I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 836 - 836 835. No pains no gains

Chapter 836: 835. No pains, no gains. Chapter 836: 835. No pains, no gains. Lu Ban’s actions were straightforward.

He relocated as many people as he could to the sea, heading toward the land of Divine Sakura.

At the same time, he completely disintegrated the world’s monarchic system.

Although hierarchy would emerge wherever there were people, with occupants both ruling and being ruled, Lu Ban consolidated all power of this world into the Great Shrine of Harmony Island.

He had to ensure the succession of the Shrine Maidens and protect the sanctity of the Shrine Maidens, allowing for a continuous flow of offerings to Shia to maintain control of the Pure Fire.

The influence of Pollution spread much faster than Lu Ban had imagined. Within a few months, Harmony Island had become a scene of devastation.

The once powerful nations were destroyed in an instant, the once prosperous lands turned into filthy forbidden realms, creatures suffered, and the world’s population had more than halved in a short period.

However, it was also amidst these calamities that the Grand Shrine of Harmony Island was established.

Those Torii gates, porches, and pavilions rose from the ground, constructed upon the branches of Divine Sakura.

Even more people from around the world were heading toward the island where the Grand Shrine of Harmony Island resided.

At the very top of the Grand Shrine of Harmony Island was the residence known as the Shrine Maiden Lord’s abode.

Looking at the towering loft, Lu Ban felt a sense of inevitability.

The courtyard he was now in would, in the future, become the columbarium for the Shrine Maiden’s ashes. It would be utterly barren, devoid of any life.

The magnificent loft would destroy more lives, ideals, and hopes, in exchange for the world’s desperate survival.

This made one wonder, was it really worth it?

In the empty main hall, Lu Ban and Baobao sat facing each other.

“It’s really troublesome having to maintain a serious demeanor in front of those people, this is a bit more relaxing.”

Baobao, however, had no sitting posture and sprawled on the ground, her slender legs swaying like those of a teenage girl.

“You don’t really need to act.”

Lu Ban commented.

“But it’s more fun this way.”

Baobao sat up slightly, moving a bit closer.

“I love feeling completely immersed, no pain no gain, isn’t that what you humans always say?”

“Is that so?”

Lu Ban replied indifferently.

It was hard for Lu Ban to judge Baobao’s actions.

She was an embodiment of the chaotic and Indescribable Evil God. If she wished, she could reverse all the sacrifices and destruction of The Island, and even save Shia, future Red Leaf, Amber—all of them.

But she had facilitated it all.

It could be said that Baobao, who could either save or destroy this world, had chosen the most tormenting method.

Maybe this was the difference in thinking between the Outer Gods and humans.

Do not try to control, rely on, or trust these beings—they only act for their own purposes.

With that in mind, Lu Ban heard a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

As his words fell, Baobao straightened up, adopting a saintly posture.

The door was pushed open, and a young woman clad in white with a red hakama entered.

She appeared about fourteen or fifteen, with black short hair, still looking youthful yet also poised and skilled.

“Shrine Maiden Lord, dinner is ready. Would you like to eat now?”

The Shrine Maiden glanced at Lu Ban then lowered her head.

“Bring everything up.”

Baobao spoke as if it mattered, and upon hearing this, the maiden carried the plate forward, placing the modest yet elegant food in front of Baobao.

Baobao picked up the utensils and looked at the dinner large enough to feed three people.

Including various meats such as fish and chicken, as well as vegetables, fruits, and soup—all rich and delicious, emitting an enticing aroma.

“All this?”

Baobao had complained before, claiming this was not a provision for a Shrine Maiden but rather for fattening pigs.

Aside from the fact that she didn’t need to eat to obtain nutrients, even as a form of indulgence, such a meal was luxurious enough for this era.

“This is according to royal standards… I’ve already told the kitchen to try and make it less, more delicate, but they were worried the Shrine Maiden Lord wouldn’t be satisfied, so…”

The Shrine Maiden’s voice was soft and trembling slightly timid.

“Those emperors probably ate only a bite from each dish.”

Lu Ban explained,

“It is said that to prevent poisoning, if a dish is eaten twice, it surely won’t be seen the next day.”

“That’s rather pitiful.”

Baobao remarked, then glanced at the shrine maiden again,

“Have you eaten yet?”

“…no, Shrine Maiden Lord.”

The shrine maiden bowed her head, answering tremulously.

“Then let’s eat together, I can’t finish it all anyway.”

Baobao said, placing the bowl into her hands.

“This, this is against etiquette…”

The shrine maiden seemed terrified, hastily declining.

“You are not obeying my command?”

Baobao’s voice suddenly grew stern.

“I, I dare not.”

The shrine maiden quickly bowed her head in apology.

“Bring two more sets of bowls and chopsticks, the three of us will eat together.”

Baobao ordered.

The shrine maiden could only retrieve two more sets of bowls and chopsticks, sitting between Baobao and Lu Ban, slightly uneasy.

“Just eat.”

Baobao said.

The shrine maiden picked up a piece of green vegetable leaf, put it into her mouth, and chewed slowly, occasionally stealing glances at Baobao, fearing she might do something wrong.

“Eat more meat, look at you.”

Baobao immediately picked up a piece of fish meat and placed it in her bowl.

The shrine maiden looked at Lu Ban somewhat bewildered.

“Eat.”

Lu Ban averted his gaze from her amber-colored eyes, saying in a grave tone.

Only then did the shrine maiden pick up the fish meat from her bowl and ate it; her eyes suddenly brightened.

“Delicious…”

“I remember you were just a commoner before?”

Lu Ban asked.

“Yes, my parents were peasants, but because I had some unusual abilities from a young age…”

The shrine maiden hurriedly set down her chopsticks and recounted her origins.

From a young age, she possessed extraordinary powers, not only able to see the flow of the wind veins in the atmosphere but also to predict the yield of the fields. As she grew older, she could even control the weather within a certain range. Thus, during a time when Pollution wreaked havoc, she was sent to the Great Shrine of Harmony Island and, after being selected, became one of the shrine maidens serving Baobao.

After dinner, the shrine maiden cleaned up the dishes, but before she could leave, Baobao called her back.

“Come here later, I want to ask you more about this place, you can sleep here tonight.”

Hearing Baobao’s words, the shrine maiden became fearful again. She dared not refuse, only nervously agreeing.

After the shrine maiden left, Lu Ban looked at the collapsed Baobao.

“You treat her very specially.”

“Of course,” Baobao lazily responded.

“From a young age, she bore the pollution of the Foreign Domain and possessed extraordinary talents. If she were in another world, she would definitely be a genius who could change an era.”

“Of course, she’s not bad in this Foreign Domain either. I really like her, so I want to get to know this girl better and foster a relationship, tell her about the beauty and hope of this world. Ideally, we could become friends who share everything, or even closer soulmates, ideally fostering feelings of pity, compassion, and affection for her, deeply regretting my current actions.”

“Only in this way…”,

She turned her head, looking at Lu Ban,

“When I choose her as the next Shrine Maiden, turning those most fervent hopes into despair, will I be able to taste the deepest pain. I’ve said it before, I enjoy this immersive feeling.”

Baobao’s lips curled upward, seemingly highly anticipating what was to come.

*