Normally, after the previous goddess has served for fifty years, the divine realm will begin to select the next goddess.
The previous goddess had originally chosen a female disciple named Mo Nishang, but this disciple died unexpectedly during a mission. After a re-evaluation, Chu Yi was appointed to the position in a time of crisis.
Now that Chu Yi has been in the Land of Forsaken Gods for fifty years, a new round of goddess assessments has begun in full swing in the Divine Realm.
Normally, a disciple can be selected to succeed the position during the first round of assessments, but for some reason, an additional round of selection was added this time.
Due to the small number of applicants, even children as young as six or seven were included in the candidate list this time.
Fortunately, after an additional round of selection, the six elders finally finalized their choices.
Divine Realm, Sect Master's Study.
"Elder, is there a mistake in the calculation? How could Mu Mu be chosen as the next Goddess?"
Upon seeing the name 'Chu Mu' written on the assessment results, Chu Li was shocked and called out to Chu Huan, who was about to leave.
Knowing full well what the consequences of being chosen as a goddess would be, Chu Li clenched her fists tightly, the Xuan paper in her hand getting crumpled from the action.
"Could we... perhaps choose someone else?"
Chu Huan sighed and slowly shook his head under Chu Li's expectant gaze.
"Sect Master, I understand your feelings. If there were other options, we would not have chosen Chu Mu as the next Goddess."
"However... among this generation of disciples, only Chu Mu meets the requirements. I suppose the sect leader wouldn't want any problems with the sect's protective formation."
Chu Huan bowed to her from afar, saying, "I hope that the sect leader will always remember her responsibilities and put the sect first in everything."
Responsibility? Chu Li gave a self-deprecating smile and lowered her eyes.
Knowing that there was no way to reverse the situation, she waved her hand with mixed feelings, signaling the Grand Elder to step down.
Chu Li sat in a sandalwood chair in the study, the candlelight on the desk flickering, which also made her expression change.
How could she not know her responsibilities?
From the moment she was chosen as the next sect leader, how many of the choices she made were truly of her own volition?
This single word, "responsibility," caused her so much undeserved suffering...
Even those in high positions are ultimately not in control of their own destiny.
I thought that no matter what, at least with her current status, she could protect the people she cared about.
Little did she know that her younger sister would also be bound by this responsibility for the rest of her life.
Her younger sister is so young...
Chu Li leaned back weakly against the chair.
Just as she was drifting off to sleep, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the study.
The footsteps paused at the door for a while, seemingly confirming that Chu Li was alone in the study, before boldly stepping forward.
"Sister, Mu Mu is here to see you."
A child's sweet voice rang out in the study. Chu Li was startled and opened her eyes to see a little dumpling of about six or seven years old carrying a tray with three dishes, rice, and soup, carefully approaching her.
"Why is Mu Mu here?" Chu Li immediately came out from behind the desk and took the slightly heavy tray from her hands.
"Because it was lunchtime and my sister hadn't come home for dinner yet, Mu Mu thought she must be too busy, so she brought the food over for her."
The little dumpling looked up with a bright smile.
Chu Li's eyes reddened, and she raised her hand to rub her little head.
"Thank you, Mumu. Mumu, would you like to eat with your sister?"
Chu Li placed the tray on the desk, then took her hand and led her to the sandalwood chair behind the desk.
The little dumpling shook her head. "I've already eaten at home. Mumu can just watch her sister eat."
Seeing how well-behaved and sensible she was, and remembering that she had been chosen as the next goddess, Chu Li's eyes couldn't help but redden.
"Okay, I'll eat now, sister."
Not wanting the little dumpling to see her lose her composure, Chu Li lowered her head and silently began to eat her food.
The food, which was supposed to be quite delicious, became increasingly tasteless the more you ate it.
Chu Li didn't dare look up at the little dumpling, keeping her head down and eating, and asked seemingly casually:
"Mumu, did you also participate in the Goddess's assessment before?"
"Yes, it was the Grand Elder who came to pick up Mu Mu himself." The little dumpling nodded and answered obediently.
"If Mu Mu is chosen as the next goddess, and will enter the Temple of Prayer for Heaven in fifty years, will Mu Mu be unhappy? Will she... hate her sister?"
The little dumpling tilted its head, seemingly deep in thought about the question.
"Mumu doesn't want to leave her sister, father, and mother either, but if it's Mumu's responsibility, Mumu is willing to take on that responsibility."
"Just like my sister took on the responsibility of sect leader for the sake of the entire sect, Mumu also wants to be like her sister and make Father and Mother proud~"
"But..." Realizing her voice was choked with emotion, Chu Li quickly shut her mouth.
Not daring to let the little dumpling notice that something was wrong, Chu Li could only close her eyes and forcefully stabilize her emotions.
But then I couldn't help but silently add the second half of what I was going to say—
But that wasn't the Temple of Prayer for Heaven at all; it was... the land abandoned by the gods.
If you leave, we will be separated forever.
However, when Chu Li succeeded as sect leader, she swore an oath by the will of Heaven that she would never reveal the sect's secrets to anyone, not even her own sister.
So she could only say tactfully, "Would it be very painful to become a goddess... or even lead to death?"
Chu Li didn't know what answer she wanted to hear.
The divine realm needs a goddess, but she also doesn't want to lose her younger sister.
When swearing an oath to the will of Heaven, Chu Li once said that he would always put the interests of the sect first in this life.
No matter what it is, as long as it benefits the sect, she will never hesitate.
Unexpectedly, she would eventually face such a decision, becoming one of those who could not have their cake and eat it too.
Or perhaps... she had already made up her mind.
That's why I kept gently coaxing the little dumpling in front of me to say that she didn't blame or resent me, in order to alleviate my own guilt...
Chu Li gave a self-deprecating smile; she was selfish after all.
The little dumpling pursed its lips, seemingly not quite understanding what Chu Li meant.
So many people are proud to be goddesses, so why does my sister say that being a goddess is painful and might even lead to death?
Oh~ Maybe it's just a hypothetical question, like how her father and mother always ask her whether she likes her father or her mother more.
The little dumpling didn't dwell on it too much and continued to smile sweetly:
"Mu Mu isn't afraid. She hasn't tried it yet, so how can she back down just because she's afraid of pain? Besides, even if it really hurts and she might die, so many seniors have become goddesses, and they never backed down. How can Mu Mu back down?"
"Mumu won't blame her older sister. She's always been very good to Mumu, and Mumu loves her older sister the most."
The little dumpling reached out and hugged Chu Li's waist, its soft, babyish voice starting to comfort him.
"If Mu Mu really becomes a goddess, she won't be able to live with her sister, father, and mother anymore. Don't be too sad, sister."
"Mumu is taking on her own responsibilities. Sister should be proud of Mumu, and so should Father and Mother. They will definitely be proud of Mumu too."
Hearing the little dumpling in front of him repeatedly emphasizing the word "responsibility," and realizing that she really wouldn't blame him, a huge wave of sadness instantly washed over Chu Li.
Chu Li couldn't help but turn around and hug the little dumpling, silently shedding tears in the shadows where the little one couldn't see her.
Isn't this exactly what she wanted to hear...? But why does she feel so sad now that she's actually heard it?
At this moment, Chu Li truly wished that her younger sister wouldn't be so sensible, taking on this responsibility that was unfair to her so early...
***
The news of Chu Mu's election as the next goddess spread throughout the divine realm the following day.
When the disciples who participated in the Goddess Examination learned of this, they were all indignant—why was it that the youngest one, Chu Mu, was chosen!
The sect leader and the six elders only said they would consider the conditions, but they never specified what those conditions were.
I'm afraid all these claims are fabricated. It's just that Chu Li finally became the sect leader and wanted to bestow this supreme honor upon her younger sister so that her family could share in this boundless glory!
Those disciples thought so, but they dared not speak out against it, much less do anything to disobey their sect leader.
So he could only vent his anger on Chu Mu, the next goddess, openly and secretly mocking and ostracizing her.
After countless attempts to visit her former girlfriends only to be turned away, even the slow-witted Chu Mu realized they were deliberately avoiding her.
Knowing that times have changed and that she has become the next goddess, she will one day leave the divine realm and go to the Temple of Prayer.
The little dumpling patted its own face and muttered to itself, trying to comfort itself:
"Be strong, Chu Mu. You're going to be a goddess in the future, and with that kind of responsibility, you're destined to have no friends."
"Think about it, if you really became friends with them, how sad would they be if they couldn't see you when you went to the Temple of Prayer for Heaven? Now that they're not playing with you anymore, you can finally focus on improving your cultivation..."
...
After that day, a small, solitary figure appeared in the Sword Testing Square.
That figure meditated and practiced swordsmanship day after day, rain or shine.
She built a shrine in her heart, and the deity she worshipped was herself.
Force yourself to love all beings in the divine realm as God loves the world.
But no one expected that she would later encounter that white dragon.
...
At that time, Long Cheng came to the Divine Realm with Liu Ying. Seeing that Liu Ying and Elder Mo were so engrossed in discussing cultivation that they forgot about him, Long Cheng wandered around the Divine Realm alone.
Hmm, it's definitely not because he smelled the aroma of food from the Divine Realm Dining Hall and was eager to taste it.
As a transcendent sect, the Divine Realm is naturally vast in scale.
So, Long Cheng got lost while wandering around.
It was lunchtime, and the Sword Testing Square was deserted.
Long Cheng looked left and right, and finally found two patrolling disciples whispering to each other behind a building.
Before Long Cheng could even step forward to ask, he overheard the two disciples whispering to each other:
"It's already mealtime, why is that disciple over there still practicing his sword?"
Another disciple glanced at it from afar and said with disdain:
"Oh, isn't that our next goddess, Junior Sister Chu Mu?"
I just don't understand. It's only been half a year since the Grand Elder announced her election, and she's already putting on airs like a goddess, acting like she's unapproachable all the time.
"So what if she gets to go to the Temple of Prayer for Heaven? Look how powerful she is! It's all thanks to her good older sister, who directly appointed her as the next goddess. Otherwise, based on seniority and cultivation, how could she possibly have gotten a chance?"
Upon hearing this, Long Cheng, who was about to approach, stopped in his tracks.
Regardless of what kind of person this junior sister Chu Mu is, as these two disciples claim, Mother said, "Don't talk about others behind their backs," and these two disciples' behavior itself is not good.
Not to mention that damned goddess, and that so-called Temple of Prayer to Heaven—just hearing those names tells you there's no good food there.
I really can't understand what kind of person would want to be a goddess; Long Cheng certainly can't agree with that idea.
Do you really think everyone is so driven by fame and fortune? You can't possibly imagine that everyone else is the same kind of person just because you are.
How dare you criticize others when you're like this?
Long Cheng couldn't help but scoff inwardly, "Tch, gossip."
Following their gazes, Long Cheng also saw the little dumpling practicing swordsmanship with a serious expression.
To be honest, that little dumpling did look quite aloof.
But compared to my mother, this is nothing.
Is she born with facial paralysis? Or is she just annoyed by these gossipy people and that's why she makes that expression?
In that instant, Long Cheng became curious about this little bundle of milk.
I realized I was lost and needed someone who knew the way to guide me.
Instead of looking for those two gossipy devils, Long Cheng approached the figure who had never stopped practicing his sword.
"They all call you Junior Sister Chu Mu, so shall I call you that too?"
The little dumpling paused in its sword-wielding hand, then turned to look at the white dragon in front of it.
When did such a dragon arrive in the realm of gods?
Since it was none of her business, the little dumpling didn't think much of it and said, "Whatever."
"Don't be so aloof, Junior Sister Chu Mu. I'm lost. I was originally going to the cafeteria..."
Before Long Cheng could finish speaking, a gurgling sound suddenly came from the little dumpling's belly.
The little dumpling was stunned, and her indifferent face instantly turned bright red.
"You're hungry too, Junior Sister Chu Mu? Then we can go eat together. This time it's on me, consider it payment for showing me the way, okay?"
The little dumpling blushed and turned to walk away from the square without saying a word.
Upon seeing this, Long Cheng couldn't help but purse his lips, his dragon whiskers trembling on both sides.
Does this mean they agreed or not?
Noticing that the dragon behind her hadn't kept up, the little dumpling paused, turned her head to look at him, and said:
"Aren't you coming?"
Long Cheng's eyes crinkled into a smile, and he replied cheerfully:
"Here it comes! Junior Sister Chu Mu, what delicious food do you have here? This is my first time trying it, can you recommend some dishes for me..."
...
After the meal, the relationship between the man and the dragon had clearly grown much closer.
The little dumpling no longer had a stern face, and would occasionally take the initiative to tell Long Cheng about the interesting things that happened to her.
Regardless of what others say, after spending time with Chu Mu, Long Cheng could see that she actually longed to play with others as well.
She wasn't as aloof as others described; on the contrary, she was quite adorable and endearing.
Since no one else wanted to play with her, Long Cheng thought he'd reluctantly keep her company.
Well, it's definitely not because Chu Mu is cute, and she always recommends delicious dishes to him.
***
From that day on, whenever Liu Ying and Elder Mo discussed the Dao, Long Cheng would always sneak out to practice swordsmanship and eat with Chu Mu.
Even when Liu Ying was about to return to the Forbidden Forest, Long Cheng begged her to stay a few more days.
Later, after he had to return to the Dragon Palace, Long Cheng would always sneak off to the Divine Realm to find Chu Mu.
Out of respect for Elder Mo, the disciples of the Divine Realm could only turn a blind eye to Long Cheng's free entry and exit from the Divine Realm.
Long Cheng originally thought they would remain playmates and grow up together.
Until one day, he went to the Divine Realm and never saw Chu Mu again.
Once, twice, three times, four times... even though he was repeatedly rebuffed, Long Cheng still went to the Divine Realm without getting tired of it.
It wasn't until the sect master of the Divine Realm personally told Long Cheng that Chu Mu was in seclusion to improve his cultivation.
Before entering the secret room, Chu Mu asked her to pass on a message, telling him that he no longer needed to come.
After this incident, Long Cheng finally gave up the idea of going to find Chu Mu.
But he didn't think much of it, assuming that Chu Mu had chosen to go into seclusion to improve his cultivation.
So Long Cheng also began to practice diligently, striving to transform into human form as soon as possible.
...
In Chu Mu's heart, it was true that he was going into seclusion to cultivate, and it was also true that he was using this opportunity to avoid Long Cheng.
I thought I had finally found a playmate who wouldn't look down on me because of my background...
But after the disciples mocked her once again for putting on airs like a goddess, Chu Mu finally woke up from this beautiful dream.
She really enjoyed playing with Long Cheng, but what will happen to him when she goes to the Temple of Prayer for Heaven?
Chu Mu understood the feeling of separation, just like how she would look forward to the next meeting every time Long Cheng left.
But since we'll be separated sooner or later... well, it's better to end it quickly than suffer for a long time.
Although it will be painful, getting out of it before you get too deeply involved will help you heal sooner.
...
Time slips away quietly like this.
Chu Mu often thinks of Long Cheng, but she is able to control those emotions.
When they met again in the Divine Realm Cafeteria, Chu Mu had already sensed his presence, so she deliberately sat in a corner, not wanting to attract his attention.
She never expected that the boy, after transforming, would walk towards her without hesitation, just like before.
Everything seems unchanged.
This is fine too, Chu Mu thought.
She was going to the Temple of Heaven in a few years, and seeing him one last time before then would be a way of putting an end to her regrets.
Being able to see him and remember his appearance after he took human form would at least provide some psychological comfort during the long and tedious life of a goddess that followed...
She thought she would live her life like this forever, but unexpectedly, Chu Li suddenly told her that she no longer needed to go to the Temple of Prayer for Heaven.
That day, no one knew that Chu Mu secretly cried for a long, long time under the covers.
Just as no one knew, she actually had no desire to be a goddess.
Her so-called responsibility was nothing more than a tool for her to brainwash others, and herself as well.
now……
She was finally able to step down from her high pedestal and approach the one she loved.
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