Xiao Huang probably had a bit of a performative beastly nature, or rather, it was the type that liked to please Yu Deng.
After receiving Yu Deng's praise, it became even more excited, gathering all the nearby fire decorations and curling its tail to create a flower-like display.
In the busy town square, everyone momentarily forgot what they were doing, silently watching this abstract creature perform its little show.
"Who would have thought… I'd see an animal performance in the Infinite Channel one day…"
"We refuse animal performances…"
"Unless the animal insists on performing…"
"This ugly-cute little thing is clearly trying to please our baby, hahaha. Finally, it got a chance to show off."
Xiao Huang had already leapt onto a pillar at the edge of the square, attempting a high-altitude, one-paw stance while tossing fireballs.
Yu Deng stared blankly as the difficulty of Xiao Huang's performance kept escalating. "Wait, Xiao Huang… that's enough."
At his words, Xiao Huang immediately obediently jumped down, panting and lying in front of Yu Deng, waiting for his instructions.
Yu Deng hesitated but continued directing it: "Put those things back. They're for the ritual, don't play with them."
Xiao Huang promptly set down the performance props curled on its tail, arranging them neatly as if it were a trained professional.
Once finished, it turned toward the human who had dared question its master, baring its teeth in a fierce, disdainful glare, mixed with just a hint of gratitude.
Luckily for this clueless human, Xiao Huang now had another opportunity to please the pretty human, something no other pet had. Heh.
Thinking this, Xiao Huang didn't forget to bare its teeth at the little crow and the bat-ball, its copper-bell-sized eyes full of provocation.
The two small animals just stared silently. "Hmph."
"All right, Xiao Huang, well done." Yu Deng patted its large head, signaling it to sit obediently by his side and wait for orders.
Not far away, One-Eyed Three-Knives stared dumbfounded at the beastly performance, already regretting challenging this mysterious merchant. He stepped back a few paces, seemingly looking for an exit, but still stubbornly testing the waters.
"Sorry, I saw those two capable outsiders following you and assumed—"
"Tsk." Cheng Xiao, usually obedient like a puppy in front of Yu Deng, had a generally irritable temper toward others.
He stepped forward, tone lightly mocking: "I got information from my deal with him. What does that have to do with you? Why are you suspecting me instead of dealing with him? You just don't want to, huh?"
Qin Jun remained silent, quietly drawing his weapon to silently protect Yu Deng's disguise.
Yu Deng felt pleased with his two contracted companions' loyalty and mentally decided to thank them once he left the dungeon. He glanced at One-Eyed Three-Knives and lowered his head slightly.
This guy was annoying! why did he keep trying to ruin everything?!
Seeing that One-Eyed Three-Knives seemed about to speak again, Yu Deng slightly raised his hand, signaling everyone to stay silent, maintaining the aura of a powerful, mysterious figure.
"I—I have a bad temper. I've been very tolerant already."
At the end of Yu Deng's words, the little Xiao Huang, sensing its master's emotions, suddenly darted out and swatted One-Eyed Three-Knives with a single paw.
The player let out a terrible scream, unable to hold on under Xiao Huang's paw for even five seconds, and was eliminated.
The townspeople weren't surprised by this. Other players, seeing Xiao Huang act, were silent and quickly avoided Yu Deng's gaze.
Yu Deng didn't even have time to stop Xiao Huang. But eliminating this player who disrupted the game was for the best, he wasn't good at handling such questioning.
He glanced back at the square, fully aware of the situation. The remaining players weren't fools. Although he had stabilized his disguise earlier, if he revealed any intentions, they would see through him… and if they discovered he was Yu Deng, they would target him. So he had to eliminate them either before exposure or at the very moment of exposure.
—Yes. Yu Deng had already chosen to trust his instincts and intended to eliminate the other players.
He wanted the treasures of the temple.
…
Yu Deng supervised the square for nearly an hour before confidently leaving the remaining preparations to Mara.
It was just past 2 p.m., with some time until the evening bonfire ritual. Yu Deng planned to chat with the townspeople to verify the vague suspicions in his mind.
His thoughts were a mess; he needed more information to organize them.
"I want to talk to the townspeople." Yu Deng, making sure no other players were nearby, gestured to Qin Jun and Cheng Xiao. "I… need to confirm something. You two…"
He looked up at them, unsure how to phrase it.
Cheng Xiao's mind worked quickly. "You want us to leave, right?"
Yu Deng nodded slightly.
Both Cheng Xiao and Qin Jun were smart; they had already guessed his plan from his vague demeanor.
Qin Jun asked softly, "Does the baby want other players to know the bonfire ritual is important, so they'll all participate?"
Yu Deng nodded again.
"Got it. I'll help the baby." Qin Jun smiled. "I'll cooperate with you."
After this brief exchange, they split into three groups. Cheng Xiao and Qin Jun helped Yu Deng achieve his goal, spreading rumors to attract other players' attention to the night's ritual and stoking their desire for the temple.
Yu Deng randomly selected a household of townspeople and knocked on the door.
Inside lived two sisters, one of whom had twisted limbs, making her barely recognizable as human.
Since Yu Deng became the god's proxy and the ritual leader, the townspeople no longer treated him with suspicion. He was warmly welcomed by the two sisters.
"Finally, we meet you, Your Excellency, the proxy." The elder sister was very respectful.
Yu Deng waved and sat in the main seat. "No need for such formality. I just… want to understand everyone's situation on behalf of the god."
A visit, an investigation!
The sisters sat upright. "Of course. Please, ask."
Yu Deng thought for a moment: "Do you live happily in the town?"
"Of course!"
The sisters spoke in turn about their joyful life, free from hunger or cold.
Yu Deng reminded them: "But you're gradually losing your human features."
They smiled calmly. "It's fine. This is our eternal home."
Yu Deng looked at them, unsure if they would later regret this, but at least they seemed content now, unlike in previous dungeons where people were trapped in despair.
"Do you know what happens to the outsiders who appear here often?"
"They?" the younger sister giggled. "They don't believe in gods. If they get lost in the mists, of course they become forest fodder."
Yu Deng shivered.
He already knew this dungeon had been run many times—so many players would perish here, never leaving.
But he pushed these thoughts aside. First, he had to reach the temple. He needed a plan to trap everyone.
"I'm so nervous… I don't know if my guess is correct, or if I can eliminate them." Yu Deng tugged at his clothes, looking bewildered. "But… I really want to go to the temple and get the treasure."
His intuition was subtle. He couldn't explain it, only knew that if he didn't try, he might regret it forever.
[I trust the host, and humans are always tempted by great rewards. Whatever the host wants to do, be brave and try.] System 01 said.
"Yeah, I know."
After finishing communication with the system, Yu Deng looked up to see the light dimming. The sisters were gone, leaving him alone. The familiar entity appeared, trying affectionately to cling to him.
This creature had messed with him last night and disappeared when he woke. Always appearing suddenly.
Yu Deng pursed his lips. "You were really naughty yesterday…"
The tentacles massaged his shoulders and waist in apology.
Yu Deng turned away. After a quiet moment, remembering his unfinished special mission, he poked a tentacle.
It silently asked a question.
"I want to ask you something." Yu Deng tried to meet its eyes politely, but with dozens of eyes on its tentacles, he was a little scared and lowered his head.
"Will you listen to me from now on? Only me… will you… submit to me?"
Yu Deng finished nervously, after all... it seemed like blasphemy to ask such a thing of a suspected evil god.
The massive being pondered Yu Deng's words. After a few seconds, it affectionately wrapped around him again, a faint golden light shining between them.
Listening to its beloved human's words? Couldn't ask for more!
[Ding. Congratulations, player Yu Deng has completed the special mission.]
Yu Deng: "???"
Huh? Already done? This was probably his fastest contract mission ever…
It agreed so easily—was it because the creature wasn't very intelligent? But no, it had been mischievous during their previous trade.
Anyway, mission complete, his stress eased a little.
After the contract formed, the massive being stayed quiet for a while before moving again.
It cautiously wrapped around Yu Deng, making slow, whisper-like sounds, as if from a distant sky, or directly in his mind.
Yu Deng's expression blanked briefly; it gently patted his back, bringing him back.
When it spoke again, his dizziness lessened.
"Yu… Deng."
It seemed to speak for the first time, stumbling over his name.
Yu Deng shook his head, recovering from the dizziness. "So you can speak… are you a god?"
"Probably," it answered slowly. "But… I seem incomplete."
Yu Deng frowned, unsure what it meant by "incomplete."
"Do you know where you live?"
The tentacles shook. "I don't know. I seem to be in many places. But if someone calls me, that place might appear."
…Call? The townspeople called every ritual—does that mean players must participate too?
Yu Deng concentrated, slowly piecing together the evil god's words, his understanding of the dungeon becoming clearer.
He seemed to know what to do.
The tentacles, slightly displeased that Yu Deng was lost in thought, pressed against his forehead, transmitting a pure force into him.
"Mm!"
The god affectionately rubbed against him: "Mine… all yours."
Yu Deng opened his hand, unsure of this mystical sensation. "I feel like I'm cheating…"
The god was confused, not knowing what "cheating" meant. It slowly instructed him: "Only once."
This was the gift from last night's trade.
"I shouldn't appear at will again. I'll wait for you to come to me."
…
Meanwhile, Qin Jun and Cheng Xiao diligently spread rumors. Over the afternoon, all players realized tonight's bonfire ritual could directly reveal the temple. They became wary of each other, inevitably clashing and fighting.
Throughout the day, player information kept refreshing.
The remaining two extreme players acted even more recklessly. One from the Blood Heaven Guild was eliminated by several players together. Another extreme player ran into Qin Jun, who efficiently dealt with him. Cheng Xiao also eliminated a few ambushers.
As night fell, ten minutes before the ritual, only 15 players remained.
The town's several hundred residents, and all surviving players, gradually arrived at the central square.
Though called the bonfire ritual, besides the central fire, torches were placed around the square in specific positions. Gold-red flames burned in the darkness, reflecting through thick fog, creating a dangerous labyrinth-like atmosphere.
Yu Deng, the person in charge, remained in a small building at the edge of the square.
He looked at his previous dungeon contract companions: "If I were evil and harmed you, would you retaliate?"
Cheng Xiao didn't hesitate: "No. Baby, remember? I'll obey, so you can do whatever you want."
Qin Jun glanced at Cheng Xiao, then focused on Yu Deng: "Same here. But Deng, the creature we met at the mayor's before… that was the dungeon's evil god, right?"
Yu Deng paused a few seconds, then nodded.
"Will it bully you?"
Yu Deng hesitated, shaking his head: "Not really."
The two men sighed internally, temporarily suppressing hostility toward the god, choosing to cooperate with Yu Deng's plan.
Yu Deng's will was always first.
In their current position, all they could do was please Yu Deng, protect him, and gain his attention.
"No matter what you do, I'll support you." Qin Jun said.
…
The bonfire ritual began.
The mayor valued Yu Deng, the god's proxy, knowing he liked cloaks, and had specially prepared a luxurious one covered with jewels, jingling with every step.
As the ritual bell rang, Yu Deng walked to the central stage of the square.
The dense crowd surrounded him. Yu Deng played the mysterious merchant and divine proxy, though he still felt a little anxious.
So many people… they probably won't realize I'm a fraud, right?
Yu Deng cleared his throat: "Everyone, the ritual officially begins." He carefully adopted a dramatic, mystical tone. "Please, express your blessings and faith to the god."
The townspeople began chanting, sharing their wishes and devotion.
Players in the crowd, subconsciously influenced by the strange, mystical atmosphere, also expressed their desire to find the temple.
Yu Deng's ears were filled with ethereal chants. He looked up, gazing at the misty sky.
Where does light and moonlight always shine, never falling?
Where is the eternal place, representing humanity's aspirations?
The sky.
The birth of gods comes from countless ordinary, fervent wishes. Those persistent, ephemeral beliefs gather to form the temple, suspended in the sky, gazing compassionately upon humanity.
Amid the chants, the sky's mist slowly parted, revealing a massive structure in everyone's sight.
A radiant golden temple hung in the air, sacred and grand, almost too dazzling to look at.
"Wow… there's actually a miracle."
"So magnificent… my skin's crawling."
"So the temple is in the sky. The temple's location refresh doesn't mean it moves—it's that the summoner and ritual location aren't fixed."
"Deng-deng baby must have guessed the temple isn't on the ground?! Baby, you're amazing!"
The temple became clearer, a phantom staircase appearing before everyone. Players and NPCs alike, unable to resist, competed to ascend.
Yu Deng didn't rush. He hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand.
The next second, the players' bodies froze. A strong sense of oppression followed.
They stiffly turned their heads to see the mysterious cloaked merchant raising his hand, a continuous surge of mist and black fog emanating, forming a violent wind.
Using such overwhelming power was painful. Yu Deng's face turned pale, but he tried to maintain his image: "Thank you for helping summon the temple."
The players couldn't move under the terrifying force; their strength and health steadily decreased, utterly shocked.
Previously uncertain about Yu Deng's identity, they had been thoroughly deceived by the cloaked merchant—the mysterious player Yu Deng!
They had all been used as tools to summon the temple!
Yu Deng had rarely done something this evil, eliminating so many at once. He was nervous.
Dozens of elimination messages appeared simultaneously; in an instant, Yu Deng was the only name remaining.
He was the sole victor.
The fierce wind lifted his mask slightly, revealing a sliver of his fair, delicate jaw, glowing like fine warm jade under the firelight.
Seeing the eliminated players frozen in place, fading from view as they exited the dungeon, Yu Deng softly spoke, a little embarrassed and nervous:
"Sorry… I really wanted the reward."
"So… I had to eliminate everyone."