Yun Shu’s gaze froze upon the water mirror, looking at her mother’s graying hair and her father’s hunched back.
She watched for a long time—so long that the Great God thought he had swayed her, his tail twitching upward involuntarily.
Then, Yun Shu pulled her gaze away and looked up at him. The corners of her lips curved slightly, yet there was not a trace of warmth in her eyes.
“If you truly had the ability to invade the blue planet, would you need to risk coming to this world to threaten and bribe me?”
The Great God did not grow angry at her mockery. Instead, he narrowed his eyes. “Are you trying to probe me for information?”
“I’m merely asking a question,” Yun Shu replied. “Didn’t you say you wanted a win-win between us? Since this is a partnership, you should at least let me know what you’re really capable of.”
Her face gave nothing away, though she had other calculations in mind.
The moment the Great God uttered the word “invade,” she knew full well that he would never treat the blue planet with kindness.
Before uncovering the Great God’s true depths, she could not act rashly. If things backfired and she inadvertently allowed him to escape to the blue planet, she would become its greatest sinner.
The Great God scrutinized Yun Shu for a moment, a flicker of admiration passing through his amber eyes. “You truly are a clever one. Anyone else would have either agreed immediately or tried to extract more from me. Only you thought to weigh my chips first.”
Yun Shu walked over to the stone table beneath the peach blossom trees and sat down. With a wave of her sleeve, she conjured a tea set and began brewing tea with leisurely composure.
“Do you know what the prerequisite for a win-win is?”
The Great God strode over, leapt lightly onto the stone stool opposite Yun Shu, and tilted his head to look at her. “What are you trying to say?”
If one disregarded the callousness in his eyes, his mannerisms and appearance were identical to the little fox.
Yun Shu poured herself a cup of tea. “Great God, when us humans negotiate a win-win partnership, we come with sincerity. Yet the moment you arrived, you used the little fox and my parents as disguised threats. How am I supposed to believe that you truly want a win-win?”
Silence lingered in the peach blossom grove for quite some time.
Yun Shu continued leisurely sipping her tea, but the Great God was beginning to lose his patience. “I promised to help you invade the blue planet and make you its ruler. Is that not sincere enough?”
Hearing this, Yun Shu set down her teacup. “Anyone can write empty checks. How do I know whether you actually have the ability? I have no desire to end up drawing water with a bamboo basket.”
The Great God had originally wanted to continue haggling with Yun Shu, but his accelerating energy consumption would not allow it.
Yun Shu was the one who had turned this book world from the unreal into reality, so control over it naturally rested in her hands. He was merely an intruder; every additional minute he stayed drained his energy.
He had already lost a portion of his core power when the Dress-Up System rebelled. If he expended too much energy now, it would be virtually impossible to seize control of the world from Yun Shu.
“Fine, I will be straight with you.” He paused. “The blue planet is a real world, and I indeed cannot invade it right now. But if you cooperate with me, things will become simple.”
Yun Shu lowered her head and took another sip of tea.
“Tell me, then. How should we cooperate?”
The Great God was very pleased with Yun Shu’s response. He said, “This novel world you turned from the unreal into reality is of a very low dimension. It doesn't possess the necessary conditions to invade another real world.”
His voice was laced with a bewitching gentleness.
“Why don't the two of us join forces, purge this world, and create a new race from scratch? We will give them stronger physiques, greater intellect, and longer lifespans, elevating this world's dimension. In doing so, your own power will multiply exponentially.”
As he spoke, numerous figures surfaced within the water mirror.
The weavers in the embroidery workshops, the vendors in the marketplace, the farmers tilling the fields, the children studying in the schoolhouses...
“These feeble mortals—their existence will only obstruct the world’s dimensional elevation. They must be eliminated.”
With things laid out so plainly, how could Yun Shu fail to grasp what foul scheme the Great God was concocting? “Helping me is a lie; helping yourself is your true goal. Once my believers are eliminated, wouldn't that give you the perfect opportunity to strike while I'm vulnerable?”
Her face was cold as still water. “Don't take me for a fool!”
The Great God had not expected Yun Shu's mind to work so swiftly. He could only make a half-truthful confession.
“I won't deny that I want this world, but my desire to achieve a win-win with you is also genuine.”
He tried to convince Yun Shu, “The scale of the blue planet is vastly greater than this world that has only just become real. Once you obtain the blue planet, this world will be inconsequential to you.”
“When that time comes, each of us will control a world, minding our own business. Wouldn't that be the best possible outcome?”
Hearing this, Yun Shu gave a cold laugh.
Through this probing, she had long seen through the Great God’s greedy nature. In truth, he likely wanted both worlds.
In that case, there was nothing left to discuss.
Based solely on the Great God’s attitude toward humanity, she and he could only ever be adversaries; there was zero possibility of a win-win.
Besides, he actually harbored designs on invading the blue planet. She could never permit such a dangerous entity to exist.
She said, “You expect me to hand over control of the world just from a bit of sweet talk? You certainly know how to calculate in your favor.”
Seeing that Yun Shu was completely refusing to take the bait, the Great God’s tone finally darkened. “Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Opposing me will bring you no benefit whatsoever!”
“What a coincidence,” Yun Shu said, arching an eyebrow. “I just happen to love doing things that bring no benefit.”
Before her words even settled, the Domain of Retribution expanded, and the peach blossom grove instantly transformed into a cage trapping the Great God.
Before the Great God could even react, a tyrannical force gripped his throat, dragging him forward violently.
“You think you can invade the blue planet? Dream on.” Yun Shu drove her fist brutally into the Great God’s vulpine face.
The force was so immense that his cheek visibly caved in.
Yet, she had no intention of stopping.
Pinning the Great God by the neck, she slammed another punch down. “Seeing you wearing the little fox’s skin really pisses me off.”
“If you kill me, Number 7 will never come back!”
The Great God shrieked and struggled. With immense effort, he tore himself free from Yun Shu’s grasp. Battered black and blue, he tried to bolt from the peach blossom grove, only to slam headfirst into an invisible wall, utterly unable to escape.
“Yun Shu!” he roared. “You madwoman! If you trap me here, you won't be able to get out either!”
Yun Shu did not care in the slightest. “So what?”
The Great God was beside himself with fury, yet unable to best Yun Shu in combat, he could only bellow, “Let me out!”
Yun Shu said placidly, “For the little fox’s sake, I won't kill you. But you had best keep quiet. Don't even think about going out to bring ruin to this world or the blue planet, or face the consequences.”
The Great God fell silent for a few seconds.
He looked toward Yun Shu, softening his tone once more. “I never intended to bring ruin to the blue planet. All I ever wanted was this world you turned from the unreal into reality. I know you care deeply about those who worship you and pity them. But have you ever considered your aging parents, or your fallen brothers, sisters, and comrades? Are they not pitiful?”
“You clearly have the chance to return to the blue planet, to spare your parents from drowning in sorrow, and to resurrect your fallen brothers, sisters, and comrades. Yet for the sake of mere strangers, you choose to abandon them. Can you truly face them with a clear conscience?”
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