Chapter 2876: Reincarnation

Fire totems surrounded the altar, and they resonated with the stars in the sky. Zu An sensed a sliver of starlight energy descending from heaven.

There was a circular platform at the center of the altar, and a man dressed in a dragon robe was kneeling on it. He was the captured Yongli Emperor, and he was dead. A bow was hanging around his neck—Hermes must have just strangled him using the bowstring.

Hermes murmured an obscure incantation, and the formation soaked in fresh blood lit up. Mysterious pulsations rippled in the surroundings and resonated with the stars in the sky,

The blood on the ground looked demonic, but the stars in the sky looked pure and sacred. The altar felt like an amalgamation of contradicting properties, and that only made it seem more eerie.

Zu An frowned.

What is Hermes up to? I sense spatial pulsations. Is he summoning something? Hermes must have planned to use the poor Yongli Emperor as tribute from the very start.

Just then, a wormhole appeared, and a beautiful figure fell out of it.

Zu An flinched. He recognized the beautiful figure—it was Yu Yanluo!

But Yu Yanluo was supposed to be held hostage at King Pingxi’s manor in the capital. Zu An had even paid her a visit before leaving the capital.

Neither the Annihilation faction’s upper echelons, Jiang Luofu, nor the Little Fiend Empress would have allowed her to leave the capital and go to Hermes’ side.

Yu Yanluo looked bewildered. She looked at the man on the altar and asked, “Hermes, what are you doing? Why was I suddenly teleported here?”

She had been cultivating in the manor’s garden when a wormhole suddenly engulfed her. Before she knew it, she had already been transported here.

“I stowed away the imperial edict I received from Oberon. Using that as the foundation, I instructed my aides to tamper with King Pingxi’s manor. I have no intention of harming you with this formation, which is why you failed to notice it.” Hermes’ calm eyes reddened with fervor at the sight of Yu Yanluo.

Yu Yanluo widened her eyes in realization, but she didn’t lower her guard. “Why did you summon me here?”

Loneliness flickered across Hermes’ eyes. “You resemble her so much. Even your demeanors are alike.”

Yu Yanluo was confused. “Who is 'her'?”

Hermes continued rambling instead of answering her question, “Why don’t you like me? Countless women in the Myriad Worlds would commit murder just to have me smile at them, but I never gave them the time of day. I showed you utmost concern and got the best things for you. I even betrayed the Ming Empire and the Order faction for you. Yet you refuse to smile at me.”

Yu Yanluo shook her head. “Love can’t be forced.”

“You have someone you like. Who is he?” Hermes suddenly looked irritated. The goddess he had been pining for actually fell in love with someone else. No man could tolerate that.

Yu Yanluo fell silent. She wouldn’t give Zu An away. Eventually, she said, “If you truly love a person, shouldn’t you wish for her happiness?”

Hermes sneered, “What farcical words. Only brainless fools would fall for that. It’s one thing if I don’t fall in love, but once I do, I must have that person!”

“You’re out of your mind.” Yu Yanluo frowned. While she didn’t fancy Hermes, she had to admit that he was a good catch. He was a charming gentleman who was not only respectful but also made good conversation. It was no wonder so many women in the Myriad Worlds fancied him.

But that side of him was currently nowhere to be seen. His face was now distorted like a feral beast.

“I’m not out of my mind. I know what I’m doing.” Hermes harrumphed. “She also disliked this side of me.”

Yu Yanluo was even more confused now. “Who are you talking about?”

A chuckle echoed. “Who else other than the Deity of Love and Beauty?”

A seductive woman strutted over from the starlight.

Zu An, who was watching the situation from the shadows, immediately recognized her. It was the Universal Conglomerate’s Fifth Elder Lilith!

What is she doing here?

Back when Beijing was breached, First Elder Oberon committed suicide, and Fifth Elder Lilith went missing. Many speculated that she had died in the chaos. She was known for her beauty and charm, so it wasn't hard to imagine the fate that would befall her if the enemies got their hands on her.

To think that she would appear here!

Furthermore, the nonchalance on Hermes’ face showed that he was aware of her presence all along.

Zu An widened his eyes in realization.

The Fifth Elder is Noble Consort Tian in this world, and Noble Consort Tian’s father was the one who found ‘Chen Yuanyuan’ and presented her to Wu Sangui. I should have known there was a connection between them right from the start!

Yu Yanluo was shocked. She had some guesses, but she hadn't thought that the person she resembled would be the legendary Deity of Love and Beauty.

“I know the person you fancy.” Lilith looked at Yu Yanluo and laughed.

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Before Yu Yanluo could answer, Hermes asked with a roar, “Who is it?”

He wanted to know the identity of the bastard who stole his lover.

“Who else other than the man who claimed Isabella’s heart?” Lilith said with a sigh. “That fellow is indeed a charming one. Had I not met you first, Second Brother, I might have lost my soul to him too.”

Zu An was speechless.

My apologies, but I have no interest in public bicycles.

But her words suggest that she’s a couple with Hermes? A public bicycle with an abstinent man... What massive gossip this is!

“Zu An!” Hermes gritted his teeth.

No wonder I didn’t like him from the very start. This explains it!

You have successfully trolled Hermes for +499... +499... +499...

Zu An was glad that Hermes was only learning about this now, or else the latter could have sprung an ambush on him when he visited several days ago.

This man is clearly insane!

Lilith harrumphed. “Second Brother, why are you wasting time? Everything is already in order. It’s about time to revive the Deity of Love and Beauty.”