516: The Ninth Step is in Sight

"99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%..."

The System's voice grew more excited with every increment. The orb of light spun like a top within the Sea of Consciousness, its surface data streams flashing so fast they were a blur.

"99.8%, 99.9%..."

"100%!!!"

"Okay, it's done!"

At the same time, Olexia's voice, husky yet filled with excitement, came through the cross-planar communication channel. The background noise was incredibly chaotic.

There was the sound of crashing waves, the unique hissing conversations of the Naga Clan, and the crisp "click" of a metal seal being stamped onto a parchment contract.

"Listen, Your Majesty!"

The communication screen suddenly shifted, shoving right into the face of an ancient Naga.

This old Naga's face was so wrinkled it could crush a "Sea Moth" between the folds. His grayish-white scales were dull and lackluster, but his cloudy, emerald-green vertical pupils were currently filled with devotion and... a craving for some unknown delicacy?

Clutching the freshly signed contract, the tip of his tail slapped the reef excitedly. A raspy voice came through the communicator: "Abyss above... Praise My God... Seasoning packets... Spicy ones..."

The screen shifted back to Olexia.

The Goddess of Desire had finally managed to pull her appearance back together.

Her blonde hair was styled into an elegant bun held by a deep-sea pearl hairpin. She had changed into a dark green velvet gown with tiny obsidians inlaid along the neckline, making her skin look luminously white.

However, even the powder puff couldn't hide the dark circles under her eyes.

With one hand on her hip and the other holding a thick stack of signed contracts toward the camera, the corners of her lips curled up in an expression that was seventy percent smugness and thirty percent exhaustion.

"Eighty-seven Naga tribes, along with all their subordinate sea races—they're all right here."

Olexia handed the contracts to the side, where a fish-tailed attendant respectfully took them.

She rubbed her stiff neck, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked toward Shang Wan Ning's direction. "Your Majesty, I am a goddess of my word. Fifteen days—not a single day more."

"Now... isn't it time to deliver on my subsequent supplies?"

Shang Wan Ning sat on her soft couch, watching Olexia's "praise me, reward me" expression on the light screen. Her lips twitched.

But she was indeed in a good mood.

Main Quest Three, Ativi Continent: Path of Faith, was complete.

The 100% progress bar hung glitteringly at the very top of the system panel.

Xiao Si was already setting off virtual fireworks in the System Space, his code shivering with excitement: "Host, Host! Rewards! The rewards are about to be issued!!!"

Shang Wan Ning suppressed the agitation in her Sea of Consciousness and nodded to Olexia on the screen. "The supplies will be sent immediately. You have done well. The subsequent consolidation of faith can be handled by regular Church personnel."

"You..."

She paused, noticing the dark circles under Olexia's eyes. "Rest for a few days first."

"Rest?"

"Her Majesty the Empress, you wouldn't be thinking of exiling me to the Ativi Plane, would you?!"

"Making me continue this miserable life where I can't binge shows or eat hotpot???"

"Uh... (#-.-)."

"I am not that heartless."

"The Abyss Church headquarters on the Ativi Continent needs a high-order deity to oversee things. Your Excellency shall remain in office for the time being. The supply of goods will continue as usual."

"Truly?"

"The word of a ruler is final."

Olexia let out a long sigh of relief. The entire "goddess" visibly relaxed, her shoulders slumping.

She waved her hand to signal the attendant to leave, then collapsed into the magnificent coral chair behind her, her velvet skirt spreading out.

"Then I shall... reluctantly stay a while longer," she said, letting out a yawn.

"By the way, Your Majesty, for the next transport, could you bring along a few newly released GL novels? The bards on this crappy continent only know how to sing about 'the hero fighting the dragon.' The plots haven't changed for thousands of years; my ears are growing calluses from listening to them."

"Granted."

Shang Wan Ning cut the communication.

Almost at the same instant the screen vanished, the system notification boomed in her Sea of Consciousness:

"Ding! Main Quest Three [Ativi Continent: Path of Faith] has been completed."

"Quest Evaluation: S+ (Exceeded faith coverage, reincarnation channel established and stable)"

"Quest rewards are being issued..."

"Reward 1: Character Card [Yama Lord] (Eighth Order Peak, Complete Form) has been stored in the System Space."

"Reward 2: Three remaining Law of Reincarnation fragments have automatically fused with the Host's divine soul."

Shang Wan Ning's breath hitched.

Immediately after, her mind sank into the System Space.

A pitch-black card floated in the center of the space. In the middle of the card, two seal script characters rotated slowly.

[Yama Lord].

She first looked at that character card.

With a thought, the card's detailed information unfolded:

"[Character Card: Yama Lord]"

"[Status: Eighth Order Peak, Complete Form (Summonable)]"

"[Traits: Absolutely loyal to the Host. Possesses the complete authority of a Hell's Yama King. Proficient in Nether Laws, Judgment Laws, and Soul Management. Has the ability to independently handle the daily administrative affairs of Hell.]"

"[Summoning Method: Communicate with the card via thought and set the descent location.]"

"[Remarks: This card's summon is permanent and can cultivate to improve independently. Daily consumption is automatically supplied by Hell's incense offerings and power of vows.]"

Shang Wan Ning stared at the line "ability to independently handle the daily administrative affairs of Hell," and her eyes lit up bit by bit.

She looked just like a wolf that hadn't eaten for three days finally spotting a fat sheep.

Without the slightest hesitation, she communicated with the card through her thoughts.

"Summon."

"Descent location: Secretary-General's office."

The card transformed into a streak of black light and vanished into the void.

The next second.

Secretariat, Secretary-General's office.

Ling Qi, who was currently organizing today's memorials, seemed to sense something. Her pen paused, and she looked up toward the center of the room.

Space rippled like water, and a tall figure gradually solidified.

"Ling Qi, long time no see!"