I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 837 - 837 836. Audiobook Listener

Chapter 837: 836. Audiobook Listener Chapter 837: 836. Audiobook Listener “…Though it happened in a flash, the Shrine Maiden Lord took a giant stride forward, and with a single palm, she halted the progress of the monster. Her hand, pure and white as jade, contrasted starkly against the horrendous creature, leaving the onlookers utterly dumbstruck…”

In the bustling market, a man held a folding fan and vividly narrated the tale of the Great Shrine of Harmony Island’s shrine maiden vanquishing evil spirits. After finishing a portion of the story, he paused to take a sip of tea.

Harmony Island had become increasingly prosperous, and now the island was home to more than one-tenth of the world’s population, with even more refugees living on the surrounding islands. It was unclear whether it was due to Baobao’s manipulation or the crustal movements caused by the emergence of filth, but numerous islets had appeared near Harmony Island. These became refuges for the people, who quickly built cramped and humble abodes and struggled to survive.

Having heard this segment of the storyteller’s tale, many in the audience applauded, and some even threw a few coins on his table. He offered his thanks and carefully collected the coins one by one.

“Master, did you actually witness what you just described?”

At that moment, a long-haired woman suddenly asked.

“No, I did not witness the Shrine Maiden Lord’s heroic figure personally. Us mortals could not possibly have such an honor but I believe that if I ever saw the Shrine Maiden Lord with my own eyes, I would surely remember her visage for a lifetime.”

The storyteller took a drink of tea and added,

“Even though the story wasn’t witnessed by my own eyes, I assure you the Shrine Maiden Lord must be filled with martial virtue. Perhaps she is even more valiant than I described, capable of exploding a dozen monsters with a single punch.”

Hearing the storyteller’s description, the woman slightly furrowed her brow.

Beside her, another young woman couldn’t help covering her face to stifle her laughter, while a man seemed deep in thought.

“But I feel like the Shrine Maiden Lord wouldn’t be… violent. Since she is a shrine maiden, she would still maintain some grace, right?”

The woman added.

“Grace? How could a delicate and gentle appearance fare against those monsters? Miss, you seem not to have been deeply exposed to society. In life or death situations, only strength can solve problems.”

The storyteller chuckled.

“Moreover, I heard this description from an acquaintance at the Great Shrine of Harmony Island. Who knows the Shrine Maiden Lord better, her or you?”

He offered no further explanation, gathered the money, and left to tell his stories elsewhere.

The woman’s mouth twitched as she glanced at the two people beside her.

“What are you laughing at?”

Baobao asked the giggling young shrine maiden.

“Nothing…”

The shrine maiden immediately composed herself, adopting a serious demeanor.

“These storytellers, they just make things up and ruin my image.”

Baobao muttered.

“After all, they have never seen a real filth.”

Lu Ban explained.

“You’re a god, why bother with ordinary people.”

“I don’t care.”

Baobao protested.

“I just want to let these rumor-mongers know how many eyes their Shrine Maiden Lord really has!”

“Okay, Shrine Maiden Lord, don’t be angry. How about I go and buy you some rice dumplings?”

The young shrine maiden quickly tried to pacify her.

“Yay!”

Baobao immediately put aside the storyteller’s words, her little feet swinging in anticipation as the young shrine maiden went to buy the dumplings.

Watching the young shrine maiden walk away, Lu Ban sighed.

“You didn’t have to do this.”

In the past several days, Baobao and this young shrine maiden had become very close, often eating and sleeping together, and on a whim, embarking on incognito trips.

Their relationship had evolved from initial reverence and fear to one akin to sisterhood.

Tantrums and tumbles had become routine.

In Lu Ban’s view, the young shrine maiden was like a guardian to Baobao, worrying about all sorts of things.

But all this was just a precursor.

Lu Ban knew well.

This shrine maiden was to be the Great Shrine of Harmony Island’s first Chief Priestess. When everything was prepared, she would be sacrificed to the Divine Sakura, sacrificed to Shia, her soul merging with this colossal tree, becoming kindling for the Pure Fire.

Baobao’s actions were merely in pursuit of her own thrills.

Lu Ban was well aware that when a person could even gamble with their own feelings, nothing could harm them anymore.

Nighttime, in the courtyard, Baobao and the young shrine maiden were sitting on the steps, with a few pieces of fruit similar to watermelon placed beside them.

The moonlight was crystalline, and cherry blossoms drifted down, landing on the watermelon. The young shrine maiden picked one up without noticing the petals and bit into it. The icy cool juice flowed down from the corner of her mouth, dripping onto the ground.

“You should eat more slowly.”

Baobao spoke softly, using a handkerchief to wipe the corners of the other’s mouth. Their proximity caused the young shrine maiden to turn crimson and turn away.

“Shrine Maiden Lord, I should be the one taking care of you.”

The young shrine maiden said.

“Aren’t we friends?”

Baobao smiled, a smile that seemed to have a magical power, capable of making all worries fade away.

The young shrine maiden’s face grew even redder.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“Shrine Maiden Lord, can we defeat those monsters?”

“Why do you ask?”

Baobao gently brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen beside the young shrine maiden’s ear, smiling softly as she asked.

“I’ve heard… it’s just hearsay, that those impurities cannot be completely expelled, and the Shrine Maiden Lord’s power can only extinguish them temporarily. The Shrine Maiden Lord can protect us for decades, for a hundred years, but not forever.”

The young shrine maiden’s eyelashes drooped, her eyes filled with melancholy.

“That’s true, I too will have my day to leave, but the power of the Divine Sakura will carry on. The power of the Divine Sakura will find a suitable successor.”

Baobao said, looking at the young shrine maiden. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

“If I give you a chance, would you want to be that successor?”

“…Huh?”

The young shrine maiden didn’t grasp the meaning at first, and it took her a moment to voice her confusion, staring blankly at Baobao.

“Me? How could I possibly…”

“The Divine Sakura has already told me the answer; you are worthy.”

Baobao gently grasped the young shrine maiden’s hand.

“Can you protect this world for me, until the end of your life?”

Hearing Baobao’s words, the young shrine maiden was perplexed, but soon, she was filled with longing.

After all, this was a power capable of saving the world.

If she could share some of the Shrine Maiden Lord’s burdens.

If she had the power to save the world.

Then, would the tomorrow she faced become brighter?

She nodded naively, looking into Baobao’s eyes, which seemed to shine like stars.

Late at night, the young shrine maiden had fallen asleep. Baobao rose, covered her with a blanket, and went out into the courtyard.

The moonlight was like water, and she saw Lu Ban sitting in the yard, as if recording something.

“She has agreed,”

Baobao told Lu Ban.

Lu Ban did not answer.

Speaking to herself, Baobao continued.

“I do regret it, having chosen her as the next one.”

Her face bore traces of sorrow, making her more pitiable.

“At all times, I ponder whether there is a way for her to give up, to become my guardian, and obtain eternal life, staying by my side forever.”

Lu Ban looked up; he saw that Baobao’s face was tear-streaked, her gaze filled with remorse.

“This is precisely what you yearned for.”

Lu Ban said indifferently.

“Yes.”

Baobao wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

“This is the meaning of my existence.”