When the plot-skips players into the game world

Upon hearing Anar's words, Aiwass, who was originally not very interested, suddenly became intrigued.

— The temple of the Serpent Celestial Marshal?

The last time he saw the temple of the Serpent Celestial Marshal was at the Nineteenth Ring of the Holy Nation.

Upon hearing this, Ligeia also showed some interest: "The temple of the Serpent Celestial Marshal is not something you see every day."

As an Ascension Sorcerer, her faction allegiance lay with the Serpent Celestial Marshal.

Just like Arthur before he ascended to the Crowned Celestial Marshal. Although his transformative power originated from the Butterfly Celestial Marshal, it was a result of dealings with the Serpent Celestial Marshal, just as the Great Sin Scholar's power also came from the Serpent Celestial Marshal.

She had now completely completed her second transformation and no longer looked like the silver dragon loli she once was.

Since defeating the Fallen Celestial Marshal and absorbing the remnants of "Lucifer," Ligeia had entirely transformed into the appearance of the Winged Ones. The only dragon features left on her were the pair of fine, elongated curved dragon horns on her head, and a few silver dragon scales on her forearms and calves.

At this moment, Ligeia had a pair of soft, warm white wings behind her ears, behind her heels, and at her waist. Her long silver-white hair and azure-crystal-like eyes made her appear as holy as an angel.

And she looked much older than before... Ligeia once appeared like a little girl, but now she looked as if she had returned to the age of eighteen or nineteen or just over twenty, making her appear to be of the same age as Isabel.

Ligeia's exceptionally holy appearance greatly frightened Anar.

For these desert people, compared to the untouchable sacred image of gods and angels... demons were more common and acceptable.

Because demons were likely to live among them, they were a familiar sight. In the desert, even wicked demons were merely "living bending blades." But anything too sacred or pure was something they absolutely could not touch or dare to approach.

Whether they were some big shots from distant lands or the Benevolent Lords' treasures, they were things the lowly commoners dared not touch. Even if touching them with sand-stained hands would mean certain death.

Those overly pure and beautiful young individuals might be captured and enslaved for their beauty; too clean cloth might be seized or torn by jealous people; overly clear gemstones could be stolen or snatched by various people...

Over time, this developed into an instinctive "fear of purity."

When Anar saw Ligeia approaching her, she was so frightened that she trembled all over, leaning back with all her might, not daring to move at all.

Aiwass, though not fully understanding the reason, could see Anar's fear.

He reached out and pulled Ligeia back, casually explaining: "This isn't surprising. Parthia is the only nation where large numbers of serpentfolk still survive. Nowadays, serpentfolk from Primordial or Avalon are almost extinct, and outside of Parthia, they might only be found on the Southern Continent."

"And the main god revered and worshiped by the serpentfolk is indeed the Serpent Celestial Marshal."

"Shouldn't it be the Serpent Father?"

Ligeia was puzzled: "Serpentfolk are a race created by the Serpent Father, aren't they?"

"That's right, but the Serpent Father doesn't care much for these trivial matters. It's not that the Serpent Father is indifferent... it should be said that since the times before Supreme Heaven, few Pillar Gods have cared about such things."

Aiwass shook his head: "Apart from the Blood Celestial Marshal and Fog Sky Department, the Dream Realm doesn't have many racial gods."

After all, long ago, the lofty gods lived mingled with mortals on earth. These races originated from a test of the Source River's Creative ability before the Absolute Heaven and Earth. The gods didn't need these races for faith or territorial expansion.

— Like some sort of AI drawing software, developed by the Pillar God of the Sun Path for colleagues to play with. Everyone either took an interest, found nothing better to do, or for courtesy's sake, each came out with a drawing... and then the topic faded away. Few paid attention to what happened to their drawings later.

After the Absolute Heaven and Earth, the Pillar Gods lived in the Dream Realm where creations depended on thought, making the Material Realm even less meaningful to them... Like after entering university, the middle and high school group chats became less meaningful; even after graduating, the university group chat might not be opened, only a few intimate friends might be messaged privately.

— Supreme Heaven is like a busybody who continues to be very active in the university club group chat even after graduating, remotely controlling their "direct lineage" to fight over power with another group of juniors they've never met.

Because the other Pillar Gods couldn't be bothered, the giants, who were prominently favored by the Pillar Gods, would wreak havoc in the Material Realm.

"Compared to the Serpent Father, the Serpent Celestial Marshal is more a 'one of their kind.' He is a bona fide serpentfolk, like Akpolis and the Medicine Celestial Marshal. They genuinely care for the serpentfolk, just like the Crown Lord relatively cares for humans."

Aiwass explained softly: "The serpentfolk continue to survive largely thanks to the care of the Medicine Celestial Marshal and Serpent Celestial Marshal. Almost every serpentfolk knows herbology and ritual."

— Even if it's not a conscious bias, subconscious likes and dislikes can have an impact.

Not all gods are as universally loving as the Shadowy Celestial Marshal... The Silver-Crowned Dragon has never taken dwarves or serpentfolk as angel envoys, no matter how much they respect Authority or worship the Crown Lord; most of the Eternal Self's dancers are elves, or humans akin to "Elf Lite."

Even aesthetic preferences like "favoring certain appearances" could influence an upper being's personal likes and dislikes, leading to inevitable competitive inequalities.

The selection of angel envoys entirely depends on the gods' preferences, with the "salary" of power also personally dispensed by gods, and "beauty" being one of the fundamental laws of the world, the impact of "personal preference" should not be underestimated. As long as a god is willing to sacrifice enough power, even an utterly worthless mortal can be promoted to angel envoy.

— This is why the dwarves hope the Flame Celestial Marshal or Stone Celestial Marshal can ascend to become a Pillar God.

They are the ancestors of dwarves, truly their own kin.

While humans and elves might find the idea of promoting a "dwarven Pillar God" at all costs as narrow-minded, shortsighted, or even laughable... for dwarves, there is a certain necessity.

One cannot understand their obsession without experiencing the hardship.

"Anar," Aiwass looked back at the guide, "change direction, I want to go to the Snake-man Temple."

Anar was startled by the words: "But, sir..."

She was eager to refuse— this meeting was entirely unplanned.

After all, her job was to guide people back and forth between two sides.

Not everyone is as fortunate as Aiwass's group, with a luxurious carriage to ferry them... For mortals lacking resources and physical strength, the temple where they could rest along the way was their hope for survival. If the serpentfolk did not allow them inside, the only fate was death.

Thus, Anar did not want to offend the serpentfolk.

"Don't worry, Anar."

Aiwass gently comforted, "I just told you... this job is inherently unsafe, a dead end eventually. Moreover, we aren't going to break into the temple... I have no conflict with the Serpent Celestial Marshal, in fact, we're particularly close.

"If the serpentfolk guarding the temple refuse us entry, we'll simply turn back, how about that? Trust me, Anar. After all, without you, we wouldn't easily find our way."

"...Alright, then."

Reluctantly, Anar agreed, confirming with Aiwass, "If the serpentfolk don't want us to enter, please, please do not engage them."

She wasn't worried about this group getting into trouble.

Though she didn't know their identity or power, for the Desert People, judging power and origin through clothing and demeanor was an ingrained skill—many lords loved playing "anonymous outing" games, pretending to be commoners for a stroll, and missing that recognition could cost one's head.

She was more concerned about possibly bringing some unmanageable trouble to the serpentfolk...

The serpentfolk were aloof, but they had been partners for years.

"Rest assured."

Aiwass said meaningfully, "They might warmly welcome us after all."

How could that be—

Anar pouted, not pleased.

Cold serpentfolk, warmly welcoming humans? It sounded like lies spilling from expensively dressed people!