Shadows lurk behind the curtain of tenderness, divine trials shake the heart that defies God.

After the God-Defying Squad left the Petrification Altar, they chose to rest in the nearby Black Forest. Night fell, and a roaring bonfire was lit in the camp. The 15 women surrounded Su Chen, each revealing the tender side that emerged after their bonds had deepened—a scene that Qian Renxue, hidden in the shadows, took in completely.

She restrained her Angel God power, transforming into a streak of golden light, and quietly landed on a towering ancient tree in the Black Forest. Her azure blue eyes gazed through the gaps in the leaves at everything in the camp. The voice of the Angel God Trial continued to chatter incessantly in her mind: "Qian Renxue! Quickly slay the God-Defying anomaly and complete the Angel God Trial, otherwise you will never be able to ascend to the Angel God!" Yet, looking at the warm scene in the camp, that voice gradually became pale and powerless.

In the center of the camp, Karin was leaning on Su Chen's shoulder, her long purple hair draping over his arm. A green healing halo spread from the corners of her lips, gently licking the minor wounds Su Chen had sustained during the battle at the Petrification Altar. "Lord Su Chen, please be more careful in future battles. Although my blood can heal you, I don't want to see you get hurt." Karin's voice was soft and sweet, filled with dependency. Su Chen raised his hand to gently stroke the top of her head, his black and gold eyes filled with doting affection: "With you here, I am not afraid of getting hurt."

In the close-up, the green healing halo intertwined with the black and gold nishen markings, reflecting their intimate profiles. In the medium shot, the light and shadows of the bonfire danced, a flush rose on Karin's cheeks, and Su Chen's fingertips gently combed through her long hair, creating a warm and ambiguous atmosphere. Qian Renxue's heart tightened inexplicably—she had never seen such pure dependency and cherishing. The coldness of the Angel God Temple and the strictness of the Angel God Trial seemed completely out of place at this moment.

Not far away, Xiao Wu pulled Su Chen into their exclusive treehouse, where pink spirit power and black and gold God-Defying Power intertwined into a faint light cocoon. "Brother Su Chen, Sister Medusa's Black and White Petrification was so powerful today. If we fight together in the future, we will definitely be able to defeat even more enemies!" Xiao Wu's voice was crisp, and her rabbit ears twitched gently. Su Chen pulled her into his embrace, the God-Defying Power in his palm gently wrapping around her: "From now on, I will protect you and never let you suffer any grievances again."

The silhouette of the treehouse was exceptionally clear under the moonlight, the pink light cocoon emitting a soft glow, like the unbreakable bond between the two of them. Watching this scene, Qian Renxue couldn't help but recall the illusion of the Angel God Temple—in the illusion, Su Chen was slain by the God Realm Enforcers, and she could only watch coldly from the sidelines. But at this moment, she clearly felt that Su Chen's protection of those around him was far more real than so-called "divine authority justice."

On the other side, Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda hovered above the bonfire, golden glazed light spilling over everyone, bringing a warm boost. "Brother Su Chen, my Nine Treasure boost can last longer now. Next time we battle Xiao Ling, I will definitely stack the strongest boost on you, letting you easily crush him!" Ning Rongrong's voice was filled with pride, and golden light flashed in her eyes. Su Chen nodded with a smile: "With your boost, we will definitely win."

In the close-up, the nine-story body of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brilliantly, its golden halo intertwining with the red light and shadows of the bonfire. In the medium shot, Ning Rongrong stood on tiptoe, gently pressing her cheek against Su Chen's arm, intimate and natural. A trace of confusion flashed in Qian Renxue's azure blue eyes—she had always thought that the meaning of power lay in control and domination, but seeing Ning Rongrong's boost for Su Chen, she finally understood that power could also be about protection and companionship.

Ah Yin's Blue Silver Grass gently spread out, wrapping around the camp to form a gentle barrier, while Life Power nourished the surrounding vegetation; Xiao Yi Xian's light green Poison Mist transformed into docile butterflies, dancing by the bonfire, no longer having the slightest bit of violence; Zi Yan's dragon phoenix wings flapped gently, dispelling mosquitoes for everyone; Xiao Xun Er's Colored Phoenix Fire condensed into tiny fire spirits, leaping about the camp, bringing light and warmth...

The 15 Heroines each displayed their strengths, surrounding Su Chen without jealousy, only mutual trust and dependency. Their bonds were an invincible fighting force in battle and heartwarming tenderness in daily life. This scene, like a sharp blade, viciously slashed through Qian Renxue's perception of divine authority.

"The God Trial... is it really correct?" Qian Renxue murmured to herself in her heart. The Angel God Trial required her to sever all emotions and become a cold executor of divine authority, but seeing the bond between Su Chen and the Sisters, she felt an unprecedented yearning. She remembered Su Chen's mockery of divine authority in the Star Dou Secret Realm, remembered Su Chen's protection of Medusa at the Petrification Altar, and remembered her own deep-seated longing for freedom and tenderness—the shackles of divine authority seemed to be quietly loosening.

Just at this moment, Su Chen's black and gold gaze suddenly swept toward the direction where Qian Renxue was hiding, and his God-Defying Power instantly locked onto her aura. "Who is there?" Su Chen's voice carried vigilance, and the 15 Heroines instantly put away their tenderness, each mobilizing their power, ready for battle.

Qian Renxue was startled, knowing she had been discovered. She did not choose to attack, but instead slowly leaped down from the tree, unfurling her angel wings, her azure blue eyes staring straight at Su Chen: "It is me."

"Qian Renxue?" A trace of hostility flashed in the Sisters' eyes, and Medusa's Black and White Petrification ray instantly condensed. "What are you trying to do?"

Su Chen raised his hand to stop the Sisters, his black and gold gaze looking calmly at Qian Renxue: "Are you following us to complete the Angel God Trial and kill me?"

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, then slowly retracted her angel wings, her golden divine power gradually calming down: "I am not here to kill you." A trace of struggle flashed in her azure blue eyes, "I just wanted to see what your so-called the path of nishen is actually like."

"the path of nishen is to break the shackles of divine authority, to protect those around you, and to strive for freedom and equality." Su Chen's voice was steady and powerful, "And not like the God Realm, which treats all things as chess pieces and uses divine authority to rule over everything."

Qian Renxue's heart shook violently; Su Chen's words had struck exactly at the bottom of her heart. The voice of the Angel God Trial roared again: "Qian Renxue! Do not be bewitched by him! All God Defiers are heretics and must be slain!" Yet this time, she subconsciously resisted this voice.

"I will go to Shrek Academy." Qian Renxue suddenly spoke, her azure blue eyes filled with determination, "I will witness your duel with Xiao Ling with my own eyes, and I will find my own answer." After speaking, she turned and transformed into a streak of golden light, disappearing into the night of the Black Forest.

Watching Qian Renxue's departing figure, Xiao Wu frowned: "Brother Su Chen, could she be up to some trick?"

"Her God Trial has already been shaken." A smile curled at the corners of Su Chen's mouth, his black and gold gaze filled with certainty, "She craves freedom, she craves tenderness, and these are things the God Realm cannot give her. One day, she will stand on our side."

The Sisters nodded one after another, no longer dwelling on Qian Renxue's appearance, and sat back around the bonfire, continuing their warm interactions. The light of the bonfire illuminated everyone's faces, and the 15 types of power intertwined with the black and gold God-Defying Power, forming a warm and firm halo.

Meanwhile, the departing Qian Renxue flew through the night sky, complex light flickering in her azure blue eyes. In her heart, the God Trial and the God-Defying heart were colliding fiercely, and the duel at Shrek Academy would become her final choice. She knew that her destiny was about to undergo a complete change in that duel.