Abyssal Sovereign: The Demon's Dominion-Chapter 297 - 296: Ethereal

"But I won't kill you." Shen Ye's voice echoed briefly, and her eyes brightened. She felt as though she had fallen into hell, all hope lostyet the very monster she feared was saving her from it.

Her body trembled as long rays of sunlight reached her face. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Light... the sun? How... how come?

The girl was stunned as her surroundings transformed into a beautiful, lonely island.

It was only a few hundred meters wide, with a simple cottage standing near the shore. Fishing hooks hung beside a wooden table where hot steam rose from two cups. Beside it were chairs, and Shen Ye gestured toward them.

"We have land beneath our feet now. Come, sit and let's have some tea," Shen Ye said calmly. The chaotic aura that once surrounded him was gone. Now, he looked more human than ever, radiating a calm presence as he helped the girl steady herself.

Within moments, she stood up with shaky legs, dried tears still clinging to her cheeks, and followed him. Soon they both sat, and she stared at the small cup filled with steaming tea before swallowing nervously.

"Don't worry, it's not poison. I mean, killing you would be easy, so why would I go through the trouble of poisoning you when I could end you with a snap of my fingers?" Shen Ye said with a faint smirk, raising his cup.

Sniffing the rich aroma, he smiled.

"Quality leaf," he murmured, lips close to the cup before taking a slow sip.

Across from him, she lifted her head, expecting to see that same dark, blurry presence but she didn't. What she saw instead left her completely breathless.

A young face, pure, innocent, and divine. It radiated an almost godlike serenity. She was stunned beyond belief as her heart raced.

So this was the face behind the God of Darkness and Destruction? He looked so innocent, so divine and pure... yet behind that lay something terrible. Or perhaps... not?

"Drink," his voice broke her trance, deep and steady.

Trembling, she looked at the tea, closed her eyes, and swallowed it all in one gulp.

"Huh? Wait that's not how you're supposed to enjoy tea," Shen Ye sighed, shaking his head.

"She's classless," he muttered under his breath.

But as for the girl, she felt as though she were bathed in divine grace. Her cells opened up, her body rejuvenated, and warmth spread through her. She smiled softly.

All of it caught Shen Ye's eyes. His gaze blurred, his mind drifting elsewhere.

Then suddenly...

"Argh... ahh!" the girl groaned, gasping as her body convulsed violently. She fell to the ground, trembling.

That snapped Shen Ye out of his daze. His eyes narrowed.

"Shit... I forgot."

For someone like him, a god in every sense....it was easy to overlook. After all, he possessed immense strength, countless treasures, and divine power. The tea leaves he'd used weren't mortal at all; they were divine leaves making the tea a drink meant only for gods.

"Sit cross-legged, now!" Shen Ye commanded sharply.

The girl obeyed, struggling through the agony as her cells split and her body began to tear apart.

Shen Ye placed a finger against her forehead.

"Hmm... you can't handle it with your mortal body. But... you are talented." He paused, expression grim, as though deciding something heavy.

"Listen carefully," he said, his tone deadly serious. "Whatever you feel from this, accept it. It's the only way you'll survive."

Gathering his thoughts, Shen Ye began to chant.

**"To the origin we fade,

To the one we came from.

Though forsaken them all,

A shell gone, essence brought.

I leave my mortal body and ascend to the realm of consciousness.

Divine in name, pure in heart,

One becomes one in three: heart, soul, and mind, not split but merged.

Thou shalt rise from ash anew and reborn,

Forsaking the past and reaching the future..."**

With each word, divine power surged. The air vibrated as though his words themselves were law. A brilliant white light descended from the deepest layer of space.

Her body shattered then began to reform.

Shen Ye stepped back, returning to his seat as the light faded.

Where the girl once lay now stood another being.

Her eyes glowed pure white, her hair shimmered silver, and her skin gleamed like polished silk. Her very presence radiated divine order. She wore noble, form-fitting garments that exuded majesty.

The girl—no, the goddess—looked around in confusion until her gaze found Shen Ye. Memories crashed into her mind like a flood.

"I—" she tried to speak, but Shen Ye raised his hand.

"Sit," he said gently.

She lowered her head and obeyed.

"First off, congratulations on becoming a god. And now... what's your name?" Shen Ye asked, tone calm and unreadable.

A god? Her heart raced. There were tales of gods in her world—she had even met one: him. Yet now she herself had become one? Because of a tea?

"Slivia," she whispered softly, her voice so ethereal it startled even her. It was beautifully divine. She almost fell in love with it herself.

Shen Ye, however, remained indifferent.

"Ah, good name," he said. "You must have a lot of questions, Slivia. I'll explain everything—and why you're still alive."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she nodded quietly.

Shen Ye smiled faintly.

"You remind me of her," he said, setting his cup down.

Slivia froze. Her?

"The fierceness, the smile, those eyes... all like hers. Consider that your luck. It gets lonely at times, and having a good subordinate is... ideal. As for the tea, well...., I didn't expect you to be so weak," Shen Ye said, rubbing his chin with a small grin.

"Ah..." Slivia muttered, still processing it all.

So... she was alive because she reminded this god of his sister?

"What's... her name?" she finally asked, her voice trembling.

Shen Ye paused. His eyes dimmed as he sighed softly.

"Anya," he whispered.

Slivia lowered her head.

Moments passed as the two sat in silence across from each other....between them, the last traces of divine light still lingered in the air.

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