, listening to the chaotic commotion above.

The phantom of the Howling Celestial Dog flashed in the corridors from time to time, and every appearance was accompanied by new screams.

It was clearly excited by this “game,” happily chasing those high-and-mighty “favored children of heaven.”

A few test takers who couldn’t dodge in time were licked all over their faces with saliva, screaming and fainting on the spot.

“Woof!”

“Come play!”

The Howling Celestial Dog seemed to feel that the “toys” on the second floor were no longer interesting enough. 

It suddenly leaped upward and reached the third floor in the blink of an eye.

Third floor: “……………!!!”

“Don’t come up!”

“Mad dog! Mad dog!”

“Someone control this beast!”

“Someone save my brand-new formal dress — !”

Some tried to hide, but they found that this divine dog could easily sniff out their locations.

Some tried to jump out of the windows to escape, but they had to give up because of the no-fly regulation in the air.

A test taker from the Amaterasu Pantheon tried to attack with the Heavenly Technique Yata no Kagami, but the mirror was snatched away by the Howling Celestial Dog as a frisbee the moment it was taken out.

The test taker: “…………”

“My mirror!”

Many people wanted to leave the building. 

The crowd poured downward in a panic, only to see Su Fu smiling at them while guarding the door on the first floor. 

Then…

“Howling Celestial Dog — “

The giant dog fell from the sky, excitedly herding them back up.

“Woof! Woof!”

“This is so much fun! Again!”

After several repetitions, the test takers became more behaved. 

They learned to unite and release Heavenly Techniques together.

As a result, a test taker who summoned holy fire had his sparks licked out in one bite by the Howling Celestial Dog as a snack. 

The dog stared at him with bright eyes, its meaning clear: Got any more?

The test taker: “……”

The restrictions throughout the Exam Hall made everyone’s Heavenly Techniques lose more than ninety percent of their power. 

Hitting the thick-skinned Celestial Dog was like scratching an itch.

Not to mention, it could eat anything. 

It ate everything.

The “favored children of heaven” wanted to run but couldn’t; they wanted to hide but couldn’t. 

They could only be chased around the building by this giant divine dog.

Screams, curses, and pleas for mercy were heard incessantly, accompanied by the joyful barking of the Howling Celestial Dog.

Meanwhile, Su Fu leisurely guarded the door, watching the scene with great interest.

Just as the situation became completely one-sided, the roar of a train suddenly echoed in the air.

“Rumble — rumble —”

The sound was like a train approaching from afar, turning into a deafening roar in the blink of an eye.

Su Fu looked up sharply and saw twisted trails appearing in the void. 

Then, a massive illusory track extended out from the emptiness.

At the end of the track, a massive phantom train gradually solidified.

It fell frantically from high altitude, rushing toward Su Fu at an incredible speed.

Giant wheels crushed the void, emitting a hair-raising roar as if it would arrive in the next second!

Su Fu reacted instantly. 

Someone was using a Divine Artifact!

SS-rank: Disaster Star Track.

Just as she was about to summon the Huntian Ling for defense, a clear voice suddenly rang out.

“Trains are prohibited here.”

In an instant, countless chains shot out from the void, tightly binding the roaring Disaster Star Track.

The sharp sound of brakes echoed throughout the hall. 

That speeding disaster train was actually stopped in mid-air by force. 

Its body trembled, but it could no longer move a single step forward.

But it wasn’t over.

“Trains are forbidden to appear here.”

With the second declaration of a commandment, the entire train let out a mournful cry. 

Then, starting from the engine, it began to disintegrate piece by piece.

“Bang!”

It finally shattered into countless starlights, slowly dissipating in the air.

“Emilia!” a roar came from above, “Are you trying to oppose me?!”

Before the voice faded, a blonde woman appeared in the air, slowly descending.

Her blonde hair was pinned up, with a few soft strands hanging over her forehead. 

She was the Saintess of the Paradise Pantheon, Emilia.

“Verdandi, that is enough.” Emilia looked toward the source of the voice. 

Her voice was ethereal and pleasant, “Using the SS-rank Divine Artifact ‘Disaster Star Track’ against a test taker without reporting it is a violation of the regulations.”

“I have already reported the evidence of the violation to the Assessment Committee. You should behave yourself.”

A cold snort came from high above, “Fine, very well!”

Silence finally returned. 

Clearly, the other person had left in a rage.

With Emilia present, it was unlikely that anyone else would try to attack Su Fu.

Su Fu withdrew her gaze, she knew who those people were.

Emilia had once organized information about the test takers and sent it to her, which included Verdandi — a leader among the younger generation of the Central Pantheon. 

She had both strength and a powerful background.

Su Fu thought to herself that first it was the privileged elevator, and then it was the disaster train. 

It seemed the Seven Pantheons could no longer contain themselves and were going to move against her.

Su Fu quickly gathered her thoughts and turned to thank Emilia.

“Thank you.”

Emilia winked at her, “You’re welcome also would you like to come over to my place for a bit?”

Su Fu naturally agreed. 

After all, she had called for backup as soon as she got off the starship.

Did they really think she would dare to enter a den of wolves and tigers all by herself?

She was a bit reckless, but she wasn’t stupid.

The two walked through the still-agitated hall toward Emilia’s residence.

“You should know what their goal is,” Emilia said.

Su Fu nodded, her tone a bit weary, “What else could it be? It’s simply that they don’t want the Chinese Pantheon to appear.”

“Either that, or some cliché about noble families versus commoners. My ears are growing calluses from hearing it.”

She had dealt with many troublemakers like this. 

She didn’t expect these idiots to rush up time and time again, always thinking they were special and would be the exception.

She suddenly turned around and asked, “By the way, can you give me a family tree? For those families just now.”

Emilia: “……”

She was momentarily choked up and gave Su Fu a deep look, “Girl, your ideas are too terrifying.”

She used a tactful tone and said, “It’s best to resolve things within the Exam Hall.”

“You know this place. There are many True Gods here. They won’t allow such large-scale turmoil to occur.”

Su Fu lowered her eyes. 

She thought to herself that, during peaceful times, they certainly wouldn’t allow it.

But according to Teacher Tang Yu, she smelled a storm coming. 

It wouldn’t be peaceful for much longer.

“Speaking of which…” Emilia suddenly lowered her voice and pressed Su Fu’s wrist. 

Holy Light formed an encrypted barrier where they touched.

“Are you sure you want to use the Angel Feather Pen now? Have you thought about the price you will have to pay for this?”

“Of course,” Su Fu said decisively.

‘Even the God of Fate had appeared. If not now, when?’

Besides, she was entering the dragon’s den alone. 

Just looking at what happened today, those lunatics even dared to use the Disaster Star Track.

The Seven Pantheons… wait, the Six Great Pantheons were probably wishing they could find all sorts of ways to kill her right now.

She cherished her life very much and had to put all the safety measures she could in place. 

She wouldn’t mind having too many.

Emilia fell silent. 

She was clearly aware of Su Fu’s current danger.

Finally, it turned into a soft sigh, “The path you are taking… is too difficult.”

“What if it were you?” Su Fu asked back.

Emilia lowered her eyes, her golden eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her face as she said, “If the Paradise Pantheon had withered to this point… Even if the road ahead was covered in thorns and bottomless… I would walk down it without looking back.”

She sighed, “In that case, come with me. Houchu has already brought the Angel Feather Pen.”

Su Fu paused and asked,  “That thing can be brought out of the Paradise Pantheon?”

According to what was said before, wasn’t it required to be kept within Eden?

“Houchu’s identity is a bit special,” Emilia said with a light smile, “If it were anyone else… it indeed couldn’t be brought out, but he can.”

“Oh?” Su Fu became interested, “How special?”

“Do you know High Elder Metatron?”

She knew more than just the name. 

Metatron was a legendary figure who had saved an entire city using the Angel Feather Pen.

“I see,” Su Fu said, enlightened, “Is Houchu his descendant?”

“Uhh…” Emilia paused, “In short, I can’t say too much about his private affairs. Just knowing there is indeed a relationship is enough.”

Su Fu didn’t expect that Houchu, who looked ordinary and harmless, actually had such a large background.

No wonder High Elder Olivia trusted him so much and let him be responsible for the liaison work with her. 

So there was this layer of connection behind it.

He was probably a core existence of the Paradise Pantheon, wasn’t he?

By then, they had reached their destination.

Houchu was waiting at the door. 

Seeing the two, he nodded slightly and greeted Su Fu.

“Everything is ready.”

Su Fu didn’t hesitate anymore and pushed the door open.

The Angel Feather Pen was floating quietly within a halo, its pure white quill untainted by even a speck of dust.

It looked so ordinary, just like a common feather pen. 

It was impossible to tell that it contained a mighty power capable of changing destiny.

Su Fu was thinking about how to use it. 

To preserve her lifespan and not consume too much, the specific content she wrote down would be very important.

She calculated in her heart, ‘I can’t write very vague and grand wishes, like “avoid all danger.” ‘

‘With that kind of large-scale interference, I might be drained of my lifespan immediately.’

The greater the event that changed the trajectory of fate, the heavier the price that had to be paid.

But if she carefully chose small instructions and used the butterfly effect to achieve her goals, she might be able to minimize the cost.

“What I fear most now is the God of Fate meddling in the Dungeon and killing me…” Su Fu murmured to herself, “So what should I write?”

“Perhaps… I don’t have to interfere directly?” Su Fu’s eyes suddenly lit up, “What about just observation? Wouldn’t the cost be much smaller?”

‘If I encounter an inevitable death ending, a white butterfly appears in my vision…’

The Angel Feather Pen only needed to provide a reminder, without any actual intervention.

In that case, the cost would be much smaller, yet the goal could still be achieved.

“Let’s do it like that.”

She reached out to touch the floating feather pen. 

Divine Power flowed out from her body as she attempted to grasp it to write.

‘If I knew what Archangel Gabriel looked like, I probably wouldn’t have to pay any price at all,’ Su Fu thought with some regret, ‘But time is tight, there’s no time left…’

But the moment her fingertips touched the quill, a surprised and excited voice suddenly rang out: “My most respected, Supreme Founding God! Great Creator of Life! Guardian of All Things!”

“Your wandering servant has finally returned to Your embrace! How I miss the days of creating the world with You — those wonderful times!”

“As Your most loyal servant, I am extremely honored to serve You again! What wish would you like to fulfill?”

“The price… oh, for You, the price is but insignificant dust. You only need to call me again, Lady Su Fu! I will fulfill everything for you.”

Su Fu: “……………?”

She was in a daze, and it took a long time for her to react, “Wait…”

Her brain short-circuited.

‘You’re a dignified Divine Artifact of Paradise, and you’re defecting and acknowledging a new master on the spot?!’