“Yu Nian…?”
“You still have Yu Nian, don’t you?” The woman asked with a smile. “How else do you expect to achieve ‘Echo’ like this?”
“I… Why should I discard my ‘Yu Nian’?” Qi Xia’s gaze turned icy in an instant. “What exactly are you implying?”
“Young man, come to my lecture,” the woman said with a chuckle. “I’ll answer everyone’s questions one by one.”
With that, she pressed one hand together in prayer while the other drew a cross over her chest, bidding farewell before leaving.
Yun Yao shook her head helplessly and said to Qi Xia, “I suggest you don’t go.”
“Why?”
“Aunt Tong’s theories are wild and unfounded. Her lectures might drive you insane.”
Qi Xia, being an atheist by nature, had no intention of attending.
Yet, the phrase “discard Yu Nian” struck him like a thunderbolt, lodging itself deep in his mind.
“Do we need to participate in any games this afternoon?” Qi Xia asked.
“Not really,” Yun Yao replied. “I’ve already fully acknowledged both of your abilities. For now, it’s free time—you can scout out games, strategize, and maybe earn some ‘Dao’ if you have the chance. After all, food and water in ‘Paradise Entrance’ will require ‘Dao’ later on.”
“Got it.” Qi Xia nodded. “If there’s nothing else scheduled, I’ll go see this woman in the afternoon.”
After parting ways with Yun Yao, Qiao Jiazhen and Qi Xia returned to the classroom and had a simple meal of canned food.
Xiao Ran and Dr. Zhao were no longer there—only Lin Qin and Han Yimo remained, chatting quietly.
The four exchanged brief greetings.
“Qi Xia, how was your day?” Lin Qin asked.
“Terrible,” Qi Xia shook his head. “Tian Tian, Officer Li, and Lawyer Zhang all died in the game.”
“What?!” Han Yimo stiffened. “Officer Li and Lawyer Zhang too…? N-no way…”
Qi Xia sensed unease. “Han Yimo, don’t worry too much. They’ll come back…”
Han Yimo nodded heavily. “You’re right… But I still feel awful…”
After a moment of thought, Qi Xia spoke up. “Come with me somewhere this afternoon.”
—
Around one in the afternoon, Qi Xia, Qiao Jiazhen, Lin Qin, and Han Yimo arrived at a classroom in the northern area.
To Qi Xia’s surprise, over a dozen people were already seated inside.
Among them, he spotted Old Lü and Zhang Shan.
The group exchanged silent nods, refraining from further conversation.
The four found a corner to sit in and waited quietly.
Qi Xia noticed paper and pens on each desk—were they expected to take notes during this lecture?
Before long, Aunt Tong entered, opening the door.
“Quite a turnout…” She smiled warmly, placing a teacup on the podium before turning to wipe the blackboard.
Her every movement carried the air of a seasoned teacher.
Qi Xia and Qiao Jiazhen exchanged glances—this seemed far more formal than they’d anticipated.
“First, let me introduce myself. My name is Tong Chan. You may call me ‘Aunt Tong’ or ‘Teacher Tong.'” She scanned the room with kindness. “Many of you here have shared life-and-death bonds with me, though you’ve forgotten. Today’s lecture will help you understand the truth of this world.”
“Bravo!” Old Lü stood up and clapped. “Let’s give Teacher Tong some encouragement, everyone!”
The crowd eyed him in confusion before offering a smattering of half-hearted applause.
“Old Lü, stop fooling around. Sit down,” Aunt Tong waved dismissively.
She surveyed the room again and spoke solemnly. “This morning, we lost five companions. First, let us mourn together.”
Clasping her hands beneath her chin, she recited softly:
“Beloved Mother Goddess, today we gather not to grieve for five departed souls, but to rejoice for five souls entering Your Kingdom.”
After finishing, she lifted her head. “Please, repeat after me.”
Only one or two people in the room mumbled along weakly.
“Though our hearts ache with sorrow, it is only from longing and reluctance. Beloved Mother Goddess, may they abide with You.”
“They are Your spiritual children, watched over by You all their lives. Here, we thank You and pray for Your forgiveness of their sins.”
“May You grant their souls eternal rest in Your Kingdom.”
“Beloved Mother Goddess, may You bless them for their faith. May You bless their descendants for their devotion. May the beliefs they pursued be passed down through generations until Your Kingdom descends.”
Qi Xia’s expression darkened. “I can’t take this anymore.”
“What’s wrong?” Qiao Jiazhen turned to him. “This auntie’s putting on quite a show.”
“So she thinks some divine force is protecting us, giving us these bizarre experiences?” Qi Xia scoffed. “If that ‘Mother Goddess’ she’s talking about is really the one behind this, I’m glad I’ve never believed in gods.”
Lin Qin frowned beside them. “There’s another odd thing…”
Qi Xia and Qiao Jiazhen both looked at her.
“If I remember correctly, this passage is a Christian eulogy,” Lin Qin mused. “But if it were truly Christian… they’d pray to the ‘Heavenly Father,’ not a ‘Beloved Mother.'”
“So she can’t even tell Mary and Yahweh apart?” Qi Xia said. “My bad for wasting your time. Let’s go.”
Before they could stand, Aunt Tong suddenly raised her voice fervently.
“Great ‘Mother Goddess of Creation’! Accept my most sincere prayer!”
The room fell dead silent.
“Mother Goddess… of Creation?” Qi Xia stiffened slightly—he’d never heard of such a deity.
Pangu split the heavens, and Nüwa created mankind.
Did “Mother Goddess of Creation” refer to Nüwa?
After a pause, Qi Xia turned to Han Yimo. “You’re a writer—have you ever heard Nüwa called ‘Mother Goddess of Creation’?”
“No…” Han Yimo shook his head. “It doesn’t sound like traditional terminology. Even ‘Goddess Mother’ would be more accurate than ‘Mother Goddess.'”
The tension in the room was palpable—clearly, Qi Xia wasn’t the only one itching to leave.
A middle-aged man in a suit spoke up. “Ma’am, hold the worship. Can you just explain what this place really is?”
Aunt Tong smiled cryptically before turning to write a single large character on the blackboard:
**”God.”**
“God?”
The crowd murmured.
“Indeed.” Aunt Tong nodded. “Only a god could create the Land of Finality—and She is the ‘Mother Goddess.'”
A heavy silence followed.
“Ma’am,” the suited man sighed. “Is this your entire ‘lecture’? You’re telling us this place is some kind of myth?”
“I am merely a guide.” Aunt Tong maintained her serene smile. “The revelations of the Mother Goddess transcend mortal comprehension, so your doubts are natural.”
“Why do you assume some goddess brought us here?” A young man with delicate features asked. “Have you ever seen Her?”
“Of course not.” Aunt Tong shook her head. “The Mother Goddess is unseen and untouchable—yet She is everywhere. I can feel Her presence.”
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