bookbashuk Chapter 17 The Joyful Goddess of Life
Chapter 17 The Joyful Goddess of Life
Inside the restaurant, the Goddess of Life was already waiting at the head of the table, while the God of Destruction sat opposite her. The usual distance between them across the long table had lessened considerably, replaced by a warm, familial atmosphere. The table was laden with exquisite breakfasts unique to the divine realm: glistening spiritual fruits gleamed with a gentle, warm light, sweet celestial dew was served in crystal-clear glass goblets, and soft divine pastries steamed with a faint golden mist. Each dish was enveloped in a gentle, mellow aura of energy, exuding a rare, comforting warmth.
"Tian'er, come here." The Goddess of Life noticed him first and spoke gently. The moment her gaze fell on him, she sensed something was amiss. A mother's unique keenness allowed her to see through the change in her son's aura at a glance, and her eyes were full of gentle inquiry.
Zi Lingtian quickly walked to his mother's side and sat down. Without immediately touching the tableware in front of him, he looked up at the Goddess of Life earnestly, his tone carrying a childlike obedience: "Mother, I have something important to tell you and Father."
The Goddess of Life put down her jade chopsticks, turned slightly to the side, and watched him intently the whole time. Her eyes were filled with patience and warmth, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake, gentle and tolerant.
Zi Lingtian recounted in detail how he had focused on sensing the quasi-god position within his body the previous night, unexpectedly gaining insight into the power of Yin and Yang, and how his two martial souls had completed their evolution and fusion of forms. From his initial understanding of the power of creation to the details of the merging of the basic and destructive forms, and then to the change in his life form from shedding his parents' imprints to achieving his true self, he didn't hide a single detail, speaking earnestly and meticulously.
The goddess of life listened quietly, remaining silent for a long time, only gazing tenderly at the child before her, her eyes gradually welling up with tears.
She slowly reached out and gently stroked Zi Lingtian's head. Her warm fingertips ran through his soft, long purple hair, the movement as gentle as touching the fragile dawn, or as cherishing the most precious treasure in the world.
"Tian'er." Her voice was soft and gentle, filled with maternal love, almost tender. "Silly child, no matter what you become or how powerful you become, you will always be your mother's most beloved child. That will never change."
Zi Lingtian looked up at her mother, and her deep purple eyes clearly reflected her mother's gentle, smiling face. Her heart was instantly filled with warmth.
"Mother, would you like to see my current form of life?" he asked softly, a hint of expectation in his eyes.
The Goddess of Life paused slightly, then smiled warmly. Her smile, like the warm spring sun, instantly dispelled the lingering chill in the hall and illuminated the entire dining room.
"Of course I want to, my mother can't wait to see my Tian'er."
Zi Lingtian took a deep breath, and with a thought, the warm, verdant light of the Ancient Tree of Life shone from within her body once more.
A soft green light instantly filled the restaurant, bringing a vibrant sense of life. His purple hair was layered and diffused in the light, gradually transforming into a blend of green and purple, cascading down to his waist like a waterfall. The sharp angles on his face disappeared, revealing delicate and beautiful features, and his figure transformed into the slender form of a six-year-old girl, lively and adorable.
As the light slowly faded, a charming little girl stood quietly in place. Her long, green-purple hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her heterochromatic eyes were clear and deep. Her left eye was emerald green with purple-black accents, while her right eye was purple-black with emerald green tinges, making her exceptionally lively. The loose, light purple robe she wore only accentuated her innocent charm, and the composure and confidence in her expression were entirely characteristic of Zi Lingtian.
The goddess of life looked at the girl before her, her eyes slightly reddening, tears welling up but never falling, her heart filled with relief and joy.
She reached out and gently cupped Zi Lingtian's small face in her hands, her thumbs softly stroking her brow bone and cheeks. Every movement was filled with careful tenderness, and the warmth of her fingertips was comforting and reassuring.
"It's my Ling'er, it's exactly how you are, it's wonderful." The Goddess of Life's voice was slightly choked with emotion, every word filled with undisguised joy.
Looking at her mother's reddened eyes, Zi Lingtian felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She understood that her mother was not disappointed because she was no longer like her, but rather gratified that she had finally broken free from the shadow of imitation and truly become herself.
At this moment, the God of Destruction opposite him held a teacup, and the corners of his previously tense lips curved upwards in a very faint smile. It was an extremely shallow and gentle smile, so fleeting that it was almost imperceptible, yet it genuinely shattered the icy aura surrounding him. His gaze lingered on Zi Lingtian's lively little face for a long time, and deep in his eyes was a tenderness that even he himself was unaware of, like a stream quietly melting beneath a bottomless abyss of ice, full of a father's doting affection.
Zi Lingtian happened to catch that faint smile, and immediately raised the corners of her mouth, winking playfully at him. Her heterochromatic eyes swirled in the morning light, revealing a mischievous and lively quality unique to children.
The God of Destruction remained calm, but instead of looking away as usual, his smile deepened as he looked at her. His fingers, which were holding the teacup, relaxed unconsciously, and even his fingertips felt light.
Breakfast proceeded slowly in a warm atmosphere. The Goddess of Life looked at Zi Lingtian in her daughter's form with eyes full of undisguised affection, softly asking various trivial questions: Will the green and purple luster in her hair change with the strength of her power? Will her heterochromatic eyes remain forever? With such a charming appearance, should we give her a special nickname?
Zi Lingtian answered patiently, her tone tinged with a helpless indulgence, but even more so with the warmth of being cared for by her mother. She knew that her mother had always longed for a sweet and caring daughter, and now, although it was only a change of form, being able to accompany her as a daughter made the changes brought about by the Yin-Yang power even more heartwarming and joyful for the whole family.
When asked about a name, Zi Lingtian tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying softly, "Let's call her Zi Ling. It's simple and sounds nice."
The Goddess of Life immediately smiled, reached out and gently rubbed her hair, and happily agreed, from then on calling her "Ling'er".
The God of Destruction didn't say much throughout, but he also didn't leave early after breakfast as usual. He remained seated, abandoning his usual fast-paced eating, and slowly drank the entire pot of immortal tea. His gaze occasionally fell on the mother and child, a faint smile playing in his eyes, full of rare leisure and warmth.
Zi Lingtian gazed at her father's quiet, accompanying figure, a faint, happy smile curving her lips.
This family has a father who seems cold and aloof but is actually full of tenderness, a mother who is gentle and loving, and a person who can switch freely between male and female forms. It sounds strange, but it is strangely full of harmony and warmth.
Just like the yin and yang forces within the body, seemingly opposing poles, they find a unique harmony and warmth in their balance.
With a thought, Zi Lingtian transformed back into his youthful form, his long purple hair cascading down his shoulders, his deep purple eyes reflecting the eternal, brilliant starlight of the divine realm outside the window, clear and bright.
The road ahead is long, and there are still many strengths to cultivate, many secrets to protect, and many storms to face.
But at this moment, in this temple of destruction with only three people, he can temporarily shed all the composure, defensiveness, and obsessions that are incompatible with his age, and peacefully be a simple child.
He is the son his father is proud of, and also the child his mother loves dearly.
As for Tang San, the God Realm Committee, and the unknown storms to come, let's put them aside for now.
At the age of six, a child should naturally be carefree like a six-year-old.
Zi Lingtian picked up a round spiritual fruit, took a small bite, and the sweet and juicy juice exploded on her tongue, carrying the fragrance of sunshine and grass, a taste full of happiness.
His eyes crinkled into crescents, and his smile was pure and radiant, completely shedding any pretense of maturity. He looked like a child truly cherished by his parents, carefree and joyful.