Volume One, Chapter One: Rebirth, Before the Descent of the Gods

"Gu Xinian, is this gold necklace your idea of sincerity?"

Hearing the voice beside him, Gu Xinian's mind cleared instantly, and he turned to look in its direction.

In the soft golden sunlight, a sensual, beautiful girl stood holding a gold necklace, glaring at him in anger.

Lin Qingxue!

This was Qinghe University!

In that moment, his soul was shaken to its core.

Could it be... have I been reborn?

He could hardly believe it, his heart surging like stormy seas.

He pinched himself hard.

The sharp, undeniable pain told him with certainty: this was not a dream, but reality!

He had truly returned to six hours before the world was thrown into chaos!

Six hours from now, the gods—believed to exist only in legend, but in truth slumbering deep within the starry sky—would awaken!

They would send forth their apostles and subordinate deities to walk among humankind.

They would bestow trial after trial, selecting and cultivating followers!

People could grow stronger by defeating enemies in the trials, leveling up, and choosing a god to serve as their faith and profession. Yet they could also be killed by the strange monsters lurking within these trials.

Calming himself, Gu Xinian could not help but recall the last scene before his death.

In his previous life, he had paid countless prices, lost many close comrades, and in the end reached level 90, becoming the War God's strongest follower and earning the title of the Chosen One.

Yet still he died miserably at the hands of Titan, the subordinate of the God of Time!

Most importantly, he saw that while Titan's followers cheered for their god's strength and victory, Titan devoured them all!

The Hermit Salvation Society spoke the truth!

Those who worship the gods become their fruit, and are ultimately consumed!

The so-called divine trials were nothing but a game for the gods, selecting followers and forcing them to slaughter each other, harvesting them once they matured.

After the gods came and the world changed, some became followers but never truly trusted the gods.

They chose a deity only to gain more power and information, never intending to rely on the gods.

They secretly opposed the divine, hoping to lead humanity to victory and free them from the gods.

They were considered madmen in this apocalyptic age of gods!

The Hermit Salvation Society was one such organization, founded by these madmen.

In his previous life, had he not died at Titan's hand, he would have been devoured by the War God in the end!

Gu Xinian trembled at the thought, an icy fierceness glinting in his eyes.

Gods!

Games!

Since I have been reborn, I will play this game with you, so-called gods!

I want to see if gods are truly so invincible and lofty!

Meanwhile, Lin Qingxue continued her tirade.

"Do you know what my best friend's boyfriend got her for her birthday?"

"A Chanel bag! If you work hard, is twenty thousand really so hard to earn?"

Gu Xinian snapped back to attention and lifted his head to look at Lin Qingxue.

Lin Qingxue was the campus belle of Qinghe University, and his childhood sweetheart.

But after entering university and seeing the wider world, she changed.

Materialistic and vain!

More than once in his previous life, she belittled his genuine efforts, just as she was doing now.

After the world changed, she manipulated him in every way, squeezing all she could from him.

When she saw no further use in him, she cast him aside.

He wasted so much time and energy on her, missing out on so much.

Now, having been reborn, he would never repeat his past mistakes.

"It's not difficult!"

"If you don't think it's sincere, then I won't give it to you."

His voice was cold as frost, and with a swift motion, he snatched the gold necklace from Lin Qingxue's hand.

Lin Qingxue was stunned.

She stared wide-eyed at Gu Xinian, unable to believe it.

Had he lost his mind? He actually dared speak to her like this?

He even dared to take back the gold necklace he'd given her!

Was he mad?

Did he not know how many people were pursuing her?

Was he not afraid she'd break up with him?

Just as she was about to unleash her fury and scold this ungrateful wretch, Gu Xinian, now holding the gold necklace, turned and left without hesitation.

As if he cared nothing for her feelings or reactions.

As if he had become a completely different person.

Watching Gu Xinian's departing back, she ground her teeth and stamped her foot in rage.

Useless man, you'll regret this!

I'll make you kneel and beg for my forgiveness!

...

...

Leaving Qinghe University, Gu Xinian headed straight for the commercial street.

Besides shops, scattered vendors sold all sorts of wares along the street.

He walked among the sparse crowd, his gaze sweeping from stall to stall as if searching for something.

Soon, his eyes settled on a young man in a blue jacket and white shirt, with slightly curled hair and a weary expression.

Found you, Nangong Yun!

In his previous life, every main god selected a Chosen One.

Though Nangong Yun's level was five below his, he became the Chosen of the God of Memory.

That had struck Gu Xinian as odd.

But the Hermit Salvation Society had told him that Nangong Yun, through certain means, negotiated with the God of Deceit, paying a price for enormous benefits.

Later, during a cooperative trial, Gu Xinian tested him and confirmed the Hermit Salvation Society's claim.

Nangong Yun really had negotiated and traded with the God of Deceit!

So in his previous life, when he gained a chance to observe people's lives along the river of time, he made sure to watch Nangong Yun's life.

To his surprise, Nangong Yun was also from Qinghe City.

On the eve of the world's change, Nangong Yun, to earn money for his sister's medical treatment, was selling ancestral belongings at high prices in Qinghe University's commercial street, and was mocked for it.

But at first, Nangong Yun was so inconspicuous that when the survivors left Qinghe City, none noticed the future Chosen of the God of Memory.

Having watched Nangong Yun's life in detail along the river of time, Gu Xinian knew that Nangong Yun's qualification to negotiate with the God of Deceit came from his ancestral heirloom!

In his previous life, even after Nangong Yun offered this item as the "price" to the God of Deceit and gained his boon, no one realized how important and unimaginable this heirloom was.

Its name was the Mask of Mystery!

Within it slumbered the maddening will of a Supreme!

It was the only medium connecting to the Palace of Primordial Chaos!

It was also the essential prerequisite for starting the unique, strongest hidden profession quest after the world changed!

If he could obtain this item, he could dominate the early stages after the world's transformation, seize more opportunities, and gain more benefits and resources!

With these thoughts, Gu Xinian's gaze burned as he walked toward Nangong Yun.

Seeing a customer approach, Nangong Yun perked up, his smile bright.

"Hey there, boss! Looking for something?"

"Take a look! Antiques, jade, gifts for girls, and some exquisite handmade trinkets—all here. If you've got an eye for bargains, you might just strike it lucky!"

Gu Xinian's eyes settled on a peculiar mask in the corner, shaped like a human face, blending ancient charm and eerie strangeness.

"How much is this?"